This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BUB.2ACI/6005 Message Board Post: A LONG LIFE ENDED She Was One of the Pioneers of the Town of Hume - Her Life History Died in Fillmore January 17, 1895, Mrs. Permelia L'HOMMEDIEU RUSSELL PENFIELD, at the advanced age of 95 years, 10 months, and 3 days. Seldom does it fall to our lot to record the death of one so ripe in years, of such rich and varied experiences, so intelligent in observation, so pleasant in expression, and though this sketch may not be of a strictly obituary nature, the writer feels that it is eminently proper in this connection to give to the public a part, at least, of what was obtained during a very interesting interview had with her on Christmas day, 1893. She was then in a fairly good state of health; her mind seemed clear and bright, and her memory, especially of events and reminscences [sic] of her younger days, was truly remarkable. In appearance she was the ideal old lady. Well educated for her day, above the medium height, intelligent and expressive features, with refined and lady like manners and accomplishments she must have been in her prime, a lovely and lovable woman. She was born March 14, 1799, in Montgomery county. Her father was Captain Samuel RUSSELl, one of the early settlers of Hume, to which place she came with the rest of the family, about 1808-1810, fixing their abode in a rude log cabin on what we know as the place of the RUSSELL Bro's, Fred and Eugene. Her mother's name was Mary, a sister of the pioneers, Roger, George and Elisha MILLS. The children were seven in number, Caroline, the eldest being the pioneer teacher in Hume, conducting a school during the summer of 1812 in what is now the stable part of the old barn on the Philo MILLS place. She afterwards became the second wife of Michael GOODRICH, and died long years ago. The subject of this sketch came next, then Oliver M., who died a quarter of a century ago, remembered still by many of our older people. Cornelia was the next - becoming the wife of the late Judge F.S. MARTIN of Olean. Then came Samuel M., who attended the pioneer school his sister taught, dying about a year ago, the oldest member of the Allegany Co. bar. George was next, dying some years since in Milwaukee, Wis., and last, came Jane, who married a man by the name of SWEETLAND and still lives in this town, a widow at an advanced age, the only survivor of the family of Capt. Samuel RUSSELL. Permelia, in 1812, attended school at West Bloomfield. While there she frequently saw companies of soldiers marching through to the Niagara frontier. In those days Captain RUSSELL had to go to Big Tree (Geneseo) for his supplies. In 1813, Elisha MILLS had removed to Canandaigua, where he kept the leading public house. So her father placed Permelia with her uncle's people, that she might have the advantages of the first female school in Western New York. She distinctly remembered, as she said, ‘as though it was yesterday,' and very pleasantly related this incident. It was in September, 1813. The battle of Lake Erie had been fought and Commodore PERRY, who, as one of the results, was immediately made famous, was hastening east on important business. Couriers had been dispatched announcing the victory and the commodore's intentions. All roads in that day led through Canandaigua. So Elisha MILLS put his house in the best of order expecting soon to entertain the commodore and his staff. It was a wet, nasty day. A man astride, as she said ‘a little nuggin of a pony,' rode up and dismounted and asked to go into the kitchen to warm. He was allowed to do so though rather under protest, MILLS telling him that there were other public houses and that he was expecting Commodore PERRY and staff soon, etc. He spread his great cloak over a chair before the fire and stood turning himself as on a spit before the fireplace (no stoves then.) After getting warmed, the horse rested and fed, himself taking perhaps ‘a hasty plate of soup,' he again straddled ‘the little nuggin of a pony' and galloped away at a lively speed. He had scarcely disappeared when they some way found out that they had already entertained the commodore. The laugh was on MILLS. The commodore had found his progress so impeded by the people at every hamlet, village or four corners even, that he resolved to travel in disguise and thus evade them. During the war of 1812-14, her father had a quantity of hides stored somewhere in Buffalo. Going out with some teams after them he arrived there just before Buffalo was burned, was impressed into the service, teams and all, losing about $800 in the scrape. April 10, 1817, Permelia was united in marriage with Wm. W. PENFIELD, who came originally from Connecticut. The ceremony was performed in the log cabin, a Baptist preacher from Pike whose name she could not recall, officiating. Mr. PENFIELD engaged in the tanning business and kept a store at Mills Mills. He by appointment or arrangement distributed the annuities to the Indians on the reservation and thus became acquainted with nearly all of them, readily conversing with them in their own tongue. Mrs. PENFIELD was also acquainted with many of them, their trade being largely with the Indians. Companies of white people would go down to their village near where Rossburg now is, and witness their feasts and dances. Mrs. PENFIELD said she had seen Red Jacket there and heard him address the assembled Indians. About 1828, the PENFIELDs removed to Olean, where Mr. PENFIELD for some fifteen years carried on the tanning business. At that time a man used to go from Olean to the northern towns, making the trips at stated intervals, going on horseback, doing errands of all kinds, carrying and bringing letters, making purchases, carrying some loads which seemed almost incredible. It was said he at one time brought in a spinning wheel. This was probably about the first express business done in western New York. While in Olean they purchased a ‘Wilson stove' the first cooking stove used in the place. So many people came to see it work and learn the methods of cooking with it, that it really became a nuisance to the family for a time. Mrs. PENFIELD with other women turned out and helped ‘pick up' when they were clearing the ground which is now the park in Olean. After a while the family moved into the Olean House, which place they conducted for years. Entertained a great many people among them some quite distinguished. Every spring before the rafts would start, the house would be full from cellar to garret. While keeping the Olean House the noted artist John PHILLIPS used the parlor as a studio while painting the portrait of the famous Seneca Chief ‘GOVERNOR BLACKSNAKE,' who came there to sit for it. Daniel WEBSTER and a brother-in-law once stopped at their house while on a hunting and fishing expedition to Pennsylvania. Gov. De Witt CLINTON was also their guest. Many a time has the cellar kitchen been filled with their Indian acquaintances of the Genesee of a night when on their hunting excursions to Pennsylvania. One time years afterwards when Mr. and Mrs. PENFIELD were in Buffalo they were accosted by a chief, his squaw and three or four children, whom they formerly knew here and at Olean. They expressed great delight at meeting them and Mr. Penfield took them to a hotel and furnished dinner for the whole party. Mrs. PENFIELD, early in life became a member of the Episcopal church, and for many years had belonged to St. Stephens church of Olean. The family consisted of seven children, of whom Martin F. and Oliver M. now conducting the Railroad house in Fillmore; Mrs. Mary CROCKER of Pittsburg, Mrs. Amelia SHULAR of Bolivar and Miss Calphumia the milliner at Fillmore, survive. The oldest and youngest, brother William and sister Sarah, are deceased. The shock of corn was indeed fully ripe and ready for the harvest. The funeral was held at the Railroad House, her late home, last Sunday afternoon, Rev. S. S. BALLOU officiating. Burial in the Alger burying ground. Northern Allegany Observer obituary by John S. Minard >From Cora Lahr's scrapbooks, Fillmore, NY