The Town of Willett was originally named in honor of Col. Marinus Willett, a War of the Revolution hero. The name was spelled Willett until about 1910, when the second T was dropped and it's been Willet ever since. When I was the Historian for the Town of Willet, I asked many people why the name was changed, but no one seemed to know.

> > > Loma > Would you please contact me: [email protected] > > I have a question about the Willett Cemeteries. > > Thank you > > Anne Which brings up another issue - I had someone write me this past week or so and say - hey you've got Willet spelled wrong it should be just one T at the end instead of two. So since this person didn't give me a particular page with the 'bad' spelling on it, I did a search on my computer of my Cortland directory to find the file. 58 files came up. In looking at them, I saw the name spelled both ways and in fact in one of them, perhaps who the town was named for Col. Willett. My question then becomes was it originally called Willett and over the years one T has been dropped? ------------------------------------------------------via webmail---- Tim Stowell [email protected]

A quick check at www.sampubco.com showed no Mather or Matthew Rowe having a will filed in Cortland co. Only these on record to have wills: ARvilla, Chester, Nelson, and Rufus and one possible - Sarah E. Rouse W. David Samuelsen SAMPUBCO Tim Dempsey Family wrote: > Is there anyone in Cortland Co. who would be willing to do a will lookup? I am researching the Matthew (or Mather) Rowe family. >

In this context, "neet cattle" means "head of cattle". They simply wanted to know how many cows the family has. The ownership of cows, for farmers and even non-farmers, was an indication of wealth and the ability to self support yourself and your family. In those days, cows were very important. For the "pauper" question, I suspect that the State of New York was trying to figure out how much taxpayer money should be set aside for the support of poor houses, an institution established to take care of those who could not take care of themselves. Historically, in the colonies and in the early history of the United States (post Revolutionary War) such social programs were in their infancy. Now, they are well advanced, compared even to 1835. I assume others have researched this matter, for the first 150 years since the landing of those on the Mayflower, quite extensively but I can't cite references. -----Original Message----- From: Tim Stowell [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 11:57 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NYCORTLA] Re: 1835 State Census At 05:46 PM 3/17/06 -0800, Douglas Crosby wrote: >Census Column / Heading > >7 The number of persons in the same family who are paupers. > > >18 The number of neat cattle owned by the same family. Doug, A couple of definitions if you know? Would paupers be considered adults who had no means of income? I've heard of neat cattle as far as butchering goes, but I rather doubt that is what they meant? Tim ==== NYCORTLA Mailing List ==== ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx

Loma Would you please contact me: [email protected] I have a question about the Willett Cemeteries. Thank you Anne _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

Great discussion. This is a good reminder that we don't necessarily speak the same language as our ancestors let alone the bureaucrats (past or present) and need to be careful to ask questions. I checked a couple of the Google links provided by Anne as well as an old dictionary and have concluded that "neat cattle" simply means "bovine" or what we commonly call cows, steer or oxen (regardless of gender). We tend to use the word "cattle" (without "neat") for the same thing, but in its strict sense the word cattle includes "all domestic quadrapeds" such as sheep, horses, mules, goats and swine. With no disrespect to our forebears, I would assume this question on the census might have also been a head scratcher for many people at the time. Then again, I've read several letters and diaries from 100 and 150 years ago and have seen consistently that while we tend to spell better today (thanks to our computers), our ancestors used more precise vocabulary. They also used words and phrases that have evolved to mean different things to us. To repeat what Mary said "one must never assume". That said, I'm not sure if "pauper" only includes adult poor persons, but I have seen the term "pauper's child" which implies that you aren't a pauper until you are old enough to earn your own living. My dictionary says a pauper is "one who is supported by the poor rates." The census question seems illogical. How could a family of, let's say, seven people all be paupers except for little Freddie who lives off a trust and doesn't share his pudding with the others? I'd be curious if there are many examples where the number in column 7, if not zero, is different that the total persons in the household. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:09 AM Subject: Re: [NYCORTLA] Re: 1835 State Census >I didn't look at any of the links, but here is the result of a Google >search > of Neat Cattle: > _http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=neat+cattle_ > (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=neat+cattle) > > > ==== NYCORTLA Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > >

Added late Friday - death notices from the Cortland Democrat for the years 1868, 1869, 1870 and a couple of months in 1871. These items contributed by Merton Sarvay. I still have over 90 emails from him with material to add. These are listed under the Town of Cortlandville. http://www.rootsweb.com/~nycortla/crtdvlle.htm Tim

Question from a visitor to the Cheningo Cemetery. They wondered about the crosses in the cemetery and wondered if they were Quakers or folks who couldn't afford tombstones. ======== From my knowledge of Quakers, I was under the impression that Quakers didn't use tombstones at all, at least the old order Quakers didn't. Thoughts anyone? Tim

I didn't look at any of the links, but here is the result of a Google search of Neat Cattle: _http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=neat+cattle_ (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=neat+cattle)

At 05:46 PM 3/17/06 -0800, Douglas Crosby wrote: >Census Column / Heading > >7 The number of persons in the same family who are paupers. > > >18 The number of neat cattle owned by the same family. Doug, A couple of definitions if you know? Would paupers be considered adults who had no means of income? I've heard of neat cattle as far as butchering goes, but I rather doubt that is what they meant? Tim

Awww, come on Tim! We live here, which proves we do have a sense of humor ;-) Plus we also don't like to have things stay the same. The old saying goes... 'wait 5 minutes and the weather will change' I believe it was one of our ancestors that said that one..... Happy St. Pat's Day! Hope everyone has a very safe and enjoyable weekend... if you are Irish or not! Anne Ruggeri ----- ----- ------ At 12:48 PM 3/17/06 -0500, Loma Wilkins wrote: >Tim, that was totally uncalled for and excessively cruel. The weather in >Central New York is NOT a topic we care to discuss until about June. Complaints can be sent to me privately. Not to the list. Learn to lighten up a bit folks. Your ancestors did. Tim Stowell [email protected] Chattanooga, TN ==== NYCORTLA Mailing List ====

Census Column / Heading 1 The name of the head of each family. 2 The number of male persons in the family, (the name of whose head is in the first column,)including its head, if male. 3 The number of female persons in the same family, including its head, if female. 4 The number of male persons in the same family subject to militia duty. 5 The whole number of male persons in the same family entitled by the constitution of this state to vote for all officers elective by the people. 6 The number of male persons in the same family who are aliens not naturalized. 7 The number of persons in the same family who are paupers. 8 The number of persons in the same family who are persons of colour not taxed. 9 The number of persons of colour in the same family who are taxed. 10 The whole number of persons of colour in the same family who are taxed, and entitled by the constitution of this state to vote for all officers elective by the people, (and not to be included in the ninth column.) 11 The number of married female persons in the same family under the age of forty-five years. 12 The number of unmarried female persons in the same family, between the ages of sixteen and forty-five years. 13 The number of female persons in the same family, unmarried, under the age of sixteen years. 14 The number of marriages occurring in the same family, where the female resided, during the year preceding. 15 Whole number of births in the same family during the year preceding. MALE Whole number of births in the same family during the year preceding. FEMALE 16 Whole number of deaths in the same family during the year preceding. MALE Whole number of deaths in the same family during the year preceding. FEMALE 17 The number of acres of improved land occupied by the same family. 18 The number of neat cattle owned by the same family. 19 The number of horses owned by the same family. 20 The number of sheep owned by the same family. 21 The number of hogs owned by the same family. 22 The number of yards of fulled cloth manufactured in the domestic way in the same family, during the preceding year. 23 The number of yards of flannel and other woolen cloth not fulled, manufactured in the domestic way in the same family, during the preceding year. 24 The whole number of yards of linen, cotton, or other thin cloths, manufactured in the domestic way in the same family, during the preceding year. Doug Crosby www.lookingforgrandma.com

At 12:48 PM 3/17/06 -0500, Loma Wilkins wrote: >Tim, that was totally uncalled for and excessively cruel. The weather in >Central New York is NOT a topic we care to discuss until about June. Complaints can be sent to me privately. Not to the list. Learn to lighten up a bit folks. Your ancestors did. Tim Stowell [email protected] Chattanooga, TN

Tim, that was totally uncalled for and excessively cruel. The weather in Central New York is NOT a topic we care to discuss until about June.

Mr. Coston, Thank you so much for the information as it does indeed help. Information on #11 and #14 would also be helpful. Another question is about the 1855 state census of NY. From the CCHS I received a printed page of my family which shows the name of the Head of Household as well as the other members in the house. It is printed out with Names, ages, single letters to indicate whether married, single, son, and daughter, etc. Mine has s-d next to one female and I had always assumed that she was a step-daughter. I realize in Gen. one must never assume anything so I would like to ask if you have an opinion on that and if you know of any other questions besides the County, place of birth and how many years the family resided in that town are on that state census. Many thanks again for your earlier response. Mary

At 09:39 AM 3/15/06 EST, [email protected] wrote: >Hi everyone! > >I am very sorry to say that we are canceling this talk once again, due to >the weather. Pittsfield, MA has treacherous driving conditions right now, and >roads are glare ice. Plus, according to the weather maps I have seen, most of >Jean's drive will be through the lake effect bands. Its just not safe for her >to travel here today. > >I am going to try to see if we can reschedule the talk sometime this week. I >will email as soon as I know. Jean is involved with Natural History Day at SU > on Saturday, so this would be great if I can get her talk in this week. > >DO NOT GO TO THE OCPL'S Curtin Auditorium TO SEE JEAN NUDD THIS EVENING!! >The Archival Research Strategies talk has been canceled for this evening, >Wednesday, March 15th from 6 - 8 pm. > >STAY HOME & STAY SAFE!!! > >Stay tuned > >Anne Ruggeri Then I gather folks don't want to hear that here - the spring / Easter flower are up and smiling at us? Last week we had low 80s. This week we're back to the 60s though. Tim

Listers, Your expert knowledge is needed again. I have my ancestor's name and numbers on the 1835 STATE census of Homer but do not know what the numbers represent in the first few columns. Are they similar to the 1830 Federal census? Thanks again for the replies to the Tax questions. Mary

Alice and Flossie and lots of TERPENINGs are listed in Virgil Rural Cemetery, Virgil, Cortland County. Lee TINKER is in Sand Hill, Sempronius, Cayuga County. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anne E Townsend" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:35 AM Subject: [NYCORTLA] KEECH/ELLIOTT/TERPENING/TINKER > > I am seeking information on Clay D Elliott. > I find he registered for the WW I draft in Cayuga County while residing > with his mother whom I believe to be Alice Keech, d/of William & Saphrona > Keech. Alice m 1st Emery Elliott > 1850 Groton > William Keech 27 farming b Cortland Co > Saphrona 23 b Tompkins Co > > 1870 Harford > Prentis Elliott > July Ann (Julia) > Emery Elliott > > Next to > William Keech 47 > Saphrona 43 > Marilla 17 > Alice 15 > > 1880 Virgil > Emery Elliott 24 > Alice wf 24 > > 1900 Virgil > Alice Terpening Aug 1855 wd > Clay D Elliott son June 1884 > Flossie Terpening dau Apr 1888 > > 1910 Harford > Alice M Terpening 54 wd landlady hotel > Clay D Elliott son 25 m 4yrs landlord hotel > no wife in household > > 1918 Cayuga Co Draft > Clay D Elliott > 11 North St Auburn > born June 6 1884 > NR Alice M Terpening mother > > 1910 City of Auburn > Hardenburg Av > Lee Tinker 42 m 2x 2 1/2 yrs NY > Flossie wf 22 m1x 2 1/2 yrs 1 ch 1liv NY > Earl J Tinker son 1yr 9mo NY > Ralph Tinker son 12 NY > > Looking for burial sites of the above Alice Keech Elliott Terpening, Clay > D Elliott, and his sister Flossie Terpening Tinker. > > Anne > > 1920 City of Auburn > Alice M Terpening 64 wd > Clay D Elliott son 35 single joiner rope co > Flossie Tinker dau 31 wid waitress rest > Earl Tinker gr son 11 > > > > _______________________________________________ > No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. > Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com > > > > ==== NYCORTLA Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > >

Hi everyone! I am very sorry to say that we are canceling this talk once again, due to the weather. Pittsfield, MA has treacherous driving conditions right now, and roads are glare ice. Plus, according to the weather maps I have seen, most of Jean's drive will be through the lake effect bands. Its just not safe for her to travel here today. I am going to try to see if we can reschedule the talk sometime this week. I will email as soon as I know. Jean is involved with Natural History Day at SU on Saturday, so this would be great if I can get her talk in this week. DO NOT GO TO THE OCPL'S Curtin Auditorium TO SEE JEAN NUDD THIS EVENING!! The Archival Research Strategies talk has been canceled for this evening, Wednesday, March 15th from 6 - 8 pm. STAY HOME & STAY SAFE!!! Stay tuned Anne Ruggeri

I am seeking information on Clay D Elliott. I find he registered for the WW I draft in Cayuga County while residing with his mother whom I believe to be Alice Keech, d/of William & Saphrona Keech. Alice m 1st Emery Elliott 1850 Groton William Keech 27 farming b Cortland Co Saphrona 23 b Tompkins Co 1870 Harford Prentis Elliott July Ann (Julia) Emery Elliott Next to William Keech 47 Saphrona 43 Marilla 17 Alice 15 1880 Virgil Emery Elliott 24 Alice wf 24 1900 Virgil Alice Terpening Aug 1855 wd Clay D Elliott son June 1884 Flossie Terpening dau Apr 1888 1910 Harford Alice M Terpening 54 wd landlady hotel Clay D Elliott son 25 m 4yrs landlord hotel no wife in household 1918 Cayuga Co Draft Clay D Elliott 11 North St Auburn born June 6 1884 NR Alice M Terpening mother 1910 City of Auburn Hardenburg Av Lee Tinker 42 m 2x 2 1/2 yrs NY Flossie wf 22 m1x 2 1/2 yrs 1 ch 1liv NY Earl J Tinker son 1yr 9mo NY Ralph Tinker son 12 NY Looking for burial sites of the above Alice Keech Elliott Terpening, Clay D Elliott, and his sister Flossie Terpening Tinker. Anne 1920 City of Auburn Alice M Terpening 64 wd Clay D Elliott son 35 single joiner rope co Flossie Tinker dau 31 wid waitress rest Earl Tinker gr son 11 _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com