At 10:36 AM 5/4/99 -0700, you wrote: >Does Herkimer have its own site URL? Do you mean Herkimer County's NYGenWeb page? If so, it is at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/

Martha asked me to submit the text of the will. Here it is. I typed it with line breaks where they are in the original, I hope it comes out that way here. Also I put in the page numbers of the book this came from. It's from Herkimer County will book B. 210 I Giles Sisson of the Town and County of Herkimer in the State of New York being of sound mind and composed memory do make publish and declaim this to be my last will & Testament. First, after my decease I will that my body be interred in a humble & decent manner as my Executors may think propper. Second, I will that all my just debts be paid which are not much having had my accounts generally adjusted and settled. Third I request a great and true Inventory be made of all my property at my [two words - can't read]. After the payment of my just debts out of my property I will the residue be equally divided between my children share and share alike and further to my wife I leave the management of my property for the benefit of my children so long as she continues my widow and so long she shall have her subsistance out of my property. and I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Samuel Smith, Christ.r P. Bellinger and William Alexander my Executors in full and perfect confidence of their proving this my last will and Testament carried into full Efect. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and published this to be my last will and Testament this sixth day of February one thousand eight hundred and eleven Present Giles Sisson S.S. John Alexander Thomas Smith Thomas Gould Herkimer of the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and Testament of Giles Sisson deceased proved this 23rd day of July 1811 Thomas Smith and D. Chapman Surrogate 211 Herkimer Co. Ss. Be it remembered that on the 23d day of July 1811 of our independence the thirty sixth personally appeared before me Dan Chapman Surrogate in & for the County of Herkimer Thomas Smith one of the subscribing witnesses of the foregoing Instrument purporting to be the last will & Testament of Giles Sisson late of the town of Herkimer in the said County Deceased who being by me first duly sworn deposeth & saith that he saw the Dec'd Giles Sisson sign seal & publish the foregoing instrument as his last will & testament That he the Said deceased was of a sound disposing mind & memory that he this deponent in presence of the Testator did subscribe his name as a witness thereunto. That he this deponent did see John Alexander & Thomas Gould subscribe the said Will as Witnesses in the presence of the testator and further saith not Dan Chapman Surrogate Herkimer County Ss. Be it remembered that on the 23d of July 1811 and of our Independence the thirty sixth personally appeared before me Dan Chapman Surrogate for the County of Herkimer Samuel Smith, Christopher P. Bellinger & William Alexander executors of the aforesaid Will named of Giles Sisson Deceased and were duly sworn to the due execution of & performance of the same Will by taking the oath of executor as by Law required & therupon Letters Testamentary were granted. Dan Chapman Surrogate Herkimer County Ss. The People of the State of New York by the grace of God free & Independent To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting. Know Ye that at Herkimer in the County of Herkimer on the 23d of July 1811 & of our Independence the thirty sixth before Dan. Chapman Esquire Surrogate of our Said County the last will & testament of 212 Giles Sisson late of said County deceased a true copy wherof is hereunto annexed was proved & now is approved & allowed of by us the deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death Goods chattles & Credits within this State by means whereof the proving & Bequesting of the said Will bind the granting administration of said goods chattles and credits and also the auditing allowing & final discharging the account thereof doth belong unto us the administration of the dd goods chattles & Credits of the said deceased and any way concerning the said will is granted unto Samuel Smith, Chris- topher P. Bellinger & William Alexander executors in the Said Will named, they being first duly sworn well and faithfully to adminster the same and to make & exhibit a true & perfect inventory of all and singular the said goods Chattles & Credits and also to render a just and true account thereof when required. In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of Office of Our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed Witness Dan Chapman Esquire Surrogate of our said County of Herkimer this 23 of July - one Thousand eight hundred & eleven & of our Independence the thirty sixth Dan Chapman Surrogate Thanks, Carol Sisson Regehr -- [email protected]

Does Herkimer have its own site URL?R ----- Original Message ----- From: Carol Regehr <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 1999 9 26 Subject: [NYHERKIM-L] Herkimer County will > I have a copy of a will by one Giles Sisson of Herkimer County. > The information given in the will does not pinpoint which Giles > Sisson this might be, which I am intensely interested in finding > out. Here's the information: > > The will was written Feb 6, 1811, and proved July 23, 1811. Giles > leaves his property to his wife and children but does not give > any names for any of them, including his wife. He does say that a > maintenance should be given to his wife "as long as she remains > my widow." He names as executors his friends Samuel Smith, > Christopher P. Bellinger, and William Alexander. Witnesses are > John Alexander, Thomas Smith, and Thomas Gould. Surrogate was Dan > Chapman. I have found a couple of these people mentioned on the > Herkimer County website and in the NYHERKIM-L archives. > > Family speculation is that this is the will of Giles Sisson, born > ~1715 in Westerly, RI. His children had settled in the Unadilla > area in the 1780s. His wife is known only as Elizabeth, some > speculate her to be a great-granddaughter of Benedict Arnold I. A > grave marker calling her "Elizabeth, beloved wife of Giles", is > said to be located in Abraham, IN, with a date of July 23, 1811, > but I have found no record of a settlement called Abraham, IN. > Seems a little strange that a 96-year-old man would use a phrase > like "as long as she remains my widow" for a first wife. > > Any suggestions appreciated. > > Carol Sisson Regehr > -- > [email protected] > > > ==== NYHERKIM Mailing List ==== > Visit the Herkimer/Montgomery Counties GenWeb page at > http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/ > >

I have a copy of a will by one Giles Sisson of Herkimer County. The information given in the will does not pinpoint which Giles Sisson this might be, which I am intensely interested in finding out. Here's the information: The will was written Feb 6, 1811, and proved July 23, 1811. Giles leaves his property to his wife and children but does not give any names for any of them, including his wife. He does say that a maintenance should be given to his wife "as long as she remains my widow." He names as executors his friends Samuel Smith, Christopher P. Bellinger, and William Alexander. Witnesses are John Alexander, Thomas Smith, and Thomas Gould. Surrogate was Dan Chapman. I have found a couple of these people mentioned on the Herkimer County website and in the NYHERKIM-L archives. Family speculation is that this is the will of Giles Sisson, born ~1715 in Westerly, RI. His children had settled in the Unadilla area in the 1780s. His wife is known only as Elizabeth, some speculate her to be a great-granddaughter of Benedict Arnold I. A grave marker calling her "Elizabeth, beloved wife of Giles", is said to be located in Abraham, IN, with a date of July 23, 1811, but I have found no record of a settlement called Abraham, IN. Seems a little strange that a 96-year-old man would use a phrase like "as long as she remains my widow" for a first wife. Any suggestions appreciated. Carol Sisson Regehr -- [email protected]

Hello all your wonderful folks in Upstate NY: I have just today subscribed to your list and already I am asking a favor ..... [shameful, isn't it? :-)] Two or three months ago, a "married-in" member of my family tree died in Ilion, NY. His name was ROBERT CRISTMAN or CRISMAN (or possibly even CHRISTMAN, but I really think there is no "H") and he would have died in January or February, 1999. If anyone could look up his obituary for me I would be SOOOOO grateful, I would ... well, I guess we would just have to work out "terms" at a later date.... *LOL* But seriously, I have been trying to track down ANY ONE related to "Uncle Bob" ever since I heard of his passing, and just today I thought of asking some of you, my fellow/sister amateur geneological sleuths. What I would most like are the names of his living survivors (I am quite sure his wife, Olive Reid (or Reed-??) Cristman had predeceased him, but I know he has a least two daughters -- Urilla or Eurilla and Imogene ("Genie") -- and a granddaughter named Holly. If I could get the married names of any of these folks I could call them and get the information I desperately need about Olive's parents and grandparents (who I believe to be my GreatAunt Ida Strong) I would certainly also *love* to hear from ANYONE who knew the REID family (I believe Irving, the youngest, also died within the last year -- there was also Clarence ("Baldy") who married Vi and had a son named Tim; Myrtle ("Mert"), Iva (married a Shepard-?); Florence; Reba; Jim (Jr-?); and Ralph. Jim Sr. married a woman named Lena I believe. Also anyone who knew or new of Ida Strong Reid BROWN (m2: Valentine Brown, of the "hillbilly BROWN family who lived up the hill in Ilion" (!!) and/or Edna Best Emerson or any of the rest of the BEST family (parents Frank C. and Vivian Reid Best; Iva Cora Best Strong (my gramma!); Harry Best, John and Ann Best (and son Harvey-?); Vera Best, Lansing Best, or the twin (spinsters-?) Catherine and Evelyn Best. [As you can see I have a VERY Ilion-based family and would love to talk to anyone who knew ANY of them!!!) Thanks so much for *ANY* help you can give me. May this act of random genealogical kindness be returned to you ten times over!!! Sincerely, Marsha Strong Gainesville, FL

Fields from Herkimer NY are my quest,Minor Smith Field abt 1840,his son was Irwin Minor Field born in Herkimer or Tioga ,PA.R

Janice, My Dad was from England and his Dad [from Canada and his English born wife}bought a diary farm there sometime around 1910-1914 ny uncle was born there in 1915. My three oldest brothers were born there in 1927,1928 and 1931 when my Mom and Dad moved to Clayville where I was born in 1934. I lived most of my life in Oneida County, Sauquoit and Floyd. My grandfather also ran a coal company in Sauquoit in the 1930s. My brothers want to know the history but not to chase it. So I know my dad attented to the six grade. So she just might have been his teacher. Small world isn't it? So sorry on the loss of your mother. Thanks for sharing your info. I will print it and keep it. Claire I have been married to a Military man and his roots were North Carolina and we decided to stay for the medical at Fort Bragg here when he retired with twenty-five years in 1973. My Mother passed away in 1964 and my Dad in 1977 after my husband retired, so my children were here starting their familles so here I am. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 9:29 PM Subject: Re: [NYHERKIM-L] GRADE SCHOOLS CIRCA 1911 LITCHFIELD >In a message dated 4/29/99 8:56:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >[email protected] writes: > >> Can any one tell me what grade schools was there in 1910 1915 that farm >> children around Litchfield would attend. My father lived there around that >> time. > >Hi Claire, > I wish I could answer your question with the name of a school, but I can't. > What I can do is give you some info in that area. My Mom was old enough to >be my grandmother when she had me (she was almost 43 ). She was born in 1915 >in Litchfield,NY. Her Mom was >the schoolteacher of the (as far as I know) only area one room school house. >My grandmothers name was Lydia Fonda Bennett. Mrs.Bennett to all of her >students (and they all loved her and as far as I knew had a lot of respect >for her. She was very petite, >about 4'9" tall and from what I've heard really cared about her students. >Last I knew the >schoolhouse was still standing out there, but it's a really rural area and >I'm bad on directions. Plus that was a couple years ago but it seemed to be >in real good shape ... my mom brought me out there (she passed away last >October). I live in Georgia. I know I haven't been a big help but maybe a >little. If you find out anything I would be interested to >know. I used to hear storied about some of the children that my grandmother >taught. I've met some of them. Good luck in your search. Write to me >anytime. > > Janice Dwyer Hayden > [email protected] > > >==== NYHERKIM Mailing List ==== >QUESTIONS? Contact listowner Kim Branagan at [email protected], >a proud Donor of RootsWeb.com. >

Can any one tell me what grade schools was there in 1910 1915 that farm children around Litchfield would attend. My father lived there around that time. Thanks Claire Jury Cranford, North Carolina

In a message dated 4/29/99 8:56:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > Can any one tell me what grade schools was there in 1910 1915 that farm > children around Litchfield would attend. My father lived there around that > time. Hi Claire, I wish I could answer your question with the name of a school, but I can't. What I can do is give you some info in that area. My Mom was old enough to be my grandmother when she had me (she was almost 43 ). She was born in 1915 in Litchfield,NY. Her Mom was the schoolteacher of the (as far as I know) only area one room school house. My grandmothers name was Lydia Fonda Bennett. Mrs.Bennett to all of her students (and they all loved her and as far as I knew had a lot of respect for her. She was very petite, about 4'9" tall and from what I've heard really cared about her students. Last I knew the schoolhouse was still standing out there, but it's a really rural area and I'm bad on directions. Plus that was a couple years ago but it seemed to be in real good shape ... my mom brought me out there (she passed away last October). I live in Georgia. I know I haven't been a big help but maybe a little. If you find out anything I would be interested to know. I used to hear storied about some of the children that my grandmother taught. I've met some of them. Good luck in your search. Write to me anytime. Janice Dwyer Hayden [email protected]

Need help to locate any information on my grandfather and his father. I've hit a brick wall in my search and being so far from NY makes it even more difficult. Here's what I know: Merton Donald Wenz b. 21 Jan. 1897 d. 12 March 1942 b. in Dolgeville d. Clayville m. in West Winfield, 19 Oct 1918 to a Pauline Churchill I need to find out information on his parents. All I have is that his name was Frederick Wenz who came to America as a young boy and m. a Carrie Hall and lived in Whitesboro, NY. Could someone who has access to looking up old obits possibly help me or perhaps a census? Or perhaps someone out there has heard of this name? Merton owned a successful car dealership in Clayville until the depression came and he lost it. Any help is greatly appreciated! Mary in Ga. [email protected]

I've posted by surname to PolandBorder and Rootsweb. Where else can I post to get my names out there to hopefully connect with others? I know my parents, gparents and ggparents resided in both NJ & NY but not real sure of locations yet so not sure where to post. Any help would be appreciated. I'd like to make myself a list to keep track of where I've posted so I can track progress. Thanks all. Loretta Schabowsky Sutton in Millville, Cumberland Co., NJ LAS [email protected] Searching for:::SKABOWSKI/SCHABOWSKY, BOLCHON/BOLCHONUS, LUBY/LUBOWSKI for starters on my father's side.

This address came to me through another list, and I think it is definitely worth sharing. The site has collections of historical documents, including numerous letters to General George Washington. I briefly searched the site and found information on several Mohawk Valley families. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amhome.html Good luck. Kim Branagan NYHERKIM Listowner

Here's a gem for you, Steve. Counties in New York State are further divided into Towns. Perhaps five to seven (plus) to each county. In the case of Ephrata, there is the village in the Town of Ephratah. The village of Lassellville is about 5 miles north-west of the village of Ephratah. New York residents know the difference between the Towns and villages, but are a bit cavalier about this. When I first began my pursuits I looked all over for Minden. I presumed it was some little town -- in my vocabulary -- a community of some noticeable extent -- it was a Town complete with the village of St. Johnsville. Another piece of lore -- Herkimer is a village, but a smaller community, Little Falls, is a City. Now wasn't that worth while ! r.a.d. -----Original Message----- From: Howard Cromer <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 12:11 AM Subject: [NYHERKIM-L] Town name clarification >Hi, > >While working on my genealogy I sometimes see "The Town of Ephratah", >"Ephratah", and "Lassellsville" used interchangably. What is the >correct name of this region? > >Thanks, > >Steve Cromer

Often there are records of cemeteries the DAR has taken some years ago. Such records may be found in such places as the Montgomery County (Fonda) library, and in Johnstown. Cruising cemeteries is often disappointing. A local historical guru, or Town Historian may be helpful. I find one of the most productive ways to ferret data is to find the sexton of the cemetery, or people taking care of the cemetery. Their very presence is because they are interested and usually well versed in the graves of the cemetery. Such people are usually quite knowledgable, and sometimes know who to contact to find the information. r.a.d. -----Original Message----- From: Thomas W. Johnston, Jr. <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 5:25 AM Subject: [NYHERKIM-L] Rockwood Cemetery >I too am very much interested in any records of burials at Rockwood >Cemetery. I have at least one ancestor buried there and perhaps more. I >have visited there; there is a modern section where burials still take >place. I "cruised" the grave markers in the older area but could find >little information of interest. Various inquiries have so far produced no >one who knows where/how to access records. > >If anything develops on the records "issue", I would very much appreciate >being included in the loop. > >Tom Johnston >[email protected]

I too am very much interested in any records of burials at Rockwood Cemetery. I have at least one ancestor buried there and perhaps more. I have visited there; there is a modern section where burials still take place. I "cruised" the grave markers in the older area but could find little information of interest. Various inquiries have so far produced no one who knows where/how to access records. If anything develops on the records "issue", I would very much appreciate being included in the loop. Tom Johnston [email protected]

In response to your question, "Does anyone know where I can find out if someone is buried in Rockwood Cemetery?" Mark, the purpose of a cemetery is to place people there. So, my guess is someone is buried there. (I couldn't pass that one up.) Perhaps if you sent a letter to the Montgomery County Library and Archives with a SASE to ask if they have a list of those in that cemetery and if they could copy the list with the THORPs it would speed things up a bit. They charge about twenty cents a sheet as I remember. Address: Montgomery County Dept. of History and Archives, Old Court House, Fonda, NY 12068 Good hunting, randy -----Original Message----- From: Mark Wentling <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Monday, April 19, 1999 11:48 AM Subject: [NYHERKIM-L] Rockwood >Thanks to all who told me where Rockwood, Fulton Co is located. > >Does anyone know where I can find out if someone is buried in Rockwood >Cemetery? > >Looking for: >Catherine (Shull) Thorp >Ebenezer Thorp >Joshua Thorp > >Thanks! > >Mark

Thanks to all who told me where Rockwood, Fulton Co is located. Does anyone know where I can find out if someone is buried in Rockwood Cemetery? Looking for: Catherine (Shull) Thorp Ebenezer Thorp Joshua Thorp Thanks! Mark

Rockwood is at the intersection of the Towns of Ephratah and Johnstown, on State Route 29, less than a mile south of Rockwood Lake. Apparently a cemetery a bit north east of the intersection of S.R. 10 and S.R. 29. Route 10 passes Rockwood Lake on the west side, and S.R. 10A on the east side. Rockford Lake is seven miles due south of Canada Lake An Ezra Thorp mentioned in Simm's Hist. of Schoharie County, p. 326. JIMAPCO, Box 1137, Clifton Park, NY 12065 ( 515.899.5091 ) sells "FULTON - MONTGOMERY COUNTIES" (N.Y. State) very detailed map. randy -----Original Message----- From: Mark Wentling <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Monday, April 19, 1999 8:32 AM Subject: [NYHERKIM-L] Catherine (Shull) Thorp, d. 1850 in Rockwood, Fulton Co. > >Hi folks, > >My 2g-grandfather, John J. Thorp of Little Falls, Herkimer Co., NY, was >born 1848 in Rural Grove, Montgomery Co., and died 1925 in Little Falls or >Utica, Herkimer Co. His obituary says he was "bereft of his mother at age >two" -- which means his mother Catherine Shull, wife of Prof. Joshua Thorp, >died in 1850. > >I have notes from John's daughter Ethel that Catherine died and was buried >in Rockwood, Fulton Co., NY, but I can't find Rockwood on any map. Does >anyone know where Rockwood is? > >I am trying to learn the heritage of Ebenezer Thorp, Joshua's father, and a >pioneer settler of Root, Montgomery Co., and I am going through the "back >door" of where Catherine and Joshua were living when she died. > >Thanks for any leads! > >Sincerely, >Mark Avery Wentling > > > >==== NYHERKIM Mailing List ==== >QUESTIONS? Contact listowner Kim Branagan at [email protected], >a proud Donor of RootsWeb.com. >

Hi folks, My 2g-grandfather, John J. Thorp of Little Falls, Herkimer Co., NY, was born 1848 in Rural Grove, Montgomery Co., and died 1925 in Little Falls or Utica, Herkimer Co. His obituary says he was "bereft of his mother at age two" -- which means his mother Catherine Shull, wife of Prof. Joshua Thorp, died in 1850. I have notes from John's daughter Ethel that Catherine died and was buried in Rockwood, Fulton Co., NY, but I can't find Rockwood on any map. Does anyone know where Rockwood is? I am trying to learn the heritage of Ebenezer Thorp, Joshua's father, and a pioneer settler of Root, Montgomery Co., and I am going through the "back door" of where Catherine and Joshua were living when she died. Thanks for any leads! Sincerely, Mark Avery Wentling