Good Morning Fellow Lewis County Listers >From time to time I am going to put a tidbit on to get this list moving. Regards Pat R Here is a short Bio: This one is on Kilts Mathew of the Town of Lewis, New York Kilts, Mathew, PO West Leyden, merchant and farmer. 45 acres, born in Ava, Oneida County on May 20, 1833 to Jacob Kilts and Elizabeth Zolver Kilts. His father was a native of Germany where he was a cabinet maker and settled in Boonville, Oneida County after he arrived in 1828. Later Jacob Sr was one of the first settlers of Ava NY where he obtained 120 Acres of land and started farming. Jacob Sr and Elizabeth had 6 children, Mathew, Homer, William (a hotelkeeper in Redfield NY), Jacob Jr., Warren R, Emma J. who married Byron Edgeton and Carrie who married Frank Lock. Mathew settled in Lewis County in 1859. He has been a supervisor, collector and commissioner of highways. His wife was Julia J Pease, the daughter of Charles Pease B. 6/11/1804 in West Leyden,son of Major Alpheus Pease (Rev War Veteran) and his 2nd wife Dorothy Spencer (daughter of Jonathan Spencer) whom he married in 1801in Somers Ct.. Major Pease was one of the early settlers of Leyden (now Lewis) who settled there in 1803 from Somers CT. Charles Pease M in 1831 his 2nd wife Julia Preston of Leyden. Mathew Kilts and Julia Pease Kilts had 3 children: C, Arthur Kilts, Mattie L. Kilts and Beatrice L. Kilts. Sources: History of Lewis County 1805-1883 Descendants of John Pease Our Country and Its People by Wagner

Hi Fellow Listers Trying to get the List moving a little I thought perhaps I would give you some information that I found. This is from the History of Lewis County 1805-1883 The Village of Croghan was known as "French Settlement" located on the Beaver River, part in the Town of New Bremen and ten miles NE of the Village of Lowville NY. In this era there was about 700-800 inhabitants, they had a large growing business in manufacturing and local trades. Taken in the summer of 1882 the Village of Croghan has the following businesses: Blacksmiths: Conrad Hoch, Michael Magra, John Loson, Joseph Lallier (blacksmith and wagon shop) reported to be sold to Petzhold Bros. Boots and Shoes: Claude Klein, Peter Shinbourne, William Wirtz Butchers: Frederick Housecker, Klein and Rood Carpenters: Nortz Bros. Cheese Factory: Augustus Valin Cooper: Samuel Hartzig, --------------Tiss Dress Makers: Mrs Elizabeth Black, Nancy Snyder Drug Store: S. E. Simonet Furniture and Undertaking: Victor Valin Grist Mills: Theodore Basselin, Christian Yousie, Peter Shinbourne Harness Maker: Joseph L Monroe Hotels and Saloons: Charles E Gardner, Alpheus Gasser, Henry Miller, John Parquet, Nicholas Parquet (saloon) Milliners: Miss Ruth Laraway, Mrs Garnham Pointer: H. R. Graham Physicians: Dr. T. C. Francis, Dr. Murray, Dr. Henry F. Kilbourn SawMills: Christian Farney(sawmills, planer, lath., shingles, clapboards,etc., using steam and waterpower)Thomas C Cadwell (sawmill, veneers,sounding boards for pianos, etc made 400,000 feet of thin maple and cherry for New York Market in last year. Employs about 15 men Stores: Henry Brothers, Charles Tunzer, (Hardware; Austin E. Prentice (P.O.); Anna Basselin & Son, John Scanlan (confectionery, ice cream, etc) Hippolite Monnat; James Garnham (hardware);Edward M. Marilley; Erskine Laraway, Samuel R. Virkler Tanners: Rice Brothers* (extensive establishment), Peter Shinbourne (in connection with other business). Wagon Makers Michael Buckingham (See Blacksmith) * The Tannery of Mr Rice was built in 1857, burned September 15th 1865 and with it a large quanity of leather. It was soon afterward rebuilt. It tans 35,000. sildes of sole leather a year, uses 3,500. cords of hemlock bark, employes 23 men through the year and fifty in the bark season. It ships 500 tons a year upon the RR. It is known in the trade as the "Croghan Tannery". The Village has a Methodist and a Catholic Church, the latter being the finest church edifice in the county. I hope you all enjoyed this. I know many are unable to find these books where they live and a trip is not always easy. Warm Regards Pat R

Hi Ken No I have not. I have been pretty fortunate in taking my shots (Even as a poor photographer). I take that extra step to prevent it. Usually, I take a minimum of 3 photo's all from a slightly different angle. They say take 2 but I prefer to take 1 extra shot (Remember I drive about 1548+ miles to do this). I also take them when it is not too bright out (however not raining) and try to get them at different distances (not too far away). I have at times added a 4th shot if the tombstone is large so that the full shape/etc of the monument can be observed. At the same time I will do a reading and write down the information and any "verse" that shows on the tombstone. I always make sure I use the exact spelling shown on the stone, since this is a document for my files and should be exactly as it reads and not changed or corrected. I admit that sometimes part of the stone cannot be read easily, but I do not try to guess about any of it. On the information or footnote sheet that I keep with the photo I will include (with sources given) any personal information, spelling variations that might be useful to someone looking at my files in the future. One of the reasons I will not take Cemetery information off the Internet and consider it accurate is that many people who submit these cemetery records will correct or change the spelling of the Given or Surname or information as they think it should read. Therefore one never knows if that is the actual reading taken from the stone. But that is an incorrect way of transmitting genealogy information, all genealogy records should show as they actually read on the monument (the same with any deed, land record or another certificate/paper). The documented record should show the variation or spelling error of the name or another incorrect information that might be there. Even if the DOB has been proven to be incorrect it should not be changed on the reading of the tombstone. Everything should be left as shown and any person transmitting this information should do likewise. However they can always add as I stated previously a *footnote to clarify it. Did you take this photo on your last trip to Lewis County? Because before you use this as your final document I would suggest that on your next trip you try again and perhaps take a few extra shots of the stone and then you could do a reading at the same time. Go to your local shoe dept. and ask for a couple of shoe boxes, set up your cemetery supplies and head for Lewis County <GRIN> (that always makes hubby question me "What's in these boxes?". "Are they necessary?" and I always say "Yes, don't touch them". Regards Pat R

Hi Ken and fellow Listers Very true, but it has it drawbacks. It is much easier to read stones on a cloudy or overcast day than on a bright Sunny Day. I think I prefer this to going out to the cemetery at night with a flashlight. Most or Many cemeteries today are closed at night (due to vandalism), gates are pulled and locked and the bail might not get paid by hubby to release me if I got caught there at night. I can see myself explaining to the officer that I was only trying to read the stones for my family genealogy. Everyone does not understand Genealogy. My husband still cannot figure out why I always wait for cloudy drizzling days (with possible showers) to do my cemetery trips (especially the remote ones in Lewis,Jefferson & St Lawrence Counties) <GRIN>, he actually thinks that I am cracking up and pretty soon he will be able to have me committed. (He's out of Luck, I'm sticking around) His claim is that he had a normal life until he married me. Regards Pat R

Here is another way to read cemeteries for which you will need a flashlight. "READING CEMETERIES BY FLASHLIGHT Several years ago, my brother and I were behind schedule when we arrived at a cemetery. The sun had gone down, and we had to do our search by flashlight. To our surprise, we found that old, weathered stones were sometimes easier to read by flashlight than they might have been in full sun. The play of light and shadow made the carvings stand out." Loretta Evans Idaho Falls, Idaho

I am searching for the Ancestors of both: (who have numerous NY ties) HENRY HODGES b abt 1829 MA, d 1879 Mankato or St. Peter MN + SALINA P. LINDSEY b abt 1829 NEW YORK, d 1923 Coeur D'Alene ID Daughter: LILLIAN/LILLIE JANE HODGES b 1852 NEWYORK, d 1925 Puyallup WA + JULIUS CHAPMAN b 1841 No. Stockholm NY, married 1867 Kasota, LeSeuer Co., MN Other children of Henry Hodges & Salina P. Lindsey:: Frank HODGES, b abt 1859 NEW YORK, lived in MN Florence HODGES b abt 1868 MN, m Adelbert JOSLIN-d Thief River Falls MN Susan HODGES d 1923 Aberdeen, WA, m unknown DEAN, children Mary & Anna Dean I have been unable to locate birth or marriage records for HENRY HODGES and SALINA P.LINDSEY, or birth records for their daughter LILLIAN/LILLIE JANE HODGES. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated, Diana Chapman Owen

Lowville, Lewis Co, NY printed in The Journal & Republican, Thursday, October 24, 1918 Mrs. Elizabeth COLLIGAN Mrs. Elizabeth COLLIGAN, aged 37, died Monday at her home in Carthage. She was born in Croghan, and was married 10 years ago to E. W. COLLIGAN, who survives. She also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael CLARK; two brothers, William of Carthage; Edward who is with the A.E.F. in France, and a step-brother, Marcella and a step-son Edward J. Mrs. Teresa COUGHLIN HOLBROOK Teresa COUGHLIN HOLBROOK, aged 40, wife of Henry M. HOLBROOK, died Saturday at her home in Watertown of influenza-pneumonia. Mrs. HOLBROOK had many friends in Lowville and vicinity who will be pained to learn of her death. She was the daughter of Mary MONTGOMERY and the late Jerry COUGHLIN, founder of the Watertown Herald, and was born in Carthage. Her husband, Henry H. HOLBROOK and her brother Richard COUGHLIN are seriously ill of influenza. Besides her husband, she leaves one daughter, Alice; her mother and five brothers, Richard and Montgomery of Watertown; John in the west; Francis, with the American expeditionary forces, and Charles in the navy. Mrs. Sarah A. BECK Mrs. Sarah A. BECK, widow of John BECK, died on the 13th inst. at her home in Watertown, following a short illness of influenza, aged 47 years. She was born in New Bremen, daughter of Mrs. Susan and the late Amelius ILLINGWORTH, and had spent practically all her life in Watertown. She leaves her mother, Mrs. Susan ILLINGWORTH, and three brothers, Edward, Frank and Albert ILLINGWORTH, all of Watertown. Appointed to West Point Varnor Merrick LYMAN of Lowville, a senior at Union College, has received an appointment to West Point, where he will take up work for a commission. He was captain-elect of next year's track team, having won his letter in that sport. He was also elected to the Terrace Council and was an active member of the Pyramid Club. Up to his departure he was a member of the varsity football team. Carthage is Now Dry Carthage has taken a step toward staying the spread of the epidemic that has so far taken an average toll of four deaths a day for two weeks. Monday night the village board met in special session and decided to close all bars, soda fountains and to forbid all social gatherings. No lounging will be allowed in cigar stores or pool rooms until after the disease has gone. Schools and churches have been closed two weeks and this step it is believed will be acceptable and worth while. There are no saloons but hotels have bars in this village. Ring Off and Stay Off To try to get the doctor in a hurry over a party telephone line and find that it has been rented for the afternoon for conversational purposes, is very annoying, to say the least. Exchange of dill pickle recipes and social pleasantries by the hour is not longer looked upon as wholly patriotic and persons who have nothing else to do should take a hoe and get busy in the potato patch. transcribed by Sheila Lofft Strickland

Lowville, Lewis Co, NY printed in The Journal and Republican, Thursday, Sept 3, 1903 Mrs. Mary E. McDONALD, wife of Duncan McDONALD, died at her home in this village (Deer River) after a few days illness August 26th, aged 56 years. Mrs. McDONALD was held in high esteem by all who had formed her acquaintance. She was nearly always at home, attending to her household duties and the wants of her family, who will miss a dutiful companion and a loving mother. She is survived by a husband and ten children, eight sons and two daughters, J. Abner, of Michigan; John, of Carthage; Eugene, Duncan, Sandy, Henry, Allen, Cassie and Anna, of this place. Her funeral was held from St. James church, Carthage, Saturday; interment at that place. One of the largest processions seldom seen here followed the remains to Carthage and attended her funeral. Those from away were Mr. and Mrs. William ABRAMS, Mr. and Mrs. Albert ABRAMS, Mr. and Mrs. Steven ABRAMS, from Canada; Mrs. J. CRONIN and son, Lyon Falls; John ALQUIRE, of Page, besides several others from different portions of the county. Mr. and Mrs. McDONALD had resided at Deer River since 1890 and in the county for 35 years. Abner McDONALD, who was engaged in the lumber forests of Michigan, arrived at his father's home here Monday night, two days after the funeral of his mother had taken place. Mr. and Mrs. Frank ROOT, of Michigan City, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. C. A. AUSTIN and other friends here. Mr. and Mrs. ROOT are to make Watertown their future home. The Deer River village school will commence September 8th, with Miss Hattie RICH, of Lowville, a former successful teacher, and Miss Edith LOOMIS, of Copenhagen, a new teacher. Walton S. HARTWELL and son William are guests of R. C. OTIS and family. Mr. HARTWELL is a former resident of Denmark, where he owns a farm, but now resides at Mexico, N. Y. Monday night the young associates of Miss Grace ROOT made her a birthday surprise at the home of her parents in Denmark. A goodly number were present and an enjoyable time was had. Tokens of the occasion were left in remembrance. Rev. W. J. LEVERETT, brother of Rev. T. F. LEVERETT, of this place, arrived here Monday on a short visit. Mr. LEVERETT is a former missionary to Hainan, China. He has been absent for a year past, but will soon resume his work again among the celestials. transcribed by Sheila Lofft Strickland

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions for reading hard-to-read gravestones, some of which were interesting inventions. Two, however, were significant for all of us to remember and those were the ones by Joyce pertaining to getting permission to enter private cemeteries and the second by Pat Regan who advised us against techniques that might damage gravestones. Pat is a professional genealogist and one who has made many contributions to struggling Lewis County researchers such as myself. Ken Everard

We used regular chalkboard chalk and it wasn't easy to find. The stone was pitted and very difficult to see anything on it. But once the chalk adhered to the printing we were able to see the writing. It was an old German stone "Heir" was the first word we made out. Then the names of the two children buried there. We used the white chalk and it did seem to fill in the worn spots but we went through nearly a whole box of chalk as it wears away quickly and breaks a lot. We did not have any water with us to wash the chalk off. I was assuming rain and wind would remove the chalk in time. Linda

Linda: Another good idea. Some questions: What type of chalk did you use? Was it a chalk dust, a school blackboard stick of chalk, or some other type. Was it white chalk or another color? Was it applied into crevices or did the crevices, without chalk, reveal the print? Might the chalk dust be brushed or washed off? Ken >We recently surveyed a cemetery here in Austin, TX and the one old stone >we were looking for, we found but it was illegible. We ever so gently >rubbed the surface with chalk and could then read the homemade stone. >My brother-in-law was thrilled, as they were from his family and people >had been looking for a long time for that stone and we luckily found it. >Eventually the chalks wears away and no harm is done to the stone. >Linda > >

I have found a mirror useful for reading some tombstones. Of course, you need the sun. But the idea is to reflect the sun's rays onto the stone at an angle causing the letters to cast shadows and thus are easier to read or to take pictures of. It works and I always keep a small mirror in the car but a big one is much better. I bought a big mirror at a garage sale! Good luck to all of you Joyce

Something that has worked well for me ,also........ Is to go at different times of the day and look at the stones from different angles. Just washing them and looking at them at a different angle or different light, puts a whole new perspective on the words and letters! Sincerely, Tracey

Many cemeteries are private property. Be sure and ask before you start rubbing tombstones. Trespassing fines are not cheap. Many do not understand what rubbing is or have ever heard of it. Treat each tombstone as if it were your own mother's. Somebody loves these people and old tombstones can be delicate. Make sure and clean off all marks accidently left on tombstones. Leave the cemetery cleaner than when you got there. If it is a private cemetery or a municipal cemetery, don't rub at night. Your actions will most certainly be mistaken by local law officials. You would think this would not have to be mentioned but a friend of mine wanted to get some rubbings done when he got off of work one night. Bail is not cheap either.

Hi Ken Read a little further before you decide using Shaving Cream on Tombstones. I would be very upset to find anyone (without permission) using shaving cream on one of my family Tombstones. I'm not sure which DAR suggested or mentioned this method, but our DAR works hand in hand with our Genealogy Society and we have had instructions on how to read and clean tombstones. I am very much against using shaving Cream and use only clear distilled bottled water which I buy at the Super Market. I realize that this method will take more time, but to me that is worth it if you are trying to protect and save the headstone. You also have to be very careful not to use a brush with stiff hard bristles. I also use a soft sponge and a soft cloth (old white T-Shirt) and make sure the stone is sturdy in the ground before attempting to do anything. There has been a lot of discussion of this, but most professionals will not use shaving cream. Here are some good URLS on the subject with reasons: genealogy.about.com/cs/cemeterytips/ www.savinggraves.com/education/shavingcream.htm www.savinggraves.com/education/rubbings.htm www.inmyattic.com/lancaster/records/cemetery/ how_to_photograph_headstones.htm Regards Pat R

We recently surveyed a cemetery here in Austin, TX and the one old stone we were looking for, we found but it was illegible. We ever so gently rubbed the surface with chalk and could then read the homemade stone. My brother-in-law was thrilled, as they were from his family and people had been looking for a long time for that stone and we luckily found it. Eventually the chalks wears away and no harm is done to the stone. Linda

Linda: I agree about your "nice thought," especially the shed idea. Young people in Lewis County have also prepared cemetery lists detailing the contents of the headstones. Many are available in the library in Lowville, the county seat. We agree on the value of the Boy and Girl Scouts to this country. The values taught last a lifetime. A member of this list also had an interesting suggestion. She recalled that some DAR members have suggested spraying a hard-to-read headstone with shaving cream that does no damage to the stone, but which makes the reading of letters somewhat easier. Ken Everard >This is a little off base of what you were talking about restoring >headstones. But here in TX a lot of Scout Troops have been reading >stones and submitting the data to the local Genealogical Societies. One >troop also built a little shed type room with a book of those buried >there for visitors to find and perhaps sign in. A nice touch I thought. >I believe this endeavor is happening in all the States. A big Thank You >to the Boy and Girl Scouts for doing this job. Linda > >

This is a little off base of what you were talking about restoring headstones. But here in TX a lot of Scout Troops have been reading stones and submitting the data to the local Genealogical Societies. One troop also built a little shed type room with a book of those buried there for visitors to find and perhaps sign in. A nice touch I thought. I believe this endeavor is happening in all the States. A big Thank You to the Boy and Girl Scouts for doing this job. Linda

Three questions: First, does anyone know where one might find online the deceased ancestors for the Beaver Falls cemetery that is located near the Beaver River by the dam? It's just over the river on the right after crossing the bridge coming from the New Bremen (Brooklyn) side and entering the village. I did not find it on the Lewis site but maybe I missed it. There is a gravestone there for my great uncle Nicholas Evrard and I can't make out all of the information on the stone from my photograph of it. Second, I may have an Everard relative named Gilbert Everard buried at St. Vincent DePaul's cemetery in Belfort, which is to the right of this oldest (?) Catholic church in Lewis County. Many of the gravestones are all but unreadable. No record of his burial here is known except that Patricia Bush Call mentions his burial there in her fine book: "Belfort of Yester-Years." Is there a church or public record of the deceased in this cemetery? Third, has anyone tried hiring someone who cleans gravestones in an attempt to restore them to near their original state? I know that some stones were poor choices and have not withstood the test of time and thus may not be restorable. Any suggestions? On this third item, wouldn't this be a great genealogical project that could be sponsored by some group? Of course, trained people would be needed for the task? Ken Everard everardl@voicenet.com

Greetings fellow researchers: On my recent visit to Lewis County, I learned something that most of you might already know. But for those unfamiliar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints centers located throughout the country, there is also one in Lowville on East State Street. The staff members are gracious, very helpful, and informed. My main discovery, however, is that they have a permanent set of microfilms that apply to Lewis County. As is so often the case, many of us visit Lewis to find original records in town clerks' offices, the court house, the libraries, etc. We may also remember that once in awhile we needed a record that was left at home and which we needed! Problem solved--go to the LDS in Lowville. The current office hours are Tues. 1-4 & 6-9 and Sat. 10-2 (subject to change) The telephone number is 315-376-3430. Their fine staff is extremely helpful. Don't forget to ask for a few helpful handouts: "Where to Look in Your Community," "Internet Resources," and the especially valuable "The Following Films are on Permanent Loan to This FHC..." that lists the microfilm numbers and what they contain. I counted ten microfilms available for your use. You may find unusual items in a few that you did not know even existed! Ken Everard