> I also came across an article written by a George W. Sisson, Jr. at > http://www.racquetteriver.org/history3.htm . He wrote that sawmills in NY > were built near waterfalls, and in 1892, a pulp and paper mill was > established in in Potsdam. It's founders were largely old sawmill men and > it's first president was George W. Sisson. Mr. Sisson came to Potsdam, NY, > in 1867. George Wing Sisson is a fairly close cousin of mine. We have a letter written by him, on stationary of the Racoquette River Paper Company to my Grandmother's sister Clara Nellie Sisson (Mrs C. W. Durland). The Mrs Rorer he refers to is my grandmother Laura Emma Sisson (Mrs Clinton DeWitt Rorer) David Rorer Following is the text of the letter from George Wing Sisson to Clara Nellie Sisson (Mrs. Charles Wesley Durland), written on the letterhead of The Racoquette River Paper Company of Potsdam, N.Y. The names of the company officers are his sons in birth order. The Racoquette River Paper Company, manufactures of Sulphite Manillas, Sulphite and Ground Wood, Potsdam, N.Y. Geo. W. Sisson, President. Rufus L. Sisson, V. Pres and Treas Geo. W. Sisson, Jr. Secretary F. T. E. Sisson, Manager Charles H. Sisson, Manager of Woodlands Fred R. Sisson, Lumber Department Potsdam N. Y. April 17, 1912 To My Cousin Mrs. C. W. Durland Fredrick, So. Dacota: (sic) I thank you for your letter received this week. I think it is near twelve years since with my daughter Grace we visited at your Fathers at the farm, a few miles from Conrad Iowa, where he afterward moved. He took us a ride into Conrad. We were glad to have made that visit and to note the prosperous condition which Cousin James had secured by his own work and good management and I knew that our visit pleased him. As a boy I visited Uncle Daniel Sisson and his boys and had good times. In his will he made me Executor of his Estate with his son William . So you can see the intimate relation existing between our families, Uncle Daniel had a fine farm of 20 acres, no waste land, to which William succeeded. William never married and did not add to, or quite keep good this property, but was a good reliable honorable man. I do not know anything of your brothers. I received a newspaper with the notice of your Sister Bertha's marriage, and acknowledged it. I have received an occasional letter from Mrs. Rorer & replied to them. As for yourself and your Husband, I judge you have firm priories, something as our forefathers were two to four generations before, and while there is much work and some privation, I have no doubt there is as much real genuine happiness as is found in any walk of life. Honest industry with temperance & good habits brings its sure reward. You have a wealth of comfort and genuine happiness in your fine children; and I believe your husband rejoices with you, though a mothers love is the stronger for her offspring. Grace is unmarried and assumes charge of the house. I am now in my 84th year since birth. My wife who has been my companion this past 58 years is 78, & we have to admit we are old people though enjoying life. My oldest daughter and five sons now married & we have 21 grandchildren. The daughter Mrs. E. R Saffrd lives in Glen Falls, NY where he is City Judge. My sons all live near & are active business men & our house is a common place of meeting. We wish to be kept informed of you & yours & wish you health & happiness & your husband the reward of both brawn and brain in his every effort. With regards of Geo W. Sisson and Mrs. Sisson & Grace

Thank you so much for sharing the letter. It brought back the era of gentile letter writing and of closeness of families. Laura Sisson-Thompson ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Rorer" <drorer@fuse.net> To: <SISSON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 3:43 PM Subject: RE: [SISSON-L] Sissonville name in book, etc. > > I also came across an article written by a George W. Sisson, Jr. at > > http://www.racquetteriver.org/history3.htm > > George Wing Sisson is a fairly close cousin of mine. We have a letter written by him, on stationary of the Racoquette River Paper Company to my Grandmother's sister Clara Nellie Sisson (Mrs C. W. Durland). The Mrs Rorer he refers to is my > grandmother Laura Emma Sisson (Mrs Clinton DeWitt Rorer) David Rorer > > Following is the text of the letter from George Wing Sisson to Clara Nellie Sisson (Mrs. Charles Wesley Durland), written on the letterhead of The Racoquette River Paper Company of Potsdam, N.Y. The names of the company officers are his sons in birth order. > The Racoquette River Paper Company, manufactures of Sulphite Manillas, Sulphite > and Ground Wood, Potsdam, N.Y. > Geo. W. Sisson, President. > Rufus L. Sisson, V. Pres and Treas > Geo. W. Sisson, Jr. Secretary > F. T. E. Sisson, Manager > Charles H. Sisson, Manager of Woodlands > Fred R. Sisson, Lumber Department > Potsdam N. Y. April 17, 1912 > To My Cousin > Mrs. C. W. Durland > Fredrick, So. Dacota: (sic)