Brief Notes about the 1st and 2^nd Generations

1

John Moses married Eliza Blowers and had five children. He attended school for a short time in England. One of the family stories was of an old English neighbor who advised “Aye, Jock, gang awa ta school wit ye an larn to git a liven wit yer coat on.” In spite of the lack of “schooling” John was a well read man and held responsible offices in his community of Hawleyton, Broome Co., New York. He owned a farm and had two daughters before joining the Union army and serving until the end of the war. Later he owned a saw mill and aided in establishing and building local schools and the Hawleyton Methodist Church, where four generations of his descendents have worshipped. For ten years he was “Keeper of the Poor” or Overseer of the Broome County Farm where he established a reputation of industry and strict honesty that embarrassed many of his political contemporaries.

Physically John was over six feet tall, thin and wiry.

2

Martha married Jeremiah Burch, a war veteran. They went to Minnesota and later to San Diego, California. They had two sons, William who died in 1901, and Jerry who died in 1910. I have no record of grandchildren.

Thomas Jr. served 41/2 year in the Union army (see his letters ) At the end of the war he took up a quarter section Land Grant near Mankato, Minnesota. He had eleven children but the record is very incomplete. Thomas prospered financially perhaps to a greater degree than any of the others. He purchased 5000 acres of timber land in Michigan which years afterwards paid off handsomely. When his sons became of age and married he presented them a quarter section (160 acres) of developed land. Later most of the family sold their farms and went into businesses in Seattle, Washington mainly real estate but also banking, baking, and electrical manufacturing. It has not been possible to get authentic records of their descendants.

3

Thomas Jr., served 41/2 years in the Union army (see his letters). At the end of the war he took up a quarter section Land Grant near Mankato, Minnesota. He had eleven children but the record is very incomplete. Thomas prospered financially perhaps to a greater degree than any of the others. He purchased 5,000 acres of timber land in Michigan which years afterwards paid off handsomely. When his sons became of age and married he presented them a quarter section (160 acres) of developed land. Later most of the family sold their farms and went into business in Seattle, Washington mainly real estate but also banking, baking, and electrical manufacturing. It has not possible to get authentic records of their descendants.

5D

Jane W. (Jenny), a family favorite, perhaps because of poor health was never the less a beauty and in inspiration to the rest of the family. She died at the age of twenty in 1864.

5

Andrew married Lydia Gage and raised three children. He was a contractor of brick and stone construction in Binghamton, New York. Many of the buildings in Binghamton and innumerable chimneys on private dwellings were built by Andrew. His one horse dray, loaded with masons equipment, hauled by a well kept draft horse, driven by Andrew with his hodcarrier Pat beside him was a familiar sight on the streets of Binghamton at the turn of the century.

An agitation to limit the laying of 800 bricks per day as a maximum day’s work for a mason was almost sacrilege to him. “My Stars. That’s only a half day’s work.”

6

Lucy married Silas Krom, also a war veteran. They had no children. They owned a farm at Conklin, New York for many years. Later they sold the farm and bought a home on Upper Robinson Street in Binghamton, New York. Uncle“Cy” worked for a number of years. He was with Sherman on the “March to the Sea” in a foraging unit. They won the war!

7

Charles L. married Alice Gage. They had four children. He stayed on the homestead all of his life. He cared for his parents until their deaths. He took an active part in all community affairs and was held in high esteem by his host of friends. He took great pride in his well kept fields and, when able, allowed no brush or rank weeds to mar any part of it.

8

Marietta (Etta) married Martin Lee, had three children and lived with her daughter Edna for a time. Then she kept house for her grandson, Duane for a number of years and until her failing eyesight made it impossible. She then returned to Edna’s (then Mrs. Golan) where she lived in her private room until her death at the age of 98 years. There she had her house plants, her canary, and crocheted rugs from tags supplied and dyed by her grand and great grandchildren.

Aunt Etta was one of the most selfless persons ever to bless our family. She worked with love and willing capable hands from early morning until late at night not only for her own but for anyone in need. How or when she found the time to bake bread and cookies, to knot the mittens and wristlets for the little cold hands of the neighborhood, no one but Aunt Etta will ever know.

Her life had been one of hard work and in the late years filled with the pain of glaucoma and blindness, it still seemed that in her familiar room with her geraniums, her bird and her rugs was at peace with the world.