Descendants of ANTON ROCKEFELLER
1. ANTON1 ROCKEFELLER was born ABT 1660 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). Notes for ANTON ROCKEFELLER:
2. DIELL2 ROCKEFELLER (ANTON1) was born 1695 in
Germany (Source: (1) Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.,
(2) "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909,"
B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.),
and died 1769 in Germantown Colombia County NY (Source: (1) Paul Bullock,
104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146., (2) "The Transactions of Rockefeller
Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub
The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.). He married ANNA GERTRUDE ALSDORF. She was
born ABT 1695 in Germany (Source: (1) Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville,
PA 15146., (2) "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909,"
B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.),
and died in Germantown Colombia County NY (Source: "The Transactions
of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C
Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.).
3. SIMON3 ROCKEFELLER (DIELL2, ANTON1) (Source:
Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.) was born ABT 1730 in
Germany (Source: "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909,"
B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.),
and died 1795 in Germantown Colombia County NY (Source: Paul Bullock, 104
Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). He married (1) EVA BLASS. He married
(2) ANNA BAEHR 06 Oct 1763 (Source: "The Transactions of Rockefeller
Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub
The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.). She was born 30 Mar 1738 (Source: "The
Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller
& C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.).
4. CHRISTINA4 ROCKEFELLER (SIMON3, DIELL2, ANTON1) was born 27 Oct 1754 in Germantown Colombia County NY (Source: "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.). She married WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER, son of JOHANN ROCKEFELLER and MARY BELLIS. He was born 1750 in Amwell, Hunterdon Co., NJ (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.), and died 1793 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). Notes for WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER: Notes for HENRY AVERY: He was Justice of the peace for 28 years. 5. GERTIEN (GERTRUDE)4 ROCKEFELLER (SIMON3, DIELL2, ANTON1) was born 15 Jan 1766 in Germantown, Colombia County, NY (Source: (1) Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146., (2) "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.), and died 27 Jan 1838 in Benton, Yates County NY - Buried Crank Cemetery, Benton, NY (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). She married ANDREW RICHTER 08 Apr 1781 in Germantown, Colombia County, NY (Source: (1) Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146., (2) "The Transactions of Rockefeller Fam. Association, 1905-1909," B F Rockefeller & C Rockefeller, Pub The Knickerbocker Press 1910 NY.), son of JOHANN RICHTER and MARGARETHA KOHL. He was born ABT 1762 in Taghanick, Colombia County NY (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.), and died ABT 1842 in Benton, Yates County NY. Notes for GERTIEN (GERTRUDE) ROCKEFELLER: Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville,
PA 15146 Notes for ANDREW RICHTER: Page 324 THE WEST WOODS. RECTOR FAMILY Andrew Rector was a native of Copake, originally Taghkanick, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was born in 1762. He married Charity Rockefellow, of the same place. He died in Benton, in 1842, at the age of eighty, and she in 1838, at the age of seventy-two. They came to Benton in 1817, bringing most of their family of nine children, and settled in the West Woods, on lot 104, where there was no house or clearing, buying the land of Samuel Colt, of Geneva, who was a considerable landholder in that vicinity, and paying ten dollars per acre. Here they tarried the remainder of their days. Their children William, Hannah, Mary, Teal, Andrew, Eva, Christiana, Catharine and Elizabeth• William, born in 1782, married Hannah Simmons,
in Columbia county. They settled in Benton, in 1810, and on lot 101, in 1813,
coming with Henry Simmons previous to his father. Hannah, his wife, was born
in 1786, and died in 1870. Their children were Elizabeth, Andrew W., Conrad,
Jacob, Charity, David, Catharine and William J.
Notes for ANDREW RECTOR, JR: 11. vi. EVA RECTOR, b. 1794; d. ABT 1852, Benton,
Yates County NY, Buried Crank Cemetery, Benton NY. Notes for CHRISTIANA RECTOR: ix. ELIZABETH RECTOR, b. 1798 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.); m. MARTIN BROWN.
6. GODFREY5 ROCKEFELLER (CHRISTINA4, SIMON3, DIELL2,
ANTON1) was born 1783 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville,
PA 15146.), and died 1857 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville,
PA 15146.). He married LUCY AVERY. She was born 1786 (Source: Paul Bullock,
104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.), and died 1867 (Source: Paul Bullock,
104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.).
Notes for WILLIAM RECTOR: This story begins in the Electoral Palatinate in Germany in the years before 1709. The Palatinate was and is the area in Germany next to France and Belgium along the Rhine river and is presently called the Rhine-Palatinate or Pfalz. The War of the Palatinate in the late 1600's and the War of the Spanish Succession in the very early 1700's left this area ravaged and desolate. This caused many peasants and common people to be left homeless and destitute. Beginning in 1708, numbers of Palatines went to England in hopes to go on to the colonies. In 1709, thirteen thousand (13,000) families entered England. According to a list taken in Walworth, England on May 27, 1709, one of these families was the John Andreas Richter family. Listed with John Andreas is his wife, a 14 year old son, and daughters of ages 17, 7, and 3. The list shows John Andreas to be 46 years old, his religion Lutheran, and his vocation husbandman or vinedresser. I have no information on from where in Germany the family came. In England, the Board of Trade proposed that the Palatines go to the colonies to make naval stores. In 1710, three thousand (3,000) became British citizens and the British officials sent them to New York. The naval stores operation never prospered so most, of those who stayed in the new world, became farmers. Andreas Richter name appears in Governor Hunter's New York subsistence list from the time of his landing in 1710 to September 1712. The list includes an Andreas Richter and with a family of 3 adults (over 10 years old) and 2 children in 1710. In 1712, a similar list shows 3 adults and no children. The Colonial Census of 1710 includes Andreas (age 47), his wife Anna Maria (45), son Andreas (16), and daughter Anna Barbara (9). So apparently the eldest daughter listed in England married and at least one younger daughter died in New York. Probably the Richters moved up the Hudson in 1712 to the "West Camp" on the western bank of the river to Beckmansland. Beckmansland consisted of the towns of Elizabeth Town, George Town, and New Town. New Town is probably the present city of Newburgh, N.Y. In the Kocherthau Records, records of Pastor Kocherthau who was with the Palatine settlement, Anna Maria and Andreas were sponsors at the christening of Andreas Sutz on February 21, 1713. Then less than two months later, on April 7, 1713, the Kocherthau Records list the marriage of Johann Fuehrer to Anna Marie Richter widow of the late Andreas Richter of New Town. So Andreas Sr. died sometime in that two month period in 1713. The Kocherthau Records list the birth of Johannes Richter to Andreas and Elisabeth on September 21, 1714. This birth was probably in New Town since the Simmendinger Register lists Andreas, wife Elisabeth and one child as living there. Ulrich Simmendinger, one of the immigrants, published the Simmendinger Register when he returned to Germany. Young Andreas moved across the Hudson to Livingston Manor since he, as Andries Rightster, is shown as a Palatine debtor of the four villages of Germantown, Livingston, Clermont, and Claverack on the dates of March 1, 1718; December 26, 1718 and February 1722. His debts may have stemmed from the time he was on the New York subsistence rolls ten years earlier. The following are miscellaneous items that mention Richters in the Livingston Manor area: 1. Anna Maria is born in 1732 to Andreas (probably Andreas Jr.) and Elisabeth Richter. 2. Anna is born to Hannes (probably Johannes the son of Andreas Jr. mentioned above) and Lisabeth Richter in 1747. 3. Reformed Church membership list of 1750 mentions Andreas (probably Andreas Jr.) Regter, his wife Anna Elisabeth Stael, and children Maria Elisabeth and Catharina. 4. The Livingston Account Book lists Andris Richter as a tenant for various years between 1768 and 1782. Probably this Andreas is a son of Andreas Jr. or Johannes. 5. Tax lists of 1779 list Andreas Righter (this and the next two items may be the Andreis Rechter mentioned in the next paragraph). 6. John Curry's mill list of customers has several entries for Ander Righter under wheat, corn, barley, etc. in years 1783 and 1784. 7. Andreas Richter is a Livingston tenant in 1799. 8. Robert Livingston Estate lists Ander Righter as owing 50 cents in 1804. How we make the genealogical connection from the Andreas Richter Jr., who came to America from Germany via England with his father John Andreas Richter, to the Andreis Rechter, shown living in Columbia County in the 1790 Federal Census, is not totally clear from the records I have seen. The simple fact that there were so many Andreas Richters along the Hudson River between 1710 and 1800 causes considerable confusion. Based on the records available and some speculation, the following seems a reasonable genealogical connection: * This one is pure speculation: Johan Wilhelm Richter and his wife, Margaretha Kohl, had a son Andreas (Ander, Andris) Richter (Righter, Rechter) born in 1762 in Columbia County, New York. * This last Andreis Rechter was born in 1762, married Genje Rockenfelder in 1781, had several children, and moved from Columbia County to Yates County with most of his children in 1817. When he arrived in Benton, Yates County, his name was Andrew Rector and his wife's name was Charity. Paul D. Bullock List from Briggs Cemetery Briggs Cemetery is maintained by the town, which
pays to keep it mowed. It served as the burying ground for the local neighborhood,
some of whom lived across the line in Potter. This was not a family cemetery,
but many of the people buried here are related to one another and to the original
Briggs family who came to this county with the Society of Universal Friends.
It is adjacent to the highway and easy accessible. Nearly all the stones are
in quite good condition, though a few have fallen or broken.
Notes for ANDREW W RECTOR:
Notes for WILLIAM J RECTOR:
Notes for MARY RECTOR:
Notes for TEAL RECTOR: Notes for CHARITY RECTOR:
Notes for CHARITY RECTOR:
Notes for LUCRETIA RECTOR:
Notes for LEWIS RECTOR:
12. WILLIAM AVERY6 ROCKEFELLER (GODFREY5, CHRISTINA4, SIMON3, DIELL2, ANTON1) was born 13 Nov 1810 in Tioga County, NY (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.), and died 11 May 1906 in Freeport, IL. He married (1) ELIZA DAVIDSON 26 Feb 1837. She was born (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.), and died Mar 1889 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). He married (2) MARGARET ALLEN 1856. Notes for WILLIAM AVERY ROCKEFELLER: William Avery Rockefeller was born Nov. 13, 1810, in Tioga County, New York to Godfrey and Lucy (Avery) Rockefeller. Johann Peter Rockefeller, the original immigrant to America arrived in Pennsylvania from Germany in 1723. Tracing the family back once they were in the new land was fairly easy, using the deeds, as in each case they were identified as "formerly from..." So, following these records, we find William Avery Rockefeller was born in Ancram, Dutchess County, NY in 1810. In 1834 the family moved to Richford, Tioga County, NY, where William met Eliza Davison, the daughter of a prim and proper farmer from Niles Township. William and Eliza were married on February 26, 1837, and the following year their first child, Lucy, was born. This was followed by the birth of a son, John Davison, born July 8, 1839; a son, William Avery, Jr., born in the spring of 1841; a daughter, born late summer of 1843 and finally twins, Frances and Franklin, who were born in the summer of 1845. Soon afterwards Frances died. Again, following the land records, they were soon found in Moravia, Cayuga Co., NY. By 1850, the family is found in Owego, Tioga Co., NY. By going back to various court records, one learns that in July, 1849, William Avery Rockefeller was indicted for the rape of Anne Vanderbeak, a hired hand at the Rockefeller household. This undoubtedly precipitated the move to Owego, as a warrant for William's arrest was sworn out. The family lived in Owego for three years, but then moved to Ohio, first to Strongville, then to Parmoe and finally to Cleveland. Again, deeds here are available. In 1853, William disappeared from the scene of the family home for the most part. He was found in Bedford and Norwich, Ontario, Canada, where he was involved in the lumber industry. Why did he disappear to Canada? Was it the call of the wild? While it is true 'that William seemed to migrate to new, undeveloped areas, there was usually some underlying reason for this wanderlust. In the case of his leaving Ohio, it was because he had proclaimed himself the "Great Cure-all of Cancer" with his wonderful elixir, which was purported to cure anything and everything, but was in truth, by all reports, about 98% pure alcohol. Announced that he was a fraud, he fled -- for his reputation -- to Canada. He did, according to reports, return from time to time to see that the family was well cared for, always sneaking in the window of the family home in Cleveland at night and disappearing before the morning light. He always brought gifts for the children, especially fancy guns and games. Several people reported that William was heard to have said of his children on several occasions: "I cheat my boys every chance I get. I skin 'em every time I can. l want to make 'em sharp." By all accounts, William Avery was a real rascal and scalawag, He always had "at least $1000 in his pocket," according to John D., but no one was every quite sure how he came into the possession of the large amounts of money he possessed. Again, checking the purchase price of various deeds, he often paid more than $2,000 for a land purchase. In the 1800's, that was a lot of money! Also, John D., even after he was very successful, often repaid a "loan" to his father, William. William seemed to always have his fingers in some part of the pie at Standard Oil. While William Avery Rockefeller was living in Ontario, a strange turn of events developed. In 1856 he married Miss Margaret Allen. On the marriage application, he lists himself as "widower.'' Interesting, indeed, that his first wife, Eliza, did not die until 1889 -- 33 years later! Following this marriage, William Avery Rockefeller became known as William Levingston, Healer. The deeds which follow take a very curious twist in the road. In 1867, William and his second wife Margaret, now known as "Mr. and Mrs. Levingston," settled on a farm 5 miles east of Maroa in Macon Co., II., which they sold in 1869 and they then rented and finally, in 1898 they bought a "small brick cottage on Clark Street in Freeport, Illinois." Interestingly, this home was purchased in the name of Margaret Levingston, not that of William Levingston nor William Avery Rockefeller. Was this perhaps another attempt of hiding his personal life, which he went to great lengths to protect? A further examination of the land records in Freeport, IL. shows that G.V. Allen, who it is said was a brother of Margaret (Allen) Levingston, owned a house directly across the street from them. And then, in 1881, the urge to roam appears to strike again, as this is where the first deeds in Walsh County, (then) Dakota Territory begin to show up. The first deed, dated Oct. 8, 1883, was for land purchased by William Levingston from the United States for the sum of $200. This parcel of land contained 160 acres. There was no wife listed on this deed, but the document says, "This indenture witnesseth that the Grantor William Levingston of the city of Freeport in the County of Stephenson and State of Illinois...". This same piece of property, on an addition to the deed, shows that it was transferred to Laura E Briggs of Cleveland, Ohio for the amount of $2,000. Perhaps now we can begin to see how William Rockefeller, alias Livingston, made some of his money. This deed, then, links the mysterious William Levingston to the Rockefeller family in Ohio, while at the same time establishing his ties in Freeport, IL, where he was living with his wife Margaret (Levingston). Laura Briggs was the wife of Pierson D. Briggs. Pierson D. Briggs, according to Ohio records, was the husband of Lucy Rockefeller, the daughter of William Avery Rockefeller. Lucy Briggs died in 1878. By 1881, the date of this deed, Pierson Briggs was remarried, although William Levingston still called him "my son-in-law" on several deeds. Thus it is established that William Avery Rockefeller and William Levingston are one in the same person. No record of any kind has been found to show that either of the Mrs. Rockefellers -- or Levingstons -- ever set foot in the Dakota Territory. People in the Walsh County area say that William Levingston went to Freeport, IL, every winter, then returned to Walsh County in the spring. William Levingston listed himself as "a farmer," yet he did not have much of a green thumb. Eventually, Pierson Briggs (known as "Pete") was brought to Park River, N.D. to run the farm for his father-in-law. This was short-lived, however, and by June 23, 1886, it was clear from another deed that Pete Briggs had already come and gone. "To all people to Whom these presents shall come greeting; know ye that Pierson D. Briggs and Laura E. Briggs of Cleveland, for the consideration of Ten thousand ($10,000) dollars received to our full satisfaction of William A. Rockefeller of Cleveland, Ohio do give grant bargain sell and convey unto him the said William A. Rockefeller the following described tracts or lot of land situated in the County of Walsh and Territory of Dakota..." This deed shows not only that the Briggs couple had returned to Ohio, but William A. Rockefeller's signature was notarized by F.W. Lathman and James H. Cooper in the state of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, Ohio on June 23, 1886. Reading between the lines of this deed, this must have been one of the "visits" William A. Rockefeller made to see his family in Ohio. It is recorded in some of the Rockefeller biographies that William would show up, unannounced, bring gifts, leave an address with Eliza and then disappear, all within twenty-four hours. Another fact to draw your attention to on the Walsh County deeds is the fact that all of them that identified the land dealer as being from Ohio had him listed as William A. Rockefeller. Likewise, each deed which listed the purchaser or seller as being from Freeport, IL. bore the name of William Levingston, thus confirming that he was indeed leading a double life. How can you be sure these two men, William A. Rockefeller and William Levingston, were one in the same? For starters, the signatures of both men showed the same penmanship; the "William" was identical on both. Secondly, they all dealt with the same people, such as Pierson D. Briggs. It is not until the fourth deed in Walsh County that the land acquisition is listed as a homestead. This was under the name of William Levingston, and is dated October 22, 1886. Interestingly, this was not recorded until Jan. 17, 1900 at 4:40 p.m. in Walsh Co., North Dakota (after statehood). This would indicate that William Levingston was very possibly in Park River, N.D. on this date, even though tradition says that he went to Freeport, IL in 1889, where he lived until he died in 1906. The deed dated Oct. 10, 1889, shows the entire land holdings of "William A. Rockefeller, widower, now of Cleveland, Ohio" divided in two parts. The first part, dated Oct. 10, 1889, is sold to Mrs. Margaret N. Smith of Walsh Co., N.D. for the amount of $703.00. The second parcel of land, sold on the same date, went to Pierson D. Briggs. This brought the total property he had accumulated to 640 acres, which, according to a local current resident of Park River is "about the size of the whole town of Park River." The deed does not give a geographical location for Pete Briggs, but it is notarized in Cleveland, Ohio. Now, the question is this: Was William Avery Rockefeller now, in 1889, really a widower? If so, which wife had died? Since he was in Cleveland, Ohio, the first thing to check is Eliza, wife No. 1, to see if she is still alive and kicking. A quick peek back at deaths in Cleveland shows that Eliza (Davison) Rockefeller did indeed die in March of 1889. So, he was at least truthful about being a widower. But, what of wife No. 2, Margaret (Allen) Levingston, who was in Freeport, IL. Shortly after the sale of all of his holdings in North Dakota, it was said (and believed) that he went to Freeport, where he lived with Margaret until his death in May, 1906. End of the story, right? Perhaps. But, in talking with the Register of Deeds in Walsh Co., she said, "I just ran across a whole bunch of property bought and sold by a William Levingston in Grafton, Walsh Co., N.D. Do you suppose it is the same person?" Well now, Mr. William Avery Rockefeller, or Dr. William Levingston, or whatever other names he went by, was no relation of mine, so perhaps the information gathered was of no use to me at all. But, my curiosity was certainly peaked now, and I had to find out "the rest of the story." So, I asked the Register of Deeds to send me the rest of the deeds. A large manila envelope, containing 16 deeds, all in the town of Grafton, Walsh Co., Dakota Territory, painted a new picture. The first deed is for a tract of land containing two lots, which William Livingston purchased for $160.00 on July 19, 1882. The signature on this deed looks like "Livingston" rather than "Levingston,' but a closer check of the deeds from Park River show that sometimes he dotted his "i's" and crossed his "t's," and other times he didn't. So, it could easily be the same person. This deed also lists William Livingston as "from Walsh County, Dakota Territory." We have already established that William Levingston was a resident of Walsh Co. in 1882. Further, it makes no reference to his marital status. The second deed is for two lots sold to "William Livingston of the City of Grafton. Territory of Dakota." The purchase price was $1,200.00. Now, an interesting aside of this deed is that the transaction was made between William Livingston and W.M. Chamberlin, who was a "bachelor of the City of Belvidere in the County of Boone and the State of Illinois." We know that William Levingston (alias Wm. A. Rockefeller) had a connection to Freeport, IL where his second wife was living. Now we have a connection between William Livingston of Grafton and a man from Belvidere, IL. A quick check of the map shows that Belvidere is about 35 miles directly east of Freeport. Coincidence? The third deed, dated Oct. 8, 1887, is for four lots in Grafton, which William Livingston purchased from Margaret N. Smith! A quick refresher course on the deeds from Park River shows that part of the final dispersion of William Levingston's property was to Margaret N. Smith. (Both Margaret N. Smiths were listed as a resident of Walsh County, Dakota Territory.) Deed No. 4 is for the sale of two of the lots previously purchased by William Livingston to James Welbourn. William Livingston is described as "married, but not residing on the premises hereafter described of Grafton, Walsh Co., North Dakota." James Welbourn is a resident "of the same place." The sale price was $310.00. The date of the sale was Dec. 8, 1891. So, William Livingston was still in Walsh Co., ND, but he was not residing on this property. Well, if it was the same person, we know that he was living in Freeport, IL after the death of his first wife. This deed was notarized in Walsh Co., ND, but if our wanderer was true to form, he probably made frequent trips from Freeport, IL to who-knows-where as long as he was able to do so. Deed No. 5 becomes even more intriguing. Enter a new Livingston - Florinda J. "of Walsh County, and State of ND" She buys two lots for $350, paid in cash. Her marital status is not discussed in this deed. The seller of the property is "Abraham Smith and Ellen Smith (husband and wife)" Are they any relation to Margaret N. Smith? And where do these Smiths hail from? Polk County, of the State of Iowa. Where is Iowa? Right next door to Illinois! On Dec. 28, 1892, William Livingston "of Walsh County North Dakota" purchased a quarter of land for $2,800.00. The next deed, dated Dec. 20, 1893, was again purchased by Florinda J. Livingston "of Walsh Co., N.D." It was for two lots and the price was $200.00. Sept. 14, 1897 shows Florinda J. Livingston "not living upon the herein described premises nor claiming same as her homestead of the Co. of Walsh and state of N.D.' selling the last property to Ed Davis for $4300.00. Now the plot thickens. The next deed shows the sale of land Florinda A. Livingston had purchased to O.H. Sateren "of the city of Grafton" for $1,200.00. But, there is an addition. The property is sold by "William Livingston and Florinda J. Livingston, his wife, of Vancouver, B.C., formerly of the city of Grafton." So, suppose that William Livingston "of Walsh Co., N.D.," William Levingston "of Walsh Co., Dakota Territory" or "of Freeport, II.," and William Avery Rockefeller "of Cleveland Ohio" are all the same person. If they are, we have William Avery Rockefeller, sometimes listed as "of Park River, Walsh Co., Dakota Territory" and sometimes listed as "of Cleveland, Ohio" mart/ed to Eliza in Ohio until March, 1889, when she died. We have William Levingston, sometimes listed as "of Walsh Co., N.D." and sometimes as "of Freeport, IL" married to Margaret (Allen) in Freeport, IL until he died on May 11, 1906. And then we have the possible triple identity of William Livingston, "of Walsh Co., North Dakota" married to Florinda J. Livingston, sometimes listed as "of Walsh Co., N.D." and then "of Vancouver, British Columbia." Did the father of the billionaire, John D. Rockefeller have not one, not two, but three wives? The next two deeds are for property sold by "William Livingston and Florinda J. Livingston his wife of Vancouver B.C. formerly of the City of Grafton." The next deed, dated July 11, 1903, shows the purchase of a quarter of land in Grafton by "William Livingston of Vancouver, B.C., formerly of Walsh Co., N.D. "No mention of Florinda. The next deed introduces a new Livingston: Florence, She is listed as "Florence Livingston, of Vancouver, B.C., Spinster formerly of Grafton and State of North Dakota." Again, just guessing, is this by any chance a daughter of William Livingston and Florinda J. Livingston, his wife? Again, this is pure supposition, and further investigation would be needed to try to locate a marriage certificate for William and Florinda J. Livingston. Then, a birth certificate for Florence Livingston would reveal her parentage. The next deed is between William Livingston and Florinda Livingston his wife of the city of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia and Florence M. Livingston of the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia for the price of $160 (for two lots). The date is Aug. 22, 1905. William Levingston died in Freeport, IL on May 11, 1906. The following deed from Walsh Co., N.D. was the sale of several lots, including the buildings and all other improvements thereon by Florinda J. Livingston, "a widow of Vancouver, B.C., formerly of Walsh Co., state of North Dakota." Another coincidence? (This deed was witnessed by Florence Livingston.) The final deed for these properties was the sale of the remaining lots held by Florence M Livingston, "a single woman of the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia," The above facts were gained primarily just from searching deeds. Where to go from there? The book, Walsh Heritage, Published by the Walsh Co. Historical Society, says in Volume Two, pages 707-709 tells this story. "WILLIAM AVERY ROCKEFELLER or DR. WILLIAM LEVINGSTON. Rockefeller's death recalls life of his furtive father in Walsh. Progenitor of Oil Czar, who left family, lived recluse's life on Park River farm. By Al Haugner. 'His father was William Avery Rockefeller, a shrewd farmer and doctor, and his mother, Eliza Davison, noted for piety and firm, but gentle, family role. She taught her children to work, save, to give.' But out of the gray mists of the past strode a tall, husky, bearded man in the minds of old-timers in the Park River vicinity. That man, investigation has proven, was not 'Dr. William Levingston,' as he was known in the home steading days in Walsh County. He was plain William A. Rockefeller, father of the man who built the greatest personal fortune in the history of the world and a self-imposed fugitive because of a bizarre double-life." There have been quite a few books written about the Rockefeller empire, most which refer to the life of William Avery. They all tend to paint a picture of a wild, daring man who loved adventure and high living to the utmost. He is depicted as "over six feet tall, broad shoulders, barrel chest, calculating eyes, broad genial face and an auburn beard." He was "as famous for pitching horseshoes as for pitching woo, he was said to ride like an Indian and shoot like Hawkeye, owning several rifles and claiming to be able to down a swallow in flight." He sold patent medicine to "cure cancer." His elixir sold for $25, two months wages. Nelson Rockefeller said of his great-grandfather "The bigamous cancer guack became a gregarious, adventuresome and fearless man who worked hard and paid his debts promptly. Among other things he got interested in botanic medicine, the selling of which occupied an increasing amount of his time." He lived by the adage: "Do unto others as they would do unto you, and do it fust." And the story, as we have already uncovered by following the deeds of the man, are confirmed, and elaborated on by the entry in the above mentioned book. It does not, however, go beyond the "double-life" or the two wives whom he maintained for 33 years to the possibility of a third wife. I readily admit that I have not even tried to verify that line -- yet. But, by touching just the tip of the iceberg of the William Avery Rockefeller, who was noted as "never having less than $1000.00 in his pocket," and "a recluse," "a trickster, who at times pretended to be deaf to learn more," and "a father who maintained a close connection to Standard Oil until his death," it leaves the door open to more than mere speculation.
Notes for ELIZABETH RECTOR:
Notes for JACOB T RECTOR: Notes for MEDFORD L RECTOR: iii. MARY S RECTOR, b. ABT 1855 (Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.); m. HOLLY SNYDER.
Notes for WILLIAM T RECTOR:
Notes for SIMEON RECTOR:
19. JOHN DAVIDSON7 ROCKEFELLER (WILLIAM AVERY6,
GODFREY5, CHRISTINA4, SIMON3, DIELL2, ANTON1) was born 08 Jul 1839, and died
(Source: Paul Bullock, 104 Heritage Dr, Monroeville, PA 15146.). He married
ABBY ALDRICH. Notes for NELSON ALDRICH ROCKEFELLER: Gov. of NY State and Vice Pres. of United States 20. HANNAH7 JENNINGS (ELIZABETH6 RECTOR, WILLIAM5,
GERTIEN (GERTRUDE)4 ROCKEFELLER, SIMON3, DIELL2, ANTON1) was born 09 Mar 1822,
and died 03 Oct 1885 in Briggs Cemetery. She married JESSE TEARS in Benton,
Yates County NY. He was born 20 Jul 1811 in Of Benton, NY, and died 07 Feb
1890 in Briggs Cemetery.
Notes for STEPHEN M RECTOR: SECOND MILO, 1928, June 17 - Stephen M. Rector, aged 74 years, died at his home in Second Milo, Sunday night. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Thomas Rector and Arthur Rector, both of Penn Yan; Rev. Milton Rector, of Cobleskill, NY; two daughters, Mrs. Homer (Mary) Bullock, of Milo; and Mrs. Howard (Helen) Swarthout, of Penn Yan. The funeral services were held from the late residence in Milo, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. E. W. Chapin, assisted by Rev. W. H. Wheatley, and Rev. K. N. Conrad officiating, Interment in Second Milo cemetery. Mr. Rector served as road commissioner of the town of Milo for several years. Notes for JENNIE D HAWLEY: Hawley may be Holley Buried Second Milo Cemetary Yates County NY
Obit. Notes for CATHERINE RECTOR:
Notes for MARY FLORENCE RECTOR:
Notes for ARTHUR F RECTOR: Generation No. 8 26. ELIZABETH WHEAT8 JENNINGS (THOMAS WALLACE7,
ELIZABETH6 RECTOR, WILLIAM5, GERTIEN (GERTRUDE)4 ROCKEFELLER, SIMON3, DIELL2,
ANTON1) was born Feb 1857. She married (1) LOUIS CHENCY. She married (2) EMMET
WHEAT.
Notes for NELSON THOMAS JENNINGS: OBITUARY Nelson Thomas Jennings, aged 89, died at his
home in Hemlock last Thursday, Oct. 28, 1948. Born in the town of Naples,
Apr. 6, 1859, he was one of six children and the eldest son of Thomas W. and
Anna Wheat Jennings. On Apr. 5, 1881, he was married to Arvilla Bower of Belmont,
NY. To them were born four children, of whom two daughters survive: Mrs. W.
J. Brown of Livonia and Mrs. C. E. Wemett of Hemlock. The youngest daughter,
Ada Jennings Wemett of Hemlock, died in 1934, and the son, James T. Jennings,
died in 1943. The mother, Mrs Jennings, pre-deceased her husband in 1924,
four years after moving to Hemlock. Notes for SUSAN ARVILLA BOWER:
Notes for CLARENCE ELMER WEMETT:
Always enterprising, Mr Wemett as a young man saw a future in the handling of Petroleum products and made connections with the Shell Oil Co. He was a Franchiser jobber in this company for about 32 years, and the Wemett Corp. are now the largest in the Cleveland district, distributing in ?xx? counties with about 25 service stations. The first of the stations was in Livonia. Never one to be content following only a given routine, in 1929 he established a pottery shop in East Bloomfield, where he already had a Shell outlet. At one time he also operated the Avon Coppersmith. He Founded the Forge Wrought Iron Works in Hemlock. He built the Egypt Valley Girl Camp in the Bristol Hills in 1949, later sold to the Seven Lakes Girl Scout Council, Phelps, NY. (The Girl Scouts have since sold the property - 1990?) In 1953 he bought and remodelled the White Horse Tavern, in East Avon, which burned shortly after the opening. He was a member of the Hemlock Methodist Church and had been a trustee for 35 years. He belonged to the Hemlock Civic Club and the Hemlock 100F. He was a member of the Board of Education of the Hemlock Union Free School and a director and past president of Union Cemetery. He also participated in obtaining a water system for Hemlock in 1950.
1790. In 1790 in a small town near Montreal, Canada, in a tiny log cabin is born a youth named Andrew in whose veins mingled French and Canadian bloods. At the tender age of 14 the grim angel of death takes the father. The family stay and we can imagine the youth laboring early and late to keep the grey wolf from the door. Adversity seldom comes singly and in the fall of 1810 the mother the nearest and dearest is borne swiftly away, and to complete the cup of adversity the younger brother of Andrew, (should this be Joseph?) in a mischievious moment built a fire in the barn, which burns to the ground. Andrew Wemett (1/4/1788) -- Andrew then a young man of 24 sells what remains of the homestead and with a team and wagon starts to make his way in the cold world. He wanders and finally locates in Monroe County and works there for a year for the government and assists in building the first flour mill in that section, on the ground now occupied by the Erie Depot. The team purchased in Canada was considered to be one of the finest in that section, and he refused for them a deed of 160 acres of land, which is now in the heart of Rochester, NY. In the French-Indian War of 1812, he enlisted
and went to the front serving full time and when the war was over he came
back but could not refrain from the charmes of Joan Macomber. Joan we might
mention was the sister of Cyrus Macomber. He married Joan in what was known
as the Black River country which is in Lewis County New York. During their
sojourn there, the stork left them three children. Charles, Floville and Adeline.
Joan Macomber died in 1843 and Andrew later married Hannah West who made the best kind of a step mother. But in the early morning of March 4, 1861 the day President Lincoln took the Presidential oath, all that was mortal of Andrew Wemett took flight, Hannah West Wemett lived until 1874 when she started on the long voyage. Children of Andrew and Joan Wemett: Charles Married Mahalie Perry and Mary Lindsey JOSEPH WEMETT FAMILY HISTORY Joseph Wemett (3/3/1799) --Youngest brother of Andrew was born near Montreal Canada in 1800 and when 14 years of age he came to Lowville Lewis County, NY and from there migrated to Canadice, Ontario County, NY, in 1824 he was united in marrige to Elizabeth Welch. The Welch family then owned what is now known as Augustus Shepard farm. When Conrad Welch who was Uncle Joes's wife's father died Uncle Joe bought off the heirs and in 1841 built the old homestead which now stands in a good state of preservation. At the time this house was built it was the finest house between Lima and Dansville. This house is now occupied by Robert R. Wemett. Across from this house is the old Wemett burial grounds where now rests a goodly number of the old Wemett family together with nieces and nephews who Uncle Joe brought up. The writer can remember the remains of the old stone school house where the children and nieces and nephews of Uncle Joe and Aunt Bessie were taught the three R's to the expense of the generious old couple. Uncle Joe also endowed the Genesee College at Lima and was one of the first to give $100.00. Old people who knew Uncle Joe and Aunt Bessie have often told us that this was the most hospitable home, but as Uncle Joe was unusually thrifty there was always plenty to eat but in return he expected and exacted work. Uncle Joe and Aunt Betsy (Bessie) were the parents of 14 children, 8 of whom grew to maturity. It is told that Uncle Joe started out to give each of his grandchildren $100 dollars at birth, his intentions were good but they came so thick and fast that he was unable to keep it up, much to the dissapointment of those coming later. Uncle Joe and his brother Andrew were born Catholics, but later they became loyal to the Quaker faith. The Welches were all Quakers. Uncle Joe was a unique character, a man of powerful built and a tireless worker and although he made a home for almost everyone, he amassed what is those days what was considered a goodly small fortune. He owned at his death some 600 acres of land with a large amount of personal property. The writer has search records concerning these properties and never found any kind of a mortgage against any property owned by Joseph and Betsy (Elizabeth) Wemett. Their living grandchildren number 20, their living great grandchildren being over 40 now. Uncle Joe passed on just as the dawn was breaking in the year 1870 and Aunt Betsy followed in August 1874. Thus ended the heads of the first familys on Ontario County form Robert Wemett. The children of Joseph and Betsy Wemett in the order of their birth: CHILDREN MARRIED
(Charles) Charley P. Wemett, son of Andrew and
Joan Wemett was born March 5, 1818 and at the age of 25 married Mahalie Perry,
this was in 1843. To this union was born Melford who died at 25 years of age.
Mahalia, a daughter married Guy Baldwin, they had 3 children, Nora,Lemuel, and Amos. Nora married Leon Molyea and had 3 sons; Augustus Shepard married Floville Wemett in 1847,
second child of Andrew and Joan Wemett. To this union was born three children,
Sarah, Thankful and Charles. Sarah married Frank Morris and went West to live.
She died on January 9, 1893 leaving a family of seven children. Everett only
named of the seven.
September 13, 1860 Augustus Shepard married again.
This time to a cousin of his first wife. Minerva daughter of Uncle Joseph
and Aunt Betsy, to them was born Herbert (Bert) Shepard, who married lived
and died in Nebraska. He left a family Mable, Arthur, Stanley Randal, Clarence. William Shepard youngest son of Augustus and Minerva married Dorothy Albertson and for many years has lived and kept store in South Livonia. They had one daughter Fern Shepard. Augustus Shepard passed on. Adeline Wemett second daughter of Andrew and Joan Wemett married William Foley in 1846 and to them was born three children, Mary, William H. and Catherine. Mary who married Caleb Briggs had one son George, who married Jennie Briggs and who passed on, and one daughter May Briggs who married Daniel Owens. SHEPARD FAMILY HISTORY After the death of Calco Briggs, Mary married
Frank Hayward, a widower, with children; the other daughter of William and
Adeline was named Catherine, but she died in early womanhood. One son, William
H. Foley. Erastus Wemett, third son of Andrew and Joan Wemett was born in Canadice on February 8, 1832 and was united in marriage to Catherine Coogan on October 28, 1852 as the name implies, Catherine was Irish and Catholic. She renounced her faith when she married which did not suit her family and her friends and when she died in 1873 her funeral was held at her home in Bald Hill, this was attended by a large number of her relatives and friends from Lima and Livonia who insisted that she be buried in consecrated ground for a time it looked as though there would be trouble but cooled heads prevailed and she was laid to rest in the little country cemetery on the old Charles Coykendall farm. We are told this was one of the largest funerals ever held in Ontario County. There were no living issues of this family. On October 22, 1874 Erastus married Elizabeth Wemett daughter of Uncle Joe and Aunt Betsy. To this union was born one son Erwin Wemett, and one daughter who died in early infancy. The angel of death took the second wife, Elizabeth November 7, 1902 and on September 15, 1909 while sitting in a rocking chair the candle of life was suddenly snuffed out, and Erastus T. Wemett, another of the older generation, passed on.
Augustus and Floville shepard children; Sarah, married Frank Morris Augustus and Minerva Shepard children; Herbert shepard Adeline married William Foley Erastus married Catherine Coogan Arsemus Mitchel Wemett brother of Andrew and Joseph We know little of Uncle Mitchell only that he was father of Uncle Syrille who with many generations have been gathered by the grim reaper. Syrille Wemett: was born March 8, 1816 and married Sarah Clark April 19, 1842. To them was born one son and two daughters. Theodore was born in 1851. He married Ellen sherwood,
and to this union was born one son, Floyd Wemett and one daughter Lola. Floyd
married Nina Jacobs and have no issue. Emmeretta born April 6,1849, she married her
second cousin Orsemus Wemett, they had 4 daughters and one son. Alice married
Amos Swan. Died November 5, 1916. Another son of Syrill and Sarah was born in 1848
and died when only 3 years old. There were also two girls Sophie and Mary. Mary married Francis Grenville, to them were born 6 children, Dennis, Clarissia, Saphrone, Frank Joe and Henry Grenville. Mary and Henry Grenville had one daughter, Martha
Grenville who lived and died in Lima NY. We now turn to the children of Joseph and Elizabeth Wemett. William Wemett oldest son of Betsy and Joseph was born 1820 and at the age of 29 married Huldah Goodwin, to this union was born one daughter, Emma, who married John H. Adams and raised a family of two girls and two boys. Fannie married G. Abbott, Gladys married Wynn
Hanna and to them was born one son Wynn Jr. Scott died. Melissa died. George Brown another son of John and Mary Brown
first married Mary Ingrahm, to them was born a son Lisle, after the death
of Mary, George married Carrie Garfield. William Brown, son of John Brown and Mary Wemett Brown was born in 1853. He married Stella Roberts. One son, Victor Brown survives. William Brown died in January 1890. His brother, Edward Brown, was born in 1859. In 1883, he married Alta Potter. There were no children of this union. Edward Brown died ________. Mary Wemett Brown crossed the great divide August 16, 1905. Elizabeth (see Erastus) Julia Ann first daughter of Joseph and Betsy Wemett was born in 1820 and at the age of 20 married a Welch Irishman by the name of Isaac Stephenson, to this union was born 5 children, Sibley Stephenson was married to Etta Dunn, Ella died at the age fo 18. Josie married Selwyn Marsh, Joseph who died and is buried in the family cemetery on Bald Hill. Nickson the youngest married Addie Wilbur, Nick skipped out and has never heard from all have passed away except Josie who is living in Starkey, NY. William Wemett died in 1899. His widow Huldah Goodwin Wemett, married Alden Pemberton. huldah Pemberton died_____. Mary Wemett, second daughter of Joseph and Betsy Wemett, at the age of 21, married a man who we have all heard so much about that like so many of our worthy ancestors, John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave. To the union of John and Mry were born 4 sons and 1 daughter: Scott, Edward, George, Will, and Nellie. Scott Brown married Laura Smith, and a few years after her death, married Melissa Aldrich. By his first wife, Scott left 3 irls, Bessie, and 3 boys, Ernest, Louis, and Claude. Clarence was a son of his second marriage. Scott died_______. Melissa died______. George Brown, another son of John and Mary Brown, first married Mary Ingrahm. To them was born one son Lisle. After the death of Mary, George married Carrie Garfield. Lisle Brown passed on. William Brown, son of John Brown and Mary Wemett Brown was born in 1853. He married Stella Roberts. One son, Victor Brown survives. William Brown died in January 1890. His brother, Edward Brown, was born in 1859. In 1883, he married Alta Potter. There were no children of this union. Edward Brown died ____-. John and Mary Brown only had 1 daughter, Nellie, who married Albert Bailey. To them was born 2 daughters, Edna and Georgia. mary Wemett Brown died August 16, 1905.
Henry Joseph Wemett second son of Joseph and Betsy Wemett was born February 1841, he attended Genesee College which his father had helped endow and upon graduation taught school for several years, being superintendent of schools for several years, while being of a jurial dispostion and always joking he was sought for near and far to complete the term of some unfortunate teacher who had been thrown out of a school house window, in 1868 he married Mary Knapp, near the close of the war he enlisted, upon return he was known as Captain Henry, this was a particularily fitting title since one of his occupations was the pilot of the Hemlock lake steamer named________. To this union of Henry and Mary Wemett were born children, Frank, Cora, Harry, Dora Robert, William, of these Frank is a Methodist minister, Cora now Mrs. Edward Weeks of _____. William, a professor of Vally City State Normal, North Dakota, and Robert, last but far from least a fine carpenter by trade and resident of the old homestead.
A newspaper clipping about the wedding of C. E. Wemett and Miss Ada Helen Jennings A PRETTY HOME WEDDING
C. E. Wemett has been a distributor for about twenty years. He was with the Pennzoil company for six or seven years, placing his first service station in Livonia, operated by L. E. Bartlett and located where R. W. Shepard's station now stands. That was nineteen years ago. Subsequently Mr. Wemett was distributor for the Eldred company for four or five years, and during the last seven he had developed the Shell business to such an extent that he had become the largest distributor of Shell products in the state. In commenting upon the growth of the business he expressed his appreciation for the increasing patronage which has been given his Shell stations and Shell products. Under terms of the lease, the Wemett company continues to own the equipment and the accounts, and the business will be operated on a gallonage basis. Government reports show that during 1937 the Wemett company paid state and federal gasoline taxes averaging about $5000 a month. HISTORY OF HEMLOCK, NY 1779-1989 Posted under ADA HELEN JENNINGS Marriage Notes for ANNA JENNINGS and CLARENCE
WEMETT: Miss Anna E. Jennings and Mr. Clarence E. Wemett of Hemlock were united in marriage at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. W. J. Brown, in Geneseo by the Rev. W. J. Brown in the presence of eighteen friends and relatives. The Methodist Episcopal ring service was used. The bride was gowned in eggplant velvet with a corsage of yellow roses. The couple was unattended. Following the ceremony a wedding luncheon was served. The bride's table and house decorations carried out the color scheme of yellow and white in both candles and cut flowers. After a week's trip though the east, Mr. and Mrs. Wemett will be at home in Hemlock.
Notes for JAMES THOMAS JENNINGS:
Naples-James T. Jennings, 58, died yesterday
(May 30, 1943) at his home off the Lake Road. He had been in ill health for
several months. iv. ADA HELEN JENNINGS, b. 04 Jul 1887, Hunts Hollow, Naples NY; d. 16 Dec 1934, Hemlock NY buried Unoin Cemetary Livonia NY; m. CLARENCE ELMER WEMETT, 05 Apr 1910, Hunts Hollow NY; b. 26 Feb 1885, Hemlock NY; d. 21 Nov 1961, Hemlock NY buried Union Cemetary Livonia NY. Notes for ADA HELEN JENNINGS: HISTORY OF HEMLOCK, NY 1779 - Sunday, May 12 the Sullivan-Clinton army crossed the flats at the foot of Hemlock Lake, destroying the crops as they proceeded up over the west hill toward Conesus Lake. This action opened up the area for the early settlers. 1796 - Phillip Short built a cabin about 1/4 mile in the valley north of Hemlock Lake. He was the forerunner of the Short family whose members were numerous in the area for many decades. (Arch Merrill' book "The lakes Country") states that Roswell Bliss came about 1795 and built a cabin and a saw mill). 1797 - At about this same time Mr. Higby, from Livonia, established a saw mill on the outlet. Logs were coming in large quantities down the lake from Springwater and logging was taking place on the lake shore. 1798 - Mr. Seth Simons, from Bristol, came and located a Grist Mill somewhere on the outlet. 1800 - A hermit, named Maloy, came and built a cabin on the west shore. He was a hunter and trapper. The story is told that he had a bad encounter with a black bear. Maloy must have survived because he lived to tell about the fight. 1801 - From this time on there was rapid change all the way from Hemlock Lake to Big Tree Rd. Many new settlers came. The saw mills were producing lumber, slab cabins were built and later on, frame buildings and businesses. 1803 - Isaac Bishop opened a store in the area near the foot of the lake which came to be known as Gullburg. The area around the Canadice outlet, where it crosses the main road, became knwon as Glennville. Sometime later, just east of the road a dam across the outlet was built to back up the water and provide water power for a Gristmill which was built. 1808 - The township of Livonia was formed; the Hemlock area being a part of it. 1829 - This was a banner year. A Post Office was established in Hemlock, called the Post Office of Hemlock Lake. Mail came in from Gullburg, Glennville and Holden (later called Jacksonville). The first postmaster was John Van Fossen - 1/17/1829 - 10/18/36. The P.O. became Hemlock, New York on December 12, 1895. 1832 - The Archer family, early settlers, were operating a saw mill on the outlet. 1838 - The Baptist of the area organized as the 1st Baptist Church of Hemlock Lake, N.Y. The building was erected in 1844 at a cost of $1,400.00. It was located near the south end of Hemlock Village and still stands. 1843 - A Methodist building was put up, which was destroyed by fire in 1948 and the present church was erected. 1845 - Jacksonville was probably in its heyday. According to an Historical Maker, which was erected at the site by the Hemlock outlet 1 1/4 miles north-east of Hemlock, there were 130 houses, a brick yard, 10 mills and two distilleries. Almost all of the village was gone by 1850. The marker was installed in 1939 by the efforts of E. Short, Frank Connor and others. 1850 - The Plank Road - A Company was organized in Rochester, N.Y. Much lumber was available at the time, so they decided to try planks. It is reported that 25 miles were completed and a Toll-Gate erected at the south end (where the Country Store is located now, corner of Big Tree and Rt. 15A). The road worked very well for a few years until the lumber began to warp and twist. It finally got so bad it was abandoned. 1850 - The Metropolitan Hotel on South Main Street opened its doors for business after being under construction for about two years. There were three floors. The top floor was used for a ball-room and with a stage, it provided a great place for entertainment. An addition was built on a few years later on the south end. 1851 - It was reported that Russell Jacque built a large farm house near the lake on the north end. The house was later (in 1873) made in to the three story famous "Jacque-House", one of the five hotels that existed on the lake during the steamboat days when excusions were offered on the lake. 1853 - Due to the Old Bald Hill Road getting so much traffic, there aroase a need for the East Lake Road. Mr. John Hill caused the road to be built at a cost of $5,000.00. Soon after its completion, a Tollgate was set up at the Hemlock end. The story is told that one day while he was downtown, he became involved in an argument over the toll prices and fell dead with a heart attack. He never collected much toll. The road served the public for many years. Just the north end of the road is traveled now. 1860 - Mr. George Watson built one of the first steamboats to ply the waters of the lake. This became one of the five boats that carried passengers on the lake from the dock at the foot of the lake to the hotels. 1860 - The Baptist church, which had been established on the Curtis Corners about half way between Hemlock and Honeoye, disbanded and joined with the Hemlock church. The Rev. Ira Justin was pastor at that time. 1866 - Frank Connor's history tells us that one day in '66 a large crowd assembled in front of the Metropolitan Hotel to discuss a Fair. That was the beginning of what later became known as "The Slab City Fair" "The Little World's Fair" and the just plain Hemlock Fair. In 1877 a two-day Fair was held and the Ladies Hall was erected. From then on it grew into what largely became contests of horse racing until the early 1900's. 1876 - The gates were opened at Hemlock Lake and Hemlock Lake water rushed down the pipe line toward the city. This was the beginning of a gravity flow water system which has supplied the city of Rochester with millions and millions of gallons up to this very day. The system always needed inprovements and later on Canadice Lake water was tunneled into the lake. On file are several accounts of the growth of this famous water system. 1879 - The three story St. James Hotel was opened on the east side of the lake. In the following years it was to accommodate many passengers from the steamships that were plying the lake. 1882 - The Beam family built their first mill on the Canadice outlet. The dam and mill were just east of the main road. Powered by water power, the mill served the public for many years. Later the Beam family went on to build a mill on the Hemlock outlet in the village of Hemlock, just west of the main road. The family also operated a small store near the Canadice outlet. 1888 - At this time, there were 112 buildings along the shores of Hemlock lake, 96 cottages, 5 hotels, 5 permanent residents and 6 cabins. 1890 - A while back in our notes, we mentioned the "hermit" Maloy who came early to the foot of the lake. Around 1890, there came another man named Prinny Chesbro. He had been a sailor and it is said that he was the only man around who could safely splice a rope. He located a cabin somewhere near the half-way house. It is said that he lived to be 100 years old and came to be known as "The Hermit of Hemlock Lake." 1895 - The Lehigh Valley R.R. Co. railroad line was extended to Hemlock village and Hemlock Lake. Much could be written here about the Lehigh. With the coming of the railroad, Hemlock became alive. Quickly passenger service and the freight service grew until the middle of the 20th century many trains were in and out every week. Later on changing times caused the company to quit the runs to Hemlock and the rails were torn up in 1968. Eugene Spencer was one of the last station agents. The last passenger train pulled out of Hemlock in 1937. The "section gang" with their hand-car provided work for local men all those years. 1898 - It is known that about this time there was a band in Hemlock. It was known as "The Hemlock Cornet Band". We do know of 3 or 4 of the members; Will Hoppough, Parker Hoppough, Chas. Briggs and possibly Will Mallaber. No doubt they played band music at the "Slab City Fair". 1900 - Great days ahead for Hemlock, the village of Jacksonville had ceased to exist, Glennville and Gullburg had grown together and joined Hemlock, and activity at the lake was lively with new businesses. 1904 - The Rebekah Lodge was organized. The I.O.O.F Order of Odd-Fellows had been established earlier (1898). The I. O.O.F. later went on to build a three-story lodge building south of the outlet on the east side of Main Street. In later years, the building was torn down. 1906 - The Wemett Company incorporated. The hardware store, which had been owned and operated by Bacon & Wemett, changed hands due to the death of Mr. Bacon. C.E. Wemett started in the oil business selling Eldred Oil and later became distributor for the Shell Oil Co. 45 stations and about 4,500 customers were served as the oil business prospered. 1911 - The old Gullburg school district, which was located just up the Old Bald Hill Road and on the east side of the road, voted to join the Hemlock district. The building was later used as a home and is still standing. 1912 - At this time, Mr. V.P. Owen operated a Ford automobile agency from a building on the west side of South Main Street. It was the Ford agency and was selling Chevrolets. 1915 - A little after this date some local people were busy. A few of the older people remember that the Nelson Cary family made baskets in their home on Clay Street. The Bates family lived near the entrance to the fair grounds. Thomas and Harry had a blacksmith and woodworking shop. Also, they made fine quality cutlery. Some of their knives are in the museum at the Livonia Library. 1919 - This year the first hand-drawn chemical fire truck was purchased for the local firemen and a cider mill was established on Clay St. by Mr. Olin Mather. The building that housed the mill was torn down in Dixon Hollow and hauled to Hemlock. At the present time, it is an apartment house. It is believed that Olin Mather was the first man in the area to own and operate a self-propelled grain combine. 1920 - There were three grocery and dry goods stores operating on the South Main Street. They were Beckers, Knapps, and LaMonts. Later Beckers was torn down to make room for a house, Knapps is now an apartment house and Earl Collins bought the LaMont property. There were two blacksmith shops on South Main; B. Naracong and Lewis Schneck, owners. By 1920, the Livingston County Canning Co. was in full operation on Railroad Avenue north side of the Lehigh Valley depot. Many local people were employed canning sweet corn, peas, and string beans. Many cases of canned vegetables were shipped out on the Lehigh R.R. The plant was destroyed by fire the fall of 1931. The Osborne brothers were owners. 1925 - Niagara Power brought electricity to Hemlock. This brought an end to the use of water power which had been used to power the mills along the outlet. Soon the water was released from the old Hoppough mill pond west of Main Street. The pond, over the years, had been great for winter skating and fishing in summer. 1925 - The Sullivan-Clinton Memorial maker was dedicated at the entrance of Hemlock Lake Park. It was made partly of Mill stones and inlaid with Indian arrowheads. It was a beautiful reminder of the past. The Hon. James W. Wadsworth was the guest speaker. Vandals have caused destruction to the monument in past years. 1929 - The newly built present High School was completed and made ready for use. 1930 - This year marked the end of an era. For 75 years, the Scott family had been coming every summer to their cottage and property on the west side of Hemlock Lake. They were, at last, forced to sell their property to the City of Rochester, which consisted of 175 acres of side hill land. Some of the land had been converted to grape vineyards several years earlier. There was also 1 1/2 acres and 175 feet of lake frontage. According to the records they were paid $55,000.00 for the property they had enjoyed for so long. They were just about the last people to sell out. NOTE: Grapes from their vineyard were at one time picked, packed and sold from a small building by the side of the road near the foot of the lake.< |