Reverend Judson Dykeman and his desk

This Desk is a family heirloom, now residing in the home of the 3^rd Great-granddaughter of Rev Judson Dykeman. According to Family information, this is the desk Rev Judson Dykeman write his sermons at, and it predates 1867. As you can see, one of the legs must have broken over the years and been replaced by a plain leg, unlike the other three. Inside the desk has cubbyholes of ledgers and papers. We don’t know who made the desk,  but we do know more about the life of Judson Dykeman.

Reverend Judson Dykeman was born July 10, 1805 to Peter Dykeman (1769-1840) and his first wife, Ruth Carle (1776-1815)  in the Fredericksburg area of Dutchess County NY (now known as Patterson, Putnam County.) 

He was the third son, and fourth child of Peter and Ruth. In March 1829, he married Corinda  (Or Clorinda) Lee Smith, a widow with six children. (Abby Smith, Eunice Smith, Arvilla Smith, Joseph Smith,  and the twins, Jacob Smith and Isaac Smith.) Judson and Corinda would have four children of their own: Charles Dykeman, Louisa Dykeman, Oscar Augustus Dykeman, and Ruth Ann Dykeman.

On Feb 13 1836, Judson Dykeman joined the Kent – Fishkill Baptist Church by letter. He was listed as living in Kent, Putnam County NY In the 1840 Census. In His home there were 2 males under the age of 9, 1 boy between the age of 10 and 14, and one man aged 30-39. There was one little girl under 5, one teen girl between the ages of 15-19, and one woman between the ages of 30-39.  7 people in all, with 2 of them engaged in the occupation of agriculture.

 In 1843 the Baptistchurch of Christ at Kent and Fishkill (At Farmers Mills, Carmel, NY) gaveBrother Judson Dykeman license to preach the word. June 4, 1845 he was ordainedby request of the first Baptist Church of Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.  By 1850, only Judson, Clarinda, Charles, Oscar, Louisa, Ruth and Isaac were living in the house in Kent, Putnam County, NY.

In 1860  Judson is listed as a Baptist Clergyman in Kent, Putnam County, NY and Clorinda, Ruth, and Joseph Smith are living all in the home. By 1870, Ruth has moved out and just Joseph remains at home with his mother Clorinda and Stepfather Judson Dykeman.

In  October of 1872 Clorinda Lee Smith Dykeman passes away at the age of 73. Her will is a lengthy document, setting aside money especially for Joseph Smith’s care, maintenance and support. From the will it seems he is simple minded, and will need someone to be a guardian for him for the whole of his life.  Clorinda writes of all her children, alive and deceased, and her will is very emotional for a legal document. (Putnam County Wills, 1869-1876 Vol J-K, pg 515; Image 285 of 603 on film 837269 from Familysearch.org)

In 1873, Judson remarries to 45 year old Armilla White, daughter of Leman White.  He passes away at the age of 70 in October 1875. Both Judson and Corinda are buried in the cemetery at the Kent - Baptist Church in Putnam County, NY.

The Children of Judson Dykeman & Clorinda Lee Smith:

Charles Dykeman, 1830-1856.

Louisa Dykeman, 1831-1852.

Oscar Augustus Dykeman, 1834-1932. Married Louisa Denton.

Ruth Ann Dykeman, 1840-1917. Married John H Spencer.

The children of Clorinda Lee and Ray Smith:

Abby Mariah Smith, 1818-1893. Married to Robert Mead, and then Bennet Spencer.

Eunice Minerva Smith, 1820-1853. Married to Putnam Light.

Arvilla C Smith, 1823-1895. Married to Samuel T Barrett.

Joseph L. Smith, B 1825-1895. Married to Johanna Lee.

Isaac Smith, 1828-1853.

Jacob Smith, 1828-1834.