Benjamin Dikeman - Dyckman - Dykeman - Dykman

Benjamin Dikeman is one of my Revolutionary War ancestors, and since names and dates don't tell half the story, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about him.

Benjamin was one of 14 children born to Joseph Dikeman (abt 1737 - 1822)  and Eunice Darling (Jan 25 1736 - death unknown). The others were Ann, Phebe, Hezekiah, Joseph, Sally, Aaron, Peter, Ezra, Eunice, Elizabeth, Daniel, Abigail, and Ruhama.  Benjamin was born the 24th of May in 1761, in Redding, Connecticut and died 8 April 1845. Three of those sons were ancestors of mine, of them, Benjamin was the second son and fourth child in the family.
   
Benjamin enlisted 1781 in the Dutchess County Militia, and is listed as belonging to the company commanded by Captains Williams & Dykeman (his father) In his pension application, he mentions his three sons, 2 which are wealthy farmers and the other a cattle dealer and butcher.

Benjamin Dyckman Married Huldah Kelly in Patterson, Putnam County, NY, daughter of Jonathan Kelly and Priscilla King. Benjamin & Huldah had four children that we know of, some sources say there were more children that died young:

 Isaac Dykman was born 29 Dec 1788 in Dutchess County, NY and died Jan 16 1872 in Putnam County, NY. (note: Putnam County was created from southern Dutchess County in 1812) Isaac married Polly Wood on 18 Sept 1808, and they had a family of six children - Jane, James, Eunice, Mary, George, and Emma.  Polly was Born Nov 19 1778 in Norwalk, Fairfield County, CT and died Sept 14, 1867 in Patterson, Putnam County, NY. In 1850 he is listed as a farmer.

  Ezra Dykeman was born Dec 13, 1771 in Dutchess County, NY and died Sept 29, 1857. He married Keturah Ellis who was born June 27, 1797and died Dec 9 1878. According to His  brother Isaac's will, he had three daughters Martha, Emily, and Eliza. He was a farmer. He was most likely named after his uncle Ezra Dyckman, Joseph's Brother, who died in 1771.

 Priscilla Dykeman was born about 1792. She was most likely named after her grandmother, Priscilla King Kelly.She married James Baker.

 Benjamin Dykeman, (the younger) was born 1796 in Dutchess County, NY and died July 28, 1860. Benjamin married a woman named Asenath who was born 21 July 1790 and died 9 Dec 1873. They had a family of seven children - Beulah, Mary Elizabeth, Albert, Huldah, Sarah, Isaac, & Charles. In the 1850 census Benjamin was listed as a butcher.

Benjamin's son Isaac had a daughter, Emma C. Dykeman. That daughter married her second cousin, Daniel W. Dykeman. But then, thats another story for another day...

Sources Include:
Johannes Dyckman of Fort Orange, Volumes 1& 2
Barbour Records of Redding, Connecticut
Barbour Records of Norwalk, Connecticut
Censuses from 1800 to 1870
History of Redding CT
Revolutionary War Pension of Benjamin Dyckman
Records of Robert H Dykeman Sr.

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.

Descendants of Joseph Ellis of New York

1-Joseph Ellis (8 Jan 1782-8 Apr 1861)

+Permellia Gidney (1788-1852)

. . . . 2-David Ellis (abt 1817-)

. . . . 2-John Ellis (16 Jul 1825-11 Jan 1909)

. . . . +Rachel Tompkins (Jul 1822-)

. . . . +Eliza C. Whittaker (abt 1831-12 Feb 1914)

. . . . +Jane Decker (1823-18 Aug 1863)

. . . . . . . . 3-Hasbrouck Ellis (8 Aug 1843-26 Jan 1920)

. . . . . . . . +Mary J. Terwilliger (13 Apr 1844-3 Nov 1904)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Minnie Ellis (29 Mar 1875-4 Apr 1875)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clemine Ellis (abt 1879-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Harry White (abt 1872-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lillian H ElIis (Apr 1891-)

. . . . . . . . +Hattie A Decker (1876-1950)

. . . . . . . . 3-Charles Ellis (abt 1843-1852)

. . . . . . . . 3-Ennis Ellis (1845-1900)

. . . . . . . . +Helena Elsie Ellis (Jun 1851-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Margaret Ellis (abt 1868-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Martha Ellis (abt 1869-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clementine Ellis (abt 1875-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-George Ellis (Jun 1879-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Henry Ellis (abt 1879-)

. . . . . . . . 3-James Ellis (1847-)

. . . . . . . . +Melinda W. Relyea (abt 1857-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Delia Ellis (Jan 1879-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Charles H Ellis Sr (17 Sep 1890-21 Jun 1967)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Addie Mackey Rhodes (abt 1890-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Lucy A Ellis (Embree) (29 Sep 1917-3 Oct 1998)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Leora Melinda Ellis (Kelder) (18 Jun 1924-20 Jan 2005)

. . . . . . . . 3-Morris Ellis (abt 1850-)

. . . . . . . . 3-Maria J Ellis (abt 1852-)

. . . . . . . . 3-Wlliam C. Ellis (18 Aug 1858-12 Dec 1935)

. . . . . . . . +Henrietta Hartwell (4 Mar 1858-19 May 1919)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Albert Vincent Ellis (12 Sep 1878-25 Mar 1955)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Mary Etta Dutcher (22 Jun 1879-27 Apr 1976)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Velma Mary Ellis (5 Nov 1903-19 Apr 1992)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Leroy Herbert Ellis (8 Oct 1907-13 Oct 1959)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Flossie Belle Ellis (22 Mar 1909-15 Mar 1986)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-William Martin Ellis (25 Oct 1916-4 Nov 1975)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Charlotte Ellis (13 Jan 1920-19 May 1985)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-John W. Ellis (Jun 1880-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Florence E Rhodes (abt 1888-)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Francis Harrington Ellis (27 Jul 1918-13 Apr 2002)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Isaac Perry Ellis (7 May 1882-31 Oct 1966)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Sadie Levina Bird (Feb 1885-1965)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Raymond P. Ellis (2 Jun 1905-30 Jun 1994)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Clyde Bird Ellis Sr (18 Oct 1907-3 Jan 1952)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Mildred Rose Ellis (5 Apr 1910-24 Jun 1997)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Frederick M. Ellis (30 Sep 1916-16 Dec 1998)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Grace Minard Ellis (27 May 1920-22 Nov 2011)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lillian May Ellis (11 Aug 1888-25 Sep 1975)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Andrew Mackey Ronk (4 Jun 1882-6 Apr 1946)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Albert Ellis Ronk (19 Dec 1905-13 Jan 1989)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Clarence Eber Ronk (7 Feb 1907-25 Jan 1991)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-George Carpenter Ronk (4 Mar 1908-9 Aug 1993)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Ralph Ronk (23 Sep 1909-31 Jan 1993)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Nellie Ronk (9 Aug 1913-1 May 1981)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Herbert A. Ronk (27 Jul 1916-18 Aug 1968)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Myron F. Ronk (17 Jul 1918-5 Aug 2002)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Vernon Ronk (24 May 1926-9 Jan 2008)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Alida Dingee Ellis (14 Nov 1893-13 May 1978)

. . . . . . . . . . . . +Fred Myron Smith (9 Oct 1891-3 Feb 1968)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-John Smith (23 Oct 1917-1 Jan 1918)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Vernon Robert Smith (6 May 1919-18 Jun 1994)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Donald James Smith (29 May 1935-30 Jan 2003)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Herbert J. Ellis (7 Mar 1899-)

. . . . . . . . +Anna Eliza Oliver (Conklin) (abt 1900-13 Jan 1972)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Marjorie Satie Ellis (abt 1928-15 May 1945)

Sources Include

US Federal Census

NY State Census

Vermont Vital records

New Jersey Archives

NY Birth, Marriage, and Death Indexes

US Dutch reformed Church records 

Clintondale Quaker Records

Baptist Church records

Plattekill Town  and Church records

NY Will and Probate records

Town clerk records of men who served in the Civil war 

Old Gravestones of Ulster county, NY

Early Settlers of NY State Vol II

Hartwells in America

Johannes Dyckman of Fort Orange Vol 1 & 2

Newspapers records from

    Poughkeepsie Eagle

    Poughkeepsie Journal

    Press and Sun Bulletin

    Rhinebeck Journal

    The Register - Herald

    The Sun Herald

Peter Dykeman & Effie K. Hooker



A very young Peter and Effie

Peter and Effie in Their Later Years

Here's just a bit about the Dykeman family.  In particular, this is the family that Henry comes from; as in The Henry Dykeman Farm in Pawling NY.

 Peter Dykeman was born 04 Jun 1858 in Kent, Putnam Co, NY, and died 04 Apr 1930 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co, NY.

 He married Effie Keziah Hooker 09 Sep 1885 in Wingdale, Dutchess Co, NY, daughter of William Hooker and Sarah Cutler. She was born 08 Sep 1867 in Wing Station, Dutchess Co, NY, and died 02 Apr 1936 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.

  

William

 The  children of Peter Dykeman and Effie Hooker are: 



Nelle

 Nellie  Dykeman, born 26 May 1887; died 23 Nov 1968. Nellie had Polio as a child, so the family got her a pony so she could get around. 

 

William John Dykeman, born 01 Aug 1888; died 03 Mar 1962.  He married Marian E Babbitt 25 Jun 1929, daughter of Lucien Babbitt and Sarah Verry.  She was born 04 Jul 1896 in Oneonta, NY, and died 21 Apr 1974 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.

   

Peter Augustus Dykeman, born 12 Jan 1890 in Wingdale, Dutchess Co, NY; died 17 Sep 1959 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.

George

 He married Sophie Jane Hasler 23 Jun 1920 in Wingdale, Dutchess Co, NY; born 27 Dec 1895; died 12 Nov 1984 in Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT.  This is the "Uncle Gus" who always said "Life is short, eat dessert first"

Peter Augustus



 Calvin Dykeman, born Aug 1890; died 20 Dec 1890.



Alice C Dykeman, born 30 Nov 1892 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY; died 11 May 1988 in Palm Harbor, Pinellas Co, FL. She married Seymour Arthur Dutcher 28 Feb 1918 in NY, son of Martin Dutcher and Maria Whaley.  He was born 15 Aug 1887 in Millbrook, Dutchess Co, NY, and died 11 Apr 1976 in Clearwater, Pinellas Co, FL.



Henry & Velma



 George Raymond Dykeman, born 17 Oct 1894; died 11 Jun 1979 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY. He married Flossie Belle Ellis 09 Aug 1925 in NY, daughter of Albert Ellis and Mary Etta Dutcher.  She was born 22 Mar 1909, and died 15 Mar 1986 in St. Albans, Franklin Co, VT. (Mary Etta and Seymour Dutcher were brother and sister)

 

Henry Dykeman, born 06 Feb 1900; died 13 Dec 1984 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.He married Velma Mary Ellis 03 Aug 1924 in Catskill, Greene Co, NY, daughter of Albert Ellis and Mary Etta Dutcher.  She was born 05 Nov 1903 in South Amenia, Dutchess Co, NY, and died 19 Apr 1992 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.

We found the bible given to Peter and Effie by his Parents in 1882.

It has all the childrens dates in it.

The four Junia Dykemans

The first Junia was the child of Hezekiah & Constant Doane Dykeman (also spelled Dyckman or Dikeman.) Born Nov 22 1785,  he married Sarah Morehouse. They had three children, Belinda, Sally and Daniel.  Junia served in the New York Militia in the War of 1812 in Capt. Ferris' company under Col. Carver. Junia died  March 6 1875. Junia & Sarah are buried in the Old Southeast Church Cemetery in the town of Southeast, Putnam County NY.

The second Junia, Junia Warren Dykeman is the grandson of the first Junia, the only child of Daniel W and Emma C Dykeman. He was born July 9 1856. This Junia marries Helen A Beattys and they have 11 children; Junia Jr, Emma, Charles, Lewis, Frederick, William, Arlene Bessie, Helen Lucille, Elbert, Harold Horton, and Ralph Irving Dykeman.  Junia Dies 22 April 1934, in Manhattan, New York City, New York. He is buried in the Milltown Cemetery in Brewster, Putnam County, New York.

The third Junia, Junia Warren Dykeman Jr was born 23 July 1878, in Dykemans, Putnam County, New York, just like the two generations before him. He married Bessie A Nichols and they had two daughters, Helen and Ruth Dykeman. This Junia was a Justice of the Peace and Town clerk in Patterson, NY. Junia died June 17 1962 in  Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York. He is buried in the Maple Avenue Cemetery in Towners, Putnam County, NY.

The last Junia, Junia William Dykeman is the son of Helen Dykeman and the grandson of Junia Warren Dykeman Jr.  Junia William was born June 18 1942 in Danbury, CT.   In July 2 1964, a legal notice was filed by the Putnam County Court stating that Junia William Dykeman would be now known as Miles Rivers. Despite that notice, Junia died in 1973 and is buried under his birth name in the Maple Avenue Cemetery in Patterson, Putnam County, New York.

My Ancestor, Helen Amelia Beattys Dykeman.

There are many Helen Dykemans in my family, and this is the story of just one of them - my great-great-grandmother Helen Amelia Beattys Dykeman


The Civil War was a month old when Helen was born  on the second of September 1861 to Charles S Beattys  and Georgiana Howes in the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York.  She was about a year old when her dad went off to join the union army. A baby brother Daniel soon joined their family. Home life is not easy as her father is injured in the war, and returns just before her three year old brother dies. Just 9 months later, in 1866, Charles dies in a work related accident.   Her mother Georgiana remarries  in 1871 to Oliver Gay, but Helen remains the only child in the home.

Just shy of her 16th birthday, Helen (called Nellie) marries Junia Dykeman on Jul 2 1877.  They reside in  in Southeast, Putnam County, NY where Junia's family had been settled for many years.  A small article was published in the Brewster Standard: announced “marriage of Junia W Dykeman and Nellie Bettis was very quietly celebrated on Sunday, July 1 1877 at the brides mother’s residence. The reception was held on evening following.” They have Junia Jr about a year  later, when Helen is almost 17 and Junia Sr is 22, giving a start to what will become a large family.

In the 1880 Census we find the family living in Southeast, Putnam County NY. Junia is 24, born in NY and a farmer. Helen is listed as Nellie H, 19, Born in NY and Keeping House. Also listed is Junia Jr, 2 years old born in NY and the newest member of the house, baby Emma, at 11 months.  Junia's mother Emma had died a few months before baby Emma's birth, which may be where the name comes from.

Four boys are born to the family by 1890; Charles R in 1881, Lewis H in 1885, William G in 1887, and Frederick S in 1890.  There is no 1890 census, but all data points to Helen and Junia Sr still living in the family homestead in the town of Southeast, Putnam County NY.  No 1892 state census has been found yet for this community. The railroad is established shortly after, going closely by the Homestead. The railroad stop there leads to the establishment of the hamlet of Dykeman's Station  and in 1894 Dykemans gets a post office, putting it on the map.

Two more children are born, Arlene B in 1892, and Helen L in 1994.  Helen's daughter Emma B Dykeman marries a cousin, Henry J Dykeman in April of 1897, moving out of the house.  Helen and Junia have a son, Elbert Leslie Dykeman, born in late 1897  bringing their family to 9 children.  In January of 1898, Helen's first grandchild is born, a daughter, Florence, to Emma and her husband Henry.  In February of 1899, Helen's son Elbert dies. He is the only child they have that dies young, which is unusual for the times.

In the 1900 Census We find the family living in Dykemans Station, town of South east, Putnam County NY. Junia Sr is not listed.
Junia, Head,  b July 1878  a Farmer, B NY listed as single (this is Junia Jr)
Helen A, Mother,B Sept 1861, Married, 8 of 9 children living, B NY.  Father born in CT.
Lewis H, Brother, B Dec 1885, 14, Single B NY
William G, Brother, B Oct 1881 12, Single, B NY
Frederick S, Brother, B April 1890, 10, Single, B NY
Bessie A, Sister, B May 1892, 8, Single, B NY (Arlene Bessie)
Helen L, Sister, B Sept 1894, 5, Single, B NY
Georgiana A Gay, Grandmother (Helen's Mother) B Sept 1837, 62, Widowed, 1 of two children still living, B NY
also some servants and boarders are listed.

In August of 1900, Harold Horton Dykeman, my ancestor,  is born to Helen and Junia. In October, their son Junia marries and in 1902 has a daughter, Ruth.  At some point after Harold is born  Helen and Junia move to Manhattan. This was before their son Ralph is born in March of 1903,   There are records that Junia's father Daniel had lived part time in Manhattan, so they may have moved to a Family owned apartment, or they could have found a new location of their own. Between 1900 and 1910, Helen sees her sons Charles, and Lewis marry. They each have a daughter shortly thereafter, Doris and Alice,  Her mother Georgiana Howes Beatty Gay dies in 1909 in Schenectady.

In the 1910 Census, the family is living on West 96th street in  Manhattan.
Junia is 53, B in NY, on his first marriage of 31 years, Manager of a Milk Dairy.
Wife Helen is 48, B in NY, a housekeeper, married for 31 years.
William, Son, is 22 and single, B in NY, working as a bookkeeper in a Milk Dairy.
Daughter Arlene B is 17, B in NY, single and working as a bookkeeper in a Milk Dairy.
Daughter Helen L is 14, B in NY, single, no occupation.
Son Harold H. is 9, B in NY, Single, no occupation.
Son Ralph I is 7, Single,B in NY, no occupation.

Between 1910 and 1920, Frederick and William both get married. The grandchildren list grow to include Daniel, Helen, Frederick, Robert, Thelma, Kendall, Una, and Robert. World War one expands to include America, the Spanish Flu happens, and women in American gain the right to vote. Helen's son Charles, a state trooper, dies of Pleurisy in the beginning of 1920.

In the 1920 Census, we find the family still living on West 96th street in Manhattan, all born in USA with parents born in USA.
Junia (listed as Junius) Head of household, 63, Married, renting his home, a Manager in a Milk Company.
Helen (listed as Ellen) Wife, Married, 56, at home.
Son Harold,19 and Single, not working.
Son Ralph, 17 and Single, not working.
Son-in-law Charles Jagemann, 27 and Married, a Traffic Manager.
Daughter Helen Jagemann, 25 and Married, not working.
Kendon Jagemann (listed as Kenton), 3 months old.

 Helen and Junia are living at 166 West 96 Street in New York city when Helen goes to have an operation for a intestinal blockage. Unfortunately at the age of 59, in May of 1920, Helen Passes away from complications. In the Brewster Standard  June 4, 1920 her obituary is published: Sunday Morning 11 o’clock at St. Vincents Hospital, Helen Bettis, Wife of JW Dykeman died in her 59th year of age.  Her death followed an operation for relief of strangulated Hernia. Helen was born in South East Center Father Charles H Bettis Mother Georgianna Howes, Daughter of late JO Howes.

 Helen is buried in the Milltown Cemetery in Putnam county NY. Her husband Junia passes away in 1934. She is surrounded by the graves of many of her children and grandchildren.

Ira J. Cornell - May 30, 1874 - March 29, 1905

My Great Grandfather Lester Cornell had two brothers, Ira and Wright Cornell. Ira was the oldest, and he died young of tuberculosis, or so I’d been told, so he's been a bit of a mystery...

Then one day I was gifted with some old pictures. You know the kind, grey or sepia pictures of people on cardboard backing, usually they are faded and worn around the edges. Often there’s something somewhat familiar about their faces, but you’re not sure what.

The photographer is someone you never heard of in a place you’re not sure your relative ever went to; and to top it off, when you turn them over there’s no name on the back. Downright frustrating to be given a ton of great granny’s pictures… only to find out she was the only one who know who was in them.

This time it was different – I turned them over and there in spidery pencil was written names – some with question marks, but names all the same. I promptly started asking questions of anyone from that branch of the family and in that way I discovered many things from those few pictures.

Great Grandpa Lester was much younger than his brother - 15 years younger – and since Ira didn't have kids and died young not much was known about him. Other family members seem to recall his wife lived in CT in her later years after he died, but they’d lost track of her over the years. So, armed with a couple of old pictures and some sketchy data, I began the hunt.

First – the census. In 1880, I find Ira is 6, living with his brother Wright with his parents Joshua and Alice in Yorktown, Westchester Co, NY. In 1900, I find his family all in Yorktown, but Ira requires some more searching. There are 9 Ira Cornells in the census for that year, He is the one living with his wife Almira with her parents Henry and Jennie in Manhattan.

 

This sort of goes with a family comment that he did “some photography down near the city” at one time. In 1910, I find lots of Iras, But not the one I’m looking for. In CT I find an Almira Cornell, the correct age, widowed, living with her mother – So by this I believe Ira has died. I find his mother, father and Lester living in Yorktown again. Alice is listed as having borne 3 children, 2 of which are living and this backs up my hunch that Ira has died. in 1920, I find no Ira that fits this family... so I move on to other records.

In some cemetery listings for Westchester county I do some more searches for the missing Ira. I find a possible one in Mahopac and reach out to a cousin who might know if this is the correct one. Jeanette and her mom Lois (Lester’s daughter) going for a drive one weekend and find the stone I mentioned in Mahopac. They find a full death date and he is buried among the Fisher family – His Wife, Almira’s family. There’s a marking for the Masons on his stone, which adds a bit of information too.

Online at the Mahopac Library I find copies of the Putnam county paper dating way back… and give it a few looks to see what I can find on Ira Cornell. Sure enough,. A few days after his death I find a column describing his death and where he’ll be buried. He was 30 years old and died of consumption.

Knowing Almira's full name and the fact Ira married by 1900, I began to look for marriage records. Nothing is found in Westchester county where Ira was born. However now knowing he was in NY city in 1900, I look at the NY city indexes and find success. Ira J Cornell married Almira Fisher in Manhattan, NY on February 21, 1899. I wonder if any of the family traveled to the city that day to celebrate with them.

So by looking in several places and some help from other family members I've been able to piece together a bit of information to fill in the mystery of Great-Grand-Uncle Ira.  Ira didn't have any children, so my search doesn't go much further with his story. But finally we know a little more of one of Lester's brothers.

From Cape Cod MA to Southeast NY...Moody Howes

MOODY HOWES was born 18 Jul 1724 in Dennis, Barnstable Co, MA, and died 09 Apr 1806 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY. He married (1) HANNAH SNOW 09 Feb 1747/48. She was born 04 May 1727 in Harwich, Barnstable Co, MA, and died 10 Jul 1758 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY. He married (2) SARAH ELLIS 21 Apr 1759 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY, daughter of JACOB ELLIS and ELIZABETH FOSTER. She was born 15 Apr 1730 in Harwich, Barnstable Co,MA, and died 19 Jan 1815 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY.

Notes for MOODY HOWES:
Rev. War, Served as a Private, 7th Regiment, Dutchess Co. Militia under Major Adams

Children of MOODY HOWES and HANNAH SNOW are:
i. HANNAH HOWES, b. 04 Jan 1749/50; d. 09 Mar 1839; m. THOMAS JONES, 18 Jun 1768;
ii. MOODY HOWES, JR, b. 20 Oct 1751;
iii. JOHN HOWES, b. 22 Nov 1753;
iv. THOMAS HOWES, b. 04 Dec 1756; .

Children of MOODY HOWES and SARAH ELLIS are:
v. SETH HOWES, b. 21 Jun 1760;
vi. JOB HOWES, b. 09 Nov 1761;
vii. DANIEL HOWES, b. 13 Apr 1763, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY; d. 04 Feb 1824, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY.
viii. SARAH HOWES, b. 06 Feb 1765; m. WILLIAM CASE, 11 Dec 1788; .
ix. RUEBEN HOWES, b. 06 Dec 1766;
x. SAMUEL HOWES, b. 09 Dec 1768;
xi. DEBORAH HOWES, b. 04 Nov 1770; m. JOHN HAUBARD, 11 Apr 1796;
xii. EDMUND ALANZO HOWES, b. 04 Aug 1772; .
xiii. ELIZABETH HOWES, b. 04 Nov 1774; m. UNKNOWN REED, 08 Mar 1795;

Generation No. 2

DANIEL HOWES was born 13 Apr 1763 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY, and died 04 Feb 1824 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY. He married RUHAMA REED 28 Jun 1791, daughter of JACOB REED and RHUHAMAH BENEDICT. She was born 12 Jan 1773 in Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT, and died 19 Mar 1864 in Southeast, Putnam Co, NY.

Children of DANIEL HOWES and RUHAMA REED are:
i. SUSANNAH7 HOWES, b. 1791; d. 1856; m. STEPHEN SMITH, 1807;
ii. FANNY HOWES, b. 25 Jan 1792; d. 30 Apr 1876; m. UNKNOWN FERGUSON, 16 Mar 1811;
iii. MALCHUS REED HOWES, b. 07 Aug 1793;

Notes for MALCHUS REED HOWES:
HOWES MALCHUS R 3 REGIMENT U.S. VOLUNTEERS. SERGEANT war of 1812

iv. NATHAN ALVA HOWES, b. 22 Apr 1796, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY; d. 29 Jun 1878, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY.
v. PHEBE HOWES, b. 09 Dec 1798; m. UNKNOWN HOYT, 02 Apr 1815;
vi. VILETTE HOWES, b. 19 Jan 1801; d. 27 Apr 1825; m. FREDERICK T BIRCH, 05 Jan 1818;
vii. ADELIA HOWES, b. 18 May 1803; d. 24 Jul 1880; m. WILLIAM HARVEY RIDER, 28 Mar 1826;
viii. DANIEL MORGAN HOWES, b. 26 Mar 1805; d. 04 Dec 1830.
ix. JACOB ORSON HOWES, b. 08 Mar 1807, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY; d. 07 May 1876, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY.
x. ESTHER HOWES, b. 17 Jan 1809; d. 14 Mar 1890; m. CHARLES RIDER, 31 May 1831;
xi. LAVINIA HOWES, b. 23 Oct 1810; d. 23 Sep 1831; m. SETH S CROSBY, 19 Dec 1827;
xii. REUBEN WING HOWES, b. 20 Oct 1813, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY; d. 29 Sep 1897, Yonkers, Westchester Co, NY.
xiii. SETH BENEDICT HOWES, b. 15 Aug 1815; d. 16 May 1901, Brewster, Putnam Co, NY.
xiv. PHINEAS HOWES, b. 25 Sep 1817, Southeast, Putnam Co, NY; d. 11 Oct 1894, Rockford,Winnebago Co, IL.

Sources on this family include:

Map of Southeast Centre 1867
Marriage, Birth and Death Records
Obituaries and Tombstones
Censuses – 1830 – 1930
Abstracted Will
Early Settlers of NY State
Gravestones of Putnam County by Barbara Smith Buys
NEHGS  July 1965 – Oct 1965
Carmel Newspapers, Putnam Co, NY 1849-1873 Indexed By Glen Wheeler
Westchester County Graveyards by Evelyn Briggs Baldwin
Family Bible Records
DAR applications

Charles S Beattys

Charles Beattys was my great great great grandfather.

 It was the 15th of December in 1832 in Connecticut. Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel tower was born on that day. Andrew Jackson had just been re-elected President. And Charles is the third child to be born to Daniel Beattys, a stagecoach driver and his wife Caroline Hubbell in Danbury, CT.

 Daniel Sturges Beattys and Caroline had a son Daniel Silliman Beattys born in 1828 who only lived a few days. His second son, George Frederick Beattys was born in 1830. George Died in September 1832, and Charles Sturges Beattys was born not long after in Dec of 1832. He was followed by a brother George Hubbell Beattys in October of 1834. Frederick Lacy Beattys was born in April 1839, followed by the only girl in the family, Caroline Amelia Beattys in February in 1841.

 In 1850 the Family is living in Danbury Connecticut. The land they live on is valued at $3,000. Charles' father drove the stage coach from Danbury Ct, to a village named Brewster in the town of Southeast in Putnam county, NY. Charles seems to be hiding from the 1860 census taker. I'm not sure if he's in Connecticut or New York at this point. It seems he and Georgiana Howes married in between 1860-1861.

Charles and Georgiana had two known children - A son, who lived for three years. I've been told his name was Charles Beatys... but in the Milltown Cemetery in Southeast, New York, there's a stone for Daniel H (Howes?) Beattys who died Jan 1866 at three years old. The other child Georgiana and Charles Beattys had was Helen Amelia Beattys, Born September 2, 1861 in Dykeman's station in Putnam County NY.

Charles S Beattys Joined the Union army on Sept 8 1862 in Norwalk, CT. He joined the 27th Connecticut Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. They mustered out on October 4 1862. This group saw action in the Battle of Fredericksburg, on December 13, 1862. Charles was promoted to full Sargent on April 16 1863. He was active at the Battle of Chancellorsville, From April 30th through May 6th 1863. His record states he was wounded and captured on May 3rd at Chancellorsville. He was paroled May 14th 1863. I don't know if he was with his unit at Battle of Gettysburg, on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. He mustered out July 27 1863 with a Honorable discharge.

After the War, Charles became an Advance Man for the Amburgh Menagerie and Circus. He was with Seth Crosby on work related duties when he died on the 21st of October in 1866. 5 years later, his wife Georgianna remarried Oliver Gay, another Civil War veteran. In 1877 Helen's daughter would marry Junia Dykeman and they would go on to be my great great grandparents.

While I know a fair bit about Charles I know very little of his father Daniel Beattys and nothing of his grandparents. Please email me if you know more about their story.

William Nelson Dykman

William Nelson Dykman  was  born  October 11 1854 in Cold Spring, Putnam County, NY.  His Parents were Jackson O'Dell Dykman and Emily Lucille Trowbridge.

William was one of three children: his brother Henry Trowbridge Dykman was born in 1856 and his sister Elizabeth was born in 1859.

William went to West Point Academy starting on 1 Sept 1871 and graduated in 1875. He graduated a Second Lietenant in the 22nd Infantry, and served until October of 1876. One of his last posts was at Fort Porter, in Buffalo NY.  He is often listed in the Newspapers as Colonel William N Dykman, but that doesn't seem to be reflected in the military Records.

After William left the military he studied the law at Union University in NY and graduated in 1878.  The law firm (Cullen and Dykman) he had with Edgar Cullen  still exists today. William became a very well  known lawyer in Brooklyn, taking many high-profile cases. William also headed the NY BAR Association for a time.

William married Isabelle Annan in June of 1885, daughter to Edward Annan.  William and Belle had a son, Jackson Annan Dykman  on July 11 1887.  Jackson married Susan B Merrick on 3  Feb 1915 in New Orleans.

By 1897, William had applied for passports for himself, Belle, and Jackson so they could travel overseas.  They travel to Southampton, England and to France by boat many times over the next 25 years, despite the fact Belle's niece was on the Titanic when it went down.  William and Belle also were active in Horse club circles, attending shows and Polo games.

 "White Acre", a large estate in Glen Cove, NY was established as William and Belle's home around 1912, designed by Harrie T. Lindeberg of Lindeberg's Domestic Architecture. It still stands today at 1 Meadowspring Rd on Long Island.


William Dykman died July 20  in 1937, and his wife Belle died March 31 1941.

Sources include:

New York and Ohio Newspapers

Johannes Dyckman of Fort Orange, Vol 2

The Trowbridge Genealogy

West Point Military Records

Federal Census Records

NY & UK Passenger Lists

US Passport Applications

Union University Record

Cemetery Records

Family of Anna Amelia Barrett Travis

   Solomon Barrett and Sarah Knox had 12 children. Their oldest Child was Anna Amelia, born 04 Apr 1857 in Brewster, Putnam Co, NY, and died 03 Mar 1914 in Kent Cliffs, Putnam Co, NY. Anna A. married James Hart Travis 1872 in Putnam Valley, Putnam Co, NY, son of Temperance S Travis.  He was born Dec 1854 in Somers, Westchester County NY.

Children of Anna Barrett and James Travis are:

1) Solomon Travis who died about 1894.

2) Emma F. Travis, born 1873; died 1935. She married (1) William Augustus Cowl in 1888. Will Cowl was born in July 1858. She married (2) Robert Warner.  Emma and William A Cowl had the following children:

2A) Chloe Cowl, born May 1891. She married Joseph Robertson about 1909 and they had a son Joseph.

2B)Ruth Cowl, born Nov 1897.






3)  Sarah Temperance Travis, born Dec 1875 in NY. She married Allen D Adams March 24, 1904 in Manhatten, NY.

4) Bertha E. Travis, born Oct 1879 in Carmel, Putnam Co, NY. She married Allen Vandine.

5) Mary Hannah Travis, born Feb 1881 in Carmel, Putnam Co, NY. She married Guy Hoffmire; born Abt. 1876 in New Jersey.

　

No further information is known on this family, but if you know more about Anna & James Travis' descendants, I would be interested to know about it.