Captain Joseph Dyckman

   Joseph Dyckman (also spelled Dikeman and Dykeman) is the ancestor that solved the mystery that started my quest into my family tree.  Quite young, I was fascinated that my Grandmother on one side of the family and my Grandfather on the other had the same last name.   I wanted to know just how they were related, and it took some time to find the answer- they are distant cousins.   

  Joseph Dyckman was born about 1737 in Fairfield County, Connecticut, to Frederick Dyckman and his wife Ann, being the oldest child. His known siblings are Thaddeus, Levi, Mary, and Ann. Unfortunately the records for this time period are very sparse so we don’t know for sure how many siblings Joseph may have had nor much of his early life.

  We do know from the records in Redding, Fairfield County, CT that he was married to Eunice Darling on My 25 1757 by Reverend Nathaniel Bartlett. Their Children included Hezekiah, Benjamin, Joseph, Sally, Arron, Peter, Ezra, and Eunice, who were baptized in Redding, Connecticut.  He also married Elizabeth Smith and Miss Judd. His other known children were Elizabeth, Daniel, Abigail, Ruhama, Phebe, and Ann, but their mother is unidentified.

Joseph and at least three of his sons (Joseph, Hezekiah, and Benjamin) served in the American Revolution.  As Lieutenant  he brought in three conspirators, and as Captain he collected seven pounds eight shillings for bringing prisoners.  Joseph is a recognized Patriot for the DAR, so anyone who descendants from him qualifies for the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Here is a list of some of the men in Col. Field’s Regiment, including Captain Joseph at the bottom.

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.

Arthur M Ballard

When Arthur Mortimer Ballard was born on February 13, 1873, in Danbury, Connecticut, his father, Cyrus B. Ballard, was 27 and his mother, Sarah Lewis, was 25. Arthur had an older sister, Fanny Deroselle Ballard. His Father Cyrus was listed as Store clerk in the census just three years before and his mother as Keeping House. They lived in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

In 1880, Arthur and his family are still living in Danbury, Connecticut. His father Cyrus is a Dry goods Clerk, born in Connecticut just like Arthur and Fanny. Sarah is listed as born in NY.  His sister Fanny Marries Ferris Morehouse in 1888 in Connecticut and has a daughter Mildred in 1898.

On the 11^th of October 1899, Arthur is married to Carrie E Harrison by the Methodist minister, Rev Stratton in Brewster, Putnam County, New York where Carrie lives with her parents Josephine Hoyt and Henry F Harrison.  In 1900, Carrie and Arthur are living on east 136^th street in the Bronx. Arthur is listed as a Bookkeeper.

In 1905, Carrie and Arthur have a daughter, Helen Jessamine Ballard, Born 28^th of September in Williamsbridge, Bronx, New York. Arthurs sister Fanny marries for the second time to Arthur Borden who lives in Washington D.C. and has a daughter Laura in April of 1909.

 In 1910, the census finds Arthur, His wife Carolyn, and daughter Helen all living in Manhattan, New York. Arthur is working as a cashier in a hotel. In 1915 Arthur, Caroline and Helen are living at 151^st street west in Manhattan.

Arthur registers for the draft on Sept 12, 1918 describing himself as Medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He is a bookkeeper and cashier at the Hotel Endicott and lists his wife Caroline Ballard as his nearest relative, living with him at 122 West 88^th street in NY.

In 1920, Arthur and Caroline are still living at west 88^th street and they have a houseful. Arthur (46), Carolyne (41) and Helen (14) are all living together along with Carolyne’s parents Josephine (63) and Henry F Harrison (65). Also living with them is Arthur’s cousin, Robert Bennett (63).

In Jan 1923, Arthur’s Father Cyrus Passes away in Washington D.C. Arthur and Carrie’s Daughter Helen marries Harold H Dykeman on 9 May 1924 in New York city and has a son Robert in April of 1925. In August of 1927, Arthurs Mother Sarah Lewis Ballard dies in Washington D.C. where his sister Fanny is living.

Arthur and Carrie Get divorced, and Arthur remarries on the 14th of April, 1928 to Mary Lewis Lee as her second husband. Arthurs daughter Helen has a daughter Lois in 1929.  Shortly afterwards, his first wife Carrie remarries to Arthur’s cousin Robert Bennet. In 1930 Carrie and Robert are living in New Jersey.

In 1930, Arthur and his new wife, Mary are living at 25 Prospect street in New Richelle, Westchester county, NY. Arthur is working as an undertaker. In 1938, Arthur is the undertaker at the Ballard Funeral Home which has moved to 2 Maple Avenue in White Plains, NY.

BY 1940, Arthur, Mary and their maid Prudence Shepp are living in White Plains. About this time, Arthur acquires a partner in the funeral Home, George Durand.  In July of 1943, Arthur’s last Grandchild is born, Ralph Dykeman.  In 1948, Arthur’s grandson Robert marries Lucy Ryea and in 1949, his granddaughter Lois marries Clifford Ryea Jr.

On 5 June 1951, Arthur Mortimer Ballard dies of a heart attack. Arthurs second wife Mary dies in 1961, and his first wife Carrie dies in 1965. Arthur’s business, the Ballard – Durand Funeral Home in White Plains, NY is still active today in 2020.

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.

Family Of Nellie Maria Barrett Tompkins

Solomon Barrett and Sarah Knox Had 12 Children. You’ve read the stories of Jennie Barrett and Lucinda Barrett who both had 8 children. However their sister Nellie had 18 children.


Front Row: Weslie Lester, Joseph Putney, Velma Cornelia (Billie), John Barnes, Ida Mae, Leonard Knox, Floyd Truman(Truie), Back Row: Briggs Carrigan, Samuel Lounsbury, Mabel Jane (Jennie) George Lewis (Lew), Fannie Beyea, Rufus Robin, Luella (Loll). Abt 1934.


Nellie Maria Barrett was born 06 Jul 1867 in Kent Cliffs, Putnam County, NY, and died 18 Jul 1924 in Willimantic, Windham Co, CT. She married Briggs Perry Tompkins 12 Sep 1880 in Kent Cliffs, Putnam County, NY, son of Nathaniel Tompkins and Mary Williams. He was born 10 Jan 1859 in Carmel, Putnam County NY, and died 26 Apr 1925 in Willimantic, Windham County, CT.

Children of Nellie Barrett and Briggs Tompkins are:

i. John Barnes Tompkins, born 24 Jan 1881; died 16 May 1949. He married Sarah A Tompkins 16 Sep 1908;

ii. Robert Solomon Tompkins, born 25 Mar 1883; died 25 Apr 1883.

iii. Ida May Tompkins, born 13 Apr 1884; died 08 Jan 1949 in Windham, CT. She married William E Light 17 Jul 1912.

iv. Floyd Truman Tompkins, born 20 Aug 1885 in Kent Cliffs, Putnam Co, NY; died 21 Nov 1967 in Newark Valley, Tioga Co, NY. He married Gertrude E Tompkins 14 Feb 1911 in Granite Springs, Somers, Westchester Co, NY; born 21 Jun 1889 in Granite Springs, Westchester Co, NY; died 15 Feb 1986 in Athens, Bradford Co, PA.

v. Bessie Elizabeth Tompkins, born 03 Oct 1887 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 12 Feb 1891.

vi. Leonard Knox Tompkins, born 26 Aug 1889 in Shrub Oak, Westchester Co, NY; died 17 Apr 1963 in Windham Center, Windham Co, CT. He married Katherine Ophelia Light 21 May 1909; born 20 May 1891 in West Somers, Westchester Co, NY.

vii. Wesley Lester Tompkins, born 21 Sep 1891 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 18 Dec 1953. He married Josephine Elizabeth Brown.

viii. Briggs Carrigan Tompkins, born 26 Aug 1891 in Baldwin Place, Westchester Co, NY; died 1951. He married Nina Stinard 15 Aug 1911; born 1881; died 25 Jan 1981.

ix. Samuel Lounsbury Tompkins, born 07 May 1895 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 19 Sep 1935. He married Myra Scofield.

x. George Lewis Tompkins, born 20 Apr 1897 in Baldwin Place, Putnam Co, NY; died 05 Dec 1945 in Binghamton, Broome Co, NY. He married Rena Mae Patch 08 Mar 1916; born 13 Apr 1897 in Speedsville, Tompkins Co, NY; died 19 Dec 1955 in Berkshire, Tioga Co, NY.

xi. Rufus Robin Tompkins, born 29 Oct 1899 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 25 Feb 1972 in Ossining, Westchester Co, NY. He married Gladys A Smith; born 09 Jan 1902 in Somers Center, Westchester Co, NY; died 26 Jun 1979.

xii. Joseph Putney Tompkins, born 13 Aug 1901 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 11 Dec 1959. He married Ida May Smith; born 17 Jul 1903; died 12 Apr 1986.

xiii. Raymond Ralph Tompkins, born 22 Sep 1902 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 22 Sep 1902 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY.

xiv. Fannie Beyea Tompkins, born 27 Feb 1904 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 04 Jun 1978 in Middletown, Middlesex Co, CT. She married Mr. Smalley.

xv. Mabel Jane Tompkins, born 22 Jun 1905 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 22 Nov 1980 in Sarasota, Sarasota Co, FL.

xvi. Luella Tompkins, born 22 Aug 1906 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 1971 in Willimantic, Windham Co, CT.

xvii. Velma Cornelia Tompkins, born 24 Oct 1907 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 11 Aug 1992 in Wallingford, New Haven Co, CT. She married Irving Prentice Emlott 16 Nov 1935 in Windham Center, Windham Co, CT; born 08 Aug 1906 in Boston, Suffolk Co, MA.

xviii. Berma Glenn Tompkins, born 17 Dec 1908 in Somers, Westchester Co, NY; died 29 Jan 1914 in Speedsville, Tompkins Co, NY.

Blown up in the schoolhouse...

It caught my eye rather quickly.' Levi Jones, who was blown up in the schoolhouse was the first husband of Elizabeth Cook, daughter of Aaron Cooke and Hannah Wadsworth.'   What? Why did the school house get blown up and why was Levi in it?

Let me backtrack a little before I tell you more about that. Levi Jones is an ancestor of mine through Effie Knickerbocker Hooker who married Peter Dykeman back in 1885. The little chart on the side here give you and idea of how the family goes back to Levi.

Levi Jones is buried in the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford, Connecticut. The epitaph on his gravestone is: In memory of Mr.Levi Jones, who died May ye 23rd 1766 in ye 50th year of his age. Here from earthly joyes I am fled unto ye Mansions of the Dead Prepare Reder for thou must like me be Buried in ye Dust.

And the story behind being blown up in the schoolhouse? When the news of the repeal of the Stamp Act reached Hartford, a great celebration was planned. Many men of the town were in the schoolhouse, preparing fireworks. Gunpowder for two companies of militia had been delivered to the school house at the rate of one pound per soldier. Some was spilled when the powder was delivered, and a few boys of the town (being in high spirits and meaning no harm) lit the spilled powder on the ground. This powder ignited and led a path to the schoolhouse which then blew up. Levi Jones was one of three who died in the explosion, although many others were injured.

The history leading up to the American War of Independance is something we learn about in school, but this certainly makes the history of the Stamp Act and its repeal stand out in my mind. The fact it was repealed had an immediate impact on my family. In less than 10 years, Levi's son-in-law, William Hooker would fight in the Revolutionary War which was a more general result of the Stamp Act. One just never knows what events will affect the future.

Levi & Elizabeth had the following children that I know of; Hannah Jones, Abigail Jones, Mille Jones, and Julius Jones. Although I do know more about Elizabeth's parents, Levi's parents are a mystery. Some folks seem to think his parents were Benjamin Jones of Enfield, MA (which then became part of CT) and Anna Prior, but I am still looking for proof positive on that.

And that is just one of many interesting stories in the family tree - Levi got blown up in the schoolhouse.