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.

 John Edward Ryea

  Some three months after the end of the Civil War, John Edward Ryea was born on August 3 1865. His birth record states he was born to Peter Ryeau, A Day Laborer from Canada East and Mary Young, born 21 years ago in Canada East and now living in Fairfield, Franklin County VT.

John is the fourth known child of Peter Ryea and Mary Gero (dit Young), a family that grew to have at least eight Boys - Lewis, Peter, John, Andrew, Etienne (Aiken), Frank, Henry, and Joseph and two Girls Julia and Mathilda. 

His Ryea family is still in Fairfield, Franklin County Vt in the 1870 Census, and he is listed as 5 years old and the second child they have that was born in Vermont. His older siblings, Lewis, Julia and Peter were all born in Canada as were his parents. Peter is listed as 28 and Mary 26. Both parents are marked as cannot read, cannot write.

By 1880, the family is living in Richford, Franklin County, VT.  All the children are living with their folks – Peter is listed as 42, Mary as 30. John is listed as 14, and all but the smallest children are listed as cannot read and cannot write.  Their last name is given as Ryer, but that could be the result of careless writing of the census taker.  Peter the father along with Louis, Peter Jr, and John are all listed as Laborers.

On September 8, 1888, John Royea, a laborer, 22 years old marries Etta Smith, 21 in Berkshire, VT. His given place of birth is St. Albans, VT, son of Mary Geraw and Peter Royea. Etta is 21, born in Barre, Vt and the daughter of William Smith and Marrion Wells.

John and Etta settle in Franklin County, VT and begin their own family. Berney is born in March of 1889 but dies in August of 1890.  Marion is born in October of 1890, Edward in August of 1893 and then Lula on Oct 1895. Lula sadly dies less than a year old.  Lillian is born in January of 1897, and Cyrus in Jun of 1899.  Cyrus also dies before being a year old.

In the 1900 Census, John is listed with his family in Berkshire, Franklin County Vermont in a rented home. His birthday is listed as July of 1865, 34 years old, married 11 years, a Farm Laborer who cannot read or write but he can speak English. His wife Etta is  32, born in September of  1867, with 6 children born but only 3 living  - Marian, Edward and Lillian.  She is also listed as being able to read and wrote and speak English.

Next door on the 1900 census is listed his parents, Peter 64 and Mary 60. No month or year is given for their births, which seems to indicate that they did not know when they were born. They were married for 45 years, and mary had had 12 children but only 10 alive at that time.  Peter is listed as immigrating in 1849, and had naturalized but records confirming these facts have ever been found.  Peter and Mary are listed as not able to read or write, but can speak English. Joseph, Frank and Henry with his family are all living with them.

Later in 1900, Etta and John Have a daughter Lena who lives for 2 years and then dies of Tuberculosis.  John’s Brother Henry also dies in 1902 of the same disease. On the 28th of August in 1904, Etta Smith (37) and John Ryea (40) have a son, Clifford Ray Ryea, their 9th child and my great-grandfather.  Ethel is born in September of 1906 and Frank in June of 1909.

In 1910 on the Bakersfield, Vt Census,  John is 45, married 22 years, Rents a farm, is listed as a famer, cannot read or write. Etta is 42, and has had 11 children, 6 of which are living. She can read and write.  Their daughter Marion and her husband Frank Dunham were living with them as well as Edward, Lillian, Cliffford, Ethel and Frank.

In 1912, Johns father, and then his mother both pass away. They had been living with their daughter Julia, who was married to Andrew Playful, in Franklin, Franklin, County, VT.  In July of 1916, their son Frank dies of Pneumonia. Clifford Ryea was only twelve when this happens, but recalls it with sorrow more than 70 years later when I asked him about his family.

When World War One begins John and Etta’s son Edward enlists in the army and 1917 finds him in Virginia waiting for his transport overseas.  A small item in the Burlington Free Press in 1918 states Edward is injured but gives no real indication how seriously. Edward returns from the war, alive but missing his arm.  In 1920 he marries Bessie Bartlett.

In 1920 John and Mary are still living in Bakersfield, Franklin County Vermont with Edward, Ethel and Clifford  in their home. In 1923 Clifford leaves Vt for NY. In his later years he would say he “left VT to marry a rich girl”.

In 1925 he married Isabel Osborn and in 1926 had a son, also named Clifford and in 1929 they are blessed with a daughter Lucy Etta. They lived in Pawling, NY their entire married life. Clifford married again after Isabel died, living then in Putnam county, NY.

By 1930 John aged 64 and Etta aged 63 are living home alone, still in Bakersfield.  John is listed as unable to read or write, apparently, he never gained those skills throughout his life. In 1940, They are listed as living next to their son Edward, his wife Bessie, and their son Frederick. Etta is listed as completing grade 8, and next to John is says 0, no school attended. However this time, John is shown as owning his home, worth $400.00. He is 74 and she is 72.

When John dies of a heart condition in 1942, his birth is listed as July 3 1965 with Parents Peter Ryea and Mary Geraw.  His wife Etta Smith Ryea lives another 8 years, dying in September of 1950. She was described many years later by her granddaughter Lucy as being a gruff woman who smoked a corncob pipe.  They are buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bakersfield, VT.

Their Children:
Berney Ralph Ryea, 1889-1890

Marion Evaline Ryea,  1890-1981

Edward Byron Ryea, 1983-1968

Lula Gene Ryea, 1895-1896

Lillian Pearl Ryea, 1897-1990

Cyrus R. Ryea, 1899-1900

Lena Ryea, 1900-1902

Clifford Ray Ryea, 1904-1996

Ethel May Ryea, 1906-1998

Frank Marshall Ryea, 1909-1916

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.

Silas Fowler Tompkins

1. SILAS FOWLER TOMPKINS, my great-great-grandfather was born on 24 Feb 1825. He died on 02 Apr 1913.

When he was 21, he married Martha Ann Horton, daughter of Elias Quereau Horton and Mary Lyon on 26 Nov 1846. Martha was born on 26 Dec 1829 in Yorktown, Westchester Co, NY. She died on 06 Sep 1897.

Silas built a desk, which my cousin now has. She refinished it and sent some pictures so I could see it, including the nameplate with Silas' name in his own writing. 

I also found a copy of the Civil War Draft registrations which included Silas F Tompkins. He was 38. I believe the other Tompkins listed on the same page are relatives, but I'm not sure how yet. I have not found any record of Silas actually serving in the civil war.

My great grand aunt, Ruth Townsend Purdy did a lot of research on our family over the years. I have some of her research books and notes.

She had a family bible that had the Tompkins family information in it. I've never actually seen the bible in person, as it was donated to a research place when she passed away.

A distant cousin had pictures of the pages in it as well Aunt Ruth's transcriptions.

  She shared that information with me, and here is the page that had Silas's birth and Death dates on it along with many others.

Silass Birth is listed  in the top left corner and his death in the lower right corner.

Silas Fowler Tompkins and Martha Ann Horton had the following children:

i. MARY ELIZA TOMPKINS was born on 18 Jul 1848 in Westchester Co, NY. She died on 04 Jul 1921 in Westchester Co, NY. She married Reuben R Bunyea on 20 Sep 1871. He was born on 22 Feb 1831. He died on 22 Jan 1929.

ii. SARA JANE TOMPKINS was born on 20 Jan 1851 in Westchester Co, NY. She died on 2 Sep 1852 in Yorktown, Westchester Co, NY.

iii. HENRIETTA TOMPKINS was born on 30 Sep 1853 in Westchester Co, NY. She died on 10 Mar 1906 in Westchester Co, NY. She married Benjamin P Sipp on 20 Mar 1883. He was born on 18 May 1855. He died on 02 Dec 1916.

iv. CORNELIA A. TOMPKINS was born on 21 Feb 1856 in Westchester Co, NY. She died on 19 Sep 1934 in Westchester Co, NY. She married Orlando Lent on 16 May 1876. He was born on 01 Jul 1840. He died on 17 May 1925.

v. GEORGE H TOMPKINS was born on 15 Dec 1858 in Westchester Co, NY. He died on 17 Mar 1886 in Westchester Co, NY.

vi. IDA MAE TOMPKINS was born on 19 Nov 1861 in Westchester Co, NY. She died on 20 Mar 1937 in Westchester Co, NY. She married Jacob Irving Purdy, son of Jacob G. Purdy and Esther S. Sarles on 09 Dec 1891 in Yorktown, Westchester Co, NY. He was born on 17 Jan 1849. He died on 06 Jun 1919 in Granite Springs, Somers, Westchester Co, NY.

vii. ULLYSSES G TOMPKINS was born on 15 Jul 1866 in Westchester Co, NY. He died on 5 Oct 1948. He married Florence Slaving, daughter of Henry Slaving and Catherine Purdy on 05 Jun 1892 in Croton Falls, Westchester Co, NY. She was born on 15 Jun 1875. She died after 1930.

Silas and Martha are buried in the Amawalk cemetery in Yorktown, Westchester county, NY.