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 Veterans - Solomon B Osborn

Solomon Barrett Osborn was born February 9 1896 in Pawling, NY to James and Lucinda Barrett Osborn. He served in World War 1.

He was Inducted September 26 1917 in Dutchess county, NY.
He served Overseas from Jan 15, 1918 to June 18 1919.
He was in  Company I 308 Infantry until October 27 1917, which was part of the 77th Division,
then MTC (Motor Transport Corps) 360 American Mission Reserve Mallet until Discharge June 25 1919 The Reserve Mallet was organized from members of the former American Field Service and were responsible for transport of equipment and ammunitions.

Although we do not exactly which missions Solomon was involved with, the Reserve Mallet participated in
Cambrai  Offensive Nov 25 1917
Somme Defensive March 21 1918
Aisne Defensive May 27 1918
Mondidler-Noyon Defensive, June 9 1918
Champagne-Marne Defensive July 15 1918
Aisne-Marne Offensive July 18 1818
Somme Offensive Aug 8 1918
Oise-Aisne Offensive Sept 10 1918
Meuse-Argonne Offensive Oct 1 1918

Solomon returned to  his home in 1919. On 29th of February, 1920 he married Blanche Lutz in Patterson, Putnam County, NY. He had a daughter, Ruth  and son Donald. He owned a service station in Downtown Pawling.  he was a member of  both the Pawling Baptist Church and the Pawling Grange. Solomon died 27 July 1982 in Mount Kisco, Westchester county, NY. He is buried in the Pawling Cemetery, Dutchess county, NY.

Osborn picnic

Its well known that the Osborn part of the family would often get together for a meal and spend the day together.  In the boxes of pictures  from this side of the family, we found the below photo. After some help from many cousins, we were able to identify everyone in the picture as well.

The patriarch of this family is James Osborn. While he isn't in the picture, His sister Zadie is, along with his second wife Lucinda.   Their daughter, Isabel and her husband Cliff, with their children Cliff Jr and Lucy. Their daughter Chloe, her husband John Balser, daughter Barbara Balser and Chloe's son Buddy Dutcher. Their daughter Nancy  and husband Herman Bouffard. Her nephew Weston Beach, better known as Pete whom Lucinda and James raised. Their daughter Elsie Osborn, and James' brother Charles Osborn.

Picture is believed to have been taken after 1939, when Herman and Nancy married, and before 1941 when Elsie married. 

The Unexpected Ancestor – A Hessian Soldier

I have found lots of Revolutionary Soldiers in my family tree. They’ve fought for NY, and fought for Ct, and fought for NJ and fought for MA – but I never expected to find one that fought for both sides. However, with the help of a cousin in California (Peter Fagan) I have discovered a new ancestor – a Hessian Soldier that also fought for CT.

I’ve been stuck on my Osborn line for a long time. The furthest back I could get was John Osborn who died March 4th 1848 and His wife Elizabeth _____ who died March 27th 1847. Getting that far back took help from a cousin in NY (Don Osborne) and some research as well. John and Elizabeth are buried in the Pierce Buring Ground, west of Pawling, NY. However I could find no clue as to the father of John nor any information on Elizabeth’s family.

After talking with Pete, I know now Elizabeth’s last name is Rhinevault. Her father William Rhinevault fought in the Revolutionary War. He filed for a pension after the war and I have obtained part of the pension file. This gives me all kinds of information including a family record of births, marriages and deaths for John Osborn’s family.

William Rhinevault states in his pension he was a Hessian soldier in Burgoyne’s army and was captured at Saratoga. This group of about 5,900 soldiers were supposed to be shipped back to Britain, but the colonists realized sending them back would make it possible for the British to send new troops in return. As a result, this group of soldiers were kept prisoner here for the duration of the war and came to be known as the ‘Convention Army’.

The Convention Army was marched through Massachusetts to Boston, and then through Ct, NY, PA, and other points south on their way to Virginia. The pension file does not say if William Rhinevault was one of many soldiers to disappear into the local population along the way, or if he was one of the ones offered his freedom if he fought with the colonists. He came to enlist one way or another in CT in the spring of 1780 as a private in Capt. Ten Eyck’s company, Colonel Webb’s CT Regiment, and after about a year, was transferred to Capt. Timothy Taylor’s company in Colonel Heman Swift’s CT Regiment, and there served until the spring of 1783.

Further Research into other records reveals William Rhinevault is most probably Wilhelm Reinwald, a soldier of the Brunswick troops, Regiment van Rhetz, Company van Ehrenkrook, born at Frankfurt/Main, age 19 years, 6 month (this record most likely recorded sometime in middle of 1779, which would make his year of birth appr. 1760) Religion: Evangelical, was at that time single, size 5' 2 3/4", He deserted on 24. July 1778 from the Winter Hill Barracks near Boston. This information seems to indicate he was from the Hesse-Hanua area which is where the description “Hessians” come from.

William Rhinevault married Mary Spencer, April 11, 1782 in Fredericks, Dutchess County, NY. This location is now known as Patterson, Putnam County, NY. I have no further information on Mary Spencer’s family. She and William later settled in New Fairfield, Fairfield County, CT. William’s Daughter, Elizabeth (Betsey) married John Osborn Nov 21 1804, the same day as Susanna Rhinevault married Ebenezer Osborn according the Fairfield County Marriage records.

The Pension file names John and; Elizabeth’s children: Sally, Mary, Phebe, Benjamin, Northrup, Daniel, George W, John, Abby Jane, and William. It lists their death dates which match the tombstones in Pawling, and also says John is the son of Benjamin Osborne and Sally _____. Although it gives Sally’s birthday of 13 Dec 1765, it doesn’t give any clues as to her last name. So although I’ve gained some generations on this family I have some new mysteries to solve as well.

The Hessian Soldier is related to me this way:
William Rhinevault, father of
Elizabeth Rhinevault Osborn, mother of
George Washington Osborne, father of
James Paulding Osborn, father of
Isabel Osborn Ryea, my great-grandmother.

He is my Great, great, great, great, great-grandfather.

Sources:
Pension File for William Rhinevault
Abstracts of Rev. War Pension Files
Family Record collection of Don Osborne
Personal Records of Peter Fagan
Hessian Records of J. H. Mertz
A short history of the Slocums, Slocumbs and Slocombs of America by CE Slocum
Old gravestones of Dutchess County by JW Poucher

Fortunate Family Find

Sometimes digging around in old newspapers doesn't give you a birth announcement, or a wedding description, or even a good obituary. Combing through the newspapers for these things can be fun, sometimes the can be frustrating. But as every genealogist knows, sometimes its what you weren't looking for that makes the best find for your family history.

The Dykeman Farm has been in the family for generations. It seems like it was always Dykeman Land, but it was in the 1940's that Henry Dykeman Senior (son of Peter & Effie Hooker Dykeman) bought the farm. He bought the farm from his mother's family who had owned the land for generations.  The last of the Hooker family to live on the land was her Aunt Cornelia (Aunt Neil) and her Uncle William (Uncle Bill).

I found by accident in the Poughkeepsie paper the ad placed for the auction of the farm, which is below. No, it doesn't give me any dates for the family tree. But it does give me a good idea of the family farm before it became the Dykeman farm. Thats just as important to my family history.

The Legacy of James P Osborn





James Paulding Osborn

James Paulding Osborn was born on a leap day, Friday, February 29th 1856 in Pawling, NY. He was the first son of George Washington Osborn and Mary Slocum, and their second child.


George and Mary's family expanded to eventually have many children:
Helen A Osborn, Born 24 May 1854 - Died 27 Aug 1942
James himself, Born 29 Feb 1856 - Died 13 April, 1926
George Travis Osborn, Born 17 May, 1858 - Died 18 Oct 1863
John A Osborn, Born 12 Apr 1860 - Died 1944
Edgar B Osborn, Born 16 Dec 1863 - Died 21 Sept 1950
Mary Ida Osborn, Born 15 Apr 1865 - Died 26 Apr 1927
Zadie Osborn, Born 23 Dec 1869 - Died July 1962
Charles H Osborn, Born 2 Aug 1871 - Died 13 June 1959

I have yet to find this family in the 1860 and 1870 census.


On June 25, 1877 when James was 21, he married 15 year old Jennie Barrett, who was born 5 June 1862 , daughter of Sarah Knox and Solomon Barrett. In the 1880 Census, James is listed as a farm laborer for Mr. Newton Cook, in Pawling, Dutchess County, NY. Jennie is listed as married and living next door with her sister Byronette Barrett.


Jennie Barrett Osborn

Jennie and James had 8 children, six of which lived to adulthood:

Edward Francis Osborn, Born 15 Sept 1880 - Died 23 April 1965

Mary Francis Osborn, Born Nov 1882 - Died 12 Dec 1942

George Washington Osborn, Born 27 Jan 1884 - Died 23 Feb 1960

James Franklin Osborn, Born Apr 1885 - Died 5 Jan 1970

Sarah Osborn, Born 27 Aug 1886 - Died 4 Oct 1952

Earl Osborn, Born 29 Jan 1888 - Died 17 Aug 1983

Jennie Bell Osborn, Born about 1890 - Died 5 Feb 1895

Albert Osborn, Born 19 Apr 1891 - Died 1891

Family legend says the family grew so fast, Jennie's sister Lucinda came to live with her to help with the children. As there is no 1890 census, this is hard to prove, however it does seem logical in hindsight. Jennie Barrett Osborn Died 3 Feb 1893 at the age of 30 in Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY.


Lucinda Barrett Osborn

On November  9, 1893, when James was 37 he married 21 year old Lucinda Barrett who was born 21 Oct 1872, daughter of Sarah Knox and Solomon Barrett.

She and James  had 8 children who all lived to adulthood:
Clayton John Osborn, Born 22 Dec 1893 - Died 21 Apr 1975

Elsie Jane Osborn, Born 27 Oct 1894 - Died 2 May 1984
Solomon Barrett Osborn, Born 9 Feb 1896 - Died 27 Jul 1982
Nancy Dean Osborn, Born 27 Apr 1897 - Died 16 Nov 1957
William Dean Osborn, Born 7 May 1898 - Died 15 Nov 1937
Chloe Ann Osborn, Born 24 Jun 1899 - Died 39 Nov 1995
Elizabeth Amelia Osborn, Born 27 Nov 1901 - Died 11 Jul 1966
Isabel Osborn, born 28 Jan 1903 - Died 19 July 1974.


In the 1900 Census, James and his family are living in Somers, Westchester County, New York. The oldest three children of Jennie and James have moved out, leaving 10 children in the house.

In 1909, Elsie Barrett Beach, sister of Jennie and Lucinda dies leaving a baby, Weston Beach only a month old. Weston (later nicknamed Pete) joins the Osborn family and was raised like a brother to the rest of the children. His father Frank would not let him be formally adopted, so his last name remained Beach.

By the 1910 census, all of Jennie's children have moved out of the home and the family has moved back to Pawling, Dutchess County, New York. In 1920, Only the girls and Weston are living with James and Lucinda, still renting in Pawling.

In Dec of 1923, the local paper says the family has moved into one of the two houses James has bought behind the Pawling Central Baptist Church. This puts the family right in the middle of the town.

James Paulding Osborn died of pneumonia on April 13 1926, at the age of 70. He left behind him his wife Lucinda, who lived until Oct 22, 1955 as well as all fourteen of his children, Weston Beach, and at least 30 Grandchildren.

I am still gathering information and pictures of James' descendants. I know I am missing a lot of folks, particularly from Jennie's family, but also some from Lucinda's. Today in 2010, I know of 296 descendants, not counting spouses from James in just 6 generations. That’s quite a legacy to leave behind.

Sources for the above include:
Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
Obituaries, Funeral Programs,Tombstones & Cemetery Records
1900, 1910,1920, 1nd 1930 Censuses
WW1 Selective Service Registration records
Social Security and Connecticut Death Indexes
Newspaper articles in Various papers
Records of Lucy Ryea Smith, Donald A Osborne, Elsie Osborn Douglas, Robert H Dykeman, and Louanne Brown Barrett

Who Was Kaziah Varney's Mother?

Sarah Varney Cutler was born 4 Jan 1830 in Dover Furnace, Dutchess co, NY. She was the daughter of Calvin C. Cutler and Kesiah Varney and married William Hooker in June of 1854. Sarah died 4 Dec 1908 and is buried in Wingdale, Dutchess co, NY

Sarah Mother , Keziah Varney can be found under a variety of spellings: Kesiah, Kasiah, Keziah and Kaziah.  Varney occasionally shows up as Verney or Varny so finding her in records hasn’t been that easy.

Kaziah Varney Cutler is buried with her husband Calvin Cook Cutler in the Chestnut Ridge burying ground in Dutchess co, NY. Her tombstone says Kaziah was died 26 April 1858, which means she was born about 1797. Other than her husband and Step mother Priscilla Varney, she does not appear to have any family buried in the same cemetery.

Nahum Cutler in James Cutler and his descendants says Keziah is the daughter of John Varney, and Edward Hooker concurs in Descendants of Rev. Thomas Hooker although neither seems to show where that information came from. The Settlers of the Beekman Patent also links Keziah with her father John Varney but there is no mention of her mother. LDS Records state Kesiah had a sister, Sarah Jane, which is confirmed in John Varney's will.

John Varney, Keziah’s Father is buried in the Quaker Hill cemetery in Pawling, NY. His wife Priscilla can be found in a few Quaker records so it would seem Priscilla at least was a Quaker. In 1800 a record states she is changing meetings from Nine Partners to the Oblong and there is no problem with her marriage engagement. In 1814 Priscilla is mentioned again in these records, and the name given for her Spouse is _______Varney. Therefore it appears Priscilla and John were married between 1800 and 1814.

This does not however solve the problem of who was Kaziah’s mother, as Keziah was born Feb 9, 1797, three years before the earliest date Priscilla and John could have been married.

Of course, If we knew where this particular John Varney came from it would help us in our search, but we are still looking for that information. Did John Varney come from Columbia County, or Dover, NH, or Rochester MA or somewhere else completely? Did his wife die before he moved to the Dutchess county area, or after? Who was she and where is she buried?

From John’s tombstone we know he died 31 May 1841 and was born sometime around Nov 1768. This means he was probably married between 1784 and 1797, and his wife was deceased by 1800. Other than his impending marriage to Pricilla Hiller, we have no idea why he would have moved to this area or what occupation he had.

If you have any possible clues or ideas concerning John Varney, his daughter Kesiah, or his first wife, please send me a note at mizrebecky@gmail.com. It could be an idea where to look, a possible marriage for John, a detail on his hometown or his Occupation, maybe a John Varney from somewhere else that appears to be the same person. I would love to know more about this part of our family.