We continue on our small town review.  As you recall from our last post, Luella Ault married William Lodwick Jones.  Luella was the daughter of Charles Ault and Anna Shelton.  We looked at Charles and his remarriage to Susan Van Horn in our last installment.  This time we are turning our attention to the ancestors of Anna Shelton.

    Anne was the daughter of Alvin Shelton and Amelia Stanley.  Most of the Sheltons are buried in the Coe Cemetery in the former hamlet of Catharine, now part of Odessa near the Odessa Montour line.  The cemetery sits quite a ways off the road in a clump of trees beside an active farm.  There is no way to access it without walking across the farmer’s field.  When visiting we were careful to walk on a tractor path between two crop fields.  The cemetery is very run down.  Stones are broken, buried; some stones are piled atop each other.  A few monuments still stand and, if one looks carefully can be seen from the road between the trees.  I have pictures and will post them at the end of this installment. A link to the list of people buried there appears in an earlier portion of this series.  It is a very sad sight when one realizes the founding fathers of the area are resting here, and forgotten by the very community they established.

THE SHELTON FAMILY-A BRIEF HISTORY

   The Shelton brothers, Daniel and Richard, arrived in “the new world” in 1686.  Richard settled in Virginia, Daniel settled in Stanford Connecticut.  They had been born in Deptford, Yorkshire England.  Our story comes from Daniel Shelton.

   Daniel Shelton (1668-1728) was a merchant and a wealthy land owner.  He was one of the first nonresident landlords in Waterbury Connecticut and owned land in; Corum, Ripton, Stratford, Stanford, Farmington, Oxford, Woodbury and Derby Connecticut.  Daniel settled in Long hill Stratford on a plot of land 2 miles square from Corum to the Housatanic River.  On 4/4/1692 Daniel married Elizabeth Wells (1670-4/1/1747) daughter of Samuel Wells and Elizabeth Hollister of Wethersford Connecticut.  Daniel was a lieutenant in the military.  Daniel and Elizabeth had the following children;

Sarah Shelton (1694-1787) M James Wakely (B Stratford 1/2/1694).  James was an original member of the Episcopal church of Stratford.  In 1729 he was made a vestryman.  Sarah Shelton and James Wakely had the following children, all born in Stratford Connecticut:

Sarah Wakely Baptised 11/1/17 22

Hannah Wakely Baptised 9/27/1723

Martha Wakely baptized 1/30/1728

Abigail Wakely baptized 12/20/1730

Abigail Wakely (1730-?) married Nathan Shelton.  Their daughter Martha Shelton married her second cousin- Isaac Wells Shelton. Isaac’s daughter, Charity Married Asa  Bartholomew.  Charity was descended by 3 different lines from her Great Grandfather Daniel Shelton.

Elizabeth Shelton (1/2/1692-1758) married Nicholas Masters on 10/1/1717.

Joseph Shelton (1696-1782)- married Mary Hollister of Glastonbury Conn. On  5/11/1726.  They had two recorded children; Joseph Shelton (4/2/1727), Mary Shelton ( )- married Andrew Hurd 5/14/1756

Thaddeus Shelton (?-1781)-married Easter Hollister of Glastonbury on 10/17/1733

Samuel Shelton (1704-1772) married Abigail Nichols daughter of Philo and Mehitable Nichols.  They had the following children;

Andrew Shelton 11/26/1746 married Sarah Booth in 11/1771

Ann Shelton 2/17/1749

Elizabeth Shelton 2/8/1739

David Shelton 6/16/1741

Isaac Wells Shelton 3/11/1756

Joseph Shelton 2/2/1744

Mary Shelton 2/13/1735

Philo Shelton 5/5/1738 married Lucy Prince

Samuel Shelton 8/24/1738

Sarah Shelton 7/18/1748 married Samuel Booth on 1/28/1768

James Shelton-(1710-3/21/1802) married Anna Wheeler.  They had the following recorded children; Elisha Shelton (1747 - 1803)

John Shelton- 1712-1733.  Died age 21, never married.

Josiah Shelton -  1714-4/12/1782.  Married Eunice Nichols. They had the following children; Charity Shelton married unknown Tomlinson, Eunice Shelton married Unknown Wakely

*Daniel Shelton Jr. (7/1/1700-1773) married on 8/12/1727 Mary Hubbell (3/3/1708-4/3/1749) Daughter of Richard Hubbell (1684-1758) and Abigail Thompson (1685-1777) Daniel Shelton Jr. and Mary Hubbell Shelton lived in Corum Conn. Where they raised their children.  Following Mary’s death, Daniel married a second time to Mary French on 3/13/1741 (Connecticut vital statistics prior to 1870) Daniel Shelton had the following children:

John Shelton (7/18/1729- ?)

Abijah Shelton (? - 1813)

  Phebe Shelton (?- 1822) married Nichols

  Mehetable Shelton (? - 1812)*

  Sarah Shelton (1744 - 1814) married Wakeman

  Mary Shelton (1747 - 1825) married Curtiss

(http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=106196285)

Ebenezer Shelton (1738-?) married Abigail (Unknown. They had the following children:

Ebenezer Shelton (unknown) married the Widow Rhoda Warner of Roxbury on 6/22/1800

*Lemuel Shelton (1770-1845)

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Lemuel Shelton (1770-1845) Married Anah Nichols.  Anah died in 1827. In 1806 Lemuel Shelton and Brother-in-law, Lemuel Nichols moved with their families to the Johnson Settlement (Catharine).   The journey from Bridgeport Connecticut took them 17 days.  They settled on adjacent 100 acre lots purchased from Robert C. Johnson.    Lots were measured in relation to the four corners, now referred to as Catharine’s Corners, or the intersection of ridge road and county Route 14.  The Shelton plot, (lot #21) was located North East of the four corners.  In 1809 Lemuel Shelton and Lemuel Nichols were among to founders of St. John’s church.   Lemuel and Anah are both buried in the Coe Cemetery in Odessa NY. They had the following children:

John Shelton (1799-1879)

Agar Shelton (1798- 1871)

Nicholas Shelton (4/9/1801-11/8/1880) Purchased land on Foote’s hill

Everett Shelton (6/9/1803-3/23/1887) Purchased land on Foote’s hill

Sophia Shelton

Joseph Shelton Purchased land on Foote’s hill

George Shelton

Julia Shelton

Lewis Shelton Purchased land on Foote’s hill

Mary Shelton

James Shelton

  The Shelton’s were known for their strict adherence to temperance.  They were very active in building the community and very active within the Episcopalian church.


The children of Lemuel Shelton and Anah Nichols

John Shelton (1799-1879) Married Almira (unknown) (1801-1/18/1875.  They had one son; Schuyler Shelton (1832-11/19/1912). Schuyler Shelton married Hannah Brown in 1857. Hannah was the daughter of Joseph Brown and Hannah Vaughn.  Schuyler Shelton was a farmer.  The couple had no children.

Agar Shelton (1798-1871) married Elizabeth Olmstead (1803-5/8/1852).  Agar was a farmer.  Agar and Elizabeth had the following children: Richard Shelton (1840-1844), Harriet Shelton (1826-) Everett Shelton (1828) Lemuel Shelton (1831) Guy Shelton (1833), Phineas Shelton (1835), Ashburn Shelton (1836)

 Nicholas Shelton (4/9/1801-11/8/1880) Purchased land on Foote’s hill. Married 2/25/1824 to Dithy (Unknown)(1802-1875).  Nicholas and Dithy had a farm on Foote’s hill.  In later years they sold the farm and moved to Havana NY.   They had two sons: David L. Shelton (1824-1/26/1905), Calvin Shelton ( 1836-1/10/1892 )

Everett Shelton (6/9/1803-3/23/1887) Purchased land on Foote’s hill.   On 9/23/1837 Everett married Maria Knapp (12/15/1810 in Wolcott NY-3/6/1889).  Everett was a construction worker and built many of the buildings and homes in Havana NY.  He supervised the construction of the agricultural building and, with the help of his son, Burr Shelton, built the Shelton block in Watkins Glen NY.  Everett Shelton and Maria Knapp had the following children: Burr Shelton, Anah Shelton, Ralph B. Shelton, Albert Shelton,Alvin Shelton

Sophia Shelton (1805-2/13/1877) was reportedly the second wife of Philo Beardsley, son of Elias Beardsley and brother of Zachariah Beardsley.  Sophia had no children and lived most of her adult life with her brother’s family.

Joseph Shelton (1808-1887) Purchased land on Foote’s hill.  The Shelton brothers all kept adjacent farms.  Joseph married Mary Ann (unknown-born in Dutchess County NY 1818-11/30/1876).  They owned the first farm owned by Henry Shelton on Foote’s Hill.  They had one child; Charles Shelton (1839-died in Elmira Chemung NY)

George Shelton, (8/1/1810-11/12/1891 Minnesota) George was a farmer before the Civil War.  He was reported as a deserter in the Havana Journal.  He moved to Minnesota with his family and remained there until his death in 1891.  George  married Hester A. Hasbrouck (1812-1883).  They had three children, all born in Catharine; Oliver Perry Shelton (1839-1890), Sarah Shelton (1842-1901), Edward Shelton (1851-1920).

Julia Shelton (3/19/1813-2/25/1898) married Edwin Bradley (1815 in Broome County NY-1889).  Edwin was the son of Searl Bradley and Rachel Turner.  They had the following children; Anna Bradley, Austin Josiah Bradley (1841-1911),

Lewis Shelton (1820-1895) married twice, 1st to Ruby Beardsley (1828-1/27/1852) daughter of Zachariah Beardsley and Polly Corbett-Hunt; The second time to Ellen Evans, (1826-1905).  Lewis Purchased land on Foote’s hill.  Lewis had the following children; Homer Shelton, Polly Shelton, Frank Shelton, Ruby Shelton, Henry Shelton.

Mary Shelton (1816-1888) married on 12/18/1849 to Nathan Brown from Hector NY.  They had the following children; Charles H. Brown, Orson Brown, Oscar Brown.  Orson and Oscar were twins)

James Shelton (1823-1901) married Catherine (unknown). They had the following children; Louisa Shelton (1854- Jul. 11, 1888) James moved his family to reading NY, where he lived on his farm until his death in 1901.

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The children of John Shelton (1799-1879) and Almira (unknown) (1801-1/18/1875 

Schuyler Shelton (8/1/1822-11/19/1912). Schuyler Shelton married Hannah Brown (1838-1918)   in 1857. Hannah was the daughter of Joseph Brown and Hannah Vaughn.  Schuyler Shelton was a farmer.  The couple had no children.

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Children of Agar Shelton (1798-1871) married Elizabeth Olmstead (1803-5/8/1852). 

Richard Shelton (1840-1844)- died at age 4.

 Harriet Shelton (1826-) Married Samuel Fletcher on 5/12/1850.  Samuel was the son of Joshua Fletcher and Deborah Cushing of Massachusetts.  Harriett and Samuel had the following children; Harriett born 1842 lived 2 months, Susan M. Fletcher born 1851. Joseph Fletcher became an Episcopal minister. Joseph married Harriet unknown on 4/25/1882.  Samuel and Harriet moved, along with Joseph to Washington DC, where they spent their final years.  Joseph and his wife Harriet enjoyed travel to England, to Hawaii, etc.  They do not appear to have any children.

 Everett Shelton (1828) Everett married MaryAnn Aiken (1831-). They settled close to his father’s property and, in later years, went to live on his father’s farm.  Everett Shelton went into partnership with his brother, Guy Shelton, in the sawmill but the partnership was dissolved in 1871 after which Everett moved with his wife to Mt. Winons Md.  Everett and MaryAnn had one son, Elgin Shelton born 1854.  Elgin died between 1860 and 1865.

Lemuel Shelton (1831-1901) Lemuel married in 1856 to T. Jane Aiken (1830-1899), daughter of Calvin Aiken (1783-).  Jane was the youngest daughter of Calvin.  In 1855 both Calvin and T. Jane are living with Marietta Aikin Beardsley and her husband Lucius Beardsley and their family.  Lemuel was a blacksmith.  In 1870 Lemuel’s brother, Guy Shelton is found living with Lemuel and Jane.  Following Jane’s death in 1899, Lemuel moved in to his son’s home in Van Etten, Chemung, NY.  He and Jane had one son, Freeling Shelton born 1857.  Lemuel and Jane were buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Van Etten NY.

Freeling Shelton (1857-1935) worked as a black smith all of his life.  He was born in Catharine but moved following his marriage to Cara L. (unknown) in 1882.  Freeling and Cora settled first in Van Etten , Chemung, NY where They cared for Lemuel Sheton until his death. By 1910 Freeling Had moved his family to Ithaca Tomkins, NY, where they remained until his death around 1935.  Freeling and Cora had the following children; Harry b. Shelton 91884), Emma J. Shelton (1888), Claude Shelton (1891) and Frances D. Shelton (1905)

Guy Shelton (1833), Guy never married.  He lists his employment, as a laborer, a farmer and an engineer (1865 NYS census) He appears in the 1860 agricultural census as having 42 acres of farm land worth 3,100. , Which produced rye and oats   Guy spent his adult life living with relatives, brothers, a cousin, and moving frequently.   He lived much of his life with his brother Phineas (1860, 1865, 1900) a short time with brother Lemuel 91870) and is found with his cousin Walter Cooper in Veteran in 1880.  No children.  No further information at this time.

Phineas Shelton (1835-),  Phineas reportedly married three times; 1- on 5/2/1854 to Mary J. (unknown) (1838-5/18/1873, 2- Phebe Strong (1841-after 1880), daughter of John Strong and Azuba Plants.  Phineas married a third time on 6/24/1888 to Mary Estelle Burt.  In 1855, shortly after marrying Mary J., Phineas and Mary J. are boarding on the farm of Peter and Margaret Cooper..  In 1860 Phineas appears on the Agricultural census as owning 250 acres of land, 40 of which is improved.  Cash value of land= $1800. He owns 21 horses, 2 milk cows, 9 pigs, and raises Indian corn. Brother Guy is living with them and Phineas and Mary J. have a daughter, Eliza A. (1858) Phineas is working as a mechanic.  By 1870 Phineas has moved his family to Veteran, Chemung NY.  He is working in a saw mill and claims to own property worth 2000, and have personal worth of 10,000.    Mary Jane Shelton died in 1873, possibly in childbirth. Phineas quickly remarried to Phebe Strong.  Phineas and Phebe had a daughter born in 1880; Phebe died shortly after of during childbirth and Phineas married a third and last time to Mary Estelle Burt. By 1900 Phineas is living in Veteran with his brother Guy.  He has buried a third wife.  There are no children living with him. Phineas Shelton fathered the following children;Unnamed born/died 1855 (mother- Mary Jane)Eliza Shelton (1858-before 1880) (Mother- Mary Jane)- no information,William Shelton (1871-before 1892)(mother- Mary Jane),Mary Shelton (1873- before 1892) (mother- Mary Jane), Margaret Shelton (1880-before 1900)(Mother- Phebe Strong), John Shelton (1891-before 1900) (mother Mary Estelle Burt)

Ashburn Shelton (1836-11/3/1858 in Boston Mass.)  Ashburn was 21 years old working as an engineer when he died of dysentery in Boston Mass.  No wife, no children.


Children of  Nicholas Shelton (4/9/1801-11/8/1880) and Dithy (Unknown)(1802-1875)

David L. Shelton (1824-1/26/1905 -see obit below) David lived in various towns around Schuyler county including, Catharine, Alpine- where he served as post master in 1861, Montour, and Cayuta.  In his youth David worked as a Blacksmith, a job he held during his service in the civil war.  He chose to become a merchant, working most of his life as a grocer.  David married Caroline White around 1855.  David and Caroline had one daughter; Dorothy Bell born 1857.  Dithy Bell, as she was known, married Dr. J.B. Barnes and had three children; Carrie Barnes, Shelton Barnes, Florence Barnes (Florence married L.H. Durland and had 2 sons; Lt.Franklin Durland and C. Mortimer Durland.).

“David L. Shelton died at his home in Montour Falls, on Sunday, Jan. 21, aged 81 years. The burial was in Montour cemetery. He leaves his wife and one daughter, Mrs. J. F. Barnes of Watkins. Faithful in every relation of life, and in the discharge of every duty, of unswerving honesty, always kind and genial, his life may well form an example for the coming generations. The family has the sympathy of the whole community. JAN. 25 1906. Watkins Express”

 Calvin Shelton (12/28/1834-1/10/1892-see obit below)  Calvin married Amanda Bowlby (1840-1903) daughter of Nelson Bowlby and Mary McGillvray.  Calvin settled his family in Havana NY. He and Amanda had three children;  Frances Shelton (1860) Married Elmer Cronk of Montour Falls.  They had two children (Frances Cronk died in childhood, and  illiam Calvin Cronk (4/3/1998-)- never married), Arthur  Shelton(1866) married Mary Rogers and Mary Ann Shelton (1872)they had a daughter, Maude Shelton.  No further information available at this time. , Mary Alice Shelton married William E. Palmer and settled in Albany NY.   

“Mr. Calvin Shelton, who was financial clerk in the office of the superintendent of public works, died suddenly at his home, 54 Jay street, last Saturday. He was 56 years old and was the son of Nicholas Shelton, who lived at Havana, Schuyler County. He was connected with the public works department over 20 years. He was superintendent of the

Chemung canal until it was abandoned by act of the legislature. After that, he was section superintendent, a member of the engineering corps and special agent. About nine years ago he was appointed to the position he held at the time of his death by Supt. Duteher and he was there under Supts. Shanahan and Hannan. He was very faithful to his duties and well liked by everybody in the department. Mrs. Shelton died two years ago this month. Of the three children, two are married. The other daughter has kept house for her father since his wife's death. The body was forwarded to Havana JANUARY 10, 1892 Havana Journal”


Children of Everett Shelton (6/9/1803-3/23/1887) and Maria Knapp (12/15/1810 in Wolcott NY-3/6/1889

 Burr Shelton (5/13/1829-7/1905-buried 7/29/1905 in Greenwood cemetery- Chadron Dawes Nebraska) Burr Shelton was a businessman who had a knack for sales.  With his brother David he built and operated a store in Odessa. He served as Post Master in Odessa, appointed on 6/10/1862. He registered for the draft for the Civil war on 9/30/1863 but never served.  In 1863 Burr sold his portion of the Odessa store to partner Merwin Bulkley, and moved his family to Watkins Glen, where he build a boot and shoe store.  In 1884, with his daughter safely married, Burr and his wife Peobe moved to Nebraska, whre he again built and ran a store and was elected as the first judge in Dawes county Nebraska.   Burr married Pheobe Ann Thompson in 1851. They had one daughter, Adell who married a Mr. Putnam.  No further information is available at this time.

    The following passage is from page 16 in Prairie Justice by George Watson.:"The first County Judge [Dawes County] was Burr Shelton, who came to O'Linn in 1884 and opened a business. Judge Shelton was appointed Justice of the Peace in April of 1885 and was elected County Judge in June of 1885. Judge Shelton served as County Judge for approximately six months. He was primarily a businessman, and in December, he erected a two-story building in downtown Chadron. A street in Chadron is named in his honor and it carries his name to this day." (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Shelton&GSiman=1&GScid=100719&GRid=103350348&)

 Anah Shelton (1830-1834- buried in Coe Cemetery)

 Ralph B. Shelton (3/26/1833-6/1897) Ralph  worked with his brother Alvin Shelton running a meat market in the Odessa store owned by Burr and David L. Shelton.  By 1890 he had moved to Montour and was running a meat market with his son, Dealson.  The two also ran the Sheldrake Hotel in Sheldrake NY on Cayuga Lake. Ralph married Mary Melissa Bowlby (1836-7/1918) Mary M. was the daughter of William Bowlby and Eliza Cranmer.  They had one son; Dealson E. Shelton, also called D.E. Shelton born 1867-1944.  Dealson worked as a produce buyer and shipper and as a meat market supervisor. Dealson married twice.  His first marriage to Minerva (Minnie) I Prince, produce three chidren; Inez(1892), Ruth(1897) and Winifred (1903).  Minnie died in 1898, leaving Dealt with three small girls.  He married a second time after 1900, to Widow Elizabeth Smith, who had a daughter by her previous marriage, Maria H. Smith (1903).  Dealson raised Maria as his own daughter.

Albert Shelton born 4/27/1837. Albert was a twin to Alvin but only survived 25 days after his birth.

*Alvin Shelton (4/27/1837-1/31/1906) Alvin was primarily a farmer.  He maintained a farm in Catharine through 1870, when he moved his family to Watkins Glen and continued to work as a farm hand.  Alvin assisted his brothe in the meat market an eventually moved back to Catharine form Watkins Glen.  He married in 1859 to Amelia Stanley (1837in Cayuta- 9/1911 Odessa NY) Amelia was the daughter of George Stanley and Amanda Van Houten.  Alvin and Amanda had one child, Anna M. Shelton (12/25/1861-1894).. Anna married on 9/10/1881 to Charles Ault.  She was the mother of Luella Ault who married William Jones.


Children of Joseph Shelton (1808-1887) and Mary Ann (unknown-born in Dutchess County NY 1818-11/30/1876) 

Charles Shelton (1839-died in Elmira Chemung NY).  Charles was appointed Post master of Odessa from 1866-1881.  In 1860 he built a two story store which burned down in 1876.  Charles sold the store to the Stanley Brothers and moved his family to Elmira.  Charles married Amanda Thompson (1844-11/1916).  They had two children; Fayton Shelton (1872- ) married Horace Quick of Elmira.  Donald O. Shelton (1867-1941 in Elmira) Donald was the President of the National Bible Institute in New York City.


Children of George Shelton (8/1/1810-11/12/1891 Minnesota) and Hester A. Hasbrouck (1812-1883) 

Oliver Perry Shelton (1839-1890) Born in Catharine, Oliver moved with his family to Minnesota, where he joined the military to fight in the Civil War.  Oliver was a farmer, who married  Medore (unknown) born 1855 in Pa.  on 11/23/1889 Oliver received a land grant for 160 acres in Todd county Minnesota.  Oliver and Medore had the following children; Ada Shelton 91869-), Effie Shelton 91872-), California Shelton (1874-), Jessie V. Shelton (1877-)

 Sarah Shelton (1842-1901) No information is known at this time.

 Edward Shelton (1851-1920) no information is known at this time.


Children of Julia Shelton (1818-2/25/1898) and Edwin Bradley (1815 in Broome County NY-1889). 

Anna Bradley- no information available

 Austin Bradley (1841-1911)married Eliza (unknown) in 1867.  Austin was a farmer and remained in Schuyler county, where he raised his children; Frank Bradley (1870), William Bradley (1872), Eloise Bradley (1879), Anna L. Bradley (1879), Grover Bradley (1887)

Josiah Bradley (1841-1911)- no information available at this time.


Children of James Shelton (1823-1901) and Catherine (unknown).

Louisa Shelton (1854- Jul. 11, 1888) Louisa settled in Reading NY and married Hartwell Clark.  Louisa and Hartwell both died when Roy was still a child.  He was raised by his Grandparents, James and Catherine.  They had one son; Ray S. Clark (May 1883-) Ray married Elizabeth (unknown)(1873-?)  This was a second marriage for Elizabeth.  They had one son, Harry E. Clark born 1902.

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   While I was researching this series I came across a long forgotten piece of history, a valuable asset to anyone interested in the families of Catharine, but sadly, out of print.  It is a lengthy book aptly entitled: The history of the town of Catharine Schuyler County NY Written/ compiled by Mary Louise Catlin Cleaver and published by Tuttle publishing Company of Vermont 1945.   This is available on the Ancestry.com web site.  I was not able to locate it on the Schuyler County historian web site.  The Brick Tavern museum in Montour Falls houses several interesting books and local genealogical data, if you are researching someone in particular.  They have a reading room in the museum but they charge a fee to access the information.  Last I checked it was $5.00 per hour or the cost of membership to the museum, which is around $25. per year.

   Mary Louise Catlin Cleaver’s The History of Catharine was completed by compiling information on many of the families in the area from the families themselves.  Many did not respond to Mrs. Cleaver’s inquiry so she did the best she could with what she had available.  I have found several in correct items when looking through her work, so if you look for this book be aware that additional research may be necessary.  It is an interesting look at the area but very difficult to read as a great many place references are made to places owned by former residents.  If you are, like me, from out of the area, of under the age of 100 you are not likely to know who or where any of the referenced people lived.  Still, for the genealogist it is of value in that it discusses many early families and makes the connections between families that may otherwise be lost to time.

 Today we continue our history with a look at the Ault family. Luella Ault (1888-8/31/1852) married William Lodwick Jones in 1905. Luella was born in Odessa, the daughter of Charles F. Ault (10/22/1856-1/26/1924) and his first wife, Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897).

     Charles Freeman Ault was born in Montour Falls, Schuyler NY and is   Son of Freedom Ault and Charlotte Howell.  Both families are prominent in the history of Schuyler County. In 1870, at the age of 15, Charles was sent to live with his maternal uncle, Elijah Howell in Lodi, Seneca County, where he served millers apprenticeship. By 1880 Charles had returned to Odessa NY and was boarding at the home of Richard and Carrie Lockhart and working in the grist mill.  On 9/1/1881 he married Anna Shelton at Taughannock Falls.  They returned to Odessa where Luella was born the following year.  Anna died on 11/6/1897 and is buried in The Old North Cemetery located on Route 224 between Odessa and Alpine junction.

      In 1898, after grieving the loss of his wife, and with an infant to care for, Charles Took a second wife on 5/13/1898, Susie Melvina  Van Horn (1865- 6/22/1961  ) In February 1889 Charles became a partner in the flour mill, previously owned by Richard Lockhart.  Charles made his home on Merchant Ave. in Odessa.  He ran the flour Mill for many years and was a well-known miller/farmer in that town.  In 1899 he and Susie became the proud parents of a daughter, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926). Charles F. Ault settled his family on Merchant Avenue in Odessa and remained at that home until his death in 1924.  This was the home in which Luella Ault, Lou as she was known by her friends, grew up.

     Susan Malvina Van Horn was the youngest child of Martha Elizabeth Martin (7/20/1834-1/24/1920 (yes, the same Martha Van Horn who sold the College Ave. property to William L. Jones in 1919.) and Nathaniel Van Horn (1829 Sussex New Jersey-10/16/1889). He was the son of William and Elizabeth Van Horn of New Jersey.   Martha was born and raised in Hackettstown New Jersey.  After her marriage she moved with her husband, Nathanial Van Horn, to Thompson Pennsylvania, where daughters Ida Van Horn and Susan, Susie as she was known, Van Horn were born. Nathaniel was a veteran of the Civil war. 

    The Van Horns did not move to the Schuyler County area until 1889.  They purchased a house and barn on College Avenue, from Phineas Mitchell.  Nathaniel passed away on 10/16/1898. The Van Horns are buried in the laurel Hill Cemetery in Odessa NY.  At some time in her later years Martha lost her hearing but was known for maintaining her pleasant disposition.  She was reportedly a well-liked fixture in the Catharine area, generous with her time.

   The Van Horn’s eldest daughter, Ida Van Horn married George Gelatt in Pennsylvania and started a family.  In 1887 they moved with their four daughters to Odessa, purchasing a home on Steam Mill road, where they remained for 21 years.  In 1908 they sold the Steam mill home to Irving Charles a farm, which was sold in 1944 to L.H. Underdown.  All four daughters passed away before their parents.  The daughters were as follow;

     Evangie Galett married in 1912 to Joseph Hadley in New Jersey.  They had one son, Edward Hadley born 1916.  Evangie died in June of 1921.  After her death Edward went to live with his maternal aunt Naomi Boyce.

    Naomi Gelatt (1883-1926) Naomi attended the Cook academy in Montour Falls NY.  She married 12/28/1910 to Ethaman Boyce.  They settled in New Jersey.  Following her sister’s untimely death Naomi took in Edward and a second nephew belonging to Sister Elsie Gelatt Boyce.

   Lorraine Galett died in 1900while a student at Cook University in Montour Falls NY.

   Elsie Galett (11/23/1886-6/4/1918) married 4/23/1910 to Benjamin Boyce, brother of  Naomi’s husband Ethaman Boyce.  Benjamin was a telegraph operator in charge of the stations at Odessa, Ithaca and Towanda Pa.   They had one son, Maynard Boyce. Following Elsie’s death Maynard went to live with Aunt Naomi.  He later became a school teacher.   Benjamin remarried to Jennie Smith.  They had a daughter; Erma Boyce- Married Grant Yentzer and settled in Ithaca Tompkins NY.

    Martha Elizabeth Van Horn was the daughter of Richard Martin and Susan Ann Sowers.   Richard Martin was born 11/13/1818 in Warren County New Jersey.  He died 7/30/1902 in Harmony Susquehanna PA. on 6/2/1838 he married Susan Ann Sowers.  In 1850 the Martin’s moved to Broome NY, Settling in Harmony Pa in 1860.  They had the following children; Martha Martin (1834 NJ), Ezra Martin (1841 NJ), Frances Lenora Martin (2/13/1841 NJ)., Margaret Martin (1843NJ), Susanna Martin (1846 PA),  Elijah Martin (1847 NY)Esther Martin( 12/5/1847 NY), Pheobe (1849 NY), George Martin (1851 Pa.),.  When Marth Martin Van Horn died in 1920 only sisters Frances and Esther survived.

           Frances L. Martin Married Nelson Rands Comfort (12/12/1839-9/29/1900) on 9/6/1859.  They lived in PA. Until after Nelson’s death, when Frances moved to Greene NY.  They had the following children: (Mary Lenora Comfort (3/19/1861-3/2/1865), Frank Nelson Comfort (1/10/1864-1918 Colorado), Ralph Martin Comfort (9/10/1868-2/1/1902).

     Esther C. Martin (12/5/1847 Broome NY-12/24/1923 Binghamton Broome NY.  Married 1/2/1868 George Wallace Burns (1/26/1847-10/5/1916) they had the following children: (George Albert Burns ( 5/31/1871-9/29/1952), Frank Richard Burns (9/22/1872-1901), Fred Nelson Burns (6/12/1878-8/19/1946)

    Margaret (Mary Etta) martin (3/15/1843 NJ-5/26/1895Pa.) married 1840 Jerome Chase in Pa.  They had the following children (William M. Chase (1861-?), Emma Jane Chase (2/10/1865-9/14/1924), George N. Chase (3/21/1874-?)

So we have been able to answer the question as to who was Martha Elizabeth Van Horn in relationship to the Jones family.  She was the mother-in-law to Charles Ault and the step grandmother of Luella Ault Jones.  We also see that the house on College ave. was not built by the Jones family but had been in existence since before 1889.

     Luella’s half-sister, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926) remained living with her mother until Charlotte’s untimely death.    Charlotte was a young girl, little more than 17 when she married Lloyd Dawson Bayles (1894-7/20/1922) on 12/4/1914.  Lloyd was born in Cheat Haven Pa.  As a young child the family moved to West Virginia, where he was raised.   He worked in Schuyler County as a Station Agent and operator of the Lehigh Valley Rail Road in Burdette NY.  Lloyd died in 1922 leaving Charlotte with two small children; Helen J. Bayles (1916 -1/24/1972) and Charles Robert Bayles (1918-1/24/1962). Following Charlottes death in 1926 Susan Ault raised the children.

  Helen Margaret Bayles married James Ely (1913-9/12/1936) son of Lillian Ely and Earnest H. Ely of Binghamton.  After Earnests death Lillie moved to Schuyler county and married Asa Coe Beardsley (11/20/1882-3/1975 Alpine NY).  Asa helped her raise James and his two sisters.  Helen and James had two sons; Donald Ely and Randall Ely and continued living in the Schuyler county area.

Charles Robert Bayles married 4/12/1941 in Montour Falls to Margie Bond. They had a son 10/3/1942 who only survived for five hours. No other information available at this time.

    Luella Ault Jones was also the daughter of Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897).   Anna was the daughter of Alvin Shelton and Amelia Stanley.  Alvin Shelton was a farmer and a miller. He purchased the mill in Odessa in 1890.  This mill played a large role in the Jones history.  It is the same mill later owned by Charles F. Ault and eventually by William L. Jones, who operated it until his death in 1926.

 In our next installment we will look at the Shelton and Stanley families. 

  There are not very many head stones left standing in this picturesque cemetery, but the area is well cared for , I believe by the people who live next to the cemetery.  Some of the stones, though old, are beautiful to look at.  The etchings are still visible, though the years are taking their toll.  The intricate work, the care taken to etch the designs and the very fact that, though the lines were not etched deeply into the stone, the designs remain today, is impressive and well worth looking at.    As you can see from the above picture, the grass is diligently working to cover and claim the stones unfortunate enough to have fallen to the ground. Still others are being sucked down into the earth a little more each year.  many have sunk deeply enough that the writing is now below the earth.   You will find the names of those buried here in a preceding post, and can see that many of those listed no longer appear in the  cemetery.  I believe this is due to the reclamation of the ground.  There is a large expanse of grass in the ope center of the cemetery area, which,  when walking across you can feel some of the head stones beneath the grass.  It is interesting to note how the different materials used to create head stones over the years weathers time.  It often seems that the older Field stone stones hold up much longer than some of the newer, predominantly granite stones of the  manufactured throughout the 20th century.  Today granite and bronze are the most common materials used .  Marble was a favorite material for many years, especially for the wealthy, but it is a relatively soft stone and easily worn away by the elements.  Many of the older marble stones are difficult or impossible to read due to this erosion.
     Many modern cemeteries, at least in the US. prefer to use flat, markers or inlaid stones, rather than the standing head stones of years passed.  There is a belief that these flat markers are more aesthetically pleasing as they do not disrupt the landscape, and make it easier for the general care of the property, easier to mow, etc.  Unfortunately for the genealogist this means these stones will also be reclaimed by the ground much sooner that the standing stones of the past.

Welcome back.  I hope you are enjoying our latest series.  At the beginning of the series, when I was talking about the town of Catharine I posted a list of founding fathers.  Your job is to see how many of the people in this history are related to them as we go along.

    There are several important cemeteries in Catharine Township where many of the founding fathers can be found.  Instead of trying to post the list of those buried in these cemeteries I will instead insert links to them for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=65459&CScn=North+Settlement+&CScntry=4&CSst=36&CScnty=2026&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2523449&CScn=catharine+Cemetery&CScntry=4&CSst=36&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=65067&CScn=Laurel+Hill&CScntry=4&CSst=36&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=64234&CScn=Coe&CScntry=4&CSst=36&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2556685&CScn=Mitchell&CScntry=4&CSst=36&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=64812&CScn=Highland&CScntry=4&CSst=36&

      Last time we looked at the immediate family of Mary F. Jones. Mary’s sister, Myrtle Stanley Jones married Edward Lovell (1917-8/10/1956).  Ray, as he was called, was born and raised in Odessa.  His father was a miller and when Ray was a boy he lived on Mill Street. Edward Ray Lovell was the son of Edward Ray Lovell (1894-1988) and Alice H. Howell (1898-1978). Ray senior served as Odessa post Master for a brief time in 1956, shortly after the death of his only son.

       In 1940 Edward and Alice Edwards continued to live outside of Odessa on County Route 15 / Church Street in what was once the hamlet of Catharine.  They were taking care of Alice’ retired parents, Horace and Ada (Lattin) Howell, and an elderly Uncle Fred Lattin formerly of California.

   The Lovell family was a fixture in the township of Catharine.  Simeon Lovell came to Catharine in 1800 from Fairfield Conn., along with John Coe and Ichabod Meeker.    He settled a piece of land in the vicinity of the Hamlet of Catharine, where he built and operated one of the first Black Smith shops in the area.   Simeon had the following children, (buried in the Catharine Cemetery); William Lovell, (1799-1855), Olive Lovell, (5/4/1800-12/26/1861)

William Lovell (5/23/1799-5/26/1855) had the following children, wife unknown at this time,; George Lovell, Henry Lovell, William Lovell-married Sarah Kendell (1821-1894) Daughter of Ephraim and Elmira Kendell, Charles Lovell-died in infancy, Sarah Lovell (?-4/1913) married Wesley Coe .  They had Mary Coe, Myron Coe and Jeanette Cor.

Henry Lovell, son of William Married  Harriett Bentley and had ; Stella Lovell married Albert Evans and moved to Elmira NY, George Lovell, William Lovell married  Etta Mackey and died in Burdette NY., Nita Lovell-married Delbert Rhodes and moved to Elmira, Nettie Lovell-never married.

    George Lovell, son of Henry Lovell, (B.1865-D. 12/23/1942) Married 9/8/1886  in Mecklenburg NY to Capitola  Lattin, Daughter of Henry Lattin and Matilda Beardsley.  They settled in Beardsley Hollow in the village of Catharine and had six children;

Clarence Lovell (9/7/1887- ) married x2-1-Maude Brink, 2-Alice Catherine daughter of Eugene Catherine and Rose Asay.  They had 5 children; Harriett Lovell, William Lovell, George Lovell Married Jean Hoy of Binghamton (2 daughters -Anna Alice Lovell & Glenna Jean Lovell), James Lovell married unknown and had 2 daughters- Joyce Lovell and Louise Lovell, Alice Jean Lovell Married 1941 James Nordquist, son of Andrew Nordquist, 1 child

Archie Lovell (6/20/1889-) Married Winifred Cogswell of Horseheads.  They had 5children;Ruth Lovell married Carlton Travis of Rochester NY (three children: Marvin Travis, Weldon Travis and Janice Travis),Morris Lovell married Lucile Wood, daughter of Tracy Wood and Ruth Beardsley(1 son recorded Martin Andrew Lovell B.11/1942), Adelbert Lovell B.11/29/1927, Lois Marlyn Lovell B:12/13/1930, Wilma Jean Lovell and Melvin Lovell.

Pearl Lovell (6/22/1892-) married 12/17/1919 Howard Bennett son of Harvey Bennett.  1 recorded son- Harvey Bennett who married Ainah Depew in 11/1940)

Ray B. Lovell (5/8/1894- Feb. 3, 1988) Married Sept. 1916 Alice Howell, daughter of Ada Lattin and Horace Howell. One son, Edward Lovell B8/15/1917 married Myrtle Jones.

Ivan Lovell born 12/24/1897 Married 10/1921 Hazel Beckwith (1 daughter Marie Lovell B12/30/1923)

Cecil Arthur Lovell (6/30/1901- ) Married Edna Bennett daughter of Harvey Bennett (Ellen Lovell married 6/21/1941 Charles Crane, son of Earl Crane. 1 son Charles Crane Jr.)

  I wonder if Myrtle Jones realized she was marrying into one of the founding families of the township of Catharine.

      William L. Jones was born 1/15/1879 in the town of Catharine near Cayuta Lake in Schuyler NY to Nicoll Jones (8/30/1836-4/2/1919) and Deborah Merwin (1842-8/17/1920).  Nicoll was a farmer who had been born in Fairfield Connecticut and moved with his family to Newfield Tompkins NY by 1840.  William was one of 5 children:

Samuel Fosdick Jones (1867-10/3/1945 Married Harriet Couch (1869-6/8/1953).  Samuel remained in Odessa.  He was a store clerk in the hardware store and had three children but only 2 survived infancy; Evelyn Jones Married 8/1920 Lee Warner and remained in Odessa where they raised their two children ( Merwin  Warner and Joan Warner), Avonia Jones married Lloyd H. Underdown of Odessa, they had three children (Lloyd H. Underdown Jr., Judith underdown-served overseas in England for the red cross, Marie Underdown and Norman Underdown.

Lucy Olive Jones (1869-1911) married William Couch (?-1937), son of Samuel Couch and Viann Woodard.  They lived on Samuel Couch farm and raised their children. Joel S. Couch (1872), Nicoll Couch (1906-),William Leslie Couch (1904-)

Frances E. Jones (1872-) married Kirk Fowler, son of George Fowler of Trumbulls corners Tompkins NY.  They had 5 children; (Roland Fowler, Frances Fowler, Carlton Fowler, Margaret Fowler, Malcolm Kirk Folwer)

Mary R. Jones (1875-) married Dr. C. Smith Williams of Lafayette NY they had two children;(Olive Jones William, Dr. F. Marian Williams of Philadelphia)

William Lodwick Jones (1/15/1879-1/2/1925)- Married 7/24/1907 to Luella Ault, daughter of Charles Ault and  Anna Shelton.  William L. Jones was well liked in his community and set a strong example for his children regarding good citizenship.  He was very active in his church and in the community throughout his life and gave generously to the church.  William purchased the house on College avenue from Martha Elizabeth Van Horn in 1911.He moved his family into the house in 1919 (Watkins Review)

   Next time we will continue our series with a look at the Jones- Merwin family, the Jones-Couch families, the Ault family and the Shelton family.   See you soon.

    Welcome back.  Today we begin our new series.  We will be looking at the Jones and Van Horn families from Odessa Schuyler county New York, and through them, the town of Catharine.    I purchased my home from relatives of Mary F. Jones in 2006.  The family continues to live and work in the Schuyler county area and is very involved with the local Arc, helping persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In her will, Mary Jones originally left the house to her grand-niece to use for her own residence, with the express understanding that if she could not or did not want to maintain ownership it would pass to Mary’s nephew- father of said niece.  He lives in Virginia, so that was not a very convenient plan when it came time to execute the will, and so they sold the house to me.

     Mary had been very attached to the property, though she did not live on it continuously during her life time.  She and her siblings are said to have been born in the house and her cremated ashes had been returned there and spread in the yard.  She was reportedly a very interesting woman, though I never knew her, not having lived in this area until 2006.  Mary Frances Jones was a bit of a local celebrity.  People still refer to my house as “the Mary Jones” place.

    Mary was an avid gardener, with a passion for flowers.  The local nursery remembers her well, as she hired them each year to maintain and expand her gardens. She also had an affinity for the visual arts.  She held many art shows in the yard in her later years, inviting local artists to show their work, and displaying much of her own. Her art work was very delicate, modeled on Japanese form.  We discovered several pieces still at the house, but unfortunately they were damaged with mold from being stored in in the basement.

   She was also a staunch Methodist and very involved in the church.  She supported the work of the Methodist Missionaries around the world, both spiritually and financially.  She, herself had been a missionary in her youth.  From the time she was a very young girl Mary had aspired to visit and work in India.   Yes, she was a very interesting person, a local celebrity in her own right.  People who knew her in her old age often describe her as being very upright, very proper, spiritual, a perfectionist and, perhaps, a little set in her ways, hard to please, strict;   yet, in her youth Mary Frances Jones could be seen as very progressive for her time.

   Mary Francis Jones was born 10/5/1915 (Star Gazette-2002) to William Lodwick Jones and Luella Ault.  She was one of five children.  The Jones were very involved with the Odessa Methodist church and raised their children with civic pride and a desire to help their fellow man.  Mary embraced these teachings and, as a child, longed to serve in the foreign education field, as an emissary for Christ, in India.   She graduated from Odessa High school and went to the Ithaca College, earning a degree in Physical Education and English.  Following College, she worked as a teacher for 9 years at Williamson Central schools.

    In those 9 years, Mary never lost sight of her dream to serve overseas. India was not in her cards, however.  In 1948 Mary was finally given the opportunity to travel overseas.  Having heard about the bombing of Hiroshema, Mary was moved to go to Japan and help the bombing victims.  She approached the Methodist church for sponsorship and entered missionary work on special assignment.  Mary spent 3 1/2 years in post WWII Japan before returning to her family in Odessa in the summer of 1952.  Mary spent the summer visiting with friends and relatives and caring for her sick mother.  Luella Jones passed away on 8/31/1952.  She was able to live long enough to see her daughter consecrated on 7/26/1953 as a regular missionary for the Methodist church. Upon her mother’s death the family home in Odessa passed to Mary.

     Following her mother’s death, Mary returned to college and achieved her Master’s degree in religious education from Union Theological School.  She also took classes at Columbia University’s teacher’s college and Scanett College in Nashville Tenn.   Mary returned to her work in Japan in 1959 and remained there for another 5 years, rebuilding the Aikaen Social Center, established a scholarship program for needy children of Japan and developed day care and counseling programs at the center.

    After returning to the states Mary settled in New Jersey with her longtime friend, Elizabeth Winton.  Mary worked as a guidance counselor for the Newark City Hospital school of nursing.  On 2/13/1976 Mary added Elizabeth’s name to the deed to the house.  On 3/2/1981 Elizabeth gave her portion back to Mary and had her name removed from the deed.

     Ever tireless and civic minded, following her retirement Mary returned to Odessa and immersed herself in local affairs, and in her church.  Mary was the driving force behind the establishment of the Schuyler County NY Environmental management council and helped to develop the Odessa recycling center.  Mary was instrumental in the establishment of Earth day celebrations in Schuyler   county as well as the inter faith peace group and “My Mother’s Garden” club.  She served on the village planning board and updated the village zoning ordinance.

   Mary was awarded the Paul Harris award for her work for world peace and honored by the county in 2002 for her service on the county’s environmental management board and for her environmentalist vision.   Mary Frances Jones worked her entire life to shape the world in a way that would benefit all of mankind.  She died on 11/3/2003, leaving no children, no spouse but a monumental legacy in her wake.  The Village of Odessa, the County of Schuyler and the country of Japan have much to remember her for.

THE JONES FAMILY

We are working backward on this one, starting with the most recent family members and working our way back.    We start here with the family of William Lodwick Jones and Luella Ault.

William L. Jones was born in Odessa Schuyler NY on 1/15/1879.  He had brown hair and brown eyes and was of medium height and build, (WWI draft record).    Will, as his friends called him, was a hardworking man, a miller by trade.     In 1920 Will is recorded in the US census as living on Orchard Street in Odessa and working as a laborer on the Holly Farms.   Will married Luella Ault in or around 1905.  They had five children, (see below).  Will died 1/2/1925 at the age of 46, leaving Louella (Lou as her friends called her,) to raise the children alone. William was the son of Nicoll Jones F. and Deborah A. Merwin.  Luella was the daughter of Charles Ault and Anna Shelton.

   Children of William Jones and Luella Ault:

 John Paul Jones B. 4/20/1906 Odessa NY-D. 3/27/1980 in California-buried at sea.  Married Eunice Rannings Madden.  Eunice had married very briefly before marrying John and had one daughter from her prior marriage.  John Jones raised her as his own.    John Paul and Eunice Rannings Jones were also called to civic services.  John moved his small family from Odessa Schuyler  County NY and settled in The Trumansburg, Tompkins County area, outside of Ithaca NY.   He was known locally as “the Cider King” because for many years he and Eunice owned and operated a cider Mill in Perry City New York.   In 1960 the state threatened to shut down a local senior living complex known as the Tompkins home and farm.  The state expected the county to make major repairs or they were going to shut it down.  John Paul and Eunice were not to let that happen.  They took over management of the farm and went to work making the necessary improvements.  Within 3 months they were ready for the state inspection, which they passed with flying colors.  The facility, then home to 28 senior citizens was recertified.

    John Paul and Eunice continued managing the facility and within a  years’ time, (1961) they had increased residency to 88 people, 60 more than the year before.   Under their management the farm prospered and they were able to supply most of the food used in the facility and in 1968 produced a surplus of beef, poultry, eggs, pork, potatoes and vegetables worth $9700.  John was honored that year by the NY State Bureau of agriculture and markets  and, in a separate ceremony in New York City , by the NY City Center for the Elderly.  The couple retired in May of 1973 and eventually moved to California to relax and enjoy their final days.  They had the following children; Susan Madden, William L. Jones, Rebecca Jones,

Charles L. Jones B. 1911 Odessa NY- D10/28/1994. Married 6/25/1936 C. Elizabeth Thomas.  They had one son: Thomas C. Jones

Anna Amelia Jones B; 2/27/1912-D. 7/30/2013 age 101. Married 1938-Llewellyn Clarence Edwards and moved to Avoca NY.  They had three sons; L. Clifford Edwards Jr., Nicoll Edwards, William Edwards

Mary Frances Jones B: 10/5/1915 D: 11/3/2003.  No marriage, no children.

Myrtle Stanley Jones: B; 1919 Odessa NY died: 4/4/2005 in Montour Falls NY   Married x2- 1st-2/11/1939 -Edward Lovell , 2nd- 1958 Kurt Stepphen.  Myrtle had the following children; John Lovell, Frederick Lovell, Mary Anna Lovell, Raymond Steffen.

   Stay tuned for our next installment.  There is a lot more to come.