Articles

Folklore: Machias

Theodore Nicholas killed his uncle retired doctor, Andrew Mead in Allegany, NY in December 1869.

In his eight decades of life, Andrew Mead proved himself a remarkable individual -- saw-mill builder, doctor, jurist, town supervisor, church leader, fraternal lodge founder, and storekeeper. The Hornelville Tribune of Dec. 24, 1869 (as quoted by the New York Times on Christmas Day, 1869) described him as "a resident of the county for the last fifty years, a very respectable and influential citizen."

    This gentleman is the oldest son in a family of three sons and two daughters of James and Rebecca (Chrisman) Caskey.  He was born in Worcester, Wayne Co., O., Nov.

Mr. John Napier, resident of the town of Machias, NY and a well-known local stone cutter was hired in 1868 to build the County's new building. Prior to this project Mr. Napier had gained skill working on such national projects as the dam across the Merrimac River in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the aqueduct across the Genesee River at Portageville, the bridge spanning the Mississippi River at St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Old State Capital building at Springfield, Ill.

1st Photo:  Philo A. Markham enlisted in Dayton, NY

2nd Photo: Leonard Hunt enlisted in Perrysburg, NY

In 1915 the Daughters of the Amercian Revolution were making preparations to place a bronze tablet at the grave of Daniel Frederick Bakeman.  He was the last soldier of the American Revolution which made him quite a distinquished character.  He died in April 1869 at the age of 109.  During the later years of his life he received a pension of $500 from the government.  He was buried in the Sandusky Cemetery.  Originally only a small white marker without any inscription marked his final resting place.

Submitted by Maggie Frederickson

I am William McNall, son of John and Mellison Washburn McNall.  I was born February 23, 1806 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.  When I was 10 years old my family decided to make the 30 day journey and settle in Cadiz, New York.  I traveled most of the way by foot with a goad in my hand to guide the ox-drawn cart with our household effects.

Living in the wilderness I only managed to obtain a common school education.  But by perseverance and natural talent, I became a farmer, carpetner, joiner, mason, wheelwright, millwright or blacksmith depending on what was needed.

My name is Beatrice Van Dressen and I was born in the Old Hotel in Cadiz to Maggie and Milton Van Dressen on October 13, 1876.  My grandfather was Joseph Ransbury.  We later moved to Frankfort, New York but would often come back to Franklinville to visit.

Marvin Older was born in Middletown, Delaware on August 22, 1810.  He was one of 16 children born to William and Hannah Older.  The family moved to Otisco in Onondaga County where they remained for 3 years.  Marvin used to say that during that time in his life nothing notable happened "except that I invariably stood at the head of the class in district school, from the fact that there were but two in the class, and one of them at least was lamentably underwitted, which of course was the other fellow".