Lorenzo Patrick story by Artifical Intelligence (ChatGPT4o)!

I just finished an 8 week class in Artificial Intelligence and Genealogy, so I thought I would experiment. I uploaded the previous Lorenzo Patrick document to ChatGPT4o and asked it to write it as if it were a novel, to make it more interesting. Yes...much more interesting!

 Chapter One: Beginnings in New York

In the quiet hamlet of Locke, nestled in the heart of Cayuga County, New York, Lorenzo Patrick was born around 1819, under the shadow of his father, James Patrick, and his mother, Lucy Preston. Some whispered that he arrived on the 23rd of May in 1813, but the exact date remained shrouded in the mists of time. Lorenzo’s childhood was steeped in the simple, hard-working life of rural America.

As the years passed, a young woman named Abigail Main caught his eye. Abby, as she was known, hailed from the far reaches of New Jersey, born on January 14, 1814, to John and Hester Main. Their courtship was brief but intense, culminating in a winter wedding on December 31, 1839. The small New York community buzzed with excitement as Lorenzo and Abby vowed to share their lives together.

Their union bore fruit quickly. Dexter Patrick arrived around 1843, followed closely by Ursula J. Patrick in 1844. Both children were likely born within the familiar confines of Cayuga County. For a few precious years, the Patrick family lived in a semblance of peace. Yet, the tranquillity was shattered in the most violent of ways.

Chapter Two: A Shocking Turn

Five years into their marriage, a dark shadow fell over the Patricks’ home. Lorenzo, gripped by a sudden and inexplicable fury, attempted to murder his beloved wife. The scandalous act sent ripples through the Northeast, the tale of his brutality whispered in hushed tones and emblazoned across newspapers. Remarkably, Abby did not abandon him. Instead, she followed him to the frontier of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Lorenzo had secured a homestead of 40 acres. Their resilience in the face of such turmoil was nothing short of astonishing.

In the vast expanses of Michigan, the couple welcomed another son, Corydon, and possibly a boy named Franklin, though his existence remained a topic of family speculation. Yet, prosperity eluded them. By 1856, their land was seized for unpaid debts, and the family, once united, was scattered to the winds.

Chapter Three: Scattered to the Winds

By the time the 1860 US Census was taken, Abby had retreated to the safety of her parents' home in Venice, Cayuga County. Dexter, now 17, toiled as a farmhand in Almena, Michigan, while Lorenzo and Ursula found themselves in the distant, unfamiliar terrain of Amite, Mississippi. Here, Lorenzo labored as a miller, and rumors swirled about a new companion, Lenor Patrick, who might have been his wife.

The tumult did not cease. Lorenzo's unyielding devotion to the Union thrust him into peril once more. An article from Cincinnati detailed his harrowing escape from Mississippi:

Chapter Four: An Unlikely Survivor

Lorenzo D. Patrick, Esq., arrived in Cincinnati under a veil of desperation. His loyalty to the Union had incited the wrath of local Confederates in Pike County, Mississippi. After moving south in 1858 and purchasing 640 acres of timberland, Lorenzo had hoped to find a new life. He acquired a steam sawmill, which he ran successfully for three years. But on a fateful July evening, a mob of armed men seized him, demanding he leave the Confederacy.

Defiant, Lorenzo refused unless compensated for his property. Their threats turned violent, and he found himself hanging from a tree, the noose tight around his neck. Miraculously, the execution was botched. After three agonizing minutes, they cut him down, and he clung to life. Facing death, Lorenzo agreed to leave, abandoning his $11,000 property and fleeing north. He made his way to Cincinnati, where he immediately volunteered for a cavalry unit. Yet, no records confirm his enlistment.

Chapter Five: A Final Frontier

Lorenzo’s journey ended tragically in California. On June 11, 1864, in Plumas County, a man named Callich accidentally shot him. A confused Justice of the Peace considered charging Callich with murder, but the matter was dismissed as an accident. Abby, now a widow in all but official record, listed herself as such in 1865.

By 1868, Lorenzo’s children and Abby appeared in the probate records of his mother, Lucy. In 1870, Corydon had moved to Clinton County, Missouri, with Abby by his side. The remaining years of her life were spent in Missouri, where she passed away on November 6, 1885. She was laid to rest in Osborn Evergreen Cemetery, a testament to a life of resilience and fortitude.

Epilogue: The Mystery of Franklin

Research continues on Franklin Pierce Patrick, born in 1853, who lived near Abby in Colfax, DeKalb County, Missouri, in 1880. Perhaps he cared for his mother in her final years. The Patrick family’s saga, marked by violence, survival, and indomitable spirit, is a testament to their enduring legacy.

Lorenzo Patrick: A Tale of Turmoil and Tenacity

by Sandra Hildreth Ball

     One of my traditions is to research the entire immediate family of the parents I'm studying.  In the process, I find interesting facts about my ancestors' nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.  This story was shocking.  I had trouble finding Lorenzo Patrick, son of Lucy Preston Patrick, the daughter of my 4th great-grandfather, Calvin Preston.  

    Lorenzo Patrick was born about 1819 likely in Locke, Cayuga County, New York to James Patrick and Lucy Preston. Some sources report his birthdate as  23 May 1813. He married Abigail (Abby) Main on 31 December 1839 in New York.  Abby, born 14 January 1814, in New Jersey was the daughter of John and Hester Main.[1] 

    The couple soon had two children: Dexter Patrick, born about 1843, and Ursula J. Patrick born about 1844, both most likely in Cayuga County.[2]  After about 5 years of marriage, Lorenzo Attempted to murder Abby, an event that shocked the community and made headlines across the Northeast and beyond![3]

 

    Remarkably, despite this violent episode, Abby moved with Lorenzo to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he applied for a homestead of 40 acres. In Michigan, they had more children, Corydon and possibly another son Franklin, though this remains unconfirmed.[4]

     In 1856, their land in Kalamazoo was seized and offered for sale due to unpaid debts, leading to the family separation. By the 1860 US Census, Abby had returned to live with her parents in Venice, Cayuga County, New York; Dexter, age 17 was working as a farmhand for Samuel Mills in Almena, Van Buren County, Michigan; and Lorenzo and Ursalla, age 16 were living in Amite, Mississippi where he was a miller.  There was also a Lenor Patrick, age 27, in his household, perhaps a new wife. He listed his occupation as a miller.

     The events that followed were even more dramatic. Lorenzo narrowly escaped Mississippi, as detailed in a Cincinnati article:[5]

 “Lorenzo D. Patrick, Esq., arrived in this city on Monday last, from Pike County, Mississippi, whither he was driven on account of his devotion to the Union.  Mr. Patrick is a native of New York State.  He moved to Mississippi in 1858 and bought six hundred and forty acres of timbered land. A short time after his settlement in his new home he bought a steam saw-mill, which he worked regularly and profitably for more than three years.”

 “On July 13, while at his mill, he was waited upon by a crowd of armed ruffians who demanded him as a prisoner and took him a short distance to where a “trial” was instituted.  The ‘jury’ returned a verdict that he should leave the Southern Confederacy within twenty-four hours’. This he positively refused to do, unless he received in money the value of his property. Finding that he persisted in treating their verdict with contempt, a number of the chivalrous sons of the South waited upon Mr. Patrick and told him that they would hang him unless he consented to be removed.  The valiant New Yorker still held out and told the waiting committee that he would not leave. The threat to hang him was then ordered to be put into execution. He was taken to the woods and actually hung by the neck with a rope from the limb of a tree, ten feet high. Fortunately, the cowardly vagabonds who desired and attempted his suspension did not know how to adjust the noose, and after letting him hang for three minutes they concluded he was not going to die that way and cut him down. Though much exhausted, Mr. Patrick was still sensible.”

 “His would-be assassins again gave him a chance to save his life by leaving the Confederacy. Being fully sure by this time that they would put their threat into execution, he accepted their offer, and quickly departed for a more congenial clime, leaving his property, valued at $11,000 in the care of a friend. With a great deal of difficulty, undergoing searches and examinations at every stopping place, he found his way to the North and now stops at the Galt House in this city. His first act in arriving here was to volunteer his services in a company of cavalry now being raised here. He is determined to fight the enemies of his country and will make an excellent soldier, being a stalwart six-footer. He will leave the city with his company in a few days. We refer all persons who are in favor of peace and compromise to him for his opinion on the premises. He never interfered in politics in his life, and especially never avowed sentiments unfavorable to slavery while he lived in the South”

     There is no indication that he joined the army, but he eventually ended up in California where he was shot, supposedly accidentally, in Plumas County, California on June 11, 1864.[6]

     Abby listed herself as a widow in 1865.[7] Lorenzo's children and Abby were listed in the 1868 probate of his mother, Lucy Preston Patrick.[8] By 1870 Corydon, single, had moved to Clinton County, Missouri, and his mother Abby lived with him.[9] She lived the rest of her life in Missouri.  She died on 6 November 1885 and is buried in Osborn Evergreen Cemetery, Clinton County, Missouri.[10] 

 

---

[1] Ancestry family trees list exact birthdates and marriage dates with no source. Lorenzo's age: 1860 U.S. census, Amite County, Mississippi, population schedule, no city listed, p. 42 (penned), dwelling 1153, family 1153, Lorenzo Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication M653, roll 577, image 242, Family History Library Film: 803577; Abigail's parents: 1865 New York State Census, Cayuga County, Venice, p. 18, dwelling 147, family 151, Abbie Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015).

[2] 1850 U.S. census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, Kalamazoo,  p. 26a (stamped), dwelling 388, family 401, Lorence Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication M432, roll 353, image 56.

[3] The Globe, Washington, DC, Thursday, March 27, 1845, Vol. 2 No. 25. The original full account was printed in the Auburn  Journal and a copy in the Albany NY Argus 1845 March 22, 1845 and stated the date of the crime. Copy attached.

[4] 1850 U.S. census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, Kalamazoo,  p. 26a (stamped), dwelling 388, family 401, Lorence Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication M432, roll 353, image 56. Ancestry.com. Michigan, Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908 1 SENE MICHIGAN-TOLEDO STRIP No 1 N 8 W 24 [database online]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.

[5] Albany Evening Journal 8/20 1861 p2  genealogybank.com; reporting from Cincinnati Gazette.

[6] "Lorenzo Patrick shot," Sacramento Bee, 22 June 1864, p. 2; digital images, Genealogy Bank (genealogybank.com : accessed 22 Mar 2018). “A man named Lorenzo Patrick was killed in Plumas county on the 11th instant, by the accidental discharge of a pistol in the hands of a man named Callich. An ignorant Justice of the Peace wanted to try Callich for murder, believing his court had full authority in all such cases.” 

 

[7] 1865 New York State Census, Cayuga County, Venice, p. 18, dwelling 147, family 151 , Abbie Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015).

[8] Box 65, Image 198 Cayuga County Probate records

[9] 1870 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, population schedule, Township 57 Range 31,  p. 156A  (stamped), dwelling 7, family 7, C.A. Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 771, image 315.

[10] findagrave.com

[11] 1880 U.S. census, DeKalb County, Missouri, population schedule, Colfax, Enumeration District 202 p. 27 penned, dwelling 258, family 260, Abbay Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 15, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication T9, roll 685, image 0237. 1880 U.S. census, DeKalb County, Missouri, population schedule, Colfax, ED 202, p. 320 (stamped), dwelling 223, family 223, Frank P. Patrick: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed May 5, 2015); from National Archives microfilm publication T9, roll 685, image 0234. Family History Film 1254685

SMITH HALSTEAD HILDRETH

A life full of trials

 

 I was "surfing" a genealogy site today that indicated there were new databases to play with. I found a small notice in the Star Gazette (Elmira New York) 1 December 1893, pg 5 about my 2nd Great Grandfather, Smith Halstead Hildreth. He was 66 years old.

 

I had not seen a report of this accident earlier.  I knew he had a small fruit stand and was blind. He was 38 on the 1865 census and listed as "blind."  I wondered why he was blind at so young an age? But, how could I find out?  It isn't that easy, but if you stick with something and don't give up, there may be a way.... 

I followed Smith's history through census records, land records, and newspapers, but I wasn't able to find anything about it.  In 1865, he borrowed money from his father-in-law and others to start a grocery store in Wellsburg, New York.  It didn't appear to exist very long; he was sued by creditors for payment of debts about 1867. Below is his picture at approximately 37 years of age.

I just couldn't let this rest.  I had to find out why he was blind.  I couldn't imagine being a farmer with several children and being blind.  I looked for years. One day, yet again, I decided to simply do a Google search on his name. Since it's an unusual name, there wouldn't be too many listings.  Shockingly, a congressional record showed up listing his name!  Why would my ancestor who farmed tobacco show up in a congressional record?  To get more detail, I had to go to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. or find a professional genealogist to go there to research for me. I found one who lived in Maryland, not far from Washington, D.C. who agreed to look up the record.

After two visits to the archives, she emailed me a note and said, 

"You won't believe what I've found! I know why he was blind!  He wrote a letter outlining everything.  I'm not going to tell you what he said until you see it yourself, but I believe the letter he wrote was written just for you!" The next day I received a packet. She was right. As I read the letter he dictated in 1875, I felt like Smith, indeed, was talking to me.  The hand written letters follow:

Statement of Smith H. Hildreth of Southport Chemung County State of New York as to the loss of his sight while in the employ of the US Government

"I was born in Orange Co State of New York January 20, 1827 and removed with my Father's Family in 1838 to Bradford Co Pa. and from there in 1868 to the Town of Southport in the Village of Wellsburgh Chemung County N.Y. where I resided at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion.

In 1862 I commenced raising a company of Soldiers for a Volunter Regiment to go into the service of the Govt. and raised thirty men who went in the Service but I was rejected by the Examiner on account of my teeth & was thrown out-greatly to my disappointment. On the 6th day of March A.D. 1863 I went into the employ of Joseph Farren [Farrand] in the Construction Corps-for building Bridges for the Army as a Carpenter and Commenced work at Alexandria Va-loading Rail Road Cars onto Canal Boats to be transported to Acqui Creek from there we took the same Cars to Potomac Creek where we built a Bridge across the Potomac Creek after and we built a Bridge over Bull Run and went from point to point as directed until we reached the Rapahanneck-where we lay some time & from thence we went to Fredericksburg where we were under fire for about 4 days & then were ordered back to Alexandria and after a time were ordered into Pennsylvania with the Army under Mead-in June & July 1863 - and were employed in building Bridges till some time after the Battle of Gettesburgh and then we returned to Alexandria where we were sent out on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road to ??the ?? and build bridges until we reached Warrenton Jun str?  where we established our tents and while here ran out on the cars & built a bridge across the Rapahannic at Rapahnnoc station and just as the bridge was completed the Rebels came up on the other side & we were ordred to retreat. I was at work fixing ties for a track on the bridge when the order came to unload the timber from the cars & run it back. This timber was 3 inch plank 16 inches wide and about 30 feet long. One of these timbers I am told fell onto me and came near crushing my head & did fracture my skull & pressed my eyes out of my head so that they lay on my cheeks. I was wholly unconsious for over two days and when I came to myself I was in the Hospital at Alexandria. From the Hospital I was sent hom.  This was in August. My eyes were very week compelling me to wear glasses. In the latter part of Sept. I went back with the view of continuing my work-but after 8 or ten days I found my eyes saw bad I was advised to return from the field to the City of Washington Where I had an easier job. But my eyes were still troubling me and on the first of Nov I was sent home. My last work had been building a Mess house out of lumber that had been used in a hospital and the men insisted that I had the smell of small pox and some of them refused to workon that account.

I found myself sick before I reached home-so that it was with great difficulty I reached home--It turned out that I had variolois [variola--small pox] and the result was that all my children six in number were taken down with small pox & suffered with it the natural way., they never having been vaccinated--My eyes in the meantime had gradually grown worse till one of them became totally blind during my sickness and the other eye gradually faded out till I became totally blind about 2 years after quitting the service of the Government and have remained blind until this tim and am advised by professional men that there is no possibility of my eyes regaining my sight

Having lost my sight in the Service of the Government during a Campaign of camping out & hardship equal to that of the solider and even more severe many times and account of exposure in the water and in the storms days together _?__--I feel that the same Government ought to assist me in providing for my family & for myself.

All of which is respectfully submitted"

The packet included several letters from his fellow corp members describing the accident that took his sight.  The letter by Smith was 6 pages long. He says, on this first page, that he could not enlist in the Union troops because of his teeth. Soldiers had to be able to use their front and eye teeth to pull off the covering on the powder and ball that went into their muskets. (I'm not an expert on guns, so forgive the terminology).  Obviously, he did not have enough teeth to do it. He desperately wanted to serve (possibly for the money) so he joined the Construction Corp and spent his time building and rebuilding bridges and railroads that were destroyed by the Confederacy. He had tried several times to obtain a pension for his disability, but they only gave pensions to soldiers.

Below, I included the rest of his letter, so you, too, could know what happened in his life.  There are some surprises in the next few pages.  If you would like a full history of Smith Hildreth, please let me know and I'll send you a copy. 

Captain Elnathan Tobey (Toby) 

First recorded climb of Mt. Toby in Franklin County, MA

By Sandra Hildreth Ball[1]

 

 ( This is my 6th Great grandfather)

    Mt. Toby is located near Leverett and Sunderland, Massachusetts. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Toby ) It rises 1,269 feet and includes diverse types of plants, including rare orchids and many species of ferns. On the east side are a series of waterfalls, pools, potholes, chutes, and cascades.  Mt. Toby is a favorite place for biking, hiking and studying various plant species. The University of Amherst conducts a state demonstration forest on the mountain.

    My project over the last 25 years has been the study of descendants of Thomas Tobey (sometimes spelled Toby) who arrived in Sandwich about 1640.

    Eventually this research led to Mt. Toby, a low mountain near Conway, Massachusetts. Various statements and articles claimed Mt. Toby was named for a man named Elnathan Toby, who was the first settler to climb the mountain. The description varied slightly in different sources, such as Equitreking.com, Masslive.com, Wikipedia, gorp.com, etc., but most of the references simply repeated from each other. Almost all of them included one or more of the following three commonalities:

 ·        “Col. Elnathan Toby of Leverett, Mass, a haughty warrior of the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars”[2]

·        “Captain Elnathan Toby, first Caucasian man to climb the mountain.”[3]

·        “Captain Elnathan Toby, a settler from Colonial Springfield.”[4]

However, until now, an original source has not been available that would explain who he was. I have found strong evidence that Elnathan Tobey (Toby) who was born January 11, 1727/28 in Dartmouth, MA and died June 11, 1803 in Conway, MA is the Elnathan described:

 1.     No other Elnathan Tobey (Toby) is listed in thousands of available New England records for 1640-1770.

2.     Elnathan Tobey was an Ensign in the French and Indian War, becoming a Captain in 1771.

3.     He purchased land in Conway and most likely explored the area before moving his family there.

    Elnathan was born January 11, 1727/28 in Dartmouth, MA to Zacheus Tobey and Sarah Pope.[5] He married Deborah Taber September 3, 1749, daughter of John Taber and Phebe Spooner.[6] Some of his major activities can be summarized in a short timeline:

1762 Ensign Elnathan Tobey, 2^nd Reg of Militia in the county of Bristol[7]

1771 Captain Elnathan Tobey 1^st Dartmouth 2^nd Regt[8]

·       1777 sold 100 acres in Dartmouth[9]

·        1777 purchased 100 acres in Conway[10]

·        Loaned money to the government for the Revolution Serial set (no. 4001-4500)[11]

    I have not yet located the actions of the 2^nd Regiment of Militia in 1762. It may be possible Elnathan’s regiment operated north of Dartmouth in either of his assignments. Certainly, he became aware of the new lands opening up after the French and Indian War, an area that was set off from Deerfield, surveyed and divided into 141 lots, averaging 150 acres each.[12] Lots were sold and settled rapidly, and in 1767 the land was separated from Deerfield and incorporated as the Town of Conway.  Elnathan purchased 100 acres there December 31, 1777 and another 55 acres October 3, 1778.[13] 

    As Conway is only 11 walking miles[14] distant from Mt. Toby, it is reasonable to expect Elnathan Tobey is the man who decided to climb that mountain and let the neighbors know what he saw.

 [1] Sandra Hildreth Ball is a genealogy researcher with focus on the Tobey (Toby) name. She has written three books on Tobey’s and an article on Zaccheus Tobey (Elnathan’s son) for the NEHGR https://www.americanancestors.org/DB202/i/11710/231/23516914

[2] https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm12RXC_The_Legend_of_Metawampe_Amherst_MA

[3] Amherst Journal Record, Thursday, 14 Nov. 1963

[4] “Mt. Toby Cabin,” Lost UMass, accessed February 1, 2021, https://lostumass.omeka.net/items/show/31

[5] Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2010). Dartmouth Vol 1 p 277

[6] “Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988” Ancestry.com; Dartmouth Vital Records

[7] Colonial Soldiers and Officers in New England, 1620-1775. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2013). https://www.americanancestors.org/DB494/i/236077607; Massachusetts Archives Collection Vol. 99 p53; French and Indian War.

[8] Zephaniah W. Pease, History of New Bedford, 3 volumes (Lewis Historical Publishing, 1918) Volume 3: p 11.  Massachusetts Archives Collection Vol. 99 p 53; List of officers commanded for the 2^nd Regiment of the militia 1st company of Dartmouth in the county of Bristol, July 1771, Captain Elnathan Toby, 1st Lieutenant Samuel Pope, 2nd Lieutenant Elnathan Sampson, Ensign Chillingworth Foster; This Regiment probably was raised because of the Boston Massacre and growing unrest in the colonies.

[9] Dartmouth Land records, Vol 59, p 434,435

[10] ibid

[11] Report of Daughters of the American Revolution; Unpublished list of Massachusetts citizens who loaned money to the Government during the Revolution, p 342

[12] Conway 1767-1917, ed. Deanne Lee, (Town of Conway 1967), p 6

[13] Hampshire Indian Lands, Bk 3 p 172 (index film 1769542)

[14] Googlemaps.com; Conway to Mt. Toby tower.

Charles Lawrence Tobey 1867-1935

Charles Lawrence Tobey, my great grandfather, was born to Christopher & Mary Seyter Tobey in Caton, New York. He worked on his father’s farm until he got married.  He wanted to go into business instead of farming, but according to his daughter, Helen, his father would not pay for him to go to college. Charles paid for his own tuition and graduated from Meeker’s Business Institute, after which he decided to open his own business, a retail footwear store. Once he and Theresa Haselbauer got married he returned to Caton to help on his father’s farm. He absolutely loved his horses. He put a lot of skill and energy into his horses’ stables, even to the point that he put in tongue and groove paneling.

Charles moved to Elmira by 1920, where he was listed in the census as a machinist in an auto factory. The directories of Elmira, show he only lived there for 2 or 3 years before he moved to Interlaken, New York to pick up farming again.  He and Theresa had nine children, seven girls and two boys.  The girls helped on the farm as much as possible, but the heavy work fell to Charles and the boys.

During the depression, Charles became despondent when he lost 5000 baby chicks. His grandson, Bruce, who was living with him during that time recounted, “My Grandfather built a new chicken house and put in 5000 little chickens. Just as they began to get feathers on their wing tips, a deadly intestinal disease called coccidiosus struck. The only less-than-effective treatment was a high nicotine material called Black Flag. My brother and I had to gather dead chickens in 5 gallon pails morning and night until the flock was pretty much gone. It was a morning not long afterward as my brother and I were dressing, we heard my Uncle Ed come crying into the house, running to our Grandmother [Theresa], “Mother , Dad shot himself!” My aunt Theresa had heard the thump of the shotgun during the night but thought it was the downstairs stove.” The destruction of the chickens had been the final straw. He felt he had been ruined and probably didn’t feel as though he could start over yet again.

Charles left a wonderful legacy to his children because he encouraged them to excel in their schoolwork. Helen, his daughter said, “he was a strong advocate for education. He expressed his certainty that the women in our family should be educated to support themselves in case of catastrophe or some untoward happening made it necessary for us to be self-supporting.  He was "before his time", in a manner of speaking!  He was proud of our accomplishments and our scholarship.”  He took in his two grandsons, Gerald and Bruce Hildreth, when their mother was divorced, adding two more mouths to feed.

His wife, Theresa, my great grandmother moved her family to a smaller place after he died and she died just three years later at the age of 63. 




Front: Marjorie, Helen, Theresa, Catherine

Back: Charles "Tom", Jane, Charles Coon, Jane's Husband, Theresa Rosalia, Charles Lawrence Tobey

 

Theresa Rosalia Haselbauer Tobey -- 1875 - 1938 my great grandmother

Some memories from her daughter, Helen Tobey Burr related to me in 1998

Theresa "Tessie" Rosalia Haselbauer

 Mother must have had at least a grade school education.  I recollect that I always admired her handwriting, always observed in our excuses we carried to school, or her grocery lists.  It always puzzled me that she closed her notes to our teachers with the words (the closing): "and oblige" _____.  Her wording was always logical and punctuated correctly.  Theresa Haselbauer was pampered and spoiled (I believe), having been born after her two brothers!  She owned her own horse and rig, at a fairly early age.  (I suppose the equivalent of today's kid having his first car!)  The horse was white and was frequently stained from lying in the "effluvia" collecting in the stable.  On her own, Mom made a "diaper" for her horse out of her waterproof raincoat, fastened it on her horse's rear.  Mom was SO surprised in the morning to find her beautiful coat trampled in the mess in the straw in the stable.  Her own mother was furious at her, at such foolishness and such a loss!

Mom was a beautiful young girl.  She admitted that when Dad was courting her, she entertained him on the front piazza, while a second suitor was waiting to call on her on another porch on their home.  That hopeful young man was the grandfather of our present congressman from our area: Senator Armory Hougton, who is now rapidly approaching his retirement year.

I recall this story of Dad's (Charles Tobey) courtship:  they each possessed the great 3 wheel bikes.  On a Sunday afternoons they wheeled out for picnics.  Sometimes their destination was Rorick's Glen, on the side nearest to Corning - the south--the park still exists, close to Elmira, but in a different mode, more commercialized--less rustic as it was in those days.  I recollect, in the early 20's that mom would accompany Alice (5 years older than I) to a dance pavilion in Rorick's Glen.  Alice had no date.  Mom just chaperoned her.  We went by trolley car.  I sat with Mom while Alice "danced the light fantastic"  I guess it was called a "jitney dance".  The fellows bought 10 cent tickets to dance.  Alice was a popular "free-lance partner".  I recall getting SO tired before we could catch a trolley for home.  Mom was kept alert because of Alice's popularity and daring...she never did anything to disgrace us but she was more of a "free spirit" than any of us!  Mom tried to hold her in--and she succeeded, I know, but they did have quite a few arguments, which always distressed me.  I always took Mom's part (in my mind) and felt that Alice was unappreciative.  I guess this was in the "flapper period--the early 20's"

Joseph Gillett and the Bloody Brook Massacre 18 Sep 1675

In 1675 our ancestor, Joseph Gillett was age 34, the same age as my son, with 7 children living in the outpost of Deerfield, Massachusetts.  He and his wife, Elizabeth Hawks moved to Deerfield after they got married in 1663 to seek their fortune.  It was on the edge of the frontier at that time. During September, 1675, bands of warriors roamed the Connecticut River valley, attacking villagers as they worked in the fields or traveled between villages on business.  The villagers decided to move their families to the fort at Hadley, Massachusetts until the violence settled down.  The men went back to Deerfield along with Captain Lathrop and 80 men to bring their grain into the fort. Joseph was one of these Deerfield men.

“The force was so large, surely no warriors would attack them. As the convoy emerged from the dense forest into a narrow, swampy thicket, it slowed down to cross a brook. Realizing the crossing would take a long time as each heavily-laden cart lumbered across, the soldiers tossed their rifles on top of the wheat and prepared to relax. Some soldiers began to gather the grapes growing alongside the brook. At a given signal, hundreds of warriors, who were lying concealed all around the spot, opened fire on the convoy. Chaos followed, bullets and arrows flew from every direction. Captain Lathrop immediately fell. Of the 80 soldiers, only 7 or 8 escaped; none of the Deerfield men who were driving the carts survived.”

Battle of Bloody Brook

Our ancestor, Joseph, age 34, father of seven was killed. Because of the nature of the slaughter, the brook was renamed “Bloody Brook” by which name it is known today.  I was fortunate enough to stand at the side of that brook and stand by the monument that was erected in honor of those who were killed. 

His four year old son, John, our ancestor, was kidnapped by Indians and taken to Canada 21 years later—but that is yet another story.