The Smith Family of Columbiaville, New York
1-- CORNELL SMITH was born abt 1735, perhaps in Rhode Island, perhaps on Long Island, New York. We have found several men of this name scattered throughout New York at about the same time. There is Cornell Smith of Harpersfield, Delaware, New York, living in 1800 and serving as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace there. Also, Cornell Smith of Hempstead, Long Island, New York, who may have married Mercy Bedell in 1753 (and, who, in turn had a son named Cornell). Then there is the Cornell Smith of Halfmoon, Saratoga, New York, who was born about 1801 (said to have mar. Sarah "Sally" Frasier). Historical notes by Thomas P. Hughes in 1888, says Cornell of Long Island was father to Amos of Long Island, but some older "IGI" records say Rhode Island. There are records of slave owners in Hempstead, Queens County, and among them is a Cornell Smith, a Thomas Tredwell, Thomas and Soln Seaman. It is possible that these people are related. A birth record of a slave near Fonda, New York exists, for "Harry" son of "Jenny" with the note "Corn Smith's" born 12 Feb 1798, but we don't know if there is any connection.
Our Cornell may have married Miss TREDWELL, who was born about 1737, also in Rhode Island (possibly). There are many Tredwells and Treadwells living in this part of New York at the time of this marriage. Considering that we don't know her first name, it would be impossible to trace her as yet.
Known child of Cornell & his wife:
i. ----- 2-- AMOS SMITH (1765-1834); m. abt 1783, ELIZABETH SIMMONS or SEAMAN
- - - - Generation 2 - - - -
2-- AMOS SMITH (Cornell--1) was born 1765 and died in 1834 in Stockport, Albany/Columbia, New York.
Amos may have married ELIZABETH SEAMAN, or perhaps ELIZABETH SIMMONS. A marriage took place on 3 Apr 1786 between Amos Smith and Elizabeth Simmons, at St. George's Church in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. This was found in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, a Quarterly publication from 1882, pg. 80. We don't know for sure.
Child of Amos & Elizabeth:
Amos may have married ELIZABETH SEAMAN, or perhaps ELIZABETH SIMMONS. A marriage took place on 3 Apr 1786 between Amos Smith and Elizabeth Simmons, at St. George's Church in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. This was found in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, a Quarterly publication from 1882, pg. 80. We don't know for sure.
Child of Amos & Elizabeth:
i. ----- 3-- CORNELL SMITH (1795-1853); 1817, RACHAEL VAN VALKENBURG
- - - - Generation 3 - - - -
3-- CORNELL SMITH (Amos--2; Cornell--1) was born about 1795. It is unknown if he was born in Rhode Island or New York. Some old IGI records (often speculative from private trees), say he was born in Rhode Island. Only one Census reference includes family members and birth locations --- that of 1850. That record says Cornell was born in New York. That agrees with the historical notation by Thomas P. Hughes, locating our Smiths in Long Island, New York. Cornell died in 1853, and is probably buried at the Smith Family Cemetery in Rossman, Columbia County, New York, just off Hwy 9.
Cornell married RACHAEL VAN VALKENBURG in 1816 or 1817. Rachel was born 6 Dec 1797, probably in Caughnawaga, or what is now called Fonda, in Montgomery County, New York. Her parents were JACOB J. VAN VALKENBURG and BEATJE (Elizabeth) LEGGET (or, LEAGET), who, according to earlier versions of the Van Valkenburg e-book, were married in 1791. (One researcher says parents were Jerommus Van Valkenburg and Margarieta Van Dyke who baptized a daughter named Rachel on Jan 8 1798 in the Schenectady DRC and gave her death year as 1853. There is yet another Rachel of the same period, one baptized 30 June 1793 in Kinderhook DRC, dau of Jochim B. Van Valkenburg and Christina Fonda.) Rachael died 14 Feb 1874 in Stockport and is buried in the Smith Family Cemetery in Rossman.
Cornell married RACHAEL VAN VALKENBURG in 1816 or 1817. Rachel was born 6 Dec 1797, probably in Caughnawaga, or what is now called Fonda, in Montgomery County, New York. Her parents were JACOB J. VAN VALKENBURG and BEATJE (Elizabeth) LEGGET (or, LEAGET), who, according to earlier versions of the Van Valkenburg e-book, were married in 1791. (One researcher says parents were Jerommus Van Valkenburg and Margarieta Van Dyke who baptized a daughter named Rachel on Jan 8 1798 in the Schenectady DRC and gave her death year as 1853. There is yet another Rachel of the same period, one baptized 30 June 1793 in Kinderhook DRC, dau of Jochim B. Van Valkenburg and Christina Fonda.) Rachael died 14 Feb 1874 in Stockport and is buried in the Smith Family Cemetery in Rossman.
It has been said that Rachael was involved in spiritualism, although, according to the book, "Mamit," her husband, Cornell, was supposedly a lay preacher in the Universalist church locally.
A member of this family, Rachel Smith, known as "Aunt Rachel" was a member of a group of spiritualists who met regularly to hold seances. She was reported to have supernatural powers and could read minds. She was also a very good story teller and was very well liked. Aunt Rachel lived a long life, and upon her death in 1875, according to her family, she became a congenial spirit. She would not terrify the living. She would rock her old chair by the stove or playfully yank out pillows from sleeping peoples' heads. After her death, Aunt Rachel's nephew also died from Typhoid fever. His wife, also ill, was too sick to be told. Upon her recovery, a relative went to break the news, but the woman stopped him before he could speak, saying, "You don't have to tell me. I know everything. You see, Aunt Rachel was here." ---- "Little Columbiaville and Its Big History" by Mindy Potts. Webpage by Cliff Lamere, 6 Jun 2003
Children of Cornell and Rachael:
i. --------- (Daughter) SMITH b. 1817-1820 (20-30 years old 1840 Census)
ii. -------- (Daughter) SMITH b. 1817-1820 (20-30 years old 1840 Census)
iii. ------- JOHN SMITH b. 1823, Stockport, Columbia, NY; d. poss 18 Nov 1891 (by M. F.)
iv. -------- AMOS SMITH b. 1828, NY; d. __
v. --------- RACHAEL SMITH b. 1830, NY; d. after 1880, poss 14 Feb 1904 (by M.F.)
vi. ---- 4-- ISAAC SMITH (1832-aft 1900); m. JULIA E. SHOOK
vii. --- 5-- CORNELL SMITH (1834-1877); m. bet 1860 & 1865, MARY E. ___
viii. -- 6-- JACOB SMITH (1836-1912); m. bet 1860 & 1865, HELEN INGERSOLL
ix. ---- 7-- ROBERT LANSING SMITH (1841-1914); m. 1872, SARAH ELIZA JARY
- - - - Generation 4 - - - -
4-- ISAAC SMITH (Cornell--3; Amos--2; Cornell--1) was born 5 Apr 1832 in Stockport, Columbia, New York. Researcher, Dawn B. says he died of a heart attack 28 Aug 1900, just after he was shown in the 1900 U.S. Census for Stockport. In that census, he was 68 years old and had been married 33 years.
Isaac married JULIA E. SHOOK, the daughter of JACOB H. SHOOK and HARRIET. (Kilcer Family Tree @ Ancestry.com says Harriet Melius, and says Julia's middle name is Etta.) Julia was born about April of 1844, in Massachusetts (in which state all of her siblings were born), although in 1850, her parents were said to be from New York.
Children of Isaac & Julia:
Isaac married JULIA E. SHOOK, the daughter of JACOB H. SHOOK and HARRIET. (Kilcer Family Tree @ Ancestry.com says Harriet Melius, and says Julia's middle name is Etta.) Julia was born about April of 1844, in Massachusetts (in which state all of her siblings were born), although in 1850, her parents were said to be from New York.
Children of Isaac & Julia:
i. --------- FRANK B. SMITH (1872-1905?); m. EVA J. ASPIN
ii. -------- ROBERT E. SMITH (1899-__); m. JULIA __
iii. ------- ISAAC R. SMITH b. abt 1902; d. __
5-- CORNELL SMITH (Cornell--3; Amos--2; Cornell--1) was born about 1834, probably in Stockport, Columbia, New York. He died, according to "Albany Rural Cemetery Burial Cards," on 6 Jan 1877, the cause given as Consumption. This Cornell is the one said to have been poisoned by a distraught neighbor after he had failed to heal their son through the use of his training as an "Eclectic Physician," or "Magnetic Physician." This family legend may have been created to allay doubts toward this 'medical' practice, as was apparently carried on by his wife for a while after his death. In the New York State Census for 1865 and the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Cornell's occupation was Leather Draper and Fruit Dealer, both connected with the Smith business in Columbia County. The U.S. City Directory for Hudson, New York that year, said Cornell's work was "Physician and Fruits." But, in the City Directory Index for 1871 he was listed as "Dr." Cornell Smith, and in 1875, in the New York State Census for Albany, New York, his occupation was Magnetic Physician. |
By the time of the City Directory for 1874, he had broken away from the Smith farm completely, and his occupation was listed as "Magnetic Physician and Turkish baths." He was an officer of the Albany County Eclectic Medical Society. Cornell's will was probated 26 Jan 1877.
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It appears that Cornell married MARY ELIZABETH DUNHAM, daughter of SALA GAMALIEL DUNHAM. He was single in 1860 and married by 1863, at the draft registration for the Civil War. The Census reports say that Mary was born in Massachusetts around 1844, and online Family Trees indicate that her family goes back to the Mayflower, and beyond into England. In the Albany City Directory for 1877, The occupation "magnetic physician and Turkish baths" was attributed to Mrs. Cornell Smith. Mary and her children were found as boarders in the home of Elizabeth Jones of Albany in the 1880 Census. Her marital status was given as 'married,' although this was some three years after Cornell's death.
Children of Cornell and Mary E:
Children of Cornell and Mary E:
i. --------- CHARLES WILLIS SMITH b. abt 1864; d. __ (Willey F, 1865 and William 1870)
ii. -------- EMMA VIRGINIA SMITH b. abt 1866; d. __ (1870, 1875, 1880)
6-- JACOB SMITH (Cornell--3; Amos--2; Cornell-1) was born in 1836 in Stockport, Columbia, New York, possibly 11th October, as given by Dawn B. and Mark F. The book "Mamit" indicates that Jacob died during the Civil War, but we have found him as late as the 1910 U.S. Census, for Stockport, Columbia. In the New York State Census for 1865, he was married and a 'Tanner.' In 1870, he was a 'Wool Puller,' and in 1880, 'Dealer in Wools and Skins." No census is available for 1890, but in 1900, he was a Day Laborer, and by 1910, was living on "own income." His wife was a widow by 1920. Jacob was buried at Old Mount Ida Cemetery, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. The stone marking Jacob's grave contains his name, plus the names of his wife, son and daughter-in-law. The stone reads that the mother and son died the same year, but may not be accurate.
Jacob married LYDIA HELEN INGERSOLL, known as Hellen, in 1863. Helen was the daughter of JOHN INGERSOLL and his wife ELIZABETH, and was born about 1843 in Columbia County, New York. She was still living at the time of the 1920 Census, in Stockport, Columbia, and a Death Notice reads: "1923, Jan 23: Mrs. Helen I. Smith of Stockport." She, too, was buried at Old Mount Ida Cemetery in Troy, New York. This name is not certain, as an online tree states that Jacob's wife was named Helen M. Cooke, the 'Cooke' being the middle name of Jacob's son, Ernest. Indeed, the form for Civil War Pensions does give the name Helen M. Smith as claimant. On the other hand, census records for the family (which seemed to always stay together as a foursome), show the son Ernest C. as Music Teacher. This will bear more investigation.
The following excerpt was taken from the eBook "Emma Willard and Her Pupils: or, Fifty Years of Troy Female Seminary, 1822-1872" edited by Mary Mason Fairbanks:
INGERSOLL, HELEN
Daughter of John and Elizabeth Ingersoll, was born in Stockport, Columbia Co., N. Y.
Her father was a farmer, and she a happy conutry lass, eager for knowledge and in love with nature, finding joy in the beautiful things of our beautiful world. She entered Troy Seminary in 1861, but was called home the same year by her father's illness.
Subsequently she gave instruction upon the piano and organ, and has served as church organist for more than thirteen years. An art student also, she has occupied herself with classes in oil painting.
In 1863, she married Jacob Smith. An only son, Ernest C. Smith, is a composer and teacher of music.
Child of Jacob and Helen:
i. --------- ERNEST C. SMITH b. Nov. 1870; d. 1922; bur. Old Mount Ida Cemetery, Troy, NY; m. CLARA E. __
7-- ROBERT LANSING SMITH (Cornell--3; Amos--2; Cornell--1) was born 11 May 1841, probably in Stockport, Columbia, New York. He died 30 Jan 1914 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska. Robert was a Carpenter, Machinist, and Inventor running his own machine shop in Lincoln. The following description was found at the Nebraska Project Resource Center On-Line Library:
R. L. SMITH MACHINE WORKS, Corner M and Ninth Streets.--The works established in 1875 have ever occupied a prominent place among the institutions of the city. Mr. Smith is a native of New York and came to this State in 1868. He has had thirty years' experience in this business and is capable of supplying everything desired in his line. Five machinists are employed, and engines, boilers, steam-pumps shafting hangers, pulleys and general machinery and supplies are manufactured and repaired. They occupy two floors of a building 25x100 feet, with a pattern shop 18x36 feet, and carry a $15,000 stock. Six years of careful and consistent labor in his business has successfully established him in the confidence of the people.
Robert was buried at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. A large monument stone was erected in his honor, likely the wishes of his wife Sarah, who was deeply in love with Robert, her loneliness expressed years later in a letter to her daughter.
Robert married SARAH ELIZA JARY on 31 Dec 1872, in Palmyra, Otoe, Nebraska. Sarah was the daughter of ROBERT JARY and ELIZA PARFREY, both born in England. She was born 8 Nov 1852 in Ontario, Canada, and died 21 Oct 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was buried at Wyuka Cemetery, near Robert, a small plaque marking her location. Sarah taught school in Palmyra when she was in her teens.
Children of Robert & Sarah:
Robert married SARAH ELIZA JARY on 31 Dec 1872, in Palmyra, Otoe, Nebraska. Sarah was the daughter of ROBERT JARY and ELIZA PARFREY, both born in England. She was born 8 Nov 1852 in Ontario, Canada, and died 21 Oct 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was buried at Wyuka Cemetery, near Robert, a small plaque marking her location. Sarah taught school in Palmyra when she was in her teens.
Children of Robert & Sarah:
i. --------- EDNA MAY SMITH (1873-__); m1. 1893, CHARLES C. ALLEN; m2. W. O. JOHNSON
ii. -------- RENA LENORA SMITH (1876-1956); m. 1900, WILLIAM HENRY MILLER