Henry Birdsall’s Family Tree

Tags

Abashaby Birdsall, Abram Storms, Amos Parsons, Archaeology, Chauncy Rogers, Chenango Canal, Chenango County, Chenango County NY, Chenango Forks, Deborah Birdsall, Dutchess County NY, educational, Eliza Birdsall, Emma Rosell, Emma Tuthill, Epinetus Birdsall, George McClellan Birdsall, Gloudy Hamilton, Greene NY, Henry Birdsall, Horace Birdsall, Jean Guillaume deBesse, John BIrdsall, Margaret Birdsall, Maria Birdsall, Mariah Birdsall, Merritt, Nathan Birdsall, Oliver Hoyt, Polly Birdsall, Rachel Birdsall, Sarah Birdsall, Thomas Tew, Town of Greene, Triphosia Birdsall, Tryphose

This family tree has been generated from wills, deeds and cemetery records as well as from visits to the small Birdsall Family cemetery. There are several holes in this tree that could be filled in with additional effort. Other documents such as newspaper entries and census data could be used to verify data listed elsewhere in this blog.

Henry Birdsall and Abashaby Birdsall established residence in the Town of Greene about 1812. They brought with them several of their children.  They had previously resided in Westchester County, Town of Salem, NY.

NOTE:   Legends –

 % indicates that the person’s NAME came from Henry Birdsall’s will.

 # indicates that the DATE/NAME came from North Fenton Cemetery Records.

* indicates that the DATE/NAME came from a Birdsall Family Cemetery stone.

 Othere sources cited individually.

Due to not knowing exactly which lineage Henry Birdsall originated from I am assigning him as first generation with the superscript of ¹. His descendants will be assigned their proper generation number (superscript designation) as they appear in the tree.

Henry ¹ Birdsall, born ~ 11/29/1758, died 26 Dec 1837, age 79 married Abashaby¹ (Basheba), born ~ 10/1755, died 9/23/1848, age 93        %, *

Henry¹ and Abashaby had Children, all born in Westchester County:

Hester², daughter, born ~ 1783, died 9 Nov 1849, married Isaac Marshall, he born     ~1780,     died 9 Feb 1861        %, *

Fanny², daughter, born  ?,   died  ?, married Tyrus Page, he born ?, died ?    %

Abashaby², daughter, born ~1790, died 21 Oct 1854, married Oliver Hoyt, he born ? died ?     %, #

Rachel², daughter, born ?, died ?, married Gloudy Hamilton (son of Amos), he born ?, died ?      %

Deborah², daughter, born ~ 1798, died 1881, married Amos Parsons, he born 1792,  died 1841       %, *

Eliza², daughter, born ?, died ?, married Chauncy Rogers, he born ?, died ?

Horace², son, born ~ 1799, died 1850, married Tryphose (Triphosia), she born ~ 1802, died 13 Jun 1871          %, #

Henry², son, born ~ 15 May 1791, died 9 Feb 1879, married Margaret, she born ~19 Jan 1789, died 10 Feb 1869      %

Polly², daughter, born ?, died ?, married a Merritt, he born ?, died ?      %

     Horace² and Tryphose had children

              Epinetus³ (Epantus), born ~ 1826, died 28 Nov 1893, married Sarah, She born ?, died ?

                        Epinetus³ and Sarah had children:

                                        George McClellan⁴, born ~ 3/1865, died 22 Jan 1867  #

                                         Maria⁴ (Mariah), born ~ 1822, died 12 Jul 1856 #

                                                Maria had child Emma Rosell ⁵, born 1850  same person named Emma Tuthill listed in 1855 census as living with mother Maria & grandmother Triphosia

      Henry² and Margaret had children:

            John³, born ~ 1 Mar 1818, died 3 May 1881, married Hannah (Jane or HJ), she born 1821, died ?      *

            John³ and Hannah had children:

                      Clarissa⁴, born 10 Apr 1847 (from Chen. Cty. Vital records), died ?, married a Delamarter, he Born ?, died ?.    (from deeds)

                       Alice⁴, born 15 Jun 1848, died 19 Feb 1929,married Theodore Turner, born ?, died 24 Feb 1929 (from deeds)

                                    Alice⁴ and Theodore Turner had children:

                                                    Floyd B.⁵ Turner, born ?, died ?.

                                                     Carrie J.⁵ Turner, born 1871, died 25 Feb 1929, married Johnson E. Burrows, he born 1863, died ?.(from deed and #)

                                                         Carrie J.⁵ and Johson Burrows had children:

                                                                               Walter T.⁶ Burrows

                                                                                Alice R.⁶  Burrow (from deeds)

 

            Polly² and a Merrit had children:

                        Steven³, born ?, died ?.    %

                        Alice³, born ?, died ?       %

                        Abigail³, born ?, died ?   %

                        Polly³, born ~ 1809, died 23 Jun 1856, married Lockwood Montross, he Born ?,  died ?.     %, *

                                        Polly³ and Lockwood Montross had children:

                                                John S.⁴ Montross, born ~ 1829, died 1 Sep 1851  *

            Deborah² and Amos Parsons had children:

                        Henry³, born ~ 1839, died 1858     *

                        Alvah³, born ~ 1829, died 1872 *

A DISCLAIMER:  Although my apparent interest in the Birdsall family may lend some to think I am related I must clarify that I am not.

This is the end of the series of archaeological research posts on the Birdsalls.

The next series (starting this week) will be discussing the life of a neighbor of the Birdsall family, prior to his living in New York State;

JEAN GUILLIAUME De BESSE (John Bessac)

CONCLUSION: To a private archaeology

Tags

Abram Storms, Archaeology, Benjamin Birdsall, Birdsall, Birdsall Cemetery, Chenango Canal, Chenango County, Chenango County NY, Chenango Forks, David Davis, Dutchess County NY, educational, Greene NY, Henry Birdsall, History, Hudson Valley, Jean Guillaume deBesse, John BIrdsall, Juliand, Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall, North Fenton, Oyster Bay, Preston Manor, Quaker, Revolutionary War, Thomas Tew, Town of Barker, Town of Greene

CONCLUSION

Before anything else in this conclusion I must admit that despite the gathering of historical documents, and in conversation with a resident of the Village of Green, I continue to be plagued by one simple fact; one document and one conversation identify Henry and Benjamin Birdsall as brothers.

 I remain to be convinced of that.

 It is documented that Benjamin was raised a Quaker and rejected his creed, therefore his rejection of pacifism. He did this in order to join the Revolutionary Forces. The remainder of Benjamin’s life and continuity of his descendants then holds true; i.e., mutual benefits in all endeavors, “one for all and all for one, no matter the risk”.

If Henry and Benjamin were indeed brothers, then Henry was a Quaker and this would explain the culture he carried and passed on to his kin.  Pacifism appears almost as a given. Brotherhood with neighbors and in-laws appears to be a given. BUT, I have no direct proof that Henry was a Quaker. AND, Henry could have been a Quaker without being Benjamin’s brother.

Despite the above facts there appears to be too large of a gap between Henry’s culture and Benjamin’s culture. There is no mention of business or social activities between the two. Henry and his son(s) could not write their names (and therefore it is assumed that they could not read). Benjamin’s sons could read and write. Henry’s family tended to migrate locally and Benjamin’s tended to migrate across the USA. There is no commonality in lawyers names on legal documents of the two. If they were brothers, why would they settle so close to each other and not continue the relationship?

Despite that burning question let us get on with the conclusion. We have sufficient documentation, copies of historical records, excerpts from historical books and theory from archaeological books and articles, and last, a smattering of artifacts.

Louann Wurst, 1999, tells us that “The wealthy farmers were publicly conspicuous in their use of material culture.”  I do not see the Henry Birdsalls as being terribly wealthy but they were not terribly poor either. I do not see the Henry Birdsalls as being publicly conspicuous in their material culture. From this I must assume that the Henry Birdsalls were somewhat introverted, and that appears to be born out in their daily work and lives.

They could have easily traded raw unworked stone for a finished “grand monument” in their family cemetery. Their family cemetery is reverent and simple and the stones progress in design as the century progressed in time.

Birdsall Family Cemetery

Wurst (1999) also states that “[wealthy farmers] occupied a highly visible place in the community through their presence in the local “vanity press” histories, the use of large ostentatious gravestones, and the construction of large, costly Greek Revival style homes.”

We have looked at the gravestones and home sites of the Henry Birdsall family and neither are ostentatious. However, in comparison are the gravestones of Benjamin Birdsall’s descendants (see Appendix H, cemetery records and photos), and what you can read about them in the “History of Greene”, or peruse the background of “Maurice Birdsall, banker, [who] obtained plans from I.G.Perry [famous Binghamton, NY architect], and from them built, in 1873, what was the most expensive residence built in the village to that time. It far exceeded the estimated cost of $8,000- – -“, as stated in “Echoes of the Past”, Mildred Folsom, 2nd printing 1991.

A second anomaly of the Henry Birdsall compound is the scattered sheet midden (garbage strewn) in close proximity to the side door of the last existing home on the eastern side of Stillwater Road . This is not what one would expect at the turn of the century (‘1890’s). Yet the artifacts do date to that time. Epinetus is the last Birdsall living in that home.

Newspaper records place his death as occurring on November 28th, 1893 in Preston, NY. The County [Poor] House records show a bill for one “Nathan” Birdsall who died on November 28th, 1893 in Preston, NY as well as a bill dated November 29th, for Two Burial Cases and Outside Boxes, one set for Margaret Hicks and one for Nathan Birdsall.

Aside from the bureaucracy renaming poor Epinetus to “Nathan” it is most likely that Epinetus could no longer take care of himself either physically or mentally while at home. If his mobility was limited he would surely be throwing his garbage out the side door. However, the “Brunswick Pattern” of discards indicates a low percentage of bone; exactly what was found in the scatter pattern found at Epinetus’ house. South (1977) stated that the lack of bone was a conscious decision; bone and other garbage that would attract animals was thrown far away from the home. Was Epinetus more mobile and thoughtful than it would appear or did someone else live in the home after Epinetus?

Sian Jones (1999), writing about ethnicity states “[Textual sources] rather than being taken at face value, – – should be considered in terms of the social and political contexts in which they were produced, the positions and interests of the authors and the audiences – – and the roles that texts play in – – cultural identity”

I hope that these concerns have not only been taken into consideration, but also stated throughout this paper. I would hasten to add that I, the author, should also be questioned as you are reading this material. My vantage point should not be your vantage point. However, I hope that my vantage point has enlightened your knowledge of the Henry Birdsall family.

Sian Jones (1999) has made the point that “Shared habitual dispositions provide a basis for the recognition of commonalties of sentiment and interest, and the perception and communication of cultural affinities and differences, which ethnicity entails.”

Hence, my reason for including the narrative about the friendship between Henry Birdsall and Abram Storms. They, although possibly unconsciously, recognized the similarities and differences in their ethnicity. John Bessac and David D. Davis’ ethnicity  would also play a part in this discourse. Henry and Abram would likely “mentally misstep” when attempting to assimilate what they heard and saw about each of the distinct and different ethnic backgrounds of John Bessac and David D. Davis.

Sian Jones reflects these missteps as ” – – taken for granted modes of behavior. Such exposure to the arbitrariness of cultural practices, which had hitherto been taken as self-evident and natural, permits and requires a change in the level of discourse – – -.”

Henry and Abram had to think differently to conceive what Davis and Bessac were ethnically displaying. This was surely a learning experience and possibly some minor cultural adaptations took place on the part of Henry and Abram . . . . . and possibly on Davis and Bessac also.

Cook, Yamin and McCarthy, Historical Archaeology, 1996, state that the term “socioeconomic status – – – appears to have found its way into the discipline [of historical archaeology] without any critical evaluation of its assumptions. Among these is the assumption that social status and economic status are somehow equivalent, or that the two concepts cannot or should not be analyzed separately from one another.”

Obviously I have fallen into that trap as this paper discusses social status, social levels, economic levels and socioeconomic levels all in one section on class and ethnicity. I have attempted to break that section down into subsections describing each of the above. I hope that I  have not confused the reader.

That would leave this conclusion with more questions than answers. However, thanks to Wurst’s article on “Internalizing Class”, other methods were made available that give us a sense of who Henry and Benjamin were, whether they gave cultural continuity to their descendants, and the way this continuity played in the face of a farm economy that was changing into a capital economy.

The whole has been broken down into its manageable parts and analyzed.      

It is now up to the reader to reassemble those parts back into a whole that tells a story about two families, separated by culture (and possibly not by birth), who each wove their way through life in very different ways.  However different, each family left the world in better condition that they found it; and that is our inheritance whether you are a descendant or an unrelated observer, such as I.

THERE WILL BE SIX OR SEVEN MORE POSTS THAT WILL ACT AS THE APPENDICES; Historical documents and photos.

© Copyright – Waldo Tomosky

MODE OF PRODUCTION: Phase 6 of a Private Archaeology

Tags

Abram Storms, Archaeology, Benjamin Birdsall, Birdsall, Chenango Canal, Chenango County, Chenango County NY, Chenango Forks, d'Autremont, David Davis, Dutchess County NY, educational, Garnsey, Greene NY, Henry Birdsall, History, Hudson Valley, Jean Guillaume deBesse, Juliand, Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall, Mode of production, Morris, North Fenton, Oyster Bay, Quaker, Revolutionary War, Thomas Tew, Town of Barker, Town of Greene, Treat, value of property, wages

Henry Birdsall’s mode of earning a living was from farming. The land that he had purchased was configured like the farms cut out of the Hudson Valley territory. That is, it was long and narrow, giving the owner access to the river for transportation, access to flat lands for growing crops, and lastly, having a large upland section that could be used for lumber or grazing.

A history of Henry’s Farming Property

This land was originally in the hands of the Oneida and Tuscarora native americans. Subsequent to the Treaty of 1785 it was divided into eight townships, one being Greene.  A tract of 15,360 acres was granted to Malachi Treat and William W. Morris and subdivided by their agent Charles Boulogne. A portion of this was sold to Madame d’Autremont and other refugees from the French Civil War.

Madame d’Autremont and a few others lived on the land for a few years. Boulogne died without filing a power of attorney that he had from Morris and Treat. The land sale was therefore voided.

These refugees subsequently moved on to Asylum near Wyalusing, PA.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=53304924

Tallyrand visited the French Asylum and took one of d’Autremont’s sons with him as an aide. That son filed a suit to override the voided sale and won. The following is that petition to the French Courts.

International law stated that court decisions such as this in France were valid in the United States. The land was returned Madame d’Autremont.

A Chenango County lawyer, Peter B. Garnsey, purchased Madame d’Autremont’s portion of 300 acres. The deed states that these 300 acres could be selected from within a nine mile stretch southward along the east side of the Chenango River. Peter B. Garnsey sold a 100 acre section to Henry Birdsall. This 100 acres turned out to be approximately 170 acres and was not necessarily the property that Madame d’Autremont resided on during her short stay in Greene; 1792 – 1796. However it was most probably the property path:     d’Autremont to Garnsey to Birdsall.

(See Appendix G, “Property Specific Documents”)

Henry and his family made good use of the property. Some of the produce that they generated and the tools that they used in production were;

Rye and wheat at $5 per bushel, milk and cows valued at $13-$24 each, calves, a wind mill, dry casks for storage, hay at $  .25  per hundredweight, hay forks, potatoes at  $ .25 per bushel, grinding stones, plow shares (cast), vinegar and vinegar casks, round [spoke?] shaver, adz’, staple & ring [weaving or animal neuter device?], looms, harness, frowers[?],  iron wedges, corn, wagons, stored barrels of pork, tubs of lard, cedar storage barrels, and corn plows, hogs worth $7.80 each,  churns, tubs filled with butter, and brass kettles.

Henry also carried at least nine promissory notes which indicates that he also collected interest as a means of monitory production. Most of his notes were to family and neighbors making it apparent that he viewed this lending as a sign of support more than a main means of earning a living.

In addition to the above Henry also had two large quarries that were surely used for stone for the canal lock on his property and possibly for other nearby canal locks. In addition once the railroad was established Henry’s descendants had the opportunity to ship stone to  New York City. Upstate stone was in great demand for construction projects down state.

The canal also yielded other opportunities for earning a living. The construction of locks, bridges and culverts was accomplished by local people. Henry’s son-in-laws, Thomas Tew and Gloudy Hamilton were contracted by the Canal Board to build a sluice on Lock #34 and a wooden culvert over a stream. David D. Davis, one of Henry’s neighbors, constructed a sluice around Lock #29. Tew, Hamilton and Davis made $62.50, $464.00 and $139.28 respectively for these contracts. Henry [Jr.?] was paid $30 to move his barn. Fence moving/building was also a means of earning money. David D. Davis was paid $164.25 to build a new fence, Henry Birdsall was paid $133. 31 for his new fence and Gloudy Hamilton was paid $212.62 for a new fence. Chauncy Rogers, another of Henry’s son-in-laws, was paid workers wages to repair a dam at Chenango Forks. John Rogers was the contractor working on the dam which was owned by S. Rogers. Chauncy was probably paid $17 or $18 per month which was a dollar less than those working in Binghamton. This discrepancy in wages caused job walk-offs as disgusted workers returned to their fields for harvest.

Henry Birdsall is also listed in the Binghamton Library Names Card file as applying for the position of Lock-tender in Chenango Forks, possibly the lock on his property. This must have been Henry [Jr.] as Henry [Sr.] was deceased at this time. [There is no source for this information other than this note on a card.]

Benjamin Birdsall’s mode of earning a living was from various enterprises. There was a quarry on the west side of the Chenango River and several enterprises on the Genegantslet River. Due to Benjamin’s Last Will and Testament being missing we do not know the extent of real estate that he held. At that time real estate appeared in the will and personal property was recorded as an inventory. From the following it can be gathered that Benjamin did hold some real estate until his death but his personal property was quite meager.

Benjamin’s mode of production can be seen in the following summary of his personal property: One yoke of oxen (out on loan) worth $50, one looking glass worth $1, one bureau worth $7, one cow, one bed and bedding, one table, necessary clothing for the widow of the deceased properly given to the widow by statute.

                                    Debts due to Benjamin when he died:

1.   A lease for a clothing works and privileges on the Genegantslet River to Arron Dewey and Nicholas B Slater for 30 years, payable starting June 1828, and continuing until paid at the rate of $100 per year. Mortgage to be secured by building and machinery on the premises. Said mortgage clandestinely got into the hands of one Joseph Pixley who claimed he owned the property. {Due to this confusion} there remains due two installments of $100 each and 4 months besides interest and it remains the decision of the estate as to follow this claim which is doubtful as to collection.     $255

2.  A lease for a grist mill on the Genegantslet River to Joseph Pixley of Waterloo in Seneca County for the term of 2 years at a rate of $200 per annum.. Some amount was paid but the remainder is questionable as the circumstances of said Pixley is doubtful.   $266.50

3.  Benjamin Birdsall {late Junior} occupied the Mill House on the Genegantslet belonging to  the deceased from the spring of 1824 without written or verbal lease rather known as the annual rent of $200.   $800

{Said Benjamin Birdsall is notoriously insolvent & it is doubtful whether any part of this amount can be collected from him.}

4.   A judgment on Bond of Atty. entered upon April 1821 in favor of the deceased against Morris S. Birdsall for the amount of:  $238    Costs=$10

{It has been said that this judgment has been canceled by the deceased afore his death, also that the said Morris Birdsall is in doubtful circumstances and it is doubtful whether this amount can be collected.}

5.    Two notes against Nehemiah Walker of Smithville in Chenango County. These notes are now outlawed and said Walker has taken the benefits of insolvency and is now poor. The collection of any part of these notes is very doubtful.          Value = $0

Comparison:

Henry Birdsall appeared to have several modes of production: farming, quarrying, and miscellaneous fill-in activities. These activities were labor intensive and did not allow for leisure except during the dark hours of evening or bitter cold winter days. Even then, the emergencies of new farm animals being born and the feeding and watering of stock in the dead of winter must have kept Henry well occupied.

Benjamin Birdsall, as a man of enterprise, worked his businesses at day and most likely to have been required to work the social circuit evenings and weekends. Contacts and opportunities came about during those times of social intercourse. People had to get to know each other quite well to entrust their invested money in each other’s projects. I am sure that social gatherings, where the males gathered together, were also places where a person learned ‘where not’ to invest his money.

© Copyright – Waldo Tomosky

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS: Phase 5 of a Private Archaeology

Tags

Abram Storms, Archaeology, Benjamin Birdsall, Birdsall, Chenango Canal, Chenango County, Chenango County NY, Chenango Forks, David Davis, Dutchess County NY, educational, Greene NY, Henry Birdsall, History, Hudson Valley, Jean Guillaume deBesse, Juliand, Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall, North Fenton, Oyster Bay, Quaker, Revolutionary War, Thomas Tew, Town of Barker, Town of Greene

Several historical documents have been found and copies are included in future posts. These documents include Wills, Personal Property Inventories of the Deceased, Property Deeds, Death Certificates, Affidavits, Newspaper Articles, NYS Archives; both the actual archives and the new digitized archives.

The above map is a digitized map of Henry Birdsall’s farm and lock number 105 on  the Chenango Canal. Notice the controls that allow you to make an inset map. This capability is found within the NY State Archives;

http://iarchives.nysed.gov/PubImageWeb/viewImageData.jsp?id=151290

Or go  to the front page of the NYS Archives Website for an overall view of what is available:

http://www.archives.nysed.gov/aindex.shtml

 Abstractions from old books have been a fruitful source of information. These books were located in various libraries (which have been cited) including the “Making of America”, Cornell University’s on-line digitized library holding hundreds of historic books and periodicals.

                                    http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/m/moa/                           

The detailed documents above will be posted after the various aspects of this archaeology are investigated. These “document” posts will appear after the “conclusion”; approximately the 12^th post of this series. Therefore the 12^th to 18^th posts will act as an appendix of documents related to this study.

HOWEVER; if you are like me, these documents may prove more interesting than this actual study itself.

Historical maps have previously been posted.

As noted, there was a very small sample of surface artifacts. This meant that other methods of collecting data had to be found. The historical documents offer insight and comparisons between the lives of the Henry Birdsall Family and the Benjamin Birdsall Family including some of their descendants.

These documents also allow one to:

• understand the pathway of property ownership prior to Henry’s purchase
• visit the NY counties where Henry and Benjamin lived prior to the Town of Greene
• understand the origins of Henry’s neighbors and their background
• gain insight as to how public policy effected Henry and Benjamin
• perceive what social forces may have modified the lives of Henry and Benjamin
• document gender issues that were obvious to the female members of the families
• see the change of culture through at least four generations

Some of these observations will be clarified on the following pages.

Henry Birdsall’s Life Prior to Residing in the Township of Greene, Co. of Chenango, NY

The origins of Henry can be seen in census documents for NY State in 1790 and proceeding forward. There were several ‘Henry Birdsalls’ in various townships and counties within NY, however, only one Henry had the same family structure. Henry Birdsall from Salem Township matched the family structure of Henry Birdsall subsequently appearing in the Township of Greene. That unique structure was seven daughters and two sons, of which a group of five daughters were the eldest, followed by two sons, who were followed by the youngest child, a daughter. (See Appendix A, “Census/Directory”)

Although there is historical data, in text form, to be gleaned about ‘Birdsalls’ in Salem Township, Westchester County, NY, there is no specific mention of Henry. Other Birdsalls had signed various petitions.  Revolutionary War records listed other Birdsalls as members of the American Revolutionary forces but no direct record of Henry (other than census records) has been found in Salem Township. (See Appendix B, “Historic Books”)

This is not surprising as Henry could not write his name. This is evidenced by his ‘mark’ being placed on his Last Will and Testament. Affidavits associated with this Will also show that Henry’s namesake son, Henry Birdsall (no Jr. used), also could not write his name. Son Henry’s ‘mark’ appears on these affidavits and therefore attests to this inability. It would follow, then, that both Henrys could neither read nor write, often leading to a lack of record for those who could not assist in recording their own history; or even parts of it. (See Appendix D, “Surrogate Records”)

Henry Birdsall left the best record of his family on his land.

http://www.usgenweb.info/nychenango/cemetery/birdsall.htm

The cemetery document above fails to list some names in the cemetery. That may be due to some of the stones reading “In Memory Of – – -” and not verifying an actual burial. The totality of the cemetery will be covered in a following post.

Benjamin Birdsall’s Life Prior to Residing in the Town of Greene, Co. of Chenango, NY

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall is listed as a member of the Revolutionary Army and as having accepted farmland(s) as a reward for his service. These farmlands were ‘abandoned’ (most likely confiscated from farmers that remained loyal to the crown). A point of interest regarding Benjamin’s religious beliefs; at one time he was a Quaker but  rejected that creed in order to defend his country during the revolution. (See Appendix B, “Historic Books”)

Benjamin Birdsall moved to Chenango County and brought two of his sons with him. One son had moved to Chenango County prior to Benjamin.

Benjamin Birdsall’s last will and testament is missing from the Surrogate’s office. In place of it is a document stating that one of his sons had removed the will sometime after Benjamin’s death. The absence of this document does not allow us to determin if Benjamin could sign his name although it would be highly likely that he could, due to the various business transactions that he was involved in.  His sons, being merchants and professionals, were surely literate.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=50874769

COMPARISON:

Independent genealogical records would lead a reader to believe that both Benjamin’s and Henry’s families originated in the Oyster Bay area of Long Island, NY, with subsequent generations moving into Connecticut and the Hudson Valley. Oyster Bay and Dutchess County were both heavily laden with Quakers and loyalists. In fact, one recently generated genealogical record lists Henry as Benjamin’s brother. This is possible, however, as the data is assembled, various information leads the researcher to seriously question this purported relationship.

(See Appendix E, “Genealogy Documents”)

While Henry and Benjamin’s histories both originate in Hudson Valley townships the commonality between them tends to end there. Historical records for Greene, NY abound in the mercantile, professional and political accomplishments of the Benjamin Birdsall family. Additionally, the Benjamin Birdsall family and the other most prominent family in early Greene, the Juliands, are intertwined in business and marriage. The social structure that Benjamin apparently moved within was typical for upwardly mobile settlers carrying the credentials of ‘Lieutenant Colonel’ and businessman. (See Appendix C, “Newspaper Accounts”)

http://www.quic.net/~philmeister/Evrybdy6/f_4f5.htm

On the other hand there is little mention of Henry’s family other than in census, vital statistics and death certificates. In fact, government records of Henry and his descendants become very confusing. This results from the fact that Henry and his family gravitated towards families in North Fenton, Chenango Forks, and possibly the Town of Barker. Census records lump some of these areas into a geographical area called  ‘Chenango.’  It is obvious that some Broome County census takers inadvertently collected data across the Chenango County line. Therefore, they included at times, Henry’s family as part of the Broome County census and leaving them out of the “Chenango County” census.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/birdsall/messages/461.html

NOTE:

Additional pieces of information originate in historical documents that appear to have greater impact in other sections of this report. Therefore, the cultural impact will be discussed in those sections. This historic information indicates that Henry had three neighbors and a son-in-law who appear in cross documentation and, more importantly, in the family cemetery of Henry Birdsall as well as a single gravestone north of the Birdsall cemetery. These individuals are:

1.   Abram Storms; an early settler, arriving before Henry. Abram was a member of the Revolutionary Army. Historical records identify Abram as the person who first brought grinding stones to Chenango County ‘from the Hudson Valley by Oxcart’ and as one of two men who constructed the first grinding mill within the town of Greene. Abram subsequently bought property along the eastern side of the Chenango and started a farm. He is buried, along with his wife Eve, in Henry Birdsall’s family Cemetery.

2.   Jean Guillaume deBesse (also known as John Bessac), born 1760 in France, died 1824 and buried on his property north of the Birdsall Cemetery. Jean Guillaume (Bessac) is documented as having served under Count Rochambeau. Additionally a pamphlet was written about him by George Park, Esq., extolling Jean deBesse’s mental capabilities and personal traits. A copy exists in the Library of Congress. Abram Storms appears as one of two people who inventoried John Bessac’s personal goods after Bessac’s death.

3.   David D. Davis lived directly to the north of Henry Birdsall. Davis worked his own farm. When the Chenango Canal was being constructed he contracted for some construction work. The gold rush of 1849 had its effect on Greene, as Davis and several others went west leaving their families behind. Davis was a hunter during the rush, making money by furnishing the prospectors with deer and bear meat. It appears, from the documentation, that he made as much money by hunting as others did by prospecting for gold. Davis, upon his return from California, was involved in a multiple murder and suicide. The impact of this will be discussed in following sections.

4. Thomas Tew was a son-in-law of Henry Birdsall. Thomas did not fit the mold of Henry’s other son-in-laws; he was not a rural farmer. Thomas Tew appears as an entrepreneur, mechanic, cabinet maker, member of the ‘new’ Masons (after the anti-Masonic movement had died down) and a villager. Nothing is known about where Thomas originated. Some “Tews” first appear in an ‘1820’ census.

A namesake pirate, “Thomas Tew”, appears in the history of New York State as the questionable friend of New York Governor Fletcher in ‘1696’. They apparently “exchanged presents” as described in appendix K, pages K37 through K41 

[Editorial Note: For over three centuries things have not changed much in New York State. “Exchanging Presents” seems to remain a way of life in NY politics.]

(See Appendix IDs A, B, and D:  Census/Directory, Historic Books and Surrogate Records)

(Also see Appendix F, Greene History: extracts from “Rafts to Railroads” & “Annals of Greene”)

I do not plan on putting ALL of the appendices on this blog. However, if there are points of interest please leave a comment on whatever post you wish. I will do my best to fulfill your interests.

© Copyright – Waldo Tomosky

INTRODUCTION (To a private archaeology on a public blog)

Tags

Archaeology, Benjamin Birdsall, Cheif Justice of the Supreme Court of The Republic of Texas, Chenango Canal, Chenango County NY, Dutchess County NY, educational, Greene NY, Henry Birdsall, History, John BIrdsall, Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall, Revolutionary War, Salem Township, Town of Greene

Introduction

This is the first post of many within a blog that I hope is both entertaining and educational.

The blog is an archaeological study of two families who settled in Chenango County, NY in the early 1800’s.

Both families have the surname of Birdsall. However they lived quite different lives.

One lived in the center of Greene, NY [previously “Hornby”] the other lived in a rural setting of the same township.

This blog will be a comparison between the two families to determine what we may learn from each.

There were two distinct portions of the original study. The first was a physical archaeology in which artifacts were obtained and analyzed. The second portion of the study was a “historical archaeology.”  The name applies to a study of available documentation about the subject and the time period that the subject was studied.

Lest you become concerned about the artifacts losing their provenance and data, allow me to assure you that neither occurred. The data and artifacts are in professional hands.

There is a place in the town of Greene, Chenango County, NY, that is as peaceful and serene as any remote location in the Adirondacks. There, in that place, hours of refuge have given my mind the ability to recreate and escape the environment of corporate deadlines, technology gone mad, and mindless meetings; a rest from the racket of my own choice. There, in that place, a tapestry of well executed natural fresco blends with the emotions of feathered creatures, seeking each other in the curtains of hemlock that flow to the ground. One can sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of tranquility, or, one can walk, still-like, and catch a glimpse of a wild turkey; that gray ghost of the forest.

It is there, far in the background; the mountaintop.

This magic place was once the home of Henry Birdsall, the first settler on this remote land. Others had passed by, but did not settle, as that was the nature of the Native Americans who fished the river and hunted the upland areas; and then moved on. Henry, though, carved out fields from the forest, constructed homes, stone fences and thereby established a compound for his descendants.

But “technology gone mad” had already established itself despite Henry’s efforts to ignore it. His beloved farm was about to be cut in half by a trench, a trench 4 1/2 feet deep, 46 feet wide, and 95 miles long. The trench would bring cultural change and daily conflict. This trench was the Chenango Canal; three years in construction and only 39 years in existence.

This blog is about Henry Birdsall and his family. It also compares his life to that of a Benjamin Birdsall who lived in the Village of Greene. Support actors and actresses are present and their roles in life, as well as Henry’s and Benjamin’s, are considered from various points of view.

I can not continue without a few acknowledgements.

            First of all I would like to thank my wife of 50 years, Pury, for her understanding and patience as I drove around central NY State collecting data. I also wish to acknowledge her patience for those times I ‘widowed’ her as I worked on this project.

I would like to thank Michele McFee, author of “Limestone Locks and Overgrowth” for depicting daily life on the canal and the towns along its path. Michele was also kind enough to furnish a copy of an old canal map depicting Henry Birdsall’s farm.

I would also like to thank Dr. Gabriella Castro for her enthusiastic mentoring in a class on “Laboratory Methods in Archaeology”, Dr. Randy McGuire for his extensive background and lectures on “Historical Archaeology”, and Dr. Nina Versaggi for allowing me to work in the Public Archaeology Facility. All three of these people are associated with Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY.

 

PROJECT GENESIS

Henry Birdsall lived in Salem Township, Westchester County, NY in 1800. He moved to the Town of Greene, Chenango County, NY and settled on a large piece of property. He, his sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters continued to farm for the next hundred years.

Public policy created tremendous pressures on their way of life. At times these pressures were economically beneficial. However, this came at a cost of cultural modification. In other instances public policy created drastic economic hardship, which in an ironic way, allowed the family to escape some social pressures. The family then often found itself faced by other and newer pressures.

During the same time period Lt. Col. Benjamin Birdsall, a revolutionary war veteran, also moved from Dutchess County to Greene. His family also expanded. However they tended to be real estate and mercantile entrepreneurs as well as lawyers and politicians.

Much has been recorded regarding the Benjamin Birdsall family. Almost nothing has been written about the Henry Birdsall family.

Gathering data on the family of Henry and comparing the two families is the purpose of this blog.

The common thread that allows this comparison is the building of the Chenango Canal, the demise of this canal, and the replacement of it by a railroad. The creation and operation of these transport links allowed both families to be in New York State documents.

This project originated as a fuzzy idea on how I could best record the origins of the people who initially settled a parcel of property that we own. The property is used for recreation (hiking and peaceful solitude). Nature and logging had taken a toll on the remnants of the existing features (home foundations, springs, stone walls and dug roadways).

At the beginning of this endeavor it was decided not to disturb anything without recording its exact provenance (location) and there definitely would be no excavations. Therefore all artifacts are catalogued with their found location, diagnostics and photographs.

In preparation for determining what I could about the Henry Birdsall family it became apparent that there was another Birdsall family; the Benjamin Birdsall’s. An attempt was made to establish family relationships between the two. However, no documentation or circumstantial evidence proves that point. Other aspects regarding each family’s culture tend to show a wide chasm between the way each family responded to various social and public policy pressures.

The next post will cover the features of the Henry Birdsall compound; foundations, privies, dug roads, corrals, quarries, etc.

© Copyright – Waldo Tomosky