New Lime for Sale, Just Burned, Minisink, New York

NEW LIME.—Just burned, a Kiln of New Lime, of excellent quality, at his residence, one mile east of Gardners Ville, and three miles south of Ridgebury.

                                                                        B. B.  & Wm. P. Clark

   Minisink, February 25^th, 1841.                                                    35 tf.

   N. B.  The subscriber intends to keep lime constantly on hand, and will deliver it any reasonable distance at the shortest notice.

3^rd Great Grandfather William Parkinson Clark and his brother, Benjamin B. Clark, operated a lime kiln business in Minisink, Orange County, New York. I learned from an article by Amy Leiser, Executive Director of the Monroe County, PA Historical Society, how physically demanding it was to produce lime. For more details, please see Amy’s research History of Lime Kilns in Monroe County on the Monroe County Historical Society web page.

Benjamin B. Clark was the older brother by five years. When The Independent Republican printed this advertisement, Benjamin was about 35 years old. He had married Sarah Lain, a daughter of William Lain, Jr. and Deborah Alger, and was the father of 4 children.

My Grandfather William P. Clark had been married to Charity Kimber close to10 years. Five of their 14 children were born by 1841.

 Advertisement published in

The Independent Republican, Goshen, NY

March 26, 1841, edition

I can’t say how long Benjamin and William ran the lime kiln but guess it lasted until 1844/1845. They mortgaged their lands quite a few times perhaps to cover business expenses.

The brothers mortgaged three acres of land as early as Dec. 1, 1840, to a neighbor, Isaac A. Von Bomel, for $196. Orange County, NY Mortgage Book 45, page 562 records an Indenture between Benjamin B. & Sally Clark, William P. & Charity Clark and Isaac A. Van Bomel all of Minisink. Although Benjamin and Sally didn’t sign the agreement, William and Charity put their mark [X] on it. They paid the mortgage June 30, 1842.

Later that month on December 22^nd, Benjamin B. and Sally mortgaged their Minisink land (19 acres and 8 square rods) to Theodore B. Denton for $400. The next day, December 23^rd, they became indebted to Anna Marie, Samuel F. and John Gardner for $160 with the same 19 acres and 8 square rods as collateral. Both indentures were satisfied July 1848.

The brothers mortgaged the 3 acres a second time in October 1841 for $72.80 again to neighbor Isaac Van Bomel. This agreement was due Dec. 1, 1842, but there’s no sign it was paid.

Another neighbor, Richard A. Elmer, held a $600 mortgage in Benjamin’s name against the 3 acres associated with William and Benjamin’s 19 acres and 8 rods June 29, 1842.

That same day Richard A. Elmer helped William and Charity purchase a lot (52 acres and 30 rods) in Minisink that formerly belonged to the State of New York. The Great Grandparents were supposed to pay Mr. Elmer $200 by April 1843, but later records show the mortgage payment wasn’t satisfied.

Sally and Benjamin negotiated several more mortgage deals; the last one dated Nov. 28, 1845, with Richard A. Elmer. No official record exists as to what became of William and Charity’s three acres in Minisink; or what happened to the lime kiln.

The 1850 federal census finds William and the family living in Candor, Tioga County, New York; Benjamin remained in Orange County. Both were working farmers. William would return to Orange County within a few years. Benjamin didn’t fare as well dying young Nov. 25, 1851.

You might like to see my earlier William P. Clark posts:

      3rd Great Grandfather William P. Clark

      Today Marks 3rd Great-Grandpa's 203rd Birthday Anniversary

Today Marks 3rd Gr-Grandpa’s 203rd Birthday Anniversary

To celebrate my ancestor’s birthday anniversary, I’m devoting today’s blog post to my 3^rd Great Grandfather William Parkinson Clark. He was born December 18, 1812 two hundred three years ago. The 1865 and 1875 New York State Census say William P. was born in Orange County, New York.

William P. Clark, along with his wife and kids, were Orange County people living in the Minisink/Wawayanda area. The exception being 1850 when the family stayed a few years in Candor, Tioga County, New York

I’m not the first to note William P.’s birthday. The Orange County Press published at Middletown, New York reported Great Grandfather’s 60^th birthday festivities.

Orange County Press, Middletown, New York, Friday, January 10, 1873, Page 3, Col. 1 (courtesy of Chris Barry)

                                    

   Mr. W. P. Clark, of Denton, celebrated his sixtieth birthday the 18th ult.  Upon the occasion forty-seven children and grand-children were present at the entertainment.  Several were absent 'owing to circumstances over which they had no control.'

When Great Grandfather celebrated his 60^th birthday, Grandmother Charity Kimber was still living. Their children numbered eleven:

               James L. Clark

               Phebe Jane (Clark) Courter

               Keziah Bennett (Clark) Walsh

               Katherine Amelia (Clark) Pullis

              Jeremiah B. Clark

              Charles Edgar Clark

              William P. Clark, Jr.

              Howell Reeve Clark

              Charity Emeline Clark

              Benjamin Reeve Clark

              Anna Augusta Clark

Seven of his children had already married. I can’t account for all the grandchildren but I’ll bet my 2^nd Great Grandfather Jeremiah B. Clark was at the gathering with his five kids—Fannie, David, Minnie and twins Frank and Amos.

You might like my earlier post 3rd GREATGRANDFATHER WILLIAM P. CLARK  published Jan. 18, 2014.

SIBLING SATURDAY Aunt Fannie’s Scare

Aunt Fannie Knapp was my Great Grandmother’s older sister--Grace (Clark) Wilson. Frances Clark married Dell Knapp in 1886 at Goshen, New York.

I’m certain Thursday, Jan. 4, 1912 would be a day Aunt Fannie always remembered. On this day she had gone to work cleaning houses.

The Saturday, January 6, 1912 Middletown Times-Press, Middletown, N. Y., reported Aunt Fannie’s frightening mishap.

Goshen Woman is Burned When a Spark from Her Body Ignited Naphtha

   It is an old trick, that of scuffling over the rug and lighting the gas by a spark from the fingers, but that electricity from the body will ignite naphtha when used for cleaning purposes now. This happened at Goshen, Thursday afternoon and before the flames had been extinguished, Mrs. Dell Knapp, of that place was badly burned.

   Mrs. Knapp who goes out by the day in doing domestic work, was employed at the home of Thomas Finan. While cleaning in a bathroom, using naphtha for the purpose, Mrs. Knapp saw that the day was slipping by and she increased her efforts.

   She was wearing a pair of rubbers, and stood upon a rug when a spark from her body ignited the fumes and in an instant she was in flames.

   Mrs. Knapp's screams were heard by Miss Edith Finan who ran to the bathroom and found the victim trying to beat out the fire which enveloped the upper part of her body. With presence of mind Miss Finan procured a heavy quilt and threw it over Mrs. Knapp and extinguished the flames.  "Ned" Finan, her brother, was also at home and he aided in putting out an incipient fire in the woodwork.

   Mrs. Knapp was badly burned about the face, neck and arms and the pain was lessened when Dr. Condict arrived and treated her. It was found she had not inhaled the fire and had no internal injuries.

Much to her family’s relief, Aunt Fannie recovered.

Aunt Fannie with girls

Young lady on the right is my Grandmother Viola L. Wilson

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY Nellie Marries Harry Sept. 11, 1912 at 24 Grand Ave., Middletown, New York

Nellie Mae Hewitt, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hewitt married Harry Everett Lee Sept. 11, 1912 at her 24 Grand Avenue home in Middletown, New York. Harry’s parents were Thomas E. Lee and Clara Cairns.

My maternal grandmother, Viola Lillian Wilson, and Nellie were 1^st cousins.  Even though Nellie was fourteen years older than Viola, I think they enjoyed a special kinship. Whenever I see photos of them together, they are standing side by side or arm-in-arm.

Passed down among my family treasures is a newspaper clipping announcing Nellie and Harry’s wedding published in the Daily Argus.

   A very pretty wedding was solemnized this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hewitt, 24 Grand avenue, when their daughter Nellie became the bride of Harry E. Lee, of this city.

   Promptly at three o'clock the bride and groom marched into the parlor to the strains of Lohengrin, played by the orchestra which was hidden behind a large bank of ferns, and took their place under a large bell made of American Beauty roses. The ceremony which was with a ring, was performed by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Wallace, pastor of St. Paul's Church, of this city.

   The bridesmaid was Miss Viola Clark, of Paterson, N. J., a cousin of the bride, and R. Lester Lee, a brother of the groom, acted as best man.

   The bride was attired in a white lansdowne dress trimmed with Persian trimming and carried a shower bouquet of white roses, and her traveling gown was a blue tailored suit, with large picture hat to match.

   The bridesmaid's gown was of pink crepe meteor over pink silk and trimmed with dutchess lace.

   The ring was carried on a cut glass heart by Miss Viola Wilson. The home was prettily decorated with pink and white, the decorations being by Lorentz.

   After the ceremony the guests sat down to a sumptuous banquet which was served by the bride's parents. The bride and groom left over the Erie for a wedding journey, the destination being known only to themselves.

   Upon their return they will make their home for the present with the bride's parents at 24 Grand avenue.

   The groom's gift to the bride was a large silver chatelaine bag, and to the best man a pearl stick pin. The bride's gift to the bridesmaid was a brooch set with diamonds and pearls. Guests were present from Brooklyn, Chicago, sections of Wisconsin, New York, Paterson, Newark, Port Jervis and Goshen.

   The groom is a popular young man in this city and is First Assistant fireman of Eagle Hose Co.  He is employed as plumber by Halsey E. __?__.

   The Daily Argus joins with the many friends of the young couple in wishing them a happy journey through life.

Nellie and Harry’s ‘Wedding Book’ was also saved by my family and I’ve scanned the pages below containing the names of their wedding guests. 

 

Harry’s brother, Robert Lester Lee, served as best man. Viola Clark was Nellie’s bridesmaid and a cousin from Paterson, New Jersey. Viola Clark’s father, George Emmet Clark, and Nellie’s grandfather, Jeremiah B. Clark, were brothers. The ring was carried on a cut glass heart by my 8 year old Grandmother Viola L. Wilson.

I’m not familiar with Harry’s family but anybody named Cairns and Lee must have been Harry’s guests. Hewitt, Clark and Wilson wedding attendees belonged to Nellie’s side of the family. I’ll point out the relatives that I know.

Rev. Wallace was the first to sign the guest book followed by Harry’s mother, Mrs. Clara Lee. Mrs. Martin Bennett was Harry’s sister--the former Daisy Lee. No doubt Mr. and Mrs. Samuel E. Lee were relatives of Harry. Harriet C. Knapp and Ada C. Knapp both were Nellie’s 1^st cousins, daughters of Fanny (Clark) and Dell Knapp. 

Letitia Nelson and Nellie were 2^nd cousins. Letitia was the daughter of Gr-Gr-Grandmother Harriet (Ogden) Clark’s niece Mary Elizabeth (Ogden) Nelson. The Nelson’s lived a few blocks away on East Main Street.

Geo. B. Hewitt was Nellie’s father. Ella M. Wilson was another 1^st cousin well known to me as Aunt Ella. Another Knapp cousin, Edith (Knapp) Waring attended the wedding. Mrs. D. P. Clark and D. P. Clark, Ada and David P. Clark, were Aunt and Uncle to Nellie. A Paterson, New Jersey 1^st cousin, Miss Clara Fitzgerald, was a wedding guest along with Uncle Frank Clark’s daughter, Ethel M. Clark.

Mrs. J. B. Clark was Nellie’s grandmother, Harriet (Ogden) Clark. Mrs. M. E. Nelson was Harriet (Ogden) Clark’s niece, Mary Elizabeth (Ogden) Nelson. Great Uncle George Emmet Clark and his wife, Anna were the last names on this page.

Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Clark were Uncle Frank Clark and his 2^nd wife Mary. Mr. Harry E. Waring was a cousin’s husband. Mrs. William Swift was a Clark cousin, Laura (Fitzgerald) Swift who was accompanied by her little baby boy, Billy. First cousin Miss Lmeta Knapp was Aunt Fannie and Uncle Dell’s daughter. Uncle Amos R. Clark and Aunt Irene attended. Sisters Mrs. Dell A. Knapp (Aunt Fannie Clark) and Mrs. G. B. Hewitt (Nellie’s mother) completed the guest list.

Look and see if you know any of Nellie and Harry's guests. Let me know if you spot a relative.

You might enjoy an earlier post about Nellie and Harry by clicking here.