“Mr. Bennett was one
of the best known farmers in that part of the county, and his uprightness of
character and probity had gained for him a host of friends during his long
life. He was born in the town of Wawayanda, on the same farm on which he made
his home for so many years, and during all that time was looked upon as one of
the best types of the solid Orange county farmer.”
[Source Middletown
Times Press, Middletown, New York, Friday, August 22, 1890 edition]
That’s just what 3rd Great
Grandfather Alvah Bennett’s obituary said. A solid Orange County farmer; what’s
that mean? The 1855, 1865 and 1875 New York State Agricultural Statistics gave
me a few answers.
During these years Alvie farmed between 90
and 120 acres. His farm included pasture land where the livestock grazed. Hay
grew in his meadow grassland. Grandfather planted winter wheat, oats, rye,
buckwheat, corn, potatoes and beans. Apple orchards were on the property too. The
farm was home to Grandfather’s family and horses, cattle, swine, sheep and
chickens.
According
to the 1855 Agricultural Statistics dated June 3rd[1] Alvie worked 100 improved
acres. He kept 44 acres pasture land the previous year and produced 35 tons of
hay from his meadows (28 acres).
He
sowed 4 acres winter wheat, devoted 4 acres to oats, 6 acres to rye, 4 acres
for buckwheat, 5 acres of corn and 1 acre of potatoes.
Currier & Ives
Print
The Husking
His
livestock included 2 horses, 3 young pigs, and 4 sheep. The role of the cattle
varied. Two working cows did their share of farm chores. There was a 1 year old
and 3 older than 1 year. Sixteen milking cows supplied 6,400 gallons for
market. Two cattle were killed for beef.
I
don’t know whether Alvie or John J. Dolson, the census marshall, determined the
cash value of the Bennett farm at $4,800. Livestock was worth $750. The farm
tools and implements were valued at $200.
The
June 21, 1865 Agricultural Statistics[2] resembled the 1855 census
but with a couple differences. Alvie farmed 90 improved acres instead of 100
acres. Fewer acres were dedicated to the pasture and meadow lands. More winter
wheat and oats were planted--less rye, buckwheat and corn. The cash value of
the farm remained the same but the livestock value increased to $1,100.
The
1865 census inventoried apple orchards on the property. Alvie owned 12 apple
trees that year. This census noted he had chickens.
Grandfather
grew older and wiser as his farm prospered. By June 8, 1875[3] the cash value of his farm
reached $10,000—more than double earlier census years. His increased livestock raised
their worth to $2,000. His crops remained the same.
The
orchard harvest produced 75 bushels thanks to Grandfather’s 50 apple trees. He
also made 2 barrels of apple cider.
The
dairy cattle produced 11,000 gallons of milk to be sold at market. The
chickens’ earned Alvie $1,500 for eggs.
Resolute,
steadfast, fruitful, yes; Alvah Bennett, the best type of solid Orange County
farmer!
If
you want to know more about Alvah Bennett, look for the Labels tag at the
bottom of this post; then click on ‘Alvah Bennett’. This will find 3 earlier
posts about Grandfather.
[1]
1855 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agriculture and
Domestic Manufactures, pgs. 48-52
[2]
1865 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agricultural
Statistics, pgs. 9-12
[3]
1875 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agricultural
Statistics, pgs. 55-58
