Uncle Joe, Life-Long Musician

Uncle Joe Crowder is a perfect fit for the musical theme of Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” writing challenge. You’re looking at The New Theater Orchestra from Staunton, Virginia. Uncle Joe is pictured in the back row first on the left with a bass violin.

Photo courtesy of Charles Culbertson

The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Sat., Dec. 11, 2004

Members of the New Theater Orchestra

Sometime in the 1920’s

Uncle Joe married my Grandfather’s sister, Lytie Lorraine Joseph, in Augusta County, Virginia June 20, 1917. He died before I was born so I knew little about him. That changed today when I found his obituary and prepared a transcription for this post. I hope you enjoy hearing about Uncle Joe, our family’s music man.

Staunton-News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Friday Morning, August 20, 1943

CROWDER DIES AFTER ILLNESS, PENNSYLVANIA

    Joseph L. Crowder, sergeant music instructor, United States Army, died in Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Penna., Thurs-day morning. He had been a patient there several months and his condition had for some weeks caused alarm.

   Sergeant Crowder was born in Staunton, fifty-eight years ago, a son of Captain Thomas J. Crowder, long a commissioner of revenue here, and Mrs. Betty Virginia Crowder, and spent most of his life in Staunton. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lytie Joseph Crowder; a brother, Erol, and sister, Etta, and two nieces, Virginia and Josephine Crowder, all of this city.

   The body will be brought here for final services, but arrangements have not been completed.

Life-Long Musician

   Sergeant Crowder was a musician, proficient in various instruments, and devoted the greater part of his life to teaching and playing. He received his first instruction from his brother, the late S. Travers Crowder, a well known trombonist. Some of the Sergeant’s pupils are now members of the Stonewall Brigade band, with which he had been associated for about forty years. He had served it both as director and assistant director, as well as filling various chairs in concert. In the days when theaters used orchestras, Sergeant was regularly employed as a string bass. In amateur theatricals here, his services always were gladly given. He also played in various church ensembles.

   He served on the Mexican border with the old First Virginia Infantry band, but in World War I was not eligible due to a physical imperfection. When he was turned down for active duty then, he volunteered for Y.M.C.A. work and was accepted. Three years ago when our war clouds were gathering, he again volunteered and was accepted as a band master-instructor of the 116^th Virginia Infantry (National Guard) band, and went to Fort Meade when this regiment was called into federal service last February two years ago. He was with the band on maneuvers in Virginia, the Carolinas, in Florida, and went abroad with the 116^th last September.

   All of his service was in England, and it was there in late December that he developed pneumonia. He recovered, but later complications developed and he spent considerable time in a hospital there before being sent to the United States in early spring. He was at Halloran General hospital, Staten Island, N. Y., for several months before being transferred to Phoenixville. Military procedure had been executed and he was due to be transferred to Woodrow Wilson General hospital here when his fatal illness developed.

Guest of Lady Astor

   During his service in England, the Stauntonian upon one occasion was talking with a group at a railroad station. He mentioned Virginia and a woman standing nearby turned to him, inquiring if his home was in Virginia. He replied affirmatively, and the inquirer identified herself as Lady Nancy Astor, originally of “Mirridor,” near Greenwood. Lady Nancy invited Sergeant Crowder to be her guest one weekend at her English estate; “Clivedon.” He accepted, and his visit there was one of the most pleasant experiences while abroad.

   Sergeant Crowder was a man of quiet disposition, his great appreciation of music mellowing his life, and causing him to find contentment in the less boisterous pursuits. He was fond of reading, research, and travel. His many fine qualities won him a large circle of friends, both in civilian and military life. He was a member of the Central Methodist church, Staunton.

   Mrs. Crowder was notified late Wednesday that his condition was much worse and she left immediately for Phoenixville, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Farrar. They arrived just before he died.

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Uncle Joe as reported in the The Evening Leader, Staunton, Virginia:

     “The Stonewall Brigade band here records its profound sorrow at the passing of this fine man and fine musician, and extends to his family its sincerest sympathy. With Longfellow, we say:

          “He has moved a little nearer

                To the Master of all music.”

Sergeant Joseph Crowder

If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your Lucky Day

Dear Readers,

I bet you wish you could step back in time and have a visit with a relative who knew a 2^nd Great Grandmother. That’s what happened to me when I discovered an interview at my local genealogical society.

Eighty-four years ago, June 1, 1934, Mrs. Emma Wood visited with a local historian and genealogist. Emma Wood was born Emma Frances Ogden August 10, 1864 at Otisville, New York to Joseph Stewart Ogden and Charlotte Anna Satterly.  She’s my first cousin 3 times removed.

In other words, she was my 2^nd Great Grandmother Harriet C. Ogden’s niece.

When Emma Frances was born, Great Grandmother Harriet was a young wife married to Jeremiah B. Clark. By the time Harriet passed in 1912, Emma was 48 years old living in Middletown, New York.

An Ogden family enthusiast employed genealogist Miss Elizabeth Horton to learn the family history. That must be what brought Miss Horton and Emma together June 1, 1934. Emma would have been 70 years old. She reminisced about her Aunts and Uncles while Miss Horton wrote down her recollections. Miss Horton prepared 3 pages of hand written notes from the interview. This is old school genealogy—nothing typed, indexed or digitized.

I know what you’re thinking. I will admit the notes seem a bit messy, but this is a rare glimpse into the family. If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your lucky day.

After Miss Horton died, her research was gathered in paper bags and brought to the Orange County Genealogical Society.  Society volunteers sorted and added her materials to the vertical file collection.

Contact or visit your genealogical and historical societies. Treasures might be waiting for you too.

Richard Halstead Puts his House in Order, 1700-1785

On May 27, 2018, I published The Halstead Ancestors quoting an Orange County, New York history introducing Richard Halstead to my readers. You can view the blog post here.

Today I’ll share his last will and testament with you. As you’ll see, he wanted his wife provided for as long as she remained his widow. Land, household items, livestock and money gifts were left to his heirs. Digital images appear at the end of my post.

His will was dated May 5, 1774, and proved December 1, 1785 in New York City, New York.

   In the name of God Amen I Richard Holstead of Goshen in Orange County in the Province of New York being now in health of body but through God's goodness in sound perfect and disposing mind and memory for I am thankfull being mindfull that it tis appointed once for all men to dye and that the hour of death is uncertain and also that it Behoves every one to set his house in order while in this life do make this my last will and testament in manner following

   first of all I bequeath my soul to God who gave it recommending on his mercy through Christ my redeemer for Salvation and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Exr's hereafter mentioned and touching and concerning my worldly estate 

   I give, bequeath, devise will and order in the following manner desiring everyone concerned in the Distribution thereof will be contented and satisfied therewith Imprimis I give and do order unto my Exrs hereafter named so much of my movable estate for them to dispose of for the payment of all my just debts and funeral charges in some convenient time after my Deceas 

   Item I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Esther Holstead all the remainder of my household furniture excepting my large cubbord and I do give and order that my said wife shall have sufficient house room in my said dwelling house and the benefit of the equal half of my homestead lot adjoining to my said dwelling house also one riding hors, two cows, six sheep the above said benefit of my said dwelling house and homestead lot shall remain to her no longer than she shall remain my widow and the above mentioned furniture and creatures she shall have them forever and be at her own disposal 

Esther Holstead was born Esther Oldfield (1707), a daughter of Joseph Oldfield and Martha Grasset. Richard gifted Esther with all his furniture with one exception. He also directed his executors that Esther should have a place in his dwelling house and some farm stock to call her own.

   Item I give and bequeath to my son Michael Holstead all my whole farm or tract of land I now do live upon scituate lying and being on the west side of the Drowned land and the Wallakill within the Patten of Wawayanda in the County and Province aforesaid which I did lately purchase from Henry Davee his Deed of conveyance being had refference thereto will give the boundaries of the said tract or farm of land which said tract or farm shall remain together with the approvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging and also my working horses mairs and all others creatures of cattle kind and sheep and all my farming utensils to him my said son Michael Holsted and to his heirs and assigns forever 

Richard’s son, Michael, inherited his father’s homestead lot along with the livestock. I couldn’t locate the deed referred to in Orange County records. From the description, it sounds like this was the property Michael Halstead owned in the town of Minisink.

   Item I do give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Seely my above mentioned large cubbord and the equal moiety or half part of all my whole right that I have to a certain tract or lot of land which was set of land containing about three thousand acres for the benefit and use of all those persons that hath town rights belonging to the township of Goshen scituate within the Patten of Wawayanda which said moiety or half part of all my whole right to the above mentioned tract shall remain to my said daughter Sarah Seely and to her daughters and their assigns forever 

I was wondering who was going to get that large cupboard.  Richard bequeathed one-half of his 3,000-acre Goshen tract to Sarah and the Seely granddaughters.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto my grand son Samuel Holstead my other equal moiety or half part of my whole right as his above mentioned and described and to be equally divided with my said daughter Sarah which said half part shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

A grandson, Samuel Halstead, got the remaining half of the Goshen tract. Perhaps Samuel’s father was Isaiah Halstead.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto all my said sons Richard Holstead, Joseph Holstead, Isaiah Holstead, Benjamin Holstead and Michael Holstead the remainder of all my town right of lands within the patten of Wayawanda aforesaid to be equally divided between them which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Holstead all the remainder of my southeast Division lot of land situate in the township of Goshen aforesaid supposed to be about ten acres of land be the same more or less which shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give unto my sons Richard and Isaiah each five shilling New York money to be paid to them out of my moveable estate by my Exrs which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever my will is

According to The Michael Shoemaker Book, Richard and Isaiah Halstead left Orange County, New York and migrated to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania where they remained for many years.

and I do order my said son Michael Holstead to provide maintain sufficiently all necessarys and fire wood for my said wife Esther and also to provide for her creatures during her widowhood and

Taking care of Mom falls to Michael and rightly so.

   Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Esther Holstead and my sons Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead or in case of death the survivours of them to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and for them to see that the above devisions be as equally as maybe and I do revoke and disannull all other wills and testaments and do declare this to be my last  In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this fifth day of May and in the year of our Lord Christ seventeen hundred and seventy four 1774

     Richard (X his mark) Holstead   Signed, sealed, delivered and and Declared by the Testator to be his last will and testament 

    Note before signing and executing hereof my will his that my Said Pue in the Presbyterian meeting house in Goshen shall remain to the use and benefit of all my family until such time as they shall so cause to dispose of it)

As early as 1721/22, Richard and others contributed land to establish the Goshen Presbyterian Church. Great Grandfather insured the Halstead’s standing in the Goshen Presbyterian Church reserving his family pew for their benefit.

and the words enterlined in the fifth line from the top of this side of this half sheet (for my said wife Esther)

   Henry David, Daniel Everett, Susanna [V] Huge 

   Orange County}  Be it remembered on the first day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty five personally appeared before me James Everett Surrogate of the said County Daniel Everett of the Precinct of Goshen in said County Esquire who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw Richard Halsted deceased make his mark to and seal the within written instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Richard Halstead bearing date the fifth day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy four and that he heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he the said Richard Halsted was of a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the Deponent that his name subscribed to the said will is of his proper handwriting which he subscribed as a witness thereto in the Testator's presence and that he saw the other witnesses subscribe their names as witnesses thereto in the Testator's presence.   James Everett Surrogate

    The People of the State of New York by the Grace of God Free and Independent to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Send Greeting Know Ye that in Orange County on the first day of December instant before James Everett Esquire thereunto by us delegated and appointed the last will and testament of Richard Holsted deceased (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and is now approved and allowed by us and the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death goods, chattels or credits within this State by means whereof the proving and registering the said will and the granting Administration of all and singular the said goods, Chattels and credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the account thereof doth belong unto us The Administration of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his will is granted unto Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead Two of the Executors in the said will named the being first duty sworn well and faithfully to Administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits and also to render a just and true account thereof when there unto required  In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our Court of Probates to be hereunto affixed

Witness Thomas Tredwell Esquire Judge of our said Court at the City of New York the fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five         Dav Judson Clk

New York Co., NY, Wills and Administrations, Volume 38, pages 264-267

  

Richard Halstead’s Will begins last paragraph p 264

Continues on p 265

Richard Halstead’s Will pages 266-267

Ogden Family Reunion Otisville, NY July 29, 1882

I found an article in the Middletown Daily Argus reporting on an Ogden family reunion. It gets wonderful; it’s my 2^nd Great Grandmother Harriet (Ogden) Clark’s family. The gathering took place on Saturday, July 29, 1882 in Otisville, Orange County, New York. Otisville is a village located in the town of Mount Hope.

A few facts are off but I’m not complaining. How many people know what their 2^nd Great Grandmother was doing on a summer day 136 years ago.

  

A Family Reunion.

   A reunion of the Ogden family was held at the residence of Wm. Martine, Otisville, last Saturday. The head of the present family was Gilbert Ogden, formerly of Middletown. He died some years ago, leaving fourteen children, ten of whom were present at the reunion. There are twelve of the children still alive, two having died within the past few years. A notable feature of the reunion was the presence of some of the children from the West who had not met with their brothers and sisters for twenty-one years. Constable John S. Ogden, of this village, is one of six boys of the family.

      Middletown Daily Argus, Middletown, New York published August 1, 1882 Issue

The father of the family was Gilbert B. Ogden born July 9, 1795. He married Mary Hazen Jan. 11, 1817 and they raised 15 children (not 14 as reported) in Orange County, New York—10 sons and 5 daughters. They moved to Wantage, New Jersey during the 1840’s. Gilbert died there June 6, 1848.

Fourteen Ogden siblings were living when William Martine hosted the reunion. Contrary to what the Argus printed, only one child, Gilbert Ogden Jr., had passed away and that was in 1871.

The brothers from the West were Graham Ogden and Lewis C. Ogden. Both had left the area years earlier and settled in White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan.

Let’s get back to Saturday, July 29, 1882 and ponder who might have enjoyed the reunion.

The Ogden Siblings:

1)    John S. Ogden, age 64 years, attended the day’s events. His wife Aceneath Greer and children Cornelia and Charles Edward most likely accompanied him. John’s daughter Margaret, husband Angus Terwilliger and their young children might have enjoyed the reunion. The same could be said for son John W., wife Susan Trusdell and kids. Hopefully, Grandson William D. Hetzel didn't miss the fun. No doubt youngest son Sylvanus and young bride Edna A. Anderson were invited.

2)    Lewis C. Ogden, age 62 years, traveled from his home in the West at White Lake, Oakland Co., Michigan. I don’t know whether Uncle Lewis’ adult daughters visited the East but it’s a good bet his wife Phebe Harding was with him since she was born in Sullivan County, New York.

3)    William B. Ogden, age ca 61 years, was a widower by this date. His children Sarah Ann, Orpha M., John, Wickham H. and Emma Jane lived locally. Perhaps they joined the festivities too.

4)    Sarah Elizabeth Ogden, age 59 years, wife of William Martine, served as hostess for the party. I bet her daughters Esther and Hattie helped with the preparations.

5)    Sally Malinda Ogden, age ca 58 years, and 2^nd husband Charles Crawford lived close by in the town of Mount Hope making it likely they too joined the Ogden siblings.

6)    Graham Ogden, age 55 years, traveled from the West to be at the affair with wife Abigail P. Marie. He was also a White Lake, Oakland Co, Michigan resident.

7)    Hannah M. Ogden, age ca 56, widow of Joseph M. Crane, lived with her daughters in Port Jervis, New York after her husband’s death in 1868. I'm hoping she got to reminisce with her brothers and sisters.

8)    Seth T. Ogden, age ca 54, a Mount Hope dweller, would have brought his wife Martha Dunlap and children Emma Ann and Charles Mapes. Seth’s daughter Phebe Augusta and spouse James A. Conklin along with baby and toddler might have made an appearance.

9)    Gilbert B. Ogden, Jr. deceased. As I said earlier Gilbert Jr. died a young man. I don’t know if Widow Antoinette Hait and children Madison, Mary Elizabeth (Ogden) Nelson, Casper C., Ella A., and Henry Harrison were guests at the Martine home.

10)  Joseph S. Ogden, age 49 years, wife Charlotte Anna Satterly, and family Emma Frances, James Alva, Charles B., George W. and Frank Leroy were Orange County residents, so they might have attended the reunion.

11)  Asa J. Ogden, 47 years old, and a twin to Andrew J. Ogden, lived close to the Martine’s and could get to the party easily with wife Charlotte Hallock and five offspring: Alonzo G. and Asa J. by Asa’s 1^st wife; William and Frances by 2^nd wife Charlotte.

12)  Andrew Jackson Ogden, age 47 years, and twin brother to Asa J. Ogden. He lived in Mount Hope for many years, so it would have been an easy carriage ride for him to bring his wife Hester C. Marsh and kids Ira Pierson, Lillian Irene, Alma M. and James Smiley.

13)  Mary Jane Ogden, age 43 years, probably didn’t attend as she was living in Saco, York Co., Maine with 2^nd husband Solomon True Jr.

14)  Charles Henry Ogden, age 42 years, is a definite guest possibility. He, too, lived in the town of Mount Hope with daughter Nancy and wife Mary E. Silvieus.

15)  Harriet Cornelius Ogden, 39 years old, wife of Jeremiah B. Clark from Goshen, Orange Co., New York, hopefully enjoyed the day with her siblings and youngsters Frances, David Pullis, Minnie Isabel, twins Frank Emerson and Amos Ryerson, Lillian Mae and Grace Lee.

The Halstead Ancestors

Today’s post marks my first blog about the Halstead’s. Thanks to the work of earlier researchers, I’ve learned much about my Halstead ancestry.

Today I’ll begin telling you about 4^th Great Grandmother Esther. She was born Jan. 15, 1779 in Orange County, New York to Michael and Phebe Halstead. I knew a little about Esther from Ruttenber & Clark’s ‘History of Orange County, New York’. Esther’s grandfather, Richard Halstead, was an early Goshen settler featured in the book. Esther married and is identified below as “Mrs. William Hemingway”.

  

Transcript:  Ruttenber & Clark’s History of Orange County, New York, published 1881, page 524

“Richard Halstead was an early settler of Goshen. He lived on the Florida road, near the present Snyder place, over the "Rio Grande," and it is claimed by his descendants that he was the first merchant in Goshen. He afterwards bought 600 acres of land in what is now Wawayanda, adjoining the Fullerton farm. The tradition in this family is that his son Michael was born there. If so (as Michael died in 1820, at the age of seventy- two), it determines the settlement of Richard in Wawayanda to have been as early as 1747 or 1748, not more than ten or twelve years later than the Dolsens. Michael Halstead left several children, Michael Jr., Jesse, Aaron, Mrs. William Hemingway, Mrs. Silas Hemingway, and Mrs. Alma Bailey. Michael, Jr., had one daughter, Mrs. Charles T. Jackson, from whom most of these particulars are obtained. It is understood that the pioneer Richard Halstead had a brother Joseph, who came to Orange County about the same time. He had no children, but an adopted son, bearing the family name, became the owner of the well- known Cash farm in Wawayanda.”

Esther and William lived in Orange County, New York until some time in the 1820’s when they moved to Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey.

4^th Great Grandmother passed June 22, 1842 and is buried in the Wantage First Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery. Great Grandfather William Hemingway passed March 9, 1855 and rests alongside her.

If you’re interested in the Hemingway family, you might like

Mystery Monday, Quite By Chance I Found My Hemingway’s in Jersey

Mystery Monday, The Hemingway’s Part 2