Israel Parshall, one of the earliest settlers to the Town of Chemung, was not a young man as he made his way through the wilderness to settle in this remote area of New York State. He was 53 years of age, married and a grandfather.
I’d like to start out three generations earlier with Israel’s great grandfather, James of England, back in the mid 1600’s. He immigrated to America and settled in what is known today as Gardiners Island, in East Hampton, which is located in Suffolk Co, NY. I list James Parshall as Generation One. His wife’s name is unknown. They had six children.
Their first-born Israel was born in 1680. He was the Grandfather of Israel from Chemung. Captain Israel Parshall as he later became known, lived and died in Suffolk Co., NY. He is Generation Two. He served in Ye Suffolk Regiment, under the King’s Army. Captain Parshall and his wife, Joanna Swezey lived their lives in Suffolk County. They raised seven children. Their son, Israel was the 5th child born to them and becomes Generation Three.
Israel Parshall, the father of Chemung’s Israel, was born between 1708-1712 in Aquebogue, Suffolk Co, NY. He married in 1732 to Bethia Case. They had six children. (Israel and Bethia’s second born child was Israel, born October 6, 1736 and becomes Generation Four.) He married again after the death of Bethia. He married Deliverance Terry. They had 5 children. Prior to the French Indian War, he moved his family to Orange County. While in Goshen he was the owner of one male slave.
Fourth Generation: Israel Parshall, was born October 7, 1736, on Long Island, Suffolk Co., NY. He married Ruth Howell, in Orange County, NY about 1753, the year before the French Indian War. (1754 – 1763). At an unknown date they moved to Pennsylvania, living near two of his sons at the break out of the Revolutionary War. In Northumberland Co. he was a Second Lieutenant, 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion in January 1776. He appeared on a tax list in Muncy Township, Northumberland Co. PA in 1783-1787, engaged in farming, taxed for 600 acres of land. He also owned a saw mill.
He arrived in Chemung about 1789. Early history of the town lists Israel and his son Asa attending the treaty with the Indians held at Newtown (Elmira) in 1790. A deed dated January 22, 1791 for Lot 10 in the Town of Chemung was signed by Governor Clinton. Israel’s two-story log home was located at the intersection of Snell Rd and County Route 60 (old Rt. 17).
Israel and Ruth had twelve children.
Israel was described by a granddaughter as being “a small man, weighing not more than 125 pounds, but possessed in an eminent degree that rugged vitality which is such a distinguishing characteristic of our race.”
“Israel started alone to ride a colt to a sugar camp on a winter day. The colt returned alone. Search being immediately instituted, he was found lying by the roadside insensible, and succumbed to the shock and exposure shortly after. It was conjectured that he was thrown from his horse. Israel died at his home in Chemung on February 18, 1827 at the age of 91. (His wife Ruth passed away in 1808.)
Source Information: North American, Family Histories, 1500-2000.
Source Citation: Book Title: The History of the Parshall Family: From the conquest of England by William of Normandy, AD 1066.
I’d like to start out three generations earlier with Israel’s great grandfather, James of England, back in the mid 1600’s. He immigrated to America and settled in what is known today as Gardiners Island, in East Hampton, which is located in Suffolk Co, NY. I list James Parshall as Generation One. His wife’s name is unknown. They had six children.
Their first-born Israel was born in 1680. He was the Grandfather of Israel from Chemung. Captain Israel Parshall as he later became known, lived and died in Suffolk Co., NY. He is Generation Two. He served in Ye Suffolk Regiment, under the King’s Army. Captain Parshall and his wife, Joanna Swezey lived their lives in Suffolk County. They raised seven children. Their son, Israel was the 5th child born to them and becomes Generation Three.
Israel Parshall, the father of Chemung’s Israel, was born between 1708-1712 in Aquebogue, Suffolk Co, NY. He married in 1732 to Bethia Case. They had six children. (Israel and Bethia’s second born child was Israel, born October 6, 1736 and becomes Generation Four.) He married again after the death of Bethia. He married Deliverance Terry. They had 5 children. Prior to the French Indian War, he moved his family to Orange County. While in Goshen he was the owner of one male slave.
Fourth Generation: Israel Parshall, was born October 7, 1736, on Long Island, Suffolk Co., NY. He married Ruth Howell, in Orange County, NY about 1753, the year before the French Indian War. (1754 – 1763). At an unknown date they moved to Pennsylvania, living near two of his sons at the break out of the Revolutionary War. In Northumberland Co. he was a Second Lieutenant, 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion in January 1776. He appeared on a tax list in Muncy Township, Northumberland Co. PA in 1783-1787, engaged in farming, taxed for 600 acres of land. He also owned a saw mill.
He arrived in Chemung about 1789. Early history of the town lists Israel and his son Asa attending the treaty with the Indians held at Newtown (Elmira) in 1790. A deed dated January 22, 1791 for Lot 10 in the Town of Chemung was signed by Governor Clinton. Israel’s two-story log home was located at the intersection of Snell Rd and County Route 60 (old Rt. 17).
Israel and Ruth had twelve children.
- Joanna married Benjamin Burt (both born in Orange County, NY), they remained in Chemung. They had 8 children.
- Gerusha married Joseph Shoemaker
- Israel married Deliverance Terry (his cousin) Moved to Palmyra, NY. They had 10 children.
- David married Sarah Cronover. Moved to Canandaigua, NY. They had 13 children.
- Deborah married Joseph Scott
- Lydia married 1st Annia, 2nd Cooley
- Asa married Susannah Keeney, daughter of Thomas and Mercy (Lamb) Keeney. She was born in Hartford, CT. they remained in Chemung, NY. They had 13 children.
- Keziah married Benjamin Hulse of Chemung, NY.
- Ruth (Unknown info)
- Anna married Thomas Keeney, son of Thomas and Mercy (Lamb) Keeney. He was born in Hartford, CT.
- Jesse married Mary VanGorder. They lived in Canandaigua and moved to Ontario County, NY. They had 10 children.
- Unknown child.
Israel was described by a granddaughter as being “a small man, weighing not more than 125 pounds, but possessed in an eminent degree that rugged vitality which is such a distinguishing characteristic of our race.”
“Israel started alone to ride a colt to a sugar camp on a winter day. The colt returned alone. Search being immediately instituted, he was found lying by the roadside insensible, and succumbed to the shock and exposure shortly after. It was conjectured that he was thrown from his horse. Israel died at his home in Chemung on February 18, 1827 at the age of 91. (His wife Ruth passed away in 1808.)
Source Information: North American, Family Histories, 1500-2000.
Source Citation: Book Title: The History of the Parshall Family: From the conquest of England by William of Normandy, AD 1066.
Israel Parshall was one of the original settlers to the Lower Chemung River Valley and Town of Chemung arriving in 1787. Excerpts taken from History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, New York, Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign 1879: Israel Parshall, Samuel Beidelman, Jonathan Griswold, John Squires, Abijah Batterson, Jacob Kress, Thomas Keeney, and Isaac Baldwin and his sons came the next year (1787), and settled in the valley west of the Narrows Hill (Squires, Batterson, and Keeney taking up a location on the south side of the river). Israel Parshall came from Long Island, and settled on the property now owned by his grandson, Asa Parshall. At the treaty held with the Indians at Newtown, in 1790, Asa, one of the sons (and father of the present owner of the homestead), ran a foot-race with one of the fleetest Indian runners, and came off victorious.
Israel Parshall was born in 1736. He came to Chemung with his family; his wife, Ruth Howell and twelve children. He died in 1827 at the age of 91 years. He was a Lieutenant in the American Revolution.
Israel built a one and one/half story cabin for his family on the corner of County Route 60 and Snell Road.
The photos shown below show the cabin in disrepair and were most likely taken before the building was torn down.
Israel Parshall was born in 1736. He came to Chemung with his family; his wife, Ruth Howell and twelve children. He died in 1827 at the age of 91 years. He was a Lieutenant in the American Revolution.
Israel built a one and one/half story cabin for his family on the corner of County Route 60 and Snell Road.
The photos shown below show the cabin in disrepair and were most likely taken before the building was torn down.
Please click on photos to enlarge them.
Many thanks to the contributors on this page:
Linda Everett Hamel, Sally Schamel, With a Special Thank You to Susan & Mike Aumick.
Linda Everett Hamel, Sally Schamel, With a Special Thank You to Susan & Mike Aumick.
A collection of Photographs of the Parshall extended family, that includes the names of: Baock, Catlin, Chapman, Comfort, Dresser, Hanna, Krom, Lane, Manning, Martin, Norris, Reeser, Reynolds, Seeley, Swain, Thomas, VanAtta, VanGorder, Warren, Wynkoop, & others.
This photo collection belonged to Helen Louise Parshall, as indicated on the back of the photographs when listing her relationship to the individuals in the photos.
Helen's parents were Clifford Sands & Tessea Anna (Norris) Parshall.
Helen's Grandparents were Wesley & Georgianna (Swain) Parshall.
Tessea Anna Norris's parents were John & Maria E. Manning Norris.
Tessea's grandmother was Lydia Ann (Seeley) Norris, and her Great Great Grandfather, Seymour A. Seeley.
Helen's parents were Clifford Sands & Tessea Anna (Norris) Parshall.
Helen's Grandparents were Wesley & Georgianna (Swain) Parshall.
Tessea Anna Norris's parents were John & Maria E. Manning Norris.
Tessea's grandmother was Lydia Ann (Seeley) Norris, and her Great Great Grandfather, Seymour A. Seeley.
Please click to enlarge photos
Parshall Family Please click to enlarge photos
Tessea Anna Norris was wife of Clifford Sands Parshall and daughter of John and Maria E. (Manning) Norris b. Van Etten, NY August 5, 1886. Children Norris Clifford & Helen Louise.
Tessea Anna Norris's grandmother was Lydia Ann (Seeley) Norris.
Seymour A Seeley, Gr Gr Grandfather of Helen L. Parshall. He was the son of Zodac & Rachel Almond Seeley born in Decatur, Otsego Co, NY on February 23, 1809. He died May 28, 1897 in Newfield, NY
Tessea Anna Norris's grandmother was Lydia Ann (Seeley) Norris.
Seymour A Seeley, Gr Gr Grandfather of Helen L. Parshall. He was the son of Zodac & Rachel Almond Seeley born in Decatur, Otsego Co, NY on February 23, 1809. He died May 28, 1897 in Newfield, NY
July 2, 1909 Waverly Free Press - Clifford S. Parshall, of this village, and Tassea Anna Norris, were united in marriage at 7 o’clock Saturday evening, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Norris, at VanEtten. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Robert L. Clark, pastor of the Waverly Methodist church, and was witnessed only by the immediate relatives and a few close friends of the contracting parties. The groom is an employee of the Waverly postoffice, and the bride until recently was a bookkeeper at the George H. Moore fruit store. Both are very popular and well known people in this village and their many friends extend their hearty congratulations.
Robert Swain was the son of Joseph & Jane (Hanna) Swain, born in Chemung, NY. He married Catherine Catlin and was Helen Louise Parshall's Gr. Gr. Grandfather. Charles Swain was Grandfather of Clifford Parshall & Gr Grandfather of Helen L. Parshall.
June 15, 1908 Elmira Star Gazette - Parshall Family Now Is Organized. At Enjoyable Reunion in Chemung Arrangement Is Made to Hold Similar Meetings Annually. The first reunion of the Parshall family was held June 9 at Golden Day Cottage on the grounds of Bruce Van Gorder near this village (of Chemung). The members of the family assembled during the forenoon and at 1 o’clock dinner was served on the broad veranda of the cottage overlooking the river. Fifty-seven were present from California, Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut and numerous towns in this section. Mrs. Swan read the letters of regret from several who could not attend. It was decided to form a permanent organization to hold future reunions regularly and promote interest among different branches of the family. Bruce Van Gorder was made chairman. George P. Swan was called upon for suggestions and in reminiscent mood recalled his marriage into the family. He regretted that it would probably be the last reunion they would attend, because his home in on the Pacific Coast. George B. Snell was elected permanent chairman, after which these officers were chosen: President, Wesley Parshall, Waverly; … The following committees were named to arrange for the next reunion: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. VanCamp, Mr. and Mrs. William Inscho. A photograph was taken of the group by Irving K. Park of Athens.
This is a great family reunion photo!
Parshall Reunion, VanGorder's Cottage,Chemung, NY June 9, 1909
The back of the photo helps to identify the people in the photo but as you can see, it's missing some names.
Parshall Reunion, VanGorder's Cottage,Chemung, NY June 9, 1909
The back of the photo helps to identify the people in the photo but as you can see, it's missing some names.
3rd Annual Reunion Parshall Family at VanGorder's Cottage. Chemung, NY June 10, 1910
The back of this photo identifies almost everyone present.
The back of this photo identifies almost everyone present.
June 27, 1913 Elmira Star Gazette - Parshall Reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce VanGorder, of Chemung, gave over their cottage, “Golden Days,” on Saturday, June 21, for the sixth annual reunion of the Parshall family, one of the oldest and largest families of Chemung county. Mrs. Bruce Van Gorder, the oldest surviving member of the family, ninety-two years of age, was present and contributed a great deal to the pleasure of the occasion. Her sister, Mrs. Almira Snell, eighty-eight years of age, is convalescing from a recent illness, and was unable to be present. Dinner was served on the porch overlooking the river, after which the usual business meeting was held. The following officers were elected: President, C. S. Parshall, Waverly; vice president, Mrs. Fred Krom, Waverly; treasurer, Mrs. George Snell, Chemung; secretary, Mrs. Harry M. Smith, Elmira. Those present were: John Inscho, Tioga, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Inscho, Elmira Heights; Will Inscho, Jesse Inschol, Miss Nora Inscho, Canoe Camp, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rhodes, Tioga, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Rhodes, Elmira; Richard Rhodes, Tioga, Pa.; Ernest Inscho, Birmingham, Ala.; Mrs. Asa Bovier, John Bovier, Clarence W. Stewart, Mrs. J. W. Stewart, Miss Mae Stewart, Elmira; Mrs. and Mrs. Walter VanAtta, Toledo, O.; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Parshall, Waverly; Clifford Parshall, Mrs. Mary Parshall, Master Norris Parshall, Mrs. Fred Krom, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. VanGoder, Mr. and Mrs. George Snell, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Snell, Mrs. Lloyd Snell, Charles Gere, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Wynkoop, Chemung.
The following two photos are of Theodore M. Warren and his daughter, Hattie Warren Reeser. I don't know at this time if they were related to the Parshall family or if they were neighbors or friends. They definitely are great photos. Theodore died during the Civil War and you can read the back of the photo. He was either a colonel or lieutenant as there seemed to be a question about rank. The photo also has the words, gr. gr. uncle and if that is the case, it most likely would be in reference to Helen L. Parshall.
The following photos are either unidentified or it is not clear how the individuals are related to the Parshall family or perhaps they were friends of the family. But they are part of this collection, therefore I'll list them.
Chapman and Reynolds Family