An Old Chest and it's Treasures (2020)
Follow up stories
An Old Chest and it’s Treasures, Chemung, NY (2020) February 29, 2020
What do the family names Allen, Baldwin, Brown, Converse, Decker, Devens, Eltinge, J0slin, Orcutt, Manning and VanGorder have in common? They shared an old stage chest.
As historian for the town, I never know what to expect from day to day, and so, last October, I received a phone call. The party that called stated, “we have an old trunk, are you interested? We don’t know what is in it. Old books mostly”. Knowing that in an old trunk there could be a gold mine of old history items on the town and families that lived in it, I jumped at the chance and said Yes, absolutely!
Looking at it, I didn’t know where to start. The trunk was really old and dirty. Most of the leather was gone, either chewed away or disintegrated from the elements. The lid of the trunk was open slightly allowing exposure and of course, rodents. I don’t know how long the trunk sat in the Root Cellar at the old Orcutt Farm, but it was absolutely dry with very little musty smell.
One by one I began removing the books, deciding what to save and what was too damaged. Very few books were novels. Most were books of philosophy, geography and law with many chewed and not worth keeping. My interest was piqued already, without digging down very far. Who in the world owned this trunk? There were initials on the outside. E. C. Next, I uncovered a very large stack of sheet music. I was unable to save much, just a few pieces as It didn’t fare as well as the hard-bound books with covers. It was mostly classical music with some light opera: piano, voice, and other arrangements. I found an orchestra conductor’s baton also. The handle was broken off. There was a collection of detachable stand-up collars worn during Victorian times and small American Flags from various years.
This little trunk kept giving more. Several letters, photographs, and here and there a name. The name Abram Isaac Decker and Mrs. A.I. Decker appeared on copies of music. David Decker could also be seen at times. An address on the back of a photograph taken in Elmira. Little clues but nothing that created the ‘big picture’. Except for a school year book, The Onondagan of Ninety Eight, Published by the Junior Class of Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 1897. It was in this year book, I discovered the name, The Honorable Abram I. Decker, Waverly, 1900, Trustee from the Conferences of the Church, The Wyoming Conference. Confused? Me too!
I would have been content knowing the contents belonged to the Decker Family although I didn’t know why the trunk would end up in the old Orcutt root cellar. But that was only the “tip of the iceberg’ so to say. I’ve listed what I found and the information I managed to piece together, and will leave it up to the reader to decide if any information is of value to them. For me it was like taking a slice in time of the life of Chemung families in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. So, I hope you enjoy.
Decker and Orcutt Families
David Decker, was born in Roxbury, Delaware Co. NY, January 15, 1816. He grew up on a farm and was schooled at a common school of the day. In 1848, he managed a store and tannery at Summitville, Sullivan Co., NY. In 1859 David moved to Elmira where he engaged in the grain business, and began the construction of a tannery at Wellsburg, NY. His brother Casper joined him in its management. They remained partners until 1863, when David purchased entire control. He was interested in many enterprises, being President of the Nobles Manufacturing Company, of the Southern Tier Savings Bank and of the First National Bank at various times. He was supervisor of his Ward in Elmira and very active in Republican politics. Interested in education, he served on the city board, was President for a term and officially connected with the seminaries both at Ovid and Lima and with Genesee College, which afterward became Syracuse University, where he was a trustee at the time of his death, September 27, 1890.
He served as manager of the State Reformatory at Elmira and of the State Custodial Asylum at Newark, NY. He was one of the leading Methodists of Elmira, President of the Board of Trustees of the Hedding Methodist Episcopal Church and several times a delegate to the general conferences.
He was married twice. First in 1846 to Cordelia Schultz. They had 8 children, Abram Isaac Decker being one of them. Mrs. Decker died in 1872. His second wife was Lucinda Burlingame, they married in 1873 and she died in 1888.[1]
David and Cordelia had one son that I know of. Abram Isaac Decker, born Sept. 21, 1850. David passed on September 27, 1890 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, NY. David and his family lived in Elmira on Clinton St. mostly likely where the Hilliard Corp. is located today.
Abram was involved in many ventures, similar to those of his father, and was a trustee on the board of Syracuse University. Both Abram and Sarah, resided in Waverly, NY and are buried there in the Glenwood Cemetery.
David Orcutt Decker, married Alice M. Fritsch about 1919. They had two children: Edward Horace Decker 1913 and Miriam L. Decker, 1916.
In the 1930 census of Chemung, David is listed as proprietor of a riding academy. It would appear David took over his great grandfathers’ property, in Chemung. That of Daniel Orcutt 1766-1848 and Deborah Tozer 1768-1850. Daniel and Deborah were very early settlers to Chemung, most likely in the 1790’s. The property was most likely handed down from Daniel and Deborah to John Loomis Orcutt and Elizabeth, to Sarah Orcutt and Abram I. Decker to David Orcutt Decker.
David was also an attorney and is buried in Tioga Co, PA and Alice in Waverly, NY. He sold the farm to Pat Ross and Dave Fors, in the 1970’s. They created Foxwin Riding Academy, it becoming a staple in the community for almost 40 years.
Now, before I go any further, I’d like to mention that John Loomis Orcutt’s son was John H. Orcutt, 1833-1921. John H. Orcutt and his wife Emma, had a son, John N. born 1870. I mention this because of the confusion associated with the three names.
Devens, Eltinge, and Converse Family
The next item of interest was a receipt. Dated: Ellenville, April 7, ‘37 and addressed to: Phebe Devens. To: John H. Eltinge, Jr., to balance one ledger, for Cherry Coffin and Allen Lock Co. Total with interest: $24.98.
I located John H. Eltinge, Jr. in a U.S. City Directory in Kingston, New York in 1879. He was a clerk. I was not able to locate Phebe Devens. So, the mystery goes on.
Two very old envelopes were located in the trunk. Both addressed to Elijah Converse, Esq., one to Titusville, Warren Co. PA. Postmarked Chemung, NY (Nov. 6), and one to Tidioute, Wayne Co. PA. Both Envelopes were torn when opened and due to the elements were in rough shape.
A letter was found in the one envelope, Written by J.H. Orcutt, Box 62, Chemung, NY. It was written in Chemung, NY. Nov. 4, 1866 to Cousin Elijah.
vanGorder Family and Brown
Lawrance vanGorder 1773 Ulster Co. -1851 Chemung, NY. He was in the War of 1812, and is buried in the Dutchtown Cemetery, Chemung. He and his wife Sarah had John Newkirk vanGorder, 1815-1903.
John Newkirk vanGorder married Jemima Rhodes, and had nine children. Their 6th child was, Charles vanGorder. I believe this is who John H. Orcutt was writing about in his letter. His grandmother was Sarah and his wife was Sarah, so I’m not sure which Sarah was mentioned but it looks as though Charles was safe and sound from “the Indians”. I located him in a NYS Census in 1875, married to Sarah, with 2 children, living in Candor, Tioga Co, NY.
Another confusing piece to the puzzle was a letter written to “Friend Dan”, on August 21st, year unknown, in Chicago by E.C. Brown. Well, there are those initials again, but would someone only use their first and middle initials and not their last? George, Frank, Betsey and Clark are all listed in the letter, but no last names. So, I am completely baffled to the identity of the author of this letter.
Joslin Farm, Allen, Baldwin and Manning,
There are also farm photos located in the trunk and they were identified as the Old Joslin Farm in Chemung. They had a signature large barn, easily identifiable. I will post these as well. By looking at the 1853 and 1869 maps of Chemung, Previous property owners of the Joslin Farm, were Baldwin and Manning. I have no idea why those photos would be found in this old trunk given the contents of it. But the very last photo in an old photo album was a photo of 2 women. One woman was holding a baby, dressed very nice and appears to be sleeping. The name was Mildred F. Allen. I was saddened when I discovered Mildred was born March 27, 1917 in Elmira and died as a stillborn. She was ready for burial and the family was holding her for the last time. I don’t know what the connection of the Joslin Farm was, or that of baby Mildred to this interesting trunk.
I covered many family names and generations trying to discover the mystery of the trunk. It would appear the trunk may have belonged Elijah Converse, who was related to the Orcutt’s, a nephew, but I don’t know the connection.
Mary Ellen P. Kunst
Historian, Town of Chemung, NY
[1] Our Country and It’s People, A History of the Valley and County of Chemung, From the Closing Years of the Eighteenth Century, by Ausburn Towner, 1892. Page 513, 622.
What do the family names Allen, Baldwin, Brown, Converse, Decker, Devens, Eltinge, J0slin, Orcutt, Manning and VanGorder have in common? They shared an old stage chest.
As historian for the town, I never know what to expect from day to day, and so, last October, I received a phone call. The party that called stated, “we have an old trunk, are you interested? We don’t know what is in it. Old books mostly”. Knowing that in an old trunk there could be a gold mine of old history items on the town and families that lived in it, I jumped at the chance and said Yes, absolutely!
Looking at it, I didn’t know where to start. The trunk was really old and dirty. Most of the leather was gone, either chewed away or disintegrated from the elements. The lid of the trunk was open slightly allowing exposure and of course, rodents. I don’t know how long the trunk sat in the Root Cellar at the old Orcutt Farm, but it was absolutely dry with very little musty smell.
One by one I began removing the books, deciding what to save and what was too damaged. Very few books were novels. Most were books of philosophy, geography and law with many chewed and not worth keeping. My interest was piqued already, without digging down very far. Who in the world owned this trunk? There were initials on the outside. E. C. Next, I uncovered a very large stack of sheet music. I was unable to save much, just a few pieces as It didn’t fare as well as the hard-bound books with covers. It was mostly classical music with some light opera: piano, voice, and other arrangements. I found an orchestra conductor’s baton also. The handle was broken off. There was a collection of detachable stand-up collars worn during Victorian times and small American Flags from various years.
This little trunk kept giving more. Several letters, photographs, and here and there a name. The name Abram Isaac Decker and Mrs. A.I. Decker appeared on copies of music. David Decker could also be seen at times. An address on the back of a photograph taken in Elmira. Little clues but nothing that created the ‘big picture’. Except for a school year book, The Onondagan of Ninety Eight, Published by the Junior Class of Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 1897. It was in this year book, I discovered the name, The Honorable Abram I. Decker, Waverly, 1900, Trustee from the Conferences of the Church, The Wyoming Conference. Confused? Me too!
I would have been content knowing the contents belonged to the Decker Family although I didn’t know why the trunk would end up in the old Orcutt root cellar. But that was only the “tip of the iceberg’ so to say. I’ve listed what I found and the information I managed to piece together, and will leave it up to the reader to decide if any information is of value to them. For me it was like taking a slice in time of the life of Chemung families in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. So, I hope you enjoy.
Decker and Orcutt Families
David Decker, was born in Roxbury, Delaware Co. NY, January 15, 1816. He grew up on a farm and was schooled at a common school of the day. In 1848, he managed a store and tannery at Summitville, Sullivan Co., NY. In 1859 David moved to Elmira where he engaged in the grain business, and began the construction of a tannery at Wellsburg, NY. His brother Casper joined him in its management. They remained partners until 1863, when David purchased entire control. He was interested in many enterprises, being President of the Nobles Manufacturing Company, of the Southern Tier Savings Bank and of the First National Bank at various times. He was supervisor of his Ward in Elmira and very active in Republican politics. Interested in education, he served on the city board, was President for a term and officially connected with the seminaries both at Ovid and Lima and with Genesee College, which afterward became Syracuse University, where he was a trustee at the time of his death, September 27, 1890.
He served as manager of the State Reformatory at Elmira and of the State Custodial Asylum at Newark, NY. He was one of the leading Methodists of Elmira, President of the Board of Trustees of the Hedding Methodist Episcopal Church and several times a delegate to the general conferences.
He was married twice. First in 1846 to Cordelia Schultz. They had 8 children, Abram Isaac Decker being one of them. Mrs. Decker died in 1872. His second wife was Lucinda Burlingame, they married in 1873 and she died in 1888.[1]
David and Cordelia had one son that I know of. Abram Isaac Decker, born Sept. 21, 1850. David passed on September 27, 1890 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, NY. David and his family lived in Elmira on Clinton St. mostly likely where the Hilliard Corp. is located today.
- See the photographs of the Decker home and that of David Decker and A.I. Decker
Abram was involved in many ventures, similar to those of his father, and was a trustee on the board of Syracuse University. Both Abram and Sarah, resided in Waverly, NY and are buried there in the Glenwood Cemetery.
David Orcutt Decker, married Alice M. Fritsch about 1919. They had two children: Edward Horace Decker 1913 and Miriam L. Decker, 1916.
In the 1930 census of Chemung, David is listed as proprietor of a riding academy. It would appear David took over his great grandfathers’ property, in Chemung. That of Daniel Orcutt 1766-1848 and Deborah Tozer 1768-1850. Daniel and Deborah were very early settlers to Chemung, most likely in the 1790’s. The property was most likely handed down from Daniel and Deborah to John Loomis Orcutt and Elizabeth, to Sarah Orcutt and Abram I. Decker to David Orcutt Decker.
David was also an attorney and is buried in Tioga Co, PA and Alice in Waverly, NY. He sold the farm to Pat Ross and Dave Fors, in the 1970’s. They created Foxwin Riding Academy, it becoming a staple in the community for almost 40 years.
Now, before I go any further, I’d like to mention that John Loomis Orcutt’s son was John H. Orcutt, 1833-1921. John H. Orcutt and his wife Emma, had a son, John N. born 1870. I mention this because of the confusion associated with the three names.
Devens, Eltinge, and Converse Family
The next item of interest was a receipt. Dated: Ellenville, April 7, ‘37 and addressed to: Phebe Devens. To: John H. Eltinge, Jr., to balance one ledger, for Cherry Coffin and Allen Lock Co. Total with interest: $24.98.
I located John H. Eltinge, Jr. in a U.S. City Directory in Kingston, New York in 1879. He was a clerk. I was not able to locate Phebe Devens. So, the mystery goes on.
Two very old envelopes were located in the trunk. Both addressed to Elijah Converse, Esq., one to Titusville, Warren Co. PA. Postmarked Chemung, NY (Nov. 6), and one to Tidioute, Wayne Co. PA. Both Envelopes were torn when opened and due to the elements were in rough shape.
A letter was found in the one envelope, Written by J.H. Orcutt, Box 62, Chemung, NY. It was written in Chemung, NY. Nov. 4, 1866 to Cousin Elijah.
- See the letter written by J.H. Orcutt to Elijah Converse, Nov. 4, 1866.
vanGorder Family and Brown
Lawrance vanGorder 1773 Ulster Co. -1851 Chemung, NY. He was in the War of 1812, and is buried in the Dutchtown Cemetery, Chemung. He and his wife Sarah had John Newkirk vanGorder, 1815-1903.
John Newkirk vanGorder married Jemima Rhodes, and had nine children. Their 6th child was, Charles vanGorder. I believe this is who John H. Orcutt was writing about in his letter. His grandmother was Sarah and his wife was Sarah, so I’m not sure which Sarah was mentioned but it looks as though Charles was safe and sound from “the Indians”. I located him in a NYS Census in 1875, married to Sarah, with 2 children, living in Candor, Tioga Co, NY.
Another confusing piece to the puzzle was a letter written to “Friend Dan”, on August 21st, year unknown, in Chicago by E.C. Brown. Well, there are those initials again, but would someone only use their first and middle initials and not their last? George, Frank, Betsey and Clark are all listed in the letter, but no last names. So, I am completely baffled to the identity of the author of this letter.
- See the letter written to Dan from E.C. Brown, year unknown (but looks as though the mid to late 1800’s.
Joslin Farm, Allen, Baldwin and Manning,
There are also farm photos located in the trunk and they were identified as the Old Joslin Farm in Chemung. They had a signature large barn, easily identifiable. I will post these as well. By looking at the 1853 and 1869 maps of Chemung, Previous property owners of the Joslin Farm, were Baldwin and Manning. I have no idea why those photos would be found in this old trunk given the contents of it. But the very last photo in an old photo album was a photo of 2 women. One woman was holding a baby, dressed very nice and appears to be sleeping. The name was Mildred F. Allen. I was saddened when I discovered Mildred was born March 27, 1917 in Elmira and died as a stillborn. She was ready for burial and the family was holding her for the last time. I don’t know what the connection of the Joslin Farm was, or that of baby Mildred to this interesting trunk.
I covered many family names and generations trying to discover the mystery of the trunk. It would appear the trunk may have belonged Elijah Converse, who was related to the Orcutt’s, a nephew, but I don’t know the connection.
- Many generations used it. They filled it up until it could not hold one more item and it sat in the root cellar for a very long time.See unidentified photographs found in the trunk. (with the exception of Mildred’s)
Mary Ellen P. Kunst
Historian, Town of Chemung, NY
[1] Our Country and It’s People, A History of the Valley and County of Chemung, From the Closing Years of the Eighteenth Century, by Ausburn Towner, 1892. Page 513, 622.
Letter written by J.H. Orcutt
|
Chemung NY Nov 4, 1861
Cousin Elijah Dear Sir I received yours of October 31st yesterday, I was quite pleased to hear from and to learn that you are yet alive and in good health. I expected to hear from you sooner but you say your first letter must have been miscarried. So that accounts for I am quite sorry that you could not make our oil arrangement work but perhaps it is not too late yet. We must figure the thing pretty close and do it soon for it is getting cold weather and that I suppose would put a veto on the thing till spring. |
You spoke of the $10.00 you got of me I convenient it would come pretty acceptable at present as I am pretty hard up. I am finishing off my house and it takes considerable to do it. I have no news to write of much importance at present. Dan is now in Elmira to work at his trade and is as steady as an old deacon.
Charles VanGorder folks are afraid he is killed by the Indians as they have not heard from him for months. Your Mother’s health is very good! And Grandmothers also. Debbie is going to Southport this week I believe.
Lout talks of moving away but I don’t know where neither do I can for he likes me as well as ever, but I suppose you know there is no love lost between us. I must close my letter soon for I must go over to Orcutt Creek this afternoon yet and it is now 1 o’clock.
You think you will be out this month well come along. I have a barrel of nice cider and a lot of big cabbage heads and plenty of pancake timber.
Bring me a good deer skin or two if you can get them in your trunk and they will not take up much room. You must write soon and let me know next time what you are doing , When you do write, you don’t write is worse or two why don’t you write as ____?_____ a letter as I have. I can’t think of anymore to write at present.
Yours truly,
J.H. Orcutt
Box 62 Chemung, NY
Charles VanGorder folks are afraid he is killed by the Indians as they have not heard from him for months. Your Mother’s health is very good! And Grandmothers also. Debbie is going to Southport this week I believe.
Lout talks of moving away but I don’t know where neither do I can for he likes me as well as ever, but I suppose you know there is no love lost between us. I must close my letter soon for I must go over to Orcutt Creek this afternoon yet and it is now 1 o’clock.
You think you will be out this month well come along. I have a barrel of nice cider and a lot of big cabbage heads and plenty of pancake timber.
Bring me a good deer skin or two if you can get them in your trunk and they will not take up much room. You must write soon and let me know next time what you are doing , When you do write, you don’t write is worse or two why don’t you write as ____?_____ a letter as I have. I can’t think of anymore to write at present.
Yours truly,
J.H. Orcutt
Box 62 Chemung, NY
Letter written to Dan from E.C. Brown, year unknown.
Chicago, Friday, August 21st
Friend Dan, I think you had expected I would write to you before this and I would but I did not intend to stay here but I have changed my mind and think I shall stay here until winter if nothing presents and then I want to go out where __?___ and the rest of the folk are and see them. How is the old rooster and his new wife? There is plenty of work here and plenty to do it such as they are most everybody is a brick layer they have got all Germany here and part of England. The wages are five and five and a half per day for good men and on the raise painters are plenty and wages low from $2. To 3 per day, no more. How are all the folks and your self getting along. Give my respects to all. How is George and Frank. Have you seen Betsey lately if not you better had and let me know how she is and keep Clark away. Good Day write soon, E.C. Brown, Chicago, 418 State St. |