His Uncle Hollis Marsh
Hollis was born January 3rd, 1808, in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont.[i]
He was Justice of the Peace in 1836 in Randolph.[ii]
His will from Cattaraugus County was probated 30 January 1838.
"The last Will and Testament of Hollis Marsh of the town of Randolph in the county of Cattaraugus.
“I, Hollis Marsh, aged twenty-nine years and upwards, being desirous to discharge the duty which every man owes to his family by making such provision for the distribution of my property as shall be just and proper, do make, publish, and declare this my last will and testament as follows.
“First, I direct that the expenses of my last sickness and of my funeral shall be paid in preference to any devise or legacy herein contained. Second I give and devise all my property, real and personal, to my wife, Polly, with power to sell, alienate, and convey the whole or any part thereof in any manner she may deem proper, provided, however, that if she should be the mother of a child, a legal heir to my estate, then and in that case, I direct the child shall have its support from my property, and if it outlives the said Polly, that the property or estate remaining at the time of her death shall belong to it, its heirs and assigns forever.
“Third, I direct that if they should both die leaving no legal heirs of mine, then and in that case the property, if any remain, be divided as it would be if this will were not made.
“Lastly, I appoint my wife, Polly, and her father, Joel Scudder, executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fifth day of April, 1837." Hollis Marsh
The witnesses were Ira Smith, and A.G. Bush of Randolph, the latter being a business partner of Hollis'.[iii]
Hollis died 2 May 1837 and was buried in the Randolph Rural Cemetery.[iv]
“Hollis MARSH, son of Hollis and Polly (SCUDDER) MARSH, was born in Kiantone, NY Aug. 30, 1837. This branch of the MARSH family is of Welsh origin and is descended from three brothers, one of whom settled in Maine, one in NH, and the other, the great-grandfather of Hollis, second, in Vermont. His grandfather, Joseph Marsh, came from Vermont and settled at the forks, the confluence of the Little Conewango with Conewango Creek, about 1830. He was a farmer. Sometime in the forties, he removed to Michigan, where he died. Hollis married Polly Scudder, taught school, and later engaged in merchandising in Randolph in company with A. G. Bush. He died of pneumonia in May 1837. Hollis Marsh, his son, born after his father's death, was a farmer, and in Oct. 1861 enlisted in Co. E, 9th Cav. at Washington he was ill with pneumonia, was in the hospital, and was discharged an invalid. Dec. 15, 1858, he married Ellen M. Coy of Randolph. The last has been secretary and superintendent of Randolph Cemetery. They have a son and a daughter.”[v] Later census records show two sons, Willie and Ward, and their daughter was named Corinth.[vi]
While it is evident that Hollis Jr. knew his Grandfather Marsh and other family members from the following letter, he evidently did not know that his grandfather’s name was Lemuel or the origin of his Marsh ancestors when the history for the book was written. Jane Marsh Parker of Rochester, New York, daughter of Hollis’ brother, Joseph, wrote to Hollis Jr. of Randolph, New York, about genealogy. This is the answer she received.
"So you will see that I ought to know something about it. Unkle Josiah and another unkle died several years previous, I think his name was Joseph, to my father's death. They are all buried side by side in the Cemetery here on a lot which I now own. Granfather, Granmother, Unkle William, Unkle Julius & their families moved from here to Michigan when I was about eight or nine years old. At that time, I lived with my Mother and StepFather acrost the road from them. I have not heard from them since but once, that was about 2 years ago I received a letter from Unkle Julius which I answered, have not heard from them since. Granfather and Granmother were both dead then. Please write to me & let me know which one of my Unkles was your Father, & do you know any thing of the former history of Granfather. Where he moved from when he came here. I have wanted for a long time to learn something of my ancesters. Hoping to hear from you soon I subscribe my name as your Cousin Hollis Marsh, NY."[vii]
He was Justice of the Peace in 1836 in Randolph.[ii]
His will from Cattaraugus County was probated 30 January 1838.
"The last Will and Testament of Hollis Marsh of the town of Randolph in the county of Cattaraugus.
“I, Hollis Marsh, aged twenty-nine years and upwards, being desirous to discharge the duty which every man owes to his family by making such provision for the distribution of my property as shall be just and proper, do make, publish, and declare this my last will and testament as follows.
“First, I direct that the expenses of my last sickness and of my funeral shall be paid in preference to any devise or legacy herein contained. Second I give and devise all my property, real and personal, to my wife, Polly, with power to sell, alienate, and convey the whole or any part thereof in any manner she may deem proper, provided, however, that if she should be the mother of a child, a legal heir to my estate, then and in that case, I direct the child shall have its support from my property, and if it outlives the said Polly, that the property or estate remaining at the time of her death shall belong to it, its heirs and assigns forever.
“Third, I direct that if they should both die leaving no legal heirs of mine, then and in that case the property, if any remain, be divided as it would be if this will were not made.
“Lastly, I appoint my wife, Polly, and her father, Joel Scudder, executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fifth day of April, 1837." Hollis Marsh
The witnesses were Ira Smith, and A.G. Bush of Randolph, the latter being a business partner of Hollis'.[iii]
Hollis died 2 May 1837 and was buried in the Randolph Rural Cemetery.[iv]
“Hollis MARSH, son of Hollis and Polly (SCUDDER) MARSH, was born in Kiantone, NY Aug. 30, 1837. This branch of the MARSH family is of Welsh origin and is descended from three brothers, one of whom settled in Maine, one in NH, and the other, the great-grandfather of Hollis, second, in Vermont. His grandfather, Joseph Marsh, came from Vermont and settled at the forks, the confluence of the Little Conewango with Conewango Creek, about 1830. He was a farmer. Sometime in the forties, he removed to Michigan, where he died. Hollis married Polly Scudder, taught school, and later engaged in merchandising in Randolph in company with A. G. Bush. He died of pneumonia in May 1837. Hollis Marsh, his son, born after his father's death, was a farmer, and in Oct. 1861 enlisted in Co. E, 9th Cav. at Washington he was ill with pneumonia, was in the hospital, and was discharged an invalid. Dec. 15, 1858, he married Ellen M. Coy of Randolph. The last has been secretary and superintendent of Randolph Cemetery. They have a son and a daughter.”[v] Later census records show two sons, Willie and Ward, and their daughter was named Corinth.[vi]
While it is evident that Hollis Jr. knew his Grandfather Marsh and other family members from the following letter, he evidently did not know that his grandfather’s name was Lemuel or the origin of his Marsh ancestors when the history for the book was written. Jane Marsh Parker of Rochester, New York, daughter of Hollis’ brother, Joseph, wrote to Hollis Jr. of Randolph, New York, about genealogy. This is the answer she received.
"So you will see that I ought to know something about it. Unkle Josiah and another unkle died several years previous, I think his name was Joseph, to my father's death. They are all buried side by side in the Cemetery here on a lot which I now own. Granfather, Granmother, Unkle William, Unkle Julius & their families moved from here to Michigan when I was about eight or nine years old. At that time, I lived with my Mother and StepFather acrost the road from them. I have not heard from them since but once, that was about 2 years ago I received a letter from Unkle Julius which I answered, have not heard from them since. Granfather and Granmother were both dead then. Please write to me & let me know which one of my Unkles was your Father, & do you know any thing of the former history of Granfather. Where he moved from when he came here. I have wanted for a long time to learn something of my ancesters. Hoping to hear from you soon I subscribe my name as your Cousin Hollis Marsh, NY."[vii]
Thanks to Dana Palmer for the reference that Josiah Marsh, Hollis' brother, purchased land from the Holland Land Company.
On April 19, 1824, Josiah Marsh went to the Holland Land Company Office and purchased 405 acres of land, listed as lot 33, which was the same lot number of the Marshes in Randolph or Conewango, New York, depending on the boundaries of the town at any given year. Josiah paid only $38.00 of the $911.25 that was owed, leaving a balance of $873.25. His father, Lemuel, may have provided part of this money and so owned some of the land. The entry of Josiah's name in the record, like all the rest of the names, was in the column of "Names of Debtors." This was not uncommon among the settles in the area; in fact, very few people had any credible amount of money to make a down payment with. Deeds were not given to a person in this situation, but the Holland Land Company retained the ownership of the property. There isn't any entry in the records showing that Josiah returned to the office to make payment on the land. This was also true of many of the settlers.
The 1830 census of Conewango, New York, shows Josiah living side-by-side of his father, Lemuel, and his brothers, Julius and Orrin. Note that while Josiah's payment could have been intended to buy land for the family, neither Julius nor Orrin were old enough to own land in 1824, and Julius was not old enough to own land in 1830. The individuals in the Marsh family listed in Conewango in the 1830 census may have all been living on Josiah's land.
Then in 1831, Josiah contracted blood poisoning from a work related accident and died, still owing the balance on the land he began with.
On June 9, 1835, Josiah's brother, Hollis Marsh, is listed in the Holland Land Company "Modified Sales Record" as having purchased on lot 33, 100 acres, for $235.75. This is about 1/4 of what Josiah originally purchased. The explanation about a modified sale meant that the land had reverted to the Holland Land Company from lack of payment, which is another thing that happened to many of the settlers. It seems Hollis was trying to retain what land he could for himself and his family by buying some of what Josiah set out to do. Hollis' purchase was complete, and he would have been given a deed. Where Lemuel gave right-a-of-way to the railroad in 1839 and his son, William, sold half this same lot before leaving the county, may indicate that Lemuel owned half this property.
Hollis died of pneumonia in May of 1837 after writing into his will that his unborn child would inherit part of lot 33. Hollis' brother, William, later sold the other part of lot 33 to Nathan Sears, the new husband of Hollis' widow, just before William left for Michigan with Lemuel in his wagon. This sale, along with Lemuel's giving right-of-way to the railroad in 1839, indicates that he owned half of Hollis' purchase.
On April 19, 1824, Josiah Marsh went to the Holland Land Company Office and purchased 405 acres of land, listed as lot 33, which was the same lot number of the Marshes in Randolph or Conewango, New York, depending on the boundaries of the town at any given year. Josiah paid only $38.00 of the $911.25 that was owed, leaving a balance of $873.25. His father, Lemuel, may have provided part of this money and so owned some of the land. The entry of Josiah's name in the record, like all the rest of the names, was in the column of "Names of Debtors." This was not uncommon among the settles in the area; in fact, very few people had any credible amount of money to make a down payment with. Deeds were not given to a person in this situation, but the Holland Land Company retained the ownership of the property. There isn't any entry in the records showing that Josiah returned to the office to make payment on the land. This was also true of many of the settlers.
The 1830 census of Conewango, New York, shows Josiah living side-by-side of his father, Lemuel, and his brothers, Julius and Orrin. Note that while Josiah's payment could have been intended to buy land for the family, neither Julius nor Orrin were old enough to own land in 1824, and Julius was not old enough to own land in 1830. The individuals in the Marsh family listed in Conewango in the 1830 census may have all been living on Josiah's land.
Then in 1831, Josiah contracted blood poisoning from a work related accident and died, still owing the balance on the land he began with.
On June 9, 1835, Josiah's brother, Hollis Marsh, is listed in the Holland Land Company "Modified Sales Record" as having purchased on lot 33, 100 acres, for $235.75. This is about 1/4 of what Josiah originally purchased. The explanation about a modified sale meant that the land had reverted to the Holland Land Company from lack of payment, which is another thing that happened to many of the settlers. It seems Hollis was trying to retain what land he could for himself and his family by buying some of what Josiah set out to do. Hollis' purchase was complete, and he would have been given a deed. Where Lemuel gave right-a-of-way to the railroad in 1839 and his son, William, sold half this same lot before leaving the county, may indicate that Lemuel owned half this property.
Hollis died of pneumonia in May of 1837 after writing into his will that his unborn child would inherit part of lot 33. Hollis' brother, William, later sold the other part of lot 33 to Nathan Sears, the new husband of Hollis' widow, just before William left for Michigan with Lemuel in his wagon. This sale, along with Lemuel's giving right-of-way to the railroad in 1839, indicates that he owned half of Hollis' purchase.
This article written by Hollis' brother, Joseph, and printed in his newspaper, describes Lemuel's agony.
16th of October, 1837. "In Randolph Cattaraugus Co., lived my aged father. I had not been at home for about eight years. Found my father, my step-mother, and the small remnant of the family that yet lives with them, blessed in health. But O! what changes have taken place in the family since I left home! My dear mother's place was now filled by one, who to me was almost an entire stranger. My much beloved brothers Josiah, Lemuel L. and Hollis, had fallen by death, and were quietly reposing side by side, in the lone graveyard not far distant. In would be in vain to attempt a description of my feelings on entering my long (?), absent (?) house where these things were all fresh before me, especially on visiting the grave yard where my brothers lay. "There", said my trembling father, while tears trickled down his furrowed (?) cheeks, pointing to three little hillocks of earth, "lies three of your brothers". He had depended first upon one, then upon the other, to sustain him in his old age; but death, in this respect, had blasted all his prospects. He was now being under the infirmities of near seventy years, but his trust was in his God, and in the midst of all his grief, as his last, his only consolation, could look forward with a hope of immortality to the resurrection morn (?). Ah! Said he, they were good children, and thank God, they finished their course in the triumphs of faith. Yes, thank God, responded my throbbing heart, if faithful a few days more, I shall meet them, eternally blessed, beyond the confines of the tomb. In Randolph, there is no church of the Christian name, but an effectual door is opened for the reception of a free gospel."[iv].
16th of October, 1837. "In Randolph Cattaraugus Co., lived my aged father. I had not been at home for about eight years. Found my father, my step-mother, and the small remnant of the family that yet lives with them, blessed in health. But O! what changes have taken place in the family since I left home! My dear mother's place was now filled by one, who to me was almost an entire stranger. My much beloved brothers Josiah, Lemuel L. and Hollis, had fallen by death, and were quietly reposing side by side, in the lone graveyard not far distant. In would be in vain to attempt a description of my feelings on entering my long (?), absent (?) house where these things were all fresh before me, especially on visiting the grave yard where my brothers lay. "There", said my trembling father, while tears trickled down his furrowed (?) cheeks, pointing to three little hillocks of earth, "lies three of your brothers". He had depended first upon one, then upon the other, to sustain him in his old age; but death, in this respect, had blasted all his prospects. He was now being under the infirmities of near seventy years, but his trust was in his God, and in the midst of all his grief, as his last, his only consolation, could look forward with a hope of immortality to the resurrection morn (?). Ah! Said he, they were good children, and thank God, they finished their course in the triumphs of faith. Yes, thank God, responded my throbbing heart, if faithful a few days more, I shall meet them, eternally blessed, beyond the confines of the tomb. In Randolph, there is no church of the Christian name, but an effectual door is opened for the reception of a free gospel."[iv].
The only other entry in the Holland Land Company books for anyone in the Marsh family was in 1828 in "Original Sales" when Hollis purchased 100 acres 2/9, which was not the same as the other property. It is not known what happened to this lot. The purchase money was $200.00, the principle $10.00, and the residue was $190.00.
Hollis Sr.’s widow, Polly Scudder Marsh, later married Nathan Sears.[viii] Nathan purchased part of lot 33 from Polly's former brother-in-law, William Marsh, in 1843, before William left for Michigan with his father, Lemuel, in his wagon.[ix] The land that was deeded to Hollis Jr. from Hollis Sr. formed the southern boundary of part of lot 33, The deeded land from the above will is mentioned both in the writing of the deed in 1843, and in a map drawn on the deed. It is also drawn on the sale of the part of lot 33 from William to Nathan. The map was shown on all the paper work because part of the lot was tied up in probate. Nathan sold lot 33 in 1849[x], but he did not sell the land deeded from the will. Nathan and Polly moved on, but Hollis Jr. was left in the care of his maternal grandfather when he was just a boy to inherit the land that was left to him in his father's will. He was living with his grandfather, Joel Scudder, in the 1850 census.[xi]
There is a family Bible for Hollis Marsh Jr. and his wife, Ellen Coy. A woman wrote about the contents over Rootsweb.[xii] There was an article pressed in it about the deaths of Hollis Marsh and Ellen M. Marsh "who were respectively called from this life on May 6th and April 25th, A.D. 1911". There were only two children listed as surviving. As Corinth and William were still living, it must have been Ward that was deceased.
Hollis Jr. and Ellen were buried in the Randolph Rural Cemetery.[xiii]
There is a family Bible for Hollis Marsh Jr. and his wife, Ellen Coy. A woman wrote about the contents over Rootsweb.[xii] There was an article pressed in it about the deaths of Hollis Marsh and Ellen M. Marsh "who were respectively called from this life on May 6th and April 25th, A.D. 1911". There were only two children listed as surviving. As Corinth and William were still living, it must have been Ward that was deceased.
Hollis Jr. and Ellen were buried in the Randolph Rural Cemetery.[xiii]
Photos courtesy of Alex Shipherd
There were Christmas cards in the Bible from a Burt Carpenter, an Elva Carpenter, and a newspaper clipping about a Mabel Carpenter. It appears Hollis and Ellen's daughter, Corinth, married Burt Carpenter. The family was living in Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York in the 1900 census. Elva and Mabel were daughters, and so they were granddaughters to Hollis and Ellen.
Their son, William, was buried in 1916 in the lot previously owned by his father. There is no stone, but the cemetery record said he was 50, cause of death was suicide, and he was survived by his widow, Mrs. Josephine Marsh. The couple was found in the previous census records living in Salamanca, Cattaraugus, New York, and Josephine may or may not have been Josephine Madison, who was living in Salamanca as a child with her family. The 1900 census shows the couple was married for 13 years and had no children. William was a salesman at that time, and in 1910, he was a janitor in the Masonic Temple.
Their son, William, was buried in 1916 in the lot previously owned by his father. There is no stone, but the cemetery record said he was 50, cause of death was suicide, and he was survived by his widow, Mrs. Josephine Marsh. The couple was found in the previous census records living in Salamanca, Cattaraugus, New York, and Josephine may or may not have been Josephine Madison, who was living in Salamanca as a child with her family. The 1900 census shows the couple was married for 13 years and had no children. William was a salesman at that time, and in 1910, he was a janitor in the Masonic Temple.
Scott C. Marsh at the graves of Hollis Sr. and Lemuel Lucius, his 3rd g uncles, and the grave of Josiah Marsh, his 3rd g grandfather. .
With gratitude and love to Scott C. and Mary B. Marsh
for the stones to mark and honor the graves of Hollis, Josiah, and Lemuel
in the Randolph Cemetery.
Photos courtesy of Gretchen VanRensselaer
[i] Correspondence with St. Albans record office, P.O. Box 867, St. Albans, Vermont, 05478- 0867.
[ii] U. S. Genweb, Cattaraugus County, New York, name spelled Hillis Marsh, The History of Cattaraugus County, New
York, Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, (Philadelphia:
L.H. Everts, 1879.
[iii] Cattaraugus County, New York probate records, v. 1-3 1830-1864, v.1, pp. 26, 34 FHL #585,022.
[iv] Randolph Rural Cemetery Records, www.paintedhills.org.
[v] Cattaraugus, New York Genweb, Historical Gazeteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus County, NY, ed.,
William Adams, (1893) “History of the Town of Randolph – Chapter XLIV (44).
[vi] 1870, 1880 U.S. census records for Hollis’ family, Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York, 1875 New York census, same
place.
[vii] Hollis Marsh Jr. letter to Jane Marsh Parker, on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[viii] See FamilySearch.org for the death record of Mrs. Josephine C. Armstrong – parents shown are Nathan L. Sears
and Polly M. Scudder; see also Ruby H. Sears on same site; also shown on the legal documents in this section.
[ix] Cattaraugus County, New York deeds, William Marsh and wife to Nathan and Polly Sears, 1843; deeds 1842-1848
vol. 15-16, FHL #580617 vol 15. pg. 404.
[x] Cattaraugus County, New York deeds, Nathan Sears to George Van Campan, 1849; deeds 1849-1851 vol. 24-25,
FHL #580622, vol. 24 pg. 31.
[xi] 1850 U.S. census, Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York, Joel Scudder or Hollis Marsh Jr.
[xii] Family Bible, Hollis Marsh Jr. and Ellen Coy, Rootsweb description given by Tracy Copper, Chico, California.
[xiii] Randolph Rural Cemetery records, www.paintedhills.org.
[ii] U. S. Genweb, Cattaraugus County, New York, name spelled Hillis Marsh, The History of Cattaraugus County, New
York, Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, (Philadelphia:
L.H. Everts, 1879.
[iii] Cattaraugus County, New York probate records, v. 1-3 1830-1864, v.1, pp. 26, 34 FHL #585,022.
[iv] Randolph Rural Cemetery Records, www.paintedhills.org.
[v] Cattaraugus, New York Genweb, Historical Gazeteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus County, NY, ed.,
William Adams, (1893) “History of the Town of Randolph – Chapter XLIV (44).
[vi] 1870, 1880 U.S. census records for Hollis’ family, Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York, 1875 New York census, same
place.
[vii] Hollis Marsh Jr. letter to Jane Marsh Parker, on file with the author, courtesy of Sheron Long.
[viii] See FamilySearch.org for the death record of Mrs. Josephine C. Armstrong – parents shown are Nathan L. Sears
and Polly M. Scudder; see also Ruby H. Sears on same site; also shown on the legal documents in this section.
[ix] Cattaraugus County, New York deeds, William Marsh and wife to Nathan and Polly Sears, 1843; deeds 1842-1848
vol. 15-16, FHL #580617 vol 15. pg. 404.
[x] Cattaraugus County, New York deeds, Nathan Sears to George Van Campan, 1849; deeds 1849-1851 vol. 24-25,
FHL #580622, vol. 24 pg. 31.
[xi] 1850 U.S. census, Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York, Joel Scudder or Hollis Marsh Jr.
[xii] Family Bible, Hollis Marsh Jr. and Ellen Coy, Rootsweb description given by Tracy Copper, Chico, California.
[xiii] Randolph Rural Cemetery records, www.paintedhills.org.