TIBBITS

Compiled by: Andrew L. Moore

336 Sarver Road, Sarver  PA  16055

Email: PAmoores@juno.com

Dated: 25 December 2008

 

 

 

 

TIBBITS

 

 

While the reader will notice several variations of the spelling of the surname (ie: Tibbits, Tibbitts, Tibbets, Tibbetts, etc), I have settled on the spelling of Tibbits as that is the spelling consistently used on the gravestones of the family interned in the Fairview Cemetery in Pleasantville, PA.  I have endeavored to maintain the spelling of the name as discovered in newspapers, biographical sketches and census records.

 

 

___Unknown___ Tibbits

 

This generation is not known.  Based on genealogy information, it is possible that this couple was George (born 7 Jan 1759, died 3 Mar 1849) and Hanna (born 1780, died 4 Apr 1859) Tibbits of Manlius, Onondaga Co NY.  Both are buried in the Oran Cemetery, Oran Station Road, Pompey, NY.  In the 1850 Manlius, Onondaga Co NY Federal Census, a “Hannah”, aged 70, of “CT” is living with a “Henry Tibbits”, aged 48.  This family is 5 doors down from Eleazer Voorus, the father of Andrew Voorus, the 2^nd husband of Hannah Tibbits (born 13 Jul 1813, died 20 Oct 1867).  This “Hannah” aged 70 could be the mother of Henry, Hannah and George.  This is all speculation at this point.

 

 

__________ and _________ Tibbits had at least following children:

 

1.       Hannah, born 13 Jul 1813 in NY, married Andrew Voorus and died in Eagle Village, NY on 20 Oct 1867.  She is buried in Oran Cemetery, Pompey, Onondaga Co NY.  For more information on the descendants of this union, please see the chapter entitled Voorus.

2.       George (Dr.), born circa 1808, married Sophronia (Butterfield) Tibbits on 8 Jun 1852 and who died 7 Oct 1895.  Sophronia Butterfield was born 13 Sep 1812 and died 2 Mar 1841.  Both are buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Pleasantville, Venango Co PA.

 

Below is an extract of a biographical sketch of an individual who once worked for George Tibbitts in Onondaga County, NY.

 

History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York

with illustrations and biographical sketches of

some of its prominent men and pioneers

by James H. Smith, Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co., 1880

Page 759

 

RUEL PAGE - The subject of this brief memoir was born in Connecticut the 2d of September, 1810. He was a son of DANIEL and LUCINDA (FROST) Page, natives also of New England. These parents came to Madison county and settled in the town of Cazenovia in 1815. The father, at the time of his death, was living in the town of Fenner with his son JAMES H., and was 92 years old. The mother died about 1860, aged nearly 70 years. They had nine children and all grew up and settled in Madison county except the youngest, (HANNAH,) who is now living in Michigan. Their names were as follows: ELECTA, (now dead,), SARAH, (now dead,) RUEL, BENJAMIN, LYDIA A., CHAUNCEY, ERASTUS, JAMES H. and HANNAH. RUEL lived at home with his folks until he was 13 years old, attending school winters and working on the farm summers, and after that age he worked out by the month, and his wages were willingly devoted, as were also the wages of his brother BENJAMIN, to the purchase of a home for his parents, until he was twenty-one.

When he reached his majority he went to Jamesville, Onondaga county, N. Y., and worked three years with GEORGE TIBBITTS and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. He engaged for four years, but his last year's time he purchased of Mr. TIBBITTS and built a house for JOHN STEVENS, at Eagle village. He worked at his trade for about fifteen years He lived in Eagle village, in the town of Manlius, Onondaga county, twelve years, and then came to the town of Sullivan in 1849 and settled where his widow now resides. He purchased 110 acres. He added to his first purchase from time to time until he owned nearly three hundred acres in the immediate vicinity, and here he followed farming exclusively until he died, July 17, 1878. [Note: I have omitted the remaining part of biographical abstract as it has no bearing.]

 

 

 

 

 

George and Sophronia (Butterfield) Tibbits had at least four children:

 

i)      Maria Sophronia, who was born 10 Sep 1831 in Manlius, Onondaga Co NY, educated at the Academy in Manlius, married Manley Colton Beebe (1827-1885) on 8 Jun 1852 (probably Manlius, Onondaga Co NY) and who died 29 Nov 1927 Pleasantville, Venango Co PA…..both are buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Pleasantville.  Below is her obituary (with no spelling corrections…hence the variation of the spelling of Tibbits):

 

Titusville (PA) Herald

Wednesday November 30, 1927

 

Resident of Pleasantville for 75 years

Mrs. Maria Tibbetts Beebe, aged 96 years, enters eternal sleep on Tuesday

Funeral Held Tomorrow

 

Maria Sophronia Tibbets Beebe slept peacefully away at the Beebe homestead in Pleasantville on Tuesday morning at 745am at the age of 96, worn out with many toils in loyal service to her family, her friends and her community.

She was born of old New England ancestry, at Manlius, Onondaga County, New York, on September 10, 1831, the daughter of George and Sophronia Butterfield Tibbets.  She received her early education in the academy at Manlius, after which she taught school until her marriage on June 8, 1852 to the late Manly Colton Beebe, who died July 29, 1885.  After her marriage, she came to Pleasantville, where Mr. Beebe was engaged in educational work, where she had since resided.

The greatest interest and pleasure in her life were centered in her family.  Being bereft of her mother who she was ten years old, she took the mother’s place in the home, mothering her three younger sisters and caring for her father throughout his long life.  Her devotions to her husband, her children and their families has been most beautiful.

Interested in Community.

Great as was her devotion to her family, she always had time and thought for her friends and neighbors, her firmness of principles, her keenness of mind and her attractive personality endeared her to all who knew her.

She could not be happy in the ease and seclusion of her home while she was conscious of her duty to her community.  During the 75 years as a resident of Pleasantville, her influence has been felt as a teacher in the First Union Sunday school, as one of the founders a life member of the W.C.T.U. as a member of the congregation of the Presbyterian church, as one of the founders and a life long member of the missionary society and a member of the women’s club since its organization. 

The eagerness and keenness of her superb intellectuality influenced the life and accomplishments of her distinguished husband, not only in his private life, but also in his public life, as first superintendent of schools in Venango county, as a member of the state legislature and as a member of the Constitutional convention of 1876.

Last of her Generation.

She was the last of her generation.  In the sunset year of her life she was tenderly cared for by her family.  Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. William D. Beebe, and her granddaughter, Miss Mildred Beebe, ministering to her every comfort.  The sudden death of her son, the late William D. Beebe, who passed on the 17^th day of October, was so deep a grief to her that her frail body was unable to withstand the sorrow.  Her tender affection for her family and friends was manifested to the end.  She has done a great work, grown weary and fallen asleep.

She is survived by one son, Frank J. Beebe of Bradford, Pa., five grandchildren, Maxwell N. Beebe of Boston, Mass., Mrs. W. H. Schafer of New York, Mrs. H. M. Hughes of Erie, Manly Colton Beebe and Miss Mildred Beebe at home; by nine great grandchildren and one little great grandchild, William Alfred Eichbaum of Dorchester, Mass.

The service and internment Thursday afternoon at 230 o’clock will be private.

 

 

ii)    Sister #1

iii)   Sister #2

iv)   Adeline Earl, born 25 Oct 1839 Jamesville, Onondaga Co NY, died 15 Apr 1920 Pleasantville, Venango Co PA and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Pleasantville, Venango Co PA.  Below is her obituary (with no spelling corrections…hence the variation of the spelling of Tibbits):

 

Titusville (PA) Herald

Wednesday April 16, 1920

 

Miss Adeline E. Tibbitts died at Pleasantville

 

Pleasantville, April 15—Miss Adeline Earl Tibbits for sixty-five years a resident of this borough and one of the most highly respected ladies, passed away at 7 o’clock this evening at the home of her sister, Mrs. M. S. Beebe with whom she had resided for many years.  While Miss Tibbitts had been in failing health for the past year due to the infirmities of years, the direct cause of death was pneumonia with which she was attacked about a week ago.

        Miss Tibbitts was the fourth daughter of the late Dr. George and Sophronia Tibbitts and was born at Jamesville, Onondaga county, N.Y. on Oct 25, 1839 consequently passed her eightieth birthday last fall. Her mother died when she was two years of age and the sister with whom she spent her last years gave her a mother’s care.

        The deceased came to Pleasantville with her father when she was fifteen years of age and kept home for him until his death twenty-five ____  ____ since when she had made her home with her sister who is her only surviving near relative with the exception of an aged aunt Mrs. M. S. Phillips of Lake Mills, Wis.

Miss Tibbitts was warm hearted and of a generous nature and was dearly beloved by members of the W. D. Beebe family with whom she had been associated during their entire life time.  She was held in high esteem by all who knew her in the community.  Arrangements for the funeral will be made later.  Friends please omit flowers.

 

 

 

 

Below are two biographical sketches that provide some insight into Hannah (Tibbits) Voorus and her brother Dr. George Tibbits.

 

Venango County, Pennsylvania - Her Pioneers and People

by Charles A. Babcock, A.M., LL.B.

J.H. Beers & Company, 1919, Chicago IL

Pages 1005-1007

 

HIRAM A. VOORUS is a notably progressive farmer and oil operator of Oil Creek township, owning a valuable tract improved entirely through his own efforts and largely along original lines.  While industry and thrift have played their due part in his success, the results have been doubled by the scientific methods which he has employed in all his work and the keen intelligence back of all his labors.  His accomplishments are worthy of notice in any record of the development of Venango county, as proving the possibilities of its great natural resources.

 

Mr. Voorus was born in December, 1856, near Syracuse, N. Y., son of Andrew and Hannah (Tibbits) Voorus, and his paternal lineage goes back to Knickerbocker stock in eastern and central New York. Andrew Voorus lived and died at Manlius, that State.  His wife, Hannah, was a sister of George Tibbits, whose daughter Maria S. Tibbits married Manley Colton Beebe, who settled at Pleasantville in the early days.  Hiram A. Voorus became interested in this section of Pennsylvania through Mr. Beebe, who visited his people in New York.  Accordingly he came to Pleasantville when a young man, and having been brought up in a region famous for its rich farms and dairy stock he was asked by Mr. Beebe to instruct the latter's tenant in the care of stock, for which his thorough early training well qualified him.  His efforts were successful, the tenant accepting the new ideas and adapting them to the great satisfaction of Mr. Beebe. 

 

 

Venango Co., Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People"

by Charles A. Babcock, A.M., LL.B.
J.H. Beers & Company, 1919, Chicago IL

 

HON. MANLEY COLTON BEEBE (deceased) was on of the most influential men of his generation in Venango county, and his services to his fellow citizens were so diversified that it would be difficult to determine which were most valuable in shaping its progress. Of high personal character and vigorous intellect, with a gift for practical use of his powers which made all his talents count, he gave impetus to many of the most important movements of his day, choosing his activities with such foresight that his work had permanent value. The fullness of his life might be easily measured by its abundant achievement. 

 

Born Sept. 6, 1827, in Onondaga county, N.Y., Mr. Beebe was a member of an old New England family of English extraction in the paternal line, and his mother was a Webster, cousin of Noah Webster, the lexicographer, one of a long and prominent line of distinguished educators and statesmen. Undoubtedly he inherited the tendencies which led him into his life work, and he lived up to the traditions of an honorable ancestry. During his youth some of the most renowned preparatory schools in the country flourished in central New York, those at Pompey, Scipio, Manlius and Fabius being especially noted, conducted by men whose names became household words in educational circles. He had the advantages of the academy at Fabius, where he completed the course when fifteen years old, even at that early age giving evidence of the studious disposition and keen intellect which characterized him throughout life, and which developed into a capacity for comprehensive and tenacious grasp of abstruse legal, ethical and philosophical problems.

 

As soon as he finished his course at the academy he took up teaching, having schools in that vicinity during the next three years. By that time he had decided to seek his fortune in the then promising young State of Wisconsin, and he started for the West, coming by way of Pleasantville, Venango Co., Pa., where his uncle, Aaron Benedict, had settled. Mr. Benedict was one of the most prominent of its pioneer residents.

 

He had arrived here from his Eastern home about 1827-28, changing his residence partly because of the suspicion that he was in some way associated with the disappearance of the famous William Morgan and the antagonism to members of the Masonic fraternity excited by that event. A man of executive ability and business experience, he founded or encouraged several of the earliest industrial establishments at Pleasantville, including the pottery in which his nephew later became interested. While in a store at Titusville on his way hither, young Beebe overheard a conversation relative to a teacher whom the students had put out of his school, and proffered his services as teacher, promising to retire without pay at the end of a month if he proved unsatisfactory. After a visit with his uncle at Pleasantville (Five miles from Titusville) he took up teaching at the school referred to and with this modest beginning entered upon a career as an educator which extended over many years, during which the marks of his genius were indelibly impressed upon Venango county history through the medium of the citizens who came under his charge.

 

Changing after a time from his original location to Pleasantville, he taught a select school in the upper story of his uncle's pottery, and still later conducted a special school whose instruction embodied the principles at present taught in the normal schools. It is safe to assert that Mr. Beebe was instrumental in enlisting more young men and women for school work than any other educator in Venango county, and he succeeded in inculcating a love for the profession that demanded high standards, grounding in them the idea that a teacher's ambition was not to be bounded by wages or any other consideration than the striving for more elevated ideals and use of the opportunity to sow the seeds of higher citizenship.

 

Meantime, though his educational work went on through many years, other interests fairly clamored for his attention. A number of progressive residents of Pleasantville thought it desirable to have the village incorporated as a borough, but the sentiment was not unanimous in favor of this movement. However, through persistent effort a charter was secured, and at the first election Mr. Beebe, though not yet twenty-one years old, was chosen a justice of the peace, being inducted into office upon reaching his majority. In those days the duties of a justice were varied and often onerous, as nearly all local disputes were thrashed out in his court. The young man had long possessed the germs of a desire to know the law thoroughly, and the conscientious performance of his responsibilities as magistrate seemed to him to demand legal learning, so he set about to acquire it, becoming so interested that he decided to make the law his regular profession. However, in addition to his work as an instructor and his official obligations he also had business affairs to attend to, his uncle having persuaded him to take an interest in the pottery, which was becoming the leading industry of the place, workmen being brought from Scotland to operate the queensware department. Though for several years he was associated with the executive duties of this enterprise he always kept it secondary to his school work, but it took up much of his time that he would have preferred to devote to pursuits of a more purely intellectual order.

 

To make more headway in his legal studied he went to Saratoga to attend lectures, but was recalled through the urgency of work at the pottery, and he had to persist in his law work under difficulties. In fact, it was not until March, 1868, that he was admitted to the bar and to practice in the Venango county courts, nevertheless he made a great success as an attorney after he had the opportunity to take up practice. But he never allowed his new profession to interfere with his interest in his early calling. His experience as justice of the peace, and the popular confidence which he gained while acting in that capacity, made him the trusted counselor of many in his locality, so that he transacted much legal business for years before his formal association with the bar. Yet with it all he always found time to promote educational interests in his county.

 

In 1854 he was elected county superintendent of schools, being the first to be so honored when the office was created, and he filled it for three years, setting a standard of high service which influenced all his successors. The salary of one hundred and fifty dollars a year was minimal return for the thought and devotion which he gave to his duties. He visited every school personally became acquainted with teachers, patrons and pupils, and by advice and precept instilled new life and ideas into every schoolroom, practically revolutionizing the system then in vogue by his earnestness in behalf of better things. As usual, there were many who held aloof, disdaining any innovations which would change the established order. But his persistence and intelligent presentation of his theories won, and the better building, better teachers and better salaries which he advocated began to replace the uncomfortable accommodations and indifferent methods which marked the old regime.

 

In 1861-62 Mr. Beebe was a member of the State legislature, where his services were marked by his customary fidelity to the trust reposed in him. Every measure brought up for the successful conduct of the war and the protection of home interests had his full support.  He was especially solicitous in looking after the soldiers, and received a commission from Governor Curtin to visit the camps and look after Pennsylvania men in hospitals or elsewhere in need of attention. In the performance of this duty he made repeated trips to the front, often securing such alleviation of suffering through modification of hospital conditions that it is reasonable to believe many a sick or wounded boy owed his life to Mr. Beebe's efforts.

 

Though himself handicapped by poor health, he never hesitated to sacrifice his own comfort to attend to the urgent needs of others. In one case he even sought the intervention of Secretary Stanton. A soldier named Joe Hutchins had become so reduced through the ravages of chronic dysentery that worst scourge of our army, that it was apparent he had but a short time to live, and papers were prepared for his discharge.  Before they could be presented, however, he was removed to another hospital and the procedure and disappointment were repeated. By taking the case up personally with Secretary Stanton Mr. Beebe obtained the young man's release, to allow him to come home to die and took him into his own home, where his death occurred a few months later. It was typical of his thoughtfulness for others.

 

Mr. Beebe was urged to accept the Congressional nomination, but he declined because of his uncertain health. He did accept when elected delegate to the State Constitutional convention in 1872, being fully alive to the needs of the developing State, and many of his ideas were embodied in the Constitution adopted at the convention, which was held in 1873. The respect shown for his opinions was a flattering tribute. He was a firm believer in the principles of democratic government and a lover of the highest American ideals, ingrained by his critical familiarity with philosophy and general history, and he endeavored to square his public duties with his principles.

 

Though the platform of the Republican party expressed his own sentiments politically, he was not always in accord with the personal view of its leaders and realized that there was a tendency toward autocracy based on wealth. During the presidency of General Grant that drift was so marked as to cause serious alarm, and it was sufficiently strong to make him diverge more and more from the party until he was practically independent in politics.

 

During his later years and until his death, Mr. Beebe was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and his services in that body had important bearing upon the establishment and maintenance of State colleges and their agricultural departments, resulting in great improvements in the line of soil cultivation. He was himself a practical farmer, and spoke and wrote considerably on the subject, whose importance he realized fully and tried to impress upon others. Though not a church member he was a man of deep religious feeling, and he was associated as a director with three churches, trying to follow the Master's teaching as expressed in the golden rule.

 

Blessed in his happy domestic life, and highly respected by a wide circle of warm friends, he passed away when scarcely beyond his prime, July 29, 1885, his death taking place at Asbury Park, N.J., where he had gone to consult noted specialists.

 

On June 8, 1852, Mr. Beebe married Maria Sophronia Tibbits, who was born Sept. 10, 1831, at Manlius, Onondaga Co., N.Y., daughter of George and Sophronia (Butterfield) Tibbits, and she survives him. She was educated in the academy at Manlius, N.Y., and was also a teacher up to the time of her marriage, since when she has resided at Pleasantville, her home for sixty-six years. The house which she now occupies, in the outskirts of the borough, she erected after Mr. Beebe's death. Like her husband she always exerted a beneficent influence in the community, where she has found many pleasant associations in a long and useful life. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beebe two sons survive, Frank J. and William Dawson, the former a resident of Bradford, PA. William Dawson Beebe married Della Newkirk, daughter of William Newkirk, a well remembered merchant at Pleasantville, and they have five children, namely: Julia, Maxwell Newkirk, Manley Colton, Mildred and Dorothy.

 

 

 

 

Federal and State Census Records

 

 

1800 Federal Census, Pompey, Onondaga Co NY

George Tibbetts

 

1810 Federal Census, Pompey, Onondaga Co NY

George Tibbits

 

1830 Federal Census, Pompey, Onondaga Co NY

Henry Tibbetts

 

1830 Federal Census, Pompey, Onondaga Co NY

Henry Tibbitts

 

1850 Federal Census, Manlius, Onondaga Co NY  Household 702

 

Household 707 (a few houses down from Eleazor - containing unknown Tibbett family)

(*) Possibly the mother of the Hannah Tibbits (who married Andrew Voorus his 2^nd marriage) possibly living with her son Henry.

 

 

1860 Federal Census, Cazenovia, Madison Co NY  Household 432

(*) died 1867

 

 

 

 

 

TIBBITS INFORMATION

 

 

ORAN CEMETERY

Oran Station Road

Pompey, New York

Gravestones read May 11, 1998 by Sue Goodfellow,

Nancy Schiffhauer, Maggie Davison and Kathy Crowell

 

Tibbits, Diana d. Mar. 22, 1858 in the 43rd yr., w/o Henry
Tibbits, Father 1818-1891
Tibbits, Hannah d. ___ 23, 1843, age. 3m, d/o William (?) & Thirza
Tibbits, George d. Mar. 3, 1849, age 80-1-27 (born 7 Jan 1769)
Tibbits, Hannah d. Apr. 4, 1859, age 79, w/o George (born 1780)
Tibbits, Mother 1823-1882
Tibbits, Nathaniel d. 5/11/1849, age 45
Tibbits, Reuben who d. at New Orleans 4/28/1834, age. 23
Tibbits, Sarah d. 4/12/1876, age 27y 2m,  d/o N.  & T. C.
Tibbits, Thomas J. d. May 17, 1846, s/o William(?) & Thirza
Tibbits, Waty d. July 29, 1812, age 17 days, d/o George & Hannah

Voorus, Hannah d. Oct. 20, 1867, age 54-2-20, w/o Andrew [nee Tibbits]
Voorus Hannah d. Oct. 23, 1843, age 8m, d/o Andrew & Hannah
Voorus, Thomas d. Oct. 23, 1843, s/o Andrew & Hannah

 

 

CHRIST CHURCH CEMETERY (*)
Manlius, NY

Copied from handwritten records by Nancy Schiffhauer, 1993

Submitted by Sue Goodfellow, The Manlius Historical Society

(*) The same cemetery that numerous Voorus’ are buried

 

Beebe, M. d. 22 Feb 1893 age 22

Beebe, A.D. d. 12 Dec 1893 age 28

Tibbits, Esther d. 18 Jul 1880 age 28

Tibbits, Geo. H. d. 13 Nov 1890 age 48

Voories, Frances C., wife of Andrew, d. 7 Oct 1853 age 28-7ms

Voorus, James E., son of. Andrew, d. 2 Apr 1870 age 20

Voorus, Susan, wife of Andrew, d. 18 Dec 1874 age 35-9ms

Voorus, Gracie, dau. of Hiram, d. 25 Aug 1877 age 1-11-5

Voorus, Luania M. d. 22 Jun 1902 age 15

Voorus, Andrew d. 20 May 1889 age 64-6ms

 

 

Fairview Cemetery

Pleasantville, PA

 

M.C. Beebe 1827-1885 (died 1/1/1885)

Mrs. M.C. Beebe 1831-1927 (Marie, died 12/1/1927)

Mable Beebe, age 5y1m (Kitty May, born 6/4/1866)

Robert Beebe 1885-1894 (died 8/19/1894)

William Beebe 1854-1927 (died 10/19/1927)

Delia J. Newkirk, wife of William D. Beebe 1857-1942 (died 10/22/1942)

Mrs. Charles Gardner, age 33 yrs (born 5/1/1870)

Mr. Manley Beebe 1883-1945 (died 12/13/1945)

Miss Mildred Beebe 1892-1967 (died 4/22/1967)

 

George Tibbits 1808-1895 (died 10/7/1895)

Sophronia, ___??____ of George Tibbits (died 3/2/1841)

Adaline Earl Tibbits 1839-1920 (died 4/20/1920)

Martha Beebe Corwin 1846-1918

Louisa F. Beebe 1842-1902

Elias R. Beebe 1810-1902

 

 

 

TIBBITS SOURCES

 

·         Genealogical and historical research I conducted.