My Family

Charles Hollister was born on 29 Jul 1686. He died before 11 Nov 1711. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

David Hollister was born about 20 Nov 1681 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He died on 27 Dec 1753. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

He was married to Charity.

Elizabeth Hollister died after 1753. She was born in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

She was married to Dr. Joseph Steele on 16 Feb 1715/16 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT.⁽³⁴⁾ Children were: Jonathan Steele, Elizabeth Steele, Sarah Steele, James Steele, Abigail Steele, Samuel Steele (Dr.), Anna Steele, Ebenezer Steele, Elizur Steele, Lucy Steele.

Elizabeth Hollister was born about 1640 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. She died about 1670 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. Parents: Liet. John Hollister and Joanna Treat.

She was married to Samuel Welles Hon. & Capt. about 1659 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. Children were: Anna Welles.

Elizabeth Hollister was born on 30 Mar 1678. Died in infancy. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

Ephraim Hollister was born on 15 Mar 1684 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He died in 1733 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

He was married to Elizabeth Green.

Sgt. John Hollister Jr. was born about 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He died on 24 Nov 1711 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT. Parents: Liet. John Hollister and Joanna Treat.

He was married to Sarah Goodrich on 20 Nov 1667. Children were: John Hollister, Thomas Hollister , Joseph Hollister, Sarah Hollister , Elizabeth Hollister, David Hollister, Ephraim Hollister, Charles Hollister, Elizabeth Hollister, Mary Hollister.

Liet. John Hollister was born in 1612 in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. He died in Apr 1665 in CT.

Children were: Elizabeth Hollister , Sgt. John Hollister Jr..

John Hollister was born on 9 Aug 1669 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

He was married to Abiah Hollister.

He was married to Susannah.

Joseph Hollister was born on 8 Jul 1674 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He died on 9 Jul 1746 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

He was married to Ann.

He was married to Sarah.

Mary Hollister Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

She was married to Capt. Robert Welles.

Sarah Hollister was born on 25 Oct 1676 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. She died on 15 Oct 1715 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

She was married to Benjamin Talcott.

Thomas Hollister was born on 14 Jan 1672 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He died on 12 Oct 1741 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT. Parents: Sgt. John Hollister Jr. and Sarah Goodrich.

He was married to Dorothy Hill.

He was married to Widow Mary [Warner] Steele.

Anne Marie Ilsebein Horstmann was born about 26 Dec 1764 in Germany. She died on 9 Jan 1841 in #109 Hille, Westfalen, Germany.

She was married to Johann Friedrich Kleine on 12 Feb 1786 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Children were: Johann Heinrich Kleine, Dorothea Elisabeth Kleine, Catharine Marie Kleine , Johann Friedrich Kleine, Maria Elisabeth Kleine, Carl Friedrich Kleine, Marie Ilsabein Kleine, Caroline Marie Ilsabein Kleine , Carl Heinrich Kleine.

Carl August Horstmann was born on 16 Nov 1840 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He died on 8 Jun 1841 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Carl Diedrich Horstmann was born on 11 Jun 1783 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Diedrich Horstmann and Anna Maria Elisabeth Gerling.

Carl Friedrich Horstmann was born on 11 Sep 1833 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Is listed as Christian Friedrich Horstmann, b. 8 Sep 1833, parents: Karl Heinrich Horstmann and Maria Cassebaum, emigrated to America in 1856, in a reference of emigrants who left the country without permission.

Also listed is a Carl Friedrich Horstmann, b. 16 Jun 1827, parents: Carl August Heinrich Horstmann and Anna Sophie Charlotte Hassebaum, emigrated in 1856 Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Carl Heinrich Horstmann was born on 12 Jan 1832 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Carl Heinrich August Horstmann was born on 14 Sep 1807 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He died on 30 Mar 1876 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

He was married to Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum on 20 Dec 1826 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Children were: Marie Louise Horstmann, Carl Heinrich Horstmann , Carl Friedrich Horstmann, Heinrich August Horstmann, Friedrich Willhelm Horstmann , Caroline Marie Horstmann, Carl August Horstmann, Heinrich August Horstmann , Heinrich August Horstmann, Carl Ludwig Horstmann, Marie Louise Horstmann, Carl Ludwig Horstmann, Marie Louise Horstmann.

Carl Ludwig Horstmann died on 6 Jul 1845 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He was born on 16 Nov 1845 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Carl Ludwig Horstmann was born on 26 Jul 1849 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He immigrated in 1867 to America. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum .

Caroline Marie Horstmann was born on 15 Jan 1839 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. She died on 22 Apr 1847 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Caroline Marie Louise Horstmann was born on 30 Jul 1804 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. She died on 6 Aug 1804 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Caroline Marie Sophie Horstmann was born on 24 Jul 1869 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. She died in prob. Hille, Westfalen, Germany. As Caroline apparently remained in Germany, little is known of her. Parents: Heinrich August Horstmann and Caroline Marie Elisabeth Reimler .

Christian Wilhelm Horstmann was born about 9 Feb 1817 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Christine Marie Elisabeth Horstmann was born on 16 Aug 1801 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany.⁽⁴⁷⁾ She was christened on 17 Aug 1801 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany.⁽⁴⁷⁾ She died on 4 Oct 1871 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany.⁽⁴⁸⁾ Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Friedrich Wilhelm Horstmann was born on 22 Nov 1871 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany.⁽³⁸⁾ He immigrated in 1891 to America.⁽³⁸⁾ He was a broommaker in 1900 in Glenville, Schenectady, NY.⁽³⁸⁾ He died on 20 Feb 1960 in Scotia, Schenectady, NY. Parents: Heinrich August Horstmann and Caroline Marie Elisabeth Reimler .

He was married to Sophia Droge about 1892 in NY. Fred and Sophie met in the church in Hille, where they both sang in the church choir. Before their marriage, they along with several others from Hille, moved to the U.S. It's possible that Fred came before Sophie, as he is first found living with his brother Henry in the 1892 census. By 1898, he and his brother Henry had moved to the Schenectady area. According to family verbal history, Fred moved there as early as 1892 and was married in a Schenectady church. He later bought a farm in Scotia and lived there for the rest of his life. His youngest daughter still lives in the same house. Children were: Edward Fred Horstmann, Elsie Evelyn Horstmann, Chancey Werner Horstmann, LeRoy Roland Horstmann, Mabel Laura Horstmann, Aeleen Helen Horstmann.

Friedrich Willhelm Horstmann was born on 9 Jan 1837 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Heinrich August Horstmann was born on 5 Jul 1835 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He immigrated before 1872 to America. He died in prob. America. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

He was married to Caroline Marie Elisabeth Reimler on 24 Apr 1863 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. It appears that Heinrich may have immigrated to America, as military records in Germany indicate that when he "retired" he was due for military service, however, when he failed to report, they investigators found evidence that he had left for America. The military record was dated 1872.

Although Henry may have traveled to America, his wife and children stayed behind in Germany for many years. As yet, it is unknown what may have happened to Henry, as no evidence has yet been found of him in America. His eldest son immigrated to America in 1883 and eventually setted in Fort Hunter, Montgomery, NY, and the youngest son immigrated in 1892 and settled in Scotia, Schenectady, NY. Also, the family farm was sold about 1890 to another family. His wife and daughter apparently stayed in Germany. Children were: Henry August Horstmann, Caroline Marie Sophie Horstmann, Friedrich Wilhelm Horstmann.

Heinrich August Horstmann was born on 31 Mar 1842 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Heinrich August Horstmann was born on 16 Nov 1845 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Henry August Horstmann was born on 25 Jun 1865 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany.⁽⁴⁷⁾⁽³²⁾ He immigrated in 1883 to America.⁽⁴⁹⁾ From Henry's Declaration of Intention dtd 4/2/1887, he came to the US in 1883 at 21 yrs old. From his final papers, he resided in Florida, Montgomery, NY since 1/1/1885. He moved before 1 Jan 1885 to Florida, Montgomery, NY.⁽⁴⁹⁾ He was naturalized on 25 Oct 1890 in Montgomery Co., NY.⁽⁴⁹⁾ Henry's naturalization papers read as follows:

********************

At a County Court held in and for the County of Montgomery, at the Judge's chambers iin the court of Amsterdam, 25 day of October, 1890.

Present: Hon. J. D. Wendell

In the Matter of the Naturalization of Henry Horstmann

Montgomery County, ss. Delos Howard of the Town of Florida and Hefrom Hoffman of the Town of Florida being duly sworn, each for himself, doth depose and say, that he is acquainted with Henry Horstmann late of Germany but now a resident of the town of Florida in the County of Montg. and that said Henry Horstmann has resided within the limits and under the jursidiction of the United States, between the day of Jany 1st 1885, and 25 Oct 1890 and has continued to reside there ever since.

And that such his residence within the United States has been at least five years now past, and at least one year now last past within the State of New York, and that during all the time aforesaid he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution and the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.

Sworn in open court, this 25 Day of October 1890.

signed by Delos Howard, Hefron Hoffman and G. D. Davis, clerk.

I, Henry Horstmann do solemnly swear and declare, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I absolutely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State and Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the Emporer of Germany of whom I was before a subject.

Sworn in open court this 25 day of October, 1890.

signed by Henry Horstmann and G. D. Davis, clerk

Now be it Remembered, that on this 25 day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hunder and ninety the said Henry Horstman having appeard in the said Court held at and for Montgomery County (the said Court being a Court of Record, having common law jurisdiction, and Clerk and Seal,) and applied to the said Court to be admitted to become a Citizen of the Untied States of America, pursuant to the directions of the Acts of Congress of the United States of America in relation to Naturalization: And the said Henry Horstmann having therupon produced to the siad Court such evidence, made such declaration and renunciation, and taken such oaths as are by the said Acts required, it is hereby ordered by the said Court, that he the said Henry Horstmann be admitted, and is accordingly admitted by the said Court, a citizen of the United States.

signed by G. D. Davis, clerk.

********************

He was a broommaker in 1892/93 in Florida, Montgomery, NY.⁽⁵⁰⁾⁽⁵¹⁾ He died on 9 Nov 1898 in Utica, Oneida, NY.⁽⁵²⁾⁽³⁾⁽³²⁾ His obituary reads as follows:

********************

Henry A. Horstman
Amsterdam Daily Democrat and Evening Recorder, Amsterdam, Montgomery, NY 11/10/1898

Henry A. Horstman of Fort Hunter died yesterday at the Utica State Hospital aged 33 years. Mr. Horstman had been in poor health for the past year or more. By occupation he was a broommaker and was for sometime employed in the broom factory of Dewitt A. Devendorf at Fort Hunter. The body arrived at Tribes Hill this morning and was conveyed to the home of Henry Whittemier, a brother-in-law of the deceased. Mr. Horstman was a member of the German Methodist Church of Fort Hunter and the German Benevolent Association of this city. Besides his widow the deceased is survived by three children, a brother Frederick Horstman of Schenectady and a sister residing in Germany. The funeral will be held saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the German Methodist Church. Internment will be made in Pine Grove Cemetery at Tribes Hill.

********************

He was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Tribes Hill, Montgomery, NY.⁽³²⁾ His gravestone reads as follows:

******************

Henry A. Horstman
died
Nov. 9, 1898
Aged 33 yrs.
-----------
Tis hard to bread the tender cord
When love has bound the heart
Tis hard so hard to speak the words
We must forever part.

********************

He was baptized as Carl Heinrich August Horstmann in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. After immigrating to this country, he always used the name Henry August Horstmann.

Henry immigrated to the U.S. in 1883 at 21 years of age. In January of 1885 he resided in the township of Florida, Montgomery County. He applied for citizenship on 2 April 1887 at the Montgomery County Court House and was sworn in on 25 October 1890. In 1894, Henry bought a lot from the estate of, his father-in-law, Conrad Minch. This is the house in which his children were born.

A younger brother of Henry's, Fred, immigrated to the U.S. in 1892 and was living with or near him in the 1892 NYS Census. This brother later married and was living in Schenectady at the time of Henry's death. Parents: Heinrich August Horstmann and Caroline Marie Elisabeth Reimler.

He was married to Anna Catharina Minch about 1888 in prob. Fort Hunter, Montgomery, NY. After Anna's death, Henry remarried and had a third child in the town of Florida, Montgomery County. However, only a short time later he died of convulsions in the Utica State Hospital, Utica, Oneida County, NY. This hospital was one of the largest mental hospitals in the U.S. at this time. He apparently moved to Schenectady before he was admitted to this institution and his will is located at the Schenectady County Surrogate Court.

After Henry's death, his second wife gave up Anna's children and they lived with their aunt and uncle, Henry and Rose (Bobilin) Minch. However, Rose abused the children and by 1900 they were taken in by other relatives. Fred was lucky in that he was treated decently by his Aunt Carrie and Uncle Anst Bobilin. However, Nettie was not so lucky since she was treated as a servant by her Aunt Isabelle (Belle) and Uncle Henry Fink. The stepmother and third child had moved to Schenectady shortly after Henry's death. In the 1900 Federal Census, they were found in 'The Children's Home' listing, with Emma as an attendant and Irene as an inmate. However, they apparently came back to the area by 1915. Children were: Frederick Conrad Horstman, Nettie Laura Carrie Horstman.

He was married to Emma Louise VanBuren about 1895 in Fort Hunter, Montgomery, NY. Children were: Irene Augusta Horstmann.

Johann Christian Friedrich Horstmann was born on 10 Oct 1812 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Johann Diedrich Horstmann

He was married to Anna Maria Elisabeth Gerling on 25 May 1766 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Children were: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann, Carl Diedrich Horstmann .

Johann Friedrich August Horstmann was born on 17 Sep 1779 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. He died on 10 Apr 1850 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Diedrich Horstmann and Anna Maria Elisabeth Gerling.

He was married to Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete on 10 Aug 1800 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Children were: Christine Marie Elisabeth Horstmann, Caroline Marie Louise Horstmann, Carl Heinrich August Horstmann , Johann Heinrich Horstmann, Johann Christian Friedrich Horstmann, Marie Elisabeth Horstmann, Christian Wilhelm Horstmann.

Johann Heinrich Horstmann was born on 15 Jan 1810 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Marie Elisabeth Horstmann was born about 19 Apr 1815 in Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Johann Friedrich August Horstmann and Anne Marie Elisabeth Toete.

Marie Louise Horstmann was born about Aug 1830 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Marie Louise Horstmann was born on 2 Nov 1846 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Marie Louise Horstmann was born on 20 Oct 1850 in #182 Hille, Westfalen, Germany. Parents: Carl Heinrich August Horstmann and Anne Sophie Charlotte Cassebaum.

Henry Hulins was born about 1540 in England. He died about 1609 in England.

Children were: John Hulins.

John Hulins was born about 1565 in Rodborough, Gloucester, Eng. He died on 28 Sep 1639 in Rodborough, Gloucester, Eng. Parents: Henry Hulins and Joane.

He was married to Margaret about 1588 in Rodborough, Gloucester, Eng. Children were: Margaret Hulins.

Margaret Hulins died on 28 Aug 1684 in Springfield, Hampden, MA. Parents: John Hulins and Margaret.

She was married to Thomas Bliss on 18 Oct 1621 in England. Children were: Samuel Bliss.

Alicia Hyde was born about 1492 in England. Parents: Simon Hyde.

She was married to Henry Lyman in 1517. Children were: John Lyman.

Simon Hyde was born about 1466 in England.

Children were: Alicia Hyde.

Abiah Ingersoll was born on 24 Aug 1663 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA.⁽²⁾ Parents: John Ingersoll and Abigail Bascom.

She was married to Jedidiah Strong Jr. on 8 Nov 1688. Children were: Supply Strong.

Abigail Ingersoll was born on 11 Jan 1659 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA.⁽²⁾ Parents: John Ingersoll and Abigail Bascom.

George Ingersoll

Children were: Richard Ingersoll, John Ingersoll.

Hester Ingersoll was born on 9 Sep 1665 in Westfield, Hampden, MA.⁽²⁾ She died on 27 Nov 1705 in Canada. Hester first married William Gurley, by whom she bore one son, Samuel. After 3 years of marriage, William, age 22, was accidentally drowned in the Connecticut River. Hester then married Benoni Jones.

Hester's two youngest sons and Benoni were slain by the Indians at Poscummuck, north end of Mount Tom, Northampton, MA, May 13, 1704. In the same raid, Hester was taken captive and later died. The following is taken from the History of Rev. John Williams, who was also a captive in Canada at the time of Hester's captivity and death and conversed with her daily:

"At the time of the massacre at Poscummock, north end of Mount Tom, MA, there were three families dwelling there, the enemy (indians) beat down and killed the men and children like brutes, and after ransacking the houses they set them on fire, and took the three women and what plunder they desired to Canada, where one of the women soon died; on the arrival of the women in Canada the Catholic priests soon went to work trying to convert them to their religion. One of the women, says Rev. Mr. Williams, they got to confess their religion without much difficulty, but the Jones woman was very reluctant and obstinate, but finally, was taken sick, and the priests constantly annoying and tormenting her night and day, got her to say she confessed their religion, and tried to make her promise that if she ever got well and returned to CT, that she would try to convert her friends and relatives to become Catholics, and when her tongue had become so dry that she could not speak, the priest anointed her with his holy oil, and she departed this life Nov 27, 1705."

Taken from the History of Deerfield, MA:

"Those carried to Canada were Esther, wife of Benoni Jones; her niece, Margaret Huggins, eighteen years old; and Elisha, son of John Searls, eight years old". Margaret Huggins afterwards returned to CT.

"The slain were Samuel Janes, forty years old, with his wife, Sarah, and children, Obadiah, five years old; Ebenezer, three years old; and Sarah, one year old. Also four children of Benjamin Janes: Hannah, eight years old; Marion, four years old; Nathan, one year old; and one of unknown name and age. Benoni Jones, about thirty years old, with his children: Ebenezer, six years old; and Jonathan, one year old. Also John Searls, about fifty-eight years old, and three children."

Another account, as follows, viz.:

"May 12th. Pacomock Fort taken by ye French & Indians, being about seventy-two. They took and captivated ye whole Garison, being about thirty-seven persons. The English pursuing of them caused them to knock all the Captives on the head, save five or six. Three were carried to Canada with them; the others escaped, and about seven of those knocked on the head recovered. Ye rest died. Capt. John Taylor was killed in the fight, and Samuel Bartlette wounded."

From Wethersfield and Coventry town histories and records and Northampton county history:

Five families lived at Pascommuck in 1700: Moses Hutchinson, John Searle, Samuel Janes, Benoni Jones and Benjamin Janes. Benoni is said to be a brother of Samuel Janes and a brother-in-law of John Searle, both killed in the indian attack at Poscommuck. Benjamin Janes wife, Hannah, was scalped and left for dead. However, she lived through the attack and died at the age of 80. By 1707 Benjamin and Hannah and their family had moved to Wethersfield, and to Coventry in 1712-3.

From "History of Hadley", by Sylvester Judd, 1905:

On the 13th of May, 1704, a party of Indians attacked a hamlet of five families, at Pascommuck, near the north-east end of Mount Tom in Northampton, and killed or captured not less than 33 persons. Of these, 19 were slain, viz., Samuel Janes, his wife and three children, four children of Benjamin Janes, Benoni Jones and two children, John Searl and three children, Moses Hutchinson and one child and Patience Webb; and three escaped, eight were rescued, and three were carried to Canada.* Capt. John Taylor of Northampton, who pursued the Indians with a company of horsemen, was slain. A post was sent to Hartford, and the next day, Major Wm. Whiting came up with 192 dragoons; they pursued the Indians at first on horseback, and next on foot, on account of mountains and swamps, but did not overtake them.

* Three were found alive, knocked on the head, and one of them scalped. They all recovered. The wife of Benjamin Janes, who was scalped, was under the care of Dr. Gershom Bulkley and others, at Wethersfield, several years. Her husband lived in Wethersfield with her, and the governor and council kindly gave him a brief, May 8, 1707, craving the charity of the people of Branford, Guilford, Killingsorth and Saybrook. She was finally cured and they settled in Coventry. Those carried to Canada wer Elisha Searl, son of John, aged 9 years, Esther, wife of Benoni Jones, (an Ingersol) who died in Canada, and her niece, Margaret Huggins, aged 18, who returned. Elisha Searl came to Northampton in 1722, and was reluctantly induced to remain, the government aiding. He, like some other New England children, had been strongly attached to the Catholic religion and to the Indian mode of life.

The most detailed account that I've found so far, although it's accuracy is unknown, from the "History of Easthampton", by Payson W. Lyman, Trumbull & Gere, 1866:

On the 24th of May, 1704, the village of Pacommuck was destroyed by the Indians. It had then been settled only four or five years. A party of Indians, it seems, had been to Merrimac river, for some reason, but not accomplishing their purpose, they directed their course towards Westfield. Westfield river was however so much swollen by the rains, that they could not pass it. Some of this party knew the situation of Pascommuck, and as they had been unable for some time to obtain food, they determined as a last resort, as they afterwards declared, to make a descent upon the village to satisfy their hunger, and as we are compelled to believe by their conduct, to satisfy also their natural ferocity. Accordingly on the evening previous to the attack, they came along on the mountain, in order to examine its situations and fix a plan of attack. It was for them a favorable circumstance that the meadows intervening between the fated settlement and Northampton were overflowed, and all direct land communication with it cut off. On the morning of May 24th, just before daybreak, they descended and commenced an attack, as unexpected on the part of the inhabitants as is was furious and terrible on theirs.

It appears that a defense was attempted at the house of Benoni Jones, which was encompassed with pickets, but the surprise was so complete that the savages, aided by fire, were soon enabled to overpower and destroy, or capture nearly all of them. Nineteen or twenty were slain. Nine persons by the name of Janes were killed: Samuel, his wife and three children, and four children of Benjamin Janes. The wife of the latter was taken by the savages to the top fo Pomeroy mountain, and there knocked on the head and scalped, and probably left for dead. By a good Providence she was not killed, but was found in theis situation, and carried on a litter to Northampton. Her husband, after the capture, had fallen a little in rear of the party, and while they were passing a little ravine, surrounded by bushes and leading to the water, near the present residence of Bryant Pendleton, he succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his savage captors. Running through this he reached the water, and springing into a skiff, which he probably knew to be fastened there, he made his escape to Norhtampton, where he was the first to announce the mournful tidings.

A troop of cavalry, headed by Capt. John Taylor, immediately started to intercept, if possible, the relentless savages. He came through Pomeroy's meadow, near the present road leading from East to Westhampton, and passed on south to the so-caled Westield road, and between this and Mt. Tom, on land now owned by Chester and the heirs of C. Edson Wait, he encountered the Indians. They having by some means obtained knowledge of his approach, destroyed the lives of all the boys whom they had captured, except Elisha, son of John Searl. he seeing the work of destruction going on, caught a pack and ran on, thereby showing that if they would spare him he would be no hindrance but rather a gelp to them. Capt. Taylor, being considerably in advance of his troops, was exposed to the first fire of the enemy, who were probably concealed, and fell. It is not known whether any others were killed, but it is certain that the Indians escaped.

Benjamin Janes removed to Coventry, Ct., where he was made deacon of the church. The wife of John Searl survived a severe blow on the head from a tomahawk. One of her descendants was in her possession a silver hair pin worn on the head of Mrs. Searl at the time the blow was inflicted. Her son Elisha, who was not murdered, was taken to Canada, where he was brought up in the Catholic faith, and his mind became thoroughly imbued with its superstitions. On one occasion, with a party of Indians, he made arrangements to enter on a hunting and trapping expedition along the great western lakes, for the purpose of obtaining fur. As no priest was to accompany them, he went to one and inquired, with evident concern, what he should do, since there was no priest to whom he could confess, and he might die on his journey. The priest told him it would be just as well to confess to a tree, and then sent him away. This declaration struck him very forcibly. He revolved the idea in his mind, and the result was that he become conviced that the whole system of Romanism was one of deception, and on his return he refused to confess his sins to a priest. After many years he visited his native place, but so accustomed had he become to Canadian, or Indian life, that it was with the greatest difficulty that his friends prevailed on him to stay. It is said that during his long absence he had so far forgotten the English language, that he was unable to make himself known to his friends, and that he succeeded in doing so only when he had found in the house and walked upon a pair of stilts which he had used when a boy. Here he married, reared up a family, was a worthy citizen, and held a respectable standing in the church. As an instance of the power of early associations upon the mind, it may be mentioned that on one occasion, as he was by the bedside of a dying woman, under the influence, for the moment, of his early delusion, he requested her to remember him in her prayers in Heaven, but instantly recollecting himself, he expressed sorrow that he should ever have made such a request. Parents: John Ingersoll and Abigail Bascom.

She was married to Benoni Jones on 23 Jan 1689. Children were: Jonathan Jones, Benjamin Jones, Ebenezer Jones, Jonathan Jones.

She was married to William Gurley in 1684. Children were: Samuel Gurley.

John Ingersoll was born about 1615 in England. He immigrated in 1629 to Salem, Essex, MA.⁽²⁸⁾ He died on 3 Sep 1684 in Westfield, Hampden, MA. He was buried in Old Westfield Cemetery, Westfield, MA. John immigrated with his brother Richard. He lived for a time at Salem, MA then moved to Hartford, CT where in 1651 he married Dorothy Lord. In 1655 he and his family moved to Northampton, MA where his first wife died. About two years later he married Abigail. In 1666 he and his family moved to Woronoco (now Westfield, MA). Soon after this move, Abigail died and the next year he married Mary Hunt.

In 1679, John was one of the "Seven Pillars" or "Foundation Men" who united to form the church at Westfield. In 1925, the original land owned by John in Westfield was still in the possession of the family and was known to the inhabitants of Westfield as the "Ingersoll Place".

John's son Joseph, by his 3rd wife, Mary, was killed in 1704 during an assault by the French and Indians of the Fort at Hatfield, MA during the Queen Anne's War. A second son, Benjamin, also by his 3rd wife, was also killed in battle or died in service about 1704 during the same war. Both were in their 20's.
Parents: George Ingersoll.

He was married to Abigail Bascom on 12 Dec 1657 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA.⁽²⁾ Children were: Abigail Ingersoll, Abiah Ingersoll, Hester Ingersoll, Thomas Ingersoll.

Back Next