Re: Calling all MARCY's!
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In reply to:
Re: Calling all MARCY's!
Kimberly Short 9/22/01
Elizabeth & Willard attenden the Marcy Reunion in Stedman, NY in 1885.The following was copied from Elizabeth Pettee's Diary documenting their journey.Theis reunion was held at the home of Hiram Marcy which is still in the family.Hiram is my great grandfather.I have scanned the old photos that Hiram had collected from the different reunions.I have a photo of elizabeth Pette and Willard.I believe it was custom for those that participated to share photos.There are also large group photos that were taken at the reunion.I have been trying to identfy them.I have it posted on http://www.rootsweb.com/~nychauta/Families/Marcy.htmhttp://www.rootsweb.com/~nychauta/Families/Marcy.htm.
Or try searching searhing Hiram Marcy in google.
MARCY FAMILY REUNION AT Stedman, NY
From the Diary of Willard and Elizabeth (Pettee) Marcy, of Newton Upper Falls, MA, of a rail trip they made in 1885 to the Marcy family reunion which was held at the home of Hiram (Squire) Marcy at Jamestown, NY, and an extended visit to the home of Willard and Olivia (Ball) Marcy of Conneaut, OH, and other relatives.
September 21, 1885.9:10 o'clock A. M.Left home this morning at 6i50 for Ann Arbor via Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Stow, Steadman, Toledo. Left Boston 8:30.We are now in Framingham fairly on our way.We have seats in a drawing room car on the sunny side, which are very comfortable, as the morning is cool.9:47.We are now in Worcester. At this rate I shall hardly be able to realize what a distance we are from home when we arrive at our destination.A colored man came in a few minutes ago with Bills of Fare of a restaurant in Springfield to be served in the cars. He would take the order, and telegraph so that it should be ready on the arrival of the train.We did not order anything, but some of the passengers did.Time, 10:40.Just left West Brookfield after stopping a few minutes.1l:05.Stopped at Palmer the town Bro. Johnson came from when he moved to Newton.The country between Palmer and Springfield is hilly and covered with trees. I have not seen so much woods for a great number of years, and I think it is beautiful.11:30. Here we are in Springfield 99 miles from Boston and I am not tired.After leaving Springfield we crossed the Conn. River, it is quite wide, we saw two pleasure boats, that looked like steamers.Almost 12 o'clock and now we are at Westfield, and those who ordered their dinners are eating it.I think we will have ours very soon.People who travel on the cars do not know much about the cares of life it seems to me. We are now passing through a very picturesque part of the route, such qrand hills covered with trees.l2:25.We are now at Chester.1:20.Just arrived at Pittsfield.We shall soon leave our own state behind and go into another whose scenery will be all stranqe to us.1:45.We have now reached the State line.I suppose one end of the train is in MA, and the other in NY 2:10.Arrived in Chatham.It seems to be a country village or town.We have seen lots of sheep and Mr. Marcy saw some turkeys. I tell him it makes me think of Vermont.About 10 miles beyond Chatham we had a view of the Catskill Mountains in the distance. They looked like clouds.2:40.We have just crossed the Hudson River, there is a notice at the end of the bridge recommendinq Engineers to spend two minutes in crossing.We are to stop here in Albany 10 minutes.Just outside the city, if not within the city limits, there is a very high, steep, grassy hill or range of hills with cattle feeding.3:45.Arrived at Schenectady,Five o'clock, reached Palatine Bridge.Opposite the Depot, there is a high wall, and just above is the grave of Wagner and the letters of his name are traced in foliage plants.W. Wagner. Palatine Bdg spans the Mohawk River.Nearly all the way from Albany the land is good and under high cultivation.5:55.Reached Utica.
6:25. At Rome. 7:15. Arrived at Syracuse. As the Drawing room car does not go any farther we have decided to stop here for the niqht. We have secured lodgings at Congress Hall, which is quite near the Depot. Morning of the 22nd. We passed a very comfortable night, and feel quite rested and refreshed. It is a beautiful morning a little warmer than yesterday. 7:20. We have started again on our way. We have secured seats in a drawing room car as far as Rochester, then we shall have to change cars for Niagara Falls. We shall have to take seats in a common car for about two hours ride. We are riding along side of the greatErie Canal. I do not know how long it is but we have been in site of it for a great many miles; and the boats are very numerous; some times three or four in sight at once. 7:40. We are now at Jordan station. We are on the shady side of the car today which is very agreeable as the sun is very bright. As yet there is only one other passenger in this car. 8 o'clock. We are now at Weedsport. I think this must be an accomodation train as the places we stop at seem to be small country places. 8:25 We crossed the Canal a few minutes ago and are now at Clyde Station. 8:40 We are now at Lyons. Opposite the Depot there is an elevated railway for business purposes. I never saw a railroad so high from the ground; the trestle work is about 30 ft. high. About 5 minutes later we aqain crossed the Canal. There seems to be ways enough to get across the State of N.Y. for there are plenty of railroads. There are sometimes two or three side by side for miles. 9:05. We are now at Palmyra. The village is south of us; it looks like a very pretty place. 9:25. We are now at Fairport. 9:50. Arrived at Rochester. We must now ride the rest of the way to Niagara in a common car. We have had a very enjoyable ride from Syracuse this morning. 10:20. Just ready to start. 10:40. We are now at Adams Basin. 11:00. We are now at Brockport. The land' is more level than it is east of Syracuse. 11:30. We are now at Albion.There are a good many passengers getting off and on. It has clouded up and looks like rain. We are afraid we shall have a wet time at the Falls. 11:55.We are now at Medina. 12:20. we are now at Lockport. 1 o'clock. We are now at the Suspension Bridge. "A man just came running into the car and inguired if any one of the gentlemen was a Dr."; Mr. Marcy went out to see what had happened and found that a man was in a fit on the platform. 1:l5. Arrived at Niagara Falls. Took a hack and rode to Luna Island and from thence to Goat Island; had a view of the Horse shoe and American Falls then went down to the Grand Rapids, Went down 192 feet in an elevator then went down quite a long flight of steps to the waters edge. Oh; it was a grand sight to see the water rushing along with such force as to make it look as though it was flowing over great rocks. There was a gentleman there who told us the water was estimated to be 200 ft. deep, and that there were no rocks at all in the channel. Only to think what a terrible chasm it would be if there wasn't any water there at ill for when we were down there, there was a solid wall of rock above us more than 200 ft. high. How foolhardy Capt. Webb was when he dared to make the attempt to swim through it. 3:30. Started for Buffalo. 4:15. Here we are in Buffalo, but the cars have stopped some ways back from the Depot and waited about 10 minutes, I do not know what for. We have finally arrived at the Depot and find that the train does not leave for Jamestown until half past eight this evening, so have concluded to stop here over night and go down in the morninq.I do not feel very tired but was afraid I would be if we should go on tonight and another thing it has been raining some and is still cloudy.It would not be very pleasant to get into a strange place in the middle of the night in a storm so we are now at 5 o'clock at the Continental Hotel for the night.We have met many kind people who have helped us to find our way.This Hotel is directly opposite the depot. We have very nice accomodations, a parlor and bedroom,one opening from the other.We shall not have to hurry in the morning as the cars do not go until 8:20.Morninq of the 23rd.Eight o'clock finds us seated in the cars for Jamestown.We have had a good nights rest,a good supper & breakfast, and feel as good as new. Although we stop over night on the way, we do not have a chance to form much idea of the different places.The morning is fine although there are some clouds; but I don't think it will rain.It is cooler than it was yesterday.8:20. We are now on our way.They have a fashion out this way of having the railroad track laid right, in the street.I wonder how our folks would like that.8:40. We are now at Blasdell.The land is poorer along here, it is guite swampy.8:50. We are now at Hamburg.The houses are small and poor.The clouds are beautiful this morninq, but they look cold.9 o'clock.We are now at Eden Center.It does not come up to my idea of Eden.Perhaps they derive some consolation from the name.All around as far as we can see it is all swamp land.9:06. We are now at North Collins. Quite a pretty village.The houses look new.Though they are mostly two storied they are small.9:l5.We are now at Lawtons. There seems to be only one street with small houses on one side. 9:20. We are now at Collins.Perhaps we are on the outskirts of the town, there isn't much to be seen near the Depot.9:25. We are now at Gowanda.It seems to be guite a flourishing town. The country is more hilly here. 9:45. We are now at Dayton. The scenery here is very pretty.We can look off and see the hills rising gradually one above another, and the top covered with trees.The sides of the hills are cultivated.There is a mammoth horse shoe suspended over the door of one of the stores. 10 o'clock. We are now at Markhams.No houses at all in sight, nothing but woods and swamps, 10:05. We are now at Pine Valley. It is a pretty place. 10:l5 we are now at Cherry Creek.Another pretty place.10:25. We are now at Conewongo.10:40. We are now at Kennedy. One house painted Red.10:55.We are now at the junction of two roads,Dunkirk and Warren crossing.1l:l5. Arrived at Jamestown. Took a back for the boat landing, had an hour and a half to wait; there being no accomodations except an open platform, it being too cold to stay there, we stopped at a small Hotel directly opposite, so of course we must have something to eat.Jamestown is quite a large place.The scenery is beautiful.We can see the country a great ways on all sides. One o'clock.On board the steamer Hiawatha.From Jamestown to the open lake there is a narrow, crooked channel three miles long. The Lake is a beautiful sheet of water.As there is considerable wind today it is covered with white caps.We have to stay in the cabin it is so cold outside; but the cabin being on deck and windows in the doors we can see very well.1:15. We are now at Rockport landinq.We shall stop at the next landing.2:10. Landed at. Lakeland.Found cousin Hiram and his son William waiting; they were expecting other friends on that boat, but no one else came, so William waited for the next boat.Arrived at cousin Hiram's about 4 o'clock - Wednesday.Soon after cousin Ira's wife came with a daughter of Harriet with her husband Mr. Lee and their little boy, and another cousin came, and in the evening cousin Willard's wife with her daughter- and her little boy and still another man who married one of Uncle James' daughters.Thursday morning, about eight o'clock Hiram and my Willard went over to Panama village, (which is really the centre of the town of Harmony.The Post Office, Stow and Stedman are also in the same town and are not towns by themselves as we supposed. They did not get back. until one o'clock.The rest of the company went over to Willard's, (the place where the reunion was_to be held. about ten o'clock.Hiram's wife and I waited for our husbands.Soon after our arrival dinner was announced. The tables were spread in a small building in the yard which has been fitted up especially for all sorts of social gatherings. There were between 80 and 90 persons present a very happv and agreeable company.One gentleman who bears the name of Marcy, and has not met with them before, yet did not claim any relationship, was here, and finds on looking at the record that after all he does belong to the family.He lives in Venango, PA(The name of the gentleman is Joseph Howland Marcy).After dinner the company all got together on the lawn and had our pictures taken in a group; after which we adjourned to the hall and held a business meeting.We then went back to the house and had a social time until we were called to supper.Soon after supper we went back to cousin Hiram's.Friday 25th.Started about 7:30 for the boat landing; took the boat at 8:30, went to Jamestown, didn't get off the boat, but returned to Fairpoint.Visited the celebrated Chatauqua Assembly grounds while the boat went to Mayville and back; which gave us only 45 minutes to stop.We made as good use of our time as possible, but of course could not see near all of the grounds.We saw the Hall of Philosophy, the Auditorium, the log house, the Hotel, the Pyramid, the building which is used for the different classes, and of course all the cottages in the vicinity of the landing.The model of Jerusalem was enclosed, so we could not see it, but the dead sea was open, with the mountains on either side, but they were not marked so we could not tell the names of them.We had not time to go far, so we did not see the entire grounds.After all I like Framingham fully as well.Took the boat again and returned to Lakeland.Arrived home about 5 o'clock, pretty tired.I burned my face so that it was red all over. Spent the night at cousin Willard's.Started this morning, Saturday 26, at 8:30, for Mayville to take the cars for Brocton, and here we are now at 11 o'clock, and must wait until nearly 3 when we shall take another train for Conneaut, where another cousin Willard lives.2:30. We have just started for Conneaut.2:40.We are now at Westfield. We are on the Lake Shore road.We get glimpses of the Lake occasionally.The road is not so near the lake as I supposed.3:20. We are now at North East.I call that a funny name for a place.The principal product along here is corn.On our way from Mayville to Brocton there were large fields of grapes. On one portion of the route from Syracuse there were a great many beans.3:50.We are now at Erie, where we are to stop ten minutes.4:30. We are now at Girard; it is 14 miles to Conneaut.
Arrived in Conneaut a little before five o'clock; found cousin Willard at the depot; went to his house stayed over niqht.The next morning we went to Conneaut, OH, to see Cousin Betsy Barnes, stayed until five o'clock.On returning found Henry (cousin Willard's oldest son) & his family there, so we did not go out to church at all.It did not seem like Sunday.I was sorry it happened so, for I wanted to go to church.Monday morning took a ride around town before going to the depot.10:15. (Conneaut time).We are now on our way to Ann Arbor. We are to stop in Toledo over night.We can not get seats in a drawing room car on this train.I think after riding all day in a common car we shall be pretty tired; however we must make the best of it.Our watch is just an hour too fast now. The time and the distance has seemed long since we left Cleveland.We find there is a hotel connected with the depot called the Island House, where we have decided to pass the night, Morning of the 29th. Passed a very comfortable night.Had very good accomodations, supper and breakfast. Took an omnibus at half past six to go to the other depot.7:05. We are now on our way to Ann Arbor, the extreme point west which we propose to go this time.7:14. Manhattan Jc't. 7:23. Alexis. There are two other tracks very near together running at right angles with this one, and our train stopped directly on them.I did not see any depot, nor see any one get off or on.I do not know what they stopped for. 7:46. Samaria, 8:l5.Monroe Jc't. stopped again right across the track.I do not know what sort of junction they are, we can see the track each way as far as the eye can reach, but no cars.8:28. Dundee crossing.Right across the tracks no cars.This is the best looking place we have seen since leaving Toledo.8:30. Dundee.8:46. Azalia; passed two coal pits; they were covered with brick, with openings all around the bottom where the smoke came pouring out.8:59. Milan Jc't. There are two churches here.We have just discovered that this is a mixed train, which accounts for our going so slow.Mr. Marcy wonders if we could not have walked and reached here just as soon.9:09. Milan.Saw a man harrowing with three horses abreast.9:22, Urania. Nothing here but a small depot and a store house.There are a few houses in the distance.The trees in this section are beginning to turn, which makes it look like fall, although the weather is warm.I have not needed any wraps for two or three days except my duster, and even then I was too warm.9:32. We are now at Pittsfield, MI, it does not look much like Pittsfield, MA.The next station is Ann Arbor about 4 miles from here. We have picked our way along from place to place ever since we left Boston; and now we are very near our journey's end, and have been prospered all the way; for which we thank the Lord, feeling that He has watched over us, and cared for us continually.9:55. Arrived in Ann Arbor.Found William Henry Pettee (her brother) at the depot watching for us.Took a hack and rode up to his house, which is situated in a very pleasant part of the city. The view from the windows is very pretty, we can see the tops of the College buildings, etc.In the afternoon we rode around a part of the city and enjoyed it very much.We went out a little ways on the top of a hill and looking back we could see that the city was situated on rising ground, with trees enough to make a beautiful Picture; we stayed out about an hour and a half, then returned home rather tired after all our traveling about and siqht seeinq. We spent a pleasant evening together by ourselves. We find our time is only 1/2 hour fast by the time here; they have what they call local time, regulated by the observatory. Wednesday, Breakfast at 7 1/2 wrote two letters in the forenoon.After dinner went to the Horticultural and Agricultural fair, held in this city; saw some very large fruits and vegetables; nice sewing machine work, parlor sets, chamber sets, pianos, reapers and binders, and a great many other things. Did not stay long. I was so tired I did not care to stay after I had been around once. I guess I felt something as Mr. Marcy did at Niagara; he thought it was no use staying any longer; we had seen the falls once and that was enough.
Thursday Oct. 1, 1685 a continuation of the diary. Rested all day, Friday. Feel a good deal rested.Went to college museum. One could, stay there all day and not see all there is to see. Saturday we went over again and visited the Art gallery and other places of interest. Sunday, it has been rather cold today, went to the Methodist church this mormng. The text was in 1st Kings I9th chap, 11-12 verses. I liked the sermon what I could hear of it. It rained in the afternoon and grew so cold we did not go out in the evening.
Editors note: Mrs. Marcy tells of more rain and some snow before they took the train to Detroit where they had to change cars for Buffalo. "She goes on to state that we have seats in a sleeping car today. Very soon after taking our seats the train ran on to a ferry boat and was taken across the Detroit river to the Canada side. A custom house officer came to Inspect the baggage of those who were going to stop in Canada. We are now on the north shore road, but cannot see the lake. The houses along here are srna.ll and low, .und the most of them are rather poor. Tuesday, morning, the cars jarred so much yesterday I could not write much and to tell the truth there was not much to wrlte for the scenery all along through Canada was very much alike, mostly burnt woods & swamps with now and then a village or a few scattering houses. Our train being an express, of course we made very few stops. At St. Thomas they took on a dining car, and about 6 o'clock the porter announced, "Dinner is now ready in the dining car" She goes on to state they had supper in the dining car before reaching Buffalo. She stated "It was nicely fitted up. There were ten tables large enough for four persons at each one, every thing was nice; there were 4 or 5 colored waiters.We had to give a dollar a piece, which would do for once or twice, but I don't think it would be profitable for us to live so all the time. It took a long time to get our supper and eat it, but that made no difference to us. We were disappointed in our expectations of seeing the Niagara falls again, when we crossed the suspension bridge, for it was dark long before we reached there. Arrived at Buffalo about 8:45 went to the Continental Hotel; the same hotel we stopped at when we came on; went directly to bed;
slept well and feel nicely this morning" Editor note: Mrs. Marcy continues with a similiar report the balance of the trip from Niagara back to Boston.
This diary was copied by Forrest Kinsman Marcy from the original account of the trip written by Mrs. Willard (Elizabeth Pettee) Marcy of 1173 Chestnut Street, Newton Upper Falls, MA with the exception of some deletions to shorten it.