Bela TODD s/o CALEB, Chautauqua Co NY
Surname: Todd, DeGraff, Little, Stroud, McLomoss, Osborne
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Bela Todd was of Scotch origin. His ancestors removed from Scotland to
Yorkshire, England, thence to New Haven. Connecticut, in April 1637 with
Mr. Davenports Company on the ship Hector. He was born in North Haven,
Connecticut, November 3rd, 1785, the eldest of seven children. When Bela
was about ten years of age his father, Caleb, removed with his family to
Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York. Caleb was a farmer by occupation,
in limited circumstances, and a member of the Close Communion Baptist Church
of which he finally became an Elder, and preached at Salisbury for about
twenty years. He received no salary but labored on his little farm to support
his family. He was uneducated. He possessed some reasoning power and considerable
independence of mind. His library consisted of a Bible, Watt's Psalms,
a dictionary and an almanac. In later years his religious views gradually
changed which resulted in an open avowal of Universalism.
In the year 1807, when Bela was about twenty-two years of age he married
Lucy Hemmingway then about sixteen. To them were born sixteen children,
ten boys and six girls. The two older, Ora B. and Lewis being born at Salisbury,
Herkimer County, New York, the remainder at Stockton, N.Y.
In the early 19th Century emigration began moving westward. The first purchase
of lands for the purpose of settlement within the present limits of Chautauqua
County was organized in 1808. To this county came Bela Todd where in April,
1810, he purchased Lot 33, township 4, range 12, now Centralia, the second
piece of land purchased from the Holland Land Company in the town of Stockton.
He then returned to Herkimer County for his wife and young son, Ora B.,
(Lewis having died in the meantime). His was the first log house built
between what is not Hartfield, near Mayville, and South Stockton, on the
Cassadaga Creek.
Bela Todd is said to have been a very strong and industrious man, clearing
away the forest at the rate of ten acres a year to make a clearing where
corn and potatoes could be grown.
In 1812 war broke out with England, so Bela Todd laid down his axe and
with other settlers went to the defense of Buffalo, but the Red Coats were
too much for them. The town was burned and what few were not killed or
scalped by the Indians, returned to once more battle with the forest.
In 1814 Bela Todd was one of a party of men employed by the Holland Land
Company to construct a road from what is now Sinclairville, to the Cattaraugus
County Line, a distance of about twenty-one miles, through dense forest
most of the way. The road was to be cut one rod wide at a price of ten
dollars per mile.
In 1815 he started the first tavern in his vicinity, a double log house.
In 1824, Bela held a property of one hundred acres on Lot 33, consisting
of a good barn 30 X 40 and a large log house and on which 75 acres had
been cleared. This, he sold for $300. (The remainder being due at the Land
office.) This was considered a good price at that time.
He then purchased in 1824, Lot 11 township 4, range 12 now called Pleasant
Valley, nick-named "Kabob," due to the road being constructed of logs,
wagons passing over went ka-bob, ka-bob. The Cassadaga Creek passing through
his land led Bela to construct a sawmill, which he afterward sold.
He was active in the many hunts from 1824 to 1828 to rid the township of
wolves. A large group of men would surround a given area - and "move in,"
thus gathering the animals where they could be easily disposed of.
He passed away at the home of his son, Ora. B. Todd at Pleasant Valley,
September 23, 1862, aged 77 years. His wife died May 6, 1856. Both are
at rest in the well kept cemetery at Dewittville, New York. His father,
Caleb, who came to Chautauqua County in his later years, is buried at the
same place.
Bella Todd (6) (Caleb (5), Gideon (4), Gideon (3), Michael (2), Christopher
(1).
Born November 3, 1785, at North Haven, Conn. Died Sept. 23, 1862. Married
Lucy Hemmingway who was born December 14, 1791. She died May 6, 1856.
Children:
Ora B. Born Dec. 20, 1808. Died Feb. 9, 1889
Lewis Born Nov. 19, 1810. died young
Lucy E. Born June 13, 1812 In Chaut. Co.
Elbridge Gary. Born July 20, 1814
Cornelia E. Born April 25, 1816
Lovina A. Born April 15, 1818
Matilda L. Born February 11, 1820
Hosea H. Born November 7, 1821
Caleb L. Born May 7, 1823. Died May 8, 1903 (Grandfather of
Gerald Lewis Todd.)
Phillinda E. Born March 7, 1825
Electa R. Born October 25, 1826
Andrew Jackson. Born July 21, 1828
Levi Goodsil. Born March 22, 1830
Herman. Born April 15, 1832. Died young.
Edwin P. Born July 17, 1833
Marquis DeLafayette. Born February 13, 1837
Bibliography:
Todd Genealogy.
History of Chautauqua County. Andrew W. Young. 1875.
Sketch of the Hon. Lewis C. Todd, by Phin Miller.
Historical sketches of Stockton. Crissey./
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TODD FAMILY HOLDS REUNION AT HOMES ON CASSADAGA LAKES
Cassadaga--Mr. and Mrs. Archie H. Todd of Monongahela, who were married
in this village 50 years ago are the central figures of a family reunion
being held at the homes of Gerald H. Todd and Mrs. Florence DeGraff on
the Cassadaga Lakes.
The golden wedding celebration was held in Monongahela, Pa., on the fiftieth
anniversary of the wedding date, April 20, 1947.
Present at the reunion are three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Todd, Emerson H.
Todd of Kingston, Pa., with Mrs. Todd and their son and daughter; Bradley
H. Todd of Huntington, W. Va., Mrs. Todd and two daughters; John F. Todd
of Hollywood, Ill., Mrs. Todd and their son.
Also present are three daughters, Mrs. Hamilton Little of Monongahela,
Pa., Mr. Little, and their son; Mrs. William Stroud of Charleroi, Pa.,
Mr. Stroud, and their son; Mrs. Josephine McKiniss and son of Monongahela.,
Pa.
Two brothers of A. H. Todd are pressent, Staunton Todd of Grand Rapids,
Mich, Mrs. Todd; their son, Chauncey Todd, and Mrs Todd also of Grand Rapids;
and Gerald Todd of Cassadaga, at whose home a part of the reunion is being
held.
Two sisters of Mrs. Archie Todd are at the reunion, Mrs. Florence DeGraff
of Cassadaga, also a hostess to the reunion, and mrs. John Osborne of Jamestown.
Present over the week-end was a nephew of Archie Todd, Charles L. Todd
of New York City, public relations director for American Aid to France.
Archie Todd started working for the old D. A. V. & P. R. R., now a branch
of the New York Central 53 years ago. He retired a year ago whild working
for the Pittsburgh & Lake erie R. R., another New York Central subsidiary.
Since retiring he has been advertising manager for a newspaper at Donora,
Pa.
Those present at the reunion have been enjoying family reminiscing, games
of horseshoes, golf, and fishing. Motion pictures taken by members of the
family have also been on the program. For today a mock wedding is planned./
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