Generation No. 1

1.  SENECA⁸ HOWLAND  (CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^1,2,3,4,5,6 was born February 12, 1780 in Beekman, Dutchess, New York⁷, and died July 26, 1831 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York⁸.  He married (1) MARY HAGERMAN in Dutchess county, New York.  She died March 17, 1806.  He married (2) AGNES KING^9,10,11 December 14, 1806 in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York^12,13, daughter of FRANCIS KING and MARY JONES.  She was born March 17, 1788 in New Jersey^14,15, and died March 19, 1859 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York¹⁶.

Notes for SENECA HOWLAND:

It was nearly sunset on a day in the latter part of March, 1805.  The past winter had been severe and the snow yet lay on the ground to the depth of two feet or more.  From the top of Breeds Hill (the old Dug Road, near the southwestern corner of the Military Tract of New York State) might have been seen a newly-chopped road winding up through the woods, the stumps still sticking up through the snow and the logs hardly dragged aside far enough for a team of oxen to pass along.  The snow lay as deep here as elsewhere in the woods and was only beaten down into a narrow path by the boots of some footman who had gone down to Mr. Sheneck's at the Half Way House in the valley (later Morg. Whites) for a jug of "groceries".

Along this rough wood-road two yoke of oxen were slowly pulling a long sleigh up the steep hill that rose westward from the upper valley of the Catatonk creek.  On the sleigh were piled a few household goods and on them sat two young women, one carrying in her arms a baby seven months old and the other holding a little girl of two years.  The driver of the oxen, who tramped alongside was a young man of twenty-five, slim, straight and of medium height, his beardless face shaded by a heavy cap, beneath which looked out a pair of deep blue eyes.  His whole appearance betokened a long, hard journey.  Behind the sleight walked another young man of nineteen with an axe on his shoulder.

It is needless to say that the two men were Seneca Howland and his younger brother, James; while those in the sleigh were Seneca's wife, Polly Hagermann Howland and her sister, Betsy Hagerman with Seneca and Polly's two children, Levinah Anne (b. 2 Jan. 1803, d. 13 Sep 1805) and Charles Henry (b. 13 Aug 1804, d. 23 Sep 1805).  The family were coming from Fishkill in Duchess County, New York and were just arriving at their new home in the forest after a winter journey of some 250 miles through the Catskills and via Binghamton and Owego.

Seneca had been out the summer before and had chopped a small clearing in the woods and built a log house and barn.  There were at that time only three families in what was then called Haight's Settlement (later South Danby) - Old Haight on the Robinson farm (later known as the Hinds place); Old Nelson, on the Andrew Beer's place; and the Van Kleecks who lived on the flat-iron, as it was called, opposite the later Rankins place.  It took no small courage to bring a family to such a wild country at that time of year, but Seneca's early life had been such as to give him considerable self-reliance.

Seneca's father, Charles, a Quaker, was a wheelwright and he himself had learned that trade while young.  His first start in life, however, was obtained by delivering newspapers.  When about ten, he was hired as helper by a man who had a contract to deliver papers to the country about Fishkill.  In this way he earned $30.00 with which he bought a pony and thereafter carried on a considerable business of his own in delivering papers through the neighboring country.  Apparently, papers were not mailed to subscribers in those days but were sent to agents who undertook their delivery.  Seneca continued in the employment of one Nicolas Power until he was twenty years old, by which time he had saved the sum of 71.6.3, or $178.28.  Meanwhile, when time permitted, he also worked at his trade of Wheelwright and by the time he was twenty-one he owned a shop and five acres of land in Fishkill.  During the next four years he bought various other plots of ground and when, at the age of twenty-five, he moved with his wife and children to the frontier, he owned about twenty-four acres for which he had paid $615.50.

When he was twenty-one, Seneca had been appointed a constable of the township and, as the business of that office was considerable, he became fairly well known thereabouts.  In the village itself lived an old and aristocratic Dutch family, the Van Wycks.  Gen. John B. Van Wyck had recently acquired 6,000 acres of the old Watkins and Flint Purchase in south central New York, and needing someone to look after his interest there, offered the young constable the position on condition that he settle on the tract and act as Van Wyck's agent in the sale of the land to other settlers.

It was thus that the late winter and early spring of 1805 found Seneca moving out to the new country with his family and household goods.  With the help of his brother James, some land was cleared in time to sow crops that season.  But it is evident that his family never fully recovered from the hardships of the long journey through the winter snows of 1805. In the fall of that year his little daughter Levinah Anne, two and a half years old, died and ten days later his little son Charles Henry.  Nor was this all.  In the following winter his wife Polly succumbed to tuberculosis and died on the 17th of March, 1806, just a year from the time she came into the wilderness with her husband and children.   This left Seneca and his brother James alone, for his wife's sister, Betsy Hagerman, had gone back to Duchess Co., a month before Polly's death. But their work forced the two brothers to put all other thoughts aside. Seneca had taken up 400 acres of land and much new ground had to be cleared.  In the latter part of the summer of 1806 brother James, growing tired of the hardships of the frontier, also returned to Duchess County and Seneca was left entirely alone.  During that summer of 1806 he made one or more trips to the little village of Ithaca, and either coming or going (or both) had stopped at the tavern kept on South Hill, some three miles from Ithaca, by Francis King, a veteran of the Revolution who had taken up land here on the Military Tract.  At this tavern he had seen and been seen by the tavern keeper's daughter.  A story handed down in the family relates that when this 18 year old girl, Agnes, first saw the young widower she announced to her family that he was the man she was going to marry.   At any rate, she and Seneca Howland were married 14 Dec. 1806, nine months after his first wife's death.  Thus he obtained a companion in his loneliness and we acquired a grandmother.

Agnes King was a young woman of great energy and, I suspect from the reminiscences of my uncles and aunts, of a harsh and rather dictatorial character.  From the time of this marriage a new energy and thrift were give to Seneca's fortunes.  His new wife made him give up 200 acres of his land and devote himself to the improvement of the remaining 200.  His property in Duchess County had been sold the winter before by his father-in-law, Hendrick Hagermann, for 550 pounds, equivalent to $1,375.00; but a large part of the money went for the payment of old debts in that place, leaving but $500.00 to pay on his land in South Danby.  During the following winter (1806-7) Seneca visited his friends in Fishkill, the first of several visits made to his old home.

From the time of his second marriage until his death there were few events that varied the steady routine of work.  His son, Francis King Howland was born in September 1807 and from then until 1820 his family increased with great regularity and precision - eight children being born during the first twelve years of his second marriage and three other children thereafter.

In 1810 Seneca was elected Justice of the Peace, and ever afterwards was looked upon by his neighbors as a man who had profound knowledge of the law.  In fact, he was regularly re-elected to the office until his death.  In 1812 he was appointed Ensign of the 95th Regiment of the New York militia.  Five years later he was promoted to Captain.  Later, on the death of the Colonel, he was offered the Colonelcy of the regiment, but Agness would not allow him to accept the command, evidently thinking he had enough to do at home.

In 1827 he was confronted by a serious lawsuit.  Gen. Van Wyck gradually formed a dislike of his agent in Danby.  The two had maintained close business relations for twenty years, but their characters were wholly unlike.  Seneca was kind-hearted, rather easy-going man, not very prompt in doing business.  He had a habit of putting off disagreeable things, a habit not infrequently found in kind-hearted men.  On the other hand, Van Wyck was keen and grasping and insisted on the new settlers living up to the letter of their agreements.  If their payments fell the least in arrears, he kept writing to his agent to have them ejected at once from their holdings, but the latter was unwilling to proceed to such hard measures against his neighbors.  Old Mr. Bingham used to say, "Old Van Wyck would keep writing out 'Fire! Fire!' and Squire Howland would keep writing back 'Water! Water!'"

Thus, partly because of this, as well as because Seneca had not made any further payments on his own land since coming out to Danby, Gen. Van Wyck in 1824 revoked Seneca's power-of-attorney and appointed another man as agent.  He also charged Seneca with poor management and dishonesty; but it was not until 1827 that he brought suit against him the the State Supreme Court for $800.00, a sum he claimed owing him for lands sold by Howland during the latter's agency.  Grandfather brought forward a counterclaim against Van Wyck for $1,000.00 for improvements made on the latter's land, for taxes paid and surveys made thereon and for his own commissions of 4% on the lands sold.  The counter claims were finally left to three referees, who decided that "John B. Van Wyck was indebted to Seneca Howland the sum of $158.36", thus vindicating the latter from any charge of dishonesty.  But the pressure of the law suit together with Van Wyck's demand for final payment for his farm, forced Seneca in July, 1827 to borrow $600.00 for which he gave a mortgage on his land.  Four years later, at the time of his death, one-half of this mortgage had been paid off; but it was not until several years later that the remainder of the debt was discharged.

In 1829 Seneca was seized with a lameness in the knee which soon developed into what was then called the "white swelling" (later known as tuberculosis of the bone).  This was treated by Dr. Beers and Dr. Curtis, but their treatments were unavailing, and a "capping" of the swelling, is was said, scattered the disease into all parts of the body.  He died 26 July 1831, and such an impression had his life and abilities made on his neighbors that many years later a very old man told Arthur Charles Howland, Seneca's grandson, that "Old Squire Howland was smarter than any of his descendants."

More About SENECA HOWLAND:

Burial: Old Episcopal Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹⁷

More About AGNES KING:

Burial: Old Episcopal Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹⁷

Children of SENECA HOWLAND and MARY HAGERMAN are:

                   i.    LEVINIA ANNE⁹ HOWLAND, b. January 02, 1803, Fishkill, Dutchess county, New York; d. September 13, 1805, South Danby, Tompkin county, New York.

More About LEVINIA ANNE HOWLAND:

Burial: South Danby, Tompkin county, New York

                  ii.    CHARLES HENRY HOWLAND, b. August 13, 1804, Fishkill, Dutchess county, New York; d. September 23, 1805, South Danby, Tompkin county, New York.

More About CHARLES HENRY HOWLAND:

Burial: South Danby, Tompkin county, New York

Children of SENECA HOWLAND and AGNES KING are:

2.              iii.    FRANCIS KING⁹ HOWLAND, b. September 15, 1807, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. March 05, 1878, South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

                 iv.    DR. JOHN HOWLAND^18,19, b. March 01, 1809, South Danby, Tompkins, New York²⁰; d. April 15, 1836, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York.

Notes for DR. JOHN HOWLAND:

John never married.  He went to medical school -- "Hamilton" College -- started practice in Owego and died of small-pox, contracted from a patient in 1836.  He was 26 years old when he died.

More About DR. JOHN HOWLAND:

Burial: Old Episcopal Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York

Cause of Death: Small-pox

Education: Hamilton College

                  v.    CAROLINE HOWLAND²⁰, b. March 14, 1811, South Danby, Tompkins, New York²⁰.

Notes for CAROLINE HOWLAND:

They had 11 children, nine died in infancy and only two grew up.

3.              vi.    JAMES K. HOWLAND, b. March 08, 1812, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York; d. March 04, 1888, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York.

4.             vii.    HARRIET AMANDA HOWLAND, b. January 04, 1814, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. July 05, 1890, Candor, New York.

               viii.    LAVINIA ANN HOWLAND^20,21, b. January 02, 1816, South Danby, Tompkins, New York²²; d. July 15, 1853, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; m. JOHN MANNING, December 13, 1848, South Danby, Tompkins co., New York.

More About LAVINIA ANN HOWLAND:

Burial: Danby Episcopal Hill Cemetery (Peter Rd.), Danby, Tompkins Co., New York

Notes for JOHN MANNING:

John Manning was a farmer in Danby, New York.   He and his wife left no children.  They belonged to the Methodist church in S. Danby.

5.               ix.    CHARLES HOWLAND, b. January 13, 1818, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. May 24, 1900, South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

6.                x.    REV. SENECA HOWLAND, b. December 20, 1819, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York; d. January 12, 1906, Smyrna, New York..

7.               xi.    WILLIAM HOWLAND, b. March 21, 1827, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. July 18, 1907, South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

8.              xii.    MARY JANE HOWLAND, b. October 30, 1828, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. September 22, 1900.

Generation No. 2

2.  FRANCIS KING⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^22,23,24 was born September 15, 1807 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York²⁵, and died March 05, 1878 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York.  He married CLARISSA CASTERLINE^26,27,28 September 20, 1827 in Danby, Tompkins Co., New York, daughter of JOSEPH CASTERLINE and MARGARET ATKINSON.  She was born October 11, 1808 in Newfield, Tompkins Co., New York²⁹, and died February 10, 1888 in South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York²⁹.

Notes for FRANCIS KING HOWLAND:

He was raised to follow his father's profession of farming, but later took up milling.  He was a large, powerful man.  In the 1850 census he is listed as a farmer in Danby, New York age 43.  His wife "Claurisa age 42 is there and is said to be born in NJ.  The farm is valued at $1,600.00. The children listed are:  Seneca, age 16; Levi, age 14; Edgar, age 12; Terrisa, age 8; Charles, age 20; Joseph, age 18; and Agnes, age 1.

Arthur C. Howland wrote of uncle Frank and aunt Clara: "I can just remember Uncle Frank and Aunt Clara.  She finally became insane, intermittently wild, at other times apparently normal.  She was blind when I knew her."

More About FRANCIS KING HOWLAND:

Baptism: Methodist

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York²⁹

Occupation: Farmer and miller

Notes for CLARISSA CASTERLINE:

The 1850 census suggests that Francis K. Howland's wife Claurisa age 42 was born in N.J. and not in New York.

According to the 1880 census, Clarissa was living with her daughter and son in law, Lewis Ferris in that year.

More About CLARISSA CASTERLINE:

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York²⁹

Children of FRANCIS HOWLAND and CLARISSA CASTERLINE are:

9.                i.    CHARLES CASTERLINE¹⁰ HOWLAND, b. January 16, 1830, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. December 25, 1900, Minneaplis, Minnesota.

10.             ii.    SENECA HOWLAND, b. May 09, 1834, Tompkins co., New York; d. February 12, 1901, Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa.

11.            iii.    LEVI M. HOWLAND, b. March 19, 1836, Danby, Tompkins Co., New York; d. Missouri.

12.            iv.    EDGAR VOSE HOWLAND, b. May 19, 1838, Danby, Tompkins Co., New York.

                  v.    JOHN J. HOWLAND^30,31, b. May 06, 1840^32,33; d. March 19, 1861, Danby, Tompkins Co., New York³⁴.

13.            vi.    THERESA HOWLAND, b. December 10, 1841; d. February 17, 1888.

14.           vii.    GEORGE F. HOWLAND, b. October 10, 1844, South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

               viii.    MARY A. HOWLAND³⁵, b. August 29, 1847³⁶; m. (1) NEAL THOMPSON, June 03, 1874; d. Florida; m. (2) ODEL KNAPP, Aft. 1875, Conn..

Notes for MARY A. HOWLAND:

Mary A. Howland moved to Wisconsin where she was married to Neal Thompson, a merchant.  From here they moved to Florida where Mr. Thompson died.  After his death she went to Connecticut and then married Odel Knapp.

15.             ix.    AGNES C. HOWLAND, b. March 23, 1849.

3.  JAMES K.⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^37,38,38 was born March 08, 1812 in South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^39,40, and died March 04, 1888 in South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York⁴¹.  He married EMOLINE MANDERVILLE⁴¹ April 08, 1841⁴².  She was born 1815⁴³, and died July 1874 in South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York⁴⁴.

Notes for JAMES K. HOWLAND:

In the 1850 census Emma is listed as Emery E age 3.  All are born in New York.  Their farm is valued at $750.00.

More About JAMES K. HOWLAND:

Burial: Manderville Cemetery (Danby, Nelson Rd.), Danby, Tompkins County, New York

More About EMOLINE MANDERVILLE:

Burial: Manderville Cemetery (Danby, Nelson Rd.), Danby, Tompkins County, New York

Children of JAMES HOWLAND and EMOLINE MANDERVILLE are:

16.              i.    HARRIET ADELAIDE¹⁰ HOWLAND, b. May 24, 1842.

17.             ii.    WILLIAM A. HOWLAND, b. August 23, 1844; d. Danby, Tompkins Co., New York.

18.            iii.    EMMA HOWLAND, b. January 11, 1848.

                 iv.    DR. LYMAN E. HOWLAND^44,45, b. April 17, 1850⁴⁶; d. December 29, 1874⁴⁷; m. MARY; b. 1855; d. 1875.

Notes for DR. LYMAN E. HOWLAND:

He studied medicine and died just as he began practice.

More About DR. LYMAN E. HOWLAND:

Burial: Manderville Cemetery (Danby, Nelson Rd.), Danby, Tompkins County, New York

Occupation: Physician

More About MARY:

Burial: Manderville Cemetery (Danby, Nelson Rd.), Danby, Tompkins County, New York

                  v.    MARY E. HOWLAND^47,48, b. June 14, 1855, South Danby, Tompkins County, New York^49,50; d. May 07, 1875, South Danby, Tompkins County, New York⁵¹.

More About MARY E. HOWLAND:

Burial: Manderville Cemetery (Danby, Nelson Rd.), Danby, Tompk

19.            vi.    ELLA T. HOWLAND, b. November 08, 1856, New York.

4.  HARRIET AMANDA⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^{52,53,54,55,56} was born January 04, 1814 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York^57,58,59, and died July 05, 1890 in Candor, New York.  She married WILLIAM W. WILLSEY^60,61 March 23, 1842, son of JACOB WILLSEY and SARAH HALL.  He was born Abt. 1818 in New York^62,63, and died September 12, 1874 in Wilseyville, Tompkins co., New York.

Notes for WILLIAM W. WILLSEY:

The 1860 census shows Martha Barto, aslo living in the house. 

Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor, New York

Willsey          William W.    9/12/1874       66y 6m   

Willsey H. Amanda    7/6/1890         76y 6m    wife of Wm. W

Children of HARRIET HOWLAND and WILLIAM WILLSEY are:

20.              i.    MARIA A.¹⁰ WILLSEY, b. November 14, 1849.

                  ii.    SARAH A. WILLSEY^64,65,66,67, b. November 30, 1851^68,69.

Notes for SARAH A. WILLSEY:

Sarah never married.  She was afflicted with asthma her entire life.

5.  CHARLES⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^70,71,72,73 was born January 13, 1818 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York^74,75, and died May 24, 1900 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York.  He married MARIA ALIDA BASSETT^76,77 November 27, 1850 in Seymour, Conn⁷⁸, daughter of JOSIAH BASSETT and BETSEY BASSETT.  She was born January 20, 1826 in Connecticut⁷⁹, and died May 16, 1901 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

Notes for CHARLES HOWLAND:

Charles Howland was born in 1818 and was on of six children.  Charles was Justice of the Peace in South Danby and people came to him to settle their complaints and grievances against their neighbors, arguments over property lines, etc.  Aunt Mary told Emily Hinton Howland that she and Arthur Charles Howland, as young children, would be sent out of the room at these times.  However, they would go up stairs and peek through a hole in the bedroom floor down into the room below.  They must have learned a lot about life and human nature.  Charles had  a farm in South Danby, Tompkins county, New York.  He and his wife are buried in the cemetery near by.

Charles Howland was a man of slight build and he had probably strained himself with the hard work on the farm at the time he died in 1900.

More About CHARLES HOWLAND:

Burial: Danby Episcopal Hill Cemetery (Peter Rd.), Danby, Tompkins Co., New York

Notes for MARIA ALIDA BASSETT:

Maria Alida Bassett married Charles Howland on 27 Nov. 1850 in Seymour, Conn.  She was a plain woman in appearance, though not in character.  She was known for her quiet efficiency and skill and for never losing her head in an emergency.  She was often summoned from quite a distance to attend women in child-birth; and Charles Howland recalled anxious men waking them in the middle of the night and taking his mother with them to attend their wives.  His father would drive over the next day or the day after to bring her home.  Maria never lost any of these babies at birth, or did their mothers fail to come through the ordeal.

More About MARIA ALIDA BASSETT:

Burial: Danby Episcopal Hill Cemetery (Peter Rd.), Danby, Tompkins Co., New York

Children of CHARLES HOWLAND and MARIA BASSETT are:

21.              i.    RUFUS BASSETT¹⁰ HOWLAND, b. September 15, 1851, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. July 1923.

                  ii.    ELIZABETH REYNOLDS HOWLAND^80,81, b. March 12, 1866, South Danby, Tompkins, New York⁸²; d. November 23, 1953, Trumansburg, Tompkins, New York.

Notes for ELIZABETH REYNOLDS HOWLAND:

Great Aunt Elizabeth was a small and very quiet woman, but every now and then she would peak up and make a very funny and fitting comment on the conversation much amusing the family.  Like the rest of the family, she attended Wyoming Seminary.

Like the rest of the family, she attended Wyoming Seminary.  Once, at a meeting of the Ladies Aid Society (of the Methodist Church), the pastor made some slighting remark about Aunt Mary indicating that she had not been quite honest in the handling of the Society's money, of which she was treasurer.  Immediately, Aunt Elizabeth rose to her sister's defense and told the minister off in no uncertain terms.   Later, hen this was reported in the family, much to everyone's delight Aunt Eliabeth said in a shocked voice, "Did I say that?!"

After the death of Rufus' wife, Aunt Elizabeth kept house for Rufus and raised Susan.  Elizbeth was known for her excellent butter which was never rancid (she kept the churn clean).  She was able to earn about $100 a year selling her butter.  After Rufus' death, Elizabeth and Susan remained in the Trumansburg house.  One night when she was an old lady she got up and may have grown dizzy as she fell down the stairs.  From then on she was bed ridden and appeared not to know anyone.  Susan took loving gentle care of her until her death in 1953.

22.            iii.    ARTHUR CHARLES HOWLAND, b. December 24, 1869, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. March 29, 1952, Swarthmore, Delaware, Pennsylvania.

                 iv.    MARY LOUISA HOWLAND⁸³, b. March 04, 1872, South Danby, Tompkins, New York; d. December 17, 1958, Trumansburg, Tompkins, New York; m. GEORGE VAN KLEECK, December 28, 1903, Tompkins co., New York; b. October 27, 1871; d. December 05, 1943, Candor, Tompkins, New York.

Notes for MARY LOUISA HOWLAND:

As  young woman, Aunt Mary was very pretty with deep blue eyes and curly hair.   When her brother, Arthur, left home for college and thereafter permanently, she stayed home and looked after her parents until their deaths in 1900 and 1901.  Then the first year after Arthur's marriage to Emily Wycoff Berry,  Mary lived with them in New York City (1902-03).

In 1903 or 1904 Mary married George Van Kleck.  The Van Kleecks were among the early settlers of the South Danby area.  George had a farm in Dry Brook, a few miles from the Howland farm.  As a farmer's wife, Aunt Mary worked very hard, helping with the chores as well as caring for the house, cooking, etc.  She told me Uncle George was kind and gentle with his animals and helped them at birthing.  They had no children which was sad because Aunt Mary loved children.  They eventually sold the farm in Dry Brook and moved to a brick house on the outskirts of Candor.  This was a smaller farm but the work was the same.

Aunt Mary was a great story teller and delighted in telling the stories passed down in the family about the life in the rural community.  Farm houses were all a mile or more apart, but everyone knew their neighbors and the kind of people they were.  Social life centered in the church--that is all there was--no phones, no radios, no TV and a 12 mile drive with horse and wagon to Ithaca, the nearest city.  One of the neighbors had a run down farm with nothing cared for or looked after. Aunt Mary told me, that when one of the family died, she went over to help the family prepare for the funeral and for any visitors who might come in.  The house was so dirty she had to scrape the floors with a hoe to get them clean.  It was said of this place that the cockroaches were so big they came out of the house in the morning and sat on the fence and crowed.

After Uncle George's death, Aunt Mary sold the Candor place and went to live with her sister, Elizabeth, and niece, Susan, in Trumansburg.

Notes for GEORGE VAN KLEECK:

George Van Kleek had a sister named Jean van Kleek.  She worked in New York City and never married.  There was also a Neice by the name of Ruth Miller who lived in Ithaca, probably in the 1950's.  This is all my mother could remember of the Van Kleecks.

More About GEORGE VAN KLEECK:

Burial: Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor, New York

6.  REV. SENECA⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^84,85,86,87 was born December 20, 1819 in South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^88,89, and died January 12, 1906 in Smyrna, New York..  He married (1) MARIANNE CLARK Abt. 1843, daughter of REV. LABAN CLARK.  She was born Abt. 1819 in Middletown, Conn.⁹⁰, and died July 03, 1853.  He married (2) JULIA HUSTED REYNOLDS⁹¹ April 20, 1858 in Greenwich, Conn., daughter of ARD REYNOLDS and ANNE DUELL.  She was born March 10, 1827 in Greenwich, Conn., and died March 12, 1890 in Stanwich, Conn..

Notes for REV. SENECA HOWLAND:

Seneca prepared for college at Cazenorra studied at Wesleyan University and after leaving here traveled in Europe.   He joined the N.Y. East Conference and has been stationed at many of the important charges within its jurisdiction such as: Waterbury, Mount-Vernon, Merriden, Seymour, Greenwich and New York City.  He married Marianne, the daughter of Laban Clark, DD. one of the founders of Wesleyan University with whom he lived for five years until her death.  He was married a second time to Julia H., daughter of Hon. ___ Reynolds of Greenwich, Conn.  They have three children: 1) Francis A. Howland who has attended school at the Wyoming Seminary and at Cajerovia.  Francis is married to Josephine Smith of Islip, Long Island and has two children.  He is a merchant.  2) Laban C. Howland is a mechanic in New York City; and, 3) Agnes is at her home.

Obit of Seneca Howland, from the Greenwich News, Friday, January 19, 1906

Rev. Seneca Howland, a former resident of this place and at two different times pastor of the methodist church here, died at Smyrna, NY, Jan. 12th, age 86 years and 23 days.  He was stricken with paralysis Oct 3d, while conducting services at that place.  The remains were interred in the family plot here on Monday.  Mr. Howland leaves three children, Frank A., of Islip, L.I.; Laban C. of New York city; and Agnes, of New Jersey.

In 1860, it is noted that Seneca Howland had a particularly large property value.  In the 1860 census, it is noted that Mary O'Brian, age 27 was working as a servant on the farm.  She was from Ireland.  Also there were two farm hands, Jarves J. Hull, age 35 and Haugh Sullivan, age 16.

More About REV. SENECA HOWLAND:

Burial: 1906, Stanwich, Conn.

Degree: Cazenovia Seminary, N.Y.

Ordination: Methodist Minister N/Y. East Conference

Residence: 1870, Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut

More About JULIA HUSTED REYNOLDS:

Burial: 1890

Property: August 15, 1860, Greenwich, Conn. property valued at $14, 000.⁹²

Child of SENECA HOWLAND and MARIANNE CLARK is:

                   i.    GEORGE S.¹⁰ HOWLAND⁹³, b. Abt. 1844⁹⁴.

Children of SENECA HOWLAND and JULIA REYNOLDS are:

23.             ii.    FRANCIS ARD¹⁰ HOWLAND, b. April 18, 1859, Greenwich, Conn..

                 iii.    JOHN REYNOLDS HOWLAND⁹⁵, b. August 05, 1861, Greenwich, Connecticut; d. May 15, 1865, Greenwich, Connecticut⁹⁶.

Notes for JOHN REYNOLDS HOWLAND:

Son of Rev. Seneca Howland d. May 15, 1865, age 3 years, 9 months and 10 days.

24.            iv.    LABAN CLARK HOWLAND, b. January 05, 1864.

                  v.    SARAH AGNES HOWLAND^97,98, b. August 16, 1867; d. March 13, 1955.

                 vi.    JULIA HARRIET HOWLAND⁹⁹, b. May 22, 1870; d. July 12, 1870.

7.  WILLIAM⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^{100,101,102,103} was born March 21, 1827 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York^104,105, and died July 18, 1907 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York.  He married LOUISE M. LORING^106,107 April 09, 1851.  She was born July 21, 1826 in Spencer, New York^108,109, and died June 15, 1907 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York.

More About WILLIAM HOWLAND:

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹⁰

More About LOUISE M. LORING:

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹⁰

Children of WILLIAM HOWLAND and LOUISE LORING are:

                   i.    FREDERICK¹⁰ HOWLAND¹¹¹, b. September 03, 1856, South Danby, Tompkins, New York¹¹²; d. February 07, 1860, South Danby, Tompkins, New York¹¹².

More About FREDERICK HOWLAND:

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹²

                  ii.    LOUISA M. HOWLAND¹¹², b. 1857, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹²; d. February 07, 1860, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹².

More About LOUISA M. HOWLAND:

Burial: South Danby Cemetery, South Danby, Tompkins Co., New York¹¹²

                 iii.    HARRIET L. HOWLAND^113,114, b. April 11, 1861, Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^115,116; d. 1950, Wilseyville, New York¹¹⁷.

                 iv.    ADDIE L. HOWLAND^118,119,120, b. May 01, 1865, Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^121,122; d. 1948, Wilseyville, New York¹²³.

More About ADDIE L. HOWLAND:

Burial: Old Rural Danby Cemetery, Danby, Tompkins County, New York¹²³

8.  MARY JANE⁹ HOWLAND (SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^124,125 was born October 30, 1828 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York¹²⁶, and died September 22, 1900.  She married CLARK LOUNDSBURY February 06, 1849.  He was born 1818, and died November 07, 1900.

Children of MARY HOWLAND and CLARK LOUNDSBURY are:

                   i.    CORNELIA¹⁰ LOUNDSBURY, b. October 10, 1860.

Notes for CORNELIA LOUNDSBURY:

She was a school teacher at Cortland, New York.

                  ii.    HARRIOT A. LOUNDSBURY, b. June 06, 1863, Tioga Center, Tioga Co., New York.

Notes for HARRIOT A. LOUNDSBURY:

She was a school teacher in Cortland, New York.

Generation No. 3

9.  CHARLES CASTERLINE¹⁰ HOWLAND (FRANCIS KING⁹, SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^127,128,129 was born January 16, 1830 in South Danby, Tompkins, New York^130,131, and died December 25, 1900 in Minneaplis, Minnesota¹³².  He married (1) ELVIRA HOWE¹³³ August 13, 1853 in Tompkins co., New York¹³³.  She was born March 27, 1834 in New York, and died October 06, 1875 in Garner, Hancock co., Iowa.  He married (2) ELEANOR VAN ETTEN Aft. October 06, 1875, daughter of SIMON VAN ETTEN and MARY MARSHALL.  She was born February 15, 1840 in Corning, Steubens County, New York, and died September 08, 1941 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Notes for ELEANOR VAN ETTEN:

At sometime after marriage Eleanor moved to Minnesota. Pg. 170, Van Ettens in   America has a memo of newspaper clipping stating she was residing Minnesota   Masonic Home at Bloomington, near Minneapolis.

Eleanor also was a signer on the first petition sent to Washington requesting Women's suffrage.

Mrs. Eleanor Howland, sister of the Bellingham resident, is the only living charter member of this organization. The first meeting of the Order of the Eastern Star was held in Corning, New York in 1857. Mrs. Howland is now 97 years of age and resides at the Minnesota Masonic Homme at Bloomington, near Minneapolis.

Mrs. Howland has been a visitor to Bellingham on several occasions. Besides the honor of the charter member of the fraternal order she prides herself with signing the first petition sent to Washington requesting women's

suffrage more than three-quarters of a century ago."

Eleanor Howland became a resident of Minnesota Masonic Home 29 May 1926. The Home opened in 1920 and Eleanor was their 41st resident.  At that time she was 86.  The homes records show she was born in Corning, New York,  15 February, 1840.  Her address at time of admit was 5802 Pleasant Avenue, Minneapolis.  She was a member of Palestine Chapter No. 112 Minneapolis.  Her occupation is listed "Charity Worker."  Relatives are listed as a daughter, Mrs. William Blair of St. Paul.  Date of Death: 8 Sep 1941 at the age of 101.  A note in her file states "Funeral services for "Grandma" Howland were held at the Joe Billman Mortuary "House of Flowers" 2121 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Thursday, 11 Sep 1941 at 2:00 P.M.  The Rev. M.W. McGladery officiating.  Eastern Star Services by Palestine Chapter 112 of O.E.S. Minneapolis."

Children of CHARLES HOWLAND and ELVIRA HOWE are:

                   i.    MARY FRANCES¹¹ HOWLAND¹³⁴, b. September 29, 1855, Tompkins co., New York¹³⁴; d. 1953, South Dakota¹³⁴; m. BURNER¹³⁴.

Notes for MARY FRANCES HOWLAND:

Mary Francis was always known in the family as aunt Frank to her family. It was not noted in the family records as to if she ever had children.

                  ii.    HIRAM SENECA HOWLAND¹³⁴, b. December 12, 1857, West Bend, Iowa¹³⁴; d. December 10, 1936, Mitchel, South Dakota¹³⁴; m. LUCINDA DEWITT; b. March 29, 1860; d. June 03, 1892.

                 iii.    CHARLES ALBERT HOWLAND¹³⁴, b. October 1858¹³⁴; d. October 22, 1859¹³⁴.

                 iv.    INA DELPHINE HOWLAND¹³⁵, b. January 19, 1861, Tompkins co., New York¹³⁶; d. December 1917¹³⁶; m. JAMES D. DELOSH¹³⁷, September 20, 1880, Garner, Hancock co., Iowa¹³⁸; b. , Luni, Iowa¹³⁸.

                  v.    CHARLES ONO HOWLAND¹³⁹, b. November 19, 1868¹³⁹; d. May 15, 1936, South Dakota¹³⁹.

Notes for CHARLES ONO HOWLAND:

Charles O. Howland never married according to the Obit.  It stated that he came to Lyman county in the spring of 1870 with his parents.  Leaves brother, H. S. Howland (Hiram Seneca), Mary Burner and Alta Foley.  His sister, Mrs. J. H. Delosh preceded him in death 18 years ago.    Also survived by two nieces; Mary Shirk and Mrs. Frank Kennedy.

According to Virgil Kennedy, Charles Ona had three passions: poker, whiskey, and cooking.  For a time he worked for the railroad up on the Platte River cooking for a tressel crew.   Presumably after he cleaned them out at cards, he moved on and cooked at a feed lot.  She staked a claim which her worked while supporting him self at cards.  He also took up carving canes from the Diamond Willows which are exceedingly handsome.  Virgil has one of the canes.  The Diamond Willow gets its name from the diamond pattern when a wasp lays its eggs in the bark.

Charles O. Howland was in Jones County in 1910.

                 vi.    ALTA IVA HOWLAND¹³⁹, b. June 22, 1871, Garner, Hancock County, Iowa; d. April 27, 1961, Renwick, Iowa; m. STEWART BERNE FOLEY, December 19, 1886, Hardy, Humbolt County, Iowa; b. Humbolt County, Iowa..

Notes for ALTA IVA HOWLAND:

Alta Iva Howland was fifteen when she married.  She had nine children , one of which died young.  she always ate backs of chickens and in later years was asked why by a grandson.  She answered, "That way everyone got a piece of chicken."  When she was very young her family traveled to South Dakota and back by covered wagon.    She met her husband to be after they came to Iowa.  Their first child was Bessie, who was raised by some of the family because the couple were both so young when Bessie was born.

Notes for STEWART BERNE FOLEY:

Stewart Foley was the first white male born in Humbolt county, Iowa.  He grew up working on farms and had a close encounter with Indians, but only lost his hat.  Also he used to go to the fairs and take on wrestling to earn extra money.  He married when he was seventeen years old., his wife was fifteen.  He always called his wife Mither in later years.  He loved to tease if he had a chance.

Copy of marriage certificate obtained from FHL Number 1401932, Stewert Berne Foley, age 22 & Alta Iva Howland age 15, married Hardy, Iowa, recorded Humbolt, Humbolt County, Iowa Dec 19, 1886 from the 1885-1900 records.

10.  SENECA¹⁰ HOWLAND (FRANCIS KING⁹, SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^140,141,142 was born May 09, 1834 in Tompkins co., New York^143,144, and died February 12, 1901 in Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa.  He married SARAH ELIZABETH ELIZA GILLESPIE¹⁴⁵ September 20, 1862.  She was born February 17, 1839 in St. Lawrence, New York¹⁴⁶, and died November 08, 1899 in Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa.

Notes for SENECA HOWLAND:

According to the Franklyn Howland book, Seneca moved to Wisconsin.

Children of SENECA HOWLAND and SARAH GILLESPIE are:

                   i.    ANNA AGNES¹¹ HOWLAND, b. March 01, 1869, Wisconsin; d. April 01, 1961, Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Iowa; m. GEORGE WILLIAM PALMER, April 03, 1889, Ellington Center, Hancock co., Iowa/Hancock Co., IA¹⁴⁷; b. January 20, 1866, Sauk, Wisconsin; d. April 29, 1948, Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Iowa.

                  ii.    FLORA M. HOWLAND, b. January 05, 1872.

                 iii.    MAUDE M. HOWLAND, b. May 28, 1877, Ellington Township, Hancock co, Iowa/Hancock, Pottawattamie Co., IA; d. June 29, 1954, Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa; m. HENRY HANSON, September 16, 1903, Forest City, Winnebago co., Iowa; b. June 02, 1878, Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa; d. September 08, 1944, Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa.

                 iv.    ADELADE MALISSA HOWLAND, b. January 05, 1879, Ellington Township, Hancock co., Iowa/; d. September 08, 1952, Forest City, Winnebago, Iowa.

                  v.    RAY HOWLAND, b. Abt. 1889.

11.  LEVI M.¹⁰ HOWLAND (FRANCIS KING⁹, SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^148,149 was born March 19, 1836 in Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^150,151,152, and died in Missouri.  He married MARIA LUCRETIA RAMSDELL^153,154 December 26, 1860 in Lincoln County, Missouri¹⁵⁵, daughter of MARY.  She was born December 26, 1845 in Missouri^155,156, and died Bef. 1910¹⁵⁷.

Notes for LEVI M. HOWLAND:

Levi was a harness-maker, and moved to Missouri before the civil war.  He was reputed to be "a rampant copperhead during the war."  Franklyn Howland reports that he had six children in his book on the Howland but does not name them.  I have found several names in a Casterline genealogy, but no source is cited and I do not know how accurate the information is.

In 1880, Levi and his wife were living in Columbia, Boone, Missouri.  The initials for the first two children appear to validate the names in the Casterline genealogy.  Additional names are found in the 1880 census. In the 1880 census Levi is listed as L.M. Howland. Levi is identified as a harness maker.

Levi M. Howland is found in the 1910 census, age 73.  He is living in the 6th Ward Kansas, Jackson County, Missouri.  He may be found in series T624, Roll 786, Part 1, Page 174-A.

More About LEVI M. HOWLAND:

Occupation: Harness Maker

Notes for MARIA LUCRETIA RAMSDELL:

The 1880 census cites her only as L. M. Howland - wife age 33.

Children of LEVI HOWLAND and MARIA RAMSDELL are:

                   i.    FLORA¹¹ HOWLAND¹⁵⁸, b. June 15, 1862, Lincoln county, Missouri/Lincoln Co., MO¹⁵⁸.

                  ii.    JAMES HOWLAND¹⁵⁸, b. January 27, 1865, Lincoln county, Missouri/Lincoln Co., MO¹⁵⁸.

                 iii.    MARY HOWLAND¹⁵⁹, b. Abt. 1871¹⁶⁰.

                 iv.    FRANK HOWLAND¹⁶⁰, b. January 1874, Columbia, Boone, Missouri^160,161; m. HELEN¹⁶¹, 1891, Missiouri¹⁶¹; b. September 1876, Missouri.

Notes for FRANK HOWLAND:

I have assumed that he was born in Columbia, Boone Co, Missouri

More About FRANK HOWLAND:

Occupation: 1900, Saloon Keeper¹⁶¹

                  v.    CARRIE HOWLAND¹⁶², b. Abt. 1877, Missouri^{162,163,163,163}; m. WILLIAM G. NELSON¹⁶³; b. 1875, Scotland¹⁶³.

Notes for CARRIE HOWLAND:

They were living at 703 East 5th Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri in 1910.  At that time they had been married three years.  There were no children listed in this census.

More About WILLIAM G. NELSON:

Occupation: 1910, Collector

                 vi.    ELIZIBETH HOWLAND¹⁶⁴, b. Abt. 1879¹⁶⁴.

12.  EDGAR VOSE¹⁰ HOWLAND (FRANCIS KING⁹, SENECA⁸, CHARLES⁷, COOK⁶, JAMES⁵, NATHANIEL⁴, ZOETH³, HENRY², HENRY¹)^{165,166,167,168} was born May 19, 1838 in Danby, Tompkins Co., New York^169,170.  He married FANNETTE LEGG^171,172 September 11, 1861¹⁷³.  She was born December 09, 1841^173,174.

Notes for EDGAR VOSE HOWLAND:

Edgar V. Howland was a dealer in live stock and lived in Ithaca, New York.  In the 1870 census, he is listed as a butcher.  He is age 35, and is wife is age 32.  There were no childeren listed at that time.  His wife's name is written at Nettie.

Children of EDGAR HOWLAND and FANNETTE LEGG are:

                   i.    HARRY B.¹¹ HOWLAND¹⁷⁵, b. September 13, 1870¹⁷⁶; m. ALICE¹⁷⁷, 1905¹⁷⁷; b. Abt. 1888, New York¹⁷⁷.

Notes for HARRY B. HOWLAND:

Harry B. Howland was married at age 35.  His wife Alice, was 24.    Harry is listed as age 48 and Alice is listed as 42.

More About HARRY B. HOWLAND:

Occupation: 1930, Employed as a janitor in a private home per the 1930 census

Notes for ALICE:

Alice's parents were both born in Pennsylvania according to the 1930 census.

                  ii.    KATHERINE B. HOWLAND^178,179, b. July 28, 1876, New York^180,181,181.

Notes for KATHERINE B. HOWLAND:

Katherine is not shown as to have been working at of 1900.  However, she could read and write per the census.

13.  THERESA¹⁰ HOWLAND (FRANCIS