Sarah Lewis Cook - Youngest Daughter of Caroline Camp and George C. Lewis

Born on August 31, 1856 in Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York, Sarah Lewis married William Irving Cook (called Irving) probably after 1880 and before 1885.  I have not yet found the marriage record. 

Sarah and Irving had six children together, all surviving into adulthood.  Sadly, Irving died at the age of 39, leaving his widow with children ranging in age from 2 - 13 and a farm to tend.  The Brookfield, NY, Courier reported Irving's death on Wednesday, January 18, 1899:

"- Irving Cook, who resided about five miles north of this village, died yesterday morning after a very brief illness, the particulars of which we are unable to obtain.  Mr. Cook was in town not more than a week ago and to all appearances was in usual health.  It is said that he was out at work the day before his death, although he was complaining of a cold and bronchial trouble.  
Deceased was about forty years of age and was a man of sterling integrity and well thought of by all who had dealings or acquaintance with him.  His untimely death is a sad blow to the community in which he lived.  Mr. Cook married a daughter of our esteemed friend, George C. Lewis.  A wife and six children are thus suddenly bereft of husband and father.  Funeral services will be held Friday, conducted by the Rev. C. A. Burdick."

I'm not sure what illness was traveling through this region at the time, but think of this: In 1899, Sarah's mother, Caroline Camp Lewis, died on January 13, Sarah's husband on January 18, and Sarah's father, George Cameron Lewis, on January 27.  One Albany, New York, newspaper reported on an influenza epidemic which might have been the case here in Oneida County.  But, whatever it was, Sarah Lewis Cook, had a mighty burden to bear in the winter of 1899.

So, in the summer of 1900, when the census enumerator came around, he found the widow, Sarah Cook, as head of household.  She named her occupation as farmer.  Her oldest child, and only son, Orlo C., was only 14.  He attended school five months a year and most likely worked on the farm when he could.  His five sisters attended school eight months that year.  Dora, 13; Inez, 10; Ruth, 7; Mary, 5; ad Ethel G. (Grace), 3, completed the family.

By 1910, Sarah had hired Henry Wheeler, 60, as a hired hand, and all her children, but Dora, were still at home.  Orlo, 24, was also listed as a farmer, along with his mother.  Inez, 20, was teaching at a district school. Ruth, 17; Mary, 15; and Grace, 13 were going to school. 
Where was Dora?
She was working as a seamstress at a bleachery in New Hartford, Oneida County, NY.  At 22, she was boarding with John and Mary Crampton.

On August 1, 1912, Dora was married to Laurence Spooner, a hometown man.
Laurence was a farmer and the son of F. M. Spooner and Laura Huntington.  At the time of her marriage, Dora was a teacher. The Courier carried news of the event on August 7, 1912:
"Spooner - Cook
Almost thirty dear relatives and friends assembled at the home of Mrs. Sarah Cook in Sangerfield, Thursday morning, August 1, to witness the marriage of her older daughter, Dora C., to Mr. Laurence H. Spooner of this village.  The ceremony took place at 9 o'clock, being performed by Rev. W. L. Davis and the couple (witnessed?) by Mr. Malcolm Spooner and Miss Inez Cook.

Following congratulations, the couple sat down to a bounteous wedding breakfast which was interrupted by the necessary, but unannounced departure of the bride and groom who were to take the train at Waterville enroute to the Androndacks where they are making a stay of ten days or two weeks before returing to Brookfield.

The bride attended our high school for a number of years, graduating in 1907.  After teaching two years, she spent two years at Alfred University.  The past school year she filled the position of -?_ in the Leonardsville high school.
The groom has spent his life here with the exception of five years passed in Atica and his enterprise _?_ in the pursuit of farming is recognized in the community.

Both have many friends here and elsewhere who will wish them the greatest possible happiness at this time.  Their plans for the future are not definitely determined, but the hope is expressed that they will continue residents of our town."


On November 9, 1914, H. Ruth E. Cook married John W. Davis, a 23 year old farmer from Unadilla Forks, NY.  He was the son of John Davis and Carrie Rathbone.  Ruth, 22, was also a teacher at the time of her marriage.

1914 styles

Two years later, Mary P. Cook married William Hansberger, a 26 year old machinist from Rome, NY.  At 22, Mary was working at housekeeping. Both of William's parents, William and Mary Remmick Hansberger, were born in Germany.  The marriage took place on October 21, 1916. From The Courier, October 25, 1916:
"The marriage of Miss Mary Packer Cook, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Cook, to William George Hansberger, of Rome, took place at the home of Rev. Jessup, the Baptist minister.  Mr. Charles Spinner and Mrs. B. A. Jessup attended them.  Mrs. Spinner gave them a reception afterward at her home on North Washington street.  Mr. and Mrs. Hansberger will be at Rome for the present at 151 West Dominck street, Rome, NY."
 
At some point, Inez went off to school to study art at nearby Alfred University.  She never married and taught art for many years.
Orlo also never married, but remained on the farm all his life.

On June 23, 1920, Grace Cook, 23, a teacher, married Howard Whitten, 24, a farmer. Howard was born in Blue Hill, Nebraska, to George and Mary Bullock Whitten.

During Christmas that year, 1920, most of the family gathered at the home of their mother, Sarah, to celebrate the holiday.  The Courier reported on January 7, 1920:
"A house party was held during the holidays, at Wildwood, the home of Mrs. Sarah Cook.  The guests were Miss Inez Cook of Rochester, Mr. and Mrs. William Hansberger and little son of Rome, Mrs. L. H. Spooner and four children, and on Christmas Day, Mr. Spooner, Mr. and Mrs. John Davis,  Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams and Erla Beebe joined them, making 18 members of the Lewis family.  After a chicken pie dinner and other good things had been disposed of, a Christmas tree for the little folks was stripped of its various fruits.  Everybody had a good time and similar plans were made for another year.  Mr. Hansberger and Miss Inez Cook returned to their work Monday, and Mrs. Spooner and children to their home.  Mrs. Hansberger and little son were detained by sickness, but they are better at present."

So, from adversity, Sarah Lewis Cook raised six children on her own and kept the family close together. Sarah died on October 5, 1925 and is buried with her husband in the Brookfield Cemetery.  

 
 

Israel George Lewis - Son of George C. and Caroline Camp Lewis

Caroline and George Lewis had only one son who was named after George's father, Israel Putnam Lewis, and George, himself.  Israel George Lewis was born on November 23, 1849, the middle child in the Lewis family.  He lived almost his whole life farming on the family homestead and he never married.

In the 1900 census, when Israel was 50, he was living as a boarder with Charles and Gertrude Patsmon and little Merlyn, 3.  He was working as a farm laborer, but it is not indicated if that is on his own farm or not.  By 1900, he had moved into a house by himself, just two houses down from his youngest sister Sarah Cook, who was a widow.  Israel owned a farm, and Sarah's son, Orlo, 24, was a farm laborer, so perhaps they were all still working and living on the family homestead or close to it.

Israel died in 1917 and several obituaries marked his passing.
The Sabbath Recorder, Vol. 83, Seventh Day Baptists, 1917, p. 671:

"LEWIS.  Israel George Lewis was born November 23, 1849, and died Octobert 22, 1917.
He was the only son of George and Caroline Camp Lewis.  His entire life was spent in the old home about five miles north of Brookfield, whih was purchased by his grandfather more than 106 years ago, and which has always remained in the Lewis family.  
Mr. Lewis is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Duane Washburn, of Earlville, and Mrs. Sarah Cook, of Brookfield, besides several nieces and nephews. He was a faithful Sabbath Keeper, but had never united with any church.  Funeral services were held at the home, conducted by Rev. J. E. Hutchins.

The Madison County Times reported much the same, with this addition information:

"October 10th, one week before his death, he caught a severe cold.  A bad attack of grip followed and Sunday morning bronchitis-pneumonia developed.  Monday evening at 8:30 o'clock, he quietly passed to the great beyond."

Israel was buried with his sister, Etta, in the Brookfield Rural Cemetery, in the spot probably once reserved for her husband, A. B. Lewis.

In 1920, a notice appeared in the paper that the old homestead farm was to be auctioned.

"The undersigned, executor of the estate of Israel G. Lewis, deceased, will sell at public auction, at the Central Hotel in the village of Waterville, on July 13, 1920, at 2 o'clock p.m., the farm of one hundred seventy five acres, known as the Israel G. Lewis Homestead Farm, situated in the town of Sangerfield on the creek road leading from Brookfield to Waterville.
This is an excellent farm, has five buildings, including two basement barns, is well watered, has running water in barn, and includes fifty acres of excellent timber, consisting primarily of maple.
Terms 10 percent down, balance on July 23, on receipt of executor's deed.
Frank B. Williams, Executor
Brown & Brown, Attorney for Executor, Leonardville, N.Y."

And so, after at least three generations on the homestead, we may assume it was sold out of the family, but that is a discovery yet to be made.

Harriet, Daughter of Moses and Chloe Camp

The children of Moses and Chloe Camp were:

Chloe - (1803 - 1873)

Julia - (1804 - 1872)

Electa - 1806 - 1887)

Sarah - (1813 - 1892)

Lydia - (1814 - c 1830)

Platt - (1815 - 1876)

Harriet - (1817 - 1891)

Sophia - (1817 - 1898)

   Caroline - (1820 - 1889) 

Harriet Camp was the unmarried sister of great-great grandmother, Sophia Camp Case.  One obituary gave her birthdate as December 26, 1817 which would be in conflict with Sophia's age, also obtained in an obituary.  One may be incorrect.  A document concerning Harriet was what really led me on the Camp family research path.  Among the things belonging to Emillus Case, her nephew and Sophia's son, in Indiana, was the document below regarding the estate of Harriet. 

With its many names and locations, it was extremely helpful in making connections and locating the relatives of Harriet, which would also have been the family of great-great grandmother, Sophia.  In this way, nieces and nephews were discovered, and at this point, there is only Minnie Tobias that I have not been connected into the family.

Harriet Camp lived almost all of her life on the family homestead with her brother, Platt.  Later, she moved into a house her brother had built in Waterville.  It seemed that various nieces and nephews stayed temporarily with her, according to their needs and hers. From her will, we know that her niece, Ellen Buckley, was staying with her in her last days.

On April 25, 1891, Harriet wrote her will, naming Francis F. Gorton as her Executor.  Dr. Francis Gorton "was a successful physician and an ornament to his community", according to his obituary.  Her will was found among the New York Probate Records, Oneida County Wills 1890-1894, on www.familysearch.org.  (Image 187, pp. 282+)

"In the name of God, Amen.
Know all that I, Harriet Camp, of the village of Waterville, Oneida County and State of New York of the age of seventy three years, and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish, and declare this my last will and testament in the words and language following, that is:

First, I truly desire and direct the payment of all my just debts and liabilities and the payment of all my funeral and testamentary expenses. 

Second, I hereby give and devise and bequeath until my dear niece, Ellen R. Buckley, now of my residence, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, the sum to go to her at my decease, her heirs and assigns forever, and in case there should be a deficiency of personal assets out of which to pay her the said legacy of fifteen hundred dollars, then in that case, I hereby expressly charge all of the real estate of which I may (be seized?) with the full payment thereof and make the full payment thereof a first lien and charge upon such real estate.

Third, I hereby give, devise and bequeath upon my dear niece, Alida Burhyte of North Brookfield, Madison County, New York,the sum of one hundred dollars, the sum to go to her, her heirs and assigns forever at my decease, and if necessary to secure the payment thereof to her, I hereby make the payment thereof of a lien and charge upon said estate, but to be secondary to the lien thereon of the legacy to the said Ellen R. Buckley above mentioned.

Fourth, I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the rest and residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, equally share and share alike between my dear nieces - Emma E. Beebe of Brookfield, Madison County, New York; Hattie A. Washburn, Madison County, aforesaid; and Sarah E. Cook of Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York, the same to go to them equally share and share alike at my decease, their heirs and assigns forever.

Fifth, I hereby constitute and appoint my friend, F. T. Gorton, M. D., of Waterville, aforesaid, sole Executor of this, my last will and testament, to sell and convey any and all real estate of which I may be seized and out of the avails, pay the first two legacies herein mentioned, in the order mentioned, and divide the remainder equally, share and share alike, among the residuary legaties mentioned and execute all necessary  papers and conveyances for that purpose and thereby further authorize and empower him to settle, comfound, and compromise any and all claims that be in favor or that may be presented against my said estate, doing all that may be necessary and with a view to the best interest of those concerned and hereby revoking all former wills by me made."

The will was signed April 25, 1891; Harriet died on September 29th of that same year.  Her obituaries  give us some insight into her life and condition.

Utica Weekly Herald , Tuesday, September 29, 1891
"Miss Harriet Camp, who has been sick for some time, died at her home on Putnam avenue, Sunday night.  She was 74 years old.  The funeral will occur at the house at two o'clock today. Rev. L. J. Silcox will officiate."

Waterville Times, September 31, 1891
"On Wednesday afternoon, at her late residence, No. 12 Putnam avenue, were held the funeral services of Harriet Camp, the Rev. L. J. Silcox officiating.  She was born December 26, 1817, of a family of eight children, of which but one, Mrs. Sarah Worden of North Brookfield survive.  Miss Camp came to Waterville in 1874.  The house in which she died was built by her brother, Platt, as a house for himself and sister.  February 5, 1891, Miss Camp fell and dislocated her hip.  She was not out of the house again.  By her close confinement, chronic ailments were aggravated that resulted in her death." 

 

Is this Harriet Camp?  In 1865, she would have been about 48.

In other documents related to the will, the final disbursement indicated the following:
Ellen R. Buckley received 1341.15. 
Ella Beebe - $590.82
Hattie Washburn - 578.66
Sarah E. Cook - 568.57

Alida's hundred dollars is not mentioned, nor are the other heirs named on the earlier delivered notice regarding the estate.