John and Rebecca Doty Irish - Part 1

Peter Doty, my 4-greats grandfather, had a sister, 

Rebecca, who was the sister closest to him in age, just a bit younger.  Rebecca married John Irish, son of Jesse Irish, and one of seven brothers who settled with their father in or around Tinmouth, Vermont, now Rutland County in 1768.  This area was a hotbed of British activity, especially after the Battle of Ticonderoga in upstate New York, an American victory in early 1777.  The British began to move southward and many Tinmouth residents packed up and moved south, too, to avoid this influx of the enemy.  Others traveled to General Burgoyne's headquarters to ask for protection.  John's father, Jesse, did so and was granted protection as long as he swore not to take up arms against the Tories and to just stay quietly at home.  (After the war, Jesse was accused of aiding the British army, however, and his property was confiscated.  Other brothers also were involved in transporting Loyalist citizens into Canada and safety after the war.)

Rebecca Doty, my gggg-aunt, married John Irish, born 21 September 1745, in 1772.  Rebecca was a young teenager when she married the much older John, who was about 27.  The couple moved to Tinmouth, Vermont, where John eventually purchased eighty acres of land from his brother, Jonathon, in May 1775.  The farm was adjacent to the land one of his other brothers, William, and their houses were only a short distance apart.  John and Rebecca had three children: Lucretia, born 1774; Joseph, born 1775; and Rhoda, born April 1777.  One resource noted that John lived "by Quaker principles" which would mean that he did not want to involve himself in war or killing.  In this interest, John, himself, traveled to British headquarters on July 27, 1777 and obtained protection for himself and his family...the very day that he was killed.  One can be sure that the colonial soldiers kept a sharp eye on those under protection, lest they really be British spies or aiding the enemy in some way.  And that is how John Irish apparently was looked upon by some - a man under suspicion, when perhaps he really just wanted to lead a peaceable life with his wife and young children.

Tinmouth was part of the New York colony at this time.

Several versions exist describing John's murder on July 27, 1777.  One is a report given in the Rutland County, Vermont history published in 1886; a short description is given in Memoirs of Col.Seth Warner; and the last is an eyewitness account of Rebecca Doty Irish Stafford (she remarried) in the Danby, Vermont history (also published in the Rutland Herald in 1855), published in 1869.  I am going to post them all and you can decide if the shooting was premeditated or self-defense.

Version 1: Rutland County, Vermont history (Syracuse, NY, Smith and Rann, Ed., 1886, Chapter XL - "History of Tinmouth")

"John Irish and his tragic fate merit some attention from the historian.  He and his brother William lived in the north part of the town on adjoining farms, and built their houses but a little distance apart and near the road which ran parallel to the line fence between their farms.  When the news of the surrender of Ticonderoga reached Tinmouth on the 1st of July, 1777, a great part of the inhabitants started southward into Arlington, Shaftsbury and Bennington.  Those who did remain on their farms sought protection, as a rule, from Burgoyne.  Among these were the two brothers Irish.

A little later the Council of Safety sent a scouting party consisting of Captain Ebenezer Allen, Lieutenant Isaac Clark, and John Train and Phineas Clough, private soldiers, into Tinmouth to learn what was going on among the 'Protectioners' and to reconnoiter a Tory camp in East Clarendon.  These men were personal acquaintances of the Irish brothers.

When the party arrived in the west part of Tinmouth, they were informed that it was suspected the two brothers were about joining the Tories and that the shortest route to the Clarendon camp would pass their dwellings.  They accordingly took that road.  As they approached Irish's clearing, Allen directed Clough to give his gun to Train, go on and ask William Irish the nearest road to the Tory camp, at the same time telling him that he (Clough) had decided to go and join the Tories.

When Clough arrived at the house, he found both brothers and made the statement according to his orders.  Clough was told that he must consider himself a prisoner; that they would see about his joining the Tories.  William then directed John to take Clough home with him, and he would soon follow and help take care of him.  John had an Indian tomahawk in his hand and told Clough to walk along with him;  they walked on toward John's house, he with the uplifted tomahawk in his hand.

When Allen saw this from his place of concealment, he said to Train: 'We must get as near as we can to John's house without being discovered.'  He and Train started by one path and Clark crawled along behind the brush fence, the three meeting near the house undiscovered.  Here Allen gave directions that under no circumstances was either of them to fire until he did.  He then stationed himself about two rods north of the path; Clark about the same distance south of it, and Train fifteen or twenty rods farther east, all being hidden behind trees.

They had not waited long until Clough stepped from the door and, after looking about, started for the woods.  He had got partly over the fence when Irish came out, partly dressed, with a gun in one hand and a powder-horn in the other.  He called out to Clough to stop or he would shoot him.  While in the act of raising his gun, apparently to carry out the threat, Allen shot him through his left hand, knocking his gun from him.  Irish then turned around so as to face Clark, who shot him through the heart.

The party, after killing Irish, went on to Clarendon, and after reconnoitering the Tory camp, returned to Arlington.  It is perhaps, proper to state that different versions of this affair have been given, one of which is to the effect that Allen went to the dwelling place of Irish for the express purpose of killing him, but the details given above come down to us upon the authority of Judge Obadiah Noble, and probably should be given credence." 

 Seth Warner was a patriot and one of the Green Mountain Boys who fought bravely at Ticonderoga. In the Memoirs of Colonel Seth Warner, written by Daniel Chipman and published in 1848, the story of John Irish's death was told briefly this way:
"John Irish settled on a farm afterwards owned by Judge Noble.  Lt. Isaac Clark (of Herrick's regiment of rangers), in command of scouts sent out from Manchester, quietly surrounded John Irish's house and sent one of his men, named Clough, unarmed, to ask John Irish 'if he had any hostile designs against the Whigs.'  Clough had been a neighbor of John Irish's, but on the evacuation of Ticonderoga, had moved off.  'They entered into a conversations which was continued for some time.  At length, Clough began to suspect that Irish intended to detain him, as he was unarmed, and feeling unsafe, he walked with apparent unconcern out of the door, and turning the corner of the log house, out of sight of Irish, he set out on a run toward the scout.  Clark, who was watching, saw this and instantly saw Irish chasing Clough with his gun, and perceiving that he intended to shoot him before he reached the woods, drew up his rifle and shot him dead upon the spot.  This was represented by the Tories as a wanton murder, and many years afterwards, when Clark was in public life, and a prominent political partisan, some of his political opponents renewed the charge of murder against Clark, with many aggravating circumstances."

 
Next, I'll relate what John's wife, Rebecca Doty, remembered of the incident.  The above two accounts have John brandishing a gun or a tomahawk in a threatening manner.  One account has Clough setting out to trick William and John Irish into admitting they supported the Tories and could lead Clough to them.  Is this what really happened?   Was it murder or self-defense? Stay tuned.

Peter and Catherine Overrocker Doty - Patriots

When I read about the Doty family members who lived during the Revolutionary War, I am in awe of their patriotism and will to survive during difficult times.  Peter Doty, my 4 greats grandfather and father of the Joseph Doty discussed in my previous post, was born circa 1750 in New York.  He and his wife, Catherine Overrocker, born about 1754 and married in 1773, were a young married couple with two small sons living in Schaghticoke, New York when the American Revolution began.  My 3 greats grandfather, Joseph, was about 2 and his brother, Michael, only 1.  The family lived in the county of Albany, in or near Schahticoke, New York.   Albany County was quite large and encompassed part of the future state of Vermont.

 When the Revolutionary War began, the colonies were caught somewhat off guard with no official army or navy to protect the country.  So as the British forces arrived on the Atlantic coast, it was ordered that local militia units be formed in each tax district of each county from the males who were fifteen to fifty-five years old.  The government was also working to sign and train "regulars" - a professional army.  The job of the militia was to protect their own lands from British invasion and to provide support to the regular army, when needed.  They could be called upon at any time, but they could be required to serve only three months out of their state.


Peter Doty, along with some of his brothers and even his father, joined militias in their areas.  It wasn't as though they had a choice, as it was required for men to join if they fell into that 15-55 age bracket, and if a man was disabled, he was expected to outfit a substitute.  The men might have to provide a serviceable horse, a sword, gun and ammunition.  Foot soldiers were expected to have a good musket, a belt and cartridges, powder and a powder horn. Peter served in the 14th regiment of the Albany County militia from Hoosak and Schaghticoke districts.  (Albany County had sixteen different regiments.)  Some of his wife's relatives also served in this unit.  Peter was a private in Captain Hendrick Van Derhoof's company, commanded by Col. Peter Yates and Lieutenant Colonel John Van Rensselear.


In reading the history of this area during the war, it was apparent that the threat of Tory invasion was imminent.  At Fort Schaghticoke, several abandoned homes were used as British outposts. The Battle of Saratoga was just north of them and it is possible the militia was called in for support there - an American victory.
General Burgoyne's headquarters was very near to them and it was at Saratoga where he eventually surrendered.
No doubt exists that the times were troubled and the people of the region were living in a volatile environment, fighting for a new nation that had no money to pay the men for their service.

I'm sure citizens were always on the lookout for Tory spies or supporters.  One of Peter's brothers, Ormond, born January 12, 1746, was accused of supporting the Tory cause and he was jailed.  His brothers interceded for him and he was finally released on the condition that he relocate to South Wallingford, Vermont, at that time a wilderness, which he did.  He and his wife, Phebe Vail Doty  were buried in the Doty Cemetery there.

Ormond Doty - 1746 - 1826

One of Peter's sisters, Rebecca, saw her husband murdered because he was suspected of serving the British side.  More on that in the next episode!


After the war, Peter and Catherine added eight more children to their brood, so their children included: Joseph*(named after his Doty grandfather), Michael (named after his Overrocker grandfather), Ormond (named after his uncle), 
Martin (named after an Overrocker uncle), John Adam (Founding Father), William, Peter, David, Anna (Catherine's mother's name) and Barbary.  Barbary died as a young child.

Many of the New York Revolutionary War records perished in various fires, but a few records do exist for Peter Doty regarding his payment for service and equipment.  Three records, dated September 14, 1779; June 2, 1780 and November 9, 1780 have survived.  On November 9th, he was paid from the government 17s 6d or 17 shillings and 6 pence/ pennies, paper money.

 
Peter Doty's will also has survived from July 2, 1811, so we know he died after that date.  It went through probate on September 1, 1811.  In the will are mentioned his wife, Catherine, and his only daughter, Anna, along with Martin (an executor) and his wife, Anna; John and his wife, Anna; Michael Doty and his wife, Rachel; Ormond and his wife, Eleanor; and William and his wife, Eleanor.  Joseph was not mentioned.  It would seem logical that Peter and Catherine were buried in Schaghticoke, but I have found no record of this.


 

Joseph Doty (Sr.) and Elizabeth Cogswell Doty

Since I've taken a break in posting about the Doty ancestors, I'll take just a moment to review.  So far, I've posted five generations of Doty ancestors, beginning with myself, Donna, Dorothy - my grandmother, George Washington - my great-grandfather, and Joseph Doty - my great-great grandfather.  
That brings us to the father of Joseph Doty, also named Joseph, and his wife, Elizabeth Cogswell Doty, my great-great-great grandparents.  At this point, there will be no photos to enhance this post.  Oh, how I wish I had a photo, but so far, none of turned up in my research.
Joseph Doty Sr. was born in Schaghticoke, New York, on May 23, 1774, just as the American Revolution was forming.  He married Elizabeth Cogswell, daughter of John and Lucy (Todd) Cogswell on May 23, 1798, his 24th birthday.  Elizabeth, born on February 19, 1779, was just 19.  Most sources cite that all fourteen of their children were born in New York.  So far, I know a little bit about some of the children, but there is much more research to be done. (I have not confirmed personally the data given here.)

Children of Joseph Sr and Elizabeth Doty:

1. Peter.  Their firstborn son arrived on October 1, 1799...an 8 month baby.  
Peter never married and died in August 1837 at the age of 37.

2. Catherine.  The firstborn daughter was born May 12, 1801.  She married James Norris on November 9, 1841 and the couple lived in McComb County, Michigan where she died on April 18, 1865. James lived on until 1875.  Their children were: Henry, Benjamin, Julius, Clarinda and Lucy.

3. John.  Possibly died in Wisconsin

4. Joseph.  My great-great grandfather, born August 29, 1804 and married Sarah True.  

5. Ann.  Born September 15, 1806, married ? Smith and lived in Lansing, MI

6. Martin.  Born May 26, 1808 and died in April 1872 in Michigan.  He married Eunice Banning in Connecticut in 1845.

7. Benjamin Franklin.  Born June 29, 1810.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in the Mexican War, Company D, 2nd Infantry and died of disease in Jalappa, Mexico on June 12, 1848.  

8. William.  Born May 24, 1813.
  He died in 1895. 
 \
9. and 10. Solomon and David, twins born February 2, 1815.  David died April 2, 1815 at the age of 2 months.  Solomon married Julia Lnu and they had one son, George M.  Solomon died at age 46 in Monroe, Michigan.  His obituary:


Monroe Commercial, Thursday, February 14, 1861
"Died - At his residence in the township of Exeter, on the 9th inst. of inflamation of the lungs, Solomon Doty, aged 46 years and 7 days.  The deceased settled in Exeter 25 years ago and has since been a prominent resident of that town.  Perhaps the loss of no man would ever more seriously be felt in any community than his.  He was ever ready to help the needy and alleviate suffering, and very many have experienced his liberality and neighborly kindness.  His loss is felt as a calamity not only by his own family, but by all his friends and neighbors."

11. Mary.  Born May 28, 1817

12. Stephen.  Born August 12, 1819, served in Co. K, 8th Michigan Volunteers and discharged for disability.  He as admitted into the National Home for Disabled Soldiers in 1881 and died there in 1883.  A farmer and a widower, when he died his personal effects were valued at zero.

13. Abraham Lewis.  Born March 13, 1822, he married Catherine Donnathy, an Irish girl, in Monroe County, Michigan in 1843 and they had six children together - James Edward, Mary E., Julius Benjamin, Olivia, Samantha and Joseph Allen.  One source said he died at age 36 in 1856 and another said he ran off with another woman and was never heard from again.  Looks like a mystery to be solved.  One of his sons, Julius served in the Michigan Volunteers, Company D, 4th Infantry during the Civil war and died of typhoid fever four months after his enlistment.
14.  Elizabeth.  Born October 11, 1824 when her mother was 35, the last child.
Some sources have her married to Daniel Finch and living in Iowa, but I can not verify that.

Joseph and Elizabeth Doty were in Michigan by 1840 as they were enumerated on the census and probably came even before that with their children, probably the 1837 date found for son Joseph.  Solomon also bought land in 1837, so that date seems most likely. They are buried in the Doty Cemetery in Monroe, Michigan.  I could find no obituaries for them at this time.  

Much to do on this generation! 

 

 

Book Review - Submerged

Submerged
by Dani Pettrey

Book One - Alaskan Courage

When her Aunt Agnes was killed in a suspicious plane crash over Alaskan waters, Bailey felt obligated, as her heir, to return to her hometown of Yancey, Alaska to attend the funeral and to sell her aunt's tourist shop.  Bailey wasn't really eager to face a boyfriend she had jilted long ago, Cole McKenna, or the townspeople who remembered her "loose girl" reputation.  But the McKenna family enveloped her as family and soon Bailey was drawn into a mystery involving more than one murder, Russian royalty, and a submerged church.  Her skills as a diver and as a teacher of Russian history were necessary to secure the answers needed.

This book will intrigue you from the first page; it has mystery, suspense, romance, likeable characters and a plot that keeps one guessing.  The banter between the McKenna siblings was believeable and humorous, and their love of each other very genuine.  The reader definitely becomes invested in the well-being of all the characters, but especially Cole and Bailey, as they search out the truth.  Set in Alaska, the author enhanced the novel with descriptions of the terrain and the underwater worlds a diver would see there.  I especially liked the underlying story of the Romanov family and the early Russians in Alaska. 

Pettrey, as a debut novelist, has me as a fan, and I look forward to her second book in this series, Shattered. Check out her website at www.danipettrey.com

This book was provided to me from Bethany House Publishers for my review.  The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the publisher.

Book Review - The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

Amelia, an extremely talented concert violinist, was struggling to break free of the expectations of her father and manager.  She wanted to be a “fiddler” of country music, a teacher of music to young children, and most of all, she wanted to simplify her life and follow her own dreams.  On the way home from a secret trip where she had played fiddle at a country concert, she became lost and came upon the cabin retreat of Michael, a young Amish man, also struggling to break free of the expectations of his religious community. He wanted an education and the freedom of  the English world.  These two hit it off right away. 

For much of the story, guilt directed their life paths as they aimed to please their parents, rather than themselves.  Each believed  they had no choices.  They had bonded with each other, yet they felt any future together would be impossible and could not even be discussed.

Gradually…very gradually…each finds the courage to face the tough decisions which had to be made.

 Sorry, Ms. Lewis, but this is one of your books that was a struggle to finish.  I found the plot lackluster, the characters uninteresting, and the ending abrupt and unrealistic. I really lost interest in the long exposition on Amelia’s European concert tour, where we have to visit every city with her and the plot advances not one bit.  The first half of the book was more interesting than the second half, but it was hard to become emotionally involved with any of the characters.   This is the first book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series.

 This book was kindly provided to me by Bethany House for my review.   The opinions expressed here are my own.

Helen Maria Doty Bugbee

My great-grandfather, George Washington Doty,

son of Joseph and Sarah True Doty, had five siblings:

Emeline, born 1840, died 1903

Sarah, born 1842, died 1921

William True, born 1845, died 1918

Charles, born 1846, died 1865

George Washington, born 1848, died 1910

Helen Maria, born 1850, died 1900

Helen Marie Doty, the youngest child of Joseph and Sarah True Doty, was born on November 4, 1850 in Raisinville when Joseph was 46 and his wife, 36.  Called Maria in most sources, she married William Wallace Bugbee when she was 24, on June 15, 1875.  Maria's older sister, Emeline and husband, John, were the witnesses to the Monroe, Michigan marriage.  William, 28, gave his occupation as farmer.

The map showing El Dorado, Kansas was included because Maria and William (often referred to as W.W.) also went to El Dorado to settle.  (In a previous post, I discussed Maria's older sister, Sarah McIntire, and their settlement in El Dorado.)  Affordable land and opportunity called to the young couple who moved there in 1879.

In the 1880 Federal Census, they were shown in Prospect Township, Butler County, Kansas.  William, 33, and Maria, 29, also had living with them his younger brother, Jay, 18.

On February 23, 1881, Maria and William welcomed baby daughter, Sarah Ethel, called Ethel.  As far as I have been able to determine, Ethel was their only living child.  Other documents show a male Bugbee born in September 1876 and dying in October 1876 and a daughter, Edith, was born in 1883 and died in 1885.  Edith was buried with her parents.

In 1883, The History of the State of Kansas was published by William Cutler and in it appeared this note on William W. Bugbee:

"W. W. BUGBEE, stockman, Section 26, P. O. El Dorado, is a native of Michigan and was born in Barry County, January 10, 1847, was there educated and reared, his early days being spent in tilling the soil.  Was married, in Michigan, to Miss Maria Doty, of that State; they have one daughter, Ethel.  Mr. B. is a member of the Mason's and Odd Fellow's lodges of El Dorado.  He and his family came to Butler County, Kan., the spring of 1879.  He is well known among the leading stockmen." (pt. 16)

Not only did William raise cattle, but he also ran a livery stable and he was a placing agent for the Children's Aid Society of New York. This agency took young boys found on the streets of New York or in orphanages and sent them West, after training in the skills of farming or ranching, to be adopted into families to work.  Bugbee was named in the Senate of New York review of this program in 1898:

"...W. W. Bugbee, livery stable proprietor in El Dorado, Kansas, who was employed temporarily when services were needed to place, visit, or remove children as needed." 

A committee of businessmen from each town near where children were placed would be their advocates and watch for abuses.

An actual advertisement for these Orphan Train children:

Wanted! Homes for orphan children.

A company of orphan children under the auspices of the Children's Aid Society of New York will arrive at Valley Falls, Thursday afternoon, December 8.

These children are bright, intelligent and well disciplined, both boys and girls of various ages. They are placed on trial, and if not satisfactory will be removed. Parties taking them must be well recommended. A local committee of citizens of Valley Falls has been selected to assist the agents in placing the children. Applications must be made to and endorsed by the local committee. Bring your recommendations with you. The following well known citizens have agreed to act as a local committee: J.T.B. Gephart, L.H. Burnett, Alex Kerr, A.D. Kendall, Dr. A.D. Lowry and Neil McLeod. Distribution will take place at the opera house, on Friday, December 9, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Come and see the children and hear the address. B.W. Tice, Western Agent, 105 East Twenty-second Street, New York: Miss A.L. Hill, visiting and placing agent, 105 East Twenty-second Street, New York; W.W. Bugbee, state agent for Kansas, Eldorado, Kansas. (1910)

Kansas had a state census in 1895 and again, the Bugbees are listed: Maria D., 44; husband W. W., 48 with Ethel, 14 and William's brother, I think, A. J. Bugbee, 33.  They were still in El Dorado.

I have been able to find little or no information on Maria.  I'm sure she was a dependable housewife and mother and she was in the Rebekah Lodge of El Dorado.  The search for obituaries is ongoing.

Sadly, Maria died in March 1900 at the age of 49, before the census enumerator came around that year.  The 1900 census listed, William W. Bugbee, born June 1847, age 53, and Ethel, age 19, born February 1881.  William had been married 25 years and was working as a livery man, owning his home.  He was listed as married, not widowed, but I think that was because Maria died within that year. 

William W. Bugbee was serving as Mayor of El Dorado when Maria died.  He only served a one year term from 1899 - 1900.  In 1900, he was vice-president of the Butler County Fair Board, as well.

But sometime between 1900 and 1905, William and daughter Ethel left Kansas for New York.  In the 1905 New York census for Mt. Pleasant, Westchester County, New York, W.W. and Ethel are enumerated at the Brace Memorial Farm School.  William, 58, was the Assistant Superintendent of the school, and Ethel , 24, worked in the dining room.

The Brace Memorial Farm School, located thirty miles from New York City, was founded in 1892 on 125 acres and opened to train boys from the Children's Aid Society for farm work and eventual placement on farms and ranches in the West. The New York Times ran an article on the school on December 5, 1894 which said, in part:

"BRACE MEMORIAL FARM SCHOOL

Newsboys and Bootblacks of New York Trained for Western Homes - Success of the Scheme.

...As soon as the necessary repairs had been made, twenty street arabs from the Newsboys' Lodging House, on Chambers Street, New york, were taken up to the farm at their own request, and so greatly were they charmed with the idea of sleeping on a real bed every night without paying anything that there has never been any difficulty in keeping the ranks replenished.

The purpose of this farm is primarily to give practical farm instruction to boys from ten to sixteen years old, so that when provided with homes on the Western farms, they may be of immediate value and service.  It is, in short, a probation school.  Every boy is given a six weeks' trial.  If he proves to be of good material and trustworthy, he is sent out West.  Should he turn out worthless, he is is sent back to New York, and may have another trial.  Thus far there have been very few of the latter kind..."

So William went from placing children on farms to training them for the farm tasks.  I'm not sure how long William held this job, but by the 1910 census, he was back in El Dorado, Kansas, age 63, and a widower.  He was boarding with Jasper and Myrtle McCardle and his occupation was again, agent for the Children's Aid Society.  Ethel, 29 and single, was also back in El Dorado, a boarder with J. L. Cupples and his wife.  She was working as a pianist at a moving picture place!

William died on February 8, 1916 in Ocala, Florida at the age of 69. 

Ethel then married Karl Geddes in El Dorado in 1917 and they had no children. 

From the El Dorado Times, September 28, 1963:

"GEDDES, MRS KARL M.

Mrs. Karl Geddes Dies at Wichita; Services Monday.

Mrs. Karl M.Geddes, a lifelong resident of El Dorado, died this morning at the Kansas Masonic home at Wichita.  She was 82 years old.  (Funeral arrangements omitted.)  Mrs. Geddes was born in El Dorado Feb. 23, 1881 and had lived there until three years ago when she moved to Wichita.  Mrs. Geddes was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and was a former organist.  Other memberships included the Daughters of the King and the El Dorado Music Club. 

She and Karl M. Geddes were married in El Dorado on June 28, 1917.  Mr. Geddes was a well-known attorney here many years.  He died in 1952.

Survivors include two second cousins, W. H. Davis, Wichita, and W. J. Bugbee, Gem. Kan."

Ethel Bugbee Geddes, wife of Karl Geddes, applied for entrance into the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), based on her relationship to Peter Doty, her great-great grandfather and my four greats grandfather, who served in the New York militia during the Revolution. 

But the Helen Marie Doty line of the family Bugbee ended with Ethel.

The Mystery Trip Continues

The next part of the trip took us back to Wisconsin to Wausau and its surroundings.  There we stayed at the Jefferson Street Inn in the center of the small city, right next to lots of shops and a mall.
We had a wonderful filet mignon dinner, prepared for our group and served in one of the large rooms available.  In the midst of the meal, the tornado sirens began to blare.  Soon the manager came, saying that a tornado had touched down on the edge of the city, so we were all escorted into a stairwell where we spent about 20 minutes before the all-clear was given.  "Making a memory..."

We picked up a local guide the next day who took us on a tour of the city, showing us the large, elaborate homes of the timber barons from the early days of the area.  Our first stop was an art museum filled with beautiful woodcuts and NASA inspired art by famous artists such as Norman Rockwell and Annie Liebowitz.

Then we went into the country, the heart of dairyland.  Our first stop was at a technical school where we were given a tour of their agricultural facility, primarily their dairy operation which uses a robotic milking machine.  Because of electronic tagging on the animal, the robot recognizes the cow when it enters, whether it is time for it to be milked, its udder measurements, etc. and so no humans really are involved.  If a cow goes into the stall and it's not time for milking, the gate opens and they are refused (not fed).  Computers log all aspects of feed mix and milk output.

Our next stop at Willow Springs Garden gave us a look at a restored town hall and a round barn in the process of being restored.  The whole farm is used for special events and festivals which are very popular in the region.  One couple owns and manages it all.  There we were divided into three groups: one group made butter (Jim), one group made ice cream, and the last group made mozarella cheese (Dianne). Our masterpieces were then served to us as part of our lunch!

Photos: Making butter
and mozarella cheese

Photos of the round barn, interior and exterior.  It is sporting brand new siding, but much work is needed yet on the inside.

Our next stops were at two very different dairy farms - one enormous operation with 3000 cows and the other, a smaller family farm with 70.  The first place was "a little" pungent!  Whew! 

The family farm also raised ginseng as a crop to be sold, mainly to China.  It is harvested after three years of growing and is quite a risky, labor intensive crop to bring to maturation when the root is harvested and dried.  Wisconsin is the leading state for ginseng production in the U.S.

After a comedy of errors at dinner that night (long story), we were on our way home on Saturday morning with a little more knowledge, a new group of acquaintances, and some tales to tell.