DEACON SAMUEL WHITMEE is one of the many well-to-do agriculturists of Cayuga County who came here from the British Isles, poor in purse, but possessing an unlimited stock of energy and perseverance, and who by untiring industry and good management have succeeded in acquiring a competence. Mr. Whitmee is the owner of a well-appointed farm in the town of Aurelius, where he is passing the evening of his days in ease and comfort. He was born October 12, 1819, in Bedfordshire, which was also the place of nativity of his ancestors for many generations. There his great grandfather, Thomas Whitmee, a harness-maker by trade, and his grandfather, Thomas Whitmee, Jr, were life-long residents.
The grandfather died there at the venerable age of ninety-two years; and his wife, who survived him, lived to be ninety-three years old. He was a tiller of the soil and one of the wealthy farmers of the town, having the care of five hundred acres of land. He was a man of marked individuality, and at the time of his death requested that his farm-wagon be used instead of a hearse to convey his body to its last resting-place, and that his employees on the farm be his bearers, his last wishes being strictly conformed with.
The father of Samuel, the third Thomas Whitmee in succession, was born August 3, 1786, in Bedfordshire, where he passed the larger part of his life. He remained on the home farm, assisting his father in its management until his marriage, when his father rented a farm for him in Buckinghamshire, where he carried on general farming for five years. He then returned to his native town, remaining there until 1849, when he disposed of all his property in England, and emigrated with his family to America. He sailed from Liverpool on the ship "St Patrick," making the passage to New York City in four weeks and four days. After landing, the family came directly to Cayuga County, settling in Auburn. Mr. Whitmee was not sufficiently vigorous to embark in any new business after his arrival here, although he lived about nine years. His death occurred on July 4, 1858. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was wedded in 1805, was Elizabeth Old. She was a native of Bedfordshire, born October 27, 1783, and died in Auburn, February 13, 1875. To her and her husband were born fourteen children, two of whom, Samuel by name, died at birth. The others were the following: Thomas, James, Sarah J., Mary, William, Peter, Hannah, Eliza, Samuel, Jethro, William, and Jabez.
The subject of this brief personal record, Samuel Whitmee, son of the third Thomas, was educated in his native country, and there received a practical training in the many branches of agriculture, having worked with his father on the home farm until the time of his marriage. After that important event he remained in his native country some years, coming with his wife and two little sons - Joseph and Harry - to Auburn in 1849. His first employment in his adopted home was with William Payne, the father of Sereno E. Payne, and his next was that of peddling milk for Abner Phelps. [Joel B Chappell writes:
Around 1913 my grandfather started our family genealogy, a work that I still continue. In his research, he received a letter from a cousin describing the English origins of our family and the commonality of our name. As an example he refreshes my grandfather's memory regarding "old Whitmee from England who married a woman named Chappell from the UK as well ... who used to deliver the milk in the area". Well the area is Cayuga County ... in and around Auburn, NY.]
After working in various places in the vicinity of Auburn, Mr. Whitmee bought a farm of twenty-eight acres, to which he devoted his labors for a time. Having a good opportunity to sell at an advance, he did so in 1869, and at once purchased the farm he how occupies (see the 1860 and 1870 census entries). By industry and good management he has brought the land to its present fine condition, and made a most pleasant and desirable home for his family and an attractive place of resort for their many friends.
During his residence in Bedfordshire Mr. Whitmee married Eliza, daughter of Samuel and Mary Chappell; and to them were born six children, as follows: Joseph C., Harry G.; Emma M., George H., Jennie E., and Lillie L. Joseph C., the eldest of his family of children, was born in England in 1846, being but three years old when he crossed the broad Atlantic with his parents. He attended the district schools of Sennett, Auburn, and Aurelius, being graduated from the Auburn Academy. After leaving school he worked on the homestead with his father, and was in partnership with him on the farm for twenty years. He is the owner of sixty acres of valuable land bordering on Owasco Lake, where he now resides. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Adell Chase, daughter of David and Lucinda (Hall) Chase, of Onondaga County; and they are the parents of two children - Seward H. and May F. He is a member of the United Workmen, and, religiously, he and his household are esteemed members of the First Baptist Church of Auburn. The second son, Harry G., is single, and is in business in Auburn. George H., the youngest son, married Etta Wilcox; and they reside in Florida. They have two children - Charles S. and Lansing B. Jennie E. is the wife of Frank Colwell, of Auburn. Lillie, who married James Lane, of Onodaga County, has three children - Mabel, Willard, and Bessie. Emma M., the third child and eldest daughter, was married on July 5, 1894, to Orrin Greene, who died on the 18th of the same month. She had previously been married, in 1872, to George H. Shaw.
Mr. Whitmee is a man of unblemished moral character, whose convictions regarding duty are firm, and his integrity widely acknowledged. In politics he has been identified with the Republican party since becoming naturalized on January 20, 1856. Religiously, he is a consistent member of the Baptist church, which he serves as Deacon with the utmost fidelity. It will be seen that his services in the church are appreciated when it is added that, on the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. Whitmee and his estimable wife, the pastor of the church, the Rev. R. G. Seymour, D.D., and his brother deacons gave him a genuine surprise by presenting him with a very handsome engraved gold-headed cane, a token of esteem and reverence which he regards as one of his most precious treasures.
Lists Samuel Whitmee as dairy and farmer, with 15 acres in Auburn.
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