NORTHERN NEW YORK
Genealogical and family history of northern New York: a record of the achievements of her people
in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation.
New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co. 1910.
PARTRIDGE
Transcribed by Coralynn Brown
There were several early emigrants of this name, and some have many descendants now scattred over the United States. Many localities count them among their earliest settlers, including St. Lawrence county, N.Y. The name is of Norman origin, and was spelled de Pertriche before it became anglicized. Antiquarians have recorded the appearance of this family in England as about the middle of the twelfth century, during the reign of Stephen (1135-1154). In 1254 Richard de Petriche is described as the head of the family, with manors or country seats in the county of Gloucester. While it is impossible to trace in direct line from this Norman family the branch to which this article refers, there is no doubt that it is descended from it.
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(I) John Partridge, of Medfield, Mass., was the first in America of one branch of this family. It is thought tht he was the son of Captain John Partridge, of Novestock, county Essex, england. A Captain John Partridge is on record as having an account in the genearl court, Boston, with Captain Clark, Oct. 17, 1649 (see Pope). John, the emigrant and his brother William, first come to our notice while they are en route to New England, May 18, 1650. On that day they subscribed as witnesses to the will of one John Beebe, a fellow passenger, who was taken suddenly ill and died during the voyage. This will, with the original signatures of John and William Partridge, is on file at the state house, Hartford, Conn. The brothers seem to have located almost immediately in Dedham, near Boston, where in 1652 they shared in a division of lands. In 1653 they removed to Medfield, which in that year was set off from Dedham as a separate town. They signed the proprietors' agreement, and each took up his residence in "Ye Bachelors' Roe," now North street. John was town selectman and clerk of the market in 1672. In the Indian raid of 1676 his house and barn and several head of cattle were burned. His name appears among the list of contributors toward the founding of Harvard College.
He married, Dec. 18, 1655, Magdalen, daughter of John and Magdalen Bullard, early of Watertown and later of Medfield. She died Dec. 27, 1677. He died in Medfield May 28, 1706.
Children:
1. John, mentioned below.
2. Hannah, born April 15, 1658, died March 8, 1680, married Joseph Rockwood.
3. Deborah, born Aug. 16, 1662, married John Adams.
4. Eleazer, born Feb. 26, 1664, died Nov. 8, 1736.
5. Abiel, born June 13, 1667, died July 2, 1667.
6. Experience, born June 13, 1667, died July 5, 1667. [twin of Abiel?]
7. Rachel, born JUly 12, 1669, died Dec. 1, 1717; mararied Theophilus Clark.
8. Samuel, born Feb. 22, 1671, died Dec. 12, 1752.
9. Zachariah, born July 2, 1674, died Sept. 23, 1716.
10. Mary, died Feb. 15, 1677.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) and Magdalen (Bullard) Partridge, was born Sept. 21, 1656, in Medfield, and died Dec. 9, 1743, in Medway. He settled in 1681 in that part of Medway now Millis, and was one of the first to take up his residence in that part of Medfield lying west of the Charles river. In 1710 he was chosen master of a school established for residents of the west side, was interested in church affairs, and chosen deacon of the Medway church, and was active in having that town set off in 1713. He was present at Deerfield when news was received of the return of captives taken at the Deerfield massacre, and is said to have made a copy of Benjamin Waite's letter announcing their arrival in Albany, which he brought to Medfield and delivered to Rev. John Wilson, by whom it was forwarded to the governor of the colony.
He married (first) Dec. 24, 1678, Elizabeth Rockwood, born April 3, 1657, in Medfield, died July 22, 1688, daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Holbrook) Rockwood; he married (second) Elizabeth Adams, born March 18, 1666, died Aug. 14, 1719, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Fussell) Adams; he married (third), April 17, 1721, Hannah Sheffield, born April 18, 1663, in Sherburne, died July 19, 1754, daughter of William and Mary Sheffield.
Children by first wife:
1. Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1679, died April 26, 1706; married Ebenezer Daniel.
2. Mary, born Feb. 26, 1681, died Feb. 14, 1754; married Ebenezer Lawrence of Wrentham.
3. John, born 1683, died Sept. 6, 1756.
4. Benoni, mentioned below.
Children by second wife:
5. Jonathan, born Nov. 25, 1693, died 1756.
6. Hannah, born March 16, 1696, died Oct. 12, 1751; married Jeremiah Daniel.
7. Deborah, born March 1, 1698, died Aug. 30, 1740; married Israel Keith.
8. James, born Oct. 8, 1700, died March 9, 1769.
9. Sarah, born Jan. 8, 1702; married George Adams.
10. Stephen, born April 16, 1706, died March 10, 1742.
(III) Benoni, second son of John (2) and Elizabeth (Rockwood) Partridge, was born May 25, 1687, in Medfield (now Millis), and died Dec. 26, 1769. He was one of the proprietors of Medway at its incorporatin in 1713, and resided in the new grant, which became West Medway, where his children were born. His farm was divided equally between his sons, Timothy and Moses.
He was a member of the First Church of Medway.
He married, July 14, 1708, Mehetabel Wheelock, born Sept. 10, 1689, in Medfield, died Jan. 20, 1761, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Kendrick) Wheelock, and granddaughter of Rev. Ralph Wheelock, founder of Medfield.
Children:
1. Preserved, born March 13, 1709; an early settler of Cumberland county, Maine.
2. Thomas, born Nov. 28, 1711.
3. Seth, born March 17, 1713, died Aug. 5, 1786.
4. Joseph, born Aug. 22, 1715, died 1753.
5. David, born May 22, 1718, died March 16, 1742.
6. Mehetabel, born April 24, 1720, died Aug. 4, 1741.
7. Samuel, born June 24, 1722, died Sept. 7, 1741.
8. Sarah, born Sept. 27, 1724; married Samuel Fiske.
9. Timothy, born Jan. 18, 1727, died Sept. 18, 1787.
10. Eli, mentioned below.
11. Moses, born Aug. 28, 1733, died Oct. 6, 1804.
(IV) Eli, eighth son of Benoni and Mehetabel (Wheelock) Partridge, was born June 3, 1729, in West Medway, and settled in Holliston, Mass. about 1751, soon afterwards removing to Milford, same state. In 1754 he purchased land in Mendon, upon which he settled, and also became interested in lands in New Boston, Cumberland county, Maine, being one of the proprietors of that township. He sold this in 1761 nd in 1776 sold his Mendon property and removed with his family to Chesterfield, New Hampshire. He died in Littleton, New Hampshrie, after 1800. He was a soldier in the colonial wars in 1745.
He married Rachel, born March 30, 1732, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Sheffield, of Sherburne.
Children:
1. Sheffield, born Nov. 2, 1752; removed to Ohio.
2. Joseph, born June 30, 1754, died 1817; resided in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
3. Eli, born Dec. 30, 1756, died Nov. 3, 1792; a revolutionary soldier from Mendon, Mass., and Chesterfield, New Hampshire. His son, Elkanah, born Sept. 4, 1780, died March 3, 1858, settled ultimately in Macomb, St. Lawrence county, New York, where several children were born.
4. Amos, mentioned below.
5. Mehetabel, born July 7, 1759.
6. Mary, born July 19, 1763, died July 11, 1796, married Nathaniel Walton, of Chesterfield; their son, Amariah Walton, was one of the first settlers of Alexandria Bay, Jefferson county, N.Y.
7. Rachel, born May 5, 1765, died Jan. 11, 1840; married Rufus Harvey.
8. Nathaniel, baptized Jan. 28, 1767; removed to Littleton, New Hampshire.
9. John, born April 2, 1770.
10. Abel, baptized June 30, 1776; drowned at Bellows Falls, Vermont.
11. Charles, born Oct. 20, 1776; removed to Ohio.
(V) Amos, fourth son of Eli and Rachel (Sheffield) Partridge, was born April 12, 1758, in Mendon, Mass. He resided there for a time, and removed in 1776 to Chesterfield, New Hampshire. He was a soldier in the revolutionary war from Mendon and Chesterfield. His name first appears on the revolutionary rolls in camp at Roxbury, Nov. 29, 1775, when he receipted for money in lieu of a bounty coat. He was then a member of Captain Samuel Warren's company, Colonel Joseph Reed's regiment, of Mendon. His first service in New Hampshire was in Captain William Humphrey's company of the Northern Continental Army in 1776, the payroll crediting him with nine pounds, eighteen shillings, wages and traveling expenses. He was a private in the second company, commanded by Captain Waitstill Scott, Colonel Ashley's regiment of militia, which marched to Ticonderoga on the alarm of May 8, 1777. He was discharged June 17, 1777, credited with the time of one month and ten days, for which he received in wages six pounds, and travel 110 miles, two pounds five shillings and ten pence. He had barely returned home when he again enlisted in the Sixth company, commanded by Lieut, James Robertson, in Colonel Ashley's regiment, for the relief of the garrison at Ticonderoga, his services being four days. He was among those who marched July 22, 1777, in Captain Kimball Carleton's company, Colonel Moses Nichols' regiment, General Stark's brigade, and was discharged Sept. 23, having served two months and two days, and being credited with wages and travel to the amount of ten pounds, eight shillings.
He married, at Athol, Mass., Aug. 28 1783, Sarah Harvey, born Nov. 9, 1764, in Northfield, Mass., died Aug. 23, 1849 in De Peyser, New York, daughter of Captain Ebenezer and Sarfh (Janes) Harvey. They resided in Athol, Mass., until about 1800, when they removed to Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and in 1804 to Peacham, Vermont. In 1809 they located at Keene, Essex county, New York, where they resided until after 1826, when they accompanied their son, Benjamin F. Partridge, to De Peyster, St. Lawrence county.
He died Jan. 3, 1844, in Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Children:
1. Hannah, born Aug. 23, 1784; married Lane Hurd, of Keene, N.Y.
2. James Oliver, born March 3, 1786, died July 10, 1869; resided in Keene, Essex county, N.Y.
3. Alpheus Moore, born Aug. 27, 1787, died May 19, 1873; also of Keene.
4. Sarah, July 26, 1789, died Nov. 4, 1853; married Moses Hardy, an early settler of De Peyster.
5. Rachel, born March 19, 1791; married Benjamin Baxter, of Keene, N.Y.
6. Polly, born Aug. 12, 1792, died Nov. 12, 1847; married Captain John Finch, one of the first settlers of de Peyster, N.Y.
7. Amos, mentioned below.
8. Betsey, born July 25, 1796, died Feb. 23, 1875; married Jared Thayer, of Wilmington, N.Y.
9. Sophronia, born April 17, 1798, died Feb. 13, 1853; married Adolphus Reggles of Keene, Ogdensburg and Oswego, N.Y.
10. Arathusa, born Feb. 27, 1800, died in infancy.
11. Eli, born March 9, 1801, died Oct. 22, 1811.
12. Benjamin Franklin, mentioned below.
13. Arathusa, born Oct. 30, 1805; married Adam Fishbeck, mentioned below.
14. Rufus Harvey, born Sept. 29, 1809, died Nov. 29, 1844, of De Peyster, N.Y.
(VI) Arathusa, eighth daughter of Amos (1) and Sarah (Harvey) Partridge, was born Oct. 30, 1805, in Peacham, Vermont. She married in 1829 Adam Fishbeck, a pioneer of De Peyster, and died March 13, 1891, in town town. (See Fishbeck).
(VI) Amos (2), third son of Amos (1) and Sarah (Harvey) Partridge, was born June 11, 1794, in Athol, and died Jan. 8, 1886, in De Peyster, N.Y. Some time after the settlement of his younger brother, Benjamin Franklin, in De Peyster, he removed to that town, where he was a promient member of the Methodist church, and was a successful farmer.
He married, July 23, 1823, Abigail, daughter of Captain David and mary (Chambers) Lewis, of Elizabethtown, N.Y., born July 30, 1800, died Dec. 26, 1885. They were the parents of ten children.
(VII) Jane Ann, daughter of Amos (2) and Abigail (Lewis) Partridge, was born May 12, 1826, in Keene, Essex county, N.Y., and was married at De Peyster, April 5, 1845, to Julius Augustus Coffin, of that town. (see Coffin XI).
(VI) Benjamin Franklin, fifth son of Amos and Sarah (Harvey) Partridge, was born Sept. 17, 1803, in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and was an early settler of De Peyster, where he located in 1826 in what has since been known as the Fish Creek settlement. Mr. Partridge and Captain John Finch, his brother-in-laws, built the first bridge across the creek, for which they were allowed $100 on their land contract. They purchsed land of Samuel A. Ogden and here Mr. Partridge cleared and developed a fine farm. Captain Finch had been an officer in the war of 1812, and through his military service had spied out the land where they settled. This territory was then a part of the town of De Kalb, but was shortly after set off into the town of De Peyster.
Mr. Partridge subsequently abandoned his first farm and located upon another about one hundred rods east of the Macomb line. This farm, which consists of about two hundred acres, is now (1910) in the possession of two of his grandchildren. He was a self-educated man and a prominent citizen of the town. He was its supervisor for thirty years and justice of the peace for a like period. He maintained an active interest in the general progess of the country and was influential in county and town matters. About 1852 he succeeded in having a postoffice established at his residence. He was appointed postmaster and served as such for over thirty years. This postoffice was continued for fifty-seven years under the name of Edenton, but was abolished in 1909, delivery now being made daily from Heuvelton.
Mr. Partridge was a member of the Congregational church.
He married, in Keene, Essex county, N.Y. April 6, 1826, Mary Howard Wheeler, born March 9, 1804, died Jan. 19, 1878, daughter of Artemas and Esther (Cragin) Wheeler, of Temple, New Hampshire. She was a granddaughter of Abijah Wheeler, who was a lieutenant in the revolutionary service from Temple. Mrs. Partridge was a woman of strong personality and refinement.
Mr. Partridge died at his home, Aug. 21, 1893.
Children:
1. Orlando Franklin, born July 26, 1827, died Feb. 4, 1907.
2. Edwin Henry, born Feb. 27, 1829, died Feb. 21, 1900.
3. Amos Samuel, born May 4, 1831, died Sept. 2, 1910.
4. Artemas Wheeler, born Nov. 15, 1833, died Aug. 25, 1859.
5. James Harvey, born Dec. 26, 1835, died May 28, 1879.
6. Luther Lee, born Feb. 20, 1838, died Feb. 21, 1881, mentioned below.
7. Raphael, born March 4, 1841, died Dec. 16, 1841.
8. Rachel, born March 4, 1841, died April 10, 1841.
9. Benjamin Francis, born July 5, 1842, died Jan. 1, 1902.
10. Eugene Augustus, born March 26, 1846, died Dec. 27, 1847.
(VII) Luther Lee, sixth son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Wheeler) Partridge, ws born Feb. 20, 1838, in De Peyster, and died Feb. 21, 1881, in Springfield, Missouri, while en route to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the benefit of his health. He grew up on the home farm, attending the district school and acquiring in this manner a substantial education. When, in April, 1861, the call came from President Lincoln for volunteers to uphold the Union, he enlisted as first sergeant of Company G, Sixteenth New York Infantry, N. Martin Curtis, afterwards major general of U.S.A., was captain of this company and a fellow townsman. This organization became a part of the Army of the Potomac and saw much hard service. It participated, among others, in the battles of Bull Run, Frederickburg, Antietam and Salem Church, and in the last mentioned battle Mr. Partridge received a severe wound, which compelled him to retire after two years of service. He applied for a commission as first lieutenant in the Invalid Corps, but the condition of his health prevented him from getting the appointment.
After the war he continued to reside upon the home farm, which he purchased from his father, and was an esteemed and popular citizen.
He married Dec. 25, 1866, Laura Adele Homer, born Nov. 6, 1845, in Fowler, N.Y., daughter of William and Pamela (Betts) Homer, the former a native of Whitesboro, N.Y., and the latter of Chaumont, Jefferson county, N.Y. She was a great-granddaughter of Reuben Hildreth, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and of Timothy Betts, of Wilton, Conn., both of whom were soldiers in the American revolutoln. Mrs. Partridge was a student at the St. Lawrence Academy, afterwards St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., but left just before graduation to take up teaching. She was a woman of more than usual intelligence and rare spirituality of mind. She died Aug. 6, 1908, in De Peyster.
Children:
1. Evangeline, born Aug. 11, 1869.
2. Artemas Lee, born Aug. 4, 1871, ded Sept. 15, 1907, in Webster, N.Y., where he was pastor of the Universalist church; he was graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1896, and was ordained the following year as a Universalist clergyman at Bridgewater, N.Y., 1896-98; Upper Lisle, N.Y., 1899-1900; Corfu, N.Y., 1902-05; Webster, N.Y. 1905-07. He married June 29, 1905, Edith G. Corp, born April 24, 1877, daughter of Henry A. and Anna (Banton) Corp, of Webster, N.Y., who survives him. They had no children.
3. George Homer, mentioned below.
(VIII) George Homer, junior son of Luther Lee and Laura (Homer) Partridge, was born Sept. 8, 1873, in De Peyster, N.Y., where he received his primary education. He subsequently prepared for college at the Canton, N.Y. high school and graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1896. In August of that year he went to New York City, where he was employed as a reporter on The Commercial Advertiser, now The Globe, for about a year. In January, 1898, he became associated with The Engineering Record, of New York, in the advertising department, and continued in this postiion for about five years, being in charge of the Boston office of this periodical from July, 1901 to Jan. 1903. In May, 1903, he accepted a similar postion with The Engineering Magazine,of New York, and is at present (1910) advertising manager of that publication.
Mr. Partridge has taken a great interest in historical subjects, and is the author of the "Partride Genealogy," Boston, 1904, and of the "Descendants of William Partridge of Medfield," published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, in 1909. He is a fellow of the American Geographical Society and a member of the New York Historical Society, the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, and Sons of the American Revolution, the St. Lawrence County Society, and the Machinery Club of New York.
He is also a member of the St. Lawrence University Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
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