Moore: Pioneer Family of Rochester

Transcription

1 Golisz 1 Moore: Pioneer Family of Rochester Suzanne Golisz REL 167 E. Homerin 9 December 2004

2 Golisz 2 The city of Rochester, in Western New York, is a city full of history which truly values its heritage. A wonderful source for this heritage is Mount Hope Cemetery, the final resting place of many founding families of Rochester. One such family, the Moore s, incorporated their pioneer heritage into every aspect of their life and death. From their occupations and government positions to their philanthropy and eternal monument, the Moore s established themselves as a prominent Rochester family who helped to create the city. The Moore family plot, located in Section I 32 of Mount Hope Cemetery, consists of eleven individual stones and a family stone, all made of marble. Starting in the southeast corner with the oldest stone, the inscription reads, In memory of our grandparents of the revolutionary life. This stone belongs to John Chapman ( ) and his wife Ruth Berry Chapman ( ). Mount Hope records do not show that their bodies were interred, suggesting that the family erected the stone to memorialize their grandparents and validate their ancestry. The inscription most likely relates to the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States of America. This type of memorial would have special significance to a pioneer family such as the Moore s to show their rightful claim to living in this country (see figure 1). Figure 1. The stone of John Chapman and his wife, Ruth Berry. The inscription reads In memory of our grandparents of the revolutionary life.

3 Golisz 3 The next oldest stone is that of Ephraim (April 26, April 12, 1857) and Mary (September 13, 1791 May 31, 1888) Moore. Ephraim is the progenitor of the family buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, and Mary is the daughter of John and Ruth Chapman. Their stone has mother and father engraved on the top. The inscription on Ephraim s stone not only gives his dates, but also indicates that he was born in Hollis, NH. Mary was also born in New Hampshire, in the village of Plainfield. The birthplace information again relates to the pioneer nature of this family, since they moved west from New Hampshire to Rochester to make a better life for themselves (see figure 2). Figure 2. The stone of Ephraim and Mary Moore who were born in New Hampshire. Ephraim Moore immigrated to New York in October of 1816 (see figure 3). He resided in Farmington in Ontario County for approximately six months before arriving in Rochester on March 8, After four years in Rochester, Ephraim had saved enough money to build his

4 Golisz 4 own house. He chose a lot on S. Fitzhugh St, and built his house in This section of the 3 rd ward, west of the Genessee River and south of Main St, was very popular among the early pioneers. Figure 3. Portrait of Ephraim Moore from the Pioneer Gallery (Colby Kimble, photographer). Ephraim also attended the first annual Pioneer Festival in September of 1847 at the Blossom Hotel (Rosenberg 19). He was featured in Colby Kimble s photograph collection in the Pioneer Gallery of John Kelsey s Daguerrian Palace (a.k.a. Kelsey s Emporium of Art) located in the Gaffney Block at Main and St. Paul Streets in 1852 (McKelvey 5). At the centennial celebration for the city of Rochester in 1934, descendents of pioneers could apply for certificates to show their ancestry. There were four applications from descendents of Ephraim, mostly from Mary Jane Putnam s grandchildren. Ephraim was a cooper, which means that he made and repaired vessels made of staves and hoops, specifically barrels. Shortly after arriving in Rochester, Ephraim opened a grocery store which became a variety store for ten years, and then later a dry goods store which lasted until 1841 (see figure 4). The business was located in an opening in the forest at the east end of

5 Golisz 5 the Lyell Avenue Bridge over the Erie Canal (Hatch 242). This site was also the headquarters of his coopering business, which manufactured between and barrels per year. This establishment burned sometime in the 1830s, thus requiring Ephraim to rebuild his business in a second store on Main St. (Samson 68). Figure 4. An advertisement in the 1841 Rochester City Directory for the dry goods store of Ephraim Moore. At the same time, Ephraim owned and managed several farms. In February of 1853, he sold 45 acres of farmland on Lyell Road in Gates for $250 per acre. When he purchased the land twenty years earlier, it only cost him $42 per acre. Ephraim s business practices earned him a fortune of $13000 by 1850 (U.S. Census). In 1828, Ephraim was elected Trustee of the 3 rd ward. He was also the Poor-Master of the town of Gates for four years. In 1831, Ephraim was Superintendent of the Poor for the County of Monroe. Both the Poor-Master and the Superintendent of the Poor were elected positions. While holding these positions, Ephraim s duty was to oversee the operations of the poorhouse, The Monroe County Alms House (Law 2). From , he was director of the Monroe County Jail, and from , he was deputy sheriff. While at the Monroe County Jail, Ephraim was praised for the release of fifteen debtors on March 1, Under the 1824 County Poorhouse Law, debtors were imprisoned without food until they settled their debts, unlike murderers and burglars who were provided with meals by the county (Samson 71). Many New

6 Golisz 6 Yorkers regarded this treatment as barbaric and proposed amendment of the law in the 1830s. Later in his life, Ephraim was a director of both the Commercial Bank and Union Bank. He was also elected Trustee of the Monroe Savings Institution. In the biography which accompanied his photograph in the Pioneer Gallery, Ephraim was said to be comfortable in the quiet possession of a snug fortune (Kelsey 58). He was also famous for being the founder of the cooperage business when the only industrial interest in the village of Rochester was milling ( Deaths ). He died of apoplexy, paralysis due to stroke, at the age of 63. He left his house and fortune to his wife Mary. Mary Chapman was the eldest of eight sisters. She married Ephraim on June 1, 1817 in her father s log cabin. The two sired six children: Mary Jane, John Chapman, Caroline Elizabeth, George, William Chapman, and Ephraim Henry. Mary was the more religious of the pair, a devoted worshiper at St. Luke s Episcopal Church. She was confirmed on September 8, 1828 while church records show that Ephraim was never confirmed (Episcopal). She ensured that all six of her children were baptized by holding all six baptisms on the same day March 24, St. Luke s Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Rochester, and was a place of worship for many of the pioneers. On March 13, 1817, twenty-eight men signed the Declaration of Attachment to the Protestant Episcopal Church which formally established St. Luke s under the direction of Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk (Claxton 7). In July of the same year, the congregation was organized with Col. Nathaniel Rochester and Samuel J. Andrews as the first wardens. The initial meetings were held in parishioner houses until 1820 when a lot on S. Fitzhugh St. was purchased and a wooden church was erected. In 1823, a new church was built which continues to stand today (see figure 5).

7 Golisz 7 Figure 5. Stereo view of St. Luke s Episcopal Church on S. Fitzhugh St. from the early 20 th century. In 1880, a newspaper reporter noticed that a significant number of 3 rd ward inhabitants were in excess of eighty years. The reporter automatically attributed this to the superb quality of the city of Rochester ( Longevity ). Mary was one of the featured Rochesterians, and she continued to live until her 93 rd year. She eventually died of throat cancer with an estate of $ She left $4000 for each of her two eldest children, Mary Jane Putnam and John. The remainder of the estate including the house was left to George. Mary s younger sister, Phoebe Chapman (1800- April 1874), is also buried in the family plot. Phoebe came to live with Mary in Rochester in the 1860s. She may have moved in with her niece Caroline E. Wolcott (see below) since her address at the time of her death was Mount Hope Ave. and not S. Fitzhugh St. Phoebe died of paralysis. Phoebe s stone has since fell off its base and now rests against the stone of her nephew Ephraim Henry Moore (September 1829 January 12, 1844). He was the youngest son of Ephraim and Mary Moore, and he died at fourteen from inflamed lungs (see figure 6).

8 Golisz 8 Figure 6. The stone of Ephraim and Mary s youngest son, E. Henry. The stone which rests against his is Phoebe Chapman s, Mary s younger sister. The first daughter and eldest child of Ephraim and Mary Moore was Mary Jane Putnam (April 11, 1818 March 30, 1890). Mary Jane married John G. Ackley on October 21, 1838 in St. Luke s Episcopal Church. He died in Pendelton, SC on May 18, 1844 at the age of 26. He does not have an individual stone, although his name is engraved on the family stone (see figure 19). It is interesting to note that the adjacent plot in Mount Hope Cemetery belongs to the Ackley family. Mary Jane remarried on August 14, 1846 at her father s house. Her second husband, George W. Wyman, was a clothing merchant from Akron, OH. He died or they divorced, and Mary Jane remarried a third time in Her last husband was Joseph Putnam (1806 September 30, 1877) who also predeceased her. He died of asthenia, abnormal bodily weakness, feebleness, or decay of strength. This term was descriptive of a patient's condition and did not diagnose the true problem. Joseph Putnam was also interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Section G 179 with his first wife (see figure 7). Mary Jane and Joseph met through her father since Joseph was employed by him as a cooper. He was well liked in the community

9 Golisz 9 and was elected Sheriff. After the coopering business closed with Ephraim s retirement, Joseph became proprietor of Clinton Mills, a model mill of Rochester. During the Civil War, he served in William s Light Infantry ( Death ). After Joseph s death, Mary Jane moved in with her daughter where she died from general disability (see figure 8). Figure 7. The stone of Joseph Putnam located in Section G 179. Figure 8. The stone of Mary Jane Putnam located in the Moore family plot. Mary Jane had children with all three of her husbands, and two of her daughters are buried in the family plot. Jane Elizabeth Ackley (1839 February ), daughter of Mary Jane and John Ackley, died at four years old from inflamed bowels. Her stone is connected to her half-sister Mary M. Wyman ( ). She is the daughter of Mary Jane and George Wyman, and she died from dropsy, or congestive heart failure (see figure 9).

10 Golisz 10 Figure 9. The stone of Mary Jane Putnam s daughters: Mary M. Wyman and Jane E. Ackley. The second oldest child of Ephraim and Mary Moore was John Chapman. John owned a book bindery in downtown Rochester (King s 614). His business was in existence for over forty years, with the first store in the Eagle Hotel from ca ( Eagle, see figure 10). Eventually the Eagle Hotel was replaced, and John relocated his store to Smith s Arcade. The 1882 Directory lists the following advertisement: John C. Moore BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURER, and book binder 30 Smith s Arcade, Opposite Powers Block, and East of Court House fine job work a specialty John C. Moore Henry J. Moore, manager John appears to have been quite successful in his trade, and the manager is probably his son.

11 Golisz 11 Figure 10. The Eagle Hotel with an advertisement for John s store above the 4 th floor window. John died in Canandaigua, NY in 1901 from Bright s disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the kidneys. He is interred with his wife Mary in Section I 37 of Mount Hope Cemetery (see figure 11). Also buried in this section is William, the third son of Ephraim and Mary Moore. He was a teller at Commercial Bank on Buffalo St (later Main St) for most of his life. He lived in the family house on S. Fitzhugh St for many years until he married Mary. William died in 1903 (see figure 12). Figure 11. The stone of John C. Moore and his wife Mary located in Section I 37. Figure 12. The stone of William C. Moore located in the same plot as John.

12 Golisz 12 The second daughter of Ephraim and Mary Moore was Caroline Elizabeth (April 15, 1822 October 1871). She married her first husband, Horace Leslie Brinton (1818 December 20, 1842), in October 1841 (see figure 13). Like George Wyman, he too was a merchant from Akron, OH. After a year and two months of marriage, he died of consumption. Caroline remarried on May 16, 1846 at her parent s house. Her second husband, George P. Wolcott was from Rochester. Caroline, George and their children are buried in Section H of Mount Hope Cemetery (see figures 14 and 15). Caroline died of typhoid fever, and George died of dropsy which is congestive heart failure. Figure 13. The stone of Horace L. Brinton, son-in-law of Ephraim and Mary Moore.

13 Golisz 13 Figure 14. The stone of Caroline E. Wolcott, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Moore, located in Section H. Figure 15. The monument of the Wolcott family of Rochester. George P. was the son-in-law of Ephraim and Mary Moore. The second son and fourth child of Ephraim and Mary was George Moore (September, October 13, 1902). He was born in Rochester, NY, and his stone is different from the rest of the stones in the plot with regard to both shape and design (see figure 16). Figure 16. The stone of George Moore, purchased by the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society.

14 Golisz 14 This difference is because the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society purchased his stone. The inscription on the back of the stone, which has deteriorated, reads as follows: The following Mr. George Moore by the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society and their Board of Physicians. Resolved that the Physicians of the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society desire to express their sincere thanks to Mr. George Moore for his very liberal donation manifested by him to found the much needed homeopathic hospital of this city. W.H. Carman M.D. W.F. Clapp M.D. Secretary President George was a clerk for his father s businesses while they were in existence. After his father s passing, he remained at home with his mother. He continued to live in the house after his mother left it to him, although, he was never the owner of the house. For, on December 19, 1888, George deeded to the Hospital his residence No. 99 South Fitzhugh St. in consideration of the payment to him of $750 per annum during his life (The First 6). The hospital to which George made the donation was the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital, affiliated with the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society which purchased his gravestone. At the time, the house was valued at $15000 ( Homeopathic ). This donation made George a governor of the hospital. He also made additional donations to the hospital, including $317 for a surgical room, and $50 for furnishing the children s ward in memory of Mrs. Ephraim Moore. Although he no longer owned the house, he continued to live there until he died. George died in Battle Creek, MI from urine poisoning and inflammation of the bladder. The Rochester Homeopathic Hospital was incorporated in 1887 as a response to the deepening rift between allopathic and homeopathic medical practices (Perkins 18). However, the hospital archives tell a different story: On a wintry day in 1887, Mrs. Hiram Sibley saw a woman fall on the icy sidewalk in front of her East Avenue home. She ordered her coachman to take the victim to the nearest hospital. That was the City Hospital known today as Rochester

15 Golisz 15 General Hospital on West Main Street, which was across town. It was at this moment that Mrs. Sibley decided to initiate a hospital for the residents on the East Side of town. (Genesee 1) The hospital was originally located on Monroe Ave, and it officially opened in September of Five years later, the hospital purchased the estate of Freeman Clarke at 224 Alexander St (see figure 17). It was on this site that the nursing school was established. Figure 17. The Rochester Homeopathic Hospital on Alexander St. Most of the funding for the homeopathic hospital came from residents on the east side of town which supports the second creation story. The fact that George donated such a large sum to a hospital on the other side of town is surprising. Most residents of the 3 rd ward donated money to Rochester General Hospital since they were more likely to receive treatment there. Regardless, in 1926 the hospital changed its name to Genesee Hospital. In May of 2001, the hospital closed due to financial troubles; however, Rochester General continues to treat patients. The final stone in the plot is the family monument (see figure 18). It has a square base approximately four feet high. Each side of the base has different family member s names engraved. Starting on the west, the stone simply reads Ephraim Moore; April 26, 1794; died; April 12, There is no inscription on the south side of the stone. The east side reads: H.L. Brinton Son-in-law of E. Moore Died Dec Aged 24

16 Golisz 16 In memory of J.G. Ackley who died in Pendelton SC May Aged 26 Jane E Ackley granddaughter of E. Moore Died Feb Aged 4 (see figure 19) The north side of the stone memorializes Ephraim s youngest son with E. Henry; son of E & M Moore; died; Jan ; Aged 14 (see figure 20). The stone was engraved in order of death starting on the east side. Although Jane died before her father, due to Rochester weather, the stone was most likely engraved after John s death. It is not clear why some of the family members, but not all were commemorated on the base of the family stone. Figure 18. The Moore Family Monument.

17 Golisz 17 Figure 20. The North side of the Moore Family Monument. Figure 19. The East side of the Moore Family Monument. Connecting the base to the upper part of the monument is a winged orb on each of the four sides (see figure 21). The wings are Egyptian style vulture wings, a symbol of protection and maternal care, while the orb represents the sun (Keister 62). In conjunction, these icons symbolize faith and the transitory nature of life on earth. Figure 21. Detail of the Moore Family Monument.

18 Golisz 18 The base is topped with a seven-foot obelisk. The obelisk first appeared in Egypt during the time of the Old Kingdom as a representation of the Sun God Re (Keister 101). In Victorian times, the obelisk represented God and rebirth. It can also symbolize an axis mundi, which connects the underworld with the realm of gods via the living world. Egyptian revival architecture was popular in American Victorian memorial art for both religious and social reasons. A major reason for the ubiquity of Egyptian symbols is that: The religion systems of the Egyptians stressed the concepts of immortality, rebirth, and life after death of the body, ideas that were eminently compatible with Christian beliefs. The connotations of Egyptian timelessness and permanence were yet another factor favorable to funerary designs based on such models. (McDowell 133) Egyptian monuments, especially obelisks, could be resized to fit the deceased s purse and status. The Moore family most likely chose the Egyptian symbols to show their religious beliefs and status as a founding family of Rochester. The Moore family stone is one of the few stones in Mt. Hope Cemetery that is signed by the maker. The maker was Zebulon Hebard who resided in Rochester and had a shop at 6 North St. Paul St (King s 26). He was a stone cutter who worked mostly with marble (see figure 22). Figure 22. Detail of Z. Hebard, the maker of the Moore Family Monument.

19 Golisz 19 This well-sized monument establishes the Moore s as an important Rochester family. Ephraim s business practices helped the city of Rochester to grow in its early years, and he gave back to the city through his position as deputy sheriff and as director of the poorhouse. The children of Ephraim and Mary valued their Rochester heritage since they stayed in the city and continued to thrive throughout their own lives. George truly left his mark on the city by making a very liberal donation to the Homeopathic Hospital. The Moore family valued their pioneer heritage through life and death, and they have created a lasting monument to remind all visitors to Mount Hope Cemetery the importance of civic responsibility.

20 Golisz 20 Bibliography Claxton, R. Bethell. Parish Memories of Forty Years. Rochester: D.M. Dewey, Death of Joseph Putnam. Union and Advertiser 1 Oct 1877: 2-1. Deaths and Funerals. Union and Advertiser 31 Mar 1890: 6-6. Eagle Hotel at Buffalo and State Streets, ca Rochester Images. Episcopal Church Records: Rochester Genealogical Society, The First Annual Report of the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital. Rochester: Democrat and Chronicle Press, Genesee Hospital History. Nov Hatch, Jesse W. Memories of Village Days Rochester, 1822 to Ed. Edward R. Foreman. The Rochester Historical Society Publication Fund Series, Vol IV, Homeopathic Hospital. Union and Advertiser 11 June 1889: 2-5. Keister, Douglas. Going Out in Style: The Architecture of Eternity. New York: Facts on File, Kelsey, John. The Lives and Reminiscences of the Pioneers of Rochester and Western New York. Rochester: J. Kelsey, King s Rochester City Directory and Register. Rochester: Wells and Hayes, Law for Establishing County Poorhouses in New York Longevity in Rochester. Union and Advertiser 7 Jan 1879: 2-2. McDowell, Peggy and Richard E. Meyer. The Revival Styles in American Memorial Art. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, McKelvey, Blake Ed. The Historic Origins of Rochester s Museums. Rochester History, 18.4 (1956) pp

21 Golisz 21 Mt. Hope Cemetery Interment Records. CD-ROM. Perkins, Dexter and Blake McKelvey Eds. Historic Origins of Rochester s Social Welfare Agencies. Rochester History, 9.2/3 (1947) pp Rosenberg-Naparsteck, Ruth Ed. Rochester s Pioneer Builders: Relinquishing the Reigns of Power. Rochester History, 47.3/4 (1985) pp Samson. Scrapbook. Rundel Public Library. U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com