Brigham Family Pioneer Cemetery Fredonia, NY

Brigham Family Pioneer Cemetery Fredonia, NY Lee Teitsworth March 23, 2006 1

The Brigham family tree seems to have many branches with deep roots in the Fredonia area. In the Pioneer Cemetery there are eleven grave sites known to be resting places of people bearing the name Brigham. Their first names are John, Abigail, John Jr., Walter, Helen, Sophia, James, James R., Fanny, Fidelio, and Adeline. These people can be divided into probably five different immediate families, though some of the relationships are slightly unclear. The first branch of the family tree begins with James, the head of his household. James was married to Fanny, as evidenced by adjacent graves bearing the same plot number, and many other sources that confirmed this relationship. These two are parents to James Risley Brigham, who was born to them in 1823, died twenty years later, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery. James and Fanny were parents to Sophia F. (possibly Fanny), who died at age nine, and to Helen H., who died as an infant. Indexed 19 th Century death records from the Fredonia Censor in Reed Library, microforms room, confirm that these five people whose burial plots are adjacent are in fact one family unit. There were more children, as indicated by census records, but they apparently outlived their parents and were buried in different locations. Judging by the length of James death notice, and its glowing report, James was a significant member of the Fredonia community. He was one of the early settlers, and apparently did much to make the area habitable for those who were to come. It is difficult to know how wealthy he was; he was involved in some land purchases and sales, but not nearly to the extent that his relative Fidelio was involved. Still, it must be significant that James was married to a Risley. The mere size of the stones that mark the graves of the adjacent Risley plots, together with the fact that there is presently a Risley Road in Fredonia points to the fact that the Risleys were a sizeable and prominent family at that time. In addition, Elijah Risley held the title general. Because of this connection, it would seem likely that James either previously held high social status or he at least rose in status by his marriage to a Risley family member. Another head of household was John Brigham Jr. John emigrated to Pomfret the same year as James: 1808. This hardly seems coincidental, and I find it very likely the two men, who were born just one year apart, and bear the names of two of Christ s disciples who were brothers, were themselves probably brothers. John has several very interesting facts pertaining to him. First, according to a grave marker, he was a veteran of 2

the Revolutionary War. This could not be the case, however, since he was born in 1781. Instead, it seems more likely, as is reported by his death notice in the Fredonia Censor in 1861 that he served in the last war with Great Britain, or the War of 1812. In addition, his grave bears the letters I.H.S. which apparently denotes a certain dedication to Christ. The possibilities of what these letters may stand for are noted below. (Footnote 15) John Brigham, born earlier than John Jr so presumably John Sr. was married to Abigail, or Nabby. This would make John Brigham (b.1758, d. 1828) father to John Brigham (b. 1781, d. 1851) and also, presumably, to James. John Sr. died within one day of his wife Abigail. There are conflicting reports, but the Fredonia Censor death notice indicates that Abigail died just hours after her husband passed away. It seems more likely that the dates on the gravestones, which place Nabby s death one day prior to John s death, are more accurate. For an idea how to resolve this discrepancy, see footnote 19. Walter Brigham was buried adjacent to John Sr., who died one year before Walter. Walter also was born about 1777, about four years before John Jr., making Walter a strong candidate to be John and James brother. Very little information is available on Walter; any Walter Brigham is one who shares the name but lived later. However, since John Sr., his wife Abigail, John Jr. and Walter are all buried in adjacent plots, it is likely that this was a family unit, and the other brother, James, along with his children, was buried with his wife next to the Risley family s plots. The final family unit is Fidelio and his wife Adeline. Fidelio, born in 1812 four years after James moved to Pomfret is now buried adjacent to James and Fanny. The timing of his birth and the location of his grave, then, make it likely that Fidelio was the son of James and Fanny. The census record of 1820 reveals two boys living in James residence who are both under the age of ten, which also suggests that Fidelio was one of James oldest sons. Fidelio was very active in land speculating, more so than his relatives. His name shows up repeatedly in the Holland Land records, located in the county archives in Mayville, NY. It appears fairly evident that the Brigham family members buried in the Pioneer Cemetery with known marked graves were very closely related. They also appear to be 3

significant players in the development of what, during much of their lives, was a remote frontier town. James Brigham: Born November 8 th, 1782 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, James moved to Pomfret from Madison Mass. in the year 1808. At that time he settled upon the hill to the west of what at that time was the village. While there, James labored to help clear the area known in 1861 as Houghton Commons. He contributed his labor to the opening of streets and the building of school houses and churches. In 1811 James opened Brigham Road, where he lived until 1848. He is noted to be one of the earliest subscribers to the Fredonia Censor, and he held his subscription until the time of his death on January 31, 1861. 1 James married Fanny Risley, and by 1820, the couple had three children living with them: two sons and a daughter, all under the age of ten. In this year James is recorded to be in agriculture. 2 In the year 1808 James had selected a plot in Pioneer Cemetery to bury a little child, which became the location of James own resting place. 3 In 1823 James Risley was born to James and Fanny, but he died in just his twentieth year. 4 By 1830 they had a daughter between ten and fifteen years old, a son in the same age range, two sons between five and ten, and another son under the age of five. In 1840 James had five sons living in his home, but no females other than his wife. 5 Fanny Brigham: Fanny Brigham, wife of James Brigham and mother of at least five children, was born in 1793 and lived until February 1869. Fanny, who was born into the Risley family, now rests between the graves of her husband s family and those of her father s family. By 1820, Fanny and James had three children living with them: two sons and a daughter, all under the age of ten. In this year Fanny s husband is recorded to be in agriculture. 6 In the year 1808 James had selected a plot in Pioneer Cemetery to bury a little child, which became the location of Fanny and James own resting places. 7 In 1823 James Risley was born to the couple, but he died in just his twentieth year. 8 By 1830 they had a daughter between ten and fifteen years old, a son in the same age range, two sons between five and 1 Death notice, Fredonia Censor (FC): February 6, 1861. Microfilm may be located in Reed Library, State University of New York At Fredonia microform room. There is a full index, though actual usable film is sparse: a more full collection may be located at Barker Historical Museum, Day St., Fredonia. 2 New York State census, 1820. 3 Death notice, FC 2/6/1861. This would make timing tight for James to move to Pomfret, get married, and have to buy a plot of land to bury a child if the child were his wife s though it could be possible. 4 James R. is buried beside his parents in Pioneer Cemetery. 5 New York State census, 1830 and 1840. 6 New York State census, 1820. 7 Death notice, FC 2/6/1861. 8 James R is buried beside his parents in Pioneer Cemetery. 4

ten, and another son under the age of five. In 1840 Fanny and James had five sons living in their home, but no females other than Fanny. 9 Sophia F. Brigham: Born in 1831, Sophia Brigham passed away just nine years later, on January 3, 1840. Helen H. Brigham: Born in 1834, Helen Brigham died just two years later, on March 12, 1836. James Risley Brigham: James R. Brigham was born to James and Fanny Brigham in Pomfret in 1823. In July of 1843 the young James, while traveling through Pittsburgh from Cincinnatti, fell ill and died of inflammatory fever. 10 John Brigham (Jr.): Born in Berlin, Massachusetts in 1781, John Brigham Jr. emigrated to Pomfret in 1808, and resided there until the time of his death, January 8, 1851. 11 As one of the town s earliest settlers, John Brigham married Sarah, and by 1840 the couple had eight children. 12 Three of their daughters names were Harriet, A(l?)mary, and Fanny, aged seventeen, twenty, and seventeen years respectively in 1850. All three of these girls were born in New York State. Though John had been involved in agriculture in his earlier years, by 1850 he was identified as a (F)oo(l) Gate Keeper. 13 John s service to his country is honored at his grave site by a memorial of his armed service in the United States military. He is remembered in the local newspaper as having volunteered in the last war with Great Britain, and that he rendered faithful and efficient service during the difficulties along our neighboring frontier. 14 Upon John s gravestone is the design of what appears, at first glance, to be a dollar sign with three vertical lines through the S, as opposed to one line or two. Actually, what 9 New York State Census records, 1830 and 1840. 10 Death notice, FC Aug 2, 1843. 11 Death notice, FC 1/14/1851. 12 Census, 1840 and 1850. 13 Census, 1850. 14 Death notice, FC 1/14/1851. 5

appears to be a dollar sign is an image of three letters superimposed one on another: I, H, and S. 15 John Brigham died January 7, 1851 in communion with the Catholic Church. 16 John Brigham: Born in 1758, John was engaged in agriculture in the town of Pomfret. By 1820 he had a wife who was aged more than forty-five years, and had a boy living in his home who was less than ten years old, and a girl between ten and sixteen years of age. 17 John died on August 21, 1828, despite the care of his wife Abigail during his long sickness. 18 His wife also passed away within one day of his death. 19 Abigail Brigham: Abigail Brigham was born in 1764. Married to John Brigham, Abigail, also known as Nabby, died within one day of her husband in August, 1828. 20 Walter Brigham: Walter Brigham resided in the town of Pomfret. He passed away on September 5, 1827, aged forty years. 15 These letters could hold special significance for several reasons. First, they could simply stand for the phrase In His Service, apparently in reference to servanthood to Jesus Christ. The letters could also be significant as the first three letters of the name of Jesus, as written in Greek. Thirdly, the letters could be significant in reference to the phrase, In Hocs Sign, an abbreviation of In Hocs Sign Vinces. This Latin phrase, interpreted, means In this sign, conquer. These are the words spoken to Constantine when his famous vision of the cross in AD 312 purportedly led him to victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~mcarson/clonmac6.html 16 Death notice, FC 1/14/1851. 17 New York State Census, 1820. 18 Death notice, FC 9/17 1884. Author only referenced the index referring to this death notice. It may be revealing to look further at the Barker Museum to discover what is printed in the actual death notice. It may clear up the confusion over who died first, and why (and if) the death notice was truly printed more than fifty years after the date of death. 19 Death notice, FC Aug 27, 1828. Not clear who died first. Fredonia Censor reported she died a few hrs after, but burial records indicate he died Aug 21, she Aug 20. Reference to these burial records are inserted by the editor of the Fredonia Censor death notice index for 1819-1899, located in Reed Library, Fredonia, in the Microforms room. 20 Death notice, FC Aug 27, 1828. 6

Fidelio Brigham: Born on December 5, 1812, Fidelio W. Brigham had been a merchant from Youngsville, PA, but married Adeline E. Smith of Fredonia on February 2, 1833. 21 Adeline died in March 1855, and on February17, 1864 he married Harriet Gilbert. 22 Two years later, January 1, 1866, Fidelio passed away and was buried beside his first wife in Pioneer Cemetery. Adeline Brigham: Born in 1815, Adeline E. Smith, a native of Fredonia, married Fidelio Brigham on February 2, 1833. 23 Adeline passed away March 1, 1855. 21 Marriage notice, FC, 2/2/33 census for 1840 reports Adeline as a native of Youngsville. 22 Marriage notice, FC, 2/17/64. 23 Marriage notice, FC, 2/2/33 census for 1840 reports Adeline as a native of Youngsville. 7

Bibliography Carson, Mike. Archaeology in Ireland: Investigations of the Celtic High Cross in Clonmacnois (County Offaly, Ireland), 1992. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~mcarson/clonmac6.html. Fredonia Censor: death notices. Index, volume I, in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia, microform room. Compiled by Lois Barris, Chautauqua Cty. Geneological Society, Fredonia, NY, 1996. Holland Land Company deeds, Chautauqua county archives, Mayville, NY. Grantee/Grantor indexes. Fredonia Censor: marriages. Index in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia, microform room. Compiled by Lois Barris, Chautauqua Cty. Geneological Society, Fredonia, NY, 1991. New York State Census, 1820. Index in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia microform room. Ronald Vern Jackson, ed. Accelerated Indexing Systems International, Bountiful, UT, 1977. New York State Census, 1830. Index in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia microform room. Ronald Vern Jackson, ed. Accelerated Indexing S Systems International, Bountiful, UT, 1977. New York State Census, 1840. Index in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia microform room. Ronald Vern Jackson, ed. Accelerated Indexing Systems International, Salt Lake City, UT, 1978. New York State Census, 1850. Index in Reed Library, State University of New York at Fredonia microform room. Ronald Vern Jackson, ed. Accelerated Indexing Systems International, North Salt Lake, UT, 1977. 8