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Grandfather Tale #9
My Grandmother Closson
My grandmother Closson was a daughter of Adin Stone and the husband of Gideon
Closson, Jr. There was a son and seven sisters in this Stone family, all
married well, several married M.D.�s of Albany and Northville. Another,
Miriam, married Marvin Kasson who was the owner of the Kasson Opera House in
Gloversville, NY.
By the time I knew my grandmother the old homestead had become a well-run farm,
able to sustain itself by its own products. In fact, it had reached its
highest development. Everyone knew my grandmother Closson in time of sickness
or trouble she was the first there to help. Later, neighbors told us she was
often seen going down the road with a covered tray for a neighbor who was sick
or needed comfort. She was a true Christian who carried its teachings into her
daily life.
As far as I know she never left home until her husband Gideon died and we were
living in Gloversville, NY. Then she came to our house often and were we boys
glad to see her come.
I remember one time when I was trying to skate but I could only skate when I
could borrow a pair. Grandmother gave me a dollar and I bought a pair of
nickel plated skates. I kept them a long time. Another time she gave me a
small, four-bladed, pen knife made in Sheffield, England I have it yet. The
blades are worn but it is still serviceable. Things were made to last in those
days.
It is hard to realize what a woman like my grandmother meant to a farming
community like Providence was in the early 1800�s. There were no hospitals, no
funeral parlors, no undertakers. There was only one doctor and he was no
help. Every family had to take care of all these affairs themselves with what
help nearby neighbors could give. My grandmother was a good woman who was a
leader in these undertakings.
Her husband died in 1885 but she survived him some ten years by which time the
Closson homestead passed into other hands. Her son Charles Jerome died in
1892, age about 35 years.
She lived the rest of her life in the village of Northampton, Fulton Co., NY,
the Post Office name for Fish House, just over the line of Providence, Sarayoga
Co., NY.
Adin Stone, her father, grandmother Closson and her husband Gideon Closson are
all buried in the cemetery at Broadalbin, Fulton C., NY the first of the
family to be buried in an organized cemetery. Gideon Closson, Sr., and his
wife Hannah Westgate are buried in a private cemetery, Peter Chapman Cemetery,
located down the south road and west on a cross road south of hens creek. My
father told me that the cemetery was formerly in plain sight across the fields
when he lived on the Closson Homestead but, in 1917 when he took me to copy the
gravestones, we had to cut down trees to reach it.
This shows the general state of this farming area which has now gone back to
brush and trees as the people moved to the city. Very few people now alive
know that the Clossons ever lived there.
Written in about 1960 by William Gideon Closson (1880-1973)
Grandfather Tale #7&8
MY BIRTHPLACE
�Truly my life began in pleasant places.�
It was on Fayville, opposite and facing the South Road on which the Closson
Homestead was located about half a mile to the south. My father (Eugene Adin
Closson) bought the lot about 1878 and rented the Knapp House to the west for a
year while the house was being built. It was a nice house colonial style with
a front entrance to a central hall which divided the house into two parts. It
had two chimneys, one at each end of the house with fire places on each floor.
On the west the land was vacant to the top of a hill where the Knapp house
stood. On the east a row of houses extended right down to the creek which
began beyond the Closson Homestead and ran north to the Sacandaga River.
Here I was born in 1880, my brother Edgar in 1882, and my brother Charles in
1884. My sister Nellie was born in 1888 after father moved to Gloversville.
The Sacandaga Rover could be seen across the flats back of the house to the
north. Along the river for 673 feet and extending 983 feet toward our house
were 15 acres of river flats bought by Gideon Closson in 1867 for extra hay
which the homestead could not produce to feed the stock he kept. Every spring
the river overflowed its banks so the water came not to far from our lot.
Great quantities of logs were run down the river every spring and many were
washed far up the banks. Then the men from the river gangs would come riding
on logs with their spiked boots and pike poles to float the stranded logs and
ride them back to the river current again. This was an exciting and
interesting site that I never tired watching.
Our home had no attic stairs just a small hole and cover in the ceiling. When
father wanted something up there he would lift me up and shove me through to
get it. The attic seemed to be always swarming with bees and was I scared,
however I don�t remember ever being stung by the bees.
The shingles on our house were old type split shingles. A home-built mavhine
for smoothing shingles was left on the place. It was a long plank with a slot
cut near one end. In this slot was a strip of wood pivoted so one end was
above the plank and it had an extended head or jaw which held a shingle above
the plank so it could be worked smooth. The other end of this strip extended
below the slot in the plank and had a rod at right angles so anyone sitting on
the plank could move this strip forward with his feet to apply pressure to the
head above to hold the shingle for smoothing. The operator sat on the plank
and supplied the necessary pressure. I found many uses for this machine. On
the bank of the river back of our house were many large butternut trees.
Mother used many of the nuts in baking, but they were hard to crack. Under the
outer husk you found a large hard shell with sharp spines. By sitting on this
machine and moving the treadle with my feet, I could hold the nut and crack it
with just the right amount of pressure so most of the time the meat came out
whole. It needs a picture to describe this but I have never seen such a
machine since. Modern shingles when made of wood are sawn.
�Among friends and pleasant people that lived in my hometown.�
William Gideon Closson (1880-1973)
Robert James
74 Downer Crescent
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Canada
L0L 2P0
(705) 429-6768
robjame(a)georgian.net
Caleb Closson played an intriguing role in the American Revolution as a spy
and ancestors may be interested in some books written by Mary Beacock
Fryer. She has authored a number of historical novels around the events of
this time. One that I have read is "Buckskin Pimpernel, the Expoits of
Justus Sherwood, Loyalist Spy".1981. Dundurn Press. Toronto. Caleb is
mentioned several times in this book. Other books by Fryer include
"Loyalist Spy", "King's Men, the Soldier Founders of Ontario" and "Escape,
Adventures of a Loyalist Family". I was able to obtain copies of these
books through inter library loan.
Regards,
Bob
Robert James
74 Downer Crescent
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Canada
L0L 2P0
(705) 429-6768
robjame(a)georgian.net
Grandfather Tale #6
Horses
One summer when I was about five years old my father, who at that time was
running the farm of Lansing Finch east of Fayville, placed me on the back of a
horse and sent me to bring home the cows. The cows were pastured on the bank
of the Sacandaga River near the creek that entered the river. At that time in
the afternoon the cows generally stood in a swampy section under the trees with
their feet in the cool water. Father had swung me up on the back of the horse
and told me to hang on to the mane. I leaned over the horse�s neck to avoid
the tree branches overhead. The horse was tired after his day�s work and the
cows ready to come home to be fed and milked so I had no trouble. This became
my job all summer until school opened in the fall and every summer as long as
father ran the farm. So I became a bare-back rider and later, on vacations on
the old Homestead, I was always sent to the village of Fish House on horseback
to have the horse shod. Sometimes I would get off and lead the horse up to a
fence and climb the fence to get back on the horse again. Boys had to be
useful at an early age in a farming community in those days.
Later, when I became Assistant City Engineer of Gloversville, NY, Morrell
Vrooman was the City Engineer and he was a great lover of horseback riding and
owned a beautiful, large, black stallion. So, on a summer afternoon, when the
weather was fine and we were about to go home, he would say, �Let�s ride over
to Broadalbin.� He would phone all his friends that owned horses and some
besides and organize the trip. The road was nice and sandy under trees and the
Broadalbin Hotel being advised, we had a little dinner and after, one of the
party would play the piano and we would dance awhile and ride home by
moonlight. A good time was had by all and these trips became very popular.
Most of the times, the livery stable did not have enough saddle-horses to
supply us all and I got some big, raw-boned horse that had only one idea which
was to get back to the stable. Sometimes they would go up on the sidewalk,
turn around and around under the trees giving me a tough time avoiding tree
branches but my early training in bare-back riding stood by me and I would get
the horse going with the others. So, all in all, the balky horses were but a
moment in a whole evening that I can look back on with pleasant memories.
I worked in Gloversville during my college vacations and five years as
Assistant City Engineer before coming to New York City. However, before
leaving Gloversville I had built a motor launch and toured up the Erie Canal to
Syracuse with my brother Charles. I became so interested in boats that when I
came to the city, I lived with my brother Edgar on 135th street in the block
off Riverdale Drive and joined the Colonial Yacht Club at 140th street. My
interest turned from horses to boats.
I have never ridden a horse since, but it was very pleasant and useful. I
remember a verse from a book my father had on the subject.
�Your head and your heart keep boldly up,
Your hands and your heels keep down,
Your knees keep close to your horse�s side,
Your elbows close to your own.�
William Gideon Closson (1880-1973)
Robert James
74 Downer Crescent
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Canada
L0L 2P0
(705) 429-6768
robjame(a)georgian.net
>From: LADY(a)NETVA.COM (PRICE, SANDRA L.)
>To: "'robjame(a)georgian.net'" <robjame(a)georgian.net>
>Subject: Clason...my line
>Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 22:37:38 -0800
>X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by blue.georgian.net id
>WAA23428
>
>Hi Bob,
>Ok here it goes this is what I have on my family...
>1.) Garrett (Gerrit) Clason b. 1-May-1836 Netherlands
> Gretgie (Greetya) b. oct-1836 Netherlands
>2.) Wilhelm Clason b. 14-Jan-1856 Netherlands d. 1-Jan-1948 Goshen Indiana M
>ca. 1880 Gertrude Nymeyer b. 17-May-1868 Sneek Friesland Netherlands d. 1955
>Goshen Indiana
>
>3.) Henry N. Clason b. 1890 Goshen Indiana d. 1935 South Bend Indiana
> m.1924 Lela Rasor b. 10-Aug-1893 d. 3-31-1977 Syracuse Indiana
>4.) Betty L. Clason b. 14-July-1927 Goshen Indiana m.18-Oct-1944 Christ
>J.Rink d.20-Apr-1986 South Bend Indiana
>5.) Sandra L. Rink b.3-31-1945 me.
>
>Now hopefully someone can help me out here..I have enjoyed the items I have
>been receiving from the maillist..Thanks..
>Hope to hear soon
>Sandra
>
Robert James
74 Downer Crescent
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Canada
L0L 2P0
(705) 429-6768
robjame(a)georgian.net
The LDS have begun to put their information on CDs for sale to the public.
I ordered the North America and British Isles ones. Although there are 4
million names spanning the years from 1631 to 1888 on the North American
CD, that is only a small part of the total. It is kind of hit and miss
whether you will find anything useful. I have copied the list of CLOSSONs,
CLOSSENs, etc. from the Birth and Christening CD and from the marriage CD
and would be happy to provide information if there is anyone you recognize.
Birth & Christening:
CLOSSON, Mary Rachel Bir 1849 MASS Fa: William B. CLOSSON
Mo: Abigail F.
CLOSSON William CLOSSON William DAVENPORT Elizabeth C502574 34182
CLOSSON, William Eugene Bir 1852 MASS Fa: William CLOSSON
Mo: Elisabeth DAVINPORT
CLOSSON Ida CLOSSON John JOHNSON Susan C502573 28933
CLOSSEN, Ida B. Bir 1866 MASS Fa: John B. CLOSSEN
Mo: Susan B. JOHNSON
CLOSSON Daniel CLOSSON Amasa Hannah C518491 339972
CLOSSON, Daniel D. Bir 1868 MCHI Fa: Amasa CLOSSON
Mo: Hanah M.
CLOSSON John CLOSSON John JOHNSON Susan C502573 29333
CLOSSON, John H. Bir 1868 MASS Fa: John B. CLOSSON
Mo: Susan B. JOHNSON
CLOSSON Clinton CLOSSON George Clara C518272 317063
CLOSSON, Clinton L. Bir 1876 MCHI Fa: George CLOSSON
Mo: Clara
CLOSSON Ann CLOSSON Charles Ann C727022 894096
CLOSSIN, Anna J. Bir 1880 PENN Fa: Charles CLOSSIN
Mo: Anna
CLOSSON Nettie CLOSSON Wyman TIPPLY Viola C513356 153688
CLOSSON, Nettie Bir 1881 OHIO Fa: Wayman W. CLOSSON
Mo: Viola TIPPLY
CLOSSON Milton CLOSSON George Clara C518272 322528
CLOSSON, Milton Bir 1884 MCHI Fa: George CLOSSON
Mo: Clara
CLOSSON George CLOSSON Edward ANDRICK Lizzie C513357 159731
CLOSSON, George Edward Bir 1885 OHIO Fa: Edward CLOSSON
Mo: Lizzie ANDREX
Marriages:
CLOSSON A WARNER A M731472 2712407
CLOSSON, A. B. Marr 1855 NHAM Sp: A. T. WARNER
CLOSSON A WARNER A M731472 2712408
CLOSSON, A. B. Marr 1855 NHAM Sp: A. T. WARNER
CLOSSON Alma CLOSSON OR PRICE Jasper M533976 6241
CLOSSON, Alma E. Marr 1888 ILL Sp: Jasper D. CLOSSON OR PRICE
CLOSSON Ancel MYERS Nettie M714512 2421920
CLOSSON, Ansil S. Marr 1886 NEBR Sp: Nettie MYERS
CLOSSON Ann WILLIAMS Nehemiah M526031 923470
CLOSSAN, Anna Marr 1804 NJER Sp: Nehemiah WILLIAMS
CLOSSON Anson MYERS Nelly M714531 2428848
CLOSSON, Anson C. Marr 1886 NEBR Sp: Nellie MYERS
CLOSSON Anthony WERTZ Rose M515696 410319
KLOSSEN, Anton Marr 1863 MISO Sp: Rose WIRTS
CLOSSON Asay ELLIS Achsah M731472 2712406
CLOSSON, Asa Z. Marr 1840 NHAM Sp: Achsah P. ELLIS
CLOSSON Charles FARR Sophronia M731472 2712405
CLOSSON, Charles Marr 1832 NHAM Sp: Sophronia FARR
CLOSSON Charles KESSLER Martha M509102 270495
CLOSSEN, Charles Marr 1864 NJER Sp: Martha KESSLER
CLOSSON Charles DUNELL Emma M731472 2712403
CLOSSON, Charles H Marr 1874 NHAM Sp: Emma E DUNELL
CLOSSON Charles STEVENS Susan M731472 2712400
CLOSSON, Carlos F. Marr 1898 NHAM Sp: Susie A. STEVENS
CLOSSON Ellen CLARK Louis M587411 1049563
CLOSSON, Ellen L. Marr 1859 IOWA Sp: Lewis CLARK
CLOSSON Elwin HERRON Emma M503788 261881
CLOSSON, Elwin Marr 1892 MAIN Sp: Emma HERRON
CLOSSON Francis BLOOD Sipha M731472 2712401
CLOSSON, Francis A Marr 1883 NHAM Sp: Sepha BLOOD
CLOSSON George AUSPLAND Georgette M522812 900630
CLOSSON, George L. Marr 1884 MAIN Sp: Georgietta AUSPLAND
CLOSSON Harrison TOPPING Mary M502572 226654
CLOSSON, Harrison Marr 1848 MASS Sp: Mary TOPPING
CLOSSON Harrison PARMENTER Augusta M502572 227169
CLOSSON, Harrison Marr 1857 MASS Sp: Augusta E. PARMENTER
CLOSSON Henry BENNETT Mamie M711291 1917719
CLOSSEN, Henry Winefield Marr 1892 WYOM Sp: Mamie BENNETT
CLOSSON Isaac TAYLOR Caroline M522812 900934
CLOSSON, Isaac N. Marr 1890 MAIN Sp: Carrie TAYLOR
CLOSSON J HARRINGTON Harriet M587443 1056343
CLOSSON, J. H. Marr 1879 IOWA Sp: Hattie Ida HARRINGTON
CLOSSON J SWOFFORD Ella M725092 2460337
CLOSSIN, J. W. Marr 1888 KAN Sp: Ella M. SWOFFORD
CLOSSON Jasper CLOSSON Alma M533976 6241
CLOSSON OR PRICE, Jasper D. Marr 1888 ILL Sp: Alma E. CLOSSON
CLOSSON John WELLS Mary M731472 2712404
CLOSSON, John G. Marr 1841 NHAM Sp: Mary Ann WELLS
CLOSSON Lydia MILLER John M518532 530336
CLOSSON, Lydia A. Marr 1853 MCHI Sp: John C. MILLER
CLOSSON Marion ELSBEY Dora M518532 533333
CLOSSON, Marion A. Marr 1876 MCHI Sp: Dora ELSBEY
CLOSSON Mary JAEGER GEIGER Charles M725871 2466590
CLOSSIN, Mary A. Marr 1877 PENN Sp: Charles GEAGER
CLOSSON Mary BENNETT James M730742 2576592
MCCROSSEN OR CLOSSEN, Mary Marr 1882 ILL Sp: James E. BENNETT
CLOSSON Nelly KAMENZ Louis M730842 2618522
CLOSSON, Nellie Marr 1892 ILL Sp: Louis J. KAMENZ
CLOSSON Olive MACGINNIS GINNIS Ansby M533976 8922
JOHNSON OR CLOSSON, Olive R. E. Marr 1898 ILL Sp: Ansby MCGINNIS
CLOSSON Peter EVANS Amanda M513961 332542
KLOSSEN, Peter Marr 1855 OHIO Sp: Amanda M. EVENS
CLOSSON Phoebe JENKINS Isaac M526071 934108
CLOSSEN, Phoebe Marr 1806 NJER Sp: Isaac JENKINS
CLOSSON Phyllis LATTIN Geoffrey M526031 925794
CLOSSON, Phillis Marr 1821 NJER Sp: Jeffry LATTIN
CLOSSON Sarah ATKINS John M585601 85508
CLOSSON, Sarah Marr 1841 ONT Sp: John C. AIKINS
CLOSSON Thomas GIESDORF Ann M714731 2430601
KLOSSEN, Thomas Marr 1886 NEBR Sp: Annie GIESDORF
CLOSSON William BOOTH Rosetta M731472 2712402
CLOSSON, William Eugene Marr 1878 NHAM Sp: Rosetta BOOTH
CLOSSON William PRICE Julia M533976 4622
CLOSSON, William J. Marr 1881 ILL Sp: Julia F. PRICE
CLOSSON William EVANS Catherine M587284 1039906
CLOSSON, William E. Marr 1881 IOWA Sp: Kate EVENS
CLOSSON William MATHENY Mary M533837 1036909
CLOSSON, William W. Marr 1899 ILL Sp: Mary L. MATHENY
Regards,
Bob
Robert James
74 Downer Crescent
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Canada
L0L 2P0
(705) 429-6768
robjame(a)georgian.net