Know all men by these presents that I, Chapel Cheney of Fairhaven, county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in consideration of Fifty Dollars to me paid by Albin Lull of Brandon County of Rutland and State of Vermont, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have remised [?] released and for ever quit claimed and do for myself and my heirs by these presents remise release and for ever quit claim unto the said Albin Lull his heirs and assigns all my right title and interest in and to my mother’s (Betsey Cheney alias Betsy Clifford) right of thirds and dower in and to all the real estate whereof Edward Cheney late of Brandon aforesaid died seized of lying and living in Brandon County of Rutland and State of Vermont aforesaid the same more or less. To have and to hold the aforementioned premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to him the said Albin Lull his heirs and assigns forever, so that neither I, the said Chapel Cheney nor my heirs or any other person claiming from or under me or them, or in the name right or stead of me, or them, shall, or will, by any way or means, have claim or demand any right or title to the aforesaid premises or their appurtenances or to any part or parcel thereof forever – In witness whereof I, the said Chapel Cheney, have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty.
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Joseph Tripple Levi Jenney } Chapel Cheney
Massachusetts
Bristol October 22nd 1830 the above named Chapel Cheney personally appeared and acknowledged the aforesaid instrument to be to be his free act and deed before me Levi Jenney Justice of Peace
A true record made this 29 day of December 1830 by me Barzillai Davenport Town Clerk
Chapel Cheney Quit Claim 1830
N.B. Chapel Cheney (b 1809) was a son of Deacon Edward and Elizabeth Gilbert. He did not live up to his name. In 1832, two years after selling his interest in his mother’s estate for $50, he was sued by two separate parties in Brandon for unpaid debts. Elizabeth (Betsey) ended up living until 1860. I can just see a 21 year old kid needing quick cash and selling the future interest in his parents’ estate.
Brandon Town Clerk’s office, Land Records Book 4, p. 76
Know all men by these presents that I Andrew Buttles of Brandon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont for the Consideration of two hundred & 9 Dollars paid by Edward Cheney Jr of Brandon aforesaid I Do By these presents give grant bargain Sell Convey & Confirm unto the said Edward his heirs and assigns forever a Certain piece of land lying in Brandon Containing by Estimation 7 acres be the Same More or less Bounded as follows Beginning at a Stake Standing in the Corner of a pond hole the same being the NE Corner of a 20 acre lot which Ebenezer Worster bought of Noah Strong from thence to a birch tree being the NW Corner of said 20 acres thence Northerly on land owned on by Ephraim Cheney to the corner of Ebenezer Worsters house lot thence westerly on Said Cheneys land to the River then Down the River on the East bank to land which the said Worster Deeded to James Whelan thence easterly on said Whelans North line to land which the said Worster deeded to Ephraim Cheney thence North a strait line to the first Bound…
To have and to hold the said granted premises to the said Edward with all the priviledges thereto belonging to him his heirs & assigns forever to their proper Benefit and behoof I do Engage for Myself my heirs and assigns to warrant and defend the said granted premises to the said Edward his heirs & assigns against all Claims & Demands of any person or persons In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this first day of March AD 1805 Signed & Sealed Andrew Buttles
In presence of
Edward Cheney
Seth Holt
State of Vermont} Brandon March 5th 1805
Rutland County} Personally appeared Andrew Buttles Signer & Sealer of the foregoing Instrument & acknowledged the same to be his free act & Deed.
Know all Men by these presents that Andrew Buttles of Brandon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont in Consideration of Seven Dollars & 50 cents paid by Edward Cheney Jr of Brandon aforesaid the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge & by these presents do give grant bargain Sell convey & confirm unto the said Edward his heirs & assigns forever a piece of land lying in said Brandon bounded as follows beginning at a Stake & Stones on the West Side of the highway as it now goes thence 8-1/2 rods to a stake & stones thence W 5 [degrees?] N 20-1/2 rods thence Easterly bearing to the South to the first Mentioned Bounds Containing one half acres & 10 square Rods——-
To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises with all the priviledges thereunto belinging to him the said Edward his heirs & assigns forever to his & their proper use benefit & behoof [behalf?] and I do Engage for myself my heirs & assigns to warrant & defend the said granted premises to the said Edward his heirs & assigns against the lawful claims & Demands of all persons In Witness Whereof I do hereunto set my hand and Seal this first Day of March AD 1805.
Signed Sealed & Delivered
Andrew Buttles
In presence of
Edward Cheney [must be Sr]
Seth Holt
State of Vermont}
Rutland County}
Brandon 5th of March AD 1805 Personally appeared Andrew Buttles signer & sealer of the foregoing Instrument & acknowledged the same to be his free act & deed.
Before me John Conant Just- Peace
Grantee Index Book 4 Brandon Town Clerk office. Andrew Buttles to Ed Cheney Jr March 1805
Know all men by these presents that I Andrew Buttles of Brandon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont in consideration of thirty dollars paid by Ephraim Cheney of Brandon aforesaid the Receipt Whereof I hereby acknowledge & by these presents Do give grant bargain sell Convey & Confirm to him the said Ephraim Cheney his heirs & assigns a piece of land lying in Brandon aforesaid Bounded as follows Viz beginning at a Stake & Stone near a Butternutt at the bank of the River Where the River now runs thence [appears to say E 30 & S 20] rods & 17 links to a Stake & Stones thence N[East?] 19 rods to a Stake & Stones thence Westerly on Said Ephraim Cheney’s land & Joshua Goss’ South line to the bank of the River as it now runs to the first bounds
To have & to hold the said granted & bargained premises with all the priviledges thereto belonging to him the said Ephraim to him the said Ephraim Cheney his heirs & assigns to his & their proper use & benefit & behoof forever & I do covenant with the said Ephraim his heirs & assigns that I am lawfully seised in fee of the premises that I have good right to sell & convey the same in Manner aforesaid & that the premises are free of all incumberances and that I will Warrant Secure & Defend the Same against the lawful Claims & Demands of all persons.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 24th day of February AD 1803
Signed Sealed & Delivered Andrew Buttles
In Presence of
James Whelan
William Gates
Rutland County Sept 6th 1803 Personally appeared Andrews Buttles Signer & Sealer of the within Written Instrument & acknowledged the same to be his free act & Deed
Benajah Douglass Justice Peace
Recorded March 2nd 1805
Based on other records, the Goss farm was east of Brandon near the Neshobe Gold Course. I think Ephraim Cheney’s land is somewhere in the circled area.
What fascinates me about doing genealogy is trying to tease out what “really happened.” What really happened, of course, is lost, filtered, and in many cases impossible to determine. That doesn’t stop me.
O. H. Perry is one example of the difficulty of finding the “truth.” Oliver H. Perry is believed to be the third son of James Samuel Perry and was born in Johnsburgh, New York. Oliver never knew his birth father, as James Samuel (who went by Samuel when in NY), left the family and the state in about 1852. The family story is that Samuel disappeared on a trip to Boston and everyone assumed he died. Based on DNA evidence (linking my dad to siblings of James Samuel), James was very much alive and fathered 10 more children with two other women, 6 of whom survived until adulthood.
The story that Oliver told about his family and his life is a little different. The Wymorean newspaper published a special story and a mini biography/promotional piece on Oliver in 1892 and 1909. (The mini biography reads as though it was taken from a local history of Gage County, Nebraska). OH Perry came to Wymore in 1888 (Weekly Wymorean, Feb 27, 1909). He left for a time to go to Boulder, Colorado and Beatrice Nebraska. While there is no written evidence of his time in Boulder, there are newspaper advertisements in Beatrice for Perry’s studio. As is usual for newspapers of the day, the articles are primarily puff pieces stating “there are few homes in this city [Wymore] that do not contain samples of his excellent work” (Weekly Wymorean, Feb 27, 1909 p. 3) and he is “fast gaining a reputation as an artist with exceptional skill.” (Weekly Wymorean, June 25, 1892, p. 1).
The 1892 front page article provides a biography of Oliver that seems to be designed to increase his stature as a photographic artist. According to the article, likely provided by Oliver himself, he was born in Johnsburgh NY. The article also states that he is a direct descendant of “Comodore [sic] Perry of historic fame.” (A sidebar here – as can be imagined, many male Perrys were named after Oliver Hazard Perry. While it appears that Commodore Perry and OH Perry were descended from the same Ezra Perry of Sandwich MA, OH was not a direct descendent from the Commodore himself). In addition to connecting himself to the very famous Oliver Hazard Perry, OH also establishes himself in a long line of photographers. The article states that “his father Samuel Perry [was] one of the early Daguerreotype artists.” There is no record of James Samuel Perry ever holding a camera. If he did take photos, I would love to see them. OH also states that his father died when he was young. OH has his mother remarrying when he was 13, or in 1866. According to the US Census in 1860, Mary Perry and Robert Cornell were already married. The article suggests that OH left home soon after his mother remarried, launching himself “on the world’s stormy sea.” According to US and NY State Censuses, Oliver was at home until 1875. According to the paper, OH received an education at the Albany Business College and graduated in 1875, just in time for an economic crash. It is possible that he attended school in Albany and returned home in the summers, when the censuses were taken.
O.H. then states he lived in Ballston Spa working for a photographer and then at the Wildey Studio in Skaneatles, NY. This would fit with the 1880 US Census that has him living with Wildey and his family. O.H. moved to Michigan in 1882 and took courses in pastels, portrait painting, and oils. O.H. moved to Nebraska for the business opportunities, and worked in numerous towns in Nebraska and even Kansas (his father was living in southeastern Kansas at the time, in Girard. There is no indication they ever ran into each other).
It appears O.H. put his fine art training to use in tandem with his photography work, as his advertisements tout his abilities in portrait painting as well as photography. O.H. also traveled quite a bit. As a member of the Photographer’s Association of America he attended the 1913 convention in Kansas City. At a convention in Omaha in 1892, O.H. received an honorable mention for his work (Weekly Wymorean, June 25, 1892, p. 1).
O.H. appears to have visited Arizona a number of times. The July 13, 1913, Weekly Wymorean states that O.H. just returned from a “flying trip” to Phoenix Arizona (p. 8). It is possible that O.H. Perry hopped a ride with some pilot heading down to the southwest, or it could be that the term flying simply meant the trip was a fast one. In 1914, there is an Oliver H Perry, photographer born in NY, listed in the voter records for Prescott Arizona, which is approximately 36 miles from Jerome, where Oliver died. In the June 15,1912 (Phoenix) Arizona Republic there is an news item that a photographer by the name of Brennan attempted suicide due to a failed attempt to rebuy his Jerome photography business from “Mr. Perry” (p. 1). I think it is reasonable to believe that O.H. Perry spent time in Arizona from at least 1912 until he died in Jerome in 1922.
Why Arizona? I think Oliver’s early life provides some clues. According to the 1892 Weekly Wymorean, Oliver spent “the season of 1881” (likely the summer) in the Adirondack mountains to recover from “a close application to his business” and “the use of injurious chemicals” to develop photos. In other words, Oliver’s trade made him sick. Arizona, especially the area around Prescott, was popular for asthmatics and other people with respiratory issues, including tuberculosis (https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2020/05/11/arizona-tuberculosis-history-sunnyslope-sanatoriums-doc-holliday/3101543001/).
A helpful resource on O.H. Perry and other early photographers is the website http://cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com . The page on O.H. Perry has a mostly-accurate timeline and some great photos.
Mary, Ocelia, and Mabel (courtesy of Deana H. Wood)OH Perry studio (courtesy of Deana H. Wood)OH Perry at 40. Weekly Wymorean 1892OH Perry at 56. Weekly Wymorean 1909
Photography in America began in the 1830s and 1840s, shortly after the invention of the daguerreotype process in France. This new process allowed for the creation of highly detailed images on a silver-plated copper sheet. The daguerreotype process was quickly embraced in America, and many skilled artists and entrepreneurs began to experiment with the new medium.
A notable early American photographer was Mathew Brady, who is known for his images of the American Civil War. Brady, born in Johnsburgh, New York, was able to capture the gruesome reality of war through his photographs, which had a profound impact on the public’s perception of the conflict.
Another photographer from Johnsburgh was Oliver H. Perry, son of James Samuel and Mary Cora (Catt?) Perry. Oliver was born in 1853 after his father, James Samuel, left the family and made his way west. In the 1855 census, about 2 years after his father left, the family was living in Galway, Saratoga County NY with James’ father, Sardis Perry. By 1860 his mother had married Robrt Cornell and the family was living in Barkersville NY. According to the US and NY census records, he lived with his stepfather and mother until after 1875. By 1880 he is listed in the census in Skaneateles, New York, living with his employer, photographer Ornando [sp] Wildey. He then traveled to Michigan, where he married Mary Hudson in Ludlington in 1883. The next year, an OH Perry was advertising his photography business in DeWitt NE. Oliver had photography studios in various cities in Nebraska, including Beatrice, but he spent the most time in Wymore, in southern Nebraska. By 1920, Oliver was working as a photographer in Jerome, AZ. He died in Jerome as a result of a fire in 1922 and was buried in Nebraska.
As I reflect on my recent trip to Vermont and New York, I can’t help but think about my family’s genealogy and the roots that tie us to these places.
My great-grandparents on my father’s side were born and raised in Vermont, while my father’s side of the family has deep roots in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Until recently, however, we knew nothing about the East Coast roots.
Visiting Vermont was like stepping back in time. We drove through winding country roads, past quaint villages, and verdant pastures. The spring air was crisp, and the smell of wood-burning stoves filled the air. We visited the church and walked through the cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. It was a humbling experience to stand in the same place where my family had stood generations before me.
In New York, we visited where my great-great-great-grandfather lived in the Adirondacks. It was incredible to see the towns and travel the roads they used. Imagining their lives in the wilderness of the area was a powerful moment for me.
The cousin we met is descended from Sardis Perry, James Samuel Perry’s father. We believe that the Perry family is descended from Ezra Perry of Sandwich MA, however there are a lot of Perrys, so we are still not positive about this. One thing we are certain of is that Sardis Perry is not a direct descendant of Oliver Hazard or Matthew Calbraith Perry. Cousins, probably, but not a direct descendant.
Sardis and his family moved back and forth between Rutland County, Vermont and Warren County, New York. At one point his wife, Thankful, moved back to Vermont without Sardis. Sardis appears to have remarried to a Clarassa and they had a daughter, Clarissa. We found Sardis’ grave but Thankful appears to be nowhere to be found.
These trips allowed me to connect with my family’s past and gave me a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and hardships that they endured. I am grateful for the opportunity to honor their memory by visiting the places they called home and am reminded of the importance of knowing and preserving our family’s history.
Know all Men by these presents that I James Whelan of Brandon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont in Consideration of Sixty Dollars paid by Ephraim Cheney of Brandon aforesaid the Receipt whereof I Do hereby acknowledge & by these presents Do Give Grant bargain Sell Convey & Confirm unto the said Ephraim Cheney his heirs & assigns a certain piece of land lying in Brandon aforesaid Bounded as follows (viz.) beginning at a Stake & Stones 46 Rods East of the SW Corner of Jabez Lyons home lot thence South 24-1/2 rods to a Stake & Stones thence East 26 rods to a Stake & Stones thence North 24-1/2 rods to a Stake & Stones then West 46 rods to the first bounds Containing 7 acres To have and to hold the Said Granted & bargained premises With all the privileges thereunto belonging to him the Said Ephraim Cheney his heirs & assigns forever to his & their own proper use benefit & behalf forever and I do Covenant with the Said Ephraim that I am lawfully Seised in fee of the premises that I have good right to Sell and Convey the same in Manner as aforesaid that the Said premises are free of all Incumberances and that I will warrant & defend the Same against the Lawful Claims & Demands of all persons In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 24th day of February AD 1803. Signed Sealed & Delivered James Whelan
In presence of
Wm Gates
Andrew Battles
State of Vermont } Brandon March 1st 1803
Rutland County} Personally appeared James Whelan Signer & Sealer of the within Written Instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act & deed.
While back east, my Dad and I spent some time in the Town Clerk’s office looking up records on the Cheneys. We found a lot of property records related to the Cheneys. Now the task of finding the location of where the property is, as the stake & stones are almost certainly gone.
Brandon Town Clerk’s office. Grantee Index, Book 4, p. 398
Know all Men by these presents that I Eben M. Worster [Ebenezer Worster] of Brandon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont for the Consideration of Eighty Dollars 34 cents paid by Ephraim Cheney of Brandon aforesaid the Receipt of which I Do hereby acknowledge, have given granted bargained Sold & Conveyed & by these presents Do give grant bargain Sell Convey & Confirm to him the [aforesaid?] Ephraim Cheney his heirs Executors administrators & assigns a certain tract or piece of land lying in Brandon aforesaid & Bounded as follow (viz) Beginning at a white pine tree being the NW Corner of Esq [?] Horton lot thence east 124 rods to a stake & Stones a [corner?] thence North 32 rods & 6 links to a Stake & Stones thence west 124 rods to the NE Corner of Noah Strongs 20 acre lot So Called thence South to the first Mentioned boundary To have and to hold the above said Bargained promises unto him the said Ephraim Cheney his heirs & assigns forever & I do covenant & I Do Covenant with the said Ephraim Cheney that I am lawfully seised in fee of the premises that I the said Eben M Worster have good right to Sell and Convey the same to him the said Ephraim Cheney & that the above said premises are free of all Incumberances & that I will warrant Secure & Defend the same to him against the lawful claims & Demands of all persons In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Seal this 17th Day of August AD 1798 Signed & Sealed & Delivered Eben M Worster
In Presence of [?] Worster William Gates
State of Vermont
Brandon March 1st 1803Rutland County Personally appeared Eben Worster Signer & Sealer of the within instrument & Acknowledged the same to be his free act & Deed. Before Mr Benajih Douglas Justice Peace
It’s been two years of COVID. Thank goodness for online databases for genealogy, as many libraries and history centers are closed or have drastically reduced hours.
While I haven’t been blogging, I have been doing genealogy research, listening to podcasts (ExtremeGenes and Genealogy Gems are two I’ve gained tips and pointers from), and interviewed my dad over Thanksgiving.
The idea came about when I was visiting my old childhood friend. She had paid for an interviewer to do an audio interview of her parents, and then edit it together to give to her parents and siblings. It sounded like a great idea, and one that my sisters and I had tried to do a couple times before. I decided that Thanksgiving would provide an excellent opportunity to do a video interview of my dad, as it allowed for plenty of opportunities to do 30-minute to one-hour interview sessions.
I reached out to my sister-in-law (to ask the nephews) and sisters to see if they had any questions they would like to ask my dad. There were a lot, everything from “were you teased by your sisters” to “what was life like during WWII” to “how did you know Grandma was ‘the one’?” I printed out the questions, packed my tripod, lavalier mic, lights, and iPhone adapter and headed down to see my dad.
It was very simple to use my iPhone to record the interviews and it was small enough not to be intimidating. The external microphone allowed for good sound quality. The lights were unneeded (and unwanted by my dad). Each session was no more than one-hour, and combined there were 2 hours of video. Each session followed the questions sent, so they were in no particular order. I wanted the interview to be more like a conversation than an interrogation, so the topics would meander and double back occasionally. This required a little more work on the backend.
Once I got home, I used a simple movie editing software on my Mac to cut out dead air, dog barking, my questions, and any false-starts with answers. I then created a simple storyboard to create some themes: School, Growing up in Bancroft, Growing up on the Farm, Food, Family, WWII, College and Career. Once these were decided, I edited the sections of video to create a story within each of the themes. I added some old 8mm film that was digitized, as well as scanned photos, to provide context to what my dad was talking about.
The end result was much better than I thought it would be. I am also very happy to have some enduring bit of my dad and his history for me and for his grandsons. I look forward to doing more of these interviews.
Perry Family Tree 