January 1985 the QUARTERLY Official Publication of the St

Official Publication of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association January 1985 THE QUARTERLY Official Publication of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association

VOLUME XXX ..-.JANUARY - .. 1_985. . . - . NO. 1 - - . + - -.- -. .. '. -; . <- :.\ - . . - _- .-.. . _-_ .. - ..-- - ._ -I--.__ ,-. ._-_.----- ,-- * . +,

CONTENTS

Pauline E. Tedford 3 The Brannens in Waddington

Herbert Judd & 11 A Peek at Judd Family Photos Judith B. Ranlett

Doris Parker 16 Echoes from the Valley

David L. Dickirason & 18 A Denault/Denno Odyssey A.A. Paquette

This publication is made possible ia part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

ISSN 0558-1931 The Quamkrly is published in Copyright St. Lawrence County Historical Association January, April, July and October 1985 each year by the St. Lawrence County Historical Association.

Extra copies may be obtained from the History Center, P.O. Cover: Zettie Shipman (1869-1942) and Frank Judd (1865-1927) married 15 Box 8. Canton. N.Y. 13617. at September 1889 at the Brick Chapel Parsonage in the town of $2.00.plus 25e postage and Canton. Family photo collections often contain such formal studio handling. portraits immortalizing a marriage. They are in marked contrast to the candid snapshots which are often taken to commemorate Editor: Judith B. Ranlett weddings today. (Photo courtesy of Herbert Judd) January 1985 3

Waddington, from the 1865 St. Lawrence County Atlas, showing the Irish settlements and various Brannen properties. (Courtesy of History Center Archives) The Brannens in Waddington by Pauline E. Tedford Researching a family's past is for many an engrossing and satisfying hobby. Here the author shows what can be done using local records, family photographs and oral interviews to tell the story of one branch of the numerous descendants of an early 19th-century immigrant, Peter Brannen. Peter Brannen came to Waddington, States at Madrid (Waddington) in the the farm consisted of seventy acres.8 New York, from Ireland in 1829, prob- year 1829. Two years before this John One reason that Peter did not buy the ably with his wife, Ann Morgan. He and James Brannen had arrived in land sooner may have been that he was most likely arrived in Montreal, and Waddington.3 It is believed that these not a United States citizen. The alien either walked or came by Durham boat three men were brothers. Peter's par- registration records show that he con- and stagecoach from there to Wad- ents were James and Mary Brannen4 tinued to register as a non-citizen at dington. who were born and buried in Ireland. least until 1838. Waddington in 182g1 was a bustling, There is no record indicating that they Life in Waddington during the time small river town situated on the St. ever came to the United States. Peter and Ann were raising their family Lawrence River about seventy-five The 1830 federal census shows Peter was hard. They were not wealthy, miles west of Montreal. Settlement in Braghnan (Brannen) living in Wad- although town tax records show that the town of Waddington had begun in dington, the head of a family.5 Since their real and personal property were 1793, and the first land was sold in Peter's oldest daughter, Mary, was valued higher than that of the majority 1798. By 1829 there was a well-estab- twenty in 1850, it appears that Peter of the townspeople. Although Peter did lished Irish Settlement located about was married either in Ireland before not leave records telling us about the three miles west of the village on the he came to America or shortly after his daily routine of the life of a farmer and present Route 37. From 1955 to 1960 arrival here. In 1840 the census records6 head of family, the Waddington Town the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power show Peter Brannen between ages Archives contain diaries from this Project caused demolition and destruc- thirty and forty, two sons under age period which show what Peter's family tion of many beautiful buildings and five, one son between ages five and ten, life must have been like, since the rich farmland along the river; there- and five females in the family. writers lived within five miles of fore, today it is difficult to imagine the On February 26, 1856, Peter bought Peter's house.s town as it appeared in the early days. land from Joshua Waddington in mile The farmers raised corn, potatoes, There are many pictures, however, to square thirteen, Lot four, adjoining peas, oats, wheat, barley, sugar beets illustrate the history of the town Nicholas and Rose (Charlton) Murphy, (used for feeding the hogs), carrots, because until 1955 there had been few in the Irish, or Charlton, Sett1ement.I millet, turnips, onions, parsnips and changes in the landscape of the area. He had been occupying this land as a flax. Most farms contained an apple The first records of Peter Brannen tenant under contract, probably since orchard and sugar bush, and each had are from the St. Lawrence County his arrival in Waddington. At the same cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, and probably Clerk's Office in Canton, New York. time, or soon after, he bought an adja- at least one horse. The Alien Registration Book2 shows cent lot. According to the Waddington During the winter the men chopped Peter Brannen arriving in the United Town Tax Records from 1859 to 1881, trees and piled in brush, which they Yeter drannen~u-wnikjin Waddington

James BRANNEN-9ary ? ( htfi60n1 anddidin 3rehnd)

Ann ~0rgan1------?eter branan------&dget [Savagel ( 1808-18581 (1803-18831 (1827-1915)

n;d, fknbfiel $:ah $f& 6&ne 1866- 7 1866 -1945 1872 - ? 1665 - 1 1869-112 m Catbrine mJunes RUDDY nl ~~fhm"!l;hm btlckhy GAffNEY l3UCI(Lfl m2 bnnis JORDAN )Lry )Lry tfizi6eth 3aAes dn %iJYt *dry fa/rirb &n 1830- ? 1832 - ? 1834-1917 1836-1909 1838- 1873 1840- ? 1842-1 1848- I868 r l$k FAY npter WFFY tn...ry Jl~t-yh~ m. ?

dnn Lrannen du9h 8:annen buren'ce firanm paryBrannen ~ararct bannen mWi&am GORMAN dudin i$ncy 1861-1938 m>nresc;McKENNA m.J n DESMOND m, c$ia Cbment

jnne brannen moo m3onie TEDFORD ~arnb %+rd 1942- tn. [a16 $file d8Cl&y6J 3_ytmrtitl Jkwnb 12,1964 January 1985 5

that same family went to Canton to see John Donaven, a murderer, executed. On another occasion, the father of the family went to Canton for lime so that he could finish painting his kitchen and shed. Life was not all work, however. The "Great Show of Wild Animals" with Tom Thumb and a giant and giantess came to town almost every year. All of the schools in town had a "literature" society and a library from which tax- payers could borrow books. Lectures were sometimes held at the schoolhouse or church. If sickness in the family went beyond what home remedies could cure, the sick person was tended by Dr. Mott or Dr. Stowers. These two doctors were often paid in kind. A cord of wood was regularly taken to the priest and to the school. On April 14,1853, a Waddington resi- dent subscribed three dollars for a book which "was descriptive of St. Law- rence and Franklin Counties." This book was probably Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, which was reprinted in 1970.10 Peter's son James went to California during the gold rush. The Common- Allison Diary related that on "January 4, 1852, Douglas Rutherford, Thomas Blythe, Thomas Walker, and about Jawtes Bmnnen panning for gold in California, 1851. (Photo courtesy of forty more goes off to California in a Pauline Tedford) company." James would have been eighteen or nineteen years old at that left on the ground during the summer winter, the tailor traveled around the time and probably was with this group. to dry, and in September, October and town making trousers for the men of Ann (Morgan) Brannen, who was November, they fired the log heaps. the family. The ladies spun the yarn sometimes called Nancy, died in Wad- They took the ashes (On September 14, and wove the cloth. One family took dington on June 14, 1858." Her 1839, twenty-three bushels) to the thirty yards of their own weaving to youngest child, John, was about ten village to sell. Also during the winter the mill in the village to be fulled. years old, and the oldest, Mary, about they threshed, got out logs and shingle When they picked it up, it amounted to thirty. Peter continued to live on the woods, chopped wood for family use twenty-one yards. farm with some of his children. and for sale, and repaired and built Traveling twenty miles to nearby On April 4, 1864, almost six years new equipment and buildings. Evenings towns evidently did not faze people in after Ann died, Peter married Bridget were also spent working. The diaries the least. In January, 1851, a Wadding- Savage in St. Mary's Catholic Church relate that in the evenings the girls ton family bought a "Yankee Nation" in Waddington.12 The attendants at picked and husked corn, broke and stove in Potsdam. On April 12, 1852, their wedding were John Lang and dressed flax, and boiled potatoes for the hogs. In April the bees were let out of the winter house, and in May the farmers ploughed and dragged and carried sap and fencing. In April, 1838, thirty hands raised a barn twenty-one feet by twenty-five feet on a farm near Peter's. The children often spent time gathering stones, which were thrown onto a sled pulled by oxen and used to build stone walls. The farmers also used stumps and brush to build fences, and often the stones were used to strengthen the other fences. Animal skins (including a dog skin at one time) were taken to the tannery to be made into leather. In the winter, the shoemaker went to the various houses and made boots and shoes for all Brannen's Bay, with the old pulp dock irr the background. (Photo courtesy of members of the family. Also during the Pauline Tedford) 6 January 1985

This rlass~cfamily photogrcrplt jtiuflcrrjs. seated, Mary (Mlrrjohy) Brnnwer/, Lntrr.r~/ceHerrr!y Brrrntle)/, and Jawles Brannen. The three daughters of Mary and James, standing left to right, were Mary (Minnie), Ann and Margaret. (Photo courtesy of Pauline Tedford)

Margaret White. Peter and Bridget Mary were Hugh (who died in infancy), hitch the horse to the buggy, and she had five children: Julia, Thomas, Nellie, Laurence Henry, Mary (Minnie), Ann and Irene would drive to the village to Catherine and Sarah. and Margaret.lU church. Even though kerosene lanterns In 1881, two years before his death, For a time, James and Mary were used throughout the house, Mary Peter sold his farm to Thomas Murphy (Murphy) Brannen and their family made her own candles. She also made and Gardner Kentner and bought a lived at Bucks Bridge in the town of patchwork quilts, braided rugs, and house with a two-acre lot in the Canton, and their son Laurence was sewed carpet rags to be sent away to be village.13. This house still stands. It is born there. In 1871 James purchased a made into carpets. located on West St. Lawrence Avenue farm from John S. Chipman, River James was tall with broad shoulders on the corner of Beech Street. Peter's Lots Nos. 18, 19 and 20, about one mile and with snow white hair and beard. second wife, Bridget (Savage), contin- east of the village of Waddington.19 This He had blue eyes and a fair complexion, ued to live in this house until her death land was to become known as Brannen's and he, like his wife, looked stern. He in 1913.14 Bay. He was a farmer all his life, and was very serious, but had a sense of James, son of Peter and Ann (Mor- when his son Laurence came of age, he humor. He used to tell stories about his gan) Brannen, was born in Wadding- helped his father and continued to live trip to California and his bout with ton on December 15, 1834.15 He married on the family farm. typhoid fever on board ship on the long Mary Murphy, daughter of Nicholas Although there are few family rec- voyage around Cape Horn. He was a and Rose (Charlton) Murphy on October ords, James' granddaughter Mary Irene dairy farmer with an average stock of 27, 1858, in St. Mary's Church in Wad- (Brannen) Tedford remembers her twenty-five. Both he and Mary were dington. Their attendants were Law- grandmother and grandfather very hardworking, thrifty and faithful to rence Brannen and Annastatia Brady. well, and much of the following infor- their Catholic religion. It is thought that Lawrence was a mation is based on her memories.20 Their children attended the country cousin of James. Mary (Murphy) Brannen, was short school about one and a half miles east Mary Murphy was the "girl next and plump. She had dark hair until the of their home. Margaret, the youngest, door." An 1858 map of Waddington time she died at age 82. She was quick was the only child to finish high school. shows her father owning property in her movements and appeared to Ann married William Gorman in 1884, adjacent to Peter Brannen's lot.16 Mary have a stern disposition, but she was and Mary (Minnie) married James was born in Waddington on March 24, actually a very gentle and very religious McKenna in 1887.21 In 1904 they 1833.17 The children of James and person. On First Friday's she would bought a piano for their daughter Mar- January 1985

James Brannen's h,ouse on Route 37, Waddington, about 1906. He is standing; his wife Mary Brannen is seated. Lydia (Clement) Brannen stands behind her daughter, Irene. Little boy is a tiisitor. (Photo courtesy of Pauline Tedford) garet, who took voice and piano lessons, James and Mary (Murphy) Brannen at and Lydia were married in St. Mary's and taught her niece, Irene, to sing, the time of their wedding. This set occu- Catholic Church in Chesterville, Ontar- dance and play the piano. pied the guest room and remains, like io, and Laurence brought his bride According to the 1870 federal census, the four-poster, in the family. Another home to the Brannen family farm in they had living in their household, in treasured heirloom is a cradle, probably mid-winter. (At that time the river addition to their own family, Mary Hoy made by James and used for Laurence between Morrisburg and Brannen's (a relative of Mary's) as a servant, and and the other children of James and Bay remained open during the winter James Brannen, age 21, (a nephew of Mary. because of strong currents between the James) as a farm laborer.22 They had at About 1896 Laurence Henry Brannen, foot of Ogden Island and the head of least one grandchild staying with them son of James and Mary (Murphy) Bran- Thompson's Island.) Lydia was absorbed most of the time after their daughter nen, was the attendant at the marriage into the Brannen household, which at Margaret married and left home. of his uncle Michael Murphy, and that time included James, Mary and James and Mary did not travel far Josette Clement. At this wedding, he Margaret. This arrangement, of course, from home. Their daughter Margaret met Josette's sister, Lydia Clement, was difficult; within a few years Lau- married John Desmond in 1906, and from Chesterville, Ontario. Lydia rence and Lydia built an addition to moved to Keene, New Hampshire, Clement was the daughter of Edward the wing part of the house and there- where John operated a livery stable. and Bridget (Griffin) Clement, and was after were able to have their own living Mary did make one trip to New brought up on the family farm at Dun- quarters. Hampshire to visit Margaret and John, bar, Ontario, about four miles from On June 28,1900, Mary Irene (always probably when their son James was Chesterville. known as Irene) was born to Laurence born. Otherwise she was homebound. During this time Lydia was teaching and Lydia (Clement) Brannen. She was She and James sometimes visited rela- school in Chesterville, but the romance to be their only child. Evidently they tives in nearby towns at which times bloomed in spite of the St. Lawrence considered adopting a boy, because in they were away for about one week. River dividing them. Laurence rowed 1906 they took a four-year old orphan The family possessed a four-poster across the river, a distance of about a from near New York City and kept bed which is thought to have belonged mile, and probably took the stage from him for one summer. The decision was to Rose (Charlton) Murphy, Mary (Mur- Morrisburg to Chesterville, a distance made, however, not to keep him, and no phy) Brannen's mother. Another bed, of about fourteen miles, to continue the further consideration was given to with dresser and stand, was given to courtship. In February, 1898, Laurence adopting a child. January 1985

Lydia (Clement) was a graduate of took Irene to a fair in Ottawa. In the Nellie, on another, larger, treadmill. the Collegiate Institute in Morrisburg, 1920's Lydia took several long trips to Lydia raised turkeys to be sold at Ontario, and until the time of her mar- New York, New Jersey, and Washing- Thanksgiving time to earn "pin money." riage had taught school at various ton, D.C., with her daughter. The turkeys were shipped by rail from towns in Dundas County, Ontario. She From about 1900 Laurence had sole Madrid to Boston. was an avid reader, and there were responsibility for operating the farm In 1920 Laurence sold the farm to several hundred books on the shelves at because his father had retired from George Gates and bought a house and the farm. farming. In 1914 James gave title to lot in the village. This house is still Lydia did some sewing, but dress- the farm to Laurence, but he and Mary owned and occupied by his daughter making was usually done by having continued to live in the main part of and her family. After moving to the someone come to the house; also, in the the house. On May 13, 1915, a week village, Laurence continued a small early nineteen hundreds ready-to-wear after she was taken ill, Mary (Murphy) milk route, but no longer made butter. dresses were becoming available in the Brannen died. From that time, James In 1917 he bought a Studebaker car, stores. She was interested in politics began to fail in health, and two years one of the first in town, but when he and worked hard for women's suffrage. later he died. moved to the village he also kept one She was a member of the Waddington Laurence did the farming with the horse, Tibby, to pull the milk delivery Study Club, the Women's Improvement help of a hired man. He built a small wagon. Society, Grange, and other organiza- house across the road from the farm Irene described her father as slim tions. By this time there was regular for the use of the hired man's family. and of average height, with dark hair, ferry service between Waddington and He sold milk, cream and butter to the blue eyes and a mustache. Laurence Morrisburg, and Lydia and her family villagers. In about 1914 he bought a was very interested in horses, and were able to visit back and forth. milking machine. To separate the earlier. when he was living on the Before her marriage, Lydia had cream from the milk he used a separa- farm, he kept horses for show and for traveled to northwest Canada to visit tor which was operated by a sheep, ice racing. He was a member of the two sisters living in Calgary and Dinah, on a treadmill, and to furnish Waddington Grange and the Wadding- Shepard, Alberta. In 1905 or 1906 she power for churning he used a horse, ton Agricultural Society. In 1930 he retired from farming entirely. He and Lydia had decided to move to California with their daughter, and they held an auction at which they sold most of their household furnshings. They traveled to California by railroad, taking some furniture with them.23 Lydia recorded her first impres- sions of their new home: The scenery here seemed so wonderful at first, especially at night. viewing the mountains and lights of Hollywood, and the air so fresh and delightful. Then we climbed a hill north of us, and such a climb! I shall never forget how wonderful it was to look down over lighted city in every direction as far as eye could reach. So many houses, in Spanish style, rising above one another on the hills. The tall palms against the evening sky and lovely cool evenings and nights are unforgetable Our little bungalow so clean. attractive, and handy except for spare clothing space. There were some drawbacks, however. She mentioned the strangeness of surroundings and homesickness, and the fact that the trees, although lovely, were strange. She evidently missed being able to walk along the streets and see friends and acquaintances. She also worried about financial affairs. When Laurence retired they had planned to live on the interest earned on their savings. With all the insecuri- ties of living in an environment differ- ent from that to which they had been accustomed, Lydia appeared to worry more than usual. They returned to Waddington during the summer of 1932. Ltr ti ).rJrlcrurtd L!ln'ici H~.o)lrt~rl,189~. (Photo courtesy of Pauline Tedford) In November, 1933, Lydia discovered January 1985 9

(Mary)Iw?lr Brann!en about 1900 and 1904. (Photos courtesy of Pauline Tedford) she had cancer of the stomach. She was at Christmas. She did not receive ing and helping older people, how to cared for at home by Dr. Madill of clothes for gifts, always something to manage the swift water. In the sum- Ogdensburg and Dr. Dunlop of Madrid. play with. Christmas morning she mertime she often rode the horses bare- She died on March 31, 1934. After her played with her new toys until it was back; and in the winter she skied on death, Laurence lost interest in many time to go to church. At that time it barrel-stave skis. At about age ten she of his outside activities. He puttered was the custom to fast from food and started taking formal piano and voice around the house, but his health con- water until after Communion was lessons, and all during her life she took tinued to fail. received. About ten o'clock the family part in entertainments by singing, Mary Irene Brannen-Irene-was hitched up the sleigh and all drove to dancing (including the Irish jig which born on June 28, 1900. She had a very the village to St. Mary's Church for her father had taught her), and playing happy, carefree childhood on the farm Christmas Morning Mass. Upon their the piano and organ. When she was with her parents, grandparents and return home, they had breakfast, and, older, she was organist and choir her Aunt Margaret. Relatives were con- later in the day, a traditional dinner of director at the churches in the towns stantly coming to visit. She attended roast goose, salads, vegetables, mashed where she lived. At various times she the same country school that her father potatoes, mince and pumpkin pies. was responsible for a junior choir and had attended; but alternately she went Homemade wild grape wine was served, often taught religion classes. to the school in the village. She attended and there were also nuts, candies (espe- After graduation from business high school at Union Academy in Wad- cially ribbon candy) and fresh fruit. school, Irene worked for the New York dington and later the Ogdensburg As a child Irene helped her father, Central Railroad in Potsdam. In 1927 Business School in Ogdensburg, New feeding the chickens and pigs, and she started work at the Waddington York. +crossraking the hay. She did, however, Bank. In the fall of 1929 she and a Holidays on the farm were filled have specific household duties helping friend went to California where she with joy for a little girl. On Christmas her mother. She spent much of her attended a business school in Los Eve I"rene would hang up her stocking leisure time on or near the river. When Angeles to brush up on her shorthand then, full of excitement, go to bed with she was twelve years old, she and two skills. She came home in mid-winter of the anticipation of what Santa Claus of her friends "sneaked" the boat and 1930 and in May of that year returned would leave for her. She would get up took it alone to Morrisburg, a distance to Los Angeles, taking her mother and at five o'clock in the morning and open of about a mile from the Brannen father with her. her presents. Presents were games, farm. The St. Lawrence River at that In the summer of 1932 she and her books and other toys and always a doll! point was full of currents and whirl- parents returned to Waddington, and Even though Irene did not like to play pools; however, as a child growing up in the fall Irene moved to Brooklyn with dolls, she wanted one on the tree on the river she had learned, by watch- where she worked for the Mundet Cork January 1985

La~trenceBrannen, about 1905, with one Irene Brannen (and friends) at the wheel of the family car. (Photo of his horses. (Photo courtesy of Paul ine courtesy of Pauline Tedford) Tedford) Corporation at the head office of the Brannen name ended with Mary Irene Assessment Rolls, Town of Waddington, 1859- company for which she had worked in (Brannen) Tedford. A new beginning 1900. Town Historian's Office, Waddington. Los Angeles. While working in Brook- occurred with the birth of her son, New York. lyn, she lived at the Gould Club, a Common-Allison Diary 1828-1853 (Original no James Monie Tedford. longer exists.) Copy of excerpts taken from the women's residence hotel. In August, One hundred fifty years have passed diary is presently in Town Historian's Office. 1933, she returned to Waddington and since Peter left Ireland to come to Waddington. New York. shortly afterward became secretary to Waddington, and the roots he estab- In Franklin B. Hough, A Histortj of St. Lorr~,r)rre the commissioner of public welfare at lished have been nourished through ond Franklin Counties. Neli? York (Albany. the St. Lawrence County offices in four generations. 1853). Canton. The Brannen family have played Parish Records. 1858. St. Mary's Church, Wad- While Irene's father was ill, Anne their parts in the history of Wadding- dington, New York. Handlin, a cousin of Laurence, came to ton. Peter was among the first of the " Parish Records, 1864. St. Mary's Church. Wad- keep house for Laurence and Irene. pioneers who came to the north country. dington, New York. For about two years Irene and Anne He participated in the establishment of I" Deed. Liber 51A. p. 619, County Clerk's Office. kept a tourist home called "Elm Tree the first Catholic church in Wadding- St. Lawrence County. Canton. New York. House." Laurence Brannen died on ton under the leadership of Father l4 Thomas Ruddy. Oral Interview. November 1978. November 17, 1938.24Anne returned to James Salmon. He encouraged and 'Varish Records. 1832. St. Mary's Church. Wad- her own home, and Irene stayed in assisted friends and relatives coming dington. New York. 'Wap. A.E. Rogerson. Map of St. Lawrence Co. Canton for the winter with the Ray- from Ireland, and his descendants have Large 1858 wall map in Waddington Hepburn mond McKenna family. The following continued to play an active role in the Library; see also Deed. Liber 51A. p. 619, St. spring Irene took a cruise to Bermuda. town. Lawrence County Clerk's Office. St. Lawrence She spent that summer in the house in There was a uniformity in the lives County. Canton, New York. Waddington, but rented it the next fall of this family through the first three l7 Parish Records. 1833. St. Mary's Church. and took an apartment in Canton to be generations. By the time Laurence had Waddington. New York. nearer her work. retired from farming and Irene had '"ary Irene (Brannen) Tedford. Oral Interview. In 1938 Irene met Monie L. Tedford, entered the business world, the pat- September 1978. a widower with three daughters, aged terns of life in the entire country had 'Weed. Liber 186B. p. 685. St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office, St. Lawrence County: Canton. fifteen, ten and nine. Monie, a Border changed. Each generation of Brannens New York. Patrolman, lived about a half block adapted to meet the demands made 20 Mary Irene (Brannen) Tedford. Oral Interview. from the Brannen home. His wife, on it. October 1978. Mildred Viola (Tibbitts) had died on " Parish Records. 1884 and 1887. St. Mary's October 8,1937. He kept his daughters FOOTNOTES Church. Waddington, New York. with him, and in the fall of 1938 was I L.H. Everts and J.M. Holcomb. Histor!! of St. 22 Federal Manuscript Census Record. 1870 for transferred to Massena. In June, 1939, Lau9rence Co.. Nerc- York (Philadelphia. 1878). Town and Village of Waddington. St. Lawrence he was transferred to Houlton, Maine. 287-298. County, New York. Microfilm. Irene spent that Christmas with the "lien Book "A". County Clerk's Office. St. Law- Lydia (Clement) Brannen Diary 1930. Presently Tedfords in Houlton. The following rence County. Canton. New York. 16. in possession of Mary Irene (Brannen) Tedford year Monie was transferred to Machias, "lien Book "A". in Waddington. New York. Veter Brannen. Death Records for 1883. Town 24 Death Records. 1938. Town of Waddington. New Maine, and Irene came there in the York. fall. On December 10, 1940, Irene and Clerk's Office, Waddington. New York. Monie were married at the Catholic Federal Manuscript Census Record. 1830 for Town of Madrid, St. Lawrence County. New Church in Machias. March 19, 1942, a York. Microfilm. About the Author son, James Monie, was born to Monie Pauline E. Tedford is the recently Federal Manuscript Census Record. 1840 for and Irene (Brannen) Tedford. In 1945, Town of Madrid, Village of Waddington. St. retired historian for the town of Wad- the family returned to Waddington. Lawrence County. New York. Microfilm. dington and co-author of Waddington, Thus ends the history of one branch Deed, Liber 51A, p. 619, County Clerk's Office, St. Lawrence County, New York: A of the Peter Brannen family. The St. Lawrence County, Canton. New York. Look at Our Past (1976). January 1985 11

A Peek at Judd Family Photos One of the richest sources for a personal history most families possess is a photograph collection. Often called the democratic art, ph,otography h,as permitted ordinary people to acquire the kind of . visual past previously available only to the wealthy who could have their portraits painted. Almost everyone has, at one time or another, enjoyed poring over family photos, seeking to discern family resemblances or making judgments about personalities or commenting on the hemlines or hats worn by ancestors. Herbert Judd of Canton, a great-great-great-grandson of Dan Judd who arrived in Canton from Vermont about 1802 to be the first miller at Stillman Foote's gristmill, has an especially fine collection of family photographs. Ranging from tintypes and daguerreotypes through, studio photos to his own snapshots, Herb's pictures splendidly supplement his long-time interest in family and local history. (He even possesses a complete run of The Quarterly!) The themes of his photographs reflect th,e family a.7 a corporate and emotional entity, with a public a.nd private image, as a functioning social and economic unit. Readers may wish to compare these photos with those which accompany the article on the Brannen. family. Some works which can help one understand the meaning behind family photos and the visual conventions they embody or which give advice on restoring, organizing and storing family photos or which skillfully employ family photos to tell a family$ story are Dorothy Gallagher, Hannah's Daughters: Six Generations of an American Family: 1876-1976 (1976); -Jeffrey Simpson, The American Family: A History in Photographs (1976); Thomas L. Davies, Shoots: A Guide to Your Family's Photographic Heritage (1977); Julia Hirsch, Family Photographs: Content, Meaning and Effect (1981); and Catherine Hanf Noren, The Camera of My Family (1976).

succes.sful, as this picture is, the scale of the people relative to the housefront should indicate that e dominated their en~jironment.The house was on the Ore Bed Road in Pierrepont and was the sec house on the site, replacing a log house. 12 January 1985

Portrait photos emphasize the vie

John P. Sh iptncrtr (1x15-INTI) nrrrl Ha t.t.ict Lo~risr (Cook) Sh ~prnan(181 7-IN78), yrrn f-gr.~of-g).ntrrl/)nr.e)rt.s of' Herbert Jrrdd, came to Pierreporrt in IH.54.from Franklin Coltnty in an oxcart dratcw b!/ one horse and one co7d1. The origina1.s a re tint!jpes.

Albert Shipn~an(1844-1931) and his wife Laura Maria (Searles) Sh iprnarr (1851-1957) are great-grandparents of Herb Jltdcl. Albert zcas the son of John and Harriet arrd a ~*eteranof the Cirlil War. They, too, li13ed in Pierrepont. January 1985 13 a1 genealogy aspect of a family collection.

Franklin Benjamin Judd (1826-1905) and Emily C. (Averill) Judd (1827-1897) married in 1849 in Madrid. Franklin Benjamin was the grandson of Dan Judd, miller of Canton. They are great-grandparents of Herbert Judd.

Elnil!y C. (Ar~rill)Jzrdd's father u3as Canfield Silence Tryphena (Leo~lard)Judd (1800-1879) A1,enll (I 790-1869), a rteteran of the War of 1812 married Michael Dayfoot Judd, son of Dan Judd, who settled in Madrid. Canfield Averill is in 181 7. She was the mother of Franklin Benjamin another of Herb's great-great-grandfathers. Judd and a great-great-grandmother of Herbert Judd. 14 January 1985

The McLrllan-JtrtJd house orr Farns Road, Can with upper ulindou! shaded for Polly McLe Juddk comfort at the time of Herb's birth. Po parents had settled at this location in 1884; family has now famed these acres for a century.

front high school in 1936 by his father, Alrneron. All Herb's present cattle-are descended from Blossom, one of whose descendants ate the cattles' "genealogy" u~hichHerb had posted in his barn. January 1985 15

A multi-generational picture which also shows the family as a functioning social unit, taken at Thanks- . giving, 191 7: Zettie Shipman Judd, Frank Judd, Herb McLellan, Lucy Blackmuir, and Em,ma Vaughan McLellan are standing. Almeron Judd is seated, holding Herb, with Polly McLellan Judd next to him. January 1985

Echoes from - Y the Valley by Doris Parker These excerpts from the diary of Henry Sweet ALLen with com- mentary by Doris Parker cover his marriage to Delia Ellis and the first year of their married Life. The October 1984 Quarterly contains more of the A LLen diary.

"January, Wednesday the 6th, I went to the village in the forenoon, called on Rev. F.E. Hicks, invited him to attend our wedding in the P.M. Mr. How's folks came out at noon, (his relatives, Frederick, Harriet, Nellie & Alice). The wedding was appointed at 3 o'clock. I went down at 2 o'clock: found several of their friends present. The guests all arrived in good season. I remained by myself, not mingling with the company. One or two of my friends asked me if I did not dread to go through the ceremony? I told them I had passed through many more trying times than to stand up and be married. My conversion, baptism & several college examinations required more courage & were more embarrassing to me. One reason was probably I was several years younger at those times. We had kept confidential company nearly 2 years and for more than a year had expressed our willing- ness to unite ourselves in holy wedlock, whenever circumstances were the most favorable. Our minds having been so Delia Loriisa Ellis (1841-1911) marrit7d Henry S. Allen olz 6 Janual-y 1864. long made up of course, we did not (Photo courtesy of Doris Parker) dread the step as we would, if it had been hurridly talked up. When the table, Darius & Mary on the opposite had stayed with Delia both nights and company were ready, Darius Ellis-the sides, then Mr. Hicks and the nearest after his folks had gone, he took his Bride's brother-conducted me and relatives, till the 4 tables were sur- new bride to his home to stay with him. Miss Mary Shaw conducted the Bride rounded with old folks. The tables were In the evening his buddy Wayland and Miss Delia L. Ellis from our private richly & abundantly filled. After we wife called on them. "Made us the first appartments to the end of the long finished our repast, the tables were visit" he wrote, "we did not expect nor dining room and seated us,-they taking reset and surrounded with younger care to have company so quick." seats by our sides. In about 5 minutes folks, who enjoyed themselves well. The next day (Jan. 9th) being his 29th the clock struck 3, then Mr. Hicks Most of the company left about 6 birthday, they "fastened up the house stepped forward & told us to arise. We o'clock: a few of the young folks after dinner & went down to her peoples arose, alone. He then made a short remained & 4 couples danced, or a while." And later in the week Delia's prayer, then pronounced the marriage rather tried to, by the music of the folks made them a short visit. So for ceremony; after which Father made a piano. The rest of the company left at two weeks Henry and Delia were by short prayer, then Mr. Hicks pro- about 9 o'clock, except those who themselves to enjoy a honeymoon, until nounced the benediction upon us, which remained all night." January 21 when his father and mother closed the ceremony. After which fol- I have been told that Henry had to go returned. lowed as usual, greetings, introduc- to his own home after the wedding to The next week Henry and Delia tions, the expressing of good wishes, tend to bread, which had been left to decided to take a trip to see their kissing, etc. We then all went into the rise; as I recall, he baked it. I think it relations. parlor, filling it full-there being over was Aunt Bertha that told me that. "The 27th, Wed. Delia & I started thirty guests present, there we visited However he did not say anything about after dinner for Bicknelville with horse & listened to music on the Piano by the bread in his diary. The next day he and covered carriage. We first called Elizabeth Shaw until the tables were did go home, as his folks intended to go at Elizabeth Strait's, but no one was spread in the dinning Hall. Mrs. Allen to Dickinson. It was so cold, they home. We went a little further & called & myself were seated at the head of the waited till the following day. Henry on Amanda Doud (Delia's cousin) & January 1985 took tea with them. Mr. Doud's boy temperate. On our way home we keeping Gen. Beauregard with his aimed for all the oats I had to spare for stopped almost an hour at Mr. 25,000 men from reinforcing Lee. A .65cts a bushel. We then went to Rich- Straight's, then came home. The storm great many thousand have alreadi mond Bicknell's, spent the evening and was to our backs." been lost on both sides. I hope this staid over night. Mr. B. has strange Henry left Delia at her father and campaign will end the war." religious & political views. He is very mother's over night. The next day was "May 24. Delia & I went to the vil- severe & rigid in his ways. They have a Sunday and it snowed all night and lage in the P.M. saw Tom Thumb and large new home and he & his wife live day and drifted; by noon the next day it wife, Com. Nutt & little Elfin Minnie alone. A Mrs. Barnard & child were stopped, and he got his bride in the Warren. The village was full of people, boarding there and going to school. afternoon. At 4 a.m. the following not near all the folks could get into the Warms & thaws fast." morning, a neighbor, Mr. Green, was Town Hall at 3 o'clock, so they had a "Jan. 28th. We made 2 short calls on his way to the village after the second exhibition at 4 o'clock & in the across the road in A.M. at Young Doctor for Delia's mother. They went evening at 7 o'clock. The sight of so Hosea Bicknell's (Richmond's son) and right down, as soon as they could dress small folks, with their singing & other at Ester Ellis's (a widow then). We & harness the horse & found her performances was very interesting. then went up to Carlton Smith's and mother holding her arm in hot water, They must have taken in $600.00 in stayed till after dinner. Mrs. Smith is writhing with terrible pain. Dr. Rey- Potsdam. They sold a great many of Delia's cousin. We then went to Mr. nolds was there, and they had sent for their pictures, photographs and litho- Summer's, about a mile and staid to Dr. Bates. "They were afraid mortifica- graphs. I bought one of the latter. Five tea & till dark. Mr. Smith married tion would settle in her arm, for her men went with the little folks as Allena Bird, Delia's cousin. In the arm was dead to all feeling & appear- managers." evening we came back to put up at ance. But part of the pain left her arm August [25 and/or 291, 1864. "There Jason Bicknell's. Mrs. Hosea Bicknell about morning." is a good deal of excitement in town, on (Jason's brother's Hosea's wife) & She recovered slowly and lived about account of the comming draft, on Nov. daughter Hattie were present in the a year. Meanwhile Henry and Delia got 5. 12 men are appointed recruiting evening. Jason Bicknell & his wife live settled at the Allen home, got some agents, they are hard at work. They get alone this winter: they are fine folks. new carpeting for the parlor and some $25.00 for each man they enlist. A sub- Thawed all day." new furniture and also took some things scription to increase the bounty to "29th. We remain at Uncle Jason's from her home, beds, crockery, etc. $1,000.00 was raised in town, mostly by till after dinner, then they went with Sugaring time was always a busy those liable to a draft paying $100.00 us to John Stafford's, his wife Martha season in the north country. It came each, which sum I paid; a fund of was Delia's cousin. We all stayed there quite early that year of 1864. Henry $14,000.00 was raised in town. 27 vol- till dark, we then went to Allen and his little hired hand, a boy of less unteers left at 4 o'clock P.M. for New Lyman's, Delia's uncle. He lives in the than 14 years and small at that, York city to enlist in the Navy. Job edge of the Village, on high ground & washed the buckets on March 10 and Ellis & George Post were among the has the finest house in the place, which tapped about 200 trees before 5 P.M. number. I went to the village a foot & house and lot he lately purchased after the next afternoon. They were tired, remained all day." selling his nice farm. His sister (a and Henry said tapping was hard busi- "Sept. 2, 1864. We are out of the widow) Aunt Lorena (Lyman) Bicknell ness. To quote him on March 12, "Sap draft this time, but it has cost us & this & daughter-in-law and little Lorena (7 ran all night. We finished taping our town about $80,000.00. We shall for 15 yrs. old) live with him. They are all trees & worked & scalded out our sap years to come have taxes enough to pay.'' nice, fine and quiet people. The weather holders in the A.M. In P.M. we gathered "Nov. 9, 1864 Went to the village changed today & we had a cold N.E. up the sap, about 90 pails & commenced P.M. They had up the large flag & the wind." boiling. Boiled till 10 P.M. then left it." folks were feeling glad at the Election "Jan. 30. It snows a little. At 10 They boiled the next day again. news, which was that the Union (Linc- o'clock Mrs. Lyman went with us to Dr. [Henry's diary also commented on oln's) vote was ahead by a large major- Hosea Bicknell's, where we stayed events of the Civil War. In the Spring ity. Made out the School Tax of $65.00 about 4 hours. Mr. B. is a Doctor after of 1864 he wrote:] on property assessed in this District. Dr. Beaches fashion. He has a fine "Grant now fighting the Rebels & The Rail-Road is assessed $60.60 which family & he would be, if he would be Gen. Butler was south of Richmond, is quite a help." "Jan. 9, 1865-This is my birthday. I am 30 years of age! How soon this short life will be passed & gone. 10 years ago I taught our Dist. school. The following 4 years I spent in study and I have been here at home 6 years come spring. I went with Judson Shaw down to Mr. Shufelt's. Judson had bot his best cow for $40.00, which he drove home. I went to collect an old debt of $4.00 for corn, which he bought most 4 years ago. I did not much expect to get my pay, without suing him which is something I never did & never wish to do. But he paid me. He could not say, as often before, I have no money, for Shaw had just paid him for the cow."

The Ellis home ~i-trshu~lt 1809-10 by Isaac Ellis, Sr., to replace a log cabin. About the Author This house was the scene of the marriage between Delia Ellis and Henry Born in Potsdam, Doris Parker now Allen. (Photo courtesy of Doris Parker) resides in Hagerstown, Maryland. 18 January 1985

A DenaultIDenno Odyssey by David L. Dickinson and A.A. Paquette

St. Lawrence County's history includes a rich French-Canadian heritage. Thefollowing article highlights one county family whose roots lie in France and in Quebec. Although the major theme of the article is one of transience, it should be noted that many of Olivier Denault's descendants reside in St. Lawrence County today. David Dickinson's mother, Lena Denno Dickineon, lives in Lisbon; her sister, Alice Denno ' Campeau, lives in Ogdensburg; both are granddaughters of Olivier Denault. Other descendants, probably well over a hundred, reside in Ogdensburg and in the towns of Lisbon, Oswegatchie and Hammond.

Counties and towns typically take tenuous outpost was called Villemarie. pride in their long established families. Today it is Montreal. In 1651, Father However, other people come and go Ragueneau wrote: "It is a wonder that from an area and in the course of the French at Villemarie have not been things are forgotten. They leave little exterminated by the frequent surprises or no tangible remains of their former (attacks) of the Iroquois warriors who presence. Perhaps one might say that have been greatly endured and repulsed these people are more molded by life in several times."' The vulnerability of a county rather than molding it. Yet, in Villemarie was apparent not only to its their passing, these transient people residents but also to persons in France Olivier Denault (1831-1920) motled have exerted some effect on the charac- of deep religious faith. It was a matter to Ogdensburg after the Civil War. ter of a given area. If one accepts this of concern that the word of God would (Photo courtesy of David L. train of thought, then these transients not be spread in New France if some- Dickinson) come to be interesting in their own thing were not done to hold Villemarie. right and potentially valuable in study- In the winter of 1653, Paul de Chome- LeBreuil, an orphan, who had come ing a county's history. dey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, along with from Brittany. France. Marin was not One such family whose presence in Marguerite Bourgeoys, began to recruit Louise's first choice as a husband. She America has spanned over three hun- men in France. Later known as the had been engaged to Sylvestre Vacher dred years is the Denno family. Its Great Recruitment of 1653, this selling on October 3, 1659. The marital con- name will not now be found in St. Law- of a missionary concept to bolster tract had been made, but before Louise rence County, although its bloodlines Villemarie netted one hundred and and Sylvestre could be married, Sylves- remain. The family name was stripped fifty-three volunteers. Most of these tre was killed by the Iroquois on Octo- of its accepted spelling many years ago men came from northwestern France, ber 25, 1659. A month later Louise was although the pronunciation was re- primarily from the provinces of Maine wed to Marin. Their marriage contract tained. Denault, a good French name, and Anjou. They signed contracts to still exists, dated November 11, 1659 at became Denno. Such undoubtedly oc- stay in New France from three to five Montreal. The document is long, a legal curred at the persistence of English years. Marin Deniau contracted for a paper detailing the mutual obligations speaking neighbors and various govern- period of five years. Of the one hun- and rights of each party. One of the wit- ment officials and with the acquiescence dred and fifty-three, fifty men backed nesses to the marriage was the governor of its owners. Olivier Denault came to out before leaving France. Of the of the colony, Paul de Chomedey, Sieur Ogdensburg shortly after the Civil remainder who boarded ship at St. de Maisonneuve. Why he graced this War. He was the only one of his name Nazaire, eight died at sea. Ninety-five humble wedding with his presence, we to do so. From him we will look back to arrived at Villemarie in November do not know. a carpenter from the Loire valley of 1653. Of those men, twenty-four were A census of the population of Montreal France who, in 1653, was a man with a killed by Indians, four drowned in the done in 1663 listed Marin and Louise desire to strike out on a new course. St. Lawrence and one burned to death with sons Jacques and Charles. In 1672, From Olivier we shall look ahead as before their contracts expired. Life Marin and Louise sold their lands on some of his progeny, nurtured in St. was not easy. By day the streets of the the north shore of the St. Lawrence Lawrence County, again strike out to fledgling town belonged to the French. River and took a concession of land seek new and exotic places. At night they belonged to the Indians. near St. Lambert from the Jesuits. Marin Deniau dit Destaillis (spellings Of Marin Deniau and his compatriots, Apparently soon after this, Marin died. are used as found in original documents) Governor Sieur de Denonville and In 1678, Louise remarried and relocated was born about 1620 in the province of Intendant de Champigny in 1687 wrote, to Laprairie de la Madeleine, just Maine, France. As an adult, Marin "These one hundred men have saved across the St. Lawrence River from lived in the parish of Luch6 near the the island of Montreal and all of Montreal. Marin and Louise's sons, city of LaFlGche. An apparently child- Canada, also."Z His statement was Jacques and Charles, must have accom- less widower, he decided to join with indicative of the pressure weighing on panied her as they too appear there in others who were to make a religiously Villemarie and its inhabitants. later records. motivated journey to bring the benefits Having settled in New France at We know less about Marin's son of Catholicism to the savages of New Villemarie, Marin Deniau was ceded Jacques Deniau dit Destaillis and his France. The goal was to populate and land at Point St. Charles in what is descendants. As the area around Mon- hold a desolate frontier outpost on the now the western end of Montreal. Soon treal became more densely populated, St. Lawrence River. At that time, this after, he married Louise Therese the Deniau family became one of many and so less notable. Jacques married vests. And there was discontent with Machinist was a generic term for a Marie Rivet on April 18, 1690 in Mon- the politics of the powerful English laborer in a manufacturing business treal. In late summer of that same min~rity.~It is likely that some or all of involving machinery. Children began year, Captain John Schuyler of Eng- these factors contributed to Olivier's to come along, which is not surprising. land's New York Colony attacked moving just across the border into the What is surprising is that Olivier, with Jacques' village of LaPrairie with a Rouse's Point-Champlain area of New a house full of kids. decided to enlist in force of twenty-nine soldiers and one York State. the Union Army toward the end of the hundred Indians. The villagers and On June 30, 1856 in Coopersville, Civil War. their French soldier-protectors were New York, Olivier wed Domatilde His military and pension records out harvesting wheat. In the surprise Soucis of Rouse's Point. Domatilde was indicate that Olivier enlisted in Com- attack, twenty-five French were killed the daughter of a French-Canadian pany H of the 193'rd Regiment, New or captured and the houses, barns, hay- sawyer who had come to New York to York State Volunteers on March 24, stacks and cattle of LaPrairie were live. After marriage, Olivier and 1865. Although the muster roll is dated destroyed. The following winter must Domatilde moved to Malone where at Malone, Olivier's enlistment was have been quite an ordeal for Jacques Olivier worked as a machinist. credited to the Township of Lisbon. and Marie Deniau and their neighbors. In February 1691 a son, Etienne, was born to Jacques. When Etienne was nine months old, the English returned. Almost three hundred New York militia and Indians under the command of Major Peter Schuyler descended upon LaPrairie. Many French soldiers, militia and friendly Indians were killed or wounded. The townspeople of LaPrairie were driven into their fort for safety. These attacks upon French Canada and others like it signalled over sixty years of conflict which, in 1760, wit- nessed the loss of New France to Great Britain. Living near the shore of the St. Lawrence River, the Deniau families must have viewed much of the comings and goings of war. Certainly, they watched with dismay Amherst's trium- phant descent of the St. Lawrence River in 1760 soon after he had destroyed Fort Levis on Isle Royale near present day Ogdensburg. Amherst de- manded and received the surrender of Montreal. With the fall of Montreal came the demise of New France. Etienne Deniau's grandson, Louis- Albert Denault, was born in LaPrairie in 1766. He married there in 1790 and sometime before 1801 relocated about ten miles south to St. Philippe. In that year a son, Laurent, was born there. In 1831, Laurent had a son named Olivier, also born in St. Philippe. Olivier was to renew the family odyssey. We do not know precisely when Olivier decided to come to the United States and we do not know precisely why. Concerning the latter, however, we are able to make some educated guesses. Olivier probably left St. Philippe because he felt that there was little economic future for him there. In the 1840's and 1850's, many French- Canadians left Quebec for greener pastures in the United States. Economic conditions in Quebec were depressed. Many if not most of those who left were young males brought up on farms. There was little land available to a young man to start farming. Unemploy- ment in agriculture was very high in the winter-time. The area was over- Frederick LnFlair, grandson of Olivier, about 1920. (Photo courtesy of populated and there had been bad har- A.A. Paquette) January 1985

Precisely where Olivier lived when he produce from door to door with a enlisted is unclear. From oblique state- horse-drawn cart. ments, he implies that he lived in Mary and Louis' children like many Malone. Blue eyed, brown haired, five others learned their French-Canadian feet-eight inches tall, French-Canadian language and culture at home, and by birth, Olivier joined up for a period their American-English culture at of one year. He served with the Third school. With their peers they melded Brigade of the Third Division of the the two and gradually adopted the Army of the Shenandoah. Virtually dominant American-English culture. nothing is known of his career as a Olivier's daughter and husband raised soldier in an army of occupation. He their family and grew old in their was mustered out of service at Harper's home on Jefferson Avenue. Louis died Ferry, West Virginia on January 18, first, on April 20, 1938, and Mary died 1866. In one year, Olivier's regiment on January 31, 1943. Both are buried lost twenty-five men, all from disease. in Notre Dame cemetery in Ogdens- From Olivier's application for a burg, not far from Mary's father, the veteran's pension, we learn something French-Canadian-American veteran of of his military service and post-war the Grand Army of the Republic and circumstances. In a letter obviously the Civil War. dictated to someone who could write From their home on Jefferson Ave- well in English, Olivier, in May of nue, Mary and Louis' children set out 1890, justified his application for a on their own treks through life. Ogdens- medical pension from the U.S. gov- burg could not hold onto all of its sons ernment: and daughters. Frederick, the seventh I first felt the rheumatism about child, born on January 6, 1889 and three months before I was dis- baptized on January 27, eventually charged the fall and winter of moved west. 1865. It came in darting pains After a brief stint in the army, through my shoulders and back Frederick was honorably discharged at and down my arms. I did not go Fort Logan, Colorado, on July 7, 1918. to the surgeon or complain to any On Februnry 20, 1920, he married a of the officers or men as I thought girl in Buffalo, Wyoming, whose folks it was just the result of the cold had come from Tennessee. The couple and the hard rainstorms which I Edna LaFlair Pel1ou.r. granddaughter of Oliver, about 1918 in stayed for a while in Niagara Falls, was obliged to endure while on Buffalo, Wyoming. (Photo cour- New York, and Houston, Texas, but picket duty. Besides, I could only tesy of A.A. Paquette) eventually settled permanently in speak a few words of English and Wyoming. Frederick, known as "The had great difficulty in making Frenchman," in addition to working in myself understood. . . . I have some spirit of this family. With Mary the sheep ranching business, built a worked as a common laborer on and her children we lose the Denault horse ranch southwest of Buffalo, Wyo- the railroad since my return from name but continue the bloodline with ming and earned the reputation of the army and the rheumatism so individuals whose experiences were being one of the best bronc-busters in affects my fingers that I have lost quite unlike those of St. Lawrence the state. Around 1955, the Frenchman my power of holding anything in County. sold the horse ranch and went into my hands such as a bar or ham- Olivier's second child, Mary, born on chicken processing in Sheridan, Wyo- mer. . . . At times others have to March 5,1860, married Louis Napoleon ming, some thirty miles north of feed me with a spoon. I did not LaFlair on August 23, 1880, at Notre Buffalo. Frederick was predeceased by know what disease I was suffering Dame Roman Catholic Church in his wife and child; he died on June 18, from until about eight years ago Ogdensburg, New York. The LaFlairs 1975. when Drs. D.B. and Elisha had immigrated in late 1863 to Ogdens- In the Spring of 1918, Edna LaFlair, Bridges of Ogdensburg, New burg from Quebec through Ontario. one of a pair of twins born to Mary on York were called in to treat me. The couple settled on Covington Street October 3, 1897, went west to Wyoming Following the Civil War, Olivier re- in Ogdensburg. Their first child was with her brother Frederick. On April turned to Malone, lived there about born on March 12,1882. Their sixteenth 3,1918, Edna married a sheep rancher three years and then moved to Ogdens- and last child was born on January 13, who had emigrated from St. Bonett burg where he resided the rest of his 1903. All were baptized at Notre Dame. (near Grenoble), France. They spent life. In later years, Olivier and Mary and her husband bought almost their honeymoon in a sheepwagon on Domatilde operated a small store in the a whole city block bounded by Jefferson the open range. They raised three front of their home. The house still and Madison. Avenues and Spruce and children. After her husband's death, stands at the south end of Ford Avenue Cherry Streets in Ogdensburg on April Edna carried on sheep ranching and and Pine Street. Despite his ailments, 12, 1898, and moved their family to the later turned to turkey farming just Olivier lived to be eighty-nine. A mem- only house in that block. On April 4, outside Buffalo, Wyoming. This grand- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic 1902, the family purchased the last daughter of Olivier died on August 29, and a parishioner of Notre Dame remaining lot in that block. 1967. Cathedral, he died on January 29,1920. While Mary took care of the children Another grandson of Olivier, and He left a wife who had given him four- and the house, Louis earned the living brother to Frederick and Edna, was teen children. for the family as a cooper in the employ Alvin Jack. This ninth child was born Of Olivier's many children, we shall of H.I. Northrup of Ogdensburg. In on June 14, 1891, and baptized the next choose Mary to carry on the story of the later years, he fed his family by oper- day. When he was fifteen years old, he Denno family. Mary is selected because ating as a truck gardener from the city also went west. Train hopping took him her children exemplify the adventure- block on Jefferson and by peddling his through Chicago, and westward into January 1985 2 1

Wyoming, where he worked on several ranches. He soon drifted on, on horse- back and by train-hopping, through the American west. He worked his way through Mexico to the Panama Canal, on which he worked for a while. Alvin Jack returned home to Ogdens- burg in 1911 to visit his folks with his wealth in gold sewn into his belt. After a short stay it was 'westward-ho' to Montana and beyond. Taking the cattle trails of the 1880's, this grandson of Olivier entered Alberta, Canada, in the spring of 1914 with a small herd of horses in hope of starting a ranch in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. As all the good land had already been claimed, he drifted northward through Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. He wintered on a tributary of the Peace River in northern Alberta. In the spring of 1915, he set out and Al7iin Jack LaFlnir's ca6i~zand store, clbout 1940, with Nahanni Butte 1n rafted along the tributary, the Peace, the background. (Photo courtesy of A.A. Paquette) other rivers and lakes, and arrived in October, 1915, at the South Nahanni United States and to Northern Canada, Canada's Northwest Territories see: National River4 and its valley in the North West from one frontier to another. The Geogmphir. Vol. 160. No. 3 (September. 1981) ,,Nahanni: Canada,s Wilderness Park,, pp. Territories of Canada. He took up fur Denaults and others like them have ,,,,,,--- --" trapping and later became a fur trader, added something to the places where trading furs for the necessities of the they lived. St. Lawrence County was About the Authors other trappers and for a few luxuries, the permanent home for some Denaultl such as tobacco, beads and colored A.A. Paquette is a lawyer and notary Dennos and their descendants. For public in Vancouver, British Columbia. thread, and chewing gum and candy. others in the family, this county was He returned to Ogdensburg, one last David L. Dickinson is president of the the seedbed, the place where they grew Niagara County Genealogical Society time, in 1920 to see his parents. to adulthood and were nurtured before In 1938 this grandson of Olivier and a past contributor to The Quarterly. venturing forth on their own personal He is currently a Rural Employment Denault met a woman from northern journeys. Saskatchewan of French-Canadian, Representative with the New York Indian and Scottish ancestry, and they FOOTNOTES State Employment Service. ' Roland -J. AUGER. "La Grande Recrue de had a child. Alvin Jack LaFlair died on 1653", La Societe Genealogique Canadienne- October 17,1950. For his grave marker, Francaise. (Montreal, Quebec. 1955) p. 1. he has a mountain called Nahanni 2 Ibid.. p. iii. COMING IN THE Butte. Yolande LaVOIE. "L'emigration des Quebecois aux Etats-Unis de 1840 a 1930". Government APRIL QUARTERLY The Denault odyssey took this family of Quebec. (Quebec. 1979) p. 15-16. Lynn Ekfelt on Chippewa Bay, from old France to New France, to the For further information on Nahanni Region of Arthur L. Johnson on Border News- papers and the Canadian Rebellions of 1837, 1838, additional excerpts from the Henry Sweet Allen diaries, the annual reports of the SLCHA and more.

The 1983-84 Suppkmentary Index to The Qmrterly is now available from the St. Lawrence Co. Historical Association

for $1.00. The map depicts the odyssey of Alvin Jack LaFlair, grandson of Olivier Denault. (Map courtesy of A.A. Paquette) 22 January 1985

Enrich your Spirit with a visit to THE SILAS WRIGHT MUSEUM

and then stop at

13 HODSKIN ST. CANTON, N.Y. 1361 7

BEAUTIFUL COLLECTIONS

LADIES and MEN'S APPAREL

AY with the Tradition & Quality of YESTERDAY More than a century ago, skilled craftsman built the St. Lawrence Skiff in cedar. Today, we offer a virtually maintenance free reproduction built from a mold taken off an original hull. This fine rowing boat has a proven design, is quiet, non polluting & provides great family fun and exercise. Hull: Hand Lay up Fiberglass Construction. Woodwork: Finest Mahagony, gunwales, seats and interior appointments. Multiple coats of Marine Varnish. Specifications: Length: 16'6 "; Beam: 41 "; Ryan Press, I~c. for all your printing needs DALE INDUSTRIES Offset * Letterpress * Screenprinting 305 Main Street Ogdensburg, N.Y. Phone 3 93-6430 January 1985 23

WEREYOU SAWDOES MAKEADW~~=CE@

RIEMBER T

Federal Savings &Loan Insurance Corp.

A U.S.Government Agency

When you see this emblem on our door, windows and in our office, you can be sure that your Savings Account, in addition to earning high interest rates, is safe, protected by Government laws and by Government auditing procedures. Backed by a strong reserve sys- tem, invested principally in sound home loans, and insured up to $100,000 by an agency of the U.S. Government - The Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC). So, come in today and open your "Peace of Mind" Savings Account. canton federal SAVINGS 8 LOAN ASSOCIATION

127 MAIN STREET CANTON, NEW YORK Addres Correction Requested Forwarding Postage Guaranteed BULK RATE P.O. Box 8 U.S. Postage Canton, N.Y. 13617 PAID . - .. r)1

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Since 1866-

Executor GuardianmTrustee

TRUST DEPARTMENT Era- Sf.lL~lrw=ranoe Na.eSona,l SERVICE m~tnw Member FDIC