Family of Benjamin Smith Parmeter, Oswego Co., NY  
Family of Benjamin Smith Parmeter
Oswego County, New York

Contributed By Debra LaFontaine, MN (See note by Martha's photo.)


Benjamin Smith Parmeter
Benjamin Smith Parmeter

Hi Laura! Above is a photograph of my great great grandfather, Benjamin Smith Parmeter (1833-1915), who served from Oswego Co., NY with Co. C of the 4th NY Heavy Artillery from 1861 to 1862. He re-enlisted in 1864 with Co. I of the 184th Regiment of New York State Volunteers until 1865. He was born in Williamson, Wayne Co., NY and then lived with his parents, Bliss (Elijah) and Rachel Mary (Elwell) Parmeter in the 1850's and 1860's in New Haven, Mexico and Texas, Oswego Co., NY. After the war, Benjamin and his wife, Martha Ann Hopkins Parmeter and their 2 sons, William Bliss and John Lincoln, settled in Rockford, Wright Co., Minnesota. (Benjamin's name, B. Parmenter and his brother, Silas, S. Parmenter, are engraved on the Mexico, NY soldier's monument of the 315 veterans who entered the service from the town of Mexico, NY).  Thanks. Debra LaFontaine, MN.  
 
 

Martha Ann Hopkins Parmeter
Martha Ann Hopkins Parmeter (shorter lady)

The shorter lady, holding Bible and sword, is my great great grandmother, Martha Ann Hopkins Parmeter (1840-1898), daughter of William Wallace Hopkins and wife of Benjamin Smith Parmeter. Family lore has it that she and a group of New York women followed their men to war and camped outside of Washington, D.C. It is said she gained entrance to the White House and was granted an audience with President Lincoln. My great grandfather, John L. Parmeter, a lad of 3, was placed upon the President's lap as Martha begged for permission to tend to her injured soldier husband. This is a story that has been handed down for generations. The taller lady holding the musket is unknown.
**I just wonder if Martha's story was ever relayed home to Mexico or Texas (Oswego Co.) and it was ever put in this local newspaper? It is said she went with a group of women and I assume they, too, were from Oswego county, NY.  A historian, Euloda Fetcha, in your area during the 1980's, said whoever had these newspapers would not allow the public to touch them anymore. If anyone has additional information on the family and/or newspapers, please contact me at:  [email protected].
 


1892 New Haven, NY,  I.O.O. F. Invitation
1892 New Haven, NY,  I.O.O. F. Invitation



 



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