HISTORY OF THE WINTERS FAMILY, Clinton County New York
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HISTORY OF THE WINTERS FAMILY

WINTERS FAMILY OF MOOERS, NEW YORK AND LOWELL, MASS.

CONNECTED LINES: BADGER, BELDEN, BERNARD, BRISSETT, BULL, CALKINS, COBB, DRAKE, EVANS, GOOCH, HARDIE, HILLS, KIERNAN, KINNEY, KNAPP, MCFARLAND, NELSON, RISTAN, ROCK, SHOEMAKER, SKIDMORE, VINAL.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE VERY PROBABLE BUT UNCONFIRMED EARLY RECORD.

Our oral history tells us that the first Winter (the "s" was added later) of our line in America was a mercenary soldier from Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Hanau Germany who came with one of his brothers to America during the Revolutionary War to help the English put down the rebellion of the colonists. He supposedly was captured at the Battle of White Plains, NY. After the war, he was indentured to a gristmiller in Upstate, NY. His brother decided to return to Germany, but this soldier ancestor decided to marry the gristmiller's daughter and stay in America. He probably he settled in Upper New York State, where our records begin.

The 1820 census of Plattsburgh shows a family of William Winters who may be the father of John. He may have had a brother named Henry. The Hessian soldier may very likely have been George Wilhelm Winter who later changed his name to William Winters.

There was one Hessian soldier named George Wilhelm (later listed as Wilhelm). He was born 1750/51 in Homburg D6380, KR. He was recruited as a private on February of 1781 and promoted to Corporal in March of 1781 and transferred from 1.Co to 2.Co. HFK (Hanau Free Corps) (Page 526 and 527 of Hetrina VI (Hanau)). He was stationed in New York and deserted in 1783 before the troops went home to Germany.

Hessian historians tell us that many Hessians remained in America and indentured themselves to farmers or millers.

FIRST GENERATION (CONFIRMED RECORD)
JOHN WINTERS
The first Winters that we have any accurate record of is John Winters of Plattsburgh, born in 1801. The 1820 Census of Plattsburgh shows family of William Winters. The 1830 Census of Plattsburgh, shows John and Harriet with two boys, probably William (b. 1824) and Henry(b. 1825). They later lived in Woods Falls, a section of Mooers, NY, located just below the Canadian border, and just West of Lake Champlain, on the Great Chazy River. John Winters was married to Harriet Reynolds (or Runnells), who was born in 1804. (William's Pension papers list his mother's name as Reynolds. Amos' death certificate says Runnells.)
John and Harriet are buried in the Old Mooers Cemetery in Mooers, NY. Their brithdates are extrapolated from the ages there, and from the census records.

They had ten children that we know of,
1) William, born in May of 1824 in Plattsburgh, NY (pension paper), married first about 1846 to Zadah Knapp, married second to Hestera Agusta Holmes. He died December 17, 1908 (see below)
2) Henry, born in 1825. Mentioned in "The History of Clinton and Franklin Counties" in the story of the Mill Fire, as a brother of William and James.
3) Reuben, born in 1826, and living separately in the 1950 census of Mooers, listed as a millwright. Plattsburgh census 1820 and his age puts him in the family of John and Harriet. No further info.
4) John Wesley, born July 17, 1831, married. Mary Belden, died October 9, 1912. (see below)
5) James E., born January 12, 1834 in Mooers, NY, married Lovina Calkins, died. February 6, 1916. (see below)
6) Sarah, born in 1835 in Mooers, NY. No further info.
7) Harriet Winters, born in 1837 in Mooers, NY, No further info.
8) Anne E. Winters, born 1840 in Mooers, NY. Married July 4, 1863 in Plattsburgh, NY to Robert Maxwell. Married by Rev. E. Watson, Methodist. (Methodist Records, Plattsburgh)
9) Charlotte, born in 1842 in Mooers, NY, Died on May 29, 1859, "in her 16th year" according to her gravestone. Buried in Old Mooers Cemetery, Mooers, NY.
10) Amos, Born on February 4, 1846 in Mooers, NY, Married Ellen Jayne Bull, Died October 29, 1918 (see Below)

The family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church in Mooers, at first attending the main church in Mooers Town and later removing to the new church in Centerville (Mooers Center). From old church records we learned that Harriet attended on a regular basis with Charlotte, Emma, Anne, and Zadah. Amos, John, John Wesley, James and William, were members of record. Harriet's death is recorded there. She died on December 30, 1881. John had died on September 3 of 1872. (cem. Record). Amos was Steward of the Church from 1886 for three years. The family kept close contact with the Mooers church even after they moved to Lowell. Henry Boardman Taylor was a famous Methodist Minister who preached there for a while. He was confined to a wheelchair since early age. In 1850 he started an institute at Fort Edward for Adolescents and later started another Institute at Poultney, Vermont. His son, B. S. Taylor was a nationally known Holiness Evangelist of the late 1800's and early 1900's. We have a newspaper clipping with picture of Henry Boardman Taylor from 1908, which was saved by Grandpa Amos. Also, Henry Boardman Taylor spoke for Amos and James Winters on their pension applications, even helped James reverse a denial.

The Mooers Census records of 1850 tell us that John, John Wesley and William were sawyers, and Reuben was a millwright. The history of the town of Mooers says that there were several sawmills there in the 1800's, including a gang-saw mill on a small stream northwest of Mooers Forks, as well as shingle-factories, chair-factories and turning mills. Lumbering was for many years the chief industry of the town. At Mooers Forks there was a fine gristmill, a lumber-mill and a store, as well as a large Iron Forge. Amos' pension records tell that he was both a sawyer and a hammersmith. He probably worked at the iron forge there, and later the sawmill.

We believe that at least four sons of John and Harriet were in the Civil War. Amos and James were in the 124th New York Vols. William was a Sergeant in Co. H.96th regiment. John was in the 92nd regt. All survived the war, and lived to a good age, Amos lived to be 72, John 81, James 82 and William, 84. Records have been found for Amos, James and William. John's enlistment was recorded in the History of Mooers, NY.

James Winters and Henry Winters lived in Clinton Mills, a town next to Mooers. William lived in Cannon's Corners (part of Mooers), There was a huge fire there in 1877, which destroyed these two towns and their mills. It is written up on page 303 of The History of Clinton and Franklin Counties. These men worked in the mill of W.R. Adams and Co. They all lost their homes to the fire, which destroyed the towns and the mills. People had to flee for their lives from the flames, which were igniting the fine sawdust all along the roads. The article states that "Mrs. James E. Winters (Lovina) carried an invalid lady in her arms over a mile." The invalid may have been William's wife Zadah, who died in 1878. Good job, Lovina! The article lists James as a millwright and William as mill boss. The article states that William and Henry were brothers. William was proven part of John and Harriet's family from his military papers.

John and James were very active in the Masons, being initiated as members of Champlain Lodge # 237 in Champlain, NY in 1865. They were both charter members of Mt. Horeb Masonic Lodge # 707 in Mooers, NY, originated on June 8, 1871, and John is noted on page 69 of The Historical Review of the Town of Mooers, ( 1776-1976) written in 1976 for their Bicentennial by the Bicentennial Committee. In the History of Clinton and Franklin Counties(p336), it states that John was Senior Warden of Mt. Horeb Lodge no. 707 and was Master in 1877, and also served as Marshall. James E. was Master in 1876 and also served as Treasurer.

 
SECOND GENERATION
WILLIAM WINTERS (John)
William married Zadah Knapp, (probably daughter of Abel and Mary Knapp), and had at least one child, named Delia. In 1877, William's home in Cannon's Corners NY burned to the ground along with the Mills where he was Mill Boss. William's wife, Zadah died in 1878. Later, William removed to Hesperia, Michigan and married Hestera Agusta Holmes Shoemaker, widow of Mr. Shoemaker, who had one daughter, Laura P. Shoemaker Maze, wife of William Maze of Elbe, Washington.

The 1900 Census of Newfield, Oceana County, Michigan shows family of William Winters, b. May 1824, NY, m. Hester A., b. March 3, 1849, Michigan and Clarence C. Winters, born October 1878, Michigan. It would seem that this Clarence was the son of William Winters, although he was born in the same year that William's first wife died. In William's pension papers (1898) he states that he has no living children, so perhaps Clarence was adopted by William.

William Winters died in Hesperia in 1908 and Hestera died in Tacoma Washington in 1922. (pension papers).

William enlisted Dec. 10, 1861. He was in the 96th regiment. Company H. His enlistment papers say that he had brown eyes and black hair, dark complexion and was six foot one and a half inches tall. He was appointed a Corporal on January 18, 1862, and promoted to Sergeant on March 10, 1862. He is listed as having participated in the following campaigns: Williamsburg, VA., Fair Oaks, VA, Seven Days Fight, VA..

On January 8, 1862 , he was admitted to the hospital. On June 1, 1862, he was stricken with Typhoid fever and was left sick at a barn at Malvern Hill. He was found later, mistaken for a deserter and arrested. He was then restored to duty with no loss of pay. He was ill again and left at Popler Hill on June 28, 1862.. He was captured on June 30, 1862 at Savage Station and taken prisoner. He was taken to Libby Prison on July 13, 1862, where he was later "paroled" (exchanged) and brought to City Point Hospital. On August 3, 1862, he was brought to Hammond Hospital, Lookout Point, Maryland, where he was discharged..

William was discharged on October 14, 1862 for "dementia". His pension was later granted for "dementia", deafness, piles and chronic colitis. We know that William recovered from his dementia, as he became a mill boss before 1877 and remarried when he was 60.

JOHN WESLEY WINTERS (John)
According to a list of Civil War enlistees John Wesley Winters was in the 92nd regiment, Co. B. Enlisted 10/10/1861. (ABE&L) His military record has not been located.

John Wesley Winters married Mary Belden of Mooers about 1857. They had at least four children. Jenbert died in 1874 and is buried in Moeors. Three children removed with them to Lowell, MA before the census of June, 1900, at which time they lived at 430 School Street in Lowell.

1) Emma Annette, born May 24, 1862 in Mooers, NY who died single at 68 on April 1, 1930 in Mooers. The 1892 census of Mooers lists her as a seamstress. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mooers. She is buried in the Mooers Forks Union Cemetery in Mooers Forks, NY.
2) Jenbert, born February 28, 1874, who died August 12, 1874 at 5 months. His gravestone in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery says, "He sleeps till the morning."
3) Genevieve "Jennie" M., born about 1871 in Mooers, married Frank O. Brando of West Chazy, NY (near Mooers) and 66 Westford St., Lowell, son of Linnet W. and Heppi (sp?) in Lowell, MA on June 22, 1893. He was 24, and a clerk. Emma Annette, sister of the bride, and Anna Brando, sister of the groom were bridesmaids. The couple resided at 66 Westford.
4) Merritt, born February 1858 in Mooers, NY, married Eva L. Kiernan in Mooers about 1880 in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mooers census records of 1890 list a family of Merrit Winters, (born 1856), wife Eva L. (born 1859) and children Pearle J. (born 1884) and Willie N.(born 1887) .Amos Winters refers to Merrit and to Pearle in a letter to Mrs. C.W. Drake, dated Dec. 6, 1912, from Lowell.(see page 14) A church record from Mooers shows Merrit J. Winters married Eva L. Kiernan on October 28, 1880. (A J.M. Kirnan was pastor of the Mooers M.E. Church in 1855).

In 1900 they lived in Lowell, MA at 430 School St. Their children were a)Pearl May Winters (a bookkeeper) who married Cluneth Morton Skidmore (first with Swift and Bailey and then a motorman for the Reading and Boston Street Railway), son of Thomas Skidmore and Mary Bentley on December 6, 1905 in Lowell. They had a luxurious wedding written up in the Lowell Daily Mail, 12/7/1905. and b)William Noble Winters, born March 10, 1887 in Mooers. William enlisted in the Infantry in 1918.

Eva died at their home, 506 School Street in Lowell on April 22, 1925. She was a member of the Highland Union Methodist Episcopal Church Ladies. And was active in the Ladies Aid Society. She left two sisters, Mrs. T.E. Delaney of Mooers Forks, NY and Mrs. C.F. Carpenter of Saranac Lake, NY. Eva was buried in Mooers Falls, New York. Lowell Courier Citizen, April 23, 1925.

Merrit J. Winters died in Lowell, August 8, 1935 at his home, 506 School street. He was employed as a meat cutter or butcher by the Old Union Market on Middlesex Street. His obituary says he is survived by one son, William M. Winters of New Haven, CT., one daughter, Mrs. Paul M. Skidmore of Reading, two sisters, Mrs. F.O. Brandall of Tampa, Florida and Mrs. Bosworth of Peru, New York. Merrit's daughter Pearl was married to a Cluneth Morton Skidmore (Paul?), and his son was William Noble (M may be in error). Lowell Courier Citizen, August 9, 1935.

William N. Winters' grave is in Mooers. It says he was born March 10, 1887 and died April 19, 1967. He served in WW I in MA. (BN SGT MAJ. US Army). William N's grave is near James and Mary in Mooers. Newspaper stories indicate that William Noble Winters lived in Lowell in 1918 and was a clerk at C.H. Willis. His work registration lists him as tall and stout with dark hair and blue eyes. In the 1920 census, he is listed as a salesman for a meat market. He lived in New Haven in 1925 and 1935.

John Wesley Winters died on October 9, 1912 at age 81 (cemetery record), He is buried in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery with his wife, Mary, and their children, Emma and Jenbert.

John and Mary had another daughter, Florence H, who married David Bosworth and lived in Peru, NY. (Merritt's obituary).

JAMES E. WINTERS (John)
James Winters was in Co. E of the 124th regiment, enlisted October 13, 1864. His military papers list his height as six feet, his hair as light brown, his eyes as gray or brown, and his complexion as fair. He was injured falling from a Bridge at Hatcher's Run, and was lame the rest of his life. He served 8 months, was discharged on June 17, 1865.

James E. Winters married a girl named Lovina Calkins (daughter of Asa and Cordelia of Mooers). They were married in June of 1859 by the Reverend Hemenway in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mooers, NY. They had ten children, including Cora T., who died at 2 years, Bell L. who died at 1 year, and Eugene U.O., who died at 12 years of age. James, Lovina, Cora, Bell and Eugene are buried in the Mooers Forks Union Cemetery in Mooers Forks, NY. James' family lived in Clinton Mills in 1877 and Black Brook in 1883. Their seven other children traveled with them to Nashua, NH., and later Lowell, MA.

According to James' Pension papers, he removed to 96 Vine St., Nashua, New Hampshire in 1892, was still there in 1901 and then in 1914 lived with his daughter Hattie at 76 Dewey St., in Worcester, MA, where he died on February 6, 1916.

The ten children of James and Lovina were: (birth dates and places from James' Pension papers)

1) Arnold B., born May 3, 1860, Mooers Forks, NY, m. Eliza Anna Bull (sister of Ellen, wife of his Uncle Amos)(see BULL family Record). They lived at 212 Cross St. in Lowell and later 18 Bond St. in Lowell. They attended the Paige St. Baptist Church. Arnold died June 5, 1916 in Lowell, MA. His obituary in the Lowell Courier Citizen, June 6, 1916, reads. "Arnold B. Winters, age 56 years, one month, an officer at the Lowell Jail for 15 years died suddenly yesterday at his home 18 Bond St. as the result of a shock. Deceased leaves besides his wife, Eliza A., one son, Claude A. of Springfield Ohio, and a daughter, Mrs. Beulah C. Brissett of this city. He was a member of the Passaconaway Tribe of Redmen."
Eliza A died on October 10, 1922 at home. See Lowell Courier Citizen, October 11, 1922.
Children:
a)Ruth L. Winters, born in September of 1881 in Mooers Forks, NY, married George A. Evans on September 20, 1901 in Lowell, MA. She worked in hosiery and he worked as a clerk. He was the son of Albert A. Evans, well-known veterinary surgeon and horseman. They lived at 212 Cross St. with her parents for a while. She probably died before 1916, as was not mentioned in her father's obituary. They belonged to the First Trinitarian Congregational Church.
b) Claude A. Winters, born June 1884, Mooers Forks, NY
c) Beulah C., born in November 1886 in Mooers Forks, NY, married Sidney Carroll Brissett, (son of Henry Brissett, MD, and Emma Cousins) on September 27, 1905 in Lowell, MA. They lived in Lowell and removed to 140 Manning Road East Chelmsford in 1928. She died about 1970 in Chelmsford, MA.. Children: 1) Marion E. Brissett, born November 16, 1906 in Lowell, MA., died October 3, 1988. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, the Chelmsford Senior Citizens and an officer in the Chelmsford Grange. She was 81 years old. She was buried in Edson Cemetery.(Lowell Courier Citizen, October 5, 1988). 2) Earl A. Brissett, born about 1906, Lowell, MA., of Hopkinton in 1988.
Sidney died on February 10, 1957 in Lowell. (Lowell Courier Citizen, February 11, 1957).

2)Lot R., born October 17, 1861 in Mooers Forks, NY, married first Mae McFarland, daughter of Lot and Kate, who died on July 12, 1897. He married second Sara S.; Child of Lot and Mae - Vera G. Winters, born about 1892, married Arthur J. Bernard on October 12, 1910 at her home at 131 Paige St. in Lowell, MA. Child: Gertrude Evelyn Bernard.
In 1897 the family lived at 35 Cornell St., where they still lived in 1910. (census) Lot was in the Second Hand Business on Appleton St. He was a member of Pentucket Lodge of Masons and when he died on January 11, 1915, was buried in Edson Cemetery with a Masonic Burial Service..
From the Lowell Courier Citizen, Tuesday, January 12, 1915, p. 14.
Lot R. Winters, a machinist, living at Room 41, Burbank building, 36 Prescott Street, was found dead in his room shortly after 11 o'clock yesterday morning. He had been unable to work during the past two weeks owing to failing health, but was not confined to his bed at any time. Early yesterday, Mr. Winters left his roommate Charles Loud and went out to walk. Upon his return to the room, Loud has left for work. Later in the forenoon, when the matron was inspecting the various rooms she noticed that the door of Room 41 was unlocked and assumed that the roomers had forgotten to lock it. A few minutes later she returned and opening the door she discovered Winters dead in bed. Undertaker Charles H. Molloy removed the body to his rooms in Market Street. Deceased is said to leave a wife and a daughter, Mrs. Vera Bernard of this city; three brothers, Arnold B. of this city, Ralph J. of Atlanta GA, and Asa in Rochester, NH ; also three sisters, Mrs. C.M. Hills of Worcester, Mrs. J.S. Kemp and Mrs. C.R. Bishop of Nashua, NH, and his father, James E. Winters. The body was later removed to 121 Paige St.
Vera died on December 12, 1918. She was buried in Edson Cemetery. See Lowell Courier Citizen, December 13, 1918.

3) Hattie C., born October 27, 1863, in Mooers Forks, NY m. C.W. Hills. Resided cared for her father in his elder years at her home in Worcester, MA.

4)Eugene U., born June 7, 1866 in Mooers Forks, NY, died September 23, 1878, Mooers, NY. Buried in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery.

5)Cora T., born June 23, 1868 in Mooers Forks, NY, died July 31, 1870. Buried in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery.

6)Gertrude E., born October 27, 1870, Mooers Forks, NY. Intentions of marriage to Charles M. Hills (b. 1871)of Hudson, NH. Published May 13, 1893 in The Evening Star. They were married in Lowell on May 6, 1893. He was the son of Clifton M. and Emma S. He was a carpenter, and she was an operative. They lived in Worcester.

7) Ralph J., born August 12, 1873, Woods Falls, New York. Removed to Atlanta Georgia from Lowell, MA.

8) Bell L. Winters, born October 25, 1874, Mooers Forks, NY. Died April 25, 1876, Mooers, Buried in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery.

9) May R., born 1876,in Mooers Forks, NY, possibly married Kemp or Bishop.

10)Asa G., born August 1, 1880 in Mooers Forks, removed to Rochester, NH
Lovina died on May 5, 1906 (cemetery record says May 11, 1909) in Lowell, MA. James died on February 6, 1916 in Worcester, MA. James and Lovina are buried in Mooers Forks Union Cemetery. James' pension papers show grandchildren, James M. Warwick, and Mrs. Winnifred Warwick, who state that Hattie Hills was their aunt. Either one of Hattie's sisters or her husband's sisters married a Warwick.

AMOS WINTERS (John)
Amos Winters was l9 years old when he enlisted in the l24th New York Volunteers to fight in the Civil War. His papers say he had grey eyes and light hair. His height was five feet, eleven and � inches. His mustering out papers show that his date of enlistment was September l3, l864, at Plattsburgh, NY., and he was discharged on June 4, 1865. He served nine months. Records of his unit show that he may have fought in several campaigns, including Appomattox, Va. where General Lee surrendered to the Union Army (Ulysses S. Grant) on April 9, l965. (It is not clear whether Amos was still hospitalized at this time).

In November of 1864 he was taken ill from bad water after the battle near Petersburg and in December spent time in Nugent Hospital.. He also fought at Hatcher's Run, on February 1, 1865 where he suffered exposure, from sleeping under the supply wagon he was protecting all night. He caught Malarial fever, which resulted in a trip to City Point Hospital in March. On April l2, l865, Amos was sent to Carver Hospital in Washington, DC, with chills and fever. President Abraham Lincoln was shot on April l4, and died on April l5. We have a letter which Amos wrote to his father, John Winters at Woods Falls, Clinton County, NY., postmarked April l8, l865, which describes Washington DC in mourning. The spelling and punctuation are left as written.

The Letter reads:
Washington, DC, April, 16, 1865

Dear Father, I take the pen in hand this afternoon to write a few lines thinking you would be anxious to know how I got along. I am now in Washington Carver hospital. I hav bin troubled with chills since I rote last and hav bin sent hear, but I hav not had any very latly. I think I am al quite well now except I am somewhat week. Every thing is nice hear and we hav a good doctor. Yesterday he asked me if I would like a furlough and gave me a recommend. I took it before the bord and was examined and think it will be along in about a week for 30 days, but I am not sure but hav not herd any thing to the contrary. They giv a furlough and a transportation ticket and it is taken out of the pay. You must not rely to much on this it may not be granted, but I think it probable. I rote to you while at city point and hav rote to James since I came hear to send me all of mi letters that was to this regt. Well, father, this city was turned from rejoicing to mourning yesterday. The awful news of the brutal murder of the president and the other harm done to secretary Seward and family causes great excitement hear of flags at half mast, flags of mourning and many other sorrowful tokens. The head quarters of this hospital ar trimmed with black crape today. The particulars you hav got before this I suppose. All business was stopped in the city yesterday. The news is today they had not ketched the murderer. I can find no more to write this time. I expect to get mi letters from the regt in a few days. I shall hav to send this letter as I did the other, but it don't make much differance as long as you hav to keep me in stamps. So I must close. Giv mi love to all of the family and friends. Good by from Amos Winters

Amos was furloughed on April 24, for 30 days. It is presumed that he went home to Mooers for a visit.

Amos' pension papers show that he never fully recovered from the Malarial fever, and suffered chronic intestinal problems, piles, hemorrhoids, bouts of diarrhea, etc. Later he developed chronic bronchitis, and eventually died from pulmonary hemorrhage. He also was almost deaf and blind at the time of his death, and had developed "heart disease".

After he was "mustered out" from his duty in the Civil War, Amos married Ellen Jayne Bull on October 7, 1866 in the original Methodist church in Mooers. Pastor Orin Gregg officiated.

Ellen was the daughter of Benjamin J. Bull and Ann Eliza Barker. She was born in Elizabethtown, NY, just down the shore of Lake Champlain. Benjamin J. Bull was from Watertown, NY and Ann Eliza Barker was from Herman, NY. They lived in Elizabethtown when Ellen was born and later resided in Mooers, where Ann Eliza Barker died in May of 1874. They were also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church there. There was an Elias Bull listed with them, who was probably the brother of Ellen, and later a Benjamin J. Bull listed as the grandson of the Websters. Ellen's brother, Charles H. Bull of Lowell was a witness on Amos Winters pension papers. Ellen's sister, Mary Eliza Bull, married Arnold B. Winters, son of James (brother of Amos). (See BULL FAMILY RECORD)

After the Civil War, Amos and Ellen soon began a family in Mooers Forks, NY. Amos was at one time a "hammersmith" and at another time a sawyer. In 1874, there was a huge Iron Forge, started by Amasa and Wallace Wood, in the Woods Falls section of Mooers, on a waterfall of The Great Chazy River. where Amos probably worked as a "hammersmith". There were at least two sawmills in Mooers, and a starch mill and a gristmill..

We have a picture of the old family homestead, where the ten children of Amos and Ellen were probably born in Mooers Forks, Clinton County, NY..

Amos and Ellen had ten children; Jennie Ella, Ina Margretta, Hattie Ann, Carrie May, Edgar Amos, Mary Elizabeth, Kittie Annette, Charles Benjamin, Emmett Harold and Maude Lane.

Sometime between 1886 and 1888, the family of Amos and Ellen moved to Lowell, MA., leaving three daughters buried in Mooers. History tells us that the lumbering business depleted the forests and the Iron Forge closed down. Industrialization had come to Lowell, MA. and there was work there for everyone. (James moved his family to Worcester, MA in 1892. They later lived in Lowell. John Winters also brought his family to Lowell. There are many records of the children of Amos, James and John in the Lowell area).

Amos was very active in Ladd and Whitney Post 185 of the Grand Old Army of the Republic, a unit of Veterans of the Civil War. He was chaplain of the unit at the time of his death. Ellen was active in The Ladd and Whitney circle 8, Ladies of the Grand Old Army of the Republic, and the Lowell Lodge 24, U.O. of I.O.L. We still have some of their GAR buttons from this time, and a picture of Amos in his GAR Uniform. Amos also belonged to the Masons in Lowell, as did his son Charles Benjamin. The family belonged to the Highland Methodist Episcopal Church in Lowell.

Amos' pension papers show that in 1888 they lived at 112 School Street. The census of 1900 shows the family of Amos Winters, age 54, Ellen 51, Ina, Kitty, Charles and Emmett, nephew Pearl Kinney, 20, nephew Jonnburt (sp?) Bull, 20, living at 5 Sargent Street. Also in the 1900 census for #223 School St. is Edgar Winters (son of Amos) and his wife, Alice Gertrude; and at #227 School St. Melvin G. Gooch and his wife, Mary E. (Winters). By 1912 they lived at 673 Broadway.

Amos and Ellen had ten children; Jennie Ella, Ina Margretta, Hattie Ann, Carrie May, Edgar Amos, Mary Elizabeth, Kittie Annette, Charles Benjamin, Emmett Harold and Maude Lane.

We have a letter dated March 3, 1911 from Grandpa Charlie's sister, Ina Margretta, asking someone to get "a woman hand for mother". Ellen Bull was very ill, and died in Lowell one year later of chronic bronchitis, on Saturday, March 9, 1912. (Obituary, Lowell Courier Citizen, Mon. March 11, 1912).

Newspaper Clipping, Lowell Courier Citizen, Wed., March 13. 1912. Regarding Funeral of Ellen J. Winters
WINTERS-The funeral of Mrs. Ellen J. Winters was held at her residence, 673 Broadway yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and was very largely attended by relatives and friends. Rev. Selden W. Cummings officiated at the house. There were delegations present from Ladd and Whitney circle 8 Ladies of the G.A.R. and Lowell lodge, 24, U.O. of I. Odd Ladies, who both held their services.
The bearers were Messrs. E.A., C.B. and E.H. Winters and H.N. Rock. Rev. Mr. Dinsmore read the burial service at the grave.
Among the floral offerings were the following: Pillow, inscribed "Wife and Mother," from bereaved husband and children; basket, grandchildren; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. A. B., Winters and family; basket, Mrs. M.C.. Kinney and family and Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Bull; spray, Mr. and Mrs. M.G. Gooch; broken circle, Ladd and Whitney circle, No. 8; standing wreath, the Odd Ladies; sprays, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and son, Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Winters and family, Mrs. L.E. Canney and family, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Durgin, Mrs. Sara Johnson and Nera, Mrs. F. E. Parsons and family, Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Lindsay, the Misses Hardie, Miss Stasia McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. O.S. Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. George Odglen; wreath, Considine family; bouquet, Mrs. E.J. Cobb; bouquet, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin rock, Miss Nettie Lamoy, Mrs. Nellie Jones; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Stevens. Burial was in the Edson cemetery. J.A. Weinbeck in charge.

In 1918 Amos died at the family home, 673 Broadway, where he had lived with his daughter Ina Margretta. He had suffered from chronic bronchitis and intestinal problems ever since the Civil War. He is buried in Edson Cemetery in Lowell, MA.

From the Lowell Courier Citizen, October 29, 1918.
"Amos Winters died yesterday, at his home, 673 School St. , aged 72 years, 8 months and 25 days. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was a member of Post 185 G.A.R. He leaves two sons, Edgar A. of Beverly and Charles B. of Manchester; and two daughters, Mrs. Halsey N. Rock of this city and Mrs. Charles W. Drake of West Somerville: also eight grandchildren. Mr. Winters was at the time of his death chaplain of Post 185 and was a past commander of that post. He was a member of the Highland M.E. Church."

Children of Amos and Ellen
The first child of Amos and Ellen was Jennie Ella, born on July 24, 1866. She lived for a year and a month and is buried in Mooers.
The next was Ina Margretta, born October 25, 1868 in Mooers, NY. She grew up to marry Halsey Neil Rock, son of Leonard and Ellen, on July 10, 1902 in Lowell. He was a foreman from Plattsburgh, NY. She had been working in hosiery in Canada. In 1920 they lived on Broadway St. and had two borders, Steven Usher and Patrick Maloney. Ina died on July 4, 1933 at her home at 18 Lane Street, at age 64. Pallbearers were Charles B. Winters, Edgar Amos Winters, Charles Drake, Pearl R. Kinney. Burial in Edson . (Lowell Courier Citizen, July 5, 1933)Halsey died March 4, 1942.
Then there was Hattie Ann, born on October 1, 1870, who died January 7, 1885 in her 15th year. Her tombstone in Mooers says "Asleep in Jesus".
Carrie May was born on August 2, 1872 and died at 5 years and 6 mos. on April 23, 1878. Her tombstone in Mooers says "She sleeps in the valley so sweet".
Edgar Amos was born on September 5, 1874 in Mooers, NY, the oldest son. He married Alice Gertrude Cobb, daughter of James A. Cobb, attorney, on Oct 28, 1896, and had four children; Raymond, Elon, Irving and Mildred, born. Sept. 23, 1900 who married Willis G. Symonds, child Warren Symonds.

From the Lowell Mail, Thursday October 29, 1896,
Mr. Edgar A. Winters of Winchester and Miss Alice Gertrude Cobb of Hale Street were united in marriage last evening at 7 o'clock at the parsonage of the First Baptist Church on School Street, Rev. Smith T. Ford performing the ceremony. The wedding was of a very quiet character, only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties being present. After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Winters immediately repaired to their new home at Winchester. The young couple were quite prominent among the young people of the First Baptist Church and will have the best wishes of a host of friends in their new venture.

In the census of 1900, Edgar and Gertrude lived on School St. in Lowell.

On January 15, 1902, Edgar resigned from the Lamson Consolidated Store Service Company, where he worked for many years, first as errand boy and ending up as foreman. He was given a sideboard as a gift. (Lowell Courier Citizen, January 16, 1902)

In 1912, Edgar lived in Lowell. In 1915, Edgar lived in Lawrence, and by 1933 lived in Beverly.

Edgar died January 18, 1966 in Danvers, MA. , age 92.

Mary Elizabeth was born on July 9, 1876 in Mooers Forks, NY. She married Melvin Gerald Gooch, son of James H. and Mercy A. (Gardener) Gooch. He was a carpenter from E. Machias and Jacksonville, ME. He had a brother Hiram, of Minneapolis, MN, and sisters Laura, Nora, Celia E. and Mary. They were married by the minister of the Worthen Street Baptist Church, Reverend Bowley Green on June 28, 1899 at her parents home on Sargent St., corner of School St. under an immense floral arch. Mary's sister, Kittie was her attendant and Mr. Martin Rutherford was the best man. Beulah Winters (Arnold, James, Amos) played the wedding marches. (see Lowell Mail article, June 29, 1899)

Mary, and Melvin had two children, 1)Aletha and 2)James. Mary died March 27, 1907 at her home, 13 Crocus Avenue, in Lowell at the young age of 31 after a short illness. Her children were five and three. The family belonged to the Worthen Street Baptist Church. See Obit, Lowell Courier Citizen, March 28, 1907, and funeral write up, Lowell Courier Citizen, March 30, 1907.

In the 1900 census, Melvin and Mary lived at 227 School St. in Lowell.

Melvin married second, Catherine ("Katie") of Ireland, England and Vermont, and he married third, Edith A. Wright. In the 1910 Census, Melvin, Katie, Aletha and James lived on Broadway in Lowell.

Melvin G. Gooch died on January 17, 1933 at his home at 219 Llewellyn Street at age 65. He was survived by his widow, Edith A. Wright Gooch. He was a member of the Eliot Union Congregational Church. He was regent of Highland council 970, Royal Arcanum of Lowell (Obit, Lowell Courier Citizen, January 18, 1933.)

1)Aletha Maude Gooch was born on September 14, 1901 in Lowell, MA. She married William E. Scoble before 1926. They had two children: a)Barbara Florence Scoble, born January 11, 1926, who married first Charles Cheever and second Leroy Peck. b) Paul Gerald Scoble, born March 21, 1928, married Jane Webber. He died on January 19, 1991. They had two children: Elizabeth Ann Scoble and William Paul Scoble.

2)James Amos Gooch was born on January 27, 1904 in Lowell, MA. He died on November 18, 1973. He married Mildred Perham and had one child, Geraldine Hope, born September 11, 1931, married Robert Stanton. James later married Edith Ridley and had two sons, Richard Gerald, born June 27, 1935 and Charles Walter, born July 22, 1937.

Kittie Annette was born on August 3, 1878 in Mooers, NY. She married Charles Wesley Drake, son of Edward Drake and Hattie Rideout on December 14, 1905 in Lowell. In 1912 they lived in Cambridge. In 1915 they lived in West Somerville at 25 Cherry St. In the 1940's they had a little ice cream parlor/tea house. He died on August 25, 1972. She died on February 7, 1954 of cancer - primary in the transverse colon. They are buried in Edson Cemetery in Lowell, MA. They had no children

A Letter from Amos Winters to his daughter Mrs. C.W. Drake, 44 Columbus St., Cambridge, MA, postmarked December 7, 1912 from Lowell, MA. Amos was living with Ina at that time.(nine months after his wife, Ellen had died)

Lowell, Dec. 6, 1912
Dear Children, It seems to be on Pa to write for Ina wanted to do her sweeping. As are all well, as is Emmit's Family. It is so warm we have to open the doors with just the range firing. We had a heavy rain in the night last night. It cleared today. Was warm most as summer. We have been having lots of fires of late, the Worthen St. Methodist Monday and Tuesday night in the Highland Hall of the Highland Methodist . Wednesday and Thursday night in the Church Vestry. There is a food fair in the Armory. In saying that it was nice, I did not think of Pearle's Folks. I saw Pearl yesterday and he told me that Doris had the scarlet fever and that they were going to quarantine the house. He of course has to work and support them �his family�and it would be hard for him to be shut out or shut in and that he was going to fight it but did not know how he would make out. We have not heard from them today. Stacia's Father, Mr. McCarty seems to be still living. Ina and I were there at their house Sunday and I thought then he would not live more than two days. We feel sorry for Stacia. I have not been down to Lawrence yet and will probably not go anywhere now until after elections next Tuesday. I may go down then for a few days. You asked about Mr. Franly's folks. They all came ******. Fred told Merritt's folks what a fine pleasant time they all had. Now Kittie, you can't be expected to give all of the grandchildren presents. If you have any to make, make them to yourself. I wish it were so you could come up. My pension check came Thursday. I don't need any Christmas presents, but the enclosed is to help buy the hat. Please except this sum and use it as you please. I don't think of more to write, so will close this and mail it now. Kind regards to Charlie and Mother - Mrs. Hamilton's June and Julia Manchester's Girls and al as Emmit is coming tomorrow. Will hear from you. From Pa Winters.

Charles Benjamin was born on August 1, 1880 in Mooers, NY. He married Marion Katahdin Vinal (see VINAL FAMILY RECORD) on May 17, 1904 and had two children, including Paul Vinal Winters and Robert Lincoln Winters.

It appears that the Winters family was fairly well-to-do. Pictures show them very well dressed. Young Charles is very well attired. Charles went to the Bartlett Grammar School, and we still have his diploma from there. As a young man, he played the trombone in the Excelsior Band of Lowell.

The family of Arthur Vinal was also very well-off. He was a wealthy landlord, but a bit tight with his money. We've been told that he walked the railroad tracks in Lowell, picking up coal for his furnace. He had a daughter, Marion, born to Georgeanna Anderson, a singer and dancer on the steamboat, "Katahdin". (Georgeanna had been married to a Charles Hutchinson who died in 1875, and had a daughter, Lena (Cora Elena?) born in 1873. Arthur did not marry Georgeanna but took his daughter to raise. When Marion was five, he married Fannie E. Dunham, and they later had a daughter, Hazel Leona.

Family legend says that Marion, a telephone operator, had been in love with a man who went off to the gold fields in California, and asked her to wait for him. However, she did not wait. She was told that Charlie Winters was a good catch, so, she married him on May 17of 1904. At this time he resided at 658 Broadway in Lowell and she lived at 23 Royal St..

From the Lowell Morning Citizen, Wednesday 18 May 1904
Mr. Charles B. Winters and Miss Marion K. Vinal were united in marriage last evening at 8 o'clock at the residence of Rev. Smith Thomas Ford, D.D., 187 Nesmith St. Miss Cora E. Hutchinson attended the bride, and Mr. Harry C. Briggs was best man.
Mr. and Mrs. Winters received many handsome and useful presents, among them being a set of sterling silver spoons from the local telephone exchange where the bride was formerly employed.
Mr. and Mrs. Winters left on the train for a brief wedding trip and on their return will reside at 206 Wilder St., where they will be at home to friends after July 1
.

[Note: This researcher wonders if Cora E. Hutchinson was the same person as Lena Hutchinson (perhaps Cora Elena), half sister of Marion.]

Later, sometime after 1912, they moved to Manchester, NH where Charles was Paymaster in the Stark Mills and also worked in the Amoskeag Mills. They lived at 760 Beech St., in Manchester in 1918. Later they lived in Arlington. Charles was in Arlington in 1933, but for some reason (unknown to her grandchildren) Marion and Robert lived in Rochester, NY..

Charles B. was very active in the Masons in Lowell, a member of the William North Lodge taking the 7th and 8th degrees in 1915. He eventually became a 33rd degree Mason in Lowell. He stayed with the Lowell lodge, even after he had moved to Manchester and Arlington.

During the Depression, when the Amoskeag Mills were failing, Charles used $60,000 of his own money to try to save his company. When the mills failed, Charles and Marion lost everything, including their home. They were taken in by Charles sister, Kittie Annette Winters Drake.

Charles Winters moved to Westwood from Arlington in 1934 and became the accountant for the Estate of William Cameron Forbes, Governor of the Philippine Islands and Ambassador to Japan. The estate included the Gay Farm Dairy serving Norwood, Westwood and Dedham, apple orchards, polo fields and a large mansion. He was also treasurer of his church, the Islington Community Church in Westwood, MA.

Charles was working for the Forbes Family on Nashon Island when he had a heart attack at his desk. He was transported to Falmouth, where he died on January 24, 1961. Marion died on December 12, 1951. They are both buried in Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, MA.

Paul Vinal Winters was born on September 8, 1906 in Lowell, MA. He married Emma Whittemore and had two daughters, Marcia Ann and Beryl Clay. He married second Jennie Ada Badger (born July 23, 1922), daughter of Knight Abbott Badger and Flora Helen Boughton of Norwood, MA. They had six children: Peter Charles, Susan Flora, Sheryl Ann, Paul Stevan, Kathryn Joanne and Jane Abbott. Paul was a noted Boston and Vermont artist. He died on December 2, 1971 in Middlesex, Vermont.

Robert Lincoln Winters was born on September 18, 1922. He attended Northeastern University for three years before enlisting in the army for World War II. He suffered "shell shock" (PTSS) in the Battle of the Bulge and was a mentally disabled veteran all of his life. He died on February 3, 1996.

Emmett Harold was born in 1883, married Georgena Hardie (daughter of George N. Hardie and Martha Price of North Adams)(Lowell Sun) on April 12, 1902, had two children:
1)Emmett Theodore, and
2)Anna May Belle Winters.
Emmett H. died in 1815 at age 32.

1)Emmett Theodore, born July 8, 1902, married Selma L. Ristan. He changed his family name to Winter. Emmett was the keeper of the Winters Family Bible. In 1920, the census listed him as a Salesman in a Tea Store. He was 18 years old and his father was deceased. He was later a Dentist in Lowell and then in Nashua, NH. He and Selma had one son, Theodore Herman, born October 18, 1934, who married Grace Finnichiaro.

2) Anna May Belle, born May 19, 1906, married Albert William Nelson about 1928. He was the son of William and Lucie Shaw Nelson. They lived at 52 Upham St. in Lowell. Mr. Nelson was an electrician for the Boston and Maine Railroad for 44 years. He died on January 6, 1976. He belonged to St. Anne's Episcopal Church of Lowell. (Lowell Courier Citizen, January 6, 1976).

From The Lowell Sun, Thursday, October 28, 1915:
Emmett H. Winters, formerly of Lowell, died suddenly yesterday at the Homeopathic hospital, Boston, aged 32 years. He leaves his wife, Ena, one son, Emmett T., and a daughter, Anna, of West Somerville, two sisters, Mrs. C.W. Drake of West Somerville, Mrs. H.N. Rock of Lowell; his father, Amos W. of Lowell, and two brothers, Edgar A. of Lawrence and Charles B. of Lowell. Deceased was a member of Admiral Farragut camp, Sons of Veterans of this city.

Emmett's death certificate says he died of Peritonitis after a duodenal ulcer.

In the 1920 census, Georgena, Emmett T. and Anna lived on Claire St. in Lowell. Georgena's sister, Martha lived with them.

Georgena died on September 23, 1956 at the home of her daughter Mrs. A.W. Nelson,. 52 Upham St. The family was Methodist and belonged to the Highland Union Methodist Church. Emmett and Georgena are buried in Edson Cemetery. (Obit. Lowell Sun, September 24, 1956).


Maude Lane, born in Mooers, NY, who died ten days short of ten years, on August 17, 1896.
Cause of death was listed as tonsillitis. She was nine years, eleven months and 20 days. She died at the home of her parents, 4 Sargent St. She was a member of the First Baptist Sunday School. (Lowell Courier Citizen, Tues. Aug. 18, 1896) She is buried in Edson Cemetery in Lowell.
From the Lowell Courier Citizen, August 20, 1896;
The funeral of Maud L. Winters took place yesterday afternoon at her home in Sargent Street. Rev. Mr. Lockhart conducted the services and a quartet sang appropriate music. The bearers were J.N. Marshall, Harry Hinkley, Fred Wooldridge, Johnson H. Green. Undertaker Weinbeck had charge of the funeral arrangements and the buriel was in the Edson cemetery.

Sources:
1) Family Oral History and letters
2)Vital Records, Lowell, MA.
3)US Military and Pension Records, Researched by John Walter, Institute for Civil War Research. Records of Amos, James E., and William Winters.
4)Cemetery Records - Mooers, NY, Lowell, MA
5)US Census Records, Mooers, NY, Lowell, MA.
6)Wesleyan Methodist Church Historical Records, Mooers, NY.
7)Historical Review of the Town of Mooers
8)The History of Clinton and Franklin County, NY (HCFC)
9)Clinton County, A Pictorial History by the Bicentennial Celebration Committee, by Allen, Bedore, Everest and Leggett (ABE&L)
10)Papers of Charles Benjamin Winters
11) Research by Karen Murphy of Lowell, Email

Compiled by: Susan Flora Winters Smith (Paul, Charles, Amos, John). 115 Brainard Road, Enfield, CT., 06082. (860-745-9719). Email

 

 

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