The Stewart Place teams at the barns

The William & Betsey (Goodrich) Stewart Farm

Betsey was the daughter of Jesse Goodrich Jr., who bought the farm in 1837
(Wm. G., their son, stands to the right of the yoke of oxen? jhc)

circa 1881-1891

3 ~ 1837 - William D. & Betsey Stewart

The Stewarts built a thriving farm over the next half century. The New York milk market opened up with the coming of the railroads. They built new modern barns. Their tenure was the peak period in the life of the farm. Here are a few things I've found that give a brief look at their tenure on the farm, the longest of anyone's except, possibly, that of "old John Clark".

Chronology

Chronology

1837 - Betsey & Lorenzo J. Goodrich Inherit the Farm

Betsey (25yo) and her brother, Lorenzo (14yo), inherited the farm on the death of their father, Jesse Jr. Betsey by now was married to William D. Stewart and apparently they took over operation of the farm. I think it most likely the Stewarts stepped in immediately on Jesse's death, or perhaps earlier if Jesse was ill, to attend to the daily care of the livestock. Whether the Stewart's moving onto the farm was premeditated or whether Jesse's death was sudden and created a crisis, I have no idea. Lucy, Jesse's widow, stayed on the farm until her death in 1865.

I have no direct evidence of them inheriting the farm other than an interpretation of deeds going forward, and of payments to the mortgages Jesse's purchase of the farm was subject to.[1] There is no deed into the Stewarts, other than a later quit-claim deed from Lorenzo, and the fact that the Stewarts lived out the rest of their lives on the farm, would indicate that Betsey and Lorenzo inherited the farm from Jesse Jr.

Re’d of Wm Stewart by Maria Marriott 175 Dollars being interest on the within bond up to this date 3 mo 20th 1839 Chas Marriott

Also Three hundred & Fifty Dollars of principal [word] same date

/

Wm D Stewart Red Rock P. O.

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See APPENDIX A - Early Deeds and Mortgages - 1834-03-20 Bond - Griswold to Marriott

1849 - Lorenzo J. Goodrich Quit-claims to Wm. D. Stewart

On March 14, 1849 Lorenzo J. Goodrich and Laura Ann Goodrich, his wife, quit-claim Lorenzo's half interest in the farm to William D. Stewart for $4,500.00. This gives William Lorenzo's half interest to go with Betsey's half interest.

I think this transaction was, at least in part, intended to give 26yo Lorenzo the wherewithall to buy the neighboring farm to the west. I'm pretty sure he lived there toward the end of the century (gotta research this).

This deed was not recorded until 1894 when it was recorded together with other quit-claim deeds from members of the Stewart family to Frederick C. Goodrich, as part of his convoluted process of buying and getting clear title to the farm.

1855 Census: Stewart Household

In the 1855 NYS census, Wm D Stewart 52 is living in Chatham with his wife Betsey 43, their son Wm G. 22 as well as Betsey's mother Lucy Goodrich 66 and a laborer Martin O. Farrell 18.

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From: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168783499/betsey-stewart

1865 - Lucy Powell Goodrich Dies

Lucy, Jesse Jr.'s widow and Betsey's mother, died July 28, 1865; she is buried in the plot on the farm with Jesse Jr. and others.[2]

1868 - The New Barns Were Built?

I remember that date carved into a beam in the scale room. Is that the date the barns were built or is it the date the scale was installed?

That's a good question. There is the $5,500 the Griswolds borrowed against the farm in 1834 & 1835 that could have been used to build the farmhouse and barns.

1878 - History of Columbia County Published

The Stewart Place in 1878 Col. Co. History

Residence of W. D. Stewart, Chatham N. Y., Facing pg 284, History of Columbia County by Ellis, 1878

1881 - William D. Stewart Dies

William Darvin Stewart, born in Canaan, N.Y. in 1803; died 30 September, 1881. William and Betsey's son, William G., takes over management of the farm.

William Darvin Stewart, a well-known and prosperous farmer residing near this village lost his life by a most deplorable accident last Thursday evening. He passed the day at the Great Barrington fair, looking over the stock in which he took great interest. On alighting from the train at the depot in this village he was met by his son, who came to meet him with a carriage, drawn by a valuable and favorite span of horses.

When Mr. Stewart and his son reached home they hurriedly unhitched the team from the carriage and hooked them up to a hay rigging intending to draw in a load of corn. While the horses were being thus transferred, Mr. Stewart stood before them. When he turned to go toward the house the animals started to follow him. Mr. Stewart thought his son was directing their movements and therfore stepped further aside. The team continued their efforts and while moving away from them Mr. Stewart was pushed over by the horses, and fell to the ground. Two wheels of the heavy vehicle passed over his body, crushing the lower ribs and breaking one from its attachment to the spinal column and detaching the from its cartilage. The injured man was helped into the house by his wife and son. Apparently his injuries were not serious ones, although during the night he suffered considerable pain. On Friday medical assistance was obtained but the sufferer went almost immediately into a comatose state. He did not regain consciousness, and died about 8 o’clock in the evening.

Mr. Stewart was in his 79th year and had lived about 40 years on a farm located on the road between this village and Red Rock. He was an energetic and skillful agriculturist, and an active and valued member of the Farmers’ Club. He devoted much attention to the care and breeding of stock and his choice herd of Durhams has received considerable attention. About 25 years ago he married a daughter of Jesse Goodrich of West Stockbridge, Mass.

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The Chatham Courier, October 5, 1881

1891 - Betsey Goodrich Stewart Dies

Betsey & William G. Stewart on the porch

The William & Betsey Stewart Farm House
Betsey & her son William G. Stewart (left & 2nd left)

circa 1881-1891

On October 1, 1891 Betsey draws her Last Will and Testament naming her brother, Lorenzo J. Goodrich and his son Frederick C. trustees of her estate upon her death. While living, the benefits and proceeds of the farm go to her son, William G. Stewart. Upon his death Lorenzo and Frederick C. inherit the farm.

Betsey died nine days later, on October 10, 1891, and was buried with her husband at Mountain View Cemetery in New Concord.[3]

1894 - William G. Stewart Dies

Born February 6, 1833, William G. Stewart died April 5, 1894 and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in New Concord NY.[4]

At some point before Betsey's will was probated in October, 1893, William G. was declared "a luntic" and a Special guardian appointed for him.

... on filing due proof of service of citation on the only next of kin and only heir at law of said deceased and on all persons interested under any of the provisions of said Will and Special guardian having been appointed and appearing for the said heir at law and next of kin, a lunatic, and after hearing the proofs, and it appearing that said Will was duly executed; that the testatrix was at the time of making said Will in all respects competent ...

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See APPENDIX E - Stewart Farm to Frederick C. Goodrich - Betsey Stewart's Last Will and Testament Transcribed.

William G. Stewart left no direct descendants. His mother, Betsey, perhaps recognizing his infirmity, left the farm and the rest of her estate to her brother Lorenzo and Lorenzo's son, Frederick C. Goodrich, to take effect after William's death.

... And lastly, I do hereby appoint my said brother Lorenzo J. Goodrich and Frederick C. Goodrich his son to be the executors of this my Will and the trustees under the same, giving them or the survivor of them, full power and authority to sell and dispose of any or all the real estate of which I may die seized, should they or the survivor of them see proper and best so to do ...

—

See APPENDIX E - Stewart Farm to Frederick C. Goodrich - Betsey Stewart's Last Will and Testament Transcribed.

A Rich Farmer Goes Crazy.

William G. Stewart, a wealthy farmer residing in the vicinity of Red Rock, town of Chatham, was taken to the Hudson River State Hospital a few days ago. He is violently insane, having purchased a dirk knife for the purpose of killing several persons in Chatham who had done him a fancied wrong.

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The Republican, Hudson N. Y., February 1, 1894 pg2

In the matter of the estate of William D. Stewart, late of the town of Chatham, deceased, an order was entered in surrogate’s office last week revoking letters testamentary heretofore issued to William G. Stewart of said town.

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The Chatham Courier, Chatham N. Y., February 7, 1894 pg4

The rumor which was current on the streets last week to the effect that William Stewart was dead, was groundless. Mr. Stewart is still in the Poughkeepsie insane asylum, and his condition remains about the same as when first committed there.

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The Chatham Courier, Chatham N. Y., February 14, 1894 pg4

NOTICE TO CREDITORS. — Pursuant to the order of Hon. Isaac N. Collier, Surrogate of the County of Columbia, notice is hereby given, according to law, to all persons having claims against William G. Stewart, late of the town of Chatham, in the County of Columbia, deceased, they are required to present the same with vouchers thereof to the subscribers, Administrators of said deceased, at the law offices of McClellan & Dardess at Chatham, N. Y., on or before the 1st day of January next.

Dated, June 2 1894.

GEORGE McCLELLAN.

JESSE D. GOODRICH.

Administrators.

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The Chatham Courier, Chatham N. Y., September 26, 1894 pg7

References

— revised 2024-07-17 jhc