George W. Yerks was born at Unionville (now Hawthorne), New York on February 4, 1848. He died in Albany on August 9, 1903.  He was the son of William H. and Mary A. (Clark) Yerks. George  was educated at Amenia and finished his education at Claverack Academy. After graduation he became employed by the United States government. He then went to Albany and established himself in the fancy grocery business on Broadway, under the firm name of Benjamin & Yerks. In 1877 he became a sole proprietor.

Dissolution of Benjamin & Yerks Company.  
The Albany Daily Evening Times; May 15, 1877

But in 1878, just one year later,  he admitted a new partner under the firm name of George W. Yerks & Company. He held offices of honor and trust in the city; was trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed Church and a member of the Fort Orange Club. On July 8, 1868, he married Adaline Maria, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio and died in Albany on October 30, 1900. Adeline was the daughter of George Whitman and Adaline (Powell) Benjamin.

Nathaniel, son of John, was born about 1808, Somers, Westchester County, New York and resided in the town of New Castle, where he was a successful farmer, and died at the age of 18 years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in political allegiance. He married Sarah Ann Weeks, born in the town of Somers, daughter of William and Rachel Weeks, representatives of old Westchester families, and she like himself was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and died at the age of 70 years. They were the parents of nine children: John, died at the age of 21 years; Cornelius, lived in Mount Kisco; Anna, wife of unknown Ferguson, resided in the same place; Cyrus, lived in goldens Bridge, Westchester County, New York; George Washington, lived in Dutchess County, New York; Stephen; Julia; Nathaniel, mentioned below; Araminta, died at the age of 19 years. Three of the sons were Union soldiers in the Civil War, participating in many battles. They were Cyrus, George W. And Nathaniel, all members of the Fifth New York heavy artillery, the second being a sergeant.

Nathaniel, six son of Nathaniel and Sarah A (Weeks) Cutler, was born December 21, 1844, in New Castle. He grew to manhood on the paternal farm, aiding in its labors and attending the local schools. He was still a minor when he entered the military service in the Civil War, and was stationed most of the time in Virginia, being honorably discharged at Harpers Ferry. He attained the rank of Corporal in Company H, Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, under Col. Graham, and participated in all the battles of the Shenandoah campaign under Gen. Sheridan. He resided for many years upon a farm of 72 acres in New Castle, most of which was under a high state of cultivation, having an orchard of 6 acres and excellent buildings, affording an ideal rural home.  It is located 2 miles from Mount Kisco. Mr. Cutler is a charter member of the Stewart Hart Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mount Kisco. He has been identified all his life with the Republican Party in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a public spirited and enterprising citizen, and has given warm support to all those offices calculated to advance the morale, intellectual or material welfare of the community in which he lived. He now resides with his elder son in Fallsburg, New York.

He married, December 28, 1870, Martha Ida Sutton, born, reared and educated at Claverack, Columbia County, New York and and represents an old and well-known family. Nathaniel Cutler and his wife have two sons: Walter S, mentioned below; William Edward, a farmer, and owner of 200 acres of land in Liberty, Sullivan County; he married, in 1901, at Mount Vernon.  Katherine Gettle, of Mount Vernon, New York, and they have two children: Madeline and Claire. Mrs. Cutler is descended from Joseph Sutton, a member of the society of friends, who came from Southern Court, England, and settled in Westchester County, New York, accompanied by his brother John. James, son of Joseph Sutton, was born in a log cabin on the paternal homestead in Westchester, and was the father of Walter Sutton, born in the same place, whose son, James T Sutton, was also born in the same place; he was a farmer by occupation, an active supporter of Democratic policies and died at the age of 79 years old. On reaching manhood he married his second cousin, Phebe, a member of the Society of Friends, who died at the age of 79 years, daughter of William Sutton, a son of Joseph Sutton, the pioneer. William Sutton married Charlotte Hunt, a daughter of Josiah and Lydia (Palmer) Hunt, who bore blood relation to Lord Effingham, of England. Their son, Joseph T Sutton, was the father of Martha Ida, wife of Nathaniel Cutler, and of William Edward Sutton, who lived in Seattle Washington, and was reared and educated in Westchester County, where he was for sometime a successful teacher and settled in the middle of his life in the West.  He married Emma, daughter of Benjamin Acker.

Walter Sutton, son of McDaniel and Martha I (Sutton) Cutler, was born February 5, 1874, in Peekskill, New York, where he grew to manhood. He was educated at Mount Kisco High School, where he graduated in 1892, and subsequently in engaged in surveying and civil engineering in Westchester County. In 1902 he removed to Liberty, Sullivan County, New York, where for eight years he was a lumber merchant.  In 1910, he removed to Fallsburg, and purchased a flour and grain business which he is conducting with gratifying success. Mr. Cutler is a charter member of Liberty Lodge, No. 728, Knights of the Maccabees, and is a member of the Society of Friends. He married in Liberty, December 27, 1900, Harriet E Major, born July 28, 1880, in Mount Vernon, New York, daughter of Gustav and Harriet (Ely) Major of that town. Mr. Major was a contracting carpenter and builder in Mount Vernon and an active participant in public affairs. He had children: Esther, Harriet E, Emily, Carrie and Gertrude. Children of Walter S Cutler: Dorothy, Roy, Florence; all students of the public school.

According to Patrick Hanley’s Police Department “Transfer and Assignment Card”, Patrick was born in Ireland on 9 September 1865.  But according to an Irish birth record I found, he was actually born on  the thirteenth of September in the Garryfine / Rockhill area of Limerick County.  He was Naturalized in Brooklyn Court in 1886.  His former occupation was “Laborer” and he lived at 400 Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn. This was just five blocks from his sister, Catherine Hanley Lewis, who was living at 493 13th Street in Brooklyn in 1900.

Patrick’s first assignment was to the Patrol Division of Precinct 145. On 8 July 1912, twenty two years after his initial appointment, Patrick Hanley was shot in the back while pursuing a Marine Fireman Strike shooting suspect on Imlay Street. This was just four blocks away from where the Lewis family had been living (Wolcott Street) since the mid 1800’s.  According to New York Police Department General Order #2, dated 10 March 1913, William J McMillen received an “Honorable Mention With Medal” for eventually apprehending  the man that shot Patrick in the back .

“At Hamilton And President Streets, Alexander Sabannano, a striking (marine) firemen, shot Ancieto Gonzales in the left leg. Sabannano had been endeavoring to persuade Gonzales to go on strike, and became angered at the latter’s refusal.  Sabannano, pistol in hand, ran through Hamilton Avenue and turn into Imlay Street. Patrolman John Williams, Shield No. 4901, and patrolman Patrick Hanley, Shield No.4866, both of the 145th precinct, heard the shots and pursued Sabannano, who when the officers neared him, turned about and shot Patrolman Williams in the left leg. Williams fell.  Hanley reached for the fugitive, but tripped over some loose concrete and stumbled forward. Before he could recover himself, Sabannano took deliberate aim, shot Hanley in the back, and then continued on a run through Imlay Street. Patrolman William J McMillan, Shield No. 6618 and William J Kenna, Shield No. 4912, both of the 145th precinct, heard the firing. McMillen saw Sabannano in Bowne Street and made a rush for him. The latter (Sabannano) hid behind a fence.  When McMillen came within about thirty feet of Sabannano, Sabannano fired one shot.  The Officer returned two and commanded Sabannano to throw down his revolver.  The man obeyed.  Patrolman Kenna came up at this time and both Patrolmen took Sabannano in charge.”

Patrick S Hanley and John Williams both received an “Honorable Mention” under General Order #2, for  their conduct described above.

According to one newspaper account, Patrick was in the Hospital for eight months, recovering from his wounds.  Initially he was reported as “dying in Holy Family Hospital” and was “not expected to live”. But Patrick was eventually released and returned home to his wife and six children.

On 4 March 1913, Patrick was transferred to the Municipal Lodging Home, part of the P.O. Squad.  This assignment was most likely an effort by the Police Department Administration to find Patrick a light duty job for him after his near fatal encounter. Just over a year later, on 26 October 1914, it was noted that his duties at the Municipal Lodging home continued, but was now assigned to the Commissioners Office.

Patrick S Hanley’s Transfer and Assignment Card indicates that he died of NATURAL causes on 12, June 1915, just three years after being shot in the back. His Death Certificate indicates that he died after five days of Lobar Pneumonia. Lobar pneumonia is a form of pneumonia that affects a large and continuous area of the lobe of a lung.  It would seem that this could be related to incident just two years earlier. His Obituary seems to indicate that his family believed that his death was caused by his injury.

It appears that Patricks death was NOT classified as an “On Duty Death” by the New York City Police Department, which is often the case under similar circumstances. This is strange, since most of the research seems to indicate that his death was most certainly related to his injury. His family was never granted the recognition or benefits associated with a “Line of Duty Death”.

According to  a letter by Grace Lewis, daughter of Catherine Hanley Lewis, there was a falling out between her Mom and Patrick’s wife, Mary Keegan Hanley right around the time of Patricks death.  Could the falling out have something to do Mary not pursuing the “Line of Duty Death” status?  Of was is something to do with the funeral arrangements.  I guess we will never know.  Whatever the case, it is too bad that the two branches of this family never saw each other again.

Patrick Hanley is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York (Section St. George, Range 3, Plot 57-58).  It is the same cemetery where his father, mother and and two brother are buried.

Related Newspaper Articles

The Sun, Tuesday, July 9, 1912

The Sun, Wednesday, March 12, 1913

From the Mount Kisco Recorder:

• 18 Mar 1887 – Alexander Yerks hosts a “Japanese Surprise Social”
• 27 Jan1888 – Alexander Yerks and the Chappaqua Baptist Church hosts a “Donkey Socialable”
• 11 Jan 1889 – The Mount Kisco Recorder calls for his recognition of service to his Country.  He spent three years fighting for the North during the Civil War.
• 21 Jan 1889 – Cassius Yerks, Alexander’s son, left the Chappaqua Shoe Factory and took a position with a shoe Factory in Lynn, Massachusetts.
• 18 Jan 1889 – Alexander Yerks made signifiant improvements to his property, formally used as a Wheelwright Shop.
• 19 Apr 1889 – Alexander Yerks opens his new Grocery Store.
• 5 Dec 1890 – Just 15 days before the fire, the I.O.G.T  (possibly the International Order of Good Templars) voted to change Yerks’ Hall into a “Lodge Room”.

Near Conflagration Almost Destroys Chappaqua Just Before Christmas
Published int he Mount Kisco Recorder on December 26, 1890

The little village of Chappaqua was the scene of great excitement early on Saturday morning last, about 2 o’clock when the shrill whistle of the shoe factory woke the people of to the fact that there was a dangerous fire raging on Greeley Avenue, opposite the Harlem Railroad Depot. The property in flames was the store occupied by Mr. Alexander Yerks as a grocery store, (in which the fire first started) and from which it soon spread to the dwelling house north of it, occupied by Mr. Perry Quick and Mr. Wesley Smalley and their families.

The fire was first discovered by Mr. Ed Quinby, who was returning home from a social party, when he saw a bright light in Yerks’s store, and ran with haste to the spot to see what was the matter. He soon found that a serious fire had begun, and he immediately rushed around and alarmed several men, among them of the shoe factory the engineer, Charles Bouton. The latter at once dressed himself in a hurry, and rushed to the shoe factory building, entered the engineering room, and gave the alarm all over the village by blowing the steam whistle. While the villagers were arousing and dressing, Bouton raked the fire under the boiler and got more steam up, and then started the big steam pump that is kept for fire purposes. Soon others came to his assistance and they attached hose to the pump, and in a short time a stream of water was playing on the factory building to keep it from catching fire.

Then attention was given to the burning buildings across the street, and water was poured on the adjoining buildings to keep the fire from spreading. The Yerks building was now a mass of flames, burning embers flying in the air, and being carried by the wind in various directions, but mostly eastward to the main street up Chappaqua hill.

Messrs. Smalley and Quick had been aroused at an early period of the fire, and managed to get all their furniture out of the house. Their clothing however was consumed and they only saved what they had put on most hurriedly on being first awakened to their danger. The house was only 15 feet from the store.

The blazing sparks flew to Mr. Rem. Farrington’s barn, Mr. Thomas Young’s blacksmith shop, and eastward across the main street, to the Union Church, which at one time was in great danger from the flying and flaming embers. Indeed, nearly all the houses around there may be said to have been saved by good luck and providence, for the blazing sparks and pieces of burning shingles and wood were found next morning in all the dooryards of the houses nearby. The damage to Mr. Thomas Young’s shop was slight, being only about $15 or $20; and to Mr. Harrington’s bar, a little less.

But it was an anxious time for Chappaqua, until the fire was finally extinguished, and everybody felt safe to leave the scene and returned home. Had the fire occurred the night before, when the wind raged so fiercely, nearly all night, there is no telling where the fire would have stopped. Indeed, as it was, if it had not been for the fortunate discovery of the conflagration by Mr. Ed Quinby, half of Chappaqua would, no doubt, have been wiped out.

The insurance on Mr. Yerks’s building was $1000 with $100 more on store fixtures and $900 on groceries stock; but as Mr. Yerks had been closing out the business, it is probably that he didn’t have more than 200 or $300 worth of stock on hand.

The dwelling house next door, was owned by Mr. E. M. Van Tassel, of New York City, and was insured for $1000.

This is the third time that fire has broken out in Mr. Yerk’s store, and it has been a complete success at last. But for the vigilant and untiring efforts of the shoe factory people—including Mr. H. W. Bischoff and all the local resident workman—the blacksmith shop of Mr. Thomas Young, and doubtless other property would have been sacrificed by the flames.

Commentary of the Near Conflagration
Published int he Mount Kisco Recorder on December 26, 1890

If it had not been for “that nuisance siren” (the factory whistle) the loss to property would have been much greater. When the whistle is heard in the night no one stops to ask “what is the matter?”

No, we are not ready to spare the factory whistle yet. The wind was blowing quite hard from the Northeast and carried sparks a long distance, and in one or two instances set roofs afire, but they were closely watched and extinguished. Both buildings were insured.

This fire once more reminds us of the need of some means of extinguishing fires in the village. There is nothing except the hose at the factory, and that is of use only nearby, and there is no water of any account right in the village.

If a pipe could be laid from Greeley’s pond and two or three hydrants placed in the village, we would have an effective fire extinguisher.

The Lodge of good Templars lost all their furniture and regalia at the fire last Saturday morning. It is thought the loss will be about $50. It is reported that there are several new houses to be built on the site of those which were burned. That is just what we need in this place—small houses at reasonable rents.

Summary

Sometime between the 1891 and 1900, Alexander and his entire family left Chappaqua and head North to Lynn, Massachusetts.  His son Cassius, has moved to Lynn in 1889 to take a position in a shoe factory there.  You can’t help but wonder whether Alexander Yerks had worn out his stay… especially after THREE fires in his store.  There is NO mention of him in Mount Kisco Recorder after the fire. Alexander Yerks died in Lynn, Massachusetts on November 21, 1909.

Last week, I acquired two important dates of Deaths for William Townsend Yerks and Emeline Schenck.  They came to me by way of Kim at the Onondaga County Public Library.  They hold a copy of the Birth, Marriage and Death indexes for the State of New York. “Wm T Yerks” died on August 12, 1900.  Emeline Schenck died  on March 4, 1939.  So armed with that information, I headed over to the Town Clerks office in Bedford, where they both died,  in search of the details reported on their Death Certificates.  The Town Clerk informed me that it may take about an hour or so to do the research and get everything typed up, so I decided to head over to the Mount Kisco Library to see what I could find on Microfilm about their deaths.

The Mount Kisco Library holds an incomplete set of microfilms for the “Mount Kisco Record” for the years of 1914 to 1940.  So that  prevented me from finding any obituary for William Townsend Yerks.  But I was quickly able to find one for Emeline Schenck. It provided me with the best proof yet that the information on the death certificate was erroneous.  I’ve highlighted the more interesting research points below.

Mrs Emeline Schenck.

Mrs Emeline Schenck, widow of Benjamin Schenck, died last Saturday night at her home in Bedford Hills in her 82 year.  She had been a resident of Bedford Hills for many years and was well known.  She was born in Chestnut Ridge, the daughter of the late Townsend and Lucinda Hadden Yerkes.

She is survived by two daughters, Miss Ella M Schenck and Mrs M McGuhy of Bedford Hills; three sons, William B Schenck of Cranston, RI, Albert Vanderoef, a son by a former marriage and Lewis Schenck, both of Bedford Hills, and a brother, George O Yerks of Brooklyn.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 from her late residence, the Rev. J. C. Coddington, pastor of the Bedford Hills Methodist Church, officiating.  The internment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Kisco.

So this might not be a primary source of information, but it is the best confirmation yet that the parents of George Oakley Yerks were indeed Lucinda and William Townsend Yerks.  Of course, it is still possible that George was adopted, but it does now seem that the information collected on the Death Certificate did not come from any knowledgable source. Perhaps, William B Yerks, the son listed as the provider of information on the Death Certificate, provided the only information known to him at the time.  Remember, William Benjamin Yerks was only nine when his grandfather died and sixteen when his grandmother died.  So it is possible that he did not know who his grandfather was.  And maybe he heard someone call his grandmother by a nickname…  perhaps “L.C.”…. short for Lucinda.  And maybe he heard it as “Elsie”.

When I got back to the Town Clerks Office, I had the information from the two death records waiting for me which confirmed much of my research.

William Townsend Yerks Death Certificate Information

• Registered number: 412
• Date Death: August 12, 1900
• Name of Deceased: Wm. T. Yerks
• Age: 73 years, 7 months, 28 days
• Married
• Occupation:
• Birthplace : Pleasantville
• Father’ s nane and Birthplace: Wm. Yerks Pleasantville
• Mother’ s name and Birthplace: Marie Yerks Pleasantville
• Place of Death: Bedford Station
• Cause of Death: Chronic Heart Disease
• Medical Attendant: C. F. Chapman
• Place Burial: Middle Patent

Emeline Yerks Schenck Death Certificate Information

• Registered number: 10
• Name: Emeline Schenck
• Residence: Bedford Road, Bedford Hills,NY
• Sex: Female Color or Race: White, Widow
• Name of Husband: Benjamin Schenck
• Date of Birth: Dec. 15, 1857
• Age: 81 years,  2 months, 19 days
• Housewife
• occupation:
• Birthplace: Chestnut Ridge, NY
• Father: Townsend Yerks Birthplace: Westchester Co., NY
• Mother: Lucinda Hadden Birthplace: Westchester Co., NY
• Place of Burial: 0akwood, Mt. Kisco, NY on Mar.7, 1939
• Date Death: March 4, 1939
• Cause of Death: Carcinoma of Pancreas, Carcinoma of Liver, Anemia – Secondary: Myocarditis, chronic

In addition to confirming my research, I also learned that William Townsend Yerks was buried in the Middle Patent Rural Cemetery in Bedford.  This cemetery is closer to the area know as Chestnut Ridge in North Castle and further away from Bedford Hills where he was living.  I went to Middle Patent Cemetery in search of his grave, but could find nothing.  So I called the caretaker.  She did not find his burial in the main record set, but did find him listed in a set of records defined as “unrecorded”.  According to the caretaker, a survey of the cemetery was done in 1914 in which several previously undocumented graves were discovered.  The first name and date match William T Yerks, but the last name had several question marks replacing letters on it.  This leads me to conclude that the grave marker was basically unreadable in 1914, just 14 years after his death.  So it would be next to impossible to find his burial place today.

• Henry William Lewis, an immigrant from Wales, was on board a ship that was fired upon by the canon batteries at Morris Island, marking the beginning of the Civil War.
  http://hayesfamily.us/index.php/2008/10/28/226/
• Jeremiah D Sheehan prepared to join the war as a private in Company C of 3rd Infantry Regiment New Hampshire (23 Aug 1861).
• Cyrus Cutler of Bedford, New York, prepared to join the war with Company H, New York 5th Heavy Artillery Regiment (02 Jan 1864).
• Jonathan J Beattie joined the Civil War was a Seaman with the US Navy.

In one or two other posts here I have mentioned this box of stuff I found in the basement that was full of treasures from my youth. I was down in the basement again today and took a look through that box again and found the letter my Grandpa & Grandma wrote to me and my brothers on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. It was written on a typewriter (so very typically Grandpa) and I scanned it but I’ve also transcribed it here:

Anniversary

October 4

1922-1972

Dear Jerry Peter & Philip

In view of our approaching 50th wedding anniversary and since you are a member of our family, we are asking you to bear with us for a few minutes while we hold forth on the well-worn subject of “Time”. It intrigues us just now because we are especially aware that we have used up quite a bit of it, possibly not in all respects in the best way, but perhaps in just about the way our limited talents permitted us.

We wish that our past fifty years had been full of noble or notable accomplishment. But only a few people seem to have been that able or fortunate. We have tried with considerable success to enjoy our lives together and to do well in establishing a family. We are happy about the results.

The passing of Time has been celebrated, regretted, recorded, and otherwise treated with great and enduring interest since Time began. In fact, we would not have Time if it did not pass. It never stood still despite fairy tales to the contrary. Without Time, we do not exist. Imagine anything existing before Time began-or after it ended!

Man has always been concerned with Time, for example, the time taken by the Earth to rotate on its axis and its orbit, the time taken by the Earth to evolve from its probable beginning, the time taken by man to become what he is, and the time between events in history.

Time engages man continuously from his birth to his death, from the rising to the setting of the sun and the beginning to the end of his undertakings, Time has been a favorite of poets who have mentioned its wing and its habit of fleeting, its capacity for being wasted, it ravages, its corridors, it footprints, its value, it healing, and humorously, what the Walrus said about it in “Alice”.

Our concern with Time is all of this and more but our special concern just now is the fact that fifty years of it have been enjoyed in our happy marriage. We are celebrating this happiness by giving a token like the enclosed to each member of our family. Please use it and enjoy it.

We hope that none of you will send us any gift in return since we have more possessions that we can manage.

Thank you for scores of happy incidents in our lives!

And remember us with the same love we send you!

Grandma & Grandpa

I just have to smile at how Grandpa is talking about Physics and Time. Gee I guess the nut, this nut, didn’t fall from from that tree. Did it?

For as long as I can remember Grandma & Grandpa came up from their home in St. Petersburg, Florida every summer to spend the summer months with us at our home in Chappaqua starting from the summer of 1958 when Mom, Dad, and I moved from Baltimore to New York.

I can still fondly recall watching the second rocket in NASA’s Mercury Program, Liberty Bell 7, launch on TV with Grandma. I remembe it because as it took off I went running out the back door to see the rocket going up into the sky and she then had to explain to me why I couldn’t see it. I still smile when I think of that.

They would come right after the school year ended and then leave, drive back home shortly before it began again.

The summer of 1972 was different though. Grandma & Grandpa would stay until their anniversary in October so that they could celebrate it with thier daughter, her husband, and the Hayes grandchildren. Grandpa took us all to (the original) Emily Shaw’s Inn in Pound Ridge for the celebration. I even remember my dad asking the waiter or waitress if they had hearts of lettuce and I remember having steak.

Sometime either the next day, or maybe a few days later, Grandma & Grandpa would pack up the old Olds Delta 98 and head south for home.

October 11th they arrived in Naples Florida south of their home in St. Pete just to visit and see it. They went for a walk on the boardwalk or quayside that evening and met a young newlywed couple on their honeymoon and chatted with them telling them how they had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary only a few days ago.

That night my Grandpa, my dear loving Grandpa went to bed for the very last time. He would die in his sleep that night.

Grandpa’s “Time” with us had run its course.

Several years ago, I came across a record at the Find-A-Grave website that listed a William Yerks being buried at “Potter’s Field” in Valhalla.  It gave no date of birth or date of death.  So, stuck at a brick research wall,  I decided to write to the Westchester County Archives to see if they would have any additional information about the people buried at Potter’s field.

There is a William yerks buried in Potters Field in Valhalla.  Can you tell me whether there are any records for Potters Field that might provide me with date of death or other info? Apparently he is buried in Row I , a double grave that is shared with Isaac Stokes .

If you think you may have records, I will come down from Connecticut  to research him if necessary.

Thanks.

Phil Hayes

A short time later Jackie, from the County Archives, wrote back to me.

Hi Phil,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. We have very little on Potters Field, unfortunately. As it was connected to the county Almshouse, that would be the place to look. From the index, I see there was a William Yerks who passed away in the Almshouse in 1876. He was from Mount Pleasant, and was 75 years old. If that sounds like your man, you are welcome to come in to see the record; we’re open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9-4. The amount of information is in these Almshouse records varies, some are very sketchy, and some have a decent amount of detail. It depends on who was keeping the records.

Jackie

I was already interested in the Almshouse because Armenia Yerks, daughter  of the William Yerks that I was looking for, showed up in the 1900 Census there. Now I also had a William Yerks who was within the same age range as the one I was looking for.

So yesterday, I once again made the trip to the Archives in Elmsford,NY.  Jackie immediately remembered me and my request.  She quickly guided me to an index that was compiled by a volunteer that lists the names of “inmates” of the Almshouse Institution. I immediately recognized several names in the index.

Some of the microfilms that held the records were missing, so Jackie brought out the original ledgers for the first couple of records I wanted to looked up.  I was allowed to photograph the records I was interested in.  I printed the others from the Microfilm viewer/printer.  Here is a summary of what I discovered.

William Yerks.

William Yerks was a 75 year old male who was admitted to the Almshouse on May 5, 1876.  It lists him as a widower, but I believe that is simply an error.  He and his father were listed as being born in Mount Pleasant which would be consistent with my research.  The “habits” of him, his father and mother were “temperate”, meaning they were not big drinkers.  His father’s occupation was a farmer.  He has three living children who were all “self supporting”.  His existing cause of dependance is listed as “Destitution.  He has been receiving public “out-door” support for about three years prior to being admitted.  It goes on to indicate that a brother and daughter have also been aided.  William died on September 17, 1876, just four months after entering the poor house.

Summary: William’s age would make him born in 1801, which is the exact year we have recorded in our research. In my opinion, there is no doubt that this is the William Yerks I have been looking for and that he is most likely the one buried at Potter’s field.  His destitute situation explains why I have not found him buried at any of the normal Yerks burial places.  A death date of 1876 would explain why he does not appear in the 1880 US Census.

Mariah Yerks

Mariah (Maria) Yerks is a 76 year old female who was admitted to the Almshouse on May 12, 1878 because she was sick and most likely could not afford care at the nearby hospital.  She was born in Greenburg, New York and is now listed as a widow.  Her occupation was a housekeeper and her father was a farmer. This Mariah supposedly has six living children, which would make it inconsistent with the information we have about her.  This information could simply be a mis-interpretation of the question.  Apparently she was so sick that she was unable to perform any manual labor.  But according to the records, she was discharged just six days later.

Summary: I am pretty sure that this Mariah is the Maria, wife of the William Yerks mentioned above.  Since there are no other “Maria” Yerks found anywhere in the Census prior to 1878, the likelihood that this is her is 99%. The age of this Mariah, places her birth year directly inline with other research I have performed. However, there is some more research that needs to be done. For instance, I have found a  Maria Yerks in the 1880 US Census, b. circa 1806, living in Staten Island with a Charles and Mary Yerks.  This 1880 Census record indicates that Maria is the mother of Charles. As far as I know, our Maria Yerks did not have a son name Charles.  But this move to Staten Island, would explain the May 18, 1878 discharge from the Almshouse.

Ezra Yerks

Widower Ezra Yerks, 57 years old, was admitted to the Almshouse on September 18, 1893.  The reason for his admittance was that he was sick. He was born in Pleasantville, NY.  He was able to read and write and his occupation was a shoemaker.  His parents are listed as deceased and he had one living sister.  Ezra Yerks died on November 12,1893.

Summary: I believe this Ezra to be the fourth son of William and Maria Yerks.  His age matches +/- 2 years to the Ezra I have been researching.  He died in 1893 which explains his disappearance from the Census after 1880. The things that makes me wonder is about his marital status.  The Almshouse record indicates that he was a widower.  According to the 1880 Census, he was single at the age of  43.  Again, this could simply be a clerical mistake, or maybe he got married at a later age.

Ethel Armenia Yerks

Ethel Armenia Yerks is a young child who was originally admitted to the Westchester Almshouse on September 4th, 1896 because of “Destitution”.  She was born in Eastview, NY.  Both parents are living and she has no brothers or sisters.  The record also indicated that her mother is at the same facility.  In fact, a comment in the remarks section indicates that she is the child of Theresa Yerks, above.

Summary: I was initially very excited because I thought I had found the Armenia Yerks that was mentioned in the 1900 Census.  But after closely looking at the age of this person, it was clear they were not the same person.  But the story does not end there….  see the summary for Theresa below.

Theresa Yerks

Theresa Yerks is a twenty year old female who was married when she was admitted on 26 Aug 1896.  She was a house wife that was able to read and write.  Her father was a shoemaker.  The reason that she was admitted to the Almshouse was that she was destitute and pregnant.  There are two interesting notes made on her chart. The first is “Notify Richard Nolan of Bedford Station”.  The second is in regards to her discharge on July 6, 1899.  This note indicates that she was “Taken to home of Refuge for Woman at Hudson”.

Summary: I couldn’t figure out who this Theresa was.  I had never heard of her before.  So I decided to see if I could find a Theresa Yerks in Census records at Ancestry.com.  Within a few keystrokes, I quickly came up with a Theresa Yerks in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 Census married to an Edward F Yerks (b. abt 1875).  William Townsend Yerks, son of the William Yerks mentioned above, had a son “Eddie” who I lost track of after the 1880 Census.  It is now clear to me that Eddie Yerks married this Theresa and got back together with her when he could.  This would explain why the daughters middle name was that of his fathers sister.  With a quick query at Fulton Postcards New York Newspaper web site, I found the disturbing story behind Theresa’s admittance to the Almshouse which confirms my research above.

Conclusion

It looks like this branch of the Yerks family tree fell on hard and desperate times between 1870 and 1900.  The family had begun to spread out throughout Westchester County, away from the traditional Yerks homesteads located in Mount Pleasant, New York.  Remembering that there were no telephones and mail took days to be delivered, I believe it was difficult for family members to know about their relatives needs.  And even if they did know, the distances between locations and travel times made it extremely difficult to help each other out.  It is sad to know that a Yerks family member is buried at Potter’s field, but I am relieved to know finally what happened to the family as a whole back then.  All this being considered, there are still numerous questions which may never be answered.