Force

Recreations of Slaves

Recreations of slaves: The following is an old fashion ballad that was sung during the period of slavery and which was very common throughout the Purchase Region: “Jeff Davis rode a big white horse, but Lincoln rode a mule-Jeff Davis was a fine, smart man, and Lincoln was a fool. Jeff Davis had a fine white; Lincoln only had a mule-Jeff Davis was a wonderful man and Lincoln was a fool”. Ring dancing was largely practiced during the slavery period. Especially was this participated in throughout the Purchase Region. This was a rather primative kind of dancing and was performed … Read more

History of Ontario County, New York, part 2

History of Ontario County, New York

The History of Ontario County, New York genealogical section provides an extensive array of surnames, indicating the comprehensive nature of the section in Part 2. These genealogies not only serves as a reference for individuals researching family histories but also reflects the diverse settler and immigrant populations that have contributed to the fabric of Ontario County. Each surname represents a family’s journey, struggles, and contributions to the county’s development over centuries.

Biography of Chester B. Force

Chester B., son of Benjamin Force, was born at Kendall. in Altay valley. Steuben county, New York, now (1910) in Schuyler county, in 1832, died in 1906. He was educated in the public schools. He was a gifted musician, but his principal business through a long and active life was farming. His home was near Geneva, Ontario county, New York. In politics he was a Republican; in religion a member of the Christian church. He married, in 1860, Catherine Cromwell Winter, born in Ontario county, in 1832, died in 1893, daughter of Joel Winter, born 1799, died 1872. Her father … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Force

Benjamin, son of David Force, was born in 1793. died in 1873. He spent his youth in his native place in New Jersey and was a pioneer settler at Steuben county, now (1910) Schuyler county, New York, where he followed farming all his active life. In politics he was a Whig and afterward a Republican. An intense Abolitionist, he was prominent in all anti-slavery movements and his house was a station of the Underground Railroad. His grandson and namesake was instantly killed while serving in the Union army in the civil war in Sherman’s “March to the Sea” in 1864. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Force

David Force, immigrant ancestor, was born about 1758 in France, and, being left an orphan during the French revolution, or in the troubles preceding, was cared for and brought to America by a Quaker with whom he was living, a youth of nineteen, at Princeton, New Jersey, at the time of the battle of Princeton, in 1777. Restrained from enlisting in the American army in the revolution on account of the non-combatant principles of his guardian, he was at that time impressed into the service to help care for the wounded and dead. Among those who were conveyed from the … Read more

Rough Riders

Rough Riders

Compiled military service records for 1,235 Rough Riders, including Teddy Roosevelt have been digitized. The records include individual jackets which give the name, organization, and rank of each soldier. They contain cards on which information from original records relating to the military service of the individual has been copied. Included in the main jacket are carded medical records, other documents which give personal information, and the description of the record from which the information was obtained.

Buying and Selling Slaves

BALLARD CO. (J.R. Wilkerson) [HW: Ky 7] [Tinie Force and Elvira Lewis:] During the period of slavery in the Purchase Region, buying and selling slaves was carried on at irregular intervals. The trading usually took place at the home of the slave owner. The prices paid for slaves was dependent upon certain conditions. In case of a full grown, robust negro boy the price was sometimes as much as one thousand dollars. The prices paid was varied according to the age, the general health and other conditions of the individual. At times pathetic scenes prevailed in the selling of slaves; … Read more