Tombstone Tuesday : Lottie McDonald

This week's Tombstone Tuesday is on the gravestone of Lottie McDonald (1859-1871). She was the child of Barbara Helen Hitchcock (1834-1922) and Abram W. Baker (1836-1868). After Barbara's husband, Abram, passed away, she married Dr. William Ogden McDonald (1836-1918) on 05 January 1870 in Brooklyn. Lottie Baker took the surname of her step-father.

Lottie McDonald, gravestone

Lottie was only twelve years old when she died of an unknown cause on 24 March 1871. Below is a photo of Lottie's ornately carved tree gravestone with cut branches that represents a life cut short before it was cleaned with D2 Biological Solution.

Very little is known about Lottie because of her young age at the time of her death. Below is a scan of her burial card from Albany Rural Cemetery where most of the information known about her comes from.

When Lottie's mother died on 06 October 1922 in Brooklyn. It was written in her Will one of her last wishes. Below is page one of Barbara's Last Will and Testament. Please note the Second and Fourth items within the Will.

Military Monday : Isaac Hitchcock, War of 1812

This week's military ancestor biography is on Isaac Hitchcock who was a younger brother to one of my 5th great grandfathers, James Hitchcock. Isaac was born 15 May 1796 to Samuel Hitchcock (1760-1831) and Mary Schlippe (1760-1827). His siblings include:

• James (1785-1858) married Peggy Meneely
• Joel (1787-1853) married Freelove Dyer
• Nicholas (1800-1870) married Sarah
• Jeremiah
• Rachel married Stephen Conger

The Hitchcock's resided in West Troy in the area of Washington Street. As a youth, age 18, Isaac volunteered at Troy to serve in the New York Militia during the War of 1812 on 05 September 1814. He served under Colonel Benjamin Higbie as an Officer's Waiter. His company became known as the "Troy Invincibles." Isaac was discharged in Troy on 10 December 1814. It is not know where he was stationed or if he saw military action. Below are two scans from his pension files.

Isaac married Nancy Meneely (1798-1858) on 23 November 1816 in West Troy. Nancy was also an older sister of Andrew Meneely (1802-1851) of the renowned Meneely bell company.

Isaac and Nancy had the following children:

• Julia Ann (1818-1888) married Eli Fay
• Elmina Jewel (1820-1876) married George May Wheeler
• Margaret (1822-1904) married Luther Washington Jackson
• Lucy (1824-1889) married Jabez P. Bowman
• Jane Guernsey (1827-1867)
• Isaac James (1830-1866)
• Nancy Meneely (1833-1917)
• Jonas C. (1836-1898) married Sarah Elizabeth Johnson
• Mary Elizabeth (1839-1881) married Stephen Harris Seamans

Isaac was known as Captain Isaac. He operated sloops on the Hudson River for years as did his brothers James, Joel, and Nicholas. On 28 April 1847 Isaac was appointed US Postmaster in West Troy.

Isaac Hitchcock signature from his pension files

 On 24 April 1851 Isaac applied for a land bounty warrant. He was granted 160 acres. It is believed that the land was in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. because Isaac moved the family there eventually. A newspaper article from the Troy Times dated 31 August 1864 read:

Captain Isaac Hitchcock, a life-long resident of West Troy, has disposed of his residence in Washington street, and will, in the course of a fortnight, remove with his most estimable family to Illinois. Captain H. was master of a sloop on the river when passengers went to New York "by sail." He has been postmaster for two terms, and held other offices of trust. The citizens of West Troy will miss his face from the Postoffice, where for so many years he had a pleasant word or innocent joke for all. May success and long life attend him.

Isaac Hitchcock moved back to West Troy by 1880 where he remained until he died on 24 February 1882. His obituary from the Hudson Daily Evening Register dated 25 February 1882, 2:3 read:

Death of Captain Hitchcock

Captain Isaac Hitchcock, a veteran river man and prominent citizen, died at his son-in-law's residence at Port Schuyler, Thursday night.  He was 86 years of age and was the last surviving member of the "Invincibles," a company raised in Troy to fight the British in 1812.  He navigated the Hudson for 30 years.  From 1846 to 1857 he was postmaster at West Troy and was a member of the North Reformed church of that village.  He was respected by all who knew him.  He leaves a son and four daughters.

Isaac was buried in his large family plot in Albany Rural Cemetery.

Isaac Hitchcock, Albany Rural Cemetery plot

Isaac Hitchcock, obelisk inscription

Tombstone Tuesday : Irving Magee Hitchcock

This week's Tombstone Tuesday is on Irving Magee Hitchcock. Very little is known about this individual because he died at the age of four months and eight days from Cholera.

Gravestone of Irving Magee Hitchcock

The child was named after the Reverned Irving Magee, Pastor of the First Lutheran Church in Albany. His parents were James Henry Hitchcock (1834-1886) Caroline Gertrude Ruenburgh (1840-1908); my great great great grandparents. Irving was born on 15 March 1876 in Albany at 198 Green Street.

Irving Magee Hitchcock, Interment card from Albany Rural Cemetery

Irving died on 23 July 1876 and was buried in the family plot at Albany Rural Cemetery the next day. His very small gravestone became dislodged from its original base and for decades it lay next to other family member's gravestones. In May 2015 and new base was cast for little Irving's stone and his stone was mortared in. Barely legible, his stone reads "OUR DARLING."

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Capt. Andrew Meneely Hitchcock

This week's ancestor biography is on Captain Andrew Meneely Hitchcock. Older brother of my great great great great grandfather, Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock. Yes, I would like to find out why the named my ancestor Aistroppe. No wonder why he went by Robert. My Hitchcock ancestors were originally from Westchester County and in the early 1800s they moved to West Troy; now Watervliet. Also, numerous Hitchcock men were river people. They worked on the Hudson as pilots and Captains on river sloops, schooners, and steamboats.

Andrew Meneely Hitchcock was born in West Troy on 16 February 1808. He was the oldest son of Captain James Hitchcock (1785-1858) and Peggy Meneely (c. 1790-a. 1818). Andrew was named after his maternal grandfather Andrew James Meneely. He was also baptized at the First Presbyterian Church of Troy on 01 May 1808. Andrew's siblings included:

• Aistroppe Robinson (1810-1876) married Margaret Ann Sickman
• Alexander (1812-1871) married Abigail Irena Hanks
• Marian (1814-      )
• James Harvey (1816-1894) married Juliette Harriet Fuller
• Eleanor Levina (1818-    )

On 11 August 1831, Andrew married Charlotte Crowner at the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at Gibbonsville. Andrew and Charlotte's children included:

• Barbara Helen (1834-1922) married Dr. William Ogden McDonald
• Oscar Meneely (1838-1908) married Mary P. Platt
• Richard Crowner (1846-1880)
• Charlotte (1858-1871)

Their first three children were born in West Troy. Then the family moved to Brooklyn. Perhaps to be closer to the New York harbor shipping industry. Captain Hitchcock died on 21 March 1883. He was long associated with Hudson River as the below obituaries state.

From the Daily Brooklyn Eagle, 22 March 1883, 3:7

Captain Andrew M Hitchcock, the oldest surviving steamboat captain on the North River and one of the best known men connected with the inland transportation service, died early yesterday morning at his home, No. 427 Sixth street, in this city, in his 76th year.  Captain Hitchcock possessed a strong and vigorous constitution, and enjoyed excellent health until Ash Wednesday, February 9, when he was stricken by an attack of Bright's disease of the kidneys.  He rallied at times and it was hoped by his many friends that he would recover, but advanced years and the strain incidental by the long and active business pursuit in which he had been engaged, proved too much to contend against and his illness eventually terminated in death.  He was born in West Troy on February16, 1808, and commenced life on the river at the early age of 11 years as a cabin boy.  Working hard and not shrinking from taking his part in the "rough and tumble" peculiar to his occupation, he soon earned the esteem of his captain and employers and was promoted to the office of cook.  From this station he was advanced to that of mate, and from mate to captain, which position he filled with admirable ability and to the satisfaction of all with whom he had commercial transactions.  He commanded at various time the steamboats Oliver Ellsworth, Commerce, Trojan, John W. Mason, Jenny Lind, Oregon, Mercury, Koscisko and others, which were famous in their days as models of floating architecture.  His career was full of exciting and novel scenes and would furnish excellent material for a volume of abscribing interest.  In the course of his sixty-five years experience became acquainted with many of the most prominent men of the time and the name of Captain "Neely, by which he was popularly known to merchants and tourists was "as familiar as household words."  In consequence of being the oldest captain on the river, he was selected to carry President Lincoln and Cabinet during the Summer of 1863 or '64 on his boat River Queen, to Albany, whom the party made an excursion to the Capital city of the Empire State.  Captain Hitchcock was highly esteemed as a man for his sterling honesty and for the ability with which he discharged the duties devolving upon him.  He leaves a son and daughter, both of whom are married, and a circle of friends whose name is legion.  His funeral will take place from his late residence tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.  the internment will be in the Albany Rural Cemetery.  the flags on all the Hudson River boats were raised at half mast as a tribute to his memory, immediately upon the receipt of the news of his death.

From the New York Times, 23 March 1883

CAPT. ANDREW M. HITCHCOCK.

Capt. Andrew M. Hitchcock, the oldest Captain on the North River, died yesterday morning at the residence of his son, No. 426 Sixth-street, South Brooklyn, of Bright's disease of the kidneys, from which he had been suffering for the past two years. Capt. Hitchcock, who was known familiarly by the name of "Capt. Kneely" at every landing place between this city and Albany, commanded steam-boats on the Hudson for more than 50 consecutive years, and was known and steamed by hundreds of river men.  He was born in West Troy Feb. 16, 1808. and was 75 years old at the time of his death.  He removed to this City when a boy and begun to work on the North River boats when but 12 years old.  At the age of 21 he became the Captain of a river steamer running between this City and Albany. and continued to command boats on the Hudson until about two years ago, when he was compelled to retire from business on account of ill health.  During his more than half a century of active work as Captain he commanded, among others steamers, the Oliver Ellsworth, Swiftsure, Commerce, Trojan, Anna, Kosciusko, Alida, Ontario, and Hero.  He was in command of the River Queen when President Lincoln and his Cabinet made a trip to Albany in her.  Capt. Hitchcock leaves a son and daughter, both of whom are married. The funeral services will be held at the residence of his son, No. 426 Sixth-street, South Brooklyn, tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.  The interment will be in the Rural Cemetery, Albany.

Captain Andrew Meneely Hitchcock, lot

Obelisk Inscription

Reclaiming Lost Relatives Gravesites

As I begin to wind down my projects at Albany Rural Cemetery with rehabbing my ancestors gravesites that have fallen into disrepair; today I had ambitions of reclaiming 5 gravestones of my ancestors in Section 100. Today, my father and I retrieved 2 out of 5 stones. My relatives and their accompanying gravestones were previously located in the old Gibbonsville Cemetery in Watervliet on what is now property of the Watervliet arsenal. In 1918, the cemetery property was sold to the United States government. The cemetery was overgrown and not taken care of and at the same time the arsenal wished to expand its grounds. It would appear to be a win - win situation for the city of Watervliet and for the arsenal. After the cemetery property was sold, the interments and gravestones were removed to a section of Albany Rural Cemetery for re-burial. Over the past 97 years gravity has worked its wonders and the gravestones have sunken into the ground upwards of almost 10 inches.

Below are a series of photos of the work in progress. The first stone that I recovered was of Amanda Hitchcock, daughter of Capt. John Hitchcock and Harriet Palmer. John was an older brother of Samuel Hitchcock, my gggggg grandfather. The photo of Amanda's stone was after the project was completed.

Amanda Hitchcock 

The next few photos are from the recovering efforts of Louisa Martel Hitchcock's gravestone. Louisa was an adopted daughter of Alexander Hitchcock and Abigail Irena Hanks. Alexander was a younger brother to my gggg grandfather, Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock.


Below is a photo of excavating the stone. It was almost 10 inches deep.

The next two photos are of my father cleaning the mud off the stones after they were removed from the ground.

The ground, refilled, tamped down, and leveled; awaiting placement of the gravestone in the exact spot where it was previously located; only now raised to the surface.

Louisa's gravestone placed, leveled, and surrounding area re-graded.

Project done! Three more gravestones to reclaim.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 12; Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock

With work and the warmer weather here now, I am playing catch up on this 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks program. For this week I am changing their theme for the week of "how do you spell that?" to "how do you pronounce that name?" I will write about my gggg grandfather, Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock. Personally, I am glad that I was not named after him.

Aistroppe was born on 15 September 1810 in West Troy, New York; now Watervliet to Captain James Hitchcock (1785 - 1858) and Peggy Meneely (c. 1790 - c. 1818). He was baptized on 03 February 1811 in Troy at the First Presbyterian Church. I believe that Aistroppe was named after a brother-in-law to James Hitchcock. In the First Presbyterian Church records, a marriage took place on 08 August 1804 between Eliza Hitchcock and Aistroppe Robinson. I believe that Eliza was a sister of Captain James. The names and time frames fit and where would his parents come up with that name also?

Siblings of Aistroppe include:

• Andrew Meneely (1808 - 1883) married Charlotte Crowner
• Alexander (1812 - 1871) married Abigail Irena Hanks
• Marion or Mary Ann (1814 - ?)
• James Harvey (1816 - 1894) married 1st Juliette Harriet Fuller, 2nd Mary E. Fuller
• Eleanor Levina (1818 -  ?)

Aistroppe's mother Peggy died possibly shortly after Eleanor Levina's birth. James started another family with his deceased wife's younger sister Eleanor Meneely (1804 - 1888). They were married on 28 July 1821. Their children included:

• Frances Juliet (1822 - 1899) married Aaron Clinton
• Emily H. (c. 1830 - ?) married John K. Quail
• Amelia G. (c. 1834 - 1892) married John U. Learned
• Ellen M. (1840 - 1929) married Carlos Carpenter Pope
• Edward Payson (c. 1842 - a. 1879)

A page from the Hitchcock Bible

On 13 April 1883 at the North Reformed Church in Gibbonsville (Watervliet), Aistroppe married Margaret Ann Sickman (1812 - 1892) daughter of Henry Sickman and Elizabeth Waltz (1769 - 1861). Their children included:

• James Henry (1834 - 1886) married Caroline Gertrude Ruenburgh
• Edward Newton Kirk (1837 - 1840)
• Edward Newton Kirk (1842 - 1842)

Aistroppe and family resided in West Troy for many years before moving to Albany and purchasing a house at 198 Green Street sometime before 1855. In 1850, still residing in West Troy, Aistroppe was listed as an ironworker, perhaps at the Watervliet Arsenal. He was mainly found in Albany city directories as a machinist; but later was listed as an armorer for the 10th Regiment.

At age 51, on 21 October 1861, Aistroppe enlisted in the 44th Regiment of the New York State Volunteers as a Fife Major. According to his widow's pension application papers, he was suffering from a double hernia; which could explain why he was honorably discharged on 10 April 1862.

Aistroppe died on 06 May 1876. As mentioned, Aistroppe was a musician and was a noted fife player. Below is a transcript of his obituary from the 08 May 1876 issue of the Albany NY Evening Times.

Death of "Bob"Hitchcock
A.R. Hitchcock better know as "Bob" Hitchcock, the veteran fifer died at his residence 198 Green street at 11 o'clock Saturday night of apoxlexy.  He retired to bed at 10 o'clock in apparent good health but in one hour was a corpse.  He was sixty-five years old and leaves a wife and son.  He has blown the fife for upwards of fifty years, served in the late war, and was ell and favorably known all over the country.  His death will be sincerely mourned.  He was armorer of the Tenth regiment at the time of his death and a member of Doring's band, which latter organization was to tender him a complimentary concert in Tweddle hall on the 24th inst. the concert will take place as announced and the proceeds given to Mr. Hitchcock's family. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late residence. The funeral arrangement are in the bands of Post 5 G.A.R., Doring's band will attend as mouners and Amtg's Tenth regiment band will furnish the music.  The following list of mourners was singularly prepared by Mr. Hitchcock March 25th Asa K. Patten, Brad Frost, Stephen Schreiber, H. Golirey, Frank Doring, Peter Klein, John Nidock, and John Wilkes.

The following circular was been issued from brigade headquarters:
HEADQUARTERS 9th BRIGADA N.G.S.N.Y. 
Albany, May 8, 1876 {Circular}
The general commanding 9th Brigade N.G. learning with profound regret that A. Robinson Hitchcock reg identified with the National guard as a soldier and armorer of the Tenth regiment has been suddenly removed by death requests the members of his command to attend the funeral of the deceased as a mark of respect to his memory.
D.M. Woodhall (Brig.-Gen.)

J.S. Dickerman (Lieut.-Col. & A.A.G.)
Also the following by Post 5:
HEADQUARTERS LEW BENEDICT POST
No. 5 DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK
G.A.R. Albany May 8, 1876

Comrades of this post and also those of Post 63 and 121 are hereby requested to meet at Post headquarters tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon at 1 o'clock for the purpose of paying the last tribute of respect to our late Comrade A.R. Hitchcock.  Comrades will parade in citizens' dress with white gloves.
By order, Oscar Smith, Post Commander

Chas. E. Gavtz, Adjutant

Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock was buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery on 09 May 1876. Note, on his tombstone is the relief of a fife.

Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock, gravestone

A Dead Woman's Wishes Not Fullfilled, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Gertrude Hemstreet Hitchcock, Week 3

This week's bio is a sad finding just discovered during some genealogical research regarding a deceased woman's money and her siblings.  Her story plays out below.

Old Fulton NY Post Cards is a great site to try to locate individuals in old digitized newspapers. Simply type in a name and the website uses OCR to search the thousands of pages of digitized newspapers on the site.

The site was being used to search for death notices for Elijah F. Hitchcock and his wife Gertrude. I believe Elijah to be connected to my Hitchcock's but I do not have the exact connection.  Therefore I was hoping I might find a clue in a death notice.

I have yet to find when Elijah died or where he is buried but his wife, Gertrude, is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery.  In the fall, my daughter and I walked the section in ARC and we could not find her stone.  After visiting the cemetery office it was determined by the office staff and plot records that there was no stone placed on the lot.  This explains why we could not find one.

Unfortunately my Old Fulton search did not give me what I was looking for.  I could not find a death notice for Elijah but I did find an article on the reading of Gertrude Hitchcock's will.  In The Daily Times, Troy, N.Y. newspaper from 10 June 1893 (2:4) it stated;

The will of Gertrude Hitchcock was also proved yesterday.  Alida Cordell, a sister, receives all the personal property, and a bequest is made to a brother.  The money realized from selling the real estate is to be divided between Alida Cordell, her sister, and Garrett Hemstreet, her brother.  Two headstones, at a cost of $150, are to be erected on the family lot in the Rural cemetery.

It apparent that Gertrude's siblings never paid for nor had a tombstone placed at her plot.  They took the money and ran.  Very sad.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 4; Abigail Hanks Hitchcock

This bio is on Abigail Irena Hanks Hitchcock.  She was the wife of Alexander Hitchcock; who was a brother to my gggg grandfather, Aistroppe Robinson Hitchcock.  During a "google" search for anything about Alexander Hitchcock I found the photo below of Abigail Hitchcock, with a brief description about what was written on the reverse of the photo.  The bottom line is you never know what you might find on google! Use it for your genealogical research!

Abigail Irena Hanks Hitchcock

Abigail Hanks was born in Mansfield, Tolland County, Connecticut on 10 November 1816. She was the daughter of Rodney Hanks and Olive Freeman.  Abigail married Alexander Hitchcock from West Troy, New York on 9 November 1836 in Mansfield.  Abigail and Alexander had the following children:

• Julia Philena (1841 - 1896)
• Madeline Louisa (1843 - 1893)
• Olive Hanks (1848 - 1929)

Abigail died 25 December 1884 aged 68 years in Jersey City, New Jersey.  She was eventually buried on 29 May 1885 in Albany Rural Cemetery with her husband Alexander.

Gibbonsville Burying Grounds

The Gibbonsville or Arsenal Burying Grounds were originally located on property now owned by the Watervliet Arsenal.  From viewing old maps of West Troy, I believe that this cemetery was located just north of the present day Valente's Restaurant which is just south of the Arsenal, today.

An early settler of that area, James Gibbons, sold a parcel of land to the United States government for the creation of the Arsenal in 1813; to support the fight against the British during the War of 1812. As time passed the Arsenal grew in size and as they needed more land the Arsenal acquired the land on which the "old burying grounds" were located.

The grave stones and bodies were removed and re-buried in section 100 of the Albany Rural Cemetery. Approximately 300 bodies were re-interned around 1918.  The majority of the stones were laid flat on the ground with only a handful being re-installed upright.  Over the years the ground has reclaimed just about all of the stones that were laid flat.  They have sunk into the ground and have been covered with dirt, grass, and leaves over the years.

About twenty years ago my wife and I took it upon ourselves to locate the grave site of one of my ancestors, Samuel Hitchcock, who was originally buried in the Arsenal Burying Grounds.  All of the stones were buried over with grass but with using a plot map from the cemetery we were able to pull the sod up and locate the grave stones.

Site of Samuel & Mary Hitchcock's gravestones

I recently went back to Albany Rural Cemetery with a plan to reclaim my ancestor's grave stone.  After twenty years, the ground again had covered the grave stones.  Twenty years ago is quite a while and my memory did not let me recall how deep the grave stones had actually sunk into the earth.  The lower part of them were at least six to seven inches deep.

Initial excavation of grave stones

It would be unsafe for the stones and for anyone walking over them in the condition that were.  Unlevel and with a huge divot missing from the ground.  Therefore I decided to completely remove the stones and place the earth which was on top of them underneath them.  I also brought out some leveling sand to make sure that the were level. The stones were placed back into the ground so that they were about 3/4" of an inch below the grade level.

Cleaned, raised, and leveled grave stones

As time passes, they will again be covered over with dirt but not to the extent that they were previously. The stones were cleaned with D/2 cleaning solution and rinsed with water.  The stones look almost brand new considering they are from the late 1820s & early 1830s.

Samuel & Mary Hitchcock

On an ending note, in between the time that I did the initial excavation of the stones and re-laid them, which was 3 days.  Someone came with the same intentions that I had regarding uncovering a stone.  The only difference was they left clumps of sod all over the place.  It looked terrible and I am sure that the cemetery would not be appreciative of their efforts.  I removed and disposed the sod that was left.  Anyone who attempts a project such as this, please make sure that the grounds are in the same condition as before you started.