Greene Text

	Sign In Sign-Up

THE GREENE GENIE - GREENE ANCESTORS

Nicholas Herkimer Greene 1906-1980

Nicholas Herkimer Greene was the first son and was born on 28 April 1906 at Chicago, where his father temporarily had his advertising business. His father, Carlton Greene, was then associated with the advertising department of the Utica Observer. Later he went to New York City, where he became an expert in foreign trade advertising. Maude gave birth to their second (and last) son, Frederick Horace, on 25 March 1915 at Bronxville, New York.

In October 1921, Nick's father was associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce and was appointed by the Hoover Administration as the Chief of the "Bureau of Commodities" headquartered in Washington D.C. He resigned about a year later, to resume sales and advertising work in New York City, during which time he made extensive tours through Central and South America. At this time the Greenes resided at 110 Merrian Ave. in Bronxville, and often visited Fort Plain.

Nicholas Greene visited his grandparents, Horace and Anna Greene, at Fort Plain and attended school there for several years. For several summers, he worked for the Montgomery Light & Power Co. of Canajoharie. His uncle - William Roser was president and general superintendent of the company.

Later Nick's uncle, Nelson Greene, became involved with the printing and publishing of the Fort Plain Standard. Nelson Greene was in charge of the editorial and news work from 1922 until 1939. Nelson and Lillian moved from New York City to Fort Plain in 1924. Nelson became a noted artist-writer, and wrote about ten books concerning the history and people of the Mohawk Valley. Nelson and Lillian lived at #5 West Street with his mother, Annie Lydia (Beach) Greene.

Nicholas graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1928. While at the University of Penna., he was stroke for one of the eight oared crews for two years. He married on 15 August 1928, at Philadelphia, to Ruth Rosemary DeWandelaer, whom he knew and with whom he grew up at Fort Plain. Ruth was born at Fort Plain on 18 November 1905 to Edward Percy DeWandelaer and Ethel Effa J. Link.

Nick's aunt, Lillian Greene, died on 8 December 1945 after a short illness. His Uncle Nelson spent the next ten years painting and doing a little writing. He died on 11 November 1955 at the Little Falls hospital.

Nick's brother, Frederic Horace Greene, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938, and married at Bronxville on 22 June 1940 to Cathryne Blanche (Peggy) Greene (no relation). She was born at Bronxville on 9 March 1917. They lived most of their married life at Westfield, N.J., and moved to Kill Devill Hills, N.C., after he retired from Standard Oil of New Jersey in 1975. He died on 28 December 1983 at Newport News, N.C.. They had 3 children: Patricia born in 1942, Elizabeth born in 1944 and John Herkimer born in 1947.

Nick and Ruth settled in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, where Nicholas worked as an accountant and became an office manager with the Philadelphia Electric Company from 1928 to 1973. Nicholas Herkimer Jr was born 13 February 1931. Ann DeWandelaer was born on 2 April 1935 at Philadelphia. It was spring of 1939 that Ruth became ill. Ruth died at Philadelphia on 24 June 1939, leaving Nicholas with two children.

Nicholas remarried at Philadelphia on 30 December 1939 to Ruth's cousin, Florence Louise Pitcher. Louise was born on 27 July 1907 at Cooperstown, New York, to Ernest Leroy Pitcher and Florence Eugina Weller. Now Louise's grandmother and Ruth's grandfather were brother and sister.[See the Weller-DeWandelaer Link] Nicholas and Louise lived in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. On April 20, 1941 they had a baby girl, Priscilla Louise Greene.

Nick's mother, Maude (Leppert) Greene, was in ill health for a number of years, having suffered from a stroke and died at Philadelphia on 29 June 1945. Nick was straddled with the expense of his mother's care since his younger brother was a cadet at the US Naval Academy. Maude was in a nursing home for almost ten years.

After Nicholas retired from the Philadelphia Electric Co., he and Louise moved to Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, where they managed "Murray Grove", a Universalist-Unitarian retreat. Nicholas and Louise were ardent Universalists and spent much of their time serving in local and state church affairs.

In January 1979, while on a vacation in Florida, Nicholas suffered a severe heart attack. Nick and Louise decided to live in Largo, Fla. for reasons of his health. He died there on 24 March 1980, after another heart attack. He is buried in the Cooperstown Cemetery. Remember Ruth (DeWandelaer) Greene is buried in Ft. Plain. Louise (Pitcher) Greene remarried on 1 May 1982 to Howard Whittmeyer. Louise suffered from Altymerz and died 13 May 1984 at Philadelphia, and is also buried at the Cooperstown Cemetery.

Ruth Rosemary DeWandelaer

Ruth Rosemary DeWandelaer was born at Fort Plain, N.Y. on 18 November 1905. She was the second daughter of Edward Percy and Ethel Link DeWandelaer.

As a child, Ruth's family lived at Ft. Plain NY, where her father was a member of the DeWandelaer & Gray Undertaking & Furniture store. Ruth's sister, Dorothy DeWandelaer, was only a year and a half older. Both girls graduated from Fort Plain High School. Ruth graduated from Agnes Scott College at Decator Ga. Agnes Scott was a women's college established in 1879. Aunt Dorothy use to say `the town knew when the DeWandelaer girls were home from college because their mother use to buy a vat of dill pickles'. Ruth's parents separated sometime around 1920. Her father, Edward DeWandelaer, moved to Phoenix, Arizona. where he died in 1942

It seems apparent that Dorothy and Ruth DeWandelaer frequently visited the Taylor's, in Philadelphia. Aunt Minnie became like a fairy godmother to the two DeWandelaer girls. Aunt Minnie was Ruth's mother's sister. Minnie Link married William Taylor, who became president of The Philadelphia Electric Co.

Ruth married at Philadelphia on 15 August 1928 to Nicholas Herkimer Greene. Nicholas Herkimer Greene was born at Chicago, Ill. in 1906 to Carlton Herkimer Greene and Maude Sophia Leppert. Nicholas graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in June 1928.

Apparently Ruth and Nick became sweethearts while Nick visited his grandparents in Ft. Plain through out his childhood. Nicholas and Ruth settled in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, where Nicholas worked as an accountant and office manager of with the Philadelphia Electric Company.

Ruth's sister, Dorothy DeWandelaer, married Richard J. Walker on 31 January 1931. Richard Walker also worked for the Philadelphia Electric Company. Dorothy and Richard first settled in Philadelphia.

Ruth and Nicholas had two children: Nicholas Herkimer Greene Jr was born in 1931, and Ann DeWandelaer Greene was born in 1935.

Ruth and Nicholas lived at Philadelphia, where she died after a short illness on 24 June 1939. Nicholas was left a widower with two young children. At the funeral, he met Ruth's cousin. Ruth's mother had died in 1932. Her father was remarried and living in Arizona. I don't think he came to his daughter's funeral!

Nicholas remarried Ruth's cousin, Florence Louise Pitcher, on December 30, 1939.

Carlton Herkimer Greene

Carlton Herkimer Greene was the forth child and the second son, who was born 6 December 1880 at Fort Plain. He married at Canajoharie in 1904 to Maude Sophia Leppert, who was born in 1882 to Frederick C. Leppert and Sophia L. Roser. Carl attended Cornell University for at least three years and may have graduated in 1904. His advertising business took him on frequent trips to Central and South America. Carlton died on 13 June 1932 at Hudson City, N.Y. and Maude died at Philadelphia, Pa. in 1945. They had two sons - Nicholas(10) Herkimer and Frederic Horace.

Carlton Herkimer Greene grew up with his older sisters and brother in Ft. Plain NY. Carlton was only eleven years old when his father died; his sisters and his brother, Nelson, were in their twenties. Nelson helped his mother run the newspaper. His sisters were teachers and never married.

Carlton attended public schools at Fort Plain and the Clinton Liberal Institute, graduating in 1899 and winning a scholarship to Cornell. While at Cornell, he played football and boxed. During the summer of 1902, Carlton Herkimer Greene worked for the Western Electric Company. Carlton may have left Cornell in 1903, not graduating in 1904 as planned. He was in Milwaukee in January of 1904 and in February was working for Koch Advertising Co; he also worked for the Utica Observer.

On 24 November 1904, Carlton Greene married Maude Sophia Leppert. Maude's parents, Frederick and & "Libbie" Leppert owned the Leppert Music Store in Fort Plain. Her grandfather owned the Roser Furniture & Undertaker Business in Fort Plain. The wedding took place at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Roser. Probably Carlton's brother, Nelson Greene, was the best man. Nelson Greene helped his mother to operate the Mohawk Valley Register at Fort Plain for several years after his father's death in 1891.

On 4 February 1905, Nelson Greene married Lillian Currier Steinert, who was born at New York City on 26 July 1878 to Howard Gray Steinert and Fannie Beers. Nelson Greene was a historian, sculptor, artist, writer and cartoonist (Puck Magazine). Nelson and Lillian moved to New York. Nelson and Lillian Greene's only child, Sarah (Sally) Currier, was born on 4 April 1907.

Carlton went into the advertising business at Chicago, where his first son, Nicholas (Nick) Herkimer Greene, was born at Chicago on 28 April 1906. Carlton was then associated with the advertising department of the Utica Observer. Later he went to New York City, where he became an expert in foreign trade advertising. Maude gave birth to their second (and last) son, Frederic Horace, on 25 March 1915 at Bronxville, New York.

Maude Sophia Leppert

Maude Sophia Leppert was born at Canajoharie on 10 August 1882. She was an only child. Her parents, Libbie and Frederick Leppert moved to Fort Plain, N.Y. about 1885, where they operated a music store. Maude's father was a talented musician and a member of the Old Fort Plain Band for many years. He also played with some of the better bands of his era. As a result he took extended tours of the United States with some of the bands.

Maude Leppert was a graduate of Vassar College and was a very talented musician. Maude married on 24 November 1904 to Carlton Herkimer Greene of Fort Plain NY. The wedding took place at the home of Maude's grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Roser. Her grandfather owned the Roser Furniture & Undertaker Business in Fort Plain. Probably Carlton's brother, Nelson Greene, was the best man. Nelson Greene helped his mother to operate the Mohawk Valley Register at Fort Plain for several years after his father's death in 1891.

Maude's husband, Carlton Greene, went into the advertising business at Chicago, where their first son, Nicholas (Nick) Herkimer Greene, was born at Chicago on 28 April 1906. Carlton was then associated with the advertising department of the Utica Observer. Later he went to New York City, where he became an expert in foreign trade advertising. Maude gave birth to their second (and last) son, Frederic Horace, on 25 March 1915 at Bronxville, New York.

Maude's mother, Libbie Leppert, died at Fort Plain on 20 April 1913, and was buried at Fort Plain from St. Marks Lutheran Church at Canajoharie. Following her death, her father, Frederick Leppert, lived with Maude and Carlton Greene at New York City and Bronxville.

In October 1921, Carlton Greene, was associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce and was appointed by the Hoover Administration as the Chief of the "Bureau of Commodities" headquartered in Washington D.C. He resigned about a year later, to resume sales and advertising work in New York City, during which time he made extensive tours through Central and South America. Carlton and Maude resided at 110 Merrian Ave. in Bronxville, and often visited Fort Plain.

They often visited their parents at Fort Plain. The children attended school there for several years. For several summers, Nick worked for the Montgomery Light & Power Co. of Canajoharie. - William Roser was president and general superintendent of the company.

Maude's and Carlton's oldest child, Nicholas, graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1928. He married on 15 August 1928, at Philadelphia, to Ruth Rosemary DeWandelaer, whom he knew at Fort Plain. Their youngest child, Frederic Horace Greene, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938, and married at Bronxville on 22 June 1940 to Cathryne Blanche (Peggy) Greene (no relation).

Carlton Greene, died at Hudson City, N. Y. on 13 June 1932. Nick's grandfather, Frederick Leppert, died at Yonkers, N.Y. on 12 February 1934.

Maude (Leppert) Greene, was in ill health for a number of years, having suffered from a stroke and died at Philadelphia on 29 June 1945.

Frederick Leppert

Frederick C. Leppert was born at Baden, Germany, about 1847/50. He came to America about 1866, and after several years, he moved to Canajoharie, New York, where he married Sophia Lydia Roser on 2 February 1876. Sophia d was known by that name or "Libbie" most of her life. Libbie and Frederick had a daughter. Maude Sophia Leppert was born at Canajoharie on 10 August 1882. She was an only child.

Libbie and Frederick Leppert moved to Fort Plain, N.Y. about 1885, where he operated a music store. Frederick was a talented musician and was a member of the Old Fort Plain Band for many years. He also played with some of the better bands of his era. As a result he took extended tours of the United States with some of the bands.

Maude was a graduate of Vassar College and was a very talented musician. Maude married on 24 November 1904 to Carlton Herkimer Greene of Fort Plain NY.

Libbie Leppert died at Fort Plain on 20 April 1913, and was buried at Fort Plain from St. Marks Lutheran Church at Canajoharie. Following the death of his wife, Frederick lived with his daughter and son-in-law at New York City and Bronxville. He died at Yonkers, N.Y. on 12 February 1934.

Sophia Roser

Our immigrant ancestor from the Roser branch of the family was Sophia's maternal grandfather, Charles Scharaff. He was born about 1804 at Cassell, Germany. He married at Germany, before 1832, to Louise Straussman, who was born at Cassell about 1809. They came to America and settled at Canajoharie, New York, in 1832. He was naturalized but she was not.

Charles Scharaff was a cooper, who makes or repairs wooden barrels and tubs. Later he became a contractor, working on the locks and bridges over the old Erie Canal. Charles and Louise had at least four children born in Canajoharie: Sophia, William, Orlando and Charles. Sophia Lydia Scharaff was born at Canajoharie, N.Y. on 27 November 1837. She married at Canajoharie on 27 December 1855 to Joseph Roser.

Joseph L. Roser was born at Gros Steinheim, near Frankfurt Germany, on 28 December 1832. His parents lived and died in his native Germany. His father, Balthara Roser, was a professor of music, as well as a cabinetmaker. Joseph Roser came to America in 1849, with his brothers, and settled at Canajoharie in 1852. I believe Joseph Roser's father built our grandfather clock and Joseph brought the clock with him from Germany.

After Joseph Roser and Sophia Scharaff were married in 1855 they lived in Canajoharie. Joseph learned his cabinetmaking trade from his father, and after being in Canajoharie for only four years, he and his brother - Adam, started a furniture business in 1856.

Joseph and Sophia Roser had at least five children. their first child, Sophia Lydia Roser was born at Canajoharie, N.Y., on 10 September 1856.

Joseph Roser was also a musician, and in his younger years, he often played as a member of a band and an orchestra. He became identified with the St. John's Lutheran Church and for many years, was an officer and director of the choir. He was a Democrat, and in 1869, was elected to the office of town clerk and re-elected in 1870-71.

The furniture industry and frugality of the Roser Brothers caused them to prosper until they had one of the largest furniture businesses in the Mohawk Valley. By 1892, Joseph had expanded into the undertaking business. He retired from active business in 1892.

Sophia Lydia Roser married at Canajoharie on 2 February 1876 to Frederick C. Leppert. Frederick C. Leppert was born at Baden, Germany, about 1850. He came to America about 1866. After several years, he had moved to Canajoharie, New York.

Sophia preferred the name "Elizabeth" and was known by that name or "Libbie" most of her life. Libbie and Frederick had a daughter. Maude Sophia Leppert was born at Canajoharie on 10 August 1882. She was an only child.

Horace Greene

Horace Lester Greene was born on 13 October 1839 at Indian Castle, Herkimer Co., N.Y.. He was a lawyer and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1863. He married in 1863 to Annie Lydia Beach, who was born in 1842 to Nelson John Beach and Emily Porter of Watson, N.Y. They moved to Fort Plain in 1876 so that Horace could publish and manage the newspaper that he purchased. Horace died on 1 October 1891 at Fort Plain and Annie died there in 1929. They had four children, including our ancestor - Carlton Herkimer.

Horace Lester Greene was the forth child of Lester Greene and Emily Herkimer, and was born on 13 October 1839 in a farm house at Indian Castle. Horace's oldest brother, Oliver, was born at Danube on 11 March 1833. His older brother, Alonzo Herkimer, was born at Indian Castle on 10 June 1834. Horace's sister, Julia Sophia was born on 12 July 1837.

Horace's brother, Oliver Greene was raised at Minden where he attended Hallsville School. On 16 September 1853, Oliver Greene married Cornelia Van Alstine. He and Cornelia had 2 children. Oliver was connected with traffic and transportation on the Great Lakes, and died at Buffalo on 20 April 1913.

Horace Greene was educated in public schools and entered Little Falls Academy in 1855. He studied at the old Fort Plain Seminary in 1856. I image Alonzo and Julia were also educated in public schools.

Horace's father, Lester Greene, and his Uncle Zenas Greene operated a grocery store at the Indian Castle Lock, on the Erie Canal, until about 1856. In 1858, Lester Greene was elected as the candidate of the Republican Party to the Assembly of New York State.

Horace's brother, Alonzo Herkimer Greene, married first on 9 September 1856 to Elizabeth Devendorf, who was born about 1835. Alonzo and Elizabeth had a baby boy born in November 1857; but he died the following summer. The following year, they had another baby boy who died when only two months old. Alonzo's wife died on 9 February 1861.

Horace's sister, Julia Sophia Greene, married on 8 December 1859 to George Byron Beach, who died in 1870. She died at Lowville, N.Y. on 18 March 1907, and had 3 children.

Horace's father, Lester Greene, was a Whig, an ardent abolitionist and assisted many run-away slaves on their way to Canada. He was active in the M.E. Church and advocated temperance. He joined the Dutch Reform Church in 1859. He was instrumental in the formation of the Republican Party in his section of the State.

In 1861, the Greene family moved from Danube to Little Falls. It was 4:30 AM on April 12, 1861 that a hot-headed, South Carolinian rebel fired on Fort Sumter, beginning four years of bloodshed and bitterness of the Civil War. Horace Greene began the study of law, he was admitted to the bar on 9 April 1863 at Syracuse, New York.

On 13 July 1863, Horace married Annie (Anna) Lydia Beach, who was born on 9 September 1842 to Hon. Nelson John Beach and Emily Porter, of Watson, New York. Horace's father died of pleurisy on 14 December 1863 at Little Falls. It must have been during the wedding and the funeral that Horace's brother, Alonzo, met and fell in love with Annie's older sister, Mary Porter Beach. Alonzo married again on 19 October 1864 to Mary Porter Beach.

Horace and Annie Greene's first child, Lillian Lester, was born on 25 January 1865 at Little Falls. On 16 December 1866, Horace Greene entered into an insurance partnership with his brother-Alonzo. Alonzo Greene was a civil engineer and was active with the erection of the monument at General Nicholas Herkimer's birth place. Alonzo Greene was a very active Republican.

Between 1867 and 1880 Horace and Annie Greene had three more children. Josephine Annie was born at Little Falls on 20 August 1867. Nelson Beach was born on 7 November 1869, at Little Falls. Carlton Herkimer Greene was born on 6 December 1880, at Fort Plain, New York.

On 1 March 1876, Horace purchased the Mohawk Valley Register of Fort Plain. Shortly afterwards, he moved from Little Falls to Fort Plain. In 1885 Horace Greene built a large brown stone Victorian home at the corner of West Street at Fort Plain. Horace and Annie Greene's children grew up in the Mohawk Valley NY (Herkimer, Little Falls and Fort Plain).

Lillian Lester Greene attended schools at Herkimer, Little Falls, Fort Plain and graduated from Clinton Liberal Institute. She taught music at several institutions for the blind, in New York City, and from 1893 to 1900 taught music at Fort Plain and Canajoharie. She continued teaching music to the blind at Batavia from 1900 to 1909 and then at a Brooklyn high school from 1910 to 1916. She died unmarried on 19 July 1919.

Josephine Annie Greene graduated from Clinton Liberal Institute in 1886 and studied art at New York City. She took up the profession of art teacher, and taught art in at numerous schools. She died, at Ft. Plain unmarried, on 15 March 1911.

Nelson Beach Greene attended schools at Fort Plain and, at an early age, contributed articles on local history to his father's paper. In the Fall of 1887, Nelson Greene studied art at the Arts Students League at New York City. Nelson was very close to his younger brother, Carlton (Carl).

Carlton Herkimer Greene attended public schools at Fort Plain and the Clinton Liberal Institute, graduating in 1899 and winning a scholarship to Cornell. He may have left Cornell in 1903, not graduating in 1904 as planned. While at Cornell, he played football and boxed. Carl's given middle name was Trowbridge and he had it legally changed, first to Horace and then to Herkimer, sometime after 1893. Carlton Greene will marry Maude Leppert in 1904.

Horace Greene was closely identified with the Republican Party of Montgomery County and its congressional district. He was a very active Mason, holding many high positions in that organization. For thirty years, he served the town, county and senatorial committees in various official positions.

Horace died in his home at Fort Plain, on 2 October 1891, after suffering for three weeks with typhoid fever. Annie was left to run the newspaper for several years.

Horace's mother, Emily (Herkimer) Greene died at Little Falls on 18 October 1897, Emily is buried, along with his father, Lester Greene, at the Herkimer Homestead. Lester Greene had died in 1863. Uncle Zenus Greene died at his home on Washington St. at Herkimer on 8 April 1891.

Alonzo Greene sold the insurance business that he had for 35 years, in Little Falls, and moved to Chicago in 1902 to be with his son, Lester. Alonzo Greene died at Chicago on 18 June 1912 and Mary on 15 January 1914; they are both buried at the Herkimer Homestead.

Annie (Beach) Greene became actively involved with the Fort Plain Library Association. She lived at #5 West Street, at Fort Plain until her death on 28 January 1929.

Lester Greene 1808-1836

Lester Greene was the eighth child and the seventh son of John Lester Greene and Ruth Baker Greene. Lester was born on 19 November 1808 at Indian Castle, Herkimer Co., N.Y. Lester grew up with his seven brothers and three sisters at Indian Castle. His grandparents (Ambrose and Gula Greene) with his father (John Lester Greene), his aunt and uncle (Hannah and William Greene) and ten cousins also lived at Indian Castle. Indian Castle was the site of the Upper or Canajoharie Castle of the Mohawks from 1700 to 1779. It was 1775 that the Greene families moved there.

On 23 February 1832, Lester Greene was married to Emily Amelia Herkimer by Rev. John Manley of Snells Bush Reformed Church in Danube. Emily was born on 13 June 1811 to Joseph L. Herkimer (1775-1824) and Eunice Trowbridge (1781-1826). They had four children, including our ancestor - Horace Lester.

Lester's younger brother, Zenas Greene, was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 10 May 1811. In 1833 Zenas married Emily Herkimer's sister, Anna Elizabeth Herkimer. Zenas was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 50 years and was the Surrogate of Herkimer County. He was a surveyor, a county clerk (1866), a school commissioner and an accountant.

Lester Greene, was a Whig, an ardent abolitionist and assisted many run-away slaves on their way to Canada. He was active in the M.E.Church and advocated temperance. He joined the Dutch Reform Church in 1859. He was instrumental in the formation of the Republican Party in his section of the State.

In 1861, Lester Greene family moved from Danube to Little Falls. Lester died of pleurisy on 14 December 1863 at Little Falls, Herkimer Co., New York and Emily died there in 1897.

You can lookup a county using NYGENWEB

John Lester Greene 1770-1851

John Lester Greene was the first son and second child of Ambrose Greene and Gula Elma Lester. John spent his early childhood in Dutchess County NY. About 1775 the Greene family moved to Schodach, Rensselaer County, NY. There John Greene grew up with his four sisters and two brothers.

On 3 March 1790, while living at Rensselaer County, N.Y. (not far from the Connecticut State line), he married Ruth Barker. Ruth was born on 18 August 1772 at Watertown Ct. to Peter Barker (maybe the son of Edward and Hanard Barker of Branford, Ct.) and Sally Wood.

In the summer of 1795, John Lester Greene and his family along with his father, mother and brother - William, moved to Herkimer County, N.Y. John Greene purchased a farm about 1 1/2 miles south of Indian Castle, next to his father's farm. There he farmed until his death. John Lester Greene died on 26 December 1851. Ruth died there in June or on 17 August 1850 and both are buried at the Indian Castle Cemetery.

John and Ruth had eleven children: Ambrose (named after John Greene's father) was born on 18 September 1791 at Shaddach, Rensselaer, Co., NY and came to Herkimer County when he was 4 years old. Peter was born on 22/24 January 1794 at Schodach, Rensselaer Co., NY and married on 9 February 1817 to Electa Sage, died at Danube in 1864 and is buried at Indian Castle Cemetery. Felix was born on 24 October 1796 at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY. He died at his farm, near Indian Castle, on 9 March 1866. Sophia was born at Danube, Herkimer Co. NY on 15 April 1798 (or 15 February 1799) and died on 19 March 1801; she is buried at the Indian Castle Cemetery. Gilbert was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 26 March 1801. He died at Mohawk, N.Y. Lyman was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 2 August 1803. He was a farmer and also owned a saw mill. He died on 1 March 1881 at Indian Castle. Henry was born at Danube, Herkimer Co. NY on 8 June 1806 and married in 1834 to his cousin - Caroline Greene (b.1814,d.1892 and the daughter of Lyman). Lester Greene-our ancestor was born in 1808. Zenas was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 10 May 1811 and married in 1833 to Ann Elizabeth Herkimer (b.1802,d.1 Dec 1898). Sophia was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 3 November 1814. Mary was born at Danube, Herkimer Co., NY on 12 May 1818 and lived with her niece in New York City. She died unmarried on 6 June 1900.

You can lookup a county using NYGENWEB

Ambrose Greene

Ambrose Greene was the youngest son of William Greene Jr. and Martha Jackson. He was born on 9 April 1746 at Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y. Ambrose was nineteen when his family moved to Amenia in Dutchess County. There Ambrose met his future bride. Ambrose Greene was a large robust man.

In 1766, Ambrose Greene married Gula Elma (Gulielma) Lester of Dutchess County, N.Y. who was born 6 June 1746, probably to John Lester of Dutchess County. The Lester family were loyal to the King. When the Revolutionary War started, they went back to New Brunswick, Canada, where some by that name still reside.

Ambrose and Gula Greene first settled at Dutchess Co. NY, where their first three children were born. Ruth was born on 30 September 1767. John Lester was born on 17 April 1770 at Dutchess County. Amy was born on 23 September 1772. Early in 1775 the Greenes moved to Rensselaer County NY where their other four children were born. Felix was born in March 1775; Rachel was born in August 1777 and Elizabeth in March 1783.

Delegates from every colony except Georgia met in September 1774 for the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where they committed themselves and their people to revolution. On April 19, 1775 seven hundred British troops - on the march since the night before toward a rebel arsenal at Concord - faced off along the way at Lexington against a small and confused rag-tag force of Massachusetts colonists calling themselves "Minutemen". Someone fired a shot, the British broke ranks and returned fire. Within minutes eight of the colonial militia lay dead on the village green. The American Revolution had begun.

Ambrose Greene served in the army during the Revolutionary War, in the 4th Albany County Regiment under Col. Kilion Van Rensselaer. Ambrose's brother, Philip Greene, served in the Revolutionary War in the 6th Regiment of New York Militia. After the war Philip and his wife, Polly Hicks, settled in Saratoga County, where he died. Augustus Greene, Ambrose's other brother, and his family moved from Dutchess County to Rensselaer County in 1774 with the rest of his family. Augustus Greene served in the Revolutionary War in the 7th Regiment of the New York Militia.

William Greene Jr. died sometime after 1774 and before 1790. After Ambrose's father died, Ambrose Greene and his brother, Augustus, along with their mother, moved to Nassau in Rensselaer County, New York. In 1775, Ambrose was living at Shaddach (near Nassau). Ambrose's mother, Martha (Jackson) Greene died at Shaddach, Rensselaer County, N.Y. about 1790.

In mid 1795 Ambrose Greene moved from Shaddach to Indian Castle, Danube in Herkimer County, New York. His son, John Lester Greene, who had married in 1790 also moved to Herkimer. Ambrose Greene lived there on a farm, about 2 1/2 miles south of the Indian Castle Church, until his death there on 29 August 1837. He was ninety-one when he died. Ambrose's wife, Gula Elma (Lester) Greene died on 1 June 1826. Both Ambrose Greene and his wife are buried in the cemetery in the back of the Indian Castle Church, where six generations of Greene's have worshipped (Indian Castle Church was built in 1769, by Sir William Johnson for the Indians).

Dr. H. Felix Greene became a doctor married about 1797 to Magdalena (Lana or Helen) Herkimer. William H. Greene married Hannah Cronkhite in 1808. He lived on a farm next to Ambrose Greene and died on 24 April 1852.

William Greene Jr.

William Greene Jr. was the third child and first son, who was born about 1712 at Greenwich, Ct. The Greene family moved to Islip LI sometime during William Jr.'s childhood. Long Island History

In late 1735, William Greene Jr. married Martha Jackson of Rocky Hill in Flushing, L.I. Martha was born on 26 January 1709 to James Jackson and Rebecca Hallett. At one time William and Martha lived at Islip, L.I. They were living in Suffolk County, N.Y. prior to 1738. William was listed as a Freeholder of Suffolk County, on 27 February 1737.

William and Martha Greene had at least eight children all born in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. Philip was born on 9 September 1736. Rachel was born on 11 February 1738. Augustus was born on 3 February 1740. Phoebe was born on 25 October 1742. Timothy was born on 20 April 1744. Ambrose Greene was born on 9 April 1746. Naomi was born on 25 February 1748. Ruth was born on 22 January 1752

About 1765, William Greene Jr. and his family moved to Amenia in Dutchess County, N.Y. Their oldest son, Philip had married Polly Hicks. Rachel was still living at home. Rachel had married Louis de la Vergne of Amenia, Dutchess County. Augustus had married Mary Rudyard and already settled in Dutchess County. Phoebe had married Thomas Smith; Timothy had just married Francis de la Vergne [ his brother in-law's sister?] This left just the three teenage children, Ambrose, Naomi and Ruth, living at home.

William Greene Jr. died after 1774 and before 1790. After he died his sons, Ambrose Greene and Augustus Greene, along with Martha Jackson Greene, moved to Nassau in Rensselaer County, New York. Martha (Jackson) Greene died at Shaddach, Rensselaer County, N.Y. about 1790.

You can lookup a county using NYGENWEB

William Greene 1680-1756

William Greene was the third child and the second son born to Edward and Mary Greene. He was born about 1680 and we are not sure when he died. William was fifteen when his father, Edward Greene, returned to Rhode Island. This was the first time William Greene met his grandfather, John Greene of Quinesset.

William Greene married at Greenwich, Ct to Rachel Smith, the daughter of Nathan Smith of Greenwich. Nathan was the son of Daniel Smith who came to New England in 1638 and was one of the original 27 settlers of Greenwich, where his family became very prominent. Nathan Smith was killed in an Indian uprising.

William and Rachel Greene resided at Horseneck (Greenwich). William Greene became a Quaker and later moved to Secatague (now Islip, L.I.).

The date of William Greene's death is unknown although he may be the William that died on 28 January 1756 and is buried at the Barnstable Church in Mass. They had at least four children, including our ancestor - William Greene Jr.

Capt. Edward Greene

Edward Greene, the eldest son of John Greene, was born about 1643 at Quidnessett, R.I. Edward Greene's father, John Greene, was born in 1606 at Enfield, which is a suburb of London, England. In 1630, the English throne granted the Earl of Warwick a large track of land in New England, which was assigned as an asylum for persecuted religious groups, namely the Quakers and the Baptists. John Greene of Quidnessett, being a Baptist, was unhappy about this. The history of John Greene is very important to appreciate our family heritage. BE SURE TO LOOK AT AT THIS WEB PAGE (www.hal-pc.org/~wmewrght/green.html)

On 21 May 1635, John Greene left London aboard the ship "Matthew", bound for St. Christopher's Island in the British West Indies. He was too much a Puritan to stay with those Godless people there and sailed from there to Governor John Winthrop's Colony, in Massachusetts.

In October 1635, the Massachusetts Authorities had banished Baptist Roger Williams. Roger Williams was a pastor in the Salem and Plymouth churches. He preached religious liberty and freedom of conscience. He questioned the right of the civil authorities to legislate in matters of conscience and urged the Salem church to separate from the rest. To quote Williams: "Forced worship stinks in Gods nostrils." Roger Williams then journeyed to the wilderness of Rhode Island in June 1636 to start a colony at Providence. John Greene became dissatisfied with the lack of religious liberties in Massachusetts and went to Rhode Island in 1637. John Greene lived with a man named Richard Smith, who had an Indian trading post in Quidnessett, near what is now Wickford, in North Kingstown, R.I.

John Greene spent many years with the Richard Smith family, at a trading post in the Narragansett wilderness (near present day Wickford) in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Richard Smith was from Gloucestershire, England, and became known as the Patriarch of Narragansett. He was among the first settlers in the region of Rhode Island, that was the Narragansett Indian stronghold of Aquidnessett. At the time, Aquidnessett was populated by approximately 30,000 Narragansett Indians, and the area extended from the Potowomut River to the Narragansett Bay.

For some time, Richard Smith and John Greene were the only white men in the vicinity. After some years of operating the post and dealing among the Indians, as well as the Dutch traders, Smith gained the Indian's goodwill and was allowed to purchase the land he had previously been using.

In 1642, it is believed that John Greene married a young widow, named Joan Beggerly (Beggarly), from Governor Winthrop's Colony. He probably met her on one of his many business trips to Boston to get goods for the trading post. Some genealogists dispute Joan's surname, as John Greene's will only identifies his wife as "Joan", whom he always called "Jane". They raised at least ten children between 1643 and 1665. Their eldest son, Edward Greene, was born about 1643 at Quidnesset, R.I.

In 1651, the southern towns formed a separate government. A liberal charter for the entire area was obtained from King Charles II. In 1651, Edward's father, John Greene, purchased 80 acres in this area. In the same year, he purchased another 100 acres in Narragansett, near Allen's Harbor; he did not build on this land until 1661.

In 1656, Richard Smith negotiated with the Indian Sachems to purchase the island of Conanicut (Jamestown). Edward Greene was fourteen at the time and helped his father clear the land. In 1657, John Greene received 1/40 of a share in the island, adjacent to those lands of Smith. John was the first to improve his land there.

Prior to 11 June 1659, the Quidnessett region was still Indian territory. On that date, Sachem - Coquinisquant (Coquinoquant), on behalf of the Narragansett Indians, sold the region of Quidnessett to a company of land speculators, who were headed up by Major Humphrey Atherton. John Greene was not a member of the early company, but became an early stockholder.

At the time of the above purchase, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut each claimed this Indian territory. Rhode Island had already passed a law forbidding the purchase of land from the Indians without the consent of the Colony of Rhode Island. As a result, the purchasers of Quidnessett were told that they had to repurchase their property from Rhode Island, or she would not acknowledge their claims to the land. Furthermore, if they claimed allegiance to Connecticut, that she would confiscate their property. The result was that the settlers banded together and declared for Connecticut, which made Rhode Island their enemy.

In 1661, John Greene sold his share of the Jamestown purchase in order to develop his land at Quidnessett. John Greene became known as "John Greene of Quidnessett".

When the Quidnessett settlers tried to petition the Rhode Island legislature for the release of their lands, Connecticut thought the settlers were acknowledging the territory to be Rhode Island. Connecticut promptly arrested John Greene and two other prominent leaders from the settlement. On 3 July 1663, John Greene, Richard Smith, and others [including Henry Tibbits] petitioned to be under Connecticut jurisdiction. Rhode Island then arrested John Greene, taking him to Newport to answer for these actions. Edward Greene was twenty years old at this time. Being the eldest of eleven children, Edward had to assume the role of head of the family.

The struggle between Connecticut and Rhode Island went on for many years; Rhode Island finally gave in. In May 1671 a special court was held at Aquidnessett. The court offered Greene and his comrades full possession of their land if they would acknowledge Rhode Island's jurisdiction. The Quidnessett land dispute would not have been won had it not been for John Greene of Quidnessett's grit and perseverance.

On 20 May 1671, John Greene and his sons, Daniel and Henry, took the Oath of Allegiance and became freemen of Rhode Island. Edward, John Jr. and Robert did not take the Oath of Allegiance. This may have been the point of dispute between father and sons.

Tradition claims that about 1670, Edward Greene and his younger brothers, John Jr. and Robert, had a dispute with their father and left Rhode Island to go to New York. Some say Robert went to New Jersey, while others say to Virginia. John Jr. apparently returned to R.I. sometime after 1684. Edward Greene left for a period of twenty-five years while his parents remained in Rhode Island.

In January 1672, John Greene along with John Fones, Henry Tibbitts, and four others, bought a large tract of land in Narragansett (known as the Devil's Foot) from Awashuwett, the chief Sachem of the Narragansett Indians. This tract later became known as the Fones Purchase and, on 31 October 1677, these 5,000 acres were set aside for a town to be incorporated as East Greenwich. In July 1679, ten acre town lots and ninety acre farm lots were drawn. John Greene drew the ninth house lot and the third farm lot (Edward inherited these properties and eventually sold them in 1696).

About 1675, Edward Greene married Mary Tibbitts. Mary Tibbitts was sometimes called "Sarah". First Edward and Sarah lived in Connecticut and then Suffolk County, L.I. They lived in Charlotte Precinct, Dutchess County, N.Y. before returning to Kingstown R.I. Edward and Mary Greene had six children between 1675 and 1680.

Cruelty, greed, and misunderstanding between the settlers and the Indians brought on King Phillip's Indian War (1675-1676), and as a result, Smith's trading post became a fort or castle. It was used on many occasions for the protection of the scattered settlers, as a burial ground, and eventually was abandoned and burned by the Indians on 17 March 1676. The present house (now called "Smith's Castle" on U.S. Rt. #1) was rebuilt in 1677 or 1678, with many later additions. The house has been lived in continuously since that date.

It is believed that Edward Greene got his title of "Captain" after the King Phillips's War with the Indians. His brother, John Jr. got his title of "Lieutenant" in King Phillip's War.

On 24 March 1682, John Greene conveyed 120 acres, bordering on Allen's Harbor, to his son - Daniel and 60 acres to his son - James, who both remained in Rhode Island. Two of his other sons (Henry and Robert) and a daughter or two went to New Jersey (one may have gone to Virginia). The 100 acres in East Greenwich went to Edward Greene as stated in his will. Edward Greene was still in New York.

Captain Edward Greene lived in Charlotte Precinct, Dutchess County, N.Y., where several of his children remained after Edward returned to Rhode Island. Edward Greene, after twenty-five years, returned to North Kingstown R.I. about 1695 (other reports say it was 1685) and reconciled the differences that he had with his father. It is said that during the twenty-five year. Edward dropped the final "e" in his surname to spite his father. The "e" was resumed when Edward settled the differences with his father.

In 1695, Edward Greene was enrolled as a freeman of North Kingstown. On 8 March 1695, and again on 4 September 1697, Edward sold all of the 100 acres at East Greenwich (Fones Purchase), which was described in the deed as having been left to him by the will of his father. Edward Greene died at Quidnessett in 1717.

Mary Tibbits

Mary Tibbitts was born in 1660 and the fifth child of Henry and Sarah (Stanton) Tibbitts. Mary had three younger siblings.

The Stantons, Mary's maternal grandparents, came to New England between 1627 and 1638. They were settlers at Pocasset (Portsmouth, R.I.) where Sarah's father, Robert Stanton, signed the "Compact of Portsmouth" in 1638. Records show the Stantons as living on the Island of Aquidneck in 1638, and moved to Newport R.I. some time before 1645. Sarah Stanton was born in 1640 at Portsmouth, R.I. Robert Stanton was a quiet and steady going person and probably a Quaker or Quaker sympathizer, as he was ostracized. The religious intolerance of Massachusetts was probably what caused him to move to a liberal Rhode Island.

Henry Tibbitt's family emigrated from Warwickshire, England and settled near Kingston, Rhode Island about 1660. Henry Tibbits was about thirty years old at the time and he married Sarah Stanton.

It was in 1663 that John Greene, Richard Smith, Henry Tibbitts and others of the Narragansett Colony petitioned to be placed under the protection of Connecticut. When the Quidnessett settlers tried to petition the Rhode Island legislature for the release of their lands, Connecticut thought the settlers were acknowledging the territory to be Rhode Island. Connecticut promptly arrested John Greene and two other prominent leaders from the settlement.

Tradition claims that about 1670, Edward Greene and his younger brothers, John Jr. and Robert, had a dispute with their father and left Rhode Island to go to New York. Edward left for a period of twenty-five years.

About 1675, Edward Greene married Mary Tibbitts. Mary would have been only fifteen years old, while Edward Greene was thirty-two years old. Mary Tibbitts was sometimes called "Sarah". First Edward and Sarah lived in Connecticut and then Suffolk County, L.I. They lived in Charlotte Precinct, Dutchess County, N.Y. before returning to Kingstown R.I. Mary Tibbits Greene had six children between 1675 and 1680. William Greene was the third child and the second son born to Edward and Mary.

Edward's father and Mary's father continued together to settle Rhode Island. In January 1672, John Greene along with John Fones, Henry Tibbitts, and four others, bought a large tract of land in Narragansett (known as the Devil's Foot) from Awashuwett, the chief Sachem of the Narragansett Indians. This tract later became known as the Fones Purchase and, on 31 October 1677, these 5,000 acres were set aside for a town to be incorporated as East Greenwich. In July 1679, ten acre town lots and ninety acre farm lots were drawn. John Greene drew the ninth house lot and the third farm lot (Edward inherited these properties and eventually sold them in 1696).

On 12 June 1678, Henry Tibbitts was again appointed as constable, only this time by the Rhode Island authorities. During 1687-88, Henry Tibbitts was a grand juror and in 1688, a highway commissioner. Records indicate that he was probably a Quaker, and in 1690 was appointed as the Conservator of the Peace. In 1705, he was elected as Deputy to the General Court.

Mary Tibbits Greene and Captain Edward Greene lived in Charlotte Precinct, Dutchess County, N.Y., where several of their children remained when they returned to North Kingstown R.I. about 1695 (other reports say it was 1685) and reconciled the differences that Edward had with his father.