Ashcraft Family Photo Album<
Photographic "Twigs" from the Family Tree of
Elijah Tameson Ashcraft and Betsey A. Thompson
circa 1870 - 1985
Cattaraugus County and Other Locations

Submitted by Phil Roblee
Introduction | Index to Photographers | Index to Known Individuals | Photo Album | Return to PHGS

Introduction

This album contains photos of many of the descendants of Elijah Tameson Ashcraft (B: Jun 17, 1784 D: Apr 15, 1867) and Betsey A. Thompson (B: Sep 27, 1788 D: 1878). In his History of Cattaraugus County, NY, F. Ellis describes how Elijah and Betsey settled in Cattaraugus County:

ELIJAH T. ASHCRAFT emigrated from Northfield, VT, to Genesee Co. NY in 1810. In March, 1817, accompanied by his wife and children, viz., Chester, Nathan, and Luvira, he removed by sled and ox-team to Ischua. When within three miles of their destination - the south part of lot 17 - their sled broke down and the remainder of the journey had to be performed on foot through snow knee deep. Squire Ashcraft was one of the foremost men in the new settlement, and was prominently identified with all that related to its best interests. He was one of the first justices of the peace in the town of Yorkshire (which was formed in 1820), and also of Machias in 1827. His latch-string was ever out to the weary and hungry traveler, as well as to the needy of his own immediate neighborhood. Even the dusky sons and daughters of the forest sought the shelter of his roof, and often, during inclement weather, slept upon his kitchen floor to the number of a dozen at a time. Mr. Ashcraft died at the age of 82 years[sic]. His wife, BETSEY THOMPSON, died in 1877 [sic], aged 90 years. Of a family of twelve children, ten lived to be men and women, and eight survive, as follows: Chester and Nathan, in Machias; Luvira, in Springfield; Hiram, in Wisconsin; Albert and Norman, in Illinois; and Caroline and Daniel, in Michigan." ("History of Cattaraugus County, NY," 1879, Everts Publishing, Page 357).

With 12 children, 10 of whom lived to adulthood, Elijah's and Betsey's family tree quickly branched out. Some of those branches, photographed roughly between 1870 and 1895, are represented in the 59 photos that comprise this album. Only a few of the photos have been identified, but there are clues that will help lead to the identification of all 59 photographs. For example, most of the photos list the name and location of the photographer; those photographed in Wisconsin likely are related to Hiram Ashcraft. Those taken in Cattaraugus County are descendants of Chester or Nathan, and since I am descended from Chester, it is likely most of the photos in this album relate to Chester as well.

For the benefit of readers, my line to Elijah and Betsey (Thompson) Ashcraft is as follows:

Phil Roblee, grandson of
Ruth Isabelle Vaughn, daughter of
Nellis Vaughan, son of
Betsey A. Ashcraft, daughter of
Chester A. Ashcraft, son of
Elijah Tameson Ashcraft and Betsey A. Thompson

My hope is that by publishing these photos (and clues) on the internet, the amount of time required to identify them will be significantly shortened. I hope as well that we can mutually benefit from whatever interaction this album generates among genealogists.

One final note...Two other documents relating to the Ashcraft (and related) family have been posted on the PHGS web site. Ashcraft, Cattaraugus County is a compilation of transcribed articles, announcements and obituaries relating to the Ashcraft Family in Cattaraugus County. These articles were pulled from a Scrapbook, which has since been fully transcribed. The fully transcribed scrapbook is entitled, A Circle of Friends and Family in Cattaraugus County, New York. Links are provided in case you wish to view these documents.

Phil Roblee
February 2000

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Top | Introduction | Index to Photographers | Index to Known Individuals | Photo Album | Return to PHGS

Index to Photographers

Photographer & Location	Photo Reference Link
Stewart Block, Ellicottville, NY	No. 29, No. 30
Brand, Delevan, NY (and Yorkshire Centre, NY)	No. 12, No. 20, No. 51
Churchill, Arcade, NY (and Franklinville, NY)	No. 17, No. 18, No. 19, No. 52
A. H. Coit, Franklinville, NY	No. 3, No. 15
Dawson, New London/Hortonville/Seymour WI	No. 35, No. 36
A. E. Drury, LeRoy, NY	No. 31
Dudley, Chicago, IL	No. 14
Duffey, Corry, PA	No. 25
A. E. Dumble, Rochester, NY	No. 33, No. 34
Fenton & Andruss, Jamestown, NY	No. 48
W. C. Foote, Flint, MI	No. 50
Harnish, Kentland, IN	No. 55, No. 56
L. D. Judkins, Bismarck, D.T.	No. 49
Mason, Buffalo, NY	No. 53
Pearson, Arcade, NY	No. 11
A. J. Puhl, Holland, NY	No. 2, No. 4, No. 21, No. 22
Rykert, Buffalo, NY	No. 45
A. Samsell, Location Unknown	No. 23
Chas. F. Schwab, Bradford, PA	No. 24
Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center, NY	No. 5, No. 6, No. 8, No. 26, No. 27, No. 28, No. 37, No. 39, No. 40, No. 46, No. 47, No. 54
Stevens, Spring Valley, MN	No. 41, No. 42, No. 43, No. 44
Thurston, Freemont, MI	No. 16
Unknown	No. 9, No. 10, No. 13, No. 32
Geo. L. Washburn, Castile, NY	No. 1, No. 37, No. 57

 

Top | Introduction | Index to Photographers | Index to Known Individuals | Photo Album | Return to PHGS

Index to Known (or Probable) Individuals

Names of Known/Probable Individuals	Reference/Link
Airdine/Airdyne, Hattie	See Ashcraft, Hattie
Arnold, Lydia "Waity" (Ashcraft)	No. 1
Ashcraft Albert	No. 14
Ashcraft, Betsey (Vaughan)	No. 8
Ashcraft, Curtis	No. 15
Ashcraft, Hattie (Airdine/Airdyne)	No. 16
Ashcraft, Mary Jane (Hall)	No. 6, No. 10
Ashcraft, Norman	No. 13
Ashcraft, Waity	See Arnold, Lydia
Curtis, Julia (Jackson)	No. 35
Dodge, Waity (Hall)	No. 9
Eastland, Lottie	See Hall, Lottie
Hall, George H.	No. 10
Hall, Harvey C.	No. 5, No. 10
Hall, Laurice W.	No. 11
Hall, Lottie (Eastland)	No. 10
Hall, Mary Jane	See Ashcraft, Mary Jane
Hall, Martha Louise	See Tiffany, Martha Louise
Hall, Waity	See Dodge, Waity
Hall, Zelo	No. 9
Jackson, Julia	See Curtis, Julia
Jackson, Grace	No. 36
Jones, Bertha	See Vaughan, Bertha
Tiffany, Martha Louise (Hall)	No. 11
Vaughan, Bertha Jane (Jones)	No. 57
Warren, George Melvin	No. 41
Warren, Mrs. George Melvin	No. 42
Warren Grace	No. 43
Warren, Minnie	No. 44

No. 1 Above: Lydia "Waity" (Arnold) Ashcraft b: Feb 28, 1819, d: Dec 27, 1914 Daughter of George and Waity Arnold Wife of Nathan T. Ashcraft Photographed by: Geo. L. Washburn, Castile, NY	No. 2 Above: Unknown. Photographed by: A.J. Puhl, Holland, NY
No. 3 Above: Unknown Photographed by: A.H. Coit, Franklinville, NY Top of Page	No. 4 Above: Unknown Photographed by: A.J. Puhl, Holland, NY
No. 5 Above: Harvey C. Hall b: Sep 28, 1840, d: Dec 19, 1920 Husband of Mary Jane Ashcraft (right) Member Co. "H", 44th NY Volunteers "Ellsworth Regiment." Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center, NY	No. 6 Above: Mary Jane (Ashcraft) Hall b: Jun 19, 1842, d: ? Wife of Harvey C. Hall (left) Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center, NY
This Space in the Photo Album was Blank
No. 7 Blank Top of Page	No. 8 Probably Betsey (Ashcraft) Vaughan Handwritten on reverse of Photo is "Bet" b: May 4, 1844, d: Aug 28, 1927 Wife of Daniel C. Vaughan Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center, NY
No. 9 Above: Probably Zelo Hall, brother of Harvey (right) and Waity Dodge Hall. Photographed by: Unknown	No. 10 Above: Harvey C. Hall & Mary Jane Ashcraft Hall, with Children Lottie (later married Sheldon Eastland) and George H. Photographed by: Unknown
No. 11 Unknown Photographed by: Pearson, Arcade NY Top of Page	No. 12 Above: George & Mary (Weast) Hall on their wedding day  * Photographed by: Brand's Studio, Delevan NY * name submitted by: Lauriice T. "Bud "Hall
No. 13 Above: Norman Ashcraft b: circa 1805, d: ? Brother of Daniel and Albert (right) Ashcraft Photographed by: Unknown	No. 14 Above: Albert Ashcraft and Mrs. (name unknown) Ashcraft Brother of Norman (left) and Daniel Ashcraft Photographed by: Dudley, Chicago IL
No. 15 Above: Curtis Ashcraft b: ? d: ? Son of Daniel Ashcraft Brother of Hattie (right) Husband of Mary Jane Coy Photographed by: A. H. Coit, Franklinville NY Top of Page	No. 16 Above: Hattie Ashcraft Daughter of Daniel Ashcraft Sister of Curtis (left) Married Mr. Airdine (or Airdyne) Photographed by: Thurston, Fremont MI
No. 17 Above: Unknown Probably Husband of woman (right) Probably father of boy and girl (below) Photographed by: Churchill, Arcade NY	No. 18 Above: Unknown Probably Wife of man (left) Probably mother of boy and girl (below) Photographed by: Churchill, Arcade NY
No. 19 Above: Unknown Probably son of man and woman (above) Probably brother of girl (right) Photographed by: Churchill, Arcade NY Top of Page	No. 20 Above: Unknown Probably daughter of man and woman (above) Probably sister of boy (left) Photographed by: Brand, Yorkshire Centre NY
No. 21 Above: Unknown Probably husband of woman (right) Photographed by: A.J. Puhl, Holland NY	No. 22 Above: Unknown Probably wife of man (left) Photographed by A.J. Puhl, Holland NY
No. 23 Above: Unknown Photographed by: A. Sampsell, location unknown Top of Page	No. 24 Above: Unknown Photographed by Chas. F. Schwab, Bradford PA
No. 25 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Duffey, Corry PA	No. 26 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY
No. 27 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY Top of Page	No. 28 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY
No. 29 Above: Unknown Probably husband of woman (right) Photographed by: Stewart Block, Ellicottville NY	No. 30 Above: Unknown Probably wife of man (left) Photographed by: Stewart Block, Ellicottville NY
No. 31 Above: Unknown Photographed by: A.E. Drury, LeRoy NY Top of Page	No. 32 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Unknown
No. 33 Above: Unknown Appears to be same as woman (right) Photo Dated 1890 Photographed by: A.E. Dumble, Rochester NY	No. 34 Above: Unknown Appears to be same as woman (left) Photo dated 1889 Photographed by: A.E. Dumble, Rochester NY
No. 35 Above: Julia Curtis Married Mr. Jackson Mother of Grace (right) Handwritten: "Mrs. J.L. Jackson, Age 49, 1893" Photographed by: Dawson, New London/Hortonville/Seymour WI Top of Page	No. 36 Above: Grace Jackson Daughter of Julia Curtis Jackson (left) Photographed by: Dawson, New London/Hortonville/Seymour WI
No. 37 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY	No. 38 Above: Unknown Reverse side reads, "A Merry Christmas to Bertha & Millard," (referring to Millard and Bertha (Vaughan) Jones) Photographed by: Geo. L Washburn, Castile NY
No. 39 Above: Unknown Probably husband of woman (right) Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY Top of Page	No. 40 Above: Unknown Probably wife of man (left) Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY
No. 41 Above: George Melvin Warren b: Jun 12 1847, d: ? Husband of woman (right) Father of women (below) Photographed by: Stevens, Spring Valley MN	No. 42 Above: Mrs. G.M. Warren (first name Unk) b: ?, d: Aug 28 1805 Wife of man (left) Mother of women (below) Photographed by: Stevens, Spring Valley MN
No. 43 Above: Grace Warren Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G.M Warren (above) Sister of Minnie Warren (right) Photographed by: Stevens, Spring Valley MN Top of Page	No. 44 Above: Minnie Warren Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G.M Warren (above) Sister of Grace Warren (left) Photographed by: Stevens, Spring Valley MN
No. 45 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Rykert, Buffalo NY	No. 46 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY
No. 47 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY Top of Page	No. 48 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Fenton & Andruss, Jamestown NY
No. 49 Above: Unknown Photographed by: L.D. Judkins, Bismarck D.T.	No. 50 Above: Unknown Photographed by: W.C. Foote, Flint MI
No. 51 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Brand's, Delevan NY Top of Page	No. 52 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Churchill, Franklinville NY
No. 53 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Mason, Buffalo NY	No. 54 Above: Unknown Photographed by: Nelson Smith, Yorkshire Center NY
No. 55 Above: Unknown Possibly sibling of (or same person as) child on right Photographed by: Harnish, Kentland IN Top of Page	No. 56 Above: Unknown Possibly sibling of (or same person as) child on left Photographed by: Harnish, Kentland IN
	Blank Space
No. 57 Above: Possibly Bertha Jane (Vaughan) Jones b: Aug 26 1871, d: ? Handwritten on reverse: "Our Pet, Birdie" Photographed by Geo. L. Washburn, Castile NY Top of Page	No. 58 Blank