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 LocationsSubmitted by Phil Roblee
Introduction | Index to Photographers | Index to Known Individuals | Photo Album | Return to PHGS
IntroductionThis 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. ThompsonMy 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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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
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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
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Photo Album
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