One of the founding fathers of Ellicottville
was
Rickertson
Burlingame.
Rickertson was my wife, Susan (Pawlowski) Ladwig's
great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
Rickertson Burlingame was the son of Israel and
Eunice (Crandall)
Burlingame
and was born on 28 Jan. 1771 in Wethersfield,
Conn. according to the Bible of his brother, Joshua Burlingame. Israel
and Eunice Burlingame had settled in Weathersfield,
VT. by 1773 where he ran a tannery on Dodge Creek. Israel was active
in the town affairs of Weathersfield, serving as Town Clerk, a
Representative
to the General Assembly, and a Representative in the town Committee
during
the Revolutionary War. In addition, in 1775 Israel served as a
Lieutenant
from Weathersfield VT. in Hilkiah Grout's Company of the Upper Regiment
of Cumberland County, N.Y. in the Revolutionary War. Vermont was part
of
the state of New York at the time. He also served in a Return of Men
and
Horses employed by Capt. Abel Marsh in carrying flour from the
Connecticut
River to Battenkill for the use of the Northern Army by order of Jacob
Bayley dated 13 Oct. 1777. Rickertson Burlingame had removed from
Weathersfield, VT. by 1799 and
settled in Oxford, Chenango County, N.Y. Rickertson married on 22 Dec.
1799, Lydia Fitch, daughter
of John and Rebecca (Rees) Fitch. Lydia had been born on 10 July 1782
in Egremont, Berkshire Co., MA. and removed to Oxford, N.Y. with her
father and step-mother, Hannah (Hollenbeck) Fitch by 1798. Rickertson
Burlingame was a surveyor, as well as a farmer. He came into the employ
of the Holland Land Company as a surveyor at the latest by 1813.
Several sources state
that he surveyed the town of Oxford, N.Y. for the Holland Land Co. By
1810,Rickertson and Lydia had removed to the Village of Cayuga, Cayuga
County, N.Y. Rickertson served as an Ensign in the Militia of Tioga
County, N.Y.
under Lieut. Col. Benjamin Hovey during the War of 1812.
Rickertson's employment with the Holland Land Company took him to the site of present day Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. "The first land contracts issued by the Holland Land Company within the limits of the town (of Ellicottville) were in 1813, and to Rickertson Burlingame, Harvey B. Hayes, Archelaus and Orrin Brown, Amos Ingalls, and Grove Hurlbut." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, p. 253, Pub. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1879). The pioneer settler of Ellicottville was Grove Hurlbut. In the spring of 1815, Grove left his family in Arkport, Steuben Co. and went alone to the area that was known as the Western Reserve to assess the land for settling. He did not like the lands in that region and returned in about 6 weeks. The route on his return took him through present day Ellicottville, "where Rickertson Burlingame was at the time surveying. Upon inquiring as to the lands he was informed that he would have to go to the land-office at Batavia for information." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, p. 248, Pub. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1879)
Rickertson Burlingame came into this region (Ellicottville, N.Y.) from Oxford, Chenango Co., as a surveyor in the employ of the Holland Land Company. Traversed the hills and valleys of Cattaraugus and through the deep-tangled forests by the blaze upon trees made in the original township surveys. He assisted in the sub-division of the town into lots, surveyed and mapped the village plat of Ellicottville, and made the map which was adopted by authority upon the incorporation of the village in 1837. After he had finished the greater portion of his survey he located lot No. 62, an irregular tract of land lying on Great Valley Creek and beyond the regular tier of lots, containing about 300 acres. His first dwelling was a log structure, erected near the banks of the creek. Upon this farm he passed the remainder of his life, and was buried within the ground which he had cleared and cultivated." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, pp. 249-250, 1879)
Rickertson settled in Ellicottville with his family in 1817. He owned lots 62 and 21 in 1822. He served as a school commissioner for a time, and with Artemus Blair and Daniel Thomas divided the town into school districts for the first time on 4 June 1821. Rickertson surveyed and laid out the first highways in the town of Ellicottville on 3 Dec. 1823.
Rickertson Burlingame died on 11 Aug. 1840 at his house according to the settlement of his estate. His son, George R. Burlingame was appointed as the administrator of his father's estate by the Surrogate Court of the County of Cattaraugus on 18 May 1841. Lydia (Fitch) Burlingame died on 28 Aug. 1845 according to her gravestone. Although they were buried on their farm along Great Valley Creek, Rickertson and Lydia were reinterred in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Ellicottville in about 1905. Children:
* 3.Victor Monroe, b. 2 July 1807 in Oxford, N.Y.; d. 11 Dec. 1888 in Salamanca, N.Y. bur. in Wildwood Cemetery in Salamanca; m. 1.) 1827, Lydia Thayer (dau. of Oliver and Hannah [Vining] Thayer; b. 1804 in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N.Y.; d. 27 July 1845 in Ellicottville); m. 2.) abt. 1847, a widow, Roxcena/Roxcy (________) Down (b. abt. 1818 in VT; d. Sunday, 10 Feb. 1895 at her home in Salamanca). Victor was the constable of Ellicottville, N.Y. by 1850. He may have tried his hand at farming for a period of time but was the Constable and Keeper of the Jail in Ellicottville, N.Y. by 1850. At that time, he lived in the Toll House on the Old Plank Road, running between Ellicottville and Salamanca. Victor and Roxcy Burlingame removed to Hinsdale, N.Y. between 1855 and 1860 where Victor worked as a tavern keeper and Roxcy worked as a domestic servant. He was listed in the Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co., N.Y. (by William Adams, Oct. 1893) as serving in the Civil War from Ellicottville in Company A of the 154th Infantry. He enlisted on 21 July 1862 at Great Valley, mustered on 24 Sept. 1862 and was honorably discharged on 22 Sept. 1863 according to the Adjutant General's Office, Bureau of War Records, Albany, N.Y. According to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C., Victor was in action at Chancellorsville, VA. on 2 May 1863. He was captured as a prisoner-of-war by the South at Richmond, VA. on 9 May 1863. Victor was next admitted to Hospital # 21 in Richmond, VA. on 12 May 1863 and was parolled at City Point, VA. on 15 May 1863. He was reported at College Green Barracks on 16 May 1863 where he was listed as in the hospital, date of admission and cause not stated. He was sent to Convalescent Camp, Alexandria, VA. on 17 May 1863 and was mustered out at the camp on 22 Sept. 1863. Roxcy Burlingame received a pension for Victor's service after his death. By 1865, Victor and Roxcy Burlingame had removed to Salamanca, N.Y. Victor was the keeper of a boarding house in that city, at least through 1870. They appear to have remained in that city, although he was listed in the 1875 N.Y.S. Census as living in Ellicottville with his oldest daughter and her husband, Frances (Burlingame) and Elbridge Drown. He was working as a shoemaker at that time. Roxcy had a daughter by her first marriage, Abby Dow (born about 1841 in Vt.). Victor M. Burlingame had 4 children by Lydia Thayer and 6 children by Roxcy Dow. His children were:
Rickertson's employment with the Holland Land Company took him to the site of present day Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. "The first land contracts issued by the Holland Land Company within the limits of the town (of Ellicottville) were in 1813, and to Rickertson Burlingame, Harvey B. Hayes, Archelaus and Orrin Brown, Amos Ingalls, and Grove Hurlbut." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, p. 253, Pub. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1879). The pioneer settler of Ellicottville was Grove Hurlbut. In the spring of 1815, Grove left his family in Arkport, Steuben Co. and went alone to the area that was known as the Western Reserve to assess the land for settling. He did not like the lands in that region and returned in about 6 weeks. The route on his return took him through present day Ellicottville, "where Rickertson Burlingame was at the time surveying. Upon inquiring as to the lands he was informed that he would have to go to the land-office at Batavia for information." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, p. 248, Pub. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1879)
Rickertson Burlingame came into this region (Ellicottville, N.Y.) from Oxford, Chenango Co., as a surveyor in the employ of the Holland Land Company. Traversed the hills and valleys of Cattaraugus and through the deep-tangled forests by the blaze upon trees made in the original township surveys. He assisted in the sub-division of the town into lots, surveyed and mapped the village plat of Ellicottville, and made the map which was adopted by authority upon the incorporation of the village in 1837. After he had finished the greater portion of his survey he located lot No. 62, an irregular tract of land lying on Great Valley Creek and beyond the regular tier of lots, containing about 300 acres. His first dwelling was a log structure, erected near the banks of the creek. Upon this farm he passed the remainder of his life, and was buried within the ground which he had cleared and cultivated." (History of Cattaraugus Co., New York, pp. 249-250, 1879)
Rickertson settled in Ellicottville with his family in 1817. He owned lots 62 and 21 in 1822. He served as a school commissioner for a time, and with Artemus Blair and Daniel Thomas divided the town into school districts for the first time on 4 June 1821. Rickertson surveyed and laid out the first highways in the town of Ellicottville on 3 Dec. 1823.
Rickertson Burlingame died on 11 Aug. 1840 at his house according to the settlement of his estate. His son, George R. Burlingame was appointed as the administrator of his father's estate by the Surrogate Court of the County of Cattaraugus on 18 May 1841. Lydia (Fitch) Burlingame died on 28 Aug. 1845 according to her gravestone. Although they were buried on their farm along Great Valley Creek, Rickertson and Lydia were reinterred in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Ellicottville in about 1905. Children:
- Otis, b. 31 Oct. 1800 in Oxford, N.Y.; d. 2 Dec. 1801.
- Otis F., b. 11 Sept. 1802; d. 12 May 1832 in New Orleans, æ 29 years, 8 months and 1 day.
* 3.Victor Monroe, b. 2 July 1807 in Oxford, N.Y.; d. 11 Dec. 1888 in Salamanca, N.Y. bur. in Wildwood Cemetery in Salamanca; m. 1.) 1827, Lydia Thayer (dau. of Oliver and Hannah [Vining] Thayer; b. 1804 in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N.Y.; d. 27 July 1845 in Ellicottville); m. 2.) abt. 1847, a widow, Roxcena/Roxcy (________) Down (b. abt. 1818 in VT; d. Sunday, 10 Feb. 1895 at her home in Salamanca). Victor was the constable of Ellicottville, N.Y. by 1850. He may have tried his hand at farming for a period of time but was the Constable and Keeper of the Jail in Ellicottville, N.Y. by 1850. At that time, he lived in the Toll House on the Old Plank Road, running between Ellicottville and Salamanca. Victor and Roxcy Burlingame removed to Hinsdale, N.Y. between 1855 and 1860 where Victor worked as a tavern keeper and Roxcy worked as a domestic servant. He was listed in the Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co., N.Y. (by William Adams, Oct. 1893) as serving in the Civil War from Ellicottville in Company A of the 154th Infantry. He enlisted on 21 July 1862 at Great Valley, mustered on 24 Sept. 1862 and was honorably discharged on 22 Sept. 1863 according to the Adjutant General's Office, Bureau of War Records, Albany, N.Y. According to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C., Victor was in action at Chancellorsville, VA. on 2 May 1863. He was captured as a prisoner-of-war by the South at Richmond, VA. on 9 May 1863. Victor was next admitted to Hospital # 21 in Richmond, VA. on 12 May 1863 and was parolled at City Point, VA. on 15 May 1863. He was reported at College Green Barracks on 16 May 1863 where he was listed as in the hospital, date of admission and cause not stated. He was sent to Convalescent Camp, Alexandria, VA. on 17 May 1863 and was mustered out at the camp on 22 Sept. 1863. Roxcy Burlingame received a pension for Victor's service after his death. By 1865, Victor and Roxcy Burlingame had removed to Salamanca, N.Y. Victor was the keeper of a boarding house in that city, at least through 1870. They appear to have remained in that city, although he was listed in the 1875 N.Y.S. Census as living in Ellicottville with his oldest daughter and her husband, Frances (Burlingame) and Elbridge Drown. He was working as a shoemaker at that time. Roxcy had a daughter by her first marriage, Abby Dow (born about 1841 in Vt.). Victor M. Burlingame had 4 children by Lydia Thayer and 6 children by Roxcy Dow. His children were:
- * a. Frances M., b. 23 Jan. 1828 in Ellicottville, N.Y.; d. 22 Mar. 1907 in Ellicottville; m. 17 July 1845 in Ellicottville by Israel Day, Esq. (as per the newspaper announcement), Elbridge M. Drown (son of Peter and Eliza [Green] Drown; b. 5 Nov. 1819 in Sweden, N.Y.; d. 2 Sept. 1904 in Ellicottville). They settled in Ellicottville, N.Y. He was a farmer, and also a dealer in real estate and cattle. They are buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Ellicottville.
- b. Louisa, b. 1832 in Ellicottville, N.Y.; d. 20 Apr. 1906; m. Sunday, 12 Mar. 1854 by Rev. Mr. Buck in Ellicottville (as per the newspaper announcement), Hayden L. Litchfield (b. abt. 1833 in Ellicottville). He was a farmer and they resided at Salamanca, N.Y. They had a daughter Harriet (d. 1929) who married a Mr. Merchant. There are no living descendants.
- c. Salome Mandane, b. 9 Aug. 1838 in Ellicottville; d. 24 July 1920 in that town; m. 1 Oct. 1854, Elisha Allen Litchfield (son of Levi and Nancy [Franch] Litchfield; b. 3 Sept. 1835 in Ellicottville; d. 5 June 1923 in Ellicottville). Elisha was a farmer. They are buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Ellicottville. They had one daughter: i. Frances Abigail, b. 1865; m. Franklin Edwin Redfield.
- d. Charles, b. 1841; m. Marion ______ . By 1855 he was boarding in the Charles Henry family home in Ellicottville while working as a printer for Mr. Henry, who was an editor. He was living in Sturgis, Mich. in 1906. He had children by a second wife.
- e. Adell, b. 1848; m. James Thompkins. A son Walter resided in Conneaut, Ohio.
- f. Edwin, b. Mar., 1850.
- g. William/"Willie", b. 1852.
- h. Mary, b. 1857; m. Charles Mitchell. They resided in Salamanca, N.Y.
- i. Fred, b. Sept., 1859.
- j. Claude, b. 1861.
- a. Mary S., b. 26 June 1842; d. 9 Nov. 1926.
- b. Willard D., b. 1845; d. 6 Nov. 1859, æ 14.
- c. Otis, killed by a fall from a horse when quite young.
- a. Mary Hannah, b. 3 Oct. 1843; d. 26 July 1866; m. Martin Cady.
- b. Frances Rebecca, b. 30 July 1845; m. Thomas Litchfield.
- c. Clara Fidelia, b. 7 July 1850; d. 6 Jan. 1871.
- d. George, b. 23 Feb. 1852; d. 27 Aug. 1852.
- e. Anson Milton, b. 17 June 1862; d. 1942.
- f. Lydia Caroline, b. 10 June 1864.
Inventory of the Estate of Rickertson Burlingame
Submitted by: John Ladwig
Schedule of Articles Appraisal 1 yoke of Oxen $50.00 1 cow 18.00 1 cow 18.00 1 farrer cow (sp? probably farer - "for food")
12.00 5 yerlings 5.00 a piece 25.00 4 Calves 2.62 ½ a piece 10.50 1 red Cow 20.00 1 mare 40.00 1 old horse 10.00 1, 2 year old colt 40.00 29 sheep at 0.75 a piece 21.75 5 hogs 1.50 a piece 08.00 1 Bee house + bees 10.00 8 swarms of bees 4.00 a piece 32.00 1 caldron kettle 04.00 1, 5 pail kettle 03.00 1 Brass kettle 04.00 1 Brass pail 01.00 3 Axes 03.25 1 iron bar 02.00 1 Pick axe 00.75 1 Shovel 00.53 1 Brush seythe 00.50 1 waggon 25.00 2 old plow irons 0.50 a piece 1.00 25 lbs. of old iron 05 cts lb. 1.25 old iron 00.94 Chains 4.00 Trace chains 1.50 1 dung fork 1.00 1 pitch fork .25 1 Curry Comb .13 Cutter .50 1 Sleigh 7.00 drag teeth 3.50 2 hoes 1.00 5 Augurs 2.00 2 Sickels 18 cts. a piece .38 1 buck saw 1.00 1 hand saw .06 1 haz knife 1.00 2 drawing knives 50 cts. a piece 1.00 1 Hanure .25 1 pair nippers .38 1 ring to Ox yoke .25 1 broad axe .75 1 grass sythe .50 1 pair fine dogs 1.00 1 grain cradle 2.00 Scythe tackling .50 whiffletress 1.00 1 clevice .38 1 neck yoke 1.50 harness 8.00 Saddle + bridle 3.00 1 fanning mill 10.00 1 grind stone 1.00 3000 shingles 3.00 1 compass 25.00 20 bushels of potatoes 91 / bushel 2.50 12 bushels of wheat 4/ bushel .75 1 ½ bushels of corn 4/ bushel .75 25 pounds of wool 9.38 7 yds of flannel 3.50 2 straw tioks 1.00 1 feather bed tiok + pillow 8.91 1 callico bed quilt double block 1.50 1 red + green blanket 2.50 1 red comforter .75 1 checker'd bed spread 1.50 1 brown woolen bed quilt .75 1 bed tick + pillow 8.91 1 woollen sheet 1.00 5 linnen sheets 3.75 1 Over Coat 3.00 2 coats 4.00 a piece 8.00 1 pr. woollen pantalooms 2.00 1 pr. striped linnen pantalooms .75 1 pr. brown linnen pantalooms .75 1 pr. fine linnen pantalooms 1.00 2 vests 44 cts. piece .88 2 shirts 2/ piece .50 4 shirts 6/ piece 3.00 2 table cloths 1.25 1 table cloth .75 3 pr. of sheets 3.75 1 pr. bed curtains 1.50 3 bed quilts 2.25 3 towels .50 2 bags 1.50 1 brass candle stick .18 2 glass lamps .25 6 chairs 2/ piece 1.50 1 table 2.00 2 stands 2.25 2 chests 1.50 1 hat .38 12 hens 1.50 teaspoons .75 tablespoons 1.25 Plates .75 Bowls .20 2 teapots .50 teacups + saucers .38 2 tin pails .75 3 bottles .38 1 stone jar .25 2 earthen pans .25 4 tin pans .75 1 butter platter .50 1 tin baker .50 1 wash tub .50 1 cheese tub .75 2 wooden pails .50 Jeremiah Buch Jr.\ appraisors
Oren Brown /
Inventory
1 bed beding + bedstead
3 towels
5 suits of apparrel for woman
5 cups + saucers
6 plates
6 spoons
6 knives + forks
1 tea pot
1 creme cup
1 shugar bowl
6 pans
1 stove + funiture
1 loom + apperatus belonging thereto
1 spinning wheel
1 little wheel
1 table
1 looking glass
1 pr. fine dogs
2 candle sticks
1 cow
10 sheep and wool of the same
2 hogs small quantity of pork
Books
6 Chairs
Return to Pioneer Biographies
