Will of Sterling Hotchkiss

The daughter of Sterling Hotchkiss, Almira, married into the Duers Family. Almira is mentioned in her father's will. Please contact me if you have any additional information about this family.



WILLIAM DUERS (Benjamin, David) was born about 1834 in New York and is living in Alabama, Genesee County, New York at the 1860, 1870 (where his name is spelled Dewers), and 1880 U.S. Censuses. He married in about 1862 ALMIRA M. HOTCHKISS, who was born 18 August 1835 probably in Alabama, Genesee County, New York to Sterling and Hannah Hotchkiss. William buys land in Genesee County on several occasions, mostly from relatives, between 1853 and 1882. William died 22 June 1888 at the age of 63 years and is buried in the Reed Cemetery in Oakfield Township, Genesee County, New York. In his will he mentions his wife Almira and his daughter Victoria Anthony. Almira married second Mr. Ham, possibly Phillip Ham of Wheatfield, Genesee County, New York. Almira died 11 April 1904 and is buried next to William in the Reed Cemetery in Oakfield.

They had the following child:
i. Victoria E. Duers, b. September 1863.

Sources
1. F.W. Beers (editor), Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genessee County, N.Y. 1788-1890, J.W. Vose & Company Publishers, Syracuse, New York, 1890, p. 130.

2. Genesee Co., N.Y. Deeds, v. 92, p. 219; v. 95, p. 201; v. 115, p. 71; v. 123, p. 67; v. 156, p. 88.

3. Genesee Co., N.Y. Wills, v. 20, p. 275. Will dated 7 November 1887 and proved on 31 October 1888.

4. Almira is listed as Almira Duers Ham in the Reed Cemetery records, and the only Ham of about the right age in the area is Phillip Ham a farmer who is listed in the Gazeteer and Business Directory of Genesee County published in 1869.

Grandma Jensen

William Alonzo Chamberlain surrounded by his family about 1901. Clockwise from left: Alice Estella (Moore) Chamberlain, Anna Eliza, Henry Ernest, George Francis, Lottie Calvina, Bertha Estella, Walter Alonzo, and Ethel Jane.

Grandma Jensen (Ethel Jane Chamberlain Jensen) was always a safe harbor in any storm. She and Grandpa Jensen (Joseph Moroni Jensen) lived on Pleasant View Drive about two blocks from our home. Growing up, I spent almost as much time at my grandparents home as I did at my own. It was a place I could go and feel the depth of family roots. It seemed that someone in the family was always visiting.

Grandma loved to have family around. Her house was full of wonderful smells, secret hiding places, and old treasures, like an iron that had no electric plug, a wash tub and wringer that were operated by hand, and old photos of people who looked so odd with their funny clothes and hair styles.

Grandma died too young even though she was 74. She was the first close family member I had lost, but perhaps her death prepared me for the loss of my mother 4 years later. I miss them both, but treasure the legacy they left me...a legacy of family and the importance of remembering the ones who have gone before.

Alice Chamberlain with her daughters. Front row: Bertha Estella, Alice, Ethel Jane. Back row: Anna Eliza, Lottie Calvina.

Joseph Moroni Jensen and Ethel Jane Chamberlain Jensen -- photo taken in December 1953.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Alexander Township, Genesee County, New York

This is a cemetery located in the Town of Alexander, Genesee County, New York. Transcribed by Mary B. Wells and Frances H. Witmer. Images are from Family History Library microfilm 1381729 item 4. [Click on the image for a larger view]