Page 5

Grahamsville, NY | home

Page 5

Back to Page 5

The following Post Cards and Grahamsville Tidbits

are from Gloria Kuhlmann Thompson

Mr. Winters,

Attached are postcards from the Karla Earnst Bates Collection. (A cousin of mine on Briggs side). My great Grandmother was Adella Briggs Sheley- married to Paul Andreas Sheley postmaster of Bull Run in Ulster County, NY- name changed to Peekamoose, NY in 1904. Paul A. Sheley was Postmaster of Bull Run/ Peekamoose from1894-1906. Adella Briggs was a sister of William Alonzo

Briggs Sr. – prosperous Claryville Merchant.

Karla Earnst Bates- daughter of Karl and Eleanor Briggs Ernst.

Eleanor Briggs was a daughter of Ozias D. and Nellie Hoar Briggs.

(Nellie was a daughter of Dr. W. H. H. Hoar of Grahamsville and Emily Bryers Hoar. Emily’s father was Rev. J. Bryers- Methodist minister and was a pastor of several churches in NY including the Grahamsville Methodist Church in late 1800s.

Gloria Kuhlmann Thompson

(My grandmother’s 1/2 brother was Fred Ackerley. Adella Briggs’ 1st husband was Elisha G. Ackerley and they lived in peekamoose not far from the Blue Hole. Elisha Ackerley was a farmer and also worked in logging industry- probably the Jacob Coddington Saw Mill in Peekamoose- located on stream above the Blue Hole in 1870s- 1880s. Elisha Ackerley died in 1880 by being crushed by a fallen tree.

Elisha G. Ackerley and Adella Briggs:

2 children” Fred Hansee Ackerley and Burr Ackerley.

Fred Ackerley had 2 sons: Fred Ackerley and Arthur B. Ackerley of Grahamsville. Arthur operated service station and small store in Grahamsville on Route 55 near road that leads up to Claryville.

Front-Grahamsville Flirtation Bridge or also called the Reynolds Bridge

Back--Grahamsville Flirtation Bridge or also called the Reynolds Bridge

Chestnut Stream Lover's Glen

Postcard of William Alonzo Briggs Sr- Claryville, NY merchant. and

postcards sent to son Ozias D. Briggs of Claryville, NY

Back-Postcard of William Alonzo Briggs Sr- Claryville, NY merchant. and

postcards sent to son Ozias D. Briggs of Claryville, NY

William Alonzo Briggs Sr- Claryville, NY merchant.

Photo of Ozias D. Briggs on wedding day- married Nellie Hoar- daughter

of Dr. W. H. H. Hoar- Grahamsville physician and principle stock holder of

the Grahamsville Knife Factory- Grahamsville Cutlery Company

Front-Denman Mountain of Grahamsville, NY

Mr. Winters,

Postcards written to Ozias D. Briggs and wife Nellie Hoar Briggs from Nellie’s

mother- Emily Bryers Hoar- wife of Dr. W. H. H. Hoar and from her sister Edna Hoar

Krum. Some postcards sent from William Alonzo Briggs Sr to son Ozias D. Briggs

of Claryville- from Florida and from Battle of Lookout Mountain Museum in Tennessee.

W. A. Briggs Sr fought in the 143rd NY Regiment in the Civil War- Sullivan County

Regiment and fought in the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Dr. Hoar and wife had 2

daughters- Nellie married to Ozias D. Briggs Ozias D. Briggs and brother William

Alonzo Briggs Jr took over the Claryville store and lumbering business of their father

William Alonzo Briggs Sr. in 1906. Edna- married to Sumner Krum- mercantile store

owner in Grahamsville, NY Krum’s Store and Postmaster of Grahamsville for many

years in early 1900s through 1920s. Gloria Thompson

Back-Denman Mountain of Grahamsville, NY

Front-Reformed Church, Grahamsville, NY

Back-Reformed Church, Grahamsville, NY

Mr. Winters,

Attached is information that I researched about the Grahamsville Knife Factory- Founders.

Grahamsville Knife Factory- principle stock holder was Dr. W. H. H. Hoar- Grahamsville physician. Dr. Hoar was owner of the Grist Mill property in Grahamsville that was transformed into the Grahamsville Knife Factory.

Postcard of the Grahamsville Knife Factory , and other Grahamsville postcards- were given to me by Carla Ernst Bates- great grand daughter of Dr. W. H. H. Hoar of Grahamsville, NY and William Alonzo Briggs Sr.- Claryville, NY – a prosperous land owner, lumber dealer, merchant

Ozias D.“Ozzie” or “Ozias” “Oziah” born 1883 in Claryville, NY

Died Jan 29, 1917 in a NYC Hospital after a Gall Bladder operation

Married Nellie Hoar, daughter of Dr. William H.H. Hoar and Emily Hoar

Dr. WHH Hoar was Town Supervisor for Grahamsville, NY in 1896

Lived on Red Hill in Claryville. later moved to Grahamsville, NY

Nellie Hoar: Born 1887 and Died 1971 Buried in Grahamsville Rural Cemetery

1st marriage to Ozias D. Briggs

2nd marriage to Harold Bryers of NYC. Married June 9, 1934 in Ellenville, NY

Address: 133 East Main Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992

Children of Ozias D. Briggs and Nellie Hoar Briggs:

Nellie Briggs

Robert O. Briggs

Eleanor Emma Briggs b. 1909 according to 1920 Census

d. Monday, Aug. 10, 1998 Orange City, Florida,

Volusia County, (near Orlando.)

Lankford Funeral Home, Orange City

Occupation: teacher

(Eleanor’s brother Robert O. Briggs also moved to Orange City, Florida when he retired)

+ Herman Karl Ernst b. in Saxony, Germany

(Son of Fritz C. and Minna Germer Ernst)

Married: Thurs. Sept 21, 1933 in Brooklyn City Chapel

Their residence: 1157 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Occupation: Teacher

They had:

2 daughters,

Ruth E. Ernst Wilson, Born Nov. 17, 1933

Died Feb. 9, 2001 in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Married Robert J. Wilson 3rd

3 sons:

Karla Ernst Bates, Lives in Cobleskill, N.Y.;

Retired teacher

Married John S. Bates Jr.– former Sheriff of Schoharie County, NY

Children: 2 sons

Book: "The History of Ulster County" by Alphonso T. Clearwater published in 1907, republished in 2007 Volume 2 of the book, page 559 (It is a 2 volume book)

W. A Briggs, (William Alonzo Briggs) a prominent merchant and manufacturer of Claryville, Ulster County, was born at Grahamsville, Sullivan County in 1843. He obtained his education at the schools of his native place, and when Civil War was declared enlisted in company C, 143rd NYV serving 3 years. In 1866 he established a general mercantile business, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles, furniture hoops, and piano bars, giving employment to over 40 men. Possessed of keen sagacity and enterprise, Mr. Briggs is one of the most successful men in the community. His real estate holdings in Ulster County covering over 1000 acres.

Mr. Briggs married Miss Abigail Dixon, and their family consists of John, now travelling salesman for the Winchester Arms Company; W. A. Briggs, Jr. and O. D. (Ozias D.) who have succeeded their father in the management of the store under the firm name of

"W. A. Briggs' Sons"; Harrison; Ella Briggs; Inda; and Martha

William Alonzo Briggs bought the Claryville store from his uncle Jesse C. Hansee in 1866. The current Claryville Post Office is in part of the former store of Jesse C. Hansee and nephew William Alonzo Briggs Sr- later the store and lumbering establishment run by sons

Ozias D. and William Alonzo Briggs Jr- as W. A. Briggs Sons.

Back to Page 5