1 CMNT She Immigrated To U.S. In 1896 & Was Naturalized
Newspaper article entitled "Clayton Man Is 100 Years Old" from newspaper of 15 Sept. 1928: CLAYTON--David Parry, well known resident of State street, this village, and probably the oldest man in Jefferson county, on Monday, will celebrate his
100th birthday.In perfect health, capable of eating any food he desires, a man who has believed in hard work and clean living, Mr. Parry, at the century mark, can yet do a fair day's work about his home in the garden and with the axe. When he was
interviewed today he was found at work in his garden digging potatoes, and to one side of the lot was a large pile of wood, neatly sawed and piled by him recently. He is very ambitious and is not contented unless he can find something to do.He retains good eyesight and is able to read without glasses and in a broken Welsh-English language can relate with a wonderful memory many of the interesting incidents of his life. His only ailment is a slight deafness. He retires at 7
each night and rises early each morning. His meals are hearty and he appears to suffer no ill effects from any variety of food. Mr. Parry has only once in his life required the services of a doctor, that being in his boyhood.In discussing politics, Mr. Parry says he is a Republican and is going to cast a vote for Hoover in November.
Mr. Parry was born in Row'wen, Wales, Sept. 17, 1828, a son of William and Anna Parry, both natives of Wales. When he was 22 he married Margaret Davis in Naven, North Wales, and ten children were born to them, five of whom are now living.
All were born in Wales. In 1877 the family came to this country and settled in Italy, Wis. A few years later Mr. Parry came north with his family and settled at Grindstone Island, where on July 3, 1887, he was naturalized. Mrs. Parry died
about 28 years ago.For 35 years, Mr. Parry worked as a pavement block cutter on Grindstone Island when that place was thriving. When that business dwindled and finally passed out of existence, Mr. Parry moved to this village where he has since resided at
the home of his son, David Parry, jr. Since his retirement about 25 years ago, he has occupied his time in doing chores and keeping up the grounds and gardens of his home. Up to the present summer, when he has not been allowed to go about the
streets alone, he has been a familiar figure here. His faithful dog, Jack, is always by his side.The following children of Mr. Parry are now living: William Parry of England, Robert Parry of Watertown, Thomas Parry of Bridgeport, Conn., David Parry, jr., of Clayton, and Mrs. Margaret Robbins of Grenell Island.
Mr. Parry proudly tells of the great ages reached by other members of his family, and in particular mentions his aunt, Mrs. Eileen Williams, who died in Wales at the age of 112. His wife lived to be 75 and one sister and two brothers
reached the same age.A celebration in honor of Mr. Parry's birthday will be staged here at 7:30 Monday night at the corner of James street and Riverside Drive. The Chaumont band will give a concert, Col. M. R. Sackett and Mayor F. S. Rodenhurst will speak.
Frank Kittle has been active in arranging for the celebration.Article from the Watertown Daily Times of 18 Sept. 1928, entitled "Man Honored On 100th Birthday": CLAYTON--A celebration was held here Monday night in honor of David Parry, Clayton, centenarian, who reached the century mark on Monday. The
townspeople turned out to honor Mr. Parry and it was estimated that over 500 people surrounded the platform on which the guest of honor was seated.Crowds began to gather about 6:30 p.m. and by 8 the corner of James street and Riverside Drive was packed with people who came miles to pay tribute to the aged man.
Johnson's band of Watertown played several selections, opening the program and about 8 Mr. Parry arrived in a car owned by A. L. Williams. The car was elaborately decorated in red, white and blue, and as Mr. Parry stepped from the machine
the crowd cheered for several minutes. The band played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and A. L. Williams introduced Col. M. R. Sackett, noted local speaker. Mr. Sackett delivered an address touching on various phases of Mr. Parry's life and his
excellent state of preservation at his advanced age.At the close of his speech he presented Mr. Parry with $100 in dollar bills the gift of the townspeople, besides numerous other gifts. Mr. Parry responded and thanked every one present for the honor bestowed upon him.
A general handshaking followed and all extended their congratulations.
Frank Kittle, local business man, was responsible for the demonstration, and he was assisted by Charles E. Haas.
It was estimated 500 persons jammed the square to honor Mr. Parry. Visitors were present from Alexandria Bay, Chaumont, Cape Vincent, LaFargeville and Watertown.
J. W. Butcher, president of the chamber of commerce, headed the delegation that called on Mr. Parry at his home. Others in the group were Frank Kittle, Charles Haas, and Lawrence Ellis. At the Parry home there was a birthday dinner and
then Mr. Parry was escorted to the square for a public celebration of the event.Article from the Watertown Daily Times of 8 Oct. 1928: CLAYTON--David Parry, Clayton's grand old man, who was given a community celebration in observance of his 100th birthday last month, received the congratulations of Herbert Hoover,
Republican presidential candidate, this week.Mr. Parry is elated on receiving a letter from the former secretary of the department of commerce and prizes the message highly. Mr. Hoover's message follows: "My Dear Mr. Parry: I have just learned of the celebration of your 100th
birthday. Please accept my sincere congratulations upon your reaching the century mark and my thanks for your fine support of my candidacy. Yours faithfully, Herbert Hoover."Funeral notice from the Watertown Daily Times of 30 Nov. 1928: Funeral services for the late David Parry, who celebrated his 100th birthday Sept. 17, and who died at his home in Clayton Tuesday night, will be held from the Clayton Methodist
Episcopal church at 10:30 Saturday morning. Rev. B. G. Miller, pastor of the church, will officiate. Interment will be made in the cemetery on Grindstone Island where Mr. Parry resided for a great many years.The body will be taken to the island immediately after the services on a mail boat. The home of Mr. Parry is filled with both large and small floral pieces, and the village sent a large floral offering to the home today.
1 CMNT of England
1 CMNT of Bridgeport, CT
1 CMNT 1900 US Census says "Foster-son."
Obituary (from newspaper of 22 Jan. 1996): CLAYTON---Benson C. Calhoun, 52, of 331 Merrick St., Grindstone Island farmer and caretaker for Round Island summer property, died in the House of the Good Samaritan, Watertown, at 12:15 a.m. today.
He had been ill several months and was admitted to the hospital Sunday afternoon.The body was removed to the Cummings Funeral Home in Clayton.
Surviving are: his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Rusho Calhoun; two daughters, Mrs. Lorrain Neilson and Mrs. Thomas (Elaine) Tinney, both of Clayton; a son, Benson C. Calhoun, jr., Clayton; three sisters, Mrs. Helena Bentzen, Mrs. Aletha Slate,
Grindstone Island, and Mrs. Mabel Congdon, Liverpool; two half-sisters, Mrs. Edith McConnel, Fernwood, and Mrs. Delia Thompson, Calgary, Alb., Canada; a brother, Melvin, Grenell Island, and two grandchildren.Mr. Calhoun was born on Grindstone Island, Feb. 26, 1909, a son of Benjamin and Jessie Hutchinson Calhoun. He attended local schools and married Miss Eleanor Rusho, Aug. 22, 1929, in Ogdensburg.
Mr. Calhoun had owned and operated a farm summers on Grindstone Island for 25 years. He had been caretaker for Robert Degel on Round Island for 20 years.
He was a member of the Clayton Methodist Church.
The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Clayton Methodist Church with Rev. Russell E. Little, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cummings Funeral Home this evening from 7 to 9 and
Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9.Bearers will be Manley L. Rusho, Milton J. Rusho, Robert P. Rusho, Leslie C. Calhoun, Robert W. Moneau, and James M. Hungerford.
Obituary (from newspaper of 28 May 1974): CLAYTON---Samuel J. (Jack) Hammersley, 2nd, 50, active in Clayton civic affairs, died Monday afternoon at his home on the Danewald Road, when he was suddenly stricken ill. He had been under a doctor's
care for high blood pressure.The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Rev. Richmond N. Hutchins, rector, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Cummings Funeral Home, Clayton, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Edna E. Johnson Hammersley; a daughter, Mrs. Terry F. (Cathryn) Vieau, Clayton; a son, Samuel J., 3rd, Clayton; a graddaughter, Nicole Vieau; two step-daughters, Mrs. William (Lois) Brown, Depauville, and
Miss Holly F. Johnson, Clayton, and a step-son, Forrest H. Johnson, serving with the Navy at San Diego, Calif.Born May 10, 1924, at Waterford, son of Samuel J. and Effie Vermylia Hammersley, he was graduated from Waterford High School in 1940 and attended the Unversity of Georgia. He was inducted into the Army during World War II and served with
the Third Armored Division.He married Carlyn Rusho of Clayton May 15, 1944, the marriage ended in divorce. He married Edna M. Easterling Johnson Dec. 15, 1973.
A Clayton resident for 30 years, he had been employed as a draftsman and sales manager for Frink Sno-Plows, Inc., and later Sicard Industries, Watertown. He later served as a salesman for Certanium of Syracuse. Mr. Hammersley had been
currently employed as a salesman for Material Handling Products, Syracuse.
Obituary (from newspaper of 28 May 1974): CLAYTON---Samuel J. (Jack) Hammersley, 2nd, 50, active in Clayton civic affairs, died Monday afternoon at his home on the Danewald Road, when he was suddenly stricken ill. He had been under a doctor's
care for high blood pressure.The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Rev. Richmond N. Hutchins, rector, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Cummings Funeral Home, Clayton, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Edna E. Johnson Hammersley; a daughter, Mrs. Terry F. (Cathryn) Vieau, Clayton; a son, Samuel J., 3rd, Clayton; a graddaughter, Nicole Vieau; two step-daughters, Mrs. William (Lois) Brown, Depauville, and
Miss Holly F. Johnson, Clayton, and a step-son, Forrest H. Johnson, serving with the Navy at San Diego, Calif.Born May 10, 1924, at Waterford, son of Samuel J. and Effie Vermylia Hammersley, he was graduated from Waterford High School in 1940 and attended the Unversity of Georgia. He was inducted into the Army during World War II and served with
the Third Armored Division.He married Carlyn Rusho of Clayton May 15, 1944, the marriage ended in divorce. He married Edna M. Easterling Johnson Dec. 15, 1973.
A Clayton resident for 30 years, he had been employed as a draftsman and sales manager for Frink Sno-Plows, Inc., and later Sicard Industries, Watertown. He later served as a salesman for Certanium of Syracuse. Mr. Hammersley had been
currently employed as a salesman for Material Handling Products, Syracuse.
1 CMNT Church Record Says They Were M. 7 Aug 1887
Obituary: CLAYTON, Sept. 24---Funeral services for Charles W. Cummings, 82, retired hotel proprietor, who died Friday afternoon, will be held from the family home, 526 Riverside Drive, at 9 Monday morning and at 9:30 in St. Mary's Church. Rev.
George Racette, the pastor, will officiate. Burial will be made in St. Mary's Cemetery.Mr. Cummings died at his home at about 3:30 Friday afternoon after an illness of about two weeks.
He was born on Grindstone Island, Oct. 25, 1855, a son of Walter and Jane Farr Cummings. On July 9, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary McCarthy at St. Mary's Church here. Rev. Edward Brice, who was then pastor of the church, solemnized
the wedding. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Cummings was engaged in farming on Grindstone Island.During the administration of President Cleveland, Mr. Cummings was customs officer at Thurso on Grindstone Island. Thurso was a thriving community at that time.
After ending his services as customs officer, he went to Gananoque where for about two years he operated the American House. He then came to Clayton and purchased the Dewey House which he conducted for some time. Later he sold that hotel
and then purchased the Conlin House at Dexter from Fred Mandigold. Some time after he purchased the Underwood House at Dexter and continued the active management of that establishment until his retirement about 20 years ago.He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary McCarthy Cummings, and two children, Walter P. Cummings, Watertown and Clayton funeral director, and Mrs. John (Jane M.) Ferguson, Clayton, and one brother, Thomas Cummings, Alexandria Bay.
Obituary: CLAYTON, April 11---Mrs. Mary McCarthy Cummings, 77, widow of Charles W. Cummings, died at 7:30 this morning at her home, 735 Merrick St., after a long illness.
She was born Aug. 27, 1868, on St. John's Island, Canada, a daughter of John and Mary Costello McCarthy.
She was married to Mr. Cummings July 9, 1887, in St. Mary's Church, Clayton, with Rev. Edward Brice, then pastor of the church, officiating. She lived with her husband on Grindstone Island for a number of years.
Mr. Cummings was customs officer at Thurso on Grindstone Island at the height of the community's growth and later owned and operated the American Hotel at Gananoque, the Dewey House, Clayton, and the Underwood House, Dexter. He died Sept.
23, 1938, at Clayton, where the couple lived following their retirement from the hotel business in 1918.Mrs. Cummings is survived by two children, Mrs. Charles (Jane) Haas, Clayton, and Walter P. Cummings, Watertown, and a brother, Michael McCarthy, Gananoque.
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 8:30 at her residence on Merrick St. and at 9 in St. Mary's Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
1 CMNT Could Be Same As On P. 87, St Mary's Records