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Archiver > NYFingerLakes > 1999-02 > 0919435767


From: "Lynda Ozinga" <>
Subject: Unidentified subject!
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:49:27 -0600


Here's something the Cortland Co. Historical Society found that others might
be interested in. This was written about 1900 by Sonora Stedman, who died
in 1935 in an Automobile Accident.

"Generations have been long in years with our family. It was grandparents
of mine who came to Cortland county although the last arival was at least 98
years ago.

Grandmother Stedman came first. She was little Lydia Darby then, aged four.
She rode into the county on a pillion. Her mother was in the saddle and
two-year old Thomas rode in his mothers' lap everyday where he could be
watched. Great Grandpa Eleazer Darby rode in the lumber wagon. There was a
rason the saddle horse had to be bought after the family started from
Connecticut. About four months after the family arrived in East River, they
had a brand new baby. Pioneer ancestors took risks!

Little Lydia's future husband, Samuel Stedman rode to York State on
horseback too. He came from Tyringham, Massachusetts when about twenty
years old. Three older brothers were already settlers out South Cortland
way. He at first set out from Tyringham alone, but fell into trouble at
Albany, and returned to Tyringham. There the wages he had been receiving
were greatly raised if he would hire out for another year. So he stayed the
year. Then he left with a riding party to the Genesee River and later after
several years in Wyoming County, he returned to Cortland and married Lydia
Darby.

After all those large families of early years, I am now the only descendant
living - Smith C. Stedman, my father, being the only descendant of Samuel
Stedman & Lydia Darby, and me being the only descendant of Smith Stedman &
Ellen Vedder.

Sonora Stedman,
Grandaughter of the said Samuel Stedman

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