The Furness Family of Malone, Franklin County

I was first intrigued by this family when falling upon the Will of Helen E. Knapp who had provisions for many individuals in her will and I wondered how all the individuals were related.

To develop this genealogy, I started with the genealogy of the family provided in "NORTHERN NEW YORK; Genealogical and family history of northern New York: a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation," New York, Lewis Historical Pub. Co. 1910 and changed and added information from other sources through my own research (using primarily online resources). If you have information to share, please send it in to the site coordinator.


The coat-of-arms of the Furness (Furnace or Furnese) family of England, is described: A talbot sejant sable. also: Argent a talbot sejant sable in chief three crescents gules. Crest: Out of a ducal coronet a lion's paw holding a lance all proper. The two are similar, indicating relationship in the various branches. The name is derived from the place-name, Firness, Lancashire, celebrated for its fine monastery. The place itself may have taken its name originally from the old location of an iron furance there.

1. David Furness, the first in this country, was born in England in 1667, died at Marblehead, Mass. Sept. 4, 1727. He married, at Marblehead, June 2, 1692, Sarah Brimblecorn, who died there Feb. 27, 1728, in her sixty-seventh year. His parents may have come to this country, but no trace of them has been found. The following apparent sisters came, however:
        Christian Furness, married at Marblehead, Nov. 26, 1702, John Merritt.
        Sarah Furness, married there Jan. 21, 1702-03, John Foster.
        Mary Furness married there, Oct. 19, 1704, Joseph Doliber

Children of David Furness and Sarah Furness, baptized at Marblehead, Feb. 11, 1704-05:
        1.1. David Furness
        1.2. Mary Furness
        1.2. Susanna Furness
        1.3. Thomas Furness, married Prudence ____, and had a family at Marblehead.

2. Jonathan Furness married at Boston, Sept. 16, 1731, Elizabeth Milliken, and he died there April, 1745, leaving one son, John, born Sept. 3, 1733, and 3 daughters, Jemima, Elizabeth and Mary. Descendants lived at Medford and Greenwich, Mass. His Will provides the name of his brother Benjamin Furness who at the time of the drawing of the Will lived with him.

children of Jonathan Furness:
        1. John Furness, b. Sept. 3, 1733; d. May 24, 1810. He m. Anna Hurd? and had issue.
        2. Jemima Furness, was the wife of William Henshaw.
        3. Ellzabeth Furness. was the wife of Edward Church.
        4. Mary Furness, d. Dec. 28, 1744.
        5. Jonathan Furness, b. May 23, 1742.

3. Benjamin Furness, brother of Jonathan Furness, married at Boston, Nov. 9, 1745, Mary Milliken. He was connected with the settlement of the John Milliken estate in Scarborough, Me., in 17S2. and his name appears as attorney for his children in the "Milliken Covenant" of 1792. But little is known of his history. He probably resided in Boston, as his children were christened in Trinity church there. There were three children, named as follows:

Children of Benjamin Furness:
        John Furness, b. 5 Jul 1747
        Benjamin Furness, b. 18 Dec 1748
        Mary Furness, mentioned in the "Milliken Covenant"

A Benjamin Furness was deputy quartermaster in the revolution from July 2, 1779 to Oct. 8, 1779, in the Penobscot Expedition, the roll of which was dated at Boston. (Vol. vi, p. 208, Mass. Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution.)

In 1790 there is a Benjamin, with his son of the same name, living in Petersham, Worcester county, Mass. The federal census of that year shows that he had in his family two females.

4. Benjamin Furness, son of Benjamin Furness, was born in Boston or vicinity, about 1760-65. He settled at Petersham about the close of the revolution. He married Rosanna Rodgers. In 1790 the census shows he had two males under sixteen and one female in his family.

Children, born at Petersham:
        4.1.1. Orlando Furness, b. 9 Jan 1788
        4.1.2. Artemas Rogers Furness, b. 14 Feb 1790, m. Sally Carlton
        4.1.3. George Augustus Furness, b. 15 Jan 1792
        4.1.4. Betsey Furness, b. 6 Mar 1794.
        4.1.5. Polly Furness, 8 May 1796
        4.1.6. Charles Henry Furness, b. 12 Feb 1799
        4.1.7. Mehitable Harris Furness, b. 4 Apr 1801
        4.1.8. Harmon Harris Furness, b. 7 Dec 1802, m. Sophronia Dow
        4.1.9. James Eliot Furness, b. 13 Aug 1805
        4.1.10. Daniel Hubbard Furness, b. 8 Dec 1807

The Underground Railroad in Dekalb County, IL, Nancy M. Beasley, 1942
        Furness, Herman, bc1804 MA, son of Benjamin and Rosannah (Rogers) Furness, bro-in-law to Kimball and Levias Dow; d. af1870 KS; m Sophronia Dow, issue Orlando, Margaret, Jane, George, Lavinia, Herman, Harriet; Sycamore Twp; farm, grocer, Co Sheriff 1850, CW Co. C, 105th IL Inf; never arrested UGRR activists, moved to KS bf1870.


4.1.1. Orlando Furness of Malone, the son of Benjamin Furness, was born at Petersham, MA on 9 Jan 1788. He and the remainder of the family left their native town and he was one of the early settlers at Malone, N.Y. He first had a shoemaking business in the basement of the old courthouse and kept the prisoners in the jail in the courthouse. He later was for many years in the hotel business. About 1811 (intentions on 2 Nov 1811), in Grafton, MA, he married Polly (Mary) Goodnough.

Orlando died on 18 Dec 1834 and is buried in Morning Side cemetery in Malone. Polly was born about 1890 and died on 21 Dec 1849 and is also buried in the same cemetery, along with other members of their family.

Children of Orlando and Polly Goodnough Furness
        4.1.1.1. Mary Ann Furness, b. abt 1813, d. 1875, m. 1831 to Philip B. Miller.
        4.1.1.2. Sarah G. Furness, b. abt 1815 m. John C. Kidder.
        4.1.1.3. Lydia Furness, b. abt 1819, d. 22 Oct 1890, m. 1840 to John Hutton
        4.1.1.4. John Warren Furness, b. abt 1820, d. about 1887, married Clara ____, a Flemish woman.
        4.1.1.5. Orlando Furness, Jr., b. abt 1823, d. 22 Aug 1857, m. 30 Oct 1847 to Caroline Magee
        4.1.1.6. Helen E. Furness, b. abt 1826, d. 7 Dec 1893, m. 14 Sep 1852 to Nathan Knapp
        4.1.1.7. George D. Furness, b. abt 1829, d. 20 Jun 1852 in New Orleans, unmarried.
        4.1.1.8. Henry M. Furness, b. abt 1832, d. 27 Jan 1883, m. 8 Jun 1853 Almira Case.

There is a Helen E. Furness, b. ??, d. ??, age 17 mos on a shared gravestone with Orlando - could this be another daughter, or perhaps a granddaughter of Orlando's?

4.1.1.1. Mary Ann Furness was born about 1813 in MA and died 1 Apr 1875. She was married on 8 Mar 1831 to Philip B. Miller in Malone, NY.

The Malone Palladium, Thursday, 8 Apr 1875
        Miller - In this village, on Thursday morning, April 1st, of pneumonia, after a brief illness, Mrs. Mary A. Miller, wife of Philip B. Miller, in the 63d year of her age.
        The death of this good woman causes mourning far beyond the family circle. She was loved by all her associates for her purity of life and rare Christian virtues - for her always generous sympathy and for her thoughtfulness for others above herself. By the deserving poor she was loved as having been "Open as the day for melting charity."
        In the home circle she was always loving, tender, kind, having a constant care and watchfulness for the comfort and welfare of those about her, and never tiring in well-doing. No loss could fall heavier upon the afflicated relatives, and we feel that to them the hearts of the whole community are poured out in sympathy

Children of Mary Ann Furness and Philip B. Miller
        4.1.1.1.1. Mary A. Miller, b. 24 May 1832, d. 3 Feb 1900, in Santa Barbara, CA, m. 16 May 1855 to Francis T. Heath, b. 18 May 1817 in Westville, Franklin, NY, d. 7 Jan 1886 in Malone, Franklin, NY.
        4.1.1.1.2. Orlando Furness Miller, b. about 1836, d. 7 Oct 1893 in Atlanta, GA, m. 1 Jun 1885 to Juliet (Bessie) Elizabeth Powell, no children. He was a CW veteran.

4.1.1.2. Sarah G. Furness was born about 1815. Sarah moved to Dixfield, ME and was married there on 15 Oct 1837 to John C. Kidder. John was a Civil War veteran.

Children of Sarah Furness and John Kidder:
        4.1.1.2.1. Lesmore Deforest Kidder, b. 10 Feb 1837, d. 14 Sep 1868, m. Florence Livonia Taylor, moved to IL and was a CW vet
        4.1.1.2.2. John Orlando Kidder, b. 1 May 1839, d. 23 Apr 1889, m1. Mary S. Bartlett, m2. Julia Ann B. Smith
        4.1.1.2.3. Adelbert Wallace Kidder, b. 7 May 1841, d. 27 Jan 1927, m. Adeliza Kimball Gleason
        4.1.1.2.4. Mary Antionette Kidder, b. 14 Jan 1843, d. 30 Mar 1848
        4.1.1.2.5. Eugene Delacy Kidder, b. 1845, d. 1848
        4.1.1.2.6. Hellen Elizabeth Kidder, b. 12 Sep 1848, d. 14 Sep 1872, m. Benjamin Kelly Barrows
        4.1.1.2.7. Frank Edward Kidder, b. 12 Apr 1851, d. 28 Sep 1891, m. Priscilla Clara Ann Lunt
        4.1.1.2.8. Fremont Kidder, b. 30 Jun 1853, d. 2 Jul 1911, never married
        4.1.1.2.9. Lucy A. Kidder, b. about 1855, probably died before 1870
        4.1.1.2.10. George Dexter Kidder, b. 30 Jan 1857, d. 2 Jul 1927, m. Jennie Olivia Richmond
        4.1.1.2.11. Lincoln Hamlin Kidder, b. 17 Apr 1859, d. 8 Feb 1890,

4.1.1.3. Lydia Furness, b. 1819, d. 22 Oct 1890, m. 1840 to John Hutton, b. 4 Sep 1808, d. 1 Apr 1867

Children of Lydia Furness and John Hutton
        4.1.1.3.1. Mary Isabel Hutton, b. about 1841, d. 1874, m. 18 Oct 1865 to Lucius Curtis Pease, b. abt 1837, d. 1873, moved to Nevada
        4.1.1.3.2. Helen E. Hutton, b. 1843, d. 1932, m. David Webster, b. 1829, d. 1913
        4.1.1.3.3. Sarah J. Hutton, b. 25 Jul 1846, d. 11 Jul 1933, m. to Isaac Chesley, b. 8 Feb 1837, d. 29 Jan 1888
        4.1.1.3.4. John Warren Hutton, b. 1850, d. 1925
        4.1.1.3.5. Caroline Hutton, b. 1851, d. 1871

Children of Isaac and Sarah Hutton Chesley:
        4.1.1.3.3.1. Mabel Louisa Chesley, b. 22 Mar 1873, d. 30 Sep 1966
        4.1.1.3.3.2. Gertrude Lydia Chesley, b. about 1874, m. Evan Jones Smith, b. 1866, d. 1937

4.1.1.4. John Warren Furness, b. about 1820, d. about 1887, married Clara ____, a Flemish woman.

4.1.1.5. Orlando Furness, Jr.

Orlando Furness, was born about 1823, in Malone, N.Y. He had a common and academic school education. From Malone he went to Mobile, Alabama, where he was a grocer and banker, and later to New Orleans, Mississippi, where he was engaged in the cotton business. He finally returned to Malone, however, and died there 22 Aug 1857. He was married on 30 Oct 1847 in Mobile, AL to Caroline Magee, born in Alabama, a daughter of William and Margaret Matilda (Bass) Magee. In the 1850 census, they are residing with her mother, in Shieldsborough, Hancock, MS. He owns 4 slaves, a 40 year old male, 30 year old female, 13 year old male and 11 year old female. He was a merchant. After the death of Orlando, she married Albert Hobbs, his second wife.

The Malone Palladium, 17 Sep 1891
        Hobbs - In Malone, N.Y., on Friday, Sept 11, 1891, of heart difficulty, Mrs. Caroline, wife of Hon. Albert Hobbs, aged 62 years.
        Death came instantaneously. Mrs. Hobbs was alone for the evening, and had taken a paper for an hour or two of reading. An attack of heart trouble came, and life went out probably even before she fell from her chair. Returning home from his office at his usual hour, Mr. Hobbs found her lying dead on the floor.
        Mrs. Hobbs was born near Mobile, Ala., and always lived in the South until about 35 years ago. Orlando Furness, who went from Malone to that section in his early manhood, met her there and married her, and a few years later, when failing health compelled his return to the North, she accompanied him to Malone. He died not long after his arrival here, and in 1859 Mrs. Furness wedded Mr. Hobbs.
        Mrs. Hobbs was a woman of nobility of life and character, of positive convictions, high spirit and remarkable mental endowment, exerting a strong influence in all circles in which she moved and enjoying the respect and esteem of the entire community. Her death, so startlingly sudden, has touched many hearts very closely, and to the husband and son, to whom her life was a continuous service of devotion, public sympathy goes out in unwonted measure and deep sincerity.

Child of Orlando and Caroline Magee Furness:
        4.1.1.5.1. Dr. Henry Furness, b. 24 Feb 1850, d.

4.1.1.5.1. Dr. Henry Furness, son of Orando and Caroline Magee Furness, was born in Bay St. Louis, Hancock county, Mississippi, Feb. 24, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Malone and Franklin Academy, N.Y., the University of Alabama and subsequently in the Medical School of the University of New York, from which he received the degree of M.D. in 1875. He is self-educated, working his way through the university and medical college. He began to practice his profession at Windsor, Vermont, and for a time was physician to the state prison there. Since 1880 he has been located at Malone, N.Y., in general practice, in which he has been notably successful. While his practice has been general he has given much attention to surgery and for the past fifteen or twenty years has been using hypnotic suggestion for the cure and amelioration of disease, in which he has been signally successful. He is a member of the Northern New York Medical Association; the Franklin County Medical Society and the New York State Medical Society.

        In religion he is an Episcopalian; in politics an Independent.

        He was married in 1883 to Nellie M. Webster, born on 6 Jan 1857 at Rouse's Point, a daughter of Benjamin Webster, of Malone. She died 4 May 1886 in Malone, Franklin, NY.

Child of Dr. Henry and Nellie Webster Furness:
        4.1.1.5.1.1. William W. Furness, b. 30 May 1884, d. 11 Feb 1895

4.1.1.6. Helen E. Furness was born about 1826 and died 7 Dec 1893. She was married 14 Sep 1852 to Nathan Knapp who was born about 1824 and died 24 Feb 1867.

Franklin Gazette, 15 Dec 1893
        The death last week at her home on Clay street of Mrs. Helen Furness Knapp, widow of the late Nathan Knapp, will be sincerely regretted by a large number of old friends throughout Franklin county. For many years her late husband, Nathan Knapp, was one of Malone's most prosperous merchants, doing a general business with farmers and residents of nearly every town in the county, and the friendships thus formed continued until his death and were extended to his life partner who shared with him the confidence and esteem of all with whom she was associated. Mrs. Knapp has for many years lived quietly and unostentatiously at her home on Clay street, and was only ill a week before her death, which resulted from heart failure. Her nearest living relatives are a sister, Mrs. Sarah G. Kidder, of Dicksport, Me., who is 78 years of age, and several nephews and nieces who reside in Malone. Mrs. Knapp was 67 years of age. Funeral services were held from her late residence on Saturday and were largely attended

Child of Helen E. Furness and Nathan Knapp
        4.1.1.6.1. Elizabeth Knapp, b. about 1854, d. 8 Oct 1877, m. about 1877 to Lewis S. Kempton, no issue living.

A foot stone in Knapp plot of Morning Side cemetery in Malone, NY: Libbie F. Kempton, age 23, with "Baby" on the back side.

Franklin Gazette, 12 Oct 1877
Died
        Kempton - In this village, on Monday, October 8th, of consumption, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Kempton, wife of L. S. Kempton and daughter of the late Nathan Knapp, aged 23 years.

L. S. Kempton, Stephen Kempton, and Helen E. Knapp are all residing at 1 Clay in Malone in 1883 (city directory). Stephen is the father of Lewis Kempton and was an early resident of Duane, Franklin, NY. Lewis was born about 1845. The obituary of Lewis S. Kempton in the Malone Farmer on 2 Dec 1914 states that his first wife was "a daughter of Nathan Knapp" and that his second wife was Miss Elizabeth Chubbuck of Binghamton. Lewis died in Shanghai, China on 14 Oct 1914 where he and his wife were living with their only child, Alberta Kempton Fitch, and her English missionary husband, George A. Fitch.

4.1.1.7. George D. Furness was born about 1829 and died 20 Jun 1852 in New Orleans. He never married. It appears that he went with or followed his older brother, Orlando Furness, to New Orleans.

New Orleans daily crescent, 21 Jun 1852
Died
        On Sunday, June 20, after a short illness, George D. Furness, a native of New York, aged 23 years.
        His friends and those of his brother are invited to attend the funeral, this morning, at 9 o'clock, from No. 158 Carondelet street, between Poydras and Hevia streets.

4.1.1.8. Henry M. Furness was born about 1832 and died 27 Jan 1883. He was married on 8 Jun 1853 to Almira Case, born 1835, d. 1922.

Children of Henry M. Furness and Almira Case
        4.1.1.8.1. George H. Furness, b. 1855, d. 1934, m. and had sons, Warren and James
        4.1.1.8.2. Phebe Louisa Furness, b. about 1856 at Malone, NY, m. 11 Feb 1895 at Holyoke, MA to Arthur S. Martin


The original Will of Helen E. Knapp names the following individuals (I have provided relationships where known):

Named by Surrogate Court to appearresidenceNamed as it appears in WillReceivedRelationship, if given
Clara K. BarnumMalone, NY(same)$200 and silver spoon marked "Libbie" and another marked "L.F.H." and a diamond ringdaughter of Stephen Kempton. Helen's daughter, Elizabeth married her brother, Lewis.
Etta BondBangor, NY(same)$500
Gertrude L. ChesleyMalone, NY(same)$500 and some items including her writing desk marked "L.F.H."grandniece (daughter of Sarah and Isaac Chesley)
Mabel L. ChesleySojourning at National City, CA
(Will states Poughkeepsie, NY)
(same)$500 and some itemsgrandniece (daughter of Sarah and Isaac Chesley)
Sarah J. ChesleySojourning at National City, CA
(Will states Poughkeepsie, NY)
(same)$500 and some items including spoons marked "L.F.H."niece (daughter of Lydia and John Hutton)
Harriet ErwinMalone, NY(same)$250
Jennie ErwinMalone, NY(same)$250
Mary A. HeathSanta Barbara, CA(not named in Will) niece (daughter of Mary and Philip Miller)
J. Warren HuttonSojourning at Panta Gorda, FL
(Will states Palm Beach, FL)
(same)A bed and one half of the remaining personal items split between him and George H. Furnessnephew (daughter of Lydia and John Hutton)
George H. FurnessMalone, NY(same)Gets house and furnishings, $200nephew (son of Henry and Almira Furness)
Henry FurnessMalone, NYDr. Henry Furness$200 nephew (son of Orlando and Virginia Furness)
The Malone Cemetery Assoc.
(Henry M. Furness)
Malone, NY(same)$500 To take care of her burial lot and the adjoining lot of her brother's, Henry M. Furness.
James O. FurnessMalone, NYJames E. Furness$500 grandnephew (son of Dr. Henry and Nellie Furness)
Louisa FurnessHolyoke, MA(same) niece (daughter of Henry and Almira Furness)
Nellie FurnessMalone, NY(same)$500 niece by marriage (wife of Dr. Henry Furness)
Warren FurnessMalone, NY(same)$500 grandnephew (son of Dr. Henry and Nellie Furness)
Grace Webster HowardMalone, NY(same)Diamond ear ringssister in law of Dr. Henry Furness (nephew)
Alberta KemptonPhiladelphia, PA(same)Pianodaughter of Lewis Kempton by his second wife.
Adelbert KidderEast Peru, ME(same)$500 nephew (son of Sarah and John Kidder)
Burt C. KidderEast Peru, ME(same)$500 grandnephew (son of Frank Kidder)
Freemont KidderDixfield, ME(same)$500 nephew (son of Sarah and John Kidder)
George D. KidderDixfield, MEGeorge Kidder$500 nephew (son of Sarah and John Kidder)
Mary H. KidderEast Peru, ME(same)$500 grandneice (daughter of Frank Kidder)
Sarah G. KidderDixfield, ME(same)$2000 and some items including spoons marked "P. F." and spoons marked "H.E.F."Sister
Caroline PeaseNorth Ontario, CACarrie Pease$500 grandneice (daughter of Lucius and Mary Pease)
Ellen M. PeaseAnn Arbor, MIElla Pease$500 grandneice (daughter of Lucius and Mary Pease)
George R. PeaseMontreal, CanadaGeorge Pease$500 grandnephew (son of Lucius and Mary Pease)
John H. PeaseSan Jose, Costa Rica(same)$500 grandnephew (son of Lucius and Mary Pease)
Lucius C. PeaseNiles, CALucius Pease$500 grandnephew (son of Lucius and Mary Pease)
D. Hutton WebsterPalo Alto, CAHutton Webster$1000 and silver gobletgrandnephew (son of Helen and David Webster)
Helen H. WebsterNational City, CAMrs. Helen Webster$1,500 niece (daughter of Lydia and John Hutton)
Mary H. WebsterNational City, CA(same)$500, and some items including a Napkin ring marked "Libbie" and spoon marked "L.F.H."grandniece (daughter of Helen and David Webster)