Bayside Cemetery: Ellis Benson Family

The family with the most generations buried in Bayside was one of the earliest families in Potsdam. The family is the Benson family.

The patriarch of the Benson Family in Potsdam was Seth Benson. In the History of St. Lawrence County published 1878 it has the following about Seth Benson:

"Seth Benson was born in Benson Vt., May 7, 1798; married Sally King, daughter of Eli King, of Benson, March 31, 1819; came to Potsdam in 1820, and located on what is now a portion of the farm of his son Ellis. There have been born to Mr. Benson ten children, seven of whom are now living, -four sons and three daughters. In 1857, Mr. Benson sold his farm to his son Ellis, and moved to the village of Potsdam, where he has since resided. He has a very pleasant residence."

Sally died 1844 and Seth married Eliza who was born 1797. Seth died Aug 11, 1881 and Eliza died Dec 13, 1885.

Benson Family Headstone

Seth Benson's Grave

Sally Benson's Grave

Eliza Benson's Grave

I have found the names of eight of the ten children: Henry James, Ellis , Lucinda, Norman, Horace, Seth, Mary, and Sarah. This post just deals with Ellis's side of the family because that is the side which has many generations buried in Bayside. Sometime I will write a post dealing with the rest of the family.

In the History of St. Lawrence County it has the following about Ellis Benson:

"This gentleman is a son of the well-known citizen of Potsdam, Seth Benson, and was born on the farm where he now resides on the 22d day of August, 1821. He lived with his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he struck out boldly for himself into the wilds of the west. He worked as a millwright some twelve years, erecting numerous mills in the forests of the northwestern states. In 1851 he returned, and purchased the homestead of his father, where he has ever since resided. In 1854 he was married to Harriet P., daughter of Harvey Knox, now a resident of Canton, and their union has been blessed by four children, one son and three daughters.

Though for many years he followed a different occupation, Mr. Benson is par excellence a farmer. During his ownership of his place, valuable additions have been made to the buildings, cultivation has been carried on to the highest point, and the utmost neatness prevails everywhere. "Comparisons are odorous," says one of the most celebrated characters of Shakespeare, so we will not assert that Mr. Benson is the best farmer in Potsdam, but we will only repeat the voice of all his acquaintances in declaring that he is one of the very best, not only in Potsdam but in St. Lawrence County."

The four children of Ellis and Harriet were Ellis, Edmee, Hattie and Nattie. Ellis Sr. died Oct 20, 1890 in Algona Iowa. Harriet Died Jan 21 1926. Here is her obituary from the Jan 29 1926 issue of the Potsdam Herald Recorder:

"The death of Mrs. Harriet Knox Benson occurred at her home 14 1/2 Main street, Sunday afternoon, following an illness of some weeks.

Mrs. Benson was born in Russell, N.Y., January 11, 1833, and was therefore 93 years old. At the age of 13 she moved with her parents to what is known as the Harvey Knox homestead on the Pierrepont road. She attended the Canton schools and later St. Lawrence Academy in this place. She taught school a short time and in 1854 married Ellis Benson of Potsdam who lived on the farm on the Canton road now the home of her son, Ellis Benson. Shortly after their marriage Mr. Benson bought the large Pert farm adjoining and most of their life was spent there until Mr. Benson's death in 1890.

Four children were born to them, Ellis Benson, who now lives on the original home farm; Edmee, who married Samuel Loucks, and Harriet who married Frank Brand {had a son Ellis Edwin who died Jan 26 1897 and is buried in Bayside} both of whom are dead, and Nettie Benson with whom Mrs. Benson has made her home since Mr. Benson's death.

Mrs. Benson was a woman of rare charm and ability and even in her advanced age read widely and kept abreast of the times. Of happy disposition she never complained in sickness or health. She did exquisite needle work and it was only a few weeks ago we told in these columns of some of her work taking first prize in a large exhibition in Minnesota. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in this place.

Mrs. Benson is survived by a son, Ellis Benson, and a daughter, Miss Nettie Benson, both of this place; a sister, Mrs. Hammond of Canton, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral services were held at the house at 2 o'clock Wednesday and at the Presbyterian church at 2:30, Rev. W.J. Prout officiating, with interment at Bayside."

Ellis Benson's Grave

Harriet Knox Benson's Grave


Ellis Edwin Brand grandson of Ellis and Harriet Benson's grave

Edmee Benson married Samuel Loucks. She died Jul 7 1911.

Edmee Benson Loucks's Grave


Samuel Loucks Grave

Nettie Benson was born Jul 23, 1869 and died Oct 31 1961. Here is her obituary from the Nov 2 1961 issue of the Potsdam Courier and Freeman :

"Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 p.m. from the Seymour Funeral Home for Miss Neddie I. Benson, 92, of Colton RD. The Rev. Varre Cummins, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Bayside cemetery.

Miss Benson died Tuesday morning in the Potsdam Hospital where she had been a patient for about one week. She had been in failing health for the past several years.

Miss Benson was born in Potsdam July 23, 1869 and had always lived here. She was the daughter of Ellis and Harriet Knox Benson.

She had been a school teacher in local schools and later a practical nurse.

Miss. Benson was a member of the Vega Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. An OES prayer service was held at the funeral home Wednesday evening.

Survivors are nieces and nephews: Cecilia Arquette, Rochester, Robert Brand, Toledo, Ohio and Mrs. Stanley Howlett, Potsdam.


Nettie Benson's Grave

Ellis Seth Benson was born Nov 12, 1855 and died Feb 7 1942. Here is her obituary from the Feb 11 1942 issue of the Potsdam Courier and Freeman :

Ellis Seth Benson, 86, of 3 Cottage street, died Saturday morning. Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. at the home, Rev. Howard Haines, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiated. A masonic service was conducted. Bearers were Herbert Bailey, James Buttolph, Leon Blood, Herbert French, George Barnum and Leon Forbes.

Honorary bearers were O.P. Benson, C.W. Shields, Thomas Wood, George Harrington, Albert Rutherford, Erving Snell, and Myron Fifield.

Mr. Benson was born in Potsdam Nov 12, 1855, the son of Ellis and Harriet Knox Benson, both members of Northern New York families. He married Miss Martha McCormick, who died several years ago.

He was a farmer, retiring about 20 years ago, and for the past several years had made his home with his sister, Miss Nettie Benson at 3 Cottage street.

He is survived by his sister, Nettie Benson; two sons, Harvey K., of Seattle Wash., and Fred C. Benson of 127 Academy street Watertown; two grandchildren Keith Benson of Saranac Lake and Mrs. Pauline Benson Howlett of Waverly street, and four great grandchildren."

Ellis and Martha also had a daughter Edmee who died in 1900.

Ellis S. Benson's Grave

Martha J. McCormick Benson's Grave


Edmee Benson's Grave

Fred C. Benson was born May 28, 1883 and died Apr 16 1958 here is his obituary from the April 24, 1958 issue of the Potsdam Courier and Freeman:

Funeral services for Fred C. Benson, 74, a former businessman of Potsdam, were held 2pm Saturday at Clark and Foote funeral homes, Rev. James Pennock, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church officiating. Burial was in Bayside Cemetery.

Mr. Benson, who had lived in Rochester for the past few years, died Wednesday, April 16, in a Rochester hospital. He had been in failing health for a year and his daughter, Mrs. Stanley Howlett, Potsdam, had been with him since Easter.

Born in Potsdam May 28, 1883, Mr. Benson was the son of Ellis S. and Martha McCormick Benson. He attended local schools and married Orma Burrows of Potsdam Nov. 7, 1906. The couple always lived in this village where Mr. Benson owned and operated a meat at 33 Market St. Mrs. Benson died in October, 1949 and Mr. Benson sold his business shortly after. He was employed for a few years in the Arcade in Watertown in a meat market and later employed in Rochester.

He married Glady Arnold of Rochester in June, 1952. Mr. Benson was a past chief of the Potsdam volunteer fire department, a member of Racket River Lodge, F.&A.M., the St. Lawrence Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Knights Templer Commandry at Canton and the Media Shrine in Watertwon.

Surviving are his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Stanley (Pauline) Howlett, Potsdam; one son, Keith Benson, Danbury, Conn.; five grandchildren, and one aunt; Miss Nettie Benson, Potsdam."

Fred C. Benson's Grave


Orma Benson's Grave

Their daughter Pauline died in 1998. Her son E. Stanley Howlett III was born Aug 21, 1932 and died June 17 2012. Here is his obituary from North Country Now:"

Mr. E. Stanley Howlett III, age 79, of Potsdam, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2012. Arrangements are with the Garner Funeral Service in Potsdam.

Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Trinity Episcopal Church on Fall Island, Potsdam at 2 p.m. with Dr. Rev. Christopher Brown celebrant. Burial will follow the service at the Bayside Cemetery. Contributions in Stanley's memory can be made to the Canton-Potsdam Hospital or to the Trinity Episcopal Church. Online condolences can be sent @ www.garnerfh.com.

Mr Howlett is survived by a son, William S. (Stacey) Howlett of Norwood; daughters, Barbara A. (James Gass) Howlett of Liverpool, and Nancy J. (James) Bonner of Potsdam; a grandson, Douglas J. Sharlow Jr. of Albany; a granddaughter, Erin E. Howlett of Potsdam; and his sisters, Dorothy (John) Propser, Martha (Bill) Phillips and Patricia (Charles) Michels.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Howlett who passed on February 11, 2012; and his grandson, William S. Howlett Jr. in 2008.

Mr. E. Stanley Howlett III was born August 21, 1932 in Potsdam, to the late E. Stanley Howlett Jr. and Pauline Benson. He was a 1950 graduate of Potsdam Central School. He then went on to Albany State College where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. On July 9, 1955 in Pelham, he was married to Ann Caparis. They both started their careers as English teachers. Stanley's career began as an English teacher in the Albany area. He returned to the North Country in 1958 to work for St. Lawrence-Lewis Countries BOCES as a guidance counselor shared between Canton, Hammond and Morristown.

Three years later, Canton Central School District hired him as junior-senior high school guidance counselor. During the next 20 years, he served as a Director of Guidance, Director of Pupil Services, Coordinator of Sponsored Programs, Director of Instruction, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools before being appointed Superintendent of Schools in 1981. He remained there until his retirement in 1988. His 30 years of educational leadership which always focused on "What's best for the kids" is still reflected in the many and varied programs still available at Canton Central School.

Stanley was perhaps best known for his decades of volunteer work on several key boards. He was chair of the board at Canton-Potsdam Hospital for 18 years and a member for over 20 years. He was chair of the Potsdam Village Zoning Board of Appeals. He also was on the Village Comprehensive Plan Committee. He was a longtime volunteer and held several posts at Trinity Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Canton Rotary Club. Among Stan's many interests were his love of all genres of music, his passion for the English language, both written and spoken and the love of his family and friends."

Here is the obituary for his grandson William S. Howlett Jr. :

Mr. William S. Howlett Jr. , age 20 of Norwood, NY passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in Syracuse, NY. Mr. Howlett was a college student in his Junior year enrolled at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY. Calling hours for Mr. Howlett will be on Friday, April 25, 2008 from 4-7pm at the Garner Funeral Home in Potsdam, NY. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 11am at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Potsdam, NY with Rev. Christopher Brown celebrant. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center @ 1 Joslin Place Boston, MA 02215.

Mr. Howlett is survived by his parents William S. Howlett Sr. and Stacey Howlett of Norwood, NY; his sister Erin Howlett of Norwood, NY who is currently a senior at Syracuse University; a very close cousin Douglas Sharlow Jr. of Albany, NY; paternal grandparents E. Stanley Howlett III and Ann Howlett of Potsdam, NY and several other cousins. He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents John and Cyrilla Feeley.

William was born on September 11, 1987 in Fort Bragg, NC to William S. Howlett Sr. and Stacey Feeley. He attended Potsdam Schools graduating from High School in 2005. He then went on to LeMoyne College where he was currently a business leadership and management major. He enjoyed playing basketball and baseball while in High School. Condolences can be sent online @www.garnerfh.com.