Camp at Whalebone

Property owned by Jesse Halsey, Abigail Fithian Halsey, Lizbeth Halsey White at Whalebone Landing in 1903

Dec 1837 Jesse Halsey and wife Mary [Budd] give 2 acres at Whalebone to CH Halsey (b. 1830) 

The acreage is bordered by: N, Stephen Harris; E&S, David H. Rose (2 acres) [wife Mary Halsey is CHH’s sister]; W, Ed. W. Halsey [Jesse and Henry’s brother]. Charles's father, Henry Halsey, purchased 4 acres from his brother Edward W. Halsey's son (Ed. J Halsey) and this portion of approximately 6 acres was split between Lizbeth Halsey White and Abigail Fithian White.

In 1882, Elizabeth [Aunt Libby Halsey] Fowler gave her 6 acres to CHH (her three sons went to sea and never returned, Charles was her favorite nephew), and in 1903, CHH left the remaining 5 of those acres to Jesse Halsey. Nearby property is owned by the descendents of many of Henry Halsey's siblings, among others: E&S Wilmun Halsey (CHH's brother) heirs (Aunt Gus); Wm. S. Halsey; David Rose (wife, Mary was CHH's sister); W.S. Foster; J. Herrick; John J. Morgan; Theo. A. Halsey (related via Eliza Halsey, wife of Henry Halsey and daughter of Barzillai Halsey); Gladys Beckwith, and Elaine Beecham (Harris heirs).

History of Lynn, Massachusetts | 1897

GRANDFATHER TRAILS | c1927

By Jesse Halsey

My great great grandfather, for whom I am named, was a Revolutionary soldier and officer. When he heard of the Battle of Lexington he and his brother took the king bolt out of the one horse farm wagon, rigged a seat on the two front wheels, and drove an old horse ten miles from his home to Sag Harbor. Here, with other men, they rowed in a whale boat across Long Island Sound to New London, walked to Boston, arriving in time for the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Off and on for the eight years of the war, he was with the army, once at least on Washington’s staff. My grandfather, who heard his grandfather repeat the wartime stories in turn told them to my father and to his own grandchildren, who have rehearsed them to me time and again. My children have heard them from me (ad nauseam, they used to think). But we have had the advantage of the other generations of being able, with our automobile, to visit most of the scenes of grandfather’s activity during the Revolution.

Two miles from where he was born was where we were so fortunate as to spend the summer down on the Atlantic seaboard. The home site is now a cornfield. When I was a boy some of the foundation of the old house and the apple trees were standing. Not a mile away in the village cemetery rest his mortal remains. Some years ago the government furnished an appropriate tombstone and seventy of his descendents placed a similar marble slab at his wife’s grave.

My family, there are seven of us, has trekked to many Revolutionary sites, with an especial interest to those connected with grandfather. We have stood on Bunker Hill, crossed the river and climbed the belfry tower of the old North church, visited the public square in Cambridge, where Washington took command (grandfather was present). We have crossed Long Island Sound more than once, but not in a whale boat. Opposite New London stands Groton monument where grandfather’s brother, Captain Henry, was killed when Benedict Arnold, the traitor, burned the town. That hot June day in 1779, when Washington attached Clinton’s retreating army, grandfather was captain on the general staff. He heard Washington, with an oath, order Charles Lee, another traitor, off the field. He was wounded in the engagement and likely taken to the old Tennant church, which was used as a hospital. One wonders if he drank from Molly Pitcher’s well. He carried the effects of his wound to his death and in his old age used a crutch.

He had, so the story goes, an ardent Tory for a neighbor. In a violent discussion that developed one day, the neighbor maintained that never in America could woolen goods be made the equal of the British products. Grandfather maintained that the American output was equal to the British. A violent altercation developed and the Tory called the patriot a liar, and the patriot, with his crutch, knocked the Tory down and sat astride him until noon, when his son came home from the field and encouraged his father to desist (decamp). He lived to a good old age. He outlived his children, but, fortunately, not his grandchildren, and his grandson, who was my grandfather, told these tales to his grandchildren.

The old days of horse and buggy, of sandy roads and crooked lanes, are gone in many parts of the country. Cars fly through with some terminus in view likely, but their occupants seeing little along the way. The highways are numbered and in most places conspicuously marked and only when a detour sign confronts one in the middle of the road and cannot be disregarded does one take a back road.

Yet, on those less frequented ways are some of the most interesting and beautiful spots that are to be found. They escape the eye of the average tourist. I, for one, miss the Blue Book of a decade ago that gave back roads, the names of lakes and brooks and best of all the historic footnotes that made the journey interesting.

En route to French Lick for the cure, you pass Salem, Indiana. Not one in a thousand knows that here John Hay was born. Oh for an intelligent, informed, and historically minded cartographer! Seeing the Green Mountains and enjoying is in no way hindered as one passes through Brandon to find there a monument to Stephen A Douglas who was born there in the village. Or to turn aside at Bennington and climb the hill to the old town and pay one’s respect to the spirits of the “boys who there resisted Bourgoin’s advance” memorialized in the shaft that rises on the hill. In the same old village one is interested to find that William Lloyd Garrison edited his first abolition sheet. It is off the main highway a little that one finds the Saratoga battle monument near Schuylerville, or the monument to Benedict Arnold’s boot and wounded leg. One must leave the express highway by two miles to sight the Princeton battlefield and house where General Mercer died. A circuit of the Wilderness battlefield is made by using several less frequented back roads. To find Monticello, one leaves the main highway by four miles and lives for a brief hour with Jefferson in the country. That section of the main concreted highway down east where I grew up occasionally affords a glimpse of the ocean and the dunes. To those who know the back roads, pond and bay and sandy strips open in quick succession and the booming surf is ever in one’s ears. But the red lines on the map give no hint of such access.

On the back roads through the Adirondacks one finds the sleeping place of John Brown’s body. Off the trunkline near Kinderhook is hidden the grave of Martin Van Buren and a mile or so away, his old home Lindenwall. Nearby is the site of Ichabod Crane’s schoolhouse and the home of Katrina Van Tassel. One would never guess it as he flies through on Highway No. 9.

"An Old Southampton House in New York"

Friday, May 20, 1938 | Southampton Press

No. 90 Grove Street and No. 88 Grove Street, N.Y.C.

Among the many houses and gardens exhibited for the benefit of Greenwich House in New York last week was that of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Phelps Stokes, 88 Grove Street. The house was built in 1827 by three Halsey Brothers of Water Mill, Henry, Jesse and Edward. Later Jesse and Edward went to sea and became captains. In 1833, Henry, with his wife and infant son, Charles Henry, moved to Southampton and built the house on North Main Street owned by Rev. Jesse Halsey. The brothers, when they retired from the sea, also built in Southampton, Capt. Jesse, the house now owned by Dr. D.H. Hallock and Capt. Edward the house on Hill Street owned by Mrs. George Burling.

In the older house in New York are details that are repeated in the Southampton houses. It was built at the time when Greenwich Village (The Green Village) was made a part of the City of New York. The streets are irregular here and depart from the rectangular plan of the city . . .  A.F.H. 

 Sheridan Square, N.Y.C., 88 Grove Street Center

[Abigail Fithian Halsey] 

Images courtesy Abigail Fithian Halsey Files | Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center 

Letter from Abigail Fithian Halsey re: 88 Grove Street

34 Post Crossing

Southampton, L.I.

December 17, 1936

My dear Mr. Stokes,

This is a letter I have intended to write a long time giving you some information about your house which was built by my grandfather Henry Halsey and his brothers Jesse and Edward in 1827.

Their father had died and their mother Phoebe, unable to give her boys a college education, although she owned much land here, took them to New York and apprenticed them to a master mason. They built 88 Grove Street for themselves, buying Lot No. 52 from Thomas R. Mercein at the time, I think when Greenwich Village was taken into the city. Henry brought his bride there, and his mother, brothers and two sisters lived on one floor, he and his wife on the other. My father, Charles Henry Halsey was born there in 1830. In ’33 the two younger brothers went to sea, became whaling captains, the others came home to Southampton where Henry built the house my brother, Rev. Jesse Halsey of Cincinnati, still owns.

It may interest you to know that the cornice in the old house in Southampton is the same as in yours. I know because one day long ago as I passed, I plucked up my courage and called to tell you all this. Neither you nor Mrs. Stokes were home, but your faithful Anna gave me a glimpse of the lovely interior of these old rooms.

It is in gratitude for your preservation of that which is beautiful and precious to us that I write at this Christmas season to wish you Joy in the old house.

Very sincerely,

Abigail Fithian Halsey

Tercentenary Pageant of Southampton Town

Alma E. Bishop, knocking on door; Abbie Halsey, seated on left

The Book of the Tercentenary Pageant of Southampton Town

“Founded For Freedom”

August 14-15, 1940

By Abigail Fithian Halsey

Episode One

The XVIIth Century

Scene 1

The Founding

The Commentator:

Behold an Indian village at the head of North Sea Harbor. The wigwam of Nowedanah, chief of the Shinnecocks, is in the foreground. In front of it the young women of the tribe are engaged in a corn planting ceremony while the elder ones go about their daily tasks. Soon the warriors return from the hunt. They lay their spoils before the fires and commence a dance of Happy Hunting.

During the dance we perceive a sloop coming up the harbor. A brave runs in bringing the news and hard on his arrival we see a band of English Puritans land Conscience Point. The first woman on shore exclaims, “For conscience sake we’re on dry and once more.”

The Puritans approach the Indians. They signify their desire for land. Some men of the party come forward with a chest containing sixteen coats. At the sight of the splendor the Indians agree to sell.

They draw up an agreement. “We do absolutely and forever grant to the parties above the mentioned, to them and their heirs and successors forever, all lands, woods and waters from the place where the Indians hayle their canoes out of the north Bay to the south side of the Island, from thence to possess all lands lying eastwood, to have an to hold forever.”

But the Indians also demand corn to be paid after the second harvest and the Puritans promise to give the Indians protection from their enemies.

They then smoke the pipe of peace and guide the colonists to Old Towne where the settlement is made.

Original Undertakers:

Edward Howell

Edmund Needham

George Welbe

John Cooper

William Harker

Thomas Newell

Thomas Terry

Josiah Stanborough (who came later)

Daniel Howe, Captain of the vessel

Edmond and John Farrington

Thomas and Job Sayre

Hentry Walton

Allen Bread

Thomas Halsey

Richard Odel

Philip and Nathaniel Kyrtland

Thomas Farrington

Episode One

Scene III

Early Days and Early Ways

The Narrator:

The new Towne Street in 1649.

The Colony has grow ad prospered. Each freeholder owns his three acres of land on the street but farms and woodland are still common. Incomers must buy on the Great Plains. We see two fence-viewers “perambulating the bounds” nd with them a small boy who will be spanked at the bound, the better to impress his memory. The chimney viewers and cow keepers are busy. A group of young women are quilting a bride quilt for Margaret Howell whose banns are up. Next month she will marry Rev. John Moore of Southold. The unhappy Edmund Shaw sits despondent in the stocks ffor his excessive indulgence at John Cooper’s Tavern. Young Peregrine Stanborough takes his stripes for stealing green apples from Thomas Sayre’s orchard. Sarah Veale, attended by her faithful husband, Thomas, sits with a cleft stick on her tongue, while the Constable recites publicly “exhorbitant words of imprecation” she ahs used to the village reprobate, George Wood.

The Commentator:

Into this peaceful scene break two Pequot Indians. Phoebe Halsey (wife of Thomas) is coming from her home with her little daughter, Elizabeth. The Indians drag phoebe into the house and scalp her. The child escapes. Thomas Halsey, his three sons, and the nearby men puruse the murderers. They are met by Wyandanch, Chief of the Montauks, friend of the white man, who has caught the murderers. He delivers them to the Magistrates, who put them into the pillory until they can be sent to Hartford.

First Interlude

Children Play In The Olden Way

Their Games:

Farmer in the Dell

Looby Lou

London Bridge

Bull in the Ring

Once there was a Lassie

Episode Two

The XVIIth Century

Scene I

Town Meeting Day During the American Revolution

The Narrator:

Our great day of the year has come again. The street is filled with men, women and children from the length and breadth of the town of Southampton. Peddlers crying their wares and visiting Indians scurry about. The Town crier calls the meeting. The election is interrupted by a rider brining news of Lexington. Jesse and Elias Halsey and a friend set off by row boat to Connecticut. Scarcely are they out of sight when the post rider gallops in with news that Fort Ticonderoga has fallen to the Americans.

At once Captain John Hulburt assembles his Company of Minute Men. The first Stars and Stripes made by the women of Southampton Town is presented to the departing company.

Col. William Erskine of his Britannic Majesty’s Army rides in with his Aides coming to demand provender, to be refused at the Town’s peril.

When he has ridden away the dejected people return to their homes while Captain Elias Pelletreau, the old silversmith, organizes a home defense.

SECOND INTERLUDE

An Anthem to Liberty Sung by the United Choirs of Southampton, Hampton Bays, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor

Halsey Genealogical Record

After the news of the Battle of Lexington had reached Long Island, Jesse Halsey (1739-1818) and his brother, Elias Henry, with three others rowed across Long Island Sound in a row boat and joined the Continental Army.

They signed the Articles of Association in May 1775, both Elias Henry and Jesse won the rank of captain in the Revolution. Both Jesse and Elias Henry were lieutenants in Colonel David Mulford's regiment. Elias Henry became a captain of a privateer in the harbor of New London. He was killed in the Battle of Groton Heights on September 6, 1781.

Another brother, David Fithian, was also a captain in the Revolution and died in 1790.

Captain Jesse Halsey was also a lieutenant on Col. Mulford’s Reg’t. p. 1055, 993 (see Mather’s Refugees), received commission Sept. 29, 1775.

See Calendar of Historical Mss Vol. 1, p. 120. Also, New York in the Revolution, p. 169-172.

Captain Jesse fought in the Battle of Monmouth and heard the famous reprimand given by George Washington to General Charles Lee when the later had ordered retreat of the regiment he was leading. The claim has often been made, in the effort to make Washington something more than a human, that he did not use profanity at this time. Captain Jesse said that the most forceful language was used by Gen. Washington at this time and that his indignation was righteous and well timed. Captain Jesse lived to be 79 years old and walked with a crutch the remainder of his life.

He had eight children, seven of whom were born previous to 1776 and the youngest child, Abigail (Ludlow), was born after the Revolution. Six girls and one boy, Charles Fithian, lived to grow up, marry, and have families. Captain Jesse and his wife, Charity White, are buried in the Watermill Cemetery. It was discovered that no stones remained to mark their graves. Seventy-five descendants, paying one dollar each, contributed to the fund, which marks their final resting place. They secured a government stone for Captain Jesse and had one made like it for Charity, and placed a fund with the cemetery association which gives them perpetual care. The fund also provided a D.A.R. marker for Capt. Jesse.

GENEALOGICAL RECORD NO. I 

THOMAS HALSEY I to REVEREND JESSE HALSEY

Thomas (I)                  B. Jan. 2 1592; In Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, Eng.

                                    D. Aug. 27, 1678; Came to Mass. 1637. Southampton 1640.

                                    M. (I) Phebe____ 1627 in England

                                    Murdered by Pequot Indian 1649

                                    (II) Ann, widow Edward Johnes

                                    Chn: Thomas, Daniel, Isaac, Elizabeth

Daniel (II)                   B. 1630 (“Goodman Halsey of Wickapoqu3”)

                                    D. 1682

                                    M. Jemima dau. Richard Woodhull

Daniel (III)                  B. Aug. 31, 1669; Wickapogue

                                    D. Feb. 28, 1734

                                    M. Amy Larison

Henry (IV)                  B. Wickapogue, Feb. 28, 1700; Lived in Scuttlehole.

                                    D. 1740

                                    M. Sarah, dau. David Fithian, of East Hampton

                                    Chn:

Jesse (V)                     B. May 18, 1739; Capt. Revolutionary War

                                    D. 1818, Watermill

                                    M. Jan. 14, 1761; Charity, dau. Charles (1716-1791) and Sarah Howell White

                                                            B. 1741            

                                                            D. 1816            

Charles Fithian (VI)    B. Feb. 11, 1771; Scuttle Hole. Bridgehampton

(Miller)                        D. Oct. 25, 1814

                                    M. Phebe, dau. Capt. Wm Rogers Hayground. 1802

                                    B. May 14, 1778

                                    D. Oct. 13, 1839

                                    Chn. Henry, Jesse, Edward, Mary, Hannah

Henry (VII)                 B. Watermill (miller), Aug. 19, 1803

(Capt. Henry)              D. April 11, 1880; Southampton, L.I.

                                    M. Jan. 21, 1828; Eliza, dau. Barzillai and Frances Howell Halsey

Charles Henry (VIII)  B. Oct. 10, 1830; New York City

                                    D. Aug. 9, 1906; Southampton

                                    M. Melvina Dunwreath, dau. Thomas and Phebe Hudson Terry

                                                B. June 5, 1842

                                                D. June 2, 1887

Jesse (Rev.) (IX)         B. May 3, 1882

Cincinnati, Ohio         D.

                                    M. Helen Haynes dau. Robert and ­­­____ Haines Isham, Lake Placid, NY

                                    [Ed note: Frederick and Laura]

                                    B. May 18, 1889

                                    Chn.

Charles Henry, B. April 6, 1911, St. Anthony, Newfoundland

                                           Frederick Isham, B. Aug. 22, 1912, St. Anthony, Newfoundland

                                           Helen Augusta, B. Feb. 8, 1914, Cincinnati

                                           Wilmun Haines, B. Sept. 30, 1920, Cincinnati; D. May 20, 1928, Cincinnati

[ed note: text says Wilman, but inscription to Living A Living Hope: Suggestions for Funeral Services. Halsey, Jesse. Confirms it Wilmun]

                                           Abigail Fithian, B. Aug. 9, 1922, Southampton, L.I.

GENEALOGICAL RECORD No. II

THOMAS HALSEY I through his son Tomas to REVEREND JESSE HALSEY No. 1

Thomas (I)                  B. Jan. 2 1592; In Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, Eng.

                                    D. Aug. 27, 1678; Came to Mass. 1637. Southampton 1640.

                                    M. (I) Phebe____ 1627 in England

                                    Murdered by Pequot Indian 1649

                                    (II) Ann, widow Edward Johnes

                                    Chn. Thomas, Daniel, Isaac, Elizabeth

Thomas (II)                 B. 1627

                                    D. 1699

                                    M. Mary B. ____ D. Dec. 20, 1699

                                    Chn.

Josiah (III)                  B. Feb. 15, 1656

                                    D. 1732; buried Flying Point Cemetery

                                    M. I. Sarah Topping, Sept. 12, 1678

                                    M. II. Mary

                                    Chn.

Deacon Josiah (IV)     B. 1692

                                    D. 1744; buried Flying Point Cemetery

                                    M.

                                    Chn.    

           

Israel (V)                     B. ____ Watermill

                                    D. Nov. 19, 1774

                                    M. Mary, dau. Joshua Halsey and Martha Wilmun

Wilmun (VI)               B. Aug. 2, 1749

                                    D. 1785

                                    M. Ruth Rogers, March 9, 1773; B. May, 25, 1751  D. Jan. 19, 1815

                                    Chn. Susanna Jane, Barzillai, Sylvanus, Wilmun

Barzillai (VII)             B. 1776

                                    D. Feb. 25, 1849

                                    M. Frances, dau. Capt. David and Mehetable Halsey Howell; Nov. 2, 1799

                                    Chn.

Enoch, B. 1801

Amanda M. Stephen Rose; Elmira

Eliza (VIII)                 M. Henry Halsey

GENEALOGICAL RECORD No. II

THOMAS HALSEY I through his son Isaac to REVEREND JESSE HALSEY

Thomas (I)                   B. Jan. 2 1592; In Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, Eng.

                                    D. Aug. 27, 1678; Came to Mass. 1637. Southampton 1640.

                                    M. (I) Phebe____ 1627 in England

                                    Murdered by Pequot Indian 1649

                                    (II) Ann, widow Edward Johnes

                                            Chn. Thomas, Daniel, Isaac, Elizabeth wife of Richard Howell

Isaac (II)                      B.

                                    D. About 1703

                                    M. Mary

                                    Chn.

Isaac B. 1665 D. March 23, 17__

                                           Joseph B. 1668 D. April 17, 1725; Elizabeth, N.J.

                                           Joshua

                                           Mary, Samuel, Elizabeth, Thomas

Joshua (III)                  B. 1675

                                    D. 1734

                                    M. Martha, dau. Isaac Wilmun

                                    Chn.

Abigail M. John Post

Experience M. Nathaniel Halsey

Irene M. Wm. Foster

Mary M. Israel Halsey

Martha M. Joshua Sayre

Prudence M. David Woodruff

Mary (IV)                   Dau. Joshua Halsey and Martha Wilmun

                                    B. before 1744

                                    D. Aug. 24, 1782

                                    M. Israel Halsey, son of Joshua and Martha Wilmun Halsey

Wilmun (V)                 B. 1747

                                    D. Jan. 15, 1786

                                    M. Ruth Rogers

                                    Chn. (For continuation record see No. II)

All dates taken from genealogical records Howell History, Early Southampton and family record of Charles Henry Halsey, 1830-1906; Compiled by Lizbeth Halsey White, Southampton, L.I. N.Y. April 1932.

"Useful positions"

Among his numerous descendants, scattered all over the country, several have won their way to distinction and useful positions.

--"Biographical Sketches: Halsey, History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1629-[1893], Volume 2, Alonzo Lewis and James Robinson Newhall

Tales of My Father's

by Rev. Jesse Halsey

Better even than the reading was the story evening hour. 'Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere' was no more attractive (except for versification) than were a dozen oft repeated tales of my Father's.

The favorite one was of how our great grandfather (his name was Jesse) on hearing of the Battle of Lexington, took his one horse farm wagon, pulled out the king bolt and left the rear wheels and body behind when he hitched his horse to the tow front wheels on which he had rigged a seat. On this, he and and his brother sat perched while they drove to Sag Harbor. They joined others and in a whale boat rowed to New London and reached Boston in time for the Battle of Bunker Hill. Great grandfather served with Washington with the rank of Captain until Monmouth where he was wounded near Molly Pitcher's well. He was in the Valley Forge winter.

His orchard and the ruins of his house could be seen when I was a boy. Two miles from home we passed them as we drove to our most remote woodland at Camp's pond. At that pond in his time, this same great grandfather had shot deer with his army muzzle loader. Father's father had had the gun remade from a flint-lock and the barrel shortened by a foot. I have the old gun still; it is over six feet long even now.

This old veteran kept up the good fight long after the war. He used a crutch but tended his farm. One day he got into an argument with a Tory neighbor who said that never could they make a woolen cloth as good in the States as in the old Country. The argument grew hot, the crippled captain knocked the Tory down with his crutch and sat on him till noon when his son came home from the field and took him off!

This great grandfather had a brother--Henry Elias. 'Twas he who shared the bumpy ride on the springless two wheel improvisation. He--Henry Elias--had been a whaling captain and was given privateering papers during the war. When Benedict Arnold, having turned traitor, came with a British force to burn New London, Captian 'Lias was given charge of the artillery to defend the town. The fort in the harbor was abandoned but they fortified the east bank of the Thames-Groton heights. Charles Carleton Coffin in his story of the Revolution tells how Captain Halsey stood by an eighteen-pounder jammed to the muzzle with canister and old chain links. As the British came up the hill he waited until (like General Warren) he could see the whites of their eyes, then he fired his gun. Twenty fell.

Can you imagine the thrill that would give a twelve year old? I suppose this explains why I have never succeeded in becoming a pacifist. Captain 'Lias was killed at Groton Heights and his name is on the monument. When the British general came into the fort to receive the surrender, he called, 'Who commands here?' Colonel Ledyard, the senior American, answered, 'I did not but do now,' and handed his sword to the Britisher, hilt foremost. The British officer grasped the handle and rammed the blade into the vitals of the American. The wounded Americans were loaded and tied onto gun carriages and sent rolling down the hill to the river. It was known to many generations as the Massacre of Fort Griswold and in token thereof a well worn shred of a pamphlet from which my father read to me, I have among my possessions. I can believe tales. Only after twenty years when I found myself in a Scottish University, did I begin to abate my hatred of the British.

[Ed note via Dr. Samuel Warr: During WWII, Rev. Jesse Halsey headed the Bundles for Britain, long before the USA entered the war.]

A note on the progression of Jesses

Sarah Fithian and Henry Halsey had a son Jesse in 1739, who married Charity White and signed the Articles of Association in Southampton in 1775. That first Jesse Halsey was a captain in the Revolutionary War and suffered injuries at the Battle of Monmouth. Captain Jesse and Charity had seven children: Charity, Jesse, Charles Fithian, Keturah, Sarah, Hannah, and Abigail. Their son Jesse died in infancy. Jesse died in 1818. His son, Charles Fithian, and Phebe Rogers had Henry (my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, known also as Captain Harry), along with Elizabeth, Captain Jesse, Captain Edward (both of whom were whalers), Mary, and Hannah.

Captain Jesse married Mary Budd and went to sea, they had no children. Captain Jesse's older brother, Henry, builder of 49 North Main (in 1832 or 1842?) and 88 Grove Street, however, named his third son Jesse in 1845, tho that Jesse would die in 1861, a month short of his 16th birthday.

Henry's eldest son, the first Charles Henry, married Melvina Terry in 1863. (Complicating things further, Charles Henry's brother Wilmun married Melvina's sister Augusta--aka the famous Aunt Gus--and they had, in 1874, the first in a series of Aunt Ednas). Charles and Melvina had Harry in 1864, Lizbeth in 1869, Abigail Fithian in 1873, and Jesse (later Rev. Dr. Jesse and my Great Grandfather) in 1882. Melvina, known as Binn, died in 1887, when Jesse was 5. A year later, Jesse witnessed the accidental drowning of his father's brother, his beloved Uncle Wilmun, while the two were clamming together. Following those tragedies, Aunt Gus and her fourteen-year-old daughter Edna became de facto members of Great Grandfather Jesse's household; in a biographical sketch Jesse writes that he was raised by his eldest sister--18 at the time of her mother's death--and his Aunt Gussie.