Lewis Wellington Rhodes (1868 - 1892)

Born 5 Nov 1868 in Marlborough, Ulster, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 18 May 1892 at age 23 in Ulster, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Pat Miller [send private message]

Biography

Lewis was born in 1868. He was the son of Aaron Rhodes and Elizabeth Miller. When he was young he was known by his middle name Wellington but as he grew older used the name William. In death he was known as William Rhodes. William previously worked for the city railroad company and was engaged to marry Satie Hommell of West Park. He strayed from this relationship and was intimate with another girl. When he disappeared May 18th, 1892 it was reported in the Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, Poughkeepsie being across the Hudson River from Highland, a section of Lloyd, Ulster County: "William Rhodes, son of Aaron Rhodes of Highland, has mysteriously disappeared." On the 29th of May a body was found floating in the Hudson River. It was quickly identified as William Rhodes. On May 31 a corner's inquest was held to determine cause of death. The jury rendered a verdict of suicide after reading a letter written by William to his father. The letter was published June 1, 1892.

The Letter Dear Father---I will now write you a letter to let you know that I have put myself out of the way, as I got myself in a muss that would ruin me for life; so I now am going to drown myself; will lay in the Hudson River.

P.S.---Send for Satie Hommell, as I loved her; put her picture in my coffin with me; give my wheel to "Abe", my watch to "Wessie"; tell him to keep it to remember his lost brother; have disgraced myself and you too, I'm afraid but hope not. Don't lay any money out on me, as I am not worth it. Dear father, do not worry yourself to death; keep good courage, it is all my fault. I brought it on myself; took this way to get out.

P.S.---Use my darling Satie well, as I loved her as no other fellow did but am lost; from your foolish son, L.W. R.

On the back of the letter: "Give my love to all my friends; goodbye dear father and mother and brothers."

Sources

• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Lewis Wellington Rhodes, birth 5 Nov 1868, death 18 May 1892, father, Aaron Rhodes, mother, Elizabeth B (Miller) Rhodes, Burial, Highland Cemetery, Highland, Ulster, New York
• 1870 United States Federal Census, Marlborough, Ulster, New York, Aaron Rhodes 26, fisherman, Elizabeth Rhodes (census incorrectly lists age as 14, when she was 19), Wellington Rhodes 1
• 1880 United States Federal Census, Lloyd, Ulster, Aaron Rhoads 34, farmer, Elizbth (Elizabeth) Rhoads 29, wife, Wellington Rhoads 11, son, Edward Rhoads 7, son, Abram Rhoads 2, son
• Newspapers.com, Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, 23 May 1892, Disappearance of William Rhodes, son of Aaron Rhodes of Highland, Ulster
• Newspapers.com, Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, June 1, 1892, p.5, Suicide of William Rhodes, letter to his father published