Caroline Phoebe (Adams) Tryon (1843 - aft. 1931)

Born 13 Feb 1843 in Haleville, New York

Wife of Micajah Townsend Tryon — married 8 Jan 1896 in Norwood, St. Lawrence, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Michael Tryon [send private message] and Michael Maranda [send private message]

Biography

WINTHROP—Of the 13 children of Irene Bishop and Daniel H. Adams, Mrs. Caroline Phoebe Tryon, who will celebrate her 88th birthday, Feb. 13th, is the only one now living.

Her father, born in Rhode Island, came to Hinesburg, Vt., and there married the mother, and for some time resided there. In the winter of 1840 they decided to come to New York state. In a double bob-sled, accompanied by their five children, they crossed the lake, at Champlain, and drove to Haleville, a little hamlet about two miles from Lawrenceville, and started a home in a little log house. Three of the children passed away in early childhood, while six sisters and three brothers grew to maturity. They were Edith, Lovina, Jane, Mary, Eleicta, Eliza, Paul, Luke and John. The mother was proficient in all kinds of work. She raised and spun her own flax, she did all of her sewing and knitting, and was a master hand at making “Salt Rising Bread,” (a tasty food, now out of date).

She taught all of her children to be independent, and they were brought up to follow in her footsteps and do all kinds of work. She lived to be 91 years old.

Some time after the home was established in Haleville, Mr. Bishop received word that a brother, Ephriam, a well to do Episcopal minister, had passed away in Virginia. Daniel went south to attend the funeral. Many Negro servants were in the home, many new customers were observed, and food, strange to the brother, was served at the Riverside table. Among the new dishes were oysters when Daniel was asked “will you have some oysters?” (having no idea what they might be) replied: “I might take one”.

Mrs. Tryon was a faithful pupil in the home school. Barney Whitney of Lowville used to come to the school house and conduct a “singing school.” The Adams children attended, and the whole family went each Sunday to the same building to hear Elder Parks, a Baptist minister, who preached there for many years.

Fox and geese, in the snow, and back gammon, during the long winter evenings, were favorite games. The young folks attended many dances, which were usually held at the different homes. Waxed floors were unheard of.

There was a “general store,” very near to the Adams farm home. Mrs. Tryon remembers many times when her father drove his team to Plattsburg, a journey of several days, for supplies for the store, and how eagerly the children watched for his return! Caroline made a business of “stripping the cows” in the family dairy, until she had earned sufficient money, to purchase material for a wedding dress, which was an elaborate lavener silk, with darker stripes.

She was married in the fall of 1863, at her home to George K. Wells, of Port Jackson, by the Rev. Mark Atwood, then pastor of the Baptist church in that village. The couple went to Vermont on their wedding trip where they visited a “village of all relatives”, on the mother’s side. On their return to New York, they settled on the “Wells’ farm” at Port Jackson, which they purchased of “Father Wells”. Here they resided for many years, Mrs. TYryon was a true help mate, keeping up her share of the farm work, spinning yarn, serving rags, and weaving all her own carpets.

Only one child came to the home, a daughter, Cora Adell, now Mrs. Frnk Locke. When she became of school age, the family moved to Fort Jackson village, where the daughter attended its school. They resided here for three years, during which time the father operated a shingle mill.

At the end of that time, the call of the farm was so strong that they returned to their former home, where Mr. Wells passed away October 15, 1887.

Until 1895 Mrs. Tryon remained at the farm home, with her daughter, husband and granddaughter Hazel, (now Mrs. Sanford Grant),when she married Micajah Tryon of Winthrop, and came to reside in the house which Mr. Tryon built, on East Main street, where his son C. D. Tryon now lives. Mrs. Tryon passed away in August 1902. Mrs. Tryon remained in the home for several years, making a pleasant and attractive place for many teachers and students of the high school. Among the number were Ila Willis Barnes, Harriet Sanford Hilliard, Maude Kirkey, Wesley Sweet, Edith Ingalls, Gale Hardy Kent,Asa Jenny, Elizabeth M. Drake, Walter Cooper and her grand-daughter Hazel.

About 1890 she went west and spent a year visiting relatives in Des Moines nad Lyons, Iowa.

In 1905 she purchased the Oscar Mott place, now occupied by M. T. Hammill, and resided there until ill health obliged her to return to the daughter’s home in Fort Jackson.

She is now at Hotel Winthrop, where her daughter and grand-daughter live. She kept to her room quite closely, and on account of failing eyesight can read nor sew but very little. However, she is mentally alert and interested in what goes on about her, and in the outside world. She seldom takes an afternoon nap, and is keen to arise early and retire late. She enjoys her friends and neighbors and is tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Locke. She is a member of the Methodist church at Srasher Falls.

Sources

• The Republican-journal, February 12, 1931, Page 3. http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org