The Parish Town Historical Society will host a spring walk on May 17 at the historic Bidwell Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.. This resting place of many early Parish citizens is located on Bidwell Road. The life and times of these Parish community members buried in the cemetery will be portrayed by members and friends of the Parish Town Historical Society in a touching and memorable way--in their own words.

The Bidwell Cemetery Association is not under the care of the town of Parish, but managed by a board of trustees:  Harold Petrie, president, Reginald Simmons, vice-president, Velma Lewis Caswell , secretary/treasurer and Angie Simmons. 

 Burr Simmons was president for many years, followed by Andy Lewis. In this not-for-profit association;  Harold Petrie became president in 1980 when approached by Andy Lewis.  At that time the state was at the point of seizing all funds due to lack of activity. 

Harold found the cemetery full of fallen branches and broken fences allowing cows to roam inside.  Harold and his daughter Cindy took on the task of cleaning and burning off the leaves.

The association hired Herman Gehrke to take over the care.  Herman did a tremendous amount of work over the next 5 or 6 years.  His stepson Francis Maunder and family cared for the cemetery for a few years.  Then the service was carried on by Duane Hubbard.

The Bidwell Cemetery Association will have a meeting around the second week of April.  The group is looking for new members.  If you are interested in getting involved with this  sacred site;  contact Harold Petrie at 315.625.7526.

Family names at Bidwell cemetery:  ACKLEY, ALBERT, AUSTIN, BELLINGER, BIDWELL, BLISS, BROOKS, BURROWS, BUSH, BUTRICK, CAMPBELL, CARL, CARPENTER, CHORLEY, COAN COLE, CRIM, CROSS, DAVEY, DE GARMO, DICKISON, DUELL, ENSLOW, FRAVOR, FYLER, GARDENER, GARDNER, HETHERINGTON, HORNING, HOUSE, HUESTED, IRISH, JACOBSON, JENNINGS, KEELER, LAING, LAST, NILES, LUDINGTON, MARSH, MARTIN, MC LYMOND, MENTER, MILLER, MORE, MORRISON, MOWERS, OSTERHOUT, OWENS, PALMER, PATTENGALL, PETRIC, PETRIE, PHELPS, PICKENS, PITCHER, POTTER, POWERS, RATHBURN, REED, ROBBINS, ROOD, ROUND, ROW, SHERMAN, SIMMONS, SIVERS, SMITH, SNOW, SPICER, SPENCER THAYER, TRISTON, WASWORTH, WEST, WESTOVER, WHEELER, WHITE, WHITNEY, WILD, WILCOX, WILLIAMS, WILSON and YOUNG.

 

About fifty people came out under threatening skies May 17 for the Parish Town Historical Society’s Cemetery walk.  This walk, being the fifth in a series, took place at the Bidwell Cemetery located on Bidwell Road, just a stone’s throw from where it intersects County Route 26.

Parish Town Historian, Mary Bridget Swartz, gave a short synopsis of the cemetery and introduced each character in turn. 

Supervisor Steve Stelmashuck led the event with his portrayal of Jonathon Irish, a former Parish Town Supervisor from the late 1800’s.  Next Aubryn Stelmashuck took on the role of Francelia Huested, a young girl who died two days before her twelfth birthday.  She was buried next to her father’s first wife, who also was her maternal aunt.

The third presentation was by Nancy Weaver Bookheimer who read a biography/history of the Hauss (House) family who came to Parish in the early 1800’s.

Surrounded by wild flowers in full bloom, Evelyn Stelmashuck portrayed Jane Laing, a farmer’s wife, who with her husband David, donated land for a school, before moving to Amboy and a bigger farm.  The school located on County Route 26 just east of present day County Route 22  was given the Laing name.  Jane lived to be 88 years old.

Kevin Dwyer with a rifle and in period dress, depicted Chauncy Gardener, a First Lieutenant during the Civil War.  Kevin also read an interesting biography on Russell Horning who is buried at Bidwell and for whom Parish’s present day American Legion is named after.

Linda McNamara wrapped up the character list as she acted out the life of Freelove Potter, a hardworking farm woman.  Linda gave a full account of the numerous duties a woman had to do on a day to day basis.

Venita Ackley, President of Pleasant Lawn Cemetery Assoc. gave a short talk on the status and upcoming events at Pleasant Lawn Cemetery.  The event ended amidst rain drops as Harold Petrie gave a talk on the Bidwell Cemetery in general of which he is the Association President.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bidwell Cemetery Association held it's annual meeting April 29th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Petrie. Mr. Petrie, President of the Association and his wife Ruby welcomed new members to the Association: Mrs. Sharon Robbins, Mrs. Susan Romanowski, and Mrs. Nancy Bookheimer, all of Bidwell Road. The Cemetery Association is in need of interested people to continue in the support and maintenance of the Bidwell Cemetery.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Association please contact Mr. Harold Petrie, 625-7526. 

Parish Town Historical Society Spring Walk at Getman- 2007  Bidwell Cemetery Census

©Copyright Parish Town Historical Society

Mary Lou Guindon   Parish, NY   13131

E-mail  guindfam@yahoo.com