Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice Babcock Hill Cemetery, Windham Township, Bradford County PA

Tri-Counties Genealogy & History Sites How To Use This Site Warning & Disclaimer Windham Township Page No Commercial Use Say Hello to Joyce Listing  by Gordon Clark 2000 Photo at left by  Donald E. Dillenbeck 2018

Joyce's Search Tip - December 2007 - Do You Know that you can search just the Bradford County Cemetery Records on the site by using the Cemeteries -Bradford button in the Partitioned search engine at the bottom of the Current What's New Page? If you use that partition follow these steps to search just one cemetery.  1. Choose Cemeteries - Bradford.  2. Enter part of the cemetery name [ie Ballard or Berrytown] AND a surname.  3. Choose the Find ALL Words option. Then it will find just the pages with that surname in the one cemetery you indicated.

From: Donald E. Dillenbeck <dillenbeck177@att.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2018 10:28 PM
To: Joyce M. Tice <joycetice@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Testing to see if this address is still correct. 

Greetings Joyce, 

I have attached a WORD file with information about the Babcock Cemetery, Windham Township, Bradford County, PA. There is a correction for the death date for Elizabeth Merrill, wife of Thomas L. Merrill and photos of their gravestone. Also included is an OBITUARY for Clarissa Theis Hicks whose gravestone does not have a death date.

The remainder of the document has notes I made on work performed at the cemetery and additional research data I collected about people buried there. Please feel free to edit and use what you want for your website.

Best Regards

Donald E. Dillenbeck

Johnson City, NY

Dear Joyce,                                                                                                                                                             April 1, 2018 

Thanks for the great work on the Tri-County Website!

 I spent a lot of time in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, looking for my mother's ancestors, CHAFFEE, MERRILL, etc. in the late 1990's. Checking out many cemeteries, I finally found the Babcock Cemetery on Babcock Hill Road, Windham Township, and located my Great-Great Grandparents graves, the Merrill's. I frequently visited the cemetery and helped Mrs. Patricia Kuhlman clear brush, limbs and weed whacked much of the cemetery. Since she passed, my wife, Rose, and I worked in the cemetery several times each year. 

Thomas L. & wife Elizabeth (Buffington) Merrill are both buried in the Babcock Cemetery on Waite (Waits)-Babcock Road, 1.3 miles North of State Route 1049 in the town of Windham (East side of town by Warren Twp.). The road runs in a North-South direction and changes name partway to NYS. 

On Saturday, March 31, 2018, we spent 7-hours at the cemetery clearing brush, cutting branches and re-cleaning Don's great-great-grandparents gravestones (Merrill's). Rose scraped fungus from their gravestone and the dates were again very clear: 

    Elizabeth, Wife of Thos. L. Merrill, born Feb.8, 1810, died Oct. 28, 1888.

    Her epitaph reads: "Gone to rest". 

    second side had:  Father - Mother with their hands clasped. 

    Thomas L. Merrill, Born Aug, 13, 1811, died Aug. 13, 1887.

    His epitaph reads :  "A place is vacant in

                                    our home that never

                                    can be filled."

Later when I found the Tri-County Website, I found that Elizabeth Merrill's death date was incorrect in the Babcock Cemetery listing:

 Thomas L. Merrill born 13-Aug-1811, died 13-Aug-1887

Elizabeth Merrill his wife born 8-Feb-1810, died 28-Oct-1888 (had d.10/18/1858; incorrect as they are in 1880-census..) 

In the census, 1850-PA-Bradford Co.-Warren Twp.: Thomas L. Merrill 39 farmer b.NY, Elisabette 40 b.PA, Olive M . 17 b.PA, Eleanor 16 b.PA, Emeline M. 14 b.PA, William E . 11 b.PA, Arthur 8 b.PA, Martha 5 b.PA, Dayton 4 b.PA, Allice 1 b.PA, and Mary/Merry? Merrill 76 b.CT (maybe Thomas's mother?). 

In the census, 1860-PA-Bradfoord Co.-Warren Twp.: T.L . Merrill 48 Farmer now b.CT with real estate of $2k & personal estate of $1.73K, Elizabeth 50, Arthur 17, Martha 15 , Dayton 13, Ellis 11, and Benjamin 9. 

In the Bradford Co. Courthouse, in January 1864, Milow Dimon transferred land to Thomas L. Merrill in the town of Warren. It was recorded in Book-84, Page-80.

Thomas L. Merrill in February 1868, transferred land to Arthur T. Merrill in the town of Warren. It is recorded in Book-84, Page-82. On the next page, 83, he also transferred land to William B/E. Merrill. These are sons of Thomas L. Merrill. 

In the census, 1880-PA-Bradford Co.-Windham Twp.: T.L . Merrill 68 farmer born NY, his parents were from CT, and wife Elizabeth 70 born PA, her parents were from PA. Next door is Joseph Babcock 38 farmer, wife Sarah 39, Lulu 13 , Fanny 11, Bertha 6, Benjamin 4, and Bessie 1 (4-daughters and 1-son).

===========================================

OBITUARY: On March 31, 2018, Rose Dillenbeck searched on the Internet, found Clarissa  Hicks OBITUARY originally in the Herald Tribune on Feb. 25, 2007:

"Clarissa Theis Hicks (April 12, 1920 - Feb. 12, 2007).Age 86

Residence: Sarasota, FL, formerly of West Warren, PA.

Visitation: Services: A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. March 10 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Sarasota.

Survivors: Sons Bill, Ron, Doug and Larry; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Eulogy:  Clarissa Theis Hicks made her final journey to be with Jesus on Feb. 12, 2007. She died in peace and she wishes all her friends and neighbors peace and joy as they continue this earthly journey. She is now with her beloved husband, Homer William, who preceeded her to heaven. Chris was a longtime resident of Oakwood Manor Mobile Home Park in Sarasota. She was an active member of Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church of Sarasota. Chris was an avid crocheter and enjoyed both teaching and practicing the craft. Chris' earthly remains will be cremated and returned to Pennsylvania to be interred next to her husband. Flowers are discouraged but memorial contributions to the Dystonia Foundation or Hospice will be greatly accepted." 

Clariss Theis Hicks April 12, 1920 --- no date. (SSDI: d. Feb.12, 2007 in Sarasota, FL

Together Forever Married June 14, 1941

Homer William Hicks Jr. S2 US NAVY, World War II, Jul.2,1920 --- Jul.25, 1995

In the Social Security Application File:

Homer William Hicks Jr.;  born 2 July 1920 at Elmhurst, NY; died 25 July 1955;

father: Homer Hicks, mother: Olga Schwartz; SS# 135-18-3626 Issued NJ.

===

In the Florida Death Index: Homer William Hicks 75 died at Sarasota, FL.

Birth:  2 July 1920;  Death:  25 July 1995

===

In the census, 1930-NJ-Essex Co.-Irvington-#67 Augusta St.:

Homer Hicks 36 3xMO mrd.@27 Chauffer-Helper-Express Co., wife Olga 28 mrd.@19 NY,2xGermany, son Harmon 7 PA, son Homer 9 PA, bro-in-law Theodore Swartz 22 PA Upholstering Automobiles.

======================================================

May 19, 2011: found "Buffington-Merrill Family Lineage Journal" on Tri-County Website in Bradford County, PA. There are several errors in the file, but the file does provide Elizabeth's maiden name of Buffington. Her death date is incorrect in that document as evidenced by the 1860 and 1880 census records & their gravestones...

Elizabeth and Thomas L. Merrill's graves are in the small cemetery on Babcock Road (becomes Waite Road in NY) in Windham Twp., Bradford Co., PA. See notes under Thomas... They appear to have moved there in older age to be near their daughter Laurinda who married Henry Cogswell and were buried in a cemetery just across the state line in NY.======================================================

Entries: 22 July 2011 & 6-07-2015: Found Private Graveyard in 2011; in spring of 2015, we visited graveyard on Babcock Road in Windham Twp., Bradford Co., PA (referred to in past as Babcock Hill Cemetery) near intersection of Kuhlman Road. It had been neglected for some time with parts overgrown and several large limbs of a dead tree had fallen on two Hicks family military grave stones and knocked them over. Many other gravestones were leaning and nearly falling over. I, Don Dillenbeck, returned on Monday Memorial Day, 25-May-2015, and cut up most of the tree limbs, removed brush, limbs, trees, and cleared overgrown bushes around the Merrill graves. When I arrived there, I saw some farmers at the Kuhlman farm and asked where to park my truck and where to put trash removed from the cemetery. The farmers, I found out later, were sons and descendants of the Kuhlmans who lived there presently. Some of the tree limbs on the ground were rain soaked over the years and were too heavy to move. Those, I cut up and placed in nearby piles to dry before removal (which I did later). 

I was pleased when I returned on Memorial Day, to find that someone had placed new U.S. Flags on the graves of the veterans buried there!  

On Saturday, 6-June-2015, my wife, Rose & I, returned to the cemetery again to perform more work on the cemetery. In the cemetery are buried 2-Revolutionary War veterans, 1-War of 1812 veteran, and some WW-II veterans; all of their graves neglected. We removed more tree limbs, weeds, brush, and carried previously cut up branches away. Then, we dug around, removed, enlarged holes under 5-fallen and leaning gravestones. One was very large and heavy, and when ready to replace it, I hailed one of the farmers, who returned and helped us turn, lift, and slide it into the deepened hole. Frost over the years had lifted and tilted the gravestones.

We put rocks alongside the stones, then filed and packed dirt around them. We photographed many of the stones. 

About August 16, 2017, Don traveled to the Babcock Hill Road Cemetery at 1095 Babcock Hill Road in Rome, PA to clear brush, limbs and weed-whack the long grass and weeds. It had been neglected for several years. He cleared most of the cemetery and the front along the road. All day was spent working at that area

.           BABCOCK  HILL  CEMETERY

Otto H. Kuhlman 1-16-1919 --- 2-15-1994

his wife, Gladys M. 5-30-1925 --- no date, alive 2016 (later: maiden name=Fraser) 

Isaac Brownson born July 27 1758/1768 --- died Aug.23, 1853 Revolutionary War.

Joanna Beardslee, his wife born Feb,26, 1764 --- died Oct . 24, 1842.

Benjamin Babcock born Apr.22, 1782 --- Died Jan.25, 1857.

Anna Brownson, his wife born May 4, 1780 --- died Dec.25, 1872.(?b.5/4/1789)

Caroline J. Babcock born Nov.22, 1823 --- died June 15, 1826

Joanna Babcock born Sept.5, 1826 --- died Sept.6, 1826. (?2 /28/1823-9/6/1826)

Andrew J. Babcock born Aug.18, 1809 -- died Mar.29, 1870. ( ?8/18/1819-3/29/1870)

Helen (?Ellen N.) M. Babcock his wife, born June 1, 1817 -- - died Oct.9, 1843. 

John Plum, NY Militia, REV. WAR., Jan.26, 1765 --- Nov.10 , 1850.

(granddau. of John Plum per Don Wilson 5/17/2004; dcwombat@ cablespeed.com)

Hulda, daughter of Israel & Thirsa Taylor died Feb.15 , 1830 Aged 6yrs 4months 

Susanna widow of James Rogers died June 23, 1841 aged 68 years and 7 days. 

Ernest J. 1925 --- 1982 KUHLMAN

his wife Patricia B.(Best) 1931 --- 2002

Married Feb.9, 1952. Parents of: E. Daniel Kuhlman (met him in 2015), Mark (Connie) Kuhlman, Elizabeth (John) Whitmore, Faith (Tom) Hundley. Obit in online Babcock Cem., Windham Twp, Bradford C., PA. 

Roanna wife of Nathaniel Rogers died March 1, 1847 aged 52 yrs (b.~1795)

Epitaph: The weary one her race has run, Her Master called her work was done,

And joyfully she went her way, To the bright realms of endless day.

Nathaniel Rogers died Dec.8, 1858 (?1838), Aged 62 years (b ~1796), WAR OF 1812 veteran. 

Thomas Farmer died June 24, 1835 81yr, 3mo Rev.War.

Mrs. Mary Farmer, died Mar. 30, 1839, AE. 48yr, 1m 15D.(b~F eb.15, 1796) d/o Tom

Epitaph: Go home my friends, dry up your tears, I must lie here til Christ appears, 

Maybe another KUHLMAN stone with husband and wife listed, No Photo?

Ernst J. Kuhlman 1925-1982; Gladys 1922-____ (alive in 2016)

============================================

Dear Joyce,

Thank you for all of your efforts in maintaining the Tri-county Website. Because of you, my wife and I were able to visit the gravesite of my ancestor, John Plum, in Babcock Hill Cemetery, Windham Township, Bradford Co., PA the end of last month. The cemetery was beautiful, with daffodils and myrtle in bloom. I have attached two pictures of John's headstone and one of his granddaughter Huldah, who is buried next to him. I hope you are able to open them. They are in Image Expert. John was a Revolutionary War veteran, and a medallion and a flag denotes that. The flag was relatively new, so someone is making sure that they are maintained, and I am grateful for that.

Thanks again,
Don Wilson

BEST    Patricia Kuhlman, 70, of Windham, Pa., passed away Wednesday, November 20,2002, at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA. She was born on November 21, 1931, the daughter of the late Harvey and Jenny (Coleman) Best.  She was predeceased by her husband Ernest J. Kuhlman in 1982.  Patricia is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and John Whitmore, Windham, Faith and Tom Hundley, Palmer, AK; her two sons and daughter-in-law, Mark and Connie Kuhlman, Windham; E. Daniel Kuhlman, Windham; her seven grandchildren, Daniel Williams, Nicole Crawford, Esther Hundley, John Hundley, Abbie Kuhlman, Erica Kuhlman, and Michala Kuhlman; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Carol and Kenneth Cotton, Tioga Center, NY, Ruth and Wendell Garrison, Nichols, NY, Mary and Karl Rude, Sayre, PA; and also many nieces and nephews.  Patricia enjoyed gardening and took great pride in her Japanese Garden. She also enjoyed rug hooking, and was an avid collector of many things. Patricia loved to travel and one of her greatest memories was building and living in a log cabin in Alaska with her family. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Zion Lutheran Church, in Owego, NY.
She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Patricia especially loved the Lord, and her family.  Funeral services will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Rte 17c West, Owego, NY on Saturday, November 23, 2002, at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. David D. Heitner, pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in Babcock Hill Cemetery, Windham, Pa. Friends are invited to call at Richards Funeral Home, Rt. 17c West, Owego, NY, on Friday evening, from 6 to 9 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Zion Lutheran Church and School, 3917 Waverly Rd., Owego, NY 13827.

Joyce Tip Box -- December 2007 - If you are not navigating this Tri-Counties Site via the left and right sidebars of the Current What's New page you are doing yourself a disservice. You can get to any place on the site easily by making yourself familiar with these subject and place topics. Try them all to be as familiar with the site's 16,000 plus pages as you can. Stop groping in the dark and take the lighted path. That's also the only way you'll find the search engines for the site or have access to the necessary messages I may leave for you. Make it easy on yourself.

Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 10/22/2000 By Joyce M. Tice Email Joyce M. Tice You are the  visitor since the counter was installed on 12 JUNE 2004