FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
GRACE E. CHAMBERLAIN
3rd of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam
Born: Sep 1, 1851, Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Died: May 6, 1936 (age 84) in Fairport, Monroe Co., New York; fracture of right femur from a fall, general arteriosclerosis
Buried: May 8, 1936, Wyoming (Village) Cemetery in Wyoming, Wyoming Co., New York with her parents Harrison & Caroline Chamberlain
Religion: Baptist
Occupation: Nurse
Never married
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Timeline and Records
Five children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam:
1. Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin
1845 – 1905
2. Adelaide “Addie” Chamberlain
1848 – 1935
3. Grace E. Chamberlain
1851 – 1936
4. Adah Melissa Chamberlain
1858 – 1927
5. Irene Anna Chamberlain
1866 – 1902
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Sep 22, 1845: Birth of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin, 1st of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Feb 18, 1848: Birth of Adelaide “Addie” Chamberlain, 2nd of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Sep 1, 1851: Birth of Grace E. Chamberlain, 3rd of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Feb 23, 1858: Birth of Adah Melissa Chamberlain, 4th of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Jul 7, 1860: Federal Census for Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York:
H. Chamberlain: age 48, M, Farmer, Value of Real Estate $5,000, Value of Personal Estate $1,600, born New York
Caroline: age 38, F, born New York
Finley Chamberlin: age 15, M, born New York
Adalade: age 13, F, born New York
Grace E.: age 8, F, born New York
Ada: age 2, F, born New York
Julius Palmater: age 17, M Farmer Hand, born New York
Nancy Chamberlin: age 82, F, born Connecticut (Nancy (Pigsley) Seekins Chamberlain is Harrison’s stepmother)
Aug 15, 1866: Birth of Irene Anna Chamberlain, 5th of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York
Jun 24, 1870: Federal Census for Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York:
Chamberland, Harrison: age 56, farmer, value of real estate $6250, value of personal property $680, born New York (Chamberlain)
Caroline: age 46, keeping house, born New York
Grace: age 19, at home, born New York
Ada: age 11, attends school, born New York
Irene: age 3, born New York
Nov 21, 1877: Death of Caroline (Van Surdam) Chamberlain (age 54), mother of Grace E. Chamberlain, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York. Caroline is buried in the Village Cemetery in Middlebury.
Jun 8, 1880: Federal Census for Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York:
Chamberlain, Harrison: age 68, widow, farmer, born in New York, father born N.H., mother born Conn
Grace: age 27, daughter, single, keeping house, born New York, father born New York, mother born Mass
Ada: age 22, daughter, single, at home, born New York, father born New York, mother born Mass
Irene: age 13, daughter, single, at home, born New York, father born New York, mother born Mass
Sep 22, 1890: Death of Harrison Chamberlain (age 78), the father of Grace E. Chamberlain, in Wyoming, Wyoming Co., New York. Harrison is buried with his wife, Caroline, in the Village Cemetery in Wyoming, Wyoming Co., New York. This appears to be a replacement headstone for Grace’s parents as her name is included with last two digits of her death date filled when she passed.
Jun 1, 1900: Federal Census for Williamston Township, Ingham Co., Michigan:
Kinne, George A.: Head, born Apr 1868, age 32, married 2 years, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born Michigan
Anna I: Wife, born Aug 1868, age 31, married 2 years, no children born, no children living, born New York, father born New York, mother born New York
Chamberlin, Grace E.: Servant, born Sept 1853, age 46, single, born New York, father born New York, mother born New York, occupation nurse (Chamberlain)
Note: Grace is Irene’s unmarried older sister. Anna is ready to give birth to her 1st child and Grace may be staying with them to help. The child, Grace, is born in June 1900 and dies at birth.
Apr 22, 1905: State Census for Rochester City (Ward 6), Monroe Co., New York:
Cory, Edson L.: head, male, age 46, born U.S. bookkeeper
Adah M.: wife, age 46, female, born U.S., mother born New York, house work
Seward E.: son, age 18, male, born U.S., at school
Chamberlain, Grace: sister-in-law, female, age 52, born U.S., nurse (Chamberlain)
Apr 22, 1910: Federal Census for Rochester City, Monroe Co., New York:
Cory, Edson L.: Head, age 51, married 1 time, married 28 years, born Wisconsin, father born Vermont, mother born New York, accountant, owns
Adah M.: Wife, age 52, married 1 time, married 28 years, 2 children born, 1 child living, born New York, father born New York, mother born New York
Seward E.: son, age 23, single, born New York, father born Wisconsin, mother born New York, assembler, telephone mfg
Chamberlin, Grace E.: sister-in-law, age 56, single, born New York, father born NY, mother born NY (Chamberlain)
1916: The Village of Wyoming (which lies within the town of Middlebury in Wyoming County) becomes incorporated
1920 Federal Census: have not located Grace in the 1920 census
Apr 8, 1930: Federal Census for Perinton, Monroe Co., New York (Baptist Home):
Chamberlain, Grace E.: Inmate, age 76, single, born NY, father born New York, mother born New York
May 6, 1936: Death of Grace E. Chamberlain (age 84), the 3rd child of 5 children of Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Surdam, in the Fairport Baptist home for aged in (Perinton) Fairport, Monroe Co., New York; of a fracture of right femur and general arteriosclerosis. Grace is buried with her parents, in the Wyoming (Village) Cemetery in Wyoming, Wyoming County, New York.
Note: Grace’s death certificate and headstone reflect she was born in 1851
The Harrison Chamberlain family bible states Grace was born in 1853
1860 census reflects birth abt 1852 (age 8)
1870 census reflects birth abt 1851 (age 19)
1880 census reflects birth abt 1852 (age 27)
1900 census reflects birth Sep 1853 (age 46)
1905 census reflects she was age 52
1910 census reflects she was age 56
1920 (not found in census records)
1930 census reflects she was age 76
May 7, 1936: Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester, Monroe Co., New York (pg 28):
CHAMBERLAIN — At the Baptist Home, Fairport, N.Y., May 6, 1936, Grace E. Chamberlain, aged 84 years. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the home, Fairport, Friday morning, at 11 o’clock: interment in Wyoming, N.Y.
Note: Grace lived in the Baptist Home for the Aged in Fairport, Monroe Co., New York for 14 years prior to her death (1922 to 1936)
May 8, 1936: Burial of Grace E. Chamberlain, in the Wyoming (Village) Cemetery in Wyoming, Wyoming Co., New York along with her parents Harrison Chamberlain & Caroline Van Surdam. Grace presumably had the headstone erected—awaiting her own death—as the last two numerals of her death date appear to be added after the original carving of the headstone.
May 13, 1936: Wyoming County Reporter, Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York:
MISS GRACE E. CHAMBERLAIN
Once more the community has been called upon to say farewell to one of the few remaining older residents of Wyoming, in the passing of Miss Grace E. Chamberlain, May 6, 1936, being in her eighty-fifth year. She was born in Middlebury township September 1, 1851, being the daughter of Harrison and Caroline (Surdam) Chamberlain and entered the better life at the Baptist Home in Fairport, N.Y.
Her entire early life was spent in or near the vicinity or her birth, on the farm settled by her grandfather, Reuben Chamberlain. In 1802, he being one of the first settlers in the Holland purchase. She received her education in the district schools, and the old Middlebury Academy. She could recall much of the early history of Wyoming and LeRoy as related by their uncle, Hinds Chamberlain, pioneer of LeRoy, who was a frequent visitor at her father’s home.
Those who knew her esteemed her as woman of superior natural endowments and moral culture. In her profession of nursing she gained the affection of those to whom she ministered. Her memory is still cherished by those remaining with us who knew her many years ago. She was conscientious and sincere in her beliefs, strong in integrity and in religion a devout Baptist.
About fourteen years ago she entered the Baptist Home in Fairport, and in its pleasant environment, its spiritual and cultural atmosphere, she spent her last days, and was tenderly ministered to. She was a valued and useful member of the Home, always active in its various functions. It could truly be said she was active in every good work.
Of her lineage it may be said she was a direct descendant of Isaac Allerton of the Mayflower. She was a great granddaughter of Reverend Henry Chamberlain an early Baptist minister of Orwell and Panton, Vermont, and Capt. Ebenezer Sumner of Wells, Vermont, both soldiers of the American Revolution. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, an aged sister having passed away during the last year.
Her body was brought to Wyoming for burial May 8, and placed beside those of her Father and mother to await the resurrection morn.
Not for the pious dead we weep;
Their sorrows now are o’er.
The sea is calm, the tempest past,
On that eternal shore.
Their peace is sealed, their rest is sure,
Within the better home;
Awhile we weep and linger here,
Then follow to the tomb.
Feb 15, 1940: Letter from Mrs. Grace E. Chamberlain to her cousin, Fred Chamberlin, son of Finley “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily Hoy:
#166 Grant Ave. East
Highland Park, Michigan
February 15th, 1940
Mr. Fred L. Chamberlain-
#343 East Gage Street,
Los Angeles, California.
Dear “Cousin”:-
For a long time I have been interested in writing up my Chamberlain family history, or at least genealogy, and locating all the members I could for the rather voluminous “family tree.” Your branch have been rather difficult to corral, and as is usual, one waits to get these family details till all have passed on who might have given aid.
I should say we are straight second cousins. Our grandfathers were brothers. You come from Harrison, and I from his brother Orson. I have often heard my father speak of his Cousin Finley, and I believe they occasionally wrote each other as boys. If I can find an old letter of your father’s I will inclose it. I know I did see some in my father’s old papers.
I had the pleasure of being quite well acquainted with your Aunt Grace, who only died quite recently, and with your Aunt Addie Kinne, whom I greatly admired. She too has been gone just a short time. I did have lovely obituaries of both these aunts and if I can find one will include it. But in all these talks with them, I tried to get their memories to go farther back than your father, so asked few questions about Finley’s family, though I did have the names of his children.
We are quite a tribe, and most of our ancestors were extremely worthy of emulation. I found we had plenty of Revolutionary ancestors. Both the Elder Henry Chamberlain, father of Reuben, who was the father of Harrison, and also Capt. Ebenezer Sumner, who was the father of Mary Sumner, the wife of Reuben C. were Revolutionary soldiers. I got all the proof, and was readily accepted. Then in going back, I found that we have a direct Mayflower lineage. I also joined this, and submitted proof, so that would know it was all authentic. They are very particular but we made the grade all right. I am delighted to pass onto you so fine a lineage and if any of you ever want to join any of these societies – I will be glad to tell you more about it. In these days, with every alien well organized, I think it might be well if we Americans were a little more conscious of our Americanism. I became quite interested, and have used it as a hobby, doing all my family lines. I think it appealed to me more because I was born a Chamberlain, and married a Chamberlain and often wondered about possible relationship. We have different emigrant ancestors: Then behold my amazement to find that our ancestor the Rev. Henry Chamberlain of Vermont, had done the same thing- he had married an Abigail Chamberlain, so I had to trace her out, and she has still a different emigrant ancestor. Whether these C’s were related before coming from England, I do not know.
I wrote up my notes for a little genealogical magazine our society gets out, and as I had extra pages, am sending you a full set, not exactly full either, for our gt. grand father Reuben Chamberlain had two wives, and in a later edition I added the descendants of the second wife. But you and I come through the first wife, Mary Sumner.
I have spent several lovely vacations in and around Wyoming, N.Y., locating old graves, records, etc, and have come to know the family of Amos Chamberlain very well. He was a splendid man, and he too was quite interested in the family tree. He just died last year, but his widow and sons live in the community still. I found the old obituary of our great grandfather Reuben, and you see he was an early settler there. This Amos Chamberlain was the grandson of Luther Chamberlain, an older brother of Harrison.
Lest I give you too big a dose of family matters at one setting, I will not write more now, but leave you to digest the outline I am sending. My idea was to write up the family of Henry Chamberlain, Sr. of Westmoreland, N.H. and his wife Susannah Hinds. It was some undertaking! What a lot of writing and researching I did. I have also visited the old ancestral home on Westmoreland, N.H., and all the places in Vermont where our Rev. Henry Chamberlain preached. He was a Baptist minister.
If your mother is living, I suppose she has heard of Hinds Chamberlain, who was the first settler in LeRoy, N.Y. I have rounded up all his family, the graves, ect. He was uncle to Reuben, tho’ there wasn’t much difference in their ages. Maybe you never knew where your father got his name- Finley of Findley. Well—–this Hinds Chamberlain married the widow McLaren. She had two children, a girl and a boy, by her first husband Malcom McLaren. The boy was named Finley McLaren. I suppose Hinds Chamberlin raised him – in fact I know he did, and Hinds C. used to go out to see Reuben and Harrison, and Harrison thought this little McLaren boy was the finest youngster ever, so he later named his own son Finley McLaren Chamberlin. Addie told me this. But the old Genesee and Wyoming county histories mention the McLarens, as Scotch, and coming from Scotland about the time Hinds C. settled in LeRoy.
Now I wish you would take some time off, and write me a big letter, tell me the names, dates of birth, etc, of your brothers and sisters, who they married, etc. Also I wish I knew more about your father’s life, after he came out of the army. This Amos C. used to have your Aunt Grace come and visit them, and she told him more of your fathers life, but I do not know it. And feel free if you are interested, to ask me anything you care to about the others. Your first cousin Bert Kinne lives in Spokane, Wash. and your first cousin Elliott Kinne (this is your aunt Irene’s boy) lives in Chicago.
Grace Chamberlain
Letter (undated) from Mrs. Grace E. Chamberlain to her cousin Willard “Joe” Chamberlin or his brother Fred:
You must have a lot of second cousins somewhere on your grandmother Surdam’s side of the family.
Your great grandfather was Seneca Surdam, and his wife was Anna. I submit this data for your family record.
Seneca Surdam was born April 27th, 1790 ) I don’t know where
Ann Surdam ” May 25th, 1790 )
Seneca Surdam died April 13th, 1859 ) I suppose they are buried around
Anna, his wife, died May 8th, 1867 ) Wyoming, N.Y. I never have looked for their graves
Children of Seneca and Anna Surdam, as follows:
Jane born June 4, 1814
Maria ” Oct 22, 1818
Melissa ” July 1, 1820
Caroline ” Jan 4, 1823 This is the one who married your grandfather, Harrison Chamberlain. They are both buried in village cemetery, Wyoming, N.Y. and have markers.
Delia ” Oct 16, 1824
Jane ” May 26, 1826
Morgan ” Nov 28, 1829
Younglove ” Feb 24, 1830
Freelove ” Feb 14, 1831
Malina ” May 8, 1832
George ” Sept 11, 1834
Quite a sizeable family! I don’t know if any one of this name still lives around Wyoming. I assume not, for I never heard either your aunt Grace or Aunt Adah speak of any such relation. Your Aunt Grace never married‚ I think lived to be 88. Think to ask me to show her your obituary. I have one of both Addie and Grace. Aunt Grace died in a Baptist home for the aged in the suburbs of Rochester, N.Y.— Fairport, where she lived for many years. She was brought back to be buried with her father and mother, Harrison and Caroline, there in Wyoming, but at the time of the funeral I did not hear of her having any relatives present except on the Chamberlain side. Yet you see she must have had Surdam relatives a plenty.
Your father’s middle name is MacLaren. He was named for Finley McLaren, a Scotchman. The first Finley MacLaren married Betsy Stewart (or Elizabeth, I suppose). I think they were married in Scotland. Came to the vicinity of LeRoy, had two children, Finley MacLaren and Helen Mary MacLaren, when their father died— one of the earliest deaths in that vicinity. His widow soon married Hinds Chamberlain, and these children were raised by him as his own. They used to visit at Reuben C’s, and Harrison C (your grandfather) thought this MacLaren boy the finest he ever knew, and gave that name later to his only son, and according to the girls nearly always called him by both names, i.e. Finley MacLaren.
Note: This letter was written to Fred Chamberlin or Willard “Joe” Chamberlin (the sons of Finley & Emily) from Grace Chamberlain, a descendent of Orson Sumner Chamberlain, the brother of Harrison Chamberlain.
Note: Seneca Surdam died in Middlebury, Wyoming County, New York
Note: Originally the name was Van Surdam, and at some point during Seneca or Reuben’s generation, the Van was dropped from usage.
Joe Chamberlin
Jan 16, 1944: Letter (excerpt) from Mrs. Grace Chamberlain (a distant cousin of this Grace), to Willard “Joe” Chamberlin:
Jan. 16, 1944
Dear Cousin:-
In going through old papers I come across letters from your aunt Addie. I will inclose some, so that you may sort of get acquainted with her, even at this late date. When she speaks of Middlebury- that is the township in Wyoming co., N.Y. the village of Wyoming is about two miles from Reuben’s old place, is where Harrison, your grandfather was born, and is buried. There was an academy there early, one Jabez Warren was one of the founders. He enters our line, via. his marriage to one Hannah Sumner, she is a sister to Reuben’s wife, Mary Sumner- in other words a brother-in-law of Reuben, and the one with whom he made the trek from Vermont to Western N.Y. in 1601 or 02. You will find much of this Jabez Warren and Hannah Sumner. Jabez was a rev. soldier, and both he and wife are buried in East Aurora, N.Y. just a few miles from Wyoming. In fact Jabez Warren owned 1750 acres of around the present village of East Aurora, later made most famous by the colony of “Roycrofters” under Fra Elbert Hubbard. I just relate this in case you ever go through there, you would want to look it up. To ever get at the C’s I virtually had to run down all their relatives, and it is interesting too, for the son of this Jabez Warren, was the Gen. Warren of the war of 1812, the burning of Buffalo, etc. Both this Gen. Warren and his father Jabez were marked by DAR {their graves} some years ago, and I have write up from Buffalo papers. Father often spoke of his Warren relatives, and I did not know until I went into matters myself, but what he always had reference to Gen. Joseph of Bunker Hill fame.
But to return to this early academy in Wyoming- I think it ranks with our present day high school, being so near Harrison’s farm, it gave his children the privileges of education, that few in rural communities had in those days. All were better educated than the average of their day.
Addie Kinne was a wonderful reader, and a retentive memory, and was a most interesting person. I’m told that at the woman’s club, church meetings, etc. she was an interesting speaker always. Was very blunt in any statement she made, or position she took, and could defend any position she took on any matter. I would say that was a trait in which all of those in my father’s generation shared. She was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and her old home, is immediately adjacent to it, and the church now own and occupy it as a parsonage, which I think was her desire. She was tall and never overweight, had very sharp, piercing dark eyes, and an engaging smile. I think she was better looking perhaps than either of her sisters, Adah or Grace.
Best Wishes,
Grace
Feb 2, 1976: Brighton-Pittsford Post, Pittsford, Monroe County, New York:
Note: The cemetery and headstones pictures are from Find A Grave and are the property of those who photographed them.
2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.