Onondaga County New York Obituaries Extracted From The Northern Christian Advocate, Syracuse, NY, 1888

1888 Obituaries from the Northern Christian Advocate in Syracuse, Onondaga County New York.

TRAVIS, Phebe, Obituary

Phebe Travis, the oldest resident of Steuben Co., quietly fell asleep in death at the home of her daughter Mrs. Hester Ann Hayes, on Travis Creek, town of Canisteo, May 14, 1888, at the remarkable age of 104 years, 4 months and 19 days. Mrs. Travis was born in Dutchess county, Dec. 25, 1783, and was married to Amasa Travis, Dec. 14, 1800. In 1806 they moved to Howard, Steuben Co, and occupied a log house which had only one gable end boarded up, and had no floor except around the fire place. There was no ceiling nor door. Mr. Travis returned to their former home for a load of goods. A quilt was put up for a door and a barrel rolled on the bottom of the quilt to keep it secure. Mrs. Travis remained alone with her babies until her husband's return. During his absence the piercing cries of panthers were heard at night. Mrs. Travis was a woman of great genius and physical energy. She cut and made the coat for Seth Rice, the first supervisor of Howard. Judge Hornell induced her to spin and weave a piece of cloth to compete for the premium at the Bath fair. She made the cloth; it took the premium, and Judge Hornell, in return, made her a present of a two year-old heifer. The descendants of Mrs. Travis became connected by marriage with the families of Richard Crosby and Jeremiah Baker of the Canisteo valley. She taught one of the first schools ever established in this county, in the town of Jasper. The old log school house had neither floor, door, nor windows. Holes were cut to admit air and light and a blanket served as a door. Ten or twelve pupils attended, whom she divided into classes of one each, as there were only two school books to teach from. Her later years passed pleasantly amid thoughts of "ye olden time." Sister Travis was converted when she was about twenty years of age, joined the Methodist Episcopal church and remained a member until her death. She died in the full triumphs of faith in a Heaven beyond. She was buried in the family lot on the farm. J. B. PECK [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Thursday, June 28, 1888, P.7]