Caskey Families of Sussex County, New Jersey And Orange County, New York By: William J. Coulter 1955 This history is dedicated to the late Harry L. Caskey of Port Jervis, NY, well known in his day as a member of the firm of Scoonover and Caskey, later H.L. Caskey, Clothiers at Pike & Front Streets; The original firm was George Schoonover and Jacob Kalmbach. Harry L. Caskey was Past Master of Port Jervis Lodge No. 328 F. and A. M. and district Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Orange and Rockland District, when I took my final degree in Hoffman Lodge No. 412 on November 19, 1918. In discussing the Caskey family of Sussex County, NJ, we wish to point out the first settlers by what name as far back as 1776: 1. Peter Caskey who owned a farm and fulling mill at what is Hacketstown, Independence Twp., NJ. 2. Robert Caskey and Jane Todd, his wife, in Oxford Twp., NY adjoining. She was a sister of Major Todd of Revolutionary fame. 3. John Caskey, SR and wife Mary (Decker?) at or near Deckertown, now Sussex Co., NJ. 4. Samuel Caskey who married Sarah Decker, a descendent of the Deckertown Decker’s and lived at Port Jervis, NY. First: We will discuss the descendants of John Caskey, SR and wife Mary. By checking the deed records at Newton, NJ we obtained a good basic list of their children, as follows: 1. Thomas Caskey married probably first, Lidea Hopkins and second Cornelia Haynes, at least the records so indicate. 2. John Caskey, JR married Elizabeth Westfall, d/o Benjamin Westfall and Charlotte Middaugh. See Westbrook Family. 3. Robert Caskey married Leah Masterson. 4. Margaret Caskey who left a son Alvah Caskey. 5. Mary Caskey married William Meeker of Smithsville Twp., Chenango Co., NY. 6. Jane Caskey married Joseph Buchanan, SR. 7. Sarah Caskey, w/o John Z. Drake. 8. Samuel Caskey married Leah Potter 10 Sep 1810. The deed records don’t connect him up but it appears that he is a son. 1. Thomas Caskey, s/o John SR, married First, as per page 277 of the Dutch Reformed Church of Minisink, 19 Dec 1790 to Lidea Hopkins. Married second per the Sussex County Marriage records, by Rev. Moses Swayze, 13 Oct 1813 to Cornelia Haynes. Since we do not have any dates on his children we can not tell which wife was the mother of the various children. (**My note-It has been proven that the above mentioned Thomas was only married once to Cornelia Haynes. Thomas had a cousin name Thomas who married a Lydia Hopkins 19 Dec 1790. This cousin is the s/o John SR’s brother, Robert Caskey. All the children below are Thomas & Cornelia’s children**) They were: A. Henry Caskey married Maria Scofield of Wantage, 8 Apr 1838, see Newton Marriage Records, they had 12 children. Place of residence- Minnesota ? B. Crowell Caskey married Mary Ann Swayze-had 6 children; see later sketch. C. Ellen Caskey married Mr. Kingsley-no children. D. Temperance Caskey married a Mr. Smith-no children E. James Caskey married Sarah Rowley-2 daughters and a son. F. John Caskey married Grace Kingsley-no children G. Amanda Caskey married Mr. Townsend-4 children H. Benjamin Caskey married Maria Brack, d/o John & Maria Brack-6 children; see later sketch I. Ann Caskey married Hyde Crocker-2 daughters; see History- Biographical of N. S. Penn Mrs. Emma C. Speidel wrote on 25 Sep 1935, wrote: I am enclosing the names of the members of my father’s family, his brothers and sisters, as nearly as I remember them-also his children and grandchildren. My grandfather, Thomas Caskey-who is Amos Caskey’s great grandfather (of Middletown-Judge Caskey)- moved to Minnesota in the 1850’s and part of the family remained there; but my father, Benjamin Caskey, returned east in 1863 and located in Port Jervis (where No. 3 Reservoir is now). Amos Caskey’s father was my first cousin. Your cousin, Harry Caskey, was a pupil of mine when I taught the Cahoonzie school in 1885 (Uncle Forge was living on Uncle Robert’s place at the time). I knew your father and mother very well indeed, also your stepmother was our neighbor. (Martin Osterhout owned the adjoining farm to the Caskey’s) We have been living in Washington, DC for 42 years, but have leased our home there temporarily, and are staying in our winter home in Florida. B. Crowell Caskey, son of Thomas Caskey, married Mary Ann Swazey. He was born 4 May 1817. His mother was Cornelia Haynes. Mary was born 20 Dec 1822 and died 29 Apr 1891. They were married 13 Mar 1841. Mary was the daughter of Gabriel Swazey born 27 Mar 1797 in Sussex Co., NJ who married 8 Jul 1820 in Sussex Co., NJ, by the Rev. Mr. Oslar, to Margaret E. Carman born 29 Jun 1805 in Middlesex Co., NJ. The children of Crowell and Mary Ann were: a. Floyd Winslow Caskey born 19 Nov 1848. He married a Miss Little who had a brother, Guy Little. b. Daniel Henry Caskey born 2 Apr 1851 and died 14 Nov 1855. c. Gabriel Dwight Caskey born 7 Oct 1855 and died 1 Mar 1859. d. Herman Monroe Caskey born 4 Jul 1855 and married a Miss Ryerson. She was daughter of Amos Ryerson of Wawayanda Twp., Orange co. near Middletown. e. Mary Ella Caskey born 10 Sep 1857 and died 11 Apr 1877. f. Anna Belle Caskey born 10 Sep 1859 and died 20 Nov 1869. g. Ulysses Grant Caskey born 27 Mar 1863. h. Amos Caskey, farmer and local Judge, married Miss Hopkins, d/o Mr. Mark Hopkins the brilliant engineer, member of the firm of Hopkins & Fellows, later the Ideal Wrapping Mael Inc. Company, developer of much milk machinery for Borden’s Condensed Milk Company, and the inventor of a stabilizer for large ships. He received very little credit for his work, much to my disgust, I worked with both he and his son in the Borden Company. Mr. & Mrs. Amos Caskey had one son, Robert Caskey, who was in one of my Sunday School classes, a brilliant lad, attended Purdue University and graduated about 1940 in Chemical Engineering, the last I knew he was teaching. I am not aware of his present whereabouts. The Amos Caskey home on the farm in Dolsentown, the house cornerstone, reads 1793, walls were 24”, the sizes of the boards in the partitions are 27”, sizes of boards in the door 26”, the peep holes in the door between the rooms are a memory of the Masonic Meetings held there long years ago. At that time the front of the house was the rear and the present rear the front of the house, this was due to changes in the road, over the years. The Old Maple rope bed has been in the Caskey family many years. The 131 acre farm belonged originally to the Moore Family, Wilmot Moore born 2 Dec 1769, s/o David Moore and Mary Mapes, the grandson of David Moore and Hepzibah Wilmot. Crowell Adams Caskey learned the blacksmith trade in Deckertown-Sussex co., NJ. He had a shop on the left hand side below the road. He and his sons were the earliest shippers of milk to New York City. The cans were not rinsed until they got back to the farm where they had a lead pipe running into the can room tub. There an old lady cleaned the cans. Imagine the milk companies doing anything like that now. They would be put out of business. They shipped from 7 ½ station below the bridge on the Erie. H. Benjamin Caskey, s/o Thomas, married Maria Brack who was born in London, England4Feb 1837, he was born 1829 in Sussex Co., NJ. So his mother was Cornelia Haynes, the second marriage. Their Children: a. Cornelia Ann Caskey born in St. Paul, Minn 28 Oct 1862 b. Lizzie Maria Caskey born in Port Jervis, NY 14 Jun 1863, married 1 Jan 1889 to Robert D. Smith of Newton, Conn. Their Children: i. Benjamin Day Smith married Myrtle unknown of Schenectady, NY-3 children; Emma Elizabeth, Arthur & Robert Smith ii. Horace Arthur Smith married Hazel Hopkins of Newton, Conn-children; Frances, Horace & Donald Smith. iii. Alice Cornelia Smith-unmarried. c. Emma Caskey born 19 Apr 1866 at Port Jervis, NY, married George Speidel 21 May 1889 at Sparrow Bush, NY. They had 4 Children i. Dr. Carl Caskey Speidel (PhD) married Margaret Knowles 20 Jun 1920 at Falls Church, VA. No children-they live at University, VA. He is or was one of the outstanding research nerve specialists of the U. S.—some of our readers may recall the full column article in the NY Times back in the 1930’s when he received the $1,000 award from one of the medical societies for his outstanding research work that year. ii. Dr. Francis George Speidel married Winifred Pritlove 1 Jan 1917 at Washington D.C. She lives at 4838-16th St., NW Washington D.C. He died while we were in Washington. I have his obituary somewhere in my effects. There children: Dorothy Jean Speidel, the ??. Speidel, Muriel R. Speidel, Robert Speidel, Frances Winifred Speidel iii. Frederick C. Speidel married Esther Graham 2 Jan 1922 at Washington D.C., Their children: F. Graham Speidel, William E. Speidel of 5604-16th Ave., Chillum, James G. Speidel of Luttrell Rd., Fairfax, VA. iv. George Benjamin Speidel married Daisy Mae Moser 23 Dec 1922, Washington D.C. Lives 2205-40th Place, NW Washington D.C. Their children: Betty Grace died 1 May 1926 & Rodney Christopher Speidel. d. Grace Elvina Caskey was born in Sparrow Bush 23 Apr 1871, died 13 Sep 1928, married Dr. W. E. Cotton Sep 1928 in Washington D.C. Their children: Cornelia M. Cotton-unmarried, Edwin R. Cotton & John Caskey Cotton-unmarried. Edwin R. Cotton married Eleanor unknown of Buffalo, NY and had twin daughters, Mary & Grace Cotton and one son, William E. Cotton. e. Alice Gertrude Caskey was born in Port Jervis 10 Dec 1867 and died 10 Mar 1890 f. John Benjamin Caskey was born 4 Nov 1872 and married Nellie Isley of Buffalo, NY. They had three children-Mildred Caskey who married and had one son; Gertrude Caskey who married and had two sons; Grace Caskey who married and had one son. Names not known. ------This completes the information sent to us by Emma Caskey Speidel.------ 2. John Caskey, JR, the s/o John Caskey, SR & Marry, married Elizabeth Westfall, d/o Benjamin Westfall & Charlotte Middaugh and the granddaughter of Cap’t Wilhelmus Westfall & Margaret Hayne-see Westbrook Family, Vol. Pages B-15 and BH 101- 9 Jun 1799-See records of Clove Dutch Reformed Church of Wantage, NJ- Their children were: A. Amos Caskey born 3 May 1799, baptized 9th of June. B. Benjamin Caskey born 14 Nov 1801, baptized 9 May 1802. C. Margaret Caskey born 24 Feb 1804, baptized 12th of August. D. William Caskey born 2 Jan 1807, baptized 1 Jul 1810. E. Charlotte Caskey born 3 Apr 1809, baptized 1 Jul 1810. At Newton, NJ, Book P3, page 122-Amos Caskey, Benjamin Caskey, William Caskey, Joshua Cole and Charlotte his wife of Wantage & John Myers and Margaret his wife of Minisink, Orange Co. as the children and heirs of their mother Elizabeth Caskey, deceased Newton Marriage Records: 1 May 1831 John Myres of Minisink, NY to Peggy Caskey of Wantage, NJ 23 Feb 1832 Amos Caskey of Wantage, NJ to Yolance Appleman of same place. 3. Robert Caskey, s/o John Caskey, SR and Mary, married Leah Masterson 15 Sep 1799. Robert was born 11 Mar 1773 and died 24 Apr 1855. Leah was born 11 Jan 1782 and died 9 May 1856. Their children were: A. Mary Caskey born 4 Nov 1800. She married 13 Dec 1827 to Stephen B. Travis. She married a second time to a Mr. Jackson. Mary died 10 Nov 1863 B. Hila Caskey was born 25 Oct 1804 and died 4 Jul 1854. She married 4 Dec 1824 to Samuel B. Smith, see page 280 of the Dutch Reformed Church Records. He had a lumber yard and built canal boats, his granddaughter thought it was at or near Sparrow Bush. Hila Caskey Smith died at Port Jervis when the granddaughter was 3 months old. Their Children: a. Charles Smith born 12 Oct 1825, died 16 Nov 1826 b. Sarah Smith born 2 Jul 1827, died 27 Dec 1830 c. James Smith born 31 Aug 1829, died 15 Sep 1830 d. Adaline Smith born 30 Jul 1830 married in Port Jervis to Ryerson Hull Stewart 1 Jun 1851. She died in Elmira, NY 13 Feb 1899 Children were: 1. Hila Estelle Stuart born Apr 1854. She married at her home in Elmira, NY 21 Dec 1882 to William Horace Stowell, by Rev. Thomas Beecher, brother of the famous Minister, Henry Ward Beecher. Their Children: a. William Stuart Stowell born 15 Sep 1883. He married in NY City 11 Feb 1931 to Erna Engesser Laubly. He was a Cornell graduate, class of 1907, rowed four years in the Cornell Grow under coach Courtney. b. Ruth Stowell born 4 May 1890. Graduated from Vassar College, class of 1913. She married at their home in Elmira to Claire Woodworth Hardy. Their children born in Warren, PA-Anne Hardy born 10 Mar 1918; Margaret Gaylo Hardy born 11 Jul 1919 e. Henry Smith born 18 Jan 1834, died 9 May 1896. A native of Port Jervis and for many years a conductor on the Erie. He died at his home in Wellsboro, PA 2 May 1896 (notice discrepancies) aged 62 years. He was born in Carpenters Point. His father at one time operated the grist mill (on the Canal) now owned by Henry Sharp and built the present residence of Mrs. Geo. Malven. He was in the employ of the Erie many years as a conductor, about 1878 went to Wellsboro and engaged in the livery business. He married Helen Everitt a sister of Mrs. D? R. Ennis formerly of Port Jervis. He leaves a wife and a daughter. He also leaves a son I think. He also leaves a sister Ann, wife of Robert Knox, a sister Adaline, wife of ex-conductor Ryerson H. Stuart of Elmira and Amanda, wife of A. E. Benson of Kingston, Supt. Of the Delaware & Ulster Railroad. Interment to be at Horseheads, NY f. Ann Smith married Robert Knox and died at Monticello, NY 1 May 1905 g. Mary Ellen Smith married Jahiel Allen h. Amanda Smith married Austin Benson. C. James Caskey was born 22 Jan 1810 and married 15 Dec 1831 to Ann Drake, d/o Nathan Drake & Susan Alder-see Coulter sketch for her ancestry. Their Children: a. George Caskey born 24 Sep 1832 b. Erastus Caskey born 25 Jul 1834. He married 9 Jun 1857 at Lake Geneva, WI by Rev. Barrett to Sarah Lydia Barney. She was born 9 Feb 1839. He died 31 Dec 1897 at Burlington, WI. Buried at Lake Geneva. Their Children: 1. Alice Caskey born 16 Mar 1858 at Lake Geneva and died 11 Apr 1899 2. George Barney Caskey born 10 Jul 1860 at Sparrow Bush, NY and died 26 Jan 1919 at Chicago. He is buried at Lake Geneva He married 10 Apr 1890 at Richmond, IL by Rev. Cross to Ann Laura Earing who was born 9 Oct 1868 at English Prairie near Richmond. She was still living in 1935 Their Children: a. Hazel Grace Caskey born 25 Jun 1891 at Richmond, IL. She married 19 Oct 1909 at 28 Ogden Ave., Chicago by Rev. Percival Barker to Arlington Merle Youngs who was born 3 Jul 1881 at Spring Green, WI. He died 21 Nov 1932 and buried at Burlington, WI, s/o Anthony Frank Youngs & Lydia Prouty. They had two daughters- Dorothy Youngs born 16 Jul 1910 at Jackson, MI and married George William Daniel 28 Mar 1928 at Beaver Dam, WI by Father Rohrer at St. Peter’s Church; Margaret Ann Youngs born 27 Jan 1919 at Chicago and lived with her mother Hazel Caskey Youngs. In 1940 she was a secretary and was at a lumber convention in Pennsylvania and she talked with the folks in Port Jervis by telephone. c. Marsene Caskey married Nellie Smith of Monticello, NY. Both are dead and buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Jervis. d. Corson D. Caskey (Coe) born 14 Apr 1840 and is buried at Sparrow Bush, NY. Married I think Libbie Taggatt. e. Albert Caskey born ??. He married Hannah and lived at Rockford, IL. They had a son Clarence and a daughter Cora. Clarence was at Uncle Maurice’s funeral. He married a widow and had no children. We heard he died before 1940. Cora was married and Aunt Hannah lived with her. f. Laforge Caskey married Sarah Coulter-see Coulter sketch-at 3257 Rudy Road, Harrisburg, PA Their Children were: 1. Harry L. Caskey born 1877 and died 1932. He married Blanche Carley and they had one son, Harry L. Caskey born 1904, married 1929 Bernice G. Brewster, d/o Myron T. Brewster of Lake Placid, NY and granddaughter of Jackson Brewtser, a direct descendent of William Brewster who came on the Mayflower. g. Morris Caskey (Maurice Shultz Caskey) born 12 Nov 1859 in Sparrow Bush, NY and died 26 Nov 1924 at Beloit, WI. He married 1882 at Rockford, IL to Mary A. Flavin who was born 4 Jan 1860 and died 26 Aug 1937 at Beloit, WI. Their children: 1. Charles Terwilliger Caskey born 4 Oct 1885 at Woodstock, IL and married 25 Apr 1912 at Rockford, IL to Maude Esther Horigan. They have a son, Robert Earl Caskey who was born 29 Jan 1913 at Beloit, WI. 2. Earl James Caskey born 6 Aug 1891 at Woodstock, IL and married 2 Apr 1924 at Pekin, IL to Florence Evelyn Taft. They had three daughter born in Beloit, WI; Mary Margaret Caskey b. 30 Jan 19125; Jean Taft Caskey b. 22 Mar 1927; Anne Elizabeth Caskey b. 10 Jun 1933. We believe Earl J. Caskey was a Lawyer. h. Lorinda Caskey never married and is deceased. i. Sarah Caskey born 3 Jul 1846 and died 2 May 1922. She married 13 Oct 1875 to Charles I. Terwilliger, the well known undertaker of Port Jervis for many years. They had one son, Fred Terwilliger born 17 Sep 1876 who married 10 Oct 1906 to Eva Westbrook, who was or is the first Woman President of a chamber of commerce in the US and currently President of the Minisink Valley Historical Society since about 1950. Fred Terwilliger has continued the business founded by his father. j. Kate Caskey was born unknown and married William Conrow and lived in Dryden, NY and had one son., William Conrow. They are all deceased. k. Susan Caskey never married and is deceased. D. Sarah Caskey was born 15 Sep 1815 and died 5 Mar 1846. She married 22 Oct 1836 to John Caskey, s/o Martin and Jane Middaugh Caskey-see his branch. Their Children: a. Milton Caskey born 1 Apr 1838 b. James M. Caskey born 17 Aug 1840 c. Clark Caskey born 7 May 1843. He married Emily Hazen, d/o Mr. & Mrs. James Hazen of Carpenter’s Point, Port Jervis, NY. They had two sons. She died about Oct 1893. Their children: 1. Harry Caskey married Miss Hanners and had one daughter who died at age 11. 2. Albert Caskey married Ida Penney who is still living. He died 1904 in Port Jervis, NY. They had two sons- Russell Caskey who graduated from Port Jervis High. He married Edna Coulter. He retired from the Westinghouse Elec. Co. several years ago. They have one daughter, Ellen Caskey who is a teacher. Their second son is Clark Caskey who married and lives in Burlington, VT. They had three daughters, one who died at age 18. One that married and lives at Springfield, MA and have 2 children aged 3 & 5. Last who married a teacher and are moving to Springfield, MA. She is a nurse. d. Sarah Jane Caskey born 25 Oct 1845 and died 24 Apr 1846. The following is the record of the family Bible. Robert Caskey born 11 Mar 1773 Leah Caskey born 13 Jan 1782 Mary Caskey born 4 Nov 1800 on Tuesday Hila Caskey born 25 Oct 1804 on Thursday James Caskey born 22 Jan 1810 on Monday Sarah Caskey born 15 Sep 1815 on Friday Charles Smith born 12 Oct 1825 on Wednesday Sarah Smith born 2 Jul 1827 on Monday James Smith born 31 Aug 1829 on Monday Adaline Smith born 30 Jul 1831 on Saturday Henry Smith born 18 Jan 1834 on Saturday Abigail Ann Smith born 4 Feb 1836 on Thursday Marriages: Robert & Lea Caskey married 15 Sep 1799 Samuel B. Smith and Hilah Caskey married 4 Dec 1824 Stephen B. Travis and Mary Caskey married 13 Dec 1827 James Caskey and Sarah Caskey married 22 Oct 1836 Births: George Caskey born 24 Sep 1832-Monday Erastus Caskey born 25 Jul 1834-Friday Milton Caskey born 1 Apr 1838 James M. Caskey born 17 Aug 1840 Clark Caskey born 7 Apr 1843 Sarah Jane Caskey born 25 Oct 1845 Corson D. Caskey was born in Sparrow Bush 14 Apr 1840 on Friday Deaths: Charles Smith died 16 Nov 1826 aged 1 year, 1 month & 4 days James Smith departed this life 15 Sep 1830 aged 1 year & 13 days Sarah Smith departed this life 27 Dec 1830 aged 3 years, 5 months & 25 days Hilah Smith departed this life 4 Jul 1854 4. Margaret Caskey, d/o John SR, was born unknown and died about 1855. She left all her property to her son, Alva Caskey who was born 1797 and died 1887. Alvah married Melinda Dewitt 16 Nov 1828. He married a second time to Martha Wilson who was d/o Samuel Wilson. Her relatives were Mrs. Catherine J. Wilson Lawrence; Thomas L. Wilson; Isaac Wilson; Peter Wilson; James C. Wilson; Elizabeth Wilson; Sarah Wilson-see book W-3, page 303 at Newton, NJ. Alvah’s children: 1. Theodore Caskey who died young. 2. John Caskey 1847-1925. He married Jenny Wilson who was born 1872 and died 1928. They had no children 3. Wilson Alvah Caskey born 1845 and died 1910. He married Algenette Swarts who was born 1846 and died 1929. Their children: a. Peter J. Caskey born 1873 and married Lillian Perry Their children: 1. Algenette Caskey 1896-1942. Married Richard Stacy and had a son, Richard Stacy born 22 Jun 1920 who married Elizabeth Kaiser and a daughter, Mildred Stacy born 17 Sep 1924. b. Adelbert Wilson Caskey 1867-1945 married Harriett Amelia Eyster and married second to Florence Brott. The latter’s children; a son, Wilson Alvah Caskey born 1892 and married Lillian Augustus Schoenfeld and had a daughter born 21 May 1921. They had another son, Delson Alvah Caskey born 1917. We corresponded with him at 35 Hale Ave, Brooklyn, NY 4. Margaret Caskey died young 5. Mary Jane Caskey who married Addison Clark and had a son, Alva Clark. 6. Jane Caskey, d/o John SR & Mary, married Joseph Buchanan SR. They had two children whose names we have and two we do not. 4 children in all 1. Martin Buchanan. 2. Joseph Buchanan, JR