All 4 of these cemeteries are in the Town of Maryland which also includes
it's village, Schenevus. From what I understand in talking to those
of the Schenevus Historic Society, it will no longer be a village but,
instead a Hamlet. When this actual change will take place is beyond
me.
The cemetery I've labeled as being "Potato Creek Dip" is
what it would be known as by today's locals. I have been informed by
some researchers that it is usually called "The Spencer Cemetery".
I couldn't tell you since I was told that our Burnsides first owned
that farm. To play it safe, I'd call it the Spencer Cemetery since they
probably held the homestead the longest. On the other hand, I'd call
it "Potato Creek Dip" because anyone looking for it will have
an easier time finding it, if they ask the local residents by using
it's location.
The cemetery across from the church at the crossroads for Cooperstown
Junction, is known as the Burnside Cemetery by some researchers. Again,..
I couldn't tell you even though I was there. I would rather express
location then ownership since no one can really own the dead. Although
it would appear that well over half the families buried there, are Burnsides
&/or related through marriage.
The 2 that are definite (since they both have signs at their entrance
acknowledging definition) are The Maryland Cemetery and The Schenevus
Cemetery. They are all on Route 7.
We spent a total of 5 full days in Maryland, recording information
that spanned from July to August 99. I can't tell you the exact dates
we were there since I don't keep a journal. I do anticipate many return
visits and to frequent Worcester, Colliersville, Westford, Lisbon, Oneonta,
Cooperstown, and itsy bitsy Chaseville (what's left of it). In addition,
I will be returning to these 4 cemeteries.
I am looking for my grandparents: Houghton, Burnside, Dunham, Jersey
and Cook(e), Slater, Frisbie, & Smith. The Smiths (I am told) is
where my Indian roots would be tied into the Cooks. My Cooks were from
Delaware Co. before they moved to Otsego. The Slaters came to Otsego
from MA and the Frisbies were from Delaware County. On the other side,
the Houghtons were among the first settlers of Maryland in the late
1700s, the Burnides arrived somewhere around 1802 from Albany Co. NY
and the Dunhams were from MA. I don’t know anything about Catherine
Jersey (mother of my 2nd g-grandmother’s father). If you
know anything about any of these families I’d love to learn more. Primary
interest at this point in time is Catharine Jane Burnside, Jesse Dunham
w/wife Catherine Jersey, and Adelbert F. Cook with parents Jacob Cook
and mother(-?-)Frisbie.
Am also hoping to find the person who might have inherited my g-Gramma
Minnie’s bible that contained gilded pages on which our ancestry was
recorded back to the pilgrims. The bible was to be left to my Aunt Mildred
who’s maiden name was Cook daughter of Adelbert Cook & Minnie Anne
Houghton (Minnie Anne dau. of George Houghton & Mary J. Dunham),..
Mildred was wife of Horace DeVine, mother to Richard & Patty DeVine.
I would love a copy of the records within it pages. I only hope it wasn’t
discarded because it has been passed down for many generations. On the
inside cover my g-gramma Minnie wrote that she would like the bible
to go to her daughter Mildred. My Aunt outlived her husband and daughter
and Richard ran away some time in the 1940s so I don’t know where it
could be. An auctioneer was sent in to clear out my g-Gramma’s place
after she died, so I can’t even be certain that Aunt Mildred ever saw
it again.
- Rebecca Stacknow
