The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

He removed with his father's family to Auburn, N. Y., in 1823. His youth was s'jMwt-in--
his father's office, and at the district and in private schools, and at the Auburn Academy, under
the tuition of Josiah Underbill, a Quaker teacher, who probably did more to mould his character
than any other agency. From the age of fourteen to sixteen he was clerking in a store, and then
went south with his brother Julius and uncle Truman, in the clock business, his father having an
idea that every boy should early push out and make his way in the world. Returning after a
three years' experience, he managed a farm which his father had purchased. He again went
south, and after a year returned to find his father-in-law's affairs in confusion, and to save the
FAMILY 3.
Alvah Jefferson [8] (Capt. Enoch, Aaron) was born at AUord, Berkshire Co., Mass. He married 4 Sept., 1816, Maria Polly
(dau. of Capt. Isaac) Tuttle, of Alford, b. 6 Muh., 1799; died at Ludlowville, N. Y., 17 May, 1876, s. 83 years. He died 6 Mch., 1884.
After living some six years at Alford, they removed to the town of Brutus, near .iuburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., from whence, after
four years' residence, they removed to the homestead on the hill north of Ludlowville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where they purchased the
farm until then owned and occupied by Jonah Tooker, Esq., at which place they lived in family state for a period of fifty years, and
where three of their six children were born to them.
Bringing with them, from Massachusetts, a fair start in life, and those sterling, puritanic habits of economy and integrity, and a
hearty faith in the covenant of works, they were prospered. Wealth and abundance flowed m upon them, but only to increase their
persistent energy and patient industry. Their house became the resting place and temporary home of nearly two generations of Methodist
and other Clergymen, who always found a generous welcome, a bounteous table, and a hearty furtherance in every earnest evangelical
or religious work. Mother Sperry's life was an exemplification of her faith. From early dawn until long after all other lights in the
neighborhood were out, and all households asleep, she was cheerful and busy in her round of household duties. Never unemployed,
never triflingly employed, was her practice if not her life-long motto.
In her early days she was a remarkably fine singer, possessing not only a good but well-trained voice, and all through life, up to
a late period, an exceptionably good one. Sacred music, usually led by the father, and united in by every member of the family, was
the refrain of daily life, as it was the joy of every recreation. At the Church, Prayer and Social Meetings, for more than sixty years
Father Sperry was the chorister or leader, and Mother Sperry his always able and efficient assistant.
In the days of anti-slavery, when the slave and his cause had few friends, and when it cost something to be known as such, the
"House on the Hill" and the "Home of the Sperrys' " were known far and wide as the abode of staunch friends and firm supporters of
that maligned cause, and none were more outspoken in their denunciation of the evil, or more earnest and liberal in efforts for its
suppression than Mrs. Sperry.
*^
Every branch of Church work felt the influence of her contributions and zeal. Her hand was ever ready, her purse was ever open,
and whoever else might fail or falter, she could always be counted upon as a liberal contributor and an earnest helper.
Asa mother and manager of her household ^he had few equals, and she brought to her aid a well-stored mmd and rare practical
good sense. Although not given to warm or frequent manifestations of afliection, yet her children were her idols, and for them no toil
was too long, no sacrifice too great. Her economy and neatness were remarkable. Nothing was wasted—nothing mislaid or lost; and
often, long years after an article or garment had been used and forgotten by others, if wanted, it was produced front some secure resting
place as fresh and as useful as ever.
Her memory of names, dates and circumstances was wonderful. As from intuition and without effort, the names, dates, births,
marriages and deaths of her relations, ancestors, connections, friends, or even casual acquaintances, could be given on the instant and in
the course of ordinary conversation—a gift which she had inherited from her mother, and which has descended to some of her d.-iughters
and grand-daughters.
She had always and almost stoical contempt for physical pain or suffering, and all through lite, and even during the terribly severe
agony of her last illness, from one of the most painlul diseases known, she was never heard to murmur or complain.
That she was not perfect is but to acknowledge the frailty and imperfection of our common humanity. But that she m.-uiifesled,
through a long and useful life, those qualities of mind and heart which make life a success and religion a service, is the conviction of all
who knew her, and the cherished memory of those to whom she was most near and dear.
Children:
I. Adelia Olive, b. 17 Aug., 1817; married Caleb B. Sweaiey. Child (besides two sons who died in infancy):
i. Marshall Edwin Sperry: married Elizabeth Carr. Reside (1885) Ludlowville, N. Y. Children: (i) Helen Frances,
b. 31 Jan., 1872. (2) Claude Edwm, b. 19 Aug., 1874; d. 16 Apr., 1882. (3) Charles Clayton, b. in Dec, 1876.
(4) Olive Edna, b. 6 Aug., 1878.
II. Ruth Adeuza, b. 22 Mch., 1819; died in infancy.
III, Fekdinand C, b, 2 Jan., 1824: married (i) 4 Oct., 1848, Elizabeth Bowers; she died 7 Mch., 1861. He married (2) Delia (dau. of
James and Sophronia) Carman, in July, 1863. Children (by jst marriage):
i. Eva Adelia, b. 5 Aug., 1854; married 16 Aug., 1875, Leroy Beckwith. Children: (1) Frederick, b. in Feb., 1880.
{2) Lena Sperry, b. in Aug., 1881.
ii. Alvah J., b. 26 Nov., i860; married in Oct., 1882, Flora Teeter. Res. Ludlowville, N. Y.
IV. Frances Maria, b. 21 June, 1826; married i Aug., 1843, Frederick Humphreys, M. D. [Family 388, S.«]
v. Charlotte Harkietta, b. 8 Nov., 1828; d. 27 Mch., 1S56, a;. 27 years; married 3 July, 1850, Lorenzo Myers. Children:
i. Polly Maria; died young,
ii. Frances Almira; died young,
iii. Hattie Charlotte; died young.
VI. Cakoli.ne Anne, b. 25 Aug., 1832; d. 6 June, 1879, x. 46 years; married 24 Nov., 1858, Walter H. Ticknor. No children.