Memories of the Calls 11 - Building the New Home, 1875

In 1875 the old house was moved down in the yard near the well. There we lived until the new house was built. Father and mother drew the plans and father bought all the materials. All the lumber for the frame was brought home and stacked up the fall before, to become thoroughly dry. The doors and windows were made by Nat Rogers, grandfather of the present lumber mill Fred Rogers, in a mill operated on the Oatka between Jug City and Le Roy. The mason work was in charge of John Gillard, who was a young Englishman, and unmarried at that time. Sile Knight had charge of the carpenter work, and Anthony Waterman was one of his helpers. Steve Harris of Morganville had charge of the painting. Uncle William Joslin came up the latter part of the summer, and he most of the cupboards and drawers. The shingles were the best "shaved" shingles father could buy, and they are still on the house in 1935. The pantry and kitchen of the new house were the parlor and spare bedroom of the old house. The total cost as originally built was about $ 3000,00 and the bills were paid as presented. When the house was completed, father and mother, with Mr. Stenber, a furniter dealer of Le Roy, went to Rochester and bought furniture. Included was the parlor set, walnut with carved fruit upholstered in haircloth. There is a tete, a rocker, an easy chair and three other chairs. There were also three other bedroom sets. We have the set that was in Father and mother's room.


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Patty's notes on this entry

Nat Rogers is probably Nathaniel M Rogers (abt 1819 - 1893) who lived in Le Roy. In the 1850 census, his occupation was listed as carpenter and joiner. In later censuses, his occupation was listed as grocer. He married Mary Jane Webb

Fred Rogers is probably Fred H Rogers (1882 - 1944) son of Fred Rogers and Jennie Baxter, grandson of Nathaniel Rogers and Mary Jane Webb. In the 1930 census, he was listed as the proprietor of a lumber mill.

Oatka refers to Oatka Creek that runs from Wyoming County to the Genesee River. In goes through Le Roy, where there is a waterfall, two dams and a replica of the Statue of Liberty along the shoreline.

John Gillard (1849-1929) immigrated from England in 1871. In the 1880 census, his occupation was listed as stone mason.

Sile Knight is Silas Knight (1821- 1909). In the 1875 census, his occupation is listed as carpenter.

Anthony Waterman (1856 - 1930) was 17 in 1875, with no occupation listed in that census. In 1880, his occupation was listed as carpenter.

Steve Harris is Stephen T Harris (about 1821 - before Aug 30, 1883 ). In the 1875 census, his occupation is listed as painter.

William Joslin (1832-1916) was Charlotte Joslin's older brother. You can read more about him at https://pattyhankins.blogspot.com/2020/04/memories-of-calls-7-william-joslin.html

Mr. Stenber is either Henry Steuber (1828-1904) or George Steuber (1824-1905). They were brothers who immigrated from Germany who ran a cabinetmaking, furniture and undertaking business in Le Roy.

Update in December 2020 - I recently learned that several pieces of furniture that Robert Call and Charlotte Joslin purchased in 1875 are still being used in the family today. Several cousins have very generously shared photos of the furniture with me so I can add the photos to the blog. 

Carving on the bottom of a chair showing names and 1875 date

Chair from the parlor set - note the carved fruit as described in the manuscript

Settee from the parlor set - with carving that match the chair

Dresser and bed from one of the bedroom sets

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