Historical Questions about Dobbs Ferry
(Feel free to answer these or submit your own to bmonahan@ric.lhric.org)
Below you will find a few requests which I have had for information about Dobbs Ferry. Feel free to answer. I answer those that I can, but these are beyond me...
Looking for info about my greatgrandparents, Hugh Kelly and Margaret McGirk Kelly. They lived in Dobbs Ferry from about 1860 to about 1907 and had one daughter, Mary Jane Kelly. Hugh Kelly owned a tavern or boarding house in Dobbs Ferry at that time. Trying to find where tavern / boarding house was located and if the building is still there. Also, any other info on Hugh Kelly or his family or ways to find this info would be appreciated. Please email your response to: joycemsull@aol.com. (11/27/98)
Millie did not give me her last name, but her email address is darla31@intercall.com She is seeking information about her grandfather, George Wilmot, who was born in 1872 and died in 1937 and was buried in Fernclill. His wife's name was Emma. He was actually first married to Johanna McCarthy with whom he had 8 children. But, when she died in 1925 he put three of his children in an orphanage in Hell's Kitchen and then married Emma.
Another person wrote as follows, "My family lived in Dobbs Ferry in the 1790's. My ancestor was Abram Austin who married Mehitable Campbell of Dobbs Ferry. I would like information on when Dobbs Ferry was founded and the early history of the area." Respond to captreb@earthlink.net
I am interested in receiving information pertaining to who was the founder of Dobbs Ferry as well as who designed an old church located in Dobbs Ferry. My understanding is that I am a decendant of the Dobbs family going back to Horace Dobbs who served in the military during the Revolutionary War. Anyone with information, send email to Charles E. Dobbs at charles@villagenet.com.
Does anyone have any info concerning the Brown estate. The property had a "football field," a large home, and horse stables. It was just off Lawrence, off the Saw Mill. Must have been in its prime in the 30's and 40's. In the 50's and 60's it was a "haunted house" with hobos living there. Respond to Michael Valletta mvalletta@worldnet.att.net
Received 4/14/97
I'm not sure if this is the forum but I would like to post a message for assistance in making the final family link to your area. Via the internet I have come in contact with other Dobbs family members. According to their
paper work. My gr gr gr grandpa was one Joh J. Dobbs, born 10-03-1821 in Lebanon, Columbia County, NY. He died 4-13-1912 in Pine Run, MI(near Flint) He was married to a Louisa Beeman and when she died he married her sister Achsah Knapp also evidently from the NY area. According to one newspaper article it states that John J. Dobbs had a gr grandfather John Dobbs who"was the man who established Dobbs Ferry and steered the first boat across at this point" and that the the town "took the name of the elder Dobbs". This contradicts with the only info I've been able to research from Mi on the Dobbs Ferry. It references a William Dobbs. I have had several calls into the Dobbs Ferry historical society but they have not returned them. Would this be the forum to post a request for an appeal of anyone who might have the missing link info or who can contridict my John J. Dobbs as maybe b.s.ing at the time! You may publish this verbatum or edit it as needed. I also have a website in progress that defines some of this info but I am still working on it.
http://www.delta.edu/~dlbrache(the 3rd page is my family tree)
Received 3/15/97
I am just starting a search for information about my Great Grandfather John Beigen, who lived a good part of his life in Dobbs Ferry. My Greart GrandFather came to America from Germany and lived with his family in Dobbs Ferry and Newburg, NY. My Great Grandfather owned and
operated a beer brewery in your town, as well as in New York City in the late 1800's under the name Beigen Breweries. I am particularly interested in gathering as much information as possible about him and his business, because it is a rumor in my family that he sold his business to Anheuser Busch after being swindled out of most of his savings by a business acquiantance. My Grandmother, the former Joan Beigen, grew up in Dobbs Ferry and is my primary resource for information. I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter. I currently live in Georgia but still have immediate family in both New York and Connecticut.
PS: I am also looking for any Antiques relating to the Brewery. ie. Old Bottles, Signs, Boxes, Pictures, Marketing Material etc. My E-Mail Address is paul.kakos@gecapital.com
Thank You,
Paul Kakos
My family lived in Dobbs Ferry in the 1790's. My ancestor was Abram Austin who married Mehitable Campbell of Dobbs Ferry. I would like information on when Dobbs Ferry was founded and the early history.
Respond to captreb@earthlink.net