This is a blog I should have started quite a while ago. As they say, “better late, than never.” I have been researching my family history for almost 3 years now and in that time, I have found some very interesting individuals. Some of their stories have made me proud, some of their stories have made me cry, and others have made me shake my head with a bit of shame and sadness. In those moments, I have to remind myself that their actions don't reflect my actions or beliefs today and hope that maybe their actions were justifiable at the time. This blog will painfully look at some of those individuals. This blog will also highlight those individuals that make me proud to be a Kenyon-Bainter-Wheatcraft-Poulson, etc.
For my first blog, I will put Richard Kenyon (b. 1790-d. abt 1865) in the spotlight. And speaking of the spotlight...he was the lighthouse keeper for the Barcelona Lighthouse in Portland Harbor in Westfield, NY beginning in 1848. The lighthouse operated on the shores of Lake Erie from 1829 until 1859. During that time, only 4 men held the title of lighthouse keeper. It was the first natural gas lighthouse in America and possibly the world. Though it has been out of operation for more than 150 years, the lighthouse still stands today. I would love to be able to visit the lighthouse though I don't think tours are available. The lighthouse is privately owned today.History of the lighthouse and port:
With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, it is no doubt that traffic increased considerably on Lake Erie. In 1828, $5000 was appropriated to pay for a lighthouse, its buildings, and the land it sits on in Westfield, NY. $5000 went far back then! The land itself was $50. Most keepers of the Barcelona lighthouse made $350 per year. So important was this lighthouse that President Andrew Jackson appointed the first lighthouse keeper. Portland Harbor is a midway point between Erie, PA and Buffalo, NY. This lighthouse helped to develop the town of Westfield, attracting significant trade and businessmen who saw potential for a commercial village. Besides sailing boats, a freighter and a passenger boat frequented the port. Once the railroad was introduced to Westfield, the need for the port, and thus the lighthouse, vanished. The train could carry more freight and more passengers than the ships.
Why is Richard interesting?
Richard Kenyon likely had no idea of his contribution to history or the development of towns along the Lake Erie shoreline. He was only doing his job. Without the port and the lighthouse, ships would not have stopped in Westfield, NY. The town and surrounding towns would not have developed as they did.
Summary:
- Richard Kenyon was my 3rd great-grandfather.
- He was born December 7, 1790, likely in Rome, NY. George Washington was President.
- There is mention in the History of Westfield that he was also a bar keeper at the Westfield House tavern. However, I don’t know if this was before or after his time as lightkeeper.
- It is believed that Richard married 3 times. I am descended from him and his second wife, Hannah Dean. Hannah is interesting in her own rite so I will devote a post to her in the future.
- Richard fathered at least 11 children, one of them my great-great grandfather William. Richard died in Missouri about 1865 at the age of 75, a farmer, about the time the Civil War was ending.
Unanswered/Unknown:
- Did he fight in the War of 1812? I have found an Army registry from 1815 listing Richard Kenyon from Rome, NY. I am not 100% certain this is him since I am not sure that he was from Rome. His father is believed to have fought and died in the War of 1812, so it is probable that Richard also fought in this war. Perhaps with more knowledge and research, I'll be able to draw a more educated conclusion.
- Why and when did he leave NY to move to Missouri? I'd venture to guess that's where he found more opportunities to provide for his family.
- What, if any, was his involvement in the Civil War? He lived in Missouri during the war, a border state that had both Confederate and Union supporters (the majority supported the Union). He was in his 70’s but there was no age limit for serving. And knowing how young-spirited the Kenyon men are, he could have lied about his age in order to serve his country.
- Did he vote? If so, I wonder how he voted and if he voted for Abraham Lincoln.
