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Phineas Whiteside

Male 1716 - 1793


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  • Name Phineas Whiteside 
    Born 31 Jun 1716  , Tyrone, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 10 Apr 1793  Cambridge, Washington, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Whiteside Church Cemetery, Cambridge, Washington, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I4489  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Ann Cooper,   b. Abt 1731,   d. 13 Mar 1800, Cambridge, Washington, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 69 years) 
    Married 9 Jan 1752 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F2085  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. The book "A History of Phineas Whiteside and His Family," comp. by Ida Whiteside, copy in the Cambridge public library,
      A. Pp. 72-73: "The family of Ann Cooper, wife of Phineas Whiteside:
      The first Cooper of whom there is a record is John of Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who died in 1769. In his will he mentions Ann, his wife, and leaves her a home for life in his house, the furniture, two-thirds of the crop unharvested at that time, and 200 pounds in lieu of her dower. To his son, James, he left his real estate, liable to his wife's residence as aforesaid. To his son, William, he left 100 pounds; to David, 300; to his daughter, Jean, and her two daughters, 10 pounds each. To his daughter, Ann, wife of Phineas Whiteside, he gave 200 pounds; the 340 pounds remaining to be divided among the children as his wife thought right. James and David were executors.
      There are two letters from James Cooper to Phineas and John Whiteside dated April 7th, and May 1st, 1793. The first, to Phineas, inquires about his family and gives news of those at their home and elsewhere. Two men had come from North Carolina who lived next to David's farm and brought word that all were well. David, however, died the next December leaving four sons and daughter. He had bought 600 acres of land and it was nearly free from debt. John and his family and Samuel and his were all well a few weeks before. James and his wife, Jean, had been to visit his sister Jean and her husband the fall before and found them well and, 'living very comfortably.' They want news of William's family and the Anderson family who are not writing. Mrs. Anderson was their sister, Martha.
      The second letter, dated May 1st, was written to John Whiteside after they heard of Phineas' death a month before. After condolences, it urges them to continue the correspondence as in the past.
      From all this and from the markers in the Whiteside cemetery, the following partial genealogy can be deduced:
      1. John Cooper, d. 1769, m. Ann ___.
      2. James Cooper m. Jean ___.
      2. William Cooper I, 1722-1805, m. Jane E. ___, 1730-1820.
      3. William Cooper II, 1758-1849, m. Densite ___, 1764-1830.
      4. Mary Cooper 1796-1831, m. Dairus Barker of Easton. Moved later to Homer, NY.
      4. William Cooper III, d. 1886, m. Ruth Barker, sister of Darius.
      5. William C. Barker.
      3. John Cooper 1752-1832, m. Lydia Almey, b. 1752.
      3. Mary Cooper, 1760-1831, unmarried.
      2. Samuel Cooper. Probably went to North Carolina.
      2. David Cooper. Moved to North Carolina. Had four sons and a daughter.
      3. Jean Cooper. Married and had two daughters.
      4. Martha Cooper m. William Anderson. Went to Cambridge. Had two daughters.
      3. Ann Cooper 1731-1800, m. Phineas Whiteside 1716-1793. Went to Cambridge. Had six sons and one daughter.
      Note: (3) William Cooper II and his brother, John, were in the Albany Militia during the Revolution, in the 16th Regiment, the same one in which the Whiteside brothers served. (Taken from "New York in the Revolution, " Col. I, pp. 130-131). In 1777, William Cooper was elected road commissioner. He was one of those disturbed in the Revolution and therefore, exempted from taxes.
      (3) John must have moved to Cambridge.
      Much of this information, and the wills of John and William Cooper were obtained from a great grandson of Darius and (4) Mary Cooper Barker, Lisle Cottrell, Homer, R.D. 2, N.Y."
      B. Pp. 4-14: "Phineas Whiteside was born in 1716 in County Tyrone, Ireland. As a young man he was educated for the ministry, but apparently never finished the course. The date of his arrival in this country is not known, but it must have been about 1736. He settled in the Pequea valley in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and became a member of the Pequea Covenanter Society formed in 1750. This was the first Covenanter (United Presbyterian) Church and its building is in Octararo, Pennsylvania, the first such church building in America. It is still standing, having been in recent years renovated and restored by the United Presbyterian Church as a shrine for all Presbyterians in America. Phineas Whiteside became the first elder. Rev. John Cuthbertson, the Covenanter missionary from Scotland, arrived in Lancaster County in 1751 and he and Phineas became warm friends. In 1752, he married Phineas Whiteside and Ann Cooper, daughter of John Cooper of Leacock township, Lancaster County, PA. About that time he was living and teaching school in Strasburg, Lancaster Co., PA. His oldest son, John was born there in 1752. A brother of Ann, William, and a sister Martha, who married William Anderson, later settled in Cambridge, NY near their sister.
      In 1754 Phineas was ordained an elder in the Covenanter Church at Octoraro. As his children arrived they were baptised by Dr Cuthbertson on the following dates:
      21 Dec 1752, John
      4 Jun 1754, William
      30 Mar 1756, Peter
      18 May 1758, Thomas
      28 Oct 1761, Ann
      23 Dec 1763, Edward, morn Dec. 8
      1767, Oliver
      The last named was born on the farm near Cambridge, New York.
      John Cuthbertson preached over a territory that stretched from the Connecticut to the Ohio, and from Maryland to Cambridge, New York and Colerain, Massachusetts, travelling about 70,000 miles on foot and horseback, ministering to the Scotch and Irish presbyterians that were scattered throughout that wide area. In the summer of 1764 Phineas went with him on a trip north as far as Cambridge, NY, spending about a month on the journey and preaching in many places along the way. Dr. Cuthbertson probably held the first Church service in that community. In 1766 they repeated the journey, and Phineas stayed to settle there. In Dr. Cuthbertson's diary he speaks of riding from Cambridge village eight miles to the home of Phineas at "Maloperd." So far as is known that name was never used in later years. That section was known as "the Whiteside Settlement" for a time. In recent years West and South Cambridge were the nearest railroad stations. Phineas bought 800 acres of land, and obtained 600 more by perpetual lease from a patroon estate owned by the Colden family in New York. One would like to know how Phineas moved his family to their new home. There were his wife and six children ranging from two and a half to thirteen years. There were trails through the wilderness suitable for horsemen or sleds. Bears, wolves and panthers abounded. A bounty was paid for killing them as late as 1790. The ancestor of one of the Cambridge families came on horse back himself, and sent his family and goods by boat as far as Lansingburg, now north Troy. Phineas may have done the same. But Lansingburg was a good twenty miles form where they settled. Did they stay with friends for a time?
      The French and Indian wars ended in 1760 and permanent settlement were begun soon after. In 1761 men from Massachusetts settled around Salem, NY, and the Cambridge patent was granted by King George III to 58 men, to be administered by Governor Cadwallader Colden...
      In 1766 the first Church in the area was built in Salem. About the same time the first school and girst mill were erected. In 1769 Dr. Clarke ordained two elders in Cambridge and in 1775 a church building was begun, but owing to the Revolutionary war, it was not finished until 1783. The church stood about a mile south of the Village of Cambridge on the old turnpike. A state marker has been placed at the site. There was no settled pastor until 1791. In 1782 Phineas Whiteside was installed as one of the elders of that congregation There is a tradition that later he withdrew from that congregation because he considered the religious standards not high enough, that he, himself, was so stirct he would not allow his children to speak aloud on Sunday...
      When the Revolution came, Phineas and his sons embraced the patriot cause. He, himself, gave to the cause 1000 York pounds, a considerable sum for those days, as the York pound was valued at one-half pound Sterling. Four of his sons; John, Thomas, William and Edward, were in the militia and fought during Burgoyne's campaign. Phineas also pledged himself for the credit of his country to the sum of 10,000 pounds.
      In 1764 a quarrel began between settlers in Vermont and in Washington County. The land between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers, and north of the Massachusetts boundary had been given by different English kings to New York, and also to Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1749 the Governor of New Hampshire began grants of land in that territory. The Governor of New York did the same. The matter was referred to the Crown in 1751, but due to the French and Indian wars was never settled. In 1763 Gov. Colden of NY began giving grants of land, already occupied, to citizens of NY. Also, squatters from both states claimed possession of lands. Rioting and fighting broke out between the rougher elements on both sides. Each side attempted to dispossess settlers from the other. Homes were burned, cattle driven away and a state of tension and hatred obtained on both sides of the present border. This feud was dropped temporarily during the Revolution, both sides fighting the British. In 1777 the "Hampshire Grants" declared themselves to a be a separate state, Vermont, but the boundary was still unsettled. A convention of men from NY State north of the Hoosick and east of the Hudson was called at Cambridge in 1781 and voted themselves into the State of Vermont. Phineas Whiteside was chosen by the convention to be one of two delegates to the Vermont legislature from Cambridge. But the Cambridge convention was not entierely representative, and many of those who had settled in that part of New York did not wish to be included in Vermont. The NY government did not wish to give up its territory to Vermont and was ready to fight to hold it. Finally, in 1782, the affair was settled amicably. Vermont relinquished all claim to territory west of the present boundary, and NY gave up all east of that boundary. Action was taken by the State of NY against those who had taken part in the Cambridge convention, claiming they were disloyal to their state. Some were imprisoned for a time and others fined. All re-affirmed their allegiance to the State of NY and begged for mercy, which was granted. It seems strange that any from NY should have wished to side with Vermont when some of their neighbors had suffered at the hands of the Green Mountain Boys; but the perpetual leases under which many hald their land were most unfair, placing a burden almost impossible to be carried on the renters. These leases would no longer be binding in Vermont. It seems that in the case of the majority of settlers they had either not had word of the convention in Cambridge, or had not been interested enough to attend.
      Phineas Whiteside had purchased his land from Alexander Colden, son of Gov. Cadwallader Colden, and rented the rest from Richard Nicolls Colden, Alexander's son. From 1786 on, the rental was paid to Henrietta Colden, possibly the widow of Richard. Phineas acted as her agent in collecting her rental from other lessees of her lands in Cambridge. The renters in some case paid in kind instead of money. They carried the produce to a dealer in Lansingburg. He reported the amount to Phineas and he credited the man with the value of the grain at the pirce set by Mrs. Colden. She herself, evidently made several trips to Lansingburg, Pittstown, and Cambridge in looking after her affairs. Apparently when in Cambridge she stayed at the home of Phineas or his son John. There are several letters to both of those men about her affairs. She evidently became quite a friend of the family. In one letter she asks John to send the horse she had ridden previously and his mother's side saddle to a home in Pittstown on a certain day so she could come to his home. In other letters she sends greetings and love to John's mother and wife. John evidently took over her affairs from his father in or about 1789. All letters after that date are addressed to John. As his children grew up and married, Phineas gave to each approximately 200 acres of land, and saw them settled, each on his own farm. He himself, spent his last years in the home of his youngest son, Oliver. The house built in 1791 is still standing, though somewhat altered. A map of the division of land is appended. [Map of the Whiteside farms included in the book.]
      Phineas died in 1793 and is buried in the Whiteside cemetery. About an acre of land was set aside by Thomas from his farm about 1790 for this purpose. The first burial was that of his infant daughter, Elizabeth. Phineas' grave was the second. His grave and that of his wife, Ann Cooper, are marked by large marble stones set on brick walls about two and one-half feet high, and covering the entire grave His epitaph reads, 'Phineas Whiteside, by birth an Hibernian was born Jan. 31, 1716. He saw this and many parts of America a wilderness. He saw Columbia struggling for liberty, in which he took an active part. He saw her successful. Died April 1st, 1793.'
      The obituary of Phineas Whiteside is in the handwriting of the time he died, but does not record the name of the writer.
      'Departed this life in Cambridge in the 78th year of his age. Phineas Whiteside Esq. after a lingering sickness which he bore with Christaian patience. Mr. Whiteside has supported a very respectable carrectar both as a husband, parent, patriot and Christian. He took an active part in the cause of liberty at an early period, when many were wavering in their sentiments, he in a decided manner boldly stepped forth to contend for the rights and priviliges which man is entitled to by nature. He never departed the standard of liberty till the last which renders his memory dear to every true friend of America. But his carectar shines in a most distinguished manner as a Christian. God in his infinite mercy called him into the divine life early in youth, and during a long life while passing through various vasisitudes he supported his religious carracter with unblemished luster. He was a great champion for truth and opposer of error. He met death without fear or dread which true religion alone can enable a person to do. He is now entered into the joy of his Lord. What David says of an upright man is truly applicable to him. 'Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of man is peace'."
      Will of Phinehas Whiteside [summarized as follows: dated 12 Apr 1780 in Cambridge, mentions wife Ann; sons: John, William, Peter, Thomas, Edward, and Oliver; daughter Ann. Executors: sons John and William. Witnesses: William Anderson and William Cooper (brothers-in-law)]
      Will of Mrs. Ann Whiteside [summarized as follows: notes herself as widow of Phinehas Whiteside, of Cambridge Township, donates 100 pounds to building a Presbyterian Meetinghouse on ground set apart for the meetinghouse and burying ground near Thomas Whiteside's dwelling house. Mentions granddaughters: Ann Whiteside dau. of Thomas; Mary Cockran, Ann Cockran, Susana Cockran; son Oliver; dau. Ann Cockran. Executors are Edward and Oliver Whiteside. Witnesses John, William, and Peter Whiteside. Dated 28 Feb 1800.]
      Phineas lived 13 years after making his will. Ann died within a year after writing hers."

      2. The book "History of Washington County, New York," reprinted 1979 by Heart of the Lakes Publishing, Interlaken, NY, copy in public library of Cambridge Village, Washington Co., NY:
      A. P. 253: "Phineas Whiteside, Esq., was born in Ireland, county of Tyrone, June 31, 1716. When a young man, he and a brother emigrated to this country, and settled in Lancaster Co., Pa. Shortly after, his brother returned to Ireland. About the year 1788, Mr. Whiteside purchased 800 acres of land from the Cambridge patent, in the southwest part of the town, and contracted for 600 acres more; but the War of the Revolution breaking out before he got a title, he was unable to do so after the war closed, and consequently took a perpetual lease at a rental of one shilling per acre. This lease was terminated by a purchase of the land in the year 1877 [is this a typo for the year?]. As his sons came of age he gave to each 200 acres of land. John, the eldest son, made choice of the farm now owned by a grandson, Robert McMurray, who lives in the brick house built in 1794. William, the second son, chose the farm now owned by David Hawley, who married a granddaughter, and by Mrs. Fuller, another granddaughter. Peter, the third son, located on a farm now owned by F. Thayer; Mrs. Thayer is a granddaughter. Thomas settled on a part of the 6000 acre tract, on the northwest 200 acres. The frame house, built in 1796, is yet standing. The whole is now owned by Mr. Thomas C. Whiteside, a grandson. Edward, the fifth son, settled on the southeast corner of the leased tract, and it is now in possession of Henry Whiteside, a great-grandson. Oliver remained on the homestead of his father. It is now owned by F. Thayer. Mr. Phineas Whiteside was a very patriotic man, and during the War of the Revolution espoused the cause of the colonies, and subscribed one thousand pounds to aid the colonial government. He also exerted himself in behalf of some men whe had straggled from the army in search of provisions which their officers had neglected to furnish. They were arrested and tried by court-martial for desertion. In defending them he used so much skill that he procured their acquittal, and the officers were reprimanded. The members of the Whiteside family erected a church in 1800, which will be noticed elsewhere."

      B. Pp. 255-256: Listed in various offices as follows:
      a. May 1774: Edward [Edmund?] Wells, one of three road supervisors of the middle division.
      b. May 1776: Joseph Wells, poundmaster; Phineas Whiteside, committee man.
      c. Apr 1777: Edmund Wells, Jr., treasurer and town clerk; Joseph Wells, overseer of poor and road commissioner; Edmund Wells, overseer of roads; William Cooper, road commissioner.
      d. 1783: "A pound was directed to be located on the east side of the road by Captain Edmnd Wells' house, Captain Joseph Wells to build it, and Captain Edmund Wells to be poundmaster. Stocks [for confining people?] were also voted. They were to be built by Joseph Wells near the pound.
      e. Mar. 14, 1791: Edmund Wells, moderator of special meeting. Phineas Whiteside, appointed part of special committee dealing with Cambridge being annexed by Washington county.
      g. 13 Feb 1813: "Austin Wells manumits his slave woman named Hannah."

      3. The book "An Introduction to Historic Resources in Washington County, N.Y., 1976," prepared by the Washington County Planning Department, copy in the Cambridge Public Library, pp. 25-26: "Although the Cambridge Patent specified dozens of grantees, the considered judgment of one early investigator was that actual land ownership was in the hands of but six persons: Alexander Colden, William Smith, G. Banyar, Isaac Sawyer, E. Wells, and Jacob Lansing, the latter three being grantees. A later historian disputes any implication of impropriety in this turn of events... The establishment of farms now began in earnest. Under the leadership of the Wells family, newcomers took up residence along the Owl Kill in the years 1761, 1762, and 1763. Most of thse people were said to have come form Colrain, Mass. with others coming from Hebron, Conn... 1766 saw the Whiteside family (from Lancaster, PA, earlier from County Tyrone, Ireland) establishing homes in the southwestern section of Cambridge. Phineas Whiteside had been in the area in 1764 when he accompanied the Rev. John Cuthbertson, a Presbyterian clergyman dedicated to serving people in remote areas ranging from the Connecticut to the Ohio, and from Maryland north to Cambridge, New York and Colrain, Mass. The relatively peaceful settlement which began in thse three centers of population was soon to be interrupted by the revolutionary war. Locally, the 16th Albany Militia Regiment was organized to meet military requirements."
      The book has a photo on p. 26 of the "Whiteside Church, 1800-01 - begun with a bequest of the widow of Phineas Whiteside; altered several times beginning as early as 1825."
      "...Two family churches were established early, the Whiteside Churhc whose pulpit was usually filled by Presbyterians, and the King Methodist Episcopal Churdh organized by Hezekiah King, great-granfather of Grandma Moses."
      Pp. 28-29 have a map of Cambridge with a key to major landmarks including the following key notes:
      37: Edmund Wells House [just south of the Village of Cambridgeon the west side of the Stage Road, above Duell Hollow Road]
      38: Austin Wells House [just south of the Village of Cambridgeon the west side of the Stage Road, above Duell Hollow Road just below Ed. Wells]
      42: Whiteside Church [just south of the Village of West Cambridge]
      43: Whiteside Family House

      BURIAL:
      1. From the book "Cemetery Records of the Town of Cambridge, Washington County, NY," 2003, indexed and compiled by Historical Data Services, 14 Clark St., Glens Falls, NY 12804, www.hdsgenealogy.com, copy in public library of Cambridge, NY:
      From Whiteside Church Cemetery, located on the North side of Center Cambridge Rd., west of West Cambridge. Next to Whiteside Church. In good condition GPS N42.59.167 W073.29.198. There are about 50 or so Whitesides, but the two that concern us are:
      "Ann Whiteside, d. 13 Mar 1800, in her 69th y., wife of Phineas, Lot 6, Sec. B.
      Phineas Whiteside, b. 31 Jun 1716, d. 10 Apr 1793, in his 77th y, m. Ann Cooper, Vet. Rev. War, Lot 6, Sec B."