| Notes |
On the 1850 Census of Oswegatchie, Saint Lawrence, New York are:
Andrew Backus, Aged 39, Male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 1815, Born England
Mary Backus, Aged 37, Female, Born England
John Backus, Aged 17, Male, Born New York
Edward Backus, Aged 16, Male, Born New York
William Backus, Aged 12, Male, Born New York
Caroline Backus, Aged 9, Female, Born New York
Samuel Backus, Aged 6, Male, Born New York
Mary Backus, Aged 4, Female, Born New York
On the 1860 Census of Oswegatchie, Saint Lawrence, New York are:
Andrew Baccus, Aged 52, Male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 4760, Value of Personal Eatate 1600, Born England
Mary Baccus, Aged 50, Female, Born England
William Baccus, Aged 21, Male, Born New York
Caroline Baccus, Aged 18, Female, Born New York
Samuel Baccus, Aged 14, Male, Born New York
Mary Baccus, Aged 12, Female, Born New York
Andrew Baccus, Aged 7, Male, Born New York
Henry Baccus, Aged 5, Male, Born New York
Adaline Baccus, Aged 1, Female, Born New York
John Baccus, Aged 28, Male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 3000, Value of Personal Estate 900, Born New York
Issabella Baccus, Aged 24, Female, Born Ireland
Emma Baccus, Aged 2, Female, Born New York
Mary A. Baccus, Aged 1, Female, Born New York
David Baccus, Aged 22, Male, Carpenter, Value of Personal Estate 600, Born New York
Harriet Baccus, Aged 20, Female, Born England
Horrace Baccus, Aged 4/12, Male, Born New York
Joseph Baccus, Aged 54, Male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 3,600, Value of Personal Estate 2700, Born England
Julia Baccus, Aged 54, Female, Born New York
James Baccus, Aged 16, Male, Domestic, Born New York
Martha Baccus, Aged 14, Female, Born New York
Rosilla Baccus, Aged 11, Female, Born New York
From THE 0GDEN8SURG ADVANCE AND ST. LAWRENCE WEEKLY DEMOCRAT. 1901
Miller, Huntley, Harper, Woodley Family Trees and Connecting Families
Andrew Backus born 1809 in York, England
Died 6 JUL 1900 in Heuvelton, St. lawrence, New York
Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, Heuvelton, St. Lawrence, New York
HEUVELTON, March 18.
The Backus or English Settlement, west of this village in that section known as "The Horse Shoe," was settled as follows: In about 1818 one Joseph Backus came to this country from York, England. On reaching Ogdensburg the older Parish gave him a letter of Introduction to some man in Rossie, to whom he was recommended and with the view of having Backus settle there. Backus came to Heuvelton and stopped at a tavern then kept by "Mother Remington" on the lot opposite the present Grove Hotel. The main street at that time was York Street, the present State street had not been laid out. A bridge crossed the Oswcgatohie River at the terminus of York Street. Backus received refreshments for himself and his son William, a part of which was a glass of sling. He started for Rossie, crossing the bridge, by way of the Depeyster road, but on going down the river a short distance he stopped on the bank to rest. He looked across to the opposite shore and concluded the land must be good to raise such a beautiful forest. Contrary to his son's earnest wishes be returned to the tavern and made inquiry as to the land and the same was extolled so highly by "Mother Remington" that he concluded to-purchase, which be did, paying the cash therefor in gold to the surprise of all present, at the rate of eight dollars per acre, and was offered the land directly west of York street, where most of the village is located, at the same price.
Two years later his brother Andrew came from England and purchased land adjoining his. This Andrew Backus was the father of George Backus, who was a successful merchant for years at Rossie, also uncle to Andrew Backus who died here last year at the age of 91. His great grandson married the great grand niece of the late Gen. Thomas- A. Davies, this marriage connecting English and New England blood. Other Englishmen soon followed the Backuses and also purchased land on the Horse Shoe, and in time all the land there was occupied by Englishmen except one farm which was owned by Nehemiah Jones, a Yankee, but in later years even this farm was purchased and is still owned by a Backus. The other Englishmen who came were named Smithers, also from York In England and one other named Raby whose wife was a Smithers.
These Englishmen produced large families and at the time of our civil war no less than nine Backuses, five Smithers and a Raby enlisted in the 142nd Regiment besides those who went into other regiments. The Backus snd Smithers families have naturally intermarried. In one instance three brothers married three sisters, and a sister of the brothers married a brother of the sisters. In looking over some old account books of a merchant between 1865 and 1870 we find open accounts kept with eighteen by the name of Backus and twenty-five named Smithers, each account, no doubt, representing a family. They were inclined to perpetuate family christian names, and when there
were many with common names it was not surprising that local nick names should be given to distinguish them, such as, Dandy Tom, Lame Tom, Depeyster Tom, Hinging Tom, Old Billie. Crying Bill, William T., Red Joe, Buffalo Joe, Shoemaker Joe, Ridge John, Deaf John, Anthony's John, Old Andrew, Young Andrew, Jerusalem Jack and Plain Jack, as well as many more. Strangers often get them mixed somewhat, but the apt nick names soon assist to distinguish them. These families are now very numerous In this county, and it is a pleasure to record that almost without exception they are prosperous people.
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Rainham Builders
1809 - 1900 (91 years)