Lydia Chapman was a descendent of William Chapman, an immigrant before 1657

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 52, No 50, p 797, Dec. 14, 1896.
The subject of this sketch died at his home in Alfred, N. Y., on Friday morning, Nov. 20, 1896, of old age, in the 98th year of his age. The funeral services were held at the First Alfred church on Monday afternoon, conducted by Pastor Davis.
Maxson Stillman, son of Maxson and Esther Crandall Stillman, was born Sept. 29, 1799, near Boon Bridge, in the town of Westerly, R. I. He moved with his parents to Petersburg, N. Y., in 1803. Here he worked with his father, who was a carpenter and millwright, and being a natural mechanic thoroughly learned those trades. He was married to Lydia Chapman, of East Hampton, Mass., Sept. 26, 1822, who, as a faithful wife and mother, shared his joys and sorrows till called to her heavenly home April 24, 1891; giving them a married life of nearly 69 years.
In 1825 he came to Alfred to see the country with the view to make it his future home. This was soon after the first settlement here. Returning to Petersburg in the fall, he came back to Alfred, in the spring of 1826 with his and his father's families, and settled about a mile south of Alfred, where he resided until a few months ago, when he was brought into the village. The journey from Petersburg was made via canal, upon the packet.
After settling here he worked at his trade, and being the leading millwright in this section, he built many grist and sawmills in Steuben and Allegany Counties, only one of which now remains, the upper mill at Almond. Besides this, many houses and churches show the impress of his work.
In 1837, after the select school taught by Bethuel Church, he was one of the movers in the building of the old academy, "for the purpose of a school, and for a place to hold singing schools," the latter of which he taught during the winter months. He was elected one of the trustees for the erection of this building, which cost $700. Soon more room was needed, so in 1841 the two-story addition, costing $2,500, was built under his supervision. In 1845 the South, Middle and North Halls were built upon the side hill, he advising in regard to their plans, and building the pillars to the Middle Hall.
Again more room was needed and the chapel, which cost $7,000, was commenced in 1851, the frame being put up and partly covered, and in 1852 it was so far completed that it was used for the Commencement Exercises and was finished ready for the opening of the fall term in that year. This building, in its plan and strength, is a fitting type of his character and work.
The Ladies' Hall, (South Hall,) was destroyed by fire Feb. 14, 1859, which necessitated another building, and he was called upon to study public buildings and draft plans for the Ladies' Boarding Hall, which was built during the years 1859 and 1860. The last work of this kind that he performed for the University was in 1878, when the chapel was enlarged, the platform moved to the south end, and the stairs changed. This was done by his help and direction. Not only as an architect and builder was he a friend and worker for the university, but as a trustee six years before the Academy was chartered, and 51 years after the charter was granted.
He was ever ready to give time, counsel and help to advance its interests. Was there a struggle to drive out the rum power, he was one to help. Was there discipline, he was ever ready to sustain the faculty in favor of good order. Were there plans for advancement, he sanctioned them, if considered wise. Believing in a thorough education, he was anxious to help his children to secure the same, and to encourage others in their pursuits for this object.
Few, very few, of his co-laborers are left to recall the struggles and sacrifices that were made to bring Alfred University to its present status; struggles and sacrifices that few schools have had to endure for the lack of funds. May the mantles of such men fall upon those who must take their places to carry the work, so well commenced, wisely and successfully through its present labors to complete and noble success.
But not alone in the school was he a molding influence. He joined the First Alfred church very soon after settling here, and served it faithfully in every way he could. He was for many years its chorister. In the community, for general morality and progress, he was a substantial support, philanthropic, benevolent, beloved by all. I have heard our lamented President Allen speak of Uncle Maxson Stillman in such a way as to show that in his heart Uncle Maxson was loved and venerated as few, if any others, ever were.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stillman six children. Three of these have gone before him - Mary A., who died when about one year old; Hannah E., wife of Eld. Stephen Burdick, who died Jan. 3, 1858; and L. Elvira, first wife of Prof. H. C. Coon, who died April 20, 1879. Three remain - Prof. J. M. Stillman, of Milton College, Milton, Wis.; Chester B. Stillman and Harriet L. Stillman, of Alfred, besides Anna M. Stillman, who was adopted in her childhood as a member of the family, and has always shown herself a faithful and affectionate daughter.
These, with many relatives and friends, mourn their loss. Since the death of his wife, Harriet L. has kept his home, and with loving hands tenderly cared for him, meeting the increased wants of declining years, assisted by Chester (when needed) until death released his worn spirit and gave it rest.     B. C. D.

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 47, No 19, p 304, May 7, 1891.
Mrs. Lydia Chapman Stillman, wife of Maxson Stillman, died at the old homestead in Alfred, N. Y., Friday morning, April 24, 1891, aged 87 years, 7 months and 1 day.
She was born in East Hampton, Mass., Sept. 23, 1803; was married to Maxson Stillman Sept., 26, 1822, and came to Alfred, from Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1824, when the country was new, where, with her husband, she endured the toils and privations of a pioneer life, having lived on or near the farm where she died nearly sixty-seven years.
To this couple were born two sons and four daughters. Three of these - Mary A., Hannah E., wife of Eld. Stephen Burdick, L. Elvira, wife of Prof. H. C. Coon - have gone before to their rest. The other three, - Prof. J. M., Chester B., Hattie L. Stillman, and an adopted daughter, Anna - together with the aged husband, with whom she had lived nearly sixty-nine years, remain, with many friends, to mourn her loss.
Mrs. Stillman was a woman of rare virtues, prominent among which was her unselfishness, ever striving to help others and to add to their comfort; and her conscientiousness, which made her rule her life by her own stern ideals of right and duty. Her church home was the First Alfred Church, where her delight was, when able, to meet and worship with the children of God.
The funeral services were held at the residence of Prof. H. C. Coon, Sunday afternoon, and were conducted by Rev. Dr. Williams, assisted by Rev. Dr. Maxson. H. C. C.

Provided by Jon Saunders Jan 2012

Lydia Elvira Stillman
Born: 27 Jul 1824
Place: Petersburg, NY
Died: 20 Apr 1879
Place: Alfred, NY
Married: Doctor Henry Clarke Coon
Born: 28 Jan 1828
Place: West Edmeston, NY
Died: 9 May 1898
Place: Alfred, NY
Date Married: 21 Nov 1851

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 35, No 31, p 2, July 31, 1879. L. Elvira Stillman Coon, A. M., daughter of Maxson and Lydia Stillman, was born July 27th, 1824, at Berlin, N. Y. Her parents moved to Alfred, N. Y., when she was in her second year. During the revival in the Winter of 1835-36, under the preaching of the Rev. Alexander Campbell, she made a profession of religion, and was baptized by him, and united with the First Alfred Church, of which she was a member at her death.
She was a pupil in the select school, the germ of Alfred University, in the Winter of 1836-37. Beginning to teach at the age of sixteen, she attended the Academy as she could with working at home and teaching Summers, until 1846; her health failing while teaching at Andover, she went to East Hampton, Mass., hoping that a change of climate might be a benefit, where she attended Williston Seminary during the school year of 1846-47. In the fall of 1847, she returned to Alfred, and prosecuted her studies as best she could, while taking care of an invalid mother, till, in 1848, she graduated from the Academy, having for her graduation theme "The Burial of Mrs. Judson."
On the completion of her studies, she became, in 1850, at the solicitation of the Rev. W. B. Gillette, Preceptress of the Ladies' Department of the School at New Market, N. J. In 1851 she accepted the position of Preceptress of the Plainfield Free School. She was married Nov. 21st, 1851, to Harry C. Coon, Rev. W. B. Gillette officiating, with whom she had become acquainted while at New Market.
In 1852, her husband entering into business at West Edmeston, N. Y., his native place, she taught one term in the Brookfield Academy. Returning for a time to New Market, though not teaching, she was active in all the enterprises of the school and community, leading in the organization of a literary society, before which she delivered a lecture entitled, "Make Your Mark," which was published in one of the New York Magazines.
In the fall of 1855, she moved with her husband to Walworth, Wis. In the Winter of 1855 and Summer of 1856, we find her teaching the public school of the place, and the Winter of 1856-57, in connection with her husband, taught a select school. In the Winter of 1857-58, the Walworth Academy was started, of which she became Preceptress, holding the position for three years, teaching Mathematics, French, and Latin.
In the fall of 1860, she was chosen Preceptress of Hopkinton Academy, R. I., Rev. J. W. Morton being Principal, and her husband an associate teacher. She remained here until the spring of 1865, when her husband, then being Principal, seeing the necessity of a higher and broader culture, and by her advice and inspiration, gave up the school to complete a course of study in Alfred University, she teaching a select school at Lebanon, Conn., during the Spring, and joining her husband at Alfred in the Fall. Here, keeping house, teaching in the University, studying, and sacrificing, she assisted in bearing the burdens of school life till he husband graduated in 1868.
In the Fall of 1868, she was chosen Preceptress of DeRuyter Institute, her husband being elected Professor of Natural Science and Greek. Here she taught French, German, Botany, and Mathematics for three years, till the school was abandoned by the Central Association. Her husband having completed a course of medicine, was, in 1872, elected Professor of Physical Science and Chemistry in Alfred University, the remainder of her life she taught but occasional classes in the University, her time being taken up with other work.
She was one of the earliest members of the Didaskalian Association, a teachers' society in connection with Alfred Academy, also of the Ladies' Literary Society, afterwards taking the name of Alfriedian, by which it is now known. At its Anniversary Session in 1874, she gave the annual lecture, choosing for her theme "Work," in which she embodied her ideas learned by a life-experience of overwork, and forcibly impressed by the feeling of her waning life-forces.
She was one of the constituent members of the Women's Auxiliary Tract Society of the First Alfred Church, being chosen its first Secretary, which office she held till failing health precluded her attendance upon its sessions. She took a lively interest in its work, and was chosen to represent the Society at a public session of the Society of the Second Alfred Church, choosing for the subject of her address "Character Building." Her last literary work was as editor of the Alfred Student.
She was taken sick April 15th, 1877, and for the last two years was confined to her bed most of the time, hoping and fearing, as she seemed to get better or grow worse, until hope died when the nature of her disease - cancer of the omentum - became fully determined. After suffering much from the agonizing pain peculiar to that disease, she died April 20th, 1879, aged fifty-four years, eight months, and twenty-four days.
Her funeral was held at the church, April 23d. The sermon was preached by her pastor, from the text, John 14: 1-4, a passage she loved to dwell upon; the teachers of the school and members of the societies of which she was a member being among the mourners, amid the large and sympathetic congregation. A.

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 54, No 20, p 311, May 16, 1898.
PROF. HENRY CLARKE COON, M. D., Ph. D.
Dr. H. C. Coon, son of Ezra and Cyrene Burdick Coon, was born Jan. 28, 1828, at West Edmeston, Otsego County, N. Y., and died at his home in Alfred, N. Y., May 9, 1898, aged 70 years, 3 months and 11 days. He was one of seven children, and is survived by the eldest, Harlow M., living in Walworth, Wis., by a brother and sister living in Leonardsville, N. Y., and by his youngest sister, wife of Elder J. P. Hunting, living in Alfred.
His Scotch-Irish ancestors, upon coming to this country, settled in Rhode Island, from which place his grandfather, Daniel Coon, emigrated to West Edmeston, N. Y., when his father was a mere lad. Here, the doctor says, he was brought up on a farm and learned the benefits of its work and discipline. Here also he enjoyed the privileges of a good district school and its library, which inspired him with a love for learning. He entered DeRuyter Institute when nineteen years of age, where he spent five terms.
On Nov. 21, 1851, he was married to Miss L. Elvira Stillman. He refers to her as "a lady of superior culture who was an inspiration to him, especially while teaching with her in Hopkinton Academy." He left Hopkinton to pursue a further course in Alfred University, from which he graduated in the Classical Course in 1868.
After his graduation, he was elected Professor of Greek and Natural Science in DeRuyter Institute, which position he held from 1868 to 1871. In 1871 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of A. M., and in 1872 he received the degree of M. D. from the New York Homeopathic Medical College. In 1882 he took a graduate course in physics at Cornell University; and in 1891 Alfred University conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D., for work done in advanced studies here and in Cornell University. From 1872 until his death he has been at the head of Departments of Physics and Chemistry in Alfred University.
He was director of the Meteorological Observatory of the University; and a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, and Counsellor of the American Institute of Civics.
His first wife having died April 21, 1879, he married Mrs. Mary E. Hill, Dec. 6, 1880, with whom he lived most happily until his death.
As to his religious life and experience, he was converted when quite young, probably about seventeen years old. He was especially awakened to his need of salvation by overhearing his mother praying for him; this, he said, moved him deeply and led him to consecrate himself to God. He was baptized and became a member of the West Edmeston Seventh-day Baptist church. When he came as a student to Alfred University, he transferred his membership here. On the 13th of June, 1869, he received from the First Seventh-day Baptist of Alfred license to preach the gospel; and on the 30th of August 1879, he was ordained deacon of the same church.
For some time prior to his death he was the senior acting deacon; and for some years the Chairman of the Advisory Committee - always, in every position, a wise counselor and a faithful officer of the church. A devoted Christian, a perfect gentleman, so genial and kind, he was universally beloved.
He performed the duties of his position in the university until within two weeks of his death, when he was taken with tonsillitis and other complications. Physicians and friends did all that could be done - well done - and the Lord took him to himself.
Funeral services were held at the church on Wednesday afternoon, May 11, and the precious dust deposited in Alfred Rural Cemetery to await the resurrection of the just. J. L. G.
Provided by Jon Saunders Dec 2010

Hannah Esther Stillman
Born: 10 Jan 1828
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 3 Jan 1858
Place: Rockville, RI
Married: Reverend Stephen Burdick
Born: 13 Mar 1827
Place: Preston, NY
Died: 21 Dec 1905
Place: Alfred, NY
Date Married: 23 Jun 1857

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 14, No 34, p 135, Jan. 21, 1858.
In Rockville, R. I., on the morning of Jan. 3d, Mrs. Hannah E. Burdick, wife of Eld. Stephen Burdick, and daughter of Maxson and Lydia Stillman, in the 30th year of her age. Her devoted life, and unshaken faith in her Redeemer, at its close, leave to her bereaved husband and friends the consoling assurance that what is their loss, is the infinite gain of the departed.


"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 62, No 1, p 13, Jan. 1, 1906.
Stephen Burdick, the fifth of eight children born to Enos P. and Fannie Peckham Burdick, was born at Preston, N. Y., March 13, 1827.
When he was twelve years old, the family came to Alfred, settling in Lamphere Valley. He united with the Second Alfred Church in 1847, being baptized by the pastor, Elder James H. Cochran. He graduated at Alfred Academy in 1856, and entered the theological class at Oberlin, in Ohio, the following autumn. He was taken sick and was forced to leave, but attended Rochester Theological Seminary a few months. June 21, 1857, he was ordained to the ministry at Alfred, and two days later was married to Miss Hannah E. Stillman, daughter of Maxson and Lydia Chapman Stillman. She died the following February, at Rockville, R. I., where they went immediately after their marriage, to enter on his first pastorate. June 2, 1859, he was married to Susan Maxson, daughter of George and Phebe Wells Maxson. Together they went happily through life's partnership until it was broken by her death, after nearly forty years. They had four children, three of whom survive, Dr. George Burdick of Andover, Dr. Alfred S. Burdick of Chicago, and Merle M. Burdick of Peoria, Ill. Elder Burdick's first pastorate, at Rockville, R. I., commenced July 10, 1857. Since then he has been almost continuously in the ministerial harness, until his retirement from the pastorate of the Andover church, two years ago. From Rockville he went to Leonardsville, N. Y., about 1860, and was there three and a half years. Giving up preaching for a brief time. on account of his health, he went to his father-in-law's farm for about a year, then went to De Ruyter as pastor. During 1866-7 he was Principal of De Ruyter Institute. After leaving De Ruyter, for a brief time he did home missionary work in Minnesota, organizing one of the churches there. He then returned to Leonardsville, N. Y., for his second pastorate, in which he remained more than fourteen years, or, all told, about eighteen years as pastor of the Leonardsville church. From there he went to West Hallock, Ill., in 1887, where he remained pastor for ten years. He then accepted a call to Andover, also supplying Wellsville and Scio, for a time. He closed his ministerial work about two years ago, to devote his time to some historical writing, which he had planned. While at Leonardsville, he became identified with the work of the Tract Society, and during most of his second pastorate was its treasurer. After the death of Elder N. V. Hull, he served for a brief time as editor of the Sabbath Recorder.

The past two years have been very happily spent by him in the homes of his married sons, and with his sisters. He has enjoyed excellent health, loving companionship and the literary work to which he has given himself with real zest. Last Wednesday he had a severe attack of neuralgia of the heart, from which he seemed to recover, and passed that night into a quiet sleep, the waking from which was in the eternal morning. Services were held in the First Alfred church, Sabbath afternoon, December 23, 1905. Dr. Gamble read appropriate scripture selections. Elder B. F. Rogers offered prayer. Pastor L. C. Randolph preached the sermon using as his text II Tim. 4: 7, 8 and II Tom. 2: 1-3, pointing out the strong characteristics of the fight which had been fought, the course which had been finished, the faith which had been kept and appealing to those who receive the trust from Mr. Burdick's hands to be faithful to it. He found the key note of Elder Burdick's life in reverence, - reverence for his own body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, for the moral laws of the universe, for the Bible, for God and for his own mission. President Davis followed the sermon by words of appreciation. He also read a tribute to Mr. Burdick's memory, adopted by the Seventh-day Baptist Education Society.  L. C. R.
Provided by Jon Saunders July 2008

Jarius Maxson Stillman
Born: 20 Feb 1834
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 20 Feb 1917
Place: Milton, WI
Married: Clara Lenore Langworthy
Born: 28 Nov 1848
Place: Potter Hill, RI
Died: 3 Mar 1869
Place: Hopkinton, RI
Date Married: 8 Dec 1867

Chester Benton Stillman
Born: 10 Apr 1840
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 15 May 1931
Place: Alfred, NY
Married: Jennie Burdick
Born: 28 Sep 1849
Place: Westerly, RI
Died: 10 Apr 1915
Place: Alfred, NY
Date Married: 17 Jul 1875

Mary Alcemena Stillman
Born: 1 Dec 1844
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 5 Nov 1845
Place: Alfred, NY

Harriet Stillman
Born: 10 Apr 1851
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 30 Mar 1928
Place: Nutley, NJ
Married: William Russell Clarke
Born: 30 Aug 1859
Place: Alfred, NY
Died: 21 Jul 1948
Place: New York, NY
Date Married: 8 Sep 1897

Melissa Jane Stillman [adopted]
Born: 8 Oct 1847
Place: New York, NY
Died: 14 Dec 1934
Place: Alfred, NY
Married:
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Harriet Stillman Clarke, William Russell Clarke and Melissa Jane Stillman are buried in Alfred, NY

Information and data on Jarius Maxson Stillman and Clara Lenore Langworthy has been provided by Jon Saunders