B. G. Stillman, Sr., left home at an early age, and came to the State of New York. He learned the trade of harness-making, and, after working six or eight years for others, settle in De Ruyter, where he took up the business for himself, carrying it on for several years, then sold out, and started a nursery, which he conducted in conjunction with candle-making in the winter. He was quite successful in his candle enterprise until the introduction of kerosene, when he gave it up, and once more took up the business of harness-making, continuing in this until 1891, when he sold out to his son, and is now living retired in the town of De Ruyter. His wife was Miss Sophronia H., daughter of Matthew and Wealthy Wells, of De Ruyter. They reared six children: Welcome E.; S. Marie; our subject [Barton G.]; Phineas M.; George A.; and Celia E. They are all married: Celia to W. H. Cossum, a missionary, located in China; S. Marie to Rev. Thomas R. Williams, D.D., Professor of Theology in Alfred University; Phineas M. to Miss Edna Maine, of De Ruyter, N.Y.; George to Miss Cora Stillman, of Nile, N.Y.; Welcome to Miss Mary A. Crumb, of Brookfield.
Excerpted from THE LEADING CITIZENS OF MADISON COUNTY

In Memoriam
Entered peacefully into rest at eventide in DeRuyter Marvh 6, 1900, our mother, Sophronia H. Wells, wife of Barton G. Stillman, aged 80 years and four months.
For five weeks, she had suffered patiently, eager for the summons that should call her home and with the words on her lips, "We shall meet beyond the river," her sweet spirit took its flight.
She was the eldest daughter of Matthew Wells in a family of eight sons and four daughters, all born on the Wells homestead, three miles north of DeRuyter. She was a student in the DeRuyter Institute and later taught school for a time.
At twenty years of age she married Barton G. Stlllmau. Nov. 19, 1839, and they founded the home which was theirs together for more than sixty years, a home whose hospitable doors stood wide open, where friend and traveler found a hearty welcome. It was a place where children liked to gather, sure that her motherly heart would grant them many a privilege another would have denied because she loved to see them happy.
Seven children came to gladden her heart, all but one of whom grew to mature age under her loving care. The eldest, Welcome R. Stillman, preceded her by ten years. The remaining members of the family circle are Mrs. T. R. Williams, of DeRuyter, Barton G. Stillman, Jr. of Brookfield, P. M. Stillman of Rome, N. Y., George A. Stillman, DeRuyter and Mrs. Wm. H. Cossum now in Ningpo, China.
Her's was a busy, happy life, unselfish and thoughtful for others to the last degree, broad in sympathy and always loyal to what she believed to be right. She was a faithful member ol the W. C. T. U. and attended its sessions as long as health and strength would permit. There came a time when a serious heart trouble incapacitated her for the active duties she had so much enjoyed, but she yielded without a murmur and with scarcely an expressed regret, though she retained a lively interest in all benevolent and reformatory work to the last.
In early life she publicly professed faith in Christ and united with the DeRuyter S. D. B. church of which she remained a faithful member during her long life. But it was in her home where the sweetest fragrance of her beautiful life distilled, a fragrance that will last while memory endures.
The last tribute to her memory was paid in the church she loved and her body laid to rest in the family burial place beyond it. The service was conducted by her pastor, Rev. L. R. Swinney. Her children were all present except Mrs. Cossum, who is so far away, as were Mrs. Stillman's remaining brothers A.Judson Wells of Grand Junction, Iowa, also her nephew, Dr. Frank B. Wells of Plainfield, N.J. and a niece, Mrs. Lamont Stillman, of Plainfield, N.Y. - M.S.W.

Provided by Irving Leon Stillman August 2006

Welcome Elias Stillman
Born: 20 Aug 1843
Place: DeRuyter, NY
Died: 26 Jan 1890
Place: Lancaster, MA
Married: Mary Crumb
Born: 21 Jan 1848
Place: DeRuyter, NY
Died: 4 Nov 1939
Place: South Lancaster, MA
Date Married: 30 Aug 1868

Sophronia Marie Stillman Born: 9 Aug 1849 Place: DeRuyter, NY Died: 31 Oct 1928 Place: Chicago, IL Married: Reverend Thomas R. Williams Born: 15 Apr 1828 Place: Darien, NY Died: 5 Mar 1893 Place: Alfred, NY Date Married: 15 Oct 1889

Sophronia Marie Stillman and Reverend Thomas R. Williams - son of Thomas Williams and Catherine Devendorf - had no children
Sophronia Marie Stillman wrote articles on the History of DeRuyter Institute which were published in the History of the Seventh Baptist Church
Reverend Thomas R. Williams was a professor of Theology at Alfred University

Barton Gardiner Stillman, Jr.
Born: 6 Feb 1856
Place: DeRuyter, NY
Died: 14 Nov 1911
Place: Brookfield, NY
Married:1) Annette B. Babcock
Born: 14 Nov 1855
Place: Brookfield, NY
Died: 28 Dec 1903
Place: Brookfield, NY
Date Married: 12 Jan 1881
Married:2) Margaretta A. Taylor
Born: 28 Dec 1866
Place: Benton, NY
Died: 12 Mar 1954
Place: Brookfield, NY
Date Married: 16 Aug 1905

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 71, No 24 p 767, Dec. 11, 1911.
Barton G. Stillman, son of Barton G. and Sophia Wells Stillman, was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., Feb 6, 1856, and died in Brookfield, N. Y., November 14, 1911.
He made a determined but unequal fight for about two years against the disease of pernicious anemia. His hopeful and determined spirit no doubt materially prolonged his life.
His education was secured in the schools at DeRuyter. At the age of sixteen he came to Brookfield, where he has since resided. In 1877 he entered the office of the Brookfield Courier, acquiring a half interest in the paper in 1884. This interest he retained until his death. "He was a good printer, a forceful and versatile writer and a business manager of exceptional ability. Pronounced and aggressive in his advocacy of right and justice, he had little patience with those things which were unworthy of endorsement." He maintained high ideals and helped to make the Courier a power for good in the community. He held many positions of trust with honor and efficiency. For many years he was treasurer of the Brookfield Madison County Agricultural Society, and he held the position of postmaster at Brookfield since 1908. Though not a member of the church he was a Sabbath-keeper, an attendant and supporter of the church. He possessed deep moral and religious convictions and exemplified in his daily walk many fruits of the Spirit.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Annette Babcock, who passed away in 1903. In 1905 he was married to Miss Margaretta A. Taylor. She and a little daughter, Katherine, are left to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father. He is also survived by two brothers, - George A. of Alfred, N. Y., and Phineas M. of Syracuse, N. Y., and two sisters, - Mrs. Marie S. Williams and Mrs. W. H. Cossum of Norwood, Ohio.
Funeral services were held at his late home in Brookfield, conducted by Rev. Walter L. Greene, a former pastor. Interment in Brookfield Rural Cemetery.
W. L. G.
Provided by Jon Saunders 2004

Phineas Matthew Stillman
Born: 1 Apr 1860
Place: DeRuyter, NY
Died: 25 Oct 1939
Place: Syracuse, NY
Married: Edna Julia Main
Born: 4 Mar 1868
Place: of DeRuyter, NY
Died:
Place: Buried in DeRuyter, NY Cemetery
Date Married: 24 Dec 1888

George Alfred Stillman Born: 13 Mar 1862 Place: DeRuyter, NY Died: 20 Oct 1954 Place: Alfred, NY Married:1) Cora Adel Stillman Born: 28 Mar 1863 Place: Richburg, NY Died: 5 Oct 1927 Place: Alfred, NY Date Married: 2 Jun 1886 Married:2) Emma (McKee) Morehouse Born: 3 Feb 1867 Place: Belmont, NY Died: 7 Oct 1939 Place: Alfred, NY Date Married: 11 Nov 1928

Mary Cecilia E. Stillman Born: 14 Jun 1864 Place: DeRuyter, NY Died: 1955 Place: Chicago, IL Married: Reverend William Cossum Born: 11 Feb 1863 Place: Poughkeepsie, NY Died: Place: Date Married: 21 May 1890

Pictures provided by Irving Leon Stillman