The Family of Russell R. Jacques and Harriet Francis Jacques

The Parents of Russell R. Jacques.

Darius Jacques and Mary Rossiter Jacques

The Parents of Harriet Francis.

Elihu Francis and Lydia French Francis

Jacques Family Tree

Rossiter Family Tree

Francis Family Tree

French Family Tree

Marriages of Russell R. Jacques

Marriage to Harriet Francis in 1834

Marriages of Harriet Francis

Marriage to Russell R. Jacques in 1834

The Biography of Russell R. Jacques

From: History of Livingston County NY, by James H. Smith, in 1881.

Rediscovered by Joy Lewis, Richmond Town Historian in 2021.

Russel R. Jacques, the subject of this biography, was born in the State of Vermont, February 11, 1807. His mother dying in his infancy, his father, Darius Jacques, entrusted him and his sister Caroline—the only surviving children—to the care of an aunt, Mrs. Williams, in Chenango county, N. Y.

In 1813, he removed with them to the town of Richmond, Ontario county, where he purchased a small farm.

In 1815, Darius Jacques married the widow of Levi VanFossen, and in the following year moved with his family to what was known as the VanFossen Mills.

Russel R., was then nine years old. His father, though a man of collegiate education, gave his son but the educational advantages of the common schools, the higher schools of those days being remote and expensive. Being naturally inclined to study he availed himself of the opportunities of the common schools, and at the age of thirteen went to Canandaigua to secure the better educational advantages there presented. In that place he remained some five years, and then went to Geneseo where he attended school some two years. While at this place his father lost his eyesight, and he being the only child, was called home to take care of the afflicted parent, at the sacrifice of any ambition he might have had in other directions. Here, at the foot of Hemlock lake, he began the life of a farmer, in which pursuit, and in the same place, he has continued to the present time.

In 1834, he was married to Miss Harriet Francis, daughter of Elihu Francis, who then owned the farm now owned by Mr. Lindsey.

In 1841, he was elected magistrate of the town, serving four years, at the close of the term declining re-election.

In 1851, he built a large farmhouse, which in 1861 was devoted to the accommodation of summer tourists to the beautiful region of Hemlock Lake. During the years which followed, the place became a popular resort, and his accommodations being insufficient he was, in 1873, induced to enlarge his house to a capacity affording accommodations to seventy-five persons, giving to it the name of the Jacques House. To this place, in the summer months, come tourists from various parts of the country, who make this house their home, or who occupy the cottages built on leased or purchased lots from his farm.

Of the pioneer of this delightful summer resort, it may be said that he is a man of genial, social nature, ardent and appreciative in his friendships, a staunch advocate of the right, responsive to the call of the poor and unfortunate, a lover of his country and an admirer of the beautiful in nature and now, in the yellow leaf of life, believing that, though unknown here, when God comes in His kingdom He will perhaps remember him as well as the philosophers, statesmen and heroes who have won the plaudits of the world.

The Obituary of Russell R. Jacques

11 February 1807 - 3 March 1892

From the Livonia Gazette, 18 March 1892

Russell R. Jacques was the son of Darius and Mary Rossiter Jacques, natives of the State of Vermont. He was born Feb. 11, 1807, in what was then known as the province of Lower Canada, whither his parents had gone to reside temporarily. His mother dying while he was yet in his infancy he along with his older sister, was placed under the care of an aunt - a Mrs. Willams, in Chenango county NY.

In 1813 he came with his father to the town of Richmond, to the farm now owned by the Curtis Brothers. Two years later, his father, having married the widow of Levi VanFossen, they came to reside at Hemlock Lake, then known as VanFossen’s Mills.

When 13 years of age he went to live in Canandaigua, where he spent five years, and then two years in Geneseo. His educational advantages were limited, derived chiefly from the common schools; but possessing a literary taste his reading was quite extensive and he became familiar with many of the English classics.

But before reaching his majority, his father, having become blind, he returned home to care for his afflicted parents, and commenced the live of a farmer on what has since been known as the Jacques place.

To make his home complete, in 1834 he married Miss Harriet Francis, a sister of the late Sylvester Francis, who for nearly fifty-eight years has presided over its interest, making it a sunny spot. The union was a happy one. Possessed of genial social natures, they drew around them a host of friends, and their home was for many years a favourite social resort, especially for young people, and many who are now in the sere and yellow leaf of life well remember with pleasure the happy hours spent under their hospitable roof.

Mr. Jacques early embraced Christ and was for many years a member of the Methodist church, in which communion he died. The last years of his life were peaceful and serene. Relived to a great extent of the cares and anxieties of life at peace with God and his neighbors, he waited patiently till the wheel of life stood still, and he was not.

The Obituary of Harriet Francis Jacques

20 August 1810 - 23 September 1909

From the Livonia Gazette, 1 October 1909

Mrs. Harriet Francis Jacques died at Hornell on the 23d of this month at the home of her sister, Mrs. Alley, at the age of ninety-nine years and one month. She was born in Winsted, Conn., Aug. 20, 1810, and went to Cayuga county when 8 years old.

At the age of 20 she came to Livonia and went to the Sylvester Francis farm, where she was married, when 24, to Russell R. Jacques, going directly to the farm at the foot of Hemlock Lake, where she lived for nearly seventy years.

She went from the village of Hemlock to live with her sister, Mrs. Alley, where she remained until her death.

We are informed that in her younger days she wove 3500 yards of woolen cloth in two years. Later, people began coming to the farm house as summer boarders, and it became so popular with them that the old house was soon outgrown, and in 1871 the building was enlarged and became the Jacques House so well known for many years.

A sketch of the life of Mrs. Jacques would be a history of Hemlock lake.

The Burial of Russell R. Jacques

Union Cemetery in Livonia NY

The Burial of Harriet Francis Jacques

Union Cemetery in Livonia NY

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