The Family of Sylvester Capron and Caroline L. Townsend Capron

The Parents of Sylvester Capron

Elisha Capron I and Abigail ?

The Parents of Caroline L. Townsend

George W. Townsend and Sarah Day Townsend

Capron Family Tree

Sylvester’s Maternal Family Tree

Townsend Family Tree

Day Family Tree

Marriages of Sylvester Capron

1st Marriage to Laura Higgins

2nd Marriage to Caroline L. Townsend.

Marriages of Caroline L. Townsend

1st Marriage to Knight Jenks.

2nd Marriage to Sylvester Capron.

The Obituary of Sylvester Capron

18 June 1806 - 8 July 1876

From the Nunda News, 15 July 1876.

Fatal Accident on the Erie. - Two Elderly People Instantly Killed.

As train 8 on the Rochester division of the Erie railroad was approaching Wayland, it struck a carriage on a crossing known as Buffalo street throwing the two occupants to the ground and instantly killing them both.

The unfortunate victims of the disaster were Sylvester Capron of Springwater and his sister, Mrs. Clara Whitman.

Mr. Capron has long been one of the most prominent citizens of Springwater and Mrs. Whitman will be remembered by many readers, as the lady who formerly attended at the the toll gate on the Wayland and Dansville plank road.

At the scene of the accident, the wagon road crosses the track at an oblique angle so that the carriage was struck by the engine nearly from behind. The disaster was a terrible one, but no blame seems to have been attached to anyone.

...

From the Naples Record, 15 July 1876

East Springwater - Saturday the news spread like wildfire through the town and surrounding country that Sylvester Capron and his sister, Mrs. Whitman, had been killed at the R. R. crossing on Buffalo street, a short distance west of Wayland.

They were on their way to Dansville and were struck by the morning Express going east, shivering the buggy to pieces, Capron with the seat, was carried on the platform in front of the engine to the next crossing, a short distance before the train could be stopped. The skull on the back of his head was broken which was the only bruise found upon him.

Not so with Aunt Clara, she was dragged by the cars about half way to the other crossing from where the accident occurred, mangling her terribly, it is said every bone in her body was broken.

Few, if any, among us, would have been missed more than they. They had outlived their allotted time of three score and ten years, most of which had been spent in this town. “Vest” as he was familiarly called by every one, had been a successful farmer, having accumulated a fortune thereby, was a zealous Methodist in his younger days, and will be remembered also, as the genial landlord of the Tabors Corners Tavern, in the stirring political times of the Polk campaign in which he took a lively part, marching shoulder to shoulder with the Naples jaw-bone band, when A. T. Nelson was the leader.

Aunt Clara’s kindly greeting will be remembered by thousands who passed the toll-gate to Dansville, where she for many years helped Uncle Whitman take the toll.

It was a sad night to see them lying there, side by side, and will never be forgotten by the many, many friends who come to see. It is said that three other persons have been killed at the some crossing within a few years.

The Obituary of Caroline L. Townsend Sylvester

22 August 1821 - 21 August 1905

From the Warsaw Times, 30 August 1905.

Perry NY - Caroline L. Townsend, wife of the late Knight Jenks of Covington, later the widow of Sylvester Capron of Springwater, Livingston County, New York, was born in the village of Colburn, Canada, August 22, 1820, died of senile decay at the home of her sister, Mrs. Lois M. Smith, in the town of Perry, August 21, 1905.

She was the oldest child of George W. Townsend and Sarah Day. Her maternal grandfather was John Day, a prominent member of the society of Friend Quakers. Her father, George Townsend, was born at Tyeringham, Mass. Her paternal grandfather came from England, locating in Needham, Mass., where he organized the first Congregational Church, over which he presided as pastor for forty-five years.

Although the frosts of four score and five years had left their traces upon her brow, her cheerful, genial disposition made one forget that Father Time was so soon to gather the already ripened grain. Such a beautiful example was hers that many a life has been touched and shaded with the exquisite coloring of purity, truth and grace and led to seek the brighter, nobler paths of life. The memory of her gracious presence and the untiring effort of ever willing feet and hands to minister to the comfort of others, is indelibly graven on the sorrowing hearts of kindred and friends.

Mrs. Capron is survived by one son, Zachary T. Jenks of Persia, Cattaraugus, County, N. Y., two sisters, Mrs. Lois M. Smith of Perry, N. Y., Mrs. A. P. Convis of Chicago, Ill., and one brother, John S. Townsend of Strawn, Ill.

“Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb,
Take this new treasure to thy trust
And give those sacred relics room
To slumber in the silent dust.”

The Burial of Sylvester Capron

Mt. Vernon Evergreen Cemetery in Springwater NY

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The Gravestone of Sylvester Capron (1806 - 1876).

Located in the Mt. Vernon Evergreen Cemetery in Springwater NY.

The Burial of Caroline L. Townsend Capron.

LaGrange Cemetery in LaGrange NY.

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