Person:William Weeks (2)

William Henry was one of the earliest settlers in the north part ofElba. He was known as the "Fighting Quaker" because of his served asa lad in the War of 1812, drawing bread and other provisions for thearmy from Albany to Buffalo with a four horse team, was his activerole in the War. The soldiers drew a daily ration of whiskey butbeing a teetotler, Mr. Weeks exchanged his whiskey for butter, etc. .He saw Buffalo being burned by the British. He moved to Farmington, Ontario County, New York at an early date. Itwas there that he met and married his 15 year old bride, SusannahSheffield. They had relocated to Farmington when she was very young. Five years later, in 1822, they settled on the farm where they wouldpass the remainder of their days. They purchased for a home tact ofland, a parcel of 110 acres located on the highest ridge in the town.When they came here, that part of the town was a wilderness withouotpublic roads or other improvements. William had to mark trees toguide them from one point to the other in the dense forest. They soonremoved the timber and covered the broad fields with golden grain, butit wasn't easy. All the pioneer couple possessed at the time was a yoke of oxen, andold shed, an ax, and 25 cents in money. They moved in the winter,taking up their abode with a neighbor and began the work of clearingthe land. William built a pole shanty for his oxen, whose only feedthat winter was the small branches of green trees. The he built asmall log house with a stick chimney outside and moved his family in.Ashes were boiled to make black salts, which were sold to buygroceries and other provisions. The following spring he sowed hisgrain by hand, reaped it with a sickle and threshed it with a flail,drawing all of it to Rochester, 38 miles away, with a sled. Hereceived 25 cents a bushel for his wheat. For going to the mill, heconstructed a vehicle by removing the top half from a hollow log,slanted up at one end, placing a chain about it , hitching his oxen toit and placing the grist in the hollowed section. He had to go to themill by way of Batavia and on various occasions people alighted fromthe stage there to see his queer turnout. The pioneers oftenencountered dangers, bears, wildcats and other wild animals being muchin evidence at the time. With brave hearts and vigorous hope, William and Susannah battled withthe privations and hardships of pioneer life. Together they lived tosee and enjoy the wonderful transformation of the wilderness into agarden of beauty and plenty. Twelve children gladdend their happyhome, most reaching maturity. William suffered from a severe and painful illness for several weeksbefore he died. He had long been a prominent and useful member of theFriend's Church and was greatly missed by his 34 grandchildern and 24great-grand children. After 63 years of marriage, Susannah was leftwith many fond memories, that saw her through the following years.Her 83rd birthday celebration was marred by the fact that she was ill.In the morrning of the 26th of February, 1885, peace fell upon thisgreat lady and eternal slumber overcame her. The Rev. Eddy conductedher funeral services at the Friend's Church and she was laid to restin the Friend's Cemetery with her husband. Welcome, Joshua, John, Melvina, Jane, and Edward moved to Michiganwhen that state was being settled and have many descendants there.They all changed their surname back to WICKS, so all the descendantshave the WICKS surname. James H, the yougest, remained at home with his parents and inheritedmost of their substantial property. He appears to have obtained theinheritance by chicanery, because an eyewitness account of the readingof the will of William H. Weeks, states that when the reading wascompleted, Susannah spole up and said, "Why James! thee burned thewrong will." The will was not contested however, and James kept hisinheritance. The other living children received $300 each, under theterms of the will, with the exception of Stephen who received about$365. Some of Emiline's children recieved $25 Each. This story is corrected by viewing the actual will in which all isgiven to first, his wife Susanna; secondly, all is given to son Jamesand he is directed to to give each of his siblings $200 to be paidwithin two years after Susanna's death.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
2. ↑ Scott Benz. Elba, NY Town Historian, Family group sheets, photos, wills, andnewspaper clippings..
3.   Robert Wicks, Sr., 5 Charles St., Plainfield, CT 06374. Old envelopes, postcards, and letters..
4. ↑ William died of Pain in Feet!?