Cole Family papers, 1752-1951

Sisson Cole (1746-1845) migrated from Rhode Island to Otsego County, NY, in the late 18th century probably looking for farm land. Sisson's son, Eseck Cole (1780-1839), added a 20 acres parcel to the family property in Richfield in 1832. Later, Eseck's son, Eseck (1817-1915) bought out his siblings and continued farming the same property.

The Coles were farmers; growing corn, wheat, raising cattle, and sheep. Sisson used the corn and wheat to barter with tradesmen and carpenters for work on their home. They had a brick house with a shingled roof. In their spare time, the Coles spun yarn and made cheese and wine. Goods they did not have in their home they purchased, such as rum, muslin, sugar, coffee, spectacles, tea, and butter. With several other families in Richfield, NY, they hired a school master in 1798. This is documented in the collection with a promissory note to the school to pay the school master. Sisson Cole is listed as a subscriber and indicated that three of his children would be enrolled.

Eseck Cole (1780-1839) was a Freemason in New York in 1835, as is discovered in a letter from his daughter Lovina to her sister Lucinda. Lovina, writes, "Father must say nothing about Masonry--he is a Mason--meets with them now." Eseck was a Freemason but had to keep this membership secret. Because of the 1826 disappearance of William Morgan from jail in Canandaigua, NY, sometimes referred to as the Morgan Affair, Freemasonry was kept very quiet at this time. There was much anti-Masonic activity throughout the area. According to Hugh A. Cole, donator of the collection, Sisson Cole, Eseck Cole (1780-1839)'s father, was an anti-Masonic supporter. His son, John W., grandson Aden J., and great grandson Hugh A. Cole, were all Worshipful Masters of their respective Masonic lodges.

The Cole family and friends moved for larger parcels of farm land. Lovina and her husband, Otis, moved to Ohio and wrote letters to the Coles in Richfield, NY, describing living in the "west" and asking them to visit. Ohio did not become a state until 1803 and Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, were considered the western frontier in the early 19th century.