Edward Arnold 1803-1895

Photographed before 1896, New York. From the personal family photo collection of the late Irving Arnold (1869-1956), grandson of Edward Arnold & Christina McChesney.

Edward Arnold & Christina McChesney Edward Arnold, Jr. was born 12 September 1803, Little Falls. In a section of town known as Burt Hill, Herkimer County, New York. He is the son of Rhode Islander's Edward Arnold (1759/1761-1842) and Mercy Phetteplace (1763-1858). Edward wed in matrimony Christina McChesney 30 December 1841 in Herkimer County, NY. Blessed by their marriage union are 6 children: Robert, Delia, Charles, William, Peter & David Arnold. In 1850 Edward, Jr. was a farmer. Bewtween 1860 and 1870 a carpenter by trade, and remembered as one ot the best in town. This early pioneer couple lived and reared their children in the small thriving village of Little Falls where the Mohawk river passes through the mountain barrier. Never migrating to another village, town or state. Edward lived a long life until his passing at age 92 years and 6 months. He passed away 2nd March 1895 shortley past midnight at his home on West Monroe St. in Little Falls. It is written he was a staunch Democrat. An unassuming man of the strictest integrity and honor. Edward & Christina are layed to rest at Church Street Cemetry in the Arnold family lot #118, Little Falls, NY. The old Arnold homestead built prior to 1842 still stands in 2006. It was home to 3 generations of the Arnold family for nearly 100 years or more until 1940. Christina gave birth to at least 4 of their 6 children here at the homestead - Robert the oldest born in 1841, Charles born 1847, Peter born 1855, and David born 1858. Likely Delia born 1845, and William in 1850 were born at the same residence as well. To distinguish the son from his father, Jr. and Sr. are used respectively within this Arnold family home page, and not necessarily exhibited or expressed in the antique documents discovered, i.e early U. S. census records of the 1800's, etc. With the expection of Edward Arnold, Jr., & Christina McChesney's marriage annnouncemnt published 6 Jan 1842 in the Journal Courier, a Little Falls, NY, newspaper. Their marraige announcment is the only record I've discovered to reference Christina's husband as Jr.

Christina (McChesney) Arnold 1817-1887

Church Street Cemetery, Little Falls, NY. Christina (McChesney) Arnold, wife of Edward Arnold Jr., was born about 11 October 1817 in Little Falls, and died 14 March 1887 in the same New York town. There is a discrepancy regarding her date of birth between 3 sources. Namely a transcription of her baptism record indicating she was born 4 Oct, and her tombstone inscription and death certificate where her brith is recorded as 11 Oct. Christina is one of 14 children and the daughter of Robert McChesney (1792-1839) & Nancy (Bellinger) McChesney (1792-1830). Both her parents are buried at the Fall Hill Cemetery also known as the Hess Cemetery, Danube, New York. Christina's siblings are: Pamelia (McChesney) Budlong; Caroline (McChesney) Wager; Hiram (the first) b. 1811; Dinah (McChesney) Skinner; Peter; Catherine (McChesney) Hall; Hiram b. 1820; Elizabeth (McChesney) Farnam; Mary Margaret (McChesney) LeBart; Madillah (McChesney) LeBart; Lydia Ann McChesney; and Lucinda Tryphosia (McChesney) Stewart. After her mother Nancy (Bellinger) McChesney passed away in 1830, her father Robert remarried to Betsy Swift. Robert and Betsy had at least two children, sons William H. & Robert D. McChesney. Christina is the great granddaughter of Delia Herkimer and American Revolutionary War Col. Peter Bellinger. Christina's great uncle General Nicholas Herkimer of Danube, New York (brother of Delia (Herkimer) Bellinger), is remembered with historical fame in the 1777 Battle of Oriskany during the American Revolutionary War.

Edward Arnold Sr 1759-1842

Church Street Cemetery, Little Falls. Edward Arnold, Sr.was born between 1759-1761 in early colonial period America, Rhode Island. A son of Caleb Arnold the Revolutionary War Patriot (1725-1784) and Patience Brown . During the American Revolutionary War, Edward, Sr. enlisted 14 May 1777 for the term of 3 years in the state of Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt. Stephen Olney in Col. Angels Regiment of the Rhode Island Line. He was a drummer boy serving his young country and was the first to climb the abatis at Yorktown. After many battles with the enemy he was discharged 7 May 1780 in Morristown, New Jersey when his term of service expired. Edward, Sr. married Mercy Phetteplace at her fathers house in Rhode Island. From this union are 13 children: Nancy, Ezeck/Ezeeck , Lucy, Moly, Samuel, Amy, David, Mercy, Lovira, Sophia, Tryphena, Edward (Jr), and Sabrina Arnold. Edward Arnold, Sr. died 29th October, 1842 and is interred at Church Street Cemetery in the Arnold family cemetery lot #118, Little Falls, NY. He is the only Revolutionary War soldier known to be buried in this cemetery. His contributions to establish and defend the first colonies of America in her infancy are recorded in historical documents and history books from Rhode Island to New York, and inscribed upon his tombstone. As noted in the book History of Herkimer County, page 419, published 1856 by Nathaniel S. Benton, the following excerpt is recorded. "While strolling through this cemetery, north of the village, taking notes from the memorials of the dead, my attention was arrested by a broad headstone of white marble, tall and erect, and I transcribed the affectionate testimonial of the wife who had consigned to the grave the loved and cherished companion of her long and varied life. These are the words spoken by the widowed and sticken heart". Edward's epitaph on his tombstone reads..... "Died, on the 29th of October, 1842, in the 83rd year of his age, EDWARD ARNOLD His widow erected this humble stone, to commerate his private worth, but his nobler moments are the battle fields of the American revolution, in letters of blood. These shall perpetuate his public virtures when this tribute of a wife's affection shall have crumbled into dust, and no human hand can point out the spot where the hero sleeps" Several Arnold family members are buried here in the Arnold lot #118. However only two have tombstones. Edward Arnold, Sr., and his daughter in law Christina (McChesney) Arnold. There is also a Mercy Arnold died 1858 and burried in the Church Street Cemetery who is recorded in the "Old Burial Permints" No lot owner or lot number is indicated. This information is from the Little Falls Historical Society & Museum. It is suspected by this family historian that this Mercy is either the wife of Edward Arnold, Sr., or possibly Mercy Arnold born 9 April 1799 the daughter of Edward Arnold, Sr and Mercy (Phetteplace/Phettyplace) Arnold.

Children of Edward Arnold, Sr & Mercy Phetteplace

Acknowledgements & Sources Special thanks and appreciation to: grandma Margaret better known as Marguerite (Pauth) Robbins for guarding and preserving the historical tattered hand written pages with names and dates of our Arnold family dating back to the mid 1700's; cousin George; cousins Susan, Thelma & Debbie for the Arnold Family to the 6th Generation, vintage family photos from the Arnold/Beard collection, articles and more; cousins Janet & Donna for generously sharing antique Arnold & related family photos from the Arnold/Whalen collection; Chuck for the tidious task of extracing the census data, his willingness to share & at the same time guide me in the right direction; Mr & Mrs Neel for their heart led travels & journey to document the facts & permission to share Edward Arnold Sr's tombstone photo; RAOGK volunteer Millie G for her numerous acts of kindness, dilligent efforts & search/research at many many Herkimer County locations; to all the Genealogy.com & Ancestry.com volunteers & contributors. This brief ackowledgment is a mere sample of unselfish acts and kindness to preserve the family history of Edward Arnold & Christina McChesney. This Arnold family home page is the product & joint effort of many. Sources: 1) Personal family record of Margaret (Pauth) Robbins also known as Marguerite, gg granddaughter of Edward Arnold & Mercy Phetteplace. 2) Marriage Notice of Edward Arnold Jr & Christina McChesney published 6 Jan 1842 in the Mohawk Courier a Little Falls newspaper, 3) 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York Federal Census; 1855, 1865, 1875 New York State Census Records, Little Falls, NY for Edward & Christina (McChesney) Arnold.. 4) Christina (McChesney) Arnold's transcribed Baptisim Records of the Dutch Reformed Church at Fort Plain, Town of Minden; her Death Notice published 15 March 1887 in the Journal Courier, a weekley NY newspaper ; her New York Vital Records death certificate; Church Street Cemetery Burial Records; cemetery photo of Christina's tombstone. 5) Obituary of Edward Arnold (1803-1895) published March 1895 in the Evening Times a Little Falls, NY, newspaper; Death certificate of Edward Arnold from New York State Vital Recods, died 2 March 1895, Little Falls, Hekimer County, NY. 6) Narragansett Historical Register, Vol. 9 page 145-152, by J. O. Arnold published, April 1891. The purpose of the Arnold family home page is to share family history and genealogy with related family and others with similar interests. This website will be updated periodically as time allows with new information and sources. Last updated 6 July 2007.

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