Mrs. Esther (Sherwood) Foster

Mrs. Esther (Sherwood) Foster

Bainbridge Republican, January 23, 1879

 

Mrs. Moses Foster, daughter of Squire and Hannah Sherwood, was born at Hillsdale, Columbia County, April 28, 1790.  She was married March 27, 1811, and she and her husband moved to Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY] in the year of 1818, and engaged in hotel keeping in what is now known as the Unadilla House of that village.  They shortly after purchased a farm about two miles east of this place and opened a public house there.  At that early day all merchandise and traffic was carried on between this section of the country and Catskill in lumber wagons, hence "Country taverns," as they were then termed, were far more numerous than at the present time. They continued in the farming and hotel business at that place for a few years and then sold out to Elisha Luther, father of M.B. Luther, Esq. who now resides on the premises.  They then purchased a farm and opened what was so long and favorably known as "Foster's Tavern," but now known as the homestead of that family.  They were successful in accumulating property, and kept adding to their real estate until they became quite extensive land owners.  They also purchased the Arnold mill property, which they built over, and erected the paper mill and other buildings which they sold to Messrs. Palmer & Humphrey.  Mr. Foster died Nov. 3d, 1865, at the advanced age of 76 years. They had seven children (six sons and a daughter) all of whom grew up and became settled in life.  They also brought up as one of their own family a grandson, who now resides at the homestead.  Since the death of her husband Mrs. Foster lives with her eldest son on a farm adjoining and in full view of her former home.  Mr. and Mrs. Foster, though never connected with any church, had the highest regards for good morals, and what is peculiarly remarkable is that notwithstanding their children, as well as their father before them, were all born and brought up in a hotel, as was their grandson, not one of the family were ever addicted to the use of strong drink as a beverage, and are distinguished for their temperate habits and principles.  Though some of the children, like the father have passed beyond the river, they have all held a high oral and social position in the community, and are characterized as men of honor and integrity showing that where parental influences are properly directed and home made pleasant and attractive, children will love and respect the examples of their parents irrespective of other surrounding.  Mrs. Foster, though now in the 90th year of her age, still possesses that same fondness of social amusements that ever characterized her as an exemplary mother and an attractive landlady.

Compiler note:  Mrs. Moses Foster died 21 January 1882 at the age of 92 years.  She and her husband are buried in Union Cemetery, Unadilla, Otsego Co., NY.  Reported children include Parley, Augustus, Norman, David, Henry, Charlotte and Leonard A. Foster.