Ireland Family Reunion, 1915

13th Annual Reunion of the

Descendants of James, Jacob and Thomas Ireland

1915

 

In the year 1742, while this country was still a young colony, there came to the shores a young Englishman, who leaving the comforts and ease of his London home sought fame and fortune in this land of promise.  This was James Ireland, Jr., and he settled for a while at Ireland's Coroners, ten miles above Albany.  This was a very interesting and perilous time to "the settlers."  The terrible French-Indian war threatened and a convention was held in Albany where the great Franklin suggested the union of the English colonies, his master mind placing before men the power and possibilities of a united America.  It is but reasonable to suppose that all this proved most interesting to our young pioneer,  Having sprung from a family who numbered among its members authors and artists of national repute, he was himself a man of learning.  In those days a ten mile horse back trip was but a neighborhood visit, to Albany was not far away.

 

In 1801 James Ireland and brothers Jacob and Thomas came down from Saratoga on a raft and landed near where the present bridge is.  Our beautiful village was then a dense forest and undoubtedly marshy as our pioneers "fearing malaria," blazed a trail clear to West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Here they chose their sites for the future homesteads.  The James Ireland homestead, with the original stone house, still in good condition, is now occupied by Lynn Brayman. Allison Ireland lives on the Jacob Ireland homestead, and the Thomas Ireland place, was recently sold by Arvine Ireland.

 

In the memoirs of James Ireland now being compiled by the great grandson, C.W. Ireland, are many ludicrous as well as pathetic incidents.  It certainly did not do for the women of those days to "have nerves."  One day Mrs. James Ireland hearing a noise near the pig pen, and on looking out saw a large bear carrying off their finest pig.  Her screams brought Mr. Ireland and the hired man to the scene, but before they could rescue the pig it was dragged up the hill and killed. At another time, after a season of severe rainstorms when crops had failed, the only cow died, and misfortune seemed to surround the brave little band; it was absolute necessary for one of the number to get to a grist mill.  James T. Started out on horseback for the mill at the junction of the rivers (Sidney) but the creeks being so swollen and traveling bad he did not reach there until late, then he found so many before him that he was forced to remain until next day.  More rain made his homeward journey still more dangerous, but his brave wife had said he must start home even though he never reach it alive, as food supplies were exhausted.  The roads being so impassable, night overtook him half way home, another storm burst upon him, so tethering this horse to a tree he took his trusted gun and climbed to a overhanging limb for safety. The swamp around him (Hayes) was filled by the screeches of the wolves making his horse so restive he was in danger of losing him. At last morning came and he reached home safely.

 

The descendants of this brave pioneer held their annual reunion at the home of John Matteson in this village on Wednesday of last week, about 140 being present. The day was exceptionally fine, and after a bountiful dinner served by the Ladies' Aid of the M.E. Church, a business meeting was held. The officers of the previous year were re-elected being:

 

President --William H. Ireland

Vice-president--Allison Ireland

Secretary--Chas. W. Ireland

Treasurer--James Ireland

 

It was decided to hold the next reunion at the home of Fremont Bentley on Wednesday the second week in August, 1916.  After the business meeting came the ball game between Bainbridge and  Union Valley, many of the players being members of the Ireland family.