The project
Several years ago I created a website to share the historical materials about Chateaugay Lake that I’ve gathered and collected. Sources include materials from the scrapbook of my father, John D. Miles [1918-1982]. The earliest newspaper cuttings from his scrapbook dated from before he was born, therefore this project actually began with his grandparents John D. and Settie Blow Miles, with whom he lived with his sister since about the age of 12.
My dad kept all kinds of records: he maintained numerous clippings from the NYS Conservation magazine, and kept a journal detailing the weather as well as other odd entries. His scrapbook consisted mainly of historical clippings, as well as items about cousins and neighbors. I hope that others will read, and perhaps even contribute to our history.
The John D. Miles you mention, I beleive was my third cousin once removed through the Bell family of his maternal grandmother and Third cousin through the Blows of his paternal grandmother.
If it is the same John D. Bell, he is also a descendant of a revolutionary War Captain, one of the few French Canadians who crossed the boarder to fight the British yet again as they had a decade and a half earlier during the French and Indian War. This time they were successful.
My father, James McPherson who was raised part of his life on Spears Hill Road, also kept an unbelievable amount of notes, articles and documents from Chateaugay Lake, but unfornunatley, after he died, one of my siblings uncerimoniously burned everything to “get it out of the way”.
The little school on what is now 374, just on the Franklin County side of the line was still standing as a private home in about 1990, but has been gone for a decade or more. He remembers it as having been concidered to be in Ellenburg, as was the Graveyard where many of his ancestors were buried on the lakeshore. That would be the Lakeside Cemetery were many Robinson’s, Gadways and some of the Shutts familywere buried.
December 26, 2009 at 20:33
Anthony, thanks for the great tidbits; they’re quite welcome. Sorry to hear about loss of family memorabilia; that’s a shame.
I’m familiar with the Lakeside Cemetery.
January 4, 2010 at 23:17
was your dad the john miles that the red fox for so many years.if so I remember the day he got it Iwas about 10 years old.
February 2, 2010 at 15:03
Hi! I’m in the process of writing a history of Brainardsville and am using a lot of your materials, the Chat. Record, Seavers, Hurd, etc., plus things you’ve written about your family.
Is this okay, and are footnotes sufficient to cover my sources? Right now I’m looking for information on your site about Enoch Merrill.
Sincerely, Jan
April 17, 2010 at 17:23
Hi Jan, yes this is fine, and footnotes/endnotes are sufficient, depending on the style you choose. Dunno if there’s much here about Enoch.
May 24, 2010 at 16:23
My family has owned Squaw Island for many years, and I am trying to track down more information about the Johnson who built the house there, sometimes referred to as Johnson’s Cottage.
August 17, 2010 at 02:19
Ben, I think the house was built by the Johnson Family of Chateaugay, who owned a lumber company. Hence, the beautiful wood work, wainscoating, etc.
Janet Sterling
Buckhorn folks probably know more.
October 26, 2010 at 19:58
There are dog teeth marks in the windows because they used dogs to haul the lumber. I think that’s hilarious btw.
December 3, 2010 at 03:21
Hi,
My great great great grandfather, family rumour has it , purchased some land at Shatagee/Chateaugay Meadows in about 1820 or early 1820s. His house/farm burned to the ground and he left, went back to Scotland and eventually died in the British Virgin Islands. Can anyone direct me to where I might find history of the Shatagee/Chateaugay area going this far back – if it exists – please?
Thanks
Cheryl
March 2, 2011 at 12:03
I am interested in re connecting with my roots
which are partly in Chateaugay village. My Dad Olin Barnes was born in Chateaugay on Lake Street in 1920. his parents Ernest and Elizabeth Barnes, born in Chateaugay, married in Burke, (both buried in the south end of Chateaugay’s Eastside Cemetary
I haven’t been in Chateaugay since summer 1987.I have since lost touch with all of my family from Chateaugay and Malone, all my aunts and uncle’s (except 2 aunts and an uncle)have passed.
Anyone from Chateaugay or having great knowledge of Chateaugay who is interested in striking up an email friendship, please post!
thanks-Mike Barnes
May 30, 2011 at 21:19
Hi, I was wondering if you had any more background on the Darius Merrill mentioned in your history of Chateaugay Lake . One of my ancestors was Darius merrill and I haven’t been able to find any record of his death in NH or MA and was wondering why. I am hoping this could be the reason, that he moved to NY!! Thanks in advance for any information you may have/find.
Sincerly, Barry Merrill
March 16, 2012 at 18:26