Family History

 

In my last post I wrote about a family mystery that cannot be solved. No matter how hard I gaze into the mists of time, the stories of those people will never come into view. And it is a great loss, because I know that the truth is more intriguing than anything I can imagine.  

In contrast, my mother's people have been in North America since the 18th century. My grandmother's people were Irish and my grandfather's people were French Canadian and Scottish. There are some photos, legal and church records, newspaper reports and stories. 

The photo above is my great-great grandfather Joseph Bresette. He was a handsome man; my grandfather, uncle and mother bear some resemblance to him. His is a story worth remembering and telling, one that strikes me as deeply romantic in its truth:

St Lawrence Republican - May 21, 1913 News of the death of J Bresette of Heuvelton reached this place recently which occurred April 8th after a long and severe illness from a complication of diseases accompanied by old age. He was born in the town of Brasher and lived there until his coming to Lisbon where he was married to Martha Dashnaw, which took place March 2, 1858. He was known as a good man, a good neighbor, a kind husband and a tender and loving father and was well respected by all who knew him. He served his country as a true soldier. On the 10th of September he enlisted in the 60th Infantry and served one year. He then re-enlisted in the cavalry and served three years until honorably discharged. He was a prisoner in Belle Isle and Libby Prison. His health became impaired from the sufferings there and never a well man after. A few years ago he sold his farm near Mount Alone and bought a home in Heuvelton where he lived until his death. If he was once your friend it was hard to be otherwise. He disliked to lose confidence in a friend. He was a true Republican and always took a great interest in all that concerned the Republican party. He was a well-read man and could converse in the topics of the war and of political affairs for hours and was much interested in the affairs of foreign wars and countries. His age was 77 years 3 months and, four days. He leaves his aged companion, 73 years old, and two brother and three sisters and five children; Henry Bresette of Dekalb, Theodore Bresette of Ogdensburg, Mrs. Margaret Lalone, Mrs. Martha Creighton; Mrs Lettie Chambers and number of grandchildren to mourn his departure. He has answered the last roll call, the lights are out, he has gone and the flag he so valiantly fought for still waves over the land of the free and the home of the brave. The funeral was from the R. C. church at Heuvelton; interment at that place; services by Rev. Father Kitts of the R. C. church

This is a photo of his wife, my great-great grandmother Mary Martha Dashnaw. She is not a pretty woman, but as I study her photograph, I get the impression that she was a woman who smiled easily and often. I have a feeling that smile transformed her, and I think in that I bear some resemblance to her.