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JOHN M. PATTERSON. 



John M. Patterson, son of Benjamin and Sarah Patterson, was born in 

 Erwin, March 23, 1804. 



Benjamin was born in Loudon Co., Va., Sept., 1759. He was a farmer 

 by occupation, and learned the trade of blacksmith when young. He 

 served through the Revolutionary war as a soldier, and during a portion 

 of this time he acted as a spy on the frontier, for which he received extra 

 remuneration. Benjamin left Virginia when a very young child, in com- 

 pany with his mother, for Bald Eagle, Pa., where Mrs. Patterson's parents 

 (Benjamin Boone and wife) then resided. This was Benjamin Patter- 

 son's home till he became a resident of Northumberland Co., Pa., from 

 which place he removed to Corning, then "Painted Post," May, 1797. At 

 the close of the Revolutionary war he returned home and remained till he 

 was called to be a soldier under General Sullivan. He was in several 

 battles, some of which were very severe. He was present at the burial of 

 those who were massacred at Wyoming of historic fame. He had charge 

 of the boats on their return to Northumberland from Athens (then Tioga 

 Point). 



He married three times. First, to Jemima Price, of Pennsylvania, of 

 whom one son, Samuel, was born. Second, to Mary Taggart, of North- 

 umberland, of whom three children were bom, viz., Thomas, Hannah, and 

 Mary. Third, to Mrs. Sarah Shannon, formerly Sarah McCalla, of Bucks 

 Co., Pa., but at this time of Northumberland Co., Pa., married in 1796, of 

 whom three children were bom, viz., Robert, Sarah, and John M. 



Mr. Patterson kept public house at Knoxville, town of Coming, some six 

 years, and then purchased a farm of Hugh Erwin, in the town of Erwin, 

 then " Painted Post," In 1803, where he continued to reside until his death, 

 which occurred July 2, 1830. Mrs. Patterson died July 6, 1849. Mr. Pat- 

 terson was closely identified with all the material and religious interests of 

 the town in which he lived, and his home was often the resort for ministers 

 of various denominations. He held various town offices, such as commis- 

 sioner and supervisor of Painted Post. He was a member of the Methodist 

 Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Society. He was em- 

 ployed by Captain Chas. Williamson, in 1792, to conduct a company of two 

 hundred and thirty emigrants from Williamsport, Pa., to the Genesee 

 River, to a place now known as Mount Morris, then " Big Tree." After 



the Revolutionary war he was chosen captain in the State militia, and 

 was known by some as Captain Patterson. 



John M. was reared among the scenes of pioneer life, receiving a com- 

 mon-school education, with General Francis Erwin and his family, also 

 General W. D. Knox, and Captain John P. Knox, and many other old 

 pioneer boys and girls of whom mention is made in this history. He 

 was reared a farmer, which honorable calling he has followed through life. 

 He remained at home till his father's death, when he came in possession of 

 one-half of his father's farm. He continued to reside there till 1872, 

 having added some two hundred and fifty acres more, besides land in other 

 parts ,• in all, he had five hundred and forty acres of land. 



Mr. Patterson has been quite extensively engaged as a stock-grower, 

 and was one of the best farmers in the town. He now owns some two 

 hundred and forty acres. 



He removed to Painted Post in the spring of 1872, and to the place 

 where he now resides in 1873. In politics formerly a Jackson Democrat, 

 of late years he sustains men rather than party. He has been for many 

 years commissioner and assessor of Erwin. 



Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal 

 Church at Painted Post, and have been for more than fifty years. He 

 is a temperance man, and a liberal supporter of the society to which he 

 belongs. 



He married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Temperance Cook, March 28, 

 1826. Mrs. Patterson was born Aug. 16, 1807, in Painted Post, now 

 Lindley. Her parents were natives of New Jersey, and removed into 

 Steuben County, while they were yet children, with their parents. Mrs. 

 Patterson's great-grandfather came from England and settled on Long 

 Island. Her grandfather, David Cook, served in the Revolutionary war 

 as lieutenant ; was by occupation a farmer, and died at the age of eighty- 

 eight. Her father, Samuel Cook, was born on Long Island, in 1779, Jan. 

 30 J married Temperance Van Wey, of New Jersey, about 1803 or 1804, of 

 whom nine children were born. He died Sept. 8, 1864, and Mrs. Cook 

 died Feb. 9, 1843. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson six children 

 were born, viz.. Temperance S., Sarah A., Harriet C, Robert H., Alfred 

 D., and Samuel B. 



