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^RS. Peter Covenhoven 



CAPTAIN PETER COVENHOVEN. 



The ancestors of the subject of this sketch came from Holland, and set- 

 tled in New Jersey at a very early day. The first Covenhoven was named 

 Peter. 



The paternal great-grandfather of Capt. Peter Covenhoven was named 

 Peter, also, and was a native of New Jersey. He had a son Albert, who 

 was born in Freehold, Monmouth Co., N. J. He married a Covenhoven, by 

 whom eight children — four sons and four daughters — were born, of whom 

 John was the fourth child, and was born at Freehold, Monmouth Co., N. J., 

 Jan. 10, 1778. He was a farmer by occupation. 



He married Miss Mary Phillips, a native of Germantown, about 1800. 

 Miss Mary Phillips' parents were born in Germantown, N. Y., and grand- 

 parents in Ireland ; the latter lived to be more than one hundred years of 

 age. Of this union six children — four sons and two daughters — were 

 born^ of whom Peter was the second. 



John Covenhoven removed to Montgomery Co., N. Y., when a mere child, 

 in company with his parents, about the year 1781 or 1782. 



Albert Covenhoven was an officer in the Revolution, and died while a 

 resident of Montgomery County. His wife died there also. 



John Covenhoven died April 23, 1815, and his wife married Ezekiel 

 Roberts, by whom she had four children. She died Dec. 16, 1871, in her 

 ninetieth year. 



Capt. Peter Covenhoven was born in Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y., April 

 22, 1803. He was reared a farmer, which honorable business he has con- 

 tinued to follow ever since. He had no advantages whatever for an educa- 

 tion, never having attended a school but six months in his life, yet he has 

 obtained by that same indomitable energy, which has ever characterized 

 him through life, a good, practical education, by reading and reflection. 

 His father dying when he was but twelve years of age, he commenced to 

 work on a farm by the year, at three dollars a month. With this he clothed 

 himself, and at the end of the year had fourteen dollars ieft.^ He con- 

 tinued to work by the month and year for nine years. At the age of 

 twenty-one he had saved some three hundred dollars. 



This is the beginning of one of the most successful careers in the county 

 or State. In 1821 he visited Steuben County, remaining some six weeks, 

 and in September, 1823, settled in Corning, and worked for Lauren Mallory, 

 thrashing wheat with a flail and gathering corn, at ten dollars a month; to 

 be paid in corn at thirty-seven nnd a half cents per bushel. 



In October, 1823, he purchased his first one hundred acres of land in 

 Hornby, paying four hundred and seventy dollars. To this he has kept 

 adding until he has owned more than fifteen hundred acres, which he paid 

 the larger part for in cash. Beside this vast amount of land he has plenty 

 of money at interest. 



To give a detailed account of this man's life would require more space 

 than we have at our command, but suffice to say that no man in Steliben 

 County can show a more successful career. This amount of property was 

 all obtained by farming, no speculation. He has also lost some property, 

 but in the main he has met with wonderful success. 



He left Hornby in 1863, and settled on his present farm of four hundred 

 acres. 



In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, but when the Republican 

 party was organized he joined it. He has held various official positions, to 

 the general satisfaction of his constituents. Early in life he was chosen 

 captain of a company of State militia, and is known as Capt. Covenhoven. 

 He has been assessor of Hornby, also supervisor for two terms. 



He married Miss Sarah M. Rorks, March 28, 1828. She was born at 



Northumberland, Saratoga Co., N. Y. Of this union six children — three 

 of whom are now living — were born, viz. : Thos. N. and Daniel R., who 

 are farmers in Hornby \ Martha J., at home with her father, in Erwin. 



Mrs. Sarah Covenhoven died May 19, 1863, and was buried in the ceme- 

 tery at Hornby. She was a worthy member of the Baptist Church of 

 Hornby. Her memory is cherished by her family. 



Capt. Covenhoven married his present wife, Mrs. Susan Richardson, 

 widow of Clark Richardson, of Campbell, Dec. 24, 1864, by whom she 

 has one daughter, — Susie D. 



We subjoin the following in reference to Mrs. Peter Covenhoven : 



Mrs. Peter Covenhoven, deceased, was the daughter of Daniel and Pru- 

 dence Rorks, and was bom in Northumberland, Saratoga Co., N. Y. Her 

 father served in the Revolution with some distinction. Her mother was a 

 woman of deep piety and uncommon ability. Some most excellent hymns 

 are now in the family, which she composed. Mrs. Sarah M. Covenhoven 

 was the only daughter of Mrs. Daniel Rorks, and inherited her mother's 

 traits of character, her main characteristics being unselfiahneiey fidelity, and 

 purity. 



She was a noble woman, physically, intellectually, socially ; a true friend, 

 a most affectionate and faithful wife and mother. She lived with her hus- 

 band thirty-two years on the place where she breathed her last, rendering 

 to him most efficient help in the accumulation of property, and in training 

 their children in habits of industry and economy, in intellectual culture, 

 and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Not only her own 

 children, but she also took orphan children under her maternal care, and 

 trained them as her own. They call her mother, as well they may, and 

 most painfully do they feel her loss. 



But though dead, she still lives, — lives in immortal bloom, lives in her 

 influence, lives in her children, who bear her impress and reflect her moral 

 beauty. 



The funeral was at the house of the deceased, the family residence, and 

 was attended by a large number of people, who came to sympathize with 

 the bereaved, and to take a last view of their departed friend and sister in 

 the Church of Jesus. A sermon was delivered on the occasion from the 

 Psalmist : " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," — 

 Ps. 116, 15. The speaker dwelt on the character brought to view, the sol- 

 emn scene, and the interest which God takes in the death of His people. 

 The deceased possessed this character, and hence to her death was infinite 

 gain. While, then, we are weeping on earth, she is rejoicing in heaven, 

 with the innumerable company of the glorified, in the immediate presence 

 of her Saviour. 



From the house of mourning we went in a long train of carriages in 

 solemn procession to the place of burial. The coffin was lowered into a 

 water-proof grave, beneath the radiance of the meridian sun, looking down 

 from the skies as cheerfully as though death had never entered our world. 

 The day was beautiful, the air was fragrant with the perfume of foliage 

 and blossom, the birds were singing, and all nature rejoicing in newness 

 of life. What a change is revealed by Him who has declared Himself to 

 be " The resurrection and the life," and has said to His followers, " Because 

 I live ye shall live also." 



" The storms of wintry life will quickly pass. 

 And one unbounded Spring encircle all." 



May friends and relatives who read this notice of the deceased, follow 

 her as she followed Jesus, and enjoy with her the unspeakable blessings of 

 a glorious immortality ! 



