Person Page 1,868

Elizabeth M. Hammond was born about 10 Jun 1828 in VermontG.^4,5,6
     Elizabeth appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Irondequoit, Monroe Co., New YorkG, in the household of Howland S. Hagaman and Lucinda B. Cobb, the sister of her future husband and her husbandd.¹⁵
     Elizabeth married James Dyer Cobb, son of Gideon Cobb and Roxana Worden, between 1850 and 1855.^7,8,9
     Elizabeth and James appeared on the 1855 State Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York G, enumerated 6 Jun 1855.¹⁶ They appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New YorkG, enumerated 3 Feb 1860, reporting real estate valued at $2,000.¹⁷
     Elizabeth and James appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New YorkG, enumerated Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $15,000 and personal estate of $2,000. His cousin Jane Thankful Cobb, daughter of his father's brother Horace, was listed as living with them, as was Hannah M. Eder, an 18-year-old domestic.¹⁸
     Elizabeth and James appeared on the 1875 State Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York G, reporting that they lived in a brick house valued at $3,000.¹⁹ They also appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Brighton, enumerated 5 Jun 1880. Hannah M. Eder, a household servant, was listed as living with them on both occasions.²⁰

The Housekeeper's Daughter --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     James's land, located just outside the city limits, was estimated to be worth $40,000 in 1881. For reasons not now known, "it was deemed advisable that the property should not remain" in his hands. He deeded it to another party, who deeded it to Elizabeth. He said later they had an agreement that she would make a will leaving the property to him if he survived her, which she did on 12 Jan 1881.^21,22
     In Jul 1881 a daughter was born into the Elizabeth and James's household, by all accounts to their long-time maiden housekeeper, Hannah M. Eder. But for reasons unexplained, the daughter was known as Bessie May Cobb.^23,24
     Elizabeth and James appeared on the 1892 State Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York G, Their housekeeper, Hannah M. Eder, was listed as living with them, as was Bessie May Cobb, the housekeeper's daughter.²⁵
     Five days before her death, Elizabeth and James had a "misunderstanding," and she called in a lawyer to draft a new will, dated 18 Aug 1894. It left him only a life estate in the property, with the property going to Bessie after his death. Further, the girl was to receive $3,000 in cash.^21,22
     Elizabeth died on 23 Aug 1894 in Brighton, New York at age ~66, at her home on Highland Ave. G.^10,11,12 She was buried on 25 Aug 1894 in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe Co., New YorkG, with her husband.^13,14
     After Elizabeth's death James filed suit in equity court claiming he was the owner of the property, and her later will was invalid. While the suit was pending Hannah M. Eder had that will presented for probate.²¹ On winning his suit before the state Supreme Court, James had his wife's earlier will admitted for probate on 4 Mar 1896.²⁶

Bessie May Cobb was born in Jul 1881 in Brighton, New YorkG.^4,5,6
     It seems likely her given name was Elizabeth, but she was almost universally known as Bessie May, even in legal documents. Only a few instances have been found using Elizabeth.^13,14 She was apparently raised as Bessie May Cobb, but in a few cases prior to her first marriage she used the surname Eder.^3,15
     She appeared with her mother, Hannah M. Eder, on the 1892 State Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New YorkG, in the household of James Dyer Cobb and Elizabeth M. Hammond, her mother's employers and apparently her father.¹⁶
     Under a will drawn 18 Aug 1894 by Elizabeth, Bessie was to receive $3,000 in cash, and the James Dyer Cobb's farm, subject to his holding a life estate on the property.^17,18 After Elizabeth's death in Aug 1894, Bessie's mother had Elizabeth's recent will, leaving both cash and property to Bessie, submitted for probate, ignoring a suit filed by Elizabeth's husband claiming the will was invalid.¹⁷ On winning his suit before the state Supreme Court, James had his wife's earlier will admitted for probate on 4 Mar 1896.¹⁹
     Bessie married first John D. Niven, son of James N. Niven and Mary Robinson, on 20 Dec 1897 in Rochester, New YorkG, with Rev. Albert Evans officiating.³ Her marriage to John D. Niven was evidently annulled; on 3 Oct 1899 her mother was appointed legal guardian to Bessie as she "is about to commence an action to have her marriage" annulled.⁷
     Bessie married second Joseph B. Schrader, son of John B. Schrader and Annie Bloom, on 26 Dec 1899 in Rochester, Monroe Co., New YorkG, with Rev. J. M. McElhenny officiating.^8,9,10
     Bessie and her husband, Joseph B. Schrader, appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York G, in the household of her mother, Hannah M. Eder.²⁰
     Bessie and Joseph appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, on Highland Ave. G, enumerated 9 May 1910, reporting that they owned their farm. Her mother, Hannah M. Eder was listed as living with them, as were two hired men, Charles C. Herrick, age 22, and Arthur C. Sheridan, age 18, both workers in the gravel bank.²¹
     Bessie and Joseph appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York G, on Highland Ave., enumerated 30 Jun 1920, reporting that they owned their home. Their children Pearl and Margaret were listed as living with them, as was her mother and a boarder, Otto Seinway, age 34, a salesman for an auto tire company.²²
     Her husband died on 29 Apr 1925 in 1100 Highland Ave., Brighton, Monroe Co., New YorkG.²³
     Bessie appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, at 1100 Highland Ave. G, enumerated 28 Apr 1930, reporting that she owned a home valued at $15,000. Her children Pearl and Margaret were listed as living with her, as was her mother.²⁴
     Bessie appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, at 1100 Highland Ave. G, enumerated 24 Apr 1940, reporting that she owned a home valued at $12,000. Her daughter Margaret was listed as living with her, as was her mother. They all reported living in the same house in 1935.²⁵
     Bessie died on 12 Mar 1947 at age 65.¹¹ She was buried on 15 Mar 1947 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Henrietta, New YorkG, next to her husband.¹²