One can think of Wemple Road, like Feura Bush Road, more in the way of the road to Wemple. And Wemple, the old hamlet and station on the West Shore Railroad, is, of course, named after the Wemple family. The family homestead was on Wemple Road near where the railroad tracks cross. John Gilbert Wemple (1831-1911) was particularly well known. He was elected Bethlehem’s supervisor in 1875-76 and served as sheriff of Albany County from 1877-1883.
My history hikes continue with a History Hike in Selkirk on October 16 followed by a walk at Bethlehem Cemetery on November 13. Sign up with the town’s parks and rec department.
Bender Road is named after the family of Christian and Elizabeth Bender. Christian (1732-1808) served under Col. Phillip Schuyler in the 3rd regiment of the Albany County Militia during the American Revolution. After the war, he leased 300 acres in the vicinity of modern Bender Road. He and Elizabeth (the former Elizabeth Cramer, 1739-1806) raised a family of nine children on their homestead and there are many Bender descendants around today. Hugh Jolley (1721-1804) arrived here from Scotland in 1772. He was also Revolutionary War veteran. He and his wife Eleanor are buried at the Nicoll – Sill cemetery in the Cedar Hill section of town. Jolley Road originated as the lane to the Jolley family’s Crystal Farm. It is unclear whether this is Hugh and Eleanor’s farm or one founded by his son Hugh, or Hugh’s son Henry. The dates line up for it to be Henry’s farm as the 1851 Pease map has the location as “Heirs to H. Jolley”. By the 1866 map and onward, it is clearly the farm of Samuel Jolley and his wife Caroline Rosekrans. Samuel (1833-1917) is Hugh and Eleanor’s great grandson who, according to his obituary, was born, raised and died at Glenmont.
Flashes and Dashes
October is the last month of regularly scheduled Sunday openings at the Cedar Hill Schoolhouse Museum, home of the Bethlehem Historical Association. Be sure to stop by to learn more local history! BHA has also resumed in person lectures on the third Thursday of the month. On October 21 at 2 pm, David Hochfelder will talk about the Telegraph and 98 Acres in Albany.
In the 1940s, the roof of the old Security Supply building on Maple Avenue in Selkirk had a giant arrow directing pilots to Albany. Town historian Susan Leath’s new book, Bethlehem People and Places, explores Bethlehem, New York’s unique history through 36 illustrated articles. P l a c e s ground our history. People make history lively. Come along on the journey as Leath follows her curiosity in her hometown of Bethlehem. Read about Victorian and vernacular farmhouses, and about the families that made these types of building home. Find out the story of World War I veteran John Adams Dyer, Hudson River light keeper Warren Welch and architect Grace Slingerland. Wonder about how Delmar got its name, and just where is the hamlet of Frazertown. Author Susan E. Leath was appointed Bethlehem Town Historian in 2007. She is continually inspired by the people who generously share their family history. Leath believes local history opens the way to the wider sweep of our national story. She invites you to be curious about the everyday people and places around you. Available NOW at I Love Books in Delmar, Bethlehem Town Hall, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Market Block Books in Troy and online at TroyBookMakers.com and Amazon.com.
The beacon on Beacon Road is marked on this 1953 U.S. G.S. topographic map.
BethlehemNYHistory.blogspot.com p. 13