Frances Elizabeth Poyfair

Frances Elizabeth Poyfair

• Father: Jeremiah Poyfair b. circa 1804, d. between 1855 and 1860
• Mother: Ellen Flynn b. circa 1815, d. 3 January 1885

• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair was born in May 1853 in Lockport, Niagara County, New York.
• Jeremiah Poyfair and Ellen Flynn appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1855 in Lockport, New York. Other members of the household included Frances Elizabeth Poyfair, John Flynn. Also in the household were children George (age 22), Ceclia (20), Charles (18), Ellen (15), Margaret (13), Louise (10), William (9), Lewis (6) and Edward (2).
• Augustus M. Baldwin and Ellen Flynn appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Lockport, New York. Other members of the household included Frances Elizabeth Poyfair. Also in the household were"Pyfair" children John G. (age 27), Celia (25, Ellen (20), Margaret (19), Louisa (16), Lewis (14), Edward (11) and William (7).
• The following appeared on 8 March 1876 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: A rumor is current that the Rev. J. N. Simkins, pastor of the Riverside church at Black Rock, is to be married at an early day to a Lockport lady named Miss Poyfair, a teacher in the Lockport public school.
• She married James Nelson Simkins, son of Jesse Lorenzo Simkins and Nancy Bloomer, on 31 July 1876 in Lockport, Niagara County, New York, at the Clinton Street M. E. Church, with Rev. S. C. Smith, D.D., officiating, assisted by Rev. S. C. Smith.
• The following appeared on 31 July 1876 in the Lockport Daily Journal: [Married] In this city, on the 31st instant, in the Clinton St. M. E. Church, by Rev. S. Hunt, D. D., assisted by Rev. S. C. Smith, Rev. J. N. Simkins, of Buffalo, and Miss Frances E. Poyfair, of Lockport.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 389 Elk Street. Other members of the household included Helen May Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins and Edward Nelson Simkins. Also in the household was one female servant.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Edward Nelson Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins, Helen May Simkins and Julia Simkins.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Helen May Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins, Edward Nelson Simkins and Julia Simkins.
• The following appeared in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Simkins of No. 564 Fifth Street, announce the engagement of their daughter, Helen May, to George Frederick Nussbaum, the wedding to take place in St. Paul's M. E. church, Wednesday, October 28.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair became a widow at the 1 May 1904 death of her husband Edward Nelson Simkins.
• The following appeared on 2 May 1904 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The Rev. James N. Simkins, the oldest clergyman in this section of the State, passed away very peacefully at his home No. 554 Fifth Street at 10:30 oclock yesterday morning. The end has been expected for some time as the deceased was growing feebler day by day. He himself knew that he was rapidly approaching the grave and he faced the inevitable with that calm resignation that comes of a clear conscience and a knowledge of a life well spent and a duty well done.
       Since Thursday last the Rev. Mr. Simkins failed rapidly. He was attacked with fainting spells and each was longer in duration than its predecessor. Yesterday morning he arose early and seemed a little brighter. Several members of his family went to their morning devotions, leaving only Mrs. Simpkins and Edward, a son, at home. Suddenly at 10 oclock he was taken with a fainting spell but managed, with the assistance of his wife and son, to get back to his bed. He never recovered consciousness and passed away a half hour later.
       The deceased was 79 years old last October. He attended the Geneseo conference held in Olean in that same month and listened to the reading of his semi-centennial sermon which his clear mind enabled him to prepare but which his frail body forbade him to deliver. That occasion marked his 50th year in the ministry. He was born in Ulster County, this State, and was graduated from the Lima Seminary. Forty years ago he was first assigned to the pastorate of St. Paul's M. E. Church of this city. The members of the congregation at that time worshipped in a building where stands at present the Elbe jewelry store on Falls Street. After preaching here two years he was transferred to another charge but a few years later he was returned again to St. Paul's church and preached to the congregation for three years when he was again transferred to another pastorate. Fourteen years ago he was again returned to this charge of St. Paul's church and he practically made his home in the city ever since that time. He preached in the church for five years, his family occupying the parsonage next the church on First Street. At the conclusion of five years of service he was transferred to the LaSalle charge, his family still remaining here, and after spending five years there he was sent to Lockport where he preached the word of God for two years. The condition of his health then forced him to relinquish his work in the ministry and since that time he has been living quietly at home.
       He is survived by a wife, two sons, Edward and Everett, and two daughters, Mrs. George Nussbaum and Miss Julia Simkins, all of this city. His only brother died last fall.
       Funeral services over the remains will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 oclock from the family home on Fifth Street and at 3 oclock from St. Paul's M. E. Church. The pastor, the Rev. O. C. Poland, will conduct the services and he will be assisted by the Rev. R. C. Brownlee, a former pastor, and several Buffalo clergymen.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Everett Chambers Simkins and Julia Simkins.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Everett Chambers Simkins. Also in the household were three lodgers.
• She was keeping a lodging house, according to the 1920 census.
• She married Stephen S. Green on 5 January 1924 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street, at the home of the bride.
• The following appeared on 6 January 1924 in the Buffalo Courier: Most men may be content to spend their eighty-fifth birthdays snoozing before their grandchildren's fireplace, but not of these prematurely old ones is Dr. Stephen S. Green. Dr. Green's way of celebrating an eighty-fifth birthday is to start on a trip south. A trip for his health? Not Dr. Green. The kind of trip he favors for such an occasion is a wedding trip.
       The marriage of Dr. Green, who has lived for several years at No. 354 Massachusetts avenue and Mrs. Frances E. Simkins, seventy-four years old, took place yesterday afternoon at the bride's home, No. 554 Fifth street, Niagara Falls. A wedding trip was in order for today, and today, it happens, is Dr. Green's eighty-fifth birthday.
       So Dr. and Mrs. Green will do honor to the birthday and the wedding by leaving this morning for Baltimore, thre to take a steamer south to Jacksonville, Fla., where they will spend the winter. On their return north, they will live in Niagara Falls.
       Dr. Green's sense of humor has been going strong for eighty-five years just as he has, and neither seems to show signs of wearing out.
       "You know, they tell me that any woman would have married me for a trip south," he confided solemnly on the eve of his wedding day. "But I give you my word of honor that I didn't hold the trip out, as bait for the lady.
       "Our years of friendship helped my suit. We have known each other for twenty years. When her former husband was alive and my late wife was alive, the four of us were family friends. Her husband was the Rev. William E. [sic] Simkins He was pastor of the Methodist church in Niagara Falls for years. We know that we could have his approval and that of my wife if they could know we are to be married.
       "Our wedding will be small. The minister and his wife will dome in during the afternoon. There will be a few of Mrs. Simkins' friends and my Niagara Falls relatives. Then we will have a dinner there and come here for the night. Sunday morning at 9 o'clock we will leave for Baltimore.
       "You young people may think it strange that we are being married at our time of life and wonder why we are doing it. I can explain. It is merely for the comfort and companionship that our married life will bring us."
       Dr. Green is as imposing in figure and as gallant in manner as any bride could want her bridegroom to be. He stands up straight to every inch of his six feet and two inches of height. His hair, moustache and goatee are gray, sprinkled with black.
       His erect bearing came from service in the navy during and after the war of the rebellion, as he, a true northern soldier, refers to the Civil War. He was commissioned an officer, and served in the capacity of surgeon. After he left the navy, he practiced medicine for nine years in a little town on the Hudson, near Poughkeepsie. He left the Hudson town to come to Buffalo, where until a few years ago he was active in his profession.
       Dr. Green was packing an old-fashioned bow-topped trunk preparatory to his wedding journey.
       "I hate this job. I'm going to make her do it from now on," he said, with a chuckle. Dr. Green's chuckles are real chuckles, long, low rolling ones, not any of your thin laughs that go by the name nowadays.
       "And by the way, why do I have to answer so many questions? Isn't the bridegroom the least important part of a wedding?
       "But wait, I have one more thing to say, the most important thing of all. Don't forget to mention that the lady I am marrying is the best-looking lady in Erie county."
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair became a widow at the 15 January 1928 death of her husband Stephen S. Green.
• The following appeared on 16 January 1928 in the Buffalo Evening News: Dr. Stephen S. Green, 89, Civil War veteran, and apracticing physician in Buffalo for nearly 50 years, is dead at his home in 554 Fifth street, Niagara Falls. Dr. Green died Sunday.
       He was born in South Starksboro, Vt. Jan. 6, 1839, and received his early education in the schools of his native state. He was graduated from the University Medical College of New York city, March 2, 1864, and joined the U. S. navy as an assistant surgeon March 5 of the same year. For a time he was surgeon on a vessel plying between New York and Liverpool and later on the sidewheel steamer Alaska, running between Panama and San Francisco. He was honorably discharged Dec. 5, 1865.
       The following year, Jan. 6, he married Charlotte S. Cornell and settled in Lagrangeville, N. Y., where he practiced medicine for several years. In 1875 he came to Buffalo where he continued to practice medicine until his retirement in 1924. Dr. Green's wife died June 27, 1918 and on Jan. 6, 1924, he married Frances E. Simkins, who survives him.
       Dr. Green was a member of Queen City Lodge 358, F. & A. M; Keystone Chapter 163, R. A. M; Hugh de Payens commandery, Knights Templar, Ismalia temple and a life member of the Buffalo Consistory. He also was a member of Bidwell-Wilkeson Post 9, G. A. R., and the Medical union.
       He was one of the organizers, a charter member and past president of the Vermont society. For six years he was district physician of the board of health. In 1888 and 1889 he completed a tour of the world.
       Dr. Green is survived, besides his widow, by two daughters, Mrs. B. G. Mering of Hollywood, Cal., and Mrs. John Matchett of Toronto, Ont. The funeral will be held at the family residence at Niagara Falls, Tuesday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock and at the Johnson & Wilkins Co. mortuary, 448 Delaware avenue, Wednesday afternoon at the same hour. Burial will be in Forest Lawn.
       The Rev. Milton B. Prate of Niagara Falls will officiate at the services.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Everett Chambers Simkins and Edward Nelson Simkins. Also in he household were three lodgers.
• The following appeared on 26 May 1938 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: [Photo Caption] Mrs. Frances S. Green, of 554 Fifth street, who is inviting her friends to drop in Saturday afternoon from 2 to 6 o'clock to join her in observing her eighty-fifth birthday. Mrs. Green's two daughters, Mrs. George F. Nussbaum, Sr., of this city, and Mrs. Peter Kain, of Philadelphia, will receive with her.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Everett Chambers Simkins and Edward Nelson Simkins.
• Frances Elizabeth Poyfair died on 15 June 1948 at age 95 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 554 Fifth Street at her residence.
• She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New Yrok.
• The following appeared on 15 June 1948 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Frances Simkins Green, 95, one of this city's oldest residents and prominent in church and social work for a number of years, died today at her home, 554 Fifth street.
       Born at Lockport, Mrs. Green had been a resident of this city for the last 59 years.
       Her first husband was the late Rev. J. N. Simkins, who was pastor of St. Paul's Methodist church. He died in 1924 [sic] and in 1928 [sic] she married the late Dr. S. S. Green.
       Until recent years, Mrs. Green maintained an active interest in church affairs. She was a former president of the Women's Missionary society at St. Paul's church, and at one time was organist at the church.
       Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Peter Kain, Philadelphia, Pa; two sons, Everett C. and Edward N. Simkins, both of this city; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
       The Rev. John A. Redmond will conduct funeral services at the home on Thursday at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Oakwood cemetery. Friends may pay their respects after noon tomorrow.
• A single grave marker identifies the graves of James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair and Everett Chambers Simkins.
• The following appeared on 27 October 1951 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Installation of six additional new stained glass glass windows in St. Paul's Methodist church has been completed, bringing the total to 22 out of 24, the church reported today. All six windows are clerestory. Two on the south side of the nave are disciples. Matthew and James were given by Julia Simkins Kain and Edward Nelson Simkins in memory of the Rev. James Nelson Simkins and his wife, Frances. The Rev. Mr. Simkins was one of the pastors of the old St. Paul's. . . .

• Last Edited: 20 Aug 2013