Mary C. Fisher

b. 11 October 1826, d. 11 March 1910
  • Mary C. Fisher was born on 11 October 1826 in Ontario County, New York.
  • She married Philo F. Ayres, son of Stephen Ayres and Prudence (?), on 27 December 1848.
  • Philo F. Ayres and Mary C. Fisher appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Seneca, Ontario County, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Augusta Ayres.
  • Mary C. Fisher and Philo F. Ayres appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Middlesex, Yates County, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Augusta Ayres.
  • Philo F. Ayres and Mary C. Fisher, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Middlesex, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Augusta Ayres and Therya? J. Ayres.
  • Philo F. Ayres and Mary C. Fisher appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Middlesex, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Augusta Ayres.
  • The following appeared on 14 October 1884 in The Geneva Advertiser: Christopher Fihser -- A week or two ago mention was made of the serious illness of this old gentleman, residing in the town of Geneva. He passed quietly away last Friday, aged 82, years, 3 months and five days. He was probably, the day of his death, the oldest gentleman living who was born in the town of Geneva. Warrm in his friendship, social and unassuming in all his ways, honest to the last degree in his dealings, he was greatly loved and respected by all with whom he came in contact. The end of such a man is peace. He leaves an aged widow, three sons, George, William and Frank, and three married daughters, Mrs. P. F. Ayres, Mrs. B. D. Staats, and another whose present name we have forgotten. The funeral took place from his late home Sunday afternoon, and was very largely attended by his friends and neighbors, among whom were David and Thomas Barron, aged 85 and 82, respectively. All his children, too were present. Rev. Dr. Buck officiated, and the remains were interred in the quiet cemetery at Sand Hill.
  • The following appeared on 16 December 1884 in the Geneva Advertiser: Frank W. Fisher has bought the interest of his brothers and sisters, and acquired full title to the homestead farm a little west of Geneva. He is the youngest member of the family, and his aged mother will remain with him the balance of her days.
  • The following appeared on 6 June 1890 in The Geneva Gazette: Mrs. Christopher Fisher died quite suddenly at the residence of her son Frank, in the westerly part of this town, Sunday evening last, aged 81 years. She was a native of Connecticut, brought to this town at the age of six years by her parents.
         On Dec. 25th, 1825, she was married to Christopher Fisher and immediately settled on the farm where she resided at the time of her death. Mrs. Fisher raised a family of three boys--Frank M., Wm. H. of Geneva, and the late Geo. W. who died in Canandaigua in Feb. 1888--and three girls, Mrs. P. F. Ayers of Rushville, Mrs. S. Spangle of Hopewell, and Mrs. B. D. Staats of Geneva. The surviving children and grand children with one exception were present at the funeral and followed their beloved and devoted mother to her final resting place, in the beautiful Sand Hill cemetery, where her lamented husband had been resting for nearly six years.
         Mrs. F. was a devoted member of the M. E. Church for 47 years, having been converted and received into full communion with the Church under the ministration of Elder Elijah Hebard in 1843.
         The funerasl took place from her former home at 2:30 p. m. on June 4th, 1890, and was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends. Dr. Buck, assisted by Rev. Mr. Nichols of the M. E. Church, and Dr. Moore of the Baptist Church, officiated, and all paid tribute to her excellent Christian faith.
  • The following appeared on 27 January 1899 in the Geneva Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Ayers Celebrate Their Golden Wedding. The completion of 50 years of married life was the occasion of a most delightful event in the handsome residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ayers of Rushville, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1898.
         That Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have made a host of friends both in Rushville and elsewhere during their long residence here was clearly demonstrated by the many valuable gifts and the many friends who were present and congratulated them on the 50th anniversary of their wedding Tuesday afternoon.
         By the aid of an arch tied with white ribbon and the banking of potted plants, the parlor presented a fairyland appearance. An elaborate dinner was served at 1 P. M. of which between fifty and sixty partook. One of the pretty things of the menu was a cake wreathed with mistletoe and holly, (the gift of Mrs. Keith of Seneca). One of the principal features of the afternoon was a surprise to Mr. Ayers. It came immediately after the refreshments. In well chosen words Rev. W. S. H. Hermans, pastor of the M. E. Church, made a graceful and impressive presentation address. It was a handsomely engraved gold-headed cane, the souvenir of the M. E. Church of Rushville to be handed down in succession to each of the oldest male members of the family. Mr. Ayers responded with brief but touching expressions of trust. Among those who enjoyed the happy event from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Simon Spangle, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Spangle of Hopewell; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Keith of Seneca; Mr. and Mrs. Beekman D. Staats, Mr. Frank Fisher and son, Roy, Mrs. Stanley Harris, her daughter, Jessie, and son, Alfred of Geneva. Regrets from out-of-town friends were received, accompanied by letters of congratulations.
  • The following appeared on 9 May 1908 in the Geneva Daily Times: (Rushville) Philo Ayres was taken very ill Thursday night, and is now in critical condition at his home on North Main Street. . . . Mr. and Mrs. William Fisher of Geneva are guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Philo Ayres, having been summoned here on account of Mr. Ayres' illness.
  • Mary C. Fisher became a widow at the 16 May 1908 death of her husband Philo F. Ayres.
  • The following appeared in the Penn Yan Democrat: Philo Ayres, one of Rushville's oldest and most respected citizens, died at his home on North Main street, in this village, Saturday morning. Although he had been in feeble health for a year he was not seriously ill until about a week ago. His death was caused by a rupture of the blood vessels about the brain. Mr. Ayres had been a resident of this community for over fifrty years. He was born in Waterbury, Vt., July 20, 1825, and was the son of Stephen and Prudence Ayres, being one of nine children, all of whom have passed on except a brother, Albert Ayres, who now lives at Barnes, N. Y. In the fall of 1836 he with his parents moved from Vermont to Waterloo, N. Y., living in that vicinity for some time. On December 27, 1845, he married Mary C. Fisher, of Geneva, and in September, 1851, they moved to the town of Middlesex, living for fifty years on the farm which he owned south of Rushville, until a few years ago he sold his farm and moved to this village. He joined the Methodist church in Geneva in January, 1846, and in 1851 his membership was transferred by letter to the Methodist church here, where he has ever since been a loyal member, being at the time of his death the oldest male member of the church.
  • Mary C. Fisher died on 11 March 1910 at age 83 in Rushville, Yates County, New York.
  • She was interred at Sand Hill Cemetery, Seneca, Ontario County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 18 March 1910 in the Penn Yan Democrat: (Rushville) Mrs. Mary Fisher Ayres, widow of the late Philo Ayres, died at her home Friday morning, March 11, 1910, about elevan o'clock, of heart trouble, together with the failing health of old age. She was born October 15, 1826, and was married to Philo Ayres December 27, 1848, at her home near Geneva, where she was also born. After her marriage she lived one year in each of the towns of Starkey and Seneca, and then moved to the town of Middlesex, where she and her husband lived for fifty one years. Three years ago they moved to this village. After spending a little more than a year in their new home, Mr. Ayres died. For over twenty years she has been losing her sight, and for the last five years she has been totally blind. For fifty-nine years she was a member of the Methodist church. The funeral services were held Monday morning at 10 o'clock from her late home, Rev. Harsey King officiating. The remains were taken to Geneva, where they were laid at rest by the side of her husband in the Sand Hill cemetery. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Augusta Ayres, who has tenderly cared for her parents.
  • The following appeared on 7 May 1918 in the Geneva Daily Times: Beekman D Staats of Nellis avenue died this morning about 2 o'clock following a lingering illness. The only survivor is his wife. Mr. Staats was for years a contractor and builder in this city, but has been retired for some time. The announcement of the funeral arrangements will be made later.
  • Last Edited: 21 Aug 2011

Family: Philo F. Ayres b. 20 July 1825, d. 16 May 1908