Old Cemetery Near Podonque
Rushford, Allegany, New York
PODONQUE is the old spelling of the name of the little community in the town of Rushford, now known and written as “Podunk.” The correct old spelling is over the gate of the cemetery now in use, “Podunque.” The old cemetery was to the right of County Route 23, now in a cow pasture. Two flat markers on each side were piled up and cemented over. Two flat markers on each side were put facing out and one at each corner of the base in the same manner. In this summer of 1958 the cement is crumbling to show that the old markers were piled up and cemented over. There is said to be quite a story in connection with this “monument” but we at present do not know the correct version. One of the markers with which it is faced is that of James McCall who died in 1856, aged 82.
On page 791 of the 1895 History of Allegany County (by Minard), it says that James McCall came in 1818 with William B. Rochester, and in 1819 with John Dow, represented Allegany and Stueben in the assembly. Judge McCallwas a state senator from the 8th district in 1824, 1825, 1826 and 1827.
On page 808 in the same valume, it states that “Judge James McCall, who came with Levi Benjamin in 1814 was the first storekeeper, bought and ran the Warren grist mill in 1818, filled many town and county offices, represented Allegany in the state legislature in 1818, 1819 and 1823, and was the most prominent citizen of Rushford for many years.”
Other references of the period show his importance not only to his town but to the county. Does it not seem sad that his grave and those of his family should be in such a sad condition?
SOURCE: DAR list, Unpublished Cemetery Records of New York State, Old Cemetery Near Podonque, transcribed by Hazel M. Shear, FHL 837,392.
McCall
- James, died Mar. 24, 1856, aged 82
- Elizabeth, wife of James McCall, d. July 3, 1833, aged 50 years
- Lydia, wife of James McCall, d. March 6, 1850, aged 70 years
- Elizabeth A., wife of Milton McCall, d. , E A M
- James C., In Memory, son of Simon G. and Sarah Ann C (M i n?)
- Sarah Ann
- Sophia, wife of Richard S. Goff, d. June 15, 1878, aged 77y 8m, R S
- R(ichard), May 6, 1863, aged 76, Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord
- Also, H H D
- Sally Ann, In Memory of, duaghter of Richard S and Sophia Goff who died June 26, 1834, aged 2-? -?
- Srah Ann, wife of ----- Rawson
- Lydia Jane, daughter David and Sarah Ann Rawson
- Julia, daughter of David and Sarah Ann Rawson
- J & L McCall, A D 1820, ae 10 days
Cemetery List
Allegany County, New York Table of Contents
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