04/21/2025
LOOK AT THIS!…
Where is/was Walkup’s Mills in southwest part of the town of Gerry? (Attached photo from Jamestown Journal, 16 June 1830, p.3) It had to have been located near a water source for power.
Cross-referencing 1840 federal census schedule for George and Marina Andrews WALKUP with 1854 wall map of CHQ County (town of Gerry), Walkup’s Mills was in the vicinity of Fluvanna-Townline Road/Salisbury Rd/ Miller Rd, near Cassadaga Creek.
An article from the Fredonia Censor in 1887 (15 June 1887, p.1) mentioned Walkup’s Mills when Walter Smith, a Gerry merchant in 1825, tinkered with idea of sending pearl ash down Cassadaga Creek to ultimately connect with the Allegheny River for transport. A boat would have to be taken out at Walkup’s Mills, then transported on wheels over land, returning to the Cassadaga Creek. (Refer to bottom photo).
George WALKUP was the son of Thomas and Ruth WALKUP, early landholders of Kennedy, NY. Their children:
1) Charles 1829-1888 m. Caroline (surname unknown)
2) Van Ness 1839-1926 m. a) Mary M. STRUNK
m. b) Laura BENTLEY
m. c) Celia JOHNSON
3) Louisa Serepta 1833-1855
4) Mariette 1848-1921 m. Albert GRIFFITH
George Walkup’s widow would second marry Abraham Becker of Ellery in 1853, then marry my ggg James PLOSS, 1873, at Fluvanna. James’ son Hamilton (my gg grandfather) had many connections with Van Ness WALKUP who lived in Fluvanna and Busti. Hamilton and Van Ness were apple growers and avid Muskie fishermen.
