The Lape Family of Wayne County

By Jeffrey J. Lape

"I pass a comrade sitting by the roadside. Blood is trickling from a wound just below the heart...
I say, 'Goodbye,' to him; there is no regret or fear in his tone as he replies.
A brave country boy he had lived and death has no terrors for him.
He could not have smiled more sweetly had he been lying down to pleasant dreams..."
-Alfred S. Roe, Co. A, 9th NYHA
author of Monocacy

    The Lape family of Wayne County chiefly descended from Jacob Lape and Catherine Shuldes through Jacob's father and mother, Andries Lape and Anna Margaretha Mller, who immigrated to America, settling as Palatine Germans, in the early 18th Century on the Robert Livingston Manor, and later moving to Rensselaerwyck. They lived their early lives on a farm along Millbrook Road, Claverack, Columbia County, NY, and were members of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churchtown, Columbia, NY. Jacob Lape, born March 06, 1767, and Catherine Shuldes, daughter of Dieterich Schultheiss and Margaretha Loescher, had four children: Andreas, Margaretha, Dedrick and Johannes.

    The opening of lands to the West, with free lands, opportunities, and adventures led many young sons from the countryside. This led to the dissolving of the close family ties and estates in New York State. The Dedrick Lape and Johannes Lape families moved to Wayne County in search of new land since travel was greatly enhanced by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, by which one could get from New York City to Buffalo in less than three weeks.

    Dedrick Lape was the second son of Jacob Lape and Catherine Shuldes. He was born on June 27, 1794, in Churchtown, Columbia, NY. He married Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Christopher A. Muller and Eva Funck, on July 27, 1816, at St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church, Churchtown, NY. Dedrick Lape is listed in the Livingston School District residents, Annex following from District No. 2 of Claverack & District No. 5 of Livingston to District 14, March 21, 1835. Dedrick is also listed in the 1840 census of Claverack, Columbia, NY. At the age of 16 years and after the death of his father, Jacob Lape, Dedrick moved with his family in 1841 to Wayne County, New York. Dederick Lape appears in the 1855 and the 1870 Census of Galen, Wayne, NY. In 1855 Dederick lived in the 3rd Election District, with wife Elizabeth, son Hiram, and son Phillip Ira Lape and his family. In 1855, they were noted to have lived in Galen for 14 years. In 1870, Dederick Lape is listed as 65 years old, common laborer and boarding with family in Galen.

    Dederick Lape kept a family Bible. The Bible depicts the following information:

Dedrick Lape: born June 27, 1794, died March 1876 His wife (Elizabeth Miller) born December 1797, died January 21, 1860 Children: John F. Lape born April 22, 1816 married Hannah M Dedolzer September 19, 1841 Jacob Lape: born August 15, 1817 Philip I. Lape, born May 24, 1820 J. W. Lape: born January 25, 1822 (Jaris Wilson Lape) Henry Warren Lape: born April 14, 1823 Jordan D Lape: born April 27, 1825 David F. Lape: born March 31, 1827 Catherine M. Lape: born October 10, 1829 Samuel E. Lape: born December 13, 1834 Hiram Thomas Lape, born Dec. 16, 1838, Married C. J. Ditch, 1865. Died June 1, 1912.

    As noted, Elizabeth Miller, wife of Dedrick Lape, died on January 21, 1860. Dederick remarried on December 17, 1861, at Galen, Wayne, New York, to Annis Sedore, widow of Edward F. Sedore of Galen, Wayne, NY. In March 1876, while visiting his daughter, Catherine Lape Brim, Dedrick Lape died in Wiota, Cass, Iowa. He was later buried in Clyde, Wayne, New York. Annis Sedore Lape died in 1891 and is buried in Clyde, Wayne, New York.

    Dedrick Lape was a veteran of the War of 1812, a Private in Van Rensselaer's 3rd Regiment, New York Militia. He applied for VETERAN CLAIMS, WAYNE COUNTY, NY, as Lape, Dederick, of Galen, Wayne County, New York, and received $50.00 for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in their service in the War of 1812. At that time able-bodied men over 16 years of age were required to be members of their local militia and attend yearly local "general training." When the war broke out each man was responsible for his clothing and other material needs.

    What is unique and extraordinary about the Dedrick Lape family is that at least five of Dedrick & Elizabeth's sons were veterans of the Civil War. Two of the sons died of war wounds or from disease contracted during the conflict: Philip Ira Lape, Jarius Wilson Lape, Jordan Dedrick Lape, Samuel Edmund Lape, and Hiram Thomas Lape.

    Philip Ira Lape was born May 24, 1820, Claverack, Columbia, NY, the third son of Dedrick and Elizabeth Miller Lape. He was baptized at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Columbia, New York. He lived his early life on the farm of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, along Millbrook Road, Claverack, Columbia County, NY, and was a member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churchtown, Columbia, NY. He moved with his father and mother in 1841 to Wayne County, New York. Philip Ira Lape married Mary A. Finch, born March 11, 1823 in Saratoga, NY, on December 24, 1846, in Clyde, Wayne, New York. She was the daughter of Jeremiah Finch and Eunice King. Philip Lape shows up on the 1850 Census of Rose, Wayne, NY. On the 1855 Census & 1870 Census, he lived with his father Dedrick Lape in Galen, Wayne, NY, and was listed as a tinman. Philip and Mary had five female children between 1847 and 1959: Alice Ellen Lape, Eunice E. Lape, Louisa A. Lape, Anna M. Lape, and Ida M. Lape. In the 1865 New York State Census, Town of Galen, Village of Clyde, County of Wayne: Philip I. Lape is listed as being "in army", age 45, born Columbia Co, NY, married once, and a tinner. Phillip enrolled 5 Aug 1862 in Co. B, 111th New York Volunteer Infantry, "The Wayne and Cayuga Regiment", 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac at Clyde to serve three years. Philip Ira Lape mustered in as Sergeant, Co. B, 20 Aug 1862; was commissioned as first lieutenant, 26 Nov 1863; commissioned as Captain, 12 Jan 1865; and mustered out with company, 4 June 1865, near Alexandria, VA. He was the last Company Commander of B Company, 111th NY Volunteers. Phillip Ira Lape was president of Clyde village in 1872 and in the 1886-1887 Directory of Clyde, Town of Galen, Wayne County, New York: Lape P. I. clerk, his home was at Caroline near Rees. Sometime in the late 1880's, Philip & Mary Lape moved to Hays City, Ellis, Kansas. Phillip Ira Lape died in Hays City, Ellis, Kansas on March 09, 1893 and is buried there. Mary A. Lape applied for a Civil War pension on January 22, 1894, while living in Hays City. Her Attorney-At-Law was James Tanner of Washington, D.C. Mary A. Lape died after 1893 and is buried in Hays City, Ellis, Kansas. N. Y. S. GAR Post 56, Clyde, Wayne, NY, is named in the honor of Philip Ira Lape.

    Jaris Wilson Lape was born January 25, 1822, Claverack, Columbia, NY, the fourth son of Dedrick and Elizabeth Miller Lape. He was baptized at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Columbia, New York. He lived his early life on the farm of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, along Millbrook Road, Claverack, Columbia County, NY, and was a member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churchtown, Columbia, NY. He moved with his father, mother and family in 1841 to Wayne County, New York. Jaris Wilson Lape married Maria A. Ford, born about 1826, on July 04, 1851, in Geneva, New York. On the 1850 Census of Galen, Wayne County, NY: Jaris Lape is listed under the home of Tobin Forbes. Their daughters, Mary Elizabeth Lape was born in 1855 and Adelia Jane Lape was born on February 21, 1857. The 1860 Census of Galen, Wayne County, NY: Jarius (Jonas) Lape 38, Maria, 31, Adelia, 3. Mary Elizabeth Lape died on January 21, 1859. In response to the Civil War call, Jaris Wilson Lape mustered in as a corporal, Company H, 9th New York Heavy Artillery, on 20 Aug 1862, at Auburn, NY. Col. William H. Seward, Jr., son of President Lincoln's Secretary of State, commanded the 9th NYHA. The 9th NYHA arrived at Monocacy on the night of July 8, 1864. They were immediately sent to the battlefield, the 9th NYHA' S position being on the east side of the Monocacy River near the Old Wooden Bridge on the Georgetown Pike. During the day of July 9th, the Confederates attacked the Union positions but were repeatedly repulsed until the afternoon when the much superior Confederate forces were able to dislodge the Union positions. During this attack an old sunken road, Jaris was killed by a "musket ball passing through his body" on July 9,1864 at the Battle at Moncacy, Frederick, Maryland. His company commander, CPT John L. Crane, reported his death. Maria A. Lape filed for a widow's pension after the untimely death of her husband, commencing on July 9, 1865. She received a pension of $8.00 per month. She later applied for and received a claim for increase of widow's pension in the name of her daughter, Adelia Jane Lape, in the amount of $2.00 per month.

    Jordan Dedrick Lape was born on April 27, 1825, in Claverack, Columbia County, NY, the sixth child of Dederick Lape and Elizabeth Miller. Dedrick Lape is listed in the Livingston School District residents, Annex following from District No. 2 of Claverack & District No. 5 of Livingston to District 14, March 21, 1835. Dedrick is also listed in the 1840 census of Claverack, Columbia, NY. At the age of 16 years and after the death of his grandfather Jacob Lape, Jordan moved with his family in 1841 to Wayne County, New York. Dederick Lape appears in the 1855 and the 1870 Census of Galen, Wayne, NY. In 1855 Dederick lived in the 3rd Election District, with wife Elizabeth, son Hiram, and son Phillip Ira Lape and his family. In 1855, they were noted to have lived in Galen for 14 years. In Galen Dederick lived near other relatives, namely his brother, John Lape, sister-in-law Mary Ann (Hauser) Lape, and family, who began their quest to western New York State due to the availability of the newly developed Erie Canal system. In 1870, Dederick Lape is listed as 65 years old, common laborer and boarding with family in Galen. On December 25, 1848, Jordan D Lape married Esther L. Walker, in Butler, Wayne, New York. On May 29, 1850, Jordan and Esther Lape had their first child, Charles H. Lape. Their second child, William H. Lape, was born on September 01, 1854. In 1856, the Jordan D. Lape family moved to Warren County, Illinois, where they hoped to acquire some of that free land. Moving to Illinois with Jordan were his brothers Henry Warren Lape and Hiram T. Lape. On March 05, 1861, Lillie M. Lape, the youngest of the children of Jordan and Esther Lape, was born in Roseville, Monmouth, Warren, IL. On April 12, 1861, Confederate General Beauregard's shore batteries, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, opened fire on Fort Sumter- the first shots of the Civil War. The Eighty-third Infantry was organized at Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, in August 1862, by Colonel A. C. Harding, and was mustered into the United States service August 21. Jordan D. Lape enlisted on August 12,1862. Jordan was described as 37 years of age, 5 foot, 6 1/4 inches in height, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and a farmer. Jordan D. Lape was admitted to a Stearn's Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky, February 6, 1863. He had apparently contracted a pulmonary disease, namely "Phthisis Pulmonalis (pulmonary tuberculosis)," and chronic diarrhea during his service. His disease had "progressed to such an extent as to unfit him for any kind of labor." Jordan D. Lape was mustered out on February 25, 1863 for his disability and would not live to see the end of the "War of the Rebellion." He died from his disability at Monmouth, Illinois, on March 20, 1863. He was buried in Roseville, Warren, Illinois.

    Samuel Edmund Lape was also a member of the 111th NY Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Samuel Edmund Lape was born December 13, 1834, Claverack, Columbia, NY, the eighth son of Dedrick and Elizabeth Miller Lape. He was baptized at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Columbia, New York. Samuel Edmund Lape married on September 11, 1862, at Galen, Wayne, NY, to Martha Jane Lape, born 1843, daughter of John and Mary Ann Hauser Lape. They lived in Galen, Wayne, NY. They had two sons: Samuel Edmund Lape, Junior, born December 13, 1862, and William Lape, born May 1, 1866. Samuel E. Lape was age 27 when he enlisted for duty in the Civil War on 5 Aug 1862 at Clyde to serve three years. He joined the Company B, 111th NY Volunteer Infantry. The 111th left Wayne County for Baltimore, MD, and then Harper's Ferry, VA, on August 21,1862. As the men at Harper's Ferry were marching through their first drills on the parade ground, General Robert E. Lee was making a bold move that would quickly impact the men of the 111th. After heavy Confederate shelling on the morning of September 14th and the 15th, Colonel Miles realized that he had no choice but to surrender Harper's Ferry. The 111th NY Regiment, with Samuel E. Lape, was "captured and paroled at Harper's Ferry, VA, on September 15, 1862." The 111th would travel to Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL, along with hundreds of other soldiers captured at Harper's Ferry. Samuel E. Lape was wounded in action, 22 Jun 1864, at the Battle at William's Farm, Petersburg, VA. He received a gunshot wound to the right arm, was hospitalized at Queen Street General Hospital, Alexandria, VA and Harewood General Hospital, Washington, DC; and returned to Company August 30, 1864. He was promoted corporal, 31 December 1864, and mustered out with the company on 4 Jun 1865, near Alexandria, VA. Samuel E. Lape applied for a "declaration for invalid pension" on February 7, 1900, while living in the village of Lyons, Wayne, NY, by reason of "gunshot wound of right arm for which pensioned under General Law; severe lameness of right arm, rheumatism, disease of the heart, chronic diarrhea, loss of teeth and varicose veins." He apparently moved to live with his son, William, at 414 West 33rd Street, NY, NY, and died of pulmonary tuberculosis on January 9, 1906. He was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York: Lape, Samuel E, d. 01/08/1906, PVT B 111 N Y INF, Plot: 5890, bur. 01/11/1906.

    Hiram Thomas Lape was born on 16 Nov 1838, at Claverack, Columbia, NY, the youngest of the ten known children of Dedrick and Elizabeth Miller Lape. He was baptized at St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churchtown, Columbia, NY, by Rev. Thomas Lape (his 2nd cousin). Hiram moved from Columbia County, NY, in 1841, to Galen, Wayne County, New York. In Galen, NY, Hiram lived and schooled with his immediate family. Hiram T. Lape, like four of his brothers who joined the Union, became a member of Company C, Engineer Regiment of the West, or commonly named Bissell's MO Engineer Regiment of the West. Company "C" organized at Prairie City, IL, and mustered in at St. Louis August 19, 1861. Hiram T. Lape was discharged at Nashville, TN, on August 18, 1864. He claimed he was disabled by "injury" while on duty on or about February 1864 at Corinth, Mississippi, and was treated in the regimental hospital. After the Civil War, on October 1, 1865, Hiram T. Lape married Elizabeth Jane Ditch at Roseville, Warren, IL. They would have three children; Ojetta R., born 23 Sep 1866, died on 8 Aug 1868; Jennie M., born 26 Aug 1869, died 1 Mar 1919; and Etta E., born 20 Oct 1878, died 21 May 1927. Etta E. Lape married W. Tullis Gossett, Jr., on 14 Oct 1897. Hiram Thomas Lape died on 1 Jun 1912, in Roseville, Monmouth, Warren, IL. He is buried next to his brothers, Jordan and Henry Warren Lape. Elizabeth Jane Lape died in 1932. She too is buried at Roseville, Warren, IL.

    Johannes Lape, born May 11, 1803, in Claverack, Columbia, New York, was the third son of Jacob "Lwe" Lape and Catherine Shuldes. He was baptized at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown, NY, and spent his childhood and early adulthood in Claverack, NY. He married Mary Ann Hauser at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown, NY, in 1830. In 1836 he and Mary Ann moved to Wayne County, New York about 1836. They had eight children: Ida A. Lape, Martha Jane Lape, Nettie Lape, Johannes Lape, Oscar E. Lape, Mary Jane Lape, Gertraut Jane Lape, and James Frederick Lape.

    Johannes Lape, born May 11, 1803, in Claverack, Columbia, New York, was the third son of Jacob "Lwe" Lape and Catherine Shuldes. He was baptized at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown, NY, and spent his childhood and early adulthood in Claverack, NY. He married Mary Ann Hauser at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown, NY, in 1830. In 1836 he and Mary Ann moved to Wayne County, New York about 1836. They had eight children: Ida A. Lape, Martha Jane Lape, Nettie Lape, Johannes Lape, Oscar E. Lape, Mary Jane Lape, Gertraut Jane Lape, and James Frederick Lape.

Johannes Lape was a Marbletown Carpenter. He appears on the DIRECTORY OF THE TOWN OF ARCADIA, 1867 -1868, as Lape, John, carpenter, Lape, Mary Ann, farmer. He died on October 22, 1878, and is buried in East Newark Cemetery, Newark, NY. Mary Ann died on February 10, 1898, and is buried at her husband's side.

    Martha Jane Lape, born in 1843, married on September 11, 1862, her cousin Samuel E. Lape, born December 13, 1834, son of Dedrick and Elizabeth Miller Lape. Samuel E. Lape was a member of Company B, 111th NY Infantry, wounded at Petersburg, VA, on June 22, 1864. They had two sons: Samuel E. Lape, Junior, born December 13, 1862, and William Lape, born May 1, 1866.

     Oscar E. Lape was born in 1848, Arcadia, Wayne, NY. In response to the Civil War call, Oscar enlisted at New York City as a Private on February 23, 1864, in Company G, 1st Battery, 12th US Regulars. He was from Arcadia, including Newark, NY. Oscar E. Lape was only 16 years old when he enlisted. The 12th US Regulars was commenced in August, 1861, Major Clitz in charge of recruiting headquarters at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. The company officers were ordered on recruiting service to various places as soon as they joined. On the August 18, 1864, the 12th US Regiment, Captain Stanhope in command, moved with the division to Globe Tavern near the Weldon railroad, and assisted in repulsing Heth's Division of Hill's Corps. The next morning the enemy attacked, broke through and almost enveloped the right, capturing a large part of the division, and causing severe loss in killed and wounded. Captain S. S. Newberry was among the killed. That afternoon the ground lost in the morning was retaken, reinforcements having been received from the 9th Corps. August 20th, were withdrawn to a strong position with artillery, and the next day repulsed an attack. The regiment had 48 men present, Lieutenant Miles being the senior officer. This position was held until September 30th. Oscar E. Lape was captured at the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, VA on August 21, 1864, confined at Richmond on August 22, 1864 and sent to Salisbury Prison on October 9, 1864. Oscar E. Lape died in Salisbury Confederate Prison, on October 31, 1864 or on January 17, 1865, of "starvation, exposure and prison life, fare and treatment, and the results thereof." Oscar had lived most of his early life in Arcadia, NY, working at various times for Chester J. Burley of the Town of Arcadia, on his farm. He worked for Hurley "from in the year 1856 till the year 1861, for it was the fall before he went into the Army.... He worked that time for about two months. I had him at work for me at various other times on my farm by the day, by the month and by the job. I paid his mother for all the work he did for me. The pay went to his mother and was mainly in farm produce, which I delivered at his mother's house with my team. I remember delivering to her wheat, corn, potatoes, buckwheat and at one time two young pigs and also paying her some money." "I know that John J. Lape the father of Oscar E. Lape was away from home continually from before the war till four or five years before his death. When he did not return home he was all used up and unable to do any work and could not work up to his death. About three years ago said John J. Lape died. I attended his funeral but cannot give the exact date; I think it was in October 1878. I heard he died of Bright's Disease of the kidneys." Mary Ann Lape filed for a pension after the death of Oscar E. Lape and after the death of her husband. According to Harriet Hurley, in a general affidavit, dated September 28, 1888, "Oscar E Lape was the main dependence of the family for he was the oldest boy and the only one able to work at that time and he continued to aid in the support of his mother, sisters and brother till he went into the army- I knew nothing of it from that time on, except I know that the father John J. Lape did not contribute to any amount to the support of the family up to the time of his death, in his latter years because he could not and before that I don't know why only I know he was never at home and he never sent money home to any amount and Oscar and his mother and all the children had to work hard all the while to live." Oscar Lape's sister, Mary J. Lape (Duncan) in a general affidavit for her mother's pension file wrote" One summer while my brother Oscar E. Lape was in the army when I lived in Albany, New York, in July or August I think I came to see my mother and while I was at home a letter came from my brother Oscar E. Lape sending $50.00 home as I remember it. I heard the letter read and I know that the money went for the benefit of the family and for its support and for the food and support of my mother with the rest. I cannot be more definite as to sum or time. I was told and have been told always that he sent the money home for the support of the family at the times but, cannot say more."

    Harrison Spoor of Newark, Wayne, NY, knew the John Lape family for a "great many years. Knew them in Albany and after they came from Chicago. I also knew John Lape, claimant's husband, and Oscar E. Lape the son on whose account claim is made. John lape ever since I have known him used to roam about. In 1858 about middle of summer said Lape borrowed $7.00 of me to pay his fare to new York City and as I was waiting told me to come to some place on Washington St. New York City and get the money. I went there and saw him but could not get it and went there till the winter they fired on Fort Sumter frequently to get my pay but never got it. I was in New York shortly after Fort Sumter was fired on and saw said John Lape. In 1858, 1859, 1860, while I was waiting summers said Lape's family inquired of me frequently about him and asked if I saw him and asked me what he was at and complained of not hearing from him at all and not getting any money from him..." "One season I cannot tell exactly when said Oscar E. Lape drove horses on the canal for John Drake for whom I also worked and I know that his wages were paid to his mother. I know this because of some little trouble there was about who should have the wages and they were paid to his mother. This fixed the circumstances on my mind. I can't tell the year. Said John Lape was not at home to stay that I know of from 1858 till after the first two years of the war. I know this from seeing him in New York as I have stated and from knowing the family- from their inquiries about him and from general report. I know from their circumstances and what I saw that the family got but little money and from my knowledge of the man. I believe they got none from said Lape."

    James Frederick Lape, born July 03, 1852, in Clyde, Wayne, NY, lived in Lyons and Clyde, NY. He shows up on the 1886-1887 Directory of Clyde, Town of Galen, Wayne County, New York: Lape Frederick, laborer, house Caroline near Galen. James Frederick Lape married Letitia Susan Hamblin about 1874. They had five children: Gertrude Lape, James Frederick Lape, Jr., Charles Elmer Lape, Mary Ann Lape, and Frank Miron Lape. James Frederick Lape died on June 11, 1907, and is buried in East Newark Cemetery, Newark, Wayne, NY. Letitia S. Lape died on February 28, 1941, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga, NY.

    Another Wayne County Lape family descended from Thomas "Lwe" Lape and Maria Batz, born in Churchtown, Columbia, NY. Conrath Schneider and Anna B. Schneider sponsored Thomas Lape, baptized in Germantown on January 01, 1752. Thomas Lape moved from Germantown, Columbia County, NY, to Claverack, Columbia, NY, with his family about 1770, marrying Maria "Potts" Batz, daughter of George Batz and Veronica Loescher, about 1778. They had eight children between 1779 - 1802. Thomas and Maria Batz Lape lived on the Andries Lape property in Claverack, NY, and like his father, Thomas was a farmer. He shows up in the 1790 Census of Claverack, Columbia, NY. They had three sons who had families who later moved to Wayne County: Thomas T. Lape, Samuel Lape and Wilhelmus T. Lape.

    Thomas T. Lape, born about 1778, Claverack, Columbia, NY, married Magdelana "Laney" Miller on March 01, 1807, at Rhinebeck, Dutchess, NY. Thomas T. Lape moved to Galen, Wayne, NY, in 1835 after selling the Andries Lape property. Thomas T. Lape first shows up in the 1840 Census of Galen, with one male 10-15, one male 50-60, one female 20-30, one female 50-60 (wife Magdalena), one female 70-80 (Maria Lape). Thomas Lape died on July 09, 1858, at the age of 77y 3m 5dys, in Galen, Wayne, NY, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Clyde, Galen, Wayne, NY. His parents were listed as Thomas and Maria Potts (Batz) Lape. His mother, Maria Batz Lape, moved to live with Thomas T. Lape before the death of her daughter, Margaret Lape Best, whom she lived with according to Frederick Allen Lape. Maria Lape is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Galen, Wayne, NY. When she died in Galen, Wayne, NY, Maria Batz Lape died on March 4, 1849, at the age of 93 years, 10 months and 2 days. Thomas & Laney Lape had five children, including Samuel Jeremiah Lape, born on February 16, 1816, Claverack, Columbia, New York.

    Samuel Jeremiah Lape is listed in 1836 as being from Galen, Wayne, NY, on his wedding information at Linlithgo Reformed Church, Livingston, Columbia, NY. He married Eve Rossman of Livingston, Columbia, New York. He shows up on the 1840 Census of Galen, Wayne, NY: Samuel J. Lape. On December 22, 1849, the Agricultural, Horticultural and Merchants Association of Galen was organized in Liberty Hall at Clyde, Wayne, NY. The final meeting of the old association was held on December 27, 1856, when Samuel J. Lape was elected as a Vice President. Samuel & Eve were member of the Baptist Church of Clyde, Galen, Wayne, NY- 1843-1858. On a STATEMENT OF RECEIPT, Per Rev. J. B. Olcott - May (1855): S. J. Lape, Clyde, end. $5.00 (Name of ministers who secured the donations, Name of Member, Residence, Type of Fund, Amount Donated.) Samuel and Eve Lape would have eight children born in Wayne County, NY, between 1840 - 1853. All but the youngest son, Mervin S. Lape, born on October 14, 1853, would die in infancy. Samuel J. Lape died in Clyde, NY, on June 9, 1858. Eve Rossman Lape died on January 31, 1884. Both are buried in Wayne County, NY.

    Samuel Lape, Sr., was born December 03, 1791, in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, NY. Samuel Lape, Sr., the son of Thomas "Lwe" Lape and Maria Batz, born in Churchtown, Columbia, NY, married Charlotty Van de Kar, and later lived in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, NY. Samuel, Sr., remarried to Polly Worden after the death of Charlotty on 17 Nov 1827, and then moved to Sodus, NY. Charlotty Lape is buried in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, NY. Samuel Lape, Sr., is listed in the August 1, 1860, Census of Sodus, Wayne County: House Number 1184, Family Number 1245, Samuel Lape, age 68, farmer, R. E. value 2500; Polly Lape, age 59; and Johnathan Lape, age 26, farmer. They also had a son, Samuel W. Lape.

    Samuel W. Lape was born in Rensselaer County, NY, on February 16, 1831, the son of Samuel Lape, Sr., and Mary "Polly" Worden. In early life Samuel W. Lape was a schoolteacher. He married in 1854 to Julia Ann Seager, born about 1835, daughter of David J. Seager. They had Samuel W. Lape, Jr., born in 1855; Ella E. Lape, born in 1857; and Alice "Alla" E. Lape, born in 1859. Samuel W. Lape is also listed in the August 1, 1860, Census of Sodus, Wayne County: House Number 1167; Family Number 1228: Samuel W. Lape, age 28, clerk; Julia Lape, 25; Samuel Lape, 5, Ella Lape, 3; and Alice Lape, 1. Samuel Lape, Sr., died about 1870 in Sodus, Wayne, NY. Polly, his wife died about 1864, in Sodus, NY. The 1870 census of Rose, Wayne, NY, reveals: Samuel W. Lape, age 38, sawmill worker; Julia Lape, age 35; Samuel, age 15; Ella, age 13; Allice, age 11; Asher, age 5; and Milton, age 1. In response to the Civil War call, Samuel W. Lape enlisted Aug 15, 1862, in Co D, 9th New York Heavy Artillery, and was promoted sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on February 17, 1864. He would see battle at Bowling Green, Cold Harbor, Frederick Junction, Monocacy, and Winchester. Lt. Samuel W. Lape was dismissed on Oct 8, 1864, possibly due the death of his mother. After the Civil War, Samuel W. and Julia Lape had two sons born: Asher A. W. Lape, born in 1865; and Milton G. Lape, born in 1869. The 1865 Census of Rose, Wayne County, NY, lists the following: Samuel W. Lape, age 35, born Rensselaer, married once; Julia A. Lape, age 31, born Wayne, married once; Samuel Lape, age 10; Ella E. Lape, age 8; Alla E. Lape, age 6; and Samuel Lape, age 73, father, born Rensselaer, married twice, farmer. Samuel lived in South Sodus where he was a carpenter, painter and Justice of the Peace. Samuel W. Lape filed for an Invalid Pension after the Civil War, on January 6, 1889. He claimed "that while a sergeant in said company and in the line of duty on or about December 1, 1862 he incurred Typhoid Fever followed immediately with Neuralgia in head and neck and shoulders of the left side. Said Neuralgia caused acute pain in left side of his face causing a tumor to grow upon left side and in front of the left ear. Said Tumor increased in size while in said service and continued to grow until it now measures 3 by 3 inches and 2 inches deep. At or following appearance of said tumor he became deaf to quite a degree in left ear and he believes a slight deafness in right ear. That while recovering from said fever; Rheumatic pains came on in shoulders and right ankle. That from about January 20th, 1863 said neuralgia & Rheumatism caused much suffering which continued until it became chronic. That from the spring of 1863 to this date he has suffered more or less by reason of said Neuralgia--- Tumor and Rheumatism. That he was treated in said service by Dr. Dewit of said Regiment and now of Oswego City, State of New York. Since he left service he has been treated by Dr. P. S. Roe, now of Hamlin Minnta. Said treatment was from 1866 to about 1882 as near as he remembers, since which Dr. Negus now of South Sodus, NY and Dr. R. le Barless of Rose, NY." In "Rose Neighborhood Sketches", the chapter on School Dist. No. 12, Wayne Center, page 215: "After passing a large evaporator, we find the home of Samuel W. Lape, a native of Rensselaer county, though reared in Sodus; has been postmaster, both in Sodus and here; he was a lieutenant in the Ninth Heavy Artillery, Co. D., and is now a justice of the peace... He has twice taken the census of the town; in 1880 alone, in 1890 the 1st district." In WAYNE CENTER: 1867: "A post-office and hamlet in the west part of the town. Daily mail. Lape, Samuel W., mint grower and farmer, 55 1/2." The obituary of Julia Seager Lape is seen in the Sodus Record, December 28, 1906, "The funeral of Mrs. Julia Lape, wife of Samuel W. Lape, who died at Wayne Centre on Friday from the effects of a stroke paralysis, was held Sunday. Surviving are a husband, Samuel W. Lape: three sons, Asher A. W. Lape of Wayne Centre, Dr. Milton Lape of Weedsport, Samuel W. Lape of Michigan; two daughters, Mrs. Walter T. White of this village and Mrs. Alta Bailey of Michigan; five brothers, Benjamin, George, Asher W., Munson, and Monroe Seager; two sisters, Mrs. Samuel Davenport and Mrs. Charles LaRock, all of this county." The obituary of Samuel W. Lape is seen In the Sodus Record, February 11, 1910, "The death of Samuel W. Lape occurred Friday at Lyons, aged 79 years. The deceased was born in Sodus (sic), and lived here many years. He moved to Wayne Center, where he resided a long time, and finally located at Lyons. He was a justice of the peace in the town of Rose at one time. Mr. Lape was a civil war veteran, being a member of company D of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, of which he became a second lieutenant. He is survived by three sons, Samuel of Jonesville, Mich.; Asher Lape of Wayne Centre, and Dr. Milton G. Lape of Port Byron, and two daughters, Mrs. Nelson Bailey of Laporte, Ind., and Mrs. Walter White of Lyons. Funeral services were held Sunday." Samuel W. Lape is buried in South Sodus Cemetery, Wayne, New York.

    Cornelius R. Lape, born November 25, 1843, West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York, joined the 111th NY Regiment, Co. D, at age 18. He was the son of Cornelius and Sarah Rysdorph Lape, descendants of Thomas Lape and Maria Batz. Cornelius enlisted 14 Mar 1864 at Galen, Wayne, NY, to serve three years. Cornelius Rysdorph Lape was wounded in action on 5 May 1864, at The Wilderness, VA. He was wounded in the "hand by a minnie ball" and was transferred to Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D.C. He later developed "Pyemia following gunshot wound fracture left carpus." He died in the hospital on 6 Jul 1864. Cornelius was buried at National Cemetery, Arlington, VA and Clyde, Galen, Wayne, NY. Cornelius Lape, Sr., was born August 11, 1808, the son of William T. Lape and Margaret Ann Weatherwax. He married Sarah Rysdorph 22 Dec 1829, at Wyantskill, Rensselaer, NY. Cornelius Lape, Sr., was a shoemaker and later learned the masonry trade. Cornelius and Sarah Lape had 10 children, five of which lived to adulthood. The family originally lived in Sand Lake, Rensselaer, NY, where Cornelius was a "man of very moderate circumstances." In 1849 the family moved to Virginia with all the children. At this time, Cornelius Lape was "worth about $2000." Most of this amount was lost in the purchase of a farm, and "in a few months the family returned to Sand Lake." After 1850, Cornelius Lape was reported to be a poor man. Sarah received $500 from her father, money "that was spent over a few months." The family moved and lived in different places. They lived at Albany, Troy, Bethlehem, Buffalo, Clyde and Lyons, NY, at Pontiac, Michigan and at other places. Cornelius and Sarah developed marital problems resulting in many separations beginning about 1863. Cornelius R. Lape "used to bring me all of his wages before his enlistment. Once he came to Washington with horses and on his return gave me seventy ($70). After his enlistment he gave me money to buy me clothes." (Sarah Lape) Sarah Lape lived in Seneca Falls and Tyre, NY. In Tyre, in 1864, she "examined the intelligence of the death of her son." She applied for a pension after the death of her son. Apparently she was not being supported by her husband, Cornelius Lape, Sr., who after several separations was reputed to have in 1863-1864 been a "dissipated man", spent much of his time in "liquor saloons" and had abandoned his family, never to be seen again after the "last of June, 1876." He had apparently become distraught over the death of his youngest son and turned to the "bottle". It is not known where Cornelius Lape, Sr., later lived and died. Sarah Lape, after her husband did not care for her anymore, was "compelled to earn her living by her own labor." Although she was aided to some extent by her two daughters Eleanor & Sarah, after 1876 she supported herself "by peddling notions in Geneva, in Troy and in Albany, NY, and in Port Byron, NY." By 1880, Sarah looked for support with the "Superintendent-of-the-Poor." She had a "wholesome dread of being sent to the Poorhouse." By 1888, Sarah Lape still had not received her Mother's Pension approval from the Department of the Interior.

Submitted by Jeffrey J. Lape

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