Forestburgh New York is a small area in Sullivan County where my great grandmother Margaret Helen Ferguson grew up. I had been researching the Ferguson’s for years and the censuses I had looked at for Forestburg were the 1855 New York State census and the 1860 US Federal Census. So when Madeleine and I went back to Pennsylvania last summer we drove up to Milford to do research.
I wanted to take the time to drive another 24 miles up NY42 to see Forestburg. So on our last day in Milford we took that drive. It was quite a pleasant drive. Once past Port Jarvis there were few buildings and very little traffic.
The first thing we spotted was the Forestburgh Town Hall. It was actually built much later (1895). By that time, as far as I know, they had all left the area. Driving on further I was pleasantly surprised that there were still quite a number of houses and buildings
Several historical markers through this sleepy little burg. The catholic church shown above was built in 1900. Forestburgh school district 1 was established in 1837 according to the sign and averaged 70 students it closed in 1952.
Margaret Helen Ferguson, her sister Maryetta and brothers David, Charles and Edwin were all born in Forestburgh, New York from 1850 to 1860. So the older ones probably attended the school that stood on this site.
it was really great to drive around this area to and try to visualize what it may have been like during this Civil War era when my great grandmother was growing up with her sister and three little brothers.
In the 1865 New York state census the family is living in Deerpark on June 8th 1865, which is South of Forestburgh just outside of Port Jarvis in Orange County New York. That census was taken in June of 1865. Margaret Helen’s father (Joseph Ferguson) who was in the civil war wasn’t mustered out until November 29 1865. According to his service record he had been at Steamboat Wharf June 30 1865. Did the family move to Deerpark to be closer to family? I need to search the rest of the 1865 state census to see what family member may also be living there.
I looked up Steamboat Wharf Connecticut and discovered its about 180 miles almost due East of Deerpark. So it is conceivable that Joseph was able to visit during the Summer before having to report to Steamboat Wharf for duty before being Mustered out.
