Breese Genealogical Collection, 1777-1996

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains genealogical notes and research material related to the Breese and Jansen families of Horseheads, New York.
Extent:
1 linear foot
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Breese Genealogical Collection includes genealogical charts (1990s); family histories (ca. 1950s-1990s); photographs (ca. 1860s-1980s); correspondence (ca. 1960s-1996); and assorted papers related to the Breese and Jansen families.

Biographical / historical:

The Breese family’s connection to Chemung County dates to the 1780s when John Breese (1738-1829), a Revolutionary War veteran, settled in what is now Horseheads, N.Y. In 1850, two of John’s grandchildren, William (ca. 1814-1898) and Ulysses (1822-1909), purchased a tract of land to the east of Horseheads, laying out the Village of Breesport in 1854. Over the next several years, they set up numerous businesses in the village, helping to establish Breesport as a thriving commercial center by the late nineteenth century. Other notable members of the Breese family included: Sidney Breese (1800-1878), who was elected to the U.S. Senate for the state of Illinois in 1842, and later became Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; and Corydon B. Breese (1841-1938), who, at the age of 96, became the oldest surviving Civil War veteran in Chemung County. In 1865, John Breese’s great-granddaughter, Philena Breese (1843-1888), married Joel M. Jansen (1843-1898), a Breesport resident active in local causes. Jansen served with 141st regiment of New York Volunteers during the Civil War. He later worked as keeper of the county poor house in Breesport from 1891 until his death in 1898.

Acquisition information:
The items in this collection were donated to the Booth Library by Pat Cleveland in 2018 and Marge Riley in 1973.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The Chemung County Historical Society's research library and archives are open to the public from 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $5 fee for non-members.

Location of this collection:
415 E. Water Street
Elmira, NY 14901, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
(607) 734-4167
cchs@chemungvalleymuseum.org