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Mrs. Debbi Myers Smith, a Maryland resident and fifth great-granddaughter of Andrew Myers, Sr., founder of the hamlet, Myers, organized an 'Ancestry Trail Reunion' for her relatives July 18-20, 2018. Her group of 12 family members are coming from Canada, California, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Maryland to learn of their ancestors and the history of Tompkins County from Lansing Historian, Louise Bement.
Smith and her family are descendants of Charles Myers (1830-1906), one of the twelve children born to Andrew Myers, Jr. and Mandanna Mack. Charles was born in Myers but heeded the call "Go West, young man! Go West!" in 1860 and became a homesteader in Wisconsin after serving in the Civil War on the side of the Union.
"I discovered our family's connection to Tompkins County through genealogy research. I made a trip to Lansing last Memorial Day weekend to meet Louise Bement and start planning the reunion. I fell in love with the beauty of the area," Smith said.
While on that Memorial Day trip, Smith made another discovery -- the historical marker that used to stand on Ridge Rd. between Myers and Ludlowville no longer exists.
"If the citizens of Lansing would like to replace it, we would like to help," said Smith. "I spoke with Mark Bush at NYS DOT (New York State Department of Transportation) and they will bear the cost to replace it if we can prove it existed. If not, then it has to be funded privately or the request withdrawn. According to Mr. Bush, the best proof is pictures," Smith reported.
If anyone has any they can share, Smith will photograph them on Thursday, July 19th at Pavilion E in Myers Park between 7pm-9pm to send to DOT. According to Smith's online research, the sign read:
"Detachment of Gen. John Sullivan's Army under Col. Butler camped on these heights Sept. 24, 1779. Andrew Myers, Pioneer, 1791." (Source: Association of Public Historians of NYS)
"The marker recalls an important event in Myers family history but perhaps of greater significance is the depiction of the area's connection to the Sullivan Trail -- important to the development of Lansing and the birth of our nation," said Smith.
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