Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NamePhilena W. Dow 
Birth15 May 1817, Wayne Co, PA
Death8 Apr 1900, Winwood, Preston Twp, Wayne Co, PA
Burial11 Apr 1900, Tallmansville Cem, Preston Twp, Wayne Co, PA
MemoPlot 19
FatherJoseph Dow (1779-1852)
MotherOlive Cobb (1777-1858)
Misc. Notes
[compiled from her obituary and writings of her husband and son Edwin]
Mrs. Philena Dow Tallman, the second wife and widow of the late C.P. Tallman, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Fred D. Benedict, near Tallmanville, PA, on Sunday morning, 8 April 1900. Mrs. Tallman was born 5 May 1817, and was 82 years, 11 months and 3 days of age. They were married March 10, 1836. Her children were: Edwin E. Tallman of Tallmanville, PA, born 5 Jan 1838; Alanson B. Tallman of Chicago, IL born 4 Mar 1840, Mrs. Jane P. Campbell of Hancock, NY born 23 Oct 1843; Darwin W. Tallman of Longmont, CO born 26 Oct 1846; Mrs. Eudalia T. More of Denver, CO, now at Binghamton, NY born 29 Mar 1851; Mrs. Olive L. Benedict of Winwood, PA born 27 April 1857; all of whom survive her.
Mrs. Tallman was the daughter of Joseph Dow, a relative of Lorenzo Dow - the well-known eccentric preacher, who was from Massachusetts. Her mother was Olive Cobb Dow, also from Massachusetts. Her parents were adventurers in a new country, and not rich. Both died many years ago. Mrs. Tallman's brothers were Joseph, Enos, Lorenzo, and George, and her sisters were Sally, wife of David Cramer, and Melita, wife of Elam T. Case, all deceased.
In early life she learned all of the industries of the home. She bore the labors and cares of pioneer life, and incident to the keeping of such a home without murmur or complaint. She spun, wove, dyed, and finished flax and woolen cloths. She knitted mittens and socks, made butter and cheese, and cut and made cloth to sell and clothing. She trained her children in the industries of the home, and guarded their young lives from immoral contact, as well as those of her employees, with thoughtfulness and success. Her husband employed many men, and these, too were fed and cared for without one word of complaint.
Her religion so fixed and determined as to force adherence, even when driven to the wall by the prosecutions of professors of religion -- hypocrites. Hers was a Christian home! Its influences were all good! She taught school before her marriage. She was instrumental in obtaining the bible, hymnbook and furniture for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tallmanville, aided much to the erection of that edifice, and was inexpressibly grieved at the destruction of that society. She joined her husband in presenting the Sunday School Library, the very first in this section of the country. Many times she accompanied her husband on horseback through the wilderness on their mission to encourage religious effort and education in distant towns.
She had made her home when teaching at his house, and he saw in her the pure and noble traits of character which he so much admired. Her virtue was uncompromising, and knew no blemish. Mrs. Tallman was firm and unflinching in what she believed to be right, but she practiced much self denial for the love of peace and quietness. She possessed a tender and delicate mentality, a heart that suffered intensely when wronged, but leaped with ecstasy at the knowledge of having added to the happiness of those around her. She was one of the very best entertainers. Her husband's house was the welcome home of the stranger, the newcomer, the church, the official world, and the unfortunate. All were welcome without money and without price. She planned and managed many public entertainments for the benefit of the schools and churches, and was a leading spirit in their councils. She encouraged the children in the day schools by her influence and presence on special occasions.
Mrs. Tallman studied the art of medicine, and many young ladies owe their escape from an early death to her timely council and aid. With her sister, Mrs. Melita Case, who died Dec. 31 1898, she officiated as a doctor at the birth of many children. One of these was present at her bedside when she died. She cared for her husband, who suffered intensely for many years with asthma, with a devotion, patience, and tender faithfulness, which won the admiration of all who knew her.
In her death the Church, the community and her family have sustained a serious and irreparable loss. She was indeed one of the pioneers of this country. Interment was in the Tallmanville Cemetery.
Mrs. Philena Dow Tallman, the second wife and widow of the late C.P. Tallman, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Fred D. Benedict, near Tallmanville, PA, on Sunday morning, 8 April 1900. Mrs. Tallman was born 5 May 1817, and was 82 years, 11 months and 3 days of age. They were married March 10, 1836. Her children were: Edwin E. Tallman of Tallmanville, PA, born 5 Jan 1838; Alanson B. Tallman of Chicago, IL born 4 Mar 1840, Mrs. Jane P. Campbell of Hancock, NY born 23 Oct 1843; Darwin W. Tallman of Longmont, CO born 26 Oct 1846; Mrs. Eudalia T. More of Denver, CO, now at Binghamton, NY born 29 Mar 1851; Mrs. Olive L. Benedict of Winwood, PA born 27 April 1857; all of whom survive her.
Mrs. Tallman was the daughter of Joseph Dow, a relative of Lorenzo Dow - the well-known eccentric preacher, who was from Massachusetts. Her mother was Olive Cobb Dow, also from Massachusetts. Her parents were adventurers in a new country, and not rich. Both died many years ago. Mrs. Tallman's brothers were Joseph, Enos, Lorenzo, and George, and her sisters were Sally, wife of David Cramer, and Melita, wife of Elam T. Case, all deceased.
In early life she learned all of the industries of the home. She bore the labors and cares of pioneer life, and incident to the keeping of such a home without murmur or complaint. She spun, wove, dyed, and finished flax and woolen cloths. She knitted mittens and socks, made butter and cheese, and cut and made cloth to sell and clothing. She trained her children in the industries of the home, and guarded their young lives from immoral contact, as well as those of her employees, with thoughtfulness and success. Her husband employed many men, and these, too were fed and cared for without one word of complaint.
Her religion so fixed and determined as to force adherence, even when driven to the wall by the prosecutions of professors of religion -- hypocrites. Hers was a Christian home! Its influences were all good! She taught school before her marriage. She was instrumental in obtaining the bible, hymnbook and furniture for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tallmanville, aided much to the erection of that edifice, and was inexpressibly grieved at the destruction of that society. She joined her husband in presenting the Sunday School Library, the very first in this section of the country. Many times she accompanied her husband on horseback through the wilderness on their mission to encourage religious effort and education in distant towns.
She had made her home when teaching at his house, and he saw in her the pure and noble traits of character which he so much admired. Her virtue was uncompromising, and knew no blemish. Mrs. Tallman was firm and unflinching in what she believed to be right, but she practiced much self denial for the love of peace and quietness. She possessed a tender and delicate mentality, a heart that suffered intensely when wronged, but leaped with ecstasy at the knowledge of having added to the happiness of those around her. She was one of the very best entertainers. Her husband's house was the welcome home of the stranger, the newcomer, the church, the official world, and the unfortunate. All were welcome without money and without price. She planned and managed many public entertainments for the benefit of the schools and churches, and was a leading spirit in their councils. She encouraged the children in the day schools by her influence and presence on special occasions.
Mrs. Tallman studied the art of medicine, and many young ladies owe their escape from an early death to her timely council and aid. With her sister, Mrs. Melita Case, who died Dec. 31 1898, she officiated as a doctor at the birth of many children. One of these was present at her bedside when she died. She cared for her husband, who suffered intensely for many years with asthma, with a devotion, patience, and tender faithfulness, which won the admiration of all who knew her.
In her death the Church, the community and her family have sustained a serious and irreparable loss. She was indeed one of the pioneers of this country. Interment was in the Tallmanville Cemetery.
Spouses
Birth22 Apr 1806, Mt Pleasant, Wayne Co, PA
Death18 Feb 1889, Preston Twp, Wayne Co, PA
BurialTallmansville Cem, Preston Twp, Wayne Co, PA
MemoPlot 19
FatherElihu Akin Tallman (1781-1867)
MotherLucretia Palmer Perkins (1780-1871)
Misc. Notes
Was self educated. He lived with his parents at Six Mile Lake when he was 15. In August,1822 he, along with his brother William and David Babcock, went to the Kryder lot in Susquehanna county to cut fallow and improve it. The next spring the whole family moved there. In the fall of 1823 a road was cut from the Tallman place to Mt. Pleasant by his father and a number of settlers located upon it.
In 1825 he did chores to earn enough money for paying 6 weeks of board to attend school.
In 1826 he earned enough to attend another 12 weeks of school, which was the extent of his schooling after the age of 12.
In October that same year, he set off on foot with enough provisions to last to Philadelphia and part way home, buying only 3 nights lodging at 6 cents a night. He went to find the man who owned some farm land which he wanted to buy in the Mt. Pleasant area of Preston Twp, Wayne Co, Pa even though he was under age. The man asked $4.00/acre, but he bargained for a contract on 175 acres at $2.00/acre with the understanding that he clear 3 acres a year, put a family on the land, build a house and barn, and finish paying in 3 yrs. He did so well that the man forgave the interest and gave him a parchment deed on April 29,1829 with the original contract dated in 1826. (This is the beginning of Tallmanville, Pa.) He also bought three timber lots, enough to last for three years of lumbering.
In 1829/30 he contributed nails, glass, and sash (he noted as costing $4.84) to help build the first school in the area on the east side of his lot (it was 16' by 20', made of logs). The school ran 6 months a year and was considered a satisfactory success. Women teachers never recieved more than 75 cents a week and men not more than $10 per month. This same year he built a mill on the creek a few rods below the road, and a post office was established, for which he was postmaster during the next 30 years until his son Edwin took over in 1860 (both were the first in Preston Twp).
1830 census listing for Palmer Tallman near his father in Preston Twp shows:
male 1<5, 2=20-30, 1=40-50 fem 1<5, 1=20-30
indicating possibly an older brother, or her father living with them. He was not patriotic, but rather aristocratic, wealthy, and an area banker who ran the community. Due to the disorganization of the teaching of religion, the Tallmansville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1831, when a flourishing class was formed, including many of the Tallman family. Lucinda died in 1835, and he was remarried the following year to Philena Dow.
1840 census lists his family as:
male 2<5, 2=10-15, 1=20-30 fem 1=10-15, 1=20-30
He is listed in the 1850 census as Christopher P. Tallman (44, PA) a farmer, with his second wife Philena (33, PA) and his children Sidney (20), Edwin (12), Alanson (10), Philena (6), and Darwin (3).
In Honesdale on Dec 2, 1861 the Wayne County Agricultural and Mechanic Arts Society was formed with E. W. Hamlin as pres. and C. P. Tallman a respected octogenarian of Preston, as secretary. He favored the South during the Civil War, and in fact sold his timber to the South. At the end of the war he lost his money and prestige. C.P. was the Wayne County Surveyor from 1868 until 1877. Listed as a farmer in 1870 census with $10,000 of land, which is shown on an 1872 map under the name of Honorable C. P. Tallman.
Living with just his wife in 1880.
In 1825 he did chores to earn enough money for paying 6 weeks of board to attend school.
In 1826 he earned enough to attend another 12 weeks of school, which was the extent of his schooling after the age of 12.
In October that same year, he set off on foot with enough provisions to last to Philadelphia and part way home, buying only 3 nights lodging at 6 cents a night. He went to find the man who owned some farm land which he wanted to buy in the Mt. Pleasant area of Preston Twp, Wayne Co, Pa even though he was under age. The man asked $4.00/acre, but he bargained for a contract on 175 acres at $2.00/acre with the understanding that he clear 3 acres a year, put a family on the land, build a house and barn, and finish paying in 3 yrs. He did so well that the man forgave the interest and gave him a parchment deed on April 29,1829 with the original contract dated in 1826. (This is the beginning of Tallmanville, Pa.) He also bought three timber lots, enough to last for three years of lumbering.
In 1829/30 he contributed nails, glass, and sash (he noted as costing $4.84) to help build the first school in the area on the east side of his lot (it was 16' by 20', made of logs). The school ran 6 months a year and was considered a satisfactory success. Women teachers never recieved more than 75 cents a week and men not more than $10 per month. This same year he built a mill on the creek a few rods below the road, and a post office was established, for which he was postmaster during the next 30 years until his son Edwin took over in 1860 (both were the first in Preston Twp).
1830 census listing for Palmer Tallman near his father in Preston Twp shows:
male 1<5, 2=20-30, 1=40-50 fem 1<5, 1=20-30
indicating possibly an older brother, or her father living with them. He was not patriotic, but rather aristocratic, wealthy, and an area banker who ran the community. Due to the disorganization of the teaching of religion, the Tallmansville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1831, when a flourishing class was formed, including many of the Tallman family. Lucinda died in 1835, and he was remarried the following year to Philena Dow.
1840 census lists his family as:
male 2<5, 2=10-15, 1=20-30 fem 1=10-15, 1=20-30
He is listed in the 1850 census as Christopher P. Tallman (44, PA) a farmer, with his second wife Philena (33, PA) and his children Sidney (20), Edwin (12), Alanson (10), Philena (6), and Darwin (3).
In Honesdale on Dec 2, 1861 the Wayne County Agricultural and Mechanic Arts Society was formed with E. W. Hamlin as pres. and C. P. Tallman a respected octogenarian of Preston, as secretary. He favored the South during the Civil War, and in fact sold his timber to the South. At the end of the war he lost his money and prestige. C.P. was the Wayne County Surveyor from 1868 until 1877. Listed as a farmer in 1870 census with $10,000 of land, which is shown on an 1872 map under the name of Honorable C. P. Tallman.
Living with just his wife in 1880.
Marriage10 Mar 1836, Wayne Co, PA
ChildrenEdwin Ephraim (1838-1908)
Alanson Benjamin (1840-1912)
Philena Jane (1843-1938)
Darwin Washington (1846-1905)
Eudalia Josephine (1851-1942)
Olive Lucretia (1857-1939)