We have had some prestigious ancestors. You have already been introduced to Rev. Elizabeth Padgham, our favorite daughter. She and her sister, Clara, were accomplished musicians. From an August, 1879, newspaper clipping, it was noted that Elizabeth played “Hebe” in Gilbert and Sullivan‟s “Good Ship Pinafore” at the old Weiting Opera House in Syracuse. At age 5 and known as “Baby Padgham,” she had a “strong voice and was a thoroughly self-possessed little performer.” She was in several other types of performances and operettas growing up and continuing in musical activities in college. Her father, Amos, who “signed the book” in 1884, was a County Supervisor, and was first elected to our church Board of Trustees in 1889.
Another early leader was Dudley Phelps, who joined the church in 1839. He was a member of the New York Assembly in 1855. He was early opposed to slavery and served as a delegate to the 1848 Free Soil Convention in Buffalo. The Free Soil Party was a short-lived U.S. political party (1840-1856) that was opposed to the extension of slavery into any of the then existing U.S. territories.
Frank Hiscock, who also became a member in 1884, was a prominent Onondaga County Judge. He was an active member of our Board of Trustees from 1919 into the 1930s.
Finally, there is John Wilkinson who became a member of the church in 1839 and was instrumental in its early development. John was Syracuse’s first lawyer, first Post Master, and instrumental in bringing railroads to the Syracuse area. He also came up with the name “Syracuse” for the town, suggesting it based on his knowledge of Syracusa in Italy. His wife, Laura Starr Wilkinson, was an early home economist (called then Domestic Economy) and helped form the first professional home economics association, the National Columbian Household Association, in 1893. One of Sam May’ daughters married a Wilkinson son. Many of you know Jack Wilkinson who graced our church halls for many years, a direct descendant of John.
Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written on March 6, 2006)
