HomeMy WebLinkAboutmcconkey House History 2023 Sue Thompson NL ArticleHouse History in Enfield – Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian
I was recently asked about the history of a home on Aiken Road. After researching the home I discovered, I think, the answer to the home owners question. I read the book, “Stories From
My Life With the Other Animals” by James McConkey to discover some interesting facts and stories about the home and the surrounding area. James “Jim” talked about the building of the
home back in 1831. Half mile down the dirt road from the home was a sawmill, located on the 1853 map of Enfield. He wrote about the possibility of logs taken to this saw milland transformed
in to planks and joists and siding for the house. The house built by a carpenter, according to the information passed on to each new owner by the last one, for fifty dollars and all
the hard cider he could drink and its assorted barns, the wood for which had come from the white pines which had been cleared for the farmers crop lands and pastures. The question to
answer was who the judge was that occupied the “judges chambers” a name given to a part of the home. Thomas Kelsey, was the first owner of the home. The farm area was approximately 173
acres. Thomas died in 1885 leaving his wife Clarissa d. 1890, daughters Susan d. 1900 and Sarah d. 1890 living in the house during the time of 1886 – 1897. Frank Aiken, husband of Mary
Kelsey Aiken, daughter of Thomas Kelsey, was Justice of Peace of Enfield from 1886 to 1896 and Enfield Town Supervisor 1896 – 1897. At that time in history town officials worked out
of private homes. We will guess that maybe the home had an extra room for Frank to use as an office, Frank and Mary lived in a home down the road from the Thomas Kelsey home. Researching
the deeds for the property was a little confusing. I also found more information regarding Thomas Kelsey in the Journal of Adaline Cleveland Hoser (Tompkins County Library Site) about
horses and poisoning.
So, do you know who lived in your home and what what happen there? If you visit the towns web site www.townofenfield.org – For Residents – Archived Documents – Historian Documents –
House History Group, you can find documents to help you discover more about your home in the Town of Enfield.