Posson, Julia Marie
Birth
Julia Marie Posson was born November 1, 1835 in Gallupville, Town of Wright, to William Posson and Mary Catherine Becker.
Occupation and Life
Julia lived in 1865 and 1870 in the Town of Wright and was married to farmer David Shell. By 1875 David Schell had died, and Julia M. Schell lived at the Knox residence of her brother William Henry Harrison Posson; she was 38 and her occupation was domestic.
In 1880, Julia lived in Knox with photographer husband David Finch and sons John (9) and Elmer (1). She lived in 1892 Knox, and 1900 Knox with laborer husband David Finch and sons John 29 and Elmer 21; both sons were laborers and single. Julia attended a Posson family reunion on August 16, 1902, at Schoharie Park, where she was one of six Posson siblings in attendance. Julia resided in 1905 Knox with husband David Finch, son John (a day laborer) and son Elmer (a grocery store clerk).
On December 8, 1912, John Finch went missing. In January, 1913, a gruesome discovery was made; the body of John Finch of West Township was found in a pond at an unused quarry in Knox, frozen under the ice, standing in an upright position. John was survived by his father David Finch, a stepmother and a half brother Elmer Finch. (Altamont Enterprise, January 31, 1912.)
By 1915, Julia lived in Glenville, Schenectady County with husband David Finch and son Elmer, a hotel clerk. Julia returned to Knox by 1920 and lived with husband David and her married son Elmer's family.
Marriage & Children
Julia married, first, David Schell before 1870. (He died about 1873.) Julia married, second, David Finch.
Married: At the residence of the bride's sister, on the 11th of January, 1876, by the Rev. Robert Doig, Mr. David Finch of West Township, to Mrs. Julia M. Schell of Berne. (Albany Eve. Journal, January 14, 1876: City and Surrounding Areas). This marriage most likely occurred at the home of Julia's sister Sarah Posson Deitz who resided in Berne, next to or very near to Reverend Robert Doig and also the Charles E. Deitz family.
Recorded children were:
- John Finch (b. abt 1870)
- Elmer Finch (b. abt 1879) m. Goldie Taber.
Death
David Finch died on May 6, 1920 and was buried at Knox Cemetery. Julia died on January 7, 1923.
Altamont Enterprise, May 21, 1920
The funeral of David Finch was held from his late home at West Township on Saturday, May 8. Mr. Finch died on Thursday, May 6, after an illness of several weeks. He was in his 86th year, and is survived by his wife and one son, Elmer Finch, also a brother, Wellington Finch of Albany, and a sister, Mrs. Charles M. Bradt of West Township. Burial was in the Knox Cemetery.
Altamont Enterprise January 12, 1923
West Township: We were sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. Julia Finch Sunday morning at the home of her son, Elmer Finch. Mrs. Finch has been a resident of the Township for a great many years. She was in her 89th year.
Additional Media
Sources
