New article by Karen Cuccinello from the Stamford Village Library’s Historical Room!
In going through the photographs at the Stamford Village Library, I just picked a nice one and wrote up a little bio on Burton “Bert” Jay Mattice. He was born in Blenheim August 15, 1881 to Orson and Hattie/Harriet (Reed) Mattice, but lived most of his life in the Stamford/Harpersfield/Jefferson area. I believe he only had one sister, Edna, so the other gentleman in the photo must be a friend. When about 27 years old Burton married Grace Edith Kinch and they went on to have seven children that I could find: Charlotte, Anthony, Douglas, Robert, Harriet, Orson and Janet. From his 1917-18 WWI Registration card found on www.familysearch.org- His address is No. 3 Jefferson, age 37, self employed farmer, description – medium height and build, blue eyes and light hair.
Besides dairy farming Burton was also a clerk in Robertson’s Store, painter (I suspect a house painter with his uncle Fred Reed), owned a bakery in Stamford where his mother and sister also worked and laborer on state road. The family moved a bit more than the norm and I suspect mostly rented. Even though they moved around often, education appeared to be a high priority because a few of the children are listed in newspaper articles as graduating from either Jefferson High, Stamford Seminary or Oneonta Normal School. Burton and family are also often in the newspaper as attending Mattice family reunions.
June 5, 1974 (Schenectady Gazette)- Burton J. Mattice, age 92, of 22 Roosevelt Ave. died yesterday at the Community Hospital Stamford after a long illness. Member of the Methodist Church, charter member Hobart Lodge IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Delhi Lodge IOOF, charter member S.E. Churchill Hook & Ladder and exempt member of Fire Department.
His wife, Grace, died November 20, 1951.
Survivors daughter Mrs. Jeanette McMorris of Tribes Hill, Mrs. Charles Taylor of Newburgh, sons Robert J. of Highland and Orson G. of Stamford, 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Burial in the Stamford Cemetery.
On a side note; there were at least three other Burton Mattice’s in the area so Burton was a popular Mattice name.
Karen Cuccinello- Stamford Village Library Historian.