New Article by Karen!
McArthur Sisters
By Karen Cuccinello 3-2019
The Stamford Village Library history room recently received a donation of two beautiful well preserved autograph books that were owned by Lizzie and Jennie McArthur of
Stamford. The books are inscribed by fellow Stamford Seminary students with dates between 1884 and 1891. Thank you to MaryJane Henderson, of Delhi, who donated the
books from her personal collection.
The McArthur sisters’ parents were John (1831-1901) and Elizabeth L. (McAlpine) (1846-1905) McArthur. John, a carpenter, was born in Jefferson, NY and Elizabeth in
Scotland. They had six children: Lizzie/Elizabeth Belle (1867-1912), James (1869-1935), Everett L.(1872- after 1940), Nellie who died October 18, 1878 age four, Jennie
(Mrs. Samuel C. Robinson 1875-1956) and Vera (1880-1948).
The McArthurs were married in Milwaukee,Wisconsin May 30, 1867 and Lizzie was born there July 1867 (hum somebody’s dates are off). The only occupation I saw listed
for Lizzie was laundress in the 1910 census. She must have lead a quiet home life because she was not in the newspaper as being involved in community affairs etc. Lizzie
died April 24, 1912, age 44 years, 9 months, 9 days,of tuberculosis of the lungs for nine months. Her parents also died of tuberculosis.
Jennie was born in Stamford June 21, 1875 and went to the Albany Business College in 1902 after attending the Stamford Seminary. Her occupations listed in census reports
were typewriter in 1905, accountant at bank in 1910 and stenographer in 1920. She married Samuel C. Robinson June 6, 1912 and they both worked at the Stamford
National Bank until Samuel’s death in 1948. Whether or not Jennie kept working at the bank after his death I do not know but she was involved in community activities.
Jennie died December 19, 1956, age 80, after a long illness. She was a charter member of the Utsayantha Chapter No. 303 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the
Presbyterian church.
Lizzie, James and Vera never married and lived in the McArthur homestead situated at about 32 Main Street. The house was purchased in 1959 by Conrad J. Engelke and
torn down for a new Victory Store.
James was an electrician by trade. Everett worked at hotels, was married to Alice and the last place I found him was the 1940 Middletown, NY census. He was not mentioned
as a surviving relative in Vera’s 1948 obituary.
Jennie and Everett did not have children so their McArthur family line ended. But we do have Lizzie and Jennie’s autograph books to remember them by. All, except Everett,
are buried in the Stamford Cemetery lot D-29. The photo of the girls is probably from Stamford Seminary in the 1890’s.