The Overacre Family

The Overacre Family

This 1874 map of Salina Lot #18 shows the various land holders at that time. Solomon Overacre's 150 acres was located in the south east corner of the lot. Most of the names found on the map match up with the names on the various parcels of land. The one exception is found in the northeast corner. Richard Adams had died in 1872. The "C. Adams" shown on the map was Claudius Adams, Richard's son. 

Connection to Mattydale

Solomon Overacre purchased a 150-acre farm on Salina Lot 18 in 1866, from Dr. Lyman Clary for $19,500. When Solomon died in 1881 his son Silas took over the Salina dairy farm.

Family History

Where did they originally come from

Solomon Overacre was born in 1818 in Herkimer Co., NY. From at least 1841 until 1849 the Overacre family lived in Jefferson Co., NY, prior to moving to the Town of Clay.

Where did they initially settle

The Solomon Overacre family first settled in the town of Clay in 1849. Daniel R. Overacre was born in the town of Clay in 1849, son of Solomon and Lydia (Johnson) Overacre, natives of Herkimer Co. In 1866 Solomon bought a 150-acre farm in the southeast corner of Salina Lot 18. Lydia died in 1872 and Solomon passed away in 1881, aged 50 and 63. Daniel Overacre's older brother Silas J. Overacre took over the Salina farm upon his father's death. In 1877 Daniel married Sarah E. McNeil of Cicero. By 1880 Daniel was operating the Salina farm and Silas had moved to a farm in the Town of DeWitt. Daniel Overacre was the town assessor in Salina for five years. 

Family connections

Solomon Overacre's daughter Flora was the first wife of Albert D. Wright.

Property History

Most of the 150-acre property in the southeast corner of Salina Lot 18 stayed in the possession of the Overacre family from 1866 until its sale shortly before the death of Daniel Overacre. Over the years they had sold off about 15 acres. In July 1918, just a few month before Daniel's death, Daniel and Lydia sold their remaining 135 acres.  The old Overacre farm opened for residential development, under the name Syracuse Villas, around the end of 1919. It was the first farm in Salina School District No. 3 to go residential.

Notable Facts or Events

July 19, 1918 - Daniel R. Overacre and wife sold the Overacre farm to Arthur P. Crese (or Kresse) of Brookline, Norfolk County, MA (See Overacre Land Records)

October 7, 1918 – Daniel Overacre died.

November 25, 1918 - Fire destroyed 6 buildings on Overacre farm - $35,000 damage. [1918-11-25a], [1918-11-25b]

December 7, 1918 – Public Auction to close the estate of Daniel R. Overacre – livestock and farm equipment.

[1918-12-05]

October 10, 1919 – Settlement Sought in Overacre Estate [1919-10-10].

Revenue Agents Raid Overacre Farm and Find Large Stills: [1923-11-11], [1923-11-12], [1923-11-17], [1923-11-19], [1924-04-18}

NOTES:

[1918-11-25a] - "6 Buildings and Contents Burn; $35,000 Damage," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Monday, November 25, 1918.

[1918-11-25b] - "Salina Are Burned, Loss Placed at $40,000," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, November25, 1918.

[1918-12-05] - "Public Auction," The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, December 5, 1918.

[1919-10-10] - "Settlement Sought in Overacre Estate," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Friday, October 10, 1919.

[1923-11-11] - "Fully Equipped Stills Found in Salina Home," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Sunday, November 11, 1923.

[1923-11-12] - "Dry Agents Find Monster Stills," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Monday, November 12, 1923

[1923-11-17] - "Owner of Stills Seized in Berlin May Surrender," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Saturday, November 17, 1923.

[1923-11-19] - "Alleged Owner of Stills Gives Up; Arraigned," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, November 19, 1923.

[1924-04-18] - "$5,000 Alcohol Seized in Raid Goes in Sewer," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Sunday, April 18, 1924.