SOMERS, N.Y. - The Town of Somers is replete with many historical profiles from the 19th century. The town was home to many prominent people, including the Baileys, the Greens, the Wrights, the Browns, the Cranes, the Reynolds, and many others. One large Somers family, the Todd’s, acquired a 250-acre farm in 1812 and moved to Somers. Oliver Eul Todd was one of seven children who moved with the family at age 7. He lived there the rest of his life and eventually owned the farm.
The young Oliver worked on the farm, but in the winter season he made certain that he attended the local district one room schoolhouse. There he picked up a fair education, which would serve him well later. As time went on, the farm became very prosperous. With close application and untiring industry, he developed a model farm. At age twenty-seven, he married Miss Hester Jane, who brought experience in the duties pertaining to a farmer’s life and equally important genial and happy disposition.
His farm was situated upon the direct Somers Turnpike, where immense droves of cattle and sheep slowly went their way toward the city markets. For many years, the Todd farm provided accommodations for these animals. For example, in 1849 Todd reported 11,000 head of cattle at $0.08 per head per night for a total of $880. Similarly, he took in 16,000 head of sheep, earning $160. The cattle drovers board and lodging earned another $110. The sheep drovers’ room and board were another $80. The total was $1,230 ($49,600 in today’s money).
Oliver Eul Todd also had 40 head of cattle of his own. After a half century he had accumulated an ample competence in managing a farm. However, the last decade of his life he was rendered inactive by a nerve disease. He died on his 75th birthday and was buried in the Todd Cemetery, located just north of his homestead. Oliver Todd only had one child, a daughter, Mary Ophelia Todd Green, who died in 1897 without any children. So, the estate was divided between her many cousins, descendants of her 13 uncles and aunts. She was also buried in the Todd Cemetery near the farm. The Todd homestead still stands just south of the Todd Cemetery. The administrative building of the Paramount Rehabilitation Center was built by Harvey Todd as his home before the civil war.
Large prominent families in the 19th century often set aside a small portion of their land as a family cemetery. So too did the Todd family. Their cemetery was located along the Somers Pike (Route 100 just north of Route 35). The first interment was Lydia Todd who died in 1814. The last was the burial on October 19, 1897, of Mary Ophelia. Three Revolutionary pioneers, Stephen Van Tassel. Samuel Wilson Jr., and Samuel Dingee are buried there. The cemetery is impressive with granite monuments, cut stone enclosure, and wrought iron gates. Many generations of the Todds, their relatives and others rest there. You can see the large granite entry on the west side of Route 100.
The Cemetery was neglected over the years, with the Todd family gone. That is until 1992 when a new Boy Scout Troop in Somers formed with seven boys and six parents. Designated Troop 376, the new scout troop got involved in many Somers projects. For the past 28 years, Scouts from Troop 376 mowed the grass, raked, and picked up any debris in the Todd cemetery. Each scout is expected to participate at least one day in the cemetery maintenance. Some Scouts have had 40+ days). Recently, the Troop obtained a product to clean off the lichens and moss from the headstones. Two Scout families can work in the cemetery on the same day.
The Todd family no longer calls Somers home, as far as we know. And yet the resting place so lovingly chosen by Oliver Eul Todd remains a well-cared for cemetery thanks to the efforts of Troop 376. Like so many Somers residents, these Scouts and their leaders volunteer their time to noble projects like maintaining the Todd Cemetery. The Todd family and the Town of Somers, says thank you.
Article courtesy of Somers Historical Society.
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