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by the French from July 1780 until Jun 1781. The place became an economic disaster after the war, and Peter Bours wisely removed to Utica, NY in the year 1806 in his 24th year. In Utica, Peter started a retail mercantile business and in 1810 married Mary Walker Robinson in New York City. Mary was the daughter of Captain Thomas and Deborah, but had been adopted by Thomas' sister Mary and her husband Benjamin Walker. [ My guess is that this is where Mary got her middle name.] Her Uncle Benjamin Walker was a Col in the Revolutionary War and served first as aide-de-camp to General Von Steuben serving as an interpreter and later as an aide to George Washington. Source: A letter from Gene T. Clears 1985 of Downers Grove, IL
"Peter Bours was another Rhode Islander, having been a native of Newport,
where his father and grandfather had lived before him. He was born May 5
1782. In October 1807 he opened in Utica what he termed a 'new cheap
store' at the sign of the golden eagle." [ I believe this was the sign
that his father and grandfather had used in Newport before him.
Yes - an advertisement in the Newport Mercury reads "John Bours, at the sign of the Golden Eagle, has choice new raisins by the cask."] "His
stock was large and consisted of the miscellaneous assortment then kept by
others of the time, including dry goods, groceries, crockery, hardware,
&c. Some three years later he gives notice of his intention to close his
present concern, and offers his stock at cost. Taking into partnership
Stalham Williams, he devotes himself exclusively to the sale of hardware.
They characterize their establishment as the first of the kind in the
western district, and declare that they import direct from the
manufacturers in London, Birmingham and Sheffield. In August 1811 the
firm is dissolved, and early the following year the creditors of Mr. Bours
are invited to show cause why he should not be discharged from his debts.
Meanwhile he had married Mary Robinson, niece of the wife of Colonel
Benjamin Walker, and was living in the house which he had built for
himself on the north west corner of Broad and First streets, the same
which is now occupied by T. K. Butler. This house, which was an
uncommonly expensive and stylish one for the time, had been begun before
Broad street was fully opened. As it was heavily mortgaged, and in May
1814 was to be sold under foreclosure, it was now given up. But Mr Bours
had found a new occupation and with it a new residence. He was very
active in organizing the Utica Glass Factory, a manufactory started at
Glassville, so called, in the present town of Marcy. He acted for some
time as its superintendent, and moved thither with his family. The
factory proved unsuccessful, as will be shown in a future notice of its
operations, and in 1818 Mr Bours opened a land office in Utica for
recording and exhibiting for sale unsettled lands and improved farms.
This, too, bringing him no compensation, he next entered upon the
profession of an auctioneer, a profession in which his active spirit and
his plausible address soon secured him plentiful employment. The frequent
noisy cries of his sturdy negro, as he patrolled the streets, bell in
hand, proclaiming a sale, and calling bystanders to walk up to Mr. Bours'
auction rooms, are recollections fast in the memory of all older citizens
of Utica. After the death of Colonel Walker, the house of this gentleman,
with thirteen acres of land attached, was sold at auction, and was bought
by Mr. Bours. Here he took up residence, and here, towards its latter
part, he raised vegetables for the village market. His next change, which
took place about the year 1826, carried him to Geneva.
He had boundless activity and enterprise, but was speculative and visionary. Having a good opinion of himself and being fond of making a
show, he came much into public notice and position, though his opinions
did not carry the weight of others of sounder judgment who were less
forward. Making money readily during a part at least of his career, he
spent as freely, and consumed a large share of his commissions in
advertising and office hire. He was rather stocky, light complexioned,
wore glasses, a flowing, ruffled shirt and large gold chain and seal. For
many years he was a vestryman of Trinity Church, and in 1822 he was its
treasurer. He died at Geneva, October 30, 1860. Mrs. Bours was a
daughter of Captain Thomas Robinson of the United States Navy. ... His
daughter, Mrs. Bours, was a tall, vigorous looking lady, and a truly noble
domestic character, straight forward and independent. After their removal
to Geneva, and when her husband had lost his eyesight, she contributed in
various ways to their support. Her death occurred October 1, 1859. The
following children are now living: Mary Robinson, (Mrs Joseph Stow), at
Stockton, California; Thomas Robinson, at Alamos, Mexico; Benjamin Walker,
at Stockton; John H. H., at Jacksonville Florida; Allen Lee, at Lansing,
Michigan; Caroline, (Mrs Hugh W. Taylor), at Stockton." Source: the
Pioneers of Utica - Bagg - Lib of Michigan.
1850 Census Seneca, Ontario, NY shows:
Peter Bours 68 b RI gentleman Mary 56 b NY Mary R Stow 37 b NY Emily Bours 36 b NY Caroline Bours 16 b NY Elizabeth R Stow 6 b NY Alfred Stow 2 b NY Amelia Douglass 20 b NY black 1855 NY Census Seneca, Ontario, NY shows:
Peter Bours 70 b RI living in Seneca 27 yrs frame house $2000 Mary Bours 60 b NY wife living in Seneca 27 yrs Mary Bours 40 b Oneida Co, Dau in Seneca 27 yrs Caroline Bours 20 b Ontario Co, Dau in Seneca 20 yrs Lillie Stow 11 b Ontario Co GDau in Seneca 11 yrs Alfred Robinson 7 b Ontario Co, GSon in Seneca 7 yrs 1860 Census Seneca, Ontario, NY shows
Peter Bours 79 b RI $1200 living with his daughter Mary R Stow.
Note: Newport was occupied by the British first from Dec 1776 to Sep 1779, th
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