Palmer

   The Palmer Coat of Arms is silver on two black bars three trefoils, and at the top a greyhound. The Crest is a black greyhound sejant. The Family Motto, "Palma virtuti," translates as: The palm is for virtue. The family was first found in Yorkshire where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. From the Middle English and Old French palmer or paumer, taken from palme meaning "palm tree." Palmer or Parmer was often a nickname for someone who had been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and brought back a palm branch as proof that they had actually made the journey. Palmer can also be a geographical German surname for someone living among the pussy willows or palms, from the Middle High German palme, balme, meaning "pussy willow" or "palm tree."
   Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Palmer, who arrived in Plymouth in 1621 aboard the " Fortune;" Frances Palmer, who arrived in Plymouth in 1623 aboard the "Anne and the Little James. But our lineage to the Palmer family can be traced back to Vermont.

Drawings of Parley "Pearl" Palmer and his wife, Herma, date unknown (Click on the images to enlarge). Property of Betty Palmer.

Personal Information Census Image Name: Parley Palmer Age: 33 Birthplace: Vermont Home in 1860: Cherry Creek, Chautauqua, New York Estimated Birth Year: 1827 Post Office: Cherry Creek Occupation: Day laborer Value of Real Estate: -- Value of Personal Estate: 150 View image View blank 1860 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: United States Federal Census. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Census Place: Cherry Creek, Chautauqua, New York; Roll: M653_731; Page: 157; Image: 159.

CHILDREN OF PEARL PALMER

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PALMER was born on 16 Jun 1846 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York. In 1883 he married EMMA ANNE PERCY (1858 - 15 Feb 1923), children listed below. Benjamin died on 29 Aug 1919 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York.

SAUL OLIVER PALMER (sometimes called Saul, sometimes called Oliver) was born between 1848 and 1851 in Chautauqua, New York. He married May G. Williams (1858-1926) and they had a daughter, Alice Delila Palmer (Sheldon, 1875-1926). He disappears after the 1892 census.

JOHN PALMER was born on 27 Mar 1851 in Chautauqua, New York. He married Annie Seely (b. 1840) and they had two children: Frank B (b. 1874) and Hattie Julia Palmer (Putman, 25 Mar 1879 - 10 Mar 1949). John died on 31 Jan 1934 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York.

CLARK JOEL PALMER was born on 17 Jan 1853 in Chautauqua County, New York. In 1886 he married Phebe M Frost (1868-1906) and they had the following children: Adelbert P (1886-1942), Clayton Raymond (1889-1936), Albert Harry (1893-1959), Roy Edward (1894-1953), Lorenzo C (1898-1958), Earl Lee (1900-1952), Velma H (b. 1901), and Myrle Clark Palmer (1906-1961). Clark died on 26 Nov 1926 in Arkwright, and is buried at Abbey Cemetery in Arkwright, Chautauqua County, New York.

ALMINA "MINNA" PALMER was born about 1856 in Chautauqua County. She is living with her brother Benjamin in the 1880 census, along with members of the Percy family. She married Emma Percy's brother, George Levi Percy and they had Elmer C (b. 1884) and Ralph Pearl Percy (b. Dec 1887), and they would be double cousins to the children of Benjamin Palmer and Emma Percy. Mina died before 1930, when George is listed as a widower on the census. Her resting place is unknown, but George lived to age 82, and is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Silver Creek, Chautauqua County, New York.

MARY PALMER was born in 1859 in Chautauqua, New York. She's 16 in the 1875 New York State Census, living with her mother and siblings, then disappears from the record.

PHINIS BLANCH PALMER was born on 22 Aug 1862 in Chautauqua County. In 1883 she married Lewis Tobias Percy (1863-1933), the brother of Emma Percy, Benjamin Palmer's wife. Benjamin and Emma had two children, Maud M. (1884-1954) and Herman Percy (1886-1942). They would therefore be double first cousins to Benjamin Palmer's children with Emma Percy, as well as Minna Palmer's children with George Percy, making them genetically closer than typical first cousins but not identical to siblings. Phinis died after Herman was born on 24 Jul 1886 in Brant, Erie, New York. Lewis remarried, to Abigail L. Thompson (1873-1953) and had two more children, Mildred (1893-1987) and Myrtle Louise Percy (1898-1965).

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Benjamin Palmer Age:   32 Birth year:   <1848> Birthplace:   New York Occupation:   Farm Laborer Marital Status:   Single Home in 1880:   Hanover, Chautauqua, New York Father's birthplace:   New York Mother's birthplace:   Vermont View image View blank 1880 census form Personal Information State Census Image Name:   Benjamin Palmer Age:   44 Estimated birth year:   <1848> Birthplace:   New York Occupation:   Farmer Marital Status:   Married (Sidnay Ann) Home in 1892:   Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York Page:   10 Roll:   V14_274 View image Arkwright District (Page 10 of 12) SOURCE INFORMATION: US Census Records. Index created from United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 1880; Census Place: Hanover, Chautauqua, New York; Roll: T9_816; Family History Film: 1254816; Page: 433.1000; Enumeration District: 60; Image: 0087; New York State Census Collection [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Microfilmed copies of the originals can be found at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, as well as the Family History Library.

Personal Information Census Image Name: Benjamin F Palmer Age in 1900: 53 Birthplace: New York Home in 1900: Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York Occupation: Farmer View image View blank 1900 form Personal Information Census Image Name:   Benjamin Palmer Age in 1910:   62 Birthplace:   New York Home in 1910:   Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York Occupation:   Farmer - Dairy Farm View image View blank 1910 form SOURCE INFORMATION: 1900 & 1910 US Census Records. Index created from United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 1900: Census Place: Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York; Roll: T623 1013; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 73. 1910: Census Place: Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York; Roll: T624_929; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 103; Image: 17.

Percy

   BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PALMER grew into a poor but literate farmer in Chatauqua County, New York. In the 1880 census, Benjamin is a 32 year-old single male living in Hanover, the head of a household featuring his sister Almina ("Minna") Langus (age 25), niece Cosa Langus (5 months), and boarders Bessy Callin (age 20), Henry Callin (age 4), Frank Callin (5 months), WILLIAM F. PERCY (16 Feb 1822 - 9 Sep 1892), George C. Percy (age 32), and Lewis Percy (age 14). Apparently he got along well with the Percy family, because in 1883 he married EMMA ANNE PERCY (1858 - 1930), daughter of William—also from Vermont, like Benjamin's father—and FANNIE HOLIDAY (Sep 1826 - 23 Mar 1901), from Erie, New York.
   If the Palmers and Percy's weren't close enough with the marriage of Ben and Emma, in 1879 Benjamin's sister Almina had married Emma's brother, George Levi Percy (1851-1933); then in 1883, Benjamin's sister Phinnis Blanch Palmer married Emma's brother, Lewis Tobias Percy, making all of their children double first cousins, as the children of Ben and Emma and those of Almina and George Percy, and those of Phinis and Lewis Percy, all had the same four grandparents (although the maternal and paternal lines might be switched).
   In America, this Percy line can be traced back 200 years before Emma to a man named Richard Percy, born in 1670 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. The surname of Percy was first found in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire where "William de Perci, who with his brother Serlo, assisted in the Conquest of England, appears in the Domesday [Book] as tenant in capite in many counties, especially in those of York and Lincoln. Back in Normandy, Perci is the name of a parish and canton near St. Lo, in Normandy, the ancient fief on the family. According to heraldic authorities, the family's motto is "Esperance en Dieu," meaning "Hope in God."
   By the time of 1892 state census, Benjamin and his family had moved to Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York. In the 1900 census, they lived with Emma's mother, Fanny (possibly on the Nickerson family homestead), and the following children:

CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN PALMER AND EMMA ANN PERCY

HENRY PALMER was born in 1876. He appears on the 1892 New York State census, but has left home by the 1900 Federal Census.

FRANK A PALMER was born on 2 Feb 1882 (or 1880, according to the 1892 State Census). He married Flora D. Matteson (1886-1939) and had Stella M (1902-1990), Gladys D (b. 1904), Edna Bell (1905-1989), Albert B. (1907-1974), Evelynn E (1910-2005), Jessie M (b. 1912), Elizabeth M (1914-1990), Lester Franklin (1915-1980), and Glenn A Palmer (b. 1919). Frank died on 28 Feb 1959 and is buried with Flora at Forestville Cemetery in Forestville, Chautauqua County, New York.

GEORGE PEARL PALMER was born on 11 May 1883 (1882, according to the 1892 State Census). On 12 Jan 1912 he married Katherine Louise Lutgen (1892-1956) in Stockton, New York, and they had Mildred Pearl (1920-1988) and Chester George Palmer (1922-1989). George died on 7 Nov 1959 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York.

EARNEST RAYMOND PALMER was born on June of 1884 in Chautauqua County, New York. He married CLARA BELLE (or CLARABELL) NICKERSON around 1912, and they lived in Charlotte, Chautauqua County, New York. Sometime before 1930 they moved back to Leon in Cattaraugus County. Clara's parents don't appear on the 1930 census, so maybe Ernest and Clara took over their farm. Family listed below. Earnest and Clarabell are oth buried in the Stockton Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, New York See the only known photo of Earnest and Clara Belle here.

ROBERT D. PALMER was born in April of 1886. He isn't listed on the 1892 Census, however. He married Roseina Carolina Horton (1899-1990) and had Benjamin Franklin (1919-1968) and Robert Lancer Palmer (1925-2006). He and Rosina live with his mother Emma and brother Clarence in Arkwright in the 1920 census. Robert died on 22 May 1931 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York. After Robert's death, Roseina married Robert's cousin (2) Oliver Francis Sheldon (1902-1960), the grandson of SAUL OLIVER PALMER through his daughter, ALICE DELILA PALMER-SHELDON, and moved to Pennsylvania.

ROSA BELLE PALMER was born in July of 1889 in Cataraugus, New York. On 3 Jul 1912 she married Clara Belle Nickerson's brother, EDWARD LEE NICKERSON (1892-1963) in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York, and they had the following children: Lee Edward (1913-1990), Lottie B (1916-1982), Clyde B. (1917-1966), Albert Lee (1921-1973), and Alberta E Nickerson (1921-2013), who would be double-cousins to Ernest and Clarabelle's children, due to having the same four grandparents, but with the paternal and maternal sides switched. Rosa died on 16 Oct 1934 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York.

CLARENCE DELLMORE PALMER was born on 20 March of 1894, and was tall with light blue eyes and light hair, according to his World War I draft registration card. He never married, but in the 1950 census he is living with housekeeper Irene Kaller-Sheldon (1905-1984), and her son James Leslie Sheldon (1928-1991).

Nickerson

Personal Information WWI Draft Card Name: Earnest Palmer Status: Natural born citizen Occupation: Farmer View file SOURCE INFORMATION: National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.

   Benjamin and Emma had a son, EARNEST RAYMOND PALMER, born in New York state on June 12, 1884. He was a general laborer who married CLARA BELLE NICKERSON on 3 June 1912 in Leon, New York, in a ceremony officiated by minister Ivan E. Rossell. Clarabelle's family can be traced back to Norwich, Norfolk, England, when a THOMAS NICKERSON was born there in 1515.
   Earnest's World War One Registration card lists him as a medium sized, blue eyed, brown haired farmer.
   They lived in Charlotte, Chautauqua County, New York, and are remembered as being very religious, and more than a little superstitious. According to daughter-in-law ELAINE PALMER (wife of their son ARLAND E. PALMER), "Ernie" was the "kindest man in the world," and would "give anyone, anytime, the shirt off his back." He also loved to sing. Clara Belle (referred to as "Mrs. Palmer" by her daughter-in-law, even to this day) never spoke much, and grew heavier later in life from "havin' so many kids."
   The Palmer farm was across from the Sutton family farm on the Dean Road just out of Stockton, and both families had kids about the same age, so the children hung out together a lot... Some also married, as Art Palmer married Elaine Sutton and Delephine Palmer married Marvin Sutton. The Palmer children were:

CHILDREN OF EARNEST PALMER AND CLARA BELLE NICKERSON

BERTHA M. PALMER was born on 13 Jul 1913 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York. On 4 May 1931 she married Ralph William Earl (1906-1976) in Cattaraugus, New York. They had the following children: Joyce (1931-2016), Rose Mary (b. 1933), Roy Merritt (1937-2004), Peggy (b. 1941) and Sandra (b. 1944). She is buried at the Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York.

RUBY PEARL PALMER was born on 31 Mar 1915 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York, United States. From Obit P-J 07/27/2007. "Daughter of Ernest and Clarabell Nickerson Palmer. Ruby is survived by a daughter,two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Anson J. Prosser whom she married 10/23/1937 and who died 02/05/1996." She is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York.

RAYMOND LAWRENCE PALMER was born on 15 Jul 1917 in Arkwright, Chautauqua County, New York. He married PAULINE VIRGINIA ANDERSON (b. 27 Oct 1924 in New Albion, Cattaraugus Co., NY). Family listed below. He died in August of 1981 and is buried at Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York. Click on the photo at right to see Raymond in school, circa 1931.

DELEPHINE EMMA PALMER was born on 12 Aug 1919 in Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York. She married 1) Marvin Sutton and had a daughter, Linda, who was adopted by her sister Ruby and her husband Anson Prosser; She then married 2) Edward F Lorenc (9 Apr 1920 - 6 Aug 1991) and had two sons: Edward Terry (b. 1949) and Ronald Lorenc (1950-2018). Delephine died on 7 Jun 1981 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York. She is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York.

MYRTLE ALDEAN PALMER was born on 30 Sep 1921 in Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York, United States. On 2 Nov 1941 she married Harold Leonard Johnson (b. 6 Mar 1910 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York, United States; Death: 11 Sep 1999 in Lincoln, Placer, California, United States). She died in Sep 1990 in Corona, Riverside, California, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California, plot: A, 0, 836.

ORLAND or ARLAND "ART" ERNEST PALMER was born on 12 Mar 1924 in Leon, New York. On 1 Feb 1943, Orland enlisted in the army, declaring himself to be 5'7", 152 pounds, and single male working in the packing industry. On 5 Mar 1949 he married Elaine Joyce Sutton (1932-2016) in Dunkirk, Chautauqua, New York. Orland died on 4 Jun 1988. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York, in the South Half Lot 7 Section G, Row 2. Click on the photo, at right to see (L-R): Anson Prosser, Art Palmer (with Linda Prosser on his shoulders) and Harold Johnson.

BETTY PALMER was born in 10 Sep 1926 in Leon, New York. On 17 Sep 1949 she married Walter Calvin Benson, Jr. (1923-2017) in Stockton, Chautauqua, New York, and they had a daughter, Lisa Anne Benson (Einfalt, 1961-2012). Betty is the family historian, and had the above pictures of Pearl and Herma hanging in her home in Colorado. Click on the photo at right to see Elaine Sutton Palmer (left) and Betty Palmer Benson (right).

GENEVIEVE L. "JENNY" PALMER was born on 15 May 1928 in Villenova, Chataqua, New York. On 8 Dec 1947 she married Ralph Vincent Dalcamp (1924-1999) in Stockton, NY. They had James (1949-2015), Robert, Alan, Darlene and Mary Delcamp. Genevieve died on 7 May 2009 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York. "Genevieve 'Jenny' Delcamp, 80, of Absolut Care of Westfield, formerly of Coe Road, Stockton, N.Y., where she was a lifetime resident, passed away after a lengthy illness on Thursday evening, May 7, 2009. Born in Villenova, N.Y., on May 15, 1928, she was formerly employed by Phillips Bros Basket Factory in Bear Lake, N.Y., and Aero Industries in Hartfield, N.Y. Preceded in death by her parents, the late Ernest and Clarabell (Nickerson) Palmer; her husband of 51 years, Ralph 'Vincent' Delcamp; two brothers: Raymond Palmer and Orland 'Art' Palmer; three sisters: Myrtle Johnson, Delaphine Lorenc and Ruby Prosser. Survived by three sons: James (Debora) Delcamp of Brocton, N.Y., Alan (Debora) Delcamp of Stockton, N.Y., and Robert (Robin) Delcamp of Mayville; two daughters: Darlene (Ron) Bush of Sherman, N.Y., and Mary (Leo) Wilson of Dewittville, N.Y.; two sisters: Bertha Earle of Portland, N.Y., and Betty Benson of Loveland, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews."

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Earnest Palmer Age:   35 Birthplace:   New York Home in 1920:   Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York Occupation:   Road Laborer View image View blank 1920 form Personal Information Census Image Name:   Earnest R. Palmer Age:   45 Birthplace:   New York Home in 1930:   Leon, Cattaraugus, New York Occupation:   Farm Laborer View image View blank 1930 form SOURCE INFORMATION: US Census Records. Index created from United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 1920; Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York; Roll: T625_1090; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 110; Image: 459. 1930; Census Place: Leon, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: 1409; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 29; Image: 881.0.

Anderson

   Their son, RAYMOND LAWRENCE PALMER (1917-1981) grew up to become a lean, bushy-haired farmer in the same area, working land near the Amish area of the county.
   Raymond married PAULINE VIRGINIA ANDERSON of New Albion, Cattaraugus County, on 07 Dec 1940. They started a farm in Brocton, and Pauline still resides near there today.
   Raymond died in August of 1981 at 14716 Brocton, Chautauqua Co., New York.
   They had five children, who Pauline raised with a firm religious belief. She even took her granddaughter, LORI ANN DOTSON, to Bible Camp every year, where they shared a cabin. Raymond, meanwhile, was the mischievious one. He lost several fingers in farming accidents, but told his grandchildren they were nibbled off by wild deer while he slept in a field. He was an amiable man, who everybody loved.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Engagement photo for Ray and Pauline, Fall of 1940; A more relaxed pose; Raymond Palmer, his hair firmly pasted down, and his new wife, Pauline.

   The children of Raymond and Pauline are:

CHILDREN OF RAYMOND PALMER AND PAULINE ANDERSON

LONNIE RAY PALMER was born on 27 Aug 1941.

RODGER ORLAND PALMER was born in Apr 1944.

GARRY EUGENE PALMER was born on 27 Mar 1946.

GALE BRUCE PALMER was born in March, 1948.

CYNTHIA ANN PALMER was born on 03 Jan 1951 in Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York. She married TERRY LEE DOTSON and they had two children.

Left to right: Pauline teaching Cynthia Ann to stand up; Cynthia Ann reading "Heidi": Posing with husband Terry Lee Dotson and children Raymond and Lori Ann.

Dotson

   Their daughter, CYNTHIA ANN PALMER married TERRY LEE DOTSON in Brocton, Chautauqua County, on the 13th of September in 1968. (Yes, it was Friday the thirteenth, but it hasn't affected the marriage.)
   They raised a family on Bear Lake, where the land was beautiful, but the economy was no better than in Kentucky. After Terry's back was injured at his job, he devised a new plan for the family. Terry purchased several run-down lake cottages and rebuilt them into beautiful cabins. He sold the cabins at a tremendous profit, and used the money to head west.
   Terry and Cynthia Ann now split their time between two riverfront homes, one in Bullhead City, Arizona, and the other in Mexico.
   Terry and Cynthia Ann have two children:

CHILDREN OF TERRY LEE DOTSON AND CYNTHIA ANN PALMER

RAYMOND LEE DOTSON was born on 21 Dec 1968 in Dunkirk, Chautauqua County. He grew up on Bear Lake in New York, then eventually returned to Kentucky where his father was raised. He now resides in Western New York.

LORI ANN DOTSON was born on 07 Oct 1973 in Westfield, Chautauqua County. She horrified the family by marrying the author of this genealogy, JEFF HAUSE, in 2007, and is still living it down. They currently reside in Napa, CA, and have a son, ATTICUS LEE HAUSE (b. 02 Aug 2011).

SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE:

• "Nickerson Family History," by Eva J. S. Nickerson, 1964; This is a copy of a genealogy that was published around 1964 for the Nickerson family that included Clara Nickerson Palmer (pages 37-38). A copy of this has been passed around the Ernest Palmer/Clara Nickerson descendants for years and some people have added handwritten notes. (Thanks to Palmer/Nickerson descendant Terry Lorenc for the digitized copy.)
• Ernest & Clara Palmer Family: a private group on Facebook. "This group is for the descendants and relatives of Ernest R. Palmer (1884-1945) and Clarabell B. Nickerson Palmer (1888-1949) who are both buried in the Stockton Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, New York. Their direct descendants are (in birth order): Bertha (Ralph) Earle, Ruby (Anson) Prosser, Raymond (Pauline) Palmer, Delephine (Edward) Lorenc, Myrtle (Harold) Johnson, Orland 'Art' (Elaine) Palmer, Genevieve 'Jenny' (Ralph 'Vincent') Delcamp and Betty (Walt) Benson." .

GENEALOGY

PARLEY PALMER (b. @1827) married HERMA (b. @1829) and begat...

BENJAMIN F. PALMER (b. June 1846), who married EMMA A. (b. May 1861) and begat...

EARNEST PALMER (b. 1884), who married CLARA BELLE NICKERSON (b. 1889) and begat...

RAYMOND PALMER (1917 - 1981), who married PAULINE VIRGINIA ANDERSON (b. 27 Oct 1924) and begat...

CYNTHIA ANN PALMER (b. 03 Jan 1951), who married TERRY LEE DOTSON (b. 12 May 1950) and begat...

LORI ANN DOTSON (b. 07 Oct 1973), who married JEFFREY HAUSE (b. 07 Jun 1961).