Emma J. Winch

Photos and information courtesy of Margaret Bott.

For Ninety Six Years

This Is the Length of Time the Winch Farm at Canadice Has Been in the Family

A Brief Historical Sketch

By Emma J. Winch

The Winch farm, or “Oak Opening”, as it is called, was so named from having been an opening in a grove of oak timber on the hill. It is situated on the hill or upper road, one and a half miles south of Canadice church. But do not imagine as some do when they get there that you have reached the highest land in the vicinity, for if you really wish to get as high as possible, you will have to travel two miles further south.

The farm lies nearly midway between Honeoye lake on the east and Canadice on the west. The deed for the farm calls for 144 acres more or less, and comprises several different tracts purchased from as many different people. It lies on both sides of the highway. It is well watered with plenty of material for wood, produces good crops, and has been called the most desirable farm on the hill.

That Indians roamed all over the land in earlier times is certain by the Indian relics that are found. In working on different parts of the farm, evidences are found of ancient dwellings of early settlers who have been here. A blacksmith shop stood on the road north of the present house. The first schoolhouse on the hill was built on this farm. The frame is still in use, after serving as a school house, a dwelling house, and then a shop.

Nearly a century ago, John Winch senior, Mary Thompson, his wife and two sons, Amasa aged 9 and Lorenzo 2, came from New Hampshire to New York state, John’s father, Luther Winch, came soon after, making his home with his son. He now lies in Canadice cemetery. The family experienced, in common with others, all the hardships of pioneer life. After spending probably about a year on what is now the Edgar Hoagland farm, he came to Oak Opening, where the rest of his life was spent. He died at the age of 89. He was a staunch Methodist his life through. He was the second supervisor of the town, held the offices of justice of the peace and notary public and for many years was a pension agent.

The first home of the family was over the brow of the hill in the orchard near a never failing spring. He probably only lived there about a year, when he built the present frame house near the road. The house was a good one for those times and with paint and many other repairs still does good service. When his oldest son Amasa married, the father built an addition to the home and the young couple set up housekeeping in the old home, helping care for the farm.

Not long after Lorenzo followed the example of his brother and married. Then a new house was built a litte south of the old home and in the new house Lorenzo and wife set up housekeeping. In time the father and the mother became too feeble to do the work of the farm and the sons carried on the work together for many years. The old people died, the mother in 1870 and the father in 1882.

Sometime before the death of the father, the sons dissolved partnership and Amasa and his family bought a farm near the church known at that time as the Austin farm. Amasa spent the remainder of his life there, dying in 1896. Lorenzo remained on the home farm and moved to the old homestead. Lorenzo remained on the home farm till his death, which occurred in 1902. For some years before his death, he was enfeebled by age and his oldest son, Wilbur, carried on the farm and has continued to care for it till the present time. At the death of his mother, which occurred about 6 years ago, to settle up the estate Wilbur and his sister Emma purchased the farm and have remained there but they expect to leave the old home in the fall.

It might be an item of interest to some to know that all the deceased members of the John Winch family lie in Canadice cemetery with one exception, John Winch, junior, who lives in Hillsdale, Mich., where he married.