James Pickard (1786-1859)

Esq James "Jim" Pickard was born on May 12, 1786 to Joseph Pickard and Marlena Forthen. He was naptized that month at the Dutch Reformed Church in German Flatts, New York. He married first to his first cousin, Catherine "Caty" Pickard. Secondly, he married Mary "Polly" Richardson Pickard, the widow of his brother-in-law, Adam. James Pickard came to Ellery, New York in the spring of 1819. When the town was organized in 1821, he served elected Justice of the Peace for twenty years. The first religious meeting in the northern part of the Ellery was held at his home in 1819. Preaching by Reverend John Haskin from the west part of Ellery and assisted by James Pickard, at that time an exhorter. He became a Methodist Minister and soon after coming to Ellery was ordained a local preacher in the Methodist church. He became known as "Esq. Jim". He had a very stirring appeal to his hearers to "Flee from the wrath to come and lay hold on Eternal Life". So earnest was he for the cause of his Master, that he was not deterred from what he thought his duty, though frequently obliged to stand before the people bare footed in his frock and pants. James Pickard Esq was a strong thick man about five feet, eight inches in height, light hair and blue eyes, a round well balanced head, fair complexion and considered by all as a "good looking man." He Pickard settled on Lot 21, Twp. 3, Range 3, west of Lawrence Stom. He died on his old farm where he first settled. In a meeting of Commissioners of Schools for Ellery and Ellicott, May 17, 1842, he was one of the commissioners.

Children

 * Joseph Pickard (1810-1878)
 * Rebecca Pickard (1812-1853)
 * Mary Pickard (1819-1885)
 * James Pickard Jr. (1822-1880)
 * Nancy Pickard (1826-1881)
 * Catherine Pickard (1829-?)