Mayott Family

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Mayott Family
Isaac Mayott
1842-1815
Elmer Mayott
1883-1921
William Mayott
1867-1893
Cora Mayott
Section A7

    Isaac and his family lived and died by the water. As a young man Isaac worked as a boat man. This job put him out on the waterways of the Tonawandas almost daily. When the Civil War broke out he joined the Navy at the age of 23.
    As a Quartermaster, he stood at the helm of ships like the USS St. Clair and USS Great Western, helping guide them through northern waters during the Civil War. After the war he returned home and continued his life on the water. 
    His son Elmer almost lost his life when he was employed as an ice cutter for The Rose Ice Company. He fell into a hole plunging him into the icy waters of Ellicott Creek. He was saved by a fellow employee. 
    Isaac's son William wasn't as lucky as his brother. He was killed in a tragic accident. He was out cutting timber with friends when a rabbit jumped out and ran toward him. He tried to hit the rabbit with the handle of his gun when it went off. He was shot in the stomach and died quickly.
    William's grave is here in the Mayott lot along with his Aunt Cora. She was the younger sister of Isaac and had been employed by him on his canal boat the "F J Fellows." She reached over the side to fill a  bucket and fell in. She was dragged under and drowned by the strong current of the Niagara River. Her body was found sixteen days later near Three Sisters Islands in Niagara Falls where it was recovered.
    Even after all the tragedy in his family, Isaac continued his life on the waterways of the Tonawandas.  For most of his life he was a canal boat captain, a job which nearly killed him. Isaac was working on his boat when he somehow fell between the boat and the towpath. He was being crushed between them when he was pulled out and saved. Isaac went on to live a long life, dying of a heart attack after shoveling snow at the age of 73 in 1915.



Isaac's wife Wealthy Mayott 2nd from right













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