SAMUEL CRUMP

Main Cemetery -- Area K
Lot 149 -- Westside

Sam was born in England and lived there, plying his trade as a stone mason until he was of age to marry. He and his 1st bride, Sarah (nee Cutting), wished to visit Sam’s relatives in the United States for their honeymoon. He had a relative in Rochester, New York, and it was there that he saw in a local newspaper that the Village of Pittsford was seeking someone to build a school in the community for the children who lived there so they did not have to walk to a District School located a far distance away.

Sam decided that he would apply for the job and build that school from cobblestones which were plentiful in the community. He was hired for that job and finished the school in 1842 where it stands today long known as the Masonic Temple on Church Street.

Sam had become very comfortable and well known and he decided to stay in Pittsford. He opened a general store on the corner opposite the Phoenix Building and remained there for the rest of his life, building a house and barn next to it where he kept his horse, wagon and store supplies.

Sam was a solid abolitionist and many people knew it, even though it was against the law to aid and abet runaway slaves. He let it be known to those who needed to know that he would hide runaways. He would surreptitiously get word somehow that there were people who needed to be hidden and helped to get to freedom. He would hide the runaways in his barn and the next day they would be taken in his wagon, covered with goods, to the Port of Charlotte, on the shores of Lake Ontario, where they could get on a boat to Canada, and be free.

Sam was an interesting man – very interested in the arts and music and ecology. He named all of his eight children with classical names; one was named Michelangelo but was always known around town as “Angelo”.

He also developed and built an electrical show with a magic lantern. He would travel around Monroe County performing this show much to the amazement and enjoyment of his audience. People were enthralled with this new electricity!

Sam’s gravestone, this rock placed here by his family with his likeness, is appropriate because of his love and fascination with nature and ecology. He made a study of mushrooms and was considered an expert in knowing which were safe to be consumed. He had a large family, many of whose resting places can be seen here.