Early settlers

Arriving on horseback in 1796, Amariah Hammond (my 5th great grandfather) made his way to Dansville, NY with his wife, Catherine and their two young children, Morgan and Minerva. It is said that he was a man of great abilities and determination and so he became one of the leading men of his time in this area. He was the town supervisor and a prominent farmer, owning a large tract of land. He was widowed in 1798 when the “Genessee fever” claimed the life of his young wife. Shortly after he remarried, and his family continued to grow.

His son, Morgan (my 4th great grandfather) grew up and eventually moved just North of Dansville to Sparta, NY. In 1820 the Hammond Homestead or Hamondale Farm as I have always known it, began. It was a booming family farm set on the hillside of the Genesee Valley. Because of its location it had some of the richest soil around. It was truly a remarkable place.

For generations this land was farmed, cattle raised, and crops grown. In the early 1900’s a barn was built by James Morgan Hammond (my 2nd great grandfather) that would bring this small family farm ahead of its time. In 1927 the next generation took over when my great grandfather, James, purchased the farm from his father, James Morgan, and again in the late 1960’s when my grandfather John Hammond and his brother James took over.

The multi generation family farm ended with the passing of my grandfather in 2005. Hamondale Farm stayed in the family until 2008 when a local farming family purchased the barns and 300 acres. All that remained of the nearly 2 century old family farm was my grandparents house which was built on the foundation of the original Hammond Homestead back in 1800’s and the 5 acres is sat on.

My grandmother, Mary Kay Hammond continued to live in the family home until 2018. That fall my husband and I purchased the house and made the move from Rush to fulfill my childhood dream.

I am the 7th generation to live on this farm and my children the 8th. It is a mere shadow of its former day but we take pride in every square inch.

Here we are teaching our children to work hard, be kind, love one another and to love what they do. It’s not an easy life but it’s a damn good one!