Leavitt farm and family papers, 1911-1978.
Collection Number: 8583

The Leavitt family began farming and raising crops near Gabriels in 1888, when Lyman Leavitt moved from Bloomingdale. However, the deed for the farm was not registered until 1890. His son, Arthur, joined him after taking ''short courses'' at Cornell University. Around 1915, Arthur Leavitt took over the farm. Potatoes and seed potatoes were the main crops. There was only enough livestock to meet the needs of farming (work horses) and the family (a milk cow and a beef cow). In 1937, Arthur purchased a large barn from the Rockefellers at Bay Pond, dismantled it, and brought it to Gabriels. He also bought a small barn, which he used to store pieces of the larger barn over the winter, and then in 1938 erected what became known as The Big Barn. In 1939, Arthur's son, William, completed his education at Cornell University and joined in farming with his father. In 1976, Leavitt Farms was incorporated. Between 1920 and 1980 the farm grew to approximately 700 acres, harvesting 400 +/- acres of potatoes. William married Lenore Newell from Keeses' Mills (daughter of Pauline and Harold Newell). William and Lenore had three boys: Robert, Arthur and David. For a short period of time, all three sons farmed in Gabriels. David left to teach and then do administrative work in NYS Dept. of Corrections. In 1997, potato growing ceased when Robert and his wife, Mary Lou, left to start their own farm up north in Churubusco. Arthur remained on the farm taking care of other crops and developing a gravel mine on the property. In 2015, Ralph Child, scion of another well-known potato farming family in Franklin County, bought a large portion of Leavitt farm and returned it to potato growing. Arthur continues to grow hay and sell gravel and stone.

Collection contains documentation of the Leavitt farm, primarily bills, invoices and receipts.

Leavitt farm and family papers, #8583. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Collection originally found to contain mold. Material was cleaned, but mold may still be present. Individuals with weak immune systems may need to take extra precautions.