Welcome to the History Corner!
Celebrating the rich history of Port Byron, New York, an old Erie Canal village in the Town of Mentz. This site is dedicated to the legacy and heritage of our community as well as a variety of regional historical tidbits. I hope you enjoy your visit and will stop by again.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Alice Branson Mathis

I thought many of you would appreciate reading the story of Alice Branson Mathis, an African American migrant worker who worked on farms at Port Byron and Red Creek from the 1940's to the 1960's.

The report provides a behind the scene look at her struggles as well as her creativity.  Alice was born at Monticello, Florida on July 2, 1898, her parents dying while in her youth and was raised by her brothers.  By the age of 12, she was employed as a domestic worker. 

While residing at Sanford, Florida she would travel North for crop season.  Miss Alice while being unable to read or write, was able to own a home.  She never had any children and died at Rochester, NY in 1990.

Read her story here:

"Goin' North" by Victoria Sandwick Schmitt