Stories of the Winery at Marjim Manor in Western New York - meet our ghosts and our cats, learn our history and have your questions about wine making, fruit farming and related areas answered.
On June 17, 1907, Hannah Denelia Ripley Farwell Ring died in the house then known as Appleton Hall. According to her obituary, Hannah was a kind and giving woman, active in community affairs, stalwart member of her church.
Born in 1843, she was the oldest daughter of Cornelia and Allen Plumb Ripley. Cornelia was the daughter of a Canadian minister and his wife; Allen a young man who had a calling to the church after being tutored by a Methodist Minister.
The Ripley family was moved through out the Synod in Hannah’s early days. Their annals reflect the family staying only a year or two in Medina, Knowlesville, Kempville (Olcott) and about a dozen other places. Hannah’s brother, Allen Jr, was born when she was about 10 years old.
Cornelia Ripley died in 1869. A few years later, the Ripley family dedicated the Ripley Memorial Chapel to her. It is said that the buttresses at the front of the church contain carvings of her face.
In 1875, Hannah married William Douglas Farwell. The couple settled in New York City where he was in the Woolens business, according to the city directory. Their daughter Cornelia was born in 1876. As thecouple prospered, they purchased a second home in Greenwich, Conn, where William died. Cornelia soon married Cornell Woolley, and Hannah then returned to Buffalo.
She settled on Fargo Avenue, just a few doors up from her father and his new wife. Florella Celesta Morse, a second cousin once removed to Cornelia Ripley, was just three years older than Hannah.
In 1894, Hannah married Dr. Charles Arthur Ring. The following year they purchased a farm in Niagara County which they christened Appleton Hall. Summers were spent on the farm, but during the winter they boarded at various hotels in Buffalo.
On Sunday, June 17, 1907, Hannah died in Appleton Hall. In his will, Charles left $500 to Anna Holtz for the “care and protection given to my wife through the four years and four months of her illness.” It was said that Charles was devastated by her death for “they were devoted to each other to a degree unusual in our times.”
A Toast to Hannah – a name that means God’s gracious gift. She was a gracious lady.
06/14/2010
From my Cornell Reunion
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ILR News Center
June 14 2010
ILR, Uncorked
Winery owner Bittner '80 draws on Ives education
In a massive house of 100 windows overlooking Lake Ontario, Margo Sue Bittner '80 is pouring wine today and telling guests about ghosts who haunt the place.
Bittner is getting back to winery business after celebrating 30 years as an ILR alum this past weekend.
During a Reunion reception, she recounted how -- in perhaps unexpected ways -- an ILR education has served her careers and personal life.
Bittner opened The Winery at Marjim Manor in Niagara County in 2004 with plenty of agribusiness and other experience, much of it nourished by ILR's curriculum.
Managing dozens of farm employees, public service, overseeing business finances, marketing -- "All my ILR background came into play," she said.
Bittner ran a dairy farm, then a fruit farm and raised three children with her husband Jim Bittner ’80, a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate.
Joking that she "threatened to unionize the cows," Bittner is proud of her volunteer work.
She missed just one meeting during 12 years as a school board member, played in the community band with her children and serves with them in the local Lions Club.
Bittner also edited the newsletter "Executive Session" for eight years and beat breast cancer.
Twice-daily milkings are a thing of the past. The Bittners sold the dairy and Jim Bittner now farms fruit, some of which is funneled into Marjim Manor wine.
Shipped to 35 states, Marjim wines are bottled with fun.
Some labels feature family dogs, cats and events or are named after escapades at the storied 1800s home, once a summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Married six months before graduating from ILR, Bittner looks back to campus often, especially with two children who are also Cornell alums.
Kevin Bittner ’04 works full time for his father, president of a fruit farm near the winery. Janet Bittner ’06 works in sales and marketing for Marjim Manor. Both graduated from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
A third child, David Bittner, graduated from Purdue University in 2008.
Marjim Manor (www.marjimmanor.com) welcomed 26,000 visitors last year and could top that this year.
Margo Sue Bittner smiles, contentedly. "I spend my days pouring wine and telling ghost stories.
Because Thursday Afternoon at 3 is our special time, I thought it was appropriate to post our latest ghostly adventures!
On February 28, Buffalo Paranormal Investigations did a ghost hunting class. The goal was to familiarize people with the equipment and methods they use. That date was specifically picked. Dr. Charles Ring died in the house on February 28, 1908. As part of the afternoon's adventures, an EVP detector was placed in "the" doorway.
Just before 3, the detector showed a reaction. When the recording was played back, a man's voice was asking "What? What?" like he was trying to understand what was being said.
I'm amazed at how much people know about the manor. Answer this question correctly and you'll be in the drawing for the gift certificate. A number of people have the previous 5 questions correct, and they will automatically get a gift certificate to the manor.
So: Who grows the fruit from which we make our wine? Remember, most of the wine is from tree fruits...
I'm amazed at how much people know about the manor! I think you'll all be assistant storytellers. So, this week's question: Where was Shubal Scudder Merritt born?
The gift certificates are waiting - I hope I can put your name on one.
Here we go again - the fourth trivia question. Our newest grape wine is the Lady in the Window? Who was the lady in the window? And for a bonus entry in the drawing - which window was "hers"?
And the next question in our quiz: The Manor was the summer retreat for which order of nun. If you want to enter the drawing, send me the answer by email or by facebook message. The last two weeks blog postings have more information and the previous questions -- but now I have to be ready to greet customers!
Thanks to all who entered our contest last week. If you'd like to join in the fun, just answer the question and send it to my by email or on my wall on Facebook. Remember, Marjim Manor gift certificates are the prizes!
Question two: Who first named the building Appleton Hall?
For those who missed last week's question it was : What was our first signature wine? Everyone was correct, so I'll include it here to give more people a chance.