In Port Byron's early history, it seems many lifestyles were ahead of the times. I recently found an article from the 1850's, where one of our woman had completed clergy training. When you look at the role of woman for this time period, most were not employed especially outside their own households or the business of their husbands. It is always a pleasure to be reminded that things were just a bit different here:
"Mrs. Linda Jenkins of Port Byron, N.Y. has commenced preaching, after a regular course of study, and is now fully entitled to the appellation of "Reverend."
Herkimer Co. Journal, Little Falls, NY August 13, 1857