Sylvester Valentine was born January 27, 1835, in Creagerstown, Frederick County, Maryland, the son of William and Lydia Mehring Valentine. On January 3, 1857, in Frederick County, he married Sarah Elizabeth Whitmore, daughter of Joseph and Anna Catherine Eigenbrode Whitmore. They were the parents of 9 children: Ida Elizabeth, William Joseph, Emanuel, Emma Catherine, John Wesley, Lelia Arabella, Mary May, Robert Sylvester and Cotta Blanche Valentine. Sylvester was a beekeeper by trade and was evidently very well-known in that profession. He passed away October 29, 1921 in Rocky Ridge, Frederick County, and was buried on November 1st in Mt. Tabor Church Cemetery there.


Death notice for Sylvester Valentine from the Gettysburg Times of Tuesday, November 1, 1921:

"STUDENT HERE YEARS AGO. Sylvester Valentine, a student at college here more than a half century ago, is dead at his home in Frederick County, Maryland. Death followed a short illness. He was eighty-six years old. He was a veteran apiarist of Western Maryland and for a number of years conducted a bee business in Hagerstown."


Obituary for Sylvester Valentine from the Frederick News-Post of Tuesday Morning, November 1, 1921:

"Sylvester Valentine, aged 86 years, 9 months and 2 days, died very suddenly at his home near Rocky Ridge, on Saturday evening about 7 o'clock, the cause of death being cerebral hemorrhage. The deceased was a son of William and Lydia Valentine and the last living member of the family. He was a resident of Hagerstown for a number of years and is well-known in that city. He leaves surviving three sons and three daughters: William J ., of Hagerstown; John W., of near Taneytown; Mrs. Lelia Middlekauff, Robert V., and Cottie B., at home, and Mrs. Mary M. Kale, of Hagersotwn. Funeral services will be held at Rocky Ridge on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., where interment will be made. Rev. Ibach, of Union Bridge, will officiate, M. L. Creager and Son funeral director."


From the estate administration of Sylvester Valentine, February 23, 1922:

First and final account of William J. Valentine, administrator of the goods, chattels and personal estate of Sylvester Valentine, late of Frederick County, deceased. Value of estate amounted to $795.43, less expenses of $500.89 (including 10% commission to accountant allowed by Orphans' Court), leaving a total of $215.00 balance for distribution. Distribution according to law as follows:
--To William J. Valentine, a son, 1/7, $30.71;
--To John W. Valentine, a son, 1/7, $30.71;
--To Robert S. Valentine, a son, 1/7, $30.71;
--To Cottie B. Valentine, a daughter, 1/7, $30.71;
--To Lelia A. Middlekauff, a daughter, 1/7, $30.71;
--To Mary Kale, a daughter, 1/7, $30.71;
--To the children of Emma Harman, a deceased daughter, 1/7, viz:
--To F. Russell Harman, 1/4 of 1/7, $7.68;
--To Earl Harman, 1/4 of 1/7, $7.68;
--To Maurice Harman, 1/4 of 1/7, $7.68;
--To Eva Hudson, 1/4 of 1/7, $7.68.


From the Frederick News of Wednesday, July 11, 1951:

"Late Beekeeper To Be Honored On Saturday. One of the most prominent beekeepers of the state, the late S. Valentine, who lived near Rocky Ridge, will be honored at a meeting on Saturday at Mt. Tabor Park, Rocky Ridge, of the Maryland State Beekkeepers Association. The meeting will be dedicated to the memory of S. Valentine, who was the inventor of the Valentine Hive and developer and breeder of the Albino Queens. One of the original Valentine hives has recently been presented to the University of Maryland Agriculture Museum by the inventor's son and daughter, Robert Valentine, of Keysville, and Miss Cotta Valentine, of Rocky Ridge. The hive was presented during June when the museum was established. Valentine manufactured his hives in his own plant in Hagerstown. He was known by beekeepers throughout the country for his developments in beekeeping...."