Woodworth, Elijah

Elijah WOODWORTH (1772 - 1847) and Elizabeth "Betsey" (1775 - 1849)

my 4g-grandparents

Elijah WOODWORTH died on 25 Dec 1847 in Royalton, Niagara, NY. He had at least 11 children. He was probably born about 1771 to 1774, probably in Canada.

His wife was Elizabeth, according to his will. Their gravestone in Mountain Ridge Cemetery, Royalton doesn't have any legible dates. The name on the stone is Betsey.

I usually like to write these pages chronologically, starting with the births of the subjects. In this case, the evidence starts at the other end, with the 1847 will of Elijah, with his son John as executor, naming his wife and 8 daughters, and their husbands. We can work backward with the children, using later records to see where and when they were born, and this helps us track Elijah and family.

It is not clear whether Elizabeth (Betsey) was the mother of all Elijah's children. His first wife may have been Debora TYLER.

Birth of Elijah and his wife or wives

The evidence for Elijah's birth date and place is taken from later records. The 1800 US Census has him in the 26-44 age group, in 1830 he is 50-59, and in 1840 he is 60-69. If all of these are correct, he was born between 1771 and 1774.

In the 1830 US Census, Elijah is called "Junior," so his father was probably Elijah WOODWORTH Sr.

Elijah's wife in 1800 was in the 16-25 age group, so she was born between 1775 and 1784. In 1830 she was 50-59, and in 1840 she was 60-69, so she was born between 1775 and 1780, if all these records are for the same person. There is nothing to suggest her birthplace.

The death certificate (below) of Betsey (WOODWORTH) (DEWEY) BRIGGS, daughter of Elijah, says her father was Mr. WOODRUFF, born in Canada. Unfortunately, it doesn't mention her mother.

Elijah WOODWORTH Timeline up to 1830

1771 to 1774 - Elijah born in Canada
1797 Nov 14 - possibly married 1st wife, Deborah TYLER in Thetford, Orange, VT
1798 - daughter Cynthia born in NH.
1800 - possibly resided in Thetford, Orange, VT
1801 Apr 28 - daughter Sally born in VT or NH or LC (Lower Canada) - the records are inconsistent.
1805 - daughter Mary "Polly" born in VT
1808 - daughter Mehitable born in Matilda, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
1808 Sep 3 - son John born in Canada
1810 - daughter Nancy born in Canada
1812 Sep 9 - daughter Laura born in Canada
1815 - daughter Betsey born in Canada
1819 Mar 17 - grandson Chauncey, son of Cynthia, born in Canada
1820 - grandson Albert, son of Sally, born in Canada
1820 Mar 1 - grandson Otis, son of Cynthia, born in Middlebury, Wyoming, NY
1821 - daughter Lucinda born in Canada
1823 - granddaughter Maria, daughter of Mary, born in Canada
1824 - granddaughter Cynthia, daughter of Sally, born in Lower Canada
1824 - grandson Alfred, son of Mary, born in VT
1825 Feb 11 - grandson Henry, son of Sally, born in Canada
1827 - grandson Horace, son of Sally, born in Canada
1828 - son John removed to Royalton, NY, probably with his father and younger siblings
1830 - grandson Stephen, son of Mary, born in VT
1830 - resided in Royalton, Niagara County, NY

Migration Summary

Elijah WOODWORTH and family were in NH/VT around 1797 to 1800, and by 1805 they had removed to Canada, and at least in 1808 they were in Matilda. How long they stayed in Matilda is unclear, but they were somewhere in Canada, probably Lower Canada.

Between 1820 and 1830 most of the grown children married, and moved to NY, MI or VT, and some stayed in Canada. Elijah himself was in Royalton by 1830, with a family of 8. It seems likely that Elijah, with his wife and younger children, all moved to Royalton in 1828.

Cynthia, who married Philip PERKINS, was the eldest, and probably the first to leave Canada. Their 1st child was born 17 Mar 1819 in Canada, and their 2nd child born 1 Mar 1820 in Middlebury, NY, where they probably lived the rest of their lives.

Sally married Horace BARTLETT and they had 8 children in Canada. The whole family moved to Genesee County, NY in 1839, then to MI around 1840, finally settling in Dryden, MI.

Mary "Polly" married Clark STEARNS. They had their first child in Canada, 1823, and by 1824 the family had removed to Louisville, St Lawrence County, NY, where they had 10 more children.

Mehitable married Adam BECKSTEAD. They had 5 daughters, and lived in Matilda and Williamsburg, Dundas County, Ontario, Canada. One record even says that Mehitable and Adam were both born in Matilda.

The STEARNS family in Louisville, NY and the BECKSTEAD family in Williamsburg, Ontario were less than 15 miles apart, on opposite sides of the St Lawrence River.

John removed to Royalton, Niagara, NY in 1828, probably with his parents and younger siblings. He married twice, and had 6 children, all born in NY, probably Royalton.

Nancy married Daniel Washburn STOWELL. They lived in Pendleton, Niagara, NY and had six children, all born in NY, probably Pendleton.

Laura married Henry KAYNER. They had 5 children, in Royalton.

Betsey must have been with her parents in Niagara, but by 1838 she went to Oxford, Oakland County, MI, where she married twice and had 3 children.

Betsey in Oxford, MI and her big sister Sally, in Dryden, MI were only about 10 miles apart.

Lucinda, the youngest, was only 7 when the family moved to Niagara. She married John ZIMMERMAN, and they lived in Royalton, where they had 4 children.

Deborah (TYLER) WOODWORTH, possible 1st Wife

This Elijah WOODWORTH married Delora or Debora TYLER on 14 Nov 1797 in Thetford, Orange, VT.

The record above may be for the right Elijah WOODWORTH. He should have 1 female under 10, not 1 male under 10, but this could be a mistake. If this is the right Elijah, it seems that he had a wife before Elizabeth. The marriage and the census record are both in Thetford, so they are the same Elijah, but is it our Elijah?

WOODWORTHs in Canada

As explained above, Elijah WOODWORTH and his family were in Matilda, Dundas, Ontario, Canada by 1808, and Elijah with his younger children stayed in Canada until 1828.

There was an Elija WOODWORTH in the 1825 Canadian Census. He had a family of 12 in Lachute, York, Ontario, which is 39 miles NW of Montreal, and 150 miles NW of Thetford, VT. This is about 450 miles from Whitby, in Upper Canada, but only 100 miles NW of Williamsburg, Ontario, where Elijah's daughter Mehitable (WOODWORTH) BECKSTEAD later settled. The 1825 Census only covered Lower Canada, My transcription:

Head-of-household: Elija Woodworth
Township: Lachute
Total: 12
Absent from Province: 4
Under 6: 2
Over 6 under 14: 1
Over 14 under 18: 2
Married Male 25 not 40: 1
Females under 14: 3
Single Female 14 not 45: 2
Married Female 14 not 45: 1

This looks very much like our Elijah's family, since he had many daughters and few sons. The problem is that the oldest male is under 40, hence born after 1785, and our Elijah was probably born between 1771 and 1774, definitely before 1780. Maybe this is Elijah Jr, and Elijah Sr was one of those absent from the Province in 1825.

Elijah WOODWORTH in Royalton, NY

Elijah WOODWORTH, along with his wife and younger children, removed from Canada to Royalton, Niagara, NY about 1828. His older children had married and started families in various locations, as summarized above, and explained in detail, below.

[Comments in square brackets are my guesses. They are not part of the census.]

Elijah's will of 1848

Elijah WOODWORTH's will was proved on 25 Dec 1848, in Niagara County. It seems odd that business was conducted on Christmas day, and even more odd since the will seems to indicate that the death date was 25 Dec 1847.

This is referred to as a will, but it does not seem to be a will in the ordinary sense. Elijah WOODWORTH died intestate, and his wife Elizabeth was called "incompetent by reason of loss of mind." His only surviving son, John WOODWORTH, was named executor, and the document below serves as a will. It names the 8 daughters and their husbands, and also a few grandchildren, whose parents were deceased.

My feeble attempt at a transcription appears below. I suppose I'll keep referring to it as a will.

The will indicates that Elijah's widow was Elizabeth, and his son John was executor. Elijah also had 8 daughters. The text is hard to read in some places, but it clearly names one of his daughters as "Sally, wife of Horace Bartlett" thus making the connection with my BARTLETT ancestry. See the Horace BARTLETT page.

The will names Elijah's son John and 8 daughters. Of the 8 daughters, 7 were married and one was widowed, in 1848. There were also deceased children of Elijah, so a few grandchildren are mentioned.

Elijah H. WOODWORTH was a grandson whose father was deceased. John is the only known son, and he was still living, so there must have been another.

(It is interesting that the writer of the will has sometimes spelled the name WOODRIFF and WOODRUFF.)

Another grandchild seems to be Arvilla/Ervilla HOWE/HORUE. Grandsons James and Nathan OSTRANDER must be sons of a daughter of Elijah, who married an OSTRANDER. John E. JACOBS may be unrelated, but trusted to be special guardian of minor heirs. Elijah and Betsey are buried in Mountain Ridge Cemetery, in Royalton Center, Niagara County, NY. The entry on Findagrave has 3 photos, but they are not clear enough to show any dates.

Elijah WOODWORTH was "of Royalton" in his will, but his widow was "of Pendleton". The E. WOODWORTH properties in the map above may have been part of the Elijah WOODWORTH estate, or they could have been the property of Elizabeth WOODWORTH, or Elijah WOODWORTH Jr. The W. STOWELL who lived nearby was probably Daniel Washburn STOWELL, husband of Nancy WOODWORTH (below).

As mentioned above, one Elijah WOODWORTH married Debora TYLER on 14 Nov 1797 in Thetford, Orange, VT. She may have been the 1st wife of our Elijah, and possibly the mother of some or all of his children. She seems to appear in the 1850 US Census, residing in the NW corner of PA.

If Deborah TYLER was Elijah's 1st wife, it is unclear what happened to her. This 1850 census record might be a clue.

Deborah is about the right age, born in VT. Relationships are not given, but it looks like she is living with her daughters, Nancy and Paulina. These could be Nancy and Polly, mentioned in Elijah's will. The trouble with that is that other evidence points to Nancy and Polly in other places in 1850. See below.

Descendants

1 Elijah WOODWORTH b: Abt. 1770 in VT, d: Dec 1847 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
+ Deborah TYLER b: 1780 in VT, m: 14 Nov 1797 in Thetford, Orange, VT [possible 1st wife]
+ Elizabeth "Betsey" b: Abt. 1770, d: Aft. 1847
......2 Cynthia WOODWORTH b: 1798 in NH, d: Aft. 1860
...... + Philip PERKINS b: Sep 1795 in Grafton, VT, d: 11 Nov 1862 in Wyoming, NY
......2 Sally WOODWORTH b: 28 Apr 1801 in Lower Canada, d: 11 Aug 1873 in Dryden, Lapeer, MI
...... + Horace BARTLETT b: 25 Jun 1795 in Charlestown, Cheshire, NH, d: 23 Dec 1888 in Riceville, Crawford, PA
......2 Mary A. "Polly" WOODWORTH b: 1805 in VT, d: 23 Dec 1881 in Chase Mills, St Lawrence, NY
...... + Clark B. STEARNS b: 08 Sep 1806 in Windham, VT, d: 25 Dec 1881 in Chase Mills, St Lawrence, NY
......2 John WOODWORTH b: 03 Sep 1808 in Canada, d: 20 Feb 1872 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
...... + Sarah RAFTER b: 02 Feb 1826 in NY, d: 14 Feb 1902 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
...... + Nancy b: 1810, d: 1837
......2 Mahitabel WOODWORTH b: 1808 in Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 08 Nov 1890 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada
...... + Adam BECKSTEAD b: Jul 1815 in Ontario, Canada, d: 04 Dec 1879 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada
......2 Nancy WOODWORTH b: 1810 in Canada, d: 08 Mar 1908 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
...... + Washburn Daniel STOWELL b: 1811 in VT, d: 1882 in Niagara, NY
......2 Laura WOODWORTH b: 09 Sep 1812 in Canada, d: 20 Mar 1888 in Niagara, NY
...... + Henry KAYNER b: 01 Jun 1809 in Warren, Herkimer, NY, d: 03 Apr 1893 in Lockport, Niagara, NY
......2 Elizabeth "Betsey" WOODWORTH b: 1815 in Canada, d: 29 Jan 1898 in Oxford, Oakland, MI
...... + Auburn W. DEWEY b: 1814, d: 27 Aug 1848 in MI
...... + Edward BRIGGS b: 1798 in NY, m: 16 Apr 1849 in Troy, Oakland, MI, d: Bef. 1898
......2 Lucinda WOODWORTH b: 1821 in Canada, d: Aft. 1870
...... + John ZIMMERMAN b: 1821 in PA, d: Aft. 1870
......2 Elijah WOODWORTH d: Bef. 1848 [possible son]

1. Cynthia WOODWORTH was born about 1798, in NH. She married Philip PERKINS, born about 1796, in VT.

The gravestone of Philip PERKINS in Wyoming Cemetery, Wyoming, Wyoming County, NY has inscribed his death date of 11 Nov 1862, aged 67 years, so he was born in 1794-5. According to Vermont Vital Records, Philip PERKINS was born Sep 1795 in Grafton, VT, the son of Philip and Sally PERKINS.

The family was in Canada when their 1st child was born, 17 Mar 1819. Cynthia was undoubtedly with her parents in Canada from 1812 to 1819. By 1 Mar 1820 they were found in Middlebury, NY, where they spent the rest of their lives. Middlebury was in the part of Genesee County that became Wyoming County, NY in 1841.

[Comments in square brackets are my guesses. They are not part of the Census.]

The 1820 US Census must have been taken before 1 Mar 1820, since 2 sons are recorded. There are several PERKINS families listed consecutively.

The 1830 US Census has 7 PERKINS households, 2 with head Phillip PERKINS, but neither of these has both a male and a female in the 30-39 age group.

The 1840 US Census is less ambiguous. There is a family of 9 that is a good fit.

Philip PERKINS was a farmer. In 1859, Philip had real estate valued at $3,900, and Thomas QUINLEY was probably a farmhand. Both were described as Farmers. Stephen was the only one who had attended school within the previous year.

In 1860 Philip PERKINS owned a farm valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $500. The 1860 census says he was born in CN, which could mean Connecticut or Canada. However, the previous census says he was born in VT, which agrees with VT vital records. Stephen OLIN should be Stephen Olin PERKINS, son of Phillip and Cynthia.

1 Cynthia WOODWORTH b: 1798 in NH, d: Aft. 1860, age 62+
+ Philip PERKINS b: Sep 1795 in Grafton, VT, d: 11 Nov 1862 in Wyoming, NY, age 67
......2 Chauncey H. PERKINS b: 17 Mar 1819 in Canada, d: 21 Feb 1889 in Middlebury, age 69
...... + Ruth Malvina BEEBE b: 13 Nov 1826 in Wyoming, NY, m: 06 Dec 1844 in Middlebury, d: 27 Jan 1916 in Warsaw, Wyoming, NY, age 89
......2 Otis W. PERKINS b: 01 Mar 1820 in Middlebury, d: 09 Dec 1902 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI, age 82
......2 Nancy PERKINS b: Aug 1822 in Middlebury, d: Abt. 1909 in Middlebury, age 87
...... + John RIDGE b: 22 Jun 1819 in England, d: 25 Apr 1886, age 66
......2 Polly PERKINS b: Abt. 1825 in Middlebury, d: 05 Sep 1892 in Middlebury, age 67
...... + Reuben RODGERS b: Apr 1799 in VT, d: 29 Jan 1886 in Middlebury, age 86
......2 Philena PERKINS b: 1828 in Middlebury, d: 1830 in Middlebury, age 2
......2 Lyman P. PERKINS b: 22 May 1829 in Middlebury, d: 17 Dec 1914 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, MI, age
...... + Harriette E. MILES b: 18 Aug 1831 in Middlebury, d: 05 Aug 1893 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, MI, age 61
......2 Jane PERKINS b: 01 Jun 1830 in Middlebury, d: 12 Jun 1867 in Middlebury, age 37
...... + James Clark MERRITT b: 27 Nov 1829 in Middlebury, d: 12 Oct 1914 in Middlebury, age 84
......2 Sally Ann PERKINS b: 04 Dec 1833 in Middlebury, d: 10 Jun 1835 in Middlebury, age 19 months
......2 Olin Stephen PERKINS b: 1838 in NY, d: 07 Jul 1865 in Middlebury, age 27

Olin Stephen PERKINS enlisted as a Private on 16 Sep 1864 at Middlebury, in the 19th Calvary, Company D, 130th New York Volunteers, of 1st New York Dragoons. He suffered from exposure, and made it back home to Wyoming County, where he died on 7 Jul 1865.

2. Sally WOODWORTH was born 28 Apr 1801 in VT or NH or LC (Lower Canada), and died 11 Aug 1873 in Dryden, Lapeer, MI, age 72. She married Horace BARTLETT, who was born 25 Jun 1795 in Charlestown, Cheshire, NH and died 23 Dec 1888 in Riceville, Crawford, PA, age 96. Sally and Horace were my 3g-grandparents.

See the Horace BARTLETT page.

3. Mary A. "Polly" WOODWORTH was born about 1805, in VT. She married Clark STEARNS, of St Lawrence County, NY, according to her father's will. This county is in the northern part of the state, bordering the St Lawrence River, far east of Niagara County.

The name looks like STEONER in Elijah WOODWORTH's will (above), and it is STEARNES in the 1850 census (below).

In Vermont Vital Records we have Clark STEARNS, born 8 Sep 1806 in Windham, VT, son of James and Sarah STEARNS.

The correct spelling is probably STEARNS, as it appears on his gravestone, in Stearns Cemetery, Chase Mills, St Lawrence, NY. The engraving gives his date of death as 25 Dec 1881. His age is hard to read, but looks like "F 74 YRS" which would mean he was born about 1807. The stone is shared with his wife, Mary, who may have been his second wife, but I think Mary was Polly. She died on 23 Dec 1881, just 2 days before her husband, at age 76, so she was born about 1805.

Clark and Polly had a large family in 1850. It's not clear if all 11 were their children. If so, it looks like the family was in Canada in 1823, moved back to VT in 1824, and moved to NY around 1835. Clark was owner of real estate valued at $2,400. Most of the children had attended school within the past year, including Stephen (20) and Clark Jr (4).

4. Mehitable WOODWORTH was born about 1808, and died on 8 Nov 1890 at age 82. She married Adam BECKSTEAD, born about Jul 1815 in Ontario, Canada, and died 4 Dec 1879 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario.

Their shared gravestone in Old Union Cemetery, Williamsburg, has engraved death dates, and says that he died at age 64 years and 5 months, and she died at age 82, which is the source of the birthdates given above. They lived in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada.

The death record for Orilla COUGHLER says that she and her parents, Adam BECKSTED and Mahetable WOODWORTH, were all born in "Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada". The names and boundaries have changed. Today, the municipality (we might call it a township) of South Dundas, lies in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, in Eastern Ontario, Canada. South Dundas was formed in 1998 by the amalgamation of the former townships of Matilda and Williamsburg, along with the former villages of Iroquois and Morrisburg. The village of Dixons Corners was in Matilda, and the village of Elma was in Williamsburg. [Note: South Dundas is nowhere near Dundas, a former town at the west end of Lake Ontario.]

1 Mahitabel WOODWORTH b: 1808 in Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 08 Nov 1890 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada
+ Adam BECKSTEAD b: Jul 1815 in Ontario, Canada, d: 04 Dec 1879 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada
......2 Orilla BECKSTEAD b: 06 Jun 1836 in Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 22 Jan 1924
...... + COUGHLER
......2 Sarah BECKSTEAD b: 13 Aug 1838 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 21 Jan 1922 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
...... + BAKER d: Bef. 21 Jan 1922
......2 Mary BECKSTEAD b: 15 May 1844 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 01 Jul 1913 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
...... + BARKLEY d: Bef. 01 Jul 1913
......2 Elizabeth BECKSTEAD b: 01 May 1846 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada, d: 23 Apr 1920 in Dundas, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
...... + Peter H. GARLOUGH b: 1846 in Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada, m: 05 Mar 1869 in Dundas, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, d: Aft. 23 Apr 1920
......2 Cynthia BECKSTEAD b: 13 Sep 1849 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, d: 02 May 1915 in Morrisburg, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
...... + Nathaniel DICKEY b: 1844 in Williamsburg, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, m: 30 Jan 1874 in Winchester, Stormont, Ontario, Canada, d: 09 Jan 1930 in Morrisburg, Stormont, Ontario, Canada

Name: Orilla Coughler
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 22 Jan 1924
Event Place: Matilda, Dundas, Ontario
Age: 88
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation: Farmers Wife
Birth Date: 06 Jun 1836
Birthplace: Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Death Place: Matilda, Dundas, Ontario
Death Age: 88 years 7 months 16 days
Burial Date: 25 Jan 1924
Burial Place: Maple Ridge, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Father's Name: Adam Becksted
Father's Birthplace: Elma, Matilda, Dixon Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canda
Mother's Name: Mahetable Woodsworth
Mother's Birthplace: Elma, Matilda, Dixln Corners, Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Record Number: 103
Reference ID: yr 1924 cn 29748
GS Film Number: 2022142
Digital Folder Number: 4171869
Digital Folder Number: 004171869
Image Number: 1164
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B04577-5

"Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6S5-TPJ : 26 March 2020), Orilla Coughler, 22 Jan 1924; citing Matilda, Dundas, Ontario, yr 1924 cn 29748, Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,022,142.

5. John WOODWORTH was born 3 Sep 1808, in Canada. He died 20 Feb 1872 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, at age 63. These dates appear on his gravestone in Mountain Ridge Cemetery, Royalton. This is the same cemetery where his parents are buried.

John married Sarah RAFTER, who was born 2 Feb 1826 in NY, and died 14 Feb 1902, at age 76. She is also buried in Mountain Ridge Cemetery, and these dates are legible on the gravestone. Her name of the stone is SARAH RAFTER WOODWORTH, and I believe RAFTER is her maiden name, not a middle name.

In 1840 John lived with 2 daughters, but no wife. Some researchers have said that his wife was Nancy, b. 1810 and d. 1837, but I haven't seen any evidence.

John was a farmer, with real estate valued at $7,100. His birthplace looks like "J Canada". Jane M and Sarah Ann attended school. This census doesn't give relationships, so it's not clear if Sarah was John's wife, or possibly his sister, or other relative. She was not his daughter, as she wasn't with the family in 1840. Certainly Jane M and Sarah Ann could not be Sarah's children.

The 1855 NY State Census has John and Sarah with their 3 sons, in Royalton. John was owner of a frame (not log) house, with property valued at $250. John had been a resident of Royalton 27 years, so he arrived about 1828. However, his age is reported as 41, when he was 46, so the residence data may also be suspect. (The record is hard to read; it could be 46.) Also, since he was 19 or 20 in 1828, it's possible that he arrived in Royalton before or after his parents.

The 1860 Census record is in bad shape, very hard to read. The transcriber at Ancestry has the name as WADSWORTH, but this is clearly the WOODWORTH family. They are listed next to Jacob and Susan Rafter, probably Sarah's parents. It looks like Monson has become Minnie, and Cassius has become Clay.

In 1870 John and Sarah lived with their 4 sons. John was a farmer, with real estate valued at $6,450 and personal estate $2,563. Webster and Cassius had both attended school within the past year. Interestingly, John's father, but not his mother, was of foreign birth.

Also in Mountain Ridge Cemetery:
Monroe John WOODWORTH, b. 1849, d. 1922.
Webster C. WOODWORTH, b. 1852, d. 1919 and wife H. Bessie, b. 1859, d. 1958 or 53?
Cassius C. WOODWORTH, b. 1853, d. 1915 and wife Ellen D, b. 1858, d. 1914

The 1878 Lockport Directory [KD, p. 125] has the following entry: "Woodworth Miss Sarah A., dressmaking and hairwork, over 75 Main". She could be Sarah Ann, daughter of John WOODWORTH and his first wife.

1 John WOODWORTH b: 03 Sep 1808 in Canada, d: 20 Feb 1872 in Royalton, Niagara, NY

+ Nancy b: 1810, d: 1837
......2 Jane M. WOODWORTH b: 1834 in NY
......2 Sarah Ann WOODWORTH b: 1836 in NY

+ Sarah RAFTER b: 02 Feb 1826 in NY, d: 14 Feb 1902 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
......2 Monroe John WOODWORTH b: 1848 in NY, d: 1922 in NY
......2 Webster C. WOODWORTH b: 1852 in NY, d: 1919
...... + H. Bessie b: 1859, d: 1953
......2 Cassius Clay WOODWORTH b: 1853 in NY, d: 1915 in NY
...... + Ellen D b: 1858, d: 1914
......2 Frank WOODWORTH b: 1856 in NY

6. Nancy WOODWORTH was born about 1810, in Canada, and died 8 Mar 1908 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, age 97 or 98. She married Daniel Washburn STOWELL, born about 1811 in VT. She is called "Nancy wife of Washburn Stowell of Pendleton in this County" in her father's will (above) from 1848.

Daniel was a farmer in 1850, with real estate valued at $2,600. Cyntha and Sally had attended school.

In 1855 the family had a log home valued at $100. I'm not sure if that was just the house or the house and land, For some reason the relationship of Daniel and Arvilla to the head-of-household is left blank. Also, I'm not sure how Daniel and Cyntha lived in Pendleton longer than their parents. Newton's age is unclear.

1 Nancy WOODWORTH b: 1810 in Canada, d: 08 Mar 1908 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
+ Washburn Daniel STOWELL b: 1811 in VT, d: 1882 in Niagara, NY
......2 Cynthia STOWELL b: Oct 1844 in NY, d: 30 Nov 1902 in Orwell, Oswego, NY
...... + Daniel FOLGER b: Dec 1843 in NY, m: 1872, d: 24 Jan 1924 in Batavia, Genesee, NY
......2 Arvilla STOWELL b: May 1848 in NY, d: 1909 in NY
...... + Sanford A. LEWIS b: 23 Oct 1846 in NY, m: 1873, d: 23 Dec 1922 in NY
......2 George STOWELL b: 10 Jun 1850 in Pendleton, Niagara, NY, d: Aft. 04 Jun 1917
......2 Newton STOWELL b: 1851 in NY
......2 Irving W. STOWELL b: Jul 1853 in NY, d: 11 Apr 1939 in Niagara, NY
...... + Christina KLINGENSCHMITT b: 1859 in NY, m: 1882, d: 1945 in Pendleton, Niagara, NY
......2 Vanness W. STOWELL b: 1855 in NY, d: 15 Apr 1927 in Pendleton, Niagara, NY
......2 Mary N. STOWELL b: 1858 in NY
...... + POST

7. Laura WOODWORTH was born 9 Sep 1812, in Canada, and died 20 Mar 1888, in Niagara County, NY. She married Henry KAYNER, who was born 1 Jun 1809, and died 03 Apr 1893 (could be 1898) in Niagara County, NY. These dates are on their shared gravestone, in Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara, NY. Their 5 children were born in Royalton, Niagara, NY.

In 1855 the KAYNER family lived in Pendleton, Niagara, NY. Henry was a farmer, and landowner. He was the Marshall who recorded the census, and he listed his own family first.

By 1870, Henry KAYNER was a wealthy farmer. His son Mingo (Menso in the 1855 Census) lived nearby, and probably worked on his father's farm.

The shell that Henry KAYNER found on his property was a Pteroceras Truncatum. Apparently he owned land 3 miles north of Lockport in 1874, and more land 2 miles southwest of Lockport in 1880. It looks like he sued his son Abraham in 1887.

The 1878 Directory for Lockport [KD, pp. 221-2] has the entries:
"Kayner Abram, Lockport, l 67 r 7 a 48 f". (Owner of 48 acres in lot 67, range 7)
"Kayner Henry, Lockport, l 65 r 7 a 50 f". (Owner of 50 acres in lot 65, range 7)
"Kayner Menzo, Lockport, l 67 r 7 a 50 f". (Owner of 50 acres in lot 67, range 7)

1 Laura WOODWORTH b: 09 Sep 1812 in Canada, d: 20 Mar 1888 in Niagara, NY
+ Henry KAYNER b: 01 Jun 1809 in Warren, Herkimer, NY, d: 03 Apr 1893 in Lockport, Niagara, NY
......2 Ansel KAYNER b: 10 Feb 1834 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, d: 05 Feb 1920 in Kalamazoo, MI
...... + Susann "Ann" DERSHEM b: 29 Aug 1843 in Pendleton, Niagara, NY, d: 18 Jan 1900 in Pendleton, Niagara, NY
...... + Lavina Augusta WOOD b: 22 Dec 1845 in Elyna, Lorain, OH, m: 16 Apr 1901 in Kalamazoo, MI, d: 08 Apr 1933 in Jackson, Jackson, MI
......2 Menzo KAYNER b: 26 Apr 1835 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, d: 24 Jan 1907 in Lockport, Niagara, NY
...... + Lydia Catherine KIEFFER b: 11 Sep 1851 in Lockport, Niagara, NY, m: 1860, d: 31 May 1915 in Lockport, Niagara, NY
......2 Charity KAYNER b: 22 Jun 1839 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, d: 02 Jul 1911 in Oxford, Oakland, MI
...... + Franklin B. DEWEY b: 14 Oct 1840 in MI, m: 1865, d: 27 Jul 1907 in Oxford, Oakland, MI
......2 Abram KAYNER b: 01 Nov 1843 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, d: Sep 1925
...... + Diantha P. DYSINGER b: Jul 1850 in NY, m: 1870, d: 12 Feb 1937 in Batavia, NY
......2 Emma KAYNER b: 31 Dec 1854 in Royalton, Niagara, NY, d: 05 Apr 1897 in Lockport, NY
...... + Jacob Phillip STRAUSS b: 11 Aug 1854 in Lockport, Niagara, NY, d: 14 Aug 1937 in Lockport, Niagara, NY

8. Elizabeth "Betsey" WOODWORTH was born about 1815, in Canada, and died 29 Jan 1898 in Oxford, Oakland, MI. She married Auburn W. DEWEY, who was born in 1814, and died 27 Aug 1848. Auburn was the son of Archibald DEWEY and Olive BALDWIN.

In Betsey's father's will (above), Auburn was called "Orban DEWEY, of Mc Comb County", who died before 1849, since Betsey was a widow in the will.

Auburn W. DEWEY is buried in Romeo Cemetery, Romeo, Macomb, MI. The gravestone photo is hard to read, but the middle initial W is clear, and I'm assuming that the photographer was able to read the death date, 27 Aug 1848.

Betsey and Auburn had at least 2 children.

Laura Ann DEWEY was born 9 May 1838 in MI and died 28 Jan 1901. She married Lemuel SHOUP, born 14 Feb 1829 in NJ, and died 31 Jul 1902 in Rochester, Oakland, MI.

Franklin B. DEWEY was born 14 Oct 1839 in MI, and died 27 Jul 1907 in Oxford, Oakland, MI. He was married, and his wife survived him, but I have not found out who she was.

Betsey remarried after Auburn died, to Edward BRIGGS, on 16 Apr 1849, in Troy, Oakland County, MI.

The 1850 US Census has Betsey with her 2nd husband, in Oakland County. Her children from her previous marriage were not with her. Edward had a farm valued at $5,000, which would be a large farm in 1850.

Betsey's children by her previous marriage were staying with relatives, in Macomb County, MI. Laura DEWEY, age 13, was with her grandparents. Franklin lived with his uncle, Harvey B. DEWEY.

In 1850 Laura DEWEY and her brother Franklin DEWEY were staying with relatives. Archibald DEWEY was their grandfather, and Harvey B. DEWEY was their uncle. They were families 241 and 248, close together in the census, so probably living in close proximity.

Betsey and Edward had a son, Edward BRIGGS Jr, born about 1855, in MI.

1 Elizabeth "Betsey" WOODWORTH b: abt. 1815 in Canada, d: Aft. 1848

+ Auburn W. DEWEY b: 1814, d: 27 Aug 1848 in MI
......2 Laura Ann DEWEY b: 07 May 1838 in Rochester, Oakland, MI, d: 28 Jan 1901 in Rochester, Oakland, MI
...... + Lemuel SHOUP b: 14 Feb 1829 in NJ, d: 31 Jul 1902 in Rochester, Oakland, MI
......2 Franklyn B. DEWEY b: 14 Oct 1839 in MI, d: 27 Jul 1907 in Oxford, Oakland, MI

+ Edward BRIGGS b: 1798 in NY, m: 16 Apr 1849 in Troy, Oakland, MI
......2 Edward BRIGGS b: 1855 in MI

9. Lucinda WOODWORTH was born about 1821, in Canada. She married John ZIMMERMAN, who was born about 1821, in PA.

In 1850, John and Lucinda had one child, George. John was a carpenter, and owner of real estate valued at $300. Lucinda was illiterate. John's age is probably wrong, as he and Lucinda are the same age in 1855.

In 1855 the family had two children. John owned the home, valued at $150. Lucinda had been living in Royalton for 27 years, so she moved there at age 7, about 1828.

In 1860 John and Lucinda had 3 children. John was a Carpenter, with no real estate, and $200 personal estate. In other words, they were a poor family.

John enlisted as a Private in the 8th Cavalry, Company E, on 5 Nov 1861. He mustered in on 18 Nov 1861, but only served 2 months, being discharged for disability on 18 Jan 1862, at Camp Selden, Washington, DC.

John's son, George A. ZIMMERMAN, also enlisted, on 8 Jun 1863 in the 178th Infantry, Company F. He was a drummer, and mustered out on 19 Jan 1865.

In 1865 the family of 5 was still in Royalton. John was owner of their log house, valued at $100. The names of the children keep changing. George A in 1850 and 1855 became Albert in 1860 and Lyman in 1865. Zilpha L in 1855 was Lucinda in 1860 and she must be Sylva in 1865. At least John W had the same name in 1860 and 1865. The census tells us that Lucinda had been the mother of 4 children, so one must have died.

I'm not sure what happened to John and Lucinda after 1870. There was more than one John Zimmerman in Niagara County, born about 1821. One was admitted to the Niagara County Poor House on 7 Oct 1884, and died there on 25 Oct 1884. The 1878 Directory for Lockport [KD, p. 126] has the entry: "Zimmerman John, carpenter, 64 Lock". But the directory for Porter, Niagara County [KD, p. 257] also has: Zimmerman John, l 8 r 7 a 82 f". (Owner of 82 acres in lot 8, range 7)

1 Lucinda WOODWORTH b: 1821 in Canada, d: aft. 1870
+ John ZIMMERMAN b: 1821 in PA, d: aft. 1870
......2 George Albert Lyman ZIMMERMAN b: abt. 1847 in Niagara, NY, d: 16 Nov 1916 in Danville, Vermilion, IL
......2 Sylvia "Zilpha" L. ZIMMERMAN b: 1853 in Niagara, NY
......2 John W. ZIMMERMAN b: 17 Sep 1855 in NY, d: 17 Sep 1923 in Chicago, Cook, IL
...... + Margaret

10. Elijah H. WOODWORTH Jr, possible son. There are a few hints to suggest that he might have existed. If so, he died before 1848, since he was not mentioned in his father's will.

The will mentions a grandson, Elijah H Woodruff of Lockport, whose father was deceased. So there was another son besides John.

The 1878 Directory of Lockport [KD, p. 125] has the entry: "Woodworth Mrs E H, widow, 310 Washburn". Who could this be?

The 1878 Directory of Cambria, Niagara County [KD, p. 191] has the entry "Woodworth Mrs Lucy, Pekin Village, a 9 f". (She was owner of 9 acres in Pekin, a village on the the west side of Cambria.) This can't be Lucinda (WOODWORTH) ZIMMERMAN. It's not John's wife, Sarah, and it doesn't seem to match any of his daughters-in-law.

Sources

[ON] 1876 Atlas of Orleans and Niagara Counties, NY

[DAR] Lineage Book : NSDAR : Volume 144 : 1919

[FG] 1852 Map of Niagara County, NY, published by Franklin Gifford

[KD] Kirwin's directory of the city of Lockport and county of Niagara for the year 1878 (requires Ancestry license)

[WEW] Will of Elijah WOODWORTH, proved 25 Dec 1848 main text continuation estate

Updated 11 May 2021 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.