Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 55

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680

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(VI) John Van Epps, son of Aaron (2) and Agnes (Van Epps) Vedder, was born July 16, 1794, died July 23, 1854. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Niagara Falls, and bore a conspicuous part in the early affairs of that section. He owned a large quantity of land in Niagara county and along the river, which he used liberally in behalf of the village. He donated the land on the American side for the first suspension bridge at Niagara, and one of his sons, James Vedder, gave the land for the first cantilever bridge, also donated the site for the First Congregational Church at Niagara Falls, and was included in the original list of two hundred and fifty founders of the Lincoln Farm Association. John Van Epps Vedder built the first steamer "Maid of the Mist" that wound up her career on the river by a wild rush through the Whirlpool Rapids. He con- structed a road from his own land along the river about one-fourth of a mile in length, a few yards south of the present cantilever

bridge, down to the water's edge. This road was built for the purpose of making a land- ing for the "Maid of the Mist." Passengers reached the boat road on the American side from the then Falls Village by horse cars run on the strap rails of the Lockport & Niagara Falls railroad. The car, with seats on the top, resembled a tally-ho coach, and was drawn by four horses. The driver, with his long tin horn, gave notice of his departure in front of the old Cataract House for a trip on the "Maid of the Mist." These trips morning and after- noon were much enjoyed by visitors at the Falls in those days. The little restaurant kept by French Joe, on the bank of the river at the head of the boat road, was a favorite resting place where one could be refreshed by cooling drinks and enjoy the charming view of the Niagara Gorge. This restaurant, the old · Bellevue bath house with its fine mineral spring, and the home of E. P. Graves, were the only houses at Bellevue, the first name given to the village in 1849. The original "Maid" passed into other hands, and finally to escape creditors, Captain Robinson, the daring navigator, undertook to take her through the Rapids to the Canadian shores below. One summer's day in 1861 the trip was safely made by captain and crew, but the boat was badly damaged. She was repaired, however, re- christened "Maid of Orleans," and sent to Kingston, Canada, where she was used as a ferry boat.

John Van Epps Vedder married, May 28, 1826, Sarah Robinson, born 1801, died June 21, 1890, at Suspension Bridge, New York. Children : James ; Thomas ; Catherine ; Emma, deceased ; Charles Albert, a resident of Balti- more; Sarah Jane, married Van Rensselaer Pearson (see Pearson VI).

NIXON The Nixons of Westfield, Chau- tauqua county, New York, de- scend from a well-to-do family of county Down, Ireland. One of the first to come to the United States of this branch was Samuel Nixon, born 1826, died 1876, young- est son of his father. Under the English law of entail, the estate went to his elder brother leaving the younger sons little except the choice of church or army as a profession. At the age of nineteen years Samuel came to the United States, settling in Jamestown, New York, in 1845. He engaged in the marble business and became prominent in business circles. He was

John V'an Epps Vedder.

Built in 1854 by John Van Epps Vedder, corner of MainSt. and Niagara Ave.

S.f Jinou

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very successful and not only left a handsome estate, but bore a most excellent character. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Republican. He married Mary C. Johnston, born in county Down, Ireland, died in Albany, New York, in 1899. Children: Emmett C., born March 3, 1857, unmarried ; Samuel Fred- erick, of whom further.

(II) Samuel Frederick, youngest son of Samuel and Mary C. (Johnston) Nixon, was born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, December 3, 1860, died there October 10, 1905. He was graduated from Westfield Academy in 1877, entered Hamilton College, whence he was graduated, A. B., class of 1881. He spent a year with the Vermont Marble Company, at Sutherland Falls, Vermont, then in 1883 returned to Westfield where he con- tinued the marble business founded by his father, having as partner his brother Emmett C. Later in life he was extensively engaged in the culture of grapes and in agriculture. He had a most active and remarkable political career. Before he was twenty-four years of age he was elected trustee of the village cor- poration, and two years later was chosen super- visor, an office he held for twenty years, thir- teen of which he was chairman of the board. In 1888 he was elected to the house of assem- bly, and each year thereafter he was annually nominated by the conventions for supervisor and for assemblyman by acclamation, except for four years. He represented Chautauqua county in the legislature for fifteen years, twelve of these years being continuous. Dur- ing these years he was chairman of commit- tees, on railroads two years, member of ways and means, three years being chairman, and Republican leader of the house two years. He was speaker of the house seven years, the longest continuous term in the history of the state that a man has held the office of speaker. As speaker he had no peer in the dispatch of public business, while the prominent position he occupied enabled him to forward much business that was of particular benefit to Chau- tauqua county, notably the appropriation to rebuild the normal school building at Fredonia. He was deeply interested in the cause of edu- cation and supported all important measures in aid of agricultural education. To him was largely due the large increase in the free school fund, the apportionment for teachers in sparse- ly settled districts, the law allowing any dis- trict to provide free text books and the law

giving pupils in rural towns where there is no high school the benefit of a high school edu- cation in some other town at the state expense. In agricultural education he obtained the first appropriation for holding farmers' institutes, at the College of Agriculture, Cornell Univer- sity. The experimental station at Geneva had his warm support, as did the State Agriculture College. He was an indefatigable worker and held his high position at Albany by sheer force of merit, there being many able and deserving men who were covetous of the high honor he held so long. His elections to the speakership were by acclamation, no one entering the lists against him. This is also true of his succes- sive elections as chairman of the board of supervisors.

Mr. Nixon married, in Westfield, New York, May 21, 1885, Myrtle, born in Spring Lake, Michigan, April 27, 1861, daughter of George Redfield. Children: Samuel Frederick (2), born September 29, 1887; George Redfield, October 11, 1889; Dorothea Frances, March 5, 1892 ; Edith Catherine, November 9, 1905.

(The Redfield Line).

- (I) William Redfin, Redfen or Redfyne, as the name was written on the New London, Connecticut, records, until 1662, was an early immigrant to the Massachusetts colony. After 1662 the name gradually assumed the form of Redfield. Whether this was a corruption aris- ing from a carelessness of pronunciation or was a voluntary change it is not easy now to determine. The evidence of the change, how- ever, is conclusive. He was a man of mod- erate means. He occupied a house and four acres of land on the south side of the Charles river, about six miles from Boston, as early as 1639. He sold it in 1646 and disappears from Massachusetts records. He is next found in New London, Connecticut, 1653, where he owned land in what is now Ledyard. He fig- ures in several land deals and seems to have made such provision as he could for his fam- ily. He died April or May, 1662. Rebecca, his widow, survived him several years. Chil- dren : Lydia, Rebecca, James, of whom further, and Judith.

(II) James Redfield, only son of William and Rebecca Redfin, Redfen or Redfyne, was born about 1646. He bound himself for five years to Hugh Roberts, of New London, April 1, 1662, "to learn the art and trade of tanning." This indenture was signed by himself, his

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'father and Hugh Roberts, and there is reason to believe it was executed during his father's last illness. - Before the five years expired Mr. Roberts sold out and removed to Newark, New Jersey. James is next heard of at Mar- tha's Vineyard in 1671, and in 1676 was living at Saybrook, Connecticut, with wife and chil- dren. He was granted land there in 1683 and 1686. In 1693 he is found a resident of Fair- field, Connecticut. In 1713 he visited his son, Theophilus, then living at Killingworth, and deeded him a small tract of land at Saybrook. In 1719 James and wife Deborah conveyed property at Fairfield to their son James for his encouragement to continue with and help them in their old age. The date of death is not known. His first wife was Elizabeth How, his second Deborah, daughter of John Sturgis, of Fairfield. Children of first wife : Elizabeth, Sarah, Theophilus, of further mention. Chil- dren of second wife: Margaret and James.

(III) Theophilus Redfield, eldest son of James and Elizabeth (How) Redfield, was born in 1682, died February 14, 1759. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and settled at Killingworth about 1703. The first mention of him is in 1704 when he bought a piece of land in Killingworth for a homestead. This part of the town is now Clinton. In 1717 or 1718 he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres at Chestnut Hill, in North Killingworth, where he lived the remainder of his life. He served on important committees in manage- ment of town affairs and was known as "Sar- geant Redfield."

He married, December 24, 1706, Priscilla Grinnell (then aged seventeen), daughter of Daniel and Lydia Grinnell, of Saybrook, great- granddaughter of John and Priscilla Alden. Daniel was from Little Compton, Rhode Island, and son of Daniel, of that place. Children : Daniel, Elizabeth, Richard, Ebenezer, Lydia, Theophilus, Priscilla, Peleg, George, William, Josiah, Jane, James, of further mention.

(IV) Captain James (2) Redfield, ninth son of Theophilus and Priscilla (Grinnell) Redfield, was born March 29, 1735, died April 3, 1788. He was a private in Captain Peleg Redfield's company during the campaign of 1759. He was a seafaring man and was known as Captain James. He married, about 1760, Sarah Grinnell, of Pochaug (Westbrook), in the town of Saybrook, Connecticut, a year or two after his removal from Killingworth. She died October 23, 1793. Children : Sarah, Pris-

cilla, Sabra, James, Theophilus, of further men- tion, and John.

(V) Deacon Theophilus. (2) Redfield, sec- :

ond son of Captain James (2) and Sarah (Grin- nell) Redfield, was born at Saybrook, Con- necticut, August 26, 1769, died at Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, 1857. He was a tanner by occupation. About 1810 he re- moved to Watertown, where he died. In 1815 he was chosen a deacon of the Watertown Congregational Church, and in 1821 when it became Presbyterian he was chosen one of its eight ruling elders.

He married, about 1799, Ruth M. Tuttle, a resident of Clinton, Oneida county, New York. Children : Sophronia, William Emmaus Meroe, Darius Barrett, Sophia; George, of further mention; Henry Stone, Emily, James Wake- man and John Calvin.

(VI) George, third son of Deacon The- ophilus (2) and Ruth M. (Tuttle) Redfield, was born in Clinton, Oneida county, New York, June 21, 1809, died at Spring Lake, Michigan, August, 1867. He was a resident of Sacket Harbor, New York, later removed to Mill Point (now Spring Lake) Ottawa county, Michigan, where he engaged in the dry goods business. He married (first), December 25, 1837, Elizabeth Snowden, born 1817, died 1858, daughter of Rev. Samuel Finley and Susan Bayard (Breese) Snowden. He mar- ried (second), March 17, 1859, Mrs. Maria C. (Hunting) Read, daughter of Ezekiel and Re- becca (Breed) Hunting. She was born April 17, 1824, in Henderson, New York, died in Westfield, New York, September 10, 1906. Children of first wife: George Snowden, Eliz- abeth Breese, John Bayard, Robert Henry, Mary Emma and an infant deceased. Child of second wife: Myrtle, married Samuel Fred- erick Nixon, whom she survives, a resident of Westfield, New York (see Nixon II).

SWAN. The family of the surname Swan. Swann, Swanne, Swayne, or Swain, is very ancient. Swain, a Dane of noble ancestry, early settled in the southeast- ern part of England. The Swans have been possessed of land and property in the counties of Kent and Derby since the time of the Con- queror (1066), when we find their names occur twice in the Domesday Book as landowners, and nearly as early as the reign of Richard II. they wrote themselves "gentlemen" as appears from ancient deeds.

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John Swan, of Southfleet, sat as Baron for the borough of Sandwich in the reign of Henry VI., Edward IV. and Richard III. The fam- ily held large possessions in county Kent, in- cluding the manors of Swanscombe, Densted, Sutton and Denton. The chief seats of the Swan family were Hookplace in Southfleet, the residence of the older branch, from which Swan, of Baldwinstown, claims descent, and Lydd and afterwards Wye and Doncon Court, the places of location of the younger branch, which intermarried with the Derings, Boys and Twisdens, all families of high extraction and great antiquity in county Kent.

Both these English branches have become extinct, the former in the person of Edward Swan, son of Sir Francis Swan, of Denton Court, who died without issue. Joseph Perci- val Swan, the possessor in 1858 of Baldwins- town, representative of the Irish branch, claims to be also representative of the Southfleet fam- ily, being lineally descended from the John Swan of that place, above mentioned, who acquired the manor of Swanscombe, and died in 1490. His son, John Swan Jr., presented the large bell to the church at Southfleet, and died in 1550, leaving a son Thomas, who left at his death in 1561 two sons; the oldest, Sir William, was knight of Hookplace, county Kent, and the younger, John, founded the Irish line, going to Ireland in a military capac- ity urider the Earl of Essex, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The coat-of-arms of the present Irish branch of this lineage is: Azure ·on a foss wavy, argent between three swans displayed proper, unguled and crowned or, a trefoil vert. Of the various coats-of-arms of past families in Kent, all were similar in that they used the swan as an emblem, indicating, doubtless, the origin of the name. The oldest coat-of-arms borne by the Kent family, easily recognized by its simplicity is: Azure, a swan proper. Motto: Sit Nomen Decus.

(I) Richard Swan, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England about 1600, died in Row- ley, Massachusetts, May 14, 1678. He settled in Boston before 1638, and was a husbandman there, as early as February 6, 1638. He joined the church, January 6, 1639, and was admitted a freeman, May 13, 1640. He was dismissed from the Boston church to the gathering of a church at Rowley, November 24, 1639. He held various town offices in Rowley, and was deputy to the general court from 1666 to 1674. He served in King Philip's war and the expedi-

tion to Canada. His first wife died in Eng- land before he came to this country, and he married (second) Mrs. Ann Trumbull, March I, 1658. She married (first) Michael Hop- kinson, who was buried February 28, 1648; (second) John Trumbull, June 1650. She de- posed, March 30, 1675, that she was aged about sixty years. His will was dated April 26, 1678, and proved May 23, following, bequeathing to wife Ann according to marriage contract; to son Robert and his son Richard; to son-in-law, Joseph Boynton, and his wife Sarah and to children, Elizabeth, Samuel and Sarah Boyn-

ton; to daughters, Quilter, Jane Wil- son, Dorothy Chapman and Mercy Warriner. His widow Ann made her will July 4, 1678, proved September 24, 1678, bequeathing to daughters, Abigail Bayley and Mary Kilborne ; to son, Caleb Hopkinson, a chest that his father "Gott made"; to sons John and Jonathan Hop- kinson ; one book to John Trumbull. Children : Richard; Dorothy; Jane; Frances; Robert, mentioned below; Jonathan; Susan; Sarah; John, baptized in Boston, February 13 or No- vember 24, 1638; Mercy, at Rowley, July 4, 1640; Faith, at Rowley, March 30, 1644-45.

(II) Robert, son of Richard Swan, was born in 1626, in England, according to his de- position in 1662, giving his age as thirty-six years. He married (first) Elizabeth Acie, of Rowley. She died in 1689 and he married (second), April 1, 1690, Hannah Russ. He died February 11, 1693. Soon after his first marriage he went to Andover, Massachusetts, and in 1650 to Haverhill, in that part after- wards set off and incorporated as the town of Methuen, where many of his descendants have lived. He took the oath of allegiance, Novem- ber 28, 1677. He was a soldier in the great Swamp fight, King Philip's war, Lieutenant Benjamin Swett's company. Children : Eliza- beth, born September 30, 1653; Sarah, August 10, 1655 ; Robert, May 30, 1657; Ann, March 3, 1658; Richard, February 24, 1660; Timo- thy, March 12, 1662-63; Dorothy, November 8, 1666; John, mentioned below ; Samuel, April II, 1670, died young; Samuel, October 24, 1672 ; Joshua, September 13, 1674; Caleb, June 1, 1676, died young.

(III) John, son of Robert Swan, was born August 1, 1668. He married, August 1, 1699, Mrs. Susanna Wood, daughter of Philip East- man and granddaughter of Roger Eastman. She married (first) Thomas Wood, May 16, 1693, who was killed, with a child Susanna, by

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the Indians, March 15, 1697. John Swan and his family lived in Haverhill until 1707, and three of their children were born there. The history of Haverhill gives an account of an attack made on their home by the Indians, dur- ing the Indian war, and of the heroism and resistance made by Mrs. Swan, which resulted in saving the family. In 1707 they removed to Stonington, and located on what is now known as Swan Town Hill, North Stonington, where the remainder of his children were born. He died May 1, 1743, and his wife died Decem- ber 20, 1772, in the hundredth year of her age. Children, first three born at Haverhill, others at Stonington : John, born December 28, 1700; Ruth, December 31, 1703; William, June 24, 1706; Nathaniel, April 13, 1709; Asa, June 4, 1712; Elizabeth, May 14, 1715; Timothy, men- tioned below.

(IV) Timothy, son of John Swan, was born at Stonington, Connecticut, September 2, 1721. He married there, December 28, 1743, Mary Smith, of Groton, Connecticut. Children, born at Stonington : Mary, November 5, 1744; Ruth, June 5, 1747; Lucy, January 17, 1750; Timo- thy, of whom further; Nathan, January 23, · 1754; Elisha, December 26, 1755; Elias, Janu- ary 31, 1758; Eunice, August 20, 17 -; Oliver, September 23, 17 -; Elizabeth, July 25, 17 -; Cynthia, married Isaac Hewett.

(V) Timothy (2), son of Timothy (1) Swan, was born at Stonington, July 15, 1752. He married there, March 10, 1773, Ruama Ayer. Children, born at Stonington : Russell, March 6, 1774; Joseph, July 13, 1776; Oliver, of whom further ; Lavina, born September 16, 1780; Elisha, April 26, 1783.

(VI) Oliver, son of Timothy (2) Swan, was born at Stonington, July 6, 1778. He married Lucena Boyle, of Hartford. Children : Horace, mentioned below ; Don Albert ; daugh- ter, married Rev. Frink.

(VII) Horace, son of Oliver Swan, was born in 1804. He married Polly Salisbury and settled at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York. Children: James John Albert; Daniel Salisbury; Alonzo Frink, mentioned below ; Horace Durham.

(VIII) Alonzo Frink, son of Horace Swan, was born in the town of Cold Spring, Catta- raugus county, New York, November 15, 1831. He is now living in Napoli, where he has fol- lowed farming for many years. In politics he is a Democrat ; in religion a Congregationalist. He married, October 10, 1860, Julia Maria,

daughter of James M. Brown ( see Brown III). Children, born in East Randolph and Napoli. New York: James Brown, mentioned below ; Charles A., mentioned below ; Horace H., born at Napoli, June 12, 1874, where he still resides on the old homestead, having followed farming and stock raising all his life, married, Novem- ber 15, 1898, Florence Whitcomb, children : Dorothea, born October 6, 1903, and Elizabeth, June 4, 1911.

(IX) James Brown, son of Alonzo Frink Swan, was born August 23, 1861, in East Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York. He was educated there in the public schools and at the Chamberlain Institute. For two years he was a school teacher. He entered the employ of the Erie railroad and continued for twenty years, becoming by successive promotions clerk in charge of the department of car records. Since 1885 he has resided at Salamanca, New York. In 1905 he engaged in business as a dealer in stationery, sporting goods, tobaccos and candies, in the postoffice block in Sala- manca. He has been successful in business and is rated as one of the most substantial business men of the community. For three years he was clerk of the incorporated village. for four years member of the board of edu- cation, four years a member of the board of health, and he has always been active in public affairs. He married, May 12, 1887, Jennie E. Hall, who was born July 12, 1866, daughter of Adelbert Hall, who was born July 14, 1839, died September 10, 1910. Her mother, Emma (Parker) Hall, was born December 4, 1838, married, in 1860, died March 6, 1904. Chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Hall: I. Louis Hall, born April 4, 1863; married Franc Hig- gins ; children : Florence, born August 22, 1890, and Edward, March, 1892. 2. Jennie E. Hall, born July 12, 1866; married James Brown Swan. 3. Aden Hall, born June 18, 1869. 4. Bessie Hall, born October 14, 1883; married George Taylor; child, Doris, born May 20, 1904. Children of James B. and Jennie E. (Hall) Swan: I. Howard H., born February 23, 1888, died October 7, 1910. 2. Leonard Hall, born April 17, 1890.

(IX) Charles Alonzo, brother of James Brown Swan, was born in East Randolph, New York, April 24, 1864. He attended the public schools and Chamberlain Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. He taught school for a time and became princi- pal of the East Randolph school. He resigned

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on account of ill health and after traveling for some time and regaining his health, engaged in the jewelry business at East Randolph. In 1901 he removed to Salamanca, where he established a jewelry store and has achieved since then a notable success in mercantile life, having the largest jewelry store in the city. He is popular socially as well as in business circles, and is considered one of the shrewdest business men and financiers of the town. In politics he is an Independent, and in 1907-08-1I was a trustee of the incorporated village. He belongs to Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 239, Free and Accepted Masons. He married, January 30, 1901, Persis Barber Holbrook, born De- cember 28, 1866, daughter of Elijah F. Hol- brook.

(The Brown Line).

(I) Joshua Brown was one of the early set- tlers of Goshen, Orange county, New York. As early as 1755 the records show that he was a large taxpayer and owned a slave. He lived on what has lately been known as the Ryerson place. He married, according to the Strong Genealogy, Experience (Parshall) Reeve, a French Huguenot. She died June 2, 1793; he died March 7, 1797. In 1790, according to the first federal census, Joshua had in his fam- ily at Goshen two males over sixteen, one under that age, one female and two others. Joshua Jr. also had a family there. Children : Joshua, mentioned below ; Joseph, born July 9, 1751 ; Daniel, June 25, 1753, died March 24, 1796; Dolly, January 20, 1756; Joanna, December I, 1758.

(II) Joshua (2), son of Joshua (1) Brown, was born at Goshen, August 14, 1749. He married (first), April 28, 1788, Temperance Wisner. She died May 11, 1789. He mar- ried (second), June 15, 1794, Hannah Strong, born December 25, 1764, daughter of Major Nathaniel and Amy (Brewster) Strong, and descendant of Elder John Strong, the progeni- tor of the family in this country. She died August 8, 1810. He married (third), July 19, 1811, Mercy Seely. Joshua Brown died June 2, 1818. His widow married Abel B. Watkins, and died July 3, 1857. Child by first wife: Son, born April 28, 1789, died June 22, 1789. Children by second wife: Temperance Ann, born August 10, 1801, married Jonas Seely Jr. (see Seely VII) ; Daniel Strong, May 1, 1804, died August 26, 1812; Mary Caroline, June 3, 1806, died December 4, 1855, married Peter T. Seely. Children by third wife : Susan, July 19 - W

24, 1812; Seely, December 13, 1813; James Madison, mentioned below.

(III) James Madison, son of Joshua (2) Brown, was born at Goshen, January 14, 1816, died June 19, 1890. He married, December 14, 1836, Emily Durland, who died May 23, 1855. Children : 1. Charles Durland, born Oc- tober 1, 1837, died November 19, 1898; mar- ried, May 30, 1866, Adalissa Kinnicutt; chil- dren : Albert Edwin, born December 3, 1868; Emily, August 22, 1870, died August 17, 1904, married W. H. Hazard; Fred C., born March 18, 1875; Frank D., August 8, 1877; Harry, July 4, 1880; Adalissa, his wife, died January 19, 1883. 2. Julia Maria, born June 19, 1839; married, October 10, 1860, Alonzo F. Swan (see Swan VIII). 3. John Tyler, born May 10, 1841, died in 1878. 4. James Henry, born September 14, 1843, died in 1894. 5. Eliza- beth D., born August 26, 1845, died in 1862. 6. Martha Strong, born November 30, 1848. 7. Susan J., born February 14, 1850, died in 1862. 8. Edwin D., born September 10, 1853.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 55

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680