Richard Blake Descendants

THE DESCENDANTS OF RICHARD BLAKE Beth Davies AG Note, February 2009: This is began as a descendant report created by my PAF program. It was partially edited and footnoted, but never finished. It appears that the last few footnotes have disappeared. I am posting it, flaws and all so that it might assist others researching these families. RICHARD1 BLAKE was born at Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut on 7 Oct. 1747, the son of Joseph Blake and Rebeckah Higby.1 He married DAMARIS SMEDLEY (born 4 Feb. 1747 at Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut, daughter of Ephraim Smedley and Concurrance Hurd2) on 6 July 17693. Richard died 17 Sep 1807 in Livonia, Livingston, New York4 and was buried in Union Cemetery, Livonia, Livingston, New York.5 Damaris died 3 May 1828 in Livonia, and is also buried in Union cemetery.6 Our Folks says of Richard's family: "The Adjt.-Gen. of Conn. certifies:--"Richard Blake, of Litchfield, was a member of the 4th Company, Captain David Welch, in the lst Regt., Colonel David Wooster. The regiment was raised on the first call for troops by the legistlature in April-May, 1775. It marched by request of the Continental Congress to New York in June, and was encamped at Harlem. About Sept. 28th, under orders from Congress, it marched to the Northern Department (Gen. Schuyler's) and took part in the operations along Lakes George and Champlain; assisted in the reduction of St. John in October, and afterwards at Montreal. Men were mustered out in Oct.-Nov" In 1798 his son Jesse articled Lot 41 in the town of Pittstown, Ontario Co., N.Y. (now Livonia, Livingston Co.) and came through from Conn. with ox teams. The date when Richard Blake and the rest of the family came cannot be fixed exactly, but between 1800 and 1805 Richard Blake and all his family were there. At the time they came to Livonia, Robert Morris, the great financier of the Revolution, had just concluded the sale of this portion of the Mass. Grant (which had been thrown up by Phelps & Gorham) to the Holland Land Co. The Indian title had just been ceded at a council at Genesseo, 20 miles away, which was headed by the noted Indian orator and chief, Red Jacket. They must have been among the first to

1

Midd letown Vital Records, Vol. 1, p. 76. Also cited in Ou r Folks, pg.8.

2

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 1, p. 35.

3

Litchfield Vital Record, Vol. 1, p. 127.

4

George M. Blake, Our Folks, Second Preliminary Draft, Rockford, Illinois, June 1, 1895, p. 11.

5

Livingston Co unty, NY, Cemetery Ind ex, FHL film 1,437 ,471. It do es not give any dates, but says: lst

Connecticut Regt. Rev. War. 6

Livingston County, NY, Cemetery Index, FHL film 1,437,471. Itlists her name as Damaris Blake, age 80, wife of Richard Blake

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settle there. They all acquired extensive farms there, and a more beautiful location it would be hard to imagine. The Blake farms lie on an oval or flattend "turtle back" of a hill, midway between Lakes Hemlock and Conesus. (The city of Rochester, N.Y. now gets its water from Hemlock.) Both lakes are in sight, and the soil is strong and fertile. Here Richard Blake and his wife lie in the Livonia cemetery." 7 Children of RICHARD BLAKE and DAMARIS SMEDLEY were as follows: 1. JAMES BLAKE was born 6 Oct 1769 in Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut8; died 17 Nov 1817 in Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut9. He married on 1 Apr 1793 in Litchfield DORCAS BUEL 10 who died some time after 11 Aug 1817.11 James remained in Connecticut when most of the family moved to New York and some of his descendents were living there as late as 1983. James' will reads, " In the name of God, Amen. I James Blake of Cornwall in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, do make my last Will and Testament in manner following, to wit, First, my Will is that all my just Debts and funeral charges be first paid out of my estate, in such manner as my Exceutors shall judge best. Second, I will and bequeath to my beloved Wife Dorcas in additon to what the law will give her in my real as well as personal estate, which my Will lis should be set out ot her i the same manner as if this Will had not bee made, the use and imkprovement of that parcel of land which I own commonly called the Judd Lot, containing about sixty acres, during the time she shall continue my Widow. Third: I give and bequeathe to my Children now living, vigt: Polly, Albert, James, Orrin, Julius, Flora, Buell and Catharine and such other heirs of my body lawfully begotten or to be begotten the rest & residue of my estate both real and personal, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike, excepting to my said Daughter Polly, from whose share the sum of two hundred and thirty Dollars & seventy five cents, is to be deducted, she having already received said sum towards her share in my estate. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my aforesaid Wife & my friend Mr. ? of Warren, Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand & seal this 11th

7

George M. Blake, Ou r Folks, Second Preliminary Draft, Rockford, Illinois, June 1, 1895, p. 13.

8

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 1, pg. 127.

9

Our Folks by George M. Blake, pg. 15. He notes that James Blake remained at Litchfield and did not remove to Livonia, N.Y. when his father did. 10

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, pg. 74.

11

James' will, dated 11 Aug. 1817, names children now living: Polly, Albert, James, Orrin, Julius, Flora, Buell, and Catharine and such other heirs of my body lawfully begotten or to be begotten. It also names his wife as Dorcas (Litchfield, Connecticut, Probate Records, Vol. 10, p. 638, FH L film 4,734).

2

day of August A.D. 1817."12 His children were: POLLY BLAKE, born 2 Mar 1794 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT13; died aft. 11 Aug 181714. ALBERT BLAKE born 22 May 1796 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT15; died 24 Apr 1855 in CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT16; buried in MILTON, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT17. He married (1) on 25 Apr 181918 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT, HARRIET MOREY, born 1797 OF MILTON, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT; died 8 Aug 1844; buried in Milton, Litchfield, Connecticut19. He married (2) on 12 Feb 1845 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ADA GARNER, born 1801 OF CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT20. Albert's probate records name his widow Adah Blake and children James, Albert, Catherine and the heirs of Mary Beach. He left a personal estate valued at $4562.10 and real property valued at $7,441.21 JAMES BLAKE born 18 May 1798 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT22; died 1 Mar 1872 in BRIMFIELD, PORTAGE, OHIO23; buried in RESTLAND CEMETERY, BRIMFIELD, PORTAGE, OHIO24. He married on 11 Jun 1823 in CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, 3

12

Litchfield Probate Reco rds, Vol. 10, p. 638, Estate of James Blake, FHL film 4,735. P. 647 show the estate was valued at $10,041.00. 13

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74

14

Litchfield, Connecticut, Probate Records, Vol. 10, p. 638, FHL film 4,734.

15

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74

16

Cornwall Vital Records, Vol. 4, Deaths 1852-57, FHL film 1,516,243.

17

Charles T hom as Pa yne, Litchfiled and Morris Inscritions, p. 176, Dwight C. Kilbourn, Litchfield, Connecticut 1905. 18

DAR Lineage Book 4 7, p. 79 (granddaughter Ma rtha J. Blake Bissell).

19

Charles T hom as Pa yne, Litchfiled and Morris Inscritions, p. 176, Dwight C. Kilbourn, Litchfield, Connecticut 1905. 20

1850 U.S. Census, Goshen, Litchfield, Connecticut, p. 9 dwelling #134, FHL film 3,071.

21

Cornwall Register of Probates, Vol. 1, 1847-1860, p. 300, 303, 310, 312, 322, 327, FHL film 3,956.

22

Litchfield Vital REcords, Vol. 2 p. 74.

23

Portage County, Ohio, Birth and Death Records 1861-1908, Vol. 1, p. 28, FHL Fil 891-394-395.

24

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 2, p. 83 . Rave nna, O hio: T he Portage Genealogical Society,

199 2,

3

CONNECTICUT25, BETSEY AVERY, born 8 Mar 180126 in MASSACHUSETTS27; died 13 Nov 1881; buried in RESTLAND CEMETERY, BRIMFIELD, PORTAGE, OHIO28. ORRIN BLAKE, born 18 Dec 1802 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT29; died aft. 11 Aug 181730. JULIUS BLAKE, born 27 Jan 1805 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT31 ; died 5 Jan 1845 in BRIMFIELD, PORTAGE, OHIO32 ; buried in WEST LAWN CEMETERY, BRIMFIELD, PORTAGE, OHIO33 . According to the Ohio Star he died of consumption34 . He married on 26 Feb 1826 in CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT35 , ADELIA MOREHOUSE, born 180836 OF CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT; died aft. 17 Jul 1860 OF SHERMAN, ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN37 . After Julius' death, Adelia married David Edson on 4 Sept. 1848 in Portage County,

Ohio. FLORA BLAKE, born 20 Nov 1807 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT38. She

25

Cornwall Vital Records, Vol. 2 p. 55.

26

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 2, p. 83 . Rave nna, O hio: T he Portage Genealogical Society,

27

1870 U.S. Census, Portage County, Ohio, Brimfiled p. 233, dwelling #72, family #74, FHL film 552,757.

28

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 2, p. 83 . Rave nna, O hio: T he Portage Genealogical Society,

29

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74.

30

Litchfield, Connecticut, Probate Records, Vol. 10, p. 638, FHL film 4,734/

31

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74.

199 2,

199 2,

32

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 2, p. 5. R avenna, O hio: T he Portage Genealogical Society, 199 2, also Michael Barren Clegg, Portage County Ohio Newspaper Obituary Abstracts 1825-1870, p. 15, Ohio Starr, 12 Feb. 1845, FHL 977.137V48c 33

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 2, p. 5. R avenna, O hio: T he Portage Genealogical Society,

34

Portage County Ohio Newspaper Obitury Abstracts 1825-1870, Michael Barren Clegge, editor, p.15.

35

Cornwall Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 63.

36

185 0 U .S. Census, Summit County, Ohio, Distirct No . 140 , STow T p., p. 467, d welling # 56, F HL film

37

1860 U .S. Census, St. Joseph County, Michigan, Sherman T ownship, Centreville P.O., p. 149, dwelling

38

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p.74

199 2,

444,725.

#122.

4

married on 16 Dec 1828 in CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT39, THERON SACKETT40, OF STANFORD, DUTCHESS, NEW YORK41. BUEL BLAKE born 29 Sep 1809 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT42; died 27 Jun 1867; buried in STANDING ROCK CEMETERY, FRANKLIN, PORTAGE, OHIO43. He married on 8 May 1842 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT44, SALLY E. TUTHILL OR TUTTLE, born 181245 OF MILTON, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT; died 19 Aug 1891; buried in STANDING ROCK CEMETERY, FRANKLIN, PORTAGE, OHIO, daughter of WILLIAM TUTTLE and POLLY LEWIS. A History of Portage County46. says, "BUEL BLAKE was born in Cornwall, Conn., in September, 1810; son of James and Dorcas (Buel) Blake...was married, in May 1841 to Sally E., daughter of William and Polly (Lewis) Tuttle, of Milton, Litchfield, Conn...Mr. Blake came to Portage County, Ohio in 1857, and located in Franklin Township, where he engaged in farming and here he resided until his death, which was caused by his falling from his barn, June 25, 1867. He was one of the representative farmers and citizens of Franklin. He was a Republican in politics. He never held nor sought office." CATHERINE BLAKE, born 29 Sep 1812 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT47, died after 11 Aug. 1817 when her father's will was written. DORCAS L BLAKE, born 14 Oct 1817 in CORNWALL, LITCHFIELD, 48 CONNECTICUT ,probably after her father's death. WORKING ON JESSEE

2. JESSE BLAKE was born 31 Aug 1771 in LITCHFIELD, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT49; died

39

Cornwall V ital Records, Vo l. 3, p. 1

40

Cornwall Vital Rccords, Vol. 3, p. 1. It says that Theron was "of Stanford, NY".

41

Ibid.

42

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74.

43

Portage County, Ohio Cemeteriies; Vol. 1, p.41. Ravenna, Oh io: The Portage Genealogical Society,

44

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 410.

45

186 0 U .S. Census, Portage Co unty, Ohio, Franklin p . 184 , dwelling #69 3, Family #6 67, F HL film

199 2,

805,025. 46

A History of Portage County. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1895. P. 663. FHL City UT 84150, 977.137 H2h. 47

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74

48

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 2, p. 74

49

Litchfield Vital Records, Vol. 1, Pg. 127.

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17 Sep 1859 in LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK; buried in UNION CEMETERY50, LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK. He married (1) abt. 1796, SARAH (SALLIE) LUDDINGTON51, born 1780; died 14 Jul 1841 in LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK; buried in UNION CEMETERY, LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK52. "History of Livingston County"53 says he came to Livonia, then known as Pittstown in 1800, after applying for land in 1798. This is confirmed by the 1855 New York State Census which shows that Jesse had been in Livonia for 55 years.54 He married (2) abt. 1837 LOIS ___, born 1783 in CONNECTICUT55. Jesse's will and many pages of affidavits are found in Livingston County Will Book 4, pg. 536-549. One of the affidavits mentions that Jesse had a 2nd wife. She apparently died before this will was made. Children of JESSE BLAKE and SARAH (SALLIE) LUDDINGTON were as follows: ELIZABETH BLAKE, born 1800 in CONNECTICUT56 ; She married in 1816, CHARLES PU99RCHASE57 , born 1796 in MASSACHUSETTS; died 184358 . "Betsey" Purchase is given land in Byersville in her father's will. She died bef. 20 Jun 1887 OF SPARTA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK59 .

HARRIET BLAKE, born 1801, died 1855, buried Van Auken Cemtery, Bangor, VanBuren County, Michigan.60. She married PYRAM RIPLEY61. By 1844, they were living in Jackson County, Michigan (need to find source). 50

Livingston Co., NY Cemetery Index, FHL film 1,437,471. It gives his age as 86.

51

George M. Blake, Ou r Folks, p. 15.

52

Livingston Co., NY Cemetery Index, FHL film 1,437,471 .

53

History of Livingston County pg. 380

54

1855 NY State Census, Livingston Co., Livonia lst Election District, Family #158, FHL film 510,541

55

IBID . It said she had lived in Livonia for 18 years.

56

1850 U.S. Census, W est Sparta, Livingston Co., NY, p. 383, family 181, FHL film 17,101.

57

George M. Blake, Ou r Folks, p. 15.

58

Livingston Co., NY, General Surrogate Court Records, Letters 2-109. t gives the impression that Charles lived elsew here but had m oney in Livingsto n C ounty.

59

W ill Book 14, p. 463, Livingston County, NY--W ill of Betsey Purchase, FHL film 811,219. The will was written on 24 March 1886. 60

Cemetery Records of Van Buren County, Michigan, Van Auken Cemtery, Bangor Township, p. 1, FHL film 927,416. 61

George M. Blake, Our Folks, p. 16.

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LUCY BLAKE, born 1801 in NEW YORK; died aft. 1859. She married JOHN PARKER (REV.), born 1800 OF MOUNT MORRIS, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK; died aft. 1850. BIRTH: IGI. MARRIAGE: "Our Folks", by George M. Blake, pg. 16. DEATH, HUSBAND: Will of her father, Jesse Blake. RICHARD3 BLAKE, born 1806. He married (1) unknown.He married (2) ELECTA ____. MARIA BLAKE, born 1808 in NEW YORK. She married SAMPSON STODDARD. LOIS BLAKE, born 1811. She married MOSES STODDARD. DAMARIS BLAKE, born 2 May 1817 in LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK. She married (1) LEWIS KEELER. She married (2) DANIEL COLEMAN. BRADNER BLAKE, born 4 Oct 1822 in LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK. He married ELIZABETH B SMITH. Our Folks says of him, "Bradner Blake has been a farmer all his life and a good deal of a politician. He has seved several terms as supervisor of his town, and a number of other local offices of honor and trust..."62 EUNICE BLAKE, born 1823 in , LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK; died 30 Jan 1897 in BENTON, EATON, MICHIGAN; buried in MOUNT EVERGREEN CEMETERY, JACKSON, MICHIGAN. She married in 1831 in WOODBURY, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT, DANIEL AUGUSTUS HAWLEY , born 18 Dec 1813 in WOODBURY, LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT; died 2 Oct 1847 in JACKSON, JACKSON, MICHIGAN; buried in MOUNT EVERGREEN CEMETERY, JACKSON, MICHIGAN, son of DANIEL HAWLEY and CONCURRENCE BLAKE. BIRTH: IGI. CONFLICT: The 1855 NY State Census shows her as age 35, making her born about 1820. The 1860 Census shows her age as 42, making her born about 1818! LAND: In her father's will, Eunice (Hawley) is given a parcel of land in Livonia on which she now resides (1859). CENSUS: The 1855 NY State Census, Livonia, Livingston, lst Election District, family #169, shows Eunice as a widow, age 35, born Livingston, land owner, with two children born in Michigan. MARRIAGE: IGI. ELIPHALET BLAKE, born 1825 in ; died 5 Sep 1843; buried in UNION CEMETERY, LIVONIA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK. BIRTH, DEATH, BURIAL: Livinston County, NY, Cemetery Index, FHL film 1,437,471. It gives his age as 18, son of Jesse and Sarah Blake.

62

George M. Blake, Ou r Folks, p. 23.

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