KIT NUMBER: 9173
For more information on this Gordon family, contact:
RGibson831@adelphia.net and/or eric.guignard@gmail.com
Descendants of James Gordon of upstate New York 1770's-1830's
Hello,
I am looking for information or ancestors/ descendents of the following:
JAMES GORDON
b. abt. 1775-1780 probably in NY
d. prob. 1830-1840 probably in NY
married: (unknown) "Mrs. Gordon" before 1810. She was born about 1780 - 1790 and died probably between 1830 - 1840.
children:
i. Lorenzo Dow Gordon (4/26/1810 - 1/31/1871)
ii. Bennett Nathanial Gordon (10/13/1816 - 11/25/1897)
iii. Sally Ann Gordon (b. abt. 1825-1830 - d. between 1840-11/1897)
A. CENSUS RECORDS: Per sons' births the Gordon Family is living in Ovid/ Covert area of Seneca County, NY by 1810. The 1820 Census confirms the Gordon family still living here.
By 1830, the Gordon family are living in Ogden, Monroe County, NY. By the 1840 Census the 3 children are moved out and living in Pembroke, Genesee County, NY. It is believed that James Gordon and his wife died between 1830 to 1840.
Per the 6/1/1880 Dodge Co., Wisconsin Census, Bennett Gordon states that both of his parents (thus James & wife) are born in the state of New York. Census records, of course, are not always accurate in regards to parents' birth locations.
B. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: It is assumed that the Gordon Family are Methodist in their religious affiliation. Lorenzo Dow Gordon was named after an eccentric traveling Methodist minister, named Lorenzo Dow. Based on this, I would assume that James Gordon himself is Methodist. In addition, Lorenzo and Lorenzo's children professed affiliation with the Methodist Church.
C. MILITARY SERVICE: James Gordon could have served as a NY Soldier during the War of 1812, although this is a complete guess. Also, it is possible that James Gordon's father served in the Revolutionary War. James's father would be the perfect age for a soldier during this time. In addition, the town of Ovid and surrounding region was part of the Central New York Military Tract used to pay soldiers of the American Revolution. The land was given in lieu of pay, being about 600 acres per enlisted man. It is important to note however, that many soldiers ultimately did not settle on their lot, and often families of "squatters" would set up and live there instead, of which James' family could also have been.
D. POSSIBLE IMMIGRATION: My family's "lore" recalls that our immigrant Gordon ancestor hailed from Edinburgh, Scotland and was trained as a shipwright, then came to America to seek his fortune and worked in the ship yards. Could this be the father or grandfather of James Gordon? Additional research is necessary on this hypothesis.
E. Court Testimony regarding Civil War Pension, describing the Gordon Family:
a.* Statement by Locena Randle, June 9, 1900; "I am 72 years of age; my post office is Chili Center, Monroe County, NY; my occupation is housekeeping. I have lived on this farm fifty years. I came here from the town of Ogden, NY not far from where the Post Office is at present. I was well acquainted with Bennett Gordon for several years before he moved away. I know that said Bennett Gordon lived with a woman who he said was, and recognized as his wife, and she was so recognized by the neighbors. I lived about two miles from where he lived. I used to visit his sister, Sally Ann Gordon, as she, her father, and Bennett Gordon lived together before Bennett Gordon was married. I don't remember visiting at Bennett Gordon's after he was married.
I have not seen him or his said wife since they moved away from Ogden, NY. That was before I came to live on this farm and must be all of about sixty years ago. I was not more than about 12 or 14 years of age when they went away... I am the only person that I know of that is living who knew said Bennett Gordon before he moved away… I also knew Lorenzo Gordon a brother of Bennett Gordon. My mother's sister married said Lorenzo Gordon. I know that said Lorenzo and Sally Ann, brother and sister of said Bennett Gordon are dead."
b.* Statement by Henry Kelsey, June 9, 1900; I am 91 years of age; my post office is Churchville, Monroe County, NY. I have lived in Churchville, NY for 20 years and previously in Ogden, NY for more than fifty years. I knew Bennett Gordon, his father, his brother and sister, they lived near neighbor to me in Ogden, NY, a great many years ago… I know Mrs. Joseph Randle or Locena Randle, who lives in Chili, NY. She was a very near neighbor to the Gordon's for a number of years and is a relation by marriage and she would know more about Bennett Gordon while he lived in Ogden, NY… she is thoroughly reliable in every respect.
I remember hearing some scandal about the Gordon's, but I have forgotten the details, or which of them was involved. I don't know what became of Bennett Gordon; the family was not remarkable for it's intelligence or moral thinking while living in Ogden, NY.
F. DESCENDANTS:
- i. Lorenzo Dow Gordon
b. 4/26/1810 in Ovid, Seneca Co., NY
d. 1/31/1871 in Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., WI
married 1: Electa Wright (4/10/1812-9/18/1853) in 1836, probably in NY
married 2: Mathilda (b. abt. 1807 - d. after 1871) between 1863-1870, probably in WI
children:
iv. Catherine Matilda Gordon-Gwynn : 7/20/1837-4/28/1865
v. Electa Elizabeth Gordon-Barber : 6/6/1839-2/5/1919
vi. Reuben James Gordon : 3/24/1841-d. after 1900…
vii. Edwin Gordon : 1843-12/15/1864
viii. William Francis Gordon : 7/12/1845-1/20/1922
ix. Earl Wright Gordon : 1/9/1848-1/31/1927
x. Laura A. Gordon-Mcintosh : 8/1850-1882
xi. Emma Louella Gordon-Hurry : 7/23/1851-6/21/1931
Lorenzo Dow Gordon states he was born in Ovid, NY (in "upstate New York"). Ovid Village was the Capital of Seneca County and Seneca County had only recently been formed in 1804. Ovid itself, was only settled about 1790, mostly by farmers of Dutch descent migrating from New Jersey. By 1813, Ovid had grown to include about 4,535 people and had 4 public meetinghouses and 16 schoolhouses.
The 1820 census continues to reflect Lorenzo and his family living in the same area, within the town of Covert, which was set aside from Ovid in 1817. Sometime in the early 1820's, the Gordon family moved west to Ogden, Monroe County, NY. Lorenzo's father, James, continued to farm, while Lorenzo and his brother and sister attended local primary school.
The Gordon family remained in Ogden, NY through the 1830's, where Lorenzo meets his wife, Electa Wright, as her family lives only about 20 households away in Ogden. They marry in 1836 and it is assumed Lorenzo's parents both pass away around this time. Lorenzo moves west again to Pembroke, Genesee Co., NY and then continues his westward migration to Newstead, Erie Co., NY.
Lorenzo and his growing family lived in Newstead, NY and in the village which was to become Akron for about ten years, between 1843-1853. Lorenzo Gordon is listed as having voted to incorporate Akron into a village out of Newstead, on Sept. 11, 1849.
Leaving New York, Lorenzo seems to have moved to Michigan for a few years, but then ultimately ended up in Dodge County, Wisconsin. His wife, Electa, died in Michigan shortly after they arrived there, while all the children were still "underage".
In his migration down to Dodge Co., Wisconsin, where his brother, Bennett Nathaniel Gordon had made a home, and after his wife's death, family legend says that he "gave away" several of his children, as being a single father, he could not support them all. If another family simply commented what a "handsome child" Lorenzo had, Lorenzo would offer to give them that child to rear as their own. In the 1860 Census, Lorenzo has only 3 of his 8 children remaining in his home, being Edwin Gordon, Earl Wright Gordon, and Emma Louella Gordon. The other children seem to have moved amongst other households and are found nearby as having married off at "young ages" or listed as "laborers", "servants", etc.
While most men around him were farmers, Lorenzo Dow Gordon seems to have eschewed that living and sought other trades. In the 1850 Newstead, Erie Co., NY census he is listed as a Butcher. In the 1860 Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., WI census he is listed as a Soap Boiler. In his April, 1861 Military Muster papers, his occupation is listed as a Chandler (meaning one who made or sold candles; a retail dealer in provisions, groceries, etc.). In the 1870 Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., WI census he is listed as a Huckster (meaning a seller of small articles, usually of cheap or shoddy quality, or one engaged in haggling or making petty bargains, that is, a certain type of peddler or hawker).
When the Civil War broke out, Lorenzo Dow Gordon enlisted at the ripe old age of 50 years old! He enlisted as a Private in Wisconsin's Company H, 1st Cavalry Regiment, on 4/1/1861 (just a few weeks from turning 51), and because he was technically too old to serve, he lied about his age in order to join. It soon became a family affair as joining him in the 1st Cavalry were his brother, Bennett Nathaniel Gordon, his sons, Edwin Gordon, William Francis Gordon, and Earl Wright Gordon, and his son-in-law, Benjamin Peter Barber (husband to daughter, Electa Elizabeth Gordon). His Military MUSTER and Descriptive Roll Papers describe Lorenzo as being born in Ovid, NY, enlisting from Beaver Dam, WI. He has blue eyes, grey hair, dark complexion, abt. 5' 7 ½"' tall, occupation as Chandler.
However, shortly after the regiment mustered in and probably during training camp, Lorenzo was hospitalized. Two accounts follow:
Lorenzo swears on his Invalid Pension the following account: "…at St. Louis, Missouri, on the 29th day of April, 1862, while on drill, his horse became unmanageable and threw him violently to the ground, through no fault or negligence of this applicant; fell on his back and wounding his arms, breast and lungs and breaking bones of the shoulder. That his lungs are now still somehow affected; that if said applicant works overly or lifts or draws water, his shoulder pains him.
Affidavit is witnessed and signed by his brother, Bennett Gordon and his daughter, Elizabeth Gordon-Barber.
The regiment captain, Lewis M.B. Smith counters against Lorenzo's Claim: "The said solider entered the hospital at Benton Barracks (Cape Girardeau, MO) about the 25th of March, 1862, where he has remained nearly all the time since, never having performed any regular duty as a soldier, having for a great part of the time, done some light duty at the hospital. His nervous system being so diseased that he is totally unfit to perform the duties of a soldier, contracted before entering U.S. Service."
The army surgeon, E. Krainer, writes: "I certify that I have carefully examined the said Lorenzo D. Gordon of Captain L.M.B. Smith's Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of chronic alcoholism and its effects. Said soldier has had the delirious tremors repeatedly. The existing tremors interfere with the free use of both his upper and lower extremities".
In May and in August, 1862, Lorenzo was on duty in the Cape Girardeau hospital as a nurse. Other months than those, he was listed consecutively as "absent or sick" at Cape Girardeau. He was discharged Nov. 7, 1862 by surgeon's certificate of disability.
After discharge, Lorenzo was denied military pension. For several years he appealed to the commissioner and fought a losing legal battle. The pension and appeals was continually declined based on the fact that Lorenzo was considered "invalided" within 60 days of mustering in due to his nervous disorder (effects from alcoholism).
- ii. Bennett Nathanial Gordon
b. 10/13/1816 in Ovid, Seneca Co., NY
d. 11/25/1897 in Waupun, Dodge/ Fond Du Lac Co., WI
married 1: Unknown prob. circa 1833 in Monroe Co., NY
married 2: Eliza Ann Gwynn (5/1/1831-12/24/1920) in 7/18/1847, in Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., WI
children:
xii. Ellen Lucretia Gordon-Dale : 12/1/1848-2/17/1920
xiii. William James Gordon : 4/5/1850-1/13/1919
xiv. Lottie Elmira Gordon-Cochrane : 4/18/1857-11/16/1928
Bennett's occupation his entire life is listed as a farmer.
According to the "Records of the Baptist Church of Ogden," on June 15, 1833, Bennett Gordon became a member of the Church by baptism. It is interesting to note that his second marriage is Methodist and that Methodist seems to be the religion of choice for his brother Lorenzo and their children. It is hypothesized that Bennett became a Baptist at this time in order to marry someone already a member of that church (presumably being his unknown first wife). The Ogden Baptist Church was first organized May 21, 1819 and still exists today.
When the Civil War broke out, Bennett answered the call to duty and enlisted on 11/4/1861 at the age of 45. He enlisted as a Private in Wisconsin's Company H, 1st Cavalry Regiment, with his brother, Lorenzo Dow Gordon, and nephews for a term of three years. He was present during training and was assigned as Nurse to the U.S.A. Post hospital at Cape Girardeau, MO on 5/24/1862 and there remained until discharged with disability at St. Louis, MO, 10/23/1862, "by order of Gen. Davidson".
Bennett's Military MUSTER and Descriptive Roll Papers list him as being: Born in Ovid, NY, works as a farmer, enlisting from Rolling Prairie (next city to Beaver Dam), WI, blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, abt. 5 ' 5 '' tall.
Like his brother Lorenzo, when Bennett applied for his Civil War Pension he was challenged as to his fitness for duty upon enlistment and worth of pension.
An Oct. 22, 1890 medical report describes Bennett as being: Living in Waupun, WI, abt. 5 ' 2 '' tall, 130 lbs., 75 yrs old, with a deafness in both ears (partial) that has increased till he leans with great difficulty.
Bennett did eventually win his case for military pension in 1890 and received $12/ mo for the remainder of his life. His disability pension stated "Total deafness of left ear and severe deafness of right ear, as well as advancing old age".
Bennett passed away in 1897, due to "general debility and old age". However, upon his death, when his widow, Eliza Ann Gwynn-Gordon applied for her husband's pension a new court battle began when it was discovered that Bennett had previously been married. The new case dragged on for several years and was investigated by the courts. As it was believed that Bennett was previously married, yet nobody knew what had became of his first wife, the issue became if Bennett was even legally able to marry Eliza, and thus if she was legally his widow and eligible to receive his pension. Secondly, Dodge County Register of Deeds office had burned down and record of Bennett and Eliza's marriage was lost. Between 1897 to 1900, dozens of testimony was provided from friends of the Gordon's as well as extended family and old neighbors of Bennett's childhood from Ogden, NY.
Essentially, enough people testified that Bennett, if he had been previously married had been widowed as a young man and his questionable first bride had died young in NY. Also, enough people further testified that Eliza and Bennett had indeed been formally married for 50 years as man and wife and thus the courts did grant her continuance of Bennett's pension.
- iii. Sally Ann Gordon
b. abt. 1825-1830 in Seneca Co. or Ogden, Monroe Co., NY
d. between 1840-11/1897
married: YES – unknown husband
children:
YES – at least one daughter, name unknown
******************* So that is it! Does anyone out there have any clues or suggestions to this family line? Please contact me anytime. Thank you. *******************
