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Elbert Whiting Edgerton, son of Whiting and Huldah (Benton) Edgerton.

Elizabeth Sheldon

Children:

1. Whiting Sheldon, b. September 24, 1837; German, Chenango Co., NY.
2. Almon Alonzo, b. January 13, 1839; German, Chenango Co., NY.
3. Cyrus, b. February 10, 1842; German, Chenango Co., NY.
4. Martha, b. March 2, 1844; German, Chenango Co., NY.
5. Henry S., b. July 26, 1847; German, Chenango Co., NY.

Elbert Whiting Edgerton was born in the town of Smithville, New York on May 4, 1811.  He was the fifth child, and eldest surviving son of Whiting and Huldah (Benton) Edgerton.  Elbert was raised in Smithville, and resided in Chenango County his entire life.  His name is found written in sources as both “Elbert W.” and “Albert W.”  He was a farmer by trade.

Elbert W. Edgerton was married at Smithville on April 29, 1833 to Miss Elizabeth Sheldon.  Elizabeth’s maiden name is found listed in some sources as “Cummings”, although documentation of this is not offered.  According to the death record of her son, Whiting Sheldon Edgerton (German Vital Records 1908, Register #87), her surname was Sheldon.  Some family records indicate that Elizabeth was known by the nicknames “Betsey” and “Puss”.

Subsequent to his marriage, Elbert settled in the neighboring town of German, where he resided for the remainder of his life.  He and Elizabeth had a family of at least five children – Whiting Sheldon, Almon Alonzo, Cyrus, Martha, and Henry S.  In addition to the foregoing, some sources claim that Elbert had two other sons, George Francis and George Warren, both of whom died very young.

The household of “Albert W. Edgerton” was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of German, Chenango County, New York (pg. 202; dwelling #1614; family #1655; enum. Sept. 5, 1850), as follows:

The household of “Albert W. Edgerton” was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of German, Chenango County, New York (pg. 485; dwelling #401; family #401), as follows:

Elbert W. Edgerton was listed in the 1869-70 German Business Directory as follows:

“Edgerton, Albert, (German,) lot 95, farmer 130.”

Elbert’s younger brother, George B. Edgerton, was also listed in this directory at lot 106.

The household of Elbert Edgerton was recorded in the 1870 Federal Census of German, Chenango County, New York (dwelling #165; family #149; enum. August 11, 1870), as follows:

The household of Elbert Edgerton was recorded in the 1880 Federal Census of German, Chenango County, New York (pg. 76; dwelling #101; family #105; enum. June 8, 1880), as follows:

At the time of this census, Elbert and Elizabeth were residing adjacent to their two sons, Whiting and Henry, whose households were enumerated on the same page of this census roll.

Elbert Whiting Edgerton died at German, New York on May 16, 1883, “aged 72 years and 12 days”.  He was buried at the West View Cemetery in the Village of German. 

Elbert’s widow, Elizabeth, survived him three-and-a-half years; she died at German, New York on December 18, 1884, “aged 73 years and 2 months”.  She was buried beside her husband at West View Cemetery.  Elbert and Elizabeth’s sons, Whiting S. and Henry S., were later buried at the West View Cemetery, along with their wives, and one grandson, Louis B. Edgerton, who died in 1955 and is said to have been the last Edgerton to reside in German.

Original Source Documents:

1850 Federal Census – household of Elbert Whiting Edgerton; German, Chenango Co., NY.

1860 Federal Census – household of Elbert Whiting Edgerton; German, Chenango Co., NY.

1870 Federal Census – household of Elbert Whiting Edgerton; German, Chenango Co., NY.

1880 Federal Census – household of Elbert Whiting Edgerton; German, Chenango Co., NY.