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Gurden H. Edgerton, son of Nathan and Sally (Belshaw) Edgerton.

Hannah Fischer, daughter of George and Christina Fischer.

Children:

1. George H., b. ~1819; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
2. Charles A., b. January 25, 1822; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
3. Apollos Cook, b. ~1825; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
4. Frances Helen, b. ~1826; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
5. Mary Elizabeth, b. August 16, 1831; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
6. Harriet E., b. ~1834; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
7. Emily, b. May 21, 1836; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
8. William J., b. March 1841; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

Gurden H. Edgerton was born at Franklin, New York in the year 1795, one of six sons born to Nathan and Sally (Belshaw) Edgerton.  He was raised in Franklin and spent his entire life in Delaware County.  He was a farmer, merchant and businessman.  His name is found written variously in records as “Guerdon”, “Guerden”, “Gurdon” and “Gordon”.

Gurden H. Edgerton served in Farrington’s Regiment of the New York militia during the War of 1812.  He was inducted with a rank of Quarter Master Sergeant and discharged as an Assistant Pay Master (see War of 1812 Muster Rolls, Box 64; extract #602).

Upon his maturity, Gurden Edgerton left his hometown and settled in the neighboring village of Delhi, where he resided for the remainder of his life.  He became a prominent citizen and businessman at Delhi.  He was active in town politics and served regularly on civic committees.  Gurden was particularly interested in the welfare of the poor.  Proceedings from the town of Delhi records show that he served as Superintendent of the Poor for many years and advocated levies for their support numerous times.  Gurden was elected Sheriff of Delaware County in 1828, was a Town Surpervisor in Delhi from 1833 – 1835, was a Justice of the Peace and served as town clerk for the village of Delhi in 1821.  Gurden Edgerton was active in the incorporation of the town of Delhi in 1821; and was elected to be a trustee at the first Town meeting held on May 1, 1821.

Gurden H. Edgerton was married to Hannah Fischer (aka “Fisher”), probably circa 1817/18 in Delhi, New York.  Hannah was the only daughter of George and Christina Fischer, who had come to Delhi from Cambridge, Washington County, New York.  George Fischer had emigrated to America as a Hessian soldier hired by King George III during the Revolution.  Following the War, he renounced his German citizenship and was naturalized by legislative act on April 25, 1786.  In 1790, he was residing in Cambridge, Washington County (then part of Albany Co.), New York.   He removed to Delhi shortly after the turn of the century.  From later census records (see below), it is known that Hannah was born circa 1797 in New York State (probably at Cambridge).  Hannah had three brothers, one of whom, George Fischer, resided for a number of years with the family of Hannah’s son, Charles A. Edgerton.

Gurden and Hannah (Fischer) Edgerton had a family of eight children:  four sons, George H., Charles A., Apollos Cook and William J.; and four daughters:  Frances Helen, Mary Elizabeth, Harriet E. (aka. “Hannah”) and Emily.  All eight of the children survived to adulthood, and with the exception of the youngest son, William J., were each married and raised families.  Most of the children resided in Delhi and the surrounding towns of Delaware County.  George H. and Mary Elizabeth resided for a time in Chicago.

The household of Gurden H. Edgerton was recorded in the 1820 Federal Census of Delhi, Delaware County, New York (pg. 54), with the following enumeration:

7 males “of 26 and under 45”  (Gurden and ?);

1 male “of 16 and under 26”  (?);

1 male “under 10 years of age”  (son George); and,

2 females “of 16 and under 26”  (wife Hannah and ?).

The household of Gurden H. Edgerton was recorded in the 1830 Federal Census of Delhi Village, Delaware County, New York (pg. 35), with the following enumeration:

2 males “of 30 and under 40”  (Gurden and ?);

2 males “of 20 and under 30”  (?);

2 males “of 10 and under 15”  (son George and ?);

2 males “of 5 and under 10”  (sons Charles and Apollos);

1 female “of 70 and under 80”  (? – possibly mother-in-law Christina);

1 female “of 30 and under 40”  (wife Hannah);

1 female “of 15 and under 20”  (?); and,

1 female “under 5 years of age”  (daughter Frances).

The household of Gurden H. Edgerton was recorded in the 1840 Federal Census of Delhi, Delaware County, New York (pg. 407), with the following enumeration:

2 males “40 and under 50”  (Gurden and ?);

3 males “20 and under 30”  (son George and ?);

2 males “15 and under 20”  (sons Charles and Apollos);

2 females “40 and under 50”  (wife Hannah and  ?);

1 female “20 and under 30”  (?);

1 female “15 and under 20”  (daughter Frances);

1 female “10 and under 15”  (?);

2 females “5 and under 10”  (daughters Mary and Harriet);

1 female “under 5 years”  (daughter Emily);

1 free colored male “under 10”  (?); and,

1 free colored female “10 and under 24” (?).

The household of Gurden H. Edgerton was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of Delhi, Delaware County, New York (pg. 252; dwelling #1352 (“hotel”); family #1389; enum. Sept. 16, 1850), as follows:

Gurden’s eldest two sons, George and Charles, were already out on their own by this time.  Their households were recorded in the 1850 Federal Censuses of Kortwright and Delhi, respectively.

Together with his younger brother, Henry, Gurden built a large hotel in the village of Delhi.  The “Edgerton House”, as it was called, became highly successful and operated steadily throughout the 19th century.  Gurden was proprietor and keeper of the hotel for a number of years, succeeded by his son, Apollos Cook, who took over in the latter 1840’s and ran the hotel until 1862.  The Edgerton House was located in the center of Delhi Village on Main Street.  The building is no longer standing; however, a photograph of the Edgerton House (taken from an old postcard) is provided by the Delaware County GenWeb site. 

Gurden and his brother, Henry, were the original contractors for a mail route between Delhi and Deposit, New York – part of the old “Catskill route”.  They were the proprietors of the stage route from its opening in 1824 through the early part of  1830.

In 1838, Gurden Edgerton was active in the formation of the Delaware Bank, the first banking institution in the county.  The Bank began operation in January 1839, and Gurden was one of the original directors and stockholders.

The History of Delaware County, New York  (New York, New York; W.W. Munsell & Co.; 1880) provides the following biographical excerpt for Gurden H. Edgerton:

“Guerdon H. Edgerton came to Delhi in 1809, when he was fourteen years of age. He married a daughter of George Fisher and was a very active man in the politics and public affairs of his day. He died in 1860.”

In 1854, 1855 and 1856, Gurden H. Edgerton, “of Delaware County, New York”, purchased a number of tracts of public land in Minnesota from the government.  Three purchases were registered to him at the Stillwater Land Office on September 15, 1854, totaling 471 acres.  He purchased additional land on March 21, 1855 (728 ½ acres) and on April 15, 1856 (150 acres) – both sales were registered at the Stillwater Land Office.  It is not known whether Gurden ever intended to settle on this property or if it was bought for investment purposes. 

Gurden H. Edgerton died at Delhi, New York on May 14, 1860.  His death was listed in the 1860 Federal Census Mortality Schedule of Delhi, Delaware County, New York, with the following particulars:

The following obituary for Gurden H. Edgerton was published in the Bloomville Mirror on Tuesday, May 22, 1860:

“Another Prominent Citizen Gone.

It is with feelings of deep regret that we announce the decease of Hon. Gurden H. Edgerton, who died at his residence in this village on Monday afternoon, after a brief illness, in the 65th year of his age.

Judge Edgerton was a native of Franklin, in this county, and came to this village as early as 1809 or 1810, and has since that time made it his home here.  Of an energetic and perservering disposition, he rose step by step until he became one of our most influential and successful business men, with a popularity and influence and success equaled by few.  In the war of 1812, though but a youth, he went as a volunteer with the Regiment detailed from this county, for the protection of New York city.  In after life he received many assurances of the estimation in which he was held by his personal and political friends, having at various times held important town and county offices, conferred upon him both by the electors of the county, and by Executive appointment.  Among others that of County Treasurer, Commissioner of Loans, Sheriff, Judge of the old Court of Common Pleas, &c, the duties of which he performed with strict impartiality and fidelity. – Delaware Gazette.”

An obituary notice for “Hon. Gurden H. Edgerton, of Delhi, aged 65 years” on May 14, 1860 was also published in the New York Evening Post on Saturday, May 18, 1860.

Gurden H. Edgerton left a Last Will and Testament, dated May 10, 1859, which was proved at Delhi, New York on June 25, 1860 before William Gleason, Surrogate.  In the will, Gurden mentioned his “well-beloved wife Hannah”, and all eight of his children – that is, “son George H. Edgerton”, “daughter Frances H. wife of Ebenezer K. Maxwell”, “son Charles A.”, “son Apollos Cook”, “daughter Mary E. wife of S. K. Putnam”, “daughter Harriet E.”, “daughter Emily wife of George H. Paine:, and “son William J.”  Gurden made detailed bequests to each of his heirs, and also provided stipulations for the care of his brother-in-law, George Fisher.  Two grandchildren, Charles Edgerton (son of eldest son George H.) and Charles H. Copley (son of eldest daughter Frances H.) were also mentioned in the will.  Two of Gurden’s sons – Charles A. and Apollos Cook – were named as joint executors of the will, which was witnessed by James G. Redfield and William Harder, both of Delhi, New York.

Gurden’s wife, Hannah, survived him a year and a half.  She was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of Delhi, Delaware County, New York, residing in the household of her son, “A. Cook Edgerton”.  She was enumerated as “Hannah Edgerton, aged 64, born in New York”.  Hannah died at Delhi on October 21, 1861.  The following obituary notice was published in the Bloomville Mirror on October 29, 1861:

“DIED... In Delhi, on Monday evening, Oct. 21, after long and painful illness, Mrs. HANNAH EDGERTON, relict of the late Hon. Gurden H. Edgerton, in the 65th year of her age.”

Gurdon and Hannah were buried at the Woodland Cemetery in the village of Delhi.  A number of their descendants were later interred at this cemetery. 

Gurden Edgerton was quite wealthy at the time of his death.  According to the notes of Robert C. Edgerton, Gurden left an estate worth $500,000 with a will that took over 30 years to settle.  He owned extensive property in Delaware County, New York, which extended from Franklin to Delhi, as well as property in St. Paul, Minnesota and several stock holdings.

Original Source Documents:

1820 Federal Census – household of Gurden H. Edgerton; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

1830 Federal Census – household of Gurden H. Edgerton; Delhi Village, Delaware Co., NY.

1840 Federal Census – household of Gurden H. Edgerton; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

1850 Federal Census – household of Gurden H. Edgerton; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

Land Patent – Gurden H. Edgerton; Delaware Co., NY; Bureau of Land Management; Stillwater Land Office, certificate #1418.

Land Patent – Gurden H. Edgerton; Delaware Co., NY; Bureau of Land Management; Stillwater Land Office, certificate #1423.

Land Patent – Gurden H. Edgerton; Delaware Co., NY; Bureau of Land Management; Stillwater Land Office, certificate #1443.

Land Patent – Gurden H. Edgerton; Delaware Co., NY; Bureau of Land Management; Stillwater Land Office, certificate #1728.

Land Patent – Gurden H. Edgerton; Delaware Co., NY; Bureau of Land Management; Stillwater Land Office, certificate #1489.

1860 Federal Census Mortality Schedule – household of Gurden H. Edgerton; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

Obituary – Gurden H. Edgerton; Bloomville Mirror – Tuesday, May 22, 1860.

Obituary – Mrs. Hannah (Fischer) Edgerton; Bloomville Mirror – Tuesday, October 29, 1861.