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Edgerton

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John Edgerton, son of Nathan and Sally (Belshaw) Edgerton.

Mary Everett, daughter of William and Catherine (Chamberlin) Everett.

Children:

1. John Henry, b. December 18, 1843; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.
2. Mary, b. ~1845; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.
3. Charles, b. ~1854; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

John Edgerton was born at Franklin, New York on December 28, 1799.  He was the fifth son of Nathan and Sally (Belshaw) Edgerton.  John was raised in Franklin and resided there his entire life.  He made his living as a farmer.

John Edgerton was a prominent and highly-respected member of the Franklin community.  He served the town regularly on committees, and was elected to many town offices.  According to the History of Delaware County, New York (New York, New York: W.W. Munsell & Co.; 1880; pg. 359), John ”was town clerk from 1823 to 1826, supervisor eight years, member of the Legislature in 1833, sheriff in 1840, and has held many other civil and military positions by both election and appointment.”  John was frequently referred to with the courtesy title of “Esquire”.  The details of John’s military career are not known; but he advanced to the rank of Colonel.

Following his father’s death in 1822, John Edgerton took over the family homestead in Franklin, New York.  At the time of the 1830 Federal Census, John was still unmarried, but his household included his mother, Sally, and the family of his recently-widowed younger brother, Henry.

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1830 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 69), with the following enumeration:

2 males “of 20 and under 30”  (John and brother Henry);

1 male “under 5 years of age”  (nephew Robert);

1 female “of 60 and under 70”  (mother Sally); and,

1 female “of 10 and under 15”  (? – probably a mistake for niece Susan).

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1840 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 445), with the following enumeration:

1 male “40 and under 50”  (John);

1 male “20 and under 30”  (?);

1 male “15 and under 20”  (?);

1 female “80 and under 90”  (mother Sally); and,

1 female “20 and under 30”  (?).

John Edgerton was married on October 12, 1842 at Franklin, New York to Miss Mary Everett, the daughter of William Everett (aka “Everette”).  The marriage was performed by the “Rev. Mr. Washburn”.  A notice of the marriage was printed in the Delaware County Gazette on October 19, 1842.  Mary was born in Franklin on March 2, 1814. 

John and Mary Edgerton had three children:  two sons, John Henry and Charles; and one daughter, Mary.  The only daughter, Mary, died of smallpox at Jersey City on February 15, 1865, at the age of twenty.  The following obituary notice for her was printed in the Delaware County Gazette on February 22, 1865:

“Died…Mary Edgerton, only daughter of Col. John Edgerton, of Franklin, at Jersey City Wed. morning 15th inst. of smallpox, in the 20th year of her age.”

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 61; dwelling #36; family #39; enum. July 19, 1850), as follows:

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 53; dwelling #426; family #429; enum. June 28, 1860), as follows:

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1870 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 151; dwelling #21; family #22; enum. June 13, 1870), as follows:

The household of John Edgerton was recorded in the 1880 Federal Census of Franklin, Delaware County, New York (pg. 155; dwelling #263; family #329; enum. June 15, 1880), as follows:

John Edgerton died at Franklin, New York on Tuesday, December 19, 1882, “aged 83 years”.  A copy of his death certificate was filed with the New York State Department of Health (year 1882, certificate #17963).  An obituary notice for “John Edgerton, Esq.” was printed in the Delaware County Gazette on December 20, 1882.

Mrs. Mary (Everett) Edgerton died at Franklin, New York less than a year after her husband – on August 7, 1883.  A copy of her death certificate was filed with the New York State Department of Health (year 1883, certificate #13093).  An obituary notice for “Mrs. Mary Edgerton, wife of the late John Edgerton, Esq.” was printed in the Delaware County Gazette on August 15, 1883.

John and Mary were buried side-by-side at Ouleout Valley Cemetery in the village of Franklin.  Their headstones there were inscribed as follows:

Original Source Documents:

1830 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

1840 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

1850 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

1860 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

1870 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

1880 Federal Census – household of John Edgerton; Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.