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Edgerton

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Thomas A. Edgerton, son of Henry and Sally (Finney) Edgerton.

Elizabeth Charlotte Griswold, daughter of Sheldon and Betsy Lockwood (Hanford) Griswold.

Children:

1. Walter Griswold, b. June 29, 1858; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.
2. Helen Susan, b. April 19, 1862; Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., NY.

Thomas A. Edgerton was born on April 1, 1832 at Delhi, New York, the son of Henry Edgerton and his second wife, Sally Finney.  He was probably named after his uncle, Thomas Edgerton, who coincidentally shared the same birthday and had died earlier in the same year.  Thomas’ middle name is not known; however a middle initial (“A”) is reported in the 1850 Federal Census.  Thomas was raised in Delhi.  He made his living mainly as a farmer.

Thomas Edgerton was married on October 25, 1855 at Delhi, New York to Miss Elizabeth Charlotte Griswold, the daughter of Sheldon and Betsy Lockwood (Hanford) Griswold, also of Delhi.  Elizabeth was born at Unadilla, New York on April 29, 1830.  Thomas and Elizabeth had only two children – a son, Walter Griswold Edgerton, and a daughter, Helen S. Edgerton.

Thomas and Elizabeth residing initially in his hometown of Delhi.  In the latter 1850’s, he removed along with his father to Allegany, in Cattaraugus County, New York – in the far southwestern corner of the state.  Thomas’ father, Henry, died shortly after the move, and Thomas subsequently took over the family farm, providing a home for his mother and two sisters.

The household of Thomas “Edgarton” was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of Allegany, Cattaraugus County, New York (pg. 882; dwelling #180; family #178; enum. June 26, 1860), as follows:

Thomas A. Edgerton died at Allegany, New York on May 25, 1867, at the age of thirty-five years.  His body was returned to his hometown and buried at Woodland Cemetery in the village of Delhi.  Thomas’ gravestone there was inscribed with the following epitaph:  “THOMAS EDGERTON / born / APRIL 1, 1832 / died / MAY 25, 1867”.  Thomas’ wife, Elizabeth, was later buried there in the same plot, as were his son, Walter G. Edgerton, daughter-in-law, Carrie (Smith) Edgerton, and a grandson, Sherrill T. Edgerton.  Another grandson, Sheldon G. Edgerton, was buried in a different section of the cemetery.

Thomas Edgerton left a Last Will and Testament, dated April 6, 1867, which was proved at Ellicottville, New York on June 13, 1867, before Arunah Ward, Surrogate.  In the will, Thomas mentioned his “beloved wife Elizabeth and my two children Walter and Hellen”.  Adelbert H. Marsh and Charles S. Cary were named as executors of the will, and they were given detailed instructions as to the disbursement and investment of the estate in order to provide support and education for the two children.  The will was witnessed by Theodore Palen and Aaron Hall, both of Cattaraugus County, New York.

When the 1870 Federal Census was taken, Mrs. Elizabeth (Griswold) Edgerton, then a widow, was living in Delhi, Delaware County, New York, with her father, Sheldon Griswold and stepmother, Frances (pg. 120; dwelling #121; family #147; enum. June 16, 1870).  The household was enumerated as follows:

Mrs. Elizabeth (Griswold) Edgerton was later remarried to Judge Josiah L.. Hawes and removed with him to Kalamazoo, Michigan.  She later returned to New York, living with her daughter, Helen, in Savannah, New York.  According to her gravestone inscription at Woodland Cemetery, Elizabeth died on February 25, 1907.

Original Source Documents:

1860 Federal Census – household of Thomas A. Edgerton; Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., NY.

1870 Federal Census – household of Sheldon Griswold; Delhi, Delaware Co., NY.

Obituary – Mrs. Elizabeth Charlotte (Griswold) Edgerton Hawes; The Savannah Times – Friday, March 1, 1907.

Obituary – Mrs. Elizabeth Charlotte (Griswold) Edgerton Hawes; The Newark Union – Saturday, March 2, 1907