Stephen York and Amy Franklin

Stephen York and Amy Franklin

[Disclaimer: All information on this page, unless noted, is theoretical in nature, since most of it comes second- and third-hand from other York researchers, in our attempt to piece together the great jigsaw puzzle that constitutes our (hopefully) common York heritage. This page is constantly being updated as I find more information.]

Stephen York was born 1775 in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York. One source says that his father was a Robert York, who supposedly served as a private for Connecticut during the American Revolution. No evidence to sustain this theory has been found. Stephen is said to have been married to an Amy Franklin. Amy's birth information varies from one source stating her birth occurred c. 1775 in Ballston to another source stating it occurred c. 1766 in Rhode Island (more likely). She was purported to be the daughter of Asahel Franklin, who was supposedly a nephew of the United States founding father, Benjamin Franklin. Again, no evidence to support this has been found, and it seems very unlikely, given that Benjamin's ancestors settled and remained in Massachusetts for many generations. If there is a relationship, it is more likely that Asahel was a distant cousin of Benjamin, and their common ancestor predates emigration to this continent. In the "History of Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio" Vol. 1, pg. 322, a biography of descendant Orlando W. Aldrich states, "Asabel [sic] Franklin of Bennington, Vermont...was a nephew of Benjamin Franklin and one of the 'Green Mountain Boys', who fought under General Stark at the battle of Bennington [1777, American Revolution]...Amy Franklin York, was eleven years of age [placing her birthdate at 1766, which matches the Rhode Island birth theory] when that battle occurred and witnessed it from her father's house...

"In early womanhood she became the wife of Stephen York, and the family removed to Canada, residing less than half a mile from the battlefield of Lundy's Lane [which occurred in 1814 during the War of 1812; this places the family's residence in present-day Welland County, Ontario]. She also saw the engagement which there occurred and as her husband gave the information to General Brown which resulted in the capture of a British spy, which fact became known to the Canadian authorities, the family had to flee from their home, and their farm was confiscated. One son, Stephen York [Jr.]...had been drafted into the Canadian militia but made his escape across the border into the United States, joined Captain Spencer's company of New York militia, and participated in the battle of Fort Erie."

A possible sister or other relative of Stephen York could be Anna York (1766 - 1842), who married Nathaniel Gallup (1760 - 1843), probably in Pownal, Vermont in 1784. They moved to Clarence, Erie County, New York, and both are buried in the Beeman Cemetery there. One daughter was Mary Elizabeth Gallup (Mrs. Harmon Wiser) (1783 - 1855).

A second possible sister or other relative of Stephen York could be Emma York, who married Mr. Hanel.

The possible children of Stephen York and Amy Franklin include (please remember, this is theoretical, not documented information):

1. Stephen V. R. York (mentioned above) was born c. 1793 in Saratoga County, New York. It is likely that his full name was Stephen Van Rennselaer York, named for the American Revolutionary hero, Stephen Van Rennselaer. He married Elizabeth "Betsy" Brown (b. 1797, Massachusetts). Canadian/British records show a Private Stephen York deserted from the 3rd Regiment of the Lincoln Militia in 1814, during the War of 1812. He then served in Captain Spencer's company of the New York militia for the duration of the war, participating in the Battle of Fort Erie. Enumerated on the 1820 Federal Census (Town of Bath, Steuben County, New York); 1830 Federal Census (Town of Erie [known later as Clarence], Erie County, New York); and 1840 and 1850 Federal Censuses (Town of Clarence, Erie County, New York) [researched by Miriam Midkiff]. Children: Franklin Arthur York (1821 - 1906); George York (b. c. 1826); Hariet York (b. c. 1829); Lusette York (b. 1831); Mary York (b. 1833); Antoinette York (b. 1835); Jacob York (b. 1835), plus one other unknown. Shown as original purchaser of 80 acres in Section 35 of what is now Atlas Township, Genesee County, Michigan in 1837. Later this land was owned and farmed by Jeremiah F. York, I and Jeremiah's descendants. It is not clear whether Stephen ever lived on this land; it is likely he may have bought it and later resold it to his (brother?) Jeremiah. There are two graves in Fillmore Clarence Cemetery in the Town of Clarence marked Stephan [sic] and Elizabeth York. Stephen's says "died Mar 7, 1868, age 71 yrs, 11 mo, 26 days, husband of Elizabeth" and Elizabeth's says "died Jan 11, 1879, wife of Stephan".

2. Jeremiah F. York, I - see individual biography

3. Amy Franklin York - b. c. 1794, possibly in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York. She married Oliver Pattison of New York (he may have been her second husband). They lived in Clarence, Erie County, New York until his death in 1832, although at one point, the family lived in Bath, Steuben County, New York. After Oliver's death, Amy moved to Buffalo, Erie County, New York, to live with a son until her own death there in 1854.

4. Silas Vandervere York - not much info available, except that Silas was severely wounded in the Battle of Lundy's Lane. He was a corporal in the British militia, whereas his possible brothers, Stephen (Jr.) and Jeremiah, fought on the American side. He may possibly be the same Silas York enumerated on the 1810 Federal Census in New Jersey.

5. Charlotte York was born 7 Sep 1797 in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York. She married Noah Brockway Bacon (b. 1799) on 1 Jan 1821 in Bath, Steuben County, New York. She died 11 May 1875 in White Creek, Adams County, Wisconsin and was buried in Easton Township, Adams County. Children: Mary Ann Bacon (b. 1821); Joseph Franklin Bacon (b. 1824); Ruth Amy Bacon (c. 1825); George Bacon (b. 1827); Huldah Emarilla Bacon (b. 1828); Elijah Fremont Bacon (b. 1830); Jeremiah Delos Bacon (b. 1832); David Noah Bacon (b. 1834); and Amanda Charlotte Bacon (b. 1838).

6. Abigail York was born 4 April 1800 in New York. She married Charles VanTine; their first daughter, Elizabeth C. VanTine was born 1827 in Erie County, New York. Abigail and Charles later moved to Atlas Township, Genesee County, New York. [Individuals researching this line: Linda Hole]

7. Lydia York was born 1803 in Saratoga County, New York. She married David Hovey (b. c. 1796-7) in 1818 in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. She died in Bath, Steuben County, New York and was buried in the Hovey Cemetery on the Puralski Farm, along with her husband. Children: James Franklin Hovey (b. 1820); Jacob C. Hovey (b. 1824); Mary A. Hovey (b. 1825); John N. Hovey (b. 1826); Julia Ann Hovey (b. 1832); Ann Elizabeth Hovey (b. 1842); Jeremiah Albert Hovey (dates unknown); and Emma Katherine Hovey (dates unknown).

8. Asa(h)el York was born c. 1805. He married Naomi Rowley in 1824, supposedly in Mt. Washington, Bath Township, Steuben County, New York. His accidental death occurred 29 January 1832 in Bath Township. Children: As(ah)el York (b. 1825); James A. York (b. 1826); Elias York (b. 1829); and Mary Ann York (b. 1830).

If you have further information that would correct or enhance this page, please contact me. Also, if you are a descendant of one of the highlighted individuals, and you would like your e-mail address and/or your home page linked to your ancestor's information from this page, please let me know. The more we collaborate, the more chances we have of proving or disproving our theories. Thank you to all York researchers who made this page possible by sending me their information.

Miriam Robbins Midkiff
created: 23 Sep 2003
updated: 20 Aug 2004