Sarah Gilfillan

     Sarah Gilfillan was born circa 1774 at New York.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Gilfillan. Sarah Gilfillan married Humphrey Tallman after 1809.³ Sarah Gilfillan died on 2 March 1869 at Newaygo Co, Michigan; Her stone says she was aged 96 years.⁴ She was buried at Bull Cemetery, Denver Twp., Newaygo Co, Michigan.⁴
     It is not definitely known whether Sarah Gilfillan is the mother to all of Humphrey's younger children. But there seems to be a gap between about 1795 and almost 1804 so it seems likely that it was within this time period that Humphrey's first wife, Patience died. Much more research is necessary into the Gilfillans in an attempt to obtain information concerning Sarah.⁵ She appeared on the census of 23 September 1850 at Mooers, Clinton Co, New York; Sarah Tallman, 74, b. NY was living with her son-in-law, Schuyler Brooks, 37, her daughter Hannah, 35, and their family in Mooers.⁶ She appeared on the census of 6 September 1860 at Mooers, Clinton Co, New York; Sarah Tallman, 86, was living with Edward Laraby, 36, Rebecca, 26 and family at Mooers, New York. Next to this household was Jane Laraby, aged 56, born NY, widow of Joseph. Rebecca would have been too young to be Sarah's daughter, but Jane Laraby would not have been. Since Sarah was then aged 86, it would seem that she would have remained with them until her death, which at this time, is also unknown.
I was told many years ago that Joseph Larabee/Laravea had married Jennet Gilfillan, and this family of 9 were present in the 1842 census of Hemmingford, not far from Humphrey and Sarah Tallman. It is likely that Jennet/Jane was either a daughter or at least a niece of Sarah's.¹