John Merlin CODDINGTON ^{2453,517,2500,2501}

  General Notes:

"When a small boy, he often hear his father and Moses Van Campen relate their exploits and personal experiences with and among the Indians in the stirring times of the Revolution, as they both belonged to a company of scouts or rangers for the protection of the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania, along the valley of the Susquehanna." ex "An Unconnected Coddington Family" J. I. Coddington

Moved from Pennsylvania to Hector, NY in 1803, to West Bloomfield Ontario Co. in 1806, returned to Hector in same year, and at time of marriage had a farm on road due east from Reynoldsville.

1850 Census lists value of real estate owned as $11,400.00.

1860 lists a John C. Coddington, 12, b. New York, but identity is not clear.

"Benjamin Coddington was a solider of the Revolution. In 1803 he came to this State from New Jersey, having emigrated from England, and settled in the northeast part of this town, on land now owned by the heirs of Le Roy Baker. His son, John M. Coddington, was born in Fishing Creek, Northunberland Co., Pa., in 1787; came here with his father; remained with him until June, 1806, when he started for West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., intending to work by the month for Jasper Sears, leaving here with his wardrobe and provisions in his knapsack, and only three sixpenny pieces in his pocket for the expenses of the entire journey.
The first night he arrived at Seneca River, paid a ferry-man a sixpence for carrying him across, and remained overnight with him, sleeping up-stairs on the floor. He resumed his journey next morning, and passed through Geneva, then a small hamlet, and reaching the State road, followed it to Canandaigua. There he bought a lunch, consisting of gingerbread and a glass of beer, which cost him another sixpence, and arrived at his destination the second night. He worked for Mr. Sears until the latter part of September, when he returned home, and remained here until 1810, working for whom he could and by the job.*
He then settled on the farm where he now lives, having contracted for fifty acres of land in 1807, paying $4 per acre. He was married Feb. 22, 1810, to Sally Owen, and moved into a little log cabin without either door, window, or upper floor, until 1826, when he built the house he now occupies.
He, with his boys, cleared up the farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, which was heavily timbered with pine, oak, and maple. He owned at one time all but sixty acres of land between his house and Mecklenburg, -- a distance of two miles. He took his chances in four different drafts in the war of 1812, and escaped each time. In the first years of his residence here, they went to the mill at Goodwin's Point, on the west shore of Cayuga Lake. His first wife died in 1864, at the age of seventy-five years, they having lived together fifty-four years. In 1871, he was married to Elizabeth, widow of Calvin Jewel, with whom he still lives. He has had a family of ten children, -- six boys and four girls; three sons and three daughters are still living. His first vote for President was cast for James Madison, and he has voted at every presidential election since, and has filled positions in town with honor to himself.
In 1840, in company with the Darlings, he went to Potter Co., Pa., deer-hunting, and stayed seven days, and brought home thirteen deer. In 1860 he made his last deer-hunt, at the age of seventy-three years. He still keeps the old rifle with which he has killed many a deer, and has repeatedly killed two deer at one shot. He is still living, in his ninety-second year." (ex History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Schuyler Counties, New York). ^{2503,2504,2505,2506}

  Noted events in his life were:

• He appeared on the census on 3 Jan 1791 in Wallkill, Orange Co., New York, USA. ¹⁷⁸ Male: 1>16 (Benjamin), 1 <16 (John Merlin). Females: 2 (Mary C., Maria).

• He appeared on the census in 1800 in Fishing Creek, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁰³⁶ Males: 2 <10 (Benjamin, Zachariah), 1 10-16(John Merlin), 1 26-44 (Benjamin). Females: 1 <10 (Lydia), 2 10-16 (Mary C, Susan), 1 26-44 (Maria). Jane uncounted.

• He moved on 1803 to Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ⁵¹⁷

• He moved on 1806 to West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, USA. ⁵¹⁷ in the summer.

• He moved on 1806 to Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ⁵¹⁷ in the fall.

• Witness: to will of William A. Smith (as John M. Cudington), 21 Oct 1820, Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ¹⁷⁰³

• He appeared on the census in 1825 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ⁷⁴¹

• He appeared on the census in 1830 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁰²¹ Males: 2 <5 (John Leonard), 1 5-10 (William Merlin?), 3 10-15 (Lewis?, Jonathan Owen?, George Whitman), 1 30-40 (John Merlin). Females: 1 <5 (Susan Miranda), 2 5-10 (Lucinda?, Jane S.), 1 10-15 (Sarah Maria), 1 15-20 (unexplained), 1 40-40 (Sarah).

• He appeared on the census in 1840 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁴⁴⁷ Males: 2 15-20 (William Merlin, John Leonard), 1 20-30 (George Whitman), 1 50-60 (John Merlin). Females: 1 5-10 (Susan Miranda), 2 15-20 (Lucinda, Jane S.), 1 20-30 (Sarah Maria), 1 40-50 (Sarah).

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁵⁰³

• He appeared on the census on 14 Sep 1860 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁵⁰⁵ Realty $8000; personalty $2050.

• He appeared on the census on 22 Jun 1870 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁵⁰⁰ Realty $10,000; personalty $10,000.

• He worked as a farmer on 22 Jun 1870 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁵⁰⁰

• Fact: 24 Oct 1878. ²⁴⁵⁵ "..I never received any answer to my letter to Wm. Marshall. In that letter I told him thing I had copied from a Watkins Express of Oct. 24, 1878. I copied a sketch of the life of John M. C. written when he was 90 years old as it would appear that he died on Dec. 2nd, 1885. Later I lost this copy which I hope to replace. 'He was born in Fishing Creek, Northumberland Co., Penn. on the 26th day of Mar. 1787.' according to the sketch of Oct. 1878. (this makes him 91!). 'the oldest son of Benjamin Coddington.' Also, according to this sketch -- 'he and his first wife Sally Owens Coddington had six sons and four daughters,' including my grandfather Aaron O. (the oldest), Jonathan, Lewis, Lucinda (Crippen), Jane (Saylor), Susan (who never married), and (I believe) John. I believe the others died in early childhood and were perhaps buried on the farm."

• He signed a will on 3 May 1873 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ⁷⁴¹ Mentions wife Elizabeth, sons Aaron O., Lewis, Jonathan O., daughters Lucinda Crippen, Jane Sayler, Sally M. Daggett, Susan M. Coddington, grandson William Sayler and John C. Coddington. Executors Charles Owen and Oliver C. Stubbell. Witnesses Charles W. Rathburn, David King.

• He appeared on the census in 1880 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ²⁴⁵⁶

• He had an estate probated on 18 Jan 1881 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA. ⁷⁴¹

John married Sarah OWEN, daughter of Lieut. Jonathan OWEN and Catherine Eleanor KORTWRIGHT, on 22 Feb 1810 in , Seneca Co., New York, USA ²⁴⁵⁷.^,2499 (Sarah OWEN was born on 17 Apr 1789 in Middletown, Orange Co., New York, USA,^124,517,2501 died on 20 May 1864 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA ^{2501,517,2507} and was buried in Mecklenberg Cmty, Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA ⁷⁴¹.)

John next married Elizabeth M. DAVIS Betw 1870 and 1880 ²⁴⁵⁶.^,2500 (Elizabeth M. DAVIS was born Ca 1820 in , , New York, USA and died on 28 Apr 1885 in Hector, Schuyler Co., New York, USA ¹²⁴.)