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Edgerton

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James Murray Edgerton, son of Andrew and Catherine (Murray) Edgerton.

Sarah Wakefield, daughter of Timothy and Chloe (Chapin) Wakefield.

Children:

1. Harriet Helen, b. March 13, 1832; Buffalo, Erie Co., NY.
2. Charles Wakefield, b. April 10, 1834; Buffalo, Erie Co., NY.
3. Andrew Chapin, b. August 19, 1836; Niagara Co., NY.
4. Morton Lafayette, b. August 13, 1838; Niagara Co., NY.
5. Marvin Parmesio, b. December 13, 1840; Starkey, Yates Co., NY.
6. James Madison, b. November 19, 1843; Starkey, Yates Co., NY.
7. Frank Marshall, b. July 9, 1846; Starkey, Yates Co., NY.

James Murray Edgerton was born July 23, 1803 in New York State (presumably at Palantine, Montgomery County).  At a young age, he came with his father to Steuben County, New York.  The family resided briefly in Reading Township, before settling in Rock Stream (Starkey Township), in neighboring Yates County, New York.  James made his living as a carpenter.  He resided successively in Erie County, Niagara County, Yates County and Steuben County – all in New York State.

James M. Edgerton was married on November 15, 1829 at Reading, New York to Miss Sarah Wakefield, daughter of Timothy and Chloe (Chapin) Wakefield, who had come to New York State from Windham County, Vermont.  Sarah was born in Jamaica, Windham County, Vermont on March 10, 1806.

James and Sarah had a family of seven children – one daughter, Harriet Helen; and six sons, Charles Wakefield, Andrew Chapin, Morton Lafayette, Marvin Parmesio, James Madison and Frank Marshall.  All of the children survived to adulthood, but only the youngest, Frank M., was ever married.

Following his marriage, James resided for a time in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  He was listed in the 1832 Directory of that City; and later state census records (see below) show that James and Sarah’s two eldest children were born in Erie County.

Circa 1835 – 1839, the family resided in Niagara County, where the third and fourth children were born.  By 1840, James had returned to his hometown, where he resided for a number of years.  The three younger children were born in Starkey Township (Rock Stream), Yates County, New York. 

The household of James M. Edgerton was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of Starkey, Yates County, New York (pg. 153; dwelling #184; family #184; enum. August 20, 1850), as follows:

The family was again recorded in the 1855 New York State Census (dwelling #53; family #54; enum. June 8, 1855).  They were still living in Starkey and their house was listed as “frame” and valued at $150.00.  The household was enumerated as follows:

The household of “J. M. Edgerton” was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of Starkey, Yates County, New York (pg. 832; dwelling #327; family #312; enum. August 6, 1860), as follows:

James Edgerton was listed again as a head of household in the 1865 New York State Census (Starkey Township).  In this latter census, enumerated on June 26, 1865, James was recorded aged 62, born in Herkimer County, with wife Sarah (aged 54, born in Vermont) and two children – son Morton (aged 26, born in Niagara County), and daughter Harriet (aged 33, born in Erie County).  [This census abstract provided by Richard W. Edgerton of Billings, Montana.]

Circa 1867, James M. Edgerton removed to the town of Rathbone, in Steuben County, New York, where he resided until his death in 1875.

The household of “J. M. Edgarton” was recorded in the 1870 Federal Census of Rathbone, Steuben County, New York (pg. 423; dwelling #126; family #131; enum. July 29, 1870), as follows:

According to James’ headstone at Rock Stream Cemetery, he died on January 15, 1875, “aged 71 years”.  The following obituary notice appeared in the Dundee Record on January 28, 1875:

“Died at Rathboneville, Steuben county, on the 14th inst., James M. Edgerton, formerly of this town, in the 72nd year of his age.  He was born in Herkimer county, July 23rd, 1803, and came to this county with his parents in 1814.  He was the second of a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters, of whom but one survives him, his sister Harriet of Rock Stream.  He was married in 1830 to Miss Sarah Wakefield of Buffalo and raised a family of seven children, of whom six are living.  After living in the vicinity of Buffalo some years he returned to this county and lived near his early home for several years, and in 1867 removed to the place where he ended his life.  His remains were brought to Rock Stream, where he sleeps near his parents and sisters near the farm he helped to subdue in his youth...”

James’ wife Sarah, survived him eleven years.  At the time of the 1880 Federal Census, she was recorded in the household of her son, Morton L. Edgerton, in Rathbone, Steuben County, New York (pg. 487; dwelling #127; family #129; enum. June 8, 1880).  Sarah was enumerated at that time as, “Sarah Edgerton, housekeeper, aged 70, born in New York”.

Mrs. Sarah (Wakefield) Edgerton died at Waverly, Tioga County, New York on July 21, 1886; a copy of her death certificate was filed with the New York State Department of Health (year 1886, certificate #17641).  Sarah was buried beside her husband at Rock Stream Cemetery.

Original Source Documents:

1850 Federal Census – household of James Murray Edgerton; Starkey, Yates Co., NY.

1860 Federal Census – household of James Murray Edgerton; Starkey, Yates Co., NY.

1870 Federal Census – household of James Murray Edgerton; Rathbone, Steuben Co., NY.