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Samuel Edgerton, son of Martin and Anne (Ellis) Edgerton.

Phebe M. Ross

Children:

1. Polly Ann, b. February 29, 1828; Henrietta, Monroe Co., NY.
2. John Martin, b. October 10, 1830; Henrietta, Monroe Co., NY.
3. Sarah Ann, b. October 26, 1833; Henrietta, Monroe Co., NY.
4. Henry Dwight, b. March 5, 1836; Henrietta, Monroe Co., NY.
5. Mary Ann, b. November 3, 1841; Hartland, Niagara Co., NY.

Samuel Edgerton was born on March 4, 1806 at Norwich, Connecticut, the elder son of Martin Edgerton Sr. and Anne Ellis.  He was probably named after his uncle, Samuel Edgerton (one of his father’s elder brothers), who had died young.  During his teen years, Samuel’s parents removed from Connecticut to Henrietta, Monroe County, New York in the far western side of that state.  Samuel made his living as a farmer.

Samuel’s wife was Phebe M. Ross, a native of New York State.  Phebe’s parentage is not currently known.  According to the age at death recorded on her gravestone (80 years, 9 months and 14 days), she was born July 28, 1808; and family records report that she was born at Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York.  It is believed that Phebe’s mother was the “Polly Ross” who died May 22, 1876, aged 94 years and is buried nearby Samuel and Phebe at Miner Cemetery in Watson Township, Michigan.

Samuel and Phebe were presumably married at Henrietta, New York.  An unconfirmed marriage date of February 4, 1827 is found in some secondary sources.  Samuel and Phebe had five children:  three daughters, Polly Ann (who died in infancy), Sarah Ann and Mary Ann; and two sons, John Martin and Henry Dwight.

The household of Samuel Edgerton was recorded in the 1830 Federal Census of Henrietta, Monroe County, New York (pg. 45), with the following enumeration:

1 male “of 20 and under 50”  (Samuel);

1 male “of 5 and under 10”  (?); and,

1 female “of 20 and under 30”  (wife Phebe).

In the latter 1830’s, Samuel removed along with his father and brother to Hartland, Niagara County, New York.

The household of Samuel Edgerton was recorded in the 1840 Federal Census of Hartland, Niagara County, New York (pg. 160), with the following enumeration:

1 male “30 and under 40”  (Samuel);

1 male “5 and under 10”  (son John);

1 male “under 5 years”  (son Henry);

1 female “30 and under 40”  (wife Phebe); and,

1 female “5 and under 10”  (daughter Sarah).

By the year 1850, Samuel had left New York and settled in Watson Township, Allegan County, Michigan, where he resided for the remainder of his life.  Numerous descendants of Samuel and Phebe (Ross) Edgerton resided in Allegan County, Michigan to this day.

The household of Samuel “Eggerton” was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of Watson Township, Allegan County, Michigan (pg. 96; dwelling #757; family #800; enum. September 3, 1850), as follows:

The household of Samuel Edgerton was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of Allegan Village, Allegan County, Michigan (dwelling #141; family #126; enum. June 5, 1860), as follows:

Samuel Edgerton died at Watson Township, Michigan on February 13, 1868, “aged 62 years”, and was buried at the Miner Cemetery.  His gravestone there was inscribed with the epitaph, “My Husband, signed Phoebe”.   Samuel’s widow, Phebe, died on May 11, 1889.  She was buried beside Samuel and her gravestone was marked with the  epitaph, “Our Mother, erected in her memory by her children John M, Sarah A, & Henry D”.  Many of Samuel and Phebe’s children and their descendants are also buried at this cemetery.

We would like to thank Mr. Harold J. Edgerton of Martin, Michigan for sharing his research on the Edgerton families of Allegan County, Michigan.  Mr. Edgerton is descended from Samuel and Phebe’s elder son, John Martin Edgerton, and has conducted extensive research on this branch of the family in Michigan and New York.

Original Source Documents:

1830 Federal Census – household of Samuel Edgerton; Henrietta, Monroe Co., NY.

1840 Federal Census – household of Samuel Edgerton; Hartland, Niagara Co., NY.

1850 Federal Census – household of Samuel Edgerton; Watson Twp., Allegan Co., MI.

1860 Federal Census – household of Samuel Edgerton; Watson Twp., Allegan Co., MI.

Gravestone photo – Samuel Edgerton; Miner Cemetery; Watson Twp., Allegan Co., MI.

Gravestone photo – Mrs. Phebe M. (Ross) Edgerton; Miner Cemetery; Watson Twp., Allegan Co., MI.