Source: 

Briggs, Erasmus  History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York

 

 

Page 656-657

Joseph Gifford, son of Philip and Charity Gifford, was born in Hartford, Washington county, N.Y., Feb. 13, 1813. When two years old he was taken to live with his uncle, with whom he resided until he was twenty-two years of age. October 12, 1834, he married Mary Ann Goodell, daughter of John and Ruth Goodell. In 1835, he came to Collins and located on one hundred acres of unimproved land, which was left to his wife by her father, to which Mr. Gifford has added fifty acres, which farm he still owns and occupies.

 

His children are:  Ruth C., born Feb. 2, 1836, who is unmarried and  lives with her father. Mary E., born Feb. 2, 1839, who married Avery Knight, and died in Collins October 18, 1873. Lovinda and Melinda, who are twins, and were born July 1, 1841. Melinda is a maiden lady and lives with her father. Lovinda married Martin Lewis, Jan. 13, 1863, and resides at Jamestown, N. Y. She has two children : Amy G., born Oct. 12, 1874, and Grace M., born April 6, 1878. Mary E. had one son, Irwin A., born April 6, 1870, who, since the death of his mother, lives with his grandfather.