Samuel Covey
M, b. before 1755, d. 29 January 1822
| Relationship | 5th great-grandfather of Pamela Joyce Wood |
| Charts | Pedigree for Shirley M. Dean |
| Last Edited | 14 Aug 2019 |
Samuel Covey was born before 1755. He married (?) Yearns/Hearns. Samuel Covey married Anna Susannah Mitchell; A newspaper article in 1817 mentions that they had been cohabiting for some years so it is likely they were not married.1 Samuel Covey died on 29 January 1822 at Alburgh, Grand Isle Co, Vermont.2 He was buried on 31 January 1822.3
At this point there is no conclusive evidence available (PWW) indicating who Samuel Covey's parents were. We can only imagine that he is descended from the Coveys of CT and RI. The most logical family would be that of James Covey and wife Sarah Lamphere. They had several sons born before and after 1720, any one of whom might be the father of our Samuel. One, born in 1721, was even named Samuel. Nothing more on him is known.
There is a huge gap in records for many NY Coveys in the 1750-1770 range. Several Covey families ended up in Dutchess County, New York, and this area included modern day Putnam Co where Yarnes/Harns can be found. It appears they later moved on north, to what is now Washington, Rensselaer and Otsego Co.
Samuel Covey's Memorial on file at the Public Archives of Canada [A.O. 13, Series II (MG 14), Reel B-2446, Vol 81, pg 54.], indicates that Samuel Covey was living at Fort Ann of Albany County (now Washington) when he was forced to abandon his home. At the time he filed for compensation, he was a resident of Caldwell's Manor.
Samuel Covey lost 100 acres of land under Governor Skene which had been under improvements (Philip Skene had received and dispursed much of 56,000 acres in New York before the War): a cow and 2 calves, 2 horses, some tools, leather and skins, 10 acres of wheat, and two silver spoons. He was obviously not a wealthy man. His total loss came to 90 pounds York currency.
Military records in the W.O. 28 series at PAC also held references to our Samuel Covey. Within a Return of Royalists not incorporated in any corps for 1777 shows Samuel Covey's family as 1 male, 1 female and 1 child for a total of three, lodged at St Therese, having arrived from Fort Ann 22 November 1777. A later listing of Royalists taken Christmas Day, 1777 shows the family of three still quartered at St Therese. The listing has him with the word "prisoner" on it, saying all others were willing to serve. There is also an entry under "Return of Protestant Inhabitants in the District of Montreal" that " Elizabeth Covey died 15 Sept 1777, buried the 16th". Was this Samuel's first wife? Or could it be an infant daughter? No further information available at this point - the handwriting was difficult to discern - it may be Corey. This film needs to be reordered.
The 1790 census shows Samuel Covey in two places: Alburgh, Vermont and Champlain, NY. Many enumerated with Champlain were actually Alburgh residents, and recorded twice. The Alburgh census was taken in 1791 and shows his family to consist of three males, 16 and up; two males under 16, and three females. The Champlain one shows 1-2-3.
A listing of those associated with the early settlement of Caldwells Upper Manor [present day Alburgh] dated 1794 (but known to have been compiled about 1786) lists Samuel Covey living "north of ye Line"...since 1777, referring to boundary between Quebec and Vermont. In 1784, Alburgh was actually part of Caldwell's Manor, so many of the first settlers there had been given British grants to land there. When Vermont became a state in 1791, many settlers found themselves on American soil.4,5,6 He Chesterfield, New Hampshire records show a Joseph Covey present there in 1770 and another entry shows Samuel Covey and wife Mary had a son Samuel Jr, b. 3 Jun 1773. This writer believes that this was our Samuel as well as his firstborn son Samuel. Jr. It is likely the Joseph listed is the same Joseph Covey who ended up in Windham Co, Vermont, having married Theodosia Hooker about 1772.7 He appeared on the census of 1810 at Alburgh, Grand Isle Co, Vermont; Males under 10: 2; Males 10-15: 2; Males over 45: 1; Females under 10: 2; females 10-15: 2; females 26-44: 1. Number of household members under 16: 8; Number of members over 25: 2; Number of Household members: 10.8
On 10 Jun 1817, the newpaper published a notice:
At this point there is no conclusive evidence available (PWW) indicating who Samuel Covey's parents were. We can only imagine that he is descended from the Coveys of CT and RI. The most logical family would be that of James Covey and wife Sarah Lamphere. They had several sons born before and after 1720, any one of whom might be the father of our Samuel. One, born in 1721, was even named Samuel. Nothing more on him is known.
There is a huge gap in records for many NY Coveys in the 1750-1770 range. Several Covey families ended up in Dutchess County, New York, and this area included modern day Putnam Co where Yarnes/Harns can be found. It appears they later moved on north, to what is now Washington, Rensselaer and Otsego Co.
Samuel Covey's Memorial on file at the Public Archives of Canada [A.O. 13, Series II (MG 14), Reel B-2446, Vol 81, pg 54.], indicates that Samuel Covey was living at Fort Ann of Albany County (now Washington) when he was forced to abandon his home. At the time he filed for compensation, he was a resident of Caldwell's Manor.
Samuel Covey lost 100 acres of land under Governor Skene which had been under improvements (Philip Skene had received and dispursed much of 56,000 acres in New York before the War): a cow and 2 calves, 2 horses, some tools, leather and skins, 10 acres of wheat, and two silver spoons. He was obviously not a wealthy man. His total loss came to 90 pounds York currency.
Military records in the W.O. 28 series at PAC also held references to our Samuel Covey. Within a Return of Royalists not incorporated in any corps for 1777 shows Samuel Covey's family as 1 male, 1 female and 1 child for a total of three, lodged at St Therese, having arrived from Fort Ann 22 November 1777. A later listing of Royalists taken Christmas Day, 1777 shows the family of three still quartered at St Therese. The listing has him with the word "prisoner" on it, saying all others were willing to serve. There is also an entry under "Return of Protestant Inhabitants in the District of Montreal" that " Elizabeth Covey died 15 Sept 1777, buried the 16th". Was this Samuel's first wife? Or could it be an infant daughter? No further information available at this point - the handwriting was difficult to discern - it may be Corey. This film needs to be reordered.
The 1790 census shows Samuel Covey in two places: Alburgh, Vermont and Champlain, NY. Many enumerated with Champlain were actually Alburgh residents, and recorded twice. The Alburgh census was taken in 1791 and shows his family to consist of three males, 16 and up; two males under 16, and three females. The Champlain one shows 1-2-3.
A listing of those associated with the early settlement of Caldwells Upper Manor [present day Alburgh] dated 1794 (but known to have been compiled about 1786) lists Samuel Covey living "north of ye Line"...since 1777, referring to boundary between Quebec and Vermont. In 1784, Alburgh was actually part of Caldwell's Manor, so many of the first settlers there had been given British grants to land there. When Vermont became a state in 1791, many settlers found themselves on American soil.4,5,6 He Chesterfield, New Hampshire records show a Joseph Covey present there in 1770 and another entry shows Samuel Covey and wife Mary had a son Samuel Jr, b. 3 Jun 1773. This writer believes that this was our Samuel as well as his firstborn son Samuel. Jr. It is likely the Joseph listed is the same Joseph Covey who ended up in Windham Co, Vermont, having married Theodosia Hooker about 1772.7 He appeared on the census of 1810 at Alburgh, Grand Isle Co, Vermont; Males under 10: 2; Males 10-15: 2; Males over 45: 1; Females under 10: 2; females 10-15: 2; females 26-44: 1. Number of household members under 16: 8; Number of members over 25: 2; Number of Household members: 10.8
On 10 Jun 1817, the newpaper published a notice:
Whereas Anner Susannah Mitchel with whome I have for a number of years cohabited with, and her children have by the insolent and ungrateful conduct, entirely weaned my affections from them. Ths is therefore, to forbid all persons harboring or trusting either of them on my account , as I shall pay no debts of their contracting after this date.
Samuel Covey, at Alburgh, 24 May 1817.1
There are few documents offering us insight on Samuel Covey and his family. There was an article of agreement dated 24 Oct 1817 in Alburgh, Vermont records which shows that Samuel Covey gave his son Walter Covey all his moveable possessions except a horse, a gun and a bed so long as Walter agreed to support Samuel and his family and pay all his debts. On 19 October 1818 the document was destroyed by agreement of both parties.
His Last Will and Testament is on file at the Grand Isle County Courthouse at North Hero, Vermont, written 1 Jan 1822 [Bk 4, p. 107-111], and lists his children. It also references an agreement he made with John Marvin Kelly, husband of daughter Elizabeth, who was to care for his 106 acres land in Lot 2 in the First Range in Alburg, and was to raise his five minor children for the next eight years (or until each came of age). At the expiration of the eight years, the land was to go to Samuel's son George. The Will was proved 20 Mar 1822, with Inventory taken 29 Mar 1822.
In July of 1822, there is an agreement between Marvin John Kelly and Walter W. Covey whereas John Kelly gives up rights to the land unto Walter Covey after the expiration of only one year. He was to keep several items in the original agreement, including a cow and a plow, and was entitled to the upcoming season's grain harvest.6
Samuel Covey, at Alburgh, 24 May 1817.1
There are few documents offering us insight on Samuel Covey and his family. There was an article of agreement dated 24 Oct 1817 in Alburgh, Vermont records which shows that Samuel Covey gave his son Walter Covey all his moveable possessions except a horse, a gun and a bed so long as Walter agreed to support Samuel and his family and pay all his debts. On 19 October 1818 the document was destroyed by agreement of both parties.
His Last Will and Testament is on file at the Grand Isle County Courthouse at North Hero, Vermont, written 1 Jan 1822 [Bk 4, p. 107-111], and lists his children. It also references an agreement he made with John Marvin Kelly, husband of daughter Elizabeth, who was to care for his 106 acres land in Lot 2 in the First Range in Alburg, and was to raise his five minor children for the next eight years (or until each came of age). At the expiration of the eight years, the land was to go to Samuel's son George. The Will was proved 20 Mar 1822, with Inventory taken 29 Mar 1822.
In July of 1822, there is an agreement between Marvin John Kelly and Walter W. Covey whereas John Kelly gives up rights to the land unto Walter Covey after the expiration of only one year. He was to keep several items in the original agreement, including a cow and a plow, and was entitled to the upcoming season's grain harvest.6
Family 1 | (?) Yearns/Hearns b. c 1755, d. prob about 1800 |
| Children |
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Family 2 | Anna Susannah Mitchell d. 2 Aug 1821 |
| Children |
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Citations
- [S481] Newspaper, , Vermont Centinel (published as Northern Sentinel) 10 Jun 1817, page 3. Samuel Covey and Anner Susannah Mitchell.
- [S82] Caldwells' & Christie's Manor Ang 1815-1831;, M-128.42, info from burial.
- [S82] Caldwells' & Christie's Manor Ang 1815-1831;, M-128.42.
- [S541] Allen L. Stratton, History of Alburgh, Vermont, p. 33.
- [S541] Allen L. Stratton, History of Alburgh, Vermont, p. 48.
- [S667] Personal Research & Conjecture of Pam Wood Waugh.
- [S417] Oren E. Randall, History of Chesterfield, NH, p. 260.
- [S1617] Ancestry.com Inc., 2010: 1810 US Census , Vermont, Grand Isle Co, Alburgh. Roll: 64; Page: 346; Image: 0218668; Family History Library Film: 00644. Household of Samuel Covey.