Colby Group New evidence has appeared and I’m hoping you can help. I am a descendant of one of the “orphan” Colby families, that of John Colby (abt 1787-1817) and Miranda Fuller and their sons Philander and James. John died in a snow storm near Holland NY; we have been searching for his parents for over a century. The new clues: After John’s death, Miranda returned to Vermont and six years later married Abraham Sheldon. Their letters and papers have since been passed down from eldest son to eldest son; over 300 pieces in all. Now, David Sheldon, my half-fourth cousin, has begun scanning and transcribing and posting the items, some of which are addressed to John and Miranda Colby and are from other Colbys and Fullers. It is a tremendous undertaking and he has about a third of them up. The site location: http://www.oldtrunk1806.com/ Then click on Miranda’s name and her index will appear. Look at: July 30, 1817: From Saratoga, NY ; several Colby names: Moses H. and Mary M., John and Mary, lucy? (who seems to refer to Miranda as “ my dear sister John’s wife”) and B.C. may have written. (or were John and Mary intended recipients?) James and Eben are mentioned as is Kimball. The above is addressed to John Kimball, Willlink, NY, as are several other letters including July 25, 1817, from the Fuller family. That envelope also clearly states: “To be delivered to John Kimball for his nephew John Colby.” Some 1816 Fuller letters are addressed to John Colby at Cambridge, NY, at least one sent via a fellow from Saratoga on his way home. 6 Oct 1846, to Miranda, now Kendall- 3rd husband, from her sons. Page 1, son Addison Curtis (A.C.) Sheldon tells of a trip to Chicago and running into “Uncle Eb” and his family mentioning Frank and sisters Mary and “Almyra”. Clearly the family of Ebenezer F. Coby, son of Rev John of Saratoga(?). 1850 Census similar. Other clues: 1820 Census Holland, NY has a John Kimball (+45) and a James Colby with female, both 16-26, alone (no kids) which is interesting as in the July 30, 1817, letter the James mentioned seems to be with John and is being encouraged to find a wife. The John Colby probate record includes a final settlement document, 15 July 1835, at Buffalo, signed by Miranda C. Sheldon and Eben Colby. Plus, statements appointing Ebenezer Colby as agent by Philander E. Colby and guardian by the minor James L. Colby. My Great-grandmother (another) Miranda Colby Siddall sent letters to Holland, NY in 1905. A reply from Allen W. Colby (age 81) included the following: His father was Col. Jonathan, and the widow Miranda stayed with them when Allen was 7 or 8 (1830’s) and they all visited the grave of her first husband. John Colby’s funeral was held at Allen’s uncle’s house, Joseph Cooper, Allen’s mother’s brother. Jonathan’s oldest brother, John, dug our John’s grave. Simeon Davis, who created the poem of JC’s death which I’m sure you’ve seen, was a brother to Allen’s grandmother Colby. In a statement to the postmaster who replied to Miranda, Allen said that our John was not a brother of either Jonathan or Peter Colby, but “might have been” a cousin. Well, thanks for sticking with all of this. I’ll be happy to send copies of the 1905 letters if you wish. I would think you’d be better at downloading any of Dave’s work then I am... my copies are poor. I keep checking Dave’s site and hope to be able to help him transcribe some of the letters. I am a member of the Colby e-mail list and I do appreciated all the work that all of you have done. Please share this with anyone you think could help. Here’s hoping that you see some “fits.” Thanks, Hampton L. Wilmot, Jr. River Falls, WI