DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS & MERCY (HOLBRIDGE) DISBROW, PART ONE © 1992 by Michael S. Disbrow ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 295 UNPLACED DISBROWS During the course of research on this book I've run across hundreds of records of Disbrows who either belong to families other than the Thomas line, or who can't be identified because of insufficient data. These are the ones I call "Unplaced." The Disbrows included in this section are ones that, for reasons explained in the text, I tend to believe belong among the descendants of Thomas and Mercy. Many of them have been found in census records. Census records don't prove relationships in most cases, but they can indicate that two or more families living in the same area were probably related. Sometimes a person's birthdate or place can match him or her up with a known Disbrow family living in the right place at the right time . These plus other factors provide important clues for making an educated guess as to which family a person belongs to. I hope that the information provided here will spur any interested descendants into doing more research on these families. If so, please keep me informed as to what you learn. The families are arranged in alphabetical order by the first name of the earliest known ancestor in each line. The numbering system works the same as in the previous section of the book, with the addition of a "U" preceding each number sequence to avoid confusion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 296 - (Blank page in book) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 297 (U1) ABRAHAM L. DISBROW b. d. poss. 15 Nov. 1855 (see notes below) m. 30 Dec. 1852 Bridgeport, Fairfield Co., CT CHARITY ANN HURLBURT No census records of this man have been found in CT unless he was the "Mr. Disbrow", age 22, born in CT, listed in the 1850 census of Bridgeport, 2nd ward, residing in a boarding house and working as a carpenter. His marriage to Charity Ann Hurlburt was noted in the "Columbian Register" newspaper of 8 Jan. 1853. There seems to be some confusion regarding this man's death date and the circumstances of the children's birth. According to the biographical sketch of Frederick A. Disbrow in the 1899 "Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield Co., CT" [see text following], his parents, Abraham and Charity Disbrow, had four children. Frederick and his twin brother Frank were born 12 May 1859. Both parents died when Frederick was a child and he had no recollection of them. According to him Abraham was a soldier in the Civil War and died "shortly after" the outbreak of that war. However a death notice appeared in three CT newspapers of an Abram Disbrow who died 15 Nov. 1855 at the age of 24, five years before the start of the Civil War. Subsequently we find another marriage notice in the "Columbian Register" of 26 Nov. 1859 stating that Charity A. Disbrow was married to Joseph Disbrow, "formerly of Westport," on the 8th of Nov. 1859 at Bridgeport. This Joseph Disbrow is unidentified and I have no other record of him. There are just too many possible explanations for the discrepancies here to attempt to figure them out. More detailed research would be needed. Children: +(U1-l) Frederick A.] (U1-2) Frank] ] twins b. 12 May 1859 Bridgeport, Fairfield Co., CT; Frank res. 1899 Chestnut Hill, CT Two other children died before 1899. (U1-l) FREDERICK A. DISBROW, son of Abraham L. & Charity Ann (Hurlburt) b. 12 May 1859 Bridgeport, Fairfield Co., CT m. HATTIE MEEKER, of Southport, CT, dau. of Aaron Burr Meeker They res. 1899 Southport, Fairfield Co., CT, but I did not find them in the 1900 CT Sounder. Children: (U1-1-1) Edward P. b. Oct. 1880; res. 1900 Islip, Suffolk Co., NY (U1-1-2) Willis Frederick b. 1882; d. 1923, bur. Oak Lawn cem., Fairfield, CT (U1-1-3) Emeline Meeker (U1-1-4) Harry Burr ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 298 (U1-l) FREDERICK A. DISBROW, cont'd From the 1899 "Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield Co., CT": "FREDERICK A. DISBROW, one of the wide-awake and energetic businessmen of Southport, may truly be called a representative self-made man, his success being purely the result of his own unaided efforts. "Abraham Disbrow, his father, married Miss Charity Hurlburt, and four children were born to them, two of whom are deceased. Frederick A. and Frank (twins) surviving, the latter of whom is now residing at Chestnut Hill, Conn. Both parents died when our subject was a child, and he has no recollection of them. The father was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died shortly after the breaking out of that struggle. "F. A. Disbrow was born May 12, 1859, in Bridgeport, Conn., and was reared in the family of Horace Ogden, a farmer of Greenfield Hill. He attended the common schools, and assisted his foster-father on the farm some twenty years, or until 1880, when he took a farm on shares, after which (having in the meantime married) he rented a farm from Horace Staples, in Westport, Conn., April 1883, for one year. This line, however, not being to his liking, he concluded to embark in the butchering business in Southport, which he did against considerable odds, for he was an entire stranger to the business, had strong competition, and started where others had failed to secure a successful trade; moreover, his means were not large. However, having been steady, and his credit good, he had little difficulty in getting stock. After several months of profitless business, fighting against heavy competition, he tenaciously held on, and lived through a fight such as none of his predecessors had survived. Close attention to business, and honest and fair dealing, soon brought him a liberal patronage, which he has retained. His present shop, which is the third one he has occupied in Southport, was erected by him for his own use, and adjoins another business room which he also owns. Few cities furnish any better kept or neater and cleaner places of business in Mr. Disbrow's line. In addition to his meat market in Southport, he has conducted produce stores in other places, such as New Haven and Bridgeport. "Mr. Disbrow married Miss Hattie Meeker, of Southport, a daughter of Aaron Burr Meeker, and four children have graced their union: Edward P., Willis Frederick, Emeline Meeker and Harry Burr, all living. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow are members of the Congregational Church. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and although he is no office-seeker he has served as constable one year. He is a straightforward business man and a valued citizen, one who worthily enjoys the public confidence." References: Beers & Co., Comm. Bio. Record of Fairfield Co., CT (1899), 945-6 [Arlynn Gantz]; Charles R. Hale Coll. of CT Newspaper Marriage Notices, Death Notices and Headstone Inscrips.; census - 1850 Bridgeport, Fairfield Co., CT; Edward P. - 1900 (Soundex) Islip, Suffolk Co., NY _______________________ (U2) BRADLEY DISBROW b. c1781-84 d. 1 Nov. 1825 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY m. poss. MARY ( ) In the 1810 census of Gorham, Ontario Co., NY, Bradley Disbrow was listed with 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10 and 1 female 26-44. In 1820 "Brady" Disbrow was in Junius, Seneca Co., NY, with 1 male 16-25, 1 male 26-44, 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 299 (U2) BRADLEY DISBROW, cont'd females under 10, 3 females 10-15 and 1 female 26-44. Subsequently a Mary Disbrow was listed in the 1830 census of Fayette, Seneca Co., with no males, 2 females 10-14, 1 female 15-19, one female 20-29 and one female 40-49. Was she the widow of Bradley? Bradley Disbrow was appointed Fence Viewer of the town of Junius (later Waterloo), 6 Mar. 1804. He may have been a son of (2-2-1) Russell and Chloe (Canfield) Disbrow who settled in the area of Junius around 1800. Although Bradley appears to have had several children, only one possible child is known. Poss. child: +(U2-1) James B. b. c1803 NY References: Everts, Hist. of Seneca Co., NY (1876), 81; death notice in "Geneva [NY] Gazette" 30 Nov. 1825, per Bowman, 10,000 Vital Records of Western NY 1809-1850 (1985); census - 1810 Gorham, Ontario Co., NY, 1820 Junius, Seneca Co., NY, 1830 Fayette, Seneca Co., NY (U2-1) JAMES B. DISBROW, poss. son of Bradley b. c1803 NY; d. 25 Feb. 1874 Junius, Seneca Co., NY m. (1st) 7 Jan. 1824 Seneca Co., NY Mrs. NANCY FULLER of Waterloo, NY m. (2nd) 1836 Lyons, Wayne Co., NY ALMEDA STEVENSON b. c1806 NY; d. 23 Mar. 1898; last known res., Apr. 1888, Wheatland Twp., Hillsdale Co., MI, w/Horatio A. Disbrow & fam. James B. Disbrow was a blacksmith in Waterloo, NY. Children, by 1st wife: (U2-1-1) Bradley (poss. child) b. c1830 NY; m. Caroline ( ); res. 1850 Waterloo, NY, nr. James B., a farmer, age 20, with Caroline age 16 +(U2-1-2) Horatio A. b. 6 Oct. 1832 Wayne Co., NY Children, by 2nd wife: +(U2-1-3) Alvah David b. Apr. 1838 NY +(U2-1-4) Russell S. b. 1839 NY +(U2-1-5) Nancy Isadore b. 12 or 25 Aug. 1840 Waterloo, NY +(U2-1-6) Elizabeth b. 16 Sep. 1844 Waterloo, NY [NOTE: The obit. of Horatio A. Disbrow states he was the oldest of five children - 3 sons and two daughters. If that is true Bradley was not James' son, but was certainly related.] References: misc. records from Finger Lakes Genealogical Soc., Waterloo, NY [Mrs. B. Auten, via Arlynn Gantz]; census - 1830 '50 Waterloo, 1860 '70 Junius, Seneca Co., NY; pension file of Russell S./Almeda Disbrow, Nat'l Archives (U2-1-2) HORATIO A. DISBROW, son of James B. & Nancy (Fuller) b. 6 Oct. 1832 Wayne Co., NY; d. 24 Mar. 1899 Wheatland, Hillsdale Co., MI, bur. Dibble cem., Wheatland Twp. m. 19 Sep. 1866, HARRIET E. CARMICHAEL, b. June 1846 MI; d. 1922, bur. w/Horatio. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 300 (U2-1-2) HORATIO A. DISBROW, cont'd Horatio moved to Wheatland, MI, in 1864. Children: (U2-1-2-1) Mary b. c1869 MI; m. Seymour Combs; res. 1899 Moscow, MI (U2-1-2-2) Grace b. July 1875 MI; att. Albion College 1899 References: obit., "Hudson [MI] Post", 31 Mar. 1899, per Hudson Pub. Library; headstone inscrips. [Arlynn Gantz]; census - 1850 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY, 1860 Phelps, Ontario Co., NY, 1880 1900 1910 Wheatland Twp., Hillsdale Co., MI (U2-1-3) ALVAH DAVID DISBROW, son of James B. & Almeda (Stevenson) b. Apr. 1838 poss. Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY; d. 1910 or later Kinderhook, Branch Co., MI m. MARGARET ADAMS, b. 14 Oct. 1848 MI; d. 25 Mar. 1919 Kinderhook, Branch Co., MI Children: (U2-1-3-1) Clinton Dewitt b. 5 Apr. 1868 MI; m. (1st) 28 May 1889 Steuben Co., IN, Emma Ettinger (dau. of S. H. & Sarah Ettinger/Edinger; b. 26 Sep. 1871 OH; d. 24 Apr. 1891 Kinderhook, MI); m. (2nd) Gertrude E. Consalus (b. Oct. 1872 MI). Children, by 2nd wife: Blanch b. Dec. 1897, Elva b. Aug. 1899. (U2-1-3-2) Harvey Rheid b. 23 Nov. 1870 Addison, Lenawee Co., MI; d. 5 Dec. 1933 Coldwater, Branch Co, MI; m. 1 Jan. 1900, Dora Ellen Ledbetter (dau. of Mathew & Challott (Palmer); b. 9 May 1878 Cave-In-Rock, Hardin Co., IL; d. 22 July 1951 Coldwater, MI). Children: Gladys O. b. c19O1, Orba Doris b. 31 Mar. 1903, Metha I. b. c1907, Thelma H., poss. Charles B. James. References: fam. data in records of Finger Lakes Gene. Soc., Waterloo, NY [B. Auten via A. Gantz]; fam. data of Gordon Demarest [Nancy L. Disbrow]; census - 1850 '60 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY, 1860 Marshall Twp., Calhoun Co., MI, 1880 1900 '10 Kinderhook Twp., Branch Co., MI; marriage records of Steuben Co., IN; Branch Co., MI, marr. index; Lenawee Co., MI, birth record index, Adrian Pub. Lib.; Branch Co. cem. inscriptions (U2-1-4) RUSSELL S. DISBROW, son of James B. & Almeda (Stevenson) b. c1840 poss. Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY; d. 11 Feb. 1863 Falmouth, Stafford Co., VA (of consumption during the Civil War) He served in Co. F, 108th NY Infantry in the Civil War. Enlisted at Rochester, NY, 22 July 1862. He died of consumption at Falmouth, VA. Almeda Disbrow applied for pension on his service in 1888. References: pension file, Nat'l Archives; Muster Rolls, NY State Volunteers, IV:72; census - 1850 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY (U2-1-5) NANCY ISADORE DISBROW, dau. of James B. & Almeda (Stevenson) b. 12 or 25 Aug. 1840 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY; d. 22 or 23 Jan. 1914 Otsego, Allegan Co., MI, bur. Mountain Home cem., Otsego m. ISRAEL PARRISH, b. 24 Apr. 1831; d. 14 May 1905, bur. w/Nancy Her obit., in the "Otsego [MI] Union", 29 Jan. 1914, gives the following data: Nancy Isadore Parish - d. 23 Jan. [headstone says 22 Jan.], age 73-5-11 [headstone says 73-4-28] - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 301 (U2-1-5) NANCY ISADORE DISBROW, cont'd came to this co. 1871 - b. nr. Watertown, NY [prob. Waterloo was meant] - taught in district schools - had no children or near relatives - she cared for husband, a paralytic, for 30 yrs. - dau. of Jas. & Almeda Disbrow - was cared for by her niece Mrs. Gray during sickness. References: obit. & headstone inscrips. [Arlynn Gantz]; census - 1850 Waterloo, 1860 Junius, both Seneca Co., NY (U2-1-6) ELIZABETH DISBROW, dau. of James B. & Almeda (Stevenson) b. 16 Sep. 1844 Waterloo, Seneca Co., NY; d. 21 Apr. 1904 Otsego, Allegan Co., MI, bur. Mountain Home cem., Otsego, on same lot as sister & bro.-in-law Nancy & Israel Parrish. Her obit, in the "Otsego [MI] Union" of 28 Apr. 1904, conveys the following information: she was b. at Waterloo, NY, 16 Sep. 1844 - survived by a bro. Alvah Disbrow of Branch Co., a sister N. I. Parish of this place, two nephews and many friends - Miss Disbrow lived a quiet, retired life - for some time had been an invalid, living with her sister Mrs. Parish. References: obit. & headstone inscrip. [Arlynn Gantz]; census - 1850 Waterloo, 1860 '70 '80 Junius, all Seneca Co., NY _______________________ (U3) DOLLY DISBROW b. "of Seneca Falls, NY" d. m. c1813 JONAS SPAFFORD, son of Dea. Jonathan & Esther ( ) b. poss. 1780's Deerfield or Whately, Franklin Co., MA d. c1816 Auburn, Cayuga Co., NY He m. (1st) Abigail Hayden or Haven; they had two ch: Julia Maria b. 3 Nov. 1810 and Samuel Abial b. 1812. According to the Spofford genealogy, Dolly or Dollie Disborough [sic] was of Seneca Falls, NY. My guess is that she was a daughter of (2-2-1) Russell Disbrow and his second wife Chloe (Canfield), who moved from Fairfield Co., CT to Seneca Co., NY by 1800. There is also the possibilty she was a daughter of Russell's brother (2-2-5) Jabez Disbrow who died in Seneca Falls in 1803. Children: (U3-1) Russell SPAFFORD res. Tyre, Seneca Co., NY (U3-2) Thomas SPAFFORD References: Spofford, Desc. of John Spofford & Elizabeth Scott (1888), 72, 141 _______________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 302 (U4) EDWIN DISBROW b. (12 Apr. 1814) CT d. 27 Aug. 1864 (age 50-4-15) bur. Catholic/Christ cem., Westport, Fairfield Co., CT m. 19 May 1838 SUSAN YOUNGS b. (17 July 1820) CT d. 22 Sep. 1885 (age 65-2-5) bur. w/Edwin Edwin was a shoemaker in Westport, CT. In the 1850 census a Martha D. Disbrow, age 63, was living with him and his family. She may have been Martha (Green), widow of (5-6-5) Caleb Disbrow of Norwalk. Children: +(U4-1) Miles N. b. 29 Jan. 1840 CT (U4-2) Mary A. b. c1844 CT [a Mary A. Disbrow, b. 12 June 1844, m. 28 May 1867, Charles J. Brooks, and res. 1914 @ 22 Maple St., New Haven, CT - per Church, "Fam. of Simeon Church of Chester, CT", p. 51] +(U4-3) Rufus Bennett b. 17 Oct. 1846 CT poss. child: (U4-4) Frank b. Jan. 1852 CT [listed 1900 census Wilton, CT] References: headstone inscrips. & marr. notice per Charles Hale Coll.; census - 1840 '50 Westport, Fairfield Co., CT (U4-1) MILES N. DISBROW, son of Edwin & Susan (Youngs) b. 29 Jan. 1840 CT; d. 23 Dec. 1913, bur. Catholic/Christ cem., Westport, CT m. SARAH E. ( ), b. 20 Apr. 1835; d. 5 Apr. 1912, bur. w/Miles In 1850 he was living with his parents in Wesport. In 1860 he was in New Canaan, CT, living in the household of J. L. Trowbridge, a farmer and "courier." This man should not be confused with Miles H. Disbrow, son of (5-7-5-4-2) David H. Disbrow of New Fairfield, CT. No known children. References: headstone inscrips. per Charles Hale Coll.; census - 1850 Westport, 1860 New Canaan both Fairfield Co., CT (U4-3) RUFUS BENNETT DISBROW, son of Edwin & Susan (Youngs) b. 17 Oct. 1846 [see below] CT; d. 4 Jan. 1902, bur. Wilton, CT m. 6 Nov. 1876 LUCY ANN STERLING BEDIENT, dau. of Harvey & Martha Elizabeth (Sterling), b. 4 Dec. 1857 Wilton, Fairfield Co., CT [14 Dec. per Sterling gen.]; d. 17 Oct. 1918, bur. w/Rufus According to "The Sterling Genealogy" he was a hat manufacturer in Mt. Vernon, NY. In 1900 he was living in Wilton, CT, with his wife, children Mabel, Harold, Lucian and Ruth and a sister-in-law Carrie Bedient. I have three different birthdates for him: headstone reads 17 Oct. 1846; Sterling gen. says 16 Mar. 1846; 1900 census says Oct. 1849. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------