Aloha All, I have been a, for the most part, silent observer for the past month or so. My research on the FERRIS family of NY, IN and MI has spanned over 20 years. Spelling variations encountered in official records have included FARIS, FARRIS and FERRISS. More recently, I have also been researching associated ALLEN, BLAISDEL/BLASDELL, CARKNER/CARKENORD, DAVIS, HALL, MILBURN, REMINGTON, REYNOLDS, RYAN/RYON, SEAMAN/SEAMANS, SNYDER, SWEET, WEEKS, WIDRIG and WYCOFF lines. Right now my primary brick wall is my g4 grandparents, Caleb and "Judah" FERRIS. I am seeking their parents/ancestors/siblings. Caleb FERRIS b ca 1764 m "Judah" ? . According to their great granddaughter, Phoebe Jane FERRIS, "Judah" was French. Her name always appears in quotes, leading to speculation it may be an assumed name or Anglicization of her French name. Family tradition is that "Judah" ran away from her aristocratic family and married Caleb, against the wishes of her parents. For many years Caleb was a steward and "Judah" was a nurse for the STEWART family of NY City. The only known child of Caleb and "Judah" FERRIS was born in Westchester Co., NY. Caleb and Judah were with their son in 1820 when he settled in Galen, Seneca Co., NY (now Savannah Twp., Wayne Co.) Various cousins have proposed that "our" Caleb FERRIS may have been the son of Caleb FERRIS, b ca 1832 at New Rochelle, Westchester Co., NY, d 4 Mar 1795 at New Rochelle, Westchester Co., NY, m ca 1752 Helena! PELL, b ca 1734 at Westchester Co., NY, d 1825 at Phillipstown, NY. Caleb FERRIS (ca 1732-1795) was a Revolutionary War veteran of the 3rd Regiment of Westchester Co. Militia and is a direct descendant of Jeffrey FERRIS who arrived at Boston, MA ca 1634. I would like to prove or disprove this connection. Leonard FERRIS, Sr., b ca 1786 in Westchester Co., NY, d April 27, 1877 in Savannah, Wayne Co., NY. Leonard FERRIS, Sr. spoke of being the "only begotten son" of Caleb and "Judah," but he may have had sisters. Leonard m Sarah Elizabeth "Betsy" RYAN. Per granddaughter Phoebe Jane FERRIS, Elizabeth was an "Irish Lady of High Rank." Leonard and Elizabeth had nine children. Joseph, the oldest, was born in Dutchess Co., NY 18 Oct 1807. The three youngest, Richard R., John Allen and Louisa were born in Wayne Co., 1822-1828. At least two of the middle siblings, Nelson J. and Margaret Sarah, were born at Mentz, Cayuga Co., in 1817 and 1820 respectively. Leonard was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served in Capt. Samuel Ingersoll's Co., 7th Regiment, NY State Artillery. He was a successful farmer in Wayne Co, NY. After the death of his wife, Leonard lived with a daughter and son-in-law, Margaret Sarah (FERRIS) and Rial P. BETTS, Sr. Leonard was working as a butcher in 1875 at age ! 89. Four of Leonard and Elizabeth FERRISÂ’ children are buried in Wayne Co., NY: Joseph FERRIS, Sr. (1807-1884) m Lucretia ALLEN; William FERRIS (1809-1862) m Anna ? ; Leonard FERRIS, Jr. (1814-1859) m Catherine ? ; and Margaret Sarah FERRIS (1820-1902) m Rial P. BETTS, Sr. (his second wife). Three are buried in Cheshire Twp, Allegan Co., MI: Richard R. FERRIS (1822-1904) m Hannah MILBURN; John Allen FERRIS (1824-1908), a Civil War veteran of Company K, 87th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, m Amy Jane REYNOLDS; and Louisa FERRIS (1828-1894) m Elijah HAWES. One each are buried elsewhere in MI and IN: Ellen Jane FERRIS (1812-1893) m John CARKNER/CARKENORD and they are buried in Mendon, St. Joseph Co., MI; Nelson J. FERRIS (1817-1899) m Sally WEEKS and they are buried in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., IN. I sincerely hope we can help each other break down "brick walls" and solve family mysteries. Rick Ferris Aiea, HI