This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: ELWELL,SOUTHWORTH,WHITCOMB,JAGGER,SEARS,WARD,BISSEL,ROBERTSON Classification: Marriage Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4RB.2ACE/3137.2 Message Board Post: Eileen, In looking at the history of Dryden and West Dryden, I didn't see the name Ellworth, but many for Ellis. That doesn't mean there weren't any Elwells in those villages, though. Thomas Southworth, an early settler in Dryden had family as follows: Year 1831: Thos. Southworth married Betsey Jagger of Dryden. Their children: -Betsey Fidelia Southworth, died 14 yrs, old -Rowena Southworth m. Hiram W. Sears --one child: John G. Sears -Chas. S. Southworth, never married -Wm. H. Southworth m. Ella Ward -Albert Southworth m. Dianthe Bissel The communities of Dryden and West Dryden had many early denominations and churches. The first supervisor of Dryden, Mr. Robertson, was Scottish. His father, who was born in Scotland, fought in the Revolutionary War. By 1808 there was the First Presbyterian Church of Dryden. Some ministers who served Dryden: -Rev. Jabez Chadwick -Rev. Reuben Hurd -Rev. Jeremiah Osborn, Presbyterian -Jedidiah Chapman, Presbyterian missioner -Seth Williston, Presbyterian missioner -Rev. Daniel McArthur -Rev. Samuel Robertson -Rev. Ralph Lanning -Rev. Gerrit Mandeville -Rev. Colburn, "Taylorite" sect -Rev. M. Adams, "Taylorite" sect -Rev. J. T. Peck, "Taylorite" sect -Rev. George Densmore, Methodist Episcopal Church of West Dryden -Rev. Sylvester Minier, Methodist Episcopal Church, West Dryden and many other M.E. ministers. -Mr. Daniel White, ordained deacon of the Methodist Episcopal Church -The First Baptist Church -a Roman Catholic Church was built much later than the time period you listed. The First Presbyterian Church in Dryden, from the beginning, allowed other denominations to use their church - or religious meetings with circuit rider ministers (from as far away as New England), led worship services in homes, barns or other places until church bldgs. were erected. Best of luck in your research! Kathleen Ref.: History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Schuyler Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Publisher: Everts & Ensign, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Year 1879; 922 pp. Author: H. B. Pierce