Hi, Doug, I'd say there were several errors in the obituary. The 1780 date is what was recorded in Middletown, but since Middletown didn't exist until 1784, I am sure all Silas' children were mostly born elsewhere--maybe Wells, which seems to be where Increase(4) first had property, but recorded in 1785 in Middletown. Anyway, the wrong birth date might have been recorded, I suppose! I'm thinking his daughter, Cynthia, must have been the one who submitted the info. I have put queries on a couple of mail lists regarding what Custom House Service would have meant in VT. Got some interesting answers, but nothing definitive yet. Joann Doug Rudd wrote: > Joann, > > Joann H. Nichols wrote: > > > Rudd--At Colden, March 25th [1872], INCRASE[sic] RUDD, aged 92 years, 4 > > months and 4 days. > > The data I have shows Increase birthdate as January 25, 1780 in Middletown, > Rutland, VT and death on March 24, 1872 in Collins, Erie, NY. Based on the > age stated in the obituary, it would place November 20, 1779. > > Any ideas on the discrepancy? > > Doug