Abigail (Betts) Gates and Noah Gates: Journey from Connecticut to Ohio 1766 - 1842, authored 2004

Abigail (Betts) Gates and Noah Gates:

Journey from Connecticut to Ohio

1766 - 1842, authored 2004

Preface

It has been a long journey in itself to discover Abigail and Noah. The beginning and the end of this story are told in the title. However, the story then and now, in between, is to me just as interesting. The large and small events of the times and the impact on personal and local history are all intertwined. There have been many participants in making discoveries and untangling the details but especially two cousins, Don Gates and Elmer Gates, both of whom I encountered on the Internet, that I consider most responsible for making the connection to Abigail and Noah, as they were on their own journey. Long before I encountered either of my cousins I was quite certain that my missing grandfather was one of three brothers, Noah, Moses or Coleman Gates and of these Noah was the most probable. Obviously I had no clue that Abigail Betts was the missing grandmother or even her first name.

From the beginning of my interest in the 1950s my first real discovery came from an aunt who had the commission to Lieutenant of my great-grandfather, William Noah Gates, just before he was mustered out of the Wisconsin Volunteers following the end of the Civil War. Later, along my journey I discovered the book about Stephen Gates by Charles Otis Gates, Stephen Gates of Hingham and Lancaster Massachusetts and his Descendants. A Preliminary Work Subject to Addition and Correction [1898Gates]. Eventually I encountered [1966Torrey] Clarence Almon Torrey, Ph.B. Stephen Gates of Hingham, Lancaster, and Cambridge, Mass., and some of His Descendants, in the NEHGR and tried to trace both backward and forward. As I became more aware of resources I worked on geographical areas and connections between individuals building more confidence that I was missing only two generations in the connection to Stephen Gates. Census records, Vital Statistics Records and Land Records in Wisconsin and Illinois eventually revealed Phebe M. Reed and Ashbel Gates as William Noah's parents. So then who and where were Ashbel's parents (Phebe's parents were an even deeper question ... or so it seemed for many years)?

Abigail and Noah in Connecticut

Abigail and Noah began their life together in Connecticut. We have evidence that Noah's parents Ruth Olmsted and Samuel Gates were married in the Wilton Congregational Church. I do not have specific evidence of when or where Abigail Betts and Noah Gates were married but there is evidence from records of the Wilton church that Noah had children baptized in that church (but Abigail is not identified). The same source seems to make it a safe inference that Noah was Samuel's son.

Abigail as a Betts was of a numerous family making it still a mystery as to which family she properly belongs. There are many guesses about her family and some good evidence but nonetheless nothing absolutely certain. But even 10 years ago her first and last name were not known (at least to me). Similarly Noah was the unknown grandfather. For many years all I knew was that my great-grandfather's name was William Noah Gates. Civil War records revealed that William Noah was born in Birmingham, Erie County, Ohio where I have chosen to end the story of this journey. So both Abigail and Noah were the lost grandparents.

Settlement of Connecticut

The “English” settlement of Connecticut has been told by many authors. The truth is that much of New England had been depopulated of native peoples through the previous decades of exposure to disease from maritime visits by the English and others. Nonetheless there were still more conflicts between periods of trust or uneasy coexistence. Connecticut may have been one of better examples of coexistence until the Pequot War 1637-1638. In the 1630s, determined by the coast or access by river, the Connecticut River Valley was sparsely settled by the English. In a larger perspective the settlement was at least partly to offset the Dutch influence in New York across the Long Island Sound.

We are mostly interested in a later period and about Norwalk, Ridgefield and Wilton in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The story of Ridgefield has been told by George L. Rockwell in his book The History of Ridgefield Connecticut [1927Rockwell]. The story of Wilton has been told by Robert H. Russell in his book, Wilton Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress [2004Russell]. The Betts surname figures prominently in both books but more with the original Norwalk and then Wilton. The Gates are in Connecticut by say 1709/10 and in Ridgefield before 1732 and those we wish to follow were in Norwalk or Wilton for sometime before they left for the vicinity of Stillwater and Ballston, Saratoga County, New York circa 1800. Land Records may reveal more particulars but largely remain to be examined.

Although Norwalk, Ridgefield and Wilton may seem like a physically small area the “lay of the land” in the 17^th century certainly affected how you got to a place, and how long it took, and therefore who and how you associated with other people in the region. For example, it was going to take a couple of days to travel comfortably from Norwalk, on the coast, to Wilton, to Ridgebury in the north of Ridgefield. This is borne out by the organization of parishes and local government of the time. There were several petitions to establish, due to travel times and conditions, new churches in Ridgebury and Wilton.

The Betts in Norwalk

The Betts in Norwalk and thus Wilton and Ridgefield, Fairfield, Connecticut, were present from the start of English/Puritan settlement so it no suprise that there is much to be sorted out, including a lack of standard spelling for the last name. A Thomas Betts (b. d.) is reported to be the ancestor of most [2004Russell]. It seems obvious that Noah Gates and Samuel Gates were contemporary with the numerous Betts after 1732 which is the earliest of our Gates in the area.

Connecticut has been well covered by historians and genealogists to collect ancient vital statistics and church records. Our problem is that there is no Abigail Betts among these records (at least known to this compiler) that fits as an identified family member that might have married Noah Gates. There is a later family Bible which by its chain of posession and notes recorded in it that Abigail's father was Thaddeus and that he was alive at least until 1814. Thaddeus was a rather common first name among the Betts, including later a doctor and U.S. Senator of the area.

As we shall later see a Thaddeus Betts was also in Saratoga (then part of Albany?), New York as early at 1786 and travel between the two areas was not infrequent, the Hudson River being a convienent highway.

But again given the well covered plethora of Connecticut records there is no family documented containing Thaddeus as its head that could also contain an Abigail, even if not documented (subject to revision). So what is one to conclude?

Perhaps a family of Betts containing a Thaddeus who reached a marriageable age left the area but remained in contact with family and had his own family such that Noah became acquainted with a daughter Abigail. Noah then became the transition in migration perhaps of four Gates households (Samuel, the father, Noah, Moses and Coleman, sons) from Connecticut and New York. Otherwise we have to conclude perhaps more reasonably that we just have an incomplete enumeration of Betts family in Wilton or Norwalk and our Thaddeus and Abigail are yet to be discovered or linked.

The Olmsted in Norwalk

The Gates in Norwalk, Ridgefield and Wilton Connecticut

Jonathan Gates and Sarah Keeler

The Three Sisters

Saratoga County New York

Saratoga become a county in 1791.

Stillwater

Stillwater is located north of Albany with the eastern edge on the Hudson River. In 1762, most of the congregation (something less than 100 members) of the Congregational Church in Canaan, CT, moved to the area [1899StillwaterNY].

Malta

In the excerpt below one can recognize surnames of many from Norwalk, Wilton and Ridgefield, Connecticut: Keeler, Dunning, Rockwell, Gregory and Samuel Gates, of which we may speculate is the husband of Ruth Olmsted and father of Noah Gates.

Malta was formed from Stillwater March 3, 1802. A portion of Saratoga was added March 28, 1805. The first town meeting was held at the house of Michael Dunning, jr., April 6, 1802, when these officers were elected:

Supervisor, Samuel Clark; clerk, Ashbel Andrews, jr.; assessors, Joseph Rockwell, Luther Landon, Dean Chase; commissioners of highways, Abraham Valentine, Ebenezer Dibble, Uriah Hawkins; overseers of the poor, William Dunning, Samuel Gates; constables, Pontius Hooper, Eleazer Millard, jr.; collector, Pontius Hooper; overseers of highways, Obadiah Tompkins, Elisha Wood, Samuel Gregory, David Keeler, Reuben Doolittle, Jesse How, Cornelius Abeel, Stephen Ireland, Timothy Shipman; fence-viewers, Obadiah Mather, Robert Hunter; poundkeeper, William Dunning. [1899SaratogaNY]

Thaddeus Betts in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York

Thaddeus Betts appears in the 1790 census (2 males16 up, 1 under 16 and 5 females) as do Joseph and Jeremiah Betts as well as Elijah Gates within 5 households. Thaddeus Betts appears again in the 1800 Census. His household has 2 males under 10 and 2 females 16 to 26 plus himself and 1 female both 45 and over. Thaddeus Betts appears again in the 1810 Census at Ballston as the head of household with himself and one female 45 years and over. Ira Betts, Taylor Betts and a Joseph Gates(?) are very nearby on the same page. In the next census, 1820, Thaddeus Betts, Taylor Betts and Joseph Gates appear in the same order. Both Taylor and Ira Betts appear to be younger than Thaddeus. Thaddeus's household in 1820 includes himself and one female 45 and up plus one male under 10 years of age. Assuming that all three Thaddeus are one and the same he was no longer in Stillwater in 1830 (by inspection). He would have at least been 75 in 1830 so he may not be living.

Is this Thaddeus the father of Abigail? I have assumed that Abigail as a Betts was born in Connecticut and probably lived somewhat nearby the Samuel Gates family and thus made the acquaintance of Noah Gates. Now one needs to believe that the Gates and the Betts (with the Betts leaving 10 years earlier) left Norwalk for New York about the same time and continued in contact for sometime. There are several reasons to think so but none can be considered more than a theory.

Other evidence of a connection can be piled on as noted in the bibliography [1935Bullard] but it remains on the the outer edge of the theory and counts on Thaddeus being born in the 1740s..

Dorothy Betts (husband Giles Fitch - a Revolutionary War soldier) is identified as the daughter of Thaddeus Betts (of Ballston, New York). The Fitches were from Norwalk Connecticut. About 1786 she migrates (with Giles and a few interesting others) to St. John's Corners, Greenfield, New York from Ballston Spa. Giles Fitche's sister Hannah married Capt. John St. John. Both he and his brother Ebenezer Fitch migrated together.

We hope Dorothy had at least one sister (Abigail). Dorothy died 25 February 1815 at age 52 which implies her birth as about 1763 [1935Bullard p84]. Abigail according to others (no references provided) was born 1765 April 22^nd.

The Dunning Street Cemetery

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/saratoga1/family/fammikedunning.htm

Michael DUNNING was the son of John & Sarah (LAMBERT) DUNNING & grandson of Benjamin DUNNING

1 MICHAEL  DUNNING b: June 03, 1726 in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Connecticut   d: November 29, 1813 in Malta, Saratoga Co., New York

.. +HANNAH GREEN b: 1723 in Connecticut d: January 09, 1775 in Malta, Saratoga Co., New York

The Erie Canal

The Military Tract of Central New York - Revolutionary War Bounty Lands

The Military Tract contained the present New York counties of Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, and Seneca and portions of Oswego, Schuyler, Tompkins, Yates and Wayne. As an incentive to raise regiments, required per Congress 1776, to fight the Revolutionary War, the state of New York decided to use land. Eight Military Tract Townships were eventually surveyed and soldiers or their heirs were to receive 600 acres. Keep in mind that these tracts do not map directly to today's Towns in these counties and the process was a little more complicated. It was 1790 before New York actually accomplished the task of assignment and only after new treaties with several Indian tribes were negotiated.

Given the area is described as 1.75 million acres it is difficult to imagine how this all took place, assignees designated, disputes settled, trades and transfers accomplished and recorded [1825RevWarBounty].

Abigail and Noah Gates were living in this area before 1810 and probably as early as 1806 given his resignation from the New York Miltia (41^st) of Saratoga County. This conclusion requires several inferences based on Census, family histories, county histories and cemeteries. Land Records are still to be examined.

Cayuga County New York

Cayuga became county in 1799, formed from Onondoga.

Livingston County New York

Livingston became a county in 1821.

Mt. Morris

Connecticut's Western Reserve

The Firelands of Ohio

Postscript:  This document was a work in progress as each of the "blank" entries for titles show (added note 20180528)

"Thaddeus Betts Bible Chronology" authored in 1999

I have to thank my nephew Paul Gates for his interest and curiosity about our family genealogy for renewing my interest and reminding me how much I have accumulated and left in the proverbial closet.

These words nonetheless should be taken as tentative.  I am wondering about images of the bible and other documents referenced herein  -- I think I have them and will be looking.

See also -- "Bible” presented to Abigail Gates by Thadeus Betts her Father February 1819 (Images), authored 2018

	The Thaddeus Betts Bible Chronology -A Work in Progress   February 20, 1999. (Last Revised March 1, 1999.)		This Thaddeus Betts Bible Chronology is derived from materials graciously shared by Al Covell, Elmer A. Gates, Don Gates and from other materials collected by the Editor, William A. Gates. Copyright 1999.  Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal use is granted but must bear this notice and full citation on the front page.  All other uses and or means of dissemination require permission in advance.  The intent of this copyright notice is to assure that the contributors have the opportunity to review and advise of accuracy and changes in content.  The Editor may be contacted at WmAGates@gmail.com.   Don Gates may be contacted at sodakdon@arc.net.   Elmer Gates may be contacted at GatesEA@aol.com.
	This story is about a Bible.  The Bible that Thaddeus Betts presents in February 1819 (or 1817) to his daughter, Abigail.  It is also a story about Abigail Betts and Noah Gates and their children.  By accounts Abigail lived until 1845 but Noah had died in 1813, six years before Thaddeus presented the Bible.		Before 1755	Thaddeus Betts is born.
	Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates are thought to have had at least 9 children and perhaps as many as 11 (8 sons and 3 daughters): Noah (<1798), Jared (1786), Hannah (1790), Samuel (<1798), Dorothy (1797), Hiram (1802), Ashbel (1803), William, Angeline account for 6 sons and 3 daughters.		1765	Elmer Gates reports Abigail Betts date of birth from FHL film # 1435729 - Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut - Vital Records. Refer to Volume # 2,  Page # 203.Abigail Betts is born.  She will eventually marry Noah Gates.
			1766	Noah Gates is born to Samuel and Ruth (Olmsted) Gates in Connecnticut.  He will eventually marry Abigail Betts.
	Is there a pension or land grant record to support that Noah Gates served in the Revolutionary War?  Noah would have been just 10 years old in 1776.		After 1776	Noah Gates serves in the Revolutionary War.  Elmer Gates suggests that the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War are sometimes viewed as one and the same.
	It is probable that (at most) three children are born to Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates from 1784 - 1790 and surviving in 1790 - two sons and one daughter.Is Jared one of the sons and Hannah the daughter from the interval? Jared appears to be the eldest identified son of Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates.		1784 to 1790	Elmer Gates reports data (email 1/29/1999) for the following children of Noah and Abibail Gates as follows:Jared - b. 2/8/1786, CT.; d. 7/24/1868 Cayuga Co. NY. Hannah - b. 1790; d.1874 (assumed Florence, Erie Co.,OH. - married to John Haise)
	In all of Connecticut in 1790 fifty-six Gates Heads of Families were documented in this Census.  Samuel (father), Samuel (son), and 4 grandsons (Samuel, Moses, Noah and Coleman) were all living in proximity to one another in the county of Fairfield, Connecticut. Do Noah and Abigail Gates have three children by the time of this 1790 Census?		1790	1790 Federal Census, Connecticut, Fairfield County -Ridgefield Town: Noah Gates - 1 male 16 and upward including heads, 2 males under 16, 2 females including heads.
			March 20, 1798	Elmer Gates reports that Jared Gates was born on February 8, 1786 - determined from age at death as recorded in abstract from family bible filed with Pension Record in National Archives). Refer to F H L film # 1321500 - Item # 23 - "Descendants of Jared Gates of Auburn, Cayuga County, New York."  Refer to Page # 1. Jared Gates was one of 4 children of Noah Gates that was baptized on March 20, 1798 in the Wilton Congregational Church in the Village of Wilton in Norfolk Township in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Refer to letter dated March 7, 1992 to Elmer A. Gates from Robert H. Russell, Historian of Wilton Congregational Church in the town of Wilton in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Also, refer to F H L film # 1015121 - "Fairfield County, Connecticut - Wilton Congregational Church Records - Births, Baptisms, & Marriages." Refer to Page # 33.
	Thaddeus Betts is alive (at least 45 years of age) and living in Ballston in proximity to his daughter Abigail's family (Stillwater). What is the relationship to Joseph Gates? Is Noah Olmsted of Stillwater a brother, cousin or uncle of Ruth (Olmsted) Gates? What is the relationship to William Gates? Moses (age ~37), Colman (age ~28) and Noah (age ~34) Gates of Stillwater are sons of Samuel and Ruth (Olmsted) Gates. Is the oldest male in Colman's family a mis-report of his age since it indicates Colman would only be 26 at the oldest? Noah and Abigail Gates evidently had 2 children (son and daughter) surviving or still living with them from the period 1784-90 decade.  They have 4 children surviving the 1790-1800 decade (3 sons). This assumes that household members reported are just the children and parents. In 1800 Noah and Abigail have lost one son (although he could be elsewhere - assuming age 16).  It is probable that they had 7 children of which 6 are still living with them (5 sons and 2 daughters). This Samuel of Stillwater is assumed to be Samuel and Ruth Gates. Who is the male, 10-16 living with Samuel and Ruth Gates?  Could he be Noah's eldest son?		1800	1800 Federal Census, NewYork, Saratoga County - Ballston: Page 13 line 8 - Thaddeus Betts, family of 6, 2 males to 10, 1 male 45+, 2 females 16-26, 1 female 45+ line 19 - Joseph Gates, family of 3, 1 male to 10, 1 male 26-45, 1 female 16-26 Stillwater: Page 47 line 6 - Noah Olmsted, family of 4, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 26-45, 1 male 45+, 1 female 45+ line 12 - William Gates, family of 5, 2 males to 10, 2 males 26-45, 1 female 16-26 Stillwater: Page 48 line 4 - Moses Gates, family of 7, 1 male 1 to 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 26-45, 2 females to 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45 line 5 - Colman Gates, family of 5, 1 male to 10, 1 male 16-26, 1 female to 10, 1 female 16-26, 1 female 26-45 line 8 - Noah Gates, family of 8, 3 males to 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 26-45, 1 female to 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45 line 17 - Samuel Gates, family of 3, 1 male 45+, 1 male 10-16, 1 female 45+)
	Is this Hiram the same as Hiram B. Gates?   Do we have another generation?		1801	Hiram B. Gates is born, probably in New York. He will eventually marry Margaret Engle.
	Where is Mary Engle and her family from?		1805	Margaret Engle is born.  She will eventually marry Hiram B. Gates.
	What is his family structure?  Is this Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates? The only Noah Gates identified in the 1810 Federal Census for New York is living in Cayuga County.  The family structure is consistent with Hiram, Ashbel, William and Angeline all having been born since 1800. Is Jared Gates the son (eldest ~age 24) of Noah and Abigail?		1810	1810 Federal Census, NewYork, Cayuga CountyNoah Gates appears to have 3 sons and 1 daughter under 10, one older son and one daughter living at home. Jared Gates family - need to review family coding - looks like no sons but perhaps a daughter..
	Thaddeus Betts is assumed to be Abigail (Betts) Gates father.		1810	1810 Federal Census, NewYork, Saratoga County (FHL 181389) - Ballston: ~page 776 ~line 1 - Joseph Gates ~line +1 - Taylor Betts ~line +6 - Ira Betts; ~line +8 - Thaddeus Betts Halfmoon: ~page 706 line 1 - William Gates
	It has been reported that Noah was in the New York Militia and died before March ?, 1813 while serving in the War of 1812.  (It is not clear to the editor the source of this date.) Why would Samuel and Ruth Gates become the guardians of Noah's children if Abigail (Betts) Gates is alive?		1813	Noah Gates dies, estimated 47 years of age.  Elmer A. Gates indicates that Samuel and Ruth Gates became guardians of Hiram, Ashbel, William and Angeline.
	The passing of the Thaddeus Betts Bible from generation to generation  solidly documents the Gates and Betts family connection.  The present day existence of the Bible and the oral/written tradition for more than four generations add strength and credibility to descendents assertions of lineage. Who is the mother of Hiram B. Gates?  Is it Augusta as stated? Who is Augusta Gates?  Was she married?  Was she a daughter-in-law of Abigail?  Was Augusta's husband Hiram Gates, Sr.?  What does the form of the photocopies suggest about the original pages?  Are scraps of papers pasted into the book?  The year 1841 appears to be written below 1826 ... what is the significance of 1826?  Was the book presented in 1826 or 1841? The already mentioned 1841 appears to be written in the same handwriting as 1859 ... the 1841 appears with Hiram B. ... the 1859 appears with Harriet Jackson.  Neither 1841 or 1859 appear to be in a style consistent with the text they have been associated with?   There may be another date in the margin associated with the Harriet entries ... it is not legible ... what do these dates mean?		1819	A Bible titled the "Life of Jesus Christ" is presented  to Abigail (Betts) Gates by Thaddeus Betts, her Father, in February of 1819 (or 17).  Abibail gives the Bible to her daughter Augusta.   Hiram B. Gates receives the Bible from his Mother (Augusta) in 1841. Elmer Gates reports that this Bible is currently in Florida (email 1/23/99) and was/is in the possession of Ted Gates.  Elmer Gates has further provided photcopies of the inscriptions of the Betts Bible which suggests that Hiram B. is the son of Augusta (2/24/99)?  Elmer recieved photocopies in 1995 from Ted Gates. As Transcribed by Elmer Gates - email 2/25/1999, edited. Presented to Abigail Gates by Thaddeus Betts her Father February 1817. Abigail Gates to her daughter Augusta.  Hiram B. Gates - Book presented to him by his Mother, Augustir (?).  Presented to Harriet Jackson by Hiram Gates her Father in December, 1859.  Presented to Dan J. Gates by Harriet Jackson, his sister, 1898.   Presented by Dan J. Gates to his son, Leon John Gates, 1915 - (died 1925). Leon John Gates to Eleanor Gates Roberts, his daughter.  Eleanor Gates Roberts to Fay R. Gates, his Cousin. July 27, 1958.  Fay R. Gates to Edward J. Gates, his son. Jan.'77.
	Why would a guardian be necessary if Abigail (Betts) Gates is still alive? The court might be acting prudently knowing the age of the children but not their whereabouts?		1820	Danforth Shumway, Physician of the town of Malta, appointed guardian for Noah and Abigail's children. Refer to FHL film # 0555718 - "Saratoga County, New York - Will Records - Volume # 5 - 1816 to 1823" - pages # 239,244, 256, & 257.Elmer Gates reports that according to the law at the time that Abigail would have no standing in the matter of the guardianship of the children.
	Is this Hiram the son of Abigail (Betts) Gates?		1820	1820 New York Federal Census, Cayuga County on Roll # M-33-68  Village of Brutus: Page 6 Hiram Gates = Head.
	Where was Harriet Gates born?		1825	Harriet A. Gates is born, daughter of Hiram B. Gates and Mary (Engle) Gates.  She will eventually marry William Jackson (b. 1822).
	Is 1826 an alternative year for Abigail (Betts) Gates presenting the Thaddeus Betts to Augusta, her daughter?		1826	See Thaddeus Betts Bible list of names.
	Ashbel is one of the sons (perhaps the youngest) of Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates.		January12th 1826	Ashbel Gates and Phebe (Reed) Gates are married January 12, 1826 presumedly in Saratoga Co., New York. Source - Jane (Gates) (Senter) Landphair Bible - original held by Don Gates.
	Is William A. Gates the first child of Ashbel and Phebe (Reed) Gates?  Is someone just confused with William Noah Gates who died much later (1923)?  So is this William A. Gates an elder brother of Jane (Gates) (Senter) Landphair?Can any record of this death be verfied in New York and thus improve the record of family locations?		October 1826	Don Gates reports from the Jane (Gates) Landphair Bible that William A. Gates dies October 16, 1826.  A note evidently records that this is grandmas brother. Don has provided the middle name as of William A. as Allen in email (2/8/1999) - orginal source unknown.
			1828	Mary L. Gates is born, daughter of Hiram B. Gates and Mary (Engle) Gates.  She will eventually marry Cyrus Evans.
	This son of Hiram Gates, age 5 to 10, is unaccounted for in the next Federal Census.		1830	1830 New York Federal Census, Wayne County on Roll # M-19-117Town of Lyons: Page 108 Hiram Gates family: Males -- 5 to 10 = 1. 20 to 30 = 1 Total males = 2. Females -- Under 5 = 1. 20 to 30 = 1. Total females = 2. Total members family in 1830 = 4.
	Is this the Mrs. Watkins who Aurilla J. Cook writes to on April 2, 1903?		1833	Hannah M. Gates is born in New York.  She marries a Watkins.(see 1903)
	The birthplace of William Noah Gates provides some time definite connections with the presence of his Aunt's living in the same area.		1834	William Noah Gates is born in Erie County, Ohio to Ashbel and Phebe (Reed) Gates.   Some Census sources say New York. William N. Gates re-enlisted in the 11th Wisconsin Voluteers on January 4, 1864 while in the State of Texas, Town of Indianola.   This document records his age as thirty and his place of birth as Erie Co., Ohio.   It also notes that he has dark eyes, light hair, light complexion and is 5 feet 9 and 1/2 inches high.
	The Hiram and Margaret Gates family migrate from New York to Michigan between 1833 and 1836.Is this the Rachel Ann that Aurilla J. Cook refers to in her letter of 1803?		1836	Rachel Ann Gates is born in Michigan.
	It certainly seems that the Gates involved, their location and the recording date of these land transactions  supports quite strongly their personal association and kinship.Ashbel and Hiram are assumed to be brothers and the sons of Noah and Abigail (Betts) Gates.		After Fall 1838	Al Covell reports on numerous land transactions recorded in the Bronson, MI Land Office (2/11/99 email).Amos M. Gates, Ezra Gates, Ashbel Gates, Hiram Gates are all involved in transactions recorded September 9, 1838. Daniel Gates transaction recorded May 1, 1839.
	A reconstruction of Hiram's family suggests that Daniel J. Gates is the son under the age of 5.  Rachel Ann is the daughter under age 5. She is 4 years of age.  Hannah M. is the daughter between 5 and 10.  Hannah is 7 years of age. Harriet and Mary are the two daughters between the age of 10 and 15.  Harriet is 15 and Mary is 12 years of age. Hiram's wife Margaret is between 30 and 40 as is Hiram himself.  Thus in this Michigan Federal Census there are seven family members.		1840	1840 Michigan Federal Census, St Joseph County on Roll # M-704-210, Nottawa Township: Page 256 Hiram Gates = Head. Males: Under 5 = 1. 30 to 40 = 1. Total males = 2. Females: Under 5 = 1.  5 to 10 = 1 . 10 to 15 = 2. 30 to 40 = 1. Total females = 5. Total members in Hiram Gates Family in 1840  = 7.
	The gift of the Bible indicates that Abigail is perhaps residing with them or within some proximity.  What prompted the "giving" at this time?		1841	Hiram B. Gates receives the Bible from his mother, Abigail (Betts) Gates..
			1845	Abigail (Betts) Gates dies, estimated age of 80 years.
	A reconstruction of Hiram's family in relation to the 1840 Federal Census and now this 1845 State Census suggests that Daniel J. Gates is now between the age of  5 and 10 and so a younger brother has been born.Rachel Ann is now between 5 and 10 and so must have a younger sister.  Hannah M. is the daughter between 10 and 15. Harriet and Mary are now between the age of 15 and 20.  One of them must be accounted for in some other way. Hiram's wife Margaret (age 40) is between 21 and 45 as is Hiram (age 44) himself.   Thus in this Michigan State Census there are seven family members.		1845	The 1845 Michigan State Census, St Joseph County,  on F H L film # 0927440. Nottawa Township: Hiram Gates = Head. Males - Under 10 years = 2. (21 to 45 yrs) = 1. Females - Under 10 years = 2. (10 to 21 yrs) = 1. (21 to 45 yrs) = 1.
			By1845	Harriet A (Gates) Jackson receives the Betts Bible from Hiram Gates, her father.
	This Hiram is undoubtedly the Hiram B. Gates from the Thaddeus Betts Bible. His daughter, Harriet, being married and living in the household with her husband William Jackson makes the data conclusive and is absolutely consistent with what is recorded in the Betts Bible.		1850	The 1850 Michigan Federal Census in St Joseph County made in Roll # M-432-362Nottawa Township: August 27, 1850 On Sheet # 726, Page # 363-B, line # 22, House visited # 136, Family visited # 137 recorded the following: Hiram Gates = Head = Farmer. Age = 48. Born = New York. Margaret = Wife. Age = 45. Born = New York. Others listed were: Harriet Jackson = Daughter = Married. Age = 24 Born = New York. William Jackson = Farmer = Son-in-Law. Age = 28. Born = New York. Hannah M. Gates = Daughter. Age = 17. Born = New York. Rachel Ann Gates = Daughter = At school. Age = 14. Born = Michigan. Dan Gates = Son = At school. Age = 12. Born = Michigan. Jay H. Gates = Son = At school. Age = 6. Born = Michigan.
	It has been reported that Hiram B. Gates gave the Thaddeus Betts Bible to his daughter Harriet Jackson in 1859.  This is an obvious contradiction so we must find an alternative explanation for this date at least.  It has been suggested that an earlier date 1826 maybe written in the margin in a handwriting more similar to the text of the particular note. Was Hiram B. Gates given the Bible in 1826 by his mother, Augusta?		1857	Hiram B. Gates dies, spouse of Margaret (Engle) Gates.
			1865	Margaret (Engle) Gates dies, spouse of Hiram B. Gates
	Before this letter, cousin to cousin, from Aurilla J. Cook to Mrs. Watkins there may have been doubts about the various Gates families, their linkages and descendancy. This and the Betts Bible must end those doubts. Aurilla J. Cook, daughter of Elijah Gates, although perhaps unclear in some details, links Noah Gates (and thus Abigail (Betts) Gates) to some of his brothers and also identifies some of Noah's children, who they married and where they settled.		April 2, 1903	Aurilla Jane (Gates) Cook writes a letter to her cousin Mrs.(Gates) Watkins (partial transcript of letter provided in email 2/23/99 by Elmer Gates to the Editor, source Bob Gates - holding of original unknown).

John Mortimer Reed and Charlotte (Morgan) ca. 1786 - 1864, authored 2018

 John Mortimer Reed and Charlotte (Morgan) ca. 1786 - 1864, authored 2018

The image [IMGP0736] right is from a 2007 trip to Birmingham, Ohio by William and Dorothy Gates (timestamp on the directory is 20071021).  Although the stones are broken and not all details are clearly visible they represent most likely the parents of Phebe Morgan (Reed) Gates.  The separate stone for John Mortimer Reed seems to indicate he is 84 and thus died 1864.  Charlotte's death from the stone is probably November 30, 1846 and her age 60?  This suggests they are of approximately the same age.  Another image has a slight horizontal line of a "4".  As I recall Birmingham was not settled until the 1820s?

It is a rather convoluted story about how I even became aware of Birmingham, Ohio via my great-grandfather William Noah Gates's Civil War service.

John Reed is listed at the very bottom of this 1850 Census page image from 1850 for Ohio, Erie, Florence, Birmingham as from New Jersey and 70 years of age.

Hannah (Gates) Reed (also a probable daughter of Abigail [Betts] and Noah Gates) age 66 from Connecticut is at top of next census page. Her birth state is Connecticut and also consistent identified parents (Noah and Abigail).  My manuscripts indicate I started writing heavily about Abigail in 2004.  What is the relationship between this Hannah and John Reed in this Census document?  I suppose she could be a second wife but the Birmingham cemetery does not tell that tale.  Could the Charlotte Reed stone be that of her mother-in-law?

In roughly 2007 I must have found cemetery records online thanks to Ted Reising (tedohio@yahoo.com) aka 

I will try and corroborate with other sources to minimize the confusion.  I assume John in this case is Hannah's father-in-law and his wife Charlotte has been deceased since 1846.  This area of Ohio was just being settled in 1816 (Firelands Land grants from 1808)-- raises some additional questions!

The other individual is probably her son or John's (grand)son.  He is 23 years old and identified as a "Wagon Maker" born in New York.  Assuming the latter as fact he came to Ohio or intermediate places sometime after 1827.

The Ennis family that follows the Reed household may be more or less closely related since a sister of Hannah's married an Ennis.  This is not being explored.

Florence Township History

FLORENCE TWP., Erie Co., Ohio from HISTORY OF THE FIRELANDS by W.W.Williams 1879 pages 445-453.

ORIGINAL OWNERS. [note: the following list of "sufferers" is abridged. Also included was the amount of loss, by whom classified, and amount classified. This refers to those claims granted in the "Firelands" in 1808 to those in Connecticut whose property had been destroyed by fire during the Revolution. All of the following claims were sold to Isaac Bronson, Ebenezer Jesup Jr., Jesup Wakeman, and Joseph Wakeman.]

Notice: the above material is Public Domain (no copyright). File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ted Reising tedohio@yahoo.com Dec. 15, 1998.