Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Robert Furman


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Robert Furman and 10 of his descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Robert Furman,1 born 30 April 1797 in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York, the son of Samuel Furman and Elizabeth Gazlay;1, 2, 3, 4 died 5 May 1864 in New York, New York.1, 4, 5 Robert married, first, 23 December 1820, Melinda Wilkins4, 7 (born July 1800 in New York, parents not determined;2, 4, 6 Melinda died 1 March 18514, 6). Robert married, second, 1853, Marie B. Angle4 (born ca. 1819 in New York, parents not determined;3, 8, 9 Marie died 3 May 1885 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York4, 10, 11). Robert is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.1 Melinda is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.6 Marie is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.10

Robert served as an early trustee of the Syracuse Village and as one of the alderman of the newly incorporated city. He was wealthy and was a deeply religious man.4

The following article regarding the contested will case of Maria B. Furman provides interesting details about the will and various family members:11

Yesterday the surrogate pled his decision in the contested will case of Maria B. Furman, late of Danforth, admitting the will to probate. Mrs. Furman was the second wife of Deacon Robert Furman, to whom she was married in 1853. At the time of their marriage Mr. Furman transferred to her property in the amount of about $30,000. Furman had two daughters by his first wife, who were Jane E. Adams and Ann E. Furman, who afterward married Dr. John P. Mann. In 1864 Mr. Furman died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Adams, in New York city. Their only son, Robert, who was born in 1858, who was unmarried, died in 1883, and the remainder of Deacon Furman’s estate, which was inherited by his son, came into the possession of Mrs. Furman. The testatrix died May 2 last, aged about 70, leaving no children. Her only heirs and next of kin were Ann Baker, a sister, and the children of Rebecca Emerson and Elizabeth B. Williams, deceased sisters, who contested her will, which was dated November 8, 1882, on the grounds of incompetency on the part of the testator to make a will and on account of undue influence. The will left to Robert Furman Adams of Chicago, a grandson of her husband, $1,000, and left the remainder of the estate, which was worth about $30,000, to her two stepdaughters in equal proportions.


Children of Robert Furman and Melinda Wilkins:

+2i. Ann Rebecca Furman, born 24 February 1822 in Saratoga County, New York; died 24 December 1892 in New York, New York. Married Dr. John Preston Mann.
+3ii. Jane Elizabeth Furman, born 6 June 1829 in New York; died 6 April 1905. Married Charles Edward Adams.
 4iii. Charles Furman, born ca. 1837.2

Child of Robert Furman and Marie B. Angle:

 5i. Robert M. Furman, born 4 March 1858 in New York;3, 8, 9, 12 died 23 August 1882 in Albany, Albany County, New York.12, 13, 14 Robert is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.12, 14

  1. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Furman, Robert: Robert Furman / Born / In Pleasant Valley / Dutchess Co. N.Y. / APril 30, 1797, / Came to Syracuse, / 1823, / Died May 5, 1864. [from Furman gravestone]; the record repeats these dates and provides the names of his two spouses and three children. The record also avers he died in Syracuse, but he actually died in New York City at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Charles Adams, as indicated in several other records.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Onondaga County, City of Syracuse, Page 521, family of Robert Furman (53, NY, P??); Masenda [?] Furman (50, NY); Ann Furman (28); Charles Furman (13); Moses Dickson (24, black); Chas. C. Adams (28, Massachu., teacher); Jane Adams (21); Robert Adams (2); Bartheen [?] Carners [?] (25, Canada).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Onondaga County, City of Syracuse, Page 48, family of Robert (age 63) and Marie B. Furman (age 41), with Robert M. Furman (age 2), Catherine Angle (age 45), and Margaret Connolly (age 19), servant.
  4. Baker Family History and Genealogy; The Descendants of Josias Furman, Generations 4, 5, and 6. Website.
  5. Obituary, New York Tribune, 6 May 1864, Robert Furman, age 67, died 5 May 1864 at the residence of his sons-in-law, Dr. J. P. Mann and Mr. C. E. Adams.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Furman, Melinda B. Williams [sic, another source says Wilkins]: Melinda / Wife of / Robert Furman / Died / March 1, 1851 / Aged 50 Yrs [from gravestone]; Born: July 1800; Died 14 March 1851 [from record, which indicates her parents as J. & R. William].
  7. Email from Enid Mastrianni to Lee Gazlay, various dates in January, September, and December 2011, providing details primarily about Furman and Mann descendants.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Onondaga County, Onondaga, page no. 114, family of Maria B. Furman (age 54) with Robert M. Furman (age 12) and Ellen Dailey (age 16), domestic servant.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Onondaga County, Onondaga, Enumeration District 189, Page No. 3; family of Maria B. Furman (62, N.Y., widow); son Robert E. Furman (22, N.Y.).
  10. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Furman, Maria B.Augh [sic, her last name was Angle]: Maria B. / Wife of / Robert Furman / Died / May 3, 1885 / Aged 65 Yrs. [from gravestone]. Born: 1818, Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York; Died: 3 May 1885, Syracuse, Onandago County, New York [from record, which also indicates that her parents were N & K Augh, actually Angle].
  11. Utica Morning Herald, Utica, New York. Available at fultonhistory.com. 23 October 1885, article regarding the surrogate’s decision on the contested will case of Maria B. Furman, second wife of Deacon Robert Furman. The article summarizes the elements of the will and transfers of property, and includes vital details of various family members.
  12. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Furman, Robert: Robert / Son of / Robert & Maria B. / Furman / Died Aug. 23, 1882 / Aged 24 Yrs. [from gravestone]. Born: 4 March 1858; Died 23 August 1882 [from record].
  13. Deaths, The New York Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, available at fultonhistory.com; 24 August 1882, death of Robert Furman on 23 August 1882 in Albany, New York. The article provides a detailed account of how Robert shot his mistress and then himself; his mistress was only wounded but he died of his injuries.
  14. Deaths, Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, New York, available at fultonhistory.com; 28 August 1882, article on the death of Robert Furman the previous week. The article provides a detailed account of his shooting his mistress and then himself, and indicates he was interred in Oakwood Cemetery [Syracuse, New York].
Second Generation
2. Ann Rebecca Furman2 (Robert1), born 24 February 1822 in Saratoga County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 24 December 1892 in New York, New York.1 Ann married, ca. 1855, Dr. John Preston Mann1, 7 (born 19 May 1821 in Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York, parents not determined;3, 4, 5, 6 John died 12 July 1893 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York6, 7). Ann and John are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.1, 6

John’s obituary provides a brief biography:7

JOHN PRESTON MANN.

John Preston Mann, M. D., of New York city, died at the Croly farm on East Genessee st., yesterday. Dr. Mann had been to the World’s fair with his daughter, and returned in June, he was compelled by illness to remain over in this city for rest and medical treatment. He appeared to improve, but a relapse ensued, and he passed away.

Dr. J. P. Mann was born at Whitesboro in this State, in 1821, and was thus 72 years of age. He studied medicine, graduating from the Geneva Medical college in 1842, and practiced his profession in Mannsville, Jefferson county, till 1857, when he came to this city. In 1855, Dr. Mann was married to Ann Rebecca, daughter of the late Robert Furman. Dr. Mann’s practice in Syracuse, extended over a period of several years, when he went to New York, where he acquired reputation and large wealth by his wonderful skill in the treatment of the crippled and deformed, his practice extending to all the large cities of the country. He had a luxurious home in Lexington ave., where Mrs. Mann died in December last, and was brought to this city for burial in Oakwood. Dr. Mann’s only child, a daughter, alone survives this double bereavement. Mr. Mann was recently elected president of the Alumni association of Syracuse Medical college.


Child of Ann Rebecca Furman and Dr. John Preston Mann:

+6i. Prestonia Mann, born ca. 1861 in New York; died 1 April 1945 in Winter Park, Orange County, Florida. Married Dr. John Martin.

3. Jane Elizabeth Furman2 (Robert1), born 6 June 1829 in New York;2, 4, 8, 9, 10 died 6 April 1905.8 Jane married Charles Edward Adams4, 12 (born 15 January 1822 in Massachusetts, parents not determined;2, 9, 10, 11 Charles died 2 September 190211). Jane and Charles are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.11, 8

Children of Jane Elizabeth Furman and Charles Edward Adams:

 7i. Dr. Robert Furman Adams, born 23 December 1848 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York;2, 9, 13 died 18 April 1922 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.13 Robert is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York.13
 8ii. Annabell Adams, born ca. 1862 in New York.4, 10

  1. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Mann, Ann Rebecca Furman: [Within the Mann grave plot:] Ann Rebecca Furman / His Wife / Feb. 24, 1822 / Dec. 24, 1892 [from grave marker]; born: 24 February 1822, Saratoga County, New York; died: 24 December 1892, New York, New York; spouse: John Preston Mann [from record].
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Onondaga County, City of Syracuse, Page 521, family of Robert Furman (53, NY, P??); Masenda [?] Furman (50, NY); Ann Furman (28); Charles Furman (13); Moses Dickson (24, black); Chas. C. Adams (28, Massachu., teacher); Jane Adams (21); Robert Adams (2); Bartheen [?] Carners [?] (25, Canada).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, New York County, New York City, 6th Division 20 Ward, Page No. 32, family of John Broadman (50, N. York, comm. merchant); Lucy Broadman (45, N. York); Lucy Broadman (20, N. York); Mary Broadman (18, N. York); John Broadman (16, N. York); John P. Mann (39, N. York, doctor); Ann Mann (38, N. York) [They are living next door to Ann’s sister Jane and her husband Charles Adams.]
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, New York County, New York, 22d District 22d Ward; Page No. 5, family of Jas. P. Mann (49, New York, physician); Ann R. Mann (44, New York); Chs. E. Adams (48, New York); Jane F. Adams (42, New York); Julia d. Mann (76, New York); Prestonia Mann (9, New York); Annabel Adams (8, New York); plus 15 other adults, probably unrelated). [Note that Charles, Jane, and Annabel Adams are also shown at another New York City address in the same 1870 Census.]
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, New York County, New York City, Enumeration District 567, Page No. 34; family of John P. Mann (56, New York, physician); wife Anna Mann (55, New York); daughter Prestonia Mann (18, New York, private lady).
  6. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Mann, John Preston: John Preston Mann / May 19, 1821 / July 12, 1893 [from grave marker]; born: 19 March 1821, Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York; died: 12 July 1893, New York.
  7. Obituary, Syracuse Daily Journal, Syracuse, New York (available at fultonhistory.com); 13 July 1893, John Prston Mann, died 12 July 1893. The article provides a brief biography.
  8. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Adams, Jane Furman: Jane E. Furman / Adams / June 6, 1829 / April 6, 1905 [from gravestone]; the record provides the names of her parents, husband Charles Edward Adams, and child Robert Furman Adams.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, New York County, New York City, 6th Division 20 Ward, Page No. 32, family of Chas. Adams (40, Mass., Clerk); Jane Adams (30, N York); Robt. Adams (12, N York); plus 15 borders and servants.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, New York County, New York, 1st Election District 22 Ward, Page No. 12, family of Charles Adams (49, Massachusetts); Jane Adams (41, New York); Annabell Adams (8, New York), plus at least 23 other people listed in the same household (apparently unrelated to this Adams family).
  11. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Adams, Charles Edward: Charles Edward / Adams / Jan. 15, 1822 / Sept. 2, 1902 [from gravestone]; the record indicates his parents were Gresham and Abigail Adams, and gives the name of his wife and their son Robert Furman Adams.
  12. Email from Enid Mastrianni to Lee Gazlay, various dates in January, September, and December 2011, providing details primarily about Furman and Mann descendants.
  13. Find a Grave (website). Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York, Adams, Robert Furman, Dr.: Robert Furman / Adams / 1848 - 1922 [from gravestone]; born: 23 December 1848, Syracuse, Onandaga County, New York; died: 18 April 1922, Syracuse, Onandaga, New York [from record].
Third and Fourth Generations
6. Prestonia Mann3 (Ann,2 Robert1), born ca. 1861 in New York;1, 2, 3, 4 died 1 April 1945 in Winter Park, Orange County, Florida.5 Prestonia married, 1 September 1900 in Keene Center, Essex County, New York, Dr. John Martin7 (born ca. 1865 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, parents not determined;3, 4, 6 John died 6 April 1956 in Winter Park, Orange County, Florida6).

Child of Prestonia Mann and Dr. John Martin:

 9i. Robin Martin, born ca. 1906 in New Jersey.4

Child adopted by Prestonia Mann and Dr. John Martin:

 10ii. Johnathan S. Martin, born 1909 in Rhode Island.3

Child of Prestonia Mann and Dr. John Martin:

 11iii. Charmain R. Martin, born ca. 1913 in New York.4

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, New York County, New York, 22d District 22d Ward; Page No. 5, family of Jas. P. Mann (49, New York, physician); Ann R. Mann (44, New York); Chs. E. Adams (48, New York); Jane F. Adams (42, New York); Julia d. Mann (76, New York); Prestonia Mann (9, New York); Annabel Adams (8, New York); plus 15 other adults, probably unrelated). [Note that Charles, Jane, and Annabel Adams are also shown at another New York City address in the same 1870 Census.]
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, New York County, New York City, Enumeration District 567, Page No. 34; family of John P. Mann (56, New York, physician); wife Anna Mann (55, New York); daughter Prestonia Mann (18, New York, private lady).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Richmond County, Stapleton, New York City, Enumeration Distrct 1315, Sheet No. 15B; family of John Martin (45, England, printer); wife of 9 years Prestonia Martin (47, New York, no children); adopted son Johnathan S. Martin (1, Rhode Island); servant Mary Bonker (27, Ireland, servant, private family); servant Christine Young (34, Scotland, widow, servant, private family); lodger Katheryn Young (8, Scotland).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Richmond County, Stapleton, New York City, Enumeration District 1571, Sheet No. 1A; family of John Martin (55, England, publicist, immigrated in 1899); wife Prestonia M. Martin (58, New York); son Robin Martin (14, New Jersey ); daughter Charmain R. Martin (7, New York).
  5. Obituary, The New York Times, 3 April 1945, Mrs. John Martin, Prestonia Mann Martin, died 1 April 1945 in Winter Park, Florida. The article provides brief biographical details and lists her husband John and three adopted children, Robin, Jonathon, and Mrs. Charmane Duffany as survivors.
  6. Obituary, The New York Times, 7 April 1956, Dr. John Martin, died 6 April 1945 in Winter Park, Florida. The article provides brief biographical details.
  7. Marriage Announcement, The Holley Standard, Holley, New York, available at fultonhistory.com; 30 August 1900, article announcing that Mrs. J. H. French was traveling to a farm in the Adirondacks near Keene Center, Essex County, NY, for the marriage of Miss Prestonia Mann, of New York City, to Mr. John Martin, of London England, on 1 September 1900.