Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Elizabeth Rosilla ‘Bessie’ Gerow


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 Elizabeth Rosilla ‘Bessie’ Gerow and 10 of her descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Elizabeth Rosilla ‘Bessie’ Gerow,1 born 5 September 1872 in Patterson, Putnam County, New York, the daughter of James Crosby Gerow and Frances Peavey Tupper;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 died 16 September 1961 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York.1 Bessie married, June 1893, George Henry Gazley16 (born 19 October 1868 in Clinton Hollow, Dutchess County, New York, the son of Orlando E. Gazley and Phoebe Elizabeth Holmes;2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 George died 19 January 1937 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York7, 15). Their marriage ended in divorce in before 1910.3 Bessie is buried in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York.1 George is buried in Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Pleasant Plains, Dutchess County, New York.7

George was in the hotel business for most of his life. He was associated with the Palatine hotel in Newburgh, and then he was employed at the old Waldorf in New York City as a room clerk. Later he became the manager of the St. Regis hotel, and later he managed several hotels in the east and mid-west. He was the head of the Melrose hotel in Dallas, Texas, for seven years, and afterward he returned to Dutchess County to operate the Millbrook Inn. George was survived by his 92 year old mother, his wife, and his brother “L. Nathan Gazley” [actually, Elnathan].15


Children of Elizabeth Rosilla ‘Bessie’ Gerow and George Henry Gazley:

+2i. John Gerow Gazley, born 6 April 1895 in Patterson, Putnam County, New York; died 20 August 1991 in Hanover, Grafton County, New Hampshire. Married (1) Lois Cassidy Married (2) Elizabeth G. Tinsley.
+3ii. Madeleine Gazley, born 4 July 1900 in New Utrecht (Brooklyn), Kings County, New York; died 29 December 1990 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Married Orla Leslie Wood, Jr..

  1. Find a Grave (website). Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York; Gazley, Elizabeth Rosilla Gerow; Elizabeth R. Gazley / Sept. 5, 1872 - Sept. 16, 1961 [from grave marker]. The record also gives her birth and death places, and the names of her parents, spouse George Henry Gazley, and a child Madeline Gazley Wood.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, New York County, Manhattan, Enumeration District 845, Sheet No. 5B, family of George H. Gazley (31, New York, Oct 1868, hotel clerk; wife of 7 years Elezebeth [sic] J. Gazley (22, New York, Sept. 1872, 1 child, 1 living); son John J. Gazley (5, New York, Apr. 1895).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Enumeration District 974, Sheet No. 8B, family of Elizabeth Gazley (37, New York, divorced); son John Gazley (15, New York); daughter Madeline Gazley (9, New York).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Westchester County, White Plains City, Enumeration District 201, Sheet No. 4A and 4B, family of Elizabeth Gazley (47, New York, divorced); son John G. Gazley (24, New York, teacher); daughter Madeline Gazley (19, New York, clerical, government); mother Frances P. Gerow (74, New York, widow); plus 2 lodgers.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Saratoga County, Ballston Township, E.D. 46-4, Sheet No. 5B, Orla L. Wood, 29, New York, electrical engineer, General Electric; wife Natelein [sic, Madeleine] Wood, 29, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 1, New York; [?]-in-law Frances P. Jerow [sic, Gerow], 80, New York, widow; [?]-in-law Elizabeth G. Jerow [sic], 57, New York, widow. [The latter two are Madeleine’s grandmother and mother respectively.]
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Schenectady County, Niskayuna, E.D. 47-18, Sheet No. 27A, Orla L. Wood, 39, New York, elec. engineer, elec. mfg. ind.; wife Madeleine Wood, 39, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 11, New York; daughter Joyce Wood, 8, New York; mother-in-law Elizabeth R. Gazley, 67, New York, widow.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Dutchess County, New York, Gazley, George Henry; born Oct. 19 1869 in Pleasant Plains, New York; died Jan. 19, 1937 in Poughkeepsie, New York; Son of Elnathan and Phebe Gazley; Survived by his wife, his mother, and a brother, L. Nathan Gazley [sic, Elnathan]. [From record and obituary attached to the record].
  8. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, Marriage License and Certification, Page 269: George H. Gazley, born: 19 October 1868 in Clinton Hollow, N.Y., father: O. E. Gazley, born: Clinton Hollow, N.Y.; mother; Phoebe Holmes, born: Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; married once before; divorce: 11 October 1909; and Mabel E. Cheney, born: 10 April 1879 in Crown Point, N.Y.; father: H. M. Cheney, born: Crown Point, N.Y.; mother: Eliza Breed, born: Crown Point, N.Y.; first marriage; Married on 28 October 1909 in Porter County, Indiana.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Dutchess County, Clinton, Page No. 38, family of Orlando Gazeley (26, NY, farmer); Phebe Gazeley (25, NY); Elihu Gazeley [sic, this is undoubtedly Elnathan] (5, NY); George Gazeley (2, NY) [the age could be mistaken as a 9 but on close inspection is a 2].
  10. New York State Census, 1875, Dutchess County, Clinton, First Election District, page 5, family of Elathan [sic] Gazley (66, Dutchess [County], farmer); wife Sarah B. Gazley (63, Dutchess); son Orlando Gazley (31, Dutchess, farmer); wife Phebe Gazley (30, Dutchess); son Elathan [sic] Gazley (10, Dutchess); son George Gazley (6, Dutchess); sister [of Orlando] Emily Gazley (22, Dutchess); hired [hand] John Dixon (21, Sulivan [sic, Sullivan] farm laborer).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Dutchess County, Clinton, Enumeration District 31, Page No. 16, family of Orlando Gasley (36, New York, farmer); Wife Phebe Gasley (35, New York); son George Gasley (11, New York); son Raymond Gasley (3, New York).
  12. New York State Census, 1892, Dutchess County, Amenia, Page No. 10, family of Orlando E. Gazley (48, U.S., boarding house); Phoeby E. Gazlay (47, U.S.); George Gazley (25, U.S.); Raymond Gazley (16, U.S.).
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Enumeration District 1452, Sheet No. 2B, George H. Gazley [indexed as Gagley], 50, New York, mgr., hotel; wife Mabel E. Gazley, 40, New York.
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Texas, Dallas County, Dallas, Enumeration District 57-66, Sheet No. 56A, family of George H. Gazley (61, New York, manager, hotel); wife Mabel Gazley (56, New York).
  15. Obituary, Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, Dutchess County, New York. Available at fultonhistory.com 20 January 1937. George Gazley, died 19 January 1937. The article provides a brief biographical sketch.
  16. Wedding Announcement, The Republican [aka The Columbia Republican], Hudson, New York, 22 June 1893, article about one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of Miss Bessie Gerow, of Patterson, N.Y., and George H. Gazley, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The article does not specify when the wedding occurred, but was likely within a few days or weeks of the date of the article.
Second Generation
2. John Gerow Gazley2 (Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 6 April 1895 in Patterson, Putnam County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 20 August 1991 in Hanover, Grafton County, New Hampshire.1, 7 John married, first, 2 September 1922 in Rutland County, Vermont, Lois Cassidy5, 10 (born ca. 1896 in Vermont, parents not determined;5, 6 Lois died 30 January 19578, 9). John married, second, Elizabeth G. Tinsley9 (born 20 December 1912 in Pearisburg, Giles County, Virginia, the daughter of Roy Edward Tinsley and Frances Woods;11, 12, 13 Elizabeth died 22 June 2003 in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont11, 12).

In a letter to Lee Gazlay dated 28 January 1987, John provided interesting details about himself and his family:9

“Thanks you so much for your recent letter about the Gazley clan. All I know about the genealogy of my branch of the family is summarized in the chart above [not shown here]. I am sorry I do not know earlier generations. I think our branch of the family have consistently spelled the name with an e rather than an a. Once when I was in England I met Sir Stephen Gaselee who helped me with some research. Did you know that there is a tiny village in Suffolk county in England named Gazely? I visited it in 1938. It is a charming place, just a crossroads. There are no Gazleys living there.

My branch of the family had their homestead in Dutchess County, New York. The village where the homestead was located was Staatsburgh. It is a thoroughly delightful little house, very unpretentious, with severe classical lines. It is located near Hyde Park where F. D. R. was brought up. My uncle by marriage knew the Roosevelt family. He was a cousin also of Alf Landon. His name was Sextus Landon.

My father and his two brothers, Elnathan and Raymond, were all hotel men. Uncle Raymond was manager of a large hotel in Clarksburg, W. Virginia. My father started the Small Palantine Hotel in Newburgh, N.Y. He became room clerk at the Waldorf in N.Y. City and then became manager of the St. Regis, and later at the Chicago Lafatte Hotel. For some years he was in Dallas. My sister and I had great thrills at having lunch at the St. Regis with my father. He died in his early ’sixties from heart and bladder trouble.

My sister Madeline Gazley Wood married Orla Wood, an engineer with the G. E. in Schenectady, N.Y., where she lived most of her life. She is now 86 years old and in a retirement home. She has had much tragedy in her life. Her oldest daughter, Joann Wood Sayles, developed multiple sclerosis as a young woman. Her younger daughter, Joyce Van Patten, died of a heart attack in the church where she was attending the funeral of her father, still a relatively young man. My sister has six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

As a young child, I was brought up in Harlem, New York City. Then we moved to White Plains, New York, where I attended high school. I attended Amherst College and graduated in 1917. After a short period of service in World War I, I took courses in the Columbia University Graduate School in the Department of History.

I taught European History for three years at Columbia, and then came to Dartmouth in 1923 and taught Modern Europe and World History and International Relations until my retirement in 1962. I have published two large books and several pamphlets and articles. My first book was “American Opinion of German Unification, 1848-1871,” published in 1926 by the Columbia University Press. The second book was “The Life of Arthur Young,” published in 1973 by the American Philosophical Society. During the last few years I have developed Parkinson’s Disease. The progress of the disease has been arrested, but I have trouble walking, eating, writing (as you can see), getting into and out of cars, etc. I am 91 years old.

I have made five trips to western and central Europe. In 1950 I was on the civilian faculty at the National War College in Washington. In the academic year 1964-65 I was a visiting professor in English History at the University of Illinois in Champagne, Illinois.

In your letter you mentioned talking with my two sons, Richard Harold and Lawrence John Gazley. Richard has one child, a son, Richard H. Gazley, Jr. Lawrence has three children, a son, John Vincent Gazley, and two daughters, Barbara Gazley and Pamela Gazley.”


Children adopted by John Gerow Gazley and Lois Cassidy:

+4i. Richard Harold Gazley, born 31 July 1932 in New York; died 25 May 2011. Married Mary O’Brien.
+5ii. Lawrence John Gazley, born 7 April 1938 in New York; died 7 November 2002. Married Elizabeth ‘Abby’ Koch.

3. Madeleine Gazley2 (Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 4 July 1900 in New Utrecht (Brooklyn), Kings County, New York;3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17 died 29 December 1990 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.15 Madeleine married, 9 October 1924 in White Plains, Westchester County, New York, Orla Leslie Wood, Jr.15, 19 (born 21 November 1900 in New York, New York, parents not determined;16, 17, 18 Orla died 7 March 1964 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York18). Madeleine and Orla are buried in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York.15, 18

Orla graduated from Cornell College in 1923 with an EE degree. He worked in the testing department of the General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. He conducted experimental work on the Emmet mercury vapor process.19


Children of Madeleine Gazley and Orla Leslie Wood, Jr.:

+6i. Joann Wood, born 10 March 1929 in New York; died 19 November 1979 in Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. Married David Sayles.
+7ii. Joyce Wood, born 13 March 1932 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York; died 11 March 1964 in Schenectady County, New York. Married Richard Van Patten.

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Gazley, John G., no. 002-24-2154; born 6 April 1895; died 20 August 1991; last residence: New Hampshire.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, New York County, Manhattan, Enumeration District 845, Sheet No. 5B, family of George H. Gazley (31, New York, Oct 1868, hotel clerk; wife of 7 years Elezebeth [sic] J. Gazley (22, New York, Sept. 1872, 1 child, 1 living); son John J. Gazley (5, New York, Apr. 1895).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Enumeration District 974, Sheet No. 8B, family of Elizabeth Gazley (37, New York, divorced); son John Gazley (15, New York); daughter Madeline Gazley (9, New York).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Westchester County, White Plains City, Enumeration District 201, Sheet No. 4A and 4B, family of Elizabeth Gazley (47, New York, divorced); son John G. Gazley (24, New York, teacher); daughter Madeline Gazley (19, New York, clerical, government); mother Frances P. Gerow (74, New York, widow); plus 2 lodgers.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Hampshire, Grafton County, Hanover Village, Enumeration District 5-17, Sheet No. 18B, family of John G. Gazley (35, New York, professor, Dart. College [Dartmouth]); wife Lois c. Gazley (34, Vermont).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New Hampshire, Grafton County, Hanover, Enumeration District 5-24, Sheet No. 62A, family of John Gazley (45, New York, professor, college); wife Lois Gazley (44, Vermont); son Richard Gazley (7, New York); son Lawrence (2, New York); mother-in-law Lucinda Cassidy (77, Vermont, widow).
  7. Obituary, The New York Times, 25 August 1991, John Gerow Gazley, died 20 August 2012. The article provides vital and biographical details, and names his first and second wives, sons, and stepsons.
  8. Obituary, The New York Times, 1 February 1957, Lois Gazley, died 30 January 1957. Wife of John G. Gazley.
  9. Letter, from John Gerow Gazley to Lee Gazlay, 28 January 1987, as a follow-up to a lengthy phone conversation. In the letter, John provides substantial biographical details and vital statistics of his branch of the family originating with Orlando Gazley.
  10. Amherst Graduates Quarterly, Volume 12, November 1922 to August 1923; Published by the Alumni Council of Amherst College. Page 46. Married, at Rutland, VT., on 2 September 1922, John G. Gazley and Miss Lois Cassidy.
  11. Email between Jeffrey Bassett and Lee Gazlay, several dates in September 2015, providing a copy of the Vermont Death Certificate for Elizabeth (Tinsley) Gazley, and details of her first marriage to Samuel A. Bassett and their children.
  12. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Gazley, Elizabeth T., no. 496-28-5299; born 20 December 1912; died 20 November 1992.
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Missouri, St. Louis County, Richmond Heights City, family of Sam A. Bassett (33, Missouri, doctor, private practice); wife Elizabeth G. Bassett (27, Virginia); son Sam Bassett Jr. (5, Missouri); son Dennis A Bassett (2/12, Missouri); maid Evelyn McLeod (23, Florida, maid, private family).
  14. New York City, Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (website: a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov), Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate No.: 30125, Madeline Gazley, born: 4 July 1900 in Manhattan, New York; father: George Gazlay, age 32, born in N.Y., occupation: clerk; mother: Elizabeth Gazlay; maiden name: Elizabeth Gerow; age 28, born in Patterson, N.Y.; number of previous children: 1; how many now living (in all): 2.
  15. Find a Grave (website). Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York; Wood, Madeleine Gazley Wood; born Jul. 4, 1900 in New Utrecht, Kings County, New York; died Dec. 29, 1990 in Manhattan, New York County, New York [from record]. The record also provides the names of her parents, husband Orla Leslie Wood, and child Joann Wood Sayles.
  16. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Saratoga County, Ballston Township, E.D. 46-4, Sheet No. 5B, Orla L. Wood, 29, New York, electrical engineer, General Electric; wife Natelein [sic, Madeleine] Wood, 29, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 1, New York; [?]-in-law Frances P. Jerow [sic, Gerow], 80, New York, widow; [?]-in-law Elizabeth G. Jerow [sic], 57, New York, widow. [The latter two are Madeleine’s grandmother and mother respectively.]
  17. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Schenectady County, Niskayuna, E.D. 47-18, Sheet No. 27A, Orla L. Wood, 39, New York, elec. engineer, elec. mfg. ind.; wife Madeleine Wood, 39, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 11, New York; daughter Joyce Wood, 8, New York; mother-in-law Elizabeth R. Gazley, 67, New York, widow.
  18. Find a Grave (website). Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York; Wood, Orla Leslie; born Nov. 21, 1900 in New York, New York; died Mar. 7, 1964 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York [from record]. The record also provides the name of his wife Madeleine Gazley Wood and a child Joann Wood Sayles.
  19. Cornell Alumni News, Vol. XXVII, No. 13, December 18, 1924, Ithaca, New York. Page 170, Alumni Notes, entry for Orla L. Wood, Jr., ’23, provides the date and place of his marriage to Madeline Gazley, and details of his employment at the time.
Third and Fourth Generations
4. Richard Harold Gazley3 (John,2 Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 31 July 1932 in New York;1, 2, 3 died 25 May 2011.1 Richard married Mary O’Brien4 (born 4 October 1922, parents not determined3). Their marriage ended in divorce in September 1971 in Orange County, California.5 Richard was adopted by John Gerow Gazley and Lois Cassidy.

Child of Richard Harold Gazley and Mary O’Brien:

 8i. Richard Harold Gazley, Jr., born 14 February 1963 in Orange County, California.4, 6

5. Lawrence John Gazley3 (John,2 Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 7 April 1938 in New York;2, 3, 7 died 7 November 2002.7 Lawrence married Elizabeth ‘Abby’ Koch4 (born 24 April 1937, parents not determined3). Lawrence was adopted by John Gerow Gazley and Lois Cassidy.

Children of Lawrence John Gazley and Elizabeth ‘Abby’ Koch:

 9i. Barbara K. Gazley, born 27 July 1961.3, 4
 10ii. John Vincent Gazley, born 21 May 1963.3, 4
 11iii. Pamela Lynn Gazley, born 21 May 1963.3, 4

6. Joann Wood3 (Madeleine,2 Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 10 March 1929 in New York;8, 9, 10 died 19 November 1979 in Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut.8, 11 Joann married David Sayles4 (born ____, parents not determined). Joann is buried in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York.8

7. Joyce Wood3 (Madeleine,2 Elizabeth ‘Bessie’1), born 13 March 1932 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York;4, 10, 12 died 11 March 1964 in Schenectady County, New York.12 Joyce married Richard Van Patten4 (born ____, parents not determined). Joyce is buried in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York.12

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Richard H. Gazley, no. 001-24-4392; died: 25 May 2011; born: 31 July 1932; last place of residence: Fullerton, Orange [County], California.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New Hampshire, Grafton County, Hanover, Enumeration District 5-24, Sheet No. 62A, family of John Gazley (45, New York, professor, college); wife Lois Gazley (44, Vermont); son Richard Gazley (7, New York); son Lawrence (2, New York); mother-in-law Lucinda Cassidy (77, Vermont, widow).
  3. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  4. Letter, from John Gerow Gazley to Lee Gazlay, 28 January 1987, as a follow-up to a lengthy phone conversation. In the letter, John provides substantial biographical details and vital statistics of his branch of the family originating with Orlando Gazley.
  5. California Divorce Index 1966-1984; available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Gazlay, Richard H., and Obrien, Mary A, divorced September 1971 in Orange County, California.
  6. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Richard H. Gazley, born: 14 February 1963 in Orange County, California; mother: Obrien.
  7. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Gazley, Larry J., no. 002-30-2335; born 7 April 1938; died 7 November 2002.
  8. Find a Grave (website). Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York; Sayles, Joann Wood; born Mar. 10, 1929; died Nov. 19, 1979 [from record]. The record also provides the names of her parents.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Saratoga County, Ballston Township, E.D. 46-4, Sheet No. 5B, Orla L. Wood, 29, New York, electrical engineer, General Electric; wife Natelein [sic, Madeleine] Wood, 29, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 1, New York; [?]-in-law Frances P. Jerow [sic, Gerow], 80, New York, widow; [?]-in-law Elizabeth G. Jerow [sic], 57, New York, widow. [The latter two are Madeleine’s grandmother and mother respectively.]
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Schenectady County, Niskayuna, E.D. 47-18, Sheet No. 27A, Orla L. Wood, 39, New York, elec. engineer, elec. mfg. ind.; wife Madeleine Wood, 39, New York; daughter Joann Wood, 11, New York; daughter Joyce Wood, 8, New York; mother-in-law Elizabeth R. Gazley, 67, New York, widow.
  11. Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Joann W. Sayles, died: 19 November 1979 in Hartford, Connecticut, age 50 years, divorced; spouse’s name: David.
  12. Find a Grave (website). Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Colonie, Albany County, New York; Joyce Wood Van Patten, born: 13 March 1932 in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York; 11 March 1964 in Schenectady County, New York [from record, which provides the names and links for her parents and sibling].