Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Electa M. Culver


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 Electa M. Culver and her immediate family.



First Generation
1. Electa M. Culver,1 born 31 March 1805 in Massachusetts (parents not determined);1, 2 died 22 October 1889.1 Electa married, first, Charles Norton (born 8 April 1806, parents not determined;1 Charles died 9 December 18581). Electa married, second, 11 March 1863 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan, Charles Spencer6 (born 21 August 1802 in New York, the son of Henry Spencer and Anne Gazlay;2, 3, 4 Charles died 12 September 1877 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan5). Electa is buried in Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.1 Charles is buried in Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.1

Charles was born in New York, probably in Queensbury, Warren County, where others in his family were born. He moved to Michigan in the mid-1830s, settling in Brighton, Livingston County. He was among the original purchasers of land in Brighton in March 1836. On July 10th of the same year, he married Mary Crampton. Around 1843, Charles was a co-founder, with David Thompson, of the Global Iron Works, later known as Thompson & Spencer, the first foundry in Livingston County. Charles was an officer in Brighton Lodge No. 42, Masons, when it was chartered on 9 January 1851. He died on 12 September 1877 in Brighton.7


  1. Find a Grave (website). Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan; Charles S. Norton and Electa M. Norton: Chas. S. / Norton / Died / Dec. 9, 1858 / Aged / 52y. 8m. 1d. / Electa M. / His Wife / Died / Oct. 22, 1889 / Aged / 84ys. 6ms. 22ds. [from headstone; constructed birth dates: Charles: 8 April 1806; Electa: 31 March 1805].
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Michigan, Livingston County, Brighton, Page No. 20, family of Charles Spencer (64, New York, dentist); Electa A. Spencer (63, Mass.); Frank Spencer (34, Michigan, dentist); Nellie Spencer (13, Michigan).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, Michigan, Livingston County, Township of Brighton, Page 408, family of Chas. Spencer (48, N.Y., merchant); Mary Spencer (34, N.Y.); Francis Spencer (17, Mich.); Wm. Spencer (10, Mich.); Elia Spencer (7, Mich.); Sarah Spencer (4, Mich.); Albert Spencer (2, Mich.); Smith Henry (25, N.Y., carpenter); Marilla Henry (16, N.Y.). [This is believed to be the same family as in the 1860 census, but there are several inconsistencies: Mary’s age; Wm. vs. Helen; Albert vs. Charles].
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Michigan, Livingston County, Brighton, Page No. 133, family of Charles Spencer (57, N. York, farmer); Mary Spencer (54, N. York); Helen H. Spencer (20, Mich.); Eliza A. Spencer (17, Mich.); Sarah Spencer (13, Mich.); Charles Spencer (11, Mich.); Emma Spencer (9, Mich.); John Spencer (7, Mich.); Lucy Spencer (4, Mich.).
  5. Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897; Charles Spencer, died: 12 September 1877 in Brighton, Livingston, Michigan; age 75 years, 22 days; occupation: dentist. [Constructed birth date: 21 August 1802.]
  6. Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995; Charles Spencer and Electa M. Norton, 11 March 1863 in Livingston [County], Michigan.
  7. History of Livingston County, Michigan; Philadelphia: Everts & Abbott, 1880. Various references to Charles Spencer, John G. Spencer, and Lucy Spencer, in Brighton Township and the Village of Brighton.