Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Polly Cotton


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 Polly Cotton and eight of her descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Polly Cotton,1 born 1793 (parents not determined);1 died 1824.1 Polly married John Cornelius VanCise, Jr.1 (born 1787, parents not determined;1 John died 18731).

Children of Polly Cotton and John Cornelius VanCise, Jr.:

+2i. Mary Elizabeth VanCise, born ca. November 1816 in New York. Married Orville F. Gazlay.
 3ii. Deborah Ann VanCise, born 1819;1 died 1910.1

  1. Email between Jeannie Knutson and Lee Gazlay, January 2021.
Second Generation
2. Mary Elizabeth VanCise2 (Polly1), born ca. November 1816 in New York.1, 2, 3, 4 Mary married Orville F. Gazlay1, 6 (born 24 February 1814 in South Edmeston, Otsego County, New York, the son of Aaron Gazlay and Abigail Sutton;1, 2, 5, 6 Orville died 1 April 18725, 7). Orville is buried in Mt. Upton Cemetery, Town of Guilford, Chenango County, New York.5

Orville served as a private in the Civil War as a member of Company A, 157th New York Infantry.8


Children of Mary Elizabeth VanCise and Orville F. Gazlay:

+4i. Delos W. Gazlay, born ca. 1841 in Chenango County, New York; died 25 March 1865 in Memphis, Tennessee. Married Frances A. Sharp.
+5ii. Abigail Ann ‘Abbie’ Gazlay, born ca. July 1841 in New York; died 15 September 1913 in Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan. Married James M. A. Miller.
+6iii. Ellen Adelaide Gazlay, born 10 January 1844 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York; died 15 August 1919 in Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico. Married Charles Edwin Palmer.
+7iv. Rena C. Gazlay, born 1860 in New York; died 15 May 1935. Married (1) Charles L. Stimson Married (2) Lyman Parson Judson.

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Chenango County, Town of Guilford, family of Orville Gazlay (age 35), Mary E. (age 35), Abigail A. (age 11), Delos M. (age 9), and Ellen (age 6).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Chenango County, Smyrna, Page 112, family of Orvill (age 43) and Mary Gazley (age 42), daughter Abbie (age 21), son Delos (age 18), and daughter Ellen (age 16).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Vermont, Rutland County, Rutland Village, Enumeration District 188, Page No. 15B; borders (among others) in the family of Francis P. and Martin G. Everts: Chas. E. Palmer (37, Vermont, merchant-clothing); wife Ellen A. Palmer (35, New York); wife’s sister Rena C. Gazlay (22, New York); mother in law Eliza Gazlay (65, New York).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Illinois, Cook County, Proviso Township, River Forest Village, Enumeration District 1182, Sheet No. 8A; family of Chas E. Palmer (55, Vermont, 1844, caterer); wife of 36 years Ellen A. Palmer (55, New York, 1844, 1 child, none living); m-in-law M. Gazley (83, New York, Nov 1816, widow, 4 children, 3 living); step sister [sic, actually sister-in-law] Hattie A. Miller (68, New York, July 1841, widow, no children); step sister [sic, actually sister-in-law] Mrs. Stimpson (39, New York, Oct 1858, no children); b-in-law, married 7 years, Chas. L. Stimpson (62, Massachusetts, Mar 1838, salesman); plus four servants.
  5. Mt. Upton Cemetery Records, Town of Guilford, Chenango County, New York; available at New Horizons Genealogy. Orville F. Gazlay, b. at So. Edmeston, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1814 d. Apr. 1, 1872, ae. 58
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Chenango County, Town of Guilford, Page 19, family of Orville (age 54) and Mary E. (age 54) Gazley, and daughter Rene (age 9).
  7. Last Will and Testament, David M. Gazlay, will written September 8, 1876. Summary of will provided by Adine Wakefield in a posting at genforum.genealogy.com. The will names the following individuals: widow Angeline E. Gazlay; brother Henry M. Gazlay, Putnam CT; A. M. Gazlay, Louisville, KY; sister Sally Warner, Woodstock, NY; brother Charles M. Gazlay, Jefferson County, KY; brother Albert S. Gazlay; deceased brother Oroville Gazlay; Renu (sp?) C. Gazlay, daughter of Oroville Gazlay; Ellen A. Palmer (formerly Ellen A. Gazlay), daughter of Oroville Gazlay, lived in Ruttum (?) Vermont; Abbie (Abby) A. Miller (formerly Abbie A. Gazlay), daughter of Oroville Gazlay, lived in State of Florida, San Mateso. [Note: the family members in this Will match nearly exactly the composition of children of Aaron and Abigail Gazlay named in at least one other record, so this David M. Gazlay is strongly believed to be their eldest son.]
  8. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; available at ancestry.com. Name of Soldier: Orvill F. Gazlay; Name of Dependent: Mary E. Gazlay (widow).
Third and Fourth Generations
4. Delos W. Gazlay3 (Mary,2 Polly1), born ca. 1841 in Chenango County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 25 March 1865 in Memphis, Tennessee.1, 4, 5 Delos married Frances A. Sharp6 (born ____, parents not determined). Delos is buried in Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.4

Delos served in the Civil War, Company G, Eleventh New York Cavalry, “Scott’s 900.” He enlisted 21 December 1863 at Oxford, New York. Shortly after his company arrived at Thibodaux on the Bayou La Fourche, Louisiana, in April 1864, Delos and J. Carpenter took possession of an abandoned printing office and published a newspaper called the “Union Guidon.” Several numbers were issued, but when the company was ordered to rejoin the regiment the publication had to be abandoned. The first issue was published on 18 May 1864.1, 5

Delos died on 25 March 1865 of wounds received in action near Memphis, Tennessee.1, 4, 5


5. Abigail Ann ‘Abbie’ Gazlay3 (Mary,2 Polly1), born ca. July 1841 in New York;2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 died 15 September 1913 in Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan.12 Abbie married James M. A. Miller (born ca. 1841 in New York, parents not determined8, 11).

Child of Abigail Ann ‘Abbie’ Gazlay and James M. A. Miller:

 8i. William Miller, born ca. September 1884 in Florida.11

6. Ellen Adelaide Gazlay3 (Mary,2 Polly1), born 10 January 1844 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York;2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14 died 15 August 1919 in Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico.14 Ellen married, 8 September 1864 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, Charles Edwin Palmer9, 13, 14, 16 (born 21 August 1842 in Pittsford, Rutland County, Vermont, the son of Thomas Haig Palmer and Johanna P. Fenton;9, 13, 14 Charles died 24 January 1906 in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois15). Ellen and Charles are buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois.14, 15

Ellen (known as Adelaide) moved to Benzonia, Michigan, after her husband Charles’ death, and she operated a small orchard there. On the return trip from Pacific Beach, California, where she had sought medical improvement, she was traveling by train with her sister Rena G. Judson. Ellen became ill during the trip, which took them across the Mojave Desert during the daytime, and she died from exhaustion in Gallup, New Mexico.14

Charles and his wife Ellen lived in Rutland County, Vermont, early in their marriage, and moved in the early 1880s to Chicago, Illinois. They were in the catering business, and Charles managed the tearoom at Marshall Field’s department store in Chicago up to 1906 when Charles died, the same week as Marshall Field. Marshall Fields developed the concept of a department store tea room. In the 1800s, it was considered improper for a lady to have lunch in a downtown restaurant while being unescorted by a gentleman. In 1890, when a Marshall Fields store clerk, Sarah Hering (or Herring) offered a chicken pot pie with a shopper, Fields store manager Harry Gordan Selfridge came up with the idea of opening a department store tea room so women could luncheon downtown during their shopping trips and avoid having to return home just for lunch. It is unclear which tea room Charles Palmer managed, but it may have been the original South Tea Room. It was certainly not the renowned Walnut Room, since that opened in 1907, the year after Charles’ death.14, 17


Child of Ellen Adelaide Gazlay and Charles Edwin Palmer:

 9i. Charlie Palmer, born ca. 1869;14 died ca. 1869.14 Charlie is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Pittsford, Rutland County, Vermont.14

7. Rena C. Gazlay3 (Mary,2 Polly1), born 1860 in New York;7, 9, 10, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 died 15 May 1935.18 Rena married, first, 2 June 1892 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Charles L. Stimson19 (born ca. March 1838 in Massachusetts, parents not determined;9, 19 Charles died 25 April 1906 in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois24). Rena married, second, 10 July 1910 in Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan, Lyman Parson Judson20 (born 1840 in Ohio, parents not determined;20, 22, 23, 25 Lyman died 27 June 1932 in Benzie County, Michigan25). Rena is buried in Benzonia Township Cemetery, Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan.18 Lyman is buried in Benzonia Township Cemetery, Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan.25

  1. Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts 1861-1900; Gazley, Deloss W.; age 24; enlisted 21 December 1863 in Oxford, N.Y.; died 25 March 1865 of wound in action; grade: private; born in Chenango Co.; occupation: painter; black eyes, black hair, dark complexion, height 5 feet 9 inches.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Chenango County, Town of Guilford, family of Orville Gazlay (age 35), Mary E. (age 35), Abigail A. (age 11), Delos M. (age 9), and Ellen (age 6).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Chenango County, Smyrna, Page 112, family of Orvill (age 43) and Mary Gazley (age 42), daughter Abbie (age 21), son Delos (age 18), and daughter Ellen (age 16).
  4. Find a Grave (website). Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee; Delos M. Gazely: died 25 March 1865 [from record]. Gravestone: Delos M. Gazely / NY.
  5. The Story of a Cavalry Regiment “Scott’s 900” Eleventh New York Cavalry, by Thomas West Smith. Published by the Veteran Association of the Regiment, 1898. Digitized copy available at Google Books. Pages 1, 201-202.
  6. Civil War Widows and Other Dependents - Pension Files; Entry for Delos W. Gazlay and widow Frances A. Sharp.
  7. Last Will and Testament, David M. Gazlay, will written September 8, 1876. Summary of will provided by Adine Wakefield in a posting at genforum.genealogy.com. The will names the following individuals: widow Angeline E. Gazlay; brother Henry M. Gazlay, Putnam CT; A. M. Gazlay, Louisville, KY; sister Sally Warner, Woodstock, NY; brother Charles M. Gazlay, Jefferson County, KY; brother Albert S. Gazlay; deceased brother Oroville Gazlay; Renu (sp?) C. Gazlay, daughter of Oroville Gazlay; Ellen A. Palmer (formerly Ellen A. Gazlay), daughter of Oroville Gazlay, lived in Ruttum (?) Vermont; Abbie (Abby) A. Miller (formerly Abbie A. Gazlay), daughter of Oroville Gazlay, lived in State of Florida, San Mateso. [Note: the family members in this Will match nearly exactly the composition of children of Aaron and Abigail Gazlay named in at least one other record, so this David M. Gazlay is strongly believed to be their eldest son.]
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Florida, Putnam County, San Mateo Precinct, Enumeration District 132, Page No. 15C. James M. A. Miller (39, New York, orange growing); wife Abbie A. Miller (35, New York); farm hand Frank Robinson (25, Florida).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Illinois, Cook County, Proviso Township, River Forest Village, Enumeration District 1182, Sheet No. 8A; family of Chas E. Palmer (55, Vermont, 1844, caterer); wife of 36 years Ellen A. Palmer (55, New York, 1844, 1 child, none living); m-in-law M. Gazley (83, New York, Nov 1816, widow, 4 children, 3 living); step sister [sic, actually sister-in-law] Hattie A. Miller (68, New York, July 1841, widow, no children); step sister [sic, actually sister-in-law] Mrs. Stimpson (39, New York, Oct 1858, no children); b-in-law, married 7 years, Chas. L. Stimpson (62, Massachusetts, Mar 1838, salesman); plus four servants.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Benzie County, Benzonia Village, Enumeration District 2, Sheet No. 17A; family of Ellen A. Palmer (65, New York, widow, farmer, fruit farm, 1 child, none living); sister Abbie A. Miller (69, New York, widow, no children); sister Rena G. Stinson (49, New York, widow, no children).
  11. Florida State Census, 1885, Putnam County, Precinct #6, Enumeration District 6, Page No. 17D; family of J. M. A. Miller (44, New York, fruit grower); wife Abbie A. Miller (41, New York); William Miller (9/12, Florida).
  12. Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995, available at familysearch.org. Abigail Ann Miller, 15 September 1913 in Village Benzonia, Benzie, Michigan, age 73. The record also gives the names of her parents, Orville Gazlay and Mary E. Vanrise.
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Vermont, Rutland County, Rutland Village, Enumeration District 188, Page No. 15B; borders (among others) in the family of Francis P. and Martin G. Everts: Chas. E. Palmer (37, Vermont, merchant-clothing); wife Ellen A. Palmer (35, New York); wife’s sister Rena C. Gazlay (22, New York); mother in law Eliza Gazlay (65, New York).
  14. wikitree. Entries for Charles Edwin Palmer, wife Ellen Adelaide Gazeley [sic, Gazlay], and son Charlie Palmer. Orphaned profiles, probably entered by Robert Palmer, a direct descendant of Charles’ brother George Henry Palmer. The profiles include vital and biographical details, plus several sources, so reliability of the information is considered good-excellent.
  15. Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1922; Palmer, Charles Edwin, died 24 January 1906 in River Forest, Cook [County], Illinois, age 63; birthplace: Pittsford, Mass. [sic, Pittsford is in Vermont]; occupation: private catering; burial: Forest Home Cemetery.
  16. Iowa County Marriages, 1838-1934; Charles E. Palmer and Ellen A. Gasley, married on 8 September 1864 in Polk County, Iowa.
  17. Marshall Field’s Food and Fashion, by Joan Greene. Published by Pomegranate Communications, Inc., Petaluma, California, 2005.
  18. Find a Grave (website). Benzonia Township Cemetery, Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan; Rena S. Judson: Rena S. / 1860 - 1935 [from gravestone]; died: 15 May 1935 [from record].
  19. Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920; marriage license and certificate, no. 184225, Charles L. Stinson, age 55, and Rena C. Gazlay, age 31, married on 2 June 1892 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
  20. Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995; Lyman P. Judson, age 70, born in Ohio, son of Silas F. Judson and Cornelia Branch; and Rena G. Stinson, age 50, born in New York, daughter of O. F. Glazley [sic, Gazlay] and M. E. Vancise; married on 10 July 1910 in Benzonia, Michigan.
  21. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Chenango County, Town of Guilford, Page 19, family of Orville (age 54) and Mary E. (age 54) Gazley, and daughter Rene (age 9).
  22. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Benzie County, Benzonia Village, Enumeration District 2, Sheet No. 3A; family of Lyman Judson (80, Ohio, clerk, livery store); wife Rena Judson (59, New York).
  23. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, California, Los Angeles County, Clermont City, Enumeration District 19-1444, Sheet No. 2A; family of Lyman P. Judson (90, Ohio, retired, first married age 21); wife Rena S. Judson (69, New York, first married age 30).
  24. Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1922; Stimson, Charles L., died: 25 April 1906 in River Forest, Cook [County], Illinois, age 69; born: Mass.; occupation: retired mfg.
  25. Find a Grave (website). Benzonia Township Cemetery, Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan; Lyman Parson Judson: born: 1840, Medina County, Ohio; died: 27 June 1932, Benzie County, Michigan; married his second wife Rena C. Gazley Stimson 1858-1930 [sic, 1860-1935 from her gravestone and other records].