Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Harriet A. Gazlay


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 Harriet A. Gazlay and her immediate family.



First Generation
1. Harriet A. Gazlay,1 born ca. 1823 in New York, the daughter of Alexander Gazlay and Susannah Sutton;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 21 January 1891 in Utica, Oneida County, New York.6, 7 Harriet married, 1853, John Town8, 9 (born 1825 in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut, parents not determined;2, 3, 4, 8, 9 John died 1 October 1889 in Utica, Oneida County, New York8, 9).

John was born in Thompson, Connecticut in 1825, and came to New York in 1851, initially to New Berlin. For four years he served there as school master, and afterward moved to Utica where he worked as a bookkeeper in the old court office. Around 1871 he assumed charge of the old American Hotel. In 1883 he became a partner with his brother-in-law, William Gazlay, in the Dudley House. He married Miss Harriet Gazlay, of New Berlin, in 1853. John was known as a kind, generous, and well respected man, his charities were well known among his wide circle of friends. Funeral services were conducted both in Utica and in New Berlin, where he was buried in St. Andrews Cemetery.8, 9


  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Chenango County, Town of New Berlin, page 290, family of Ira F. Butterfield (25, NY, shoemaker), Cordelia A. Butterfield (24, NY), Ellen J. Butterfield (2, NY), Harriet A. Gazlay (27, NY).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Oneida County, Utica, Page No. 44, family of John Towne (39, NY [he was actually born in CT]) and Harriet Towne (35, NY)
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Oneida County, Utica, Page 1, family of John Town (44, CT, hotel keeper), and Harriet E. Town (45, NY).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Oneida County, Utica, Enumeration District 125, Page No. 8, family of John Town (50, CT, hotel keeper), and wife Harriet E. Town (50, NY). Both of their ages appear to be understated by several years.
  5. Obituary, Brookfield Courier, Brookfield, Madison County, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. George Gazlay, 29 February 1888. Died in the village of New Berlin Sunday morning 26 February, in his 80th year. This obituary provides a key family link, indicating that a sister, Mrs. John Town, and a brother Mr. Wm. Gazlay, of Utica, are the only surviving children of the once large family of Alexander Gazlay. It also names two daughters, Mrs. George Matteson and Mrs. T. B. Wheeler, and indicates that their mother, his wife, is still living.
  6. Utica Daily Press, Utica, New York, available at www.fultonhistory.com. Notice of probate of the will of Harriet A. Town, 3 March 1891, Utica, New York. The notice is significant for the names of the individuals listed as Harriet’s next of kin. Although their relationships are not specified in the notice, they are identified as follows: William Gazlay (brother), Ann Baker (not yet identified), Harriet E. Kuhn (niece; daughter of Harriet’s sister Cordelia A. (nee Gazlay) Butterfield), George H. Butterfield (nephew; son of the same sister Cordelia), Mary Wheeler (niece; daughter of Harriet’s brother George C. Gazlay), Emma Matteson (niece; daughter of the same brother George), and three minors, all grandchildren of Harriet’s sister Betsy Ann (nee Gazlay) Angell: Lewis G. Angell, Chester T. Angell, and Bessie M. Angell.
  7. Obituary, The Utica Sunday Tribune, Utica, New York, available at www.fultonhistory.com. Harriet L. Town, 1 February 1891. Died 31 January 1891 in Utica, New York, age 67.
  8. Obituary, Utica Weekly Herald, Utica, New York, available at www.fultonhistory.com. John Town, 1 October 1889. Died 1 October 1889 in Utica. Born in 1825 in Thompson, Connecticut; married Harriet Gazlay in 1853.
  9. Obituary, Brookfield Courier, Brookfield, Madison County, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. John Town, 6 October 1889. Died 1 October 1889 in Utica, age 64 years.