Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - William H. 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 William H. Gazlay and seven of his descendants down to the third generation.


First Generation
1. William H. Gazlay,1 born 1820 in New York, the son of Stephen Gazlay and Ann Harris;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 1896.1, 2 William married Alice Alcock4, 11 (born 1833 in New York, the daughter of Nicholas Alcock and Betsey Brisben More;4, 8, 9 Alice died 21 November 18618, 9, 10). William and Alice are buried in Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York.1, 2, 8, 9

Children of William H. Gazlay and Alice Alcock:

+2i. Armine Holling Gazlay, born October 1854 in New York; died 3 May 1920 in Middlefield, Otsego County, New York. Married Mary H. Wood.
 3ii. Ann Elizabeth Gazlay, born 1856 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York;4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15 died 27 May 1920 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York.12, 16 Ann is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York.12, 16
+4iii. Ellen Gazlay, born March 1857 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York; died 21 September 1917 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York. Married Jacob S. Bridger.

  1. Cemetery Inscriptions, Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Town of Williamson, Wayne County, New York, Wayne County GenWeb, Cemeteries. Gaslay, William H. 1820-1896. [His birth year here conflicts with other sources].
  2. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, William H. Gazlay, born: 1820; died: 1896 (from record, which includes a note naming his parents; and provides the names and links for his father, spouse, two siblings, and two children).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Pages 303-304, family of Henry M. Griffin (32, NY, farmer); Mary Griffin (36, NY); Catharine M. Griffin (18, NY); Henrietta Griffin (6, NY); Wm. Gazelly (29, NY, farmer).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Wayne County, Town of Williamson, Page No. 40, William Gazley (37, NY, day laborer); Alice Gazley (32, NY); Armine Gazley (6, NY); Ann E. Gazley (4, NY); Ellen Gazley (3, NY). They are living next door to William’s brother Joseph.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 23, family of Joseph Gazlay (45, New York, hotel proprietor); Phebe A. Gazlay (44, New York); Josephine Gazlay (21, New York); Byron Gazlay (19, New York, hostler); Inez Gazlay (7, New York); Joanna Fisher (19, New York, domestic servant); Samuel Griffin (50, New York, wagon maker); Myron Thomas (26, New York, works in planing mill); Edwin Haskins (19, New York, works in planing mill); James Montgomery (40, New York works in planing mill [?]); David Shepard (63, New York, show maker); Charles O. Morse (42, New York, sailor); William Gazlay (48, New York, hostler); Edward H. Ebsteen (21, Baden, clothing merchant); Andrew Roserier (42, New York, butcher).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Wayne County, Pultneyville, Enumeration District 193, Sheet No. 5A, family of William Gazlay (57, New York, laborer); daughter Elizabeth Gazlay (26, New York).
  7. New York State Census, 1892, Wayne County, Williamson, Second Election District, Page 15, family of William Gazlay (71, US, laborer); Ann E. Gazlay (36, US).
  8. Cemetery Inscriptions, Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Town of Williamson, Wayne County, New York, Wayne County GenWeb, Cemeteries. Gaslay, Alice, wife 1833-1861 [Her birth year here conflicts with other sources].
  9. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Alice Alcock Gazlay, born: 1833; died: 1861 (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, spouse, and two children).
  10. Deaths, Pultneyville NY Old Newspaper Notices, Part 4, Wayne County, NY, (Contributed by Allyn Hess Perry, available at https://wayne.nygenweb.net/williamson/oldpulteneyvillenews4.html), December 1861, Wm. H. Gazley’s wife died of consumption on Thursday, Nov. 21. Her funeral took place on Saturday, the 23d.
  11. Kennedy-Koster Family Tree, Rootsweb; record showing the maiden name and parents of Alice Alcock who married William H. Gasley [sic, Gazlay]. This record cites, as its source, the web site authored by Chas Alcock.
  12. Find a Grave (website). Lakeview Cemetery, Pultnyville, Wayne County, New York, Elizabeth Gazlay, born: 1856, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York; died: 27 May 1920 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York [from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, and one sibling].
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 27, family of Ann Gazlay (72, New York); Armine Gazlay (16, New York, sailor); Ann E. Gazlay (14, New York); Ellen Gazlay (13, New York).
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Wayne County, Williamson Town, Enumeration District 167, Sheet No. 5B, Elizabeth Gazley (54, New York, washer woman).
  15. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Wayne County, Williamson Town, Enumeration District 169, Sheet No. 5A, Elizabeth Gazley (65, New York, single, servant, private family).
  16. Cemetery Inscriptions, Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Town of Williamson, Wayne County, New York, Wayne County GenWeb, Cemeteries. Gaslay, Elizabeth d. May 27, 1920, no age.
Second and Third Generations
2. Armine Holling Gazlay2 (William1), born October 1854 in New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 3 May 1920 in Middlefield, Otsego County, New York.8, 9 Armine married, 1883, Mary H. Wood4, 6, 18 (born 14 December 1848 in Springfield, Otsego County, New York, the daughter of John Wood and Helen Almira Pope;4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Mary died 4 July 1938 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York10, 18). Mary is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.10, 18

Children of Armine Holling Gazlay and Mary H. Wood:

 5i. John Stokes Gazlay, born 30 November 1884 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York;4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 19, 20, 21 died 4 July 1956 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.20, 21, 22 Stokes, as he was known, was a boatwright (as was his father), stationary engineer, and avid fisherman on Otsego Lake. He had been employed as a stationary engineer in the power house at the Otsego Hotel.21 John was the subject of an article in The Otsego Farmer in 1890: “Last Wednesday, John Stokes Gazley, the little five-year old son of Armine Gazley, was bitten on the arm by a dog belonging to Levi Gray. Dr. Babbitt cauterized the wound.”23 John is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.20, 21
 6ii. Gracie Gazlay, born 26 December 1886;24 died 31 December 1886 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.24
 7iii. George W. Gazlay, born ____, the son of Armine Holling Gazlay and Mary H. Wood; died 10 June 1889 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.25, 26
 8iv. (son) Gazlay, born 20 May 1891 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York;27 died 26 May 1891 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.27

4. Ellen Gazlay2 (William1), born March 1857 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York;1, 2, 3, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 died 21 September 1917 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.28, 32 Ellen married, 20 October 1896 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Jacob S. Bridger32 (born 18 November 1858 in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York, the son of William Bridger and Mary Newkirk;31, 32, 33, 34, 35 Jacob died 25 March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York33, 35). Ellen and Jacob are buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.28, 32, 33, 35

Ellen was born in Pultneyville, New York, and moved in 1876 to Cooperstown to live with the family of her uncle, Captain Peter P. Cooper [the actual relationship has not been determined]. Trained by the captain, who operated a boat livery in Cooperstown, Ellen was one of the most expert sailors on the waters of Otsego Lake. She married Jacob S. Bridger in 1896 in Rochester, New York. She is survived by her husband, a brother Armine H. Gazley, and a sister, Miss Elizabeth Gazley.32

Jacob was born in Greenbush, New York, and he moved with his family to Cherry Valley, New York, when he was young. Around 1890, Jacob moved to Cooperstown, where he was employed by Captain P. P. Cooper on the steamer “Gem,” one of the first passenger boats on Otsego Lake. He was an assistant manager of the Cooperstown Aqueduct Association for forty years, and he work as a mechanic at the Clark Estate. Jacob was known as a quiet and unassuming person, a skilled and faithful worker, and always exhibiting good cheer and kindness. He was married twice, first to Ellen Gazley, who died in 1917, and later to Bessie Ely. He is survived by his wife and one brother, Samuel Bridger, along with many nieces and nephews.35


  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Wayne County, Town of Williamson, Page No. 40, William Gazley (37, NY, day laborer); Alice Gazley (32, NY); Armine Gazley (6, NY); Ann E. Gazley (4, NY); Ellen Gazley (3, NY). They are living next door to William’s brother Joseph.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 27, family of Ann Gazlay (72, New York); Armine Gazlay (16, New York, sailor); Ann E. Gazlay (14, New York); Ellen Gazlay (13, New York).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Otsego County, Village of Cooperstown, Enumeration District 113, Page No. 7, family of Peter P. Cooper (64, New Hampshire, boat livery); wife Julia L. Cooper (60, Canada); son Frank Cooper (21, New York); nephew Armine Gazlay (26, NY, boat builder); niece Ellen Gazlay (23, NY).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown (Village), Enumeration District 134, Sheet No. 7A, family of A. Holling Gazley (46, New York, Oct. 1853, boat builder); wife of 17 years Mary H. Gazley (51, New York, Dec. 1848, 4 children, 1 living); son J. Stokes Gazley (15, Nov. 1884).
  5. New York State Census, 1905, Otsego County, 1st Election District, Page 20, family of Armine H. Gazley (51, boat builder); wife Mary H. W. Gazley (56); son J. Stokes Gazley (20, boat builder).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown Village, Enumeration District 69, Sheet No. 11B, family of Armine H. Gazley (56, New York, manufacturer, boats); wife of 26 years Mary H. Gazley (61, New York, 4 children, 1 living); son J. Stokes Gazley (25, New York, engineer, lake boat).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Otsego County, Middlefield, Enumeration District 201, Sheet No. 1A, family of Armine Gazlay (66, New York, carpenter); wife Mary H. Gazlay (71, New York); son Stokes Gazlay (35, New York, painter).
  8. New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956, available at familysearch.org. 1920, Armine H. Gazlay, died 3 May 1920 in Middlefield, Otsego County, New York.
  9. The Otsego Farmer, Otsego, New York; 14 May 1920, legal notice regarding the estate of Armine Gazlay, deceased, late of the town of Middlefield. Notice dated 10 May 1920, Mary H. Gazlay, Executrix. An article in the same newspaper on 30 April 1920 indicated that Armine was ill, so his death apparently was in the first part of May 1920.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Mary Wood Gazlay, born: 14 December 1848 in Springfield, Otsego County, New York; died: July 1938 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York (from record, which includes the text of her obituary; and provides the name and link for her son).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Otsego County, Middlefield, Seth Pope, 67, Conn., farmer; Rebecca Pope, 65, Mass.; Levi Pope, 20, NY, farmer; Mary Ann Pope, 30, NY; Wm. Webb, 21, NY, laborer; Phebe Webb, 20, NY; Mary A. Wood, 1, NY.
  12. New York State Census, 1855, Otsego County, Otsego, 1st Election District, John Wood, 42, England, butcher; wife Mary Wood, 32, Otsego [County]; child Mary Wood, 6, Otsego; child Willie Wood, 4, Otsego.
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown, Page No. 84, John Wood, 45, England, butcher; Mary A. Wood, 35, New York; Mary A. Wood, 10, New York.
  14. New York State Census, 1865, Otsego County, Cooperstown, 1st Election District, Page 17, John Wood, 50, England, butcher, 2nd marriage; wife Mary Wood, 45, Otsego, 1st marriage, 2 children; child Mary Wood, 16, Otsego; child William Wood, 14, Otsego; child John F. Wood, 9, Otsego; William H. Merchant, 26, Ohio, clerk.
  15. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown, Page No. 42, family of John Wood (55, England, butcher); Mary Wood (50, New York); William Wood (19, New York, boat building); Mary Wood (21, New York); John F. Wood (14, New York); James Gardner (21, England, day laborer).
  16. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Otsego County, Village of Cooperstown, Enumeration District 113, Page No. 36, family of John Wood (67, England, butcher); wife Mary A. Wood (60, New York); daughter Mary H. Wood (31, N.Y.); son John F. Wood (24, N.Y., painter).
  17. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Otsego County, Middlefield Village, Enumeration District 18, Sheet No. 1A, family of Mary H. Gazley (84, New York, widow); son John Stokes Gazley (44, New York, general mechanic, odd jobs). This family (and others) was originally enumerated in Otsego Village, ED 39-42, Sheet No. 29B, but is crossed out there, with markings indicating transferred to Middlefield, ED 39-18.
  18. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 8 July 1938, Mrs. Mary Wood Gazley, died 4 July 1938 in Cooperstown, New York. She was born in Springfield, 14 December 1848, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wood. In 1883 she married Armine Gazley, who died several years previous. Her only immediate survivor is Stokes Gazley. She was buried in the family plot in Lakewood Cemetery.
  19. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Gazlay, John Stokes, serial number 304; born: 30 November 1884; nearest relative: A. H. Gazlay.
  20. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, J. Stokes Gazlay, born: 30 November 1884 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York; died: 4 July 1956 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York (from record, which includes the text of his obituary; and provides the name and link for his mother).
  21. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 6 July 1956, Stokes Gazley, died 4 July 1956. Local children found him in his yard where he had had a heart attack. The article provides the names of his parents, his place and date of birth, a brief biographical sketch, funeral and burial details.
  22. The Otsego Farmer, Otsego, New York; 26 April 1962, legal notice regarding the estate of J. Stokes Gazlay, who was a resident of the village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, when he died on 4 July 1956.
  23. The Otsego Farmer, Otsego, New York; 9 May 1890, article about John Stokes Gazley being bitten by a dog.
  24. Deaths, Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. 7 January 1887: Died - In this village, Dec. 31, 1886, Gracie, infant daughter of A. H. and Mary Gazlay, age 5 days.
  25. Deaths, The Richfield Springs Mercury, Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. 13 June 1889, George Gazley, died 10 June 1889, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Armine Gazley.
  26. New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956, available at familysearch.org. 1889, George W. Gazley, died 10 June 1889 in Cooperstown, New York.
  27. Deaths, Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. 29 May 1891, In this village, May 26th, 1891, son of Armine and Mary Gazley, aged 6 days.
  28. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Ellen Gazley Bridger, born: 1857; died: 21 September 1917 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York (from record, which includes the text of her obituary, and provides the names and links for her parents, husband, and one sibling).
  29. New York State Census, 1892, Wayne County, Williamson, Second Election District, Page 15, family of Joseph Gazlay (69, US, farmer); Phebbe Gazlay (68, US); Ellen Gazlay (34, US) [Ellen is their niece, the daughter of William Gazlay].
  30. Michigan State Census, 1894, Bay County, Bay City, Page No. 6, family of George L. Fisk (32); wife Inez Fisk (31); son Joseph Fisk (2); cousin Ellen Gazley (37). [Ellen is the daughter of William and Alice Gazlay].
  31. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Otsego County, Otsego Town, Enumeration District 132, Sheet No. 10B, family of Jacob S. Bridger (41, New York, Nov. 1858, engineer, stationary); wife of 4 years Ellen G. Bridger (43 New York, Mch. 1857, no children).
  32. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 28 September 1917, Mrs. Jacob S. Bridger, Ellen Gazley, died 21 September 1917. The article provides brief biographical details, including her marriage to Jacob S. Bridger, two sibling survivors, and place of burial.
  33. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Jacob S. Bridger, born: 18 November 1858 in New York; died: March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego, New York (from record, which includes the text of his obituary, and provides the names and links for his two wives).
  34. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown Village, Enumeration District 39-42, Sheet No. 24A, family of Jacob S. Bridger (72, New York, supt., water works, public utility; first married age 60 [undoubtedly refers to this marriage, not his first]); wife Bessie E. Bridger (55, New York, first married age 44).
  35. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 29 March 1940, Jacob S. Bridger, died 25 March 1940. The article provides brief biographical details, including his two marriages, and the names of survivors.