Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Jane Brennan


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 Jane Brennan and 11 of her descendants down to the fifth generation.


First Generation
1. Jane Brennan,1 born ca. 1821 in Leith, Scotland (parents not determined);1, 2, 3 died 22 January 1901 in Orleans, Jefferson County, New York.3 Jane married, 1 May 1843 in St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, James Wright1, 3 (born ca. 1821 in Ireland, parents not determined;1 James died 18723).

Jane’s biography provides interesting details of her life:3


Orleans.

Mrs. Jane Wright’s Death Means a Good Woman at Rest.

Tuesday afternoon, very suddenly, after a prolonged illness, in her 81st year, Mrs. Jane Wright died at the residence of her son, Dr. Richard B. Wright, of the firm of Wright & Ross, Lyndonville, her home for the last twenty years.

Jane Brennan, a native of Leith, Scotland, was married on May 1, 1843, at St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, to James Wright, and officer of the British Royal Artillery. After Lieutenant Wright’s retirement from the British army in 1845, they made their home at Redwood, Jefferson county, where they reared their family of five children, two sons, Richard and Frank, and three daughters, Mrs. Gazley, of Cortland; Mrs. William H. Sanborn, of Bakersfield, Cal., and Mrs. N. P. Bush, of Lake Preston, South Dakota. Mrs. Wright leaves nine grandchildren. Her husband’s death occurred in 1872. A lifelong and devoted member of the Episcopal Church, she was greatly endeared to all who knew her by her kindliness of heart, gentleness of speech, and worthy life.


Children of Jane Brennan and James Wright:

 2i. Richard Wright, born ca. 1847 in Jefferson County, New York.1, 2
+3ii. Martha Eliza Wright, born October 1850 in Jefferson County, New York; died 29 January 1922 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York. Married (1) Henry A. White Married (2) Dr. Henry Champion Gazlay.
 4iii. Sarah A. Wright, born ca. 1851 in Jefferson County, New York.1, 2
 5iv. Emma Wright, born ca. 1854 in Jefferson County, New York.1, 2
 6v. Frank Wright, born ca. 1859 in Jefferson County, New York.2

  1. New York State Census, 1865, Jefferson County, Alexandria, Page 29, family of James Wright (44, Ireland, laborer); wife Jane Wright (44, England, 6 children); child Richard Wright (18, Jefferson, male, clerk); child M. E. Wright (17, Jefferson, female); child G. A. Wright (14, Jefferson, femalie); child E. Wright (11, Jefferson, female); child G. F. Wright (6, Jefferson, male).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Jefferson County, Town of Alexandria, Page 53, family of Jane Wright (47, England); Richard Wright (22, New York, clerk, d. g. store); Sarah Wright (18, New York, apprentice, milliner pref.); Emma Wright (16, New York); Frank Wright (10, New York).
  3. Obituary, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York (available at fultonhistory.com); 24 January 1901, Mrs. Jane Wright, died 22 January 1901 in Orleans, New York. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her husband and children.
Second Generation
3. Martha Eliza Wright2 (Jane1), born October 1850 in Jefferson County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 died 29 January 1922 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York.1 Martha married, first, Henry A. White (born ca. 1839 in Jefferson County, New York, the son of Albert L. White and Almira _____3, 4, 5, 10, 11). Martha married, second, 3 November 1896 in McGraw, Cortland County, New York, Dr. Henry Champion Gazlay21, 22 (born 1 August 1818 in Otsego County, New York, the son of Jacob Gazlay and Mary Champion;12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Henry died 19 March 1900 in Creston, Union County, Iowa20). Martha is buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York.1 Henry is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Homer, Cortland County, New York.23

From The Champion Genealogy: “H. Champion Gazlay, M.D., began his study of medicine in 1838, and two years later entered upon his practice. During the winters of 1949 and 1850 he attended the Central Medical College in Syracuse, N.Y., from which he was graduated in March 1850. In 1863 he entered the Eclectic College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., and he was graduated on March 16, 1864. Dr. Gazlay has been coroner of Cortland County for four terms, and for four years has held the appointment of examining surgeon under the Pension Act of 1862. He resides in Cortland, N.Y.”18

Dr. Gazlay’s fourth marriage was announced in the Cortland Evening Standard:22


That stalwart Republican, Dr. Henry Champion Gazlay, anticipating the election of McKinley and the coming of a season of prosperity took steps Monday toward increasing his domestic happiness along with his patriotic rejoicing and was married at 3 o’clock that afternoon at the home of the bride at McGrawville to Mrs. Martha Eliza White. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. J. Cowles. Many friends will tender congratulations.


Dr. Gazlay’s obituary provides additional details of his life:24

Dr. Henry C. Gazlay.

The remains of Dr. Henry C. Gazlay, who died Monday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. H. Hollenbeck, in Creston, Ia., are expected to arrive in Cortland Thursday morning and the funeral will be held at the home of his son, Mr. H. W. Gazlay, 138 Groton-ave., Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock.

Henry C. Gazlay was born in South Edmeston, Otsego Co., eighty-two years ago. In 1864 he came to Cortland from Homer, where he had lived for a number of years and took up the practice of the late Dr. H. A. Bolles, who at that time gave up his active practice to devote his time to lecturing. Dr. Gazlay was four times married and three children by his first wife, who was Sabra E. Cornwall of Truxton, survive him. These are Miss Achsa M. Gazlay of Cortland; Mrs. Mary C. Gazlay Hollenbeck of Creston, Ia., and Mr. H. W. Gazlay of Cortland.

The doctor’s health has been failing for some time and in November, 1899 he went to Creston, Ia., to the home of his daughter, where he remained till the time of his death.

Another obituary, in the Brookfield Courier, quoting the Creston (Ia.) Gazette, provides more details:25

Died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. H. Hollenbeck, in Lake View, March 19, of apoplexy, Dr. H. C. Gazley, aged 81 years and 7 months. Short funeral services were held at the home Tuesday evening, Dr. D. P. Breed officiating, and Mr. Hollenbeck left on No. 2 Tuesday night with the remains, for Cortland, N. Y., where interment will take place. Dr. Gazley was a retired physician. For many years he practiced medicine at Cortland. He came to Creston last November to make his home with the family of his daughter. Thursday afternoon Dr. Gazley was stricken with apoplexy, and being unconscious until death. Dr. Gazley was a prominent citizen of Cortland. He was a Mason and a member of the Congregational church. Since coming to Creston Dr. Gazley has made a number of warm friends. He was a gentleman of excellent character and very fine attainments. He has a brother, Miles M. Gazley of South Edmeston, N. Y. -Creston (Ia.) Gazette, March 22.


Children of Martha Eliza Wright and Henry A. White:

+7i. Almira White, born August 1873 in Jefferson County, New York; died 26 September 1940. Married Fred A. Morse.
 8ii. Fred A. White, born August 1874 in Jefferson County, New York.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

  1. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Martha Eliza Gazley, born: October 1850; died: 29 January 1922 [from record, which also provides a brief death announcement from The Cortland Democrat that inicates her age as 71 years and 3 months]. Also: Eliza White Gazley / 1850-1922 / Marjorie H. Morse / 1894-1917 / Allie Morse / 1870-1940 [from grave marker]. [Based on other records, Martha Eliza was previously married to a Mr. White; their daughter Allie married Fred M. Morse, and had three children, the oldest being Marjorie H. Morse, who married Joseph O’Mara.]
  2. New York State Census, 1865, Jefferson County, Alexandria, Page 29, family of James Wright (44, Ireland, laborer); wife Jane Wright (44, England, 6 children); child Richard Wright (18, Jefferson, male, clerk); child M. E. Wright (17, Jefferson, female); child G. A. Wright (14, Jefferson, femalie); child E. Wright (11, Jefferson, female); child G. F. Wright (6, Jefferson, male).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Jefferson County, Town of Alexandria, Page 53-54, family of Henry A. White (30, New York, retired merchant); Eliza White (20, New York); George L. White (28, New York, laborer). They are living near Eliza’s and Henry’s parents/families in separate households.
  4. New York State Census, 1875, Jefferson County, Town of Theresa, Page No 26, family of H. A. White (33, Jeff., farm); wife Eliza White (25, Jeff.); daughter Almira White (4, Jeff.); son Fred White (2, Jeff.); servant Kate Ecker (19, Jeff.).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Jefferson County, Theresa, Enumeration District 144, Page No 25D, family of Henry White (39, New York, farmer); wife Eliza White (29, New York); daughter Allie White (10, New York); son Fred White (7, New York); brother George White (37, New York, blind).
  6. New York State Census, 1892, Cortland County, Cortlandville, First ED, Page 4, Eliza M. White (42, laborer); Fred A. White (20).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Cortland County, City of Cortland, Enumeration District 93, Sheet No. 13A-B, family of Martha E. Gazlay (48, New York, Oct 1851, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Lualley Morse (26, New York, Aug 1873, 3 children, 3 living, spools wire, married 7 years); son in law Fred Morse (26, New York, Apr 1874, telegraph oper., married 7 years); son Fred White (25, New York, Aug 1874, loop maker); grand daugh Margery Morse (3 [overwritten 5], New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Gladdice Morse (3, New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Collina Morse (2, May 1898, New York).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Cortland County, Cortland City, Enumeration District 118, Sheet No. 8A, Family of Eliza Gazley (59, New York, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Allie Morse (38, New York, married 20 years, 3 children, 3 living, spooler, wire mill); son Fred White (34, New York, woodworker, wagon shop); grand daughter Margorie Morse (15, New York); grand daughter Gladys Morse (13, New York); grand daughter Collina Morse (11, New York).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Cortland County, Cortland City, Enumeration District 13, Sheet No. 6A, family of Martha E. Gazley (69, New York, widow); daughter Allie L. Morse (49, New York, widow, seamstress, corset factory); son Fred A. White (47, New York, wood worker, trunk co.).
  10. New York State Census, 1855, Jefferson County, Rutland, family of Albert L. White (47, Jeff. Co., farmer); wife Almira White (47, Greene Co.); child Henry A. White (16, Jeff. Co., farmer); child George L. White (14, Jeff. Co.); child Lucy A. White (6, Jeff. Co.); niece Delia M. White (22, Jeff. Co.); niece Celia E. White (19, Jeff. Co.); servant Rosa Henry (18, Ireland).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Jefferson County, Theresa, Page 66, family of Albert L. White (49, New York, farmer); Almira White (52, New York); Henry A. White (20, New York); George L. White (19, New York); Jane Bailey (20, New York); Benj. Collins (60, New York, carpenter).
  12. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Cortland County, Truxton, Page Nos. 131, 132, family of Elihu Cornwell (60, Conn., farmer); Lydia Cornwell (53, Conn.); H. C. Gazley (31, NY, b. physician); Sabury [sic] Gazley (29, NY); Ann Cornwell (13, NY); Achsey [sic] Gazley (6, NY); Mary Gazley (4, NY); Sarah Gazlay (1, NY).
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Cortland County, Homer, Page 26, Henry C. Gazlay, 41, New York, physician, drug[gist]; Catherine M. Gazlay, 31, Connecticut; Achsah Gazlay, 16, New York; Mary C. Gazlay, 14, New York; Henry W. Gazlay, 5, New York.
  14. New York State Census, 1865, Cortland County, Cortlandville, E.D. No. 1, Page 9, father Henry C. Gazlay, 46, Otsego [County], married twice, physician; mother Catherine M. Gazlay, 36, Conn[ecticut], married once, 2 children; Achsah M. Gazlay, 21, Cortland [County], teacher; Mary C. Gazlay, 19, Onondaga [County]; Henry W. Gazlay, 10, Cortland [County].
  15. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Chenango County, Smyrna, Page 39, H. C. Gazlay, 51, New York, druggist & phy.; Catherine Gazlay, 41, Conn., keeping house; Mary Gazlay, 24, New York; Henry Gazlay, 15, New York; Elizabeth Bishop, 65, Conn.
  16. New York State Census, 1875, Cortland County, Cortland, First Election District, East of Church St., Page 6, family of Henry C. Gazley (57, Otsego, farmer); wife Catherine M. Gazley (47, Connecticut); border Elizabeth Bishop (71, Connecticut, widow). Living a few houses away is Mary A. Brabrook (39, Delaware [County], widow) with several borders in her household. Mary would become Henry’s third wife.
  17. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Cortland County, Cortlandville, ED 118, Page No. 19C, Henry C. Gazily [sic, Gazlay], 61, NY, physician and ins. agt.; Mary A. Gazily, 44, NY; servant Helen Shutts, 21, NY, domestic servant; Charles Robert, 26, NY, student at school; Charley VanWie, 24, NY, student at school; Wm. Hearn, 19, NY, student at school; Gates McGarrah, 17, NY, student at school.
  18. Genealogy, The Champion Genealogy: A History of the Descendants of Henry Champion, by Francis Bacon Trowbridge, New Haven, 1891. Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room.
  19. Origin, History, and Genealogy of the Buck Family, by Cornelius B. Harvey, Esq. 1889: J. J. Griffiths, Steam Book and Job Printer, Jersey City, N.J. Digitized copy available at archive.org.
  20. Gazlay History, compiled by Margaret Howe in 1955-1956 (copy available at Gazlay Family History - Sources). Margaret Howe indicated that the document is “based on material my mother Inez L. Gazlay collected, but never lived to edit. Her material has just been copied and explains the more extensive material on generation V and VI. Other information has been added which I found from numerous sources.” Unpublished, 29 pages. Several differences in dates have been found between this document and others, especially A Genealogy of the Leavenworth Family; the latter is considered the more accurate source.
  21. New York State, Marriage Index, 1881-1967 (available at ancestry.com), 1896, Henry C. Gazlay and Martha C. Wight or White, married on 3 November 1896 in McGrawville [sic, McGraw, Cortland County], New York; certificate no. 21117 [two records with the date, location and certificate number in common].
  22. Marriage Announcement, Cortland Evening Standard, Cortland, New York, 4 November 1896, marriage of Dr. Henry Champion Gazlay and Mrs. Martha Eliza White on 2 November 1896.
  23. Cemetery Monument Transcription, Glenwood Cemetery, Homer, New York: Dr. Henry C. Gazlay. Transcribed and typewritten by Herman and Florence Gazlay, June 1958. Copy in possession of Lee Gazlay.
  24. Obituary, Cortland Standard, Cortland, New York, available at www.fultonhistory.com, 20 March 1900, Dr. Henry C. Gazlay, died 19 March 1900 in Creston, Iowa. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his first wife and his children.
  25. Obituary, Brookfield Courier, Brookfield, Madison County, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com. Dr. H. C. Gazley [sic], died 19 March 1919. The article provides brief biographical details.
Third Generation
7. Almira White3 (Martha,2 Jane1), born August 1873 in Jefferson County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 26 September 1940.6 Almira married, ca. 1893, Fred A. Morse3 (born ca. April 1874 in New York, parents not determined;3 Fred died 19437). Almira and Fred are buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York.6, 7

Children of Almira White and Fred A. Morse:

+9i. Marjorie H. Morse, born 1 August 1894 in McGraw, Cortland County, New York; died 9 December 1917 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York. Married Joseph O’Mara.
 10ii. Gladys Morse, born August 1896 in New York.3, 4
+11iii. Collina Morse, born 28 May 1898 in Endicott, Broome County, New York; died 30 May 1970 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York. Married Leroy Edwin ‘Roy’ Beebe, Sr..

  1. New York State Census, 1875, Jefferson County, Town of Theresa, Page No 26, family of H. A. White (33, Jeff., farm); wife Eliza White (25, Jeff.); daughter Almira White (4, Jeff.); son Fred White (2, Jeff.); servant Kate Ecker (19, Jeff.).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Jefferson County, Theresa, Enumeration District 144, Page No 25D, family of Henry White (39, New York, farmer); wife Eliza White (29, New York); daughter Allie White (10, New York); son Fred White (7, New York); brother George White (37, New York, blind).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Cortland County, City of Cortland, Enumeration District 93, Sheet No. 13A-B, family of Martha E. Gazlay (48, New York, Oct 1851, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Lualley Morse (26, New York, Aug 1873, 3 children, 3 living, spools wire, married 7 years); son in law Fred Morse (26, New York, Apr 1874, telegraph oper., married 7 years); son Fred White (25, New York, Aug 1874, loop maker); grand daugh Margery Morse (3 [overwritten 5], New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Gladdice Morse (3, New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Collina Morse (2, May 1898, New York).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Cortland County, Cortland City, Enumeration District 118, Sheet No. 8A, Family of Eliza Gazley (59, New York, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Allie Morse (38, New York, married 20 years, 3 children, 3 living, spooler, wire mill); son Fred White (34, New York, woodworker, wagon shop); grand daughter Margorie Morse (15, New York); grand daughter Gladys Morse (13, New York); grand daughter Collina Morse (11, New York).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Cortland County, Cortland City, Enumeration District 13, Sheet No. 6A, family of Martha E. Gazley (69, New York, widow); daughter Allie L. Morse (49, New York, widow, seamstress, corset factory); son Fred A. White (47, New York, wood worker, trunk co.).
  6. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Allie White Morse, born: 1870; died: 26 September 1940 [from record, which provides the names and links for her husband and two children].
  7. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Fred A. Morse, born: 1868; died: 1943 [from record, which provides the names and links for his wife and two children].
Fourth and Fifth Generations
9. Marjorie H. Morse4 (Almira,3 Martha,2 Jane1), born 1 August 1894 in McGraw, Cortland County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 9 December 1917 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York.1 Marjorie married, 24 June 1913, Joseph O’Mara1 (born ____, parents not determined). Marjorie is buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York.1

Child of Marjorie H. Morse and Joseph O’Mara:

 12i. Barbara O’Mara.

11. Collina Morse4 (Almira,3 Martha,2 Jane1), born 28 May 1898 in Endicott, Broome County, New York;2, 3, 4 died 30 May 1970 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York.4 Collina married Leroy Edwin ‘Roy’ Beebe, Sr.4 (born 17 July 1898 in Berkshire, Tioga County, New York, the son of Harvey Edward Beebe and Lottie B. Oliver;5 Roy died 20 September 1954 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York5). Collina is buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York.4

  1. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Marjorie H. Morse O’Mara, born: 1 August 1894 in McGraw, Cortland County, New York; died: 9 December 1917 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York [from record, which provides an obituary giving vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, husband, daughter, and other relatives].
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Cortland County, City of Cortland, Enumeration District 93, Sheet No. 13A-B, family of Martha E. Gazlay (48, New York, Oct 1851, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Lualley Morse (26, New York, Aug 1873, 3 children, 3 living, spools wire, married 7 years); son in law Fred Morse (26, New York, Apr 1874, telegraph oper., married 7 years); son Fred White (25, New York, Aug 1874, loop maker); grand daugh Margery Morse (3 [overwritten 5], New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Gladdice Morse (3, New York, Aug 1896); grand daugh Collina Morse (2, May 1898, New York).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Cortland County, Cortland City, Enumeration District 118, Sheet No. 8A, Family of Eliza Gazley (59, New York, widow, 2 children, 2 living); daughter Allie Morse (38, New York, married 20 years, 3 children, 3 living, spooler, wire mill); son Fred White (34, New York, woodworker, wagon shop); grand daughter Margorie Morse (15, New York); grand daughter Gladys Morse (13, New York); grand daughter Collina Morse (11, New York).
  4. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Collena M. Beebe, born: 28 May 1898 in Endicott, Broome County, New York; died: 20 May 1970 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York [from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, husband, and one sister].
  5. Find a Grave (website). Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York; Leroy Edwin “Roy” Beebe, Sr., born: 17 July 1898 in Berkshire, Tioga County, New York; died: 20 September 1954 in Cortland, Cortland County, New York [from record, which provides the names and links for his parents, wife, and siblings].