Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Susan Wilcox


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 Susan Wilcox and four of her descendants down to the third generation.


First Generation
1. Susan Wilcox,1 born ____ (parents not determined). Susan married Stephen Tefft (born ca. 1790 in Connecticut, the son of Ezekiel Tefft and Amie Wilcox;1, 2, 3, 4 Stephen died 4 January 1866 in Griswold, New London County, Connecticut1, 5, 6). Stephen is buried in Jewett City Cemetery, Jewett CIty, New London County, Connecticut.7

Military records show a Private Stephen Tift in the 30 Regiment (Randall’s) Connecticut Militia, War of 1812.8

He is probably the same Private Stephen Tift who is a member of the Sixth Company, 30th Regiment, 3rd Brigade under Wm. Randall, lieutenant-colonel, commandant, in early 1813.9


Child of Susan Wilcox and Stephen Tefft:

+2i. Francis Dayton Tift, born 16 February 1838 in Jewett City, New London County, Connecticut; died 28 November 1915 in Lakewood, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island. Married (1) Anna J. Mack Married (2) Helen ‘Nellie’ Buckley.

  1. The Charles R. Hale Collection of Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions, Newspaper Marriage and Death Notices, ca. 1750-1865, and the Veterans’ Death Index. Stephen Tefft, died 4 January 1866 in Griswold, Connecticut, age 76.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, Connecticut, New London County, Town of Griswold, family of Stephen Tift (57, Connecticut, carpenter); Rebecca Tift (43, Connecticut); John L. Tift (6, Connecticut); George C. Tift (5, Connecticut); Neland P. Tift (11/12, Connecticut).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Connecticut, New London County, Griswold, Jewett City, Page 11, family of Stephen Tefft (67, Connecticut, farm laborer); Rebecca Tefft (54, Connecticut); Neelan Tefft (10, Connecticut).
  4. Gazlay, Lee, Ancestors of Stephen Tefft, Late of Jewett City, Connecticut. August 5, 2020, Mystic, Connecticut. This paper presents research on Stephen Tefft, who lived in Rhode Island and Connecticut, eventually settling in Jewett City, Griswold, Connecticut. The research indicates that Stephen was a son of Ezekiel Tefft and his wife Amie (or Amy) Wilcox. The couple raised their family in Rhode Island and later removed to Smyrna, New York, while son Stephen remained in Connecticut. Available as a .pdf at Gazlay Family History (website), under Sources.
  5. Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934, available at FamilySearch.org. Stephen Tefft, died: 4 January 1866 in Connecticut, age 76.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Connecticut, New London County, Griswold, Page 37, entry for Rebecca Tift, age 64, Connecticut. This is believed to be Stephen Tefft’s widow.
  7. Memorials, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, Connecticut, 27 May 1909 (and other years), Memorial Day listings of veterans from various wars: War of 1812, Jewett City Cemetery, Stephen Tifft.
  8. United States War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815. Available at www.familysearch.org.
  9. History of New London County, Connecticut, compiled under the supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd. Philadelphia: J. W. Lewis and Co., 1882. Page 634.
Second and Third Generations
2. Francis Dayton Tift2 (Susan1), born 16 February 1838 in Jewett City, New London County, Connecticut;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 died 28 November 1915 in Lakewood, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island.1, 9 Francis married, first, September 1859, Anna J. Mack3, 17 (born February 1837 in Canada, the daughter of Edward Buckley and Ann Lougan;3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 Anna died 29 September 1908 in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas13, 14, 15, 16). Their marriage ended in divorce on 19 September 1892 in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas.17, 18 Francis married, second, 22 November 1892 in Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island, Helen ‘Nellie’ Buckley20 (born 9 January 1854 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, parents not determined;7, 8, 19 Nellie died 7 October 1924 in Palace Garden, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island19). Francis is buried in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwich, Kent County, Rhode Island.1 Nellie is buried in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwich, Kent County, Rhode Island.21

Francis’ obituary provides interesting biographical details:9


OBITUARY.

Francis Dayton Tift.

The death of Francis Dayton Tift, formerly a resident of this city, occurred on Sunday at his home in Lakewood, Providence. Mr. Tift was 77 and was born in Jewett City, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Tift. His father was a native of North Stonington and his mother’s maiden name was Wilcox.

Mr. Tift followed the mill business and was a loom fixer, working in mills in Jewett City, Baltic, and this city where he lived at the falls. At one time he was foreman of the William M. Williams company at the Falls. Abut 35 years ago he lost part of one of his hands in a mill and after this he lived for a year in Kansas. For about the last 20 years his home has been in Providence.

Mr. Tift enlisted in Norwich for three months’ service in the war and served his enlistment with credit. He belonged to the G. A. R. and was particularly interested in its work.

Mr. Tift was the last of his family, but he is survived by his second wife who was Nellie Buckley, and whom he married about 20 years ago. His first wife’s name was Mack and she was a resident of Norwich. The only close relative of the deceased besides his wife is a nephew, F. P. Perkins, of Montville.

Frank and Anna were married in September 1859. After 33 years of marriage and the birth of their three children, Anna filed for divorce. The newspaper announcement reads as follows:

Anna J. Tift brought suit today in the same court [district court] asking for a divorce from her husband, Frank D. Tift. She states that she was married to defendant in September, 1859, but since the marriage he has been guilty of extreme cruelty to her, and four years ago abandoned her and has refused to live with her since.17

The divorce was granted later in 1892.18


Children of Francis Dayton Tift and Anna J. Mack:

 3i. Andrew Frank Tift, born 26 June 1861 in Connecticut;4, 5, 22 died 16 July 1892 in Kansas.22, 23 Andrew is buried in Rochester Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas.22
 4ii. Anna Mary Tift, born May 1863 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut;4, 24 died 4 November 1870 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.24
 5iii. Virginia Tift, born ca. 1866 in Connecticut.4, 5

  1. Find a Grave (website). Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, Frances [sic] Dayton Tift, born: 1838 in Griswold, New London County, Connecticut; died: 28 November 1915 in Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island [from record, which includes notes identifying his parents as Stephen Tift and Susan Wilcox, and his wife as Nellie Buckley; and his Civil War service; and the name and link for his wife.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, Connecticut, New London County, Town of Griswold, family of William Withie, 65, Connecticut, farmer; Betsy Withie, 61, Connecticut; Francis Tift, 13, Connecticut.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Connecticut, New London County, Town of Franklin, Lords Bridge, Page 47, Frances Tift, 22, Ct., fac. [factory]; Anna Tift, 21, Scotland, fac. [factory].
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Connecticut, New London County, Norwich, Ward 4, Page Nos. 16 and 17, David Toft, 57, Ireland, works in woolen mill; Issabella Toft, 50, Ireland; Francis D. Tift, 31, Connecticut, works in machine shop; Anna M. Tift, 35, Ireland; Andrew F. Tift, 8, Connecticut; Mary A. Tift, 6, Connecticut; Virginia Tift, 4, Connecticut.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Kansas, Phillips County, Prairie View, E.D. 231, Page 19, Frank D. Tift, 43, Ct., farmer, parents born in Ct.; wife Anna J. Tift, 42, Canada, parents born in Ireland; son Andrew Tift, farmer, CT; daughter Virginia Tift, 14, Ct.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1890, Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, Rhode Island, Providence County, Providence, E.D. 29, Page 5, Francis D. Tift, corporal, Company C, 2nd Regiment; enlisted 7 May 1861; discharged 7 August 1861; length of service 3 months; Post Office address: 34 Davis St., Providence RI.
  7. Rhode Island State Census 1905, Kent County, Warwick, MALE: Tift, Fansis [sic, Francis], 67, born: 16 February 1838 in Jewett City, Connecticut, married, 12 years in Rhode Island; place of birth of father: Conn.; place of birth of mother: Conn.; Union soldier, Civil War; Presbyterian. FEMALE: Nellie B. Tift, wife, born: 29 January 1854 in Prov. [Providence], RI, mother of zero children, place of birth of father: Ireland; place of birth of mother: Ireland.
  8. Rhode Island State Census 1915, Kent County, Warwick, E.D. 23, Francis D. Tift, 77, born in U.S., machinist, retired; wife Nellie Tift, 60, born in U.S.
  9. Obituary, The Norwich Bulletin, 29 November 1915, Francis Dayton Tift, died 28 November 1915 in Lakewood, Providence, Rhode Island [sic, Lakewood is in Warwick, not Providence]. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, two wives, and a nephew.
  10. Kansas State Census, 1895, Shawnee County, Topeka Township, Page 131, Anna J. Tift, 58, Canada.
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Kansas, Shawnee County, Topeka City, E.D. 166, Sheet No. 7B, Anna J. Tift, 63, Canada, Feb. 1837, widowed [sic, her husband Francis was still living in 1900]; three children, three living [sic, at least two had died by this time].
  12. Kansas State Census, 1905, Shawnee County, Topeka, Page No. 23, Anna J. Tifft, 68, birth: Canada, from: Conn.
  13. Legal Notice, The Topeka Daily State Journal, 18 July 1912, Estate of Anna J. Tift, late of Shawnee County, Kansas, deceased.
  14. Legal Notice, Kansas Farmer And Mail and Breeze, Topeka, Kansas, 23 January 1909, Notice of Appointment of executrix for the estate of Anna J. Tift, deceased, on 16 December 1908.
  15. Probate Index, Kansas, Shawnee County, Principal Name: Anna J. Tift, event: Will, 7 October 1908 [this is thought to be the probate date, not the death date]. Available at: Topeka Genealogical Society, tgstopeka.org.
  16. Obituary, The Topeka Daily Capital, Topeka, Kansas, 1 October 1908, Mrs. Jane D. Tift [this is thought to be Anna J. Tift, although her age would be 70], died 29 September 1908 in Topeka. Interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery.
  17. Divorce Filing, The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas, 23 August 1892, divorce filing by Anna J. Tift against Frank D. Tift.
  18. Divorce, The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas, 19 September 1892, divorce granted by Judge Guthrie to Anna J. Tift vs. Frank D. Tift and two other couples. The cause in each case was abandonment and failure to support the family.
  19. Rhode Island Deaths and Burials, 1802-1950, Deaths (1901-1943) and index of deaths (1901-1920) [Rhode Island], Helen Tift, died: 7 October 1924 in Palace Gardens [sic, Palace Garden, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island]; born: 9 January 1854, age 70 years, 7 months, 29 days; widowed; husband: Francis D. Tift; birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island; father: William Buckley; mother: Margaret Long; where buried: St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. Informant: John Hughes, nephew.
  20. Rhode Island Marriages, 1724-1916. 22 November 1892 in Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island, Frank Dayton Tift, age 54, son of Stephen Tift and Susan Wilcox; and Nellie Buckley, age 54, daughter of Edward Buckley and Ann Lonyan.
  21. Find a Grave (website). Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, Nellie Buckley Tift, born: 1854; died: unknown [the gravestone shows a blank for the date] (from record, which indicates parents Edward Buckley and Ann Lougan, and provides the names and links for her parents and spouse).
  22. Find a Grave (website). Rochester Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, Andrew Frank Teft, born: 26 June 1861; died: 16 July 1892 in Kansas (from record).
  23. Card of Thanks, The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas (available at newspapers.com), 18 July, 1892, Mrs. Anna Tift, of Potwin, expresses her heartfelt thanks to the K. of P. and all other friends for their kindness during the long illness of her son Andrew.
  24. Connecticut Marriages 1640-1939, Registration of Deaths Occurring in the Town of Norwich, from Jan. 1, 1865. Page 135, 4 November 1870, Anna J. Tift, age 7 years 5 months, birthplace: Norwich; diphtheria. Note: body removed to Lakewood, R.I. Oct-6-1903.