Foster Lilly (1772 - 1857)

Born 2 Jul 1772 in Ashfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Deborah (Hall) Lilly — married 19 Oct 1796 (to 16 May 1857) in Ashfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died 16 May 1857 at age 84 in Castle Creek, Chenango, Broome, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Deborah Halle-Cook [send private message]

Biography

Foster was born on 2 Jul 1772 in Ashfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[1] He was the son of Jonathan Lilly and Sarah (Foster) Lilly.^[1]

He married Deborah Hall on 19 Oct 1796 in Ashfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, United States.

The congregational Church was organized on 21 July 1812 and Foster Lilly was a missionary preacher there for 2 years. [History of Broome County, New York, p 321]

"Foster Lilly and wife, Deborah Hall Lilly, with a goodly number of children, came in 1816, from Ashfield, Mass. [to Castle Creek, Broome County, New York] which had for years been the dwelling place of many of the name. They came in the usual manner of that time, with a good and substantial team of horses and wagon. Foster purchased a large tract of land in the so called "Boston Purchase." located some two miles south of the "Hollow."

He made trips with his team to Syracuse, as occasion required, to get the necessary domestic supplies for his own and his neighbors use. On one occasion as Foster Lilly was about to make a trip to get supplies, a neighbor gave him a very handsome ten dollar bill, with which to buy grain for food. The first dealer to whom he offered it refused it, saying it was not good. When paying his bill to a second dealer, he espied this bill, saying, "Oh what a pretty bill, I want it." Lilly told him it was said to be not good, but as he persisted, a deal was effected. I have been told that had it not been for the grain purchased with that bill, the family would have perished with hunger. In those days of wildcat money it was very difficult to determine if a bill was genuine. I well recollect my father's stories of the experiences of some of the pioneers; of how they were sometimes kept awake at night, by the snarling and fighting of wolves and other wild animals, which thrashed about in the adjacent underbrush; how two of his brothers once went to the barn to feed the stock and when ready to return to the house, were some time delayed by a pack of hungry gray timber wolves which had camped on their trail. They were given the right of way and after a season of waiting they passed on and away, after which the return trip was speedily made. Wild animals were uncommonly plenty when the first settlers came. Martens were plenty and were caught in deadfalls for their fur. Panthers were frequently met with and shot by hunters. Bears, wolves and wild cats were numerous and large. Deer were very numerous; they were sometimes seen, twenty or thirty in a herd. Of this species of game, great numbers were killed yearly." ["Annals of Castle Creek, N.Y., and vicinity, together with genealogies of some of the early families" by Julius Whiting Lilly; Chicago, IL: 1903]

Foster had a letter being held at Chenango Point Post Office, 1 January 1822. [Woodward Database page 13-l: www.rootsweb.com/~nybroome/]

Foster and his wife Deborah were baptised 22 November 1829 at the Chenango Point First Presbyterian Church in Broome County, New York.

He died on 16 May 1857 in Castle Creek, Chenango, Broome, New York. He was buried in Lilly Cemetery.^[2]

Children

Children of Foster Lilly and Deborah Hall:

• Arunah Hall Lilly 1819-1875.
• Alvah Henry Lilly 1797-1881.
• Orsamus Lilly 1800-1881.
• Henry Lilly 1802-1873.
• Cynthia Lilly 1804-1847.
• Jonathan Lilly 1806-1883.
• Reuben Lilly 1808-1884.
• Deborah Lilly 1810-1881.
• Foster Lilly 1812-1855.
• Sarah Lilly 1815-1880.
• Eunice Lilly 1817-1839.
• Hannah Lilly 1821-1889.
• Achsah Lilly 1823-1831.
• Florence Lilly 1825-1828.

Residence

Foster was on the 1800 Ashfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts Census [p 459, enumerated 4 August 1800] aged 26-45 with 2 males -10 [Alvah & Orsamus], and 1 female 16-25 [wife Deborah].

Foster was on the 1810 Hawley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts Census [p 761, enumerated 6 August 1810] aged 26-45 along with 3 males -10 [Henry, Jonathan & Reuben], 2 males 10-16 [Alvah & Orsamus], 1 female -10 [Cynthia] and 1 female 26-45 [wife Deborah].

Foster was on the 1820 Chenango Township, Broome County, New York Census [p 252, enumerated 7 August 1820] aged 45+ along with 2 males -10 [Foster & Arunah], 2 males 10-16 [Jonathan & Reuben], 1 male 16-18 [Henry], 1 male 16-26 [Orsamus], 2 females -10 [Sarah & Eunice], 1 female 10-16 [Deborah], 1 female 26-45 [wife Deborah] and 2 engaged in agriculture.

Foster was on the 1830 Chenango Township, Broome County, New York Census [p 5, enumerated 1 June 1830] aged 50-60 along with 1 male 10-15 [Arunah], 1 male 15-20 [Foster], 2 males 20-30 [Jonathan & Reuben], 1 female 5-10 [Achsah], 2 females 10-15 [Hannah & Eunice], 2 females 15-20 [Deborah & Sarah] and 1 female 50-60 [wife Deborah].

Foster was on the 1840 Chenango Township, Broome County, New York Census [p 594, enumerated 1 June 1840] aged 60-70 along with 1 male -5 [grandson Watson], 1 male 30-40 [son Reuben], 1 female -5 [granddaughter Rosetta], 1 female 15-20 [daughter-in-law Rachel], 2 females 20-30 [Deborah & Sarah], 1 female 60-70 [wife Deborah] and 2 engaged in agriculture.

• 1850 - Chenango, Broome, New York.^[3]

• 1855 - E.D. 3, Chenango, Broome, New York.^[4]

A widowed Deborah was on the 1860 Chenango Township, Broome County, New York Census [p. 566a, enumerated 9 August 1860] aged 80 MA; along with son-in-law John Cunningham, 40 NY, farmer, RE $100; daughter Hannah Cunningham, 36 NY; and daughter Deborah Lilly, 33 NY [census off 16 years], tailoress. Deborah Lilly was also enumerated in July 1860 with her brother Arunah Hall Lilly.

Will and Probate

In the name of God, Amen! I Foster Lilly of the town of Chenango in the County of Broome, and State of New York, being of Sound Mind and memory (blessed by Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.

I give and bequeath to my daughter in law Caroline B. Lilly widow of my son Foster Lilly deceased one half of my son Fosters property provided said Caroline B. Lilly shall relinquish her dower or thirds to said property.

I give and bequeath the other half of my son Fosters property as follows: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Deborah Lilly so much of the interest of the one half of said property as she may need for her support.

I give and bequeath the principal and unused interest of said one half of my son Fosters property as follows; To my sons Orsamus Lilly and Jonathan Lilly each 2/11; To my daughters Deborah Lilly and Hannah Cunningham each 2/11; To my sons Henry Lilly and A. H. Lilly each 1/11; to my granddaughter Sally L. Ralyea 1/11.

I will and bequeath to my wife Deborah Lilly the use of all my household property, and after her decease the same shall be equally divided between my daughters Deborah Lilly and Hannah Cunningham; I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Deborah Lilly the use of all my other personal property and the principal if she needs it; and if any remains after her decease the same shall go to the person or persons who take the care of her.

I do nominate and appoint my sons Orsamus Lilly and Jonathan Lilly to be the sole executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and decree this to be my last will and Testament in presence of the witnesses named below this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven Foster (his X mark) Lilly Witnesses: Jonathan Lilly residing at Chenango in Broome Co.; John Clark Boughton residing at Chenango in Broome Co.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5N9-V2K : 15 January 2020), Foster Lilly, 1772.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 07 February 2021), memorial page for Foster Lilly (2 Jul 1772–16 May 1857), Find A Grave: Memorial #67467367, citing Lilly Cemetery, Broome County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Carole Feingold (contributor 47264647) .
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCTV-4MJ : 23 December 2020), Foster Silly, Chenango, Broome, New York, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ "New York State Census, 1855," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K63V-9RH : 27 December 2020), Foster Lilly, E.D. 3, Chenango, Broome, New York, United States; citing p. , line #15, family #249, county clerk offices, New York; FHL microfilm 809,005.

• Family of Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, by Donald G. Blauvelt, in vol. 4, pp. 534-551, also online at https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/western-massachusetts-families-in-1790/image?volumeId=48625&pageName=1&rId=1415832603.
• FamilySearch profile.

• Foster's Will was dated 7 February 1857 [Wills of Broome County, New York, V. N 1854-1859, pp 314-317; FHL Microfilm #5114953, Images 180-181] .

• Lilly, Julius Whiting. Lilly Ancestry 1640-1927. Los Angeles, California, 1927, Manuscript 8 pages.