Who were the parents of Russell Mathewson?

Question

I've hit a wall in my paternal line.  My 2x great grandfather was Russell Mathewson, born in Otsego County, NY in 1821 and was married to Emma Cornelia Johnson.  My problem is that I cannot find documentation as to who his parents were.  I have seen some family trees on other sites who list his father as Elijah Mathewson and his mother Deborah Windsor Mathewson, but no documentation is given.  I haven't been able to find any records listing his parents.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

The earliest thing I can find is an 1850 census record with him and Emma listed on it.

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC1L-TBS : 9 November 2014), Russel Mathison, Painted Post, Steuben, New York, United States; citing family 695, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

There's also this 1870 census:

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8KF-N2F : 17 October 2014), Russell Mathewson, New York, United States; citing p. 102, family 846, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,594.

Try researching each of the children. That can sometimes help lead to unexpected discoveries.

Comments

Thanks, Jourdi.  I have seen both censuses.  Good suggestion on researching the children.  I have done that with Russell's son, Laban (my great grandfather), but have not done so with his other children.  Thanks, again, for responding to my question.

Answer 2

Found Elijah Matthewson Will,Otsego New York,He died March 14 1833,

left Wife Deborah $600.00 dollars,That is a lot of money in todays terms.

You can see on Ancestry.com.His wife Deborah died Sept 20 1858.age 53.

She should be in 1850 census,have not yet found.Miss spelling and using

initials make it difficult.Have not tied too Russell.1910 Census Corning

Steuben,New York shows father born in New York,mother in Rhode Island.

Comments

You have to love the divergent information you get from these censuses.  The 1900 U.S. census shows both of his parents born in Rhode Island while the 1880 U.S. census shows both of his parents born in New York.

Answer 3

Find My Past; 1840 Census,Debrah Matison,Otsego,New york.

Comments

Thanks, Wayne, for both of your answers.  Deborah is in the 1850 census too.  She is living with one of her sons.  I feel like I'm close, but I still haven't seen that document connecting Russell and Elijah (or Deborah).  Do you mind me asking where you saw the information related to Elijah's will?  Thanks, again, for your help.

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Maybe clues if you look into these folks? Could be a connection ? Cousins ?

http://www.usbiographies.org/biographies/read.php?1031,8372

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Thanks, Eddie.

Answer 4

I have confirmed that indeed Elijah Mathewson and Deborah Windsor Mathewson were Russell's parents.  Today I received an official copy of Russell's death certificate from Corning, NY listing both Elijah and Deborah Windsor as his parents.  The certificate lists both Elijah's and Deborah's place of birth as "New York" which conflicts with several sources (including a US census) which place their births in Rhode Island.  Russell's son, Albert, supplied the information on the death certificate.  I'm happy, though. One brick wall smashed!