Obadiah (Gifford) Jefferd (bef. 1785 - aft. 1812)

Born before 1785 in Albany, New York, United States

Descendants

Died after 1812 after age 27 in Ohio, Ohio, Herkimer, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Norm Davis [send private message]

Obadiah (Gifford) Jefferd served in the New York division in the War of 1812
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Biography

Obadiah was born before 1785. He passed away after 1812. Married Rebecca Fox (Fuchs) and had three sons and four daughters. At least some of them were born in Ohio, Herkimer County, NY.

Research note: The town of Ohio was established as the town of West Brunswick in 1823 from part of the town of Norway. The name changed to Ohio in 1836. Ohio was increased by some of the now-defunct town of Wilmurt, which itself had been partly formed with territory from Ohio and the town of Russia in 1836. Wilmurt was once the largest town in New York.

Sources

• Herkimer County recorded history [1]

"Josiah H. Davis married, August 29, 1832, Hopeful Jefferds, a native of Ohio, N.Y., born October 2, 1811. Her father was Obadiah, who married Rebecca Fox and had three sons and four daughters. Mr. Jefferds was in the War of 1812, and died in Ohio. Josiah H. and wife had twelve children, of whom ten survive. In 1868 he came to Gorham. He is a Republican, and for many years has been a deacon in the Congregational church at Reed's Corners. Fred H. Davis is a young man of more than ordinary ability. He was reared on a farm, and when a boy attended the district schools. He has been very industrious and given himself a thorough education, first taking a course in Canandaigua Academy, and graduating from Hamilton College in June, 1891. He is now assistant principal of the school at Lyons, Wayne county. " Herkimer County Records , 1893. Citing: History of Ontario County, New York, with illustrations and family sketches of some of the prominent men and families; edited by George S. Conover, compiled by Lewis Cass Alrich. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co. 1893.

• 1790 Census: Obadiah Gifford living Northeast, Dutchess, NY (Obadiah's father??)

Males >16- 3

Males <16- 2

Females >16 -3

• 1800 Census: Obadiah Gifford living Berne, Albany, NY. [2]

Male under 10: 1 (Obadiah?)

Male 26-45: 1 (father)

Female 26-45: 1 (mother

• 1830 Census: Obadiah Gifford living in Berne, Albany, NY. [3]

Male 50-60: 1 (father)

Female 50-60: 1 (mother)

Female 30-40: 1 (Obadiah's sister?)

• 1830 Census: Giffords living in "Heifford" Otsego County, NY. [4]

Obadiah: 1 male<5; 1 male 30-50(H); 1 fem under 5; 2 fem 5-10; 1 fem 20-30(W)

John: 2 male<5; 1 male 20-30(H); 1 male 30-50(F); 1 fem 5-10; 1 fem 20-30(W)

Avon (?): 1 male<5; 1male 20-30(H); 1 fem 20-30(W)

Henry: 1 male 5-10; 1 male 50-60; 1 fem<5; 1 fem 30-40

Elihu (?): 1 male 20-30; 1 male 50-60; 1 fem 15-20; 1 fem 20-30; 1 fem 50-60

• Find-A-Grave Obadiah Gifford, Oneonta, Otsego, New York [5] birth unknown, died 11 Apr 1848 age 50 yrs 11 days. "Husband of Lucy" noted at Find-a-Grave, but this is apparently not inscribed on the headstone.

Notes

The Jefford name is variously spelled Jefferd(s), Jefford(s), Giffard(s), Gifford(s), and others.

A similar surname, in a household having three sons and four daughters, has not been found to date.

1810 Census at Norway:

1. John Jeffords, with his wife, 3 sons, and 2 daughters.
2. Andrew Fox, with his wife and 2 daughters.
3. Joseph Davis, with his wife, 1 son and 2 daughters.
4. William S. Fox with his wife, 1 son and 1 daughter
5. Andrew Fox Jr. living alone

1810 Census at German Flatts:

1. Elizabeth Fox, living alone
2. George Fox, his wife and 2 sons
3. Michael Fox, his wife and 1 son.
4. James Fox, his wife and 1 son.
5. William Fox, his wife, 4 sons and 3 daughters.
6. Daniel C. Fox, his wife, 4 sons and 4 daughters
7. John Fox, his wife and 2 sons
8. Peter Fox, his wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters
9. Jedediah Fox, his wife and 2 daughters
10. Christian Fox, and his wife
11. John Gifford, his wife, 3 sons, and 3 daughters

1810 Herkimer, Herkimer: No surnames close.

1810 Census at Russia:

1. John Davis, his wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters
2. Nehemiah Davis, his wife, 1 son and 4 daughters.
3. James Davis, his wife, 1 son and 1 daughter
4. Ruth Fox, 2 males and 4 other females

Leads

A search of Obadiah Gifford turns up a candidate in the right time frame: [6] at Find-a-Grave. b. abt. 1798, d. 11 Apr 1848. He is buried at Gifford Cemetery, near Oneonta Creek, Otsego, NY. Otsego is in the right area, if Hopeful (b.1811) is his daughter, to marry J.H. Davis in Norway, Herkimer County. Freepages [7] indicates that he was possibly born in Albany, but that he married a Lucy (unknown) 1804-1847. The Find-A-Grave records are clearly not correct, as they have a son "Elihu" born 1772 to Obadiah, born 1768. Lucy's dates are 1804-1847, an even more difficult matchup. Possibly Lucy is a second, very late marriage, as Obadiah died 1818 at age 50.

More relevant to this profile perhaps: A search for Rebecca Gifford turns up a candidate in the right time frame, maiden name is Fox. [8] She is buried in Huntingdonshire, England in 1873. (National Burial Records of England and Wales). This may be the Rebecca Fox associated with this profile. Whether this Obadiah is the correct spouse cannot be determined at this time.

War of 1812 Records [U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976]

1. Obadiah H Gifford aka Obed H Gifford who served in Rhode Island

2. Obed Gifford served in Massachusetts

More research needed.