Zephaniah / Zepheniah Gates, CT, NY, PA & IN
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In reply to:
Re: GATES,Charles W.
Philip stone 10/07/04
Philip,
If you get this message, drop me a note!Zephaniah / Zepheniah Phillips who married Abigail Griffith was a great+uncle to me.His parents were Stephen and hannah (Meech) Gates of Preston, New London Co., CT.I descend from Zephaniah's sister, Susannah, who married Elijah Phillips in 1778 and settled in Manlius, Onondaga Co., NY in the early 1790s.There are a number of deeds for Zephaniah Gates there between 1797 and 1811, and a couple between him and his brother-in-law, Elijah Phillips.I found Zephaniah Gates in the 1800 census in Cazanovia, Madison Co., NY--that's just east Manlius and Pompey, Onondaga Co.
--Nick Sheedy
[email protected]
Here's a biographical sketch of Zephaniah's grandson, also named Zephaniah Gates:
Portrait and biographical album of Ionia and Montcalm counties, Michigan, by Chapman Brothers, Edna Harris (1891), pp. 339-340:
“ZEPHANIAH GATES, an old settler of Home Township, Montcalm County, [Michigan] is a man who reflects credit in every way upon the community in which he resides. He is the son of Harry P., the son of Zephaniah, Sr., who was born in Rhode Island and was one of the early settlers first in Cattaraugus, later in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and after that in Erie County, Pa. Later in life he emigrated to Indiana and died there in Delaware County. He was of English parentage.
“The father of our subject, after his marriage in Erie County, Pa., removed by team to Indiana in 1844. In 1845 with his wife and three children he removed by ox-team and wagon to Michigan. One cow followed in their wake and their purse contained $1.50. The journey took fifteen days and the total expenses were seventy-five cents. They reached Ionia County, Mich., and bought fifty acres on the south side of the Grand River, giving in exchange for the land his ox-team and wagon. He built a log house and the happy family contentedly began the pioneer life. Mr. Gates improved this land and added to it until at one time he had one hundred and sixty acres, but has given most of this away to his sons. He still resides on the old homestead and is an old-time Democrat and Deacon in the Baptist Church. His good wife who has aided him in this pioneer life was Sallie Stephens, daughter of Rozell Stephens of Niagara County, N. Y. This family traces its lineage back to the blue blood of Plymouth Rock.
“The parents of our subject had four children: Lydia (Mrs. Disbrow), Zephaniah, Clinton and David. Zephaniah was born May 22, 1838, in Erie County, Pa. Here his early childhood was passed until the family emigrated to Indiana and later to Ionia County, Mich. He was only seven years old when he first entered the Wolverine State. As he grew up he engaged in true pioneer life, helped to clear the land and began the manufacture of black salts. His schooling was obtained in the cobblestone school-house. When he reached his majority he came into possession of forty acres of timber land. In 1873 he traded this land, now finely improved, for a house and lot in Westville, and eighty acres in Home Township, where he now resides. For three years he resided in Westville and engaged in teaming. In the pursuit of this work he oftentimes was stuck in the muddy roads and heroically carried the greater part of his load, flour, shingles or whatever it might be, uphill to some dry spot where he might reload and start again.
“In 1877 our subject located on his present place which he cleared and improved and added to it until he had two hundred acres. Of this he now retains only forty acres, having given away the remainder to his sons. He has a valuable location, good orchards and fine springs, raises a good grade of stock and makes a specialty of potato and hay raising. He also deals in agricultural implements.
“In 1856 Mr. Gates celebrated Christmas day at Saranac by his marriage with Laura, daughter of Joseph Granger, of New York. Mr. Granger brought his family to Michigan in 1854, and made his home on the banks of the Grand River, where he worked a farm till his death in 1871 at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Granger was Esther Lane, whose grandfather was notable in New York State as a weaver of high grade goods. Mrs. Gates was educated in Oswego, N. Y., where she was born July 20, 1838. She came to Michigan in 1854.
“Five children have blessed the home of Mr. Gates: Albro, a farmer in Home Township, who has taught school for fourteen years; Herbert C., a farmer in Home Township; Flora, the wife of Edgar Arnold, a farmer in Ionia County; Harry P., on the home farm; and Ella, who is also at home. The subject of this sketch has been Commissioner of Highways and has been for years Moderator of the School Board. He is an active and prominent member of the Independent Order of Good Templars at Edmore. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for over thirty years and has been Deacon of the church at Edmore since its organization. He is one of its most efficient members, having been especially active in helping to erect its house of worship. He was Superintendent of the First Union Sunday-school opened at Edmore, and continued in that work for seven years, since which he has been Superintendent of the Baptist School and 1ms the Banner Class at Edmore. He organized the Sunday school at Wyman and has been its Superintendent. His wife is a member of the Ladies Aid Society and active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. They are both warm hearted and hospitable and their good qualities are cordially appreciated by their neighbors.”