Jonathan W. Russel (b. 1797 VT)
Hello All,
Any information shared to help me solve this research problem would certainly be appreciated.
Here is a write up that I put together to explain where my Russell research stands:
Jonathan W. Russell (JWR) was born on 22 SEP 1797.We believe that the "W" may stand for "Wilkins."JWR's oldest son was named Jonathan Wilkins Russell.Much of the time he went by Wilkins and not Jonathan.
It is believed that JWR was born in VT.His 1850 census record indicated MA.However, his later census records indicated VT.Some of JWR's children also indicated that their father was born in VT in later census years.Additionally, an old family diary states that JWR was born in VT.
My first documented account of JWR is in his War of 1812 pension file.According to the file, JWR lived in Danville, Caledonia, VT during the time of September 1814 when the Battle of Plattsburgh took place.JWR enlisted with the VT militia and served under Captain Langmaid according to the affidavits of Isaac Stanton and John Carr (both of Danville, VT).He served for about 30 days.
In May of 1814, before the Battle of Plattsburgh, JWR claimed to have enlisted with the New York Militia at Schoharie Town in Schoharie County, NY and that he had fought in the Battle of Sandy Creek.It doesn't say exactly how many days he served with the NY militia.Additionally, I haven't been able to find a NY militia list with his name.
In any event, this tells me that he was in NY during 1814 also.JWR's pension file also tells me that he was married in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., NY on 22 SEP 1822.His wife was a descendant of Palatine Germans from that area (her name was Elizabeth Seckner/Seghner).
The next census record that I find JWR is in 1825 in Lewis Co. (Turin Town).JWR and his family are living there next to Elizabeth's parents.
I can't confirm a census record for him in 1830.However, there is a Jonathan Russell in Montgomery Co. during that year who has a similar family composition to what JWR's would be.It could be him.However, no one else seems to be nearby.JWR is not found in Lewis Co. that year either.
In 1840, JWR is found living next door to Daniel and Huldah (Babcock) Russell in West Monroe, Oswego County.Now, the reason that I know that this is JWR is because several of his children indicate that they were born there or that they grew up in West Monroe around that time.In addition,Daniel, Sr., Aaron Russell, Hazen Russell and Elias Russell are all there nearby.
Now, here is the problem:
As I see it, there are two possible sets of parents for JWR.
Possibility #1
Daniel and Huldah (Babcock) Russell(Danvers, MA> Windsor, VT> Broadalbin, NY> Oneida, NY> West Monroe, NY)
Evidence supporting this theory:
1)JWR moved right next door to Daniel & Huldah in 1840(West Monroe, Oswego County, NY) -he lived there for a number of years before moving to the Midwest.
2)An old county history from California indicates that JWR's father was "an English sea captain" who settled in NY.Daniel was not a sea captain that I have found in any records.However, he did serve on a privateer ship during the Revolutionary War.He would have been viewed as being English before America had its independence.
3)There are some notes and a transcription of a Bible in which another Russell researcher states that Jonathan was one of the sons.However, upon further inquiry, I was told that this was an old recollection and not documented.
4)One of JWR's sons was named John Sanford Russell.Daniel and Huldah apparently had a son or grandson by the name Sanford Russell according to the 1850 census. Sanford was living with them.However, there is no mention of this presumed son in the Bible or notes on the West Monroe Russells (I might also add that there is no mention of Daniel, Jr. (b. abt 1790) either).
5)JWR named one of his daughters Huldah and another daughter Lydia (possibly for Lydia Mackentire, Daniel's mother).
Evidence against this theory:
1)If JWR's middle name is Wilkins, it could indicate that he was the son of Jonathan Russell (b. abt 1775-80) whose parents were Jonathan Russell and Huldah Wilkins (of Middleburgh, Schoharie Co., NY).Please recall that JWR claimed to have enlisted in Schoharie town (very near Middleburgh) in 1814 with the NY militia.
2)Daniel Russell was living in Broadalbin, Montgomery Co., NY during 1814.Why would JWR enlist in Schoharie town?JWR was only 16 or 17 when he enlisted.I would think that he would have enlisted close to home.
3)JWR left NY and moved to the Midwest and ultimately CA.There doesn't seem to be any attachment to Daniel's family after JWR moved away.This could indicate that Daniel and Huldah were just close Russell cousins.The Russells of Middleburgh are of course related to Daniel Russell (they connect in Danvers and Salem, MA).
4)JWR's first child was named Susan (Susannah).After she Susan died, JWR named his youngest daughter Susan also.I suspect that this name was very important to him.It could be the name of his mother.
Possibility #2
Jonathan Russell, Jr. and Unknown(Danvers, MA> VT?> Middleburgh, NY)
JWR is the son of Jonathan Russell (b. 1775-80) who is son of Jonathan Russell and Huldah Wilkins of Middleburgh, NY.
Evidence Support this theory:
1)Evidence above against Daniel and Huldah Russell being JWR's parents.
2)Jonathan Russell, Sr. of Middleburgh was a first cousin of a Russell woman who married Solomon Langmaid of Danville, VT.Please recall that JWR served under Langmaid in the War of 1812.
3)JWR named one of his daughters Huldah (this could be namesake for Huldah Babcock also).
Evidence against this theory:
Evidence above in support of Daniel and Huldah Russellbeing the parents of JWR.
Any information shared to support either of the above theories would certainly be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Nick Mizaur
Omaha, NE
More Replies:
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Re: Jonathan W. Russel (b. 1797 VT)
Jane Curci 3/15/07