Families of Wells Township, Bradford County, PA

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Families of Wells, Wells Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
By J. Kelsey Jones - 2011 Edition

The Seeley Family is represented in several of the Townships of the area, including, Wells, Southport, and many more.

(Seeley - First of FOUR pages)

Intro to Early Wells Families

by J. Kelsey Jones 2011 Edition
published by Joyce M. Tice

Photo by Joyce M. Tice

Nathaniel Seeley -Jemima Collins Line Gen. 1-2

Gen. 3

Gen. 4

Other Seeleys

SEELEY

Nathaniel Seeley b. 11 Oct 1732 New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut son of Ebenezer Seeley and Mercy Dean, m. Jemima Collins. Nathaniel and Jemima resided at Cornwall, Orange County, New York. In Apr 1765 Nathaniel and Bazaleel Seeley were overseers of roads. The Will of Adam Collins of Blooming Grove, Orange County dated 1 May 1770 names sister Jemima Seeley, brother in law, Nathaniel Seeley and nephew Samuel Seeley. In 1775 the Revolutinary Pledge was signed by Samuel Seely, Josiah Seely, Nathaniel Seely, John Seely, Jonas Seely, Israel Seely, Thaddeus Seely, Bazaliel Seely, and Nathaniel Seely, Jr., all of Cornwall. Nathaniel and Jemima removed to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey where Nathaniel appears on assessment lists of Hardyston Township. There is an assessment list before May 1780 for Hardyston of September 1774 and no Seeleys appear on that assessment list.

May 1780
Nathaniel Seele
170 improved acres
10 unimproved acres
1 house
5 horned cattle
1 hog
2 slaves

Aug 1780
Nathaniel Seley
170 improved acres
10 unimproved acres
1 framed house
5 horned cattle
1 hog
2 slaves

Jan 1781
Nathaniel Seley
90 improved acres
100 unimproved acres
3 horses
4 horned cattle
10 hogs
1 tavern
3 slaves

Taverns were not assessed prior to the Jan 1781 assessment. These are the only known assessments for Hardyston Township for that time period. It is known the above assessments refer to the Nathaniel of this sketch as son, Israel was assessed in May 1780, Aug 1780, and Jan 1781 in Hardyston and some of Israel’s children are known to have been born in Sussex County. Nathaniel and Jemima’s son, James Seeley in his pension deposition stated his (James) family lived in Sussex County after the Revolutionary War. Nathaniel and Jemima’s daughter Jemima Seeley married Richard Edsall and resided in Hardyston.

Nathaniel and Jemima did not remain in Sussex County, but returned to Orange County. On 4 May 1784 Nathaniel Seeley and Jemima his wife leased property at Cornwell, Orange County for a period of ten years the property consisting of a barn, orchard, garden, 100 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, 100 acres of wood, and 100 acres of land covered with water. Nathaniel and Jemima removed with some of their children to what became the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York, first a part of Montgomery County and then Tioga County before it became Chemung County. On 3 Nov 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in Chemung, Montgomery County, New York, which with further divisions became Newtown and then Elmira, Tioga County, and then finally the Town of Southport, Chemung County. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, and Adam Seeley were brothers and sons of Nathaniel and Jemima. Abner Hatfield had married Nathaniel and Jemima’s daughter, Elizabeth and Samuel Edsall had married Nathaniel and Jemima’s daughter, Sarah. Thus, is apparent the close relationship of these families who left Orange County, New York and Sussex County, New Jersey to settle on lands near the fertile Chemung River Valley. The Chemung River Valley and one of its tributaries, which became known as the Seeley Creek Valley where the Seeley family settled were rich and fertile valleys that saw an influx of settlers beginning in the late 1780’s, a few years after General John Sullivan and his army made their historic trek from Easton, Pennsylvania through the Wyoming Valley and north through the Susquehanna River Valley into the Chemung River Valley and on to the Finger Lakes region of New York, burning villages and destroying crops of the Iroquois in retaliation for the deaths of many settlers at Wyoming, Pennsylvania and to diminish the incursions on the western frontier. Many of the men with Sullivan’s army saw firsthand the vast expanse of valleys and the bountiful fruits and vegetables grown by the Native Americans and vowed to return and settle after the Revolution and the end of hostilities. Nathaniel and Jemima perhaps arrived in 1788 when it is related that daughter Elizabeth Hetfield and family arrived at that date and grandson James Seeley, Jr., born in 1782, related he was six years of age when he came with his parents James Seeley and Ann Westlake. From these records it has been assumed that several members of the Seeley family arrived in 1788. The Seeley party may have included Nathaniel and Jemima with sons Adam and Caleb who were single; son, Samuel Seeley and wife Mercy Bartlett and children (or they arrived a year or two later) son, Nathaniel, Jr., and wife Elizabeth Sayre and children; son, James and wife Ann Westlake and children; daughter, Elizabeth Hetfield and husband Abner Hetfield and children; and daughter, Sarah Edsall and husband Samuel Edsall.

In the Reporter Journal, Towanda, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1885 is given the following account:

“We will give some of Mrs. Sabra Seely’s recollections.Mrs. Seeley (Miss Sabra Ingalls) was born at Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y., Sept. 19th, 1876 (misprint and should have read 1796). At the age of six years she moved with her father’s family (James Ingalls) to Homer, N. Y., and there resided until she was twelve years old, when the family moved to South Creek township (Bradford County, Pennsylvania),and lived at or near Fassetts for something over a year. Then moved to Elmira (New York), and lived there until about 1822 or ’23, when her father moved to Wells (Bradford County, Pennsylvania). She married Strong Seely, a resident of the township, who died in August, 1872, at the age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Seely is yet living, a bright interesting old lady. . . Mrs. Seely makes the following interesting comments on the Seely family. Nathaniel Seely came from Orange county, N.Y., and purchased several hundred acres of land on Seely Creek - so named for him - laying between South Port Corners and the Beckwith Farm. When Mr. Seely came in he paid the cash for his land, and the same pocketbook, in which this money was carried, is held by his great great grandson, William Wilson, as an heirloom. Mr. Seely erected the first framed house in Elmira, and when a little girl I remember attending school in one part of it. Israel and James Seely already mentioned in the history of the township (Wells), were his sons.”

Nathaniel Seeley was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen, one male under age sixteen, and two females in the household. However, it would appear that the family count for his son Nathaniel, Jr., enumerated in the next household, should be attributed to Nathaniel, which included three males over age sixteen and two females in the household, since it is known that Nathaniel, Jr., had a young son (Nathaniel) and a young daughter (Sarah) in the household. The three males over the age of sixteen were presumably Nathaniel and sons Adam and Caleb. One of the two females in the household was presumably Jemima as she is related to have survived Nathaniel. The other female was perhaps an unknown daughter as Jemima would have presumably only been in her late thirties when daughter Sarah was born in 1772. Nathaniel and Jemima’s sons, James, and Samuel and son-in-laws Abner Hatfield and Samuel Edsall were all enumerated in nearby households. Tioga County was erected from Montgomery County on 17 Feb 1791 and the area they resided in remained in Tioga County until 1836 when Chemung County was formed.

Nathaniel and Jemima are related to have built the first framed house in the valley south of the Chemung River in 1792. Nathaniel appears on the 1794 tax list of Newtown. Nathaniel d. 31 Oct 1799 67y 20d (ts) buried in the Fitzsimmons Cemetery, town of Southport, not far from their residence and nearby Seeley Creek. Jemima is related to have lived for many years after Nathaniel’s death keeping a boarding house in the original dwelling they built (History of Chemung County by Towner). Jemima’s date of death is unknown and no known marker exists. Jemima was not enumerated as a head of household in 1800 and none of her six known children living in the Seeley Creek Valley had a female over the age of 45 in their household in 1800.

Nathaniel’s marker of native stone and hand engraving still stands after over 200 years in an excellent state of preservation and reads:

HERE LIES THE
BODY OF
NATHANIEL
SEELY WHO DEPAR-
TED THIS LIFE
OCt THE 31
A.D. 1799 AGED
67 YEARS AND
TWENTY DAYS

There are no markers for several feet on either side of Nathaniel’s marker. In the row directly in front of Nathaniel’s marker is a marker for son, Samuel. In the row directly behind Nathaniel’s marker are markers for Caleb Seely and John Seely, side by side, and directly behind their markers in the next row is a marker for Alfred Seely, all of native hand engraved stone.

Children of Nathaniel Seeley and Jemima Collins:
1. Samuel Seeley b. 2 Feb 1754 Cornwall, Orange County, New York.
2. Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., b. c. 1756.
3. Israel Seeley b. 31 July 1758.
4. James Seeley b. 9 July 1760 Oxford, Orange County.
5. Jemima Seeley b. 28 Jan 1762.
6. Elizabeth Seeley b. 14 Jan 1764.
7. Adam Seeley b. c. 1766-8.
8. Caleb Seeley b. June 1770.
9. Sarah Seeley b. 8 Oct 1772.

HERE LIES
THE BODY
OF JOHN SEE-
LY DEPARTED
THIS LIFE OCT
THE 20eth 1798

The identity of John Seely is unknown and there is no age on the marker to assist in identifying him as an adult or a child. He was not the head of household in any census enumerations, does not appear in any deeds, and does not appear on the 1794 and 1798 tax assessment lists. His marker is next to Caleb Seeley in the Fitzsimmons Cemetery and he is presumed to be a grandson of Nathaniel Seeley and Jemima Collins.

Second Generation:
1. Samuel Seeley b. 2 Feb 1754 is placed as a son of Nathaniel Seeley and Jemima Collins when he is called nephew in the The Will of Adam Collins of Blooming Grove, Orange County dated 1 May 1770, which named sister Jemima Seeley, brother in law, Nathaniel Seeley and nephew Samuel Seeley. Samuel m. 4 Jan 1779 (First Presbyterian Church, Goshen, New York), Mercy Bartlett b. c. 1761 daughter of Samuel Bartlett and Mercy Seeley. Samuel served in the American Revolution (pension file W19335) in Orange County, New York. Samuel does not appear on any of the assessment lists of Sussex County, New Jersey where his parents removed too from Orange County. Samuel and Mercy removed about 1790 (pension application) to what is now Southport, Chemung County (originally Montgomery and then Tioga County), New York and located in a large fertile valley, which became known as the Seeley Creek Valley. Samuel was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County) in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (b. before 1774), three males under age sixteen (b. 1775-90), and four females in the household. Tioga County was erected from Montgomery County on 17 Feb 1791. On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.

In 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York, 592 ¾ acres. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deed 1:44- 5). Samuel Seeley came into possession of the property and on 9 Apr 1796 Samuel Seely of Newtown mortgaged to Josiah Seeley, Jr., of Orange County, 593 ¾ acres, except 60 acres mortgaged to Daniel Hall, Esq., of Orange County (Tioga County Mortgage 1:21).

Samuel appears on the 1 Oct 1798 assessment list. Samuel was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County) in 1800 with one male under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one male of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-1784) is torn, one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-1774), and one male over age forty five (b. before 1755), three females under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (1775-84), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74).

On 18 Oct 1805 for $1 Samuel Seely deeded 12 perches of land to the people of the school district on Seely Creek. Signed by Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 3:3).

On 10 Apr 1807 Samuel Seely of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed, with the consent of his wife Mercy, 592 acres to William Seely of Newtown, except 60 acres mortgaged to Daniel Hall, Esq., by Josiah Seely, the first owner of Orange County. Witnessed by James Seely, Jr., and Bartlett Seely. Signed Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 3:267). The property reverted back to Samuel when on 20 May 1809 Samuel and Mercy mortgaged 592 acres to Josiah Seeley of Orange County, New York, which mortgage was paid in full on 29 Jan 1812 (Tioga County Mortgage 1:161).

Samuel was enumerated in Newtown in 1810 with two males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1766-84), one male over age forty five (b. before 1765), one female under age ten (b. 1801-10), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), two females of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (b. before 1765).

On 2 June 1815 Samuel Seely and Mercy his wife of the town of Elmira, County of Tioga conveyed 140 acres to John H. Knapp of the County of Orange, land in the town of Elmira. Signed Samuel Seely and Mercy Seely (Tioga County Deed 4:172).

Samuel first appears on the 1817 assessment list (compiled fall of 1816) of Wells Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. They did not reside in Wells and only owned real estate as they were not assessed for a house and they were not enumerated in Wells in 1820. On the 1824 assessment list (compiled fall of 1823) Samuel had transfered his property to James Seeley, Jr. Enumerated in Elmira, Tioga (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County) in 1820 with one male under age ten (b. 1811-20), one male over age 45 (b. before 1775), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1795-1804), and one female over age forty five (b. before 1775). Samuel was enumerated in Southport in the state census of 1825 with one male (Samuel) and three females in the household. Samuel d. 10 (pension deposition of Jemima) 11 (ts) Jan 1827 72y 11m (ts and pension deposition) Fitzimmons Cemetery, town of Southport. Samuel’s marker in an excellent state of preservation reads:

Samuel Seely,
died Jan 11,
1827.
aged 72 Y.
11 M.

Mercy was enumerated in Southport, Tioga County (that portion that became Chemung County) in 1830 with perhaps a daughter in her household and two younger children who may have been grandchildren. Grandson James Monahan is related to have lived with her. Mercy was enumerated in the state census of 1835 in Southport with one male and two females in the household. On 15 Sept 1835 Samuel Seeley of Wells deeded (quit claim) 87 acres in Wells to Mercy Seeley of Southport, Chemung County, New York. Mercy applied for a widow’s pension on 11 Sept 1838, age 77.

State of New York
Chemung County - On this 11th day of September 1838 personally appeared before me Jacob Westlake one of the Judges of the    Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Chemung Mercy Seely a resident of the Town of Elmira in the said County and State    aged seventy seven years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration    in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836: That she is the widow of Samuel    Seely who was in the service of the United States at different periods during the war of the Revolution in the militia of the County of    Orange, as a private of Infantry, a private of Dragoons, and a Cornet of Dragoons, in the company of Dragoons commanded by    Capt Eben Woodhull in the County of Orange in the State aforesaid, as will appear by the affidavits hereunto annexed.
   She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Seely on the fourth day of January seventeen hundred and seventy    nine in the County of Orange aforesaid by the Revd Mr. Carr then a Presbyterian Clergyman resident in the said County of Orange.
   That her husband the said Samuel Seely died on the tenth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred twenty seven    and the she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fuly appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She never    had any record of her marriage nor does she know nor can she learn after diligent enquiring that there is any church or town record of   the same. Sworn before me the 11th Sept 1838. Mercy Seely

Mercy was inscribed on the roll of Albany at the rate of $43.50 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of pension issued the 9th day of March 1839. Mercy is related to have d. 1839-40 Almond, Allegany County, New York at the home of daughter Mahala. No female of Mercy’s age was enumerated in the household of daughter Mahala in 1840.

A letter written April 30, 1957 from Mrs. Lois Willett, Pinconning, Michigan to Clark Wilcox, Chemung County Historian, stated the following: “Mercy Bartlett, daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Seeley) Bartlett, married Samuel Seely in Goshen, New York Jan. 4, 1779 and she died in Almond, New York about 1838 or 1840 at her daughter's home (Mahala Seeley married Josiah Morris). He died Jan. 11, 1827. Mercy Bartlett and Samuel Seeley had 5 daughters: Julie m. Solomon Smith, Betsy m. Rev. Tom Osgood, Milicent m. Asa Pierce, Mahala m. Josiah Morris, Harriett m. James Monahan, 3 sons: Bartlett Seeley, Samuel Seeley, William Seeley." This is the same information furnished by earlier researchers and others also included a son James, by which the following family has been constructed.

10. Julia Seeley b. 27 Aug 1780.
11. William Seeley b. c. 1782.
12. Samuel Seeley, Jr., b. perhaps c. 1784 (he must have been b. in 1784 or earlier as he was of age on 13 July 1805 when he witnessed a deed - Tioga County Deed 2:327).
13. James Seeley b. 178_.
14. daughter b. 178_ (assumption - four females in the household in 1790).
15. Lydia Seeley b. 23 Jan 1789.
16. Bartlett Seeley b. 29 Mar 1791.
17. Milicent Seeley b. 11 Jan 1793.
18. Harriet Seeley perhaps b. c. 1795.
19. Elizabeth Seeley b. 10 Mar 1798.
20. Mahala Seeley b. 11 July 1800.

Possibly Fanny Seeley b. 1783 m. Josiah Reeder son of Samuel Reeder buried in Fitzsimmons Cemetery. Josiah and Fanny removed to Starkey, Yates County, New York.

2. Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., b. c. 1756 perhaps served in the American Revolution as he signed the Revolutionary Pledge in 1775 while a resident of Cornwall, Orange County, New York. Neither Nathaniel or his widow lived to an age to have applied for a pension for Revolutionary service. Nathaniel m. Elizabeth Sayre. Nathaniel does not appear in any of the assessment records of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey where his parents removed too. On 3 Nov 1788 lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres, which was patented to them on 28 Feb 1791. Nathaniel enumerated 1790 census of Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York with three males over age sixteen and two females in the household. However, it would appear that the family count for his father enumerated in the next household may be more attributed to Nathaniel, Jr., which included one male over age sixteen (Nathaniel Jr.), one male under age sixteen (Nathaniel b. 1788), and two females (Elizabeth and daughter Sarah) in the household.

On 28 Feb 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Jr., of Newtown, Tioga County, New York mortgaged to William Seely of Newtown 311 acres in Newtown patented to Nathaniel Seely 28 Feb 1791 (Tioga County Mortgage 1:4).

On the 8 Apr 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall and Addam Seely conveyed 246 acres to John Smith. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely.

On the 26 Apr 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill’s land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:25-6).

On the 19 June 1792, Nathaniel Seely Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife; Addam Seely; James Seely and Anna his wife of the Town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 577 acres to Timothy Smith late of the County of Orange and State of New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr, Elizabeth Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely, James Seely, and Anne Seely. Witnessed by John Durham, Jr., John Smith, Abner Wells (Tioga County Deeds 1:30).

Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 592 ¾ acres to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deeds 1:44- 5).

On the 18 July 1792 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; James Seely and Ann his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife conveyed 589 acres to Adam Seely, part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Samuel Edsall (Tioga County Deeds 1:33).

On the 18 July 1792 James Seely and Ann his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, and Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 311 acres to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, and Addam Seely. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely, Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:34-5).

A petition was presented 3 June 1793, by Amos Park, James Cameron, Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., Henry Sterrett, Peter Loop, Jr., Nathaniel Teal, James Seeley, John Crabtree, to the grand lodge F. & A. M. of New York, for the the establishment of a lodge at New Town, which application was granted 18 June 1793, under the name of Union Lodge, No. 30. The first meeting of the lodge was held at the house of John Konkle, in the village of New Town, 26 Aug 1793 with the following officers elected - President, Amos Park, W. M; James Cameron, S. W; Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., J. W; Peter Loop, Jr., Sec.; John Konkle, Treasurer; Nathaniel Teal, Tiler; James Seeley, member; Abiel Frye, Vistor.

On 10 Mar 1794 Adam Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., John Smith, and Abner Hatfield of Newtown, County of Tioga conveyed 260 acres to George Rankin of Newtown, next to Smith and Hetfield lots, part of tract granted to Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hatfield, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seely, bearing patent 28 Feb 1791. Signed Adam Seely, Nathaniel Seely, John, Smith, and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deeds 1:119).

Nathaniel appears on the 1794 tax list of Newtown. Will of Nathaniel dated 28 May 1796.

In the name of God, Amen, I, Nathaniel Seeley Junr, of New Town in the County of Tioga and State of New York, being weak in body but sound memory do this 28th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and ninety six make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say my estate to be equally divided among my children vix Nathaniel my son, Sally Seely, Betsey Seely, and Kissey Seely, my daughters both real and personal and hereby authorize and appoint James Cameron my executor and my wife Elizabeth Seely my executrix to take the care and charge of my estate after my decease for the benefit of my children, firstly I order that my son Nathaniel shall be decently educated in reading, writing and common arithmetick and taught the art or mystery of surveying. Secondly, I order that my daughters be decently educated in reading and writing; and thirdly, I hereby request my said executrix and wife to have the sole conducting and benefit of my estate real and personal during the time she remains my widow and do also direct and order that said personal estate or property shall be insufficient to discharge my first debts and support my family decently, so much of my real estate as in and thereto may be necessary for that purpose be sold and I hereby fully authorize and impower and direct my said executor and executrix to grant, sell and convey in fee simple such part or parts of my real estate as to them shall seem meet and expedient and necessary for the purposes aforesaid as soon after my decease as the amount of my debts can be ascertained and an estimate of my personal property made in witness whereof I the said Nathaniel Seely Junior have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed Nathaniel Seely Jr. Witnessed by Peter Loop Jr., Abner M. Hetfield and John Konkle. Probated 9 Jan 1797 (Chenango County Surrogate’s Office A:12-14).

Nathaniel d. 1796. No known marker exists marking his place of burial, but the likely place of interment would be the Fitzsimmons Cemetery where other family members are buried. Elizabeth m. 1796-7 (2)Robert Starrett (Sterrett, etc.). Robert Sterrett was enumerated in the 1800 census of Newtown with one male of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74), one female under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74). It would appear that perhaps only one of the four children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth was enumerated in the household, which would be either Sarah or Elizabeth. The daughter under the age of ten was Robert and Elizabeth’s daughter Ann Starrett.

On 15 Oct 1805, "Nathaniel Seely, Sally Seely, Betsy Seely, and Keziah Seely, children of Nathaniel, late of the town of New Town, deceased” petitioned that Samuel Seely of New Town be allowed and approved of as their guardian." Keziah was the only infant under the age of fourteen (Degrees of Sale of Real Estate, Guardianships, etc. p. 2. Heirs of Nathaniel Seely, Newtown; Tioga County Courthouse Vault, Owego, New York).

A dispute arose between Samuel Seely, guardian of Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, and Keziah Seely, and John Bartlett Seely (married Sarah Seeley daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth) versus Robert Sterrett over the "use and occupation by the said Robert of the real estate which belonged to the said Nathaniel Seely deceased at the time of his death and also relative to the receipt disposition and administration of the personal property and credits of the said Nathaniel Seely deceased by the said Robert Sterritt or Elizabeth Sterritt the wife of the said Robert Sterritt and late the wife and executrix of the said Nathaniel Seely deceased." Arbitration chosen by both Seely and Sterritt parties; Isaac Baldwin, Abner Kelsey, Lebeus Hammond to be arbitrators. Award to be made in writing and delivered to both parties on or before 1 Jan next (1806). On 2 Dec 1805 the arbitrators hear the proofs and allegations of both parties at Newtown, Tioga County; writing obligatory ready to be delivered to Samuel and John Bartlett Seely which required $2,000 to be paid by Robert Sterritt to Samuel and John Bartlett Seely in three equal installments of $969.50 plus interest on the same due 1 May 1806, 1 May 1807, and 1 May 1808. Robert Starrett to pay arbitors $10.00. Writing obligatory delivered to Robert same day.

Aug Term 1806 - Bill against Robert Sterritt presented before Supreme Court at Albany. Robert Sterritt has not paid $2,000 plus $300 damages. Samuel Seely and John Bartlett Seely have observed terms of arbitration by "releasing all demands whatsoever touching the premises."

Nov Term 1806 - Plea of Debt before the Justice of the People at City Hall, New York City. Robert Sterritt claims that the bond was not presented in writing before 1 Jan 1806.

1st Mon Feb 1807 - Both parties with their attorneys come before the jury and justices at City Hall Albany. The (Tioga County) Sheriff had not returned the said Writ.

1st Mon May 1807 - Both parties come again. Sheriff (Jenkins of Tioga County) had not returned the Writ or done anything.

1st Monday 10 Aug 1807 - Robert Sterritt relinquishes his plea and recognizes the said award of the arbitrators. An additional $47.25 damages is awarded the plaintiffs. Robert Starrett is convicted as appears of record.

15 Aug 1807 - Writ of Testatum Fieri Facias, issued out of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of New York at Albany, bears test. $2,000 debt against goods and chattles of Robert Starrett. Sherriff Jenkins commanded to cause debt and damages to be made against lands and tenements of Robert Starrett if sufficient goods and chattles can not be found in Starrett's bailiwick. Sherriff Jenkins further commanded to have money before the Justice of the Supreme Court at the City Hall of the city of New York on Second Monday of November next to render to Samuel Seely and John Bartlett Seely for their debt and damages. Also, $47.75 damages adjudged by Justices of said court, sustained by the detaining of the said debt.

20 Aug 1807 - Judgment filed. The lands and tenements of Robert Starrett are seized in his bailiwick and exposed to public vendor on the premises and sold to Samuel Seely for the sum of $1,000. The debts and damages are delivered after the test and before the return date (New York State Supreme Court of Judicature; Series JO140; Judgment Rolls, Albany; Box 126, SEELY vs. STARRETT; filed 20 Aug 1807).

8 Nov 1808 - Indenture between William Jenkins, Esqr., Sheriff of Tioga County, New York and Samuel Seely of Tioga County, New York, allowed by Caleb Baker, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, parcel of land in Elmira, lately New Town, (lot #2 next to Asa Wisner) on the public highway called Water Street of one acre granted to Samuel Seely as guardian for the benefit of Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, Keziah Seely and John Bartlett Seely (Tioga County Deed 3:259). On the 22 March 1810 (Tioga County Deed 3:261) Samuel conveyed property of one acre for $1 to Nathaniel Seely and Keziah Seely of Elmira, Sally Seely, wife of John Bartlett Seely and Elizabeth Campbell wife of Archibald Campbell of Seneca County, New York, which said “Nathaniel, Keziah, Sally and Elizabeth are heirs of Nathaniel Seeley deceased.” The one acre parcel was perhaps a tavern. Emma Taft Ennis, granddaughter of Elizabeth Sayre, stated about 1930 - “He (Robert Starrett) kept an inn or tavern on Lake Street, Elmira, and my mother pointed out to me the place where it stood and where she was born, on November 16, 1800. My grandmother had three Starrett children, Henry, Ann and Jane (my mother).”

Elizabeth is related to have d. 1806/7 (“My mother was left an orphan when she was six years old” - statement by Emma Taft Ennis daughter of Jane Starrett and Newell Taft and granddaughter of Elizabeth). In Tioga County deeds on 21 June 1809 "Robert Starrett and Elizabeth his wife” were grantors. Robert either had a second wife Elizabeth or Elizabeth was still living.

Children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth:
21. Sarah Seeley, often known by the nickname Sally, b. 6 July 1786 Newtown (that area that is now Southport, Chemung County, New York).
22. Nathaniel Seeley b. 28 Oct 1788 Newtown.
23. Elizabeth Seeley b. 19 Dec 1790 Newtown.
24. Christian Seeley b. 10 Nov 1794 Newtown.

Children of Elizabeth and Robert:
Ann Starrett b. 10 Oct 1797 m. Upton Dorsey of Lyons, New York, had seven children, and she d. 29 May 1890 buried Glenwood Cemetery, Geneva, New York.
Jane Starrett b. 16 Nov 1800 is related to have lived with her sister Elizabeth after the death of her mother, m. 16 Nov 1818 at Lyons, New York, Newell Taft and had twelve children.
Henry Starrett b. 1803 had a wife Harriet and three chiildren and he d. 12 Sept 1848.

3. Israel Seeley b. 31 July 1758 is placed as a son of Nathaniel and Jemima as referenced in the Bradford Reporter, Towanda, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1885 when it is stated - “Israel and James Seely already mentioned in the history of the township, were his (Nathaniel) sons.” The likely informant of the information was Sabra Ingalls wife of Strong Seeley, son of Israel. The newspaper refers to her as “a bright, interesting old lady.” Israel m. 26 Oct 1775 at Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York, Millicent Strong b. before Oct 1760 daughter of Benjamin Strong.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Benjamin Strong, of Goshen, in Orange County, Esq., though weak of body, but of sound mind. I leave all my estate to my six children, Caturna, Elizabeth, Jerusha, Mary, Millicent, and James. My executors are to sell all estate and divide the money in the following manner. My son James to have 300 pounds, when of age, "the interest to be used for educating and bringing him up," and all the rest to my 5 daughters, as they come of age. I make my brother, Selah Strong, and John Brewster, both of Orange County, executors. Dated October 20, 1760. Witnesses, Daniel Tuthill, John Brewster, Jr., Edward Brewster. Proved, December 26, 1760 (Abstracts of Wills Vol VI 1760-1766, The New York Historical Society, 1897).

Israel perhaps served in the American Revolution as he signed the Revolutionary Pledge in 1775 while a resident of Cornwall, Orange County. His death predated many of the pension applications that were filed in 1832 and Millicent had predeceased him, which often give genealogical information. Israel and Millicent removed to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey where his parents also resided. Israel appears on the Hardyston assessment records.

May 1780
Israel Seley
60 improved acres
280 unimproved acres
1 log house
3 horses
8 horned cattle
4 hogs

Aug 1780
Israel Seley
60 improved acres
280 unimproved acres
1 log house
3 horses
8 horned cattle
4 hogs

Jan 1781
Iszerel Seley
90 improved acres
250 unimproved acres
3 horses
6 horned cattle
1 hog
*houses not assessed in this assessment

Later assessment records for Hardyston have not survived and the only assessment record earlier than May 1780 is Sept 1774. Israel and Millicent continued to reside in Sussex County during at least part of the 1780’s. In census records, Strong Seeley, son of Israel and Milicent, was born in New Jersey and his birth was in Sept 1786. Other family members also resided in Sussex County. Brother, James Seeley in his pension deposition stated his (James) family lived in Sussex County after the Revolutionary War. Sister, Jemima married and resided in Hardyston (later Vernon) Township. Israel and Millicent removed to what became Chemung County, New York but at what date we are not informed and it may have been at a later date than other members of his family. Israel is not enumerated on the 1790 census of Chemung where other members of his family had settled and were enumerated. Israel and Millicent may have still been living in Sussex County, New Jersey and the 1790 census for New Jersey has not survived. Israel does not appear on the 1794 tax list of Newtown, but neither does brother Samuel who was enumerated on the 1790 census of Chemung. They had arrived by August 1797 as evidenced by the following deed.

On 25 Aug 1797 Adam Seeley and Keziah his wife of the Town of Newtown and County of Tioga conveyed 90 acres in the town of Newtown to Israel Seely on the creek known as Seely Creek and being a part of the land granted to Nathaniel Seely and Associates (this would refer to Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, James Seely, and Adam Seely), bounded by lands of Samuel Seely. Executed 20 Nov 1802 and signed Adam Seely, Kezia Seely. Witnessed by Benjamin Seely, Ebenezer Bartlett, Julia Seely (Tioga County Deeds 2:57).

Israel appears on the 1 Oct 1798 assessment list. Israel was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County, New York in 1800 (that portion that is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County) with one male under age 10 (b. 1791-1800), two males of age 10 and under age 16 (b. 1785-90), one male of age 16 and under age 26 (b. 1775-84), one male over age 45 (before 1755), two females under age 10 (b. 1791-1800), one female of age 16 and under age 26 (b. 1775-84), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74). Their residence was in the Seeley Creek Valley in what is now Southport, Chemung County, New York. On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.

On 29 Oct 1802 James Cassada of the town of Newtown and County of Tioga conveyed ½ acre in the village of Newtown on Water Street to Israel Seely, farmer (Tioga County Deeds 2:56).

On 25 Apr 1807 Israel Seely of the town of Newtown, County of Tioga and Millicent his wife conveyed ½ acre in the village of Newtown on Water Street to Nathaniel Seely of Newtown. Witnessed by Benjamin Seely, James Seely, and Lewis Seely. Signed Israel Seely and Millicent signed by mark. (Tioga County Deed 3:21).

On 25 Apr 1807 Israel Seeley of the town of Newtown, County of Tioga and Millicent his wife conveyed to “his son” James Seely of Newtown 90 acres in Newtown on Seely Creek, being part of land granted to Nathaniel Seely, bounded by lands in possession of Samuel Seely and Adam Seely. Witnessed by Nathaniel Seely, David Mapes, and Benjamin Seely. Signed Israel Seely and Millicent Seely (Tioga County Deed 3:30).

On the 1810 census enumeration of Newtown there was a male of age 16 and under age 26 (b. 1785- 94), male over age 45 (b. before 1765), female of age 10 and under age 16 (b. 1795-1800), female of age 16 and under age 26 (b. 1785-94), and a female over age 45 (b. before 1765) in the household. They removed to neighboring Wells Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania (the southern portion of the Seeley Creek Valley is in Wells Township), where several members of Israel’s family had removed too earlier, including sons Benjamin and Strong and his brother Adam Seeley and family and sister Sarah Edsall and family, and nephews Bartlett and William Seely. Israel first appears on the 1817 assessment list of Wells (compiled fall of 1816) with one horse and no acreage. Israel first appears on the 1819 assessment list of neighboring Columbia Township, Bradford County where he was assessed for land only, which was transfered to Michael Wolf in 1820 (1821 Columbia assessment list). Enumerated in the 1820 census of Wells with no children in their household. Residence was in southern Wells at or near Aspinwall (now Coryland). In the Reporter Journal, Towanda, Pennsylvania, Thursday, May 14, 1885 appeared the following under the heading of Wells Township -

Israel Seeley came to Aspinwall Corners in 1822 or 1823, from Southport, and located on what is known as the Benjamin Seeley place. He erected a house and made the first improvements. The property subsequently fell to his son, Benjamin, who occupied it for a number of years. Israel Seeley’s children were Benjamin, James, Lettie, Eunice, Strong, and Lewis. Mr. Seeley died in the township in February, 1831, while living with his son, Strong. Mrs. Seeley had died previously. Benjamin Seeley moved to Southport, N.Y., where he died; James died at Athens, Pa.; Lettie died at Southport, a maiden lady; Eunice married Aaron Hatfield, and died in Indiana; Strong died in Elmira; Lewis went West and is supposed to be dead.

The newspaper interviewed residents over the course of several weeks and included information on many of the early families. The likely informant of the Israel Seeley family was Sabra Ingalls wife of Strong Seeley, son of Israel and Millicent. The newspaper refers to her as “a bright, interesting old lady.” The information furnished for this brief article agrees with most other known information, except for Israel’s date of arrival in Wells.

Israel was evidently the male of age 70 and under age 80 (b. 1751-60) in the household of son Strong in the 1830 census enumeration of Wells. Israel last appears on the 1831 assessment list (compiled fall of 1830) with the notation “sick, no property.” Israel d. Feb 1831 72y 6m (ts) Coryland Cemetery. There is no day of death inscribed, only the month and year. Millicent is assumed to have d. in the 1820’s as she is assumed to be the female over age 45 (b. before 1775) enumerated in the household in 1820, but was not enumerated with any of her children in 1830 and the above article states - “Mrs. Seeley had died previously” (prior to Feb 1831). Millicent has no marker with Israel in Coryland Cemetery.

25. daughter b. c. 1776 or c. 1782-4 (female b. 1775-84 in 1800 census).
26. Benjamin Seeley b. 31 Dec 1778 Orange County, NewYork.
27. James Seeley b. c. 1781.
28. Strong Seeley b. 16 Sept 1786 New Jersey.
29. Lewis Seeley b. perhaps 1785-90 (he was of age in 1807 when he witnessed a deed and census records have a male in that age bracket).
30. Aletta Seeley, known as Lettie, b. 179_, single, d. Southport, New York.
31. Eunice Seeley b. 179_ m. her cousin Aaron Hatfield and d. Indiana.
32. Alfred Seeley b. 22 Oct 1794 d. 10 Oct 1800 (ts) Fitzsimmons Cemetery, town of Southport. He is presumed to be the male under age ten in the 1800 census enumeration. No documented evidence has been found that concludes Alfred was their son and an earlier researcher included him within the family of James Seeley and Ann Westlake. Benjamin Seeley named a son Alfred perhaps for his deceased brother.

4. James Seeley b. 9 July 1760 (date from pension application; age on cemetery marker would place birth at Dec 1758) resided at Smith’s Cove, Orange County and while residing there enlisted in the American Revolution (pension file S11366). James removed with his parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there m. Ann Westlake, often known by the common nickname of Nancy, b. 8 Dec 1762 (calculation from age at death on cemetery marker) daughter of Samuel Westlake and Sarah Welling of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey connected with the large iron works in Hardyston and who removed to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Most deeds were signed as Ann, but some as Nancy. Her marker in the family cemetery is inscribed with Nancy. In James deposition for a pension he stated - “that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport.” James was too young to appear on the 1780 and 1781 assessment lists of Hardyston. On 3 Nov 1788 lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. James was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (b. before 1774), three males under age sixteen (b. 1775-90), and two females in the household.

On the 26 Apr 1791, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill’s land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:25-6).

On the 27 June 1792 John Waier and wife Sarah of the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga conveyed 214 acres to James Seely of the same place, part of lot 102 of 414 acres patented to John Waier. Witnessed by Mercy Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:27).

James appears on the 1794 tax list.

On 10 Sept 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown mortgaged 114 acres to Timothy Smith and John Smith of Seely Creek (Tioga County Mortgage 1:27).

On 25 Sept 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 100 acres to Timothy and John Smith of Seely Creek in the town of Newtown, part of lot 102. Signed James Seely and Anny Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Benjamin Littleton (Tioga County Deeds 1:155).

James appears on the 1 Oct 1798 assessment list. James was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with three males under age 10 (b. 1791-1800), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six is torn, the column for males of age twenty six and under age forty five is torn, one male over age 45 (b. before 1755), two females under age ten (b. 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen b. 1785-90), one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74). On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.

On 15 Nov 1803 James Seely and Ann his wife and Caleb Smith and Hannah his wife all of Tioga County conveyed a sawmill and implements, being part of of land patented to John Waier in the town of Newtown along the highway and Seely Creek. Signed James Seely and Caleb Smith. Witnessed by James Matterton and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deeds 2:170).

On 2 May 1805 James Seely and Nancy his wife of Newtown, County of Tioga conveyed 170 acres to Solomon L. Smith of Newtown, part of lot no. 102 and part of 428 acres granted to John Waier and transfered by him to James Seely, out of which is deducted ¾ acre conveyed to Ralph Bevier. Signed James Seely and Nancy Seely. Witnessed by Abner N. Hatfield, John Waier, Archibald Marvin (Tioga County Deeds 2:324).

On 20 May 1805 James Seely and Nancy his wife conveyed 5 acres to Howes Goldsbough on Seely Creek, mentions mill race, and part of land conveyed from John Waier to James Seely. Signed James Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Lemuel Gaylord (Tioga County Deeds 2:468).

On 21 Apr 1806 James Seely of the County of Tioga conveyed to Howes Goldsbough as clarification by conveyance on 15 Nov 1803 a sawmill with implements, said deed to include mill dam and land. Signed by James Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Nathaniel Seely (Tioga County Deeds 2:407).

James and Nancy left the Seeley Creek Valley and removed a few miles south into the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania in an area that became Jackson Township, settling on a high elevation at what became known as Seeley Hill west of Millerton. James was enumerated in 1810 in Delmar Township (Jackson Township not yet formed), Tioga County with two males under age ten (b. 1801-10), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), one male over age forty five (b. before 1765), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (b. before 1765). James acquired lands from the William Bingham estate on 17 May 1810 (Deed 1:166). On the 1812 assessment, James had 200 acres, 1 horse, 2 oxen, and 3 cows. On the 1816 assessment 110 improved acres, 160 acres wild land, 2 houses, 3 cows. James and Nancy were included in the enumeration of their son Westlake’s household in Jackson Township in 1830.

   At a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga and State of New   York. On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges aforesaid being a Court of record    because made so by the Constitution and laws of the State having by law a clerk and seal now sitting James Seely a resident of    Southport in the County of Tioga and State aforesaid aged seventy two years the ninth day of July last who being first duly sworn    according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th    1832.
   That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in    the month of July 1776 for one year under Captain Thomas Moffat but when he started on his march to New York his Captain was    unwell and Lieutenant Joshua Brown took the command of the company - he was under the general command of Col. Isaac Nichols    who then lived in Goshen, Orange County - the was march’d to the City of New York when General Sullivan and Lord Sterling    commanded the American forces - the country though which he passed during this term of services was at the City of New York and    its vicinity and along up the North River - he was in the battles of Kingsbridge and White Plains and was at Fort Washington, which    was under the command of Col. Morgan, when it was surrendered to the British late in the fall he served out the term and was    regularly discharged - soon after the expiration of this term he volunteered to go against the Indians and tories on the frontier of    Orange County and upon the Delaware River and especially in that region call’d the Minisink Country - he turned out for no definite    period but for as long as circumstances might require - he cannot designate any particular officer or company to which he was    attach’d as he was at times under different officers and attach’d to different companies - he understood that their orders issued mainly   from Col. Jacob Stroud - That the general nature of his service was garrison duty, scouting parties, watching the tories, spying out the   Indians by occassionally pursuing their tail - he was in many skirmishes and one or two smart brushes with the Indians. In this way he   continued and in this line of service for upwards of two years and was not finally dismiss’d till in 1780. He has no documentary    evidence of his services - neither does he know of any person except Silas Hall whose testimony he can procure who can testify to    them.
   And to the several interrogations put by the Court to him he says that he was born in the town of Oxford in the County of Orange   and State of New York on the ninth day of July in the year 1760 - that he has a kind of memorandum or family record of his age    somewhere in his possession from which and his full recollection of it as handed him by his parents he verily believes his age to be as    stated - that when he entered the service he lived at a place called Smith’s Cove in the County of Orange aforesaid - that after the    close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of    Elmira now Southport upon the waters of Seely Creek where he has lived upwards of forty two years - that in all his service he was a    volunteer that he knew Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Clinton and Col. Stroud - that he never received any other discharge than a verbal    dismissal - that he would refer to his honor the first Judge of the Court, his father Capt. William Baldwin and Thomas Maxwell    Esquire of Elmira - to Caleb Baker Esquire, Col. Solomon L. Smith, Doct A. Gates White and William Jenkins, Esq of Southport as    persons acquainted with his reputation for truth and their belief in the truth of the forgoing declaration - he hereby relinquishes every    claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any    State. James Seely.

James was inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $80 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, certificate of pension issued 22 November 1832. James d. 5 Apr 1837 78y 3m 12d (ts). Nancy was evidently the female of age 70 and under age 80 (b. 1761-70) enumerated in the household of son Westlake in Jackson Township in 1840. Nancy d. 5 May 1841 78y 4m 27d (ts) buried with James in Seeley Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Seeley Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery enclosed by a stone wall in a relatively excellent state of preservation for its age and was the burial site for the James Seeley and Nancy Westlake family and descendants for many years. The cemetery is on the north side of Skyline Drive beside the road at the highest point of Skyline Drive.

33. James Seeley Jr., b. 14 July 1782 Cornwall, Orange County, New York.
34. Jesse Seeley b. 8 July 1785.
35. Holly Seeley b. 7 Aug 1787.
36. daughter b. c. 1789 (not enumerated in household in 1810).
37. Westlake Seeley b. c. 1791.
38. Jemima Seeley b. 9 Mar 1793.
39. Nathaniel Seeley b. 20 Feb 1795.
40. Nancy Seeley b. 28 Aug 1797.
41. Samuel Seeley b. c. 1799.
42. George Seeley b. c. 1801.
43. Wellen Seeley b. 2 Apr 1803.

5. Jemima Seeley b. 28 Jan 1762 removed with her parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there m. 3 Sept 1780 Richard Edsall as his second wife, b. 17 Dec 1750 Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey son of Jacobus (James) Edsall and Charlotte Barton. Jemima’s sister, Sarah m. Richard’s brother, Samuel. Richard m. 29 Nov 1770 Mary Seward daughter of John Seward and Mary Swayze. Richard served during the Revolutionary War (pension file W7074). Jemima’s parents and all of her known siblings removed to the Chemung River Valley in New York. Richard and Jemima remained in Sussex County and resided in Vernon Township. Richard applied for a pension.

District of New Jersey
County of Sussex - On this sixteenth day of April AD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, personally appeared Richard Edsall aged about sixty eight years, resident in New Jersey Sussex County aforesaid in said District who being by me duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War.” That he the said Richard Edsall was duly appointed a first Lieutenant by order of Congress in a Regiment of foot commanded by Col Oliver Spencer AD. one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven as will fully appear by reference to the enclosed commission. That he served as Lieutenant for the term of three months when in consequence of the death of Captain Dallaz and being the oldest Lieutenant then in the Regiment he was promoted to the Captaincy of the said Company and received his commission accordingly. That he served as Captain in the said Regiment until the twelfth day of May AD 1779 when he resigned and delivered his commission as Captain into the hands of Col Oliver Spencer. That the said Regiment was attached to Genl Conway’s Brigade in Lord Stirling’s Division. That he the said deponent under the several commissions he held was in the Battles of Long Island, White Plains, Brandewine and Germantown and likewise at the Battle of Monmouth. That he is now in reduced circumstances and prays the aid of his country. Signed Richard Edsall.

Richard was inscribed on the roll of New Jersey at the rate of $20 per month to commence 16 Apr 1818. Richard d. 10 May 1823. Jemima applied for a widow’s pension.

State of New Jersey
Sussex County - On this first day of April eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before me one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas ofsaid County of Sussex being a Court of record - Jemima Edsall a resident of Vernon in the said County of Sussex aged seventy five years, who being just duly sworn acording to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Richard Edsall who was a Lieutenant in the New Jersey line of the Revolutionary Army, and the same Richard Edsall named in the annexed certificate of pension of the War department of the United States dated 24th of September 1818 and signed J. C. Calhoun secretary of War, that his pension therein granted to him was received by him to the 4th of March 1820 since which time nothing has been received of the same. She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Edsall, on the third day of September seventeen hundred and eighty, that her husband the aforesaid Richard Edsall died on the tenth day of May eighteen hundred and twenty three and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof annexed. Sworn to and subscribedon the day and year above written before me. Signed Jemima Edsall

Jemima was inscribed on the roll of New Jersey at the rate of $480 dollars per annum to commence on the 4 Mar 1831. Certificate of pension issued 12 Oct 1838 with arrears amounting to $3,840.00. Jemima d. 1 Jan 1843 Vernon. Names and dates of birth of children furnished in Jemima’s pension application.

44. Seeley Edsall b. 29 Aug 1781.
45. Joseph Edsall b. 12 July 1783 m. 17 Dec 1808 (Sussex County marriage record) Sarah DeKay,     Quartermaster in Army during War of 1812, member of State Legislature in 1825, d. 5 Apr 1833    Vernon Township.
46. Eliza Edsall b. 27 Mar 1785.
47. Rachel Edsall b. 8 July 1787 m. William DeKay and she d. 25 Oct 1886.
48. Richard Edsall b. 21 Feb 1790.
49. Nathaniel Edsall b. 21 Feb 1792.
50. Madison Edsall b. 27 Dec 1793.
51. Almeda Ann Edsall b. 19 Sept 1795 Vernon m. 29 Aug 1812 (Sussex County marriage record)     John Vandergriff, Jr., b. 7 Nov 1790 son of John Vandergriff and Hannah Jones. Almeda d.     23 May 1814. John m. 28 Sept 1816 (2)Sarah Edsall, sister of Almeda.
52. Sarah Edsall b. 16 Apr 1799 m. 28 Sept 1816 (Sussex County marriage record) John      Vandergriff, Jr., after the death of her sister Almeda. John d. 5 Oct 1861.
53. Susan A. Edsall b. 19 Sept 1801 Vernon m. 1840 Dr. Mathias Woodruff of Monroe, New York     and May 1855 (2)Dr. Byron H. Marks and she d. 25 Feb 1891 Sherburne, Chenango County,     New York.

6. Elizabeth Seeley b. 14 Jan 1764 m. 24 Oct 1781 Abner Morris Hetfield b. 6 Feb 1762 Orange County, New York and they removed to what became Southport, Chemung County, New York (Chemung, Montgomery County and thence Newtown, Tioga County before Chemung County was formed) in 1788 with three children, settling at Southport Corners where they built a log home. Abner’s name appears on the books of Hollenback's Store at Tioga Point (now Athens), Pennsylvania, the entries entered between 10 Feb 1787 and 21 Aug 1788. On 3 Nov 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. Enumerated 1790 census of Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York with one male over age sixteen (b. before 1774), two males under age sixteen (b. 1775-90), and three females in the household. On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.

Abner was a member of the Masonic Lodge formed 26 Aug 1793 at Newtown (now Elmira). Abner appears on the 1 Oct 1798 tax assessment list. Abner was enumerated in Tioga County in 1800 with four males under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one male of age ten and under age sixteen) b. 1785-90, one male of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74), one female under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), and one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84).

On 10 June 1809 Abner M. Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife conveyed toAbner Cashaday and Caleb Baker 250 acres “that Abner now lives on” excepting that part formerly sold to George Rankin. Signed Abner M. Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield (Tioga County Deed 3:221).

Enumerated in Elmira, Tioga County in 1810 as Abner M. Hetfield with two males under age ten (b. 1801-10), 2 males of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), 2 males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), one male over age forty five (b. before 1765), one female under age ten (b. 1801-10), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), one female over age forty five (b. before 1765). Abner is related to have d. 1810 (History of Chemung County by Towner). However, he executed a deed on 11 Mar 1811.

On 11 March 1811 Abner M. Hetfield of Elmira conveyed to Aaron Hetfield of Orange County, New York, 40 perches on Water Street in Newtown Village. Signed Abner M. Hetfield (Tioga County Deeds 3:365).

Another record relates he d. at age 48. Abner would have been age 48 in Feb 1810 and would have been 49 when he signed the above deed. He d. sometime shortly thereafter and before 9 Mar 1813 when only Elizabeth was named on a deed of conveyance.

On 9 Mar 1813 Caleb Baker and Sarah his wife of Tioga County conveyed to Elizabeth Hetfield of Tioga County land on Seely Creek of 112 acres. Witnessed by Richard Hetfield and Ruth M. Baker (Tioga County Deeds 4:78-9).

Abner was evidently deceased sometime between 11 Mar 1811 and 9 Mar 1813. Elizabeth conveyed several parcels after that date and survived Abner many years and d. 23 July 1844 (obituary). No known markers exist, presumably buried Fitzsimmons Cemetery, Town of Southport, near their residence.

Died in this town on Tues the 23rd ult after a short illness, Mrs. Elizabeth Hetfield, aged 80 yrs, 6 mos & 9 das (Elmira Gazette, Elmira, New York, August 1, 1844).

54. Morris Hetfield b. 16 Sept 1782 Goshen, Orange County, New York.
55. Moses Hetfield b. 11 Nov 1784 Goshen.
56. Mary Hetfield b. 12 May 1786 Goshen.
57. Elizabeth Hetfield (twin) b. 16 July 1789 Southport.
58. Aaron Jefferson Hetfield (twin) b. 16 July 1789 Southport.
59. Adam Seelely Hetfield b. 11 June 1791 Southport.
60. Richard Hetfield b. 16 Feb 1793 Southport.
61. Hiram Hetfield b. 12 June 1795 Southport.
62. Robert Hetfield b. 14 Mar 1797 Southport.
63. Solomon Hetfield b. 20 Sept 1800 Southport.
64. Phebe Hetfield b. 14 Jan 1803 Southport.
65. William D. Hetfield b. 19 Oct 1804 Southport.

7. Adam Seeley b. c. 1766-8 was most likely named for his uncle Adam Collins. Adam was too young to have signed the Revolutionary Pledge in 1775, but he is believed to have served in the American Revolution. Family notes of son Watrous Seeley stated his father served in the Revolution. Adam removed with other family members to the Chemung River Valley in what is now Chemung County, New York. On 3 Nov 1788 lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres.

On the 26 Apr 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill’s land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:25-6).

Adam m. June/July 1792 (Adam was single in April 1791 and June 1792, but married by July 1792 when his wife signed the above deed) Keziah Watrous b. 28 Feb 1776 Norwich, New London, Connecticut daughter of Walter and Keziah Watrous, her father Walter enumerated as Walter Waterhouse in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Chemung County) in 1790 and as Walter Waters in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Chemung County) in 1800. Adam appears on the 1794 tax list of Newtown.

Adam appears on the 1 Oct 1798 tax assessment list. Adam was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with two males under age ten (b. 1791-1800), one male of age 26 and under age 45 (b. 1756-74), one female under age ten (b. 1791-1800) and one female of age 26 and under age 45 (b. 1756-74). On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.

On 18 Apr 1804 Thomas M. Perry of Newtown, merchant, and Elizabeth his wife conveyed 144 acres to Adam Seely of same, farmer, in Newtown along lands occupied by Israel Seely (Tioga County Deed 3:313).

On 18 Apr 1805 Adam Seely of Newtown mortgaged to Thomas M. Perry, merchant, 144 acres, which was paid in full and satisfied 6 Feb 1808 (Tioga County Mortgage 1:125).

On 13 July 1805 Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 31 acres to Jesse Cooley, land in Newtown, part of tract granted to Nathaniel Seely and others by patent from New York. Signed Adam Seeley and Keziah signed by mark. Witnessed by Samuel Seely, Jr., and Caleb Baker (Tioga County Deed 2:327).

On 13 Feb 1806 Adam Seely and Kezia his wife of Newtown in the County of Tioga conveyed 53 acres to John Smith and Solomon L. Smith, executed 16 July 1807. Signed by Adam Seely and Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Caleb Baker and Archibald Smith (Tioga County Deed 3:17).

Adam and his family removed to Columbia Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania and were enumerated there in 1810 (then Smithfield, Lycoming County as Bradford had not yet been created) with four males under age ten (b. 1801-10), one male of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), one male over age forty five (b. before 1765), one female under age ten (b. 1801-10), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1766-84). Their residence was in northern Columbia near Aspinwall (later Coryland) where brother Israel and sister Sarah with their families followed and settled permanently. Adam appears on the first assessment of Columbia in 1813. On the 1814 assessment there was a house, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 1 cow, 70 improved acres, and 160 unimproved acres. Adam last appears on the 1816 assessment list (compiled fall of 1815) of Columbia and the property in Columbia was sold Feb 1817 (Liber 4:1) to James Seeley. Adam was enumerated in Delmar Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania in 1820 with two males under age ten (b. 1811-20), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), one male over age forty five (b. before 1775), one female under age ten (b. 1811- 20), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1795-1804), and one female over age forty five (b. before 1775). Adam appears on the first assessment of Charleston Township, Tioga County in 1821, which was formed from Delmar in 1820. On the 1823 assessment list, unable to pay for the schooling of children Lewis and Harriet. Adam d. 1823 as his name is crossed out on the 1824 assessment list (compiled fall of 1823) and Keziah Seeley, widow, is written beside his name. Betsy, Harriet, and Lewis Seeley were listed on the 1824 assessment list, Keziah unable to pay for their schooling. On the 1825 assessment list the “widow Seely” had 200 acres, 8 of which were improved, and 3 cows with poor children belonging to the “widow Seely” listed as Abner H., Betsy, and Hariet Seely. On the 1826 assessment list, Betsey and Adam Seeley were children of widow Keziah Seeley. On the 1827 assessment list, Keziah was assessed for 16 improved acres, 184 wild acres, 2 oxen, and 2 cows with a notation that 50 acres and the oxen and cows were transfered to Watrous Seeley with the remaining acreage returned to William Bingham. Keziah was listed with one son John in 1827. On the 1828 assessment list, Keziah had one son Adam, age 8 years, unable to pay for his schooling. Keziah does not appear in further assessment records of Charleston Township. Keziah was enumerated in Jackson Township, Tioga County in 1830 where Adam’s brother James and family resided. Keziah had a son (b. 1801-10) and a daughter (b. 1811-15) in the household. Keziah does not appear in any of the assessment lists of Jackson Township. Her place and date of death are unknown.

66. Joseph Seeley b. c. 1793 New York.
67. Henry Seeley b. c. 1795 New York.
68. daughter b. c. 1797-99 (1800, 1810, and 1820 census) New York.
69. Watrous Seeley b. c. 1801 New York.
70. Montillion Seeley (twin) b. 14 Feb 1805 New York.
71. Montraville Seeley (twin) b. 14 Feb 1805 New York.
72. Elizabeth Seeley b. c. 1801-10.
73. Abner Hetfield Seeley b. c. 1810 New York.
74. Harriet Seeley b. 1815 New York.
75. Lewis Seeley b. c. 1817 Pennsylvania.
76. John Adam Seeley b. 8 Feb 1819 Pennsylvania.

8. Caleb Seeley b. June 1770, appears on the 1794 tax assessment list of Newtown and on the 1 Oct 1798 assessment list, d. 9 Dec 1798 28y 5m 27d (ts) Fitzsimmons Cemetery. His widow m. (2)Dr. David Grasset Drake b. 22 Dec 1759 son of William Drake. Grosset Drake was enumerated in Goshen, Orange County, New York in 1790 with three males over age sixteen (b. before 1774) and three females in the household. David Drake was enumerated in Orange County, New York in 1800 with one male of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84), one male of age 45 and over (b. before 1755), six females under age ten (b. 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), and one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84). Enumerated in Orange County in 1810 with three males under age ten (b. 1801-10), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1766-84), one male age 45 and over (b. before 1765), two females under age ten (b. 1801-10), three females of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1785-94), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1766-84). Enumerated in Goshen, Orange County in 1820 with two males of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), one male of age sixteen and under age eighteen (b. 1802-4), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1795-1804), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1776-94), one male age 45 and over (b. before 1775), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), and one female age 45 and over (b. before 1775). Enumerated in Goshen, Orange County in 1830 with one male under age five (b. 1826-30), one male of age fifteen and under age twenty (b. 1811-15), one male of age sixty and under age seventy (b. 1761-70), two females under age five (b. 1826-30), one female of age ten and under age fifteen (b. 1816-20), one female of age twenty and under age thirty (b. 1801-10).

HERE LIES
THE BODY OF
CALEB SEELY
WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE DEC
IX 1798 AGED 28 YE
ARS V MONTHS
AND 27 DAYS

Part of the marker in in Roman numerals, which was not uncommon at that time.

On 18 Aug 1815 Samuel Seeley of the Town of Elmira and Mary (error in deed and should read Mercy) gave a mortgage to Benjamin T. Seely of the Town of Elmira, for all the one equal undivided 1/3 part of a parcel on Seeley Creek, part of a tract patented to the Seeleys, 100 acres, being the same land whereof Caleb Seeley was seized at the time of his death and the one equal undivided ½ part of which said Benjamin T. Seely inherited as one of his children (Tioga Mortgage 1:234).

On 13 Mar 1824 Samuel Seely of the Town of Southport, Tioga County (that portion that became Chemung County) and Mercy his wife conveyed 100 acres to Peter Stryker of Southport, property on Seely Creek, land of Caleb Seely at the time of his death and the one undivided third part of which Benjamin T. Seely inherited. Signed Samuel Seely and Mercy Seely. Recorded 26 May 1827 (Tioga County Deed 6:441).

On 25 Apr 1825 Samuel J. Prince and Julia his wife of Minisink, Orange County, New York conveyed to Peter Stryker of County of Tioga, one equal undivided third part of land situate on Seely Creek, patented to the Seelys, 100 acres, same land of which Caleb Seely was seized at the time of his death and the one equal undivided third part of which is hereby intended to be conveyed. Signed Samuel Prince and Julia Prince. Witnessed by Solomon L. Smith, James B. Goff, and Hulet Clark (Tioga County Deed 6:459).

On 8 May 1827 Jabez Knapp and Clarissa his wife of Southport, Tioga County (that portion that became Chemung County) conveyed to Peter Stryker of Southport, an undivided ½ of the equal undivided third part of a lot on Seely Creek of 100 acres and the same land whereof Caleb Seely was seized at the time of his death and the one equal undivided third of which said Caleb inherited and sold to Peter Stryker. Signed Jabez Knapp and Clarissa Knapp (Tioga County Deed 6:442).

Benjamin Tuthill owned property in 1791 near the Seeleys and his family should be researched as Caleb had a son Benjamin T. Seely, perhaps named for Benjamin Tuthill and perhaps Caleb’s wife was a member of the Tuthill family.

77. Julia Seely b. c. 1792.
78. Benjamin T. Seely b. c. 1794.
79. Clarissa Seely b. perhaps 5 Aug 1795.

9. Sarah Seeley b. 8 Oct 1772 m. Samuel Edsall b. 14 Feb 1768 Orange County, New York son of Jacobus (James) Edsall and Charlotte Barton. Sarah’s sister, Jemima m. Samuel’s brother, Richard. On 3 Nov 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. Their residence was in the Seeley Creek Valley, Town of Southport. Enumerated as Samuel Headsall in 1790 in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York with one male over age sixteen and two females in the household.

On the 26 Apr 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill’s land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deeds 1:25-6).

There is no record of conveyances of land to Samuel and Sarah and there are no later transactions of them conveying land to others. Samuel was listed as a taxpayer in 1794. Samuel appears on the 1 Oct 1798 assessment list. Enumerated in Newtown (that portion that is now Southport), Tioga (that portion that is now Chemung) County, New York in 1800 with three males under age ten (b. 1791- 1800), one male of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1756-74), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1785-90), and one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1775-84). On 10 Apr 1792 Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County. Samuel and Sarah are related to have removed in 1805 from Sussex County, New Jersey to the southern part of Wells Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania on land where Adam Seeley had made a beginning. This is an error as they had resided in neighboring Southport for several years prior to their removal to Wells. Another record (Dalrymple biography in Four County History) relates they settled in Columbia Township in 1803. They are known to have left the fertile Seeley Creek Valley for the highest elevation in Wells Township. Their residence was in southern Wells on warrant parcel 1392 where the Fries residence and later the Brown residence was located on Old Hickory Road just west of the Presbyterian Church. A portion of their property was in Columbia Township. They do not appear on the 1810 census of Smithfield, Lycoming County, which included that portion that became Wells Township. Samuel is related to have built the first framed house in the township in 1812. At a Republican meeting held in Towanda, delegates were chosen and two men from each township in the County were appointed to the Committee of Vigilance and Correspondence. Samuel Edsall was appointed for Wells (Bradford Gazette, Towanda, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1813). Enumerated in Wells in 1820 with two males under age ten (b. 1811-20), one male of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), two males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1795-1804), onemaleof age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1776-94), one male over age forty five (b. before 1775), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (b. 1805-10), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (b. 1795-1804), and one female over age forty five (b. before 1775). Enumerated in Wells in 1830 with one male of age ten and under age fifteen (b. 1816-20), one male of age fifteen and under age twenty (b. 1811-15), one male of age twenty and under age thirty (b. 1801-10), one male of age sixty and under age seventy (b. 1761-70), one female of age ten and under age fifteen (b. 1816-20), and one female of age fifty and under age sixty (b. 1771-80). Enumerated in Wells in 1840 with one male of age seventy and under age eighty (b. 1761-70), one female of age ten and under age fifteen (b. 1826-30), and one female of age sixty and under seventy (b. 1771-80). Samuel d. 3 July 1845 77y 4m 19d (ts). Sarah renounced her right to administer the estate and requested “eldest son Jesse Edsall” be appointed administrator on 7 July 1845 (Bradford County Probate file 504). Solomon Bovier, Elmira Bovier, and Jesse Edsall requested N. Alvord, Jr., be appointed one of the administrators, 7 July 1845. Inventory taken 9 and 16 July 1845 by David Prutzman and John Strong. Sarah was enumerated in Wells in 1850 in the household of her daughter, Hila. Sarah d. 11 Apr 1853 80y 6m 3d (ts) buried with Samuel in Coryland Cemetery near their residence.

80. Parmelia Edsall b. 30 Nov 1788 m. her cousin, Benjamin Seeley.
81. Jesse Edsall b. 29 Oct 1790 Southport, New York m. Clarissa Wright.
82. Richard Edsall b. 1792 Southport m. Julia Bartholomew.
83. Barton Edsall b. 13 Nov 1794 Southport d. 1 Feb 1830 35y 2m 19d (ts) Coryland Cemetery.     Will of Barton dated 25 Jan 1830 (Bradford County Probate file 162) Wells, beloved mother Sally    $500, remainder to father Samuel and brothers Jesse, Richard, Charles, James M., Andrew J.,     and sisters Pemela Seely, Hila Alvord, and Elmira Bovier, divided equally. Executors, Joseph     Beaman and David Griswold. Witnessed by Ezra Wood, Nathan Alvord, Jr., and David R.     Haswell. On 9 Mar 1830 David R. Haswell certified Barton’s signature. Inventory 17 Mar 1830     by David R. Haswell and Samuel Ingals.
84. Lewis Edsall b. c. 1797 Southport perhaps d. young as only three males were under the age of     ten in the 1800 census enumeration. He was not named in the distribution of his brother Barton’s    estate, but sister Adelia and brother Seely were also not named.
85. Charles Edsall b. 1799 Southport m. Mary Miller.
86. Hila Edsall b. 1 Aug 1801 Southport m. Nathan Alvord, Jr.
87. Elmira Edsall b. 21 May 1806 m. Solomon Bovier.
88. James Madison Edsall b. Aug 1808 Wells m. Sarah Ann Wright, divorced, (2)Jerusha B.     Gladding.
89. Adelia Edsall b. 14 June 1810 Wells m. Hiram G. Warner.
90. Seely Edsall b. 9 Dec 1812 Wells d. 27 Jan 1843 30y 1m 18d (ts) Coryland Cemetery.
91. Andrew Jackson Edsall b. c. 1816 Wells, living 1838.

Third Generation:

Bradford County PA

Chemung County NY

Tioga County PA

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 24 NOV 2004
By Joyce M. Tice
Email: Joyce M. Tice

You are the visitor since the counter was installed on 24 NOV 2004

In a message dated 6/21/2007 8:49:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, piercecm@infoblvd.net writes:
Hi All - For your records -
Recently , I had a query concerning the grave of William Seelye. He is buried in the Seelye Cemetery (AKA as NYC Cem)
I have photos of the stone taken in 1990 and 2005. It reads William Seelye Jan.6,1876 75 yr.-6 mo.

His wife Catherine's reads Catherine wife of William d. October 14, 1880 73 years.

Also, please note I recently had the name of the cemetery corrected to read Seelye not NYC. Have no idea as to why it was named NYC except name of railroad near by. In checking locally- it was called the Seelye Cem after the original settlers in that area. Most of the people buried there have some connection to the Seeley family.

Thanks
Catherine M. Pierce
Town of Lindley Historian