Stephen Kilbourn and Sally

88. Stephen Kilbourn {a,b,c,d,e,g,h,j,n,o} was born 17 Oct 1787 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts, and died 6 Oct 1867 in New London (Huron) Ohio. He is a son of John Kilbourn [176] and Mary Burpee [177]. Stephen married about 1814 in Templeton,

89. Sally? ___ {e,g,j,n}. She is identified by some as Sally Buss (probably following {n}), and by others as Sally Sawyer {j}. It is possible that her first name, Sally, might be mistakenly taken from the gravestone next to Stephen’s, which is his second wife. Her death is recorded in church records {g} with no name, simply “wife of Stephen”. ‘Sally’ was born in 1796, and died 2 Sep 1822 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts. They had six children, including our ancestor.

Stephen then married about Jan 1823 (intent filed 18 Jan) in Templeton, Sally Clark {a,d,e,g}. Sally was born in 1788 in Gardner, Massachusetts, and died 4 Aug 1863 in New London (Huron) Ohio. They had six more children.

Kilbourn Family History {n} has only one marriage, to Sally Buss, with all children being born to her, and she being the one in the New London cemetery.

Searching this family is difficult because the Templeton records before 1850 were all destroyed in a fire. Charlotte Croshaw was the editor of a 1907 project to gather whatever information was available from the town churches. What we have are a few death, marriage and baptism records from the church, which show evidence of two marriages but do not identify the first wife. Some researchers have identified the first as Sally Sawyer, which we had been using initially, but others have Sally Buss as the first wife. Most do not show the early death and second marriage. The Ohio grave says only Sally.

There was a group baptism of the seven oldest children on 10 Oct 1824, suggesting that Stephen joined the Methodist Episcopalian church after his second marriage. We don’t know what he was prior to that, possibly Anglican, Episcopalian, or unchurched.

Adding to the confusion is William B. Thom’s assertion that his (William’s) mother, Martha Sawyer, was the niece of Stephen Kilbourne {o}. This is very likely the reason that some have identified Stephen’s first wife as Sally Sawyer. Martha Sawyer was born in 1838 in York Center (Medina) Ohio. One or both of her parents apparently died, for she was brought to New London in 1850 to live with her uncle Stephen Kilbourne. My question is, if Sally Sawyer was the first wife and died in 1822, why would Stephen be considered Martha’s uncle, 28 years later? I can see three possibilities, other suggestions are welcome:

1. Assuming that Sally Sawyer is the first wife and had died in 1822, it may be that Stephen was still on close family terms with his former brother-in-law, ___ Sawyer. I think this is a reasonable possibility, especially as they had moved out to Ohio and Martha would probably have no other Sawyer relatives. But still, Martha was born 16 years after Stephen’s first wife died, so it is a stretch to make this be the only connection.

2. The Stephen Kilbourn who lost a wife in 1822 and married Sally Clark in 1823 is different from our Stephen. That would mean only one marriage (Sally Sawyer), and all children would be Sally Sawyer’s. This is possible, but I think unlikely. The baptism of all of ‘our’ Stephen’s children into the same church shortly after the second marriage of some ‘other’ Stephen seems too much of a coincidence.

3. One of Stephen’s sisters married ___ Sawyer. There are three sisters (Betsy, Polly, or Asubah) who could have married a Sawyer. Martha would then be Stephen’s niece by blood. I believe this is to be the most likely scenario. This scenario also allows the first wife to be Sally Buss (which seems to be preferred by most sources) and still have a blood niece named Sawyer. There is also no reason why (1) and (3) can’t both be true, if Stephen marries Sally Sawyer and his sister marries Sally’s brother

In any case, Martha Sawyer (either 176.x.1, or 178.x.1) {o} was born in 1838 near York Center(Union) Ohio. She married in 1857 in Ohio, ___ Thom. They had one known child:

176.x.1.1. (or 178.x.1.1.) William B. Thom {o} was born sometime around 1860 in New London (Huron) Ohio. He was a writer or journalist, and published many articles about early New London.

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Going by the middle names of Stephen’s children, there must also be Davis and Wilder ancestors in this branch.

Stephen was a furniture maker, mainly making simple kitchen chairs. His brother William was also a chair manufacturer, and they may have been in business together in Massachusetts. They moved to Adams (Jefferson) New York sometime around 1825. There is conflicting information, as the family gives Adams as the birthplace for Levi on census reports, but he is recorded in Templeton church baptisms. It is possible that they returned to Templeton for the baptism, but that seems unlikely -- there were no railroads yet, although the Erie Canal was available. The reported birth place of later children also varies between Adams and Templeton, again unlikely and probably in error.

Stephen made chairs in New York for about 15 years. In 1840 they moved to the village of King’s Corners in Ohio, which would be incorporated as New London in 1853. (King’s Corners was named for Henry King, original owner of the area.)  Several of the older daughters are not mentioned; they probably married in New York, and either stayed there or came to Ohio under different names. In 1844 Stephen purchased a lot northwest of the Corners (intersection of East/West Main St and North/South Main St), about 70 by 140 feet, for $200. We don’t know what they did here, probably a temporary house and garden. He rented an area on the southwest of the Corners for his chair factory. He brought an ox-mill from one of the area farms and set it up to run the factory. A horse was attached to a wooden beam and pulled it around the center pole, which drove the saws, lathes and other machines in the factory.  Children would ride on the beam as the horse pulled it around in a circle. Methodist-Episcopalian services were held in the factory for several years until a church was built.

In August 1852 Stephen bought the land on which he had his factory, 132 ft by 198 ft on South Main Street. He added a few smaller adjoining pieces over the next few years, ending up with maybe an acre. Besides the factory, Stephen and his son Levi built houses on the land.

The business was run mostly by Stephen and his sons. Stephen and Levi were chairmakers, A.D. was a painter, grandson Henry an apprentice painter. By the late 1850’s they had son-in-law Benjamin Watrous working as a chairmaker, and had also hired three cabinet makers. They made chairs out of many types of wood, including pine, ash, oak and apple. Their main design is known as Windsor rabbit ear. In addition to furniture, they also made the coffins for the town, and one of the cabinet makers, Henry Chapman, was also the town embalmer.

Ashland St (now S. Main) in New London in 1895. The large building is in the spot where the chair factory was located (burned down about 1870). The house just to the left of this building was Stephen Kilburn’s, and the one next to it was Levi Kilburn’s. Both houses were gone by the 1960’s.

Kilburn Chairs. ‘Rabbit ear’ type on left. All had bamboo design on legs.

Stephen and Sally are absent from the 1860 census, and there are no records of their death or probate in New London (although they are both buried there). Thomas Neel suggests that they may have moved to Michigan in their final years, where there were other Kilburn relatives.
Levi moved on to concentrate on his dry goods store. About 1860 Levi, who now had control of the factory, sold a half interest to Chapman, and in 1865 sold to Chapman the remaining share of the factory and the land on which it stood. The factory burned down sometime in the early 1870’s, and they did not rebuild.

Grove St. Cemetery in New London. Large marker on right is Stephen Kilburn, then Sally “wife of Stephen”. Small white marker is DeWitt, son of Levi and Betsy. Two granite stones are Levi Kilburn and his wife Betsy Kilburn. Standing between stones are Stephen’s 4-Gr-granddaughter and 5-Gr-grandchildren.	Stephen’s gravestone

Stephen and his first wife had six children:

88.1. Adna Davis Kilburn [44] (1814 MA - 1884 MI) and Mary Ann Packard are direct ancestors, separate page.

88.2. Stephen Wilder Kilburn (~1820 MA - 1857 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

88.3. Caroline Kilbourn {g,n} was born sometime around 1820 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts. She was baptized in the Methodist Episcopalian church on 10 Oct 1824. She is not listed with the Kilburns in Ohio, so she probably married in New York.

88.4. Rebekkah Kilbourn {g,n} was born sometime around 1820 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts. She was baptized in the Methodist Episcopalian church on 10 Oct 1824. She is not listed with the Kilburns in Ohio, so she probably married in New York.

88.5. Sally Kilbourn {g,n} was born sometime around 1820 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts. She was baptized in the Methodist Episcopalian church on 10 Oct 1824. She is not listed with the Kilburns in Ohio, so she probably married in New York.

88.6. Silas Kilbourn {g,n} was born in 1822 (or 1824 {n}) in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts, and died 1 Apr 1826 in Templeton, age 4. The birth date for Silas and death date for his mother suggest that Stephen’s first wife may have died from childbirth.

Stephen and Sally Clark had six children (half-siblings to our line):

88.7. Harriet Kilburn (1823 MA - 1862 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

88.8. Levi Kilburn (1825 MA - 1898 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

88.9. Lydia Killbourn {j} was born in 1827 in Adams (Jefferson) New York. She married Dr. ___ Fish.

88.10. Martha F. Killbourn (1829 NY -1905 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

88.11. George Killbourn {e,f} was born in 1832 in Adams (Jefferson) New York. He was a farm laborer in Huron County.

88.12. Leonard L. Killbourn (1835 NY - 1895 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

88.2. Stephen Wilder Kilburn {f,g,n} was born about 1820 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts. He married 12 Nov 1857 in New London (Huron) Ohio, Elizabeth Ackwright, daughter of John Ackwright (1795 PA - ) and Elizabeth ___ (1796 MD - ). Elizabeth was born in 1832 in Ohio. Stephen was baptized in the Methodist Episcopalian church on 10 Oct 1824. He moved with the family to New York around age 5, and to Ohio at age 20. He was a farmer, and as far as we know never worked in the furniture factory. Stephen and Elizabeth were living with her parents in the 1860 census, working on the farm.
Stephen and Elizabeth had one child that we know of, there were probably others (first cousin to us):

88.2.1. Emeline Kilburn was born in 1859 in Huron County, Ohio.

88.7. Harriet Kilburn {a,e,g,j,n} was born Jan 1823 in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts, and died 31 Aug 1862 in New London (Huron) Ohio. She was baptized into the Methodist Episcopalian church on 10 Oct 1824. Harriet married 2 Jan 1842 in Huron County, Ohio, William L. Earl. William was born in 1820 in New York. They were farmers.
Harriet and William had three children (first cousins to us):

88.7.1. Emily M. Earl {e,f,j} was born in 1844 in Huron County, Ohio. She was living with her uncle Levi in the 1860 census.

88.7.2. Sarah J. Earl {e,j} was born in 1846 in Huron County, Ohio.

88.7.3. Helen Earl {e,j} was born in 1848 in Huron County, Ohio.

88.8. Levi Kilburn {a,b,c,e,f,g,j,n,p} was born 4 Oct 1825, probably in Templeton (Worcester) Massachusetts (though they say Adams (Jefferson) New York on some records), and died 30 May 1898 in New London (Huron) Ohio. Source {j} has 1826 birth. He married 25 Aug 1845 in Huron County, Ohio, Elizabeth Hoyt (called Betsey Hoyt), daughter of Nathan Hoyt (1787-1847) and Elizabeth (Betsey) Merrifield (~1800-1867). Betsy was born 21 Jul 1827 in Elyria (Lorain) Ohio, and died 4 Sep 1911 in New London (Huron) Ohio. Levi was Methodist Episcopalian, Betsy was Baptist.
Levi’s death certificate says he was born in Adams, New York. However, his obituary says he was born in Templeton Massachusetts; I believe the Templeton birthplace is correct, as it corresponds with his baptism in the Templeton church on 27 Nov 1825. Levi is listed in the 1850 census as a chairmaker in his father’s factory. He later started his own business selling dry goods. Betsy also sold millinery and made dresses. Her store was featured in a front-page article in the New London Record in 1879. Levi was on the school board in 1854, and was president of the local insurance underwriters board in 1873. He bought his father’s factory in 1864 for $1000, and sold the factory and land to his partner Henry Chapman in 1865. A newspaper article indicates that he sold his dry goods store to Beardsley and Atkinson in September 1873. He was the town postmaster in 1876. He was a member of the Masons, the Templars, and the Odd Fellows. Levi died of heart disease, at his home on First St. Betsy died from a concussion from falling. They are buried together in Grove St. Cemetery. Levi’s obituary was printed in the New London Record, 2 Jun 1898:

“Mr. Levi Kilburn died at his home on First Street in this village Monday morning, May 30th at age 73. About a year ago he suffered an asthmatic attack, ... health gradually gave way, .... nervous system shattered, ... heart disease. Levi Kilburn was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, Oct 4, 1825. Was married to Betsy Hoyt of Elyria Ohio, Aug. 25, 1845. He came to New London when 17 years of age [should read 15] and with the exception of a year or two was a resident of the town all his life, being at one time proprietor of the leading dry goods establishment in New London. He helped start the Masonic Lodge in Fitchville in 1856, which later became the Floral Lodge in New London. He achieved the Red Cross, degree 18, Order of Templars. His wife and three daughters survive:  Mrs. B. F. Starbird of New London, Mrs. Mary E. Cookingham in Cleveland, and Mrs. Ed (Ellen) Robinson in Chicago.”

In the New London cemetery, Levi and Betsy are buried by Stephen and Sally, along with their son DeWitt C. and some Cookinghams. They have matching granite headstones, and there is an iron marker for Oddfellows (“FLT”) stuck in the ground.
Levi and Betsy had four children (first cousins to us):

88.8.1. Ellen L. Kilburn {e,f,j} (called Ella Kilburn) was born in 1847 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died sometime before 1910. She married 22 Apr 1863 in Ohio, Edward A. Robinson. They moved to Chicago, Illinois, where they were living at least as late as 1898.

88.8.2. DeWitt Clinton Kilburn {a} was born 13 Dec 1848 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 15 Jan 1849 in New London, age 1 month.

88.8.3. Mary E. Kilburn was born in 1850 {b,e,f,j,k} in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 8 Nov 1910 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. She married first, on 27 Sep 1868 in New London, DeWitt Clinton Cookingham [46.3], son of Michael Cookingham (1814-1910) and Betsy Ann Abernathy (1820-1916). DeWitt was born in 1848 in Penn Yann (Yates) New York, and died 7 Aug 1879 in New London. They were Methodist.
Mary and DeWitt had three children, listed under DeWitt who is closer to the main line.
Mary married second, 26 Aug 1884 in Ohio, C. H. Rawson. He died sometime before 1900 in Ohio. Mary took back the name Cookingham after her second husband died. She is listed in the 1910 census as living on Minerva St. with her three sons, a daughter-in-law, one grandchild, and her mother.

88.8.4. Alice Emeline Kilburn {b,f,i,k} was born in 1854 in New London (Huron) Ohio. She married 14 Oct 1878 in New London, Benjamin Franklin Starbird. Alice was called Allie. Benjamin was one of the leading pharmacists in the town, and was the executor of Levi’s will. In October 1877, Alice had her purse snatched at the train station. The station master chased down the thief, a tramp, and got it back. Alice was still living in New London in 1910.

Alice and Benjamin had three children that we know of, there were probably others (second cousins to us):

88.8.4.1. Mary Ella Starbird {i} was born 15 Jun 1880 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

88.8.4.2. Burton H. Starbird {i} was born 31 Aug 1883 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

88.8.4.3. Frank Kilburn Starbird {i} was born 27 Nov 1885 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

88.10. Martha F. Killbourn {f,j,n} was born 9 Nov 1829 in Adams (Jefferson) New York, and died in 1905 in New London (Huron) Ohio. She married on 19 Dec 1847 in New London, Benjamin Franklin Watros, son of William W. Watros (1795 MA - 1850 OH) and Nancy Strong (1792 - 1887 OH). Benjamin was born 14 Mar 1826 in Fitchville Township (Huron) Ohio, and died 23 May 1906 at the Soldiers’ Home, Sandusky (Sandusky) Ohio. I assume from that, he must have served in the Army at some point, probably the Mexican War or Civil War. He was usually called “French” Watros.

Martha and Benjamin had two children (first cousins to us):

88.10.1. George H. Watros {f}was born in 1852 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

88.10.2. Alice Frances Watros {f,j,m} (called Allie Watros) was born 24 Dec 1856 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 16 Apr 1943 in Sandusky (Sandusky) Ohio. Alice was living in New London Township (Huron) Ohio in the 1880 census. She married on 29 May 1886 in New London, George Peter Sharp. George was born 24 Nov 1856 in Brighton (Lorain) Ohio.
Alice and George had two children (second cousins to us):

88.10.2.1. Martha Elizabeth Sharp was born 7 Apr 1888 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

88.10.2.2. Mabel Dorothy Sharp was born 26 Jun 1890 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 18 Feb 1985 in Milan, Ohio. She married in 1908 in Norwalk (Huron) Ohio, William Sprankle. William was born 8 Dec 1882 in Milan, Ohio, and died 10 Apr 1941 in Sandusky (Sandusky) Ohio.
They had three children.

88.12. Leonard L. Killbourn {e,f} was born in 1835 in Adams (Jefferson) New York, and died 16 May 1895 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. He married about 1868, Sarah Hudson. Sarah was born around 1840, and died 20 Feb  1900 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. They are buried in Plymouth (Richland) Ohio. Leonard worked for a time as a furniture maker in his father’s shop, but mostly as store clerk. He was living with his brother Levi and working in the dry goods store in the 1860 census.
Leonard and Sarah had one child that we know of, there are probably others born after they moved out of town (first cousin to us):

88.12.1. Minna G. Killbourn was born 20 Sep 1869 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

Sources:

a. Gravestones in New London, Ohio
b. References in New London Record (newspaper)
c. References in “History of New London Ohio 1815-1941”, H.R. Foskett 1976
d. Census, Ohio 1840
e. Census, Ohio 1850
f. Census, Ohio 1860
g. Vital Records of Templeton, Massachusetts to 1850, Charlotte B. Croshaw,  1907
h. Thomas Neel notes for Stephen Kilburn biographical sketch
i. Alice Kilburn: birth certificates for her children in county courthouse, Norwalk Ohio
j. Paula Griffin, data sheets for “Women in the Western Reserve”
k. Census, Ohio 1880
m. Census, Ohio 1910
n. “The Kilbourn Family History”, George Darius Kilborn, 1957
o. “Reminiscences of New London”, William B. Thom, Firelands Pioneer Vol 22, 1921
p. Death certificate for Betsy Hoyt Kilburn

Compiled by Bill Stupak. Last update: Aug 2010