SOME DESCENDANTS OF CRANSON HARVEY
OF HERKIMER AND CATTARAUGUS CO. NY

© Copyright 2000 by Virginia Deagan. However material on these pages may be freely used for personal research. Please contact me before using the material on other web pages.

This is some of the information that I have found on the descendants of Cranson Harvey . I have been unable to find the parents of Cranson and would like to share anything I have with others who are interested in this family. Feel free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have placed some of my sources at the end of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])

1. Cranson Harvey first appeared in Herkimer County, NY in the 1810 Census. He was born in Rhode Island about 1785 but no records have been found there on his birth. He appears in census records along with Solomon and Roland Harvey and also with an older William Harvey, who may be the William Harvey of Charlestown, Washington County, RI. There also my have been a brother, Daniel.

Cranson (sometimes found as "Cranston")was married about 1805, probably in Herkimer County to Elizabeth DeGraff , daughter of Michael and Jane/Janetje DeGraff. Very little is known about his life in Herkimer County. He was mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd Baptist Church in Newport, NY. On 13 March 1809, Cranson Harvey and his wife, Elizabeth gave a quit-claim deed to an Ebenezer Newman for their share of the estate of Michael DeGraff.

On 12 September 1840, Cranson purchased 149 acres of land in Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, NY. On 27 February 1843, Cranson and Elizabeth sold the 149 acres of land to their son, Alexander, reserving the use and occupation of the dwelling house on the premises and 1/2 of the barn and 1/2 of the orchard during their natural life. Apparently this agreement didn't work out because in June 1847, they sold the same piece of property to son-in-law, Jonathan Hall of Leyden, Lewis County, NY. In the deed, Cranson stated that he was the lawful owner of the property.

In 1850, Cranson and Elizabeth were living with their daughter Julia and her husband, Hiram Foster. Cranson died on 3 April 1856. He was living with his daughter "of Lyndon", NY at the time. His probate records can be found in Probate Box#78, Cattaraugus County,NY. With the many papers in the box, there were receipts for a grave digger and a granite tombstone both written at Cadiz, NY but Cranson's grave cannot be found. The oldest son, Alexander was appointed administrator of the estate. He received the money from the estate ($1,015.00) in the spring of 1856 but by 1858, he had not made an accounting or paid anything to any of the heirs. On 1 March 1858, my great-grandfather, Sullivan Morrison, husband of Cranson's daughter, Elizabeth, filed a petition for an accounting of the money. Jonathan Hall claimed that he should receive $300.00 for the care of his in-laws but it seemed that he had turned them out about a week before Cranson died. After hearing the testimony of the witnesses, on 10 November 1858, the Court ruled that nothing was to be paid from the estate except $50.00 as a commission to Alexander as the administrator and $12.00 to him as expenses. The remainder was to be divided among the heirs.

Children of Cranson and Elizabeth (DeGraff) Harvey: (All born in Herkimer County)

3. Susan Harvey , b. 15 Nov 1805. Married Cranson Williams Died 16 Sep 1881 in Jackson Co. MI.
4. Roxanna Harvey , b. abt. 1809. Married Mr. Lawton. Died before April 1856.
5. Alexander E. Harvey , b. abt. 1812. Wives were Phebe (or Eliza) and Elizabeth.
6. George Harvey , b. 28 Jun 1814. Wife was Harriet. Died 8 Aug 1867 in Monroe Co. WI.
7. Matilda Harvey , b. 22 May 1816. Married Josiah Reese . Died 20 June 1899 in Charleston, Tioga Co. PA.
8. Marcia Ann Harvey , b. 12 May 1817. Married Jonathan Hall. Died 11 Mar 1862 in Rushford, NY.
9. Louisa Harvey , b. 2 Mar 1818. Married in 1836, Samuel Root . Died 22 Jun 1902 in Rushford, Allegany County, NY.
10. Julia Ann Harvey , b. abt. 1826. Married Hiram Foot Foster . Died 11 Jun 1900 in Monroe Co. WI.
11. Nancy Harvey , b. abt. 1828. Married James Melrose . Died abt. 1858.
12. Elizabeth Harvey , b. 3 Jul 1829. Married Sullivan B. Morrison. Died 6 Mar 1862 in Rushford, Allegany Co. NY.
13. Lydia Ann Harvey , b. abt. 1830. Married abt. 1859, James Melrose , widower of her sister, Nancy.

3. Susan Harvey was born 15 November 1805 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She was married to Cranson Williams. He was born about 1800 in NY State and died 16 September 1893 in Leoni Twp., Jackson County, MI. Susan and Cranson are both buried in Leoni Cemetery. Children of Susan Harvey and Cranson Williams:

  1. James Williams , b. abt. 1837. Wife was Helen A.
  2. Anson Williams , b. abt. 1844. Served in Civil War, 9th Cavalry Jackson Co. MI. Died of disease at Knoxville, TN Feb 1863.
  3. Warren Williams , b. Dec 1852 in NY State. Marr. abt. 1873. Wife was Cynthia.
  4. Ida Williams b. May 1858 in MI.

4. Roxanna Harvey was born about 1809 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She was married to a man named Lawton , given name unknown. Nothing more is know of Roxanna except that she died before April 1856 in Herkimer County. Her children were named as heirs of their grandfather, Cranson Harvey.

Children of Roxanna Harvey and Mr. Lawton:

  1. Anson P. Lawton , b. 1831. His wife's name was Charlotte. Anson and Charlotte were living in Cattaraugus Co. NY in 1860. He enlisted C Co. 1st Dragoons Reg. NY on 2 Sept 1864 at Rushford, NY and was mustered Out at Cloud's Mills, VA on 30 June 1865. Anson died sometime before 23 July 1892 when Charlotte received a Widow's Civil War Pension.
  2. Emily Lawton, b. abt. 1830 in NY. . Married Thomas Upright of Herkimer Co. NY and who died 26 Aug 1899..

5. Alexander E. Harvey was born about 1812 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. His wife was named as Phebe in the 1850 and 1855 census of Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, NY but in the 1860 census a wife was named as Eliza. Phebe was born about 1817 in New Jersey. On the 1855 census, Alexander stated that he had lived in Franklinville for 7 years. He was the administrator of his father's estate. Nothing further is known of him.

Children of Alexander and Phebe Harvey:

  1. Abram Harvey was born about 1839 possibly in New Jersey.
  2. Lyman Harvey was born about 1841 possibly in New Jersey. His wife was Emily. Lyman enlisted in I Co. 6th Cav. Reg. NY on 24 Oct 1861, age 21 at Franklinville, NY. He died disease at Alexandria, VA on 13 August 1862.

6. George Harvey was born about 28 June 1814 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. His wife was named Harriet who was born about 1820 in Massachusetts. They were living in Franklinville, NY in 1850 but by 1860 had moved to Sparta, Monroe Co. WI. George's death on 8 Aug 1867 is found in the death records of Monroe County.

Children of George and Harriet Harvey:

  1. Mary Jane Harvey, b. abt. 1836 in NY.
  2. William L. Harvey , b. abt. 1838 in NY.
  3. Alma A. Harvey , b. abt. 1840 in NY.
  4. Helen M. Harvey , b. abt. 1842 in NY.
  5. Milton R. Harvey , b. 1843. Died 28 July 1853 in Monroe Co. WI. (age 9 yr. 11 mo. 5 day.)However there was a child Milton b. IL age 1 yr. in the 1850 census.
  6. Anelda Harvey , b. abt. 1851 in NY.
  7. Adell Harvey , b. abt. 1854 in WI.
  8. George Harvey , b. abt. 1865 in WI.

7. Matilda Harvey was born 22 May 1816 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She married Josiah Reese . Josiah was born 1 October 1812 in NY State. He died 9 March 1885 in Charleston, Tioga County, PA. Matilda died on 20 June 1899 also in Charleston, Tioga County. They are both buried in Reese Hill Cemetery.

Children of Matilda Harvey and Josiah Reese:

  1. John F. Reese , b. 19 Aug 1833. Died 7 Nov 1874 in Tioga County, PA. [only probably a child of Matilda & Josiah}
  2. James L. Reese , b. Mar 1836. Marr. abt. 1869, Jennie, who died in 1923. James died 1914 in Charleston, PA.
  3. Alexander C. Reese , b. Sep 1837. Marr. abt. 1867, Louisa. Died 1925 in Charleston, PA
  4. William L. Reese , b. abt. 1840. Marr. Charlotte Wood who was born abt. 1859 in PA. They had children, Laura B. & James A. Reese.
  5. Harvey Reese , b. Oct 1843. Died 23 Feb 1864, age 20 yr. 4 mo.
  6. George W. Reese , b. Apr 1848. Marr. abt. 1875, Minnie, surname unknown. Died 1926 in Charleston, PA.
  7. Watson D. Reese , b. May 1858. Marr. abt. 1880, Barbara M., surname unknown. Died 1914 in Charleston, PA.

8. Marcia Ann Harvey (often found named as Ann M.) was born 12 May 1817 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She married Jonathan Hall . Jonathan was born 22 August 1815 and died 7 January 1889 in Rushford, Allegany County, NY. In 1847, Jonathan and Marcia Ann were living in Leyden, Lewis County, NY when Marcia's father sold them some property in Cattaraugus County, NY. Marcia Ann died 11 March 1862 in Rushford, NY.

Children of Marcia Ann Harvey and Jonathan Hall:

  1. Lewis Hall , b. abt. 1840.
  2. Sarah E. Hall, b. Jan 1844 in NY. Marr. George Riley Morrison. Died 1932, buried in Rushford, Allegany Co. NY.
  3. Adelbert Hall , b. abt. 1845.

9. Julia Ann Harvey was born about 1826 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She married Hiram Foot Foster . Hiram was born about 1821 in NY State and died 4 Jan 1889 in Sparta Twp., Monroe County, WI. In 1850, Julia and Hiram were living in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, NY. At some time, previous to 1870 they moved to Monroe County, WI. The first two children named were on the 1850 census - the last five are thought to be children of this couple but have not been proven. Julia Ann died 11 June 1900 in Sparta, Monroe County, WI.

Children of Julia Ann Harvey and Hiram F. Foster:

  1. Anson T. Foster , b. abt. 1844 in NY State. Probably the Anson Foster who served in Co. D 25 Wisconsin Infantry as a Private and Corporal.
  2. Edgar M. Foster , b. abt. 1849 in NY State. Marr. 8 Nov 1878 in Monroe Co. WI, Abbie E. Record . Marr. 15 Mar 1882 in Monroe Co. WI, Anna L. DaLaba .
  3. John S. Foster , b. abt. 1851. Marr. 16 Oct 1873 in Monroe Co. WI, Jane E. Woodward .
  4. Fred M. Foster , b. abt. 1858. Marr. 19 Apr 1887 in Monroe Co. WI, Georgia Wise .
  5. Juliaetta A. Foster , b. abt. 1859. Marr. 4 Nov 1873 in Sparta, Monroe Co. WI, George Withers . George was born in 1840 in Bentworth, England and died 18 Oct 1919 in Eau Claire Co., WI.
  6. Jessie Belle Foster , b. abt. 1860. Marr. 16 Feb 1881 in Monroe Co. WI, William Kemp, Jr.
  7. George H. Foster , b. abt. 1862. Marr. 10 Jan 1883 in Monroe Co. WI, Mary A. Miles .

10. Nancy Harvey was born about 1828 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She married James Melrose . Nancy died probably in childbirth about 1858. James soon married Nancy's sister, Lydia Ann. Child of Nancy Harvey and James Melrose:

  1. Nancy Melrose was born about 1858.

11. Elizabeth Harvey was born 3 July 1829 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She was married 6 March 1850 to Sullivan Blood Morrison of Rushford, Allegany County, NY. Elizabeth died at age 32 on 11 March 1862, leaving four children from ages 4 to 11 years. On 6 April 1864, Sullivan married Adelphine Root , daughter of Elizabeth's sister, Louisa. Adelphine was born 7 May 1847. She was not yet 18 years old when she married Sullivan who was then 49 years old. Adelphine died at age 50 of pneumonia. She is buried in Rushford, Allegany County Cemetery where Sullivan also is buried between his two wives. Children of Elizabeth Harvey and Sullivan Morrison:

  1. Lucelia A. Morrison , b. 11 Aug 1851. Marr. Dec 1878, Nathan Durkee . Died 5 Sep 1917.
  2. Laura E. Morrison , b. 11 Mar 1855. Marr. 31 Aug 1873, George Kingsbury . Died 21 Dec 1944.
  3. Frank E. Morrison , b. 23 Jan 1857. Marr. 31 May 1887, Calla Austin . Died 17 Nov 1921.
  4. Flora Morrison , b. 16 Jun 1859. Marr. Irve Claus 21 Mar 1883. Died 11 Nov 1938.

12. Lydia Ann Harvey was born about 1830 in Newport, Herkimer County, NY. She was married about 1859 to her deceased sister Nancy's husband, James Melrose . James was born about 1819 in Delaware County, NY and died 31 March 1893 in Lyndon, Cattaraugus County, NY. He is buried in the Franklinville Cemetery. Children of Lydia Ann Harvey and James Melrose:

  1. Archie F. Melrose , b. abt. 1860 in Lyndon, Cattaraugus County, NY.
  2. James Arthur Melrose , b. 18 Jul 1862. (often referred to as "Arthur"). Died 29 Apr 1917 in Lyndon, NY. Buried in Franklinville Cemetery.
  3. William Melrose , b. abt. 1862. (Twin of Arthur?). Both were listed as 8 years old on the 1870 census. William was not listed on the 1875 census.
  4. Alice Minerva Melrose , b. abt. 1864. Marr. Frank Waldrick .

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON HARVEY FAMILY: