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| Leander Coon and wife Harriet Potter, Kaufman Family Album, pg. 1 |
Introduction
Leander Coon is my great-great-grandfather. He married Harriet Potter and had 2 children. I am descended from their daughter, Frances Jane Coon. Leander is one of only 5 (out of 16) great-great-grandparents, for whom I have NOT identified parents.
There were numerous obstacles determining Leander's parentage.
- It was challenging making sense of my mother's reference to Amsterdam and Holland.
- Leander's ethnicity was unclear. Based on notes from my mother and grandmother, he may have been English, Scotch or French. I always thought that English or Scotch was most likely. Ancestry, however, indicates that Coon may be an Anglicized form of an Irish name or an Americanized version of a German or Dutch name.
- Numerous family trees give parents of Leander Coon as Ephraim Coon and Marana Knapp, which sidetracked me several times.
- There are LOTS of Coons in New York. In 1840, there were 337 Coon families living in New York. This represents about 47% of all Coon households in the United States.
- Leander's early residences were in western New York, which does not have the best pre-1850 records.
- The Coon and Knapp families, and even the Potter family, frequently intermarried.
Index
Since there is a lot of material here, I am providing links to go directly to the sections of interest.
Click here to go directly to The "Holland/Amsterdam" clue Click here to go directly to The "Palmyra Wisconsin" clue Click here to go directly to The "Ephraim Coon will" clue
Click here to go directly to The 6 Coon Men of Palmyra Wisconsin Click here to go directly to Summary of Palmyra, Wisconsin research Click here to go directly to The 6 Coon Men in the area of Mendon, Monroe County, New York Click here to go directly to Summary of Mendon, New York research Click here to go directly to Coon Family in Onondaga County, New York Click here to go directly to Summary of Onondaga County, New York research
Click here to go directly to Coon Family in Litchfield County, Connecticut Click here to go directly to Coon Family in Dutchess County, New York Click here to go directly to Summary of Litchfield County, CT, and Dutchess County, NY
Click here to go directly to War of 1812 Enlistments Click here to go directly to War of 1812 Bounty Land Click here to go directly to Summary of War of 1812 service
Click here to go directly to DNA evidence
Click here to go directly to Photographic information
Click here to go directly to OVERALL SUMMARY
Click here to go directly to Sources
My earliest information came from my mother, Lois (Carroll) Crooks, and my grandmother, Lillian (Kaufman) Carroll. My mother wrote that Leander Coon was born in 1812 in Amsterdam while his parents were waiting to go to America. The family left England because of religious persecution. Unfortunately, this really makes no sense! All known census records indicate that Leander was born in New York. And this is oddly reminiscent of the story of the Pilgrims.
In an attempt to acknowledge some germ of truth in this story, I speculated at one time that he was born in Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. Montgomery County is relatively close to Washington County, New York, where his wife Harriet was born. Unfortunately, this speculation has been propagated into other Ancestry trees! Leander was NOT born in Amsterdam, New York!
My current understanding of the "Holland/Amsterdam" connection is that the Holland Land Company, involving four Amsterdam firms, purchased "Genesee Country" in 1793 from Robert Morris. In 1797, Robert Morris, the Seneca Indians and the United States government met, with Holland Land Company as observers, and signed the Treaty of Big Tree, which eliminated the claim of the Seneca Indians to that land. Morris then transferred 3.3 million acres of land in western New York to the Holland Land Company. In 1801, the Holland Land Company made their first land sale. The original county encompassing the Holland Purchase was Genesee. Later, other counties broke away from Genesee. They included Allegany (1806), Cattaraugus (1808), Chautauqua (1808), Niagara (1808), part of Livingston (1821), part of Monroe (1821), Erie (1821), Orleans (1824) and Wyoming (1841).
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| Map of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, The Holland Purchase, and the Morris Reserve. (Wikipedia) |
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| Western Counties of New York; https://geology.com/county-map/new-york.shtml |
The "Palmyra Wisconsin" clue
Gramie also knew that Leander and Harriet Coon had lived in Palmyra, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. I found the 1850 census entry for Leander, age 34, and Harriet, age 27, in Palmyra, along with their son, Hiram M. Coon. In addition, there were 3 Potters in the household. Orrilla was Harriet's mother, Henry was Harriet's brother and Frances was Harriet's sister. (In addition, Emory Potter, Harriet's brother, lived next door.)
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| U. S. Census, 1850, Palmyra, WI. (Leander, Harriet and Hiram M. Coon) |
In 1992, I reached out to Roberta Fosdal, a genealogist specializing in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. She was able to provide me with numerous persons with the surnames Coon, Knapp and Potter in the Palmyra area. When I engaged her services, she provided me with a handwritten 10-page document detailing information on those persons. The Coons that she referenced all tracked back to:
- Hiram E. Coon. (See Ephraim Coon will.)
- Leander Coon.
- Elisha W. Coon.
- Miles W. Coon. (See Ephraim Coon will.)
- Ephraim Coon. (See Ephraim Coon will.)
- Milton Coon.
- Samuel H. Coon.
- Gardiner Coon.
At this time, I have not been able to find any connection between Samuel H. Coon or Gardiner Coon, with my Coon family.
Palmyra is significant for me because three of my surname lineages converge here: Coon, Knapp and Potter. The pivotal lineage is Knapp.
- Ephraim Coon married Marana Knapp. Ephraim moved to Palmyra after Marana died.
- Marana Knapp was the sister of Orrilla Knapp, my 3-great-grandmother. Orrilla trekked west, from Hampton, New York, with her 8 adult children sometime between 1840 and 1850. The trek appears to have been triggered either by the death of her husband Stacey Potter or by diminished economic opportunities in Hampton. Orrilla lived in Palmyra by 1850.
- Reuben Knapp, brother of Marana and Orrilla, had moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin by 1837. Reuben's son Albertus was the first marriage in Palmyra, occuring in the fall of 1843 or 1844. To add to the complexity, Reuben Knapp married Pauline Coon, a likely sister of Ephraim Coon.
- Timothy Knapp, brother of Marana and Orrilla, lived in Palmyra from at least 1850 until his death in 1875.
- Orrilla Knapp's daughter, Harriet Potter, married Leander Coon. (It will be shown that Leander is the likely nephew of Ephraim Coon.)
And so the plot thickens. At least 3 Knapp siblings lived in Palmyra: Reuben, Timothy and Orrilla (Knapp) Potter. In addition, Marana (Knapp) Coon's family moved to Palmyra after her death. Also, 2 Coon siblings lived in Palmyra: Ephraim and Pauline (Coon) Knapp. Furthermore, 2 Coon siblings (Ephraim and Pauline) married 2 Knapp siblings (Marana and Reuben).
I have also corresponded with GWC through the years, and he has been instrumental in hypothesizing and laying out the evidence that Milton, Elisha and Leander were the children of Seneca Coon. He has documented a great deal of Coon genealogy in Find A Grave.
The "Ephraim Coon will" clue
I probably found the index for Jefferson County probate on Family History Center microfilm #1435070. But I am quite certain that I found the actual will on a visit to the Jefferson County Court House in Wisconsin.
Ephraim Coon, of Palmyra, wrote his will on March 17th (possibly 14th), 1866. His named heirs were:
- Son Miles W. Coon of Palmyra.
- Daughter Mary E. Strong of Brookfield, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
- Daughter Caroline Brisbin of Clinton, Dewitt County, Michigan.
- Son Hiram E. Coon of Palmyra. Also the named executor of the estate!
NOTE: There is no Dewitt County in Michigan! I am speculating that this is actually DeWitt Township, Clinton County, Michigan. (It could also be Clinton, Lenawee County, Michigan.)
This is a critical document! It names the relationship between Ephraim Coon, Miles W. Coon and Hiram E. Coon. And it makes it quite clear that Leander's father was NOT Ephraim. Many researchers, not having access to this document, have incorrectly assumed that Ephraim was the father of Leander, Milton and Elisha, but this is NOT the case. For clarity, I want to include images of the will here.
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| Ephraim Coon, Will; 1866; page 1. |
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Ephraim Coon, Will; 1866; page 2.
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Click
here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
The 6 Coon Men of Palmyra, Wisconsin
There are 6 Coon men in Palmyra, Wisconsin, that I need to track. The first 3 are Ephraim Coon, his son Miles W. Coon, and his son Hiram E. Coon. The fourth is Leander Coon, my great-great-grandfather. The last 2 are Elisha Coon and Milton Coon, both of whom lived in Palmyra for a significant amount of time and are very likely related to the other 4 Coon men.
I am starting with Palmyra, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County, since that is their most recent common location.
But it is worth noting that the Coon men did live in other counties in Wisconsin.
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| https://geology.com/county-map/wisconsin.shtml |
Milton must have lived in Walworth County in January 1843, when his daughter Eliza was born there. It appears that he later went to Dane County, where he may have died.
Elisha Coon was a postmaster in both Walworth County and Wood County.
Hiram Coon did business in Door County and died in Winnebago County.
Arrival
According to the obituaries of Hiram E. Coon and the wife of Miles Coon, Hiram and Miles both moved to Palmyra in 1843. (Hiram came from Monroe County, New York. Miles and his wife came from West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. ) Most likely, their father Ephraim moved to Palmyra at the same time. On the other hand, Hiram and Achsah Coon's daughter, Anna Eliza, was born February 27, 1844, in New York. Still, it is possible that Hiram went earlier to Palmyra, and his wife and 2 daughters came later.
Even though the first settler was in the Palmyra area in 1839, it wasn't until the fall of 1843 that the village of Palmyra was surveyed and laid out in lots and blocks. Even so, Palmyra was not incorporated until 1866, when Miles W. Coon was elected as the first president. The Coon family is mentioned frequently in the History of Jefferson County. Miles Coon was one of the original members of the Masonic lodge in Palmyra, which was organized in 1848. Miles and Hiram built the Wisconsin House, the second hotel in Palmyra, in about 1852. It was owned by Coon & Purdy. In addition, Miles Coon established a cooper shop, although it was discontinued in 1858.
So when did Leander Coon come to Palmyra? According to a letter written by his wife Harriet's niece, he moved to Palmyra after he married Harriet. His eldest child, Hiram Mark Coon, was born about September, 1843, in New York, per the 1900 census. According to Leander's obituary, he came to Palmyra from Genesee County in 1843. He made initial payment on 40 acres in Palmyra Township on December 2, 1847... It seems significant that he came to Palmyra in the same year as Miles and Hiram Coon! It seems to me that Orrilla Knapp Potter was probably visiting Ephraim Coon and his family, since Miles and Hiram were her nephews! If Leander is indeed related to the Ephraim Coon family, this would explain how he came to meet his wife Harriet.
So when did Milton Coon come to Palmyra? Milton's eldest child, Sarah Adellia Coon was born in 1839 in West Mendon, New York. But his second child, Eliza J. Coon, was born January 18, 1843, in Delavan, Walworth County, Wisconsin. On February 5, 1846, he sold land in Jefferson County to Hiram Knapp. (Reuben Knapp and Pauline Coon had a son Hiram.)
So when did Elisha Coon come to Palmyra? This is not yet clear, but he was born in New York and was living in Palmyra by 1850. He would only have been 20 years old in 1843, so is less likely to have established himself.
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| Google Maps; New York: West Bloomfield, Honeoye Falls, Batavia. |
The above map is for the departure points in New York of the Coon men. We know that Ephraim Coon and his family were from Mendon Township, Monroe County, New York, but Honeoye Falls (where Miles was married) is in the very southwest corner of that township. Miles Coon came from West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. Even though this is in a different county, it is less than 5 miles from Honeoye Falls. We know that Leander came from Genesee County, which is adjacent to Monroe County. If I select the county seat, Batavia, for that county, it is still only about 35 miles from Honeoye Falls.
1850 census (September 18)
The 1850 census is pivotal because this is the first census listing all members in a household. In this year, all 6 Coon men are living in Palmyra, Wisconsin.
In 1850, Ephraim Coon, now widowed, was living with his son, Hiram E. Coon, and his family. Hiram's family consisted of wife Eliza J., daughter Marana, daughter Ann Eliza and daughter Alvira. Ephraim and Hiram had real estate worth $3,000 and were both working as farmers. John Dow, age 19, brother of Eliza, was living with them and working as a laborer.
In 1850, Miles Coon was living with his wife Irena and his daughter Mary. Miles was listed as a cooper and 3 other men were living in the household, who were also identified as coopers. And Elisha Coon is also living in the household, although no occupation is identified! We know this is OUR Elisha Coon because he is 26 years old and born in New York. Certainly, this speaks to a fairly close relationship between Miles and Elisha.
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| Palmyra; page 181a; Miles Coon and Elisha Coon. |
However, the day before (September 17, 1850), Elisha Coon is recorded as living in the hotel run by Zebine Wilson and his wife Betsy. Again, we know this is OUR Elisha Coon because he is 26 years old and born in New York. He was listed as a cooper, as were 2 other young men boarding at the hotel. One man was listed as a carpenter, 2 as laborers, 1 as a tailor, 1 as a farmer and 3 as hostlers. (A hostler looks after the horses of people staying at an inn.) Curiously enough, the young man listed as a farmer is Henry Potter, my 2nd great-granduncle and Leander's brother-in-law.
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Palmyra; page 181a; Elisha Coon in Zebina Wilson's hotel.
Palmyra; page 181a; Milton Coon, 2 dwellings away from Elisha. |
NOTE: Zebine Wilson later divorced his wife Betsy and married Elisha's wife-to-be, after Elisha died in 1880.
In 1850, Milton Coon was living with his wife Eunice and 4 of his children. His dwelling was just 2 dwellings away from the hotel where Elisha was recorded. And Milton was also listed as a cooper!
In 1850, Leander Coon was living with his wife and son. In addition, his mother-in-law Orrilla Knapp Potter, his sister-in-law Frances Potter and his brother-in-law Henry Potter were also living with them. Leander was listed as a farmer and Henry was listed as a laborer. Leander's real estate was worth $400 and Henry's was worth $200. But Henry Potter, like Elisha Coon, appears to have been recorded twice in the 1850 census.
Occupations
Occupational patterns are interesting, because sometimes a given occupation will be prominent within a family.
Ephraim Coon was primarily a farmer, although in 1860, he was listed as both a farmer and a trapper.
Hiram E. Coon was primarily a farmer and won awards from the Wisconsin Agricultural Society for his prize sheep and pigs. In about 1852, he helped build the Wisconsin House with his brother Miles. Later in his life he also had a lumber and mercantile business at Sister Bay, Door County, WI. Along with partner Thomas Diamond, he got legislative approval to build a pier at Sister Bay that helped in the later development of Door County. He also helped build a sawmill at Sister Bay. He was in partnership with Alonzo Henderson in Henderson, Coon & Co., and together they owned a store in Sister Bay. In 1874, Hiram was a postmaster in Sister Bay, Wisconsin... Hiram was also involved in civic affairs. In 1851, he was on the board of supervisors for Jefferson County, representing Palmyra. He was on the committee on legislation of towns on roads and school districts.... In 1860, his real estate was worth $12,500, up from $3,000 in 1850! Clearly, he was doing well. Since no real estate value was associated with his father Ephraim, who was living with him, this may represent the value of their combined labor.
Miles Coon was initially a cooper. In 1848, he built the first cooper shop in Palmyra and operated it for several years. His goods were shipped to Galesburg, Illinois, by team. In about 1852, he built the Wisconsin House, the second oldest hotel in Palmyra, with his brother. From 1858-1872, he was partners with Zebina Willson in a business buying grain, wool and stock. In 1900, at age 82, he was listed as a landlord... Miles was also active in civic affairs. He was the first president of Palmyra village. He was also one of the original stockholders and builders of the Milwaukee road... The value of his real estate was about $1500 in 1870.
Elisha Coon was listed as a cooper in 1850, living in a hotel run by Zebine Wilson. In addition, he was reported living with Miles Coon, who was a cooper, and there were 3 other men lodging in the household who also worked as coopers! In 1854, he was listed as a postmaster in LaGrange, which is about 7 miles south of Palmyra. In 1860, he was working as a merchant. In 1863, when registering for the Civil War draft, he was a saloon-keeper. In 1870, he was a cigar maker. In 1879, he was again a postmaster, this time in Nasonville, Wisconsin, almost 200 miles north of Palmyra... The value of his real estate was about $3,000 in 1870.
Milton Coon was listed as a cooper in 1850. Earlier, in 1846-1849, he had purchased at least 3 pieces of land, each 40 acres, but it is not clear if he was farming or speculating in land. In July, 1851, it appears that one piece of his land, perhaps jointly owned with Miles Wilber, was put up for auction in a sheriff's sale in order to satisfy debts. In February 1852, Milton Coon, as an insolvent debtor, requested relief from his creditors.... The value of his real estate in 1850 was $300. The value of his wife Eunice's real estate in 1870 was $1,500, which presumably represented her husband's effort.
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| Watertown Chronicle, 11 JUN 1851. |
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Watertown Chronicle, 04 FEB 1852.
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Leander Coon was initially a farmer. In 1860, he was a speculator. (I suspect he speculated in land, but the value of his real estate was just $800.) In this same year, he was living immediately adjacent to E. W. Coon (Elisha) and Elisha's father-in-law, Richard Pattee. In 1870, he kept livery, which means that he kept horses and vehicles for hire. (In the same year, his son Hiram Mark was a teamster, which probably meant he drove teams of animals.)... The value of his real estate in 1870 was $1,000.
Land Records
The following table represents the patents (original land purchases) purchased in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, by individuals named Coon.
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| https://glorecords.blm.gov/ |
Miles W., Hiram E., Leander and Milton all purchased land in Palmyra Township (Township 5N, Range 16E). Everyone except Hiram purchased land based on legislation passed April 24, 1820, (3 Stat. 566), which permitted Sale-Cash Entry. This law required full payment at the time of purchase and registration, rather than allowing purchase over 4 years. The minimum price was reduced to $1.25 per acre. The minimum purchase was reduced to 80 acres, although several of the purchases listed above were for 40 acres... Hiram E. Coon purchased a warrant from Erastus Aldrich, based on Erastus's service in the Mexican War... Samuel Coon purchased land in Koshkonong, which is two townships west of Palmyra Township... Even though Miles and Milton both owned land in Section 28, none of the Coon men had land patents that were adjacent to each other.
There are no patents for Ephraim Coon in Wisconsin. There is a patent for an Elisha Coon in Dane County, Wisconsin, but this does not appear to be our Elisha, since the nearby Coons are Lorenzo, Stephen and Thomas.
Even though the land was purchased outright, fairly significant time could pass between purchase date and patent date.
Miles bought his land 16 OCT 1844, 8 JAN 1845 and 17 MAR 1848.
His land in Section 23 was quite close to Palmyra town/village.
The land purchased 16 OCT 1844 was not patented until 1 AUG 1846.
Milton bought his land 3 APR 1846, 2 NOV 1847 and 29 JAN 1849.
The Du Chien, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad later went through his property.
Leander bought his land 2 DEC 1847 and received the patent 1 AUG 1849.
Hiram bought his land 14 NOV 1848 and received the patent 1 JUN 1850.
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| Sample receipt for land payment; Miles Coon. |
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| Sample Land Patent; Jefferson County WI; Leander Coon. |
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Summary of Palmyra, Wisconsin research - Ephraim Coon was NOT the father of Leander Coon. Nor was he the father of Milton or Elisha Coon.
- There is no Coon male in Ephraim's generation in Palmyra that could be Leander's father.
- All of the Coon men, including Leander, came to Wisconsin, primarily Jefferson County, in 1843. (We don't have specific information for Elisha, the youngest.)
- We have New York departure points for 4 of the Coon men and all are within 7-35 miles of each other.
- It seems likely that Leander Coon is related to Ephraim Coon because he married Harriet Potter, Ephraim's niece.
- In 1850, all 6 Coon men were living in Palmyra, Wisconsin. Elisha Coon is listed twice, once in the household of Miles Coon, and once, in a hotel 2 dwellings away from Milton Coon.
- In 1860, Leander Coon is living adjacent to Elisha Coon and Elisha's father-in-law, Richard Pattee.
- A surprising number of the Coon men were coopers by occupation. In 1850, Miles, Elisha and Milton were all coopers. Miles and his brother Hiram built the Wisconsin House hotel in Palmyra.
The 6 Coon Men in the area of Mendon, Monroe County, New York
The following sources link the Coon men back to their origin points in New York.
- According to the obituary of Mr. Hiram E. Coon, "Mr. Coon had been a resident of Palmyra for more than thirty years, having removed from Monroe county, N.Y., in 1843." (Palmyra Enterprise, 13 OCT 1875)
- According to the obituary of Mrs. Miles Coon, "she came here from West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y. with her husband in 1843". (Palmyra Enterprise, 23 APR 1903, p. 1)
- According to the obituary of Leander Coon, "Mr. Coon was an old resident of this town, having moved from Genesee County, N. Y., in the year 1843." (Palmyra Enterprise, 27 Dec 1876).
- NOTE: I have not found any information in Wisconsin for Milton Coon or Elisha Coon, that points them back to their residence prior to Palmyra.
The following sources document births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the Mendon area.
- According to the cenotaph of Marana, wife of Ephraim Coon, she "died at Mendon, Monroe Co., NY". (Personal visit to cemetery on 23 JUN 1992 OR compilation of cemetery records.)
- According to Roberta Fosdal, Marana Coon, wife of Ephraim Coon, died June 4, 1831, in New York.
- According to the Family Bible belonging to Mrs. Irena Coon, wife of Miles W. Coon,
- Marania Coon [daughter of Hiram E. Coon] was born May 9, 1840 in Mendon, Monoe Co., NY.
- Anna Coon [daughter of Hiram E. Coon] was born Feb. 27, 1844, in Mendon, Monroe Co., NY.
- According to the 60th wedding anniverary notice for Mr. and Mrs. Squire Brisbin, [Carolyn Coon Brisbin] was born in Mendon, Monroe county, N. Y. (Portage Daily Democrat, 5 Oct 1904).
- According to the obituary of Mrs. Miles Coon, she "was married to Miles Coon in Honeyoy Falls, N. Y., November 30, 1837." (Palmyra Enterprise, 23 APR 1903, p. 1)
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| http://www.mygenealogyhound.com/maps/New-York-county-maps/NY-Monroe-County-New-York-1897-Map-Rand-McNally-Rochester.html |
The above is a map of Monroe County, New York.
- Mendon is in the southeast corner of the county. Mendon is both a town and a township. When Mendon is referenced, it is often the township that is meant.
- Honeoye Falls, to the southwest of Mendon, is also in Mendon Township.
- West Bloomfield is about 5 miles southeast of Honeoye Falls, and is in Ontario County.
1840 census
This census is pivotal because it is the last census for the Coon men in New York before they came to Palmyra, Wisconsin. The official census date was 1 JUN 1840.
| Name: | Ephraim Coon |
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| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Mendon, Monroe, New York |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: | 2 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: | 1 |
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| Persons Employed in Agriculture: | 2 |
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| No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: | 1 |
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All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Ephraim Coon, born 22 FEB 1796, age 44.
Mary E. Coon, born 5 SEP 1820, age 19. [daughter]
Caroline Coon, born 25 MAR 1827, age 13. [daughter]
The second male 40-49 could be a brother of Ephraim. Both he and Ephraim are farming. I strongly suspect that it is the second male who cannot read and write.
NOTE: Ephraim's wife died in 1831.
| Name: | Hiram Coon |
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| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Mendon, Monroe, New York |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Persons Employed in Agriculture: | 2 |
|---|
All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Hiram Coon, born 13 NOV 1818, age 21.
Achsah Coon, born about 1818, abt age 21. [wife]
Marana Coon, born 9 MAY 1940, age 1 month. [daughter]
The male 10-14 cannot be clearly identified. Both he and Hiram are farming.
| Name: | Wiles Coon[Miles Coon] |
|---|
| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Mendon, Monroe, New York |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Persons Employed in Agriculture: | 1 |
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All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Miles Coon, born 4 JUN 1817, age 22 or 23.
Irene Coon, born 1 APR 1818, age 22. [wife]
Miles is engaged in farming.
NOTE: Their daughter Mary was not born until 1841.
| Name: | Milton Coon |
|---|
| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Mendon, Monroe, New York |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: | 1 |
|---|
All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Milton Coon, born 1814, age 26.
Eunice Coon, born FEB 1820, age 20. [wife]
Sarah Coon, born 17 AUG 1839, under age 1. [daughter]
One adult in the household cannot read and write. Just as one of the adult men in the Ephraim Coon household could not read or write.
NOTE: No occupation was listed for Milton. Options were mining, agriculture, commerce, manufactures and trades, navigation of ocean, navigation of canals/lakes/rivers and learned professional engineers... I did notice that no occupation was checked for several families on the census page.
Ephraim, Milton and Hiram all lived quite close to each other in Mendon. There are 21 pages of census data for Mendon (township) and all 3 of these men are on the same page. Miles is 4 pages away.
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1840 US census, proximity of 3 Coon households.
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SUMMARY: Ephraim, Miles, Hiram and Milton all lived in Mendon Township, NY, in 1840. Ephraim and his 2 sons were farming. No occupation was given for Milton. No census entries are found for Leander or Elisha. Elisha, born in 1823, would only be 17 years old, so we would not expect to see him listed as head of household. There is an unidentifed male, 10-14 years old, living with Hiram. This could be Elisha, but the age does not quite fit. There is also an unidentified male 40-49 living with Ephraim. It seems very plausible that this is Ephraim's brother. I also suspect that this may be the father of Milton and Leander. All 3 have been listed in different censuses as unable to read and write.
1830 census (June 1, 1830)
Moving back a decade, there are 4 Coon households in Mendon Township, Monroe County, New York.
| Name: | Ephraim Coon |
|---|
| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Monroe, New York, Mendon |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: | 2 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: | 1 |
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Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:
| 1
|
|---|
All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Ephraim Coon, born 22 FEB 1796, age 34.
Miles W. Coon, born 4 JUN 1817, age 12. [son]
Hiram E. Coon, born 13 NOV 1818, age 11. [son]
Marana Knapp Coon, age 30-39 is reasonable. [wife]
Mary E. Coon, born 5 SEP 1820, age 9. [daughter]
Caroline Coon, born 25 MAR 1827, age 3. [daughter]
NOTE: This 1830 census figure, together with Ephraim Coon's will, is quite conclusive evidence that Ephraim only had these 4 children!
For Mendon Township, in 1830, there were 20 double pages of census data. Ephraim is on page 111. Also on page 111 is Sylvinus Coon, just 4 entries away from Ephraim!
| Name: | Lylvinus Coon[Sylvinus Coon]
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| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Monroe, New York, Mendon |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: | 1 |
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All persons in this household are white. These persons might be:
Sylvanus Coon, age 50-59, born 1770-1780.
wife of Sylvanus, age 50-59, born 1770-1780.
male 10-14, born 1815-1820.
female 5-9, born 1820-1825.
NOTE: Sylvanus and his wife are old enough to be the parents of Ephraim. The young male and young female in the household could be children of Sylvanus and his wife, but it is not yet clear.
| Name: | David Coon [page 107, Ancestry and Family Search] |
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| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Monroe, New York, Mendon |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 2 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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NOTE: This appears to be David Coon, his wife and 2 females under age 5. David is potentially a son of Sylvanus.
NOTE: On page 104, the third entry looks like David Coon, but Family Search and Ancestry indexed as David Cron, even though I think David Corn looks like a better transcription. This household appears to have 7 people in it, although the oldest male appears to be 20-29 yeard old. At this time, I am ignoring this entry.
| Name: | John Corn[John Coon], [page 110, Ancestry and Family Search] |
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| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Monroe, New York, Mendon |
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| Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
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NOTE: This appears to be John Coon, his wife, 1 male under 5, 1 female 5-9 and 1 female under 5. John is potentially a son of Sylvanus, and likely older than David.
SUMMARY: In 1830, most of the Coon men from Palmyra, Wisconsin, were too young to be heads of household. But Ephraim was living in Mendon with his 4 actual children. In addition, there was a Sylvanus Coon who is the right age to be his father. And there were John Coon and David Coon that would be the right age to be Ephraim's brothers, but too young to be the unidentifed male living with Ephraim in 1840. The likeliest order of birth would be Ephraim/Unidentified Male, John and David.
In 1820, there were no Coon households in Monroe County.
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Summary of Mendon, New York research - Milton Coon, as well as Ephraim, Miles and Hiram Coon, lived in Mendon Township in 1840. Furthermore, Milton lived immediately adjacent to Ephraim Coon. Since all 4 of them ended up in Palmyra, this argues for Milton being related to Ephraim Coon.
- There is a second male in the Ephraim Coon household in 1840, who like Ephraim, is 40-49 years old. Although hardly conclusive, this could possibly be the brother of Ephraim. This seems especially plausible since Milton Coon, possibly the son of this second male, lives immediately adjacent to Ephraim Coon and this second male.
- Although Elisha Coon is possibly living with Hiram Coon in 1840, no census data has yet been found for Leander Coon in 1840.
- The 1830 census for Ephraim Coon, together with his will, offers fairly iron-clad proof that he only had 4 children, including 2 sons, Miles and Hiram.
- In 1830, there are 4 Coon households in Mendon Township, New York: Ephraim, Sylvanus, David and John.
- Sylvanus Coon is the right age to be the father of Ephraim Coon and lived just 4 entries away from Ephraim Coon.
- David and John Coon are the right age to be brothers of Ephraim Coon. John may be the older since he has older children.
- NOTE: There is no census entry for a Coon that matches the age of the second male in Ephraim Coon's household in 1840.
- Several Coon men (or family members) cannot read or write.
- In the 1840 census, someone 21+ in the Ephraim Coon household cannot read and write. This must be either Ephraim or the second male living with him. I suspect it is the second male living with him. NOTE: If the second male is in fact Seneca Coon, both he and his wife were marked unable to read and write in the 1850 census. In the 1860 census, just his wife was marked unable to read and write.
- In the 1840 census, someone 21+ in the Milton Coon household cannot read and write. This must be either Milton or his wife. I suspect it is Milton. However, in 1850, neither Milton nor his wife is marked 'cannot read and write'.
- NOTE: In the 1850 census, although not in the 1860 or 1870 census, Leander Coon is marked unable to read and write.
- NOTE: I have never seen 'cannot read and write' for the following Coon men: Ephraim, Miles, Hiram or Elisha.
Coon Family in Onondaga County, New York
- According to the obituary of Miles Coon, "He was born at Manilus [Manlius], N. Y., June 4, 1817." (Palmyra Enterprise, 17 SEP 1903, p. 1)
- According to a transcription of the Coon Family Bible, M. W. Coon was born 7 JUN 1817. (Written by Irena Coon.) According to later notes added to the transcription, both Miles and Hiram were born in "Manilus" Square. (Coon Family Bible.)
- According to the tombstone photo of Hiram E. Coon, he died October 4, 1875, aged 56 years 10 months and 21 days. This calculates to a birthdate of 13 Nov 1818. (Find A Grave, Memorial #27341711).
- According to a transcription of the Coon Family Bible, Hiram E. Coon was born 13 NOV 1818. (Written by Ada.) According to later notes added to the transcription, both Miles and Hiram were born in "Manilus" Square. (Coon Family Bible.)
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| https://www.mygenealogyhound.com/maps/New-York-county-maps/NY-Onondaga-County-New-York-1897-Map-Rand-McNally-Syracuse.html |
The above is a map of Onondaga County, New York.
- Manlius is in the eastern part of the county, about halfway down. Manlius is both a township and a town.
- Manlius Square is not in the map, but I have seen it referenced in histories of the county.
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| https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Onondaga_County,_New_York_Genealogy#/media/File:Towns_in_Onondaga_County,_New_York_svg.png |
The above is a map of the townships in Onondaga County.
1820 census (August 7, 1820)
If Miles Coon was born in Manlius, New York, in 1817, we would expect to find the Ephraim Coon household in Manlius for the 1820 census. There are 2 Coon households in Manlius in 1820: Ephraim and Seneca.
| Name: | Ephraim Coon, [p. 180] |
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| Home in 1820 (City, County, State): | Manlius, Onondaga, New York |
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| Enumeration Date: | August 7, 1820 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 2 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: | 1 |
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| Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: | 1 |
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All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Ephraim Coon, born 22 FEB 1796, age 24.
Miles W. Coon, born 4 JUN 1817, age 2. [son]
Hiram E. Coon, born 13 NOV 1818, age 1. [son]
Marana Knapp Coon, age 16-25 is reasonable. [wife]
NOTE: Ephraim is engaged in agriculture... Either Mary Coon was born before 5 SEP 1820, or the census was taken later and she was counted, or they counted a child soon-to-be-born or they had another daughter who died young!
| Name: | Seneca Coon [p. 178] |
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| Home in 1820 (City, County, State): | Manlius, Onondaga, New York |
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| Enumeration Date: | August 7, 1820 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 2 |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: | 1 |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: | 1 |
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| Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: | 1 |
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All persons in this household are white. These persons match:
Seneca Coon, age 26-44.
Milton Coon, born about 1814, age 6. [son]
Leander Coon, born about 1814, age 6. [son]
Wife of Seneca, age 26-44.
NOTE: Seneca was engaged in agriculture. The 2 young boys fit for Milton and Leander, and Elisha had not yet been born. Seneca would be the right age to be a brother of Ephraim Coon.
There were also other Coon households in Onondaga County.
- Fabius: Thomas Coon, 16-25 (About 13 miles south of Manlius.)
- Marcellus: David Coon (26-44, 16-25), Olive(r) Coon. (About 20 miles west of Manlius.)
- Camillus: Joseph Coon, 26-44. (About 23 miles west of Manlius.)
Since Coon is a common name in New York, and these communities are at least 13 miles away, it is not clear if these Coons are part of the Ephraim Coon clan... There is no 1820 census entry for a Sylvanus Coon, although there are 4 Coon households in New York where head of household has a middle initial of 'S'.
1810 census
In 1810, there were 2 Coon households in Onondaga County.
- Pompey: George Coon, 45+.
- Marcellus: James Coon, 26-44.
Again, it is not at all clear if they are part of the Ephraim Coon clan... Also in 1810, Ephraim and Seneca are not likely to be heads of household.
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Summary of Onondaga County, New York research - Ephraim Coon and Seneca Coon both lived in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York, in 1820, and both were engaged in agriculture.
- Ephraim Coon lived in Manlius from at least 1817-1820, and possibly through 1830. In 1820, Ephraim was living with his wife, 2 young sons and 1 daughter. The children match Miles, Hiram and Mary.
- Seneca Coon was just slightly older than Ephraim and lived with his wife and 2 young sons. The sons are the right age to be Milton and Leander Coon. It also seems very likely that Seneca Coon was the same person living with Ephraim Coon, and living next door to Milton Coon, in the 1840 census. This is the best evidence to-date that Seneca Coon was the father of Milton and Leander Coon, and likewise, the brother of Ephraim Coon.
Coon Family in Litchfield County, Connecticut
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| https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Litchfield_County,_Connecticut_Genealogy#/media/File:Ctlitchfield.jpg |
The above map shows Litchfield County relative to the other counties in Connecticut and several of the eastern counties in New York.
Dutchess County, New York: Sylvanus Coon lived here in 1800.
Washington County, New York: Orrilla Knapp, sister-in-law of Ephraim Coon, raised her family here.
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| https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Barkhamsted,_Litchfield_County,_Connecticut_Genealogy |
The above map shows the towns in Litchfield County.
Canaan: Sylvanus Coon and family lived here in 1810.
Goshen (slightly southeast of Canaan): Marana Knapp, wife of Ephraim Coon (and likely daughter-in-law of Sylvanus Coon) was born here.
1810 census (August 6, 1810)
In 1810, there is one Sylvanus Coon listed in the 1810 census, enumeration date 6 AUG 1810. He was living in Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Canaan is in the northern part of Litchfield County, near the Massaschusetts border.
| Name: | Sylvanus Coon [p. 173, image 3] |
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| Home in 1810 (City, County, State): | Colebrook, Litchfield, Connecticut (actually Canaan) |
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| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 2 David, John |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: | 2 Ephraim, ??? |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: | 1 Seneca |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: | 1 Sylvanus |
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| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: | 2 Pauline? (born 1804), ??? |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: | 1 Sylvanus's wife |
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NOTE 1: David and John Coon were both living in Mendon, NY, in 1830 both aged 20-29.
NOTE 2: Pauline Coon married Reuben Knapp, brother of Marana Knapp, who married Ephraim Coon. Siblings marrying siblings...
NOTE 3: There is a male 10-15 and a female under 10 that we cannot account for.
No obvious records were found for our Coon family in the Barbour Collection of vital records for Connecticut. And at this time, I do not know where Sylvanus Coon lived in 1820.
Coon Family in Dutchess County, New York
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https://www.mygenealogyhound.com/maps/New-York-county-maps/NY-Dutchess-County-New-York-1897-Map-Rand-McNally-Poughkeepsie.html#
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The above map shows individual towns in Dutchess County in 1897.
See the map in the Litchfield County section for the proximity of Dutchess County, NY, to Litchfield County, CT.
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| https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/Dutchess-County-Organizes-Memorial-Day-Convoy.htm |
The above map shows a clearer picture of the townships in Dutchess County.
Washington Township is in the center of the county. (1800 census for Sylvanus)
Dover Township is just southeast of Washington township. (Birthplace of Seneca)
1800 census (August 4, 1800 enumeration date) In 1800, Sylvanus Coon was listed in the 1800 census, living in Washington township, Dutchess County, New York. Dutchess County is adjacent to Litchfield County, CT, where he lived in 1810. Washington Township is about 30 miles southwest of Canaan.
In 1800, there are additional Coon heads of household in Dutchess County.
Pawling (about 21 miles south of Washington): Peter Coon (45+), Samuel Conn/Coon (26-44).
Fishkill (about 25 miles south): Jeremiah Coon Jr. (26-44), Elias (16-25), Jeremiah Coop/Coon (45+)
Beekman (about 15 miles south): Matthew Coon (45+), Caleb Coon (26-44)
North East (about 15 miles north): Christopher Koon (45+).
| Name: | Sylvanus Coon |
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| Home in 1800 (City, County, State): | Washington [township], Dutchess, New York |
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| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 2 Ephraim, Seneca |
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| Free White Persons - Males -10 thru 15: | 1 ??? |
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| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: | 1 Sylvanus |
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| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: | 1 wife of Sylvanus Coon |
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| |
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NOTE 1: There is a male 10-15 that we cannot account for. Is this another son of Sylvanus?
1790-1800
Ephraim W. Coon was born in Dutchess County, New York, in about 1795-1796. We know this based on his enlistment record for the War of 1812.
He was 18 years old when he enlisted on July 21, 1814.
Seneca Coon was born in Dover, Dutchess County, New York, in 1792-1793! Dover township is immediately adjacent to Washington township, where Sylvanus Coon lived in 1800.
He was 21 years old when he enlisted on March 23, 1814.
1790 census (August 2, 1790)
In 1790, Sylvanus was likely too young to appear as a head of household. But there were 18 households in Dutchess County that had a Coon as head of household.
In Washington, there were 2 households listed, immediately adjacent to each other:
Abraham Coon, image 1/page 156: 1 male 16+, 4 females.
Abraham Coan/Coon, image 1/page 156: 1 male under 16, 1 male 16+, 4 females.
In other communities, there were other Coons:
Rhinebeck: John Coon, John Coon.
Pawling: Hendrick Coon, Peter Coon, Coonradt Coon, Joseph Coon, Roeliff Coon, Samuel Coon, Jacob Coon, John Coon.
Amenia: John Coon.
Beekman: Caleb Coon, Mathew Coon.
Clinton: Jesse Coon, Asa Coon.
Fishkill: Jeremiah Coon.
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Summary of Litchfield County, CT, and Dutchess County, NY, research - The earliest residence of Sylvanus Coon is Dover Township, Dutchess County, NY, where his son Seneca was born in 1792-1793.
- In 1790, there is no census entry for Sylvanus Coon, but there are John Coons living in Pawling Township and Amenia Township in Dutchess County. I am currently tentatively speculating that one of these John Coons is the father of Sylvanus Coon. Both townships are immediately adjacent to Dover Township and Sylvanus appears to have named one son John.
- Sylvanus Coon is living in Washington Township, Dutchess County, NY, in 1800. This township is immediately adjacent to Dover Township.
- Sylvanus Coon is living in Canaan Township, Litchfield County, CT, in 1810. This county is immediately adjacent to Dutchess County.
- Two of Sylvanus Coon's children (Ephraim, Pauline) married two of Sylvanus Knapp's children (Marana, Reuben). Since Marana was born about 1794 in Goshen, Litchfield County, CT, it seems feasible that the Coon and Knapp families crossed paths in Litchfield County.
War of 1812 Enlistments
This needs to be a separate section because it does not fall neatly into Litchfield County, Connecticut, or Dutchess County, New York! As noted above, under Dutchess County, both Ephraim Coon and Seneca Coon were born in Dutchess County and enlisted in the War of 1812.
In 1800, Sylvanus Coon was living in Washington (township), Dutchess County, NY. But in 1810, Sylvanus Coon was living in Canaan (township), Litchfield County, CT.
Both Ephraim and Seneca Coon enrolled in the United States units, rather than in the state militia units. But curiously, Ephraim enlisted in a New York regiment and Seneca enlisted in a Connecticut regiment!
Ephraim Coon enlisted as a Private in the 41st U. S. Infantry Regiment, for men from New York. The regimental commander was Colonel Robert Bogardus. Ephraim enlisted on July 21, 1814, at Hudson, New York. He was enlisted by Lt. Beckman or Maj. Jas. Wallace for the duration of the war. [A reference is made to Book 670.]
At the time of his enlistment, he was a carpenter. He was 5' 1", with blue eyes, light hair and light complexion.
The following remarks were made in his enlistment record.
- R. R. August 1, 1814, he was on duty with his party at Hudson.
- D. R. Captain Mangle M. Quackinboe [Mangle Minthore Quackenbos] Co., February 16, 1815.
- M.R. and D. R. Fort Green, March 9 and May 2, 1815, Present - Book 553. Discharged June 17, 1815, term expired.
NOTE 1: Fort Green was Fort Putnam during the Revolutionary War and was rebuilt as Fort Green for the War of 1812. It is located in Brooklyn, New York.
NOTE 2: His occupation as carpenter is consistent with his sons' later work as coopers and builders.
Seneca Coon enlisted as a Private in the 37th U. S. Infantry, for men from Connecticut!! Seneca enlisted on March 23, 1814, 4 months before the younger Ephraim. He was enlisted at Canaan, Connecticut, by Lieutenant Chauncey Hosford for the duration of the war. Lt. Hosford was a native of Canaan in Litchfield County and recruited men from the area.
At the time of his enlistment, Seneca was a farmer. He was 5' 9", with blue eyes, brown hair and light complexion.
The following remarks were made in his enlistment record.
- R. R. March 1814 - Captain Elizur Warner's Co. Book 1813-1815. Present June, Sept & Nov. 1814.
- D. R. Feby 16, ?.R. Fort Griswold, April 30, 1815, Present. Discharged at New London. May 10, 1815, term expired. See Pension Case.
NOTE 1: The Pension Case is significant! This may indicate either injuries related to the war or financial indigence.
NOTE 2: I checked Ancestry for "U.S., War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index", but did not find Seneca Coon.
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Google Map for Residences and War of 1812 events for Coon Family
Residences (Blue): Washington, NY: Sylvanus Coon resided in 1800.
Canaan, CT: Sylvanus Coon resided in 1810.
Enlistment sites (Yellow): Hudson, NY: Ephraim Coon enlisted in 1814.
Canaan, CT: Seneca Coon enlisted in 1814.
Battle Sites (Red): Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY: Ephraim Coon fought in 1815.
Fort Griswold, Groton, CT: Seneca Coon fought in 1815. New London, CT: Seneca Coon was discharged in 1815. |
So Seneca enlisted in the same township as his likely 1810 residence and was involved in defending the mouth of the Thames River near New London, Connecticut.
Ephraim enlisted at Hudson, NY, and was involved in defending New York City Harbor and the mouth of the Hudson River.
On May 6, 1812, Congress passed the ScripWarrant Act of 1812 (2 Stat. 728) that set aside bounty lands as payment for those who fought in the War of 1812 against the British. The land was set aside in areas that became Arkansas, Michigan and Illinois. Later, land in Missouri was substituted for land in Michigan. The amount of land offered was typically 160 acres, although later 320 acres were offered. There were multiple steps in the process.
- The veteran applied for a warrant.
- The War Department issued a warrant with the name of the veteran, rank at discharge, regiment, company and date of warrant. Sometimes, it included the date the land was located and a description of the land.
- The book included a warrant certificate and a stub. Sometimes, the warrant was torn out of the book and presumably sent to the veteran. Later, the warrant was retained in the book and the soldier received notice that a warrant had been issued in his name.
- Warrants could not be sold or assigned to other individuals.
- The veteran applied for a patent.
- He had to choose land in one of the permissible states.
- The veteran could not pick the actual plot. It appears that land was assigned by lottery.
- The General Land Office issued a patent which assigned a specific tract of land to the holder of the warrant.
- The General Land Office created a Bounty Land Warrant File, which included the surrendered warrant, a letter of assignment (if applicable) and any other relevant documents.
- Once the patent was received, the veteran could take ownership, assign the land to another person or sell it to a land speculator. Most veterans sold their land to speculators for cash.
Ephraim W. Coon obtained warrant #19975 for his War of 1812 service. He then obtained a patent for 160 acres in Knox County, Illinois, near Abingdon, on December 28, 1818. Reference is made to his service as a private in the 41st Regiment of Infantry, in the Company of Quackinboss [Quackenbos]. This service information matches that in his enlistment record.
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| https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=IL5290__.031&docClass=STA&sid=4sgz1abc.faa#patentDetailsTabIndex=1 |
Senneca Coon obtained warrant #6056 for his War of 1812 service, in 1816. He then obtained a patent for 160 acres in Lonoke County, Territory of Arkansas, near what is now Little Rock Air Force Base, on January 18, 1822. Seneca obtained his land about 3 years after Ephraim obtained his land. Reference is made to his service as a private in the 37th Regiment of Infantry, in the Company of Captain E. Warner. This service information matches that in his enlistment record.
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| U.S., War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858; Warrant #6056; Senneca Coon. |
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| https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=AR2980__.481&docClass=STA&sid=r0kvfjmi.et3#patentDetailsTabIndex=1 |
Seneca Coon also obtained warrant #23307 for his War of 1812 service, in 1854! He evidently sold the warrant to a third party who obtained a patent for 160 acres in Illinois. I have found references to this warrant in both Fold3 and Bureau of Land Management.
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From Fold3.
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| From Bureau of Land Management. |
Both sources reference warrant #23307. But Fold3 references service under Captain E. Warner and Major R. Lee, in the 23rd U. S. Infantry, which is a New York unit. And BLM references service in Captain Warner's Company, 25th Regiment, U. S. Infantry, which is a Connecticut unit!... Furthermore, I have not found a second enlistment record for this piece of his service. The confusion may be due to the fact that all regiments listed for Seneca: 37th (CT), 23rd (NY) and 25th (CT) reference a company under Captain E. Warner! At this time, however, I have only seen on-line materials that reference the 37th Regiment for Captain E. Warner.
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Summary of War of 1812 service - Both Seneca Coon and Ephraim Coon served in the War of 1812. But they never served in the same regiment. Seneca served in the 37th Regiment (CT), 23rd Regiment (NY) and 25th Regiment (CT). Ephraim Coon served in the 41st Regiment (NY).
- Ephraim Coon served for 11 months, primarily engaged in New York City harbor. In 1818, he obtained a patent for 160 acres in Knox County, Illinois.
- Seneca Coon served for at least 14 months, primarily engaged at the mouth of the Thames River, in Groton and New London, Connecticut. In 1816, he obtained a warrant, and in 1822, a patent for 160 acres in the Little Rock area in Arkansas. In 1854, he obtained a second warrant, which he sold to a third party, who obtained a patent in Illinois.
I have taken a DNA test in Ancestry, as have my mother, sister and brother. I have attempted to use the ThruLines tool in Ancestry, although some of the results are skewed due to incorrect Ancestry trees for the children of Ephraim Coon and Marana Knapp.
We match 3 of the descendants of Caroline Coon and 1 of the descendants of Hiram Coon. Caroline and Hiram are both documented children of Ephraim Coon and Marana Knapp. However, because Marana Knapp is the (twin) sister of Orrilla Knapp, my 3-great-grandmother, I cannot tell if this DNA match is on the Coon side.
In addition, we match 2 descendants of Elisha Coon. Elisha is NOT a son of Ephraim Coon and Marana Knapp, but he is hypothesized to be the brother of Leander Coon. But both of these matches are descended from May Coon, who married Miles Wilbur Jr., who is the son of Miles Wilbur Sr. and Phoebe Potter, and the grandson of Stacy Potter and Orrilla Knapp, my 3-great-grandparents. As a result, I cannot tell if this DNA match is on the Coon side.
We also DNA match a validated descendant of Milton Coon. Milton is NOT a son of Ephraim Coon and Marana Knapp, but he is hypothesized to be the brother of Leander Coon. At one time, I thought that Milton married Eunice Knapp, but there is no documented evidence that her surname was Knapp. This is the best evidence to date that I am related to Milton Coon, which increases the likelihood that he is the brother of Leander Coon.
Photographic information
Returning to my Kaufman album, I found one additional photo of interest. This photo is on page 29 of the album and bears a definite resemblance to the photo at the beginning of this blog, from page 1 of the album. I know that the photo on page 1 of the album is Leander Coon and Harriet Potter based on information from my grandmother, who is in turn a granddaughter of Leander and Harriet.
Hypothesis #1 is that the second photo is a later photo of Leander Coon and Harriet Potter. On the other hand, the 2 men in the photo seem to resemble each other more than the two women. So hypothesis #2 is that the man is one of Leander's brothers, either Milton or Elisha! Milton and Leander were both born in about 1814, so it even possible that they are twins. Elisha, on the other hand, is about 9 years younger than Milton and Leander.
This album initially belonged to Frances Jane (Coon) Kaufman. It then passed to her daughter, Winifred (Kaufman) Jordan. It then passed to Winifred's daughter Frances (Jordan) Fielding Carl. So these are the persons most apt to have labelled the pictures... The page 1 picture is labeled in pencil 'Grandfather & Grandmother; Leander Coon = nee Harriet Potter... The page 29 picture is labeled in pencil, in the same handwriting, 'Grandfather Coon'... It makes sense that these pictures were labeled by Winifred (Kaufman) Jordan, since Leander and Harriet were her grandparents... So Hypothesis #1 must be correct!
Overall Summary
- Ephraim Coon is the father of Miles W. Coon, Mary E. (Coon) Strong, Caroline (Coon) Brisbin and Hiram E. Coon. He is NOT the father of Leander Coon, Milton Coon or Elisha Coon.
- Leander, Milton and Elisha, although not sons of Ephraim Coon, have close ties with Ephraim and his sons Miles and Hiram. They also have ties with each other.
- Leander Coon married Harriet Potter, the niece of Ephraim Coon.
- All 6 Coon men came to Wisconsin, primarily Jefferson County, in 1843. They all came from New York, within at most 35 miles of each other.
- In 1840, Milton Coon lived in Mendon Township, Monroe County, NY, very close to Ephraim and Hiram.
- In 1850, all 6 Coon men were living in Palmyra, Wisconsin.
- They frequently lived near each other. In 1850, Elisha is listed in the household of Miles Coon. In 1860, Leander is living adjacent to Elisha Coon.
- Five of the Coon men worked as coopers or with wood products: Ephraim, Miles, Hiram, Milton and Elisha.
- Both Hiram and Elisha worked as postmasters.
- I DNA match a validated descendant of Milton Coon.
- There is compelling evidence that Ephraim had a brother Seneca, who is the father of Milton, Leander and Elisha.
- This is the evidence for Ephraim having a brother Seneca.
- Per War of 1812 enlistment records, both Ephraim and Seneca were born in Dutchess County, New York. (Seneca was specifically born in Dover.)
- Per War of 1812 enlistment records, Ephraim was born 1795-1796, and Seneca Coon was born 1792-1793.
- In the 1820 census, the only Coons in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York, are Ephraim Coon and Seneca Coon.
- In the 1840 census for Ephraim Coon in Mendon Township, Monroe County, New York, there are 2 men 40-49 years old in Ephraim's household. (This fits Seneca's age and Seneca Coon is not found in any other 1840 census.)
- This is the evidence that Seneca had children Milton, Leander and Elisha.
- In the 1820 census, Seneca has only 2 children, both males under 10. This fits Milton and Leander, both born about 1814. (Elisha was born about 1823, so is not expected to be present.)
- In the 1840 census for Ephraim Coon, in which Seneca Coon appears to be living with Ephraim, Milton Coon lives immediately 'next door' to Ephraim Coon.
- According to Leander's obituary, he came to Palmyra in 1843 from Genesee County. Seneca Coon lived in Genesee County in the 1850 and 1860 census, so must have come to Genesee County 1840-1850.
- Seneca Coon, Milton Coon and Leander Coon are all marked unable to read and write in at least one census, but not in all censuses. On the other hand, Ephraim, Miles, Hiram and Elisha are never listed as unable to read and write.
- The evidence connecting Elisha to Seneca is weak, although it still seems probable.
- I have not been able to find Seneca in the 1830 census. This could help clarify his relationship to Elisha.
- It is possible, but uncertain, that Elisha was living with Ephraim's son Hiram nearby. in the 1840 census.
- What do we know about Seneca Coon?
- Seneca was born 1792-1793, in Dover, Dutchess County, New York.
- As a boy, he lived in Washington Township, Dutchess County, New York, and in Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut. (This assumes that Sylvanus was his father. See below.)
- Seneca enlisted in the War of 1812 on March 23, 1814, in Canaan, Litchfield, CT. He enlisted as a private in the 37th U. S. Infantry, for men from Connecticut and served in Captain Elizur Warner's Company. He was present at Fort Griswold, at the mouth of the Thames River in CT, and was discharged at New London, CT, in May 1815, having served about 15 months.
- Per his War of 1812 enlistment record, he was 5' 9", with brown hair, blue eyes and a light complexion.
- Seneca obtained 2 warrants for his service in the War of 1812. First, he obtained a warrant in 1816, and a patent in 1822, for 160 acres in Arkansas Territory, near what is now Little Rock. (There is no evidence that he lived here.) Second, he obtained a warrant in 1854, which he sold to a third party, who obtained a patent in Illinois. (The basis for the second warrant is not clear.)
- In 1820, Seneca lived in Manlius, Onondaga, NY, near Ephraim. He was married and had 2 sons, Milton and Leander. He was engaged in agriculture.
- In 1840, Seneca appears to be living in Mendon township, Monroe County, NY, with his brother Ephraim. His son Milton lived immediately next door.
- In 1850, Seneca lived in Batavia township, Genesee County, NY. He was working as a farm laborer. He was living with Lydia Coon, presumably his wife, and both were listed as 'cannot read or write'. He was sharing a dwelling with 2 other families.
- In 1860, Seneca Coon was living with Sylvia Coon in the county poor house in Bethany, Genesee County, NY. They were both listed as laborers as were essentially all the adults and older children at the poor farm.
- Although I have not found documentation, Seneca most likely died at the county poor house.
- Seneca had financial difficulties.
- He evidently applied for a pension, although I have not been able to find the documentation.
- He obtained a SECOND warrant for War of 1812 service in 1854.
- In 1860, he lived in the county poor house.
- Seneca appears to have had at least 2 sons, Milton and Leander. He also appears to have had a son Elisha, but this is less clear. Based on some sources, he may have also had a daughter.
- Seneca appears to have had 3 wives. In 1850, he was living with a Lydia. In 1860, he was living with a Sylvia. (These names do sound a bit alike.) Since he was not living with a wife in 1840, presumably a third woman is the mother of his children.
- This is the evidence that Ephraim and Seneca are sons of Sylvanus. David and John are probably also sons of Sylvanus.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Washington Township, Dutchess County, New York, in 1800, with 2 sons the age of Ephraim and Seneca. Ephraim was born in the 1790's in Dutchess County. Seneca was born in the 1790's in Dover Township, Dutchess County, which is immediately adjacent to Washington Township.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1810. Seneca enlisted for the War of 1812 in Canaan, in 1814.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Mendon Township, Monroe County, New York, in 1830. Ephraim Coon, David Coon and John Coon also lived in Mendon Township in 1830.
- What do we know about Sylvanus Coon?
- The best evidence is that Sylvanus was born in New York in 1770-1774.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Washington Township, Dutchess County, New York, in 1800. He probably lived in Dutchess County since at least 1793.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1810. He lived in Litchfield County since at least 1804.
- Sylvanus Coon lived in Mendon Township, Monroe County, New York, in 1830.
- Sylvanus Coon had a wife from about 1790-1830, but no names are known. She, like Sylvanus, was born in 1770-1774.
- Sylvanus Coon appears to have had 7 children: UNKNOWN MALE #1 (b. abt 1790), Seneca (b. abt 1792), Ephraim (b. abt 1796), John (1800-1810), David (1800-1810), Pauline/Paulina (b. 1804, CT), UNKNOWN FEMALE #1 (1800-1810).
- NOTE: In the 1830 census, a male 10-14 and a female 5-9 are living in the household, but it is not clear if they are children or grandchildren.
Click here to go to the Index at the top of the blog.
Sources
Ancestry.com. Montana, U.S., County Marriages, 1865-1987 [datatbase on-line]. Lehi, UT. USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. Richland County, Vol. 1-2 (1914-1960), p. 19, Miles Welber Knapp and Pauline A. Dore.
Ancestry.com; "Origins of Coon surname"; https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=coon.
Ancestry.com. U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. (Wisconsin; Walworth County and Wood County; Elisha Coon.)
Ancestry.com. U.S., Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 [database on-line].6056 Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
- 1798 May 17 - 1815, Surname letter C. Page 120. Image 120 of 606. Ephraim Coon.
- 1798 May 17 - 1815, Surname letter C. Page 160. Image 463 of 606. Seneca Coon.
Original data:Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Ancestry.com. U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. (Wisconsin, 2nd Congressional District, Volume 3, p. 77)
Ancestry.com. U.S., War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2007.
- War of 1812, 1812 Warrants: 01727-28085, 04011-06314, Image 1057, Warrant #6056, Senneca Coon.
Connecticut. Litchfield County. 1810 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2010.
- Sylvanus Coon.
Coon Family Bible (Dated 1872); Originally owned by Mrs. Irena Coon, wife of Miles Coon; Birth/marriage/death entries by Irena (Avery) Coon and Ada Martina (Coon) Riddell Wescott. Later notes added to the transcription which was provided by GWC.
Direct Line Software. "Bounty Land Warrants for Military Service in the War of 1812"; by Jan Bishop McFarland; 2010; http://ww.directlinesoftware.com/bounty.htm
Family Search Wiki. "Litchfield County, Connecticut Genealogy"; last edited 1 AUG 2021. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Litchfield_County,_Connecticut_Genealogy
Family Search Wiki. "United States War of 1812 Infantry Units"; last edited 21 July 2021. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_War_of_1812_Infantry_Units
Family Search Wiki. "US War of 1812 Bounty Land Warrants"; last editd 14 Aug 2021; https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/US_War_of_1812_Bounty_Land_Warrants, War of 1812 bounty land.
Find A Grave; Memorial ID #27341711; Hiram E. Coon; Maintained by GWC; www.findagrave.com/memorial/27341711/hiram-e.-coon.
Fold3. "Unindexed Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1812-1855"; database with images; Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com//title/918/bounty-land-warrant-applications-index: accessed October 29, 2021)
Fosdal, Roberta Lien; genealogist for Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Geoscience News and Information; "New York County Map with County Seat Cities"; Geology.com; 2005-2021; https://geology.com/county-map/new-york.shtml.
Geoscience News and Information; "Wisconsin County Map with County Seat Cities"; Geology.com; 2005-2021; https://geology.com/county-map/wisconsin.shtml
Google Maps. West Bloomfield NY, Honeoye Falls NY and Batavia NY.
Kaufman Family Album; in the possession of Dorothy Crooks.
Kittle, William, 1861-1942. History of the Township and Village of Mazomanie. Madison, Wis.; State Journal Print. Co., 1900, p. 115.
My Genealogy Hound, Dutchess County, New York 1897 map, https://www.mygenealogyhound.com/maps/New-York-county-maps/NY-Dutchess-County-New-York-1897-Map-Rand-McNally-Poughkeepsie.html#
My Genealogy Hound, Onondaga County, New York 1897 map, https://www.mygenealogyhound.com/maps/New-York-county-maps/NY-Onondaga-County-New-York-1897-Map-Rand-McNally-Syracuse.html
New York. Dutchess County. 1800 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2010.
- Sylvanus Coon.
New York. Dutchess County Government; "Dutchess County Organizes Memorial Day Convoy", published 5/18/2020; https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/Dutchess-County-Organizes-Memorial-Day-Convoy.htm
New York. Monroe County. 1840 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2010.
- Ephraim Coon, Hiram Coon, Miles Coon, Milton Coon.
New York. Monroe County. 1830 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2010.
- Ephraim Coon, Sylvinus Coon, David Coon, John Coon.
New York. Onondaga County. 1820 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2010.
- Ephraim Coon, Seneca Coon.
NewYork Heritage Digital Collections; "Holland Land Company Maps";
2020; https://nyheritage.org/collections/holland-land-company-maps.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management;
https;//glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx
Search-Wisconsin, Jefferson Country, surname=Coon.
Search-Illinois, surname=Coon, first name=Ephraim.
Search-Arkansas, surname=Coon, first name=Senneca.
Search-Illinois, surname=Coon, warrantees only.
Wikipedia; "Holland Land Company"; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Land_Company.
Wisconsin. Dane County. 1870 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2009.
- Mazomanie; page 383A (stamped); dwelling 34; family 36; Eunice Coon.
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. 1850 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2009.
- Palmyra; page 173a (stamped); dwelling 985; family 1020; Leander Coon.
- Palmyra; page 180 (stamped); dwelling 1089; family 1125; Hiram E. Coon, Ephraim Coon.
- Palmyra; page 181a (stamped); dwelling 1100; family 1136; Milton Coon.
- Palmyra; page 181a (stamped); dwelling 1098; family 1133; Elisha Coon.
- Palmyra; page 183a; dwelling 1136; family 1172; Miles Coon and Elisha Coon.
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2009.
- Palmyra; page 473 (handwritten); dwelling 16; family 16; E. W. Coon.
- Palmyra; page 473 (handwritten); dwelling 18; family 18; Leander Coon.
- Palmyra; page 488 (handwritten); dwelling 146; family 135; Hiram E. Coon, Ephraim Coon.
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. 1870 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2009.
- Palmyra; page 294A (stamped); dwelling 57; family 60; Elisha Coon.
- Palmyra; page 297B (stamped); dwelling 115; family 116; Leander Coon.
- Palmyra; page 299B (stamped); dwelling 155; family 155; Miles Coon.
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. 1900 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry. www.ancestry.com : 2004.
- Palmyra; sheet 4B; dwelling 111; family 116; Miles W. Coon,
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. County Court. Estates (index). FHC Microfilm #1435070.
Wisconsin. Jefferson County. County Court. Estate records. Box 129. Ephraim Coon.
Wisconsin. Palmyra. Hillside Cemetery. Personal visit by Dorothy Crooks on 23 JUN 1992.
Wisconsin. Palmyra. Palmyra Enterprise, 13 Oct 1875. "Died-Coon". (See Find A Grave, #27341711.) (Hiram Coon)
Wisconsin. Palmyra. Palmyra Enterprise, 27 Dec 1876. "Died-Coon". (Leander Coon)
Wisconsin. Palmyra. Palmyra Enterprise, 23 Apr 1903. "Obituary (Mrs. Miles Coon)" p. 1, col. 4.
Wisconsin. Palmyra. Palmyra Enterprise, 17 Sep 1903. "Died-Miles Coon". p. 1.
Wisconsin. Portage. Portage Daily Democrat. 05 OCT 1904. "Married 60 Years-Mr. and Mrs. Squire Brisbin, Pioneersof Wisconsin".
Wisconsin. Watertown. Watertown Chronicle, 11 JUN 1851, "Sheriff's Sale", p. 3, col. 4. (Milton Coon)
Wisconsin. Watertown. Watertown Chronicle, 03 DEC 1851, "County Matters, Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors", p. 2, col. 4. (Hiram E. Coon)
Wisconsin. Watertown. Watertown Chronicle, 04 FEB 1852, "By Order of Levi Hubbell", p. 4, col. 2. (Milton Coon)
