REV. ELISHA GIFFORD — Thursday, July 12th, at New Haven, Conn., Rev. Elisha Gifford passed away after a brief illness, in his 84th year. Mr. Gifford was born at Patterson, N.Y., in 1833, and was the son of Elisha Gifford, a Revolutionary, soldier. He was a graduate of the Harvard Divinity school and was settled over Unitarian churches in West Dedham, (now Westwood,) Mass., and in Presque Isle, Maine.
He had been living for some years in retirement at New, Haven, Conn., when the end came peacefully after a brief illness, terminating an upright life of almost uninterrupted good health. He leaves two sons, Professor R.W. Gifford of Columbia law school New York city, and Rev. F.K. Gifford of the Unitarian church at Farmington; also four grandchildren. — THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1917.
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Marriages. — In Albany, July 28th, by Rev. Dr. Wykoff, Elisha Gifford, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, to Miss Louisa J. Knapp, of Albany, both formerly of Kent, this county. — AUG. 10, 1858, PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y.
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Graduated. — Mr. Elisha Gifford, for several years a teacher at Garrison's and Nelsonville, and who is well-known to many of our readers, graduated at the Cambridge (Mass.) Divinity School the present year, and has accepted a call from the Unitarian Society in West Dedham, and entered upon his ministerial labors. — Recorder. — PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, SEPT. 14, 1867.
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Youngest Daughter of the Revolution. A daughter of a Revolutionary Soldier is residing in Stamford, one who might without much fear of dispute, set up the claim to be the youngest real "daughter, of the Revolution" living. Her name is Mrs. Nancy A. Warren, and her ago is 65 years." She is the daughter of Elisha Gifford, of Patterson, New York, who married, May 21, 1830, Polly Washburn, of Carmel, she being then 29 years and he 82 years of age.
The issue of this marriage was four children—Nancy, Elisha (now a clergyman in Somerville, Mass.), Lodesco (recently deceased), and Van Rensselaer (living in Northfield, Minn.). Mr. Gifford died June 3, 1834, aged, 86, the fourth child not then being born. His widow survived him about half a century and drew a pension for many years, dying at the age of 78.— Hartford (Conn.) Times.— PUTNAM COUNTY REPUBLICAN, CARMEL, N.Y., AUGUST 7, 1897.
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Sons of Revolutionary Soldiers. — To the Editor of The Hew York Times: The Times a few days ago in its news columns said that the last son of a Revolutionary soldier had died. This is a mistake. There are still living at least two others — the Rev. Elisha Gifford of Cambridge, Mass. and Judge Van Rensselaer Gifford of Northfield, Minn. Their father, Elisha Gifford, a native of Cape Cod, at the beginning of the Revolution lived in that part of Dutchess County which is now the town of Kent, Putnam County, and in 1776 enlisted under Capt. (after Colonel) Henry Ludington, the grandfather of Charles H. Ludington of this city. His company was part of the command of Col. Swartwout. Under Capt. Hezekiah Mead he helped to defend Danbury against the British when that town was burned in 1777. He again enlisted in 1780 under Capt. Lake and Col. Farris. He was a Revolutionary pensioner.
Judge Gifford certainly enjoys the distinction of being the youngest living son of a Revolutionary soldier, having been born in 1837. He enlisted In 1862 in a Minnesota regiment, and served continuously with that regiment till 1865. He has held several public offices in Dakota County, Minn., where he lives. His older brother, the Rev. Elisha Gifford, about seventy-three years old, is a graduate of both Antioch and Harvard, and was a personal friend of Horace Mann, and most of the Abolition leaders of the last century. There is also living a sister, Mrs. Nancy Gifford Warren, of Nelsonville, N.Y. Thus you see there still survive three children of Elisha Gifford, the Revolutionary soldier. KENT. — THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sunday June 5, 1904.
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VAN RENSSELAER GIFFORD, THE YOUNGEST LIVING SON OF A REVOLUTIONARY SOLDER. HE IS A NATIVE OF PUTNAM COUNTY. — Among its recently enrolled members, the Minnesota Society has two other sons of Revolutionary sires, Ira Hoar, of Monticello, Minn., one of the oldest, and Van Rensselaer. Gifford, of Northfield, who is doubtless the youngest living son of a soldier of the Revolution.
Between Ira Hoar arid Van Rensselaer Gifford is the distance of a generation.
The ancestral and personal records of the latter are interesting and thoroughly authenticated. Mr. Gifford was born in Kent, Putnam County, N.Y., November 13th, 1837, a few months after the death of his father, Elisha Gifford. The latter, who, if living, would have been eighty-seven years old at the time of his son's birth; left a will making provision for a posthumous child. A certified copy of this will and a verified copy of the record kept in the Family Bible were presented to the Minnesota Society by Van Rensselaer Gifford, with his application for membership. A gentleman who lived (if he is not now living) in New Hampshire, born some six months, prior to Mr. Gifford was for a long time thought to be the youngest living son of a Revolutionary soldier, but that title now belongs to Mr. Gifford, unless some one else shall appear to claim the honor. Another distinction which appears to belong to him is that of being the only son of a Revolutionary soldier who did service during the War of the Rebellion Mr. Gifford knows of no rival in this line, although he has several times made inquiry whether there was any record of another veritable "Son" who so served.
Going West in the spring of 1862, Mr. Gifford enlisted August 21st of the same year in Company K, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The company was mounted soon after, and for nearly two years did patrol and escort duty. The men had many exciting times in the northern part of the State charging the Indians, as this was soon after the great outbreak of 1862, and in the spring of 1864 the regiment was sent to join Gen. Sully at the Missouri River near Fort Pierre in Dakota. Striking west, through the Bad Lands, they encountered the hostile Indians and gave battle. The soldiers, were hemmed in on sill sides by the savages, but by hard lighting cut their way out. The regiment returned in October to St Paul, and was sent south, doing excellent service until mustered out in 1865.
Since leaving the Army, Mr. Gilford has pursued the occupation of a farmer. He says of himself, "I have given heed to Poor Richard and his proverbs, that is, to keep my shop well. By so doing, I have made farming pay where so many have failed, or only partly succeeded. l am not wealthy, but have the comforts of life, a good farm, good buildings, am out of debt, and the mortgage, that curse to the farmer, I do not know."
Mr. Gifford has, been prominent in his town, and has held every grade of office there is in a township. He has been Constable, chairman of the Town Board, Town Clerk, and for several years Justice of the Peace. He has a well-deserved reputation for fairness of judgment in cases that come before him, and although a Republican in a strongly Democratic community, it is improbable that any other man will be chosen for the Justiceship as long as Mr. Gifford is willing to the position.
The Minnesota Society is justly proud of its membership of veritable Sons.
[Mr. Gifford is a brother of Mrs. Nancy A. Warren, formerly of Carmel, now of Stamford, Conn., and she is probably the youngest living daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, being near to sixty years old. Another brother, Rev. Elisha Gilford, lives in Boston, those three being the only surviving members of the old Revolutionary soldier's family. Rensselaer Gifford married Mary Bennett, a daughter of James Bennett, of Kent, and both have relatives, find friends in this County. — EDITORS REPUBLICAN]. PUTNAM COUNTY REPUBLICAN, CARMEL, N.Y., JUNE 12, 1897.
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OCTOBER MEETING OF DAR HELD MONDAY CONFERENCE REPORTS, HEARD
Cold Spring Members Hostess to Enoch Crosby, Chapter; Guest Speaker Tells About Tamassee.
About 40 attended the October meeting of Enoch Crosby chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held at the Methodist church in Cold Spring Monday afternoon.
An excellent report of the 56th annual conference of the New York organization, held last week at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York, was given by the first vice-regent, Mrs. Harriet Aiken Ferris of Patterson. Mrs. Ferris attended regular sessions and several round table groups and gave excerpts from the speeches of the following prominent speakers:
The Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, D.D., whose subject was "Our Country " ; Whittaker Chambers, whose topic was "Witness" and Major George Racey Jordon, U.S.A.A.F. (retired), who spoke on "Blundering Away the Arsenal of Democracy."
Mrs. Fred C. Daniels of Pawling told about her activities as chairman of the Tellers committee and announced that Mrs. Harold E. Erb of Garden City had been elected regent of the New York State D.A.R. for a term of three years.
During the impressive memorial service held in St. Bartholomew's church, Park avenue and 50th street, Thursday afternoon, Miss Blanche Horton, regent, presented, a beautiful tribute in memory of Emma Warren Jaycox (Mrs. L.W.), whose maternal grandfather, Elisha Gifford of Kent, Putnam county, was a private and minuteman in the war of the Revolution. After serving in New York at Fort Constitution, opposite West Point, Fishkill, Goshen and White Plains, he was on guard duty at Frederickstown (Patterson) preventing Tories from plundering and destroying property. Mrs. Jaycox was a charter member of Enoch Crosby chapter.
Miss Page Schwarzwaelder of Mahopac acted as hostess at the luncheon of the New York State Officers club. The reports were all inspiring and gave the members important facts of what transpired at the conference.
Tamassee School Discussed Mrs. Charles D. White of Fishkill was introduced. She gave a very interesting talk about the Tamassee school and showed several colored slides of the buildings, grounds and students, including one of the New York cottage. Tamassee school is one of two schools supported by the D.A.R. This one located in the mountains of South Carolina is a boarding school, where underprivileged children receive food, clothing, medical and dental care, as well as an education.
Mrs. J.M. Hammond of Katonah is chairman of the Approved Schools for Enoch Crosby chapter. Through her efforts, boxes of clothing, gifts and money donations are sent from time to time to help with this worthy project.
Miss Julia Towner of Brewster read a timely article from a D.A.R. magazine, pertaining to Columbus day. At the close of the reading, she advised each one to chart a good course and, like Columbus, to keep steadily on that course.
Mrs. Daniels, chairman of the ways and means committee, reminded all of the D.A.R. card party to be held in the Masonic Temple in Brewster, Thursday afternoon, October 23, at 1:30. Arrangements are being made to have all popular card games as well as a "clatter corner", for use of non-players where they may sit and visit. Many prizes will be given and refreshments served. All will be made welcome.
At the close of this busy meeting, a delicious tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Edward Reynolds and Mrs. Edward Adams, assisted by the Cold Spring members. Mrs. James G. LaDue and Mrs. James Smith poured. — THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 16, 1952.
REV. ELISHA GIFFORD — Thursday, July 12th, at New Haven, Conn., Rev. Elisha Gifford passed away after a brief illness, in his 84th year. Mr. Gifford was born at Patterson, N.Y., in 1833, and was the son of Elisha Gifford, a Revolutionary, soldier. He was a graduate of the Harvard Divinity school and was settled over Unitarian churches in West Dedham, (now Westwood,) Mass., and in Presque Isle, Maine.
He had been living for some years in retirement at New, Haven, Conn., when the end came peacefully after a brief illness, terminating an upright life of almost uninterrupted good health. He leaves two sons, Professor R.W. Gifford of Columbia law school New York city, and Rev. F.K. Gifford of the Unitarian church at Farmington; also four grandchildren. — THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1917.
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Marriages. — In Albany, July 28th, by Rev. Dr. Wykoff, Elisha Gifford, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, to Miss Louisa J. Knapp, of Albany, both formerly of Kent, this county. — AUG. 10, 1858, PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y.
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Graduated. — Mr. Elisha Gifford, for several years a teacher at Garrison's and Nelsonville, and who is well-known to many of our readers, graduated at the Cambridge (Mass.) Divinity School the present year, and has accepted a call from the Unitarian Society in West Dedham, and entered upon his ministerial labors. — Recorder. — PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, SEPT. 14, 1867.
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Youngest Daughter of the Revolution. A daughter of a Revolutionary Soldier is residing in Stamford, one who might without much fear of dispute, set up the claim to be the youngest real "daughter, of the Revolution" living. Her name is Mrs. Nancy A. Warren, and her ago is 65 years." She is the daughter of Elisha Gifford, of Patterson, New York, who married, May 21, 1830, Polly Washburn, of Carmel, she being then 29 years and he 82 years of age.
The issue of this marriage was four children—Nancy, Elisha (now a clergyman in Somerville, Mass.), Lodesco (recently deceased), and Van Rensselaer (living in Northfield, Minn.). Mr. Gifford died June 3, 1834, aged, 86, the fourth child not then being born. His widow survived him about half a century and drew a pension for many years, dying at the age of 78.— Hartford (Conn.) Times.— PUTNAM COUNTY REPUBLICAN, CARMEL, N.Y., AUGUST 7, 1897.
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Sons of Revolutionary Soldiers. — To the Editor of The Hew York Times: The Times a few days ago in its news columns said that the last son of a Revolutionary soldier had died. This is a mistake. There are still living at least two others — the Rev. Elisha Gifford of Cambridge, Mass. and Judge Van Rensselaer Gifford of Northfield, Minn. Their father, Elisha Gifford, a native of Cape Cod, at the beginning of the Revolution lived in that part of Dutchess County which is now the town of Kent, Putnam County, and in 1776 enlisted under Capt. (after Colonel) Henry Ludington, the grandfather of Charles H. Ludington of this city. His company was part of the command of Col. Swartwout. Under Capt. Hezekiah Mead he helped to defend Danbury against the British when that town was burned in 1777. He again enlisted in 1780 under Capt. Lake and Col. Farris. He was a Revolutionary pensioner.
Judge Gifford certainly enjoys the distinction of being the youngest living son of a Revolutionary soldier, having been born in 1837. He enlisted In 1862 in a Minnesota regiment, and served continuously with that regiment till 1865. He has held several public offices in Dakota County, Minn., where he lives. His older brother, the Rev. Elisha Gifford, about seventy-three years old, is a graduate of both Antioch and Harvard, and was a personal friend of Horace Mann, and most of the Abolition leaders of the last century. There is also living a sister, Mrs. Nancy Gifford Warren, of Nelsonville, N.Y. Thus you see there still survive three children of Elisha Gifford, the Revolutionary soldier. KENT. — THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sunday June 5, 1904.
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VAN RENSSELAER GIFFORD, THE YOUNGEST LIVING SON OF A REVOLUTIONARY SOLDER. HE IS A NATIVE OF PUTNAM COUNTY. — Among its recently enrolled members, the Minnesota Society has two other sons of Revolutionary sires, Ira Hoar, of Monticello, Minn., one of the oldest, and Van Rensselaer. Gifford, of Northfield, who is doubtless the youngest living son of a soldier of the Revolution.
Between Ira Hoar arid Van Rensselaer Gifford is the distance of a generation.
The ancestral and personal records of the latter are interesting and thoroughly authenticated. Mr. Gifford was born in Kent, Putnam County, N.Y., November 13th, 1837, a few months after the death of his father, Elisha Gifford. The latter, who, if living, would have been eighty-seven years old at the time of his son's birth; left a will making provision for a posthumous child. A certified copy of this will and a verified copy of the record kept in the Family Bible were presented to the Minnesota Society by Van Rensselaer Gifford, with his application for membership. A gentleman who lived (if he is not now living) in New Hampshire, born some six months, prior to Mr. Gifford was for a long time thought to be the youngest living son of a Revolutionary soldier, but that title now belongs to Mr. Gifford, unless some one else shall appear to claim the honor. Another distinction which appears to belong to him is that of being the only son of a Revolutionary soldier who did service during the War of the Rebellion Mr. Gifford knows of no rival in this line, although he has several times made inquiry whether there was any record of another veritable "Son" who so served.
Going West in the spring of 1862, Mr. Gifford enlisted August 21st of the same year in Company K, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The company was mounted soon after, and for nearly two years did patrol and escort duty. The men had many exciting times in the northern part of the State charging the Indians, as this was soon after the great outbreak of 1862, and in the spring of 1864 the regiment was sent to join Gen. Sully at the Missouri River near Fort Pierre in Dakota. Striking west, through the Bad Lands, they encountered the hostile Indians and gave battle. The soldiers, were hemmed in on sill sides by the savages, but by hard lighting cut their way out. The regiment returned in October to St Paul, and was sent south, doing excellent service until mustered out in 1865.
Since leaving the Army, Mr. Gilford has pursued the occupation of a farmer. He says of himself, "I have given heed to Poor Richard and his proverbs, that is, to keep my shop well. By so doing, I have made farming pay where so many have failed, or only partly succeeded. l am not wealthy, but have the comforts of life, a good farm, good buildings, am out of debt, and the mortgage, that curse to the farmer, I do not know."
Mr. Gifford has, been prominent in his town, and has held every grade of office there is in a township. He has been Constable, chairman of the Town Board, Town Clerk, and for several years Justice of the Peace. He has a well-deserved reputation for fairness of judgment in cases that come before him, and although a Republican in a strongly Democratic community, it is improbable that any other man will be chosen for the Justiceship as long as Mr. Gifford is willing to the position.
The Minnesota Society is justly proud of its membership of veritable Sons.
[Mr. Gifford is a brother of Mrs. Nancy A. Warren, formerly of Carmel, now of Stamford, Conn., and she is probably the youngest living daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, being near to sixty years old. Another brother, Rev. Elisha Gilford, lives in Boston, those three being the only surviving members of the old Revolutionary soldier's family. Rensselaer Gifford married Mary Bennett, a daughter of James Bennett, of Kent, and both have relatives, find friends in this County. — EDITORS REPUBLICAN]. PUTNAM COUNTY REPUBLICAN, CARMEL, N.Y., JUNE 12, 1897.
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OCTOBER MEETING OF DAR HELD MONDAY CONFERENCE REPORTS, HEARD
Cold Spring Members Hostess to Enoch Crosby, Chapter; Guest Speaker Tells About Tamassee.
About 40 attended the October meeting of Enoch Crosby chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held at the Methodist church in Cold Spring Monday afternoon.
An excellent report of the 56th annual conference of the New York organization, held last week at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York, was given by the first vice-regent, Mrs. Harriet Aiken Ferris of Patterson. Mrs. Ferris attended regular sessions and several round table groups and gave excerpts from the speeches of the following prominent speakers:
The Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, D.D., whose subject was "Our Country " ; Whittaker Chambers, whose topic was "Witness" and Major George Racey Jordon, U.S.A.A.F. (retired), who spoke on "Blundering Away the Arsenal of Democracy."
Mrs. Fred C. Daniels of Pawling told about her activities as chairman of the Tellers committee and announced that Mrs. Harold E. Erb of Garden City had been elected regent of the New York State D.A.R. for a term of three years.
During the impressive memorial service held in St. Bartholomew's church, Park avenue and 50th street, Thursday afternoon, Miss Blanche Horton, regent, presented, a beautiful tribute in memory of Emma Warren Jaycox (Mrs. L.W.), whose maternal grandfather, Elisha Gifford of Kent, Putnam county, was a private and minuteman in the war of the Revolution. After serving in New York at Fort Constitution, opposite West Point, Fishkill, Goshen and White Plains, he was on guard duty at Frederickstown (Patterson) preventing Tories from plundering and destroying property. Mrs. Jaycox was a charter member of Enoch Crosby chapter.
Miss Page Schwarzwaelder of Mahopac acted as hostess at the luncheon of the New York State Officers club. The reports were all inspiring and gave the members important facts of what transpired at the conference.
Tamassee School Discussed Mrs. Charles D. White of Fishkill was introduced. She gave a very interesting talk about the Tamassee school and showed several colored slides of the buildings, grounds and students, including one of the New York cottage. Tamassee school is one of two schools supported by the D.A.R. This one located in the mountains of South Carolina is a boarding school, where underprivileged children receive food, clothing, medical and dental care, as well as an education.
Mrs. J.M. Hammond of Katonah is chairman of the Approved Schools for Enoch Crosby chapter. Through her efforts, boxes of clothing, gifts and money donations are sent from time to time to help with this worthy project.
Miss Julia Towner of Brewster read a timely article from a D.A.R. magazine, pertaining to Columbus day. At the close of the reading, she advised each one to chart a good course and, like Columbus, to keep steadily on that course.
Mrs. Daniels, chairman of the ways and means committee, reminded all of the D.A.R. card party to be held in the Masonic Temple in Brewster, Thursday afternoon, October 23, at 1:30. Arrangements are being made to have all popular card games as well as a "clatter corner", for use of non-players where they may sit and visit. Many prizes will be given and refreshments served. All will be made welcome.
At the close of this busy meeting, a delicious tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Edward Reynolds and Mrs. Edward Adams, assisted by the Cold Spring members. Mrs. James G. LaDue and Mrs. James Smith poured. — THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 16, 1952.
Family Members
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