Cattaraugus County GenWeb
Study of The Early 1800 Wards
in Western Counties of New York

Compiled and Submitted by Carl W. Ward


I began this study as a result of the ol' proverbial brick wall. My great grandfather Charles Ward, who according to a number of sources, was born in Allegany County, New York 15 May 1805. I can't find him there and of course, I don't know the names of his parents.

My WARDs - The earliest official record that I have of Charles is in Adams County, Illinois 17 August 1836 where he married Martha Burke and had the first 7 of their 8 children. Their children were Martha Jane, William J., John B., Isaiah A., David C., Harvey Z., Granville and Henry Harrison. Henry was born after the family moved to Knox County, Missouri in 1856. He's my grandfather. I think Charles had a brother or close relative named Zebediah Ward. This Zebediah and family lived just north of Charles and family in Hancock County, Illinois by 1850. He and his family moved to Knox County, Missouri and joined a church there at the same time and along with Charles and his family. Zebediah's son Caleb and his birth date, is listed along side of Charles' children in an old Ward family Bible. Zebediah was born in New York in about 1825. His wife's given name was Martha. Their children were all born in Indiana and were William H., Caleb G., Samuel J., and Lydia A.

I continue to search for more data on all Wards during that early 1800 time frame, in and around Allegany County, New York. As I find more data on any Ward in that area and that time frame, it is added to these web pages. Maybe some of it will help another researcher.

I hope you have some data that you'd like to contribute to these pages. If so, please send it to me at cwward@anet-stL.com and I'll add it as soon as I can. Please include the source of your data.

Research data:

1. The first settlements of Centerville, Allegany County, New York were made by Jos. Maxson of Rhode Island in April 1808 and by James Ward in the fall of the same year. (1)
2. 1810, Nunda Township, Allegany County, New York (2)

(no other Wards were listed in this county)
 
James Ward
2 males under age 10
1 male between ages of 10 & under 16
3 males between ages of 16 & under 20
1 male between ages of 26 & under 45
1 male age 45 or upwards
1 female under age 10
1 female between ages of 10 & under 16
1 female between ages of 26 & under 45

Could one of these males under the age 10, have been my Charles Ward?


  Zebediah Ward
1 male between ages of 10 & under 16
1 female between ages of 10 & under 16
2 females age 45 or upwards

Could this have been the father of my Zebediah Ward?


 
3. James Ward erected a framed barn before 1810. It is said to have been the first in the Town of Almond. He is also credited with planting the first orchard in Centerville.(3) (Note: Centerville is near the northwest corner of Allegany County, west of Hume.)
 
4. James Ward of the Town of Almond, Allegany County conveys property in Almond to Trustee of School District Number 11 of said town September 8, 1831(4)
 
5. James Ward and his wife Wealthy of the Town of Almond, Allegany County, New York conveys property in Almond to Zabad C. Handy of Tompkins County, April 16, 1837.(4)
 
6. A Zebadeah Ward was chosen Commissioner of Schools at the first town meeting of Greater Nunda at Peter Granger's home in Pike on April 4, 1809. Greater Nunda consisted of Eagle, Pike, Genesee Falls, Portage, Centerville,Hume, Granger and Grove.(5)
 
7. James Ward, late of the Town of Almond, died in the said town on or about the 7th day of January, 1854 and the following persons are all the heirs at law and the next of kin of the deceased, and their respective ages and places of residences are as follows:(6)

Luman A. Ward of Hornellsville, about 48 years
Ruth Ann Brockway of Brady, Kalmazoo County, Michigan, about 45 years
Wealthy Brookina of Brady, Kalmazoo County, Michigan, about ? years
Electa Webb of Hornellsville, New York, about 49 years
Zenas Ward of Howard, Steuben County, New York, about 37 years
Alfred Ward of Hornellsville, New York, about 28 years
Durastus Ward of Hornellsville, New York, about 26 years
Elisha Ward of Almond, New York, about 20 years

Ages of the "heirs at law and next of kin" listed here, don't seem to match the ages of the males and females listed in the 1810 census record of the James Ward in Nunda Township, shown in item 2 above.

Is the Wealthy Brookina listed as an hier or next of kin in these probate records, James Ward's wife, mentioned in item 5 above?

8. A James Ward purchased land in Wyoming County, New York from the Holland Land Company.(7)
 
9. A Revolutionary Ward soldier by the name of James Ward is buried in Java Village, Wyoming County, New York.
  A James Ward purchased land in the Town of Sheldon, Genesee County, New York.(8)
 
10. WARD, James, late Town of Almond. Elisha Ward, minor child, age 20 on 6 January, resident of Town of Almond, has no guardian. Thornton F. CURRY appointed guardian. 27 February 1854.(9)

This is surely the same James& Elisha Ward listed in the probate records of James Ward, in item7 above


 
11. Interred at Old Catholic Cemetery near Portageville, Allegany County, New York

Ward, Catherine - 1820-1871, wife M. Ward
Ward, Michael - no dates, son M.C.Ward (Baker & Keyes family on same monument)
 
12. Wards from the Centennial History of Allegany Co., published 1896:(3)

p. 757 Under Fillmore business interests, Eugene Ward groceries and provisions, boots, shoes and staple dry goods.
p. 764 The children of Horton and Sarah (Engle) Clute are Julia May (Mrs. Eugene H. Ward) and Hattie (Mrs. Carl J. Howden), both of Fillmore, N.Y. Mr. Clute has been a merchant in Wiscoy (Allegany Co) since 1881, an assessor 9 years, and postmaster the past 7 years. Mrs. Clute has long been known as a newspaper correspondent, under nom de plume of "Lucile", at Wiscoy. Since these people lived in Fillmore, they may be buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Fillmore. (NOTE: Wiscoy and Fillmore are located in the northern part of Allegany Co east of Hume.)
 
13. More WARDS around Almond, New York(3)


p. 561 (Almond) The first permanent settler of North Valley was Solomon David, who located on the Hull farm in 1804. Elihu Knight with Ardeno Cobb, and Wheeler Hinman settled in the lower part of North Valley about 1804. Benjamin Hayes who had been in the Revolutionary War settled on the Peter Lippencott farm in 1807. North Hill was settled by William Howe and Charle Cook and his father in 1808. Howe was a very prominent man in the town, and died about 1870, the oldest resident of the town. John and Jeremiah Van Vechten came from Montgomery Co. about 1817, and settled near Bishopville. Zenas Ward, grandfather of the Wards now living in North Valley, was one of the first settlers of that locality.

This Zenas Ward is likely the same Zenas Ward listed in the probate records of James Ward, in item 7 above.

p.562 (Almond) The original settlers of North Valley with but few exceptions are all gone and have left but few descendants living there; some of the Wards are still there, descendants of the original settlers.

p. 573 (Almond) Joseph W. Emery, son of Abram K. and Eliza (Thomas Emery, was born in Hornellsville, May 24, 1840. He enlisted in Co. F, 141st Reg't. N.Y.V., in 1862 and was discharged May 30 1865. He married Helen J., daughter of William C. and Rachel (Head) Ward of Almond in 1865 and settled in the town. Mr. Emery has been assessor of Almond 7 years, is a member of Doty Post, No. 226 of Hornellsville. He has one son Homer H.

p. 578 (Almond) Capt. Zenas Ward, son of Zenas Ward, born in Connecticut, married Elizabeth M. Delaney. He came to Almond from Cayuga Co. in 1823 and settled on the farm now owned by the Curry family. He was a farmer. Of his ten children 5 are living: Cordelia (Mrs. Lewis Wollever), Jonathan, Jackson, Nancy J. (Mrs. Dr. D. Van Vechten of Ohio), and Angeline, who married Charles W. Van Vetchen, son of Jerry. C.W. Van Vechten was born in Montgomery Co., he came here early with his parents. He settled on the farm owned by Newton Karr. He was road commissioner. He died in 1885. Ashbel Ward, son of Zenas, was a native of Connecticut. He located here, married Electa Brown, had 4 sons and 4 daughters and died in Almond.

The father of Capt. Zenas Ward, Zenas Ward is likely the same Zenas Ward listed in the probate records of James Ward, in item 7 above.


 
14. 1820 Wards in Western NY Counties (10)
  
Last First Year Town County State Ref No
Ward Samuel 1820 PIKE TWP ALLEGANY CO. NY 27
Ward John 1820 ISHUA CATTARAUGUS CO. NY 15
Ward Elisah 1820 PERRYSBURG CATTARAUGUS CO. NY 27
Ward Cornelius 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 95
Ward Nathaniel C. 1820 CATO CAYUGA CO. NY 72
Ward Hiram 1820 LOCKE TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 138
Ward Henry 1820 MENTZ CAYUGA CO. NY 55
Ward George 1820 SEMPRONIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 78
Ward Jonas 1820 MENTZ CAYUGA CO. NY 54
Ward Hiram 1820 MENTZ CAYUGA CO. NY 55
Ward James 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 102
Ward Hugh 1820 AURELIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 31
Ward Nathaniel 1820 AURELIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 25
Ward Loyal 1820 AURELIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 31
Ward George 1820 SEMPRONIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 77
Ward Cloe 1820 MENTZ CAYUGA CO. NY 54
Ward Israel 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 98
Ward Zenas 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY
Ward Archibald 1820 BRUTUS CAYUGA CO. NY 12
Ward John 1820 AURELIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 27
Ward Abner 1820 STERLING CAYUGA CO. NY 61
Ward William W. 1820 AURELIUS CAYUGA CO. NY 33
Ward Abner 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 100
Ward Zenas 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 98
Ward Solomon 1820 SCIPIO TWP CAYUGA CO. NY 121
Ward Fenner 1820 POMFRET CHAUTAUQUA CO. NY 123
Ward Elijah 1820 CHAUTAUGUE CHAUTAUQUA CO. NY 48
Ward Caleb 1820 GERRY CHAUTAUQUA CO. NY 77
Ward Hope 1820 ORANGVILL GENESEE CO. NY 203
Ward Daniel 1820 LE ROY GENESEE CO. NY 154
Ward Chester 1820 LEICESTER GENESEE CO. NY 161
Ward Jabez 1820 PERRY GENESEE CO. NY 235
Ward Jeremiah 1820 SWEDEN GENESEE CO. NY 281
Ward Amesa 1820 BETHANY GENESEE CO. NY 48
Ward John 1820 BERGEN GENESEE CO. NY 36
Ward Abner 1820 BERGEN GENESEE CO. NY 36
Ward Erastus 1820 ELBA GENESEE CO. NY 114
Ward Samuel 1820 ORANGVILLE GENESEE CO. NY 203
Ward William 1820 PERRY GENESEE CO. NY 234
Ward James 1820 SHELDON GENESEE CO. NY 271
Ward Samuel 1820 PEMBROKE GENESEE CO. NY 218
Ward Lyman 1820 ATTICA GENESEE CO. NY 12
Ward Luke 1820 SWEDEN GENESEE CO. NY 281
Ward Live 1820 BERGEN GENESEE CO. NY 37
Ward Justis 1820 SHELDON GENESEE CO. NY 271
Ward Joy 1820 BERGEN GENESEE CO. NY 41
Ward Julious 1820 YORK GENESEE CO. NY 317
Ward Levi 1820 COVINGTON GENESEE CO. NY 90
Ward James 1820 HAMBURGH NIAGARA CO. NY 171
Ward Thomas 1820 GROVELAND ONTARIO CO. NY 93
Ward Chauncy 1820 RICHMOND ONTARIO CO. NY 35
Ward Samuel 1820 GROVELAND ONTARIO CO. NY 96
Ward Stephen 1820 CANADAIGUA ONTARIO CO. NY 220
Ward Er. 1820 RICHMOND ONTARIO CO. NY 36
Ward Taber 1820 AVON ONTARIO CO. NY 189
Ward Moses 1820 PHELPS ONTARIO CO. NY 302
Ward Artemas 1820 PALMYRA ONTARIO CO. NY 339
Ward Allen 1820 MINDON ONTARIO CO. NY 357
Ward William 1820 VICTOR ONTARIO CO. NY 323
Ward Levi 1820 PALMYRA ONTARIO CO. NY 330
Ward Jabez 1820 RICHMOND ONTARIO CO. NY 41
Ward Daniel 1820 SPRINGWATER ONTARIO CO. NY 85
Ward William 1820 VICTOR ONTARIO CO. NY  
Ward Shadrick 1820 RICHMOND ONTARIO CO. NY 40
Ward Daniel 1820 JUNIUS SENECA CO. NY 113
Ward Bansonia 1820 JUNIUS SENECA CO. NY 107
Ward John 1820 JUNIUS SENECA CO. NY 110
Ward William 1820 COVERT SENECA CO. NY  
Ward William 1820 COVERT SENECA CO. NY 57
Ward Jacob 1820 WOLCOTT SENECA CO. NY  
Ward Smith 1820 JUNIUS SENECA CO. NY 114
Ward Jacob 1820 WOLCOTT SENECA CO. NY 136
Ward Eli 1820 WOLCOTT SENECA CO. NY 136
Ward Leeman 1820 GALEN SENECA CO. NY 120
Ward Henry 1820 PAINTED POST STEUBEN CO. NY 183
Ward Abijah 1820 PAINTED POST STEUBEN CO. NY 183
Ward Elisha 1820 READING STEUBEN CO. NY 259
Ward Jonas 1820 PAINTED POST STEUBEN CO. NY 183
Ward Charels 1820 READING STEUBEN CO. NY 268
Ward Warehouse 1820 ADDISON STEUBEN CO. NY 241
Ward Anthony 1820 ADDISON STEUBEN CO. NY 241
Ward Isaac 1820 PAINTED POST STEUBEN CO. NY 183
Ward Osbood 1820 CANDOR TIOGA CO. NY 286
Ward Reuben 1820 CAYUTA TIOGA CO. NY  
Ward Stephen 1820 TIOGA TIOGA CO. NY 293
Ward Reuben 1820 CAYUTA TIOGA CO. NY 264

15. 1820 Pike, Allegany County, New York(11)
James Ward
     1 male of 26 and under 45
     1 males 45 or up
     3 females under 10
     1 female of 26 and under 45

Is this the same James Ward that was living in Nunda in the 1810 census, above?



16. 1830 Almond, Allegany County, New York(12)
Hiram Ward
     1 male under 5
     1 male of 30 and under 40
     2 females under 5
     2 females of 5 and under 10
     1 female of 5 and under 10
     1 female of 20 and under 30
     1 female of 50 and under 60

Thomas Ward
     1 male of 60 and under 70
     1 female of 15 and under 20
     1 female of 60 and under 70

Ashbe (?) Ward
     1 male of 5 and under 10
     1 male of 15 and under 20
     1 male of 30 and under 40
     2 females under 5
     1 female of 10 and under 15
     1 female of 30 and under 40

This is likely to be Ashbel, Zenus Ward's son, mentioned in 14, above.

Thomas Ward Jr.      2 males under 5
     1 male of 5 and under 10
     1 male of 30 and under 40
     1 females of 5 and under 10
     1 female of 10 and under 15
     1 female of 30 and under 40

17. 1830 Canadea, Allegany County, New York(13)
John Ward
     2 males under 5
     1 male of 5 and under 10
     1 male of 10 and under 15
     1 male of 30 and under 40
     1 female under 5
     2 females of 5 and under 10
     1 female of 15 and under 20
     1 female of 20 and under 30
     1 female of 30 and under 40

Where was James Ward of Nunda, Allegany County in the 1830? above?



Wards - Ontario County, New York Land Sales(14)
Year Grantee Grantor book page
1826 Abbey, Aaron Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, Anne Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, Cheney Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, Dexter Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, Rawson Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, Sally Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, William Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1826 Abbey, William heir Ward, Samuel Jr 45 180
1810 Acer, John Ward, Thomas 14 262
1822 Bangs, Reuben Ward, Levi 40 99
1813 Barnhart, Isaac Ward, Levi 19 442

18. Wards in Livingston County, New York 1796(15)
About the year 1760 George Ward, with his wife, Mary Grier, and son, Thomas, left their home in Durham, England, and sailed for America. They settled at Hanover, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Harrisburg. Thomas was born in England in 1759. He enlisted and served in Wisner's regiment throughout the Revolutionary War. In 1796 he came to Livingston County and located on a tract of lane in what is now the town of Groveland.

On the 1820 US Census for New York, in item 15 above, the Thomas Ward & Samuel Ward of Groveland, New York are almost certainly a father (Thomas) and a son (Samuel). Thomas's father, George Ward, appears to be the great grandfather of Gen George Armstrong Custer. Thomas & Samuel's graves (as well as a couple of other very old Ward graves) can be seen at: Graves

A brief history of this Ward family can be found at:George Ward history

19. WARD Wills files in Early 1800's in Western Counties of New York
Name of Testator: Residence: Vol # - Page # Time Frame
CAYUGA COUNTY
  WARD John BRUTUS A1-177 (1799-1810)
  WARD John AUBURN A2-367 (1830-1833)
  WARD Jonas BRUTUS A1-38 (1799-1810)
  WARD Jonah MENTZ C1-189 (1824-1829)
  WARD Stephen AURELIUS A1-98 (1799-1810)
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
  WARD Fenner POMFRET 1-47 (1830-1843)
LIVINGSTON COUNTY
  WARD Samuel GROVELAND 2-65 (1823-1835)
  WARD Thomas GROVELAND 2-190 (1823-1835)
WAYNE COUNTY
  WARD Artemas MACEDON B-241 (1832-1841)

Does anyone have access to or own a copy of any of these wills? Can you scan or photocopy them and forward to the author of this page?



20. Will of Thomas WARD of Livingston County(16)

I Thomas Ward of the town of Groveland in the County of Livingston and state of New York aged about seventy four years being desirous to discharge the duty which every man owes his family by making such provisions for the distribution of my property as shall be just and equitable do make publish and declare this my last will and testament as follows

First - I direct that the expenses of my last sickness and of my funeral expenses be paid in preference to any ------ to legacy herein contained ---

Second - To my daughters Mary Whitnah, Elizabeth Waterous and Ann Ward I have already advanced and paid what I believe is just and proper as their portion and share of my estate both real and personal estate.

Third - In consideration that my daughter Mary Whitnah is with her family now residing in a new and uncultivated country and that a little aid maybe useful to enable her to overcome the embarraxxment to unavoidable to persons thus situated I do hereby order and direct that my executor herein after named shall either before or after my death though as speedily as maybe pay to my said daughter Mary the sum of three thousand dollars and her or her said husband receipt for the same shall be conclusive evidence of he payment thereof and which shall in full of all claims or demands which the said Mary or her said Husband ot their heirs shall have of make upon my estate.

Fourth - I give devise and bequest to my son John Ward his heirs and assigns all the rest of and residue of ...

There is more, of course, but those 4 children are the only descendants mentioned.



21. Connewango Pioneers, CATTARAUGUS CO. NEW YORK(17)
Lomis Lillie settled on lot 21, Joseph Cunningham on Lot 32 and Luke Ward on lot 32, in 1823.
Elisha Ward, Stephen Crocker, and Freeman Edwards located near Perrysburgh Village in 1817.


Footnotes for "Study of Early 1800 WARDs in Western New York Counties"

22. Atlasof Allegany County, New York, 1869 by D. G. Beers & Co.
23. 1810 Federal Census of Allegany County, New York
24. John S. Minard, Allegany County and its People. A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany County, New York, W. A. Fergusson & Co., Alfred, N.Y., 1896.
25. Record of Deeds, Allegany County, New York
26. Letter from Historian Robert H. Gath of Nunda, New York.
27. Surrogate Records of Allegany County, New York, Petition for Proof of Will
28. Names of 1st Grantees in the Holland Purchase of Wyoming County, New York.
29. Genesee County Land Records of Town of Sheldon, New York
30. Guardianship Orders (1852-1864) on file in the Allegany County Surrogate's Office, Belmont, New York.
31. 1820 Federal Census Index of New York
32. 1820 Federal Census of Pike, Allegany County, New York
33. 1830 Federal Census of Almond, Allegany County, New York
34. 1830 Federal Census of Canadea, Allegany County, New York
35. Ontario County, New York Deed Index, Grantees, 1789 - 1845
36. History of Livingston County, NY; 1905, Page 109
37. Livingston County, NY Surrogates Office, Record of Wills, Volume 2 1823 - 1835, Page 190-191
38. HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS CO. NEW YORK WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS, by L. H. Everts, J. B. Lippincott and Co, Philadelphia, 1879.