The Gifford Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

The family of Gifford is of high antiquity and was seated at Honfleur, Normandy, three centuries before the conquest of England by Duke William, the Conqueror. At the battle of Hastings in 1066 “Sire Rumdolph de Gifforde” was one of the conqueror’s standard bearers, and was rewarded by him with estates in Somersetshire and Cheshire, which were created into a barony from which his descendants had summons to parliament. In the reign of King Henry II., Sir Peter Gifford married Alice, daughter and heiress of Sir Grey de Corpuchim, with whom he had the lordship of Chillington, in Cheshire, which was the seat of the Dukes of Buckingham of this family. Sir Stephen Gifford was one of the barons accompanying Richard Coeur de Lion to the Holy Land, and was killed at the siege of Jerusalem; his son, Sir Stephen, was also wounded there. The family enjoyed great distinction at the English court for several centuries, and at one time five peerages existed in the family name. Baron George Gifford was made Earl of Buckingham by King Henry V., but joining the House of York against that of Lancaster, during the “War of the Roses,” and being one of the prime favorites of King Edward V., he was created Duke of Buckingham, and married the Princess Maude Van Plantagenet, cousin of the King. His son, George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, was one of the favorites of the Duke of Gloucester, afterward King Richard III., and being detected by that tyrant in the act of corresponding with the Earl of Richmond, afterward King Henry VII., he was attainted of high treason and beheaded by Richard’s orders. The Duke left several small children, but as they had been deprived of their lands and titles, the king, Henry VII., found it more convenient not to restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, a powerful noble, having married the oldest daughter of Henry, was created by him Duke of Buckingham. The Staffords followed the fate of their maternal ancestor; the grandson of Humphrey was beheaded, and his family deprived of their vast estates. Of the sons of the last George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, George continued the first line, and continually solicited the crown and parliament for his restoration, but on account of the powerful opposition of his brother-in-law, Stafford, was always defeated. The Giffords in the reign of King Henry VIII., and queens, Mary and Elizabeth, put their claims before the English parliament, never, however, successfully. In the reign of James I., Sir Ambrose Gifford claimed before the house of peers to be the Duke of Buckingham, and in the second year after the reign of Charles I. his claims were disallowed on account of his politics. Walter Gifford, the son of Sir Ambrose, emigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and was the progenitor of the American branch of this ancient family. Noted descendants are: The celebrated critic, Sir John Gifford; and Lord Gifford, master of the rolls, who prosecuted, while attorney-general of England, the wife of George IV., Queen Caroline, upon a charge of high crimes and misdemeanors. Coat-of-arms: Gules, three lions passant, argent; crest, an arm couped above the elbow, vested or charged with two bars wavy, azure, cuffed white, holding in the hand a stag’s head, cabossed, gules. Motto: “Nothing without the Divinity.”

(II) Walter Gifford

Walter, son of Sir Ambrose Gifford, emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and was the progenitor of the branch of the Gifford family in America herein traced. While there are many who will controvert the statement above, there are many others who accept the fact that Walter Gifford was the son of Sir Ambrose, and the father of William. Walter Gifford married and had a son William, of whom further.

(III) William Gifford

William, son of Walter Gifford, was, according to Huntington’s History of Stamford, Connecticut, before the court of that settlement in 1647. The sentence of the court against him was, that he be whipped at the court’s discretion and banished. The supposition is that this William Gifford is the same William Gifford we find in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and a member of the grand inquest at Plymouth in 1650. He continued to reside in Sandwich until his death, with the exception of five years, between 1665 and 1670, when he, with George Allen and the sons of Peter Gaunt, all of Sandwich, together with others, were the first proprietors and settlers of Monmouth, New Jersey, having purchased the land from the Indians; and to them the Monmouth patent was granted, April 8, 1665. They were adherents of the Quaker faith, both in Massachusetts and New Jersey. William Gifford owned land in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. His Massachusetts possessions consisted of lands in Sandwich, Falmouth and Dartmouth. The facsimile of the deed exists, of a forty-acre parcel, purchased of a Suckanessett (Falmouth) Indian named Job Attukkoo, July 24, 1673. He gave by will to his sons, Jonathan and James, lands in Falmouth, Massachusetts. He also deeded to his sons, Robert and Christopher, lands in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, both of whom erected homesteads upon their estates. Robert continued to live in Dartmouth, while Christopher moved later to Little Compton, Rhode Island. Both have many descendants now living in southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. William probably deeded his Connecticut lands to his son, John, who gave by will one hundred acres in the colony of Connecticut, to his son, Samuel, and two hundred acres to his grandsons. He died April 9, 1687. Children:

1. John;
2. Hannaniah, living in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1700;
3. William, died 1738, married (second) Lydia Hatch, born 2, 1, 1711;
4. Christopher, born 1658, died 11, 22, 1748, married Deborah Perry;
5. Robert, died 1730, married Sarah Wing;
6. Patience, died 1678, married Richard Kirby;
7. Mary; Jonathan, born 5, 4, 1684, married Lydia;
8. James, born 3, 10, 1686, married 3, 30, 1710, Deborah Lewis.

(IV) Robert Gifford

Robert, son of William Gifford, was born in 1660, died in 1730. He lived at Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and married Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Sarah Briggs. Children:

1. Benjamin;
2. Jeremiah;
3. Stephen;
4. Timothy,
5. Simeon.

(V) Simeon Gifford

Simeon, son of Robert Gifford, married Susannah _____. Children:

1. Job, born May 28, 1725;
2. Sarah, July 1, 1728;
3. Simeon (2), October 29, 1730.

(VI) Job Gifford

Job, son of Simeon and Susannah Gifford, was born May 28, 1725. He lived in Salem county, New Jersey, where he married and had issue, including a son, Job (2), with whom the history in McKean county begins.

(VII) Job (2) Gifford

Job (2), son of Job (1) Gifford, was born in Salem county, New Jersey, April 20, 1796, died in Keating township, McKean county, Pennsylvania, on his farm, January 11, 1874. He was educated in Salem county, and there conducted farming operations until after his marriage. He resided at Norwich, Pennsylvania, then bought a farm in Keating township, which he cultivated until his retirement from active labor. He was a Democrat in politics, and an active worker, with his wife, in the Baptist church. He married in Salem county, May 5, 1816, Nancy Woodruff, born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, December 21, 1796, died in Keating township, September 9, 1878. Children:

1. Jonathan, born in Salem county, New Jersey, December 21, 1817, died in Emporium, Pennsylvania, a journalist; married Elizabeth Taylor, of New Jersey; children:
   1. John T., resides in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania;
   2. Louis, deceased.
2. David, born in Norwich, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1819, died in Corry, Pennsylvania, a farmer; married Sally Curtis, and left issue.
3. William, of whom further.
4. Sarah (Polly), born in Norwich, April 11, 1822, died in Keating township; married Moses Hackett, a farmer, son of Seth Hackett.
5. Job, born in Norwich, March 14, 1824, died in Smethport, a veterinarian and butcher; married Emmeline Cobb, and left issue.
6. Alexander, born in Norwich, July 21, 1825, died in Keating township, a farmer; married Harriet Hackett; children:
   1. Duello, lives in Crosby, Pennsylvania;
   2. Ella, in Keating township.
7. Henry, born in Sergeant, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1827, died in Emporium, Pennsylvania, a farmer; married Rachel Morrison; child:
   1. Elizabeth.
8. Harriet, born in Sergeant, August 21, 1829, died in Keating township; married James Hackett, a farmer, deceased, and left issue.
9. Rejoice, born in Sergeant, August 6, 1831, died in Emporium, Pennsylvania; married David Morrison, a farmer; no issue.
10. Leander, born in Norwich, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1834, died in Washington, D. C., an employee of the government in the treasury department; married Letina Hyde; child:
    1. Cora, living in Washington, unmarried.
11. Alonzo, born in Norwich, October 3, 1838, died unmarried in Keating township.
12. Jane, born in Keating township, April 21, 1840; married John Duntley. Children:
    1. Jeremiah, of Keating township.
    2. Mildred, of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
    3. Gertrude, deceased.
    4. Emma, married Mr. Hartmeyer, and lives in Buffalo, New York.
    5. Bessie, married Charles Curtis, and lives in Keating township.

(VIII) William Gifford

William, third son of Job and Mary (Woodruff) Gifford, was born at Bunker Hill, McKean county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1820, died in Smethport, June 19, 1889. He was educated in the public schools, remained on the home farm until his marriage, then settled on a farm of his own at Gifford Hollow, about two and a half miles from Smethport, where he found a ready market for his farm products. He was a Democrat in politics, and was school director and supervisor of Keating township for many years. He was a consistent Christian and with his wife belonged to the Baptist church. He married at Liberty, McKean county, September 3, 1843, Louisa F. Hackett, born in Chemung county, New York, February 11, 1823, died at Smethport, September 7, 1892, daughter of Seth Hackett, born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, July 4, 1796, died at Gifford Hollow, 1882. His wife, Electa, was born August 12, 1798, at Oxford, Chenango county, New York. Children of Seth Hackett:

1. Moses, born June 10, 1818; married Sarah Gifford, of previous mention. Children:
   1. Lavinia, deceased.
   2. Justina, of Emporium, Pennsylvania.
   3. Alice, deceased.
   4. Lelia.
   5. Albert.
   6. Nancy, who lives in Potter county.
2. Charles, born July 16, 1820, died May 19, 1848.
3. Louise F., of previous mention.
4. Pamelia, born November 7, 1825; married Samuel Thompson, a farmer; both deceased.
5. Seymour, born March 2, 1828, deceased, a lumberman of Emporium, Pennsylvania.
6. Margaret, born October 6, 1830; married Miles White, a hotel keeper of Coudersport, Pennsylvania; both deceased; children:
   1. Milart,
   2. Carrie
   3. Michael.
7. Mary, born May 25, 1832, died June 15, 1880; married Isaac Duntley; children:
   1. Edgar, deceased;
   2. Monte,
   3. Cora,
   4. Electa
   5. Ross.
8. Sarah Ann, born January 25, 1836; married John Goodwin, a mill worker of Emporium; both deceased; children:
   1. Clara, deceased,
   2. Stella, married a Mr. Parks, and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
9. Henry, born September 11, 1838, a merchant of Philadelphia; married and has issue.

Children of William and Louisa F. Gifford, all born near Smethport, Pennsylvania:

1. Zavalia Depew, of whom further.
2. Seth J., born December 27, 1847, now a retired lumber man, living in Carthage, New York; married Nellie Dunbar; child:
   1. Myrtle, born 1877, married William A. Ostrander (see Ostrander).
3. Warley, born January 31, 1853, an oil speculator and operator; married Emma Gallup; child:
   1. Roy, born 1879, now an electrical engineer in Chicago, married Mary Ryan (see Ryan).
4. Leander, born November 6, 1855, a glass worker; married Ellen Bennett, of Smethport; child:
   1. Theo, born September 3, 1885, resides in Williamsport, unmarried.
5. Jennie E., born May 28, 1862, died February 3, 1873.
6. William, born April 17, 1865, a mill worker in Randolph county, West Virginia.

(IX) Zavalia Depew Gifford

Zavalia Depew, eldest child of William and Louisa F. (Hackett) Gifford, was born in Smethport, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1845. He attended the public schools until he began work as clerk in a hotel, where he remained but a short time. He next became a saw mill worker at Emporium, Pennsylvania, remaining two years, returning to Smethport, and continuing in the same line of work until 1900. Since that date he has been employed by F. D. Gallup, C. D. Comes and Charles McKean on special work, being now (1912) in the employ of the latter. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married, December 26, 1868, Emma Bishop, born in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1849, coming to Smethport with her parents in 1858, and obtaining her education in the public schools of that borough. She is a member of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She is the daughter of Amos Bishop, born in 1816, of the New England Bishop family, who died in Smethport, September 22, 1900, a carpenter. He married Adeliza Arnold, born in Otsego county, New York, at Whitestone, in 1818, died in Smethport, January 1, 1891. Children of Amos Bishop:

• Adelbert, born in Otsego county, New York, July, 1839; married in Smethport, Ellen McCoy, and is now living in Bradford, Pennsylvania, an architect.
• Ann, born April, 1844, in Otsego county, now living in Smethport, unmarried.
• Emma, of previous mention, wife of Zavalia Gifford.

Samuel Bishop

The foregoing are grandchildren of Samuel Bishop, born in New England in 1778, died in Smethport in 1863, a farmer of Cooperstown, New York, where his wife, a Miss Curtis, born in New England, died. Children of Samuel Bishop:

• William, deceased.
• Eleazer, a physician for a time in Potter county, Pennsylvania, who moved, and nothing further is known of him.
• Mary, died in Knoxville, Pennsylvania, in 1859; married Wells Bellows, a physician of Knoxville, deceased; children: Clarence, deceased, and Newton, a farmer of Knoxville.
• Amos, of previous mention, father of Mrs. Z. Gifford.

Adeliza Arnold

Adeliza Arnold, the mother of Mrs. Gifford, was the daughter of George Arnold, who lived in Whitestone, New York, and married a Miss Hafford and had issue:

1. Aaron, died in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, a lumberman and merchant; married Ellen Midberry, of Otsego county, New York; children:
   1. Fitz Henry, deceased.
   2. Violetta, deceased.
2. John, died in Illinois, a farmer; married Ruth Brown of Otsego county. Children:
   1. Frank, a banker of Seattle, Washington.
   2. Fitz James, deceased.
   3. Angelia, resides in New York City.
   4. Augusta, resides in Wyoming.
   5. George, deceased.
3. Emmeline, died in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania; married Elias Shurtz, a farmer. Children:
   1. Orsino.
   2. Henry, deceased.
   3. Melvina, deceased.
   4. John, lives in Williamsport.
   5. Fitz Allen, resides in Port Allegany.
   6. Josephine, resides in Port Allegany.
   7. William, resides in Minnesota.
   8. Ellen, deceased.
   9. Emma, deceased.
4. Edith, died near Smethport; married Wheeler Gallup, deceased, a farmer; children:
   1. Elizabeth, deceased.
   2. Viola, deceased.
5. Adeliza, mother of Mrs. Gifford.

Children of Zavalia Depew and Emma (Bishop) Gifford:

• Guy, born in Emporium, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1871, now a car inspector at Olean, New York, unmarried.
• Gretchen, born in Smethport, April 5, 1876, a graduate of Smethport high school; married Harry Weaver, an engineer, now living in Davis, West Virginia; children: Dorothy, born December 18, 1899; and James, born October 15, 1907.
• Beatrice, born June 3, 1883, in Smethport, where she now resides, a graduate of high school, unmarried.

(IX) Warley Gifford

Warley, son of William and Louisa F. (Hackett) Gifford, was born in Keating township, McKean county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1853. He was educated in the public school, continuing until of sufficient age and attainment to become himself a teacher. He only taught, however, two terms in McKean county, but in 1873 entered the employ of Henry Hamlin in his store. In 1879 he purchased from Mr. Hamlin this Smethport store, in partnership with Mr. Haskell, and continued two years, when he sold his interest and retired from the firm. He then formed a partnership with C. S. King, and until 1884 was engaged with him in mercantile business. In the latter year he became a partner with his brother Seth in the lumber business, continuing successfully until 1906. Since the latter date he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of window glass. He is a director of the Tuna Glass Company, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, and of the Oswayo Chemical Company, having interests in other enterprises of a minor nature. He is a lifelong Democrat, and has given freely of his time and ability to the public service. He was commissioner of McKean county one year, by appointment of the government to fill a vacancy; chief burgess of Smethport one term, borough councilman two terms, and borough auditor several terms. His fraternal orders are: the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Smethport; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Morgantown, West Virginia; and his clubs: the Central, of Smethport, and the Merchants, of Bradford. In religious faith he is a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

He married, June 6, 1876, Emma A. Gallup, born in Keating township, McKean county, January 24, 1852. She was educated in the public school, finishing in a private school at Cuba, New York. She then taught school for a few years, in the McKean county schools. She is a member of the patriotic order Daughters of the American Revolution; of the Travelers Club, of which she was president for two years; and of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of Eben Gallup, born in Norwich township, McKean county, March 17, 1821, died in Smethport, August, 1896. He was a farmer of Keating township, a Democrat, and held many offices including county commissioner and school director. He married Phoebe King Windsor, born in Smethport, October 26, 1830, died in June, 1905, daughter of Eben Windsor. Eben was a son of Nathaniel Gallup (see Gallup VII).

Children of Eben Gallup:

1. Emma A., of previous mention.
2. Carrie, born in Keating township March 16, 1857; married (first) Fred Smith, a farmer, killed by his own horses, no issue; married (second) U. Fisher, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, a publisher’s agent, living in Smethport, no issue.

Children of Warley and Emma A. (Gallup) Gifford, both born in Smethport:

1. Roy, born September 24, 1878, now an electrical engineer, residing in Illinois; married Mary Ryan, of Kane, Pennsylvania. Children:
   1. Edmund Warland, born April 16, 1906;
   2. John McDonald, October 24, 1907;
   3. William Carleton, 1912.
2. Ethel, born February 22, 1880; married Louis H. Marks, born June 23, 1876, in Jackson, New Jersey, a glasscutter, now living in Smethport. Child:
   1. Emma Agnes, born June 16, 1910.

The Cogswell Line

(I) John Cogswell

John Cogswell, born in England, married, September 16, 1615, Elizabeth Thompson. He emigrated to America, settling in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and is the founder of this branch of the Cogswell family.

(II) William Cogswell

William, son of John Cogswell, was born in Melbury, Leigh, England, in 1619, and came to America where he married, in 1649, Susanne Hawks, born in Charlottetown, Massachusetts, in 1633. They resided in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he died September 15, 1700.

(III) William (2) Cogswell

William (2), second son of William (1) Cogswell, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, December 4, 1659, died April 14, 1708. He married, October 9, 1685, Martha Emerson, born November 28, 1662, daughter of Rev. John and Ruth (Symonds) Emerson.

(IV) Edward Cogswell

Edward, son of William (2) Cogswell, was born in Gloucester, August 13, 1686, died April 17, 1773. He married, in 1708, Harriet Brown, and lived in Chebacco parish, Ipswich. His wife died in June, 1771.

(V) Nathaniel Cogswell

Nathaniel, son of Edward Cogswell, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, February 13, 1714. He married (first) December 8, 1739, Huldah Kinney, or Kinne, born in Preston, Connecticut; (second) 1757, Mrs. Bridget Wedge Cleveland; (third) Mrs. Eunice Williams. Children by first marriage:

1. Eunice, born October 22, 1738.
2. Huldah, May 10, 1740.
3. Nathaniel, May 16, 1742.
4. Louis, April 17, 1744.
5. Judith, January 30, 1746.
6. John, December 28, 1747.
7. Martha, February 9, 1749.
8. Zerviah, July 14, 1752.
9. Nathan, October 11, 1754.
10. Elizabeth, twin of Nathan. By his other marriages he had nine more children. The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, says eight of his sons served in the revolution.

(VI) Elizabeth Cogswell

Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Cogswell, by his first wife, Huldah Kinney, was born October 11, 1754. She married, at Griswold, Connecticut, Rev. Levi Hart, officiating, May 2, 1782, Wheeler Gallup (see Gallup VI). The following act of the Connecticut assembly, May, 1763, is recorded: “This assembly do establish Mr. Nathan Cogswell to be lieutenant of the second company or train band of the town of Preston.” Again, in 1778, as follows: “To be ensign of the 10th company or train band in the 21st regiment in this state.” From records of the State of Connecticut, volume 2, page 31.

Children of Wheeler and Elizabeth (Cogswell) Gallup:

1. Dolly, born in Voluntown, Connecticut, April 1, 1783, married in 1801, John Cogswell.
2. Elizabeth, born March 6, 1785, married Jonathan Colegrove.
3. Nathaniel C., born March 15, 1787, married Dinah Edmunds.
4. Huldah, born at Voluntown, March 7, 1789, died at Plainfield, Connecticut, May 2, 1872.
5. Sallie, born in Voluntown, March 17, 1791; married, November 23, 1813, Gilbert Brown, and lived in Pennsylvania.
6. Wheeler (2), born in Voluntown, September 30, 1793; married (first) Mary Gallup, July 2, 1815; later moved to Pennsylvania, and married (second) Edith Arnold.

It is from Nathaniel Cogswell, the revolutionary soldier, through his daughter Elizabeth who married Wheeler Gallup, her great-grandfather, that Mrs. Emma A. (Gallup) Gifford gains one line of revolutionary descent.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content