Daniel Row COUCH

Notes:

From Jerusalem, Yates County, Ny, 1850 federal census (Pg. 73) ...
Dwelling 441, Family 456
Silas M. Couch, age 40, farmer, born Ny
Margaret, age 55, born Ny
Mary A, age 11, born Ny
Daniel, age 9, born Ny
Joseph, age 6, born Ny
Silas, age 2, born Ny
Susan C Couch, age 1, born Ny
Sussanna Milspaugh, age 65, born Ny
Elizabeth, age 27, born Ny

Jerusalem, Yates County, Ny, 1855 state census
Couch Daniel 2/212
Couch Dewit S 2/212
Couch Hannah E 2/212
Couch Joseph 2/212
Couch Margrett 2/212
Couch Mary A 2/212
Couch Silas M 2/212
Couch Susan C 2/212

From Town of Jerusalem, Yates County, Ny, 1860 federal census (Pg. 639) ...
Dwelling 4, Family 4
Silas M. Couch, age 49, farmer, born Conn
Margaret, age 45, Domestic, born Ny
Mary A, age 18, Domestic, born Ny
Daniel R, age 19, Farm laborer, born Ny
Joseph, age 17, Farm laborer, born Ny
Silas D, age 14, born Ny
Susan C, age 11, born Ny
Elizabeth, age 9, born Ny
Susana Milspaugh, age 76, Domestic, born Ny
Eliza, age 39, Domestic, born Ny

Yates County Court Records Indictments 1823-1899
11-37-1851 People Vs Couch, Silas M, Common nuisance: sowing foul seed on public lands

Notes provided by Chris Barry:
In April 1851, a Yates County, New York grand jury indicted Silas M. Couch on a charge of creating a common
nuisance. The petition alleges he "did maliciously, wickedly, unlawfully & wilfully plant, sow, scutter and
spread" the seeds of "certain noxious and hurtful plants, weeds and vegetables" on public lands, making the land
"entirely useless and valueless to the good and honest citizens." District Attorney D.I. Sunderlin is unsparing in
his description of the alleged offender: "Silas M. Couch, late of the town of Jerusalem in the said County of
Yates, yeoman, being an evil dispised [sic] person and of a wicked and malicious disposition and unlawfully and
wilfully contriving how to harass and injure the good citizens..." (From Yates County Court Records, Indictments
1823-1899, locator 11-37, photocopies courtesy Yates County Historian). The outcome of the case is not clear
from the record at hand, but it is hoped that Silas' only offense was planting the seeds of legal hyperbole.
Silas M. Couch, 59, farmer, appears in the 1870 U.S. Census of Tyrone, Schuyler County NY, pg. 6, dwelling
45, family 48 (enum. 27 July 1870). Listed with him are Margaret, 54, Mary, 31, Daniel, 29, Joseph, 25, Susan,
20 and Elizabeth, 18. The 1875 NY State Census lists Silas and Margaret, along with children Mary A., Daniel
R., Susan C. and Elizabeth in Canandaigua, Ontario County (Election District 1, pg. 14, family 119, enum. 8 June
1875). Silas is not enumerated with his wife and family in the 1880 U.S. Census (see notes for Margaret).
His will, dated 15 Jan. 1891, says he is of Jerusalem, Yates County, NY. William T. Hurd is named executor.
Bequests to: "Wilson S. Couch One hundred and fifty dollars."

"Second...The remainder of my estate I bequeath to the Presbyterian Church for the education of poor children."
"Before the above legacies are paid my executor shall procure a suitable tombstone and pay all my funeral
expenses."
"The amount given by me to my brother Wilson S. Couch is the legacy received by me from my sister Sally M.
Coon."
The 1892 NY State Census of Jerusalem, Yates County, lists Silas M. Crouch [sic], 80, after the family of
Benjamin Egleston. (1st Election District, pg. 11). The family of J. Stephen Raymond follows.
Petition for proof of will, dated 12 Oct. 1894, says the estate is worth $900 and lists heirs Daniel R. Couch, son,
Susan Brown, daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Emerson, daughter, all of Canandaigua. (From Yates County Office of
Public History, will file 129C).

Silas married Margaret MILLSPAUGH on 29 Nov 1837 in Montgomery, Orange Co, NY. Margaret was born about 1815 in Orange Co, NY; died on 29 Sep 1890 in Canandaigua, Ontario, NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Notes provided by Chris Barry:
The 1880 U.S. Census of Canandaigua, Ontario County NY, ED 117, dwelling 140, family 144, Pg. 62D, lists
Margaret Couch, age 65, living with her son Daniel, 39, and his sisters Elizabeth, 28, and Susan, 30. The column
"widowed or divorced" is checked for Margaret. Although her husband Silas is not listed in the 1880 Census,
Margaret clearly was not a widow. All of Margaret's children are listed as single. Also in the household is
Frederick Cowle, 27, laborer, and Merton Couch, 5, listed as a nephew to Daniel.

Notes:

The US Census of 1820 and 1830 places Silas' family in Mamakating, Sullivan County, NY

from Town of Montgomery, Crawford Township, Orange County, Ny 1850 Federal Census (pg 229) ...
Dwelling 506, Family 564 ...
Couch, Silas C., age 64, laborer, born Connecticut
Hannah, age 62, born Connecticut

Dwelling 506, Family 565 ...
Couch, James, age 31, laborer, born Ny
Susan, age 29, born Ny
Henrietta, age 4, born Ny
Hester A, age 2, born Ny
Hannah L., age 6/12, born Ny

Dwelling 507, Family 566 ...
William Hammond, age 40, Mason, Born Ny

Hannah A., age 37, Born Connecticut
Mary J., age 7, Born Ny
Charles S., age 5, Born Ny
John, age 1, Born Ny

from Crawford Township, Orange County, Ny 1860 Federal Census ...
dwelling 238, family 245
Silas C. Couch, age 74, Gate Keeper, born Connecticut
Hannah, age 71, born Connecticut

Silas is living with son-in-law, William Hammond and Daughter Hannah in the 1870 Montgomery, Orange County,
Ny census.

18 January 1848: William Couch, Samuel Couch, Silas C. Couch, Daniel Couch and Ebenezer Couch convey
land in Fallsburgh, Sullivan County, to Friend S. Couch (Sullivan Co. Deeds, Liber 25, Pg. 655).
"Mr. Silas Couch is 89 years old" (Republican & Standard & Wallkill Valley Times, Montgomery NY, 23 July
1875 Pg. 3; Microfilm at NY Historical Society, NYC).

Silas married Hannah PEET on 11 Nov 1808 in Washington, Litchfield Co, CT. Hannah was born on 5 Mar 1788 in CT; died on 18 Aug 1861 in Montgomery, Orange Co, NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Burial: Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Montgomery, Orange County, Ny
Note: Interred at the Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Montgomery, Orange County, NY. Head stone reads: died at the age of 73y, 5m, 13d

Notes:

From the Barbour Index - microfilm roll 002905.....
Couch, Elijah of Redding, m. Eunice Coply, of Woodbury, July 20, 1777 by, Jeremiah Day. Witnesses were Daniel Couch and Lucy Couch. Redding Vital records, Vol 1, page 49."

Elijah married Eunice COPLEY on 20 Jul 1777 in New Preston, Fairfield Co, CT. Eunice was born on 7 Dec 1754 in Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT; died on 8 May 1845. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Ebenezer Couch, Sr. is a D.A.R. certified veteran of the American Revolutionary War, serving for Connecticut: A026419

Ebenezer (Sr.) was also Chairman of the Observation Committee for Fairfield. In the Revolutionary War, that makes him the head of the Culpepper Spy ring in Fairfield, CT. The British became so angry over the success of spies in Fairfield as you may already know, they came w/Hessians across Long Island Sound in 1779 and burned Fairfield to the ground, house by house. That is why Captain Ebenezer and his younger brother, who was a private migrated together to Milton, NY, where they are buried, side by side. Later Sarah Kinney would be buried next to him. Many of the former residents of Fairfield, Ct migrated together to NY.

Ebenezer Couch was a member of the Safety Committee, his son who had several businesses in Fairfield, Conn., served as a Captain in the Revolutionary war, his son John, played the fife in his company and his son Ebenezer Jr., worked as a waiter for the company. One of their winter encampments in Connecticut is to this day undisturbed and military historians and archaeologists are trying to raise the funds to preserve the 50 plus acre site.

Captain Ebenezer Couch lost everything to include his wife, businesses, home, as a result of his service. The British wanted to teach the colonists a lesson and selected Fairfield, Connecticut as the place to demonstrate their brutality. The town was burned to the ground and innocent women and children were killed. George Washington addressed the sacrifice of the residents of Fairfield, Conn. Joel Bostwick who served under Captain Ebenezer Couch, died, and his wife, Sarah Kinney Bostwick, and Ebenezer would marry after the war. They would move the family to Saratoga, New York, and live on rented lands.

Christened:
History of Fairfield, V2, First Extant Parish Record of Christ's Church, Fairfield, p.479

Ebenezer married Ann CRANE on 18 May 1731 in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT. Ann was born on 24 May 1711 in Windham, Windham Co, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"The General Assembly met on the 12th of October, [1710] when Mr. James Rennet and Mr. Samuel Couch represented Fairfield. Mr. Samuel Couch was confirmed captain, Mr. John Osborn lieutenant and Mr. Benjamin Rumsey ensign of Green's Farms train-band." - The History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1700-1800, Vol. II

Capt. Samuel Couch, death also given as 1725 but will dated 1739, birth also given as abt.1670 (1666 date from Frost Gen.)

"The History of the Town of Catharine, Schuyler County, New York"
by The Tuttle Publishing Co. Inc., Rutland, Vermont, 1945.

Ensign, west company, Fairfield, June 1709; Lt. Oct 1709; Capt. Oct 1710;
Deputy (Fairfield), Oct 1710; Oct 1712, May and Oct 1720, May 173, Oct 1734;
Justice 1723-39.

Will 12 May 1739, proved 3 Dec 1739; advanced in years; legacies to sons Samuel,
Benjamin, John (at College, to have out of his estate education for four
years), and Ebenezer; daughters Eunice wife of Reuben Taylor and Abigail Couch;
grandson Joseph Jackson; residue equally to children, Samuel, Benjamin,
Ebenezer and Solomon Couch, Mary Couch, Edry Frost, Eunice Taylor, Elizabeth
Todd and Abigail Couch.

Samuel, Benjamin, Ebenezer and Solomon Couch, Joseph Crane and wife Mary, Joseph

Frost and wife Adra, Nathaniel Hibbard and wife Abigail, all of Fairfield,
Reuben Taylor and wife Eunice of Norwalk, and Rev. Jonathan Todd and wife
Elizabeth of Guilford, conveyed 15 June 1741 to brother John Couch of
Fairfield, land in Redding.

All information from:
"History & Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield"
by Donald Lines Jacobus, Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter DAR, Fairfield, CT, 1930.
Allen Co. Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Gc 974.602 F161j

Samuel married Edrea HURLBUT. Edrea (daughter of Thomas HURLBUT and Mary Brown) was born in 1674 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, CT; died on 24 Nov 1737 in Westport, Fairfield Co, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

birth also given as abt 1674, age 65 at death > 1737 death minus 65 years gives 1672 birth year from gravestone (1668 birth date from Frost Gen.)

Also given as Edra, and dau name is Edra.

http://www.bjpeters.com/bj/PS01/PS01_126.htm
Name *Edrea HURLBUT95 <../PS_SRC.htm>, 7G Grandmother Birth abt 1668, Jacobus states abt. 1674. Of, Fairfield, CT95 <../PS_SRC.htm> Death 24 Nov 173795 <../PS_SRC.htm> Occupation CLICK NAME FOR NOTES Father *Thomas HURLBUT , II <../PS05/PS05_023.htm>

Notes:

Simon treated slavery as indentured servitude. He became a free man in 1665 having endentured himself to the Andrews family for his passage over from Plymouth. Plymouth is close to Cornwall, England. By the time of his death, he owned two neighboring "bankside farms," on Long Island sound in CT and had 3 businesses. In his will, his slaves were to be set free and were each given 8 acres of the farm lands.

Unfortunately, when I copied the above statement about Simon Couch's treatment of slaves, I did not record the source. It is important to note that despite any benefit received by indentured people (of all colors including white), indentured people were essentially owned and treated poorly. Some did become free and climb to success, but this was not typical. If they did not in their "owner's" view prove to be loyal, many were sold into slavery. During Simon's lifetime, freeing slaves and giving them land may have been a good thing, and yet it was really only a small thing compared to what slaves endured in slavery. In later years, slave owners were required by law to support slaves they had liberated, and were also required to give them 50 acres each...so Simon's gifts, while perhaps better than many slave owners of his time, were not special and good, but were minimal, and could easily leave his freed slaves to a life even worse than slavery in his care. In fact, it was practices such as his, of freeing slaves and not necessarily assisting them afterward, that prompted the passing of laws to prevent such practices or penalize them to ensure freed people could survive without criminal activities they were often forced to engage in just to stay alive.
— Footnote by Doug Couch, 2020

Buried at Couch Burial Hill, Fairfield Co., CT

Will 22 Dec 1687, proved 15 Mar 1687/8; wife Mary; eldest son Thomas; 2nd son Simon; 3rd son Samuel; brother's son Thomas Couch that lives with me; brother's daughter living at John Grumman's; cousin Susannah Couch living at Milford; eldest daughters, Mary and Martha; daughters Sarah and Hannah. - "History & Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield" by Donald Lines Jacobus, Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter DAR, Fairfield, CT, 1930. Allen Co. Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Gc 974.602 F161j

Simon Couch was made a freeman 13 Oct 1664 - "History of Fairfield Vol 1 1889" pg 364 ("50 Puritan Ancestors")

The History of Fairfield Co, CT 1700-1800 Vol.1 gives Simon's will as 22 Dec 1687, proved in 1689. If his death date is 15 Mar 1687/88, the sequence is correct, allowing for transcription errors in how the dates were to be recorded.

Name:

Previously, the parents of Simon were given here with his father as Lewis (as received from someone who visited England and did research there). Upon later reviewing (as the records became available to me as "The Register Baptisms Marriages & Burials-Parish of Hartland Devon {England}), the Lewis who married in Hartland, Devon, England and had a son, Symon, I do not believe this Symon born 1615 is our Simon born 1633. Even though I have unlinked them, you can still view that lineage here.

In further support that our Simon Couch (by any spelling) was not born in Hartland, Devon, England in 1633, I'm providing the pages showing the baptisms for Hartland in 1633. Reviewing other years back several decades also do not show him, except for Symon born in 1615.
View 1633 Baptisms — For now, I am retaining the birth information for Simon as 1633 in Devonshire, England because various sources give this date...and because Devon is a very large area, with Hartland being only a very small town as part of it at the time. Devon West District and the middle of Devon overall is roughly 40 miles from Hartland; which lies further west and north. Simon could have a birth record elsewhere in Devon (Devonshire).

Died:
Simon Couch - Will 22 Dec 1687, probated 1689.

Simon married Mary Frances Andrews in 1664 in Fairfield Co, CT. Mary (daughter of Francis ANDREWS and Anna SMITH) was born about 1645 in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT; died in 1691 in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Inventory of Mary Couch, 22 May 1691, exhibited 27 Dec 1691. Adm'n granted to
Simon and Samuel Couch. Order to distribute to the children: Thomas ("if he
never come to this Country again"); Simon; Samuel; widow Mary Grumman; Martha,
Hannah and Sarah Couch.

Mary Couch conveyed 1689 to brother Thomas. Samuel Couch receipt 1694 to
brother Simon for legacy from mother Mary dec'd. Abraham Finch receipted 1697
for legacy from father-in-law Couch. Peter Coley receipted 1703 for legacy of
Hannah Couch, his present wife.

All information from:
"History & Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield"
by Donald Lines Jacobus, Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter DAR, Fairfield, CT, 1930.
Allen Co. Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Gc 974.602 F161j


Died:
• He [re will of Simon Coucn I] caused his sons to provide a fixed & ample allowance yearly for their mother.
• His [Simon Couch I's] s. Thomas sailed for England in 1689 ; & made his will of 8. April the same year, in which he gave his mother [Mary Andrews Couch] the use of his lands during her widowhood, & at her death to his brother Simon's eldest son, & if he had no son, to his brother Samuel's eldest son. His [Thomas Couch's] will was probated 2. Dec. 1691.
• Mary the widow of Simon Couch [I] died in 1691, & the use of the land left her by her s. Thomas, fell to the eldest son of her s. Samuel.
——— History of Fairfield, Vol. I, p.364 (re Simon Couch I, commentary on his will and subsequent family history facts related to the widowhood period of wife, Mary's life up until her death)

Notes:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/bluffs/2473/data/dat51.htm#16
web page gave Wethersfield, CT as birth place.

http://www.bjpeters.com/bj/PS01/PS01_126.htm
Gives as Thomas HURLBUT II

Thomas married Mary Brown. Mary was born on 10 Feb 1655 in Farmington, Hartford Co, CT; died about 1714 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, CT. [Group Sheet]

Unknown married Unknown Mother of Simon. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Found on the list of Origianal Hartford Founders - A list of those settlers who came to Hartford before February, 1640 He is listed as: Francis Andrews

list found online at:
ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ct/hartford/towns/hartford/prop001a.txt

"Francis Andrews purchased before 1640 the north part of Richard Buttler's lot on the corner of the present elm and Trinity Streets. Died in Fairfield. Will dated June 6, 1662; proved March 5, 1993." From Families of Early Hartford, CT page 10

Sources:
Abbrev: Families of Early Hartford, CT
Author: Lucius Barnes Barbour
Publication: Baltimore, Genealogical Publications, 1982
Repository:
Name: GenealogyLibrary.com (Family Tree Maker)

Page: 10
Quality: 3
Abbrev: Families of Early Hartford, CT
Author: Lucius Barnes Barbour
Publication: Baltimore, Genealogical Publications, 1982
Repository:
Name: GenealogyLibrary.com (Family Tree Maker)

Page: 10
Quality: 3
Text: d. 1662-3, died in Fairfield

===============================
copy of family group web page data: [bracketed comments added]

First Generation
1. Francis1 Andrus was born in England about 1620. Francis died 1662/1663 in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT, at 43 years of age. He married Anna Smith. Francis Andrews purchased before 1640, the north part of Richard Butler's lot on the corner of the present Elm & Trinity streets. He removed to Fairfield where he was an early member of the 1st Congregational Church. His name appears on the founders monument in Fairfield.

His will is dated 6 June 1662, proved 5 March 1663. Anna, late wife of Francis Andrews dec'd, sold to [!son-in-law] Simon Couch, 14 Mar 1663/4; and on 28 Feb 1673/4 Couch had land entered which he had purchased of Ann Smith, Exec'x of the will of Francis Andrews. Francis may have been the brother of William of Hartford and John of Farmington. It is at least worth to note that John (son of Francis) and Thomas (son of William) m. sisters, daus. of John Kirby of Middletown; while Thomas (son of Francis) and Abraham (son of John) also m. sisters, daus. of Robert Porter of Farmington.

Francis [!Andrews] Andrus and Anna Smith had the following children:

2 i. Hannah2 Andrus. She married John Crampton. John was "of Norwalk".

3 ii. Elizabeth Andrus.

4 iii. Ruth Andrus.

5 iv. Jeremiah Andrus. He removed to Bedford.

6 v. Hester Andrus.

7 vi. Rebecca Andrus. She married Samuel Benedict 7 July 1678. Samuel was "of Norwalk".

8 vii. Mary Andrus [!Mary Frances Andrews]. Mary died 1671. She married Simon Couch. Simon died 1688.

9 viii. John Andrus was born in Hartford, Hartford, CT 1646. John died 1683 in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT, at 37 years of age. He was christened 27 September 1646 in Hartford, Hartford, CT.

10 ix. Thomas Andrus was born in Hartford, Hartford, CT 1647. He was christened 2 January 1648 in Hartford, Hartford, CT.
+ 11 x. Abraham Andrus was born about 1652.

Send email to preparer: vtandrew@erols.com
The Descendants of Francis Andrus: First Generation Page 1 of 1
http://www5.pair.com/vtandrew/andrews/i0009256.htm 5/18/2008

Francis married Anna SMITH in 1641 in Hartford, Hartford Co, CT. Anna (daughter of Giles SMITH and Mary WHEELER) was born in 1625 in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT; died on 5 Mar 1661/62 in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

http://www.renderplus.com/hartgen/htm/allyn.htm
possible other spouse:
Col. John Allyn - was born on 11 Nov 1696 in Hartford, Ct.. He is the son of Matthew Allyn and Margaret Wyatt.
Col. John married Anna Smith. Anna was born on 9 Nov 1640 in England. She is the daughter of Henry Smith and Ann Pynchon.

Thomas married Unnamed wife. [Group Sheet]