Person:John Smalley (16)

Subj: [SMLY] John Smalley, Putnam Co. NY to Washtenaw Co. MI Date:1/7/02 5:37:46 AM Pacific Standard Time From:wimcheryl@@voyager.net (Cheryl Stanfield & Wim van Leeuwen) Reply-to:SMALLEY-L@@rootsweb.com To:SMALLEY-L@@rootsweb.com

Found the following while sorting through miscellaneous Smalley family information. Hope it helps someone!

>From Portrait and Biographical Album of Washtenaw County, Michigan, 1891, pages 480-481:

John Smalley, a prominent farmer residing in section 36, Manchester Township, was born in Putnam County, NY in the town of Kent, May 23, 1806. He is a son of Isaac Smalley who was born in the same place as his son. He (Isaac Smalley) was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was one to be stationed upon the island to protect the city of New York. His decease took place in his native town in 1812. Our subject's mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Lizzie Russell, and was born about fifty miles north of the city of New York in Kent Township, Putnam County; her decease took place in 1818.

Our subject is one of six children born to his parents. They all reached manhood and womanhood and became the heads of families of thir own. John Smalley is the fourth child and the only one of the family now surviving. On the death of this mother when the lad was twelve years old he was taken into the family of Samuel Sarles, remaining with him but a short time, then went to make his home with his grandparents; he afterward went to stay with a family by the name of Kelley, at a time when all members of the family were stricken with sickness and unable to help themselves. He remained with this family for about ten years, after which he made his home at a place called Bulls Head in New York City where he was engaged in handling horses, buying and selling them for other people. He was also employed in mason work and many of the stone walls in the country about New York were put together by his hands.

Mr. Smalley was married in Putnam County, NY in 1830 to Miss Maria Gunnings, a native of Putnam County NY. Soon after the wedding they came to Michigan and proceeded directly to Lenawee County where they remained for five years. Thence they removed to Washtenaw County and settled in Manchester Township, where our subject now resides. The first home occupied by the family was a log house, which he had hewn from the standing timber and put together himself. It had a dirt floor and no windows and the roof was made of slabs; within were six chairs, a table and some other necessities. Undounted, however, by the privation of the time and place he set himself to clear the tract and he succeeded in making it an admirable and productive place and now has the distinction of being the oldest settler in the township. The log house was soon replaced by a small frame house. It was surrounded then by eighty acres of land, now there are two hundred and twenty-five acres, all well improved and the result of his own labor.

There were five sons and one daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Smalley. The eldest James is deceased as are Huldah and Charles. The living are Francis, Jonathan and George. The mother of these children died March 13, 1856; our subject afterward married Miss Jane Wilson April 14, 1857. Mrs. Smalley was born October 28, 1809 and remained under her father's roof until she was married, at which time she came to Michigan. Mr. Smalley handles many horses in the county, buying and shippping to New York City by the carload and is probably a better judge of horseflesh than any other man in the county. He has also bred some good horses and has the finest cattle in this part of the country, frequently shipping them to New York City, where they command the best prices. At one time one head received as high as $300. He has also been in the sheep business, keeping as many as four hundred head at one time. After a long life spent in active business, he is now enjoying a respite from care and responsibility. His son George carries on the place and has a one-half interest in its products. Politically, Mr. Smalley is a Republican. In his church relations he with the members of his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal body, he having been a Trustee in the same.

Subj: Re: [SMLY] John Smalley, Putnam Co. NY to Washtenaw Co. MI Date:1/7/02 3:50:36 PM Pacific Standard Time From:DGShel@@aol.com Reply-to:SMALLEY-L@@rootsweb.com To:SMALLEY-L@@rootsweb.com

I knew this fellow had moved out to Michigan. Never had all the details. His brother Isaac is our direct ancestor. Some comments: 1) In 1806, when John was born, Kent was actually in Dutchess Co., NY, as Putnam Co. was not created out of the southern part of Dutchess until 1812. 2) Surrogate Court, Carmel, Putnam Co., NY File #1820-289 John Smalley son of Isaac Smalley; grandfather John Russell; John within the age of 14, 13 on the 23 of May last; Joshua Hazen guardian Mercy Henyon approves the age, Mercy Henyon she this deponent $7.00 annual value $8.00; Guardianship John Russell grandfather of John Smalley the son of Isaac Smalley. 3) John's wife was listed as Ada Ganong in the Putnam Co. obituary of their son. Ganong is a common name in the area, and must have been re-spelled as Gunnings in Michigan. I cannot say whether her name was Ada or Mari both.

May 9, 1924, Putnam County Courier, obituary: "GEORGE H. SMALLEY DI MICHIGAN. Nephew of Late Sheriff Smalley Operated Carmel-Peekskill Sta Line Here Over 60 Yrs Ago. George H. Smalley, a brother of the late Frank Smalley of Drewville, died at his home in Clinton, Michigan last Thursday, May 1, 1924, aged 80 years. He had suffered from heart trouble for many years and over a year ago was seriously ill with pneumonia. A shock followed the pneumonia and since last summer his health had gradually failed. T deceased was a son of John and Ada Ganong Smalley and was born in Clinton, Michigan. His father was a brother of the late Sheriff Smalley, and his mother a native of Brewster. George Smalley came to Carmel when 18 yrs old and purchased the Carmel-Peekskill stage line which he operated for about 10 years when he returned to Michigan, where for most of his life he conducted an extensive farm, retiring some years ago, since then living in Clinton. Mr. & Mrs. Smalley had visited Carmel several times in recent years, their last visit here being last July. Mr. Smalley was the last surviving member of a family of 11 children. His widow alone survives. Funeral services in Clinton, Michigan, where he was buried." 4) I only knew of sons Frank and George, nice to see the rest of the family added.

Thank you for posting this biography.

Glen Shelton River Ridge, LA