Person:Martin Stratton (3)

--Source of information: "A Book of STRATTONS" (Vol 1, page 234); He seems to be the first of the family to "go west". Taking his tools with him he went across the country to Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Here he worked at the carpenter's trade, living in Towanda, at the home of Ezra and Ann RUTLEY, whose daughter, Rebecca RUTLEY, he married about 1796. After their marriage they lived for awhile at West Burlington, and then returned to Towanda. Here he bought a farm, and in company with his brother Cephas, built a gristmill. In 1809 or 1810 a sawmill ws built; "He was called Capt. Stratton. He was kind hearted, generous, and much respected by his neighbors." (History of Towanda) Rebecca died in 1818. No date of Martin's death has been found.

Martin Stratton, a millwright and carpenter, who was born near Hartford, Conn., in 1794 with a small kit of tools upon his back, set out to make his fortune in the West. Fate brought him into Bradford county. He took up quarters with Ezra Rutty on Sugar Creek, remained about a year, then married Mr. Rutty's daughter, Rebecca. Going to West Burlington, he entered the employ of the Goddards and built them a grist-mill. Returning to North Towanda, he purchased land at the Pail Factory, on which he settled permanently. On the creek near his home, in company with Cephas Stratton and Jonathan Holcomb, he erected a grist-mill with a single run of stone, which was successfully operated several years. A little later, a saw-mill was built and supplied with power from the same dam. Mr. Stratton, however, gave most attention to clearing and improving his farm, in the labors of which his wife and eldest daughters gave faithful assistance, picking and burning brush, often until late at night. "Captain" Stratton, as he was familiarly called, was a very kind-hearted gentleman, much respected by his neighbors. He died November 3, 1821, aged 63 years, and his wife December 20, 1837, aged 60 and 1/2 years. Both rest in Riverside cemetery. Their children were:

Hannah married Anson Simons of Ulster, removed to Indiana.

Betsy married John Bloom of Burlington.

Mary married George W. Simons, removed to Indiana.

Hiram married Olive Stewart, removed to Ohio, thence Missouri where he died.

Samuel married Euphrania Foster and occupied the homestead.

Esther married Loren Kingsbury of Ulster.

Caroline married John Muncy, removed to Indiana.

Martha married Thomas Hawkins of North Towanda.

Cephas, Surager and Timothy Stratton, brothers of Martin, soon followed him to Sugar Creek. Cephas and Timothy remained in the county a few years, then removed to Ohio. Surager followed coopering, also went West.

1.   Michael J. Godshalk. Godshalk Web Site
   Martin Stratton, 14 MAR 2009.

   Added by confirming a Smart Match EVEN: Smart Matching
   ROLE: 1001144

2.   Evelyn TerrellTaylor. EvelynTerrellTaylor Web Site
   Martin Stratton, 14 MAR 2009.

   Added by confirming a Smart Match EVEN: Smart Matching
   ROLE: 8142505