Veranus Calkins, father of the Lucius and grandfather of the Anson you
are inquiring about, was born to Rufus and Mercy Prentis Calkins about
1770, probably in Lyme, New London Co., CT, where the family lived. In
1777 they sold their property in Lyme and moved up the Connecticut River
to Ludlow, MA, near Springfield. It was there in or near Springfield
that Veranus met and married Mary Warriner. Soon after they were
married, around 1800, they moved to New York State and later to Wayne
Co., MI.
I have never seen the name "Veranus" in any family, let alone the
Calkins family, except decendants of Rufus Calkins. Most of them are in
the above branch, but one instance occurs in my branch, which is from
the first Veranus's younger sister, Lucy, who married Jabez Cooley and
went to Ohio. She had a grandson named Veramus C. Cooley, born about 1841.
Even with the limited number of people with that given name, there are
almost as many spelling variations in the records as there are
variations of Calkins. I have seen Veranus, Veramus, Varamus, Verranus,
etc.
If you don't have it, the decendancy of Rufus from Hugh is given in Ken
Calkins book, or I can send it to you. I used the uniqueness of the
name Veranus as evidence that Lucy Calkins was indeed the wife of Jabez
Cooley in an article published in the Connecticut Nutmegger. Other
supporting evidence included the marriage of Cooley siblings and
Warriner siblings. I can give you the specific reference if you want
it. Also, Rufus Calkins was a chair maker during his later years in
Ludlow, and there is a photo of one of his chairs in the History of
Ludlow, MA.
Bill Hough