We were told years ago that the Canfields were related to our Austins but no one really
knew how. I always suspected that my gg-grandmother, Prudence, was a Canfield. My
g-uncle believed it and gave my father some names including Prudence's parents. I
have finally found my ggg-grandparents, Dennis and Clarissa Canfield, ages 49 and 37
respectively, in the 1850 census for Butler in Wayne County, NY. Their children are:
Sabrina 17
Prudence 15 - my gg-grandmother
Lydia 12
Orange 9
Reuben 7
William 5
Enos 2
Clarissa was born in VT and everyone else was born in NY according to the census record.
If anyone is also researching this family, I would be interested in sharing information.
Some other information I found recently and believe to be this family:
Enos J. Canfield d. Sept 9, 1851, age 2yr 8mo 15days, buried in Old Westbury Cemetery,
Town of Victory, Cayuga Co, NY
Prudence m. Merritt Austin, son of David and Amanda Austin sometime before the 1860 census
(living in Cato, Cayuga, NY)
I believe that Orange (also listed as Orrin of various spellings), Reuben and William all
joined the army during the civil war.
Rueben may have been married twice, (1) Frances S. and (2) Emma.
Prudence, Orange, and Reuben moved to Niagara County and Orleans County, NY. William may
have also.
Question:
Does anyone know of Melvin Austin living with Reuben Canfield and wife, Frances? He is
listed as living with them in 1870 in Cato, Cayuga County, NY. He is 9 years old. Since
his last name is Austin and Reuben's sister, Prudence, married an Austin, could Melvin
be the oldest child of Prudence and Merritt Austin? Is this Melvin Adelbert Austin?
Adelbert is the name of a brother of Merritt's.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Kathy Bryce