Colfax - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

John Colfax, New London CT, 1763-?1789

melmom78 — 2011-10-25 16:48:25Z

Hello all. I posted a while ago about my Colfax line, which begins with the William Colfax who settled in Wethersfield CT In the 17th century, and continues with 2. Jonathan 3. John 4. George 5. John, whom I know married Abigail Shapley and had 2 daughters, Mary, and Mehitabel ("Hetty") my direct ancestor). I have found out a bit more about this family, though not much. Through the Historical Newspapers database (accessed through the NEHGS/American Ancestors site, but I believe one must be a member of NEHGS) and the "Marine Lists" of contemporary newspapers, I learned that John, as well as his older brothers Robert and Jonathan (and very occasionally George), was a mariner, and is listed as captain of a ship arriving from the West Indies or departing from New London or Middletown (on the CT River) for same, only a couple of times in John's case, but Jonathan and Robert are listed with great regularity. Keep in mind that the names of crew members on the ships would not have been published, but John would have served as such, on his brothers' or others' ships, prior to being given command of a ship on his own. The trade between New England and the West Indies in which they worked involved produce and other products from N.E. traded for, mostly, molasses, which was then brewed into rum back home. For whatever reason, they did not deal in the slave trade--although I am aware that the sugar cane fields were worked by African slaves, so trading for molasses was icomplicit in supporting human trafficking. The last record surviving is of John sailing from Middletown in late October 1788. His wife Abigail is listed as a head of household in the April, 1790 Federal census, so was by then a widow. I could not find any accounts of a hurricane or gale in the Caribbean in late 1788, but the next account of the sloop "Sally" in the Marine List reports her RETURNING from the West Indies under another captain. I hypothesize that John contracted a fatal illness in one of the Caribbean ports, and died there or at sea. This was his brother
Jonathan's fate, in fact, in 1790. Robert had narrowly survived the wreck of a ship which he captained, a few years earlier, and although he did not leave the sea immediately, ultimately he relocated to New Jersey, where their oldest brother William had settled. I suspect he decided to get out before his luck ran out!

So, not many new facts, but a lot of new background. I happen to be a native of New London myself, though I haven't lived there in many years, and it was fascinating to learn more about "my" town's history.

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

BakerFamilyTree66 — 2010-03-08 16:46:17Z

Thanks for getting back to me Ed. I appreciate that.

Bill

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

cekdorsey — 2010-03-07 21:18:26Z

Hello Bill

The following is all the information I currently have on this line of the Colfax family.

1. Jonathan Colfax (1758-1790) -m(1783)- Elizabeth Wilson (1761-1850)
2. Upon the death of her husband and her sister Sarah (wife of Robert Colfax, Jonathan's brother) Elizabeth married Robert in 1803. There were no children from this union.

Elizabeth's and Sarah's parents were Thomas Wilson and Elizabeth Shackmaple.

Sorry I have nothing more to offer.

Ed

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

BakerFamilyTree66 — 2010-03-07 04:36:41Z

Ed,

Thanks for sharing all the Colfax info. in this thread. I have been trying to connect my family tree to its' Colfax connection. My ancestoral grandmother was a Catherine Herbert Colfax (1822). I believe her parents to be Jonathan Colfax and Catherine Herbert. They were married in NYC in 1814.

Prior to reading your message, I had been unable to find a Jonathan Colfax who might fit the bill. I would be greatful to you if you could share any information you might have with me, or possibly point me in the right direction. Based on what you have already shared, I know that Jonathan was born in 1785 and that he was the son of Jonathan Colfax and Elizabeth Wilson.

Thanks for your time and efforts.

Bill

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

sidebottom1 — 2009-12-01 04:23:03Z

Thank you for your reply. I'll continue searching.

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

cekdorsey — 2009-11-23 02:42:01Z

Hello again Mary

George Colfax and Lucy Avery had 10 children, including Robert, Jonathan and William. William was a Captain in the Revolutionary War and served as the Captain of Washington's body guard. He became a general in the War of 1812. He married Hester Schuyler and had a son Schuyler who married Hannah Delameter Stryker. Their son Schuyler was the VP under Grant and this is how you are related.

Ed

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

cekdorsey — 2009-11-23 02:26:52Z

Hello Mary

I looked through my Colfax records and do not have any additional information on Richard Colfax. Please note, however, that Richard is the son of Jonathan Colfax and Elizabeth Wilson. Jonathan's brother, Robert, married Elizabeth's sister Sarah. When Jonathan and Sarah died, Richard and Elizabeth wed in 1803. They had no children from this marriage.
Sorry I can't provide any more information, but I will keep looking through my files.
Ed

Re: Richard Colfax, born 1787

sidebottom1 — 2009-11-20 18:07:25Z

I just found your information about the Colfax family and hope you are still using this site. I am trying to find names for the parents of my g.g.grandmother, Cornelia Colfax. According to our family tradition Cornelia Cofax (1792-1886), married Aaron Wright, was related to Schuyler Cofax, V. Pres. under Grant. The couple was located in Saint Lawrence Co., N. Y. in the early 1800's where there was also located a Richard A. Colfax, buried 25 Dec 1849, aged 62, suggesting a birth year of 1787.
In your records I see that Robert (son of George & Lucy)& 2nd wife Elizabeth, had a son named Richard, born 11/28/2787. Do you have any information about Richard? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Mary Sidebottom

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

PhilipColfox — 2009-07-06 09:16:05Z

In England the name was almost always Colfox with a few variants Colvox (1290 Bridport)Colefox (various)and in modern times Colefax. The family has survived in England as Colfox, although there were Colefaxes until very recently.

I think the very early record of Colvox and the rarity of the Colfax or Colefax variant in England shows that the root word is fox, not fax.

However in German and Dutch there is still a word Kohlfuchs and Koolfos respectively which is based on the word fox, but which means (dark) chestnut colour - i.e. coal/kohl fox.

So Colfox or Colfax does not mean black haired (as Fairfax means FairHaired. It means Red-Black i.e. dark chestnut/dark sorrel.

In the German (horse) Stud Book one of the official horse colours is still Kohlfuchs and the Dutch use Koolfos to describe the same colour especially for gerbils!

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

cekdorsey — 2009-06-21 00:07:37Z

Hi Grace

Perhaps this information will prove useful

1. William Colfax (c1625, c1661)
x Alse
2. Jonathan Colfax (1657 1771)
x Sarah Edwards (1671 1724) Married 1696
3.John Colfax (c1701)
x Ann Latimer (c1705) married 1705
4. George Colfax (1727 1776)
x Lucy Avery (1727 1804) married 1749
5. William Colfax (1756 1838)
x Hester Schuyler (1763 1889) married 1783
6. Schuyler Colfax (1792 1822)
x Hannah D. Stryker married 1820
7. Schuyler Colfax (1823 1885) VP of USA
x Evelyn Clark married 1844

Original William and son Jonathan lived in Wethersfield, CT.
John and son George lived in New London, CT
William, son of George born in New London and died in Pompton Lakes, NJ
Schuyler, son of William lived in NJ
Schuyler, son of Schuyler born in NY and died in MN.

I have a number of sources to document the above information.

Ed

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

gbeltz1 — 2009-05-08 22:37:46Z

Hi Philip:

Thank you so much for responding to me. This side of my family has been a mystery for many years so you can imagine how excited I am to find someone that might be related. I just need to find a family with a William Colefax unaccounted for.I thought he might be from the Schuyler line but could not find a William that fit.

Anyway, I went to your website. What a beautiful place you own. It is absolutely beautiful.

I would love to be a part of a Colfax family society. What fun!!! Although I have to admit I don't have much genealogy on this line. It begins with my ggrandfather and ends with me.

Wow! 9th cousins.

Sincerely,

Grace Feller Beltz

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

PhilipColfox — 2009-05-03 15:36:37Z

Grace,

Maybe your grandfather knew that he was descended from the original of the Schyler Colfax family who was called William Colefax who settled in Connecticut in apx 1635. His family line appears to have spelled their name Colfax / Colefax in New England at that time. There are two biographies of Schyler Colfax which have useful genealogical information.

If you are descended from William Colfox/Colefax/Colfax who I think left Bridport (where I live) in 1630ish, then we would be approximately 9th Cousins. All you Colfaxes who are descended from this William Colfox (if the theory is correct) are our nearest patrilineal cousins. If there were a title dating back to then (which there isn't) one of you lot would be the heir if we failed to breed (which, at last, is no longer likely.)

Let's set up a family society - Colfox and Colfax Family Society - get all the genealogy sorted out (even if there are some gaps) and have some fun discovering our American and English Cousins. I own a fantastic estate in West Dorset - have a look at the Website www.holcot.com - it has holiday accommodation and is very beautiful...

Philip Colfox.

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

tehgyb — 2009-05-02 22:32:31Z

I honestly dont know of many male Colfaxes left in the us either, I know of my Father and I (birth years 1955 and 1987) and I met a fellow in north New Jersey named Thomas Colfax. Beyond that I know of no other male Colfaxes. (looks like I need to get out and get busy ;) )

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

tehgyb — 2009-05-02 22:25:42Z

Hi Sandy.
My name is Donald R Colfax Jr. My father is Donald R Sr and my Grandfather is Donald as well. And well, youre aunt Sandy. FOUND YOU!

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

cekdorsey — 2008-11-03 02:41:48Z

Hello Grace

Schuyler Colfax was born in New York City on Mar 23, 1823. He was the son of Schuyler Colfax and Hannah Delameter Stryker. Schuyler (the VP) married Evelyn Clark on Oct 10, 1844 and died in Manakato, Minn on Jan 13, 1885.

Ed

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

gbeltz1 — 2008-10-09 17:22:42Z

I hope you guys are still reviewing this website since the last entry was 2005.

My mother was a Colfax, her father being Will from northern Indiana. I just got my grandfather's marriage license and noted that he signed as "Colefax". I have never seen that before, but then after 30 years, I just found this new document on him. He was born in Michigan. His dad was Schyler Colfax was born in Iowa. I thought perhaps he was related to the VP Colfax since they are from South Bend which is an hour from me.

Any thoughts are appreiated.

Grace Feller Beltz
gbeltz1@bigplanet.com

Re: Maj. William W. Colfax married Harriet Powers 1850

patmontero25 — 2008-01-20 16:46:24Z

Dear Ed,

Thank you very much for this new information.
I greatly appreciate your time and thoughtfulness.

Sincerely,

Patricia Montero
patmontero25@hotmail.com

Re: Maj. William W. Colfax married Harriet Powers 1850

cekdorsey — 2008-01-20 00:33:43Z

William Washington Colfax (1816, 1878) married Harriet Mary Powers (1820, 1911) and had the following children: William W. 1851, Eliza 1855, Edward 1859, Lida 1860?, Deliah 1864.

William Washington Colfax was the son of George Washington Colfax (1784, 1849) and Eliza Colfax (1789, 1869). They were 1st cousins and married in 1811.

George Washington Colfax was the son of William Colfax (1756, 1838) and Hester Schuyler (1763, 1839). They were married in 1783. William was captain of George Washington's life guard and was a general in the War of 1812. George and Martha Washington were god parents to George W. Colfax.

William Colfax was the son of George Colfax (1727, 1776) and Lucy Avery (1727, 1804). They were wed in 1749.

George Colfax was the son of John Colfax (1701) and Ann Latimer (1705). They were wed in 1727.

John Colfax was the son of Jonathan Colfax (1657, 1771) and Sarah Edwards (1671, 1724). They were wed in 1696.

Jonathan Colfax was the son of William Colfax (1625, 1661) and Alse (1629). I believe William was the first Colfax in America.

I can supply a Family Tree Maker file of the Colfax family which lists other family members plus my proofs. Please advise.

Ed

Maj. William W. Colfax married Harriet Powers 1850

patmontero25 — 2007-04-27 22:44:48Z

On 21 Mar 1850, Major William W. Colfax married Miss Harriet M. Powers, of Pompton, NJ. They were married in New York City by Rev. Bishop Hughes.

Any further information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Patricia Montero
Patmontero25@hotmail.com

Colfax Family History

melmom78 — 2006-03-11 19:33:51Z

I was very pleased to find this message board. My Colfax ancestry "daughtered out" in the late 18th century, but I have been able to piece together a reasonable pedigree (not completely proven, but highly probable) from various sources. Mehitable Schuyler Colfax ("Hitty," which has been misread in manuscripts as "Kitty," but I have her childhood sampler saying Hitty) was born 1786 in Bozrah, New London County, CT; married James Benedict as his second wife, ca 1825, in Utica NY. She was the daughter of John Colfax and Abigail Shapley. I can deduce little about John Colfax other than his parentage (George Colfax and Lucy Avery) and that he died before the 1790 census, as Abigail Colfax appears as a head of household. Anyone know more about him than that? Will be glad to share more info about these lines with anyone who's interested.

Glazier-Colfax

jcthreet1 — 2005-10-03 17:59:14Z

Looking for Info-- On Nellie E-C Glazier- (B) 1869 Tehama co. ca.1880 census Mendocino co--Supposed to have Married a Colfax-- No info except Daughter Of James E & Mary (Odell) Glazier Ukiah Ca.
Might have a connection to a will Dow, some way (Thanks) jc_threet@centurytel.net

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

2005-08-11 03:17:35Z

The German for fox is fuchs, but the English feminine is vixen - so I'm sure that the one errant spelling in Dorset - Colvox instead of Colfox is just an error transliterating f to v as you suggest. Perhaps once Chaucer had published his printed Nun Preeste's tale using the word Colfox many educated scribes will have had a printed example of the name to copy. But perhaps the scribes in very young Massacheusets were not so hot on their Chaucer. It is noticeable in the oldest records that even placenames were written with a huge number of different spellings. But even in modern times - 1840 - our name is wrongly spelled Colefox in an official document relating to Bridport - in this case the tithe map - which was created by outsiders for use by the Church's taxgatherers. Otherwise the name appears to be consistently spelt in the records of Bridport and surrounding locality - no Colfaxs to be seen, although there was once a Colefax family elsewhere in England, but I think they've died out.

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

2005-08-07 12:59:10Z

...varx. In German, v of course is pronounced like our F. Was this also the case in 13th century England? -steve

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

2005-07-24 19:36:22Z

Yes; the only variation in spelling of Colfox in Bridport is Colvox in 1280 when Robert Colvox sued a neighbour, Adam Gollofre, perhaps he was a modern Gollop who are still landowning neighbours of ours today! Out of Bridport the variations in spelling are Colefax, Colefox and Colfax.
I've made a mistake when I said that in Dorset dialect Colfox is pronounced Goolfarx, in fact is pronounced Goolvarx.
Kind regards
Philip Colfox, of Symondsbury, Bridport, Dorset.

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

2005-07-24 15:14:37Z

To American ears, Goolfarx is quite a variation on the pronunciation. Are there other variations in spelling, other than the fax/fox endings?

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

2005-07-24 12:19:21Z

Someone was asking if Colfox and Colfax were connected and one point that I have forgotten to mention is that in Dorset dialect Colfox (the normal spelling of Colfax in Dorset, England) is pronounced Goolfarx so the likelihood is that one of the many puritan (William) Colfoxs of Bridport Dorset allowed his name to be spelt Colfax when he arrived in New England in about 1630 when he disappeared from our family records here and reappeared shortly afterwards in Wethersfield. Many puritan Colfoxs of Bridport in the 17 Century have interesting stories. Obediah joined Colonel Ceely's regiment and fought for Parliament during the siege of Lyme Regis 1642, where he was later buried under a stone in a cottage that was still visible in 1900. Another - Richard - fought for Parliament at the Battle of Crewkerne and following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 an arrest warrant was issued against him by Winston Churchill acting on the instructions of the Attorney General Sir Heneage Finch, for "seditious discourse." Another was killed fighting for The Duke of Monmouth at the Battle of Bridport in 1685. It is highly likely therefore that one of these ardent Puritans would have gone to America with the Dorchester Company in 1630 and as William Colfox of Bridport and Dorchester disappeared at that time, it was probably him. There is no record of his being buried in the locality whereas we have dates of death of almost everyone else.

Re: COFAX FAMILY HISTORY

lewisan — 2005-07-24 09:19:07Z

Eileen

My sister-in-law's maiden name is COFAX and I am investigating her family tree. So far I am back to about 1870 and in the Chester/ Northwich area. I am not sure of a link to you relative yet - but I will keep trying.

Peter

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2005-06-24 02:28:17Z

Did some additional research on Henry Hanfield and came up with the following information:
1850 Census - NYC District 1, 19th Ward, Image108
Francis Hollenbeck - head - 40y
Ann Hollenbeck - 40y
William Meekns (not sure of spelling) - 23y
George Meekns - 20y
Elizabeth Hanfield- 19y
Henry Hanfield-24y
Sarah Meekns-17y
Almira Meekns - 16y
Rachael Meekns- 15y
Mary Hollenbeck - 6y
Winfried Hollenbeck - 1y
Assume Meekns is really Mickens

1860 Census - NYC, 3rd District 19th Ward - Image 116
Henry Hanfield - head - 36y
Hanna Hanfield - 27y
Willie Hanfield - 7y
Ida Hanfield - 5y
Benjamin Hanfield - 3y
Harriet Hanfield - 1y
Female baby - 1mo. This is Jennie who is buried in West Milford. Assume Benjamin is you g-grandfather.

1870 Census - unable to locate Henry Hanfield - do you have this census?

1880 Census - Brooklyn - Image 11
Henry Hanfield - 55y
Maria Hanfield - 50y
Sigle Hanfield - 18y
Georgie Hanfield - 14y
Jessie Hauck - 13y (niece)
Not sure if Sigel and Georgie are children of Henry. If Hannah died in 1870, he would not have been able to sire these children by Maria. They may be her children, or this may be a different family.

Does any of the above agree with what you have found. Please advise. Also I would like to further the Hanfield line till present if you wish to share this information. I can provide similar data for my wife's side of the family.

Ed

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2005-06-15 01:29:19Z

George R. Colfax is the brother of my wife's gggg grandfather, William R. Colfax, on her mother's side. They both are sons of Robert Colfax who was a Revolutionary War soldier in the Connecticut Line. This makes you and my wife related, but I haven't figured out exactly how.

Robert's brother was William Colfax who was a Captain of Washington's elite guard. George and Martha Washington were the god-parents of his first child. William was a general in the war of 1812.

Ed

Re: Colfax

2005-06-14 20:57:21Z

Thanks again! I actually looked up the church on the internet and spoke with a delightful person who looked up my names while I was on the phone with her. She said an Eagle Scout recently helped them clean up and log the names of the graves, and seemed to have all the info on computer. Very helpful! I'm now intrigued because Elizabeth Ann Mickens is my g-g-grandmother--the 1st wife of Henry Hanfield who later married Hannah Colfax. So I'm guessing Henry hung out in West Milford after he arrived from Prussia??? The Jennie Hanfield is a tease!

So what is your connection to all these folks?

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2005-06-14 19:51:33Z

The church and cemetery are still in West Milford. The cemetery is not well taken care of and stones are hard to read. Deborah Colfax, wife of Albert Baldwin is buried there. There are also several members of the Colfax and Cooley families. A Jennie Hanfield (age 5 months) is buried there as are James Mickens, Richard Mickens and his wife Nancy.

Here is some additional information you might find useful.
Geroge R. Colfax (b 11/1783, d 1/8/1871) - m - Rachel Berry (b 1783, d 8/20/1834) and had 10 children. The first child was Anna Colfax (b 4/26/1807, d 1/21/1857) married Andrew Mickens and had 5 children as follows:
1) William B. (b 11/9/1826)
2) George Thomas (b 10/5/1829) - m - Mary C. Mann
3) Elizabeth Ann (b 10/25/1831) - m - Henry Hanfield
4) Sarah Catharine - m - William M. Hays
5) Rachel Amelia
Anna Colfax had a second husband, Tunis Haulenbeck with whom she had an additional 5 children.

Ed

Re: Colfax

2005-06-14 11:47:33Z

This is great info. I see one of the daughters married a Baldwin...there is a Baldwin connection in this branch of my family too, which I haven't yet pursued. Now my curiosity is piqued!

I'm afraid much of my info is not well documented, coming from family trees posted here at Ancestry. Still haven't figured out how to get the documentation behind those. I do have census info on Henry Hanfield and his group.

I have a good friend who lives in West Milford NJ and I go to see her often. If I get a chance next time I'm up there I'll look around for the church (if it's still there??). Maybe some more clues!

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2005-06-14 02:13:33Z

You are correct - Hannah married Henry Hanfield. The following listing of the 13 children of William R. Colfax and Elizabeth Hogan may give you some additional information regarding your other inquiries:

William R. Colfax (b. 4/20/1791, d. 4/27/1873) - m - Elizabeth Hogan (b. 4/25/1794, d. 8/17/1863). Both are buried at the West Milford Presbyterian Church in West Milford, NJ.
Children and spouses are as follows:
1) Mary Jane (b 7/17/1815, d before 1881) no data
2) Sarah W. (b 2/28/1819, d unknown) - m - Isaac Scofield
3) Harriet Ryerson (b 4/12/1820, d 7/8/1899) - m - Edmund S. Miller
4) Doborah H. (b 5/20/1821, d 1/2/1861) - m - Albert Baldwin
5) Elizabeth (Eliza) (b 1/23/1823, d 12/31/1897) - m - Anthony Hampton Lawrence - searching for data. Can you help?
6) Robert W. (b 12/27/1825 d 4/4/1887) - m - Almira Holbert
7) Ellen F. (b 11/15/1826, d 8/23/1860) - m - George W. Colwell
8) Sophronia Ryerson (b 9/1/1828, d 3/13/1906) - m - George L. VanEmburgh
9) Joseph Hogan (b 6/25/1830 d ?) - m - Elizabeth ?
10) Hannah Amelia (b 7/17/1832 d. 1/23/1870) - m - Henry Hanfield
11) Richard Hogan (b 3/10/1835 d 12/16/1872) - m - Nancy ?
12) William R. Jr (b 3/10/1835, d 2/2/1909) - m - Maria Rhinesmith (twin to Richard)
13) Maria Louisa (b 3/10/1837 d 1/25/1875) m - James N. Cooley - both are buried in same cemetery as Maria's parenta

I have a lot of census data to provide names of their children. The family bible provided the birth and death dates. Would love to know your sources of information and compare notes on the rest of the Colfax family.

Ed

Re: Colfax

2005-06-12 12:38:39Z

Thanks for your reply. Am having fits logging on to Ancestry today!! so can only give you the following info, from my notes and memory:

Hannah Colfax married Henry HANFIELD not Canfield, according to a couple of the family trees in Ancestry, on April 29, 1856. Henry was my g-g-grandfather, born abt. 1825 in Prussia. I have oil portraits of Henry and Hannah--very cool!

Hannah was Henry's 2nd wife; his first (Elizabeth Ann Mickens...curiously, her mother was also a Colfax) was my g-g-grandmother, but Hannah raised my g-grandfather as he was only 3 when his mother died.

Henry and Hannah had 2 children of whom I'm pretty certain, according to 1860 census: Benjamin F. Hanfield (b. ca. 1857) and Harriet Colfax Hanfield (b. ca.1858). In 1870 census I also found 2 more children, Sigle (?) (b. ca. 1862) and Georgiana (b. ca.1866); I'm assuming they were Henry & Hannah's as I have her death noted at 1870...but Henry was living with another woman (Maria) by this time and perhaps they were her children? Wish I could get onto my account as I have saved this info. there! Anyway, that's what I can recall.

Am curious to know if there are any living descendants of Hannah and Henry...their daughter Harriet "Hattie" married a Joseph COLYER and they had a son Joseph and 6 other children. The younger Joseph married a Harriet BLACKFORD and died in 1948; but my trail stops there.

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2005-06-12 02:26:23Z

The information I have on the Colfax family is as follows:
William R. Colfax married Elizabeth Hogan and had 12 children. Hannah Amelia Colfax was the 10th child and married Henry Canfield.

The sources of my information are as follows:
1)Colfax-Roome Family Bible showing the family of William R. Colfax.
2)"The Colfax Family" written by William Colfax Jr. - Part of the Genealogical Society of NJ, Wm J. Conkling Papers Collection at Rutgers University Library
3. "History of Orange County NY - 1881 Edition" - page 627

I would be most interested in comparing notes on this family.

Ed

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

MichaelJHulme — 2005-03-26 16:59:38Z

Hello Steve

I am descended from the COLFOX family of Merrington, Shropshire in the UK. I also have some information about the COLFOX family in Dorset but have never been able to find any connection between the two groups.

Mike
________________

Michael J Hulme
Shropshire, UK
mike@mjhulme.fsnet.co.uk

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

MichaelJHulme — 2005-03-26 16:59:38Z

Steve

I have COLFAX and COLFOX mixed together in our local records here in the UK. Spelling is what the writer thought he heard the person say and it is generally accepted that spelling should be ignored in most cases.

There is a COLFAX in northern California (by I.80 between Reno and San Francisco). I drove past there a few years ago and have often wondered how it got that name.

Mike
____________________
Michael J Hulme
Shropshire, UK

Re: COLFAX FAMILY HISTORY

MichaelJHulme — 2005-03-26 16:59:38Z

Steve

My COLFOX ancestors were confined to the parish of Preston Gubbals in the county of Shropshire, England up to the late 1700's when the name died out in this area because only girls survived in one generation. Remarkably I live within walking distance of where the family were over the last five hundred years but I had never done any family history when we moved here.

Mike

Re: Colfax

DarbyMLine — 2005-01-23 18:48:47Z

Just read your post about COLFAX surname and your helpful listing of family members. I'm 99% sure Hannah COLFAX b. 17 Jul 1832, daughter of William R COLFAX and Elizabeth Hogan, was the second wife of my g-g-grandfather Henry HANFIELD. They had 4 children: Benjamin, Harriet, Sigle and Georgiana.

I have info about the COLFAX family back to George Colfax and Lucy Avery but got it from a family tree submitted to Ancestry.com so don't know the reliability of the source. Would you mind sharing the source of your info?

Thanks!

Re: Colfax

cekdorsey — 2004-07-21 02:19:46Z

Just came across your message board posting. The information you provided confirms much of my research with some minor discrepancies.

Robert Colfax first married Sarah Wilson in 1781. Their children were:
Robert, Jr. b. 12/26/1761, m. Ann Colfax (cousin). Had 5 children
George R. b. 11/1783, m. Rachel Berry. Had 10 children
Maria b. 7/16/1785 m. Peter Ward. Had 2 children
Harriet b. 2/28/1789 m. Jacob M. Ryerson. No data
William b. 4/20/1791 No data
Robert Colfax married Elizabeth (Wilson) Colfax on 6/24/1803. Eizabeth was the sister of Sarah and the widow of Robert's brother Jonathan. Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth were:
Jonathan b. 1/15/1785
Richard b. 11/18/1787
Elizabeth b. 3/3/1789

George Colfax b. 2/9/1752 m. Mary Robbins 10/2/1777. Children were:
Lucy b. 8/3/1778 m. Joshua Starr, Jr.
Sarah b. 5/15/1780
John b. 9/26/1784
George Robbins b. 5/27/1794
William b. 10/8/1787
Charlotte b. 2/24/1790 m. Ralph Stoddard
Mary b. 10/1/1791
George b. 5/16/1794
Elizabeth b. 6/6/1797
Ann b. 3/27/1783 m. Robert Colfax, Jr. (See above)

William Colfax, son of William R. Colfax and Elizabeth Hogan married Maria Rhinesmith as his only wife.

My wife's great great grandmother was Elizabeth Colfax, daughter of Wiliam R. Colfax and Elizabeth Hogan.

I am interested in comparing notes and sources of information and hope you are also.

Thanks
Ed

Re: Abigail Colfax