Wilbur,

We may be related! My GG grandfather Alonzo had an older brother (born 1808) named Henry, although I do not know what that Henry's middle name or initial may have been.

Somewhere I have a list from the New England Genealogical Historical Society that lists all of the children of William Grippen and Patience Ide. I'll have to look for it.

Anyway, Alonzo is a descendant of Thomas Crippen and Frances Bray, and is descended through son Jabez, who married Thankful Fuller (of the Mayflower Fullers), Jabez II and Jabez III to William Grippen who was Alonzo's father. Jabez II and II fought in the Revolution. This line is also descended from one of the foremost colonial era clerics, the Rev John Lothroppe (sometimes spelled Lathrop) who (among other things) is credited with founding Barnstable, MA. His home still stands there today.

Here is a letter written by Alonzo that I discovered on a visit to the Saratoga County Historical Society:

From the scrap book of Truman Young

Owned by Mrs.Millie Jones

A long life ended-Alonzo J. Grippen died May 19, 1904 aged 86 years. Letter to the Corinthian, written at Bridgeport at the home of his son William A.-which letter he forgot to mail it being found with his private papers after his decease.

Corinth was my native town, the time was when about every cow path in town was as familiar to me as the island of Juan Fernandez was to Robinson Crusoe. My Father and Mother, William Grippen and Patience Ide, were among the first settlers. Benjamine Ide, my Mother's Father, settled on the Clipper farm. They first built a double log house directly on the spot where the Clipper house, recently burned,
now stands. My Grandfather Benjamine Ide gave from his farm the ground used as a cemetery opposite the Rock School House. My Father came from Columbus County, about this same time he made his home with Mr. Ide and later married his Daughter Patience. He first took up a piece of land
on the North side of the road running East from Monroe School House to the Methodist Chapel, which was known as the Brown farm, later owned by Clinton Clothier. He worked there chopping and clearing for three days and then gave it up. I have often heard my Father tell of sitting on a large stone eating his dinner that the three days that he worked there.

The stone or rock can be seen there the same to-day. It is on the North side of the road just before you cross the brook by the Clothier House. My Father then bought the farm recently owned by Mrs. Simon Heath. It was then of course all covered with timber. He first built a log house where the Rock School now stands; later he built another log house just North of the lane leading to the red or Simon Heath house on the first rise of ground and still later about 50 years ago, he built the Red House and Barn now standing on the farm. Corinth was known as Jessups
Landing with only one family by the name of Jessup, after which the place was named. I have often heard my Father tell of getting there by marked trees there being no road, and heard him speak of the water power at Palmer Falls and some day in his opinion it would be used and considered one of the best for manufacturing purposes in the State, Now
his prophecies are being fulfilled.

William Grippen and Patience Ide married Dec. 24-1797
Born May 21-1775 Born Mar 11-1781.
Their children Lydia- Benjamin- Hannah- Ira- Henry-
William- Diana- Marietta- Alonzo and Nelson.

Originally the Ides came from Fages-England. The Grippens were alsofrom England. Later the Grippens came from Vermont to Columbia Co and then to Corinth.
The Ides came to Corinth From Clifton Park.
Grandfather Grippen was in the Revolutionary War from 1778-1783.

Lydia-Oct. 21-1798
Benjammine-Feb. 5, 1801
Hannah-Jan 24 1803
Ira-Sept 13 1805
Henry Jan 13 1808
William July 19 1811
Diana May 26 1813
Marrietta-July 27 1815
Alonzo-Oct 30 1818
Nelson July 23 1822

I have more information on the family and related lines if you are interested.