Wild Speculation Part III: Bagleys of Erie County, New York

...good inspiration is based upon good information...
Russel M. Nelson₁

One of the struggles with creating good family history is getting good information to base inspiration on. Inspiration can lead your research. I keep finding myself drawn to northeastern Pennsylvania/Westmoreland county Connecticut and western New York. Erie County, New York is the county that contains Buffalo. There are several families named Bagley that passed through western New York including Erie and its neighboring counties. At least one of these families likely came from northeastern Pennsylvania.

John A Bagley(1788-1821)₂ died in Clarence, Erie, New York.₃ According to his family John A Bagley was born in Pennsylvania. I had speculated John might be the child of Richard and Esther. This is not likely. Records from the Holland Land Company indicate John A Bagley is likely related to Gilbert and John Bagley.₄ John Bagley purchased a 120 acre lot from the Holland Land Company for $120 with $20 down payment, in 1811. John A. Bagley and Gilbert Bagley renewed the contract to buy the land splitting it into two 60 acre lots for $315 each with $1 down. Both Gilbert and John remained in western New York until their deaths. Gilbert Bagley died in 1841, in Lancaster, Erie county, New York.₅ After John's death Levi B. Bagley, who is probably Gilbert's son, sold a part of the 60 acres that was purchased by John A. Bagley to Peter Blocher.₆ While the land deals do not ensure Gilbert, John A. and John are related they make it very likely. Gilbert and John A. are possibly brothers and John is possibly their father.

There is a John Bagley living in Providence Township in the 1800 Pennsylvania Census.₇ James and Jesse Bagley are also listed. Jesse Bagley (about 1775 to before 1850) is very likely the father of Jenks Bagley (1795 to after 1884) of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Jesse Bagley (1805 to 1865) of Port Huron, Michigan. Jesse Bagley shows up on tax rolls in 1798₈ and the 1790 US census in Providence, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.₉ He is likely, the Jesse Bagley selling land in 1797 in Luzern₁₀ and he, probably move into Western New York. He is active in land deals in Hector, New York through 1811₁₁ when he and his wife, Phebe are living in Scipio, New York.₁₂ He probably moves with his sons through New York and settles in Washtenaw County Michigan around 1828.₁₃ He is listed in the 1834 Michigan census₁₄ and the 1840 US census₁₅. Phebe Bagley is listed with Jenks Bagley in the 1850 US census.₁₆ Before moving to Washtenaw county, Jesse's family lived in Newstead, Erie County. Newstead is right next to Clarence and Lancaster.

Richard and Elias Bagley are neighbors of John and Jesse Bagley in Providence, Pennsylvania. They are likely related to and possibly brothers of Jesse Bagley. In the 1798 tax rolls Richard Bagley is living on land owned by Elias Bagley.₁₇ He listed next to Jesse Bagley. Richard and Ezra Bagley are listed in Luzern county in the 1790 US census.₁₈ Richard Bagley is listed in the 1800 US federal census in Cayuga county, New York.₁₉ Richard and Jesse are both listed on the Milton, Cayuga, New York tax rolls.₂₀ Richard and Elias buy land jointly in Seneca county in 1807.₂₁ Richard and Elias both sell land in Seneca county to Jesse Bagley in 1811._22,23 Richard may have moved to Allegany county. Richard Bagley and his wife Harriet buy land in Allegany County New York in 1831.₂₄ Elias may have moved to Livingston county. Elias Bagley (1773 to 1845) is buried in Ossian.₂₅

James Bagley was a private in the Connecticut 24th Independent Infantry during the American Revolution.₂₆ From 1776 to 1778 he appear on the tax rolls for the Pittstown district in the Wyoming river valley.₂₇ He seeks compensation for his losses during the Revolution from the Connecticut Legislature.₂₈ He is active buying and selling land in Luzern, County Pennsylvania from at least 1786 through 1799.₂₉ He along with Sarah Bagley are witnesses on a land sale by Jesse Bagley in Luzern county in 1797. In the 1800 US census, James Bagley and Jesse Bagley are living in Providence, Luzern.₃₀ James Bagley is listed in the 1810 US census in Hector, New York.₃₁ In 1813, James Bagley buys land in Tioga County, New York.₃₂

We have a family that may have moved from northeastern Pennsylvania into western New York and dispersed from there. A possible family tree might start with

1. James Bagley (about 1750 - after 1813) and Sarah.
1. John Bagley(about 1770 - after 1811) who settled in what became Erie county New York, around 1810. 
1. John A. Bagley (1788 - 1821) His family moved to Ontario and Michigan.
2. Gilbert Bagley (about 1786 - 1841) His family moved to Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
2. Elias Bagley (1773 - 1845) who settled in Ossian, NY.
3. Richard Bagley (about 1774 - after 1813) who left Hector, NY for parts unknown.
1. Edward Bagley (1807 - 1868) His family moved to Utah. (I'm reaching - it's speculation.)
4. Jesse Bagley (about 1775 - between 1845 and 1850) and Phebe (about 1777 to after 1850) who moved to Washtenaw county Michigan.
1. Jenks Corey Bagley (1795 to after 1884) His family settled in Michigan.
   (Jencks and Bagley are two family names in Providence, Rhode Island. The name of Jenks Bagley points to a possible relationship with Deacon Joseph Bagley of Rhode Island. The families were neighbors in Rhode Island for at least three generations.)
2. Jesse Bagley (1805 - 1865) His family settled in Michigan.

Corrections 18 March 2019: I mis-read the land records in footnote 21. James Bagley moved into Hector, New York from Tioga. This James Bagley (1791 -1843) is the husband of Lydia Foster (1790? - 1825?) and Elsie Lott (1801 - ?)

¹ "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives - By President Russell M. Nelson." Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives - By President Russell M. Nelson. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May. 2018. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng>.

²"Information OverLoad: Richard and Ester Bagley Part II - Wild Speculation." Information OverLoad: Richard and Ester Bagley Part II - Wild Speculation. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May. 2018. <http://rabbithelpdesk.blogspot.com/2015/06/richard-and-ester-bagley-part-ii-wild.html>.

³"New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-24526-8620-83?cc=1920234 : 28 May 2014), Erie > Estate index 1800-1929 A-B > image 116 of 475; county courthouses, New York.

⁴"Archives of the Holland Land Company representatives in the United States of America, document group 497 - SUNY Fredonia - New York Heritage Digital Collections." Archives of the Holland Land Company representatives in the United States of America, document group 497 - SUNY Fredonia - New York Heritage Digital Collections. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2018. <https://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/XFM001/id/2899/rec/20>

⁵"New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-24526-8620-83?cc=1920234 : 28 May 2014), Erie > Estate index 1800-1929 A-B > image 116 of 475; county courthouses, New York.

⁶"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32821-3295-20?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Erie > Deeds 1840-1843 vol 60-61 > image 240 of 564; county courthouses, New York.

⁷Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863. Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA. "Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863 for John Bagley." Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863 for John Bagley. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2702/33017_263382-00015?indiv=try&h&db.>

⁸"New York, Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 for Jesse Bagley." New York, Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 for Jesse Bagley. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6771/41761_328303-00138?indiv=try&h&db.>

⁹"United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH2T-RLC : accessed 5 May 2018), Jesse Bagly, Hector, Seneca, New York, United States; citing p. 322, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 36; FHL microfilm 181,390.

¹⁰"Deeds, 1787-1901; indexes to deeds, 1780-1907 (Luzerne County, Pennsylvania); ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHM-6DJV." Deeds, 1787-1901; indexes to deeds, 1780-1907 (Luzerne County, Pennsylvania); ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHM-6DJV. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May. 2018. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHM-6DJV>.

¹¹ "New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WC-C4RG?cc=2078654&wc=M7HP-629%3A358133701%2C358186901 : 22 May 2014), Seneca > Grantor index 1804-1857 A-Z > image 30 of 1123; county courthouses, New York.

¹²"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32898-24627-2?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Seneca > Deeds 1809-1816 vol D-E > image 538 of 671; county courthouses, New York.

¹³"War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.fold3.com/image/280434307 : accessed 21 Oct 2017); image of Jinks Corey Bagley's pension application; citing "War of 1812 Pension and Bounty land Warrant Application Files, compiled ca. 1871–1900, documenting the period 1812–ca.1900," National Archives Catalog ID: 564415, Record Group 15, RG15-1812PB-Bx0141, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Jinks Bagley's pension application gives his birth place, notes he joined the New York militia in Scipio and notes his residences from his discharge at Fort Niagara until his arrival in Ypsilanti where he is living at the time of the application. Based on this application and histories of Washtenaw, Jinks settled in Superior, Washtenaw, Michigan in 1828. His pension application was denied.

¹⁴"1834 | Washtenaw, ?? | 0055 :: State Census Records, 1827-1874." 1834 | Washtenaw, ?? | 0055 :: State Census Records, 1827-1874. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2018. http://seekingmichigan.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16317coll6/id/768/rec/1.

¹⁵"United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYX-DG7 : 15 August 2017), Jesse Bagley, Superior Township, Washtenaw, Michigan, United States; citing p. 91, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 211; FHL microfilm 14,797.

This is most likely the Jesse who is the neighbor of Jenks in 1834. Jesse Bagley his brother has already moved to Port Huron by 1840. See "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYX-WVF : 15 August 2017), Jesse Bagley, Port Huron Township, St Clair, Michigan, United States; citing p. 203, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 210; FHL microfilm 14,797. and "Patent Details - BLM GLO Records." Patent Details - BLM GLO Records. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2017. <https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=MI0640__.430&docClass=STA&sid=fduqiak5.kmz>.

¹⁶ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MF8P-H42 : 12 April 2016), Phebe Bagley in household of Jenks Bagley, Superior, Washtenaw, Michigan, United States; citing family 1051, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

¹⁷ "Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 for Jesse Bagley." Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 for Jesse Bagley. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2060/32643_B036825-00311?indiv=try&h&db>.

¹⁸"United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKJ-8GX : accessed 6 May 2018), Ezra Bagley, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 144, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 8; FHL microfilm 568,148.

¹⁹"United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-B9N : accessed 6 May 2018), Richard Bagley, Seneca, Ontario, New York, United States; citing p. 494, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 28; FHL microfilm 193,716.

²⁰"New York, Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 for Jesse Bagley." New York, Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 for Jesse Bagley. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6771/41761_328303-00138?indiv=try&h&db>.

²¹"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WN-V98Z?cc=2078654&wc=M7H5-RWR%3A358133701%2C358359601 : 22 May 2014), Seneca > Deeds 1804-1811 vol A-B > image 612 of 628; county courthouses, New York.

²²"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32899-74-89?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Seneca > Deeds 1809-1816 vol D-E > image 434 of 671; county courthouses, New York.

²³"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32899-1533-21?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Seneca > Deeds 1809-1816 vol D-E > image 110 of 671; county courthouses, New York.

²⁴"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32666-10088-24?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Allegany > Deeds 1830-1833 vol G-H > image 268 of 637; county courthouses, New York.

²⁵Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172468211/elias-bagley : accessed 12 April 2018), memorial page for Elias Bagley (1773–20 Mar 1845), Find A Grave Memorial no. 172468211, citing Westview Cemetery, Ossian, Livingston County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Butterfly~Kisses (contributor 46994799).

²⁶Harvey, Oscar Jewell. A History of Wilkes-Barré, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Volume 2. (Wilkes-Barre:1909) p. 981.

²⁷"List of Taxable Inhabitants in the Town and County of Westmoreland, State of Connecticut, 1776 - 1780." Proceedings and collections of the Wyoming Historical and Genealogical Society. Volume 5. (Wilkes-Barre) 1900. p. 215, 226, 238.

²⁸Tubbs, Charles.The Wyoming military establishment. A history of the Twenty-fourth regiment of Connecticut militia. An address before the Tioga Point historical society, delivered December 3rd, 1901. (Tioga Point historical society: Athens, PA) 1903. p. 31.
"The Wyoming military establishment. A history o...." The Wyoming military establishment. A history o.... N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2018. <https://archive.org/stream/wyomingmilitarye01tubb#page/30/mode/2up>.

²⁹"Deeds, 1787-1901; indexes to deeds, 1780-1907 (Luzerne County, Pennsylvania)

³⁰"United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHR6-VY5 : accessed 5 May 2018), James Bayley, Providence, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 366,367, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 39; FHL microfilm 363,342.

³¹"United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH2T-RLH : accessed 5 May 2018), James Bagly, Hector, Seneca, New York, United States; citing p. 322, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 36; FHL microfilm 181,390.

³²"New York Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32983-9187-8?cc=2078654 : 22 May 2014), Tompkins > Deeds 1818-1821 vol B-C > image 39 of 929; county courthouses, New York.