NORTHERN NEW YORK
Genealogical and family history of northern New York: a record of the achievements of her people
in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation.
New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co. 1910.



CAPRON



Transcribed by Coralynn Brown



The first Capron in America was Banfield, who came from England, supposedly from Chester, in the northern part adjoining Wales. He was of Attleboro, Massachusetts, was thrice married, and died Aug. 20, 1752, aged ninety-two years.
He married (first) ____ Callender, of Rehoboth, Mass.; (second) Elizabeth Blackington, who died May 10, 1735; (third) Dec. 16, 1735, the widow of Deacon John Daggett, of Attleboro.
There were twelve children:
Banfield, Edward, Walter, John, Jonathan, Betsey, Mary, Hannah, Margaret, Sarah and another daughter.

(II) John, son of Banfield Capron, the emigrant, was the fifth child. He was a seafaring man and his family lived in the southern part of Cumberland, Rhode Island. He died of a fever and left a widow and three children.

(III) John (2), son of John (1) Capron, was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island. He married and had issue.

(IV) John (3), son of John (2) Capron, was born in Rhode Island about 1770. He was a farmer, a Democrat, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He married Jemima Martin.
Children:
Henry, see forward; Colvin, Philancy, Oliver, Philo, Lucinda, Mareness and James.

(V) Henry, eldest child of John (3) and Jemima (Martin) Capron, was born in 1799, died 1875. He was a farmer and served in the United States army during the war with Great Britain, 1812-1814. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a man of deep religious convictions. He was a Whig politically, and an earnest patriotic citizen.
He married, in 1826, Betsey, born June 26, 1803, daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Putnam) Kent.
Children:
Jane, James, Charles, Albert, Merrit N., see forward; Smith, Almira, Alonzo.

(VI) Rev. Merritt N., fifth child of Henry and Betsey (Kent) Capron, was born in Boonville, New York, Oct. 20, 1836. He was educated in the public schools of that early period, later attended Lowville Academy, from which he was graduated in 1857. Also took a course at Whitesboro Seminary, graduating, and later in life becoming one of the trustees of that institution.
He began teaching, continuing for two and one half years. In 1860 he was elected school commissioner of Fourth District, Oneida county; was re-elected in 1863, holding the office for six consecutive years. At the outbreak of the civil war he was appointed enrolling officer and special deputy, also clerk to the provost marshal. After the war he began farming and engaged in that occupation unil 1871.
He prepared for the ministry, and was admitted to Northern New York conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in the year 1875. His first charge was Port Leyden, where he preached three years; his nex appointment was Rodman, Jefferson county, where he remained three years; next charge was at Liberty street, Rome, N.Y., from there going to Bangor, Franklin county. He experienced some changes in his theological opinions and, severing his connection with the Methodist Episcopal church he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Society, preaching for them one year. He then retired from active ministerial work, returning to his farm, where he still (1910) resides. His labors in the ministry covered a period of twelve years.
He has been a Mason for many years, and is one of the oldest past masters of that order now living. He is a member of Baron Steuben Lodge, No. 264, of which he was elected worshipful master in 1864. He is a Royal Arch Mason of Lowville Chapter. He is also connected with the Patrons of Husbandry, and is one of the trustees of Port Leyden Grange.
He married, at Leyden, Lewis county, N.Y., Feb. 1, 1859, Angeline L., born in Leyden, N.Y. Jan. 4, 1839, daughter of Harvey Dewey, a farmer of Lewis county, and a veteran of the war of 1812. Her mother was Jerusha Jenks. Harvey Dewey was a descendant of the Dewey family of New England. Children of Mr. & Mrs. Dewey: Sylvester H., Alonzo, Scott, Samantha, Chester, Eli, Angeline L., Madison, Caius and Cassius.

Children of Merrit N. and Angeline L. (Dewey) Capron:
1. Minnie, born Sept. 18, 1864, died Dec. 23, 1890, at Rome, N.Y.; educated at Rome Academy; married, Nov. 6, 1883, Edwin B. Smith; child, Edna Minnie Smith.
2. Sylvester, Dec. 20, 1865; educated at Rome Academy; married Ione Drake and has Harold Drake, Helen and Lucille.
3. Jessie Dewey, educated at Rome Academy; Malone and Boonville, N.Y. high schools; entered Cornell University, class of 1896. She taught after leaving Cornell at East Rome, Rome Academy, and Oneonta State Normal, at Oneonata, N.Y. She married, Sept. 5, 1900, Frederick W. Phisterer, captain in the United States army, now stationed at Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Child: Isabella Phisterer.

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