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



VILAS



Transcribed by Coralynn Brown
[email protected]



The surname Vilas is identical with Viles, and belongs to an old English family of Norman origin. The surname Viall, or Vyall, was spelled with similar variations in the early records in New England, and appears to be the same or a kindred name.

(I) Peter Vilas, immigrant ancestor, son of Noah Vilas, was born in England, Feb. 24, 1704, and died April 21, 1756. A Peter Villars married at Boston, March 25, 1709, Hannah Coleman, and from the similarity of the name and the fact that the surname was very uncommon in both England and America, it is probable that he was an uncle or near relative of the immigrant. John Viles settled in Waltham, and a Joseph Viles was in the revolution and resided in Boston. They may have been relatives also, as they all lived in the same locality.
Peter Vilas married Mercy Gay, born Feb. 17, 1697, died Aug. 15, 1770. She was said to have been of French descent, and was daughter of John and Mary Gay.

(II) Noah, only child of Peter Vilas, was born Nov. 2, 1733, and died Sept. 17, 1799. He settled first in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and removed early in life to Alstead, New Hampshire. He removed to Grafton, Mass., where most of his children were born. His diary is extant.
He married, July 24, 1760, Abigail Baker, born March 28, 1735, died July 10, 1808, daughter of Gideon and Priscilla Baker.
Children:
1. Joseph, born April 20, 1761.
2. Noah, Feb. 1, 1763.
3. Samuel, Sept. 12, 1764.
4. Nathaniel, Oct. 12, 1766.
5. Aaron, Sept. 7, 1768, mentioned below.
6. Moses, March 19, 1771.
7. Daughter born and died March 7, 1773.
8. Abigail, born Jan. 25, 1775.

(III) Aaron, son of Noah Vilas, was born in Grafton, Sept. 7, 1768 and died at East Farnham, Canada, Jan. 20, 1862. He removed at the age of fourteen to Alstead, New Hampshire, where he remained sixteen years. From there he removed to Derby, Vermont, and thence to East Fanham, Province of Quebec, Canada. He was a farmer and a prominent member of the Free-Will Baptist church.
He married, March 17, 1802, Deborah Spencer, born March 19, 1770, died March 24, 1859.
Children:
Oreb, born Jan. 7, 1803.
Polly, March 22, 1804.
Alden, July 13, 1806, mentioned below.
Aaron, Oct. 9, 1810.
Ruby, Oct. 25, 1812.

(IV) Alden, son of Aaron Vilas, was born in Derby, Vermont, July 13, 1806, and died Sept. 26, 1899. He removed to Ogdensburg, New York, early in 1822, travelling most of the way from the head of Lake Memphremagog to the foot, on the ice, and thence to Montreal on foot, through Prescott, Ontario, across the St. Lawrence river to Ogdensburg. He was engaged with his cousin in the tanning business until 1831. At the expiration of that time he centered all his interests in the boot and shoe business on Ford street, which he carried on in connection with the tanning business, after Jan. 1, 1831. He was one of the best citizens of Ogdensburg, upright in business and the friend of all measures tending to benefit the city.
He married, April 27, 1837, Ellen Baldwin, born Aug. 19, 1819, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Chandler) Baldwin.
Children:
1. Ellen Mary, born in Ogdensburg, Aug. 14, 1838; married at St. John's church, Ogdensburg, Aug. 31, 1859, John Cromwell Sprague, born Nov. 25, 1828, son of William and Desire (Benham) Sprague. (See Sprague).
2. Harriet L., died at sixteen years of age.
3. Charles Alden, served in the 143d regiment in civil war, and shortly after died from effects of exposure during his service.
4. Sarah F., widow of Dr. D.E. Southwick, resides in California.
5. Willis Spencer, died Sept. 10, 1869, aged twenty-three.
6. Elizabeth, widow of S. Wright Holcomb, resides in Los Angeles, California.
7. Edwin Baldwin, died Feb. 2, 1878.
8. Henry L., died in 1891.
9. Annie Aurelia, spinster, of Ogdensburg.
10. Jennie Louise, wife of Calvin Vilas, resides in Seattle, Washington.

RETURN TO INDEX

Have these webpages helped you?
Please let us know in the Guestook.
[ Read / Sign my guestbook ]
Get a free Guestbook

HOME
Jane's Site with over 2000 free databases!
These records (NNY) are part of her website.