The John Dillon Family Ancestral History

Line of Descent

3. Matthew Dillon and Anna Ryan

4. Lorenzo Dillon and Abigail Pratt

5. Leander Dillon and Ellen M. (Nellie) Schutt

6. Harrie Ira Dillon and Mary Elizabeth Vandervolgan
and
6. Birney Lorenzo Dillon and Lulu A. Fox

                Note: Harrie and Birney were brothers.

7. Ellen M. Dillon and Walter E. Van Camp

1. Matthew Dillon and Sarah (maiden name unknown) Dillon.

Matthew Dillon
b. abt. 1732-1737 (perhaps in Ireland)
death date unknown; burial location unknown.

Sarah (maiden name unknown) Dillon
b. abt. 1737 (perhaps in England)
died March 24, 1814

at age 77

Sarah is buried in the Dillon/Greenhouse Cemetery, Hopewell, Ontario Co., New York.

Cemetery transcriptions from 1891 and 1935  confirm that it is Sarah Dillon, and not Matthew Dillon (as indicated in a recent transcription), who is buried in the Dillon Cemetery. According to those earlier transcriptions, the tombstone originally read


Sarah Dillon

wife of
Mathew Dillon

died March 24, 1814


at age 77




At some point in time, the top of the gravestone was broken off, and then read only


Mathew Dillon

died March 24, 1814

at age 77

Matthew and Sarah's Children included

        John Dillon, b. November 30,1757; died:April 9, 1827 at age 69. Buried in the Dillon/Greenhouse Cemetery, Hopewell, Ontario, NY.

        Moses Dillon, b. April 30, 1762; died: March 24, 1813. Buried in the Dillon/GreenhouseCemetery, Hopewell, Ontario, NY.

        William Dillon, b. 1768; died: July 26, 1814 at age 46. Buried in the Dillon/Greenhouse Cemetery, Hopewell, Ontario, NY.

Source for John, Moses, and William Dillon: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyontari/dilloncem.htm

Matthew and Sarah Dillon may also have had a son named:

        Samuel James Dillon, b. 1758; died: 1836. (Source: Richard Ripley.  There is no further information about Samuel Dillon.)

2. John Dillon and Phebe Archer

3. Matthew Dillon and Anna Ryan

4. Lorenzo Dillon and Abigail Pratt

5. Leander Dillon and Ellen M. (Nellie)Schutt

6. Harrie Ira Dillon and Mary Elizabeth Vandervolgan
and
6. Birney Lorenzo Dillon and Lulu A. Fox

The ancestral history of Harry Ira Dillon is not so extensive as that of his wife, but there are many clues which
might be traced, and which might lead to more information about each of these generations and their ancestors.

NOTE: The authenticity of some of the following information is in doubt.
The information provided by Waldo Thorn of Shawnee, Oklahoma, is particularly suspect.
Because the information has been published at various times in different books,
the stories have taken on a folklore aspect, but there is still significant doubt about whether the information is true.
Thorn was a descendant of John and Phebe Dillon, and he wrote that the information he provided
was from the ancestral records of his own branch of the family.
While that may be true, others, who have read Thorn's account of John and Phebe Dillon's lives, have questioned some of the information.

There is something about Thorn's version of the Dillon history that has the sound of authentic oral history, but it appears that Thorn confused the generations from which the story originated.  While it is most unlikely that the story applies to John and Phebe (Archer) Dillon.  It is possible (and, in fact, likely) that the story applies to Matthew and Sarah Dillon.

Historical, biographical and genealogical records suggest that Matthew Dillon may have died at an earlier age than did John Dillon.  Matthew's burial location is unknown, although it may be that he died somewhere in New York state.  The possible locations include Dutchess County, Orange County, or Fulton County.  The most likely seems to be Orange County.  Early records of Goshen, Orange County list a Matthew Dilling.  He may be the ancestor for this branch of the family.  The use of the name Dilling, while not a typical representation for this family, can be found in a much later census record in the listing of Lorenzo Dilling in Pittsford, Michigan.

The Dillon Family

The history of the Dillon family in America continues with John Dillon.   Some believe he was born in Ireland on November 30, 1757.  However, it is just as likely that he was born in colonial America, possibly in New York.  The presence of his brothers, Moses and William, living in the same area in the early 1800s suggests that the commonly accepted version of the Dillon history may have flaws. 

Popularly published maps of Ireland indicate that the Dillon family name is generally associated with County of Roscommon in Ireland.

But it is unknown just what part of Ireland John Dillon or his ancestors might have come from.

The Waldo Thorn version of the Dillon family history includes the following information:

            It has been written of him that he was a working man who traveled to England and secured employment from a Mr. Acker (or Mr. Archer ?).
            Sometime thereafter, John Dillon married his employer's daughter, Phebe Acker (or Archer ?).
            This angered Phebe's father because he thought that his daughter had married below her station in life.
            Therefore, the young couple immediately started for America. 

That version of the story would mean that neither John or Phebe would be likely to have brothers or sisters living near them in New York in the early 1800s.  But, it appears that both of them had siblings living nearby.  It also appears that John's mother, Sarah Dillon, was living nearby; it is also possible that John's mother lived with him and his family after the death of her husband.

Where the Dillons first settled is not known, but they may have lived for a while in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York.
The Waldo Thorn version of the family history indicates that their son, Benjamin, may have been born there on September 11 (14?) 1788.

A record of the McLouth family suggests that Elizabeth Dillon, John and Phebe's eldest daughter, was born in Orange County, New York.  The Matthew Dilling listing for Orange County would tend to support that location.

Another record suggests that Benjamin was born in Dutchess County, NY.
The Portrait and Biographical Album of Hillsdale County, Michigan (1888) indicates that John and Phebe
lived for a time in Duchess County, New York and engaged in farming there.
While it is unknown which of these accounts might be true, there is more evidence for the latter.
Another source, specifically The History of Ontario County, New York, offers the following information:

John Dillon, making a choice of location in this neighborhood, obtained No. 1 for his home.
He had previously been engaged in farming in Dutchess county, and with
the experience there gained, applied himself to his occupation, and successfully.
To the west of him, on No. 2, was his neighbor, Adam Nichols.
Here in a period not remote when compared with European civilization,
but old when traced back in changes of customs and society gone forevermore,
those farmers carried on their farm-work, and, knowing no better way,
dropped their corn by hand and covered with the hoe; sowed their wheat and
harrowed it in; mowed the regular swath and hand-raked the windrow;
gathered the brown grain with the sickle, and kept time to rapid flail-stroke on the threshing-floor.
As the Indian was distinctive in his life and pursuits, so was the early farmer.
Time and patience accomplished in those days what the improved machinery
of the present has made a pastime. On No. 30 the primitive settler was Joseph Wells,
who prior to 1795 had marked the locality for his own, and where the toil of years and
the enjoyments of rest and observation made up the round of life. Here for a long period
lived his son Joseph, and just east of the tract dwells his grandson, Joseph Wells.

Source: Everts, Ensign, and Everts. History of Ontario County, New York. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1876.
Reprinted by W. E. Morrison and Company, 1976. Section entitled Town of Farmington, p. 190.

Whatever their origin, John and Phebe, at some point in time, moved to Ontario County, NY.
There they purchased a tract of government land in Farmington and Canandaiga Townships, cleared it,
and made for themselves and their children a home where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

A map of the period confirms that Farmington and Canandaiga Townships were neighboring townships;
consequently, that land purchase would have been possible.

After John Dillon's death, according to the Waldo Thorn version of the Dillon family history, Phebe Dillon took over the management of the family farm with the aid of her sons who were approaching manhood. She made a success of the task and lived to a good old age. This part of this story also seems questionable. It may well be true that Phebe took over the management of the family farm. But her sons would have been older than is suggested by the phrase "approaching manhood." John and Phebe's eldest son, Matthew Dillon, would have been 40 years old when his father died, and Benjamin Dillon, the next eldest son, would have been 38.

Tombstone records indicate that Phebe died August 18, 1848 at the age of 87. The date of her marriage to John Dillon is unknown at this time, but Waldo Thorn recorded her birth date as November 5, 1761. Thorn also wrote the following of Phebe: "When she was looking after the work on the farm and other work that required her attention she rode a white horse" (Letter and record from Waldo Thorn, dated 1937).  

When John Dillon died, he left no will, and thus, it was his property and possessions were subject to probate.  The probate inventory is available through the Ontario County Records Office.  The probate inventory lists many items, but does not list a "white horse".

Because John and Phebe are both buried in the Dillon Cemetery in Ontario County, New York, there may be historical records in Ontario County, NY,  with more information about their lives and those of their children.

            

John Dillon Grave Stone
Dillon Cemetery
Hopewell, New York
In memory of
John Dillon
who died April 9, 1827
age 69 years  



Phebe Dillon Grave Stone
Dillon Cemetery
Hopewell, New York
Phebe
wife of John Dellon
DIED
August 18, 1848
aged 87 years

John and Phebe Dillon had eleven children:

CHILDREN DILLON

1. Elizabeth, b. September 11, 1784 in NY; (possibly b. in Orange County, NY) m. Oliver Cromwell McLouth (b. 1784)

According to Caroline McLouth Scott, both Elizabeth and Oliver are buried in the Dibble Cemetery in Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan.

2. Matthew, b. September 10, 1786 in NY; d. March 8, 1852, aged 65 yrs, 5 m., 28 days Tombstone Record--Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale Co., Michigan

3. Benjamin, b. September 11 (or 14?), 1788 in NY. d. April 15, 1866, at age 78 (Dillon Cemetery Tombstone Record); m. Christina Kennedy.

Benjamin and Christina had at least five children: James K., Jane, Sarah Ann, Phebe (probably named after her grandmother Dillon), and Margaret. 


Jane and Margaret are both buried at the Dillon Cemetery in Hopewell, N. Y. along with their father.

Benjamin may have been born in Dutchess County, NY.

A biographical sketch of his son, James K. Dillon, published in Portrait and Biographical Album of Hillsdale County, Michigan (1888) gives information about Benjamin Dillon and about other Dillon family members. See pg. 242 of that work.


Lida Dillon Hall, mentioned above, was a daughter of James K. Dillon.

The Michigan Genealogical Death Index System offers the following information about another of Benjamin and Christina's children:

DILLON, SARAH ANN   Date of death: 9-Apr-1874
Ledger Page: 218
Record Number: 154
Place of death: Wheatland County of Death: Hillsdale
Sex: Female
Race: White
Marital Status: Single
Age: 52 years
Cause of Death: Dropsy
Birthplace: Unknown
Occupation: Not Recorded
Father's Name: Dillon, Benjamin
Father's Residence: New York
Mother's Name: Dillon, Christina
Mother's Residence: Not Recorded
Date of record: 1-Jun-1875

Source: http://www.mdch.state.mi.us/gendisx/scripts/individual.idc?UniqueID=124996

4. John Jr., b. July 2, 1790; died June 21, 1813 at the age of 23

John Jr. is buried in the Greenhouse Cemetery, Ontario Co, NY: The tombstone record confirms his age at death as 23 yrs,
but the last numeral of the death date is missing/illegible.

5. William, b. October 15, 1792

6. Sarah, b. November 6, 1794

7. Leah, b. July 30, 1797 (twin); m. William B. or H. (?) Halstead. Both Leah and William are buried in the Greenhouse Cemetery, Ontario Co., NY.

8. Polly, b. July 30, 1797 (twin)

9. Martha, b. June 26, 1799

10. Joshua, b. June 15, 1801 (?); died July 26, 1825 at the age of 24 (Death date and age at death are from Dillon Cemetery tombstone records)

11. Moses, b. September 11, 1803; died November 11, 1870 in Pittsford, Hillsdale County, Michigan.

The 1870 Census indicates that Moses Dillon, age 67, was living in Pittsford, Hillsdale County, Michigan.
It further indicates that he was a farmer with Real Estate valued as $4600 and a personal estate valued at $200.
He had been born in New York. (Census taken August 9, 1870)


The Michigan Genealogical Death Index System offers the following information about Moses:

DILLON, MOSES  
Date of death: 11-Nov-1870
Ledger Page: 216
Record Number: 135
Place of death: Pittsford
County of Death: Hillsdale
Sex: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Widowed
Age: 67 years 1 month 15 days
Cause of Death: Alcoholic Drinks
Birthplace: New York
Occupation: Farmer
Father's Name: Dillon, John
Father's Residence: Deceased
Mother's Name: Dillon, Sarah (*Note: This name seems to be an error.)
Mother's Residence: Not Recorded
Date of record: 12-Jul-1871

Source: Michigan Gendis Death Index

Additional Notes:

1)Waldo Thorn wrote, "The record was cotained in A book of record that My Mother had that was writen in A very pretty bold hand and the ink is very plain it is dated March 12th 1818. authors name not given. Copied by Waldo Thorn 1937 Shawnee Oklahoma"

(Reproduced exactly as found in record provide by Thorn.) It should be noted that the "1818" date of the Thorn record is prior to the tombstone record death date for John Dillon (i.e., 1827).

2) A tombstone transcription of the Dillon/Greenhouse Cemetery, in Ontario County, NY includes the following information:

DILLON
Benjamin; died Apr 15 1866; ae 75 yrs;
Phebe, wife of John Dillon; died Aug 18 1848; in 87th yr;
John; died Apr 9 1827; ae 69 yrs;
John Jr., son of John and Phebe Dillon; died June 21 1813; ae 23 yrs;
Joshua; died July 22 1825; ae 24 yrs;
Jane, dau of Benjamin and Christane; died Nov 22 1826; ae 2 yrs;
Matthew; died Mar 24 1814; in 77th yr;
Moses; born Apr 30 1762; died Mar 24 1813;
William; died July 26 1814; in 46th yr;

Source: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyontari/dilloncem.htm

Sources of information:

1) Family Letter from Waldo Thorn to Harrie I. Dillon (1937)
2) The Portrait and Biographical Album of Hillsdale County, Michigan (1888)
3) The History of Ontario County, New York (1876; reprint 1976)
4) Ontario County, New York website information
5) Rootsweb genealogy pages, including the Dillon or Greenhouse Cemetery List.

The Dillon Family

The second generation ancestor of the Dillon family was Matthew Dillon. He was born September 10, 1786 in New York and was the son of John and Phebe Dillon.

The 1850 Census, recorded in August of that year, lists Matthew Dillon's age as 63, which supports his year of birth as 1786.

Also found in the 1850 Census: Matthew Dillon's occupation was listed as "Farmer with Real Estate valued at $800.00."
Living with him in Pittsford, Michigan in August of 1850 was his daughter, Malvina (or Melvina).

According to Waldo Thorn, Matthew Dillon was "a very large man 6 ft. 6 in. tall and weighed 450 lbs."
There is no means at present to corroborate that information.

Matthew married Anna Ryan, who was born in New York on March 7, 1789.

Anna Ryan died in Michigan on August 28, 1847.
She was the daughter of Timothy Ryan, who was a tailor in Philadelphia, and Anna Fuller, who had been born in New York.


Records from Westchester County, New York show a "Timothy Rhine" and a "Annah Fuller" who were married
on July 8, 1779.  These people are very likely the parents of Anna Ryan Dillon. The Westchester County record is for the South Salem Church.
        (Source:  http://the-red-thread.net/NY-south-salem-marriages.html )

Matthew died March 8, 1852. Both Matthew Dillon and Anna Ryan Dillon are buried at the Locust Corners Cemetery, in Hillsdale County, Michigan.

In December 2001, the Historian's Newsletter of Ontario County, NY reported the following information about a Timothy Ryan, probably Anna's father:

Matthew Badger, an Eagle Scout candidate of Troop 32 (St. John's Church, Canandaigua) has put up a new historical marker
at the small cemetery on Route 21, Hopewell, where there is a unique burial.

Timothy Ryan died in 1814 when his plow ran through an underground bees nest. He was stung to death by a swarm. According to an American Medical Association study, Ryan was the first (sic) recorded death due to bee stings in the US.

At one time Ryan had an elaborate tombstone. It was destroyed by winter, wind, and frost many years ago. However, the grave is still identifiable.
Written up by Ripley's "Believe It Or Not," the grave site has long needed remarking.

Source: http://raims.com/historian/NLTDEC01.htm
The Historian's Newsletter, of Ontario County, NY December 2001, Vol. XIX

CHILDREN DILLON

1. John, Jr. b. October 15, 1810

2. Lewis, b. May 24, 1813; m. Harriet Sloan

Lewis and Harriet Dillon were the parents of a son named Marian Jasper Dillon, who was born about 1843. Ellen Dillon Van Camp remembered him and recalled his visits with her parents when they lived in North Adams. He came to see them from Hudson.

3. Lorenzo, b. March 23, 1815 (twin) (born in New York); d. July 10, 1865 at the age of 50. Buried in Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale Co., Michigan.

4. Loretta, b. March 23, 1815 (twin) (born in New York) Married Alva R. Fuller, who was born about 1816 in NY.

Other internet records indicate that they were married in Michigan. They had three children, and in 1850 lived in Pittsford Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan.

Through email correspondence in July 2001 with Mary Lou Rogers, I learned that Loretta Dillon Fuller and Alva R. Fuller moved to Newton County, Missouri sometime before 1880 because in the 1880 Census, they are listed as residents of Marion Township, Newton County, Missouri.
Alva R. Fuller is identified as being age 64, Loretta is age 65 (supporting her previously identified year of birth as 1815.)
Their three children are identified as Laura A. age 33, Carson L. 23, and John M 13.

It was also indicated in the email correspondence that Laura A. Fuller was married to James Carter in Newton County, Missouri.

5. William, b. October 1, 1817; d. April 2, 1848

6. Martha, b. December 27, 1819; d. October (12 or 15?), 1851, at age 31 yrs, 9 months, and 15 days (Tombstone Record: Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale Co, MI)

7. Bonaparte, b. July 26, 1822

8. Sarah Ann, b. April 26, 1825; d. October 29, 1909. Sarah married James Henry Thorn.

They were the parents of five children: Josephine, James, Henry, Mary, and Waldo.
An internet listing of Michigan Marriages, 1851-1875 offers the following information:

THORN, JAMES H.  
Spouse: DILLON, SARAH A.
Marriage Date: 17 Apr 1853  
County: Hill
State: MI

9. Melvina, b. October 25, 1827 (or Malvina)

Sources of information:
1. Record provided by Waldo Thorn
2. Locust Corners Cemetery Tombstone inscriptions; and
3. 1850 U. S. Census

The Dillon Family

The third generation of the Dillon family is represented in the birth of Lorenzo Dillon, son of Matthew Dillon and Anna Ryan Dillon.
Lorenzo and his twin sister, Loretta, were born March 23, 1815, in New York.
His tombstone inscription records the date of his death as July 10, 1865 at age 50. That age record would tend to confirm the 1815 birth date.
Census records from various years also confirm the year of his birth as 1815.
Lorenzo married Abigail Pratt on October 3, 1838 and they moved to Michigan in 1839.
Abbie was born in Mt. Washington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

After Lorenzo's death, Abbie married James Morrison in 1867.
The 1880 Census indicates that they were living in Muir, Lyons Township, Ionia County, Michigan.
It is believed that she was living in Muir, Michigan at the time of her death.

According to her tombstone, Abbie died October 19, 1894 at age 78.
That would mean that she was born in about 1816, and census records from 1860, 1870, and 1880 support 1816 as the year of her birth.

Both Lorenzo and Abbie are buried in Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.

Lorenzo and Abbie had three children:

CHILDREN DILLON

1. Leander Philo, b. July 28, 1839 in New York; d: June 26, 1906 in Michigan; m. Ellen (Nellie) Melissa Schutt (or Shutt)

2. Linus Matthew, b. January 17, 1842 in Michigan; d: November 20, 1874 at age 32 (in Denver City, Colorado).

He is buried at Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.
His tombstone lists his name as Linus M. and gives his date of death and his age at that time.
Census records from 1860 and 1870 list Linus as three years younger than Leander, thus tending to confirm his birth year as 1842.

The Michigan Genealogical Death Index System offers the following information about Linus:

DILLON, LINUS M  
Date of death: 20-Nov-1874
Ledger Page: 213
Record Number: 25
Place of death: Denver City
County of Death: Hillsdale
Sex: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Single
Age: 32 years 10 months 3 days
Cause of Death: Hemorrhage Of Lungs
Birthplace: Michigan
Occupation: Not Recorded
Father's Name: Dillon, Lorenzo
Father's Residence: Michigan
Mother's Name: Dillon, Abigal
Mother's Residence: Michigan
Date of record: 1-Jun-1875

3. Jeanette (also listed in census records as  Jennett).  Tombstone record:  Nettie H., b. about 1848 in Michigan; died September 22, 1863 at age 15.

She is buried in the Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.
Her tombstone lists her name as Nettie H. and indicates her date of death and age at that time.

The information in the 1850 Census lists Lorenzo and Abigail's ages as 35 and 34,
which would confirm the years of their births as 1815 and 1816, respectively.
The 1850 Census also indicates that in 1850, Leander and Linus were attending school.
Lorenzo's occupation was listed as "Farmer with Real Estate valued at $1000.00"

The Dillon Family

The fourth generation ancestors of the Dillon family through whom the line of descent continued were Leander Dillon and his wife Ellen Melissa Schutt. She was called Nellie by her family.

Leander Dillon was born July 28, 1839, and died June 26, 1906, at age 66. The 1900 Census also confirms that Leander was born July 1839.

According to the 1900 Census, Nellie was born February 17, 1842 in Massachusetts. She died September 13, 1898, at age 56. This information can be verified from tombstone records at Locust Corners Cemetery in Hillsdale County, Michigan.

There is also an obituary for Ellen Schutt Dillon (i.e., Mrs. Leander Dillon) in the Hudson Post, issue dated September 16, 1898.

Leander and Ellen (Nellie) had two children:

CHILDREN DILLON

Harrie Ira, b. December 21, 1868; d. March 14, 1949; m. March 6, 1890 to Mary Elizabeth Vandervolgen

Birney Lorenzo, b. August 12, 1871; d. December 5, 1957; m. Lulu A. Fox on March 9, 1897

Harrie and Birney represent the fifth generation of this branch of the Dillon family.

Harrie Ira, b. December 21, 1868; d. March 14, 1949; m. March 6, 1890 to Mary Elizabeth Vandervolgen; they had five children:

1. Anna Gertrude, b. January 1894; died 1905?. Buried at Locust Corners Cemetery, Hillsdale Co., Michigan

2. Alfred Vander, b. August 12, 1899; died August 23, 1978.

3. Ellen Marie, b. November 7, 1901; died January 19, 1990. Buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan

4. Henry Jasper, b. February 20, 1904; d. February 3, 1990. Buried at Dibble Cemetery, Wheatland Township, Hillsdale Co., Michigan

5. Alice Janet, b. September 14, 1907; died July 19, 2001. Buried at Church's Corners Cemetery, Wheatland Township, Hillsdale Co., Michigan

Birney Lorenzo, b. August 12, 1871; d. December 5, 1957; m. Lulu A. Fox on March 9, 1897; they had two children;

1. Floyd Cutler, b. June 21, 1900; died January 18, 1963. Married Mildred Wood Shawver on June 27, 1920.

2. Helen Florine, b. August 31, 1904; died December 6, 1961.