The Honorable Mr. Nelson Ferris




Wayne County is the birthplace of notable persons, as well as being the former home of many residents of Indiana. Several researchers that we know of are Ferris family descendants, and so we're delighted to present the profile of Mr. Nelson Ferris and documents relating to other Ferris family members.


Photo of Nelson Ferris"Nelson Ferris was one of nine children born to Leonard and Sarah Elizabeth Ryan Ferris, who settled in Savannah, Wayne Co, NY in about 1820. Nelson, and several of his siblings [ Ellen Jane Ferris Carkner/Carkenord, Richard Ferris, John Allen Ferris and Louisa Ferris Hawes], moved to IN and MI in the 1840's and 1850's.

Sarah "Sallie" Weeks Ferris was the wife of Nelson Ferris. While born in Watertown, NY much of her early life was spent in Palmyra, NY.

I descend from Nelson's older sister, Ellen Jane who married John Carkner/Carkenord and then settled in St Joseph Co., MI."
Mary Sorensen [Note: contributor Mary Sorensen passed away.]


From South Bend and the Men Who Have Made It, published in South Bend, 1901, by the Tribune Printing Co., page 423:

HON. NELSON FERRIS: One of the popular public men of St. Joseph County passed away in the death of Hon. Nelson Ferris, who died at his home in Mishawaka, October 24, 1899. His value to this city was well known and his memory is cherished by all who knew him in life. Mr. Ferris was a native of New York state and was born in the village of Hentz, in Cayuga County, November 8, 1817. He came of a family prominent in Central New York, and his father was a successful farmer, and young Ferris lived at home until he was sixteen years of age and attended the county schools. In 1833 he went to Seneca Falls, N. Y., where he apprenticed himself to learn the milling trade, and he remained there in that business until 1842, when he came to Mishawaka, where he engaged in the milling business and continued at it many years. Mr. Ferris was always prominent in the business life of this city and was interested in a number of enterprises here. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of St. Joseph County, and held that position during the war. In 1866 he was elected to the State Legislature from St. Joseph County and served two years. He was on many important committees including claims, prison and appropriations and was an able representative and won the esteem of all. Mr. Ferris was often asked to accept other political honors but refused. During his long life he had been active in advocating the best interests of the city and his influence was felt in any movement in which he was engaged. Mr. Ferris was married in 1841 to Miss Sally Weeks, of Pamelia, N. Y., who still survives him at the honored age of ninety years. To them were born four children, Morton E., long deceased, and Mrs. J. K. Gore, of Indianapolis, W. W. Ferris, of Mendone, Mich., and Mrs. A. L. Osborne, of Laporte, Ind. Mr. Ferris' death was mourned by all who knew him and his funeral was largely attended by sorrowing friends. His body was borne to its last resting place by his warm friends, H. G. Niles, Charles Sandlands, John Tromp, John Uline, Luther Cass and A. Gaylor.




MORE FERRIS FAMILY INFORMATION

Last Will and Testament/Proof of Will for Joseph Ferris [1807-1884]
Joseph was the oldest of the 9 children of Leonard and Betsy Ryan Ferris. Joseph was born in Dutchess County [most likely the area that is now Putnam County] NY.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOSEPH FERRIS

I, Joseph Ferris, of the town of Savannah, in the County of Wayne, and State of New York, of the age of 67 years and upwards, being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say:

First, I direct my executors, herein after named, to sell and convert into money all the real and personal property of which I may die seized or possessed and I direct and authorized them to sell the same upon such terms of credit as they may deem for best advantage to my estate and I authorize and empower my said the executors to execute all necessary deeds of conveyance of my said real estate to the purchaser or purchasers thereof and to take such bonds and mortgages for the purchase money as they may think best, using their own discretion as to time to be given for purchase price, to the end that the list price may be obtained and out of the avails of such sales of personal property and real estate I direct my said executors to first pay all my just debts, funeral expenses and expense of selling my estate.

Second, I give and bequeath to such of the children of my deceased son Washington Ferris as shall be living at the time of my decease the sum of two thousand dollars to be divided equally between them by my said executors, share and share alike, and I direct my said executors to pay such sum to them from the avails of the property herein directed to be sold.

Third, I give and bequeath to my daughter Julia Sweet, wife of Vaughn Sweet, the sum of two thousand dollars and I direct my executors, herein after named, to pay the said sum to her from the avails of the property herein before directed to be sold and should my daughter Julia Sweet not survive me, then the said sum shall be paid to her heirs, share and share alike.

Fourth, I given bequeath to my son O'Connell Ferris, now residing in the state of Michigan, the sum of two thousand dollars, and I direct my executors, herein after named, to pay the sum to him from the avails of the property herein directed to be sold and should my said son not survive me, then the said sum shall be paid to his heirs, share and share alike.

Fifth, I give and bequeath to my daughter Dolly Jane Davis, wife of John Davis, the sum of two thousand dollars, and I direct my executors, herein after named, to pay the same to her from the avails of the sale of my said real and personal property, and should my said daughter not survive me, then the said sum shall be paid to her heirs, share and share alike.

Sixth, I give and bequeath to my son Nelson Ferris, the sum of two thousand dollars and I direct my executors, herein after named, to pay the same to him from the avails of my real and personal property, herein directed to be sold and should my said son not survive me, I direct said sum to be paid to his heirs, share and share alike.

Seventh, should any sum be left after paying the debts, legacies and sums herein before directed to be paid, I give and bequeath the same as follows: one sixth part thereof to such of the children of my said deceased son Washington Ferris, as shall be living at the time of my death, divided between them share and share alike; and the remaining five sixths to my children Julia Sweet, Sarah Hall, O'Connell Ferris, Dolly Jane Davis and Nelson Ferris to be divided between them, share and share alike and should any of my said children not survive me, his or her share under this clause shall be paid to his or her heirs, share and share alike, and I direct my executors to make such payment.

Eighth, should any of my children desire to purchase the homestead where I now reside, it is my will that they have the preference over others desiring to purchase at the same terms. I have omitted to give my daughter, Sarah F. Hall as much as my other children because I had given more than the sum here in named for each of them to her and her husband in the sale, to them, of a farm this year.

Lastly, I nominate and appoint my son O'Connell Ferris and my sons-in-law Vaughn Sweet and Aaron F. Hall executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I revoke all former wills by me ever made.

In Testimony Whereof I have to this my Last Will and Testament written upon two sheets of paper subscribed my name and affixed my seal this Second day of November, 1874.


Joseph Ferris [signature]
The written and foregoing instrument was at the date thereof subscribed by Joseph Ferris the testator herein named and by him declared to be his Last Will and Testament in our presence and here upon we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other sign our names as witnesses hereto this Second day of November, 1874.
Geo. O Baker      Residing at Clyde
[signature]
J. Vandenburg      Residing at Clyde
[signature]

NOTE: This document is hand written, and was obtained from the Wayne county Historian, Wayne County, New York.

WAYNE SURROGATE'S COURT

In the matter of Proving the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Ferris, late of the town of Savannah, in the county of Wayne, deceased.

COUNTY OF WAYNE, ss: Geo. O Baker of the town of Galen in the county of Wayne, being duly sworn and examined before Hon. Thaddeus W. Collins, Surrogate of the said County of Wayne, deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Joseph Ferris in his lifetime, and was present and saw the said Joseph Ferris subscribe his name at the end of the instrument in writing now produced and shown to deponent, bearing date the second day of November, 1874 purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Joseph Ferris, deceased. That the said Joseph Ferris at the time he so subscribed it, declared the said instrument to be his last will and testament, and requested this deponent and John Vanderburg, each one to subscribe their names as witnesses to the execution thereof.

Thereupon, this deponent and said John Vanderburg in obedience to said request, accordingly subscribed their names as witnesses at the end of said instrument, in presence of said Joseph Ferris and of each other. This deponent further saith, that the said Joseph Ferris at the time he so executed the said will was a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the County of Wayne, of full age, of sounded disposing mind and memory, in all respects competent to make a will, and not under any restraint. And that the said will now appears in all respects as when so executed, without any alteration, obliteration or erasure whatsoever.


Sworn this 7th day of April, 1884, before me,
T. W. Collins, Surrogate
[signature]

Geo. O. Baker [signature]


COUNTY OF WAYNE, ss: John Vanderburg of the town of Galen in the county of Wayne, being duly sworn and examined before Hon. Thaddeus W Collins, Surrogate of the said County of Wayne, desposeth and saith, that he was well aquainted with Joseph Ferris in his lifetime, and was present and saw the said Joseph Ferris subscribe his name at the end of the instrument in writing now produced and shown to this deponent, bearing date the second day of November, 1874, purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Joseph Ferris, deceased. That the said Joseph Ferris at the time he sells subscribe did declared the said instrument to be his last will and testament and requested this deponent and one Geo. OBaker, to subscribe their names as witnesses to the execution thereof.

Thereupon, this deponent and said Geo. OBaker the in obedience to said request, accordingly subscribe their names as witnesses at the end of said instrument, in the presence of the said Joseph Ferris and of each other. This deponent further saith, that the said Joseph Ferris at the time he so executed the said will was a citizen of the United State, an inhabitant of the County of Wayne, of full age, of sound disposing mind and memory, in all respects competent to make a will, and not under any restraint. And that the said will, now appears in all respects as when so executed, without any alteration, obliteration or erasure whatsoever.
Sworn this 7th day of April, 1884, before me.


T. W. Collins, Surrogate
[signature]

John Vanderburg
[signature]





Here is an estate document on another of the Ferris Brothers, second child of Leonard and Sarah Elizabeth Ryan Ferris. William was blind [cause unknown] and did not marry until "middle age".

ESTATE OF WILLIAM FERRIS

Affidavit To Exempt Estates From Fees

In the matter of the Estate of William Ferris, late of Savannah in the County of Wayne, Deceased.

STATE OF NEW YORK
Wayne County

Joseph Ferris of the town of Marion in the County of Wayne, being duly sworn says that he is a legal applicant for business to be done before the Surrogate of Wayne County in relation to the estate of William Ferris, late of the town of Savannah in said County of Wayne deceased, that is to say; for Letter of Administrations on the Estate of the deceased.

And the deponent further says that in his judgment the real and personal estate of the said deceased, will not exceed in value the sum of five hundred dollars, over and above the payment of the debts of the said deceased, and articles of said estate exempt from appraisal.

Joseph Ferris
[signature]

Sworn this 28th day of April 1862, before me.
Stephen B Pound

PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION

TO THE SURROGATE OF THE COUNTY OF WAYNE

The petition of Joseph Ferris respectfully showeth: That William Ferris died at Savannah in said county on or about the twentieth day of February, 1862: That the said William Ferris was an inhabitant of the said County of Wayne at or immediately previous to his death: That no last will and testament of the said deceased has been found or discovered, to the knowledge of your petitioner, and your petitioner believes that the said William Ferris died intestate: That your petitioner has, to the best of his ability, estimated and ascertained the value of the personal property of which the said deceased died possessed, and that the same does not exceed the sum of about three hundred dollars:

That the said intestate left a widow, Anna Ferris whose renunciation is hereto annexed and left next of kin whose names and places of residence are as follows: whose renunciation is hereto annexed: Leonard Ferris the father of the said deceased, your petitioner, and Margaret Betts, the wife of Riel Betts of Savannah aforesaid, Nelson Ferris, John A Ferris and Louisa Hawes, the wife of Elijah Hawes of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Richard Ferris of Cheshire, in the County of Allegan, Michigan, Ellen J Carkenord, the wife of John Carkenord of St. Joseph County, Michigan, who are brothers and sisters of the said deceased.

Your petitioner further showeth, that he is of full age; and prays that letters of Administration be granted to him of the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased.

And your petitioner will ever pray, &c.
Dated this 28th day of April, 1862


Joseph Ferris
[signature]

[Notarized]
Stephen B Pound
Notary Public for Wayne County

TO THE SURROGATE OF THE COUNTY OF WAYNE

We, Anna Ferris, widow of William Ferris, late of the town of Savannah deceased, and Leonard Ferris, father of said deceased, do hereby renounce our respective rights to Letters of Administration on the estate of said deceased, & request you to appoint Joseph Ferris, the brother of said deceased, administrator of his estate and give letters of administration to him accordingly.


Savannah, March 17, 1862
Witness:
Robert Brown [signature]
Hugh Boyd [signature]

      Her
Anna    X    Ferris
      Mark

Leonard Ferris
[signature]


County of Wayne SS: Robert Brown, being duly sworn says that the foregoing renunciation was signed by Anna Ferris and Leonard Ferris by making their mark to the same in the presence of this deponent and the said Hugh Boyd, respectfully subscribe their names hereto as witnesses to the execution thereof.

Sworn this 28th day of April, 1862, before me,      Robert Brown
Stephen B Pound
Notary Public for Wayne County

NOTE: There were no other Renunciation documents included in this packet.




Both William Ferris and Joseph Ferris are buried in the Pilgrim's rest Cemetery, as are two other Ferris siblings--Leonard Ferris, Jr. and Margaret Sarah Ferris Betts.

Nelson Ferris, & his wife Sallie Weeks Ferris are buried at the Mishawaka City Cemetery in Mishawaka, St Joseph Co., IN.

Other Ferris siblings are:

Richard Ferris, buried at Pearson Cemetery, Allegan Co., MI [with wife Hannah Milburn Ferris]

John Allen Ferris [with wife Amy Jane Reynolds] are both buried at the Pearson Cemetery, Allegan Co., MI. John was a private in the 87th IN Vol Infantry in the Civil War.

Ellen Jane Ferris Carkenord [husband John Carkenord/Carkner] are buried at St Edward's Cemetery, Mendon, St. Joseph Co., MI. [These are my 4th great grandparents].

Louisa Ferris Hawes is buried at the Pearson Cemetery, Allegan Co., MI. Her husband, Elijah Hawes is buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI. Elijah was a private in the 3rd MI Vol Cav in the Civil War and was from the town of Conquest in Cayuga Co, NY.




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Created: 10/14/99
Updated: 10/17/99
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