There were many Ferguson families in the USA from early periods. Because of associations, the one here recorded has particular interest to this historian.

The first record of this branch of the Ferguson family relates to Lewis Ferguson, Senior, who lived [in] 1790 with his wife [blank space] four sons and one daughter in Middletown Township, Ulster County, New York. Of the five children, [the] name[s] of John and Lewis, Junior are known.

Lewis Ferguson, Junior, son of Lewis, Senior, and [blank space] was born [blank space] 1789 in probably Middletown Township, above location. He died 12 October 1857 in Sidney Plains, New York, and is buried in the old cemetery at the village square, present Sidney, New York.

On [blank space] Lewis, Junior, married Betsy (Teed or Tidd?) born [blank space] 1799, daughter of (John and [blank space] Teed?). Betsy died 11 October 1839 in probably Sidney Plains and is buried in Sidney beside her husband. (NOTE: The name BETSEY is inscribed on the memorial marker at the grave-site in the Sidney cemetery.)

When Lewis and Betsy married, they lived [in] Colchester township, Delaware County, New York. They moved to Masonville township, same country, prior to 1822 and removed before the year 1840 to Sidney township, same county.

Children of Lewis and Betsy:

• 1. Jane Ferguson, born 1820
  • NOTE: Although references to this honorable lady (nine children!) always appear in the name "Jane," it may be accepted her full name was Mary Jane Ferguson. In an affidavit acknowledge 1907 at Sidney, New York, son John L. Fitzgerald gave the following information -- Marriage: William H. Fitzgerald and Mary J. Ferguson Nov 6 1842 and affirmed that it is recorded in the Fitzgerald family Bible in his father's handwriting.
• 2. Harmon Ferguson, born 1822
• 3. George Ferguson, born 1825
  • Died 4 September 1843
  • Buried old cemetery at village square, Sidney, New York
• 4. Daniel Ferguson, born 1828 or 1829
• 5. Phoebe Ferguson, born 1830 or 1831
• 6. John Lewis Ferguson, born 12 February 1832 or 1833 (gravemarker 1830)
  • His son was: Frederick Ferguson, m. Mary Ellen Putnam. Their children were: (1) Bertha Ferguson, born 1890, died 1938, buried Prospect Hill cemetery, Sidney, m. [blank space] Stevens; (2) Name unknown, living 1898.
• 7. Charles Henry Ferguson, born about 1837 (gravemarker 1832)
• 8. Mary Ferguson, born 1838 or 1839
  • Very little information is available for this member. In 1850 census Sidney township, Mary, age 11, appears in Lewis Ferguson's family. Also census 1855 same, Mary is recorded age 18. It seems quite certain Mary belongs in this family. Furthermore, age 11 in 1850, therefore born 1839, is more likely correct. Mother Betsy died 1839, so there may be connections between these events.

Charles Henry Ferguson, son of Lewis Ferguson and Betsy (Teed or Tidd), born about 1837, gravemarker 1832, died 10 March 1900 in Sidney [of] Bright's Disease [and is] buried [in the] Prospect Hill cemetery, Sidney. [He] married Hannah Ann Moore (O'Moore), born 1843, by gravemarker, an estimate, in Ireland; died 14 September 1924 at the home of her daughter Mary, Norwich, New York, and is buried [in] Prospect Hill

From appraisal by members of his family, Charles Ferguson had a somewhat sensitive nature, albeit a happy-go-lucky way of dealing with life. In fact, he allowed his care-free nature to interfere with the serious business of productive effort. He did well at handling of horses, but had no ambition to apply himself in any way like a steady fashion. His idea of the good life was a fishing rod and relaxing alongside a fishing spot for hours at a time.

After marriage, the family lived in Sidney until 1876. At that time, business in the USA was in a depressed state. When wife Ann learned of work opportunities at Canton, Pennsylvania, the family of four moved there.

Father Charles was discontented in the new surroundings. He longed for fellowship with his "cronies" and the scenes of his youth. One day before the year 1880, he walked away in the direction of north. In due time, he appeared in his native Sidney. There he lived the remaining years. So far as known, he and wife Ann never saw each other again.

Hannah Ann O'More, O'Moore, (called Ann) came to the USA from Portumna, County Galway, Ireland, circa 1849 when a small child. Her father owned a farm on the River Shannon near Portumna. Discouraged by losses during the Great Famine, potato blight 1846-1847, he arranged to sell his property and migrate to America. The mother and children excepting the eldest daughter moved as planned. She and father remained to complete the transaction. In the interim, the father died and the daughter remained in Ireland. The family in the USA came to Troy, New York, but soon scattered to Troy environs and western Massachusetts. Hannah was induced when about age 13 by a lady from Sidney, New York, who was visiting at the home of a neighbor of Hannah's mother, to go with her to Sidney to serve in her employ. Ellen O'Moore, a younger sister of Hannah, was in Sidney also at an early age. Whether she accompanied Hannah or came later is not recorded.

Children of Charles and Hannah Ann:

• 1. Mary, born 17 February 1859
• 2. Maria E., born 1863
  • This is the only known record of this little girl. It was transcribed from a small, badly weathered, grey marble tablet set in the soil of the old cemetery village common (later called Pioneer cemetery), Sidney, New York. The inscription on the table is deciphered with difficulty: Maria E., dau of Chas and Hannah Ferguson, Died Feb 1? 1864 aged 10 mos 7 days.
• 3. Clara Ferguson, born 6 May 1867
  • [Follow this link to further information on Clara and her Campbell descendents.]