Silas SALISBURY

(b. 26 June 1784 , Scituate, Crown Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations d. abt. 1854 , Walworth, Wisconsin, USA )

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Silas SALISBURY was born 26 June 1784 in Scituate, Crown Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Silas SALISBURY was the child of Thomas SALISBURY and Sarah NEWSAM? and the grandchild of: (paternal) Thomas SALISBURY and Rebecca BUSHEE

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Silas married Lydia DODGE 19 February 1807 in New York, USA . The couple had (at least) 12 children.
Lydia DODGE was born 3 February 1786 in Colchester, Connecticut, USA (Westchester). Lydia died 3 March 1845 in Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA. Lydia was the child of Elisha DODGE and Silena CHAPMAN.

Silas married (2) Anna SPRAGUE 24 November 1847 in Walworth, Wisconsin, USA . Anna SPRAGUE was born abt. 1783 in Massachusetts, USA.

Silas SALISBURY died abt. 1854 in Walworth, Wisconsin, USA.

parents not proven. Possible parents include: Benjamin Salisbury and Lydia Baker OR Duty Salisbury and Cynthia Smith (not likely) OR Thomas SALISBURY and Sarah NEWSAM (most likely)

Details of the family tree of Silas appear below.

A Glimpse into the Everyday Life of the Average American Man in the Mid-1800s

Family and Children of Silas SALISBURY

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Silas SALISBURY married

Lydia DODGE-- Date: 19 February 1807 Place: , New York, USA
Lydia DODGE was the child of Elisha DODGE and Silena CHAPMAN

Children of Silas SALISBURY and Lydia DODGE:

Amanda SALISBURY (b.6 November 1807, , New York, USA d. 14 January 1867, )

Ansel SALISBURY (b.15 May 1809, Cortland, New York, USA d. 24 November 1884, Whitewater, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA)

Oliver SALISBURY (b.25 May 1811, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA d. 25 November 1866, Whitewater, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA)
m. Emily CRAVATH 27 April 1841

Nelson SALISBURY (b.31 December 1812, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA d. 14 September 1880, Whitewater, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA)

Rhoda SALISBURY (b.23 February 1815, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA d. 14 January 1867, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA)

Elisha SALISBURY (b.10 October 1816, , New York, USA d. 29 November 1889, Pleasant Grove, Sutter, California, USA)

George SALISBURY (b.10 April 1819, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA d. 7 April 1889, Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA)

Mary Jane SALISBURY (b.7 April 1821, , New York, USA d. 18 April 1880, Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA)

Christopher SALISBURY (b.23 December 1822, , New York, USA d. , , Minnesota, USA)

Silas SALISBURY (b.2 March 1825, , New York, USA d. 3 March 1827, , New York, USA)

Samuel Alton SALISBURY (b.25 May 1829, , New York, USA d. 6 December 1886, Gilroy, Santa Clara County, California, USA)

Lydia Ann SALISBURY (b.28 January 1830, , New York, USA d. 30 January 1905, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA)

Silas SALISBURY married

Anna SPRAGUE-- Date: 24 November 1847 Place: Walworth, Wisconsin, USA

Children of Silas SALISBURY and Anna SPRAGUE:

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Discovering the Ancestry of Silas SALISBURY: Events, Photos & Historical Records

1784 Birth
26 June 1784
Scituate, Crown Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

1787 - U.S. Constitution ratified (September 17)

1789 - George Washington becomes the 1st President of the United States

George Washington Genealogy

1791 - The Bill of Rights takes effect (December 15)

1793 - The cotton gin is invented (Eli Whitney, United States)

1797 - John Adams becomes President of the United States

John Adams Genealogy

1800 - Electric storage battery is invented (Alessandro Volta, Italy)

1801 - Thomas Jefferson becomes President of the United States

Thomas Jefferson Genealogy

1803 - Louisiana Purchase - The United States doubled its size by purchasing this territory from Spain. (October 20)

1805 - Lewis and Clark reach Pacific (November 15)

1807 Marriage / Partner
Silas SALISBURY and Lydia DODGE 19 February 1807, , New York, USA

He was 22 years old.

1807 Birth of Child
Amanda SALISBURY was born 6 November 1807, , New York, USA

Silas was 23 years old.

1809 - James Madison becomes President of the United States

1809 Birth of Child
Ansel SALISBURY was born 15 May 1809, Cortland, New York, USA

Silas was 24 years old.

1811 Birth of Child
Oliver SALISBURY was born 25 May 1811, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA

Silas was 26 years old.

The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, lasting from 1812 to 1815. It was primarily fueled by issues such as trade restrictions due to Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, and British support of Native American tribes against American expansion. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent, restoring pre-war boundaries but resolving few of the initial disputes.

1812 Birth of Child
Nelson SALISBURY was born 31 December 1812, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA

Silas was 28 years old.

1815 Birth of Child
Rhoda SALISBURY was born 23 February 1815, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA

Silas was 30 years old.

1816 Birth of Child
Elisha SALISBURY was born 10 October 1816, , New York, USA

Silas was 32 years old.

1817 - The bicycle is invented (Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun, Germany)

1817 - James Monroe becomes President of the United States

1819 Birth of Child
George SALISBURY was born 10 April 1819, Marathon, Cortland, New York, USA

Silas was 34 years old.

1820 - Harrison, Cortland, New York
Name: Silas Salisbury
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Harrison, Cortland, New York
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 4
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 7
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 9
1820 U.S. Census
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

Silas SALISBURY - Date: September 19, 1821 Location: New York Paper: Saratoga Sentinel Date: October 17, 1821 Location: New York Paper: Saratoga Sentinel

Date: September 19, 1821
Location: New York
Paper: Saratoga Sentinel

Date: October 17, 1821
Location: New York
Paper: Saratoga Sentinel

1821 Birth of Child
Mary Jane SALISBURY was born 7 April 1821, , New York, USA

Silas was 36 years old.

1822 Birth of Child
Christopher SALISBURY was born 23 December 1822, , New York, USA

Silas was 38 years old.

1824 - Portland cement is invented (Joseph Aspdin, England)

1825 - The locomotive is invented (George Stephenson, England)

1825 Birth of Child
Silas SALISBURY was born 2 March 1825, , New York, USA

Silas was 40 years old.

1825 - John Quincy Adams becomes President of the United States

1826 - The gas stove is invented (James Sharp, England)

1826 - Witness to a Will - Cortland County, NY
Probate Record: Will & Codicil of Alexander Leach — Silas Salisbury as Witness

This is a probate proceeding from Cortland County, NY, and it connects directly to the Silas Salisbury you've been tracking in that county (the same one from the 1840 Niles deed) — here he appears as a subscribing witness to the will of a neighbor, Alexander Leach, deceased.

The Document

Two proceedings are recorded here:

1. Proof of the Original Will (page 269)
Testator: Alexander Leach, late of 'Harrison' [Homer? — hard to read], deceased
Will dated: August 15, 1826
Proved before: Jabez B. Phelps, Surrogate of Cortland County
Date of proof: September 19, 1827
Witness giving testimony: James Jones (one of the subscribing witnesses)

James Jones testified that he was present with Daniel Sherman and Silas Salisbury — the other two subscribing witnesses — when Alexander Leach, being of sound disposing mind and memory, published and declared the instrument as his last will and testament, and ...Read MORE...

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1826 - Former U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.

1827 - Matches are invented (John Walker, England)

1827 - The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is incorporated, becoming the first railroad in America offering commercial transportation of both people and freight.

1827 Death of Child
Silas SALISBURY died 3 March 1827, , New York, USA

Silas was 42 years old.

1829 - The sewing machine is invented (Barthélemy Thimonnier, France)

1829 - Andrew Jackson becomes President of the United States

1829 Birth of Child
Samuel Alton SALISBURY was born 25 May 1829, , New York, USA

Silas was 44 years old.

1830 - Cincinnatus, Cortland, New York
Name: Silas Sailsbury
[Silas Silsbury]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Cincinnatus, Cortland, New York
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
Total Free White Persons: 12
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12
1830 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1830 Birth of Child
Lydia Ann SALISBURY was born 28 January 1830, , New York, USA

Silas was 45 years old.

1830 - The Indian Removal Act marks the beginning of the forced relocation of five tribes of native Americans, known as Trail of Tears

1837 - Martin Van Buren becomes President of the United States

Settlers of 1838 - History of Walworth County
Of the settlers of 1838 there is the following record:...

Silas Salisbury, Courtland, Ny.Y. Located on Section 34, with his family of seven sons and four daughters. His wife died March 3rd, 1845, aged 59 years. He re-married - remained in Spring Prairie about ten years, and moved into the town of Walworth, where he died.

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1839 - February 24 - Steam shovel patented by William Smith Otis (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

1840 to 1860s - French-Canadian emigration to the United States

From the 1840s through the 1880s, thousands trekked westward, carrying only a few belonging and supplies for the journey, and settling on the western frontier, forever changing the American West.

1840 - Sale of Property in Cincinnatus, Cortland, New York
Deed Interpretation: Silas Salisbury to Willard S. Niles (1840)

This is the second deed on pages 376–377 of your deed book — a full sale by Silas Salisbury and Lydia (his wife) of Marathon, Cortland County, NY, to Willard S. Niles of Hamilton, Madison County, NY.

Key Facts

Date of execution: April 9, 1840
Date recorded: April 10, 1840, at 2:00 P.M.
Recording clerk: O. Stimson, Clerk, per D.B. Canfield, Deputy
Consideration: $900

Grantors (first part): Silas Salisbury and Lydia, his wife — Town of Marathon, County of Cortland, State of New York
Grantee (second part): Willard S. Niles — Town of Hamilton, County of Madison, State of New York

The Two Parcels Conveyed

Parcel 1 — Part of Lot No. 65, in the Town of Marathon (formerly Cincinnatus), Cortland County. Metes and bounds:

Beginning at the southwest corner of the [100-acre lot referenced]
West 25 chains 20 links to a stake
North 19 chains 25 links to a stake
East 25 chains 20 links to a stake
South to...Read MORE...

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1840 - Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin
Name: Silas Salisbury
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin Territory
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 6
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
Total Free White Persons: 11
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 11
1840 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1841 - William Henry Harrison becomes President of the United States

1841 - John Tyler becomes President of the United States

1843 - The Christmas card is invented (Sir Henry Cole and John Callcott Horsley, England)

Artificial Freezer Patented (Nancy M. Johnson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

1845 - The rubber band is invented (Stephen Perry, England)

The refrigerator is invented (John Gorrie, United States)

1845 Death of Spouse/Partner
Lydia DODGE died 3 March 1845, Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA

1845 - James Knox Polk becomes President of the United States

1847 Marriage / Partner
Silas SALISBURY and Anna SPRAGUE 24 November 1847, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA

He was 63 years old.

1849 - The safety pin is invented (Walter Hunt, United States)

1849 - Zachary Taylor becomes President of the United States

1850 - Millard Fillmore becomes President of the United States

1853 - Franklin Pierce becomes President of the United States

Biography
Silas Salisbury, if,as here supposed, he was the son of Duty (or Dutee) Salisbury and Cynthia Smith, had ancestors: William1, Cornelius2, Jonathan3, Edward4. He married Lydia Dodge and their children were born in Courland county between 1807 and 1830. These were Amanda, Ansel, Oliver, Nelson, Rhoda, Elisha, George, Mary Jane, Christopher, Silas, Samuel, Lydia Ann. Three of the sons came to Whitewater (Wisconsin).

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Added: 7/11/2008 12:00:00 AM - Updated: 8/13/2026 11:17:51 AM

Family Pedigree Chart

LARGE PRINT Blank Pedigree Chart (6 generations/64 names) for Ancestry

Ancestry Family Group Record

LARGE PRINT Two-Sided Family Group Sheets for Ancestry

Ancestral Map

Silas SALISBURY - Family Tree

The first mention of Rhode Island in writing ('isola di Rhode') was made by explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524 (he refers to an island near the mouth of Narragansett Bay which he compares to the Island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean). Some attribute the name to Dutch explorer Adriaen Block ('Roode Eylandt'), again because its red clay is similar to the Greek island of Rhodes. (statesymbolsusa.org)

Prior to 1633 - New England
1633 - 1662 - Providence Plantations
1663 - 1685 - Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1686 - 1689 - Dominion of New England
1690 - 1790 - Crown Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
May 29, 1790 - Rhode Island becomes 13th U.S. state