Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Thomas Brockway.

Another photograph from the Sluyter-Reynolds album.

McManus Brothers, Traverse City, Michigan.

Thomas Brockway was born in December 1822 in New York, son of Russell Brockway and Harriet Burgess.. He was married circa 1845 to Anna Lesley. Anna was born on 6 November 1824 in New York, daughter of Abner Lesley and Naomi King.

On 1 July 1850, Thomas and Ann and their four-yearold son Burgess lived in Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He worked as a farmer. The couple owned $300 in property. Thomas’ parents lived nearby.

On 10 July 1860, the couple and their children Burg[?] and Emma lived in Schroeppel, Oswego County, New York. Thomas worked as a farmer. They owned $1,350 in real estate and $416 in personal property. Their eldest child had attended school in the last year. Their daughter Ellen was living nearby in the household of Berth and Almira Clough.5 The Brockways came to Traverse City in 1862. Thomas “made apple and flour barrels for Hannah, Lay & Co.” In 1864 it was reported that, “DIED- At Thos. Brockway’s, in Melville, on the 13th August, Clarance, son of Abner and Naomi Leslie, in the 15th year of his age.” In 1869, “Mr. T. B. Brockway saw a large bear a few days since, a short distance from Mr. Chantler’s place. Bruin was only a mile from town.”

On 22 August 1870, the couple and their three daughters- Ellen, Emma, and Adeline- lived in Traverse City. He worked as a farmer while Anna was keeping house. Ellen was teaching school while the two younger girls were attending school. The family owned $1,000 in real estate and $300 in personal property. Thomas was elected constable for Traverse township in 1871.

On 12 June 1880, the couple and their daughter Ada lived in Traverse City. Thomas worked as a farmer, Anna was keeping house, and Ada was teaching school.

On 7 June 1900, the couple lived at 402 Wadsworth in Traverse City. SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY. MR. AND MRS. BROCKWAY HAS HAPPY CELEBRATION. Yesterday Was Also Mr. Brockway’s Eighty-Third Birthday- Mrs. Geo. Lutman is Only Living Child. The sixtieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brockway of 332 West Ninth street was observed yesterday at the home of the aged couple, who, as young lovers plighted their vows sixty years ago before an altar in New York. The aged couple are the great grandparents of the little infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Anderson. Yesterday was also Mr. Brockway’s eight-third birthday so the occasion was doubly happy. On account of Mrs. Brockway’s health, the day was quietly spent. Four children were born to the couple but Mrs. George Lutman is the only living one. There are nine grandchildren.

Anna died on 31 March 1907 at 332 W. 9th Street in Traverse City from old age.

Thomas died from cancer of the hand and old age on 20 January 1909 at 348 W. 9th Street in Traverse City.

The couple is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.16 Their tombstone reads: BROCKWAY THOMAS B. ANN L. 1822-1909 1824-1907

Thomas and Anna (Lesley) Brockway were the parents of five children (only one alive in 1900):17 were the parents of five children (only one alive in 1900):

i. BURGESS LAFAYETTE BROCKWAY was born on 18 October 1846 in Oswego, Oswego County, New York. He died on 5 October 1860. A foot stone grave marker for this child is present in Oakwood Cemetery.18

ii. ELLEN ELDORA BROCKWAY was born on 8 August 1851 in Oswego, Oswego County, New York. She was married on 15 October 1875 in Traverse City to William Samuel Anderson.

iii. BURTON ABNER BROCKWAY was born on 17 October 1854 in Oswego, Oswego County, New York. He died on 2 May 1855 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

iv. EMMA LOUISA BROCKWAY was born on 26 January 1857 in Schroeppel, Oswego County, New York. She was married on 19 April 1877 to Charles W. Howard. She died on 11 August 1880 in Long Lake township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

v. MARY ADELINE BROCKWAY was born on 19 February 1863 in Kasson, Leelanau County, Michigan. She was married to George D. Lutman. 3Thomas Brockway

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