William LAMPORT

Sources:

Gardner History and Geneology
Web: Indiana, Find A Grave Index, 1800-2012
William Lamport Life History
FamilySearch.org/FamilyTree
1810 Census Pittstown, Rensselaer, New York
New York Genealogical Record

Notes:

                   Other sources say that he was born at Pownal, Bennington, Vermont, on the same date.(Karen's information).
The following is a record that Mary Elizabeth Williams Gardner had, but I don't think was written by her.

William relocated with his young bride (first wife) to Sharon, Schoharie County,N.Y., among the western foothills of the Catskill mountains.
He is buried 4 miles south of Mishmaker, Indiana.
(William kept a careful record of his children, business, etc. giving Mary Elizabeth good information.)
In the early spring of 1811, he crossed the Gennesee River westward, and cleareda new home in Genessee County, which then embraced the counties of Genessee, Orleans and Monroe. He lived in the township of Murray, and soon had a fine farm of 160 acres near Corners, Monroe County. Afterwards he also kept a tavern at Clarksons Corners for sometime. The years in Genessee County seem to have been the most prosperous. But, misfortunes overtook him. He signed a note at a bank for alarge sum in those days, with one Nathaniel Daggett, who withdrew the money andskipped to Canada, leaving him to pay the sum.
After the War of 1812, times were very hard, money scarce and property low. To pay the debt at the Bank, stripped him of all he had. In 1820 William went down into Erie County, PA. and purchased a large tract of land from one Mr. Oldfield. This was 4 miles SW of the Village of Waterford and in the township of Cameautec? He spent the summer there boarding in the family of Robert McLallen. In the spring of 1821 he moved his family from NY to Erie County. This was very new country, and was woods from the farm to the village. They set about rebuilding their fortune, with William working much of the time for Dr. Vaulkner, of Erie, who kept a tavern and practiced medicine. This took him away from home most of the time, as Erie was 12 miles away. The older boys were left to work the farm and clear the timber.
Allyn said that the country was very frosty and after 4 years of struggle they gave up the farm and resolved to go West again. It was here that Martin was born,and Electa, Hiram and William were married.
In 1825, the family moved to Ohio, where they located in Geauga County, that portion which is now called Lake. 200 acres of land were rented from William Grahamin Perry Township. Here they lived for 2 years. William then bought an adjoining farm, which the family moved to on Mar 27, 1827. This farm lay 3 miles directly East of Painsville, and near the Village of Perry. A log home and a frame barnwere constructed, and with the help of the boys, the timber was soon cleared and the forest turned into a pleasant home where they lived until the place was sold in 1839.
The family was busy, prosperous and happy here until the death of their mother Belinda in 1838, an event which soon led to the breaking up of the house. Hiram came from PA and kept the house for awhile, but soon returned. Zebdial married and the household affairs were placed in the charge of his wife. The farm was soldin 1839 and the family permanently broke up. Hiram returned to PA, Ansel had married and gone to Indiana, Zebdial moved to Richmond County, and Chauncy and Allyn had entered into partnership to clear a farm in the adjoining township of Leroy. Stephen had returned to N.Y. William was living on an adjoining homestead. Martin was the only one left and he spent a portion of his time with Chauncy and Allyn at their bachelor retreat in Leroy Township. As they scattered, some were never to meet again.
William (father) remained in the vicinity of the old home leading a somewhat lonely life until 1843, when he married for the 3rd time. This time he chose a wealthy widow by the name of Turner. Mr. Turner had amassed a considerable fortune, but left it all to his son, with suitable provision for the care of the mother. The son seems to have been very kind and considerate. On her marriage to William, he gave them the lease of the farm during her life time. They lived upon it until her death in 1847. She had left a fine house with her son, when she took this step, but seems to have found true happiness in her new relationship. The following letter which William wrote to his sons Ansel and Chauncey in Indiana, was still in this person's possession.

Perry, Friday July 23, 1847.

Dear Children,
         I drop you a few lines to inform you that we are called to mourn the lossof a kind wife and step mother, she died on the 21st instant, and was buried onthe 21st on account of the extreme heat, she died in full faith and said let the Lord's will be done. She was a member of the Baptist church upwards of 20 years. I need not tell you that I am left in critical circumstances. I am here all alone. What to do I know not. With out home or help, the lease expired at her death. And I shall leave here as soon as I can secure my crops which I have a rightto take, but nothing further - here follow a few statements as regard to crops and stock, of no special interest. Allyn has said something about my going to your country this fall, but so far my trying to drive the stock that is out of thequestion, for I am now an old man and a cripple, although my bodily health is as good as usual.
         But old age and infirmity will soon tear me down to the grave, and I hopeI may be prepared to meet the awful event when God sees fit to call me hence.
         I wish I could see all my children once more. But that will never be thisside of the grave. Allyn and Martin left her some three or four weeks ago for the South. I headr from them them the 5th of July, both were well.I forgot to mention the cause of my wife's death. She died of dropsy. I must bring this to a close. I want one of you to answer without delay.
        I still remain your father and friend until time is no more.
William Lamport to my sons Ansell and Chauncey W. in Indiana.

As a result of this bereavement and this letter, in the following summer, we find William in Indiana, in the home of his son Ansell, where he spends the remaining days of his life. "My mother" (whoever wrote this ???, could be Mary Elizabeth - they were in SLC) who had never seen him gave the account of his arrival in Indiana, looking out of the window she saw a stranger drive up to the bars. "Ansel" she said, "I believe that is your father out there", she suspected him by his gray hair and general appearance, which had been described to her. Father was not long in getting to the bars, and sure enough it was his father, come all theway from Ohio, drawing his possessions in a lumber wagon. He had a fine span ofhorses, and was accompanied by his faithful dog Jack. For 11 years, he lived with us (I assume Mary Elizabeth), in St. Joseph County, and near his sons Chauncey and Allyn, who also had farms in the same neighborhood, South of Mishawaka.
He is well remembered by his grandchildren. He died 24 Dec 1859, aged 81 years, 5 months and 7 days. He was buried in a little country graveyard, four miles directly South of Mishawaka.

Whoever wrote this writes: This long life of William Lamport was full of vocessitude and labor. In the strictest sense he was one of the pioneers of America, his days were nearly all spent in log houses and in clearing up heavy timbered land. He moved Westward from time to time keeping pace with the advancing civilization. And never shrinking from the difficulties and privations of backwood life. He had a good education for one of his day, and was a fine penman. He was lookedup to and honored by his neighbors, where ever he lived. He was always interested in public affairs, and he was frequently an office holder. Physically he was a powerful man and fearless in danger, and frequently served as constable or undersheriff. Several interesting incidents of his career are left to us. He was a member of the NY State Militia during the War of 1812, and served in the campaign along the Niagara frontier. In early life, he was a member of the PresbyterianChurch, as was also his 2nd wife. But he seems to have wandered from the fold. Yet when things of time were slipping from his grasp, he turned with anxious solicitude toward the future, the feelings to which he gave expression on the deathof his last wife show deep religious convictions. Some 2 weeks before his deathhe made a complete surrender of himself to God, relying wholly upon his mercy in Jesus. His son Allyn says his repentence was most genuine, he wept until his eyes were literally bloodshot. And God did not turn the wanderer away, he enteredthe fold and in a few days passed away.
He was six feet in stature, large in his frame and spare of flesh. But weighing in his prime about 175 pounds. His build and features in a picture taken in his old age, resembles very much the picture of Abraham Lincoln.