Individual Details
Francillo DURFEY Sr.
(12 May 1812 - 15 Feb 1871)
Biography of Francillo Durfey, Sr.
By Kevin Durfee, June 1982
Francillo Durfey played important roles in Latter-day Saint history from Nauvoo to the settlement of the colonies in the west, but his life story has not received proper biographical treatment. The purpose of this paper is to place his life in the context of L.D.S. and United States history, to give glimpses of the personality and life of this man, who, whether by choice or circumstance became a pioneer among pioneers.
Birth and Childhood
Francillo Durfey was born in Lincoln, Addison County, Vermont on May 17, 1812 (1). He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah Newton Durfee (2). Ebenezer's grandfather had migrated from Ireland when he was sixteen years of age (3). At the age of 39 Ebenezer was listed as a resident of the town of Lincoln (4). Lincoln, Vermont is located in the west-central part of Vermont. It is about 25 miles east from Lake Champlain. The town is bordered on the east by the Green Mountains, a range that runs nearly the full extent of the state north to south. The surface of the town was rather uneven, the northern and southern parts being more elevated. The New Haven River flows through the center of town in a north-western direction. The countryside surrounding Lincoln was filled with many large boulders, and the New Haven River was abundant with waterfalls. It was said that a stranger entering the town from the west would be forcibly struck by the romantic wilderness of the scenery. The soil of Lincoln was somewhat rocky, yet very fertile and productive (5). Francillo's father was among the first settlers in Lincoln where he arrived in the late 1790's. The roads were bad and the nearest supplies were 20 miles away in Middlebury, the county seat of Addison County. They had no wagons and the Vermont snows are deep in the winter so he settlers hauled all of their materials on sleds the first few years. This was very trying as the winters were harsh and there was a great danger from the many fierce wolves in the area. Francillo's Aunt Olive was the first school teacher in Lincoln. She taught in a log schoolhouse that was built near the graveyard in the early part of the 1800's (6). What Francillo's father did for a living is not known, although he probably farmed. He also may have been involved with the lumber, iron, or maple sugar industries as Lincoln was known to
Note: (added by Naomi Reed) From "Town of Lincoln" p 509, 974.35 H2s
Ebenezer Durfey came from Connecticut and settled on "Elder Hill", so called in 1804. He was a sharp, shrewd businessman and quite prominent among the settlers, and was always known as "Squire Durfey". He held the office of town clerk nine years, selectman two years, constable three years, justice of the peace twenty-one years, represented the town in the Legislature thirteen times, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1822. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was pensioned eight dollars per month during his life....
After their scanty crops in the fall, the men and boys, with their axes toiled from early dawn to late at night in chopping down the forest trees and buring them ito ashes, which were gathered, leached, and the lye was boiled down to alkaline salts. The salts, or potash, were then made ready for market by barreling it. Ebenezer and his boys were coopers and made barrels.
---------------
So it was in this New England environment that Francillo Durfey was born. He was the youngest of nine children. There is not much known about his childhood. We do know that he was an active young man. His favorite sport being ice skating on Lake Champlain. (8) We can also assume that the New Haven Rivr provided an adequate place to skate when the 25 mile trip to Champlain was not made. Francillo attended school and was said to have gained a "good education for those days". (9) We do not know to what extent he was educated, but we do know that Lincoln had a school house as was mentioned above, and that there were other schools in the near vicinity when Francillo was of school age. (10) It is not known if he attended the College at nearby Middlebury. This College was established in the early part of th 1800's and was said to have been a great benefit to the whole state of Vermont. (11) Perhaps it was in his boyhood that Francillo leaned the trade of a "cooper" which he used in his later life.
MARRIAGE
On May 4, 1831, thirteen days before his nineteenth birthday, Francillo Durfey married Marion Jones who was almost 22. (12) Marion was the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Peasley Jones. She was born in Plattsfield, Me5rrimack County, New Hampshire on November 5, 1809. It is not known where she spent her childhood days. Her father is not listed in the federal census for New Hampshire for 1810 or 1820 and he is not listed in the census of Lincoln, Vermont during those years. But in the year 1830 Joseph Jones is listed as a citizen of Lincoln, Addison County, Veront. A daughter the age of Marion is listed as a member of his family. (13) This information makes it reasonable to assume that Joseph Jones moved his family with Marion as a member to Lincoln, Vermont sometime between 1820 and 1830. It was at Lincoln that Francillo and Marion met and married. Probably Francillo supported his family by farming and by doing cooper work.
Biography of Francillo Durfey, Sr.
By Kevin Durfee, June 1982
Francillo Durfey played important roles in Latter-day Saint history from Nauvoo to the settlement of the colonies in the west, but his life story has not received proper biographical treatment. The purpose of this paper is to place his life in the context of L.D.S. and United States history, to give glimpses of the personality and life of this man, who, whether by choice or circumstance became a pioneer among pioneers.
Birth and Childhood
Francillo Durfey was born in Lincoln, Addison County, Vermont on May 17, 1812 (1). He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah Newton Durfee (2). Ebenezer's grandfather had migrated from Ireland when he was sixteen years of age (3). At the age of 39 Ebenezer was listed as a resident of the town of Lincoln (4). Lincoln, Vermont is located in the west-central part of Vermont. It is about 25 miles east from Lake Champlain. The town is bordered on the east by the Green Mountains, a range that runs nearly the full extent of the state north to south. The surface of the town was rather uneven, the northern and southern parts being more elevated. The New Haven River flows through the center of town in a north-western direction. The countryside surrounding Lincoln was filled with many large boulders, and the New Haven River was abundant with waterfalls. It was said that a stranger entering the town from the west would be forcibly struck by the romantic wilderness of the scenery. The soil of Lincoln was somewhat rocky, yet very fertile and productive (5). Francillo's father was among the first settlers in Lincoln where he arrived in the late 1790's. The roads were bad and the nearest supplies were 20 miles away in Middlebury, the county seat of Addison County. They had no wagons and the Vermont snows are deep in the winter so he settlers hauled all of their materials on sleds the first few years. This was very trying as the winters were harsh and there was a great danger from the many fierce wolves in the area. Francillo's Aunt Olive was the first school teacher in Lincoln. She taught in a log schoolhouse that was built near the graveyard in the early part of the 1800's (6). What Francillo's father did for a living is not known, although he probably farmed. He also may have been involved with the lumber, iron, or maple sugar industries as Lincoln was known to
Note: (added by Naomi Reed) From "Town of Lincoln" p 509, 974.35 H2s
Ebenezer Durfey came from Connecticut and settled on "Elder Hill", so called in 1804. He was a sharp, shrewd businessman and quite prominent among the settlers, and was always known as "Squire Durfey". He held the office of town clerk nine years, selectman two years, constable three years, justice of the peace twenty-one years, represented the town in the Legislature thirteen times, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1822. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was pensioned eight dollars per month during his life....
After their scanty crops in the fall, the men and boys, with their axes toiled from early dawn to late at night in chopping down the forest trees and buring them ito ashes, which were gathered, leached, and the lye was boiled down to alkaline salts. The salts, or potash, were then made ready for market by barreling it. Ebenezer and his boys were coopers and made barrels.
---------------
So it was in this New England environment that Francillo Durfey was born. He was the youngest of nine children. There is not much known about his childhood. We do know that he was an active young man. His favorite sport being ice skating on Lake Champlain. (8) We can also assume that the New Haven Rivr provided an adequate place to skate when the 25 mile trip to Champlain was not made. Francillo attended school and was said to have gained a "good education for those days". (9) We do not know to what extent he was educated, but we do know that Lincoln had a school house as was mentioned above, and that there were other schools in the near vicinity when Francillo was of school age. (10) It is not known if he attended the College at nearby Middlebury. This College was established in the early part of th 1800's and was said to have been a great benefit to the whole state of Vermont. (11) Perhaps it was in his boyhood that Francillo leaned the trade of a "cooper" which he used in his later life.
MARRIAGE
On May 4, 1831, thirteen days before his nineteenth birthday, Francillo Durfey married Marion Jones who was almost 22. (12) Marion was the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Peasley Jones. She was born in Plattsfield, Me5rrimack County, New Hampshire on November 5, 1809. It is not known where she spent her childhood days. Her father is not listed in the federal census for New Hampshire for 1810 or 1820 and he is not listed in the census of Lincoln, Vermont during those years. But in the year 1830 Joseph Jones is listed as a citizen of Lincoln, Addison County, Veront. A daughter the age of Marion is listed as a member of his family. (13) This information makes it reasonable to assume that Joseph Jones moved his family with Marion as a member to Lincoln, Vermont sometime between 1820 and 1830. It was at Lincoln that Francillo and Marion met and married. Probably Francillo supported his family by farming and by doing cooper work. FIELD NAME Page
By Kevin Durfee, June 1982
Francillo Durfey played important roles in Latter-day Saint history from Nauvoo to the settlement of the colonies in the west, but his life story has not received proper biographical treatment. The purpose of this paper is to place his life in the context of L.D.S. and United States history, to give glimpses of the personality and life of this man, who, whether by choice or circumstance became a pioneer among pioneers.
Birth and Childhood
Francillo Durfey was born in Lincoln, Addison County, Vermont on May 17, 1812 (1). He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah Newton Durfee (2). Ebenezer's grandfather had migrated from Ireland when he was sixteen years of age (3). At the age of 39 Ebenezer was listed as a resident of the town of Lincoln (4). Lincoln, Vermont is located in the west-central part of Vermont. It is about 25 miles east from Lake Champlain. The town is bordered on the east by the Green Mountains, a range that runs nearly the full extent of the state north to south. The surface of the town was rather uneven, the northern and southern parts being more elevated. The New Haven River flows through the center of town in a north-western direction. The countryside surrounding Lincoln was filled with many large boulders, and the New Haven River was abundant with waterfalls. It was said that a stranger entering the town from the west would be forcibly struck by the romantic wilderness of the scenery. The soil of Lincoln was somewhat rocky, yet very fertile and productive (5). Francillo's father was among the first settlers in Lincoln where he arrived in the late 1790's. The roads were bad and the nearest supplies were 20 miles away in Middlebury, the county seat of Addison County. They had no wagons and the Vermont snows are deep in the winter so he settlers hauled all of their materials on sleds the first few years. This was very trying as the winters were harsh and there was a great danger from the many fierce wolves in the area. Francillo's Aunt Olive was the first school teacher in Lincoln. She taught in a log schoolhouse that was built near the graveyard in the early part of the 1800's (6). What Francillo's father did for a living is not known, although he probably farmed. He also may have been involved with the lumber, iron, or maple sugar industries as Lincoln was known to
Note: (added by Naomi Reed) From "Town of Lincoln" p 509, 974.35 H2s
Ebenezer Durfey came from Connecticut and settled on "Elder Hill", so called in 1804. He was a sharp, shrewd businessman and quite prominent among the settlers, and was always known as "Squire Durfey". He held the office of town clerk nine years, selectman two years, constable three years, justice of the peace twenty-one years, represented the town in the Legislature thirteen times, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1822. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was pensioned eight dollars per month during his life....
After their scanty crops in the fall, the men and boys, with their axes toiled from early dawn to late at night in chopping down the forest trees and buring them ito ashes, which were gathered, leached, and the lye was boiled down to alkaline salts. The salts, or potash, were then made ready for market by barreling it. Ebenezer and his boys were coopers and made barrels.
---------------
So it was in this New England environment that Francillo Durfey was born. He was the youngest of nine children. There is not much known about his childhood. We do know that he was an active young man. His favorite sport being ice skating on Lake Champlain. (8) We can also assume that the New Haven Rivr provided an adequate place to skate when the 25 mile trip to Champlain was not made. Francillo attended school and was said to have gained a "good education for those days". (9) We do not know to what extent he was educated, but we do know that Lincoln had a school house as was mentioned above, and that there were other schools in the near vicinity when Francillo was of school age. (10) It is not known if he attended the College at nearby Middlebury. This College was established in the early part of th 1800's and was said to have been a great benefit to the whole state of Vermont. (11) Perhaps it was in his boyhood that Francillo leaned the trade of a "cooper" which he used in his later life.
MARRIAGE
On May 4, 1831, thirteen days before his nineteenth birthday, Francillo Durfey married Marion Jones who was almost 22. (12) Marion was the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Peasley Jones. She was born in Plattsfield, Me5rrimack County, New Hampshire on November 5, 1809. It is not known where she spent her childhood days. Her father is not listed in the federal census for New Hampshire for 1810 or 1820 and he is not listed in the census of Lincoln, Vermont during those years. But in the year 1830 Joseph Jones is listed as a citizen of Lincoln, Addison County, Veront. A daughter the age of Marion is listed as a member of his family. (13) This information makes it reasonable to assume that Joseph Jones moved his family with Marion as a member to Lincoln, Vermont sometime between 1820 and 1830. It was at Lincoln that Francillo and Marion met and married. Probably Francillo supported his family by farming and by doing cooper work.
Biography of Francillo Durfey, Sr.
By Kevin Durfee, June 1982
Francillo Durfey played important roles in Latter-day Saint history from Nauvoo to the settlement of the colonies in the west, but his life story has not received proper biographical treatment. The purpose of this paper is to place his life in the context of L.D.S. and United States history, to give glimpses of the personality and life of this man, who, whether by choice or circumstance became a pioneer among pioneers.
Birth and Childhood
Francillo Durfey was born in Lincoln, Addison County, Vermont on May 17, 1812 (1). He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah Newton Durfee (2). Ebenezer's grandfather had migrated from Ireland when he was sixteen years of age (3). At the age of 39 Ebenezer was listed as a resident of the town of Lincoln (4). Lincoln, Vermont is located in the west-central part of Vermont. It is about 25 miles east from Lake Champlain. The town is bordered on the east by the Green Mountains, a range that runs nearly the full extent of the state north to south. The surface of the town was rather uneven, the northern and southern parts being more elevated. The New Haven River flows through the center of town in a north-western direction. The countryside surrounding Lincoln was filled with many large boulders, and the New Haven River was abundant with waterfalls. It was said that a stranger entering the town from the west would be forcibly struck by the romantic wilderness of the scenery. The soil of Lincoln was somewhat rocky, yet very fertile and productive (5). Francillo's father was among the first settlers in Lincoln where he arrived in the late 1790's. The roads were bad and the nearest supplies were 20 miles away in Middlebury, the county seat of Addison County. They had no wagons and the Vermont snows are deep in the winter so he settlers hauled all of their materials on sleds the first few years. This was very trying as the winters were harsh and there was a great danger from the many fierce wolves in the area. Francillo's Aunt Olive was the first school teacher in Lincoln. She taught in a log schoolhouse that was built near the graveyard in the early part of the 1800's (6). What Francillo's father did for a living is not known, although he probably farmed. He also may have been involved with the lumber, iron, or maple sugar industries as Lincoln was known to
Note: (added by Naomi Reed) From "Town of Lincoln" p 509, 974.35 H2s
Ebenezer Durfey came from Connecticut and settled on "Elder Hill", so called in 1804. He was a sharp, shrewd businessman and quite prominent among the settlers, and was always known as "Squire Durfey". He held the office of town clerk nine years, selectman two years, constable three years, justice of the peace twenty-one years, represented the town in the Legislature thirteen times, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1822. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was pensioned eight dollars per month during his life....
After their scanty crops in the fall, the men and boys, with their axes toiled from early dawn to late at night in chopping down the forest trees and buring them ito ashes, which were gathered, leached, and the lye was boiled down to alkaline salts. The salts, or potash, were then made ready for market by barreling it. Ebenezer and his boys were coopers and made barrels.
---------------
So it was in this New England environment that Francillo Durfey was born. He was the youngest of nine children. There is not much known about his childhood. We do know that he was an active young man. His favorite sport being ice skating on Lake Champlain. (8) We can also assume that the New Haven Rivr provided an adequate place to skate when the 25 mile trip to Champlain was not made. Francillo attended school and was said to have gained a "good education for those days". (9) We do not know to what extent he was educated, but we do know that Lincoln had a school house as was mentioned above, and that there were other schools in the near vicinity when Francillo was of school age. (10) It is not known if he attended the College at nearby Middlebury. This College was established in the early part of th 1800's and was said to have been a great benefit to the whole state of Vermont. (11) Perhaps it was in his boyhood that Francillo leaned the trade of a "cooper" which he used in his later life.
MARRIAGE
On May 4, 1831, thirteen days before his nineteenth birthday, Francillo Durfey married Marion Jones who was almost 22. (12) Marion was the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Peasley Jones. She was born in Plattsfield, Me5rrimack County, New Hampshire on November 5, 1809. It is not known where she spent her childhood days. Her father is not listed in the federal census for New Hampshire for 1810 or 1820 and he is not listed in the census of Lincoln, Vermont during those years. But in the year 1830 Joseph Jones is listed as a citizen of Lincoln, Addison County, Veront. A daughter the age of Marion is listed as a member of his family. (13) This information makes it reasonable to assume that Joseph Jones moved his family with Marion as a member to Lincoln, Vermont sometime between 1820 and 1830. It was at Lincoln that Francillo and Marion met and married. Probably Francillo supported his family by farming and by doing cooper work. FIELD NAME Page
Events
| Birth | 12 May 1812 | Lincoln, Addsn., Vermont | |||
| Emigration | 1849 | Silas Richards Company To Utah | |||
| Marriage | 4 May 1849 | Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States - Mrs. Cynthia Harrington BOWEN | |||
| Burial | Feb 1871 | ||||
| Death | 15 Feb 1871 | Beaver Dam, Box Elder, Utah | |||
| Ancestral File Number | GXB2-LS |
Families
| Spouse | Mrs. Cynthia Harrington BOWEN (1811 - 1883) |
| Child | Francillo DURFEY Jr. (1850 - 1926) |
| Father | Ebenezer DURFEE (1761 - 1847) |
| Mother | Sarah NEWTON (1767 - 1838) |