Nelson Grogan & Jane Smith

Nelson Grogan, my wife's 3rd great grandfather, and father of Catharine Grogan, was born January 11, 1802 in Albany county, NY.   His family had lived in Southwestern Albany county in a town called Westerlo (formerly part of Rensselaer) since before the revolutionary war.  The area was originally a dutch colony that used a feudal system with the residents technically being leaseholders. That system was perpetuated by Stephen Van Rensselaer III, who shortly after the Revolutionary War, advertised "free" tracts of land of 160 acres to anyone who would develop the land. After seven years, farmers had to pay an annual rent of four fat fowls, 18 bushels of wheat and a day's service. The rents were perpetual and binding on subsequent purchasers of the land and the patroon reserved mineral and water rights. These "incomplete sales" led to the Anti-Rent Rebellion 1839-1889, which influenced the wording of the Federal Homestead Act of 1862 and opened up the west to settlement.


Nelson married Jane Smith November 15, 1821.  Jane was also born in 1802 in Albany county to long time residents.  Nelson and Jane were farmers who grew primarily Oats, Rye and Indian corn.  In 1850 they had 60 acres.  Nelson was a member of Greenville Christ Church Episcopal.


Nelson and Jane raised 12 children, Susan, Catherine, Peter, Cornelius, Caroline, Mary, Nancy, Letticia, Elida, Cynthia, and Josephine.  Their youngest Josephine died at age 16.


Nelson died on Oct 9, 1854 at the age of 52.  Jane continued to live on the farm and then moved to Rensselaer with daughter Cynthia and her family.  She lived until the age of 101, passing in 1902.  Nelson and Jane are buried at the Locust Hill cemetery in Greenville, NY.


Nelson and Jane were both born during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Jane lived to see Teddy Roosevelt be sworn in as the 26th president.  See saw 24 presidents.