Evidence for the family of Reuben Doud and Polly Griffin Doud of Madison, Connecticut and Cortland, New York

The Rev W.W. Doud published his work on the Doud family in 1885. His book has become the primary source for Doud research. But sadly for us, and by his own admission, it is very short on material for the family of Reuben and Polly. It is a thumbnail sketch at best, approximate dates, few locations, no source referencing. It is left up to us this generation of researchers to add more definition to the Family Tree of Reuben and Polly Griffin Doud. The recent recovery of the Will of their son Henry Doud has provided a gold mine of information. Henry Doud, although a widower, had no children. Henry was a successful farmer and rancher. At the end of his days with no children of his own he wrote a will that left his estate to the children of his sibling. According to court records “objections were filed to the Probate”. As a result of this action a hearing was held over a two-day span in March of 1870. As a result of this legal action Henry’s siblings were identified and or represented at the hearing. The essence of the testimony was that each witness testified concerning his connection to Henry Doud in other words they each gave a review of their genealogy. The witness list also included Henry’s only living sibling Reuben G. Doud who identified all of the members of Reuben and Polly’s family. This event provides a lot of information that we can use to fill in the gaps in the history written by the Rev. W.W. Doud. The information contained in the testimony has proven to be very helpful in establishing firm dates and locations for the Doud children. Following up on these leads we have been able to find death records and in some instances birth dates for Reuben’s children. The following is a synopsis of the sworn testimony. ------ The court clerk noted that Henry died October 8, 1869, he then entered the following list of people named in the Will. For clarification we added the names that are in parentheses. “The will written October 23, 1869 Henry Doud late of Cortlandville; Reuben G. Doud, ( brother) Adeline Collins, Lavinia Townly, (Truman) Stephen Hitchcock, Gideon Hitchcock, Vesta Hitchcock, (Vesta) Griffin D Walton, (Polly) Reuben Harrington, Nathaniel Harrington, Fanny Dexter, Philena Vaughn, (Lois) Joshua Walton, Truman D. Walton, Harriet Parson, Caroline Ames, A.G. Fuller, (Polly) Ephriam Eldridge, (Azubah) Vesta Doud, (?) Enoch Doud, (Truman) Prosper Hitchcock, (Vesta). ----- Notes: A.G. Fuller was the husband of Polly’s daughter Susan. Their was no one representing Gaylord’s family but Eben’s son Lofonso provided testimony. ------The proceedings started with testimony from a number of witnesses who testified to the validity of the Will and Henry’s signature. This testimony came from members of the community who had known Henry for a long time. Almost all of the relationships had a connection to the cattle business. In reading the testimony I think most of us would come to the conclusion that the Doud brothers were involved in the cattle business on a fairly large scale. Every homestead had a few cows. The Doud brothers had herds of cattle. For those of you who grew up in ranching country you will clearly understand the distinction.------ Henry’s brother Reuben G. Doud added his testimony. “ I am a brother of Henry Doud deceased the following are brothers and sisters of deceased. Lois Harrington, Eber, Gaylord, Vesta Hitchcock, Polly Walton, Truman, Azubah Cetchum, and Reuben G. Doud. Henry is next older than myself. All of the brothers and sisters are dead except myself. Henry’s age at the time of his death was 72. My age is 70 next September”. ------Jabez Collins, husband of Truman’s daughter Adaline, served as an administrator for Henry’s affairs. From his testimony it appears that he and his wife were the primary care givers for Henry’s later years. Henry’s obituary states that he actually died at the home of Reuben’s son Samuel. From Jabez’s testimony it is my assumption that Henry suffered from a little dementia in his last years. Jabez testified that Henry was always worried about the now non-existent cattle. “I reside in this town and have since 1818. My wife is a niece of Henry Doud”.------Nathaniel Harrington “My mother was Lois Doud she was Henry’s sister. She resides in Stockbridge, New York’.------ Note: this is the first historical hint we have ever found concerning the city where Lois Doud Harrington raised her family.------Lofonso Doud, “Eber Doud was my father he is a brother of Henry Doud. Father died in the fall of 1853 at the age of 65 or 66 in Michigan. He lived in Michigan for 16 years previous to his death”.------“Lovinia Townley sworn says My father was Truman Doud he was a brother of Henry Doud’ My father died 42 years ago his children were, Almire Doud she married and is dead she married Edwin Cook and left 5 children, the next was Adaline she married Jabez Collins is alive, the next is myself, the next is Truman Doud who died without heirs, the next is Enoch H. Doud living, next is Bela P. Doud living, the next is Josephine wife of John L. Hommendien living she is 42 years old living west”.------Prosper Hitchcock, “My mother was Vesta Hitchcock a sister of Henry Doud”.------Each recorded segment of testimony was followed by the person’s signature. In most court documents the clerk merely writes in the names of the person involved who may or may not then add their personal seal. In this case we have the actual signatures from our family history. We have included signatures for Reuben G. Doud, Prosper Hitchcock and Jabez Collins.