A Tree Grew in Oakland

It was 474 years ago, 6 October 1545, in Charlgrave, Bedsford, England, that my 11 times great grandfather, Richard Botsford was born to John and Agnes Botsford.  On 30 October 1569, he married Neyle also in Charlgrave.  The couple had 3 children mentioned in the Botsford of Chalgrave:  Child (bur. 3 August 1570), Henry (1571) [my 10 times great grandfather], and Edward (1579).  Grandfather was buried on 10 April 1607.  Not much else is known about this generation — more is recorded as Henry weds and his descendants eventually sail across the Atlantic and settle in North America.  But, it is kind of interesting (well, to me) to be able to trace back 500 years in a single line of my pedigree!

379 years ago, on 4 October 1640, in Milford, Connecticut, my 9 times great grandparents, Henry Botsford and Elizabeth Woolhead were married.  The actual date is not recorded, but, Elizabeth was admitted to the church in Milford on that date according to church records and would need to have been married.  Henry waited to join the church until 25 July 1644 [see below].  Henry served as a Corporal in the Army against the Dutch 1654.  His will was drawn 1 February 1685/6.  Since the inventory was taken on 15 April of that same year, it is presumed that Henry had died during the intervening period.   Elizabeth died in 1682.

The pair had 6 children: Elnathan (1641) [my 8 times great grandfather], Elizabeth (1643), Mary (1643) [twins], Hannah (1645), Esther (1647), and Ruth (1649).

According to Botsford Genealogy, The Line of Samuel, 1,1,3; Vol 1, The Botsford Family Historical Association, 1977, p 39:

“Henry was undoubtedly an individualist but he believed in conforming to the accepted standards.  He did join the church after a few years because church membership was considered almost essential in the new settlement.

“Although he may have avoided payment of the detested ship’s money as “taxation without representation”, he seems to have been a strict observer of all the self imposed laws and restrictions of the community.  His sound judgement and integrity were quickly recognized by his neighbors as shown by the long list of offices which he filled.  He was called upon to settle boundary disputes and similar problems.  He was a keen student of human nature.  His will, carefully protecting the rights of his faithful wife, Elizabeth, and the claims of his children, is a remarkable document.  [See page 40-41 of the above referenced volume] He distributed his very considerable landed estate with great thoughtfulness and justice.”

On 19 September 1771, 248 years ago, Esther Clark was born.   I have not been able to nail down her parents or the location of her birth.  I have confirmed through the Botsford Genealogy, The Line of Samuel, 1.1.3, volume 1, that she indeed married Simeon Botsford on 3 January 1792 in Stockbridge, Berkshire, Massachusetts.  Simeon and Esther were my 4 times great grandparents.   They apparently settled in Salisbury, Connecticut, as that is where all 11 of their children were born: Chloe (1794), Mary W. (1796). Esther (1797), Polly Ann (1799), Betsey (1801), Abner Clark (1803), Simeon (1805), Almira (1807) [my 3 times great grandmother], Levi W (1810), William Clark (1812), and Aressa S (1816).

With the family in tow, Grandparents Botsford relocated to Southfield, Oakland Country, Michigan, in the early 1820s.   It was in Southfield that Grandfather Botsford passed away on 10 August 1831.   Grandmother lived 24 additional years and followed on 21 November 1855, also in Southfield.  Daughter, Almira, married Morris Jenks on 20 November 1828 in Bloomfield, Oakland County, Michigan.

It was Grandfather Botsford’s nephew, Milton Clarence Botsford, who became the owner of the locally historic Botsford Inn, often frequented by Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.  It was Clarence who lent his name to the nearby community of Clarenceville.