I just reread everything - they were only separated! Maybe wife wouldn't give him a divorce.
I'm from MA and we have the Mass Archives that we can go to and look at microfilm of BMD records and other records for certain time periods. We can also look at Probate records for certain time periods. The Boston Public Library has newspapers on microfilm also. Is there anything like that in NY? Was curious if I could look at will but more interested in finding Ruth's marriage to this 'Eldredge' person and birth record of her son to see who the father really is. Adoption record?

Thanks for all the info!
Margaret