I am researching the Fosher family of Coopersville, Clinton, New York. My 2nd great grand aunt, Nancy Fosher, is giving me some problems. She was born around 1860. At the time of the 1880 US Census she was recorded living with her parents as "Nancy Stay" with a daughter named Felina. Nancy had siblings in New Hampshire and in 1882 she had a child named "Franklin P Stay," the son of Franklin P Stay and Nancy Fosher.

This is the only definite proof I have linking Nancy and Franklin. Nancy married Joseph Bruette around 1887 and had a son named Irving around that time. Somewhere between 1882 and 1887 they broke off the marriage. I'm fairly certain Franklin was still alive.

I want to know what happened to Franklin P Stay. Nancy's son by that name listed Wilmington, New York as his father's place of birth. That is in Essex County. Decades later there is a Franklin P Stay living in Jay, about 5 miles away. He received a pension for serving in the Spanish American War in 1898 in the 21st Infantry. After the war they were sent to Vermont. In the 1900 US Census for Fort Ethan Allen there is a Franklin P Stay, single.

On the other hand, Franklin P Stay has not been as unique of a name as I had hoped. There was a Franklin P Stay who enlisted in the infantry during the Civil War from Keeseville, Essex, New York at age 40. I strongly believe the one I want was born around 1853. That suggests it could be his father?

There was a Frank Stay who served in World War I but that seems to be another one since I believe he died in 1960. In 1892 there was also a Frank Stay who worked for the D&H Railroad and had his right hand amputated following an accident.

Felina Stay married Fred Bruette around November 16 1896. I have not confirmed this because it's a calculation based on a 50th anniversary article in 1946. That date is not really that important, (well unless someone has a copy of that record.) What is important is a Mrs Franklin P Stay died in 1926 at the age of 94 as a "lifelong resident." Attending the funeral were Mr and Mrs Fred Breyette.

This is where it gets a bit complicated. The children listed as her survivers were of the Green surname. I figure if she was 94 in 1926 she was born around 1832. That puts her old enough to be the wife of Franklin Sr but many indications say she was the wife of Franklin Jr (1853).

Based on the names of her surviving children, I believe she was married to a Mr Liberty Green who died in 1893 based on a grave marker in the Jay Central Cemetery. Strangely Mr Green's marker also has the name of a Eliner M Day who died in 1926 and born 1832. I cannot confirm it 100% but the evidence is strong. In the years prior to her death, Mrs Franklin P Stay was mentioned on her birthday as being one of the oldest residents. Her birthday fell on February 25, which coincides with grave marker.

There is a Franklin P Stay also buried in the Jay Central Cemetery who does fit the window. Mrs Stay's funeral notice said her husband survived her and this Franklin was born around 1854 and died in 1928. According to findagrave.com, he was born in Wilmington 1854 and died Apr 25 1928 in Plattsburgh. Findagrave.com also lists Mr Green's wife as "Eliner Melissa Day Stay."

It is probably worth noting the 1910 US Census has a Frank Stay with his wife Eleanor Stay and the 1920 Census lists her as Millisa.

Based on all the small pieces I am fair certain this Franklin P Stay is Felina's father but I can only be about 80%. I lack a marriage record for Nancy and Franklin, a birth record for Felina, a divorce or similar document, marriage records for Nancy and Joseph Bruette and Franklin and "Eliner," and Franklin's death record or obituary.

Just to be thorough, any information whether Franklin (jr) had any other children would be a great help.

Sincerely,



Jesse