William Major Cummings' father apparently was David Cummings, and mother Martha Cummings, both from New York, probably Otsego County. I've found David in the Branch Co. Michigan History, and it puts him in Indiana around 1840. There is a David Cummings in LaGrange IN. in the 1840 census, and next door is a Major Cummings, and a son of his William Cummings born in Canada. David had a couple of daughters, Susannah and Sarah Ann who were both born in Canada. Susannah married David Hartsough, who was probably a 49er (in Georgetown California in the 1850 census anyway), and the Hartsoughs were back in California with William and Caroline by 1860. Sarah Ann married an Olmstead and then a Lease, and stayed in Branch County.

My read on this is that at least a couple of Cummings boys, David and Major (and maybe a William) hid out in Canada during the war of 1812. Major had a son William in Canada, and David had a couple of daughters there. Can't prove much of anything but the David part so far.

Earle William Cummings