Daniels HistoryThe Daniels part of our family starts off in 1703 in New London Connecticut.
Ebenezer Daniels was born in 1703 in New London, Connecticut. He marries Mary Graves and they have the following children: 1. Sterling 3 Daniels was born on 6 March 1728 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut.[5] He married Elizabeth Chappell on 23 October 1748 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut.[6] 2. Abigail Daniels was born on 28 June 1730 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut.[7] 3. Uriah Daniels was born on 31 August 1733 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut. 4. Edward Daniels. 5. Mary Daniels was born on 29 April 1737 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut.[8]She married Nathaniel Blackford on 20 August 1759 at Scotch Plains Baptist Church (the Rev. Benjamin Miller officiated) at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey.[9] 6. John Daniels was born on 11 November 1739 at New London, New London Co., Connecticut.[10] 7. Benjamin Daniels was born on 11 November 1739 at New London, New London, Connecticut.[11] 8. Jeremiah Daniels was born circa 1725. We are paying attention to #6, John Daniels. He marries a lass named Rebecca Moxley and together they have the following children: 1. David Daniels 1759-1813 2. Sarah Daniels 1759-1804 Again, we are following David Daniels, Jr. David Daniels is born in 1759 in Litchfield County, Connecticut. We don't know anything about his life until April 1, 1777 when David Daniels enlists with the Continental Army. We know this because in 1952, a WWII vet, named Demps Gilbert Monroe, made application to the Washington State Society of the National Society of the Son of the American Revolution. In that application Mr. Monroe documents his relationship to David Daniels and, more importantly, the military service performed my Daniels along with historical references to support the claim. As you can read in the application paperwork, Daniels saw action at Valley Forge, Brandywine, Stoney Point, Trenton and Yorktown. In 1793, David marries Lucina Meigs. They marriage is fruitful and they bring us the following progeny.
David Daniels dies in 1813 in Palmyra, Ohio. His surviving window, Lucina, is awarded a pension due to his military service.
This time we are keeping our eye on Oroville Daniels. Born 1802 in Palmyra, he is married to Eliza Elizabeth Evans in either 1823 or 1829. Like most, their bond was fruitful. They have the following children: 1. Israel Daniels 2. David J. Daniels 1833-1833 3. Samantha Daniels 4. Abigail Daniels 5. Lucina Daniels 6. David Daniels It is Israel Daniels that we are following now. Israel is the first of his line to be born into an era of photography and mass communication via news papers. Israel is the first born child of Oroville and Eliza Evans, born in 1830 in Palmyra, Ohio.
The 1850 Federal census finds the Daniels clan in Greenfield Michigan, in Wayne County. Today, Greenfield is a neighborhood near Dearborn, Michigan. The occupation of Oroville and Isreal (then 20) is listed as farmer. It also tells us that he was born in Ohio. What occasioned the family's move from Ohio to Michigan is, so far, unknkown. Oroville dies in 1856. His internment record at the cemetery indicates that his illness was "Canser." The probate records indicate that Orville left behind an estate consisting of approximately 11 parcels of land. Eliza and Israel were the executors. The will specified that each daughter would received $2000 and that Israel would inherit the bulk of the estate.
In November, 1859, Israel married Francis Sarah Wood in Greenfield, Michigan. the 1860 Federal census tells us that Israel was then, a Drayman (a beer delivery man) and owned $2000 dollars worth of real estate.
The 1861 edition of Johnson's Detroit Directory lists Israel is being a farmer living on Gratiot Street.
On April 28, 1863, Achsie Daniels was born in Greenfield. On April 4, 1868, the family was joined by Frank Daniels. In 1870 the Federal census finds the Daniels living in Greenfield and working as a farmer. This time his real estate holdings are valued at $16,000.00 and his personal wealth, $2000.00. Clearly, Israel was a successful man.
In June of 1863, Israel registered for service in the Union army. His is the second to last line on the page. I haven't been able to confirm his service with the Union army, so far.
The 1880 Federal census also lists Israel as being a farmer, but does not include data on his personal wealth. In August of 1867, Israel placed an advertisement in the Detroit Free Press for his wood business. The 1868 Detroit City Directory has an Israel Daniels operating a woodyard at 97 Gratiot in Greenfield.
The 1869 Detroit City Directory has a somewhat enhanced listing for the same woodyard. Including a paid advertisement in the back.
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This is for context. As a child, my Grandfather and Uncle would tell me of the family origins and how they had farms in what is now downtown Detroit. As I compile this history, I frequently will search the addresses I find to see if the structures are still standing. With regards to Detroit, none of the addresses I've found are still in existence. The corner of Gratiot and Beaubien is unique in that the intersection still exists, but it is, clearly, no longer rural property.
Between 1869 and 1898, it appears that the Daniels moved several times. The Detroit city directories list them as being at 250 12th Street; 265 Jefferson Avenue and 302 High Street.
In the 1898 Directory, his occupation was listed as being "Furnished Rooms."
In the 1898 Directory, his occupation was listed as being "Furnished Rooms."
Next I turned to Newspaper.com to see what was printed about Israel.
In March of 1879, Eliza, his mother passed away. The funeral was held at Israel's home.
In March of 1879, Eliza, his mother passed away. The funeral was held at Israel's home.
The Detroit newspapers inform us that there was an Israel Daniels who was very active in the Wayne County Democratic Party, becoming a delegate to it's conventions for several years.
In May of 1873, the Detroit Free Press listed Israel as being a founding member of the Detroit Stock Exchange.
In August of 1874, Israel sold a significant plot of land to some businessmen.
In August of 1874, Israel sold a significant plot of land to some businessmen.
In 1878, Israel placed an add for men to shuck corn at his farm.
December 6, 1888. Frank Daniels, Israel's son dies. I have not been able to find any record of the death that would reveal its cause.
In March of 1891, it appears that Israel sold the farm to developers who subdivided the land into plots with space for wide avenues, and alleyways. The article suggests that Israel sold the land for "a little under $100,000.00." That would be equivalent to approximately $2,000,000.00 in today's dollars.
January 30, 1896, Achsie married Henry J. Ford, Jr. This marriage registry shows that the parents of Achsie were I. Daniels and Frannie Woods (and interesting derivation of Francis' name.) And H.J. Ford and Caroline Collier. Interestingly, this record indicates that Henry Ford, Jr. was born in England. Check out the Ford History page for my findings on that issue.
December 16, 1896, Achsie and Henry Ford welcomed Beatrice Burchell Ford into the world and thus tying the 19th century to the 20th.
On Dec. 3, 1898, the Detroit Free Press reported on the apparent suicide by drowning of Israel Daniels. I can not find a death record in Michigan or Ohio of this death. We have only the newspaper accounts to rely on. The second article specifically references his surviving daughter, Mrs. H.J. Ford of 882 12th Street, Detroit.
I have also been unable to locate a burial records for Israel, leading me to believe that his body was not recovered.
I have also been unable to locate a burial records for Israel, leading me to believe that his body was not recovered.
Based on Detroit City Directories, Francis lived on at 302 High Street in Detroit until sometime around 1908 when she passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Ford at 882 12th Street.
This brings the Daniels history page to a close. The story picks up on the Ford History page.