Abram Bronson born Greene Co, NY 1834, parents from CT. orphaned

Question

Abram is found living with Jesse Bronson in 1850. Supposedly his parents died and he was orphaned and moved in with aunt. Then, he moved to LaSalle Illinois, married Mary Humphrey. They move on to Iowa. Looking for any information to help locate his parents.

Answer 1

Dear Jeanne,

    In 1860 there is an Abram Bronson, age 25, in the household of Reuben Bronson, age 43, in Adams, Lasalle County, Illinois.  Listed after Abram is Mary Bronson, age 23, and Charles, age 1.  

   Reuben was born in New York, as was Abram.  Possibly Abram's brother - if you can find a marriage record for Reuben, it may have his parents' names.

    Hope this helps.  -NGP

Comments

Also, the 1850 census of Windham, Greene County, New York lists Abram, age 16.  He is with Jesse Bronson, who is listed as MALE and followed by a possible wife Betsey. (No relationships are given in this enumeration.)

Others in the household are Oscar age 20, Mary age 15 (both of ages to be siblings of Abram),  and Polly who is age 45.  

Jesse & Betsey could be Abram's parents, or they could be some other relationship.  I would continue your research with them as older relatives of Abram's.

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Nanette, thanks. That is Abram, my great great grandfather in 1860 too. I have checked Reuben and what I believe is that Reuben is a cousin. I have Jesse in 1860 as a possible father, but that would mean the family story of orphan is not true. Also, Jesse shows only his 3 other children in any other census. Thanks though!

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See my comment elsewhere on this question for more information.

Answer 2

This link has the answers: https://forums.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=157312060

Reuben was a brother that Abram later went to live with.  Jesse was an uncle that was appointed as a special guardian.  The biological father of Abram was Benoni (Abram also had a nephew by that name).  Benoni's father was also named Jesse.  It's all confusing, but these are the important names.  Abram is listed on his grave in Iowa as "Abram", but is sometimes referenced as "Abraham" elsewhere.