Orrin Hale

    Orrin Hale was also known as Orran. He was born circa 1789 at Swanzey, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, USA, Springfield, New York. Otsego County, New York are other possibilities. He was on the list of inhabitants in 1808 at the Town of York, Home District, Upper Canada, and his household is listed thus: one man, one woman, zero male children over 16, one male child under 16, one female child over 16, one female child under 16, zero servants, for a total of five. He and Hannah Barrett, daughter of Benjamin Barrett and Dorothy Day, were married by Reverend George O'Kill Stuart on Saturday, 15 July 1809 at St. James Church, the Town of York, Home District, Upper Canada. Henry Hale and (?) Barrett witnessed the marriage. He was on the list of inhabitants in 1812 at the Town of York, Home District, Upper Canada, and his household is listed thus: two males over 16, one male under 16, two females over 16, one female under 16, for a total of six. He purchased land in 1812, known as Lot 44, Concession 1, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario, Canada, from Henry Hale. He then sold his north half to George Munshaw in 1815. He was on the list of inhabitants in 1812 at the Town of York, Home District, Upper Canada, His household is listed thus: 2 males over 16, 1 male under 16, 2 females over 16, 1 female under 16, for a total of 6 persons. He witnessed the will of Henry Hale on 15 January 1813 at the Town of York, Home District, Upper Canada. He appeared as household head on the census of 20 February 1821 at Gates, Genesee Co., New York, USA. His household is listed thus: 1 free white male under 10 years, 1 free white male 10 to 15 years, 1 free white male 26 to 44 years, 4 free white females under 10 years, 1 free white female 16 to 25 years, 1 free white female 26 to 44 years, 1 person engaged in agriculture. He appeared as household head on the census of 16 August 1850 at Greece, Monroe Co., New York, USA. He is recorded as: Orrin Hale, 67, male, farmer, real estate worth $9,630, born in Massachusetts. Hannah Hale, Franklin B. Hale, Julius H. Hale, Candace M. Hale, Patrick Rooney and Emily Tucker also appeared in the household. He appeared as household head on the census of 5 July 1855 at Greece, Monroe Co., New York, USA. He was enumerated as: Orrin Hale, framed house worth $400, age 66, male, born in Ostego, married, resident in Monroe Co. for 38 years, farmer. Hannah Hale and Julius H. Hale also appeared in the household. He and Catherine (?) Hale were married. He appeared as household head on the census of 7 August 1860 at Greece, Monroe Co., New York, USA. He was recorded as: Orrin Hale, age 71, male, gentleman, real estate worth $1,000, personal estate worth $8,000, born New York. Catherine (?) Hale also appeared in the household. He appeared as household head on the census of 1 June 1865 at Greece, Monroe Co., New York, USA. He was listed as: Orin Hale, living in a frame house on 1 acre worth $600, age 76, male, born Otsego Co., married twice, married now, farmer, native voter, owner of land.
     Orrin died on Tuesday, 16 February 1869 at West Greece (Parma), Monroe Co., New York, USA. His obituary reads: DIED Hale in West Greece, Feb 16 1869, Deacon Orrin Hale, aged 80 years. Deacon H was born in Springfield, New York and came into the township in 1816 and resided here ever since. He was one of the pioneers who cleared away the forests of Western New York and made the wilderness a fruitful field. He was father of fifteen children, who arrived at adult age, of whom twelve survive him. In the year 1821 he was made a professor of religion and settled with the Congregational Church and died in its fellowship. Farwell venerable companion of our early years. No more shall we see thee in thy seat in the sanctuary or at the meetings for prayer Thou has fought the battle of life and entered into thy rest. He was buried in West Greece Cemetery, West Greece (Parma), Monroe Co., New York, USA. The Surrogate Court newspaper notice regarding his will and the beneficiaries listed, can be found here.