Upson is of English derivation. It is thought to be from the name Upston and is sometimes spelled Upsom or Upsum. Upston or Upstone is from Richard de Ubberston who is recorded in Suffolk, England in 1279. There was a John Upston in Suffolk, England in 1524.

In a book called "Able Men of Suffolk 1638" there are references to an Upson family in England. These are the militia rolls for this area. There is a Thomas Upson listed under "Hundred Of Thedwardstree" in Otley, a Thomas Upson under "Hundred Of Carleford" in Newborne, a Robert Upson under "Hundred Of Bosmere and Claydon" in Ashe Bocking, a John Upson Jr. under "Hundred Of Bosmere and Claydon" in Earle Stonham, a James Upson under "Hundred Of Babergh" in Assinton and a William Upson under "Hundred Of Polmgate" in Sudborne. There are also references to a Robert Upston in Mendlesham, a Thomas Upston in Tuddenham and a Thomas Upston in Stonham Aspoll. This indicates the name was being spelled both ways, Uspon/Upston in 1638.

The earliest by the name of Upson that I have found in America was Stephen Upson who came to Boston aboard the ship, "Increase" on 15 April 1635. Robert Lea mastered the Increase. These passengers had to swear allegiance to England and the Church of England. Stephen Upson was 23 years of age and was listed as a "sawyer" some have translated this as lawyer but the English would have called him a barrister not a lawyer. A sawyer cuts logs into boards.

The next Upson in America at an early date is Thomas Upson of Hartford, Connecticut. It is believed that Thomas would have been born about 1625 in England. It is believed that Thomas married in England 1st and they had two children. His first wife may have died giving birth to their daughter, Mary. On the 23 of January 1646 Thomas Upson married 2nd Elizabeth Fuller in Hartford. Elizabeth Fuller was born in Fairstead, Essex County, England 1624 or 26. This family later moved to Farmington, Connecticut. It is likely that Thomas was the brother of Stephen. Thomas Upson died 19 Jul 1655.

Thomas Upson's children were:

Thomas Upson b. 1639 d. 1672

Mary Upson b. 1645 d. 1716

Hannah Upson b. 1646 she married Samuel Hickox

Elizabeth Upson b. 1650 d. 1655

Stephen Upson b. 1655 d. 1735

(probably others)

There was a large group of the Upson name in Waterbury, Connecticut at an early date.

Stephen Upson, son of Thomas Upson of Farmington, married Mary Lee in Waterbury

Dec 1682. Stephen Upson died in 1735 at the age of "80, or over." Stephen and Mary Upson's children:

Mary Upson b. 05 Nov 1683 she married Richard Welton

Stephen Upson Jr. b. 30 Sep 1686 he married Sarah Bronson

*Elizabeth Upson b. 14 Feb 1690 she married Thomas Bronson

Thomas Upson b. 01 Mar 1693 he married Rachel Judd

Hannah Upson b. 16 Mar 1695she married 1st Thomas Richards, she married 2nd John Bronson

Tabitha Upson b. 11 Mar 1698 she married 2nd John Scovill (1st husband?)

John Upson b.13 Dec 1702 he married Elizabeth Judd

Thankful Upson b. 14 Mar 1707 she married James Blakeslee

*On 11 May 1690 Elizabeth Upson, daughter of Stephen Upson, was baptized in Farmington, Connecticut.

Stephen Upson was very active in the town of Waterbury, Connecticut. There is a book, The History of Waterbury Connecticut, which details some of his activities. Stephen Upson became a proprietor of Waterbury in 1677-78. Stephen Upson "subscribes on account of a new lot this 29 of December 1679" and paid 50 pounds for it on the same day. There was a fence built in the town, which went "From the corner of Bank Street ... west in the south line of Grand Street and in front of Stepehn Upson's and John Welton's land and the burying yard to the Little Pasture (parsonage lot) and Willow Street." In 1709 Stephen Upson owned 24 "acurs" of land in the "generall feild". At a town meeting in Waterbury on "Aprill 9th 1711 the town by uote mad chos of Mr. John Southmad lft Timothy Standly Thomas Judd: John Hopkins sr Isac brunson sr steuen upson gorg scott as a commity consarning our present fears of the common enymy to take their aduice and counsel in said afar". On "December 8 1712 de (deacon) thomas Judd abraham andrus sr Stuen upson was chosen a commity to run a hi way north from the mill between John hopkins and doc danll porter in order to chang it for land on west sid the mill plan of sd hopkins and mak return to the town". In 1716 there was a survey of the "country road" to New Haven by "Serg. Stephen Upson and Abram Andruss". In 1720 Stephen Upson Senior signed as a witness on a document of Benjamin Barnes. In October of 1720, "the proprietors of Waterbury petetioned that a new “deed of release and quit claim of and in lands within the town may be granted and be signed and sealed by the Honorable the Govenor and the Secretary.' ", which included: Stephen Upson Sr., Thomas Upson, and Stephen Upson Jr.. In 1722 a list was made of properties and Stephen Upson Sr. is listed as originally owning 50 acres and "with the addition of 90" acres.

This work also contains a biography of Stephen Upson. This biography states his father was Thomas Upson and "was early of Hartford" Connecticut. It states "He was a surveyor, school committee, grand juror, often townsman, and three times deputy to the General Court-in May, 1710, Oct. 1712, and Oct. 1729. He became a sergeant on 1715, and in 1729 he had a seat with the vetrans in the new meeting-house." Stephen Upson is also listed in this biography as a "carpenter" . Stephen Upson was associated with the Congregational Church of Waterbury as he signed to pay the new Minister "Mr Jerimy pecke". Stephen Upson was also assessed "half a bushell (altered to one bushell)" of "wheat for ye mason to pay after harvest". This notation also indicates the "wheat for nayles and glass to finish ye miniters hous". In 1704 Stephen Upson was on a committee for "treating with mr. southmaid.", a minister, requesting a pay increase.

Thomas Upson (son of Stephen), according to the History of Waterbury, married Rachael, daughter of Deacon Thomas Judd and died in 1761. He lived on Cole Street. His father bought this property in 1718 and gave it to Thomas. In the deed making this grant, the father "thinks it reasonable to consider", his sons "above" his daughters, in the distribution of his estate, and orders the gift of this property "not to be recorded as part or portion in the distribution" of his estate among his children. In 1750 Thomas Upson sold this property "three and one half acres of land with house and barn" for 150 pounds. He then removed to Farmington, afterwards Southington, and then to the eastern part of Wolcott (Southington Mountain).

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Upson Jr. who had children:

Sarah Upson b.1714 d. 1714

Sarah Upson b. 26 Jul 1715 she married Gideon Hickox

Stephen Upson b. 09 Dec 1717

Jospeph Upson b. 14 Aug 1720

Benjamin Upson b. 14 Aug 1720 (twin with Joseph)

Mary Upson b. 02 May 1724 she married Samuel Porter

Ebenezer Upson b. 29 Sep 1727

Thankful Upson b. 29 Sep 1727 (twin with Ebenezer) she married Ebenezer Johnson

Jemima Upson b. 08 Apr 1730 d. 1736

Hannah Upson b. 29 Sep 1735 she married Jesse Sperry

Those other Upson family groups from Waterbury that can be reconstructed are:

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Thomas Upson who had children:

Thomas Upson b. 20 Dec 1719

Mary Upson b. 21 Jan 1721 (twin with John)

John Upson b. 21 Jan 1721 d. 1741

Josiah Upson b. 28 Jan 1724 or 25

Asa Upson b. 30 Nov 1728

Timothy Upson b. 08 Oct 1731

Amos Upson b. 17 Mar 1734

Samuel Upson b. 08 Mar 1737

Freeman Upson b. 24 Jul 1739 d. 1750

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, John Upson who had children:

Daniel Upson b. 19 March 1726

Elijah Upson b. 11 Feb 1727 or 28 (died young)

Elijah Upson b. 05 Feb 1730 or 31 (died young)

Hannah Upson b. 17 Nov 1733 she married Silas Merriman

Martha Upson b. 01 May 1736 she married William Barnes

John Upson b. 31 Mar 1739

James Upson b. 04 Nov 1742

Elijah Upson b. 06 May 1745

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Stephen Upson Esq. who married Sarah Clark and their children were:

Mary Upson b. 21 Nov 1750 d. 1757

Olive Upson b. 18 Feb 1753 she married Isaiah Prichard

Ebenezer Upson b. 11 Aug 1755 d. 1757

Stephen Upson b. 12 Sep 1758 d. 1776

Esther Upson b. 02 Sep 1760 she married Asahel Bronson

Sarah Upson b. 15 Jul 1763 she married Stephen Gilbert of N.Y.

Mark Upson b. 21 Feb 1766 he married Susanna Allen

Daniel Upson b. 07 Mar 1769

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Joseph Upson who married Comfort Scott. Joseph Upson died 07 Aug 1749. Their children were:

Jemima Upson b. 14 Jul 1746 she married Moses Cook

Ezekial Upson b. 07 Oct 1748 he married Mary Bronson

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Benjamin Upson who married Mary Blakeslee and their children were:

Ruel Upson b. 12 June 1744 he married Deborah Peck

Susanna Upson b. 12 Jan 1746 she married Benjamin Gaylord

Lois Upson b. 12 May 1748 she married Israel Terrel

*Joseph Upson b. 05 May 1750 he married Anna Bronson

*Benjamin Upson b. 03 Jul 1752

Jesse Upson b. 28 Nov 1754 d. 1755

Jesse Upson b. 25 May 1756

Noah Upson b. 26 Sep 1758

*Asahel Upson b. 25 Apr 1762 he married Mehitable Castle

Mary Upson b. 22 Jun 1765

Sarah Upson b. 23 Jul 1768

*The names Benjamin Upson and Asahel Upson later appear in New York State.

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Benjamin, Joseph who married Anna Bronson and their children were:

Arad Upson

Betsy Upson

Nancy Upson

Joseph Upson b. abt . 1785

Freeman Upson b. 1787

Sylvia Upson

Clarissa Upson

Joseph lived for a time at Fort Edward, New York. His first wife died about 1802 and in 1809 he remarried at Fort Edward. He had a second family and after 1812 lived in Ohio. The names of his second wife and five sons have not been discovered.

Descent: Thomas, Stephen,Thomas, Samuel Upson who married Ruth ... and their children were:

Mary Upson b. Feb 1759 she married Joseph Minor

Archibald Upson b. 26 Apr 1761 d. 1782

Issac Upson b. 22 Dec 1763

Obed Upson b. 02 Jan 1767

Harvey Upson b. 11 Nov 1769

Samuel Upson b. 16 Apr 1772

Ruth Upson b. 16 Apr 1772 (twin with Samuel)

Jerusha Upson b. 27 June 1775 d. 1777

Manly Upson b. 12 Mar 1777

Betsy Upson b. 10 Aug 1779

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Stephen Esq., Mark Upson who had children:

Olive Upson she married Joseph Blakeslee

Esther Upson

Sarah Upson

Lucena Upson she married Wiiliam Stowe

Lucius Upson

Rosetta Upson

*Jesse Upson he married Esther Hotchkiss

Sarah Ann Upson

Davis Upson died when 22 yrs of age

*The name Jesse Upson later appears in New Jersey and Michigan.

Descent: Thomas, Stephen,Thomas, Thomas Upson who married Hannah Hopkins and their children were:

Benoni Upson D.D. b. 14 Feb 1750 he married Leva Hopkins and received his Doctor of Divinity degree from Yale in 1817

*Charles Upson b. 08 Mar 1752

Sylvia Upson b. 07 Jun 1756 d. 1764

*The name Charles Upson appears later in St. Joseph County, Michigan.

Those from Waterbury of the Upson name, serving in the Revolutionary War were; Sgt. Ezekiel Upson, Benjamin Upson and Stephen Upson. Other Connecticut Revolutionary War soldiers by the Upson name were, Asa Upson of Bristol, Ashbel Upson of Plymouth (CT), James Upson of Southington, Jesse Upson of Plymouth (CT), Joseph Upson of Plymouth (CT), Noah Upson of Plymouth (CT) and Simeon Upson of Southington.

Descent: Thomas,Stephen, Thomas, Thomas, Charles Upson who married Wealthy Hopkins and their children were:

Washington Upson b. 02 Sep 1775

Lee Upson b. 07 May 1778

*Gates Upson b. 18 July 1780

*The name Gates Upson appears later in Michigan.

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr. , Stephen Esq., Daniel Upson who married Mary Adams the daughter of Samuel Adams. She died 29 Jun 1830 and he married the widow Phebe Kirkland who died 04 May 1845. Daniel and Mary's children were:

Stephen Upson b. 08 May 1797 d.1822

*Alvin Upson b. 04 Dec 1798he married Mary Sperry and lived in Michigan

*Daniel Upson b. 16 May 1801 he married Nancy Hotchkiss

Minerva Upson b. 10 Mar 1803 d.1822

Polly Maria Upson b. 29 Dec 1805 d.1807

William Upson b. 01 Nov 1807

Merlin Upson b. 28 Feb 1810 he married Emily Beecher

Sarah Maria Upson b. 19 Nov 1813 she married David Summers

Thomas Clark Upson b. 20 Dec 1819 he married 1st Harriet Morris, married 2nd Corneilia Pease

*The name Alvin Upson later appears in Michigan and Daniel Upson appears in New York State. It is believed that this Alvin Upson was the Alvin Upson in Allegan County, Michigan in 1850.

Descent: Thomas, Stephen, Stephen Jr., Benjamin, Benjamin Upson:

Benjamin Upson married widow Mary Clark and their child was:

Stephen Upson b. 12 Jun 1783

(probably others)

Descent: Thomas, Stephen., John (?), John, Reuben Upson:

Reuben Upson married Hannah Richardson and their children were:

Reuben Upson b. 28 Aug 1799 d.1802

Phebe Upson b. 13 Oct 1801

(probably others)

During the Colonial period of Connecticut the militia protected the people from the French and Indian incursions. In 1755 the Fourth Company of Capt. Lewis included Samuel Upson. Samuel Upson enlisted on September 11th 1755 and was discharged on November 24th 1755. Samuel Upson enlisted in Col. Lyman's Regiment on March 26th 1757 and was discharged on November 13th 1757. Samuel Upson enlisted in Capt. Lewis's Seventh Company on March 27th 1758 and was discharged November 16th, 1758. In 1777 there was a Capt. Samuel Upson in Maj. Woodruff's Volunteers. Samuel Upson was the son of Thomas Upson, son of Stephen Upson Sr., son of Thomas of Hartford and Farmington. The Connecticut Line of 1781-1783 included Ashbel Upson in Lt. Col. Sherman's Fifth Regiment. Ashbel Upson enlisted July 5th 1781 and was discharged December 29th 1781. This name later appears in New York State.

In New Jersey in 1810 there was a Jesse Upson who was a Commissioner. It appears he also administered wills in 1847. This name later appears in Michigan. Several of the Upson descendants moved into New York State and they were:

Ahab Upson Greene County 1800

Daniel Upson Steuben County 1800

Daniel Upson (2nd) Steuben County 1800

Trueman Upson New York County 1800

Uriah Upson Steuben County 1800

Joseph Upson Delaware County 1810

Joseph Upson Jr. Delaware County 1810

Josiah Upson Seneca County 1810

Miles Upson Columbia County 1810

Andrew B. Upson Delaware County 1820

Archibald Upson Delaware County 1820

Asa Upson Steuben County 1820

Asahel Upson Oneida County 1820

Cyrus Upson New York City 1820

Erastus Upson Oneida County 1820

Horatio Upson Niagara County 1820

Ira G. Upson Genesse County 1820

Joseph Upson Niagara County 1820

Levi M. Upson Oneida County 1820

Saul C. Upson Onondaga County 1820

Theron Upson New York City 1820

Uriah Upson Steuben County 1820

Andrew B. Upson Delaware County 1830

Asa Upson Steuben County 1830

Ashbel Upson Oneida County 1830

Ashbell Upson Jr. Oneida County 1830

Benjamin Upson Steuben County 1830

Daniel Upson Steuben County 1830

David W. Upson Cattarauqua County 1830

Erastus Upson Steuben Count 1830

Erastus Upson Oneida County 1830

Horatio Upson Madison County 1830

Ira Upson Genesee County 1830

John Upson Steuben County 1830

Joseph Upson Niagara County 1830

Josiah Upson Wayne County 1830

Josiah Upson Jr. Wayne County 1830

Levi M. Upson Oneida County 1830

Miles Upson Onondaga County 1830

Onru Upson Cattarauqua County 1830

Orin Upson Onondaga County 1830

Silas Upson New York City 1830

Solomon Upson Wayne County 1830

Theron Upson New York City 1830

Uriah Upson Steuben County 1830

Uriah Upson (2nd) Steuben County 1830

Horatio Upsom (Upson) Niagara County 1840

Asa Upson Steuben County 1840

Ashbel Upson Oneida County 1840

Bejamin Upson Onondaga County 1840

Calvin Upson Steuben County 1840

Daniel Upson Steuben County 1840

David Upson Chemung County 1840

Emer Upson Cattarauqua County 1840

Erastus Upson Cattarauqua County 1840

Erastus Upson Oneida County 1840

Gates Upson Niagara County 1840

George A. Upson Monroe County 1840

Ira G. Upson Monroe County 1840

Josiah Upson Jr. Wayne County 1840

Levi M. Upson Oneida County 1840

Miles Upson Onondaga County 1840

Saul C. Upson Onondaga County 1840

Silas Upson New York City 1840

Uriah Upson Steuben County 1840

William Upson Allegany County 1840

Some of the Upson family moved into Ohio about 1820. Some of these came via New York and the names are similar:

Arad Upson Portage County 1820

Asa Upson Portage County 1820

Freeman Upson Portage County 1820

Reuben Upson Portage County 1820

Stephen Upson Portage County 1820

*Jesse Upson Coshocton County 1820

Arad Upson Portage County 1830

Asa Upson Portage County 1830

*Alvin Upson Portage County 1830

Baldwin Upson Portage County 1830

Freeman Upson Portage County 1830

Lorenzo Upson Portage County 1830

*Nelson Upson Portage County 1830

Reuben Upson Portage County 1830

Salmon Upson Portage County 1830

Saul Upson Portage County 1830

Stephen Upson Portage County 1830

Joseph Upson Cuyahoga County 1830

Noah Upson Cuyahoga County 1830

*William Upson Cuyahoga County 1830

Ashbel Upson Trumbull County 1830

Daniel Upson Franklin County 1830

*Jesse Upson Richland County 1830

Asa Upson Summit County 1840

Doctor Upson Summit County 1840

Edwin Upson Summit County 1840

Fred Upson Summit County 1840

*Nelson Upson Summit County 1840

Reuben Upson Summit County 1840

Rolon Upson Summit County 1840

Stephen Upson Summit County 1840

Susan Upson Summit County 1840

Arad Upson Trumbull County 1840

Noah Upson Trumbull County 1840

Ashly Upson Cuyahoga County 1840

Bidder Upson Cuyahoga County 1840

*William Upson Cuyahoga County 1840

Elias Upson Ashtabula County 1840

Alva Upson Portage County 1840

Lorenzo Upson Portage County 1840

Solomon Upson Portage County 1840

Freeman Upson Portage County 1840

Hubbard Upson Portage County 1840

*Alvin Upson Medina County 1840

Dr. Daniel Upson Summit County 1841

William H. Upson Esq. Summit County 1846

Dr. G. C. Upson Summit County 1847

*These names appear later in Allegan County and/or Berrien County, Michigan.

There were those by the Upson name in Michigan as early as 1837. Some of these came via Ohio. Those by the name of Upson in Michigan were:

William Upson Allegan County 1837

Benjamin Upson Oakland County 1840

John N. Upson Oakland County 1840

Alvin Upson Branch County 1850

Charles Upson St. Joseph County 1850

Jesse Upson Kent County 1850

William Upson Kalamazoo County 1850

Nelson Upson Allegan County 1860

William Upson Allegan County 1860

George Upson Allegan County 1860

Alvin Upson Allegan County 1860

William A. Upson Allegan County 1860

*Gates Upson Berrien County 1861

*William A. Upson Allegan County 1861

*William D. Upson Kent County 1863

*Jefferson B. Upson Kalamazoo County 1865

Jesse Upson Kent County 1870

Joseph Upson Kent County 1870

Lewis Upson Allegan County 1870

Nelson N. Upson Allegan County 1870

William Upson Allegan County 1870

William Upson (2) Allegan County 1870

*Indicates these were Civil War soldiers

1850 Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan:

William Upson 32 years of age, laborer, b. Connecticut

(wife) Charity Upson 32 years of age, b. N.Y.

(son) James Upson 4 years of age, b. Michigan

(dau) Frances Upson 3 years of age, b. Michigan

(dau) Aurvier? Upson 1 year of age, b. Michigan

Lydia Wood 20 years of age, (sister-in-law)

1860 Trowbridge, Allegan County, Michigan:

William Upson 38 years of age, farmer, b. Connecticut

(wife) Charity Upson 38 years of age b. N.Y.

(son) James L. Upson 15 years of age b. Michigan

(dau) Mary J. Upson 13 years of age b. Michigan

(son) William Upson 11 years of age b. Michigan

George Upson 20 years of age, farmer, b. Ohio (possibly brother)

1860 Hopkins, Allegan County, Michigan:

Nelson N. Upson 33 years of age, sawyer, b. Ohio

(wife) *Thankful O. Upson 30 years of age b. Massachusetts

(son) Nelson N. Upson 6 years of age b. Ohio

(son) Alvin B. Upson 4 years of age b. Ohio

(dau) Clara A. Upson 2 years of age b. Michigan

This family would have come from Ohio to Michigan between Alvin's birth in 1856 and Clara's birth in 1858.

1860 Trowbridge, Allegan County, Michigan:

Alvin Upson 50 years of age, farm servant, b. Connecticut

(son) William A. Upson 21 years of age, sawyer, b. Michigan

(dau) Mary Upson 16 years of age b. Ohio

1870 Allegan Village, Allegan County, Michigan:

William Upson 53 years of age, farmer, b. 1817 in Connecticut

(wife) Charity Upson 53 years of age, housekeeper, b. 1818 in New York.

(son) Frank (Frances?) Upson 22 years of age, dry goods clerk, b.1848 in Michigan

(son) William D. Upson 20 years of age, farm laborer, b. 1850 in Michigan

1870 Hopkins, Allegan County, Michigan:

Nelson N. Upson 42 years of age, farmer, b. 1827 in Ohio

(wife) *Olive B. Upson 39 years of age, housekeeper b. 1831 in Mass.

This is probably Thankful O. Upson

(dau) Clara A. Upson 15 years of age b. 1855 in Ohio

(son) Fred S. Upson 13 years of age b. 1857 in Ohio

(dau) Thankful O. Upson 11 years of age b. 1859 in Michigan

1870 Saugatuck, Allegan County, Michigan:

Lewis Upson 36 years of age, mill worker, b. 1834 in Ohio

(wife) Elizabeth Upson 26 years of age, housekeeper, b. 1844 in Michigan

no children listed

1870 Saugatuck, Allegan County, Michigan:

William Upson 32 years of age, livery stable, b. 1838 in Ohio

no wife listed

(dau) Nellie Upson 8 years of age

The 1850 census of Winnebago County, Illinois includes in Seward Township:

Upson, Benjamin who was 35 years of age and who was born in New Jersey, his wife Lucy who was 26 years of age and was born in Massachusetts, Stephen Bacon who was 55 years of age and Charles Bacon who was 14 years of age, both being born in Massachusetts. They were Lucy's father and brother?

Upson, Lyman who was 26 years of age and who was born in New York and his wife Lucinda who was 20 years of age and who was also born in New York

The 1860 census of Winnebago County, Illinois lists in Seward Township:

Upson, Benjamin who was 40 years of age and who was born in New Jersey, his wife Lucy who was 33 years of age and who was born in Massacusetts, their son Jessie who was 8 years of age and who was born in Illinois and also William Upson who was 35 years of age and who was born in New York. This is probably Benjamin's brother?

Upson, Lyman D. who was 35 years of age and who was born in New York, his wife Lucinda who was 30 years of age and who was born in New York, their children Marian who was 8 years of age, Lent(s) who was 6 years of age, Susan who was 4 years of age and Adalade who was 1 year old. The children are listed as being born in Illinois. Also in this home is Clarica A. Perry, schoolteacher, who was 18 years of age and who was born in New York.

Note: ages vary from the 1850 census?

The 1870 census of Winnebago County, Illinois lists in Ward 4 of Rockford:

Upson, Benjamin F. who was 52 years of age and who was born in New Jersey, his wife Lucy who was 48 years of age and was born in Massachusetts, their son Jessie who was 18 years of age and was born in Illinois and Nelson Upson who was 47 years of age and was born in New York. Living at this same residence were several persons of different names: Julia Peckheim age 11 years who was born in Michigan, Luther Hess 28 years of age who was born in Pennsylvania, Henry Eastman 30 years of age who was born in Vermont and Emma Osllein 17 years of age who was born in Sweden. Benjamin was a chair maker and these may have been his employees? This Nelson Upson was not the Nelson Upson who married Elizabeth Gow in Berrien County in 1866.

In searching for Nelson Upson’s father I looked in the Berrien County records for any clue. I believed his sister was Elizabeth Upson who married Joseph Wilson as Nelson and Elizabeth Upson witnessed this marriage. By chance I decided to look for Elizabeth Wilson’s death record as none seems to be on file for Nelson.

Liber “E” of the Berrien County Marriage Records contains the following:

Married: Joseph Wilson and Elizabeth Upson in Royalton Township on 02 May 1868. He was 21 years of age and she was 18 years of age. He was born in Oswego, New York and she in Niagara, New York. Joseph Wilson was recorded as a “sailor” and as living in Lincoln Township. The ceremony was performed by William Penland Justice of The Peace and also a Methodist Minister. The witnesses were Nelson and Elizabeth Upson. This is believed to be Nelson and his wife not Nelson and his mother.

Liber “A” of the Berrien County Death Records contains the following:

Elizabeth J. Wilson died 18 Sep 1875 in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was 24 years, 9 months and 1 day old at the time of her death. She was the widow of Joseph Wilson. She died of “consumption and cancer”. It states she was born in New York, that her father was Gates Upson and that her mother was Elizabeth Roe. Gates Upson was reported as being deceased and her mother was living in St. Joseph at this time. It is possible her mother had remarried. Roe is believed to be Elizabeth J. Upson’s 2^nd married name as all the other entries on this page list the parents with their same last names. They did not list maiden names at this time. Elizabeth J. (Upson) Wilson would have been born on 17 Dec 1850 using this record.

There appears to have been an Edward Upson born in Berrien County on 03 Nov 1876. He was recorded as the son of Edward and Elizabeth Upson. The father is reported as “dead” and the mother is listed as having been born in Scotland. For years I confused Edward as a child of Nelson Upson as his wife, Elizabeth, who was born in Scotland. This record has been found to be that of William Edward Upson son of Nelson and Elizabeth Upson. This was recorded shortly after her husband’s death. The birth dates matches William Edward Upson. There appears to have been no Edward Upson either father or son.

The Berrien County branch of the Upson family may be the descendants of Gates Upson (1780). The given names Nelson and Gates only appear in this branch of the family. Thomas Upson (1692-1761 Connecticut) had sons named Thomas, Samuel and Asa. Thomas Upson had a son named Charles Upson and Charles named one of his sons Gates Upson (1780). Samuel Upson had a son named Manly Upson and Manly named one of his sons Nelson Upson (1808). Asa Upson had a son named Saul Upson and Saul Upson named one of his sons Nelson Upson (1803).

Joseph Upson Sr. remarried in Fort Edward, New York about 1803. His second wife was Ann Beder. They moved to Ohio about 1812 and had six sons: Merrett, Noah, Simon, Ashely, Beder and James Upson.

Joseph Upson Jr, who was in Fort Edwards New York in 1810 is believed to have been Gates Upson’s father. They lived in Niagara County, New York in the town of Porter from 1820-1850. Gates’s Civil War records indicate he was born in “Maymord”, New York about 1815. This area of New York has not been located, this may actually been misread from Niagara. I have seen the notation and the writing is of poor quality.

The 1830 census of Porter in Niagara County, New York shows the Joseph Upson household with one male under five, three males five to ten, one male ten to fifteen, one male fifteen to twenty and one male fifty to sixty. There were also one female thirty to forty yeas of age in the household.

Gates Upson was in Niagara County, New York in 1840. He was in Ohio in 1842, Niagara, New York in 1850, Illinois in 1855 and in Berrien County, Michigan in 1861. He was born about 1815 or 1816. He married Elizabeth about 1838. Some of their children are believed to be:

Anna Upson b. abt 1839 in Niagara County, New York married Leonard Hilton

Nelson Upson b. abt 1842 in Ohio d. 1876 in St. Joseph, MI married Elizabeth Gow

Frances Upson b. abt 1844 in New York

Elizabeth Upson b. 17 Dec 1850 in Niagara, New York d. 1875 in St. Joseph, MI married Joseph Wilson.

William Upson b. abt 1855 in Illinois d. abt. 1929 in Benton Harbor, MI never married.

Gates Upson enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Infantry 30 Oct 1861 at St. Joseph, Michigan, for three years. He was 46 years of age. He mustered 18 Dec 1861. He died “of disease” at St. Joseph, Michigan 18 Jun 1862. His date of death is recorded on an application for his Civil War Marker as 04 Jul 1872. It is believed his wife had remarried by 1866 so the 1862 date is more likely than the 1872 date.

Berrien County, Michigan Upson Data:

Gates Upson was born in a place called “Maymord” in Niagara County, New York about 1816. Maymord has not been located and after looking at the Civil War record this must have been taken from, it looks as if this was misread and is actually Niagara. The writing is poor and could be easily misread. It is known that he was 34 years of age in the 1850 census of New York State. In 1850 he was living with his family in Porter, which is located in Niagara County, New York. His wife's name was Elizabeth J. Upson. Her maiden name is yet to be determined. Her middle name is thought to be Josephine.

Gates Upson was probably in Ohio when his son Nelson Upson was born in 1842. Nelson later reports being born in Ohio. Gate Upson was back in Niagara County, New York for the 1850 census and the birth of his daughter Elizabeth J. Upson. Gates Upson was in Illinois in 1855 when his son William was born. William Upson reports being born in Illinois. Gates Upson was in Berrien County, Michigan in November of 1861 as he enlisted for the Civil War in St. Joseph on 03 Nov 1861, for three years of service. He was to serve in Company "B" of the 12th Regiment of the Michigan Infantry. He mustered on 18 Dec 1861 at Niles, Michigan. Gates Upson died at his home in St. Joseph, Michigan "of Disease" "while on furlough". The military records list the date of his death as "unknown". I have seen the date 18 Jun 1862 as his death date and also the date 04 Jul 1872?

Elizabeth J. Upson, Gates' wife, lived in Berrien County in 1875 when their daughter Elizabeth J. Wilson died that year. Her mother was said to be living in St. Joseph and her name was listed as Elizabeth J. Roe. It is believed she had remarried John Roe. Elizabeth J. Wilson was the widow of Joseph Wilson. In 1870 there was a John and Elizabeth Roe living on the Gates Upson property in St. Joseph, Michigan. The problem with this record is that Elizabeth is recorded as being 25 years of age. I believe it should read 55 years of age. It is possible Roe was her maiden name and John Roe may have been her brother?

Nelson Upson married Elizabeth Gow in April of 1866 in Berrien County, Michigan. They were both 24 years of age and she was born in Scotland. Two of their older children were born in Illinois, Ella Nora Upson (26 Jan 1869) and Carrie Josephine Upson (30 Sep1871). Nora who's name was Elinor and Carrie were born in Seneca, Illinois. The sons Nelson H. Upson (15 Jan 1874) and William E. Upson (03 Nov1876) were born in Berrien County, Michigan.

Nelson Upson enlisted for the Civil War on 03 Jun 1861 in Chicago, Illinois. He mustered into service on 10 Jul 1861 in St. Louis, Missouri. He first served with Co. "I" of the 7^th Missouri Infantry. He re-enlisted on 01 Mar 1864 at Vicksburg, Mississippi with the 11^th Missouri Infantry of the Union Troops.

Nelson Upson was wounded at the battle of Nashville on 16 Dec 1864. He was shot in the right arm below the elbow. Dr. Thomas Hawley, Major, of the 11^th Missouri Infantry stated Nelson Upson was "severely wounded with a minni ball passing through his right arm producing a severe and complicated wound". Nelson was taken to the "Genl. Hospital in Nashville" and was "incapacitated from further military duty". This document was dated 28^th day of Dec 1868. Nelson was on leave from his company from Jan 1865 to December 31, 1865. He mustered out of service on 15 Jan 1866 at Memphis Tennessee.

Nelson Upson made an "application for an invalid person" on 02 Jan 1867 in St. Joseph, Michigan. In this document he states he served with "Lt. George P. Robertson in the 11^th Missouri Infantry commanded by Col. Bovier" (Bonier). He also stated he was wounded in the arm and "has never been well" and that "the bones slipped past and have never reunited". He stated that after the injury he "remained in various hospitals for about a year and joined my company at Memphis Tennessee and was there discharged." The Civil War records indicate his death occurred on 21 Apr 1876 in Lincoln Township of Berrien County, Michigan.

Elizabeth (Gow) Upson made an application for "widows pension" on 23 Dec 1879. In this record she states Nelson had been treated at "Brown's General Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky". This document does not contain Nelson's death date. It does list his surviving children as, Ella Nora b. 26 Jan 1869, Carrie J, b. 30 Sep 1871, Nelson b. 15 Jan 1874 and Willie b. 03 Nov 1876. The application for Nelson's Civil War Marker states he died 21 Apr 1876. Several of the supporting documents in his pension file indicate he died in 1876. Some of these affidavits talk of his arm injury and also of a cough he had developed during his service. One states he had started coughing after sleeping out in the rain the night before the battle of Nashville. Another states he was coughing up blood. I believe he had contracted Tuberculosis and this caused his death. Nelson was not able to work much because of his cough and his arm.

The 1870 census of Manilus Township, LaSalle County, Illinois contains: “Updson,” (Upson) Nelson who was 29 years of age and who was born in New York, his wife Elizabeth who was 29 years of age and who was born in Scotland and their daughter Elinora who was 1 year old and was born in Illinois. Nelson is listed as a farm laborer. They were living between John Hobert and Loz Myers both of whom had farms.

None of this family appears in the 1860 or 1870 census records for Berrien County, Michigan. They appear in the census of 1880 in Berrien County.

In 1880 Elizabeth Upson, Nelson's widow, is living in St. Joseph. She is 37 years of age and has the four children with her. She is listed as a "washer woman". Nelson Upson apparently died in 1876 in Lincoln Township of Berrien County. On the very same census page, in fact the very next entry is for Elizabeth J. Roe. She is living as the head of the household and has with her son William Upson. She is listed as being 65 years of age and her son as being 25 years of age. This was the widow of Gates Upson. Both the widows Upson were living next to each other in 1880.

The 1890 census is nonexistent. There was however a special census taken, in 1890, of "Surviving Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Widows, etc." These persons were involved in the Civil War. On this listing there appears in St. Joseph Village "Elizabeth Upson widow of Upson, Nelson". This would have been Elizabeth (Gow) Upson. She states that Nelson Upson served in "Company I of Regiment 7 Mo Infantry" She states he enlisted in " 1861" and was discharged in "1865" having served "4 yrs.". It is believed that "Mo" stands for the state of Missouri. On June 3rd 1861 Company "I" of the 7th Missouri Infantry was "enrolled at Chicago, Illinois by Captain (Joseph) S. C. Rowland and marched from thence by rail to Saint Louis Arsenal, Missouri in the beginning of June, where it was mustered into service (by) Lieutenant (Adelbert Rinaldo) Buffington on June 26 and marched from thence by rail and river to Boonville, Missouri, where it arrived on July 4." It was common for men from other states to join infantries from other states. Company "I" of the 7th Missouri Infantry was formed from mainly Illinois men.

In 1900 the census records both the Upson widows as living in Berrien County. Living in Sodus Township with Elizabeth (Gow) Upson is her daughter Nora E." McCalaster" who is 31 years of age, her son Nelson Upson who is 26 years of age and two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Grace "Upson". These were Nora's children and should have been listed with the last name of McAllister? Nora is listed as divorced. Living near her was Carrie J. Lucker, her husband Willaim Lucker and their children. This was the family of Carrie J. Upson. It was found that Elizabeth McAllister married Edwin Simpson. Her father was Albertus McAllister and her mother was Elinor (Nora Upson) McAllister, the daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Gow) Upson.

In 1900 Elizabeth J. "Upson" is listed as living in St. Joseph, on Niles Avenue with her son William Upson and she is 85 years of age. In 1880 she was listed as Elizabeth Roe?

The 1910 census shows a William Upson family living in Oronoko Township of Berrien County. This is William Upson the son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Gow) Upson. His wife is Jennie Upson. Jennie's maiden name was Harner. He was 33 years of age and she was 32 years of age. Their children were, Clyde W. Upson age 14 years, Cora E. Upson age 12 years, Johnie D. Upson age 9 years, Vernon N. Upson age 7 years and David W. Upson age 5 years. * This is the Cora Upson who married Walter Brackett in 1915. In 1903 the plat map of Berrien Township shows an E. Upson near Eau Claire, Michigan. This was Elizabeth (Gow) Upson.

The 1910 census also shows the Nelson Upson household. This is the brother of the William Upson. Nelson is listed as head of the house in Berrien Township of Berrien County. Living with him were, his sister Nora McCallister, Elizabeth and Grace Upson (actually McAllister) who were then 22 and 18 years of age and are listed as Nelson's nieces. William Upson his uncle who was than 54 years of age and his mother Elizabeth (Gow) Upson who was then 70 years of age. Elizabeth Upson/Roe had since passed away and her son William lived with Nelson. No death record has been found for Elizabeth J. Upson under the name Upson or under the name Roe? No wife is listed for Nelson Upson. It has been found that Nelson never married. Elizabeth and Grace Upson were the daughters of Elinor (Nora Upson) McAllister and her husband Alburtus McAllister.

Liber "D" of the Berrien County Death records on page 205 lists the death of Elizabeth (Gow) Upson. It reads " Feb. 19, 1917 Upson, Elizabeth 77 years 5 months and 28 days in Berrien Township, born in Scotland, Father M. Gaiw born in Scotland, Mother unknown born in Scotland, recorded on 13 Aug 1917". Her place of burial is not mentioned. Using this age she would have been born on 22 Aug 1839 in Scotland.

Elizabeth (Gow) Upson has a probate file # 6012 in Berrien County, Michigan. Her son William Upson initiated this probate of her estate on 22 Feb 1917. It lists her children as: Nora McAllister 48 years of age living in Eau Claire, Michigan, Carrie J. Lucker 45 years of age living in Fountain, Mason Co., Michigan, Nelson Upson living in Eau Claire, Michigan and Willam Upson living on RFD # 1 in Buchanan, Michigan. Her estate was valued at $ 2,000 in land (40acres) and $ 500 in personal property. The land was listed as: the south east quarter of the north west quarter section eight, town six south range seventeen west being in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Michigan.

Listed as property were: one black cow seven years old $ 60, one black cow two years old $ 50, one black and white calf eight months old $ 25 and about sixty chickens

$ 33. There were seven claims against the estate. One of them was from Carrie J. Lucker for $ 54 for funeral expenses and one from William Upson for $ 618.50. The farm and property was to be sold and divided between the four children after expenses were paid. The farm sold to John Kaiser in November of 1917 for $ 2000. This settlement was signed off by: Mrs. W. C. Lucker, Wm Upson, Mrs. Nora McAllister and Nelson Upson on 22 Sep 1917. Each of the four children recieved $ 428.75 as settlement of the estate.

The 1920 census of Berrien County includes the William and Jennie Upson family of Oronoko Township and also the Nelson Upson household in Berrien Township. Living with William and Jennie Upson are their sons John, Verne and David and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Harner. Clyde and Cora Upson had married by 1920. The Nelson Upson household consisted of himself, his sister Nora (Elinor) McCallister, his uncle William Upson, Mrs. Elizabeth Simpson (his niece), her two children Frederick and Floyd Simpson and Grace McAllister (his niece). Apparently Elizabeth had married and since had moved back in with Nelson. Elizabeth Simpson's husband was Edwin Simpson. Elizabeth (Gow) Upson had passed away in 1917.

In September of 1999 I found the grave markers for Gates and Nelson Upson. They are located in the extreme southwest corner of Lakeview Cemetery. Lakeview is the city cemetery for St. Joseph, Michigan and is on Lakeview Street. This is the "old " city cemetery. The "new" city cemetery is located on Niles Avenue and is called Riverview Cemetery. Nelson's marker was half buried and it had to be dug out to read the inscription. Both these markers are the typical Civil War markers. They do not list dates of birth nor death. Gates's marker is inscribed: Gates Upson Co. B, 19th Mich. Inf. and Nelson's reads Nelson Upson Co. I of the 7th Mo. Inf. This proves that Nelson actually served in the Civil War, with the 7th Missouri Union Troops. There is apparently a mistake on Gates stone as the records indicate he serve with the 12th Mich. Infantry.

The Matriarchs of the

Berrien County, Michigan

Upson Families

named

Elizabeth Upson

The Berrien County Upson families are the descendants of two matriarchs by the name of Elizabeth Upson.

The first of these matriarchs was Elizabeth J. Upson the wife of Gates Upson. She was born in November of 1815 in New York State. There are also records that indicate she was born in Quebec and Pennsylvania. One record states her father was born in Wales and her mother in France? Elizabeth’s maiden name has not been located. Gates and Elizabeth Upson were living in Niagara County, New York in 1850. Their children at that time were: Anna 10 years of age, Nelson 8 years of age and Frances 6 years of age. Another daughter, Elizabeth J. was born in December of 1850, four months after the census was taken. The census says all these children were born in New York. Sometime between 1851 and 1861 Gates and Elizabeth Upson lived in Illinois. Their son William Upson reports being born in Illinois in May of 1852. Nelson Upson reported being born in Ohio? Gates and Elizabeth Upson were in Berrien County, Michigan by 1861. Gates Upson died in June of 1862 in St. Joseph, Michigan as the results of "disease". He had enlisted in the Civil War the preceding October in St. Joseph. Apparently he contracted this "disease" during his service.

It is not clear where Elizabeth Upson (1815) was between 1868 and 1874 but she was probably in Illinois with her son Nelson. She may also have been the Elizabeth Roe in the 1870 census of St. Joseph, Berrien County. Elizabeth Upson was back in Berrien County by 1875 as Elizabeth J. Wilson, their daughter, died there from "consumption". It is recorded that this Elizabeth J. Wilson's mother was living in St. Joseph at the time of her death. Elizabeth J. Upson (1850) had married Joseph Wilson in Berrien County in 1867 and she was a widow at the time of her death. In 1870 there was a John and Elizabeth Roe living on the Gates Upson property in St. Joseph. This is believed to be Elizabeth J. Upson and her second husband. In 1866 a John and Elizabeth Roe witnessed the marriage of Nelson Upson and Elizabeth Gow. This is thought to be Nelson's mother. Living with John and Elizabeth Roe in 1870 were: William Hobson who was 16 years of age, Josephine Hobson who was 12 years of age and Rachel Hobson who was 6 years of age. These are thought to Elizabeth Roe's grandchildren. It is believed this was the former Elizabeth J. Upson. These are likely her grandchildren but their parents have not been determined but may have been the children of Francis (Upson) Hobson? Elizabeth J. Upson (1815) is not seen in the Berrien County census again until 1880. In 1880 she is listed as Elizabeth Roe and is the very next entry on the census record after Elizabeth (Gow) Upson. In the 1900 census she is living on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph with her son William. She is listed as the head of the house and is listed as Elizabeth Upson. She is 85 years of age and reports being born in New York. Her son William is 48 years of age and reports being born in May of 1852 in Illinois. This William Upson is later seen living with Nelson Upson (1874), his nephew and apparently never married.

A search was made of Niagara County, New York for persons of the name of Hobson and Hilton. It is known Anna Upson married Leonard Hilton and another of the daughters of Gates and Elizabeth J. Upson, possibly Frances Upson, married someone of the Hobson name. In 1850 in Niagara County there were:

Abel Hilton
Betsy Hilton
Carlton Hilton
John Hilton
and Joseph Hobson

The names Hilton and Hobson follow Gates and Elizabeth Upson from Niagara County, New York into Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Also in Rutland in La Salle County, Illinois in 1870 there was a Hiram Hilton who was 76 years of age who was born in Massachusetts. He was living in the township of Marsallis. Leonard Hilton who married Ann Upson had a son named Hiram Hilton. This may have been Leonard Hilton's father? Nelson and Elizabeth (Gow) Upson were in this same county in Illinois in 1870. Nelson Upson was the brother of Anna (Upson) Hilton.

The second of these matriarchs was Elizabeth Upson the wife of Nelson Upson. Nelson was the son of Gates and Elizabeth J. Upson. He married Elizabeth Gow in Berrien County, Michigan in 1866. Elizabeth Gow was born in Dundee, Scotland and reports her father as M. Gow. Their children were: Nora, Carrie, Nelson, and William. They also lived in Illinois between 1868 and 1874. Their daughters Nora and Carrie were born in Illinois. Nora was born in Seneca, Illinois in 1869. Carrie was born in Seneca, Illinois in 1872. By 1874 Nelson and Elizabeth Upson were back in Berrien County, Michigan. Their son Nelson was born in Berrien County in 1874 and their son William was born there in 1876.

Elizabeth (Gow) Upson (1839) is recorded as living in St. Joseph in 1880. She is listed as head of the house. The census of 1880 reports she is living with her children: Nora 11 years of age, Carrie 8 years of age, Nelson 6 years of age and William 3 years of age. Nelson Sr. apparently had died by this time. He is not listed in the census. Elizabeth was 37 years of age in 1880 and reported being born in Scotland and that her parents were born in Scotland. She is also listed as a "Washer Woman" which must be how she provided for her family. Elizabeth Upson was living in Sodus Township in 1900. She does not have a husband at this time. The 1900 census reports Elizabeth Upson was born in August of 1841 in Scotland and that she was 58 years of age. It also indicates she came to America in 1866 and had been here 34 years. Living with her were: Nora E. McCalaster her daughter who was born in January of 1869 in Illinois. This is Nora or Elinora Upson. Also living with her are Nelson Upson her son who was born in January of 1874 in Michigan. There are also two granddaughters living with her. They were Elizabeth Upson who was born in May of 1888 in Michigan and Grace Upson who was born in January of 1892 in Michigan. These were actually the daughters of Nora (Elinor Upson) and Albertus McAllister. Their names are recorded as Upson but should have been recorded as McAllister. It has been found in the 1920 census that Elizabeth Gow was born in Dundee, Scotland.

In 1910 William Upson (1876) is included in the census of Berrien County. The census records him as William M. Upson and says he was 33 years of age. His wife's name is Jennie and she is recorded as being 32 years of age. This was Jennie Harner. Their children are listed as: Clyde W. Upson 14 years of age, Cora E. Upson 12 years of age, Johnie D. Upson 9 years of age, Vernon W. Upson 7 years of age and David D. Upson 5 years of age. Cora Upson married Walter Brackett in 1915. This is actually William E. Upson. The middle initial is incorrect. The 1900 census of St. Joseph in Berrien County shows this family but the ages are totally incorrect and only confuse the records.

In 1910 Nelson Upson (1874) is included in the census of Berrien County. The census records him as Nelson Upson and says he was 37 years of age. No wife is listed. Living with Nelson Upson were: Nora McAllister his sister who was 41 years of age, Elizabeth Upson his niece who was 22 years of age, Grace Upson his niece who was 18 years of age, William Upson his uncle who was 54 years of age and Elizabeth Upson his mother who was 70 years of age. Elizabeth and Grace were actually McAllisters.

In 1920 William Upson (1876) is included in the census of Berrien County. The census records him as William Upson and says he was 43 years of age. His wife's name is recorded as Jennie and she was 42 years of age. Their children are listed as: John Upson 19 years of age, Verne 17 years of age and David 14 years of age. Living with them is also Elizabeth Harner his mother-in-law who was 76 years of age.

In 1920 Nelson Upson (1874) is included in the census of Berrien County. The census records him as Nelson Upson and says he was 46 years of age. No wife is listed. Living with him were: Nora McAllister his sister who was 57 years of age, William Upson his uncle who was 65 years of age, Mrs. Elizabeth Simpson his niece who was 31 years of age, Grace McAllister his niece who was 28 years of age, Fredrick Simpson his nephew who was 7 years of age and Floyd Simpson his nephew who was 4 years of age. Apparently Elizabeth Upson had married and had since moved back in with Nelson Upson. It was found that Elizabeth and Grace were actually McAllisters. They were the daughters of Elinor (Nora Upson) and Albertus McAllister. Elizabeth McAllister married Edwin Simpson. Frederick and Floyd were their children.

The 1920 census of Berrien County shows a William Upson living with Nelson Upson. This William Upson is recorded as having been born in Illinois and is recorded as Nelson’s uncle. This Nelson was born in 1874.

The 1850 census of Porter in Niagara County, New York includes Gates Upson 34 years of age, Elizabeth J. Upson 30 years of age and their first three children. Their daughter Elizabeth J. Upson would have been born in December of that same year. This census was taken on 02 Aug 1850. The census says they were all born in New York?

Nelson Upson was born in Ohio in 1841/42. On 04 Apr 1866, in Berrien County he married Elizabeth Gow. Elizabeth was born in Scotland in 1839 and was the daughter of M. Gow. On the marriage record they both stated they were 24 years of age. Their children were:

Elinor Upson b. 26 Jan 1869 in Seneca, IL d. 19 Jul 1941 Benton Harbor, MI who married Albertus McAllister.

Carrie J. Upson b. Sep 1871 in Seneca, Illinois d. Feb 1949 in Riverside, CA she married 1^st William C. Lucker and 2^nd Laurel Osborn.

Nelson H. Upson b. 10 January 1873 in St. Joseph, MI d. 02 July 1955 in Berrien Center, MI who never married

William Edward Upson b. 03 Nov 1876 in St. Joseph, MI d. 22 Aug 1939 in Baroda, MI who married Jennie Harner.

There were two others by the Upson name that were in Berrien County, Michigan. They were:

Winfield Upson was born in Illinois and he had at least one son, Harry Upson who lived in Berrien County

Josephine Upson was born in 1857 in Grand Rapids and married George Hold in New Buffalo in Berrien County in 1879

Their relationship, if any, to Nelson Upson (1842) has not been determined.

In 1917 there were three Upson families in rural Berrien County:

Nelson Upson farmer in Eau Claire, Michigan

William Upson farm laborer in Eau Claire, Michigan (Nelson’s Uncle)

William E. Upson and his wife Jennie, farmers in Oronoko Township, Michigan

William Edward Upson was born 03 Nov 1876 in Berrien County and he died 22 Aug 1939. He married Jennie Harner, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Quick) Harner on 19 June 1897. Jennie Harner was born 10 Jul 1877 in Berrien County, Michigan and she died 09 Oct 1952. They are buried in the Weesaw Township Cemetery in Glendora, Michigan. Their children were:

1. Clyde Upson b. 26 Apr 1896 d. 08 Dec 1947 who married Eva Huff b. 16 May 1901 d. 23 Feb 1970 on 30 Oct 1915 and they had one child: Georgia May Upson who married Rollie Diethrich of Buchanan. After Clyde died Eva remarried to William D. McAffee. Clyde and Eva Upson are buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan. Clyde’s birth date may be inaccurate as his parent’s marriage record is dated 19 Jun 1897?

2. Cora Elizabeth Upson b. 12 Apr 1899 d. 19 Dec 1969. Cora married Walter Brackett. They had eleven children. They are buried in the New Troy Cemetery, Weesaw Township, Berrien County, Michigan.

3. John D. Upson b. 1900 d. 1981 who lived in Berrien Springs and never married. He is buried in the Glendora Cemetery, Weesaw Township, Berrien County, Michigan.

4. Verna N. Upson b. 09 Dec 1902 d. 04 Mar 1938. He is buried in the Glendora Cemetery, Weesaw Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He lived in Berrien Springs and married Linda Fatter on April 12, 1930. They two children, William Edward Upson and Peggy Elberta Upson.

5. David Upson b. 28 Mar 1905 d. 17 Jun 1931. He is buried in the Glendora Cemetery, Weesaw Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He died from a “ganrenous appendix” at the age of 26 years, 2 months and 20 days. He never married.

Liber “G” of the Berrien County Marriage Records contains the marriage of

William Upson and Jennie Harner it reads: William E. Upson married Jennie Harner on 20 Jun 1897 in Sodus, Michigan. William was 20 years of age and Jennie was 19. William was from Sodus Township and Jennie was from Oronoko Township. They obtained their license to marry on 19 Jun 1897. William father was recorded as Nelson Upson and his mother as Elizabeth Gau. Jennie’s father was listed as John Harner. They were married by Josephus Fischer, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were: William C. Lucker and Carrie C. Lucker both of Sodus. Carrie was Carrie J. Upson before her marriage.

William Edward Upson died in Oronoko Township on 22 Aug 1939. He

was 61 years, 9 months and 9 days old at that time. His birth date is recorded as 03 Nov 1877 (1876?). This record indicates he was born in St. Joseph, Michigan. His father was listed as Nelson Upson who was born in Ohio. His mother was listed as Elizabeth Gow who was born in Scotland.

Cora (Upson) and Walter Brackett's son was Harold Earl Brackett.

Harold Earl Brackett married 2nd Ula Arvena Daniel (nee Hambrick) in Berrien County, Michigan in 1947.

Their son William Brackett married Jane Hauch in Lakeside, Berrien County, Michigan in 1970.