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Sylvanus Ferris
Birth 	10 Aug 1737
Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
Death 	12 Jan 1824 (aged 86)
South Salem, Westchester County, New York, USA
Burial 	
South Salem Presbyterian Church Cemetery
South Salem, Westchester County, New York, USA
Memorial ID 	20131205 · View Source

Son of James & Mary
Name on stone is spelled 'Sylvenus'

Sylvanus served as a Private in Captain Stephen White's Company of Stanwich,
9th Regiment during the French and Indian War and was called to service
during the month of August 1757, when the company marched to the relief
of Fort William Henry. Sylvanus married September 10, 1761 at Greenwich,
Mary Mead (a distant relative). Sylvanus and Mary lived in their native
town prosperous and happy until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War when
Mr. Ferris espousing the cause of the patriots, became so persecuted by
the Tory contingent in and about Greenwich that he decided to move with
his family across the state line into Westchester Co NY; he purchased May
28, 1782 of Eli Rundle (Randall?) a farm property on each side of the road
leading from Canaan Parish to Ridgefield, located about four miles south of
South Salem; moved his family there immediately. The homestead stood nearly
opposite a country store and post office which was operated by Sylvanus,
who made a business of farming, store keeping and entertaining travelers
with the homestead being maintained as an Inn until about 1815. It became
known as the Sylvanus Ferris Homestead and was still standing in 1934 and
was beautifully maintained by the owner. The store and post office remained
until 1905 when destroyed by fire. Mrs. Ferris, with saddlebags filled with
stockings of her own and neighbors' knitting, made annual visits to the city
of New York on horseback, disposed of the goods, purchased such articles as
herself and neighbors needed, and brought what she could home with her. On
one of these visits, Mrs. Ferris pulled a sprout from one of the large
black walnut trees north of Harlem Bridge for a whip. When she reached her
home she planted it, and an immense tree grew on the old homestead. Mr. and
Mrs. Ferris' family consisted of four sons and five daughters. Seven of them
were born in Greenwich and two in Salem. Sylvanus was frequently elected to
public office and in 1783, one year after moving to Lewisboro, was chosen
Highway Commissioner. Whether inadvertently or not, Sylvanus set fire to
a tract of woodland belonging to Thacher Hayes, but at the town meeting in
1811, it was voted that the fine, which had been imposed upon him on that
occasion "be given off". Sylvanus was a Presbyterian and always faithful
to family prayers at night and morning, always standing when he prayed or
asked blessing at the table, his family and guests also standing.

Family Members
Spouse

    Mary Mead Ferris
    1744–1822

Children

    Sarah Ferris Morgan
    unknown–1857

    Henry Ferris
    1763–1808

    Mary Ann Ferris Hayes
    1766–1840

    Hannah Ferris Raymond
    1768–1846

    Silvanus Ferris
    1773–1861

    Gideon Ferris
    1780–1854

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