First Generation.
The following is an extract from a letter to C. E. Laubach from Mettle Blair,(a grand- daughter of Nathan) Of Rushville, New York, written July 20, 1911
"We are looking up the Blair Genealogy and will be glad to get something about Sally Blair Sawyer One Robert S. Blair had the book nearly done, but died Jan I, 1911 He died at Brooklyn, New York. He was Associate Editor of the Christian Herald. The way R, S. Blair had it one Robert Blair came to America from Scotland when he was 21 years old an only son, his sisters came and then father and mother, after he had established himself on a farm. Robert B. had twelve children . His sisters were Jennie and Martha. They married and settled in Warren, Mass. But he had not been able to find the name of Robert ‘s father and mother. The Church Records were burned At one time he thought he was on the right track to find their graves and so find their names R.S.Blair had a book of sermons he gave to his Son Robert Blair, Jan 22, 1777. Western, Mass. Robert was born 1701, died February 11, 1790. He married Janette Combs, who was born June 23, I789. Robert had seven girls and five boys. The sons were Joseph, John, Ruben, Solomon and Seth the last four were in the Revolutionary War"
I am inclined to believe from evidence found, that John was a descendent from another Robert Blair living at the same place , who had a brother William my proof is not conclusive, so I give the information she gave me and leave the matter to another searcher of genealogical records C. E. L.
Second Generation
2. John Blair, son of Robert (I), born about 1742, at Warren, Mass, and was married to Elizabeth Halbert, June I4, I770. She was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Durham) Halbert. He died Sept. 5, 1791 at Middlesex Yates County, New York. She was born at Petham, Mass., about 1745, and died at Middlesex, Yates County, New York.
John Blair donated the ground for a cemetery and his wife was the first person buried therein.
A society for the “Maintenance of the Ordinance of the Gospel" was organized In Westmorland., New York, on Sept. 5, 179I, probably through Missionaries from Conn.- Rev. Bingham and William Bradford, with fifty four members. Eight Trustees were elected, Deacon John Blair being one of the eight. He came to Westmorland, in 1778, and removed to Middlesex, Ontario County, New York, 1n 1795.
The Following is from the records of the War Department Washington D.C. The records of this office show that John Blair served in the Revolutionary War as a private, in Captain Fox's Company, also designated Captain Fox's 7th and 3d Company, 16th Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Col. Henry Jackson. He enlisted July 24, 1777, to serve for three years and his name is last born on the roll for Sept. 1780, with the remark: ‘Sick near camp’.””
Sergt. John Blair was a member of the Continental Army, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill He named his youngest son after Gen. Warren, who fell in that battle. The father of Elizabeth, (wife of John Blair) was Thomas Halbert. He was born, as supposed, in North of Ireland. Came to this country when quite young. He was born 1702. His wife was Margaret (Durham) Halbert. They had the following Children: James, Mary, Thomas and Elizabeth.
H. S. Halbert had a Genealogy of the Halbert family at his address 5I6, Benton Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. In 1912 when written by Candace Laubach.
Second Generation Cont.
Children:
i Molly, born June 7, 1771, at Chester, Mass., and was the first marriage to take place in Westmoreland, New York. She married. Samuel Hubbard, of Clifton, N.Y., Maroh 25, 1790.
ii Solomon, born Jan. 30, 1773, at Chester, Mass ,died in 1776.
iii James, born August. 10, 1774, at Chester, Mass, died Aug. I3, 1776.
iv Anna, born April 5, 1776, at Chester, Mass died Feb. 5 1846, She was the wife of William Bassett, of Rushville, New York, who taught the first school in Westmoreland, New York.
v John, born Feb. 4, '78, at Chester, Mass. Married. Huldy Williams.
vi Sally, born Oct. 15, 1779, married Thomas A. Sawyer.
vii Betsey, born Oct. I5, 1782, at Chester, Mass, died young.
viii James, born June 22, 1784, at Chester, Mass Was married to Betsey Smith Their children were John, Assal, Amy and Jas.J.
Second wife Widow Cook. Children: Fanny, Rebecca, Nancy, Wright and Seth. The last two of Williams County, Ohio, went to California in 1849, with teams, at the time of the gold fever . I have a Conk-shell which Wright brought back to my father, which he said came from the Sandwich Islands. He was my father's Cousin and they were neighbors. My sister Ce1ia remembers their starting and returning-- C. E. L.
ix Nathan, born in Westmoreland, New York, Jan. 16 1787.
x Warren born in Westmoreland, New York, March 1, 1794. Married. Betsey Ashley.
Third Generation:
3. IX Nathan Blair, son of John (2), Robert (I) and Elizabeth (Halbert) Blair, was born Jan. 16,1787 , ml Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York. Married March 26, 1815, Lydia (Sterling) Blair She was the daughter of William and Jediah (Yates) Sterling. She was born Aug. 28, I794 at Westmoreland, New York, and died Oct. 11, 1880, in Gorham Tp,, Ontario County, New York. He died Oct. 11, 1843, at Middlesex, New York.
Children:
i Elvira, born Nov. I, 1817, married Merritt Brownell July 28, I853, died in
1855.
ii Amanda, born Feb. 24, 1819 married Ezekiel Dayton, in I846, died Oct. 11
1893
iii Sally, born March I3, 1821, married Ezra Ingraham, Oct. 6, 1841, died
March, 1904.
iv Sterling Nathan, born April I7, I824, married Lucina Bates, in 1852
v Lydia Lucy, born April I7, I824, married Oliver Sawyer Buckley , in I855.
vi Polly, born July 5, 1830, married Charles. Green in I855, died in I858.
vii Betsey Anna born Aug. 23, 1832 Charles Green in 1859 died in 18--
viii Fanny, born May 8, I837, married Walter Dye Green in 1855, died, in 1864.
Fourth Generation.
v Sterling Nathan Blair, son of Nathan (3) John (2) Robert (I) and
Lydia(Sterling) Blair, was born April 17,1824, at Rushville, Yates County, New York. He was married Dec. 9, I852, to Lucina Bates, at Gorham, Ontario County, New York. He died Sept. 18, 1890 at Rushvllle Yates County New York she died July 231890 in Gorham Tp., Ontario County, New York, She was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Benham) Bates.
children:
i Mettle, born April 13 1858 at Rushville, New York
ii Myron E born Feb. 1 1860 , married Lizzie Devlin. He Died Feb. 3 I899. he left
one son, Sterling N. born Oct. 23 1895
iii Orin C., born Jan 3I, I862, married Efee McCumber They have two
daughters, and the family now, (19I2), reside in Stanley, New York.
Mrs. T. W. Harrison’s fathers name was Gaylord Blair, and was born in 1788.
His father’s name was Joel, born 1n I757 He was the son of William Blair.