Jane Ann Cobb

Narrative:

     Jane Ann Cobb was born on 24 Oct 1813 in Pawlet, Vermont.^5,6,7
     She was probably one of the three females under age 10 listed in the household of her father, Joshua D. Cobb, in the 1820 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.¹¹ She was probably one of the two females age 15 to 20 listed in the household of her father in the 1830 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.¹²
     Jane married Ephraim Fitch Clark, son of Asahel Clark and Polly B. Welch, and her first cousin once removed, on 24 Oct 1831 in Pawlet, Vermont, with Rev. E. W. Plumb officating.^8,9 She was probably the female age 20 to 30 listed in the household of her husband, Ephraim, in the 1840 Federal Census.¹³
     Jane and Ephraim appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, enumerated 28 Oct 1850. Their children Ellen, Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them. Also listed in the household were three apparently long-term guests in their inn, Oliver L. Hill, a laborer who would marry their eldest daughter within a year, and two pedlars, Thomas Bassford and Franklin Robinson.¹⁴
     Jane and Ephraim moved their family west, into New York, on the Hudson River, by 1855. They continued in the hospitality business, with Ephraim in 1855 calling himself a tavern keeper, and in 1860 a hotel keeper.^15,16 They appeared on the 1855 State Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, enumerated 22 Jun 1855, reporting they were living in a framed house valued at $4,000. Their children Ellen, Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them, as were Ellen's husband, Oliver L. Hill, and their son, Frank. Also listed were five men ranging in age from 19 to 33, apparently residents at their tavern. Four of them were leather workers, perhaps working in Oliver's tannery.¹⁷
     Jane and Ephraim appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, enumerated 6 Jul 1860, reporting no real estate, but personal estate of $300. Their children Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them, as were their grandson, Frank C. Hill, and his father, Oliver L. Hill. A Jane Hill, age 23 is listed with him, suggesting their daughter had died and he had remarried. Also listed was James Colisby Howland, a bar keeper, perhaps in the hotel, and the future husband of their daughter Mary. There were four others listed, apparently residents at the hotel: two ladies, Abba and Frances Peebles, and two girls aged 12 and 6, Frances and Catherine Austin.¹⁸
     Jane and Ephraim appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, in the household of their daughter Adelia and her husband, Nate Hubbard.¹⁹
     Her husband apparently died between 1870 and 1875.^20,21
     Jane moved to Orange Co. where her daughter Mary and her husband were operating a hotel. She appeared on the 1875 State Census of Chester, Orange Co., New York, in the household of her daughter Mary and her husband, James Colisby Howland, in the hotel they operated. Her grandson Frank C. Hill, son of her late daughter was also listed in the household.²²
     Jane appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Chester, Orange Co., New York, in the household of her daughter Mary and her husband, in the hotel they operated.²³ Jane appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Middletown, Orange Co., New York, in the household of her daughter Mary and her husband.²⁴
     Jane apparently died between 1900 and 1910, as she does not appear with her daughter Mary in the 1910 census. But no record of her death has been found.¹⁰