James B. Hoffman

     James B. was born on Thursday, 22 November 1810 in Westbury, Cayuga County, New York. He was the son of Henry Hoffman & ___ McNeal. James married Betsey Ann Townsend, daughter of Christopher Townsend and Bathia Rider, in April 1833. James & Betsey had children: Phebe Jane [1/10/1834-10/18/1921][m. 2/04/1857 Jasper N. Bacon], Benjamin F. [1838], Edwin Marion [2/18/1841][m. 4/06/1869 Mary Esbaugh], Anette [4/07/1045][m. 11/30/1871 Isaac Lamb], Luther Newton [12/29/1047][7/17/1870 Effie Duncan] & Maria Ida [3/26/1850][m.3/26/1870 Frank Haslin].¹ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Somerset Town, Niagara County, New York, the family of James B. Hoffman [10001:1001].² 24 July 1860, James and his wife, Betsey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James B. Hoffman [49 New York], his wife: Betsy A. [45 New York], children: Edwin M. [19 New York], Annetta [15 New York], Luther N. [12 New York], & Maria I. [10 New York].³ 22 September 1870, James and his wife, Betsey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James B. Hoffman [59 New York], his wife: Betsey A. [55 New York], children: Annett A. [25 New York][teacher], L. Newton [23 New York][farm laborer], & Ida [20 New York][teacher].⁴ 2 June 1880, James and his wife, Betsey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James Hoffman [69 New York], his wife: Betsy [66 New York], Edwin [40 New York], Marge [38 New York], & Carrie [9 New York]. James is a retired far,er.⁵ James departed this life on Monday, 16 June 1884 in West Somerset at age 73 years, 6 months and 25 days. He was buried there in the Baptist Churchyard. The inscription on his tombstone reads: James B. Hoffman - Born Nov. 22, 1810 - Died June 16, 1884.⁶