Mayflower Descendant 9th Generation

Franklin Israel MUDGE was born on 20 May 1833 at Unadilla, Otsego County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). He married Almira Waters, daughter of Nathaniel Waters and Anna Jane Smith, at Oxford, Chenango County, New York on 7 November 1852 (p. 161-162 Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge). He died on 13 Feb 1911 at Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). He was buried on 16 Feb 1911 at Riverview Cemetery, Oxford, Chenango County, New York (cemetery records - Oxford, New York).

Franklin I. Mudge is the bearded gentleman seated. The picture was taken shortly before his death in 1911. Seated next to him is his daughter Jenni Mudge Andrews. She is holding her grandson Roland Andrews. Standing in the back is George Andrews son of Jenni.

Franklin was born on his parents farm near the banks of the Unadilla River in the wilderness of Otsego County, New York. He was called "Ira" by his parents (1850 census). As an adult he preferred to use his first name "Franklin" ( 1860- 1910 census, death record, land record).

"Ira" or Franklin was the 12th of 14 children born to William D. Mudge and Elizabeth "Betsey" Lee. His father lost his land when Franklin was a small boy and the family removed to Coventry, Chenango County, New York where he learned to read and write (Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge). Franklin worked as a farmer and stonemason. He owned a farm in Coventry Township (land records - Norwich, New York). When his wife, Almira died in 1895 the farm was sold. Franklin spent the remaining 16 years living with various of his children. His death certificate lists his occupation as Switch man. This indicates he may have worked for the railroad that passed through Bainbridge. His grandfather Aaron Mudge was a Revolutionary War Patriot.

Children of Franklin Israel and Almira Waters were as follows:

1. Jane "Jenni" Waters b. 31 July 1853 at Oxford, New York and d. 20 November 1940. She married Elman Legrande Andrews on 14 March 1877 at Oxford, Chenango County, New York.

2. Rosetta "Rose" Almira b. 7 September 1855 at Oxford, New York and d. 28 Dec 1934. She married Harvey Sanders 18 October 1871 at Oxford, New York.

3. Devillo Eugene b. 6 April 1859 at Oxford, New York and d. 4 Jan 1925 at East Branch, Delaware County, New York. He married Cora E. Smith on 3 July 1881 at Bainbridge, New York.
4.Estella "Stella" Ladell b. 15 January 1862 at Coventry, New York and d. 7 January 1952. She married Edward L. Wilkins on 25 April. 1886.

5. Anna Mae b. 29 April 1867 at Coventry, New York and d. 5 February 1905 at Oxford, New York. She married L. D. Goodnough.

6. Samuel b. circa 1869 New York. Died young.

7. Merton Franklin b. 23 July 1870 at Coventry, New York and d. 8 May 1945 at Oxford, New York. He married Emma Root on 15 March 1891.

8. Ernest Jesse b. 14 April 1874 Coventry, New York and d. 7 March 1953 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He married Edith Adelle Saunders on 3 May 1898 at Norwich, New York.

9. Louis Vernon b. 28 January 1879 at Coventry, Chenango County, New York and d. 25 June 1948 at Johnson City, New York. He married Angie Roselle on May 1899.