From: Michael Boyer O'Leary Subject: [DRAKE-L] Roll: Wm Drake, NY Date: Friday, November 12, 1999 5:17 AM Ruthe White, Bea McManis and I are trying to place William Drake, who who md. Eunice Helme (d/o Samuel Helme and Mary Williams) and had children: John, b.3 August 1781; Samuel, b.ca.1783; Jessamine (a son), b.ca.1785; James, b. 27 March 1786; Catherine; Polly; Susan; Joseph; Ransom (all born say 1786-1798); and Claudius, b.ca.1799. John, Jessamine, Samuel, and James were all early residents of Genesee County, NY (specifically the near the town of Elba). Michael's and Bea's families descend from John and his wife Clarissa/Clara Worth; Ruthe's family descends from Jessamine. William is described as having "lived and died in Greene County, NY" [Beers Gazateer of Genesee Co], but also appears to have spent at least some time in Dutchess County, NY, where his wife lived before their marriage. He may also have spent some time in Genesee County, where he apparently contracted to purchase land from the Holland Land Co. in 1806. It's not clear whether he ever completed that transaction and removed to Genesee County with his sons. It is also not clear whether this William was son of John2 (Jesayas1) Drake or Joseph3 (John2, Jesayas1) Drake -- or part of some other Drake family. In an attempt to place this William, I have posted the full analysis http://web.mit.edu/mboleary/www/Searls/William_Drake_ISO.html , which hopefully identifies all of the potentially distinct William Drakes in the Greene, Dutchess, and Orange County areas during the period in question. While the result remains a confusing picture, I hope the analysis will help focus future discussions and research. Currently, there appear to be as many as four distinct William Drakes in this area of NYS who could be the father of the Genesee County Drake brothers. There has been a considerable amount of research on the Orange County Drakes and there is conflicting evidence about them. I look forward to hearing from anyone with interest in this line or (even better) information that would help place this William. Regards, Michael ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Boyer O'Leary MIT Sloan School of Management Organization Studies PhD Program 2 Elm Court, Somerville, MA 02144-2542, Tel 617/776-7352 [Home] Fax 810/885-2514 e-mail: mboleary@mit.edu, michael.oleary@alumni.duke.edu [lifetime]