Elisha is listed in the American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) Vol 66, Page 100. Ref: Column of the " Boston Transcript". 1906-1941.( The greatest single source of material for gen. Data for the N.E. area and for the period 1600-1800. Completely indexed in the Index.): 21 Feb 1916, 5296; 16 Jun 1930, 243 [from Ancestry.com]


From Barbara Bartels’ notes:
Elisha Granger was a farmer living on the east slope of “the mountain” in Turkey Hills parish in the (then) town of Simsbury CT. This part of town has since become East Granby.

In the early part of 1789 his sons Elihu and Pierce, inspired by the excitement in the neighborhood growing out of the land speculations in central New York of their neighbor Oliver Phelps of Suffield, purchased 1000 acres each. They went thru the wilderness to prepare their homestead which is now Phelps NY. In an account of William Hall, who traveled the route from Hartford to Onondaga, he said, “We journeyed there on horseback with saddle bags & other accessories, and the route taken was the great Western Turnpike which had just been opened. The chief Indians encountered were at Oneida Castle. The road went on over the Onondaga hils and valleys where an occasional log house dotted the landscape. It required eight days steady traveling to cover the distance.”

Elisha accompanied his sons to NY, but returned to Turkey Hills in the autumn. The sons must have returned each year until their farms were established for year-round living, as Elihu was married abt 1789, his first child being born in CT in 1790. Pierce’s first child was born in NY in 1792, while Elipha’s first child was born in 1795 in CT.

Elisha must have visited in 1791 or 1792, because the History of Wayne Cty NY says he preached a funeral at that time. In 1797 he permanently removed to Phelps NY to settle on 1000 acres he purchased located on the outlet of Canandaigua Lake NY. He had also purchased 1000 acres at Sodus NY.

The history of Ontario Cty says, “Pierce Granger brought with him from CT a local preacher’s license, given by that great apostle of N.E. Methodism, Jesse Lee....these pioneers of the sect, which was then everywhere spoken against, held meetings in the cabins of the settlers, & were occasionally encouraged and aided by the welcome visit of some regular itinerant of the Seneca Circuit, which then embraced nearly all of western NY. About 1800, a class was formally organized and stated services appointed in the so-called Granger school house. In 1815,the Grangers donated a lot for a Methodist church and a considerable portion of the materials required. A plain but good-sized church with a huge cast iron triangle to call the worshipers was erected on the site of the present church. This site at Main and Walnut Street was sold in 1858 because it was too small.”

Elisha’s second wife died in Phelps, & he married again and resided there until his death. He is buried in the old burying ground there. two children stayed in the same area as their parents, but Elisha & Eliphas moved to MI, and Pierce to OH.
*List of sources on file*130

Of Turkey Hills CT130