CORWIN History

As of this writing, we have found documentation in the historian's office of Wayne County NY that identify the heirs of James Corwin, and an earlier death date.
On January 26th 1832 Israel Corwin questioned his father's (James CORWIN) will, where it is stated that James CORWIN had died (but no specific date). This causes me to change James death to before Jan 26th 1832.  In another document from the same historian office dated July 20th, 1832 it identifies the heirs as Israel CORWIN, Jesse CORWIN, James CORWIN, and Joannah HOKIM ( another document spells the name as Joannah HOLCOMB).  James CORWIN,  last will and testiment leaving everything to his wife Deborah, then to his son Stephen CORWIN and then his two sons James CORWIN and Jacob CORWIN

It is not known where James CORWIN came from as some census records for Stephen CORWIN show his father was born in NY and others show NJ but no City or County.  So its unknown what country the James CORWIN name came from.

Stephen CORWIN son  James CORWIN was born in Utica NY, while sons Jacob CORWIN, John CORWIN, and Elisha CORWIN were born in Arcadia NY, and William CORWIN was born in Michigan (city not known) and daughter Vests CORWIN  was born in Mendon township in St Joseph County Michigan. This leads to Stephen CORWIN and family moving from Arcadia NY into Michigan between 1832 and 1836. The Census also show; 1840 Canton TWP Wayne County Mi; 1850 Mendon TWP ST Joseph County M;I 1860 Brady TWP Kalamazoo County MI.  They may have lived in or near Utica NY prior to Arcadia, but no information has yet been found other than James CORWIN birth information.

Elisha CORWIN served with the Company G, 11th Michigan Calavry, from 21 Sept 1863 to 2 Oct 1864. He "...was "Missing in Action", 2 Oct 1964. POW records show his capture at Saltsville, VA,   2 Oct 1864, brought from Petersburg, VA, and confined at Richmond 11, Oct 1864. Peroled at Cox's Wharf Mar 10 1865. Sent to Camp Chase Ohio 11 Mar 1865, where he arrived 15 Mar 1865. On 9 Sept 1886, he made affadavit that since leaving the servic on 30 Aug 1865, he had lived in Missouri, Kansas and Michigan. He was living in Columbia Twp, Van Buren Co, MI.  Applied for and received Government pension in 1907 of $20 per month. Prior to that he was receiving $12 per month pension starting in 1889.

Civil War information for Hally A CORWIN (son of James CORWIN, Stephens son)
Enlisted as Private on 06 September 1863 at the age of 18, in Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 28 Decembe 1863. Wonded on 14 August 1864 at Deep Bottom Run, VA. Mustered out Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 05 July 1865 in Jeffersonville, IN. Record # 89709 from Ancestry.com

There is not much known about Arden CORWIN other than his obituary.

Gerald J CORWIN (my grandfather) was a tall thin man.

Most of the CORWIN men seemed to live a long life, 60 - 80 years of age.

Elisha CORWIN son Gerald Franchett  CORWIN and  brother Alva Byers CORWIN both went to Montana and farmed sheep in the late 1800's Gerald was married , while Alva remained single. Gerald's son Gerald Armstrong CORWIN led an interesting life (see the notes for him in the genealogy section ). He was also the driving force behind most of the genealogy work on the Corwin family listed on these web pages.  As he died about 2 months before I started working on the genealogy, I can only wish I had a chance to talk with him and compare notes, I'm sure I would be much further along than I am now.