Elijah M. Kniseley ca (1820 - 1876)

Elijah M. Kniseley was born in about 1820, likely in Pennsylvania. He was in Varick Township of Seneca County, New York before 13 Sep 1850 when the U.S. federal census enumerates the household of Elijah Kniseley age 30 years, born in Pennsylvania and working as a laborer. Also living in the household were Aby Jane Kniseley, age 35 years; William C. Kniseley, age 2 years; Samuel Benjamin, age 60; Allen Benjamin, age 9; and Angeline Benjamin, age 6 years. All those living in the household were born in New York.

1850 U.S. Federal Census
Elijah Kniseley Household
Varick Township, Seneca County, New York
13 Sep 1850
Elijah M. Kniseley, a: 30, b: Pennsylvania, Laborer
+Aby Jane Kniseley (Benjamin), a: 35, b: New York
Amelia Kniseley, a: 4, b: New York
William C. Knisley, a: 2, b: New York
Samuel Benjamin, a: 60, b: New York, Laborer
Edward H. Benjamin, a: 12, b: New York
Allen Benjamin, a: 9, b: New York
Angeline Benjamin, a: 6, b: New York

1870 U.S. Federal Census
Elijah Kniseley Household
Varick Township, Seneca County, New York
Elijah M. Kniseley, a: 51, b: Pennsylvania (Black Smith)
+Immogene Kniseley (Benjamin), a: 43, b: New York
Charles W. Kniseley, a: 8, b: New York (At school)
Post Office: East Varick
Personal Estate Value: $185

Notes
The 1850 U.S. Federal census enumerates Elijah Kniseley as Elijah Nisley.
The 1870 U.S. Federal census enumerates Elijah Kniseley as Elijah Knisely and Abby Jane Kniseley as Immogene Knisely.

The 1840 U.S. Federal census of Seneca County, New York enumerates the John Kniseley Household of Seneca Falls:

1840 U.S. Federal Census
Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York
John Kniseley, a: 30-39
Female, a: 20-29
Male, a: 30-39
Male, a: 5-9
Female, a: < 5
Female, a: 60-69

(Source: Year: 1840; Census Place: Seneca Falls, Seneca, New York; Roll: 339; Page: 205; Image: 417; Family History Library Film: 0017206.)

Elijah M. Kniseley has not been identified in the 1840 census of Seneca County. It’s reasonable to assume that John Kniseley and Elijah M. Kniseley were brothers, and that Elijah M. Kniseley was the unidentified male age 30-39 years living in the John Kniseley household. Age recorded for Eliljah M. Kniseley in later census are inconsistent with this hypothesis; however, the later census records are also inconsistent with regard to Elijah Kniseley’s age.

At the 1850 U.S. Federal Census of Varick, Seneca County, New York, Samuel Benjamin, the father of Abby Jan Kniseley (Benjamin) is livingin the Elijah M. Kniseley household. Also living in the household were Edward H. Benjamin, age 12 years, Allen Benjamin, age 9 years, and Angeline Benjamin, age 6 years. Given their ages, these three children were perhaps nephews and nieces of Abby Jane Kniseley (Benjamin).


1860 U.S. Federal Census
Elijah Kniseley Household
Romulus Township, Seneca County, New York
9 Jul 1860
Elijah Kniseley, a: 34, b: Seneca County, New York, Black Smith
Sarah Kniseley, a: 32, b: Seneca County, New York
Amelia Kniseley, a: 13, b: Seneca County, New York
Post Office: Farmer

The 1860 New York Federal Population Schedule enumerates Elijah Kniseley as Elijah Nizely.

The 1870 U.S. Federal Census of Seneca County, New York enumerates Elijah Kniseley as Elizah M. Knisely and Abby Jane Kniseley (Benjamin)as Immogene Knisely.