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Reuben Willard Sr., His parents died when he was small so he was taken into a home and reared by family in Vermont where he grew to manhood. On attaining legal age he returned to New York, settling at Luzerne, Warren Co. where he married. In 1828, he removed to the town of Northampton, Fulton Co. He served in the French and Indian War when a young man, ranking as captain. He was captured by the Indians, but soon effected an escape. He was a carpenter by trade but soon relinquished that for farming, following that occupation until his death. Reuben Willard, Sr. died March 11, 1883. He married Rachel Washburn who bore him eight children, six of
whom grew to maturity, namely: 1) Norman J. Willard, son of Reuben Sr., was born Aug 6, 1820 and died Feb 26, 1864. He married Jane Thomas. He was a Civil War Veteran. He served in the 44th Regiment Co. C., NYS Vol. Heavy Artillery. 2) Elisha Willard married to Grace Conklin Elisha Willard, son of Reuben Sr., was born Feb 20, 1824, and died April 1, 1904. He was married to Grace Ann Conklin. One of his sons was Frank Willard whose photo is included below.
3) James H. Willard 4) Clara Willard 5) Levi Willard, who married Zela Potter 6) Rueben Willard, Jr. who married Sally Harris. Reuben Jr. was born Feb. 13, 1828 in Luzerne but his parents removed to Northampton soon after his birth. He was early apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade and later opened his own shoemaker's shop in Northville. He bought a great amount of timberland with his profits. He also operated the stage line between Northville and Lake Pleasant, twelve miles away. Reuben was road commissioner, constable, trustee of the village, and one of the organizers of the first bank in Northville, becoming a director. He married Sally Harris in Hope on September 11, 1849. Reuben later married Sarah Heath and then a third wife, Sophia House, but the children were all by his first wife Sally Harris. Reuben Willard & Sally Harris' children:
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