Burwell Betts, grandfather of the present generation of the Troy family under consideration, was the proprietor of a hotel at Brunswick, New York, which was his home until his death. He married, 1809, Martha Terry, born May 9, 1791, who bore him five children: Angeline, married Luther D. Eddy; Charlotte; Nelson Benjamin, see forward, Almira; Nathan B. Burwell Betts died at Brunswick, May 9, 1825, aged forty years, and was there buried, but his remains were afterward removed and buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy.
(II) Nelson Benjamin, eldest son of Burwell and Martha (Terry) Betts, was born in Brunswick, New York, August 8, 1812, died February 10, 1887, at Troy, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. He removed to Troy and purchased land near the city, which he cultivated during the remainder of his days. He was a Whig and later a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Lucy Ann Brown, the legally adopted daughter of John Thomas, of Brunswick, New York, who died December 17, 1855. Children:
- Martha, married Dr. C. H. Burbeck, of Troy, New York;
- John Thomas, see forward;
- Stephen Winchester, died young.
(III) John Thomas, eldest son of Nelson Benjamin and Lucy A. (Brown) Betts, was born in Troy, New York, December 12, 1844. He was educated in the Troy schools, reared to farm labor, and was his father's assistant until the death of the latter in 1887. He then inherited the farm, which is one of the best cultivated and most beautifully situated of any in the county. It occupies an eminence overlooking the valley of the Hudson river and the cities of Troy, Cohoes and Albany. With well-kept fields and orchards, comfortable house and tasteful grounds, it is an ideal home. Mr. Betts was formerly a member of the school board, before the section in which he now resides became a part of the city of Troy. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to lodge, chapter and commandery of Knights Templar; is also a member of the Shrine. He married, in Coeymans, New York, June 15, 1882, Helen Elizabeth, born in Coeymans, daughter of John Wesley and Catherine (Blaisdell) Cook, of Coeymans, and a granddaughter of Charles and Abigail Cook, who were the parents of Charles, Ransom, James, George, Alexander, John Wesley, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Emily Cook. Charles Cook, Sr., was a carriage maker and resided for a time at Westerlo, Albany county, New York. John Wesley Cook, son of Charles and Abigail Cook, was born in Westerlo, died in Coeymans, New York, in 1889. His wife, Catherine (Blaisdell) Cook, died at Coeymans in 1907, aged about eighty years. Their children were:
- Emma Alida.
- Archie, of Coeymans.
- Ransom, of Albany.
- Mary Alice, married Joshua L. Coonley.
- Helen Elizabeth, married John Thomas Betts.
- Francis T., died at Coeymans.
- Melvin, resides on the old Cook homestead farm at Coeymans.
- Delia, resides at Coeymans.
- Byron E., deceased.
- An infant, deceased.
- Orville, of Coeymans.
Children of John Thomas and Helen Elizabeth (Cook) Betts:
- Nelson Benjamin, born March 13, 1883, is his father's assistant on the farm.
- Martha Thomas, born August 24, 1888.