The branch of the Edwards family in America herein considered has been prominently identified with the interests of the Mohawk Valley and city of Schenectady for a century and a half. The eminent ancestor was a native of Wales, and his descendants came from Massachusetts to New York state immediately after the close of the revolutionary war, in which many of them served. The family seat was in Saratoga county, New York, where they are still to be found as well as in the neighboring counties of Albany and Schenectady. They have always been prominent in business and in the professions, particularly distinguished in that of law. Judges of eminence bear the name, while Isaac Edwards, dean of Albany Law School, was also the author of several standard legal works.
The founder of the family in America was Alexander Edwards, born in Wales, came to America in 1640, and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1655 he removed to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he died September 4, 1690. He married, in Springfield, April 28, 1642, Mrs. Sarah (Baldwin) Searle, widow of John Searle. Children: Samuel, Hannah, Joseph, Mary, Benjamin, Sarah, Nathaniel and Elizabeth; all married and reared families.
(I) Henry Edwards, descendant of Alexander Edwards, the emigrant from Wales, was born April 24, 1758, died December 8, 1846. He was a farmer of Saratoga county, New York, town of Ballston. He married, April 14, 1791, Sally Baker, born August 27, 1769, died August 7, 1851. They reared a large family.
(II) Deacon Samuel, son of Henry and Sally (Baker) Edwards, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, July 20, 1800, died in Schenectady, New York, June 1, 1895. He was a prominent man of Ballston Center and later of Schenectady. He was justice of the peace in Saratoga county, elected in 1848 and re-elected in 1852. He was a farmer, merchant, and shoe manufacturer, rated as a successful man in all his undertakings. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, which he served as deacon. He married, November 28, 1824, Ruth L. Rogers, born in Charlton, May 22, 1800, died September 12, 1873, daughter of John Rogers, born March 17, 1768, died June 19, 1852, and his wife, Sarah (Wilson) Rogers, born June 19, 1769, died August 24, 1847. Children of Deacon Samuel Edwards, born in Saratoga county, New York:
- Henry Sanford, see forward.
- John M., born July 22, 1827, died in Poughkeepsie, New York, June 24, 1901; married and left issue.
- Sarah J., born July 15, 1829, died February 16, 1901; married Major Aaron Freeman, a veteran of the civil war; no issue.
- Byron, born August 19, 1831; resides in the west.
- Lewis, born September 16, 1833; married Matilda White and died without issue.
- Ruth A., born May 14, 1836, died November 29, 1890; married Benjamin L. Conde and left issue.
- George F., born February 15, 1844, died June 19, 1890; married and left issue.
- Marietta, born September 12, 1846; married William Vischer, and has issue.
- Judge Samuel, born April 24, 1849, district judge of state of New York supreme court; twice married and had issue.
(III) Henry Sanford, eldest son of Deacon Samuel and Ruth L. (Rogers) Edwards, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, August 18, 1825, died in Schenectady, March 12, 1903. He was engaged in the hardware business in Schenectady for over forty years, and had a long connection with the Mohawk Bank, first as director, later as president, an office he held from April 17, 1894, until his death. He was a most able financier and capable man of business. He was prominent in the Presbyterian church, holding the office of elder; in politics he was a Republican. He was deeply interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, was a liberal donor to the building fund of the association, and served as trustee. He "abounded in good works," and left behind him an untarnished name. He married, in Schenectady, May 28, 1846, Elizabeth Butterfield, born in that city in 1825, died August, 1908; daughter of Cosmore G. Butterfield, of Vermont, a descendant of Benjamin Butterfield, of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, 1638, founder of the Butterfield family in America. Cosmore G. Butterfield married Ruth Salisbury, of the Massachusetts family of that name, founders of the town of Salisbury and Salisbury Beach. They resided in Schenectady for many years. Ruth survived her husband and married (second) Isaac Wilkinson.
(IV) Harriet E., only child of Henry Sanford and Elizabeth (Butterfield) Edwards, was born November 6, 1847. She was educated in the public schools of Schenectady, finishing at Ripley Female Academy. She married, July 14, 1869, William J. Liddle, born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, New York, 1842, died March 13, 1871, after a brief married life of but eighteen months. He was a graduate of Union College, and at the time of his death engaged in the hardware business in Oneonta, New York. Mrs. Liddle continues her residence in Schenectady where she is known for her good works and womanly virtues.
(V) Henry Sanford Liddle, only son of William J. and Harriet E. (Edwards) Liddle, was born in Schenectady, New York, October 28, 1870. He was educated in the schools of that city, and prepared for the profession of medicine at Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated Doctor of Medicine, class of 1887. He practiced his profession two years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was on the staff of the medical department of the University of Minnesota, after which he returned to Schenectady, his present residence. He is not engaged in active practice. He is a Mason of high degree, member of New Hope Lodge, St. George's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Scottish Rite bodies of Troy and the Sovereign Grand Consistory of Albany, New York. He is equally prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; member of Lodge, Encampment, order of Rebekah, Patriarchs Militant, also inspector-general of the Patriarchs Militant of the World, with the rank of brigadier-general. Politically he is a Republican. He married, in Johnstown, New York, December 15, 1897, Annie Hillabrandt, born in Gloversville, New York, July 18, 1872, daughter of Laurens Schuyler and Delia (Farthing) Hillabrandt, of Fulton county, New York. Her mother died when she was quite young and she was adopted, reared and educated by her grandparents, Joseph and Catherine (Carmichael) Hillabrandt; the former died in 1891; the latter, now aged eighty-six, is a resident of Johnstown, New York. Laurens Schuyler Hillabrandt was a son of Joseph and his first wife, Mary Sadlier. He was a merchant and fur dealer. Dr. Henry Sanford and Annie (Hillabrandt) Liddle have one son, Sanford Edward, born March 11, 1904.