Thomas Harvey died in Somersetshire, England, prior to 1647. He had sons William, born about 1614, and Thomas, born 1617, both of whom came to America in 1646 and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts. Both married and founded families. Thomas settled at Taunton, Massachusetts, where he died in 1728. He married, December, 1679, Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon John Willis of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He had eight children. From Taunton, descendants of Thomas Harvey settled in Lyme, and other Connecticut towns. The first to settle in Greene county, New York, was a direct descendant of the emigrant Thomas, and by name also Thomas.
(I) Thomas Harvey was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, died in the village of Cairo, Greene county, New York. He was educated in Taunton, which was his home until middle life. He then removed to Greene county, New York. He was a jeweler and watchmaker by trade. He married Abigail Eliott, and their first three children were born in Taunton:
- William, settled in Troy, New York; he was a river captain, and navigated the Hudson for many years; he married Mary Ann Wells, and had Margaret, who married Theodore Painter, of Watervliet, and had children —
- Allen of Rhode Island;
- William of Schenectady and
- Thomas of Troy.
- Captain Asahel, of further mention.
- Charles, settled and died at Cairo. New York.
- Henry. deceased.
- Joel, settled in Albany, New York, where he died; married Rosetta Dean, and had John, and Hannah, who married (first) Wilson Worthy; (second) Barrett Cook; she died in Sharon, Connecticut.
(II) Captain Asahel Harvey, son of Thomas and Abigail (Eliott) Harvey, was born at Taunton, Massachusetts (Freetown), February 10, 1810, died at Cairo, Greene county, New York, July 14, 1879. He was a river captain, and for fifty years navigated the Hudson, owning his own boats used in freight and passenger business between river points and New York City. He was a man of sturdy integrity and was well known all along the river and among the many shippers and passengers using his lines. He married, at Athens, New York, February 13, 1837, Rhoda Rossman, born March 7, 1820, at Cairo, died May 22, 1899, at Hudson, New York. Children:
- Adeline Elizabeth, married (first) Sylvester Coffin, January 9, 1859; he was born May 15, 1837, died April 5, 1861; children:
- Jennie, married Russell Brewer, and had
- Mary, who married Harry Hicks, and has Harold;
- Ferdinand, married Mabel Snyder.
- Sylvester E. Coffin, born July 28, 1861, married Josephine Cotte.
After being left a widow, Adeline E. (Harvey) Coffin married (second) June 17, 1868, Captain James Stratton Reynolds, born October 3, 1825, died March 16, 1900, at Hudson. He entered, April 30, 1861, Company K, 14th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, was promoted sergeant, May 17, 1861; commissioned second lieutenant, September 5, 1862; mustered out at Utica, New York, May 25, 1863. He re-enlisted December, 1863, and was commissioned first lieutenant of Company K, 159th Regiment New York Volunteers, was promoted captain of Company G, same regiment, commission dated February 8, 1864; was mustered out and received honorable discharge at Augusta, Georgia, October, 1865. After the war he became an engineer on the Boston & Maine railroad, remaining twenty-two years in continuous service. He had two children:
- James Stratton, marine engineer, Brooklyn, New York, married Emily Smith, and has Emily and James S., who died aged four years.
- Beulah, married George Edward Jacquins, May 21, 1894, at Athens; he was born in Syracuse, New York, April 17, 1871, son of Reuben W. and Sarah E. (Costar) Jacquins, grandson of Chauncey, and great-grandson of John Jacquins, a revolutionary soldier.
- Jennie, married Russell Brewer, and had
- Wilson I., born October 25, 1840, at Athens, New York.
- Captain George Eugene, born November 16, 1842, at Hudson; married Mary Selby, of Athens, New York, and has Edward Asahel, a pilot on the Delaware & Lackawanna ferry to Hoboken, New York.
- Hiram V., born October 11, 1844, married Sarah Gifford; has Nellie, who married Frederick Hallenbeck, and has William Hiram.
- Captain Edward Mandeville, born April 14, 1849; in the boating business on the Hudson.
- Katherine N., born August 5, 1850, died April 5, 1853.
- Aurila, married Matin [sic] Beyer, and has Kittie and Charles M.
- Charles S., of further mention.
- Anna Maria, born August 5, 1858, died October, 1907, married Henry Skinner Moul. (See Moul Family.)
(III) Charles Samuel, son of Captain Asahel and Rhoda (Rossman) Harvey, was born at Hudson, New York, October 28, 1856. He was educated at Hudson Academy. He engaged at Hudson in the manufacture of tobacco, continuing until his retirement in 1905. He has given much valuable service to his city and county. In 1889 he was appointed deputy sheriff, remaining in that position six years; he was appointed postmaster of Hudson by President Cleveland during his second administration; elected mayor of Hudson in 1897, and was in office two terms. During his administration the tax rate of the city was reduced and the bonded debt of the city lowered from three hundred to one hundred thousand dollars. He was elected chairman of the Democratic city committee and still retains the city leadership of his party. He is active and influential in party councils, and holds the confidence of his colleagues. He is an attendant of the Presbyterian church, a charter member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has an active interest in the city volunteer fire department, having been for many years an active worker with C. H. Evans Hook & Ladder Company. He married Anna Griffin, daughter of John and Nora (Grady) Griffin, both of whom were born in Ireland. John Griffin died at Stockport, New York, buried at Valturia. Norah Grady died and is buried at New Haven, Connecticut. Her mother, Catherine Grady, came to the United States and is buried at Valturia. Charles S. and Anna Harvey have:
- Captain Asahel Griffin, born July 7, 1884, educated in the public schools of Hudson and Albany Business College. He was connected with the American Express Company, Union Mills Company of Brooklyn, and is now a bookkeeper at Firemen's Home, Hudson. He enlisted in 1901 in the New York National Guard as private, and rose through successive promotions until in 1910 he was commissioned captain of Company F, 10th Regiment of Infantry. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of C. H. Evans Hook & Ladder Company.
- Edna May.