The English home of the Marvins, for a century and a half prior to the emigration to America, was in the county of Essex. A hundred years before that there were several Marvin families living in and near Ipswich, Suffolk. The authentic family record traces to Roger Marvin, of St. Stephens parish, Ipswich, who was born as early as 1430. The American ancestor of the Albany family was Reinold Marvin, spelled in the Connecticut records, Reginold, Reignold, Reynold, Reinold and Renald. Between Roger Marvin (1430) and Reinold (2) (1593) there were four generations, or Reinold was of the sixth generation in England, thus: i. Roger. ii. John (1). iii. John (2). iv. Reinold (1). v. Edward. vi. Reinold (2). The ancestors were "Yeomen," owning the lands they occupied, and many derived income from tenants who held under them. Edward, father of Reinold, was born in Ramsey, about the year 1550. He was a man of considerable wealth, owning lands in other parishes, which he bequeathed to his sons. His wife was Margaret ————, who survived him. He died in Great Bentley, and was buried in St. Mary's churchyard, of that parish. His will names children: Edward, Thomas, Richard, Robert, John, Reinold, Elizabeth and Matthew. Of these the first to come to America was Matthew, who took passage for New England in the ship "Increase," Robert Lea, master, with his family, April 15, 1635. He was one of the twelve very earliest emigrants whose names are known among the settlers in Hartford, Connecticut, who formed the company thereafter known as the "Adventurers." In 1650 he located in Norwalk, Connecticut. It was said of him two hundred years later, "The name of Matthew Marvin is inscribed on almost every page of Norwalk's early history. He was a Puritan by blood … Devout, discreet, calm, sound in judgment, he gained and held the confidence of his fellow citizens and discharged for them many offices of civil life." His first wife was Elizabeth, whom he married in England; his second was Mrs. Alice Bouton, widow of John, of Hartford.
(I) Reinold Marvin, the emigrant ancestor, son of Edward and Margaret Marvin, was baptized in St. Mary's Church, Great Bentley, Essex, England, June 7, 1593, died in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1662. He resided in his native parish until just before his departure for New England, where his brother Matthew had preceded him. The date of his sailing or the name of the ship is not known. The last mention of him in Great Bentley was in 1637; he appears in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1638, which approximately establishes the date. His name appears on a list of Hartford landowners in 1639-40. He removed to Farmington, Connecticut, where he built a house. He next removed to Saybrook, Connecticut, where he was made a freeman, May 20, 1658. He is frequently named in the colonial records of Connecticut. He held no public office, but is styled "Mr. Reynold Marvin." Lyme, just across the Connecticut river from Saybrook, was made a distinct town in May, 1667. Its meadows and cornfields had been cultivated by armed men from Saybrook, among whom no doubt were Reinold and his son. He built a house in Lyme, retaining his home lot and considerable property in Saybrook. At his death his largest holdings were in Lyme. The value of his estate, 820 pounds, was a large sum for that period of colonial history. He married, probably in 1617 or 18, Marie ————. She died in Lyme, not long before her husband, as is evident from his will. Her death was attributed to "Witch Craft." At a quarter court held at Hartford, September 5, 1661, Nicholas Jennings and his wife Margaret, of Saybrook, were indicted for "having entertained familiarity with Sathan… and by his help done works of above, ye course of nature, to ye loss of ye lives of several persons and in priculer ye wife of Reinold Marvin, with sorceries." The jury did not agree; "the majority of them found them guilty and the rest, strong ground for suspicion." Children, all born in England, with baptismal dates:
- William. November 4, 1618.
- Elizabeth, April 19, 1621.
- Mary, October 27, 1622.
- John, buried March 16, 1626.
- Elizabeth, baptized April 29, 1627.
- Sara Marie, July 22, 1629.
- Reinold; see forward.
- Abigail, May 4, 1634.
- Mary, October 23, 1636, married, about 1663, Ensign Samuel Collins; died March 5, 1713-14.
(II) The St. Mary's registers thus have record of the baptism of Reinold Marvin — "Reinold, the sonne of Edward Mervin and Mary his Wyffe, was christened the 20th of Dec in Anno 1631." He died in Lyme, Connecticut, August 4, 1676. He became a freeman of Saybrook, May 20, 1658, the same day with his father. He owned much land in Saybrook and Lyme. By his inheritance under his father's will he became about the richest man in the town. Savage [James Savage, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England] says he was a deacon of the church. This probably refers to his son Reinold, as the Lyme church was not regularly formed until 1693, although the Rev. Moses Noyes preached there regularly in 1666. He represented Lyme in the general court in 1670, and from 1672 until his death. His military title lieutenant, was earned; he was appointed "Sergeant to ye band at Sea Brook" by the general court at Hartford, October 3, 1661, and on the death of Lieutenant Waller succeeded to that rank. Though ranking as lieutenant, he was commanding officer to the train band, as Lyme had not families enough to form a full band of sixty-four soldiers with captain and officers. The Lyme and Saybrook train bands had some military experience under Lieutenant Marvin. War had been declared against the Dutch in November, 1672, and a special session convened at Hartford ordered that all train bands "should be complete in their arms." In July, 1676, Andros attempted to seize the fort at Saybrook, and it was hurriedly manned by the train bands. Lieutenant Reinold is often mentioned in the Connecticut colonial records. He married, about 1662, Sarah, third daughter of George, Jr., and Sarah Clark. She was baptized February 18, 1643-44, in Milford, Connecticut. She survived her husband and married Captain Joseph Sill, the noted Indian fighter. She died in Lyme February 1, 1715-16, and is buried in the Duck river burying-ground with her two husbands. It is in this burial place that it is supposed Reinold, the emigrant, and his wife are buried. The children of Lieutenant Reinold and Sarah (Clark) Marvin, all born in Lyme, Connecticut, were:
- John, 1664-65.
- Reinold (3); see forward.
- Samuel, 1671.
- Sarah, 1673.
(III) Captain Reinold (3), son of Lieutenant Reinold (2) and Sarah (Clark) Marvin, was born in 1669, in Lyme, Connecticut, died there October 18, 1737. He was chosen one of the first two deacons in the First Congregational Church, Lyme, when it was formed, March 27, 1693, but he is more frequently referred to in the later town records by his military title. He was sergeant of the Lyme train band as early as 1702 and probably held that position until 1712, when he was appointed ensign. On May 8, 1718, the legislature established and confirmed Mr. Reinold Marvin to be captain of the first train band or company in Lyme. He was chosen townsman in 1697, 1702-03-05-o6; first townsman in 1707-22-25-28-31-32. He was constable in 1694; collector of rates, 1713-14; grand juryman, 1714-35; sealer of weights and measures, 1715; lister, 1729; moderator, 1721-23-24, and was on numerous important committees. April 28, 1718, when there was a vacancy in the office of minister, the town appointed "Reinold and Samuel Marvin on committee to agree with Samuel Ruswell to settle in this town in the work of the ministry." He represented Lyme in the general court most of the time from 1711 to 1728, inclusive, a period of continual service that shows the estimation in which he was held by his townsmen. In the colonial records of the state, from 1706 onward, there are frequent references to him. The tombstones of Captain Reinold Marvin and his two wives are still standing in excellent preservation in the Duck river burying-ground. He married (first), about 1696, Phebe, daughter of Lieutenant Thomas and Mary (DeWolf) Lee, born August 14, 1677, in Lyme, died there October 27, 1707; married (second), June 30, 1709, Martha, daughter of Sergeant Thomas and Miriam (Tracy) Waterman, born December, 1680, in Norwich, Connecticut, died November 18, 1753, in Lyme. Children, born in Lyme, by first wife:
- Phebe, born December 3, 1696, married (first), about 1714-15, Samuel De Wolf; (second), August 22, 1716, Nathaniel Kirtland; died May 31, 1747.
- Reinold; see forward.
- Daniel, January 24, 1701-02, married ————, and had children; died about 1770.
- Lydia, January 12, 1703-4, married, June 16, 1726, Captain Philip Kirtland.
- Hester, April 3, 1707, married (first), December 28, 1727, Thomas Lord; (second) Jonathan Emmons; she died February 3, 1792.
Children by second wife:
- Martha, born April 3, 1710, married, April 4, 1732, Reinold Beckwith; she died July 26, 1742.
- Elisha, April 26, 1711, died in infancy.
- James, May 26, 1713, married, May 25, 1737, Ruth Mather; he died April 3, 1769.
- Sarah, March 8, 1715-16, married, March 16, 1742, George Dorr; she died about 1792.
- Elisha, March 8, 1717-18, married, May 17, 1739, Catherine Mather; died December 31, 1801.
- Miriam, born March, 1719-20, married February 1, 1738, Captain Samuel Beckwith.
(IV) Deacon Reinold (4) Marvin, son of Captain Reinold (3) and Phebe (Lee) Marvin, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, January, 1698-99, died there February 24, 1761. He owned land in Colchester. He was chosen deacon of the Lyme church, January, 1741, having been admitted a member in June, 1731. Like his father he held military as well as ecclesiastical office, having been confirmed as lieutenant of the "South company or train band" of Lyme, in October, 1730. He is also spoken of as Captain Marvin. He was admitted freeman September 14, 1731; chosen sealer of weights and measures in 1729; town treasurer, December, 1734, and "to have 20 pounds for making the town and country rate"; grand juryman, 1736; surveyor of highways, 1738; lister, 1739, in which year the town granted him liberty to build a wharf on the east side of "Lieutenant River"; in 1750 he had liberty to build a pound on his land adjoining the highway, and was appointed keeper. The church records show that he sometimes laid himself open to the strict discipline of the time, but he held his office "in good and regular standing" to the close of his life. He married (first), December 23, 1725, his cousin, Sarah, daughter of John Marvin, and widow of John Lay; married (second), July 7, 1746, Mrs. Mary Kellogg, daughter of John Niles, and widow of Jonathan Kellogg, of Colchester, Connecticut, born June 20, 1716, died March 9, 1812. Children by first wife:
- Reinold, born October 23, 1726, married, February 23, 1763, Ruth Welch; died July 30, 1802.
- Phebe, March 18, 1727-28, married, January ii, 1747, Jonathan Gillett.
- Daniel; see forward.
- Lydia, September 14, 1733, married, April 19, 1753, Josiah Gates; died June 10, 1775.
Children by second wife:
- Ann, September 30, 1748, died January 9, 1749.
- Eve, twin to Ann, married, April 13, 1769, Lieutenant Christopher Ely; died 1770-71.
- Sarah, about December, 1751, married, November 24, 1774, Captain Samuel Ely; died January 22, 1777.
- Esther, February 1, 1755, died 1778.
- Judith, April 16, 1757; married, August 5, 1779, ———— Peck; died March 13, 1788.
(V) Captain Daniel Marvin, son of Deacon Reinold (4) and Sarah (Marvin-Lay) Marvin, was born January 2, 1730-31, in Lyme, Connecticut, died there December 30, 1776. In May, 1767, he was on the committee for managing certain funds directed to the use of the Lyme schools. He was appointed ensign of the first train band of Lyme, October 1, 1767; lieutenant, May, 1771, and captain, May, 1772. In May, 1773, he was appointed one of a special commission on the condition of the fisheries of Lyme. He was selectman in 1773-74-75. He married, October 14, 1762, Mehitable, daughter of Captain Samuel and Deborah (Dudley) Selden, of Lyme; she was baptized December 4, 1743. Children:
- Reinold, born July 21, 1763, died December 10, 1767.
- Daniel, October 15, 1765; married (first), April 26, 1791, Huldah Mather; (second), April 22, 1819, Mrs. Hepzibah (Mather) Leach, sister of his first wife; he died September 4, 1847.
- Reinold, March 21, 1769, married, about 1794-95, Mabel Bushnell; died 1812.
- Sarah, September 21, 1771, married, January 9, 1791, Joel Pratt; died January 27, 1813.
- Selden; see forward.
- James, May 16, 1776, died November 6, 1779.
(VI) Selden, son of Captain Daniel and Mehitable (Selden) Marvin, was born November 24, 1773, in Lyme, Connecticut, died September, 1832, in Dryden, Tompkins county, New York. He removed to Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, and about 1808-09 went to Dryden, "where he cleared a farm in the forest." He was a farmer by occupation. For many years he served as trustee of the schools in Dryden. In politics he was an active member of the Federalists, and in religion took an active part in the Methodist church. He married (first), 1798, Charlotte, daughter of Benjamin and Sibyl (Stowe) Pratt, of Saybrook, Connecticut, born about 1779, died 1816; married (second), 1818, Mrs. Elizabeth (Patrick) Vandenberg, born in Saratoga, New York. Children of first wife:
- Erastus Selden, born September, 1799, married, 1831, Mary Hebbard, of Homer, New York; died August, 1832.
- Sibyl, May 4, 1801, married September 14, 1829, Dr. Theodore Augustine Linckney; died February 18, 1887.
- Richard Pratt; see forward.
- Charlotte, 1805, died 1813.
- William, April 14, 1808, married (first), October 15, 1846, Harriet Newell; (second), July 11, 1866, Elizabeth, widow of William H. Jewett, and daughter of John Riddle; he died July 9, 1902.
- Sarah, 1810, married (first), 1829, Alonzo Guile; (second), 1833, Addison Lakor; she died 1833.
- Mary Ann, April, 1814, married, 1833, William Hildreth; died June 21, 1843.
Children by second wife:
- Mary, 1819, married Alexander Hodge.
- Chauncey, 1821, married, 1844, Mary Lane; died August 18, 1880.
- Charles Henry, December 22, 1822, married, July 27, 1850, Charlotte M. French; died April 14, 1892.
- George Wesley, September 22, 1826.
- Harrison, November 6, 1827, married, May 29, 1854, Kate A. Murdock; served in Civil war.
- Harriet, April 19, 1830, married, September 11, 1849, William Farmer.
- Elizabeth, 1832, unmarried.
(VII) Hon. Richard Pratt Marvin, son of Selden and Charlotte (Pratt) Marvin, born December 23, 1803, in Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, died January 11, 1892, in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm in Dryden, New York. He was studious and made the most of his oportunities; he became a teacher, devoting his leisure hours to reading English classics and history. The only study in which he had instruction was Latin. In 1826 he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Mark H. Sibley, of Canandaigua, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and established himself in Jamestown, where he resided until his death. In 1835 he was elected to the state assembly, and in 1836 and 1838 to congress. In 1846 he was one of the convention to amend the state constitution. Later, in 1847, he was elected one of the justices of the superior court, and occupied a seat on the bench for more than twenty-four years, serving two years as one of the justices of the court of appeals. In 1874 he delivered an historical address at a reunion of the old settlers of Chautauqua county, portions of which are printed in the county history. He married, September 8, 1834, Isabella, daughter of David and Jane (McHarg) Newland, of Albany, born there August 3, 1811, died February 12, 1872, in Jamestown. Children:
- Selden Erastus; see forward.
- Sarah Jane, born August 18, 1835, married, October 20, 1859, Erie L. Hall, since died; was living in 1903.
- David Newland, August 6, 1839, married, September 21, 1870, Julia Ormes; died October 10, 1889.
- Mary Elizabeth, July 3, 1841, married, November 4, 1869, Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich.
- William R., November 10, 1843, died February 17, 1863.
(VIII) General Selden Erastus Marvin, son of Hon. Richard Pratt and Isabella (Newland) Marvin, was born August 20, 1835, in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, died January 19, 1899, in New York city. He received his education in the public schools and academy of Jamestown and at Professor Russell's private school in New Haven, Connecticut. While residing in Jamestown he became interested in military affairs and was quartermaster of the Sixty-eighth Regiment, National Guard. At the beginning of the Civil war he tendered his services to the government. On July 21, 1862, he was commissioned adjutant of the One Hundred and Twelfth New York volunteers and mustered into the United States service, and served until detailed as assistant adjutant-general of Foster's Brigade with the army of Southern Virginia, through the Peninsula and Charlestown campaigns, until August 27, 1863, when he was appointed additional paymaster of United States volunteers, and was assigned to duty in the army of the Potomac; he resigned December 27, 1864, to become paymaster general of the state of New York on the staff of Governor Fenton. On January 1, 1867, he was appointed adjutant-general of the state of New York. As paymaster-general he disbursed upwards of twenty-seven million dollars. As adjutant-general he inaugurated and carried into practical effect reforms in the national guard which were greatly needed. After his term of adjutant-general expired he engaged in banking in New York city, as a member of the firm of Morgan, Keene & Marvin, until the spring of 1873, when they dissolved. On January 1, 1874, he went to Troy, New York, as the representative of Erastus Corning's interests in the iron and steel business carried on by the firm of John A. Griswold & Company, and while there organized the Albany and Rensselaer Iron and Steel Company, March 1, 1875. This corporation was a consolidation of the establishment of John A. Griswold & Company and the Albany Iron Works, and General Marvin was elected a director, secretary and treasurer. On September 1, 1885, this concern was succeeded by the Troy Steel and Iron Company, which went into the hands of a receiver in 1893. General Marvin continued as director, secretary and treasurer of the company until its business was closed up, November 1, 1895. He was for several years a trustee and vice-president of the Albany City Savings Institution, and on June 1, 1891, became its president. He was a director, and in 1894 made president of the Hudson River Telephone Company, and was the principal organizer and promoter of the Albany District Telegraph Company, of which he became president in 1895. He was always active in religious matters, and soon after the formation of the diocese of Albany, was elected its treasurer and treasurer of its board of missions, serving until his death. He was vestryman of St. Luke's Church, Jamestown, and later of St. Peter's Church, Albany, and was also a member of the Cathedral Chapter. He was a member of the state board of charities, having been appointed by Governor Morton, March 27, 1895. He was a member and trustee of the Corning foundation, on which is built St. Agnes' School, the Childs' Hospital, St. Margaret's House, Graduate Hall and the Sister House in Albany. He was also a member of the board of managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, a member of the Fort Orange Club, and actively connected with several other institutions of Albany. He married, September 24, 1868, Katharine Langdon, daughter of Judge Amasa J. and Harriet (Langdon) Parker, of Albany, New York, born August 28, 1846, died July 1, 1907. Children:
- Selden Erastus; see forward.
- Grace Parker, born September, 1872, married, June 6, 1901, Rupert C. King, of New York city; children:
- Catherine Marvin, deceased;
- Rupert Cochrane, Jr., born July 29, 1908.
- Langdon Parker, September 16, 1876, graduated from Harvard University, 1898, and LL.B., Harvard Law School, 1901; private secretary for Hon. Elihu Root on Alaska boundary commission in London, 1903; resides in New York city.
- Edmund Roberts, August 10, 1878, graduated from Harvard University, 1899.
- Richard Pratt, August 18, 1882, died September 6, 1883.
- Katharine Langdon, August 6, 1889.
(IX) Colonel Selden Erastus Marvin, son of General Selden Erastus and Katharine Langdon (Parker) Marvin, was born December 1, 1869, in Albany, New York. His early education was received in the Albany Academy and St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hampshire. Later he prepared for college at the Hopkinson School in Boston, and in 1899 entered Harvard University, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. While there he was treasurer and president, one year each, of the University Glee Club. Upon his graduation he returned to Albany, and for a time was instructor of English, Latin and German at the Albany Academy. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Morton military secretary on his staff, with rank of colonel. He served two years in that capacity and was then, in 1897, appointed private secretary to Lieutenant-Governor Woodruff. This offce he later resigned to accept a business position with B. F. Goodrich Company, of Ohio. At the death of his father he returned to Albany and assumed charge of his father's estate. In May, 1899, he became secretary and treasurer of the Franklin Boiler Works Company of Troy. In 1904 he was appointed secretary to Governor Higgins. Colonel Marvin is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Fort Orange, Albany, Country and Troy clubs. He has always been deeply interested in musical affairs, and for a number of years was a member of the choir of All Saints' Cathedral. He is a thirty-second degree Mason.