Henry Way, immigrant ancestor, was born in England, in 1583, died May 24, 1667. He and his wife Elizabeth came in the ship "Mary and John" in 1630 and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Two or more of his family, evidently nephews, also settled in Dorchester. There was a Widow Way in Dorchester in 1646, perhaps a sister-in-law of Henry. There is some reason for believing she was the widow of George Way, mentioned in the Dorchester records, January 2, 1637-38, as having had a grant of land. Henry Way is dignified with the title of "Mr.," which at that time indicated some rank or social station. He carried on a fishing business. He was admitted to the church, May 5, 1643. His wife Elizabeth died June 23, 1665, aged eighty-four years. Children: George, Samuel, Henry, Richard, Elizabeth, and a son lost in the winter passage of the ship "Lion," chartered by the governor and council to go to Bristol, England, for food for the colonies, December or January, 1630-1.
(II) George, son of Henry and Elizabeth Way, was born in England, about 1620, died in Saybrook, Connecticut, about 1690. He lived in Boston for a time, and was a follower of Roger Williams, and though not among the original twelve founders of Rhode Island soon followed them in 1657. After the town of Providence was burned, he removed to Saybrook, where he died. He married, in Boston, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Joanna Smith. While living in Boston they shared in a division of the "Neck" lands, now South Boston. Children:
- Elizabeth;
- George, settled in New London, died February 23, 1717, but on account of deep snow his body was not buried until March 7;
- Thomas.
(III) Thomas, son of George and Elizabeth Way, was born in Rhode Island, about 1665, died in 1726 at East Haven, Connecticut, whither he had removed from Saybrook, about 1720. He married Ann, daughter of Andrew Lester, according to the New London history. Children: Daniel, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, George, David, James, Hannah, John, Thomas and Mary.
(IV) Ebenezer, son of Thomas and Ann (Lester) Way, was born October 30, 1693, died July 17, 1787, aged ninety-four years. (Three generations later a William Way was living at age of ninety-one years; he was the source of much family history.) Ebenezer Way was a merchant and ship owner; some of his ships were captured and destroyed during the revolution. He married, November 9, 1714, Mary Harris, born in New London, May 10 1696, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Harris) Harris. They had John (see forward) and other children.
(V) John, son of Ebenezer and Mary (Harris) Way, was born in New London, Connecticut, August 12, 1731, died at Lempster, New Hampshire, January 2, 1802. He followed the sea for a time, but later became a farmer. He was among the first settlers of Lempster and one of the leading men of the town. He married, about 1760, Grace Ann, born at New London, 1740, died at Lempster. August 5, 1830, daughter of James and Grace (Edgecomb) Daniels, and granddaughter of Lord Edgecomb, of Plymouth, England. Children: William, Samuel; others.
(VI) Samuel, son of John and Grace Ann (Daniels) Way, died in Hoosick Falls, New York, in 1832. He had a wife and family who later settled in Onondaga county, New York.
(VII) William, son of Samuel Way, was born March 8, 1796, died May 29, 1849, at Camillus, New York. He was a farmer of Camillus, where most of his life was spent. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a man of some prominence. He married, November 14, 1821, at Easton, New York, Julia Briggs, born May 20, 1805, died at Camillus, November 17, 1882, daughter of Cornelius and Sarah (Foster) Briggs. Children:
- Cornelius, born October 13, 1832, died June 4, 1904; married (first) Levinia P. Leroy; (second) Lucy Graves.
- Orville Wellington, see forward.
- Theodore B., born November 25, 183—.
- Edward A., born December 31, 1836, died June 8, 1883; accidentally drowned.
(VIII) Orville Wellington, son of William and Julia (Briggs) Way, was born at Easton, New York, April 15, 1834. While he was still young his parents removed to Camillus, Onondaga county, New York, where he was educated and remained until twenty-two years of age. In 1856 he removed to Troy, New York, where he learned pattern making and worked in the stove foundries of Troy at that trade. He became very familiar with the different details of stove manufacture, and after a number of years in the foundry and three years upon the road as salesman, he became a member of the firm of Way, Potter & Company, which he organized. He continued actively at the head of that firm until advancing years caused his retirement. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Troy, and a Republican in politics. He married in Troy, October 20, 1859, Mary P., only daughter of Jacob Jacobs, who was born in Cornwall, England, died in Troy, New York. Children, born in Troy: Julia Ann, unmarried; Mary Ella, married Hiram Francis Kenyon, of Troy: children: Margaret F. and Amanda L. Kenyon.