Stephen Compton (1772 - 1852)

Pedigree: Me > William R Compton > William R Compton > Norris Compton > Peter Compton > Stephen Compton (my 3rd Great Grandfather)


Stephen Compton was born about 1772 in New Jersey. His parents were David Compton and Ann. He is listed on the tax rolls for Wantage, NJ in 1792. He married Anna Van Sickle in 1795 in Wantage. He was admitted to membership by certificate to the Clove Valley Dutch Reformed Church in Wantage in 1799.

For some years after the marriage they continued to reside in Wantage until a fire destroyed their house. (Today there is a Compton Road in Wantage.)
Stephen and his family then removed to a farm near Ithaca, NY. He did very well as a farmer, able to support his large family of 11 children.

Sergeant uniform War of 1812

During the War of 1812, he was a Sergeant in the New York Militia, serving in the Consolidated (Smith's Regiment).

Some time after the War, he turned his attention from farming to the business of a contractor and builder, and he quickly lost his savings of  many years. A turnpike road over the inlet near Ithaca was the work and his lack of wisdom in advancing the men's wages from his own private means was the cause. The company under whom the contract was held failed, and Grandfather Compton saw the snug nest egg he had laid by for a rainy day melt into nothingness. This great misfortune darkened, except at rare intervals, the later days of their life. With the exception of about a year when they kept house on what is known as the Shoemaker farm just south of Sullivanville, NY he and Anna lived in the various houses of their children.

Grandmother Compton, Anna, died at the house of her daughter Katie (Catherine) Linderman in Cayuta, NY on February 10, 1842 aged sixty-three years and one day. She is buried in the Van Duzer Cemetery in Veteran, NY.


Stephen, known to all the family as Grandfather Compton, was listed in the 1850 census living with his son, Peter Compton (and his wife Amy and son Norris Compton) in Barton, NY. Stephen passed from this life at the home of his son Garrett Compton in Southport, Chemung County, NY on May 1, 1852 ten years after the death of his wife, at age eighty years. During their married life the couple were devoted and active Church workers in the Presbyterian denomination. They led most exemplary and conscientious lives, being particularly strict in the observance of the doctrinal teaching of their church.

Their family consisted of six sons and five daughters. They were Stephen, Garrett, John, Jacob, Peter, and Daniel, and Catherine, Sarah, Mary, Nancy, and Louisa.