ERASTUS D. MARSTON

     Erastus D. Marston born 22 May 1834 the third son of Joseph and Sarah (Bickford) Marston at West Waterville, Maine. Following in his father's footsteps, Erastus became a blacksmith and plied his trade in Hillsdale and Copake. Erastus first married Louisa (Eliza) Kennerson on 23 September 1853 who died in childbirth 5 December 1856.  He married second Harriet Louisa McIntosh daughter of William and Eva McIntosh of Hillsdale on 18 September 1858.  They had eight children, namely; Alvin W. born 28 February 1860 died 11 October 1862, Jennie M. born 1 July1866 twin of James, Newton A. and Norton J. also twins born 15 April 1868, Newton died 30 April 1868 and Norton on 20 August 1868, Carrie Eva born 4 January 1870, Frederick W. born 5 January 1875 and Ford B. born 27 August 1877.

     On 29 October 1862 at Copake, Erastus enlisted as a private in Company M, 5th Regiment New York Calvary as a blacksmith commanded by Capt. Samuel Ten Broeck. From 31 August 1864 until 30 April 1865 Erastus was in the General Hospital at Washington, DC with malaria.  He was examined and transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corp 42nd Calvary 2nd Regiment on 26 April 1865 and served until his discharge at Washington on 24 August 1865.

     Erastus was a member of the Henry Gridley G. A. R. Post at Millerton.

     Erastus died on 18 September 1915 at age 81 in Copake, He is buried along with his wife in the Old Cemetery at Hillsdale, New York.

Submitted by: Susan Stalker Mulvey (great great granddaughter), 22 August 2004