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From: <>
Subject: Henry Teachout
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 07:55:06 -0700

Seeking parents/birthplace of Henry Teachout

Born: 1781, NY (from census reports)
Died: 30 Apr 1852 - prob Williston, VT. Buried Essex Junction, VT.

We have good data on Henry from his arrival in Essex Junction, VT in 1799
through his death. Prior to 1799 we know virtually nothing. One of his
children is reported to have said that his father was born in Watertown,
NY. Unfortunately Watertown was not settled until 1800 and is close to
the Great Lakes - not near Vermont. Watervliet, NY would be a more likely
"Water" place.

Henry reportedly was hired by Ira Allen as a joiner/carpenter to build a
mill in/near Essex Junction. He later constructed the dam in Williston,
VT (twice - the first was washed out in a flood). It seems feasible that
Ira Allen knew Henry prior to engaging him. (An unsubstantiated rumor has
it that a Teachout was involved with the Green Mountain Boys - Ethan
Allen's gang. This was probably not Henry, but might have been his
father - or other relative.)

Another Teachout - Menard (originally Myndert) Teachout settled in
Highgate, VT, about 50 miles up the Lake Champlain shore from Essex
Junction. I've never found any link between Henry and Menard; although I
assume there is one. The Teachout name was not that common back then
either. Myndert/Minard was married in Schyullerville, NY in 1795 - making
him somewhat older than Henry.

There were a number of Teachout families in the Saratoga - Schenectady -
Half Moon area of New York. Mostly farmers. In fact the old Dutch
"Tietsoort" name appears to have evolved into "Teachout" in this area
around the time of the American Revolution.

I've been through the Probate documents in Half Moon. I spent a frantic
two or three days interviewing every Teachout I could find in the area
(most knew nothing of their early family background).

I've been unable to locate any reference to Henry's death in any VT
newspaper archives.

"Land records" might help; but I don't know where they would be located or
even if such exist.

There is another Henry Teachout, born about 10 years before my Henry from
roughly the same area. His parents are also unknown. It's possible both
Henrys were named after the same person - the name doesn't appear in the
family before this time.

For some reason, Henry named his male children after historic characters -
Steven Decatur, Erasmus Fayette, Philetus (after Philetus Swift?), Carlos
(of Spain?), Hannibal. (No help from the "dutch naming system").

I administer the "Dutch Uncle" discussion list - for researchers of the
Teachout, Tietsort, Tit(t)sworth family names.

I hope this didn't ramble too much. Any assistance is greatly
appreciated. I've been looking for Henry for 25 years. :)

- fleet -

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