Peter E. Slate

28 March 1817 - 9 August 1888

My 3rd Great Grandfather

A timeline of facts spanning his 71 years:

1817

Peter E. Slate was born in Saratoga county, New York on March 28, 1817, son of Solomon Slate and Sylvia Dean. Census records indicate the family moved west to Jefferson county sometime between 1820 and 1830. The biggest question mark in documenting Peter's life is the timeline of his two marriages. His first wife is believed to be Julia Gloyd, but very little is known about her. The timeline suggests she died sometime in the 1840s.

1838

The Jefferson County (NY) Migrations Project lists August 1, 1838 as the marriage date of Peter E. Slate and Chloe Coffee. This is likely incorrect in one of two ways: It is either the date of Peter's first marriage (to Julia Gloyd); or the year is wrong (perhaps 1848). The text reads (parts 30a, 30b, 30c): CHLOE COFFEE m PETER E. SLATE on 1 Aug 1838 Jefferson Co., NY; she b Hermon, NY; d 31 Jan 1910 Cape Vincent, daughter of JOHN C. COFFEE and MARY CUMMINGS.

1850

The 1850 Federal Census shows Peter Slate, wife Chloe and son Chester living in Cape Vincent, New York. Census information often contains inaccuracies making it difficult to take any one report as absolute fact without corroborating evidence. In this case, Peter's age is listed at 38, which conflicts with his 1817 birth year. His profession is listed as a laborer and all three members of the family are said to have been born in New York state. Chester and Chloe's 13 year age difference (9 and 22) suggest that she is not likely to be his birth mother.

Peter, Chloe and Chester Slate in Cape Vincent, NY 1850 Census (click image for full page)

1865

Fifteen years later, a very different picture of the Slate family appears in the New York State Census of 1865. They have moved 15 miles down the St. Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Clayton, their eldest son Chester has left home and is now serving in the Union Army (enlisted 8/10/1863), and Peter and Cloe (spelled this time without the "h") have five children living with them ranging in age from 13 to less that a year.

The most interesting observations from this census are Peter's marriage history and the birthplaces of their three youngest children. Peter indicates that he has been married twice and Cloe just once -- furthering the theory that Cloe may not be Chester's birth mother. The birthplaces of their three youngest children also raise questions about where the family lived after leaving Cape Vincent. Peter (Jr.) and Julia in St. Lawrence county and Emery (E.S.) in Canada.

Peter Slate and family in Clayton, NY 1865 State Census (click image for full page)

1870

In 1870 we find the Slate family still in Clayton, but with a few changes (and errors). Son John has now left home and two new children, George and William, have been born since the last census. While all of the children's ages seem consistent with the timeline of the previous census, the ages for Peter and Chloe (recorded as "Flora") are now both listed as 40 (while they should be around 53 and 47, respectively).

Peter Slate and family in Clayton, NY, 1870 Federal Census (click image for full page)

1875

The state census of 1875 shows Peter and Cloe Slate in Clayton, New York with five children left at home -- Nathaniel, Julia, Emery, George and William.

Peter Slate and family in Clayton, NY, 1875 New York Census (click image for full page)

1888

Peter E. Slate died on August 9, 1888 and is buried at St. Lawrence Union Cemetery in Cape Vincent, New York. Little is known about the time between the 1875 New York Census and his death in 1888. One of the only clues is that the family appeared to live in Canada (Leeds, Ontario) for a while as Cloe can be found in the 1891 and 1901 Canada Census with her son Emery. One census note indicates that Cloe's immigration year was 1885.

Slate gravestone, St. Lawrence Union Cemetery, Cape Vincent, NY