Erastus Woodruff

Erastus Woodruff is first found in Greene Co., PA in the 1820 Federal Census when he took residence in Whitely, Twp., PA. He then moved to Monongalia County, Virginia, near Brown's Mill, now named Pentress, West Virginia. He later moved to the area of Jollytown, PA. His father and mother, Isaac Woodruff and Sara Woodruff, were third cousins. Matthew Woodruff, the emigrant in both lines, came to what is now Hartford, Connecticut about 1636 and moved to Farmington, Connecticut about 1660. The last home of this Matthew Woodruff in Farmington is still standing and is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Four successive generations of this family had lived in Connecticut until Isaac Woodruff, the father of Erastus, moved to Winfield Township, Herkimer County, New York about 1781. Erastus, his wife Mary and daughter Mary Eakin are buried in Old Mount Tabor Cemetery near Jollytown, Pennsylvania. This cemetery is now located about 1 1/2 miles from the nearest road in a densely wooded lot. This family produced many ministers of the gospel, so many so, that it is known as the preacher family.