EDGOOSE:
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EDGOOSE, John Lewin
1827 - 1890 (62 years) Has 42 ancestors and 3 descendants in this family tree.
1807 - 1842 (35 years)-
Name EDGOOSE, John Lewin [1] Birth 13 Sep 1827 West Walton, Norfolk 
Gender Male Death 11 Jan 1890 Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA Burial Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA Person ID I324 Edgoose Last Modified 3 Feb 2026
Father EDGOOSE, Robert, b. 1798, West Walton, Norfolk d. 4 Apr 1870, West Walton, Norfolk (Age 72 years) Mother LEWIN, Judith, b. 1807, Leverington, Cambridgeshire, England d. 24 Apr 1842, West Walton, Norfolk (Age 35 years) Marriage 22 Oct 1823 Leverington, Cambridgeshire, England Family ID F180 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 STEBBINS, Sarah L., b. 1834, New York State, USA d. 29 Jun 1874, Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA (Age 40 years) Marriage 29 Oct 1851 Dover, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA Family ID F214 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
Family 2 BACON, Lucinda A., b. 11 Apr 1838, Lake County, Illinois, USA d. 7 Nov 1914, Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA (Age 76 years) Marriage 18 Jul 1875 Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA Children 1. EDGOOSE, Aristean, b. 5 Aug 1878, Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA d. 17 Sep 1906, Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA (Age 28 years)Family ID F215 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
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Event Map 
Birth - 13 Sep 1827 - West Walton, Norfolk 
= Link to Google Earth
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Biographies 
EDGOOSE, John Lewin (1827-1890)
John Lewin EDGOOSE was born at West Walton, Norfolk, England, on 13 September 1827, son of Robert and Judith EDGOOSE, and was baptised on 16 September.
(West Walton parish register)
Robert EDGOOSE had married Judith LEWIN at Leverington, Cambridgeshire, on 22 October 1823.
At the time of the 1841 census he was a 14 year old servant to a farmer named Charles COKER at West Walton. Also present were Charles' wife Elizabeth and their six children.
(HO107/770/13/32/10)
In 1846 he sailed from Liverpool on the Niagra, arriving in New York, USA, on 1 October at the age of 19.
(Roll No.64. New York: Registers of Vessels Arriving at the Port of New York from Foreign Ports, 1789-1919. Micropublication M237, rolls No. 1-95. National Archives, Washington, D.C.)
He arrived in America from Norfolk, England, in 1846:
"TOWN OF PARIS
John EDGOOSE, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Union Grove; born in Norfolk, England, in 1827; he came to America in 1846, arriving in Racine, Wis., Oct. 20; he located in Yorkville, Racine Co., and engaged in farm-work; he purchased land in Kenosha Co. i i in 1847, but continued to work out until 1851, when he settled on the farm he had purchased, where he now resides. He married in Dover, Racine Co., Oct. 29, 1851, Miss Sarah L. STEBBINS, a native of the State of New York, who died June 29, 1874. Mr. EDGOOSE married again July 18,1875, Mrs. Lucinda ANDERSON, a native of Pleasant Prairie Township, Kenosha Co.; Mr. EDGOOSE has one child, Aristean, born Aug. 5, 1878. Mr. EDGOOSE is owner of 110 acres of land in Kenosha Co., and fifteen acres in the village of Union Grove, Racine Co.." ('History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin' published by the Western Historical Company in 1879).
In the 1850 Federal census of the town of Paris , Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA, taken probably on 12 October, John EDGOSE, aged 21, a farmer, is shown to be living with John POWLS, aged 53, a mason with real estate worth $1000 and Elizabeth Powls aged 65. Both were from Wales.
There is a John EDGOOSE at Paris, Kenosha County, in the 1855 and 1860 Wisconsin State census.
John EDGOOSE married Miss Sarah L. STEBBINS, a native of New York State, in Dover, Racine County, on 29 October 1851.
After the opening of the railroad in 1856 an association was formed to "lay out" the village of Union Grove, Racine County, in lots. Subsequently, John EDGOOSE was added to it (History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, pages 477-482). This is slightly at variance with the account of Mary K. Nichols in her 'History of Early Union Grove'. She writes: "Land Company Formed. Union Grove's first physician, Dr. Ammon P. ADAMS, became president of the Union Grove Land Company in 1853. He joined by (sic) 11 other early Union Grove area settlers in purchasing 160 acres of land lying west of the present Main Street and north of 13th Avenue. They paid $45 per acre for the land. They proceeded at once to lay out a village which includeed 24 blocks. In addition to Dr. ADAMS, members of the original land company were: Gideon MOREY, James RUSSELL, Aniza NORTHRUP, Samuel SKEWES, William REID, Erastmus CADWELL, Richard GOLDSWORTHY, John ROCHE, William WILDMAN, Homer ADAMS and John EDGOOSE".
From the Grassroots History of Racine County, page 282, part of an article headed 'Union Grove, 1838-1976':
"In 1852 the Racine, Janesville and Mississippi railroad was chartered and the attention of the settlement was immediately diverted north around the site of the Dunham cabin. An association was formed for the purpose of purchasing 160 acres of land lying west of the Dunham farm and north and south of the proposed railroad tight-of-way. Land, which had been selling for around $6 an acre suddenly jumped in value with the prospect of a railroad coming (to town). The association members finally paid $45 per acre for their land. In 1856 the association was incorporated into the Union Grove Land Company. Its first officers were Dr. A.P. ADAMS, president; James RUSSELL, vice president; Gideon MOERY, secretary; and Samuel SKEWES, treasurer and agent. Other members of this group included Amizy NORTHROP, William REID, Erastmus CADWELL, Richard GOLDSWORTHY, John ROCHE, William WILDMAN, Homer ADAMS, and John EDGOOSE. The first train arrived in Union Grove on June 19, 1856."
According to an IGI patron submission a John EDGOOSE married Sarah CARDINE in New York in 1858. John's place and date of birth is said to be New York in 1821 and Sarah's New York in 1833. Another IGI patron submission has John EDGOOSE of Massachusetts born about 1825. None of this information has been verified, it is not supported by entries in the US Federal Censuses, nor does the IGI give any details of the source. It would appear to be fanciful and confused, but see below.
Interestingly, the 1860 US Federal Census of Paris, Kenosha, Wisconsin, lists the following household:
*John EDGOOSE, aged 33, a farmer, with real estate worth $3700, born in England;
Sarah EDGOOSE, aged 26, born in New York;
Caroline SCOTT, a female, aged 53, born in New York.
(Ancestry.com)
John EDGOOSE and Mrs. J. EDGOOSE of Union Grove each contributed $0.50 to the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Wisconsin Conference of 1861.
(Minutes of the Wisconsin Conference 1861)
(GenealogyBank: Weekly Racine Advocate (Racine, Wisconsin), 7 January 1863)
"....following accounts were allowed---
Wm. M. CREARY. Inquest.. $1 00
Caroline SCOTT, restoring Records 7 00
John EDGOOSE, ditto ditto 6 00
Board (of Supervisors) adjourned until the first Monday in January, A.D. 1863
D. P
. WOOSTER, Clerk Board Supervisors."
Caroline BACON (1807-1892) married Joseph Bardwell STEBBINS before 1834. Their daughter Sarah L. STEBBINS (1834-1874) married John Lewin EDGOOSE (1827-1889) at Dover, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA, on 29 October 1851.
After the death of her husband Joseph Bardwell STEBBINS, Caroline married Joseph SCOTT, a widower. She gave birth to a son Charles H. SCOTT in 1844. He died in 1859. At the time of the 1860 US Federal Census, she was living with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law John EDGOOSE in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA.
A photograph of his gravestone at Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, USA, is difficult to decypher.
(www.find-a-grave.com)
GenealogyBank.com: Weekly Racine Advocate (Racine, Wisconsin), 7 January 1863:
"....following accounts were allowed---
Wm. M. CREARY. Inquest.. $1 00
Caroline SCOTT, restoring Records 7 00
John EDGOOSE, ditto ditto 6 00
Board (of Supervisors) adjourned until the first Monday in January, A.D. 1863
D. P. WOOSTER, Clerk Board Supervisors."
GenealogyBank.com: Weekly Racine Advocate (Racine, WI), 4 October 1865:
"IN PROBATE.---COUNTY COURT RACINE COUNTY.---In the matter of the Estate of JOSEPH SCOTT, deceased.
On reading and filing the petition of John EDGOOSE and Caroline SCOTT, administrators of the estate of said deceased, representing among other things, that they have fully administered the estate of said deceased, and paid all debts of saidased, and the expenses of administration, and praying that a time and place be appointed for examining and allowing their final account of their administration. It is ordered, that said account be examined by the Judge of this Court on
Thurday, the 12 day of October, A. D. 1865.
at 10 o'clock A.M. of that day, at the office of said Judged, in the city of Racine in said county.
And it is further ordered, thot [sic] notice thereof be given to all persons interested, by publishing a copy of this order for one week prior to said day of examination, in the Racine Advocate , a weekly newspaper printed and published atd city of Racine.
Dated Oct. 8d, 1865.
By the Court,
JOHN B. ADAMS,
County Judge."
State of Wisconsin )
S.S. )
County of Kenosha )
On this 1st day of April A.D. 1864 personally appeared before me John EDGOOSE and John BOWERS, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being first duly sworn on oath say that they were acquainted with John DUNKIRKwho was a Private of Co. "D" of the 34th Regiment Wisconsin Drafted Militia who died at Memphis Tennessee on or about the 5th day of August 1863; and that they were also acquainted with his wife; and they further state that his first wife died on or about the 12th day of June A.D. 1863 and left but one minor child viz Peter DUNKIRK and that the said Peter DUNKIRK was born on the 27th day of June 1860
And they further state that the said John DUNKIRK left surviving him no child or children, minor or otherwise except the said Peter DUNKIRK
Subscribed and sworn to before me ) John Edgoose (signed)
this 1st day of April A.D. 1864) John Bowers (signed)
O. P. Hale )
Justice of the Peace )
(Transcription and image reproduced by kind permission of Footnote.com)
The 1870 US Federal Census of Paris, Kenosha, Wisconsin, lists:
*John EDGOOSE, aged 40, farmer, born in England;
Sarah L. EDGOOSE, aged 35, keeping house, born in New York;
Caroline SCOTT, aged 62, boarding, born in New York.
(Ancestry.com)
"TOWN INSURANCE
An adjourned meeting was held at the house of H. BLACKMAN Paris on Saturday, July 12 inst, at five o'clock P.M. to take into consideration the formation of a Town Insurance Co. fo the town of Paris. An organisation was effected under the af March 23, 1872. Seven directors were elected who chose the following officers: H. A. NEWBURY, President; G. MYERS, Secretary; John EDGOOSE, Treasurer."
(Chronicling America: The Kenosha telegraph (Kenosha Wis.), 17 July 1873.)
Sarah, wife of John EDGOOSE, died on 19 June 1874 (29 June 1874 according to WFT 4/1451) and was buried at Union Grove Cemetery, Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA, Block 2 Lot 81. There is a photograph of the memorial on www.findagrave.com.
"EDGOOSE - At her residence in Paris, Kenosha County, June 29th 1874, Sarah, wife of John EDGOOSE, in her 41st year."
(Chronicling America: The Kenosha Telegraph (Kenosha, Wis.), 20 August 1874, Image 8)
From the June 1875 Wisconsin State Census Return for the town of Paris, Kenosha County:
*John EDGOOSE, head of family, 1 male 1 female.
He appears to have visited England in 1875. John EDGOOSE, a 47 year old farmer, arrived in New York City aboard the ss Algeria from Liverpool and Queenstown on 14 July 1875, just four days before his second marriage.
(FindMyPast: Passenger Lists)
He married Mrs. Lucinda ANDERSON, a native of Pleasant Prairie Township, Kenosha County, on 18 July 1875. She and his first wife Sarah STEBBINS had common grandparents in Sylvanus STEBBINS and Lucinda nee KELLOGG.
According to Michigan Marriages 1868-1925 a 47 year old farmer and widower John L. EDGOOSE (sic) of Paris, Wisconsin, married a 36 year old widow Lucinda ANDERSON from Saranac, Michigan, at Saranac, Ionia, Michigan, on 18 July 1875. Witnesses were Amara SESSIONS and Mary SESSIONS of Hubbardston, Michigan.
(FamilySearch C00311-1: Michigan, County Marriage Records, 1822-1940, for John L. EDGROSE)
[NOTE: FamilySearch has EDGROSE, but the actual register shows a badly written EDGOOSE. The first O may look like an R, but it does not compare with the R in ANDERSON]
"Mr. EDGOOSE has been revisiting Old England. He went by way of Michigan. I can't tell nor I wouldn't if I could, all he said to one of Michigan's school marms as he went away. But you may draw on your own inferences. He called on her as he came back, gave her the name of Mrs. EDGOOSE, and brought her a bride to Wisconsin. Now all is lovely and the 'goose hangs high. Long may they wave. He was in the same phix as the laird of cockpen, he wanted a wife his braw hoose for to keep and favors wi, wooing fashions to seek. Did you get e piece of the cake [in italics]."
(Newspapers.com: The Kenosha Telegraph (Kenosha, Wisconsin), 7 October 1875)
"Circuit Court Jury
On 6 March 1876 John EDGOOSE was amongst the chosen to serve on the Jury at the next regular term of the Circuit Court, of the State of Wisconsin, in and for the County of Kenosha."
(Chronicling America: The Kenosha Telegraph (Kenosha, Wis.), March 09 1876, Image 8)
The Milwauki Daily Sentinell of 24 April 1878 under the heading Racine carries a report of the purchase by John EDGOOSE from William CONNELL of various lots in the Village of Union Grove for the sum of $800.
Their daughter Aristean was born on 5 August 1878.
He is listed at Paris, Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the 1880 census:
*John EDGOOSE, head, aged 52, farmer, born in England of English-born parents;
Lucinda EDGOOSE, wife, aged 42, housekeeping, born in (?) of NY born parents;
Aresteen EDGOOSE, daughter, aged 2, born in Wisconsin;
Thom. ANDERSON, son, aged 14, farmer, born in Michigan of NY born parents;
Edith HANCOCK, servant, aged 18, housekeeping, born in Wisconsin of English born parents.
(www.ancestry.com)
"UNION GROVE
Supervisors--- A. B. HAYS, Chairman: O. L. CRABB and H. C. Williams.
Town Clerk----D. WORRAIL.
Treasurer----Henry SWANTZ.
Assessor----A.B. DORE.
Justices----C. K. McEACHRON, E. W. TRENT, and Jas. BULLIS.
Constables---Jos. E. DIXON, EDWIN BALL, Thos, BOWERS and Jacob BOSS ---- (Several others got away).
Pound Master----John EDGOOSE.
(Newspapers.com: Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Wisconsin), 10 April 1883)
From the 1885 Wisconsin State Census return for the village of Union Grove:
*John EDGOOSE, head, 2 males 3 females, 3 born usa 2 born GB.
(www.familysearch.org)
"Stephen KIRK will sell at auction, on the old John EDGOOSE farm, in the town of Paris, two miles north of Paris Catholic church, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, commencing at 9:30, sharp, farm stock, farming implements, household furniture, &c. E. R. WILSON, auctioneer."
(Chronicling America: The Kenosha telegraph (Kenosha, Wis.), September 25, 1885, Image 3)
"REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
Recorded for the week ending October 27th 1885
John EDGOOSE and wife to Michael GRATZ. Consideration, $5,000. Warranty deed.
(Chronicling America: The Kenosha telegraph, October 30, 1885, Image 3)
According to Kindred Spirits Family History Research Centre he died in 1890 (Internet search). WFT 4/1451 ( which gives his date of birth incorrectly as 3 September 1826) shows him to have died on 18 January 1890 in Union Grove, Racine, Wisconsin. He was buried in the Edgoose family plot in the Union Grove Cemetery on Highway 45 (Main St.) in Union Grove, Wisconsin. His wife Lucinda and his daughter Aristeen Edgoose GITTINGS are interred in the same plot. According to the death certificate from Racine County, date of death was 11 January 1889. The certificate was not dated until 1 November 1889 and it was not registered with the County until 27 November 1891. According to his marker in the Edgoose family plot he died on 18 January 1890.
An Index of the Will of John Lewin EDGOOSE (1827-1890). The Will was made on 10 July 1889.
01*John Lewin EDGOOSE, the Testator.
02 Lucinda A. EDGOOSE, wife of the Testator.
03 S. C. BUCHAN, witness.
04 Henry WIESMAN, witness.
05 Regine JENSEN, witness.
(Wisconsin Probate Records, via ancestry.co.uk)
The Last Will & Testament of John Lewin EDGOOSE (1827-1890
[surnames capitalised]:
"I, John EDGOOSE, of the Village of Union Grove, in the Town of York-Ville, in the County of Racine, and State of Wisconsin, being of sound mind and memory, thanks be to the Almighty God for the same, and being mindfuly [sic] of the uncertain of human life, do therefore make ordain publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament in the manner and form following.
First:--------- After the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses, I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Lucinda A. EDGOOSE and her heirs and assigns forever, all my personal property of every kind name nature and descripd all my right title lien claim and interest in personal property of every kind name nature and description, and mixed property, and all my land and real estate of every kind name nature and description, and all my right title lien claim and interest in land and real estate of every kind name nature and description, wheresoever situated, which I now have or own, or may ever hereafter have or own.
Second:--------- I, do hereby state, that I have not forgotten my child at the present time, but that I do not intend to give it any of my property, but that I give devise and bequeath all of my property which I now have or own or may en as aforesaid, to its mother, being my said wife Lucinda A. EDGOOSE , and her heirs and assigns forever.
Third:------------- I, hereby revoke entirely and forever all my former Wills.
Fourth:------------ I, hereby nominate and appoint my said wife Lucinda A. EDGOOSE the sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament, and I do hereby direct that she be not required to give any bond as such Executrix because I have her as aforesaid.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Union Grove, this 10 day of July A.D. 1889. [signed] John Edgoose
The above Last Will and Testament consisting of one page, was signed sealed published and declared by the said John EDGOOSE the testator to be his Last Will and Testament, in the presence of us as witnesses thereto, and we have heard the same read in his presence and we know the whole contents thereof, and we attest the same, and we have signed our names at his request as witnesses thereto, in his presence and in the presence of each other.
S. C. Buchan At said Village of Union Grove
Henry Wiesmann At said Village of Union Grove
Regine Jensen At said Village of Union Grove"
(Wisconsin Probate Records via www.ancestry.co.uk)
NOTES & QUERIES
Caroline SCOTT late STEBBINS formerly BACON, widow of Joseph SCOTT 1796-1856, was Sarah L. EDGOOSE's mother.
(www.findagrave.com)
(revised 09.02.2026)
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Sources - [S1] Edgo21.FTW.
- [S1] Edgo21.FTW.