Story of Col. Stephen Judd, Father of Jefferson Told

George McCroy will be presenting a talk "The Life and Ancestry of Colonel Stephen Judd of Jefferson, New York: Recent Research Tells a Surprising Story.” Judd is considered to be the Father of Jefferson, and the headquarters of the Jefferson Historical Society is named Judd Hall in his honor.

George E. McCroy is a family genealogist with deep personal ties to the Town of Jefferson, New York. Born and raised on Long Island, he has spent most of his adult life in Albany. George holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the State University of New York at Cortland, where he studied physics, mathematics, and developmental psychology. He was employed by the New York State Office of General Services for more than twenty-two years.

George developed a passion for history while working as a tour guide at the New York State Capitol. His genealogical research reflects strong ancestral connections to many of Jefferson’s earliest settlers, particularly families who migrated from Woodbury and Watertown in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Among his earliest known ancestors are Pilgrim John Howland and the Rev. Everardus Bogardus of New York.

He is also a descendant of Jesse Atwood, whose brother-in-law, Colonel Stephen Judd, has been the focus of George’s recent research for the Jefferson Historical Society. Atwood and Judd were part of a group of settlers who left Connecticut after the Revolutionary War and helped establish the towns of Harpersfield and Jefferson. Both men were veterans of the Revolutionary War and are buried in the Old Jefferson Burial Ground.

Over the past year, George has conducted extensive research into the life and ancestry of Colonel Stephen Judd, uncovering new information that challenges long-held assumptions and brings to light previously overlooked details. His findings address contested aspects of Judd’s military record, clarify uncertainties about his place of birth, and reveal lesser-known endeavors, including his role in founding a marble factory in Vermont.

George's upcoming talk is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 3rd, in Judd Hall at 163 Main Street, Jefferson. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and you can tour the museum after the event.