Jesse Culver

Many of the Culver Cousins in Michigan descended from Jesse Culver and his wife Polly Root Culver. They moved to Michigan and settled in York Township in 1835. Polly's maiden name was Root and our historian Marjorie Shelton has discovered evidence that indicates that she lived in Orleans County in upstate New York prior to her marriage to Jesse. It appears that the Roots and Culvers were neighbors during the early 1800s.

Polly Root Culver

(1808 - 1885)

Jesse Culver

(1807 - 1879)

According to Root family research compiled by Doug Murphy, Polly's parents were Moses Root (Jr.) and Ann Meagher, who were married about 1770. Polly was the only daughter of six children. Polly's father, Moses ( Jr.) was born in Massachusetts sometime between 1765 and 1775. To see Doug Murphy's research, click here.

Polly was born April 30, 1808 and married Jesse on New Years Eve in 1827. Eight years later they moved to Michigan, possibly via the newly opened Erie Canal. They had nine children, including a son whose name is recorded as Meeker Moses Culver. (Could this name be a tribute to Polly's maiden name Meagher and her father Moses? Hmmm . . .) Jesse died on February 14, 1879 and Polly died at the home of her daughter, Polly Lucinda Millage in Monroe County, Michigan on May 5, 1885. Polly is buried in the Mooreville, Michigan cemetery together with husband Jesse, father-in-law Phineas Culver, and mother-in-law Electa Harkness Witherell Culver.