
Steamship Vermont, first steam powered vessel on Lake Champlain
Hiram Ferris (1792-1876) was the 4th great-grandson of Jeffrey Ferris, through his son, Joseph. Hiram was a vigorous man, producing at least 20 children with the help of three wives. Fifteen of those children were sons. And all had names that began with “Ed.” Seriously.

Hiram Ferris entry in Vermont Encyclopedia
Notice that I have not yet caught up with the final number of Hiram’s children, based on the encyclopedia entry.
- Edgar Daniel Ferris (1821-1875)
- Edwin Ruthvan Ferris (1822-1890)
- Edrick Adams Ferris (1824- )
- Edmund William Ferris (1826-1902) CO. D., 34th N.Y. INF.
- Edward Hiram Ferris (1826- )
- Edson Elliot Ferris (1830- )
- Edred Lafayette Ferris (1836-1836)
- Edward Franklin Ferris (1838-1908) Lieutenant Colonel with 14th Wisconsin Inf Regt
- Edley Byron Ferris (1840-1864) KIA Civil War
- Ednoy Chilton Ferris (1841-1843)
- Edred Polk Ferris (1844-1847)
- Edville George Ferris (1848-1848)
- Edwy Myron Ferris (1851-1941)
- Edward George Ferris (1853-1918) Lieut 186 NY Vol Inf
- Edenough Richard Ferris (1855- )
Second wife Cynthia Adams:
Third Wife Nancy Chilton:
Despite the availability of female names beginning with “Ed”
, like Edwina, none of Hiram’s daughters had such a name.
It remains a bit of a mystery why Hiram chose to name his sons this way. As I research the family, I do see that several chose to go by their middle names after they became adults.
Greetings
I have some more information on Hiram Ferris as he is my 3 times great grandfather through George E Ferris. There is another son by Hiram who was named Richard Watson Ferris. I have the Family bible with birth dates and deaths to confirm what I have discovered on Ancestry.Com If you would like to discuss please let me know
Matt
Correction from above post Hiram is my 4 times great grandfather through George Edenough Ferris