Gershom Taintor Bulkley's biography, Monroe, Monroe County, Michigan

Copyright © 2000 by Bryan Taylor. This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 

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American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men with Portrait 
Illustrations on Steel, Volumes I-II



Name: Major Gershom Taintor Bulkley
late of Monroe, Michigan, was born in Colchester, Connecticut, March 8, 
1781. He was a lineal descendant from Robert, Lord Manor of Bulkley, in the 
County Palatine of Chester, England,--one of the two larger counties 
created in 1200, during the reign of King John, to honor the newly knighted 
magistrates by conferring upon them royal privileges. The founder of the 
Bulkley family in America, and the distinguished ancestor of the subject of 
this sketch, was Peter Bulkley, D. D., who came from England, in 1635, to 
Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a stanch Puritan, though his father was a 
prominent clergyman of the Church of England. He was a Fellow of St. John's 
College, of Cambridge, England, for which position he was chosen, on 
account of his superior attainments, at a much earlier age than was usual. 
The reverence in which he was held by the Indians of the provinces was the 
means of saving his church from being burned, and the property of his 
people from destruction. He was a man of great independence of character, 
lofty aspirations, and, as Cotton Mather says, in a sketch of his life and 
services: "He was a judicious divine, and a thundering preacher." He was 
the author of several works which ran through numerous editions, and were 
among the first books published in the Colonies. The families of this name 
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, are all descended from Peter 
Bulkley. The succeeding generations inherited their noble ancestor's 
characteristics, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the men of their 
day. Major Bulkley possessed the same keen sense of honor, persevering 
energy, sterling integrity, and purity of character,--qualities that gained 
for him the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-men. He removed at 
an early age with his father's family from Colchester to Williamstown, 
Massachusetts. There by careful and persevering devotion to business, he 
found his labors rewarded, and soon attained an enviable distinction. Major 
Bulkley represented his county, for a number of terms, in the Legislature 
of Massachusetts, and always received the approval of his constituency as 
an able and faithful public servant. He was likewise honored with various 
civil appointments in Williamstown. He was a warm friend and active worker 
for the interests of Williams College,--being untiring in his efforts for 
the advancement of this now famous and prosperous institution. In the year 
1812 he was among the first to volunteer his services in the defense of his 
State, and received an appointment as Major of Cavalry, which he held as 
long as the services of his command were needed. In 1832 he removed with 
his family to Monroe, Michigan, together with many others of the leading 
families of Berkshire County, to establish homes and business in the then 
new and growing Territory. Here his characteristic independence, integrity, 
and energy commanded the respect which he enjoyed in New England, and he 
was chosen to various offices of trust and honor. He was one of the 
commissioners in charge of the Government work on the ship canal to Lake 
Erie. He received, in 1844, without solicitation on his part, from the 
President of the United States, the appointment of Register of the United 
States Land-office; the duties of which, at that time, were onerous and 
complex, but which he discharged to the entire satisfaction of the 
Government. During the later years of his life, he engaged very little in 
public affairs, though always manifesting the deepest concern for the 
stability and permanency of our republican institutions. He was an 
extensive reader, and in this found great comfort and enjoyment. His death 
occurred October 16, 1862, at his home in Monroe, where his memory is 
warmly cherished by those who are familiar with his many superior qualities 
of mind and heart.