Five Generations: The Cody Family in America is much more than a genealogy book; it is a fascinating history book as well.
Although many entries have only the basic facts about births and deaths there are those entries which provide more complete pictures of our ancestors.
SERVICE
The early family members were very much a part of this country fight for freedom.
Philip Cody (18) had three sons who fought in the Revolutionary War: David (53), Isaac (56), and Joseph (49). David, who enlisted at age 15, lost his life in the war. Isaac and his son Samuel (78) both fought with General Gates in his fight against Burgoyne in New York State. Joseph, who had also served during the French and Indian War, fought at Cambridge and Roxbury. Samuel participated in the Battle of Saratoga and witnessed the surrender of General Burgoyne. The writeup on Samuel says "When General Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General Gates, he stood so near in the ranks, that he heard distinctly all that passed between the generals and the officers and in his declining years it was a source of pleasure that he could recollect and repeat the precise language used upon that occasion and often described the appearance of the British army as it marched past him to the place where their arms were left."
Edward Kibbe, husband of Mary Cody (38) served seven years during the war. Samuel Sprague, husband of Abigail Cody (5) also served for seven years. Richard Hiscock, husband of Sarah Cody (84) was also listed as a Revolutionary War soldier.
Joseph Bailey, husband of Susannah Cody (79) came to this country as a member of the British army during the Revolution but escaped to the Americans with whom he was in sympathy.
Elijah Cody Markle (373) and his son Volney marched with General Sherman from Atlanta to the sea during the Civil War. Joseph and Jabez Odell, sons of Lydia Cody (147) and John Odell, both served in the Union army during the Civil War, Joseph also with Sherman. David Cody (235) also served in that dispute.
RELIGION
There is a connection in the Cody family tree to the Mormons. Nancy Cody (123) in 1806 married Joseph Richards Jr. whose mother was an aunt of Brigham Young, Governor of the Mormons.
According to Five Generations it is said that the mother of Amos Merigold, who married Nancy Cody (142) was a relative of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
COMPASSION
John Cody (258): in 1849 a severe epidemic of cholera swept this portion of Ontario. In the village of Embro, scores died of the disease. An English family were sick with the cholera, and no one would go to them to minister to their wants. John Cody and his wife went to this house, took care of the sick, who recovered. John Cody and his wife both contracted the disease, she recovering, but he died within a few days at the early age of 28.
CHARACTER
The writeups provide a picture of famly members through a simple sentence or two.
Mervin Cody (255): "The outstanding characteristic of Mervin Cody was his spiritual life and his interest in the cause of temperance."
Mary Parmenter, wife of Joseph Cody (24): "It is said that she kept her own saddle horse to the last, and on her 80th birthday wove ten yards of cloth on her hand loom."
Martha Cody (72): "Taught to read by her father [Philip (55)]when it was thought unnecessary, but rather harmful for a woman to know too much about books, she read and comprehended much that was unknown to the majority of women."
Samuel Cody (78): "For a long period he had been a highly respected member of the Methodist church, and for strict integrity, active zeal and benevolence of heart his long life [94] well corresponded with his profession."
INDUSTRY
In describing Elijah Cody (143) Five Generations says: "He must have been prosperous and generous, for there were servants in the home, and for the daughter, one of the first pianos brought west of the Mississippi River, silver, jewels, silks, and other luxuries of the day."
Joel Cody (232) was the owner of "Walls of Water", the first packet boat launched on the waters of the Erie Canal.
