Background
Edmund Kirby (1794-1849), paymaster in the United States Army. Kirby was born in Litchfield, Conn., son of Ephraim Kirby (1757-1804),
a prominent New England Jeffersonian. He attended West Point, and in July 1812 entered the United States Army. During the
War of 1812, he fought under Winfield Scott and Jacob Jennings Brown (1775-1828). Later on, Kirby became Brown's aide-de-camp,
and on February 14, 1825, married his daughter Eliza. The Kirbys settled in Brownville, founded in 1799 as the homestead of
General Brown's family. They had nine children -- Jacob Brown (Jake) (1827-1860), Frances (Frank) Kirby Palmer (1829-1893),
Pamela Kirby Everett (1831-1878); Eliza Brown Kirby Darby (1833-1858); Josephine Smith (Jojo) (b. 1836), Mary, Kirby Lady
Contree Fairfax (b. 1838), Edmund (Ned) (1840-1863); Katharine Smith (Kitty) (1841-1871), and Reynold Marvin (1843-1886).
Kirby was one of the founders of the Jefferson Woolen Company and the Dexter Village Company that later became Dexter Township.
Kirby also continued his father-in-law's agricultural experiments and his leadership in the Jefferson County and New York
State Agricultural Societies. On August 5, 1824, Kirby was appointed paymaster of the United States Army.
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