Family Remembrance:1809 "Name changed from Drinkwater to DeWaters occurred about the time when Amos Drinkwater moved from New York to Michigan; one reason offered is that the Drinkwater family were Loyalists. Came to Michigan with his father before 1840. Raised a large family. He bought and sold his land in Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan and moved to Lagrange, Indiana."

1830 U.S. Census:1811 Elijah and Amos De Waters as well as Joseph W. Zeluff are listed in Skaneateles, Onondaga, County, New York. Elijah and Amos on p. 144 and Joseph on p.145. There is also an Elijah B. De Waters in Elbridge Township, Onondaga County, New York, p. 83.

1840 U.S. Census: Elijah and Amos Dewater, p. 267, Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan.

1845 Michigan State Census:1813
Michigan, St. Joseph County, Fawn River Township
Elijah D. Waters

1850 U.S. Census:1812
Michigan, St. Joseph County, Fawn River Township
Enumerated 25 July 1850
Elijah Dewaters •• 46, male, farmer, real estate value $900, born in New York, cannot read or write
Mary A. •• 40, female, born in New York, cannot read or write
Roswill •• 20, male, farmer, born in New York, attended school within the year
Nelson •• 14, male, born in New York, attended school within the year
Lucy •• 9, female, born in Michigan, attended school with the year
Charles •• 7, male, born in Michigan, attended school within the year
Fidelia •• 4, female, born in Michigan
Elijah H. •• 2, male, born in Michigan
Adjacent household:
Dorothy Dewaters1500 •• 48, female, real estate value $500, born in New York
Amos •• 12, male, born in New York, attended school within the year
David J. Taylor •• 11, male, born in New York
Robert H. •• 17, male, born in New York, attended school within the year
William •• 15, male, born in New York, attended school within the year
Dorothy is the widow of Elijah’s brother Amos.