Looking for parents/family of David Dixon Briggs born abt 1832 New York
David is my great great grandfather. Believed to have been born about 1832 in Oneida County, New York. Family stories state family was originally Dutch Quaker descent and David's family was very strict. David did not want to follow in family carpentary, and ran away on a whaling ship that brought him to New Zealand where he spent the rest of his life. In NZ David had 3 marriages. The first 2 wives died young - no issue?. Then he married Annie Eliza Reed in 1866 and they had approx 10 children.
We have "hit a brick wall" trying to locate David's family in USA. Can anyone help please? Does someone know of a family whose son was "dis-owned" by the father? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
AnneBruce (New Zealand)