Rev. Oliver Ayer was born in Connecticut in 1765. He was ordained in 1793. He lived in West Stockbridge with his young family until he moved to New York, perhaps about 1806. He founded mission churches along the New York frontier, esp. in the areas SE of Utica, west of Rochester, and in the SE corner of Lake Erie. The family appears to have moved about until they landed fairly permanently at Augusta and then Sandy Creek.

Rev. Oliver Ayer was married to Phebe Brown, of Massachusetts, b. abt 1767. They had a son, Dr. John Grier Ayer.

It's possible that there were 4 sons: Daniel (newspaperman in vicinity of Erie Canal east of Sandy Creek area), Dr. John Grier Ayer (the bachelor doctor who lived in vicinity of Sandy Creek and died in rather straitened circumstances), Frederic Ayer (the Indian missionary who I'm studying), and Oliver Ayer, Jr., who was inclined toward working with wood and machinery--a cheese box maker and a carriage marker from Ellisburg, NY.). There may have been a sister but I have no name--there is a female child in an early census.

*Thank you to Linda B for providing this information
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Rev. Oliver Ayer settled in Sandy Creek in March, 1822. He was installed as the first resident pastor of the Presbyterian church upon his arrival. (The church itself was founded in 1817, which became the Congregational church in 1842). He remained pastor for several years (1822-1829) until he was succeeded by Rev. Caleb Burge in spring of 1831. He was noted as being called "Priest" Ayer by the people of Sandy Creek.

He and his son, Dr. John, were both among the early inspectors of schools in Sandy Creek, being appointed in May 1825. He had another son, Oliver Ayer Jr. who served as Town Clerk from 1826-27.

Sources: Sandy Creek News, Feb. 4, 1915; Sandy Creek News, Aug 4, 1927; Sandy Creek News, Feb 21, 1935; Sandy Creek News, March 31, 1976