First twenty years of his life were spent in Freetown, and in Groton, NY. Was a clerk and farmer: 1836 moved to Palmyra, NY., where he was employed as clerk for W.P. Jackson. One year in Salem, MI. After marriage returned to Groton, NY. where in connection with his father and brother Clint, he purchased two farms and remained twenty years. Fall of 1859 he purhased the farm one and one half miles from Palmyra, where he died . Was Baptized by his brother, Rev. Jay Backus, in 1836 and united with the Baptist Church. Soon after elected Deacon and later to Palmyra he served the Baptist Chruch.
Ref: History of the Descendants of Peter Spicer, a Land Holder in New London,
Ct. by Susan Spicer Meech & Susan Billings Meech 1911 pg 194

1. 2. Courtly Clinton BACKUS   b. Groton, Tompkins County, New York.
2. 3. Charlotte BACKUS   b. 23 Sep 1840, Groton, Tompkins County, New York.
3. 4. Scott S. BACKUS   b. 19 Oct 1845, Groton, Tompkins County, New York.
4. 5. Ellen A. BACKUS   b. 2 Oct 1849, Groton, Tompkins County, New York.
5. 6. Rufus Numon BACKUS   b. 16 Aug 1856, Groton, Tompkins County, New York.