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Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles:
Chapter IV: Descendants of Jacob Jacobse Schermerhorn (Part 1 of 5)

Go back to: part 2 of Chapter 3 | ahead to: part 2 of Chapter 4

[This information is from pp. 183-207 of Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles by Richard Schermerhorn, Jr. (New York: Tobias A. Wright, Publisher, 1914).]

The Schodack Branch

The town of Schodack, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. was organized Mch. 17, 1795, although the name of Schodack as applied to the locality was known at the time of the very earliest settlement of upper New York and used since then. The original name was "Esquatack," or "Ischodack," "fire-place of the nation," so called by the Mohican Indians. This was their principal village and stronghold, and here it was that their council fires intermittently burned. Uncas, the eminent chief and sachem in Connecticut, sometimes presided, it is believed, over a great assembly of the Mohican warriors as they gathered on the heights of "Esquatack." It is also believed that it was here Henry Hudson landed on his voyage up the river which was later to bear his name, though called in those days by the Indians, the "Shatemuc." The character of this locality tallies most closely with that of the landing place described in the journal of the voyage.

Schodack includes the villages of Castleton, Schodack Landing, Schodack Depot, South Schodack, East Schodack, Muitzeskill, and Schodack Centre. Schodack Landing is about thirteen miles below Albany and in this locality lay the ancient Schermerhorn farm mentioned as early as 1688 in the will of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, and occupied at that time by his son Jacob. Other Colonial records indicate his ownership of land in Schodack as early as 1671 and 1676.

The old Dutch Reformed Church at Schodack is the connecting link between the present day and the community's historic past. The original church was built of logs and was located, it is understood, near the present burying-ground at Schodack Landing. Another larger church was built and continued until united with those of Kinderhook and Claverack. The date of the origin of this church is not known and can only be conjectured. In 1810 the church was removed from Schodack Landing to Muitzeskill where a new building was erected. When this was destroyed by fire in 1876, it was immediately rebuilt and this is the edifice which stands there to-day. The church records show that a regular pastor preached at Schodack as early as 1756. There are no baptismal or marriage records previous to 1770 in existence, the earlier ones having been destroyed or lost. By comparing baptismal records, however, it would appear that the majority of Schodack families of whom there is record, had their children baptised at Kinderhook and Albany previous to 1787 or 1788. These two latter churches undoubtedly were the mainstays, earlier than the actual time of the formal organization of the Schodack Church in 1788.

Soon after his marriage, Jacob J. Schermerhorn settled on the "farm at Schotak" owned by his father, and in this region many generations of Schermerhorns have lived and thrived. Most of them in the early days were farmers, and others maintained an extensive shipping business which was controlled by the family until a recent day, and in fact some of the living members are still interested in a shipping business which provides for the transportation of farm produce directly from the farming districts of this neighborhood to the market in New York City. The Schermerhorns have always been one of the leading families in this section of Rensselaer County, and at one time were by far the greatest land-owners, the fact being that during a certain period, Col. Cornelius I. Schermerhorn owned or had an interest in the majority of farms in the Schodack neighborhood. It was this branch of the family which furnished most of the soldiers of the family, particularly during the Revolution. They were staunch patriots and contributed in great degree to the support of the Revolutionary campaigns in New York State, several rising to distinguished rank in their regiments. During the early Colonial wars, they were also actively engaged, and in the War of 1812 and Civil War, they bore a full share. Many of this family also have risen to prominence in the professions and in business life, and they are now scattered in many places throughout the country. In Schodack and the neighborhood but few remain, although the name is still familiar and wholly respected. The old Dutch Reformed Church of Schodack has borne Schermerhorns for its officers since its organization, and the name is still represented there.

Second Generation

4

JACOB J., son of (1) Jacob Janse Schermerhorn and Jannetie Egmont; b. about 1662; m. GERRITIE HENDRICKSE VAN BUREN; dau. of Hendrick Cornelise Van Buren and Elizabeth Van Slyck.

Children:

Jacob Jacobse Schermerhorn, born about 1662, was master of the Sloop "Star," plying between Albany and New York from 1681 to 1684, and his brother Cornelius was subsequently master of the same vessel. The "Star" was probably the property of his father, Jacob Janse, and was used in connection with the latter's trading and exporting business.

Jacob Schermerhorn settled in Schodack, after his marriage, on property belonging to his father. In the will of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, dated May 20, 1688, the following is stated: "I do freely remit and discharge my son Jacob Schermerhorn who lives upon my farm at Schodack of ye rent which he is owing for ye same and which will be due to ye day of my decease, not willing that my executrix or administrator shall any way molest him, the said Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., or his heirs for ye same." In the subsequent division of the property, in 1700, Jacob Jacobse Schermerhorn came into possession of the property referred to, and his descendants retained the original farm until it was sold in 1836, by Barent C. Schermerhorn in the sixth generation.

Third Generation

123

JACOB, JR., son of (4) Jacob J. Schermerhorn and Gerritie H. Van Buren; bp. Dec. 27, 1685, in Albany; bur. June 20, 1743, at Papsknee; m. June 23, 1714, in Albany, ANTIE VAN VECHTEN; bp. Dec. 20, 1692; dau. of Cornelis Teunise Van Vechten and Maria Lucase.

Children:

124

HENDRICK, son of (4) Jacob J. Schermerhorn and Gerritje H. Van Buren; bp. Oct. 16, 1687, in Albany; m. Mch. 17, 1716, in Athens, ELSIE JANS ALBERTSE BRATT; bp. July 21, 1692, in Albany; dau. of Jan Albertse Bratt and Gosche ————. [Handwritten note says Jan Albertse Bratt is "wrong info"]

Children:

Hendrick Schermerhorn was one of the principal inhabitants of Athens, Greene County, N. Y., in the early part of 1700. His father-in-law, Jan Albertse Bratt, was a large property holder in this neighborhood. Real estate records show that Hendrick Schermerhorn purchased a farm of 25 morgens (50 acres) of a son of Jan Albertsen, June 13, 1735, and Roeloff Schermerhorn, son of Hendrick, came into possession of this land, and sold it May 1, 1769, to Coenradt Flaake. Roeloff was married and lived with his brother Cornelius in Rensselaerville, though no records of his family are found except what is given in the census of 1790, as follows:

Roeliff Schermerhorn — 3 males over 16 (inc. father) — 3 females. The names of Cornelius and Roeliff are also found in Capt. Jacob Hallenbeck's Company of Militia in 1767.

125

CORNELIUS, son of (4) Jacob J. Schermerhorn and Gerritie H. Van Buren; bp. Sept. 22, 1689, in Albany; m. Feb. 25, 1713, at the house of Jan Albertson, at Coxsackie, MARGARITA JANS ALBERTSE BRATT; bp. Jan. 22, 1696, in Albany; dau. of Jan Albertse Bratt and Goschge ————.

Children:

In 1715 the name of Cornelius Schermerhorn appears on the roll of Capt. Abraham Van Alstyne's Albany (Co.?) Militia. It is likely he lived in Kinderhook at this time as this company of militia was composed chiefly of Kinderhook families, and on June 11, 1720, Cornelius was registered as being a freeholder in Kinderhook. On May 7, 1729, he purchased from Jochem Van Valkenburgh land on the east side of Kinderhook Creek above Pompanick. His name appears on the records of the Kinderhook Reformed Church as early as 1729. It next occurs on a petition with Thomas Williams, Leendert Conyn, Jr., and others for a "licence to purchase 1000 acres of land on both sides of Kinderhook Creek." On May 6, 1736, he sold his farm in Kinderhook to Arent Pruyn for 150 pounds. In the deed he was mentioned as a blacksmith. He then removed to Athens, Greene Co. In 1767, the names of John, Jacob and Cornelius Schermerhorn (sons of Cornelius Schermerhorn) are found listed together on the rolls of Capt. Cornelius DuBois' Co. of Catskill Militia.

126

JOHANNES, son of (4) Jacob J. Schermerhorn and Gerritje H. Van Buren; bp. July 21, 1700, in Albany; m. ENGELTIE GARDINIER; bp. Jan. 19, 1707, in Albany; dau. of Samuel Gardinier of Kinderhook, and Helena Dirkse Bye (Bey, Beyst).

Children:

Johannes Schermerhorn and his wife Engeltie Gardinier, lived at Schodack, the residence of Engeltie Schermerhorn being indicated on Bleecker's map of Rensselaerwyck, 1767, near other Schermerhorn residences, facing the river. Their names are found among the early members of the Dutch Reformed Church (Schodack), No. 25 and No. 26. The names of the sons Dirk and Samuel appear on the roll of Capt. Jochum Staats' Company of Rensselaerwyck Militia in 1775. The accompanying copy of an old bill gives evidence that there was some attempt, even in the early days, toward proper education. For some reason, which does not appear, it was the brother of Johannes (Cornelius) who finally paid the bill.

Copy of Old Bill for Tuition
Mr. Jno. J. Schermerhorn to Thos. Neilson, Dr.£s.d.
Schooling 2 children from ye 17th April 1738 to ye 21 November being 7 month187
Schooling 2 children from ye 21st April 1739 to ye last December Being 8 mo1134
2 Psalters 5 
 
 3611
abatement for ye children Being at Home at Harvest 611
 
£300

Schenectady ye mo March 1739-40. There appeared before me Nicholas Schuyler, Esq., one of his Majesties justices of ye Peace for ye County of Albany, ye above Thomas Neilson and made oath on ye Holy evangelist of Almighty God that ye above acct. according to the best of his Knowledge is a just and Fair account Jurat Corma made.

Nich. Schuyler
Thos. Neilson

(The following is on the reverse side of the paper.)

Recd. from Mr. C. Schermerhorn three pounds New York Currency, Being the full Contents of the Acct., on the other side, and is in full of Dets Accts and Dermands Whatsoever to this 24th March, 1739-40/

I say recd by me Thos. Neilson
Witnesseth.
Anna Wendol
£ 3 00 (Historic Mohawk.)

127

RYER, son of (4) Jacob J. Schermerhorn and Gerritie H. Van Buren; bp. Feb. 24, 1702, in Albany; m. (1) July 4, 1724, in Albany, GEERTJE TEN EYCK; dau. of Barent Ten Eyck and Neeltje Schermerhorn; m. (2) Apr. 17, 1751, in Rhinebeck, MARRITJE DECKER OSTERHOUT, widow.

Children:

Ryer Schermerhorn evidently lived in the Manor of Livingston soon after his marriage in 1724, as his child Geertje was born there. Ryer and his wife were admitted to the Linlithgo Reformed Church Oct. 15, 1732, and he was an Elder of this church, Jan. 16, 1739. Probably in the neighborhood of 1741, he removed to Rhinebeck, as he purchased property in Rhinebeck May 7, 1741, from Barent Van Benthuysen. By trade he was evidently a blacksmith, but he was a large property holder and slave owner as well. This is indicated in his will which is appended. An early real estate transaction in Rhinebeck is on record in which is indicated that Ryer, Jr., purchased a lot in Rhinebeck, and it is said the house erected on this property remained until a recent day, being known as "Sharp's old storehouse." Ryer Schermerhorn, Jr., conducted a mercantile business in Rhinebeck previous to and during the Revolution, but eventually failed, probably owing to the ravages of the war. He went to Holland about 1785 where he remained. There is a story in the family that a letter received from this Ryer Schermerhorn when in Holland, stated that the male line of the Schermerhorn family had become extinct and the family estate was then vested in the City of Alkmar. The Burgomaster of this city offered to sell the estate to him, but he declined the offer because they asked more for it than the income of the estate would warrant to be a good investment. There is no present means of verifying this story, but at least a portion of it is inaccurate, as there have been many families of the name of Schermerhorn living in Holland up to the present day, the ancestry of whom could be readily traced to 1730.

Abstract from Ryer Schermerhorn's Will Filed In Surrogate's Office, New York City

July 17, 1759, Ryer Schermerhorn of Rynbeck Precinct, Blacksmith. I leave to son Barent, 10 shillings in bar to all claim as heir at law. Leave to son Jacob all my right and privilege of cutting and exporting of lumber "and all the liberty of Bush right" as granted to me by Barent Van Benthuysen by a certain instrument dated May 7, 1741." I leave to my sons Jacob Johannes and Jan all my smith tools, bellows, & anvil, and they are to pay for them to the rest of my children what my executors shall judge them reasonably worth. I leave to my children Barent, Jacob, Johanes, Jan, Geritie, (wife of Geritt Heermans), Jannettie and Catharine, all my dwelling house, barn, Barrack, orchard, and Smith Shop, also my saw mill and tools, with the land and stream of water and all the rest of my estate to the all not more than the other. I leave to my wife Marytje 30 Pounds, 10 Pounds to be paid in two weeks and the rest on division. I leave to my daughter Jannetie a "competent & reasonable outsett of household furniture, as Bed, Bedstead, and other suitable furniture to be bought new for her and delivered on her marriage day." I leave to my daughters Janettie and Catherine all linnen & clothes "which belonged to their mother my former wife." My present to my wife Marytie is to have all the household furniture and moveables she brought with her, and the two horses belonging to her. I leave all the rest of my cattle, horses and slaves to all my children. I make my son Jacob and brother in law Johanes B. Ten Eyck of the Manor of Livingston, executors.

Wit. Augustine Turck, Esq., Barent John Ten Eyck, Jan. Stenhose.

Proved May 26, 1768 before Anthony Hoffman.

Fourth Generation

128

JACOB J., son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; b. ————; m. Aug. 29, 1740, in Albany, CATALYNTJE VAN BUREN; b. Dec. 11, 1717; dau. of Cornelius Van Buren and Hendrickje Van Ness.

Children:

Jacob J. Schermerhorn lived in Greenbush, N. Y., near the Schodack border, about two miles back from the Hudson River. The location of his dwelling is indicated on Bleecker's map of Rensselaerwyck, 1767, and the location of his property is shown on the later Van Alen map, 1785-90. It consisted of 165.5 acres deeded to him by Henryk Van Rensselaer, June 5, 1788.

Jacob J. Schermerhorn died in early life, and in 1746 his widow married Barent Van Buren. His son, Cornelius, and the latter's wife, lived, on the contrary, to a good old age, but were childless. The wife of Cornelius was known as "Aunt Aphie." They lived at Schodack and were admitted to membership in the Schodack Reformed Church, Sept. 4, 1802. At his death he left to his slaves, Toby, Nan and Pomp, $400, and the balance of his property to his nephew, Jacob, with provisions for his wife's maintenance.

129

CORNELIUS J., son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; bp. Jan. 1, 1719, in Albany; m. Oct. 22, 1742, in Albany, MARIA WINNE; dau. of Daniel Winne and Dirkje Van Ness.

Children:

Cornelius J. Schermerhorn lived at Schodack, N. Y. He died prior to 1762, at which date it is known his wife was a widow. His name appears Sept., 1755, as Second Lieut. of a Schodack company of Rensselaerwyck Militia.

130

RYER, son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; bp. Apr. 9, 1721, in Albany; m. Nov. 20, 1753, in Albany, DIRKJE VAN BUREN; bp. June 9, 1734, in Albany; dau. of Hendrick Maase Van Buren and Aaltie Winne.

Children:

Ryer Schermerhorn lived in Schodack, N. Y., his property bordering the Hudson River. It is indicated on Van Alen's map of 1785-90, and consisted of about 50 acres. His residence is also shown on Bleecker's map of 1767.

Ryer Schermerhorn and Dirkje Van Buren were members No. 22 and No. 23 of the Old Dutch Church at Schodack, Rensselaer County, N. Y. In the census of 1790 the family of Ryer Schermerhorn is listed as follows:

Ryer Schermerhorn, residence, Rensselaerwyck; 2 males over 16 (inc. father); 2 females (inc. mother); 1 slave.

131

HENDRICK, son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; bp. Sept. 25, 1726, in Albany; d. Aug. 27, 1794; m. CORNELIA LANSING (M. L. Nov. 1, 1762); bp. Jan. 11, 1738, in Albany; d. Mch. 1, 1804; dau. of Evert Lansing and Annatie Cooper.

Children:

Hendrick Schermerhorn lived in Schodack, N. Y., and both he and his wife were among the early members (No. 7 and No. 8) of the Old Dutch Church there. The census of 1790 lists the family as follows:

Hendrick Schermerhorn, residence, Rensselaerwyck; 1 male over 16 (father); 1 male under 16; 4 females (inc. mother); 5 slaves. At this time Jacob H., the eldest son, had married and had a family of his own, and some time previous to this had, with his brother Evert, removed to Montgomery County. The name of Hendrick Schermerhorn is found among those of the claimants for land bounty rights after the Revolution, as a member of the 4th N. Y. Regt.

The property of Hendrick Schermerhorn is indicated on the Van Alen map of 1785-90, bordering the Hudson River, opposite Schodack Island. It comprised about 300 acres.

132

CAPT. LUCAS J., son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; bp. Oct. 15, 1732, in Kinderhook; m. WYNTJE FITZGERALD (M. L. June 10, 1758).

Children:

Lucas J. Schermerhorn resided at Schodack, N. Y. He owned about 400 acres of land located about 2 1/2 miles due east of Schodack Landing, and bordering the main highway. His property is indicated on the map made 1785-90 by John E. Van Alen.

Lucas J. Schermerhorn and wife were members No. 50 and No. 51 of the Old Schodack Church. Lucas was commissioned Oct. 21, 1775, Capt. of the First Company, 4th Regiment, and Rensselaerwyck Battalion, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Colonel. He made his will Sept. 19, 1787, and it was recorded in Albany, Sept. 1, 1788. The census of 1790 names his wife as head of a family as follows: 1 male over 16; 1 male under 16; 2 females.

133

JOHANNES, son of (123) Jacob Schermerhorn, Jr., and Antie Van Vechten; bp. Aug. 4, 1734, in Kinderhook; m. MARGARET FOLMSBEE (M. L., Dec. 1, 1766).

Children:

The family of Johannes Schermerhorn is listed in the census of 1790 as follows:

Johannes Schermerhorn, residence, Rensselaerwyck; 1 male over 16 (father); 2 males under 16; 6 females (inc. mother); 3 slaves. Nothing is known of the descendants of this Johannes Schermerhorn. He probably lived in Schodack, N. Y.

134

JOHANNES, son of (124) Hendrick Schermerhorn and Elsie J. A. Bratt; bp. Aug. 31, 1718, in Albany; m. (1) Dec. 3, 1739 in Athens, ANNA CHRISTINA ELIZABETH BRANDOW; b. Nov. 8, 1717, in West Camp; dau. of Wilhelm Brandow and Maria Elizabeth Cathrina; m. (2) JANNETJE (VAN HOESEN?).

Children by first wife:

Children by second wife:

Nothing is recorded of Johannes Schermerhorn, son of Hendrick. The names of Johannes and William Schermerhorn are found on the roll of Captain Jacob Hallenbeck's Company in 1767. William Schermerhorn, son of Johannes, evidently went through many adventures. For some reason or other he adhered to the Loyalist cause at the beginning of the Revolution, instead of joining the patriot army. This is evidenced in a long account of his claim against the Government for compensation after the War. When the Revolution broke out he lived in Albany County, "at the Beaver Dam," 18 miles from Albany, in the Helderberg Mountains. He owned, in all, three farms in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, with many horses, cattle, etc. His property was confiscated entirely by the Colonial authorities and he was taken prisoner and held for a year. He had previously served with Burgoyne and was to have carried dispatches from Burgoyne to Clinton. After escaping from prison he became active in raising a company of men to enlist with the British, and pledged the entire value of his estate to give satisfaction to them. He managed to get to Canada with the company, who afterwards joined Butler's Rangers. He was promised a commission for his services, but never received it. He lived in Montreal and his wife joined him in 1783. He died in June, 1786. It is not known what reimbursement his wife obtained or what became of his family, which consisted of four children. Whatever made William Schermerhorn a Loyalist made him a hearty one, as many papers show. One, dated March, 1777, is to the effect that 100 persons signed the oath of allegiance to Great Britain, administered by Captain Schermerhorn. Another paper dated May 24, 1780, is signed by 60 persons asking that Schermerhorn might be made one of their officers.

135

CORNELIUS, son of (124) Hendrick Schermerhorn and Elsie J. A. Bratt; b. Feb. 2, 1738; bp. in Athens; m. May 11, 1764, in Athens, ANNATJE PLANCK.

Children:

Cornelius Schermerhorn probably resided near Athens, N. Y., in his early life. The names of Cornelius and Roelof (his brother) Schermerhorn are found on the rolls of Captain Jacob Hallenbeck's Company of Militia, in 1767.

136

JOHANNES, son of (125) Cornelius Schermerhorn and Margarita J. A. Bratt; b. 1715; d. Oct. 16, 1779, aged 64 years; bur. in Ghent, Columbia County, N. Y.; m. NEELTJIE SCHERP (M. L., Oct. 18, 1738); dau. of Gysbert Andries Scherp and Lysbeth Jans Goeway.

Children:

Johannes Schermerhorn lived in Greene County during his early married life, probably at Athens. Later he moved to Columbia County, and both he, his wife, his daughter, Catalyntje and her husband are buried in an old cemetery at Ghent, Columbia County. His daughter Gerritje, who married Major Wynkoop, lived with her husband in Saugerties, Ulster County. The Wynkoops were the chief supporters of the Catsbaan Church at Saugerties at this time, and were men of wealth. Major Wynkoop was in the battle of Saratoga in 1777. He moved with his family to Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1783. John Wigram, husband of Maritje Schermerhorn, was a surveyor. In January, 1798, he completed a map of the towns of Germantown and Clermont in Livingston Manor, and at this time he resided in the extreme south central part of Livingston at the bend of the Roeloff Jansen Kill.

137

JACOB, son of (126) Johannes Schermerhorn and Engeltie Gardiner; bp. May 16, 1736, in Albany; m. Mch. 26, 1782, in Kinderhook, ANNATJE (NANCY) KENNEDY of Coxsackie.

Children:

Jacob Schermerhorn lived in Schodack, N. Y. He made his will Oct. 11, 1811, and it was recorded in Troy, July 16, 1833. His blacksmith's shop was left to John, and all his "island lands" in the Hudson River, to his sons James and Cornelius. He willed that his brother Samuel remain "to live in my family and be supported out of my estate during his natural life." In the census of 1790 the family of Jacob Schermerhorn is listed as follows:

Residence, Rensselaerwyck — 3 males over 16 (inc. father) — 3 males under 16 — 4 females (inc. mother) — 4 slaves. David T. Schermerhorn, son of James, was a resident of Nassau, N. Y. He served in the Civil War in the 22nd N. Y. Regt.

138

DIRK, son of (126) Johannes Schermerhorn and Engeltie Gardiner; bp. Mch. 23, 1740, in Albany; m. Nov. 1, 1765, in Linlithgo, CATHRINA (CATILINA), (CHRISTINA), (CATALYNTJE) SCHERMERHORN; dau. of Ryer Schermerhorn and Geertje Ten Eyck.

Children:

Dirk Schermerhorn lived in Schodack, N. Y., his property being indicated, part of it bordering the Hudson, on the Van Alen Map of 1785-90. It consisted of three parcels comprising about 200 acres.

The census of 1790 lists his family as follows:

Dirck Schermerhorn; residence, Rensselaerwyck — 2 males over 16 (inc. father) — 1 male under 16 — 5 females (inc. mother). The will of Derrick Schermerhorn of Schodack was made Feb. 25, 1806. He mentioned his sons, John D. and Ryer, his wife Tyne, and his daughters, Lena and Gertie. As late as Feb. 8, 1786, he was owner of at least the South part of Schodack Island, which on that date he conveyed to Benjamin Springsteen.

139

BARENT, son of (127) Ryer Schermerhorn and Geertje Ten Eyck; bp. May 17, 1725, in Albany; m. (1) 1750, in Linlithgo ALLETAKA KONYN; dau. of Leendert Konyn and Hendrickje Cool; m. (2) Jan. 6, 1776, in Kinderhook, GEERTRUD VROOMAN (widow).

Children by first wife:

Barent Schermerhorn lived in Rhinebeck, N. Y., until some time later than 1758. In 1767 his name is found on the muster roll of Capt. Jochum Staat's Company of Rensselaerwyck Militia. He probably lived at Schodack for a period after 1758 and at the time of his second marriage in 1776, he was a resident of Coeymans, Albany County, N. Y.

140

JACOB R., son of (127) Ryer Schermerhorn and Geertje Ten Eyck; b. ————; m. Nov. 16, 1750, in Kingston, MARIA (MAGHDALENA) SCHERMERHORN.

Children:

Jacob R. Schermerhorn was an innkeeper in Rhinebeck. May 18, 1771 (7), he purchased from Henry Beekman of New York City a tract of land called the Blue Hills (Greene County) near "a certain place called Keskataminee (Kiscatametsche)".

His name is found on the roll of Col. Kilian Van Rensselaer's Regiment of Rensselaerwyck Militia in 1775. Evidently the stresses of the war drove him from his Rhinebeck home as it did many others, for in 1790 his residence is given as Watervliet where his brother, John R., and nephew, Ryer B., also lived. In the census of 1790 his family is listed as follows:

1 male over 16 (father); 1 male under 16 — 2 females (inc. mother) — 1 slave. It is possible that he is the Jacob Schermerhorn of Dutchess County who in 1764 took a mortgage on the Greene County property of Cornelius Schermerhorn of "the Blau Bergen," (Blue Hills) Greene County. At the time of his marriage he was living in Dutchess County and his wife had been living in Albany County.

141

JOHN R. (JAN), son of (127) Ryer Schermerhorn and Marytje Dekker; b. Aug. 11, 1752; bp. in Rhinebeck; m. CATHARINE KNICKERBOCKER; bp. May 8, 1757, in Linlithgo; dau. of Cornelius Knickerbocker and Eleanora Bon.

Children:

Of this branch of the family little is known, excepting of the descendants of the son Jacob. A great-grandson of John R. Schermerhorn gave the names of two additional sons, John J. and Rudolph, which do not appear on any existing baptisimal records, and stated that John R. Schermerhorn moved to Summit, Schoharie County, N. Y., and died there. The census of 1790 gives his residence, Watervliet, Albany County, N. Y., and lists his family as follows:

1 male over 16 (father); five males under 16; 2 females (inc. mother). Watervliet included the town of Berne at that period. His youngest children were baptised at the Reformed Church at Berne.

At least seven of the grandsons of John R. were baptised in the Reformed Church at Schoharie, N. Y., the earliest baptism occurring in 1808, and perhaps it was about this time that the entire family removed from Albany County to Schoharie County.

John R. Schermerhorn's name is found on the roll of Capt. M. Staats' Co., in Col. Kilian Van Rensselaer's Regt., in 1775. He was sergeant of his company.

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