David Du Four, immigrant ancestor, whose posterity spell the name Devoor, Devoe, etc., was a native of Mons, in Hainault, and when this place was threatened by the successes of the French in the Walloon districts, he retired with others of the family to Sedan, and afterwards to Amsterdam, where Du Four, though fitted by education for a better position, became a hopperman, or drayman. Left by the death of his wife, Mary Boulen, with a young child, Jean or John, born during their stay in Sedan, he married (second) Jeanne Frances, aged thirty-two, from Queivrain, a little east of Mons, July 10, 1657. In the sane year, with wife and son, he came to New York. After their arrival he settled in Harlem, where he obtained some ten morgens of land in 1662, and he was living there in 1674, when Nicholas deVaux arrived. It is believed that the change in spelling was due to the similarity, perhaps the identity of the name with that of the new neighbor. In 1677 David and his son obtained a grant of sixty acres of land near Turtle bay on the East river, where he resided until his death, about 1698. Children mentioned in his will: John, mentioned below, David, Peter, Claude, Adrien.
(II) John Devoor, son of David Du Four, was born about 1655. He married (first) Jannetje Van Isselteyn in 1676; (second) Mary Van Woglum, of Albany. In his will he bequeaths to wife, children and some of his grandchildren. Children by first wife: Mary, John, Margaret, David, Peter, mentioned below, Rachel, Arientie (Harriet), Jannetje, Elizabeth, Teunis, William and Abraham.
(III) Peter Devoe, son of John Devoor, was born in 1685. He married Annatje Bisset, at or near Albany. He became a boatman and was captain of a sloop carrying freight and passengers between New York and Albany. Children:
- George, mentioned below,
- Anna,
- Michael,
- Roelof,
- Marguerite, born 1721,
- Jacob, born 1723,
- John.
(IV) George, son of Peter Devoe, was born in 1713. He married, in 1735, Catharine Keller. Children:
- George, mentioned below,
- Daniel,
- Jannette, died young.
(V) George (2), son of George (1) Devoe, was born in 1736. He was a soldier in the revolution and engaged in various battles, but escaped without wounds. A mirror which, according to family tradition, was brought from France with the family was buried by him at the beginning of the war and dug up afterward. He left it to his youngest daughter and it has been handed down to the youngest in each generation to the present. He settled in Rensselaer county, New York. He married (first) Anna Kelder, who died in 1764; (second) Elizabeth Dunning. Children of first wife:
- John, settled in Kinderhook, New York, at the age of fifteen was in the revolution;
- Anthony, mentioned below.
Children of second wife:
- Elizabeth, born 1768;
- Maria, 1771.
(VI) Anthony, son of George (2) Devoe, was born March 11, 1762. He was a soldier in the revolution at the age of eighteen and settled afterward at Schaghticoke with his father and brother John. He married, in 1783. Helen (Helena) Vanderburg or Vandenburg. He removed to Andrustown in 1798, and died January 12, 1844, aged nearly eighty-two. He was a man of undoubted integrity. Children:
- George;
- Cornelius, mentioned below;
- John, lived at Warren;
- Wynant, of Warren;
- Mrs. Maria Osterhout;
- Elizabeth Jewell;
- Hannah Springer;
- Sarah Brown and
- one other.
(VII) Cornelius, son of Anthony Devoe, was born April 30, 1797. He was a farmer all his active life at Warren, Herkimer county, New York, where he died in December, 1888. He married Ann Deyoe, of Pilestown, Rensselaer county, in 1819; children:
- Wallace G., married Emma Mattison and lived at Warren;
- Julia A., married Joseph Ludden and lived in Columbia;
- Daniel Anthony, mentioned below;
- Julia Groddis;
- Sarah, married David Wallace.
(VIII) Daniel Anthony, son of Cornelius Devoe, was born in Warren, Herkimer county, New York, April 19, 1820, died December 27, 1898. He was educated in Springfield high school and academy. He assisted his father on the farm in summer and taught school in winter. When twenty-seven years old he married Maria Snell, of Fords Bush, Herkimer county, New York. He leased a farm, May 6, 1847, bought it in 1851, and lived in his native place until 1863, when he moved to town of Canajoharie, New York, where he bought a two-hundred-acre farm, on which he lived until he died. He was a prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen. He was school trustee for a number of years, a member of the local lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. He was deacon of the Universalist church for many years at Fort Plain. Children:
- Nelson, died aged four years.
- Margaret Ann, married Schuyler Duryee, of Everett, Washington; children:
- Leverick Duryee, married Alice McFarland and has son Schuyler Duryee;
- Albert Duryee, married Alice Gardner;
- Daniel A. Duryee, married Clotilda Robinson;
- Korekiyo Tackahash Duryee, married Louise Thompson;
- Agnes Duryee.
- Charlotte N., married Dr. Alvero Zoller, of West Union, Iowa; children: Leslie A. and Maud A. Zoller.
- Daniel Isaac, mentioned below.
- Ida, died young.
- Demetra Estelle, married Frank W. Gander.
(IX) Daniel Isaac, son of Daniel Anthony Devoe, was born in Warren, January 10, 1860. He attended the district schools and Clinton Liberal Institute, from which he was graduated in 1878. He then took a course in the Rochester Commercial College. In 1879 he became a clerk in the drug store of Petit & Read of Fort Plain. After three years there he went to Canajoharie and engaged in business as a druggist, in partnership with John N. Snell, under the firm name of Snell & Devoe. Mr. Snell sold his interests afterward to Thomas E. Dygert, and the firm name became Devoe & Dygert. In 1885 Mr. Devoe sold out and formed a partnership with W. F. Shumway, under the title of Devoe & Shumway, as wholesale and retail druggists, Fort Plain. After having conducted a successful business, Mr. Devoe, in 1893, sold his interest in the drug business to his partner and started manufacturing knit underwear. The business was incorporated in 1902 as the Fort Plain Knitting Company, and Mr. Devoe is treasurer and general manager. He is a member of Fort Plain Lodge, No. 433, Free and Accepted Masons, Hiram Union Chapter, No. 53, Royal Arch Masons; Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar, of Little Falls; Ziyara Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Utica. He was master of his lodge for four years. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Fort Plain Club. In politics he is a Republican, and was county treasurer of Montgomery county for three years. He is a prominent member of the Universalist church at Fort Plain and has been for the past twenty-four years a trustee. He married, May 24, 1882, Agnes E. Shumway, born August 19, 1860 (see Shumway VII). They have one child,
- Ethel, born September 24, 1884, a school teacher; graduate of Dean Academy and of Dr. Savage's Normal College of Physical Education; teaching at present at Kenwood, Albany, and has private classes.
(The Shumway Line)
Peter Shumway, immigrant ancestor, was of French Huguenot ancestry. After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, when many Huguenots sought refuge in America, he came, before 1675, to Massachusetts and located in Topsfield. The name was originally spelled Chamois or Charmois. We are told that the home of the family in France was in the neighborhood of St. Maixent in the old province of Poitou. Peter Shumway came to this country before the time that Peter Faneuil and other French Huguenots came, and he was not with the settlement at Oxford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, where his son, a few years later, was a settler. Peter Shumway lived for a time at Salem Village, now Danvers, Massachusetts; was a soldier in King Philip's war, and on account of that service his son years afterwards petitioned for a grant of land, March 23, 1749-50, stating that his father was at the taking of the Indian fort. Judging from his time of coming here, the fact that he did not speak or write French apparently and associated only with English settlers, it is hardly to be doubted that he came from some part of England thither and that his parents or earlier ancestors went, like many others, for refuge to England. He was born in 1635. He was evidently frequently in the military service, for his son Peter says he was "a long time in the service of his country." He resided at Topsfield, according to his son's statement, and his wife attended church there and their children were baptized there. He was a hogreeve in 1681-82 in Topsfield. His will was dated April 10, 1695, and his estate appraised June 10 of that year. In the will his residence is given as Boxford. His wife Frances made her will April 3, 1714, and gives her home as Topsfield. These towns were adjoining and the families intimately associated, the boundary indistinct. Her will was proved August 2, 1714. Children:
- Peter, mentioned below.
- Samuel, born at Topsfield, November 2, 1681, probably lost at sea; unmarried; estate settled in 1715 by brother John.
- Dorcas, born October 16, 1683; married Valentine Butler and Henry Withingham.
- Joseph, born October 13, 1686, died unmarried, 1715.
(II) Peter (2), son of Peter (1) Shumway, was born at Topsfield, June 6, 1678. Being the only son having sons, he is ancestor of all bearing the name of Shumway in this country. He removed from Topsfield to Oxford, Massachusetts, in the "Nipmuck Country." He was granted the right of Joshua Chandler. He was one of the early settlers of Oxford in 1713, the original settlement by the thirty Huguenot families having been abandoned on account of Indian massacres and hostilities in 1696. None of the French returned. Peter Shumway spent the remainder of his days there. His will was dated May 12, 1741, and bequeaths to his wife and children. His home lot in Oxford embraced that now or lately owned by Josiah Russell (H. 185). His family was one of the best-known and most-respected in the town of Oxford. He married (first) February 11, 1701, Maria Smith, who died January 17, 1739. It is said that her father built the third house having a cellar in the town of Boston. He married (second) February 28, 1740, Mary Dana, who is mentioned in his will. Children of first wife:
- Oliver, mentioned below.
- Jeremiah, baptized at Topsfield, March 21, 1703.
- David, baptized at Topsfield, December 23, 1705.
- Mary, baptized at Topsfield, May 9, 1709.
- Samuel, baptized March 6, 1711, at Boxford.
- John, born at Boxford, June 26, 1713.
Born at Oxford:
- Jacob, March 10, 1717.
- Hepzibah, April 1, 1720.
- Amos, January 31, 1722.
(III) Oliver, son of Peter (2) Shumway, was born at Boxford, May 10, 1702. He lived quietly and followed farming at Oxford. He married, September 3, 1724, Sarah Pratt. Children, born at Oxford:
- Oliver, mentioned below.
- Levi, April 8, 1727.
- Keziah, May 25, 1729.
- Nathan, April 21, 1731.
- Susanna, August 21, 1733.
- Stephen, March 25, 1736; soldier in the revolution.
- Sarah, June 28, 1738.
- Reuben, February 2, 1740; soldier in the revolution.
- Ebenezer, June 25, 1743.
- Jonathan, November 8, 1745.
- Lucy, July 18, 1749.
(IV) Oliver (2), son of Oliver (1) Shumway, was born at Oxford, October 12, 1725. He was a carpenter by trade, and is said to have served in the revolution. He married, April 15, 1747, Elizabeth Holman. Children:
- Abner, mentioned below;
- Betsey.
(V) Abner, son of Oliver (2) Shumway, was born at Oxford, June 9, 1748, died September 13, 1813. He was a soldier in the revolution and was in camp at Roxbury in October, 1775, a drummer in the Oxford company; also served in various companies afterward. In 1786 he removed to Lebanon Springs, New York, where he spent his last years. He worked at his trade as carpenter and some houses that he built in Oxford are still standing. He married, April 19, 1770, Lucy Howe, born in 1752, died January 3, 1837. Children:
- David, born March 30, 1771;
- Rufus, April 1, 1774, died at Decatur, Otsego county, New York, about 1836;
- Allen, March 19, 1778;
- Paul, mentioned below;
- Silas;
- Alpheus;
- Jeremiah D., January 12, 1793;
- Leonard;
- Clarissa;
- Lucy.
(VI) Paul, son of Abner Shumway, was born May 19, 1781, at Oxford, died February 3, 1849. He was a carpenter by trade. He married, March 4, 1804, Mercy Gates, born August 10, 1786, in Norwich, Massachusetts, died February 25, 1872; resided at Lebanon Springs, New York. Children, born at Lebanon Springs:
- Charlotte, April 29, 1805;
- Henry Edward, November 1, 1807;
- Elizabeth Maria, June 30, 1813;
- William Dennison, July 13, 1817;
- Joseph Hill, mentioned below;
- John Brainerd, November 5, 1822;
- Antoinette, April 19, 1824, died young;
- Ellen Jane, January 19, 1826;
- Charles Frederick, March 6, 1828;
- Lucy Ann, October 19, 1830;
- Samuel Gates, June 9, 1833.
(VII) Joseph Hill, son of Paul Shumway, was born at Lebanon Springs, New York, August 27, 1820. He was educated in the public schools, became postmaster, was supervisor several terms, and a prominent Republican. He was a member of the Universalist church. He married, September 6, 1854, Cornelia Van Horn, born December 12, 1832 (see Van Horn VII). They resided at Van Hornsville, Herkimer county, New York, where he was a merchant until he retired. Children:
- Walter F., born April 22, 1858; married, September 7, 1880, Alfa Ackler, born October 15, 1858.
- Agnes E., August 19, 1860; married, May 24, 1882, Daniel I. Devoe (see Devoe IX).
- Ellen M., October 1, 1867; married, October 22, 1889, John M. Farley; children:
- Worthington S. Farley, born June 6, 1892;
- Walter Van Horn Farley, February 13, 1894;
- Dorothy Farley;
- John M. Farley, Jr.
(The Van Horn Line)
Jan Corneliessen Van Horn, or Van Horne, came from Holland to New Amsterdam as early as 1645, and he drew his money from his guardian in Holland in 1647. His wife's name is unknown. He became a member of the First Dutch Reformed Church of New York, October 6, 1685. He sold a house and lot south of Marketfield street, part of the premises patented to Jan Corneliessen Van Horne, June 23, 1645. He sold another lot on the east side of Fort Amsterdam, near Marketfield street. He was entered in New Amsterdam as a small burgher and was taxed twenty-five guilders. Children:
- Cornelius Jansen, mentioned below.
- Jan Joris, married Maria Rutgers.
- Garret, married, July 2, 1693, Altje Proohost.
(II) Cornelius Jansen, son of Jan Corneliessen Van Horne, married, according to the register of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York, October 4, 1659, Anna Maria, daughter of ———— and Annaka (Webber) Jans, granddaughter of Wolford Webber, of Holland, who married Annaka Cock, daughter of Hendrick and Neisgen Seleyns Cock. Wolford Amant Webber, son of Wolford Webber, came over in 1649, received a grant of sixty-two acres fronting on the East river and running through Chatham square from Governor Peter Stuyvesant, and afterward Webber conveyed it to his aunt, Annaka (Webber) Jans. Wolford Amant Webber was a grandson of King William of Orange. Children of Cornelius Jansen and Anna Maria (Jans) Van Horn, born in New Amsterdam and baptized on the following dates in the Dutch Reformed church:
- Johannes, January 17, 1663;
- Vrouchie, January 25, 1666;
- Cornelius J., January 31, 1667;
- Garret, December 17, 1671;
- Altge, October 31, 1673;
- Abram, mentioned below.
(III) Abram, son of Cornelius Jansen Van Horn, was baptized in the Dutch Reformed church, January 20, 1675, died in 1741. He married, September 6, 1700, Maria Provost. Children, baptized in New York:
- Anna Maria, January 28, 1702;
- Catharine, July 30, 1704;
- Cornelius, mentioned below;
- Janetje, November 7, 1708;
- Helena, September 24, 1710;
- Abram, March 8, 1713;
- David, August 8, 1714;
- David, July 20, 1715;
- Margaretta, March 6, 1717;
- Samuel, April 6, 1720.
(IV) Captain Cornelius Van Horn, son of Abram Van Horn, was baptized in New York, October 16, 1706. He married (first) Catharine Cox; (second) Elizabeth Lawrence; (third) Hannah Sebrook. He settled in Monmouth, New Jersey. After his third marriage he removed to Hunterdon county, where his brother Abram and sister Helena also lived. He and his brother bought the time of a German emigrant for a term of years to pay his passage to this country. This man bargained to build three houses in three successive years for his freedom, he having all the spare time. One of these was a stone house with the initials C. V. H., dated 1753, and stood half a mile west of the White House station, and north of the railroad. Captain Van Horn's will, dated December 24, 1743, with a codicil February 3, 1744, proved March 16, 1744, bequeathed to wife Hannah and his children. He was buried in 1744 in the old Van Horn graveyard at White House and the gravestone is standing. It gives the date of death as February 12, 1744. His widow married Benjamin Drake, of Hopewell, near Trenton. Child of first wife:
- Thomas, born December 4, 1722.
Children of second wife:
- Mathias, 1724;
- Catharine;
- Elizabeth.
Children of third wife:
- Mary, April 12, 1733;
- Cornelius, May 4, 1737;
- Abram, mentioned below;
- James, April 23, 1740;
- John, May 3, 1742;
- Daniel, May 2, 1743.
(V) Sheriff Abram Van Horn, son of Captain Cornelius Van Horn, was born August 28, 1738. He emigrated about 1771 to what was then Warrensbush and settled on a farm in the present town of Florida, Montgomery county, New York. He moved his family thither the following summer, and they were four days in making the voyage from New York to Albany on a sloop. He was elected a member of the Tryon county committee of safety in June, 1775, from the Mohawk district and continued a member several years. He was a staunch Whig, and it was rumored that an attempt was about to be made by the Tories and Indians to massacre him and his family. A neighboring Tory was appointed to go at night and shoot him in bed through the window, but fortunately, on the appointed night, his wife was awake, on account of a sick child, and after building a big fire in the fireplace had just laid down on the front side of the bed with the child, when the murderer came to the window. He weakened in his purpose when he saw that to kill the husband he would have to shoot the wife and child. She was a kindly, charitable woman, who had nursed the sick even in that man's own family. Afterward a blockhouse was built for the defense of the family. Van Horn was a member of the state assembly from 1777 to 1781 and was high sheriff of Tryon county in 1781. In 1783 he moved to Cansedebanak Church, near Fort Plain, and thence up to Otsquaga creek, where he built a mill, which bears the name of Van Hornsville. He died there March 5, 1810, aged nearly seventy-two years.
He was married (first) to Jane Ten Eyck; (second) December 9, 1763, Hannah Hoff, of Montgomery county, New York, daughter of Richard Hoff, of New Jersey. Children of Sheriff Abram and Hannah (Hoff) Van Horn, his second wife:
- Cornelius, born November 22, 1764, married Elizabeth Youngs;
- James, September 16, 1766;
- Daniel, September 23, 1768;
- Richard, born October 15, 1770, mentioned below;
- Thomas, December 20, 1772, married Lucy Terry;
- Catharine, September 8, 1775;
- Hannah, January 18, 1778;
- Abram D., June 26, 1783.
(VI) Richard, son of Sheriff Abram Van Horn, was born October 15, 1770. He married Cornelia Ten Eyck. Children:
- Cornelius, born December 21, 1801, died July 19, 1873, married Mary Kinter;
- Alexander, December 10, 1804;
- Walter, mentioned below;
- Anna Maria, February 25, 1808;
- Catharine, January 20, 1810;
- Richard R., February 14, 1812;
- Abram R., August 30, 1816.
(VII) Walter, son of Richard Van Horn, was born June 10, 1806. He married Eliza Sleighter. Children:
- Agnes, born November 8, 1829, died October 8, 1854, married Henry Hawm;
- Cornelia, December 12, 1832, married Joseph Shumway (see Shumway VII);
- George, December 21, 1836, married Maria Hawks;
- Cornelius S., March 2, 1838, died December 21, 1868, married Marie Wagner;
- James E., February 2, 1842, married Mary Dunn;
- Maria, September 29, 1846, married John W. Brandow, Jr.;
- Nicholas, April 14, 1852, married Ida Countryman.