This is an old New Jersey family that settled at an early date in the Passaic Valley. The earliest progenitor of the Hand family of Montgomery county that can be traced is Hezekiah Hand, of Westfield, Union county, New Jersey. He had three wives and twenty-two children, five by first wife, five by second, and twelve by his third wife, Ann Ferrago. The names of ten sons and ten daughters are preserved: John, Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Charity, Hezekiah (2), Robert, Nehemiah, Jacob, Nancy, children of the first two wives; by third wife: Martha, Phebe, William, Mary, Henry, Charlotte, Jotham, Tabitha, Jonathan and Nancy. Descendants of Hezekiah Hand are to be found all over the United States. Eleven of the name served in the revolution from New Jersey, including Hezekiah, who was supposed to have been his son. Twelve of the name served from New York state — a large representation.
(II) John, eldest son of Hezekiah Hand and his first wife, lived in Westfield, New Jersey, until he attained manhood. He married, and with his wife and family removed to the Mohawk Valley. His wife's name is not preserved, nor any of his children, except Peter.
(III) Peter, son of John Hand, was born in Glen, Montgomery county, New York, in 1798, died there in 1848. He was a farmer all his days. He married ———— Blood, of an old Mohawk Valley family, daughter of Robert and granddaughter of Ephraim Blood. She was born and lived all her life in Glen. Children, all born in Glen:
- Marcus, see forward.
- John (2), born in 1836, died January 1, 1892; married Jane Bennett, of Amsterdam, New York, who survives him. Their son, Edward J., was elected a member of the state assembly in 1882.
- Peter (3), born in 1838; married Mrs. Sizer; he resides in Buffalo, New York.
(IV) Marcus, son of Peter and ———— (Blood) Hand, was born in Glen, in 1834, and still resides in that town (1910). He has been a farmer all his life. He married, in Glen, Robie Osterhout, of an early Mohawk Valley family, born in Charleston, Montgomery county, 1837, died April 12, 1909, daughter of George and Hannah (Ferncrook) Osterhout, both born in Glen, but lived and died in Charleston. Children:
- George W., a farmer of Glen; married Martha Bunn, no issue.
- Peter M., see forward.
- Ann, married James Stanton, a farmer of Charleston, and has sons Charles, Kenneth and Smith Stanton.
- Jane, married William Brooks, of Amsterdam, and has a son Martin, who married Cora Osterhout.
- Estelle, married Peter Hoffman and has Charles, Jessie, Clara, Earl, Anna, Francis, George and Esther Hoffman. Charles Hoffman, the eldest son, resides in South Dakota; married Sarah Ecker and has sons, William Jay and Marcus.
- Hannah, married Henry Scism, a farmer of Glen, and has daughters Jennie and Ruby Scism. Marcus Hand, her father, is also aninmate of her home in Glen.
- Wells, married Lulu, and has a daughter Florence. He resides in Amsterdam.
(V) Peter M., son of Marcus and Robie (Osterhout) Hand, was born in Glen, New York, June 15, 1859. He was reared to farm life and has always followed that occupation, and is now a successful farmer. He is a member of the Reformed church and a Democrat in politics. He married, in Glen, 1883, Catherine Noeltner, born in Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, January 11, 1860; daughter of Anselm and Margaruite (Huttenlocker) Noeltner (see Noeltner II). Children:
- Stewart C., born September 17, 1884; married Ruby Dievendorf; children:
- Mabel, born February 6, 1906, and
- Donald, July, 1909.
- James, born October 29, 1886; educated in the public schools, a lover of books. He is his father's valued farm assistant and devoted to his chosen pursuit.
Both the sons are Democrats and connected with the Reformed church.