The Wormers of Guilderland descend from Holland ancestors. The name is also Van Wormer, members of the same family both using and discarding the Van. The first settler of this branch in the town of Guilderland was Peter Wormer, who located on Black Creek, near the present village of Meadowdale, there securing a tract of comparatively wild land, holding first under lease, later becoming one of those to obtain "soil title." He was a man of large physique, being over six feet and weighing three hundred pounds. He was of great energy, industry and strength, characteristics of the Wormers in the earlier generations. He lived to be over sixty years of age, and left his farm in a well-improved condition.
(II) Cornelius, son of Peter Wormer, was born on the original Wormer homestead on Black Creek, about 1766, died there in his ninety-seventh year. He was a farmer all his life and accumulated a comfortable estate. He was a Whig and later a Republican, and was a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He married Sarah Relyea, born 1776, daughter of the early Relyea family. She survived her husband, dying at about the same age. She retained her vigor and activity until her last years, and lived to see five generations. Children:
- David, died young, killed by a horse.
- Peter, a farmer of Guilderland; married Maria Crounse and left issue.
- Frederick C., of whom further.
- Daniel, a hotel keeper of New Scotland; married Mary A. Hollenbeck and left a family.
- John, a hotel keeper and for many years a keeper at Auburn State Prison; married Nancy Van Valkenburg and left issue.
- Susan, died 1908, aged eighty years; she married Edward Hayes; children: William, deceased, Arvilla and Ann, both married and have families.
- Hannah, married Henry Spawn; both died in old age; have numerous descendants yet living.
(III) Frederick C., son of Cornelius and Sarah (Relyea) Wormer, was born in Guilderland, on the Black Creek, on the Wormer homestead, in 1810, died January 1, 1900, aged ninety years, and is buried in the Prospect Hill cemetery. He married Maria Blessing, born 1816, died 1903, daughter of Adam and Hannah (Relyea) Blessing, both of Guilderland early families. Children:
- David F., of whom further.
- Sarah, born 1840; married William Severson, a farmer of Guilderland; children: Frederick, Philip and Ida; they are all married and heads of families.
- Hannah, born 1843; unmarried; resides in Guilderland Center.
- Eliakim, born November 15, 1848; a farmer and fruit grower, also a commission dealer; married Eliza P. Freyer, born June 18, 1852; no issue.
- Francis, born 1851, a farmer of Guilderland; married Lavena Waggoner; children: Sanford, David and Newton.
- Daniel (see personal sketch).
- Rufus, unmarried; resident of Guilderland.
- Frederick, born October, 1857; a farmer and fruit grower; married Ada Sitterly, born in Guilderland in 1862; child,
- Roy, born July, 1889; he is employed in Schenectady in the General Electric Company.
- William, married Cora Spurr; children Walter and Stanley.
(IV) David F., son of Frederick C. and Maria (Blessing) Wormer, was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, New York, September 9, 1837. He grew up on the old farm and since his boyhood has followed the occupation of a farmer. In early manhood he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres, consisting of well-tilled fields and prolific orchards of varied fruits. He has been a successful farmer and has secured good results from his life work. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He has a well-stored mind and is deeply interested in family history. He is of the best type of the prosperous independent American farmer. He married (first) in Guilderland, Mary E. Hallenbeck, died in middle life; married (second) Mrs. Amelia (White) Sharp. He has no children. Mrs. Wormer was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, New York, July 21, 1855, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Levy) White, and granddaughter of Jacob and Mahala White, natives of New York state, died at Quaker street, New York, at advanced ages; members of the Quaker church. George and Elizabeth White were born in Schenectady county, New York, and lived and died on a farm in that county; members of the Christian church; he was a Republican in politics. Mrs. Amelia Wormer received her education in the schools of Duanesburg and Rotterdam. She married (first) in Guilderland, Gilbert Sharp, a farmer, Republican in politics, died in Guilderland; no issue; he was a son of Gilbert Sharp.
(IV) Daniel, son of Frederick C. and Maria (Blessing) Wormer, was born in Guilderland, Albany county, New York, June 5, 1855. He was educated in the public schools, adopted farming as his business, and in 1879 purchased his present farm of one hundred and six acres. His active life has been passed in its cultivation and improvement. He has been successful, and is counted one of the substantial men of his town. Quiet and unassuming, he is a man of forceful character and determination. His farm is one of the best in the town and is well cared for. He is a Republican, and a member of the Reformed church. He married, in Guilderland, 1878, Susan, born in that town, April 12, 1858, daughter of James and Maria (Hallenbeck) Fryer. James Fryer was a son of Jacob, and grandson of John Fryer, the founder. The latter died aged ninety-six years, at the home of his daughter, Susan Wormer. Children of James Fryer and his wife:
- Eliza, married Elikem [spelled Eliakim above] Wormer, brother of Daniel, son of Frederick, who is a farmer of Guilderland;
- Susan, married Daniel Wormer;
- Newton, now of Guilderland Center; married Anna Van Husen.
Children of Daniel and Susan (Fryer) Wormer:
- Bertha M., born November 26, 1879; married Peter Becker and resides in Schenectady;
- Elikem, July 14, 1881, died in infancy;
- Eula P., August 1, 1890.
The family are all members of the Dutch Reformed church.