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Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles:
Chapter IV: Descendants of Jacob Jacobse Schermerhorn (Part 3 of 5)

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

[This information is from pp. 225-257 of Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles by Richard Schermerhorn, Jr. (New York: Tobias A. Wright, Publisher, 1914). It is in the collection of the Grems-Doolittle Library of the Schenectady County Historical Society at 929.2 Sch.]

Sixth Generation

164

JACOB, son of (142) Jacob I. Schermerhorn and Geertje Schermerhorn; b. Jan. 6, 1777; bp. in Kinderhook; d. Oct. 9, 1821; m. NELLY VANDERPOOL; b. Dec. 5, 1782; d. Dec. 24, 1815.

Children:

Jacob Schermerhorn lived in Schodack, N. Y.

165

BARENT (BARNEY), son of (142) Jacob I. Schermerhorn and Geertje Schermerhorn; b. Apr. 19, 1779; bp. in Albany; d. Aug. 27, 1864; bur. in E. Greenbush; m. (1) Jan. 19, 1799, in E. Greenbush, SARAH LANSING, b. Mch. 3, 1782; bp. in Albany; d. July 10, 1807; bur. in E. Greenbush; dau. of Obadiah Lansing and Cornelia Van Benthuysen; m. (2) Sept. 16, 1820, in Schodack, ELIZABETH CARPENTER; b. May 15, 1788; d. June 11, 1858; bur. in E. Greenbush.

Children:

Barney Schermerhorn was a resident of E. Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He was deacon of the E. Greenbush Ref. Church in 1836 and 1837 and was elder in 1841, 1842 and 1854.

166

CORNELIUS, son of (142) Jacob I. Schermerhorn and Geertje Schermerhorn; b. Aug. 8, 1791; m. Apr. 29, 1810, in Schodack, ALIDA MULL; d. May 4, 1853; bur. in E. Greenbush.

Children:

Cornelius Schermerhorn was a resident of E. Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He was a deacon of the E. Greenbush Reformed Church in 1842.

Isaac Mull Schermerhorn was a physician at Whitlock's Corners, Stuyvesant, Columbia Co., N. Y. He enlisted as army surgeon in the Civil War, Nov. 10, 1864, and was discharged Mar. 3, 1865. He was Justice of the Peace in Stockport, Columbia Co., in 1860, 64, 66 and 71, and assessor in 1878.

167

COL. CORNELIUS I., son of (143) Lieut. Col. Jacob C. Schermerhorn and Gerritje Schermerhorn; b. Aug. 15, 1764; d. Aug. 25, 1828, at Schodack Landing, N. Y.; m. (1) Nov. 19, 1785, ELIZABETH MONDEN (MONTAGNE); d. June 9, 1815; m. (2) Nov. 19, 1815, CATHLINA SCHERMERHORN; b. Sept. 15, 1775; d. Jan. 23, 1835; dau. of Hendrick J. Schermerhorn and Cornelia Lansing.

Children:

Cornelius I. Schermerhorn lived at Schodack Landing, N. Y. He was a merchant and large land and vessel owner, several of his vessels being engaged in trade with the East Indies. In 1793 he was a Lieutenant in his father's regiment. In 1798 he was Captain of Light Infantry in Brig. Gen. Henry K. Van Rensselaer's Rensselaer Co. Brigade. 1798-1800 he was Adjutant in Col. Nicholas Staat's Rensselaer Co. Regiment. March 30, 1803, he was commissioned as Major and on March 12, 1810, as Lieutenant Colonel, and April 3, 1812, as Colonel of the 43rd Regiment, 8th Brigade, Third Division of the New York Militia under command of Brigadier-General Jacob A. Fort and Major General Henry Livingston. Colonel Schermerhorn served on the frontier with his regiment during the war of 1812.

Cornelius I. Schermerhorn held the office of assessor in Schodack in 1795, and from 1800 to 1809 was supervisor of the village. In 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811 and 1818 he was a member of the New York State Assembly, and during that service he way prominently identified with the plans for the inauguration of the Erie Canal.

A characterization from the pen of a grandson, reads as follows:

"My grandfather, Col. Cornelius I. Schermerhorn lived in the house which still stands (1905) a little north of the village of Schodack Landing and quite near the bank of the river. It is said that this house was built about 1760 with bricks brought from Holland. It is an excellent type of the better class of houses of the Dutch settlers. My grandfather in many respects resembled his father, though less domineering in character. He was silent and reserved and like his father a leader among the men with whom he was associated. Through his business ability he added materially to the property left him by his father, and at the time of his death in 1828, he owned nearly all the farms in the vicinity of the village. He had in addition large vessel interests, part of which was engaged in trade with China and the East.

His wife Elizabeth Monden, was an exceedingly bright, vivacious woman, with a highly developed religious nature. She was a descendent of Heer Johannes La Montagne, vice-director of the West Indies Co., at Fort Orange, Albany, from 1659 to 1664. The family was of Huguenot origin, emigrating from Holland about the middle of the 17th century. The name became changed to Monden, Monton, Munden."

The census of 1790 lists the family of Cornelius Schermerhorn as follows:

Residence, Rensselaerwyck; 2 males over 16 (inc. father); 1 male under 16; 1 female (mother); 4 slaves.

168

CAPT. JOHN I., son of (143) Lieut. Col. Jacob C. Schermerhorn and Gerritie Schermerhorn; b. Sept. 6, 1772; bp. in Schodack; d. May, 1851; m. Mch. 16, 1794, in Schodack, CYNTHIA VAN VALKENBURGH.

Children:

Capt. John I. Schermerhorn conducted a large shipping business on the Hudson River, and his son Isaac was master of certain vessels in connection with this trade. The latter was President of Castleton Village, in 1857, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 65 and 68, and his brother Abraham was Justice of the Peace in 1833.

169

BARENT I., son of (143) Lieut. Col. Jacob C. Schermerhorn and Cornelia Gardinier; bp. Apr. 3, 1786, in Kinderhook; d. Oct. 3, 1852; m. 1807, in Schodack, LUCRETIA BARHYDTE; b. Feb. 15, 1779; d. July 19, 1873.

Children:

Barent I. Schermerhorn was a resident of Schodack, N. Y. Isaac B. Schermerhorn, son of Barent I., moved with his family from New York to Will Co., Ill., in the 1840s. He had three sons, Edgar B., Byron L., and Lucius, and a daughter Harriet. Edgar B. resides in Galena, Kansas, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the J. M. Cooper Mercantile & Mining Co. He has held several public offices in the State.

170

ISAAC, son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; bp. Oct. 28, 1771, in Schodack; m. CATHARINE BOGARDUS; b. 1776; d. June 23, 1834; bur. Stone Bridge Cem., Schoharie Co., N. Y.

Children:

Isaac Schermerhorn lived in Westerlo, Albany Co., N. Y., in 1830 and previously. In the latter year he purchased land in Durham, where he evidently went to live. Later he removed to Middleburgh, Schoharie Co., where his sons, Abraham I. and John D., lived.

Dr. Jacob Schermerhorn had three sons, Daniel, John and Charles, who lived in Clarksville, Albany Co., N. Y.

171

REV. CORNELIUS D., son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; b. Jan. 27, 1776; d. 1827, in Walsingham, Canada West, Canada; bur. in Greenwood Cem., Brooklyn, N. Y.; m. June 3, 1804, in Schodack, KATY BRANDOW, dau. of Peter Brandow. She d. Mch. 4, 1827, in Walsingham, Canada.

Children:

The Rev. Cornelius D. Schermerhorn was born in Schodack, N. Y. He was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1797, with degree of A. B. He studied for the ministry under Livingston, and was licensed in 1803. He was pastor of the Reformed Church in Prattsville, Greene Co., N. Y., in 1804, and of the Oak Hill (Durham) Reformed Church, Greene Co., N. Y., from Nov. 1809 to May 21, 1818. He also was connected with the Reformed Church at Schodack. He is said to have been settled in Canada in 1823, where he did missionary work among the Indians. He was on particularly friendly terms with Chief Brant. He remained in Canada until the time of his death in 1827, his wife dying in the same year.

Daniel Schermerhorn, the eldest son, removed to Michigan where his children resided when last heard from.

Peter Schermerhorn was a lawyer in New York City, and at the time of his death resided at No. 2 Abingdon Square, New York.

Cornelius P. was a lawyer and first practiced in Columbia Co. In about 1849 he removed to New York City. He was called "Judge" although he never served in that capacity, the term being given him on account of his dictatorial manner and positiveness in conversation. In 1869 his office was at No. 11 Wall St. and his residence at No. 44 Jane St. He practiced as lawyer in New York for many years, retiring about 1875. His wife was a sister of Mayor Fernando Wood.

The Rev. John W. Schermerhorn was graduated from Union College in 1836, with degree of A. B. He removed to New York City about 1847. He first lived at No. 12 Union Place. He was a clergyman and teacher.

The Rev. Henry O. Schermerhorn was a clergyman in New York City. He was pastor of the Fourth Congregational Church on West 16th St., between 6th and 7th Aves., from 1848 until the time of his death. He died while upon his wedding trip.

Isaac V. Schermerhorn lived in New York City for a time, and was employed by the Harlem Railroad. He removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was still residing in 1887. He left three children.

Harriet Schermerhorn Stevens was the first of the family to live in New York City, where as early as 1838 she was a school-teacher.

172

ABRAHAM D., son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; b. Jan. 1777; bp. in Kinderhook; d. Apr. 22, 1856; bur. Stone Bridge Cem., Schoharie Co., N. Y.; m. 1799, in Schodack, MAGHDALENA KITTLE; bur. Stone Bridge Cem.

Children:

In 1818 Abraham Schermerhorn lived in Coeymans, Albany Co., N. Y., to which place he had removed from Schodack. He removed in 1830 to Durham, Greene Co., N. Y.

173

JACOB D., son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; b. Jan. 7, 1780; bp. in Albany; d. Apr. 19, 1855; m. Aug. 21, 1805, in Wynantskill, TANNICKEN DE FREEST, dau. of David M. De Freest and Rachel Vanderheyden.

Children:

Jacob D. Schermerhorn was a resident of De Freestville (Bloomingrove) and was admitted to the church there with his wife in May, 1819. He was a large property owner and a leading member of the church, serving as member of the consistory for many years and also as deacon and elder, and subscribing substantially at different periods to improvements in the church property.

174

PHILIP D., son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; bp. Dec. 19, 1780, in Kinderhook; m. CATHARINE LOOP.

Children:

175

[Painting: original size (7K) | 4x enlarged (24K)] JOHN D., son of (144) Capt. Daniel C. Schermerhorn and Maria Vanderpoel; b. Sept. 6, 1785; bp. in Kinderhook; m. June 10, 1815, in Schodack, CATLENA SPRINGSTEEN.

Children:

John D. Schermerhorn lived on the old homestead of Capt. Daniel Schermerhorn at Schodack Landing, N. Y. He was the owner of a part, if not all, of Schodack Island.

176

JACOB, son of (145) Capt. John W. Schermerhorn and Catharine Van Valkenburgh; b. Sept. 2, 1788, at E. Nassau; d. June 6, 1861; m. ELEANOR JENKINS; d. Sept. 30, 1863.

Children:

Jacob Schermerhorn was born in East Nassau, N. Y. He removed from there in 1830, and settled in Sand Lake, N. Y.

177

ISAAC P., son of (146) Philip Schermerhorn and Dorothy Miller; b. July 14, 1779; d. Jan. 14, 1833; m. MARIA CAIN, b. 1788; d. 1859.

Children:

Isaac P. Schermerhorn was born at Schodack, Rensselaer County, N. Y. In 1817 he moved to Duanesburgh, Albany [Correction: at that time it had become Schenectady] County, and from there to Rotterdam, in 1824.

178

NICHOLAS P., son of (146) Philip Schermerhorn and Dorothy Miller; b. July 6, 1791; bp. in Schodack; d. 1836; m. ANNA FREEZON; b. Feb. 2, 1791; d. Feb., 1883.

Children:

Both Nicholas Schermerhorn and his wife were born at Kinderhook, N. Y., and shortly after their marriage decided to go West, and their "going West" consisted of moving from Kinderhook, Columbia County, to Duanesburgh, Schenectady County. Mrs. Schermerhorn was often accustomed to relate how the journey consumed two days, with an ox team as means of conveyance. Anna Freezon was of pure French blood and was called the prettiest girl in the Mohawk Valley. Her father had come to America with Lafayette and had served in the Revolution in company with her father-in-law, Philip Schermerhorn.

179

RYER, son of (147) Jacob R. Schermerhorn and Lucretia Covert; b. 1786; d. Sept. 11, 1834, aged 48 yrs.; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.; m. (1) BERSHEBA BEEBE; m. (2) about 1815, HANNAH KING BEEBE; b. 1793; d. May 23, 1845, aged 52 yrs.; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.

Children:

Ryer Schermerhorn was born in Schodack, Rensselaer County, N. Y., and when he was quite young his father moved from the latter place to Deerfield, Oneida County. He was a tanner, shoemaker and farmer.

Notes on the Family of Ryer Schermerhorn by Mrs. Hibner

I used to sleep under the blue and white bed spreads woven by Grandmother Schermerhorn. I remember how I used to look with interest at the samplers, herbariums and autograph albums of my Aunts Julia and Louise. They with Aunt Harriet were educated at Whitestown Seminary, and Louise became a teacher. These three left no children but lavished a world of love and care on their brother William's children. As one of these latter, I like to write of them. … I quote from an obituary of Aunt Harriet: "Her house was always full of the children of relatives and friends, and it was during the years spent in this devoted Christian house, that Rev. Avery Schermerhorn, now of Gilbert's Mills, N. Y., and Charles, now preparing at Hillsdale College, were placed upon God's altar, for future usefulness in the ministry. Space will not allow me to speak of the wonderful Christian influence of the home over which our sister presided. It was the resultant spiritual force of prayer, praise and prophecy combined. Though she rests from her labors, her works move grandly on, and through tears of hopeful sorrow, her family and friends look up to exclaim 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.' More than one grateful tribute has been written to that household, 'For influence, silent, yet the mightiest, of daily life fulfilling daily prayer.'"

Aunt Julia was a member of the Free Baptist Church at Ellington for nearly fifty years. "Her life was beautiful and radiant beyond description," wrote one who loved her well, "because of her unselfishness." Her hospitality was proverbial. Like Martha she was often encumbered with much serving, but she had Mary's love and devotion to the Master.

"I see her as I saw her standing first,
Within the low-ceiled, vine embowered room,
Through whose unused leaf-curtained doorway burst
The dear old-fashioned roses' sweet perfume.

And beauty born of being good was hers,
The charm of cheerful sweet self sacrifice
Of labor for love's sake through patient years,
Such beauty as the touch of time defies.

My girlish heart went out in quick response
To hers that beckoned in her smiling eyes,
Staunch friends, congenial comrades we at once,
Our interest one, and one our sympathies.

I see her as from room to room she moved
Performing homely tasks with fingers deft.
Her presence made the house the home beloved,
Her absence left it of its soul bereft."

Thus wrote another who loved her. In the late autumn of her life she became the wife of Bradley Boss, the widower of her sister Harriet.

The three sisters who passed so much of their lives together sleep side by side in the cemetery in Kennedy on the banks of the Conewago.

180

ABRAHAM, son of (147) Jacob R. Schermerhorn and Lucretia Covert; b. June 1798; bp. in Schodack; d. 1858; m. (1) ELIZABETH HICKS of Oneida County; b. 1802; d. 1835; m. (2) 1841, CHRISTINA MORRIS.

Children by first wife:

Children by second wife:

Though Abraham Schermerhorn was born at Schodack, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., his father moved from Schodack to Oneida Co. when Abraham was very young. Soon after his marriage, he removed, in 1822, to St. Lawrence Co. in company with several of his cousins and he settled upon the frontier of a wooded country bordering the St. Lawrence River near the Thousand Islands, and bravely helped to build a little settlement, Oak Point. His cousins settled about 12 miles from this place. Here in Oak Point, Abraham started a ferry, kept a hotel, a shoe-makers shop, a blacksmith shop, and a saw-mill, bought large tracts of land, built tenant houses and carried the mail twice a week, and any traveler who happened along, to the center of the town, Hammond, five miles away where the stage coach stopped.

The country being wooded and new land, many moved there, bought land and were enabled to sell the lumber to steamboats, that landed there every day passing up and down the River from Montreal to Kingston. This was a good traffic for a few years. Abraham was one of the leading men of the community. He had a sincere spirit of patriotism and held a general training day for military purposes, which included the entire county. He arranged large celebrations for the 4th of July, patriotic speeches were given, a high liberty pole raised for the flag, and cannon were fired. He had a Fourth of July dinner for several hundred on his own grounds with a dance in the evening which was attended by guests from the several neighbouring towns.

Miss Sophie E. Schermerhorn, daughter of Abraham, is one of the artists of the Schermerhorn family, of which there are not many. Early in life she evinced a taste for painting but was not encouraged by her father. She therefore became a teacher at 16 years of age, but finally at the importunities of her friends took up seriously the study of art. She gradually made her way and acquired reputation and the competence that comes with it, but in the great Chicago fire she lost nearly everything. She went abroad in 1884-5 and traveled through Europe from one end to the other, visiting Holland and the old town of Schermerhorn. (See description of her visit, page 44.) After returning to Chicago, she continued her work as a painter, but after a few years moved to Winfield, Kan., where unfortunately she made unprofitable investments in real estate. But she kept up her painting until 1904 when her house was burned and she lost all of her materials and most of her paintings. She painted her last picture in 1906. It represents a sunset scene near the old cemetery in Pleasant Valley, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. There is a lake in the foreground shaded by tall dark trees. At the back is a long strip of rich meadow land, across which a bar of evening sunlight is pouring in splendor. Thick rolling clouds in the sky are radiant in reddening light. "I was singing when I painted that," Miss Schermerhorn told a reporter who was interviewing her. "The paint seemed to flow from my brushes as if inspired. Through my head the words and music of an old song that we used to sing in Sunday School long, long ago, kept repeating themselves, and they seemed suddenly full of an infinite meaning. That picture expresses the feeling of the song. These are the words of the song:

'Catch the sunshine, don't be grieving
O'er that darksome billow there,
Life's a sea of stormy billows,
We must meet them everywhere.
Pass right through them, do not tarry;
Overcome the heavy tide.
Look! There comes a gleam of sunshine,
Waiting on, the other side.'

Miss Schermerhorn is now a resident of North Denver, Colorado, where she is living quietly and where she intends to spend the rest of her long useful life. At her death her body will be taken back to her ancestral home in Pleasant Valley, and there, close to the roaring of the mighty stream that divides two great nations, her body will be laid at rest under a stone which she herself designed and had built for her own memorial. On this stone are the following inscriptions:

"God is the Divine Artist."

"Heaven is made Beautiful by the Glories of Earth."

181

RYER, son of (148) Jacob H. Schermerhorn and Alida Schermerhorn; b. Nov. 1, 1786; bp. in Kinderhook; d. Jan. 11, 1870, in Trenton, Oneida Co.; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.; m. (1) ALIDA SCHERMERHORN; b. June 25, 1789; bp. in Schodack; d. Apr. 13, 1813, aged 25; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.; dau. of Jacob R. Schermerhorn and Lucretia Covert; m. (2) MRS. CATALINA CURRY CHASE; b. ————; d. June, 1823; m. (3) MRS. SALLY MILLER TIFFANY, h. ————, 1799 d. Mch. 11, 1863; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.

Children by first wife:

Children by second wife:

Children by third wife:

Ryer Schermerhorn was one of the first settlers of the northern part of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y. He was born in Schodack, Rensselaer Co., and after his father had taken up the claim of land in Oneida Co. and returned in 1801, Ryer Schermerhorn followed (in 1803) with his father's nine slaves and began the task of conquering the wilderness, in what was later to become Deerfield, locating a short distance from the present village of Poland, Herkimer Co. With his father he built a saw-mill on the West Canada Creek and a log house near the mill. The saw-mill was later washed away. In 1812, he built a frame house, the roof of which was raised on July 4th, where most of his children and grandchildren were born. Alice Webster, daughter of Eliza Schermerhorn and John R. Webster, married Chas. Mellington. Mr. Mellington took James Sherman's place in Congress when the latter was elected Vice-President. He was appointed by President Taft, Assistant Treasurer of New York. He died Oct. 28, 1913.

182

HENDRICK, son of (148) Jacob H. Schermerhorn and Alida Schermerhorn; b. Jan. 25, 1791; d. June 8, 1867; m. Mch. 17, 1811, HANNAH SCHERMERHORN; b. Jan. 15, 1792; d. Nov. 22, 1879.

Children:

Henry and Hannah Schermerhorn moved to South Hammond, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1835, from the northern part of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y. He built and operated a glass factory near South Hammond for a number of years.

183

EVERT LANSING, son of (148) Jacob H. Schermerhorn and Alida Schermerhorn; b. Dec. 18, 1796; d. Aug. 10, 1835; m. (1) July 21, 1818, MARY RUPELL; b. June 17, 1795; d. Jan. 11, 1830; m. (2) Mch. 9, 1831, MARGARET KING; h Feb. 10, 1802; d. Oct. 22, 1846.

Children by first wife:

Children by second wife:

Baldwin Schermerhorn, son of Evert L., and his wife, were lost in a steamboat disaster on Lake Erie, on their way west, but their infant son was saved and sent to his uncle, W. Scott, in Wisconsin, who adopted him.

Winfield Scott Schermerhorn studied medicine and after graduation went West, settling in Wisconsin, where he became prominent in his profession. He was for some time a member of the State Legislature in Wisconsin.

184

CORNELIUS, son of (148) Jacob H. Schermerhorn and Alida Schermerhorn; b. Aug. 4, 1799; d. Oct. 5, 1883, at North Gage, N. Y.; bur. in North Gage, N. Y.; m. Feb. 28, 1820, NANCY HETHERINGTON; b. Apr. 26, 1802; d. Jan. 29, 1895, at North Gage, N. Y.

Children:

Cornelius Schermerhorn was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., but was raised in Oneida Co. where his father had removed. He and his brother built a tannery at North Gage, N. Y., in 1819, which had a shoe shop in connection with it. The business flourished and work was done for people more than half way to Utica. Cornelius was in the same regiment with his brother Daniel, in the War of 1812. He was commissioned by Gov. Clinton, July 30, 1825, as quartermaster of the 72nd Infantry.

John M. Schermerhorn, son of Cornelius, was drafted in the U. S. Service, Aug. 25, 1863, and in the State Service the same fall, in the 45th Regt., N. Y. S. M. He was Sergeant of a company.

Merrill Jesse Brayton, son of Caroline Schermerhorn and Almon A. Brayton has been prominent in the business circles of Utica for many years, and is noted for his perseverance and untiring energy. He was born in Newport, Herkimer Co., July 20, 1852, and at the age of eight years, moved with his parents to Deerfield, Oneida Co. He received his early education at Fairfield Seminary and the Clinton Liberal Institute, after this taking up the study of the law. In 1875 he was admitted to the Bar and practiced from 1876 to 1881 as a member of the law firm of Pomeroy and Brayton, from 1881 to 1883 practicing alone. He served as Deputy Clerk of Oneida Co. in 1883, 1884 and 1885 and was County Clerk in 1886, 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he became Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager of the Utica Electric Light Company, and for sixteen years had charge of the business of the Company and that of its successors. He is a veteran member of the Utica Citizen's Corps and for several years was inspector of rifle practice, with rank of captain, of the Twenty-sixth Battalion, N. G. N. Y. On Jan. 30th, 1884, he was married to Cora B. Johnson, daughter of James A. and Catharine Johnson. He is a member of the Yahnundahsis Golf Club, the Fort Schuyler Club and the Royal Arcanum Club. In 1910, he was elected Republican State Committeeman for the 27th Congressional District of the State of New York, and is still acting in that capacity. He is now Secretary of the Utica Gas and Electric Company and its subsidiary concerns.

185

CORNELIUS L., son of (152) Jacob L. Schermerhorn and Neeltie Saunders; b. May 10, 1796; d. Dec. 4, 1869; m. Dec. 17, 1814, HANNAH ROBERTSON; b. May 12, 1796; d. July 28, 1883; dau. of Ebenezer Robertson of Ballston.

Children:

Cornelius Schermerhorn lived in Wilton, Saratoga Co., N. Y. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son James served in the Mexican War in the 9th Connecticut Infantry, and was in five battles — Vera Cruz, Contreras, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultapec. He died of fever at Pachuca, 1848. Another son, Lafayette, was a soldier in the Civil War and enlisted Sept. 14, 1861, in the 77th Regt., N. Y. Infantry, Co. B. He was killed at the Battle of Gaines Mills, Va.

186

ABRAHAM R., son of (154) Ryer L. Schermerhorn and Leany Van Valkenburgh; b. Oct. 10, 1795; bp. in E. Greenbush; d. Mch. 1853, in Schodack; m. Mch. 2, 1815, in Schodack, LYDIA VAN VALKENBURGH.

Abraham R. Schermerhorn was a resident of Schodack, N. Y. He was for many years an elder of the Schodack Reformed Church.

Winfield S. Schermerhorn was born in Schodack, N. Y., but moved to Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y., and was a druggist there for many years. He returned home to take care of his father, on the old farm of his grandfather, Abraham R.

187

LUCAS R., son of (154) Ryer Schermerhorn and Lena Van Valkenburgh; b. Dec. 23, 1804; d. Sept. 23, 1877; bur. in Kinderhook; m. (1) Dec. 28, 1826, in Schodack, ALBERTINE M. SCHERMERHORN; b. May 4, 1808; d. July 17, 1849; dau. of Philip Schermerhorn and Charity Carpenter; m. (2) May 17, 1851, in Schodack, ELEANOR SCHERMERHORN, dau. of Cornelius Schermerhorn and Catharine Van Valkenburgh.

Children:

Lucas R. Schermerhorn was born at Schodack, N. Y., and was a prosperous farmer. He removed from Schodack to Stuyvesant, Columbia County, in 1830, and was Supervisor of Stuyvesant in 1846, '47, '48, '52 and '53.

Abraham L. Schermerhorn, son of Lucas R., was one of the representative men of the town of Stuyvesant, N. Y., and made farming his life occupation. He was a model farmer, public spirited and prominent in all community affairs. In 1877, he accepted the nomination for Supervisor and was elected, serving honorably for several years. In 1881 he was chosen to represent his district in the State Assembly and served most satisfactorily, receiving a re-election in 1882. He was a prominent member of the Old Dutch Reformed Church at Muitzeskill, serving as deacon from 1885 to 1891, and elder from 1891 to the time of his death in 1903. He was treasurer of the Church from 1890 to 1903.

188

ISAAC R., son of (154) Ryer L. Schermerhorn and Leany Van Valkenburgh; b. Apr. 12, 1807; d. 1892; m. ELIZABETH FOLMSBY.

Children:

Isaac R. Schermerhorn removed from Schodack in 1836, to Saratoga County, N. Y., where his wife's family resided. After the deaths of his wife's parents he moved with his family to Thurman, Warren County, and settled near the home of their youngest daughter, Cordelia Mattison. He was a contractor and builder and his son, James, followed his father in this business. He served in the Civil War and drew a large pension until his death. His son Ryer was a millwright and lived at Beaver Dam, N. Y.

Peter L. Schermerhorn, son of Isaac R., served in the Civil War and was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison. He was transferred to Andersonville and Castle Thunder, and for this reason was not exchanged, and was held in prison for two years and two months. When the war was ended he had a very serious illness and could not return to his family for some time, and all thought him dead. When he did return, his wife did not know him, he was so changed in appearance. His health was shattered and he drew a large pension.

189

LUCAS D., son of (155) Derrick L. Schermerhorn and Eva Van Valkenburgh; b. June 17, 1798; d. June 11, 1849; bur. in Kinderhook; m. Dec. 3, 1826, LOUISE DECKER; b. Dec. 11, 1802; d. Aug. 6, 1866; dau. of Cornelius Decker and Elizabeth Fowler.

Children:

In early life Lucas D. Schermerhorn was a resident of Lexington, N. Y. On January 1, 1830, he sold his property in Lexington and returned to Schodack, N. Y., where he established a knitting mill at Muitzeskill.

190

JACOB D., son of (155) Derrick L. Schermerhorn and Eva Van Valkenburgh; b. Nov. 4, 1799, in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y.; d. Aug. 23, 1864; m. RUTH BUTLER; b. 1794; d. 1871; dau. of William Butler and Louisa Blakely.

Children:

Jacob D. Schermerhorn lived in Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y.

191

JOHN D., son of (155) Derrick L. Schermerhorn and Eva Van Valkenburgh; b. Oct. 13, 1805; d. Oct. 31, 1880; m. 1830, SARAH CASE ROSE; b. Dec. 11, 1810, in Barkhempstead, Conn.

Children:

John D. Schermerhorn lived at one time in Windham, Greene County, N. Y.

192

HIRAM, son of (155) Derrick L. Schermerhorn and Eva Van Valkenburgh; b. Apr. 10, 1809; d. Oct. 13, 1865; m. Apr. 20, 1832, PAMELIA CAUL; b. Apr. 24, 1812; d. Apr. 10, 1882.

Children:

193

WALTER P., son of (156) Philip Schermerhorn and Charity Carpenter; b. Feb. 19, 1803; d. Mch. 3, 1883; m. Jan. 20, 1825, in Schodack, ELIZA PETRIE.

Children:

In the possession of Mrs. Charles L. G. Sowle (formerly Mary Louise Schermerhorn), in Seattle, Washington, is an old Schermerhorn cradle said to be over 200 years old, in which seven generations of the family have been rocked. Among them was Captain Lucas Jacob Schermerhorn.

It is said that Jacob Janse Schermerhorn brought this cradle from Holland on one of his trips to the fatherland in 1668. This cradle has always been in the possession of some one of the Schodack branch of the family. It is made of cherry which is dark with age and is as strong to-day as when the early members of the family were rocked in it. The last to use it was John Schermerhorn Sowle, son of the present owner.

194

JOHN P., son of (156) Philip Schermerhorn and Charity Carpenter; b. Aug. 24, 1805; d. Apr. 5, 1855, in Schodack; m. (1) Jan. 25, 1830, HITY MARIA VAN BUREN; b. Jan. 22, 1809; d. Aug. 3, 1830; m. (2) June 15, 1831, JULIA ANN BENTON; b. July 4, 1812; d. July 28, 1858.

Children:

John P. Schermerhorn was a resident of Schodack, N. Y. Samuel Benton, his father-in-law, served in the War of 1812, in the 76th Regt. N. Y. Militia. Isaac C. Schermerhorn, son of John P., enlisted in 1862, in the 59th Regt., N. Y. Infantry.

195

RENSSELAER P., son of (156) Philip Schermerhorn and Charity Carpenter; b. Jan. 27, 1817; bp. in Schodack; d. Aug. 13, 1883; m. (1) Jan. 1, 1840, in Schodack, SARAH STREVOR; b. ————; d. Jan. 16, 1848, in Schodack; m. (2) ELIZABETH JACOBY.

Children:

196

JOHN, son of (158) Jacob Schermerhorn and Catharina Fink; b. Apr. 6, 1785; bp. in Athens; d. May, 1829; m. BETSY FINK; d. Apr., 1827.

Children:

John Schermerhorn removed in early life from Broome, Schoharie County, N. Y., to Gilboa in the same county.

199

WILLIAM, son of (161) Ryer B. Schermerhorn and Marytje Davids Beevers; b. Apr. 11, 1779; bp. in Albany; m. 1800, in Schodack, MARY SHARP, dau. of Gilbert Sharp.

Children:

William Schermerhorn evidently lived in Bethlehem, Albany Co., N. Y., at the time his children were born.

200

JACOB L., son of (162) Leonard Schermerhorn and Mary Doty; b. June 24, 1789; bp. in Centre Brunswick; d. Feb., 1881; m. (1) LAVINA HORTON; m. (2) LUCY RANDALL.

Children by first wife:

Jacob L. Schermerhorn owned a farm in Berne, Albany County, which he sold when the anti-rent troubles broke out, and he then moved to Middleburgh, Schoharie County.

All of Jacob L. Schermerhorn's children were born at Berne, N. Y. Almon enlisted in the Civil War, May 17, 1861, and was discharged May 29, 1863. Jacob enlisted in the Harris Light Cavalry and both he and Almon were in the Army of the Potomac. George enlisted in a Wisconsin Regiment and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.

201

JOHN ROGER, son of (163) Jacob D. Schermerhorn and Eleanor Sparks; b. Nov. 1, 1816; d. Oct. 3, 1850; m. Dec. 21, 1837, MARY M. CANNON.

Children:

John R. Schermerhorn died while a young man, leaving his children fatherless at a very early age. Mary Cannon Schermerhorn was a descendant of the Bairds of Massachusetts, who built the Old South St. Church in Boston. Her grandmother on her father's side was a first cousin of Aaron Burr.

Jacob D. Schermerhorn was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of the 56th N. Y. Infantry. His brother Cornelius also served in the war and was killed in battle.

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