RIKERT - RYKERT

A date followed by a hyphen is that of birth: preceded by a hyphen, or by a letter d., that of death; the date of a person’s birth and death, separated by a hyphen.

The titles of reference works and the locations where they might be found have been underlined.

When this work was reviewed for republishing, the Lawrence C. Riker family has added some additional persons and more recent related data. All information added to the original Smith Henry Riker work has been shown in italics .

The family of Lawrence C. Riker, and those who will read, and refer to the history enclosed in these pages, owe a great debt of gratitude to Smith Henry Riker . He invested much time and perseverence in this initial work. We look forward some day, in the next life, to personally thank him for this great love of family.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

The Rikert-Riker records in this binding have been detached from my files to be sent out as a loan to a few relatives and friends who have evinced interest in the subject. They begin with Joseph Rikert, the emigrant, but contain only the line of Henry Rikert (1740-1825), grandson of Joseph, and one of the eight sons of David Rikert and Anna Elizabeth Schafer. It is not at all certain that I shall ever be able to have these records printed. But steps are being taken to ensure their preservation.

As a person’s record is completed, that is as nearly as it is reasonably possible to complete genealogical records, six sets are typed. It is my intention to deposit at least five sets in as many of the principal libraries. Since the sheets herein comprise a portion of the sixth set, it will be seen that that set is broken during their absence. Hence my reason for asking for their return within a reasonable time.

These records are not necessarily in their final form, and therefore are subject to revision. Frequently additional information is brought to light, or it is discovered that errors have crept in. The original (first) set is kept up to date. The other sets are corrected from time to time.

To any one desiring to do so, permission is hereby given to copy any portion of these records.

INTRODUCTION

My interest in family history goes back thirty odd years, when there came to my notice a short account of the Rikert family prepared by Edward M. Smith author of History of Rhinebeck. This created a desire to know something of my ancestors, and from whence they came. It was largely the incentive to the production of the present work. My original intention was merely to trace my own ancestry for my own amusement and edification. This seemingly simple undertaking involved much research, and resulted in the accumulation of a mass of material pertaining to many collateral Rikert branches, and allied families. So engrossing did the subject become as the possibilities appeared, I was actuated to continue it. Since the time and means that I could spare to it were greatly limited, the work had to be done in my spare moments, and consequently its progress was slow. Doubtless with an expenditure of these two essentials far beyond my ability, for which no remuneration can be expected save in the pleasure attending such pursuits, much additional material would be found. It was apparent that little was known of the early history of the family, and no small amount of the information received from members of the family was found to need revision. While the Smith notes embodied important information, they were incomplete and contained assumptions that proved to be wrong. My indebtedness for this valuable record of the early generations is graciously acknowledged.

So far as I am aware, no record of the same magnitude of this family was ever before attempted. This presentation is not offered as a complete collection, but merely in the hope it will prove to be a substantial contribution. It is offered as records and not as a literary effort. May its perusal serve as an incentive to some person better qualified, to take up the subject at some time and present the genealogy in a more comprehensive form. My aim has been to collect before it is entirely too late, as many as possible of the widely scattered records of the family, put them in form for permanent preservation, and make them available to posterity. No work of this nature and scope can be fully complete, nor wholly free from errors. In spite of diligent efforts many of the records are incomplete. I have spared no pains to ensure truth in the details, so far as careful research and comparison of authorities enables one to arrive at it. There are many conflicting statements and opinions to harmonize. Those who are not familiar with genealogical research have little conception of the vast amount of time, labor and expense necessary in preparing a work of this kind. The records presented here are from family, church and public records and documents; wills, deeds and tombstone inscriptions; Bible recorded, and information derived from members of the family: data obtained from correspondence: old newspapers obtainable; county and other histories, genealogies, manuscripts, etc. Many of these are obtainable in the principal libraries, notably the New York Public Library, and the State Library, at Albany.

OUR EMIGRANT ANCESTORS

The Riker-Rikert-Rykert American lineage begins with one of three (or more) emigrant ancestors. Abraham Rycken, or De Rycke, is presumed to have emigrated in 1638, locating first at Wallabout, where the Brooklyn navy yard now is, and later at New York. His descendants spell the name Riker. Joseph Reichert came from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1710, settling probably in Pennsylvania. The name is Riker.

The following account of Abraham Riker is from A Brief History of The Riker Family, from their first emigration to this country in the Year 1638 to the present time (1861), by James Riker, Jun., the historian contained in his Annals of Newton:

“We are informed by writers on European genealogy that the Rikers were originally a German family, located at a very remote period in Lower Saxony, where they enjoyed a state of allodial independence, at that day regarded as constituting nobility. There they possessed the estate or manor of Rycken, from which they took their name, then written von Rycken, indicating its territorial derivation. Subsequently the name suffered various changes, being found written de Rycke, de Ryk, and Riecke, etc., and in America finally assuming its present form.

“Hans von Rycken the lord of the above manor, and a valiant knight, with his cousin, Melchior von Rycken, who lived in Holland, took part in the first crusade to the Holy Land in 1096, heading 800 crusaders in the army of Walter the Penniless. Melchior lived to return, but Hans perished in that ill-fated expedition……As regards the American portion of the Riker family, I am, with present information, disposed to believe them descended from a branch of the family of considerable wealth and importance at Amsterdam, where they had occupied places of public trust for two centuries, until the Spanish war occasioned a great reverse in their fortunes. In this war Capt. Jacob Simonsz de Rycke, a wealthy corn merchant of the above city, and a warm partisan of the Prince of Orange, distinguished himself by his military services. It has been conjectured that he was the grandfather of Abraham de Rycke, the head of the family in America, from the early occurrence of the name Jacob in the family here, and since tradition states that their ancestor was an early and zealous supporter of William of Nassau, when that prince took up arms in defense of Dutch liberty, and that the family, for several successive generations, during the long and sanguinary struggle with Spain, followed a military career. But it remains for further research to remove the uncertainty which envelopes this era of the family history.

“When New Netherland invited the virtuous and daring to seek a home in her wilds, several of the Rikers joined the adventurers coming hither. These were Abraham, Gysbert, Rynier, and Hendrick Rycken, the last of whom came out a few years after the others, and was the ancestor of the Suydam family, his sons assuming that name. Gysbert owned land at the Wallabout, and is last named in 1640, and Rynier was an intelligent merchant in New Amsterdam, named as a church member in 1649, and living in the Waal Straat in 1668; but it is not known that either of these two left issue. In addition to these, our records mention Hendrick Rycken, skipper, under God, of the ship Sphaera Munda’, who, trading on this coast in 1656, was compelled by misfortune to touch at New Amsterdam, where he shipped a quantity of beavers and tobacco for the European market. There is no further notice of this skipper, and though possible, it is hardly to be supposed that he afterwards abandoned the sea, took up residence here, and was identical with the Suydam ancestor.

“Abraham Rycken, or de Rycke, as the name is indiscriminately written in our early records, was the progenitor of the present Riker families in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the union; his descendants, in the third generation, having assumed the present mode of spelling the name. He is presumed to have emigrated in 1638, as he received in that year an allotment of land from Gov. Kieft, for which he afterwards took out a patent, dated August 8, 1640. This land was situated at the Wallabout, and now either joins, or is included within the farm of the Hon. Jeremiah Johnson. In 1642 Riker is found in New Amsterdam, where he continued to live many years upon premises of his own, on the Heeren Gracht, now Broad Street. He was probably engaged in trade, for it appears that in 1656 he made a voyage to the Delaware River for the expressed purpose of purchasing beaver skins, then a leading article of traffic. The voyage proved an unlucky one, for, as they were ascending the Delaware at night, the bark stranded near the falls of that river. She was unloaded and after some time got afloat, during which operation the passengers abode in tents on shore. Riker visited Fort Casimir, near the present New Castle, and returned, unable to get any peltry. He and his wife, Grietie, a dau. of Hendrick Harmensen, were members of the Dutch church, as appears by a list dated 1649, and most of their (nine) children were baptized in the Church within Fort Amsterdam. In 1654 Riker obtained a grant of land at the Poor Bowery, to which he subsequently removed. Afterwards adding to his domain the island known as Riker’s Island, also by patent in 1664. Having attained to more than three score years and ten, he d. in 1669, leaving his farm by will to his son Abraham."

Joseph Reichert, a native of Kirchberg, county of Marbach, grand duchy of Wurtemberg, Germany, came to America in 1710 with a large emigration mainly from Palatinate. With some 34 of the Palatine families Rikert moved to Dutchess County, probably in 1714, there becoming one of the founders of Rhinebeck. Joseph Reichert, a widower married Anna Maria Traver, a widow. Two sons were born of this marriage, John Bernhard, December 30, 1711, and John David, April 17, 1714. John Bernhard seems to have died young.

The spiritual needs of the Palatines were in good hands; the Rev. Joshua Kocherthal, a Lutheran minister, and the Rev. John Frederick Hager, a minister of the Reformed church who had taken orders in the Church of England. While on shipboard Kocherthal administered the sacraments and began the records bearing his name. They are written in German with Latin captions and sentences, and still are preserved in the parsonage of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at West Camp, whose early records they, distinctively, are. They have been translated by the Rev. Christian Krahmer for “Olde Ulster”, a publication devoted to Ulster County history. This ensures their preservation from loss by fire or otherwise. A part of the very first page is missing. The first entries are two baptisms in 1708 on board the ship “Globus”. Thus it is seen that Kocherthal made a voyage ahead of the Palatine immigration of 1710. On that occasion he accompanied a smaller party of Palatines who were the first settlers at Newburgh.

Arriving in a wilderness in the fall of the year there was barely time to erect crude huts before the winter set in. That winter of 1710-11 is said to have been severe, causing much hardship and suffering among indomitable courage they lost no time in establishing a school and church. Imbued with the spirit of independence, and directed by their able and beloved Kocherthal, they formed a colony which soon was triumphant over the hardships incident to frontier life, and helped lay the foundation for a republican government and free institutions. It is difficult to overestimate the value of their many noble and sterling qualities upon the life and the state of the nation then in its early formative stage.

John David Rikert, Joseph Rikert’s surviving son, married Anne Elizabeth Schafer by whom he had eight sons and four daughters, the baptismal records of all of whom are found in the church books. The descendants of four of the sons have been traced to the present time (1931). Each of the four other sons had children, but the tracing of their descendants, if indeed, there are any, has so far been unsuccessful. The line of John writes the name Rikert, while that of Zachariah writes it Rykert; the lines of Henry and Jacob write it Riker. These descendants, of course, are widely scattered. Those remaining in Dutchess County are Rikerts. The Rykerts are found in Canada, mainly in the vicinity of Toronto. The Rikers, descendants of Jacob are found in New York City and vicinity, but those of Henry are more widely scattered.

William Richter was born in Germany about 1716 and emigrated to America in 1728, at the age of 12. Concerning his parentage we know nothing. It is presumed the lad was brought here by one or both of his parents, or possibly other relatives. We may easily envision him as being an orphan, as he was bound out to a Mr. Grier to learn the cooperage business. He is supposed to have settled in southern Pennsylvania, or Maryland. He had one son, Frederick, born in Pennsylvania in 1743.

Frederick Riker married in 1767, Catherine Hannan. He is said to have resided at Chestnut Level, Penn. He and his wife were Presbyterians. They had ten children: Andrew, born April 1, 1768; John, born March 2, 1770; Sarah, born March 5, 1772; Samuel, born October 25, 1774; Mary, born December 27, 1776; James, born November 16, 1780; Rachel, born September 5, 1785; William, born November 15, 1787; Thomas born June 2, 1789; Catherine, born June 27, 1795. Samuel was born in Maryland, residing in that state until his eighteenth year, when he removed to Pennsylvania. Therefore at one time Frederick may have lived in Maryland. In 1802, at the age of 59, with his wife and eight of their children, Frederick Riker emigrated to Ohio. This was the year before Ohio was admitted to the Union. They traveled by Ohio riverboat from Pittsburgh, landing at Cincinnati, June 25. Our account does not state where Frederick settled in Ohio. Samuel married Sarah Clark and had 12 children; resided in Hamilton County, where Sharonville later grew up; later he moved to Montgomery. William married and settled at St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio. Thomas settled near Cincinnati; his son, John, married and removed to Crawford County, Illinois. Sarah married Richard Love and lived near Cincinnati. Mary married Johnson and lived near Loveland, Ohio. Rachel married Middleton and lived at Sharonville. Catherine married James Ayres and lived in Montgomery, Ohio. Their descendants are now scattered throughout Ohio, Illinois, and other sections of the country. Andrew and John remained in Pennsylvania, residing at Chestnut Level and raised large families.

The patronymic soon became Riker. The early annals of this family are very meager. Information received from two sources is conflicting. However, I have no hesitancy in accepting as the more reliable that sent me in 1908 by Rev. Albert Burdsall Riker, A.M. D.D. (1852-1929) then, and for many years, president of Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, a great-great-grandson of the emigrant, William Richter. However I cannot reconcile one statement. He wrote that Frederick Riker resided at Chestnut Level, Somerset County, Penn. Chestnut Level, a hamlet of less than 100 souls, is in Lancaster County about seven miles from the Maryland boundary. No record is found of a place of that name in Somerset County.

IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

The Rikert men of military age during the struggle for Independence were the eight sons of David Rikert and his wife Anna Elizabeth Schafer. They were Joseph, Henry, John, Jacob, David, Philip, Zacharias and Barent, in the order of their ages, born between 1738 and 1758. Soon after the battle of Lexington (April 19, 1775), associations were formed everywhere pledging allegiance to the Continental Congress and the provincial congresses. Committees were formed to solicit signatures to the pledges, called the General Association. Many men willingly gave their support by signing. Opinion was divided, however, and approval was by no means unanimous. In Rhinebeck precinct the Association to which the names were signed was engrossed on parchment and written in English, German and Dutch. Something like 330 men signed. Another return was made containing about 220 names of those refusing to sign. None of the Rikerts signed. Among those refusing were Henry, David, Philip and Johannes Rikert, and their brother-in-law Lodowick Elshever. Later the names of Johannes, Jacob, and David appear in the war records in a list of about 1100 enlisted men in Dutchess County Militia (Land Bounty Rights), Sixth Regiment. The names are written Johannes Rikert, Jacob Reickert and David Reichart, Jr. The absence of uniformity in spelling names in the old records, and particularly in the war records, is common. In 1781 a bounty of “Land Rights”—a “Right” being 500 acres—was offered to officers and men for two regiments to be raised. Men mustered from the Land Bounty Rights Regiments were certified to have been enlisted for either the Line or the Levies. They were, however, ready to serve: and the fact that they may not have been called upon to serve should not detract from the credit due them. There is no evidence in these documents that the men ever saw actual service. Many roles are missing. Officers and men seem to have served in different organizations almost indiscriminately. It is, therefore, very difficult to keep track of them. Among the prisoners of war in Pennsylvania is found one Jacob Rickard from New York State. The records are very meager and there are no means of definitely identifying this soldier as our Jacob Rikert from Dutchess County. A list of the names of those whose estates were confiscated includes the names of Barent Rykert and Philip Rykert. The spelling used here of surnames follows that found in the records.

Joseph Rikert (b. abt 1662)

Joseph Rikert was a native of Kirchberg, Wurtemberg, Germany. He came to America in 1710 with a large emigration of Palatines and settled on the west bank of the Hudson River in Ulster (then Albany) County where now is West Camp. He did not long remain there. About 1714, with some 30 other families, he crossed the river and was one of the founders of the town of Rhinebeck, in Dutchess county, where he resided until his death in 1742. That the surname is variously written here is not accidental. A diversity in the spelling of proper names is found in the old church and other records. And the people themselves often wrote their names differently. The spelling here follows that found in the records. The earliest known reference to Joseph Rikert places him with the Palatines at West Camp in the fall of 1710, where he is called a Palatine. The church records tell us where he came from and the story of the Palatine emigration is the only account of his coming to this country.

Kirchberg, from whence Joseph Rikert came, is situated in central Wurtemberg, in southwestern Germany. It is approximately 15 miles southeast of Heilbronn, about 105 miles north of the Switzerland boundary at Lake of Canstance and about 15 miles northeast of Stuttgart, the capital of Wurtemberg. It is in the northeast fringe of the Black Forest, on the railroad between Ludwigburg and Backnang. The area of Wurtemberg is a little less than that of the state of Massachusetts.

With the beginning of the eighteenth century two currents of immigration rapidly outdistanced all others in numbers, importance and the amount of attention which they attracted. These were the Palatines and the Scotch-Irish. The Palatines were so called because their original home was in what was known as the Palatinate, a section of Germany bordering on both sides of the Rhine from Cologne to Manheim. The Palatinate consisted of two parts, the upper and the lower, from the latter of which most of the immigration came. The position of the country brought it into close relations with the Reformation, and large numbers of the population became protestant. Wars had borne heavily on the Palatinate, when, in 1709, more than 6,000 of the people, most of them Lutherans, left their homes and, passing through Holland, crossed over and made England their refuge. Many, being without means, were subsisted by the British government. Some remained in England, some were sent to Ireland, others to Carolina and about 3,200 men, women and children to New York. While they were yet in London and the government was considering means for their disposal, in November, 1709, Robert Hunter was appointed governor of the province of New York. Hunter proposed to the government that 3,000 of the Palatines be sent with him to New York to be employed there in the production of turpentine and tar out of which rosin and pitch are made, for use in the British navy. The proposition was approved and the people sailed with Hunter from Plymouth near the end of January, 1710. The fleet consisted of ten ships, being the largest immigration to America in colonial days. Beset by storms the voyage was greatly prolonged. Living conditions were bad aboard the vessels, much sickness prevailed and more than 470 persons died at sea, many of whom were children. The first ship, the Lyon, landed at New York June 15. Governor Hunter arrived the following day. He wrote on June 16, “We want still three of the Palatine ships, and those arrived are in a deplorable sickly condition”. The people were landed on Nutten (now Governor’s) Island, where they sojourned about three months while the governor and his aides searched for suitable pine lands upon which to settle them. About 250 died on Nutten Island. After having considered several locations, lands on the Hudson River about 115 miles from New York were selected as the most suitable for the purpose. The majority of the people were conveyed up the river in sloops, probably late in September, some however remaining in New York. James Bridger went up the river near the end of July and wrote November 13, “I have laid out for the Palatines five towns, all on Hudson’s river”. James Du Fre wrote October 4, “The Palatines began last week to embark for the places where they are to be settled”, and governor Hunter wrote October 3, “I am just returning from settling the Palatines on the Hudson’s river”. Two camps were established, one on the west side, called West Camp. West Camp lies at the base of the Catskill Mountains. The pine trees proved to be of the wrong species to yield the pitch needful for tar, and the tar-making enterprise was abandoned two years later.

Joseph Rikert’s name is found first in a “Statement of heads of Palatine families and number of Persons in both Towns on ye west side of Hudson’s River, Winter, 1710”. Documentary History of New York, Vol. III, pp. 569 and 570.) West Camp then consisted of two towns, Newton and Elizabethtown. The statement contains 82 names, and tabulates 257 persons under six headings as follows: men, 77; lads from 9 to 15, 36; boys from 8 & under, 13; women, 84; maids from 9 to 15, 33; girls from 8 & under, 14. The 42nd name in the statement is that of Joseph Reichert, and following the name one person only is recorded, and that in the column headed “men”. This places him in West Camp in early winter of 1710, alone, without family. The church records call him widower in January, 1711. When, or to whom, he previously was married or when he was widowed has not been ascertained. His wife may have died before he left Germany, or she well may have been among the large number that died envoyage. It is worthy of note in connection that of the 53 marriages recorded by Kocherthal in 1710 and 1711, in only 11 were both contracting parties single. In 22 one was widowed and in the remaining 20 both parties were widowed. The 17th entry in the statement of families is the name of Anna Maria Draberin (Traver), with two lads from 9 to 15. The Traver descendants of these two sons of Anna Maria are numerous. Kocherthal records the marriage of Joseph Reichert and Anna Maria Traver at West Camp as follows; “January 9, 1711, Joseph Reichert of Kirchberg, county of Marbach, grand duchy of Wurtemberg, a widower and Anna Maria, widow of the late Johann Niclaus Treber, a Wheelwright, of Wollstein in the county of Cruetznach”. Tradition says John N. Traver died on the voyage to America. Kocherthal records also the births of two sons born of this marriage, one “January 29, 1712, Johann Bernhard, born December 30, 1711, child of Joseph and Anna Maria Reichert; sp. Johann Bernhard Zipperlin and his wife”. These translations are those of the Rev. Krahmer. The other “April 18, 1714, Johann David, born the 17, child of Joseph and Anna Maria Reichert; sp. Johann Bernhard Zipperlin and his wife.” Anna Maria Zipperlin (Zipperly) was a sister of Joseph Rikert. Since both children were named John, and John Bernhard is not again heard of, it is presumed he died young. However, Kocherthal did not record his death. Possibly this may be accounted for by his absence as he itinerated from West Camp to several other places. His burial records, consisting of 24 entries, are prefaced “A list of all persons of the High German people who died after my arrival and during my residence at Newtown on the west side of the Hudson, and at whose demise or burial I was either present myself, or concerning which I was at least notified.”

The Kocherthal records cover the period from the departure of the Palatines from England, to Kocherthal’s death, which occurred at Newton, June 24, 1719. They begin the American lineage of many New York and Pennsylvania families. At the time of his death Kocherthal was preparing for another voyage to London to secure from the British government the fulfillment of many promises made the colonists. There was much dissatisfaction among the Palatines due to these unfulfilled promises on the part of the government and to the failure of he tar-making enterprise. Many left the camps, some going to Schoharie and some on the Mohawk river, in New York, and still others to Bending, Pennsylvania.

Some four years after their arrival at West Camp, perhaps late in 1714, thirty-five families, including that of Joseph Rikert, removed to Dutchess County there becoming one of the founders of Rhinebeck. They settled on lands laid out for and sold to them in fee, by Col. Henry Beekman, on that part of his patent now covered by the town of Rhinebeck. Their settlement was about twelve miles down the river from West Camp, and from one to three miles north of the present village of Rhinebeck. The name Rhinebeck was confined to these people until the organization of Rhinebeck precinct in 1715. He records the marriage of Joseph Rikert's daughter (by his former marriage), Anna Canstantia, to Carl Naher, "at Rhinebeck" January 11, 1715. This is strong evidence that Rikert then was living at Rhinebeck, probably having settled there in 1714 after the census.

His farm of 75 acres was located on the King's Highway, now the Albany Post road, about 1-1/2 miles north of the present village, and two miles east of the river. It is presumed, but not proven, that he took possession of this land in 1714. A deed was given him October 20, 1718, buy the heirs of Col. Beekman, which calls him Joseph Rikert, of Rhinebeck, yeoman. There were a number of deeds bearing this date which are the oldest recorded in the county clerk's office at Poughkeepsie. The consideration was ten shillings current money of New York, and also a rentage for four years of two couple of fat live hens, and after four years to pay yearly forever twocouple of fat live hens and also one peck and half of good merchantable winter wheat for every acre of land. The grantors were to have a chance to buy all surplus grain; to buy the land if Rikert wanted to sell, and Rikert was to have his grain ground at Beekman's mill. Seven acres were added on the south side, August 26, 1726. In the addition to the deed Henry Beekman, Jr., agreed that after the death of his mother the rent article was to be only 28 scheples, being 21 bushels. The last Rikert owner was Joseph's grandson, Johannes. Smith says when the land passed out of the Rikert's hands it was to Thomas Tillotson and was from him transferred to Zachariah Traven, a descendent of Sebastian Traven, a step-son of Joseph Rikert, to whom he deeded a portion of his land in 1726. It remained Traven-owned until 1905 when title passed to Col. John Jacob Astor. It now, 1930, is owned by Vincent Astor, whose estate it adjoins. The original deed, including two indentures, is still preserved. The first indenture, dated November 19, 1748, is between Catherine Pawling and David Rykert, witnessed by Charles Crook, Jr., and Johannes Ergenbrogh (the latter by his mark). The second dated February 4, 1786, between Johannes Rikert and Henry Dittemore. The indentures were not recorded. These three papers were deposited in the American History Division, New York Public Library on May 22, 1930, by the heirs of Alexander Traver. Colonial grants were usually conditioned to the annual payment of a quit rent, sometimes due in money and often wheat or other commodity. In 1786 it was provided that lands subject to these rents might be released upon payment of arrears, and fourteen shillings of annual dues. The first Indian deed for lands in Rhinebeck is dated June 8, 1626.

I have examined the original tax rolls for the years 1718 to 1754, inclusive, (records for 1749 to 1752 are missing). In the first tax roll, 1718 the total assessed value in the county was 1800 pounds, divided among 129 tax payers. Joseph Rykert was named as one of them and was rated at 8 pounds, 7 shillings and 6 pence. His name, always written the same, appears in no less than eighteen tax lists between 1718 and 1729. These lists are contained in three original books, the earliest known records of the supervisors and assessors of Dutchess County. Besides the tax lists the books contain accounts of meetings, a number of court records, election reports and miscellaneous accounts of various descriptions. They tell us that one of the three overseers of the king's highway, elected April 5, 1725, for the ensuing year was Joseph Rykert. This is the only office to which he is known to have been chosen. These records throw a certain amount of light upon the life of the times. The taxes were for three purposes, viz.: his majesty's revenue, his government in the colony of New York, and the county--for "maintaining the poor and preventing vagabonds". Bartholomeus Hoogeboom was paid "10 shillings for ye Stocks making". Joseph Rykert's name continues in the list each year up to 1742. The 1743 assessment is in the name of "Joseph Rykert's widow". Thus his death is pretty definitely fixed as having occurred either in 1742 or 1743, probably in 1742 as the assessment rolls in these two years are dated February 2 and February 1, respectively. His assessed valuation ranged from 15 pounds to 20 pounds. In 1738 it amounted to 16 pounds, while in 1739 it was reduced to 5 pounds. His son David was assessed first in 1737. His assessed valuation in 1737 and 1738 was 1 pound, and in 1739 it was increased to 12 pounds. Therefore it is evident that Joseph transferred the bulk of his property to David in 1738. The sum of Joseph's and David assessments each year from 1737 to 1742 was 17 pounds. Joseph's widow's assessment for 1742 and afterwards was 1 pound. Joseph Rikert was named a freeholder in a census of the county in 1740.

It previously was stated that Joseph Rikert was without family upon his arrival at West Camp in 1710, and was called "widower" when married in 1711. Yet he is known to have had a daughter, Anna Constantia, and a sister, Anna Maria, who are presumed to have followed him to America. Both were married by Kocherthal, Anna Maria at West Camp, in 1711 and Anna Constantia, as already stated, at Rhinebeck in 1715. The name of his father is learned from the marriage record of his sister, which calls her the daughter of the late Hans (John) Reichard of Kirchberg, County of Marbach, Wurtemberg. We have no definite knowledge concerning his [Joseph’s] age. The records are silent as to the date of his birth or death, but as already stated he is known to have died either in 1742 or 1743. Having a daughter who married in 1715, his age at the time of his arrival at West Camp in 1710 is placed at no less than 40, which would make him 70 or more in 1742. The place of his burial remains to be discovered. There is no indication of a family burying ground on the farm. The oldest marked grave in the cemetery at St. Peter's church is that of Carl Naher, Joseph's son-in-law, who died in 1733. Since Joseph died about 13 years after the founding of St. Peter's, in the affairs of which he was active, it was presumed he was buried there in an unmarked grave. It is not known that he left a will. His widow is last mentioned in 1749. She is assessed each year from 1743 to 1749 as Joseph Rykert's widow. The tax lists for 1750-51-52 are missing and her name is omitted from 1753 list. She is named as a communicant of St. Peter's November 2, 1746, and again January 22, 1749.

It falls to the lot of few men to help found three churches. All of which has since been continuously active. Yet Joseph Rikert merited that distinction. Upon their arrival at West Camp the Palatines lost no time in providing themselves a place of worship. This was St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, whose activities ever have continued, and whose 210th anniversary was celebrated in May 1930. The original church records, still intact, contain the earliest American record of the Rikert family. The names of Joseph Rikert and his wife Anna Maria appear frequently in them, and later the 35 Palatine families who removed to Rhinebeck; and is thought to have been the first in Dutchess County. Among these people were Lutherans and Calvinists, who built the first church together, remaining joint owners about fifteen years. The Lutherans sold their interest in the church and four acres of ground to the Reformers on December 10, 1729. Joseph Rikert was a Lutheran and was a member of the committee of four to whom the payment, 25 pounds current money of New York, was made. The Lutherans then built themselves a church, St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, one half mile north of the Reformed church. The building was later rebuilt and is popularly called the "Stone Church". Its location is about three miles north of Rhinebeck village and about one mile north of the Rikert farm. The Reformed church continued to function until 1800, when it became St. Paul's (Zion) Evangelical Lutheran Church and moved three miles north to Red Hook. If any records were kept during the union of these churches between 1715 and 1730 they are lost. Joseph Rikert and his wife Anna Maria served as sponsors at various baptisms, both at West Camp and Rhinebeck from 1711 to 1738. In a list of things given in 1716 by "Christian and Kindly disposed persons...for the furtherance and maintenance of our work in connection with church and school" (at West Camp), Kocherthal states that Anna Maria Reichart gave a tin basin for the administration of Holy Baptisms.

Rev. W. C. Berkenmeyer's Chronicles contain much of the history of the Lutheran Church in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys during the period 1731 to 1750. An entry dated Rhinebeck, August 29, 1737, gives the name of Velt Scheffer, Jurge Deter, Mich. Zipperle, Joseph Rychard and Jacob Scheffer. These men were to go to Poughkeepsie supposedly in connection with the great mental affliction Peter Treber. The manuscript is written in German. There is no one in the State Library, where one of the two photostatic copies is on file, able to make a complete translation. The manuscript is the property of the Lutheran Historical Society, Gettysburg, Pa.

Joseph Rikert's Deed

This indenture made the twentieth day of October in the Fifth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland; King, Defender of the Faith &c: Anno: Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighteen between Henry Beekman of Kingstone in the county of Ulster Gent: and John Rutsen of Kingstone aforesaid Gent: Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston of the city of New York... Marchant and Cornelia his wife on the one part and Joseph Rikert of Rinbeck in the county of Dutchess yeoman on the other part witnesseth that the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife for and in consideration of Ten Shillings Current Money of New York, to them in hand paid by the said Joseph Rikert and before the Ensealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and also in consideration of the Rents and Covenants herein after mentioned and expressed and which on the part and behalf of the said Joseph Rikert are and ought to be paid, done observed performed, fulfilled and kept and for diverse other good causes and considerations then the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife and Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife, hereunto moving that the said Henry Beekman, John Rutsen and Catherine his wife, Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife have Given, Granted Bargained, Sold, Aliened, Released, Enfelled and Confirmed AND by these Presents Do Fully, Clearly and Absolutely Give, Grant, Bargain, Sell Alien, Release, Enfelled, and Confirm unto the said Joseph Rikert all That Certain Tract of Land or Farm Situate Lying and being at Rinebeck in ye County of Dutchess Eastward there from the Hudson's river within the bounds of the patent formerly granted to Henry Beekman deceased Father of the said Henry Beekman party to these presents beginning at the North angle at the Henry Sheaver from thence running north ten degrees East fifteen chains & Eighty-one links then south Thirty-five degrees East along the Drift for Cattle four chains then south thirty degrees East thirteen chains then South twenty-one degrees East ten chains then South eleven degrees thirty minutes East sixteen chains then South Sixty-five degrees East seventeen chains then South seven degrees East ten chains then West ten degrees South ten chains Eighteen Links to the East Angle of Henry Sheaver then along his bounds to the first Station the which being bounded to the Southwest by the land of Henrick Sheaver to the North East by the land of Frances Keler and on all other sides by the land of the said Colonel Beekman Containing Seventy-Six acres Together with all and Singular the Ways, passages, waters, water courses, other than the erecting any mill or mills thereon, fishing, fowling, profits commons feedings, Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said farm land and promises with the appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining and also Right of commonage and feeding of all commonable Beasts and Cattle and liberty and cut sufficient fire wood and timber in the west ground of them the Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife for building and fencing upon the said farm and for the necessary firing and fueling of him the said Joseph Rikert and repairing the house and fences, when built and to be used and employed within six months after the cutting and felling thereof on the herein Before granted premises with the appurtenances, only, and not else where end to end for no other use or purpose whatsoever. And also all the Estate Right Title, claim and demand of them the said Henry Beekman, John Rutsen and Catherine his wife and Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife of in and to the said farm land and premises herein before granted, with the appurtenances or of in or to any part or parcel thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said farm land and premises herein before granted or meant mentioned or intended to be herein before granted with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns forever, to the only proper use and behalf of him the Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns forever yielding and paying thereof for and during the Space of four years to commence from the date hereof unto the said Henry Beekman, John Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns the Yearly Rent of two Couple of live fat hens on the feast of the annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary commonly called Lady Day; and from and after the expiration of the term of four years aforesaid, then yielding paying and delivering yearly and every year forever hereafter unto the said Henry Beekman, John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns, the yearly rent of two couple of fat live hens aforesaid, and also the additional yearly rent of one peck and half of good merchantable winter wheat for every acre of the said farm and land herein before granted on the fifth day of May yearly, at such convenient store house or place as the said Henry Beekman, John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns shall within any part of the said tract of land within which the premises aforesaid and comprehended and expressed, appoint and direct the first payment thereof to begin and be made the First Day of May Next happening after the expiration of the term of four years without any manner or deduction or abatement of or for any manner of taxes or charges assessments or impositions whatsoever, imposed or to be imposed upon the said hereby granted premises or any part thereof or upon the reserved Gents aforesaid or upon the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns for or in respect thereof by any power or authority whatsoever which said yearly rent of two couple of live fat hens and also the additional yearly rent of one peck and a half of good merchantable winter wheat for every acre of the aforesaid land hereby granted the said Joseph Rikert for himself his Heirs and aasigns and for every of them doth covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns and to and with every of them by these presents well and truly to pay and Deliver or cause to be paid and delivered unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns and the Days Times and place above in these presents mentioned and appointed for payment thereof and in manner and form as the same are herein before reserved according to the true intent and meaning of these presents are upon the conditions that if the said yearly rents of two couple of live fat hens or the additional rent of computed to twenty-seven bushel of good merchantable winter wheat are or any part thereof shall be behind and unpaid in part or in all by the space of twenty days next after any the days before appointed for payment thereof being lawfully demanded or if the said Joseph Rikert shall not observe, keep and perform the several articles covenants and agreements hereafter particularly expressed that then and in any or either of these cases it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Hiers and Assigns into the said farm land and premises or in any part thereof and in the name of the whole wholly to reenter and the same to have again retain repossess and enjoy as in their first and former estate anything in these presents contained to the retain repossess and enjoy as in their first and former estate anything in these contrary thereof in any wise not withstanding and also from time to time when and so often as the said yearly rents of either of them shall be behind and unpaid in part or in all by the space of twenty days next after the days and times above appointed for the payment thereof it shall and maybe lawful to and for the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns or any of them into the said farm land and premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted or any of them and into every part or any part or parcel thereof to enter and distrain and the distress and distresses then and there found and taken to lead drive chase take or carry away impound detain and keep until the said yearly rent arrearages thereof if any shall be, unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns be fully paid and satisfied and the said Joseph Rikert for himself Heirs and Assigns and for every of them doth covenant promise grant and agree to and with the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns and to and with every of them by these presents in manner and form following: Viz: that the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns shall and will from year to year so every year hereafter first offer and give unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns, some or one of them the pre-emption or buying or refusal of buying of all such grain or corn as the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs or Assigns shall from year to year and every year raise and have off and from the said farm land and premises herein before granted over and above what the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns shall keep and preserve for his own use and which he or they shall be minded and desirous to sell and dispose and in case he the Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns or any of them shall at any time hereafter be minded and desirous to sell and absolutely to dispose of the said farm land and premises herein before granted or any part thereof with the appurtenances that then the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns shall and will first offer and give the pre-emption buying or purchasing or refusal of buying or purchasing the same unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife their Heirs or Assigns some or one of them and shall and will from time to time and at all Times hereafter bring and grind all such grain as the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns shall use in his and their family at the grist mill of the said Henry Beekman his Heirs and Assigns according to the usual custom and usage of a grist mill in case the same be in order and fitting to grind and also that the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns tenants and under-tenants and every of them shall from time to time and at all time hereafter, be subject unto perform observe, do and obey all Reasonable orders rules and agreements as shall at any time hereafter be made by the majority of the inhabitants of the said tract of land of them the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife within which the farm lands and premises aforesaid, hereby granted, do be and are comprehended for the regulating maintaining and keeping up all and singular the fences within the farm land and premises hereby granted and preserving the just bounds and limits thereof and further that the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns nor any of them nor any other person or persons whatsoever by his of their privity consent or presurement, shall not nor will not at any time hereafter, cut sown or take of from the common or waste grounds of them the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife aforesaid or any other or more wood or timber than what shall be sufficient for and shall be actually used for his and their necessary building and repairing of the house barn and other buildings and fences on the farm land and premises hereby granted and for his and their necessary fuel and firings to be burnt used and spent on the premises aforesaid and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever and shall not nor will not sell dispose or carry away any wood trees or timber or any bark of any tree or trees off or from the common or waste ground but shall use the same in and about the buildings and fences of the said farm land and premises hereby granted and for firing aforesaid and not else where or otherwise and the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife for themselves jointly and severally and for their Heirs and Assigns and for every of them respectfully do and doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns and to and with every of them by these presents, that he the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns and to and with every of them by these presents, that he the said Joseph Rikert his Heirs and Assigns and every of them paying the several rents herein before mentioned as the same are herein before reserved, and doing paying observing performing fulfilling and keeping all and singular the grants articles clauses payments conditions provisos and agreements herein before mentioned, which on his and their parts and behalf are and ought to be paid done observed performed fulfilled and kept shall or lawfully may peaceably and quietly have hold occupy possess and enjoy all and singular the said farm land and premises herein before mentioned to be granted with their and every of their appurtenances without the lawful lot suit trouble holestation or hinderance of them the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia his wife or either of them their or either of their Heirs or Assigns, or any other person or persons claiming or to claim by from or under them any or either of them. In witness whereof the parties first above named to these present Indentures have Interchangably set their hands and Seals the day and year first above written.

Enterlined before sealing and delivering in ye first sheet of paper between ye line 34 and 35 (two) between ye line 37 and 38 (Couple) Between line 45 and 46 (two) and between line 52 and 53 (Couple of)

Whereas the farms of Joseph Rykert by Dividend is become my inheritance and is also fallen in my lot I do further ad to this farm on the South side thereof seven acres the was all in Certed in this present indentures as well as these seven acres now granted I do certify hereby & acknowledge to have agreed that after the death of my mother the rent article herewithin Sett forth to be only twenty right shaples being twenty on Bushels as witness my hand this twenty-six day August one thousand Seven hundred & twenty Six.

Henry Beekman

John David Rikert (b. 1714)

John David Rikert (Joseph, Johannes), b. West Camp, April 17, bap. April 18, 1714 d. July, 1784; m. 1st Anna Elizabeth, dau. Justus Henrich and Maria Margaretha Schafer, bap. on board the ship Midford, April 12, 1710, d.;m. 2nd Anna Maria Kuhns, widow. He resided on the farm acquired of his father in 1738. Although no record of the transaction is found, his assessment was increased that year over 1737 by 11 pounds and his father's assessment reduced a like sum, indicating strongly the transfer of the property. The farm buildings are located west of the road which, in 1703 became the King's Highway, and in 1789 the (Albany) Post Road. The road divides the farm. Before the advent of the steamboat, when traffic on the river was by sloop, the highway carried a lively opposition to the river. Later when winter closed the river the road carried the mails and all the freight and passengers between New York and Albany; and villages along the route knew something of life and business. The author James Fenimore Cooper, is authority for the statement that "It is a matter of history that the settlements on the eastern shore of the Hudson", from Poughkeepsie north "were not regarded as safe as late as 1745 from Indian insurgence". The Mohicans occupied this territory. A census of Dutchess county taken in 1740 names David Rikert as a freeholder in the precinct of Rhinebeck. He was a trustee of St. Peter's Lutheran church, of which his father was one of the founders in 1729. The following letter is of interest:

Messers Franz Neber, Adam Shefer, David Reichert. His will, dated December 30, 1783, is filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of appeals, Albany. His signature is written in a firm, legible hand. It calls his wife, Mary, and Elizabeth Counes, his step-daughter. Joseph is called his oldest son, and to him is given "my Big Dutch Bible". His "farm at Rhinebeck as it is now in my possession, with the appurtenances thereto belonging" is given to his son Johannes on condition that he "pay to my wife Mary, and my other ten children, that is to say, Joseph, Henry, Jacob, David, Philip, Zacharia, Barent, Susanna, the wife of Lodwick Elsefer, Mary the widow of Urry (George) Siperly, and Catharine the wife of Wilhelmus Feller. The sum of five hundred spanish milled, silver dollars, share and share alike". His wife was to be allowed a good room in the dwelling house, and receive her support during the remainder of her life. His son Joseph, and two sons-in-law, Lodwick Elsefer and Wilhelmus Feller were named executors. July 22, 1784. James Cockburn, one of the three witnesses, appeared before the surrogate proving the will, and the three executors took oath as required by law. It is presumed he died just prior to this date. Records of his birth and baptism are contained in the West Camp church book, but accounts of his marriages and death are wanting. Nor is it known where his remains repose. We know, however, his first marriage took place as early as 1736, as June 3 of that year Anna Elizabeth was called David Rikert’s wife in the record of her confirmation and reception into church fellowship at the Trabush (now Manerton) church, then located about 14 miles north of their home. The names of David and Anna Elizabeth appear frequently in the church records, generally as sponsors at baptisms. On October 6, 1766, and thereafter David's wife is called Anna Maria, sometimes Maria Kuhns. The date of Anna Elizabeth's death is not known. She is last mentioned in the baptismal record of her youngest child, Bernhardus, April 23, 1758. She bore David twelve children. His will names eleven as then (1783) living. Elizabeth, not being mentioned in the will is presumed then to have been deceased. All were baptized in infancy. The date of each baptism, and in most cases that of birth also, is recorded in German (entries made by quill pens and home made ink) in one of three church books, viz.: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Athens; the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Peter the Apostle, Rhinebeck; and St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Red Hook, which was the German Reformed Church, Rhinebeck, from 1715 to 1800. The Athens pastors officiated at various places between Albany and New York, visiting Rhinebeck many times, and their Rhinebeck ministrations always were recorded at Athens. We are most fortunate in having these and other original church records preserved and made readily available for our use. The three mentioned now are permanently housed in the State Library at Albany, and their contents are a record of many early families in the Hudson Valley region. Being a member of St. Peter's church it was natural that David should desire his children baptized there. However, the pastorate was vacant much of the time between the birth of his first child, in 1738, and the last in 1758, resulting in four only being baptized there, Jacob and David by St. Peter's pastors, and Joseph and Catherine by Athens pastors. Henry and Anna Maria were baptized by Athens pastors, the former at Coghkomekok and the latter at Anoram. The six others were baptized at the German Reformed church, Rhinebeck. Coghkomekok seems to be the German way of writing Shekomeko, and it was on this spot that the evangelization of the aborigines in Dutchess county was begun in 1740 by the Moravian missionaries. David passed to his reward soon after the close of the conflict with England, his will, as already stated, bearing date December 30, 1783. Peace was concluded the same year September 3; New York evacuated November 25, and Washington returned his commission to Congress December 25.

Justus Henrich Schafer and his wife Maria Margaretha were among the Palatine emigrants. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born to them onboard ship. The wife and mother soon died and Justus Henrich forthwith remarried. These events, occuring between April and September, 1710, were duly recorded in the West Camp church book by the pastor, Kocherthal, as follows:

In the year 1710 I baptized the following on the ship Midford. April 12, Elizabetha, child of Justus Henrich and Maria Margaretha Schafer; sponsors John Leonard Rud and Anna Elizabetha Cassellmannin.

1710. Things given. Maria Margaretha , wife of Justus Henrich Schafer gives upon her deathbed a white cloth to be spread over the altar or table during the services.

Marriages. 1710. September 5, Justus Henrich Schafer , a widower of Hochprur , count of Hartenberg, and Agnes , Daughter of the late Sebastian Backus of Both, near Bingen.

Now we arrive at a point involving some conjecture. Is Anna Elizabeth Schafer who married David Rikert the Elizabeth Schafer bap. April 12, 1710? The facts as gathered from the church records establish a strong probability for reaching the conclusion that she was. The baptismal record quoted here calls the child Elizabetha (omitting the name Anna). Since the godmother's name is written Anna Elizabetha, it seems altogether reasonable to assume that the child was christened Anna Elizabetha, and that Kocherthal, in entering the record inadvertently omitted the first name. His own records seem to bear out this assumption. In the marriage above, and in the baptismal records of four sons between 1712 and 1719, he calls Justus Hinrich's wife Agnes, whereas later, other pastors nearly always call her Susanna Agnes. David Rikert's first child, Joseph, was named for David's father, who with his wife Anna Maria, were sponsors at the baptism, and the record calls them grandparents. The second child Justus Henrich, was named for Justus Henrich Schafer, who, with his wife Susanna Agnes, were sponsors. Although they are not called grandparents in this case there is strong evidence that the first child was given its paternal grandfather's name so the second child received its name from its maternal grandfather.

Susanna, bap.September 15,1741, d.November 11,1809;m. March 21, 1758, Lodowick Elsefer, b. Wurtemberg, Germany, 1734, d. January 15, 1809. His parents embarked for New York in 1736 intending to locate at Rhinebeck. Both died on shipboard, and the ship, in a disabled condition made the port of Philadelphia instead of New York. Lodowick fell to the care of a half brother named Shop, who placed him in school, and at a suitable age put him to the trade of saddle and harness making. He removed to Rhinebeck in 1756, following his trade there. He was a trustee of St. Peter's Church in 1761 and 1768, and precinct clerk in 1786. After the battle of Lexington,he, withmany others, pledged allegiance to the Revolutionary cause. The farmhouse is situated on the east side of the post road one half mile south of the church, and is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Cotting, a descendant. The obituaries of this good couple, appearing in the church records state that Susanna "died of an affliction of the liver, and, being instructed in the school of adversity, she was prepared for this step and willing to deliver her immortal Part unto the hands of her creator in the 65th year of her age". Clearly her age here is misstated. The dates of her baptism and death, appearing in the same book make her age 68. Lodowick is said to have been "a good man, a member of the church and faithful to the service of his God and Redeemer". Their eight children were born at Rhinebeck, and the baptism of seven, Elizabeth excepted, are recorded in St. Peter's book.

George, bap. June 24, 1761, d. September 23, 1829, m. March 5, 1786, Anna Maria, dau. Jost Neher, and grand dau. Carl Neher and Anna Constantia Rikert. He was a trustee of St. Peter's Church in 1786.

Anna Maria, bap. Feb. 3, 1763, d.; m. Aug. 5, 1787, Frederick Tator, widower of her sister Eva.

Eva, bap. Nov. 12, 1764, d.; m. Frederick, son Frederick and Catharine (Zufeld) Tator, bap. July 10, 1763.

David, bap. Dec. 11, 1766, d.; m. Sep. 23, 1787, Elizabeth, dau. Johannes Eckert, of Staatsburg. He was confirmed at St. Peter's, Rhinebeck, in 1784, and served as town clerk 1787-90.

Catherine Elsefer, bap. May 6, 1769, d.; m. May 18, 1788, Jeremias, son Frederick and Catherine (Zufeld) Tator. He was confirmed at St. Peter's in 1784.

Susanna Elsefer, bap. July 10, 1772, d; m. June 26, 1792, David, son of Carl Neher.

Anna Maria Rikert, b. April 17, bap. Anoram, May 12, 1743, d. November 29, 1823; m. her second cousin George Adam Zipperly, son Frederick and Maria Catherine (Wegeli) Zipperly, and grandson of John Bernhard Zipperly and Anna Maria Rikert, b. July 8, 1739, bap. Kingston; d. October 1, 1772. Both are buried St. Peter's church cemetery, Rhinebeck. The church records states that Anna Maria died of cancer, and that she was a faithful member of the church. She survived her husband, in widowhood, 51 years. The (one) sponsor at her baptism was her grandmother Anna Maria Rikert.

Frederick Zipperly, bap. November 2, 1763, d.;m. February 2, 1790, Elizabeth, dau. Carl Neher.

Elizabeth Zipperly, bap. May 21, 1767, d.; m. November 9, 1790, Jonas, son Jacob Simmons.

David Zipperly, bap. January 3, 1769, d.; m. February 24, 1799, HelenaI, dau. Johan Valentine Bender. The maternal grandfather, David Rikert, and his second wife, Anna Maria Kuhns, were sponsors at his baptism.

Catherine Rikert, b. September 20, bap. October 21, 1744, d. September 6, 1823; m. John Wilhelmus, son Philip and Catherina (Rauw) Feller, b. April 9, bap. April 27, 1736, d.. She was a member of St. Peter's church. The burial records call her widow and say she died of an accidental fall. Wilhelmus and Catherine Feller are mentioned in the church records as early as December 24, 1760, and as late as August 16, 1789. Wilhelmus was one of the executors of his father's will probated February 1, 1768. Catherine Rauw was a daughter of Nicholas and Gertrude Rauw. No record of children.

David Rikert's Will

In the name of God, Amen. I, David Rikert of the precinct of Rhinebeck in Dutchess county, yeoman. Being sick, But of sound memory, mind and understanding, and considering the uncertainty of this Transitory Life, do make, publish and Declare, this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following (to witt).

1st I Order and direct that all my just debts and funeral Charges, be paid and satisfied.

3ly I give and bequeath to my step-daughter Elizabeth Counes , a Cow, a Ewe, & a Lamb.

4ly I do hereby give, devise, and Bequeath to my son Johannes Rikert , and to his heirs and assigns forever all my farm at Rhinebeck as it is now in my possession, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, together with the wagon sleds ploughs and all and singular the farming utencels, on, and belonging to the said farm.

5ly That my said son, Johannes , his heirs Or Assigns, pay to my wife Mary , and my other ten children, that is to say, Joseph, Henry, Jacob, David, Philip, Zacharia, Barent, Susanah , The wife of Lodwick Elsefer, Mary the widow of Urry (George) Ziperly , and Catherine the wife of Wilhelmus Feller and to their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the sum of five hundred spanish milled, silver Dollars, share and share alike, to be paid in three equal payments, (to witt) on third part thereof, one year after my decease, another third part thereof, two years after my decease, and the remaining third part thereof, three years after my decease.

6ly And further that my said son Johannes his heirs or assigns, allow my wife Mary a good room in the dwelling house, and the same kept in sufficient repair, with celar and garret room, and sufficient firewood cut by the door and if on the division with the children my wife get a cow and two sheep, or if she provide them otherwise, my son Johannes , his heirs or assigns shall keep and take care of them summer and winter, as his own cattle, and if any turn old he or they, are to change them from time to time and keep up the number to her, so long as she doth live, and these that she hath at her death are to be at her own disposal. But if she doth not get nor provide the cow and two sheep as aforesaid, that then my son Johannes , his heirs, or assigns, also to provide them for her use yearly a sufficient quantity of garden stuff as herbs, potatoes, turnips, cabage and roots for summer and winter, likewise apples for her use in the summer & winter store and liberty to keep and feed a pig each fall out of the falen apples. Also to sow for her yearly half a schiple of flax seed, to pull, rott, bring in & thresh the flax thereof. Also to deliver to her every fall three bushels of indian corn, and carry the same to mill and bring home the meal to her. Also to deliver to her every fall three barrels of cider if there is a sufficiency of apples for both families, if not, then in proportion only and likewise to deliver to her every fall a quarter of good beef, and one hundred and twenry five pounds weight of pork well fattened.

7ly All the residue and remainder of my worldly estate wherewith God has Blessed me with, I give devise and bequeath unto my wife Mary and my said ten children Joseph, Henry, Jacob, David, Philip, Zacharias, Barent, Susanah, Mary and Catharine and to their respective heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike.

8ly I do hereby appoint my son Joseph and my two sons in law Lodwick Elsefer , and Wilhelmus Feller , Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former will and wills by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, 1783.

Signed, sealed published and declared by the within named David Rikard , as and for his last will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said Testator and in the presence of each other.

Dutchess County SS. Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four personally came and appeared before me Gilbert Livingston Surrogate of the Said County James Cockburn of Dutchess County farmer and being duly sworn on his Oath, declared that he did see David Reichert sign and seal the within written Instrument purporting to be the Will of the said David Reichert bearing date the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, that at the time thereof he the said David Reichert was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the deponent, and that his name subscribed as a witness to the said Will in the testators presence and that he the deponent saw William Cockburn and Philip Ver Planck the other witnesses to the said Will, subscribed their names as witnesses thereto in the Testators presence.

Dutchess County SS. Be it also remembered that on the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four Joseph Reichert, Lodewick Elsever and Wilhelmus Feller the Executors of the within written Will of David Reichert likewise appeared before me the said Gilbert Livingston and were duly sworn to the execution and performance of the said Will, by severally taking the Oath of an Executor as by law appointed.

Henry Rikert (b. 1740)

Henry Rikert (David, Joseph, Johannes), b. April 20, bap. May 15,1740, d. Dec. 1825; m. Anna Maria, dau. Henrich and Beletje (Neher) Tator, b. Rhinebeck, January 7, bap. Jan 12, 1749. The baptismal calls Jost Henrich. He removed to the town of Clinton, probably about 1778. His four first children were baptised at St. Peter's, Rhinebeck, while Rebecca's baptism is recorded at Wurtemberg church. We miss the records of Eleanor and Catharine. The farm which he is supposed to have occupied, and was later owned by his son Henry, is located one mile north of the present village of Clinton Hollow. The Wurtemberg church is about five miles northwest of this place in the direction of Rhinebeck, which is six miles farther. The 1790 census finds him a resident of Clinton, and the number of members in his family enumerated therein corresponds with the records found elsewhere. The newspaper account of the marriage of his daughter Catherine in 1817, states she is of the town of Stanford. This may or may not mean that Henry then resided in Stanford, Henry and Anna Maria were sponsors at the baptism of their grandson Henry, son of David Rikert, Sep. 12, 1802. The first Burial record appearing in the Wurtemberg church book reads "Mr. Henry Reichert was buried on the 6th of December, 1823". The date of death has not been found, and if he was buried in the Wurtenberg church cemetery his grave is unmarked. The Clinton Hollow post office was established in 1816 by James Thorne, whose daughter Ann Chace Thorne, married Henry's grandson, Henry Lyon Riker.

The Tator and Neher Families, like the Rikerts, were among the Palatine emigrants. Henry Tator m. (St. Peter's) Dec. 1, 1747. Beletje (Isabella) dau. Franscisco and Rebecca Neher. Their first child, Anna Maria, m. Henry Rikert. There were no less than four other children. The second child, Rebecca, m. Jacob Rikert. Henry and Beletje were communicants of St. Peter's church. Henry was son of (Jurg) George Tator and Anna Maria Meyer, m. by Kocherthal, April 26, 1715. In the record of this marriage George is called son of the late Johann Thater, of Lehnberg, county of Giglingen, Wurtemberg; and Anna Maria, dau. of the late Johann Frederick Mayer, of Rohrbach, near Sintzen, Sovereignty of Baron Vinnig. Kocherthal gives the births of two children of this marriage, Maria Magdalena, 1716, and Johannes, 1718. Since his records then end, due to his death in 1718, and the Rhinebeck Church records are missing from 1715 to 1730, we do not find the birth of either Henry Tator or Beletje Neher. Efforts to trace Francisco Neher and wife Rebecca have been unsuccessful. Francisco could have been a brother, or even a son by a former wife, of Carl Neher, widower, who m. Anna Constantia, dau. of Joseph Rikert at Rhinebeck, Jan. 11, 1715.

Henry, bap. Dec. 23, 1771, d. July 3, 1830; m. (1) Susanna Lyon, (2)Lydia Hodge.

Elizabeth, b. Feb. 25, 1776, d. ; m. Feb. 23, 1794, Adam P., son Peter and ( ) Traver, b. d. August 25, 1828. Burial at Wurtemberg, Resided Pleasant Plains.

Rebecca, b. Nov. 8, 1779, bap. Wurtemburg, Jan 23, 1780, d. 1867. Burial Wurtemburg. m. Abraham Post. Res. Clinton Hollow. no issue.

Catharine, b. 1781, d. , age 60, m. Feb. 16, 1817, John Coonley. An account of this marriage appearing in the Poughkeepsie Journal of Feb. 1, 1817, states that he aged 17 and she is 36, both of Stanford.

Phebe Ann, b. March 9, 1818, d.; m. William A., son Elias and Freelove (Horton) Bishop, b. Rhode Island, d. Feb., 1898. Resided Stanfordville.

Maria, b. July, 18, 1821, d. March 4, 1900; m. Nov. 27, 1841, David Griffin, b. April 22, 1817, d. Nov. 14, 1896. Children b. Greenville, Greene county.

Mary B., b. Oct. 27, 1849; m. Feb. 2, 1875, Edward Moddaugh, b. Oct. 27, 1847. Resided Poughkeepsie.

Henry J., b. Dec. 2, 1852, d. Sep. 12, 1898 m. 1883, Carrie E. Lockwood, of Westerloo. He graduated 1880, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore. Practiced medicine at Cairo. Was killed in a runaway accident. No issue.

Imogene Eliza, b. Jan. 27, 1857, m. Sep. 20, 1874, George Edy Smith, b. Feb. 1, 1846.

Eleanor, b. 1786, d. March, 1878, age 92. Burial Wurtemburg. unm. In her later life she resided for several years with the family of Ruben Rikert, the son of her cousin, George I. Rikert, and later with Mrs. John Mott, Clinton Corners, where she died. She gave birth out of wedlock to two sons who took the name of Riker.

George, b. July 6, 1809, d. Feb. 19, 1881; m. March 22, 1838, Sarrah V., dau. Robinson P. Underwood, b. Stanford, Nov. 4, 1811, d. Apr. 10, 1877. He resided with his aunt Catherine Coonley until 18 and then taught school until his marriage. Removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, about 1839. May 1, 1838, George Riker and Sarah his wife, in the town of Stanford sold Abner Deuel, for $300, 119 acres, r roods, and 7 perches of land. Excepting Mary, the children were b. in Ohio.

Horace Greeley, b. Sep. 27, 1842, m. Feb 17, 1876, Sarah E., dau. Joshua Leggett, b. Oct. 12, 1840. Res. Midvale, Ohio.

Ellen, b. Aug. 6, 1845, d. Nov. 28, 1887; m. Dec. 26, 1865, James H. Ray. Removed to Kansas, near Emporia, in 1878. Had two chn b. in Ohio and two b. in Kansas.

Hezekiah Niles, b. Aug. 26, 1848, m. Aug. 29, 1875, Sarah L., dau. Alexander Brown b. Jan 24, 1856, farmer. Removed to Missouri, and thence to Iowa in 1875, settling near Boone.

Alfred, b. 1817, d; m. 1853, Catharine Remington, widow, dau. James and Susan ( ) Potter, b. Fairfax county, Va. He removed to Virginia between 1843 and 1853. Resided on a farm near Alexandria. Dec. 30, 1843, Alfred Riker was "a party to an agreement made for the purpose of settling and compromising various suits and controversies now pending." etc., in connection with H. Griffin's estate. Record, county clerk's office, Poughkeepsie.

George A., b. Mt. Erin, Va., Nov. 14, 1855; m. Jan. 3, 1884, Theresa V., dau. Shirley and America Keyes of Prince William and Loudoun counties, Va., b. July 9, 1868. He was educated in the Fairfax public school. Resided Alexandria, Occupation, car repairer.

David Rikert (b. 1769)

David Riker (Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Rhinebeck, bap. St. Peter's , November 26, 1769, d. April 29, 1843; m. Anna Maria, dau. Henrich and Margaretha ( ) Sleight, bap. St. Peter's, October 27, 1774, d. July 13, 1838. He resided town of Clinton, from whence he removed to Stumpike, town of Washington. He is said to have suffered much from rheumatism. Both he and wife are buried in the old cemetery at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wurtemberg, Dutchess County, New York. Although record of their marriage has not been found we know they were married as early as 1793. The Wurtemberg baptismal records say David Rikert and Anna Maria his wife served as sponsors July 7, 1793. Her baptismal records call her Maria Sleight, omitting the name Anna. Henry Sleight d. August 19, 1824 , a. 83-7-29. The first three children were baptised at Wurtemburg.

Ann, b. Wurtemburg, Dutchess, N.Y., March 4, 1797, bap. May 17, 1797, d. about November 21,1868; m. September 12, 1818, Increase Jackson, Jun. An account of this marriage appears in the Poughkeepsie Journal of September 23, 1818. It states that both are of Stanford. They removed to Bristol, Ontario County, N.Y.

Emma, b. Dec 1, 1820, m. Champlain L. Randall. Resided Seneca Point, Ontario, N.Y.

Belinda, b. Dec 16, 1823, d. Feb 27, 1895, m. Gideon M. Beeman Resided near Canandaigua.

Anna Maria, b. August 22, bap. September 29, 1799, John Sleight and Anna Maria Rikert (grand mother) sponsors; d. about 1878; m. Silas Tripp. Removed to Milford, Otsego county, N.Y.

Sarah, b. d. June 10, 1842. Unm. Intered Wurtemberg. The church record gives her age as 36ly 8m 16d, whereas the inscription on the gravestone gives it as 33ly 6m.

Elisabeth, b. d. about 1886; m. Leonard, son Joseph and Margaret ( ) Haight of Nine Partners. Res. Stanford. The Height ancestor came to Salem, Mass., in 1628 or 1629.

Katherine, b. January 19, 1819, d. after 1862; m. 1835, Reuben Young, b. d. before 1862. Removed to Harpursville, Broome County about 1865. The five first children were born at Bangall, the four others at Harpursville.

Caroline Young, b. Feburary 18, 1837, d. June 18, 1895; m. 1861. John D. Morse. Res. Casenovia, N.Y.

Katherine M. Young, b. February 18, 1838, d.; John T. Blauvelt, Res. Minneapolis, Minn.

Mertha Ann Young, b. May 31, 1839, d.; m. 1861, Orson St. John. Res. Rushford, Minn.

George W. Young, b. June 2, 1842, d.; m. 1870, Sather Mory, of Stanfordville, Res. Nineveh, N.Y.

Sarah E. Young, b. May 7, 1844, d. August, 1876; m. 1870. Willian B. Morse. Res. near Morrisville, N.Y.

Emma F. Young, b. March 26, 1854, d. January 15, 1899; m. 1875, William Dongen. Res. Coventry, N.Y.

Henry Rikert (b. 1771)

Henry Rikert (Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes). b. Rhinebeck, 1771,bap. December 23, 1771, d. July 3, 1830; m. (1) 18__, Susanna, dau. Jonathan and Elizabeth (Furman) Lyon, b. Clinton, April 16, 1786, d. April 9, 1814; m. (2) April 16, 1821, Lydia Hodge, b. Massachusetts, August 21, 1798, d. October 27, 1852. He resided one mile north of Clinton Hollow, and served as town collector for many years. He is reputed to have been scrupulously honest and was highly esteemed. He was prosperous, and at the time of his last illness was engaged in the construction of a new residence. He died of typhus fever and was buried by the side of his first wife in the Lyon family burying ground two miles east of Clinton Hollow. The date of his baptism was taken from the records of St. Peter's church, Rhinebeck. Therefore from the date of his baptism his age was 59 1/2 years. He died intestate; widow, Lydia, appointed administratrix, March 2, 1831, bond $2000. John Riker, a minor, age 14 and upwards, and Henry Riker, a minor, petitioned for the appointment of Amos Lyon as guardian, James Thorne and John Burd, were appraisers.

It will be noted that the surname is here written both Rikert and Riker. In this the compiler has followed the mode found in the records. Henry's first and second sons, John and Henry Lyon, seem to have been responsible for dropping the "t" and spelling the name Riker. These brothers sold land to their step-mother, Lydia Hodge Rikert. In the recording of John's deed, in 1831, the name is written Rikert; but in the case of Henry Lyon's deed, in 1835, it is, with one exception, Riker. So far as is known, their father, Henry, always spelled the name Rikert. It so appears on his tombstone. In a receipt for a legacy received from Jonathan Lyon, executor of the will of Elnathan Lyon, dated December 25, 1812, which is in my possession, Henry's wife signed her name Susanna Rikert. It is believed that neither John nor Henry Lyon used the "t" after the period referred to. The name is now written Riker by the descendants of Jacob Rikert, a cousin of the above Henry.

Joel, b. Clinton, May 14, 1822, d. 1830. His death resulted from scarlet fever and is said to have preceded that of is father by about one week.

Mary J., b. Clinton, December 30, 1823, d. January 12, 1881; m. her second cousin, William Christopher Rikert.

Martin, b. Clinton, March 19, 1826, d. January 3, 1864; unm. The following war record is taken from the Adjutant General's Report:

"128th New York Infantry. Rikert, Martin.- Age 36 years; mustered in as private, Co. D. August 30, 1862; died, January 3, 1864 at Baton Rouge, La.; also borne as Rickert." He was buried near Baton Rouge. In 1867 the body was moved to the National Cemetery in Baton Rouge. Where it is said a head board, properly inscribed, marks the grave which is No. 1203.

Phebe, b. Clinton, March 1828, d. Chicago, December 27, 1896; m. 1868, Oscar Gibbs, physician and dentist. Resided Chicago about 25 years.

Lydia Hodge Rikert , b. Massachusetts, August 21, 1798, d. October 27, 1852, m. (2) July

1838, Riley Shadbolt, b. March 18, 1808, d. Chicago, Illinois, November 9, 1898 from the

Ophelia L. Shadbolt, b. Clinton, July 13, 1839, m. March 13, 1858, Oscar M. Amigh, b. Hudson, 1830. He was professor of elocution. He served as a private, first in Co. I, 3rd Iowa Infantry, and later in Co. K. 40th Missouri Infantry. She served in the war as a nurse. She is (1899) Superintendent of the State Home for Juvenile Female Offenders, at Geneva, Ill.

Harrie L. Amigh, b. January 19, 1866, d. November 24, 1891; m. February 1, 1887, Edith Wilder. No issue.

Caroline Shadbolt, b. Clinton, August 22, 1841, d. Plainfield, N.J., November 20, 1879; m. August 30, 1862, Derick Brown. Mr. Brown was editor of the Poughkeepsie Evening Enterprise. No issue.

Jonathan Lyon (b. 1760)

Jonathan Lyon was b. Westchester county, August 7, 1760, d. April 6, 1841; m. (1) Elizabeth Furman (whose ancestry has not been traced), b. November 7, 1759, d. September 12, 1835; m. (2) 1836-40, Sarah L. Marshall, who d. 1866. His farm, bought 1781, including a portion of his father's farm, lies one mile northeast of Clinton Hollow; son of Elnathan Lyon, b. August 7, 1732, d. 1810; m. (1) Elizabeth ---, m. (2) Mary Ann Bush. Removed to Dutchess county, and purchased a farm near Clinton Hollow, the deed bearing date March, 1774. In this deed he is described as Elnathan Lyon of North Castle, County of Westchester, Province of New York, yeoman. Children by first wife; son of Jonathan Lyon, b. June 1, 1706, d. 1783-7; m. Elizabeth ---, b. April 5, 1708. Resided Greenwich, Conn., from whence he removed to North Castle; son of Thomas Lyon, b. ---. d. 1739; m. Abigail Ogden. Resided Greenwich; son of Thomas Lyon b. probably Yorkshire, England, about December 1621, d. 1690; m. (1) Martha Johanna Winthrop, b. 1630; m. (2) about 1658, Mary, dau. Simon and Susanna Hoyt, of Stanford, Conn. Settled at Fairfield, 1640. Removed to Greenwich, 1675. A large land owner at Fairfield and Greenwich. His 300 acres in Greenwich was on Long Island Sound, east of Byram River, the boundary between Connecticut and New York. Children by second marriage.

Henry Rikert (b. 1802)

Henry Rikert (David, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes) b. Rhinebeck, bap. September 12, 1802, d. August 10, 1862; m. March 19, 1829, Caroline, dau. William and Harriet (Sutherland) Northrup, b. September 10, 1802, d. May 6, 1883. The sponsors at his baptism were his grandparents, Henry and Anna Maria Rikert. Resided towns of Washington and Stanford. February 27, 1835, in a deed, he is called of the town of Washington. In 1852 he was elected sheriff of Dutchess county on the Whig ticket, serving three years, 1853 to 1856. Will dated June 30, 1862, proved Sept. 18, 1862. Of town of Stanford. Pays funeral expenses, legacies, etc., out of personal property. Directs executors to sell mill. Gives his four sisters, viz., Ann Jackson, Polly Tripp, the support of wife Caroline Young each $300. His farm, 43 acres in trust, proceeds to the support of wife Caroline and her sister Jane Northrup, and to the education of Franklin G. Bolding, who took the name of Frank G. Rikert. He practiced law at Matteswan until his death.

William Northrup (b. 1769)

William Northrup was descended in the fourth generation from Joseph Northrup who came from England in 1637. He was born in town of Washington, Dutchess county, N.Y., January 26, 1769, died March 23, 1824 (?). Married 1790 (?), Harriet Sutherland, born September 20, 1770, died January 17, 1846. Son of Enos, born Ridgefield, Conn., September 14, 1733, died September 11, 1807. Married his cousin Eunice Northrup, who died April 17, 1822. He resided Danbury, Conn., from whence he removed to Dutchess county. He was under-sheriff of the county, 1771. Son of John, born Milford, Conn., June 17, 1703. Married August 14, 1728, Rebecca Rober of Ridgefield, who died after March 3, 1789. Son of William, born Milford, June 2, 1665. Married Mary, daughter of Joseph Peck. Will probated New Haven, June 25, 1736. Son of Joseph Northrup, emigrating from England, and perhaps from Yorkshire. He was one of "Eaton and Davenports Company of good Character and fortune", who came from England in ships Hector and Martin and landed in Boston July 26, 1637. Settled at New Haven, 1638. Removed to Milford county, 1639. Married Mary, daughter Francis Norton. He died September 11, 1669. His widow survived and made will January 24, 1683.

William Rikert (b. 1808)

William Rikert (David, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Town of Clinton, Dutchess county, N.Y., March 5, 1808, d. April 14, 1895; m. February 19, 1832, Sarah Ann, dau. Isaac Thorn and Esther (Lawless) Deuel, b. Stanford, August 14, 1814, d. May 25, 1885. Resided Stanford. He was blessed with a splendid and powerful physique. Owing to poor health of his father the responsibility of the farm and family early fell to him. Naturally studious, a constant reader, and possessing a retentive memory, he became one of the best read men in his vicinity. He was a Republican. Children born in Stanford.

- Henry Gildersleeve Rikert, b. February 17, 1833, d.; m. Elizabeth Phebe Clark.

- Philander Sleight Rikert, b. April 25, 1834, d. December 11, 1921; m. Nancy Amelia Creed.

Isaac Thorn Deuel (b. 1787)

Isaac Thorn Deuel's line is traceable back six generations to 1640. He was born October 9, 1787, married Esther Lawless, who, after his decease married Richard Mabbett.

Son of Israel, born 1725, died October __, 1816, married (1) Martha Thorne, Jan 25, 1750

Son of Joseph, who married Mary Soulé, granddaughter of George Soulé who landed from

Mayflower, December 1620. The Soulés were French Huguenots. Joseph Deuel's will

Son of Jonathan, recorded Dartmouth, Mass., 1667 and 1668, married Hannah Adley.

Son of William De Ville, a French Huguenot, in Massachusetts 1640, 1643, 1645 and Newport, R.I., 1653 and 1680.

John Riker (b. 1810)

John Riker (Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Clinton, December 6, 1810, d. November 2, 1882; m. February 11, 1836, Mary, dau. James and Sarah (Chace) Thorne, b. Clinton Hollow, May 13, 1813, d. April 17, 1886. He removed to Wayne county in 1836 and purchased a farm near Lake Ontario, north of the village of Ontario, where he lived the remainder of his life.

The following excerpt is collected from an incomplete file entitled “The Riker Farm” from the Wayne County Office of Tourism / History in 1996:

“On February 11, 1836, John Riker and Mary Thorne were married in Clinton, Duchess County, New York. They were both Quakers and they married themselves without benefit of Clergy. According to the rules of the Society of Friends, a man and woman could come before a congregation, repeat their vows, sign a contract and have witnesses sign the agreement and they were married. John and Mary had that kind of a marriage ceremony. The written agreement, preserved to this day,(location unknown. ed) attests to that fact. As it is so unusual and so interesting, it is herewith copied. “We, John Riker of Clinton, State of New York, aged 25 years and Mary Thorne of the same place, aged 22 years, and daughter of John and Sarah Thorne, being well acquainted with each other, and believing that our union in marriage according the laws of New York will conduce to our welfare do hereby enter into an agreement to that effect. I. The said John Riker, in consideration that she, the said Mary Thorne, hereby consents to live with me as my wife according to said laws and to share my prosperity and adversity, do hereby undertake to become her protector and husband according to said law and by signing this instrument do constitute her my wife. And, I, the said Mary Thorne, in consideration that the said John Riker hereby undertakes to devote to my happiness as my husband according to said laws do hereby agree to become his wife as aforesaid,” The agreement is signed by John Riker and Mary Riker and by eighteen witnesses.

“That spring John and Mary drove up this way, making the journey with a horse and wagon, their wedding trip, in fact. The Rikers bought the farm where the house now stands (now known as 7325 Knickerbocker Road in Ontario, Ontario County, New York. ed) and became the founders of the Riker family of Ontario. Both John and Mary lived their entire lives on the farm. They had nine children. Fremont grew up, married and became the father of Amos and Maylon, well known in Ontario. Another son, Edward Lyon Riker, was the father of John Riker who lives on part of the farm today (abt 1950. Ed).

“John and Mary with their family, must have led busy lives. In one letter she wrote her parents regarding her work in this manner: “I have had a great deal of weaving to prepare for; no less than 96 yards of plain cloth, 2 birdseye bed spreads and 2 Kersey blankets, 11 runs of cotton yarn had to be doubled, twisted an bleached, 6 runs to be doubled, twisted and colored, 32 runs of yarn had to be cleaned and colored for a dress-piece stripes, 3 colors, green, red and blue9 runs of yarn deep blue for birdseye, 4 runs of deep blue not to be woven this year, 15 runs of yarn colored for Kersey blankets, making 60 runs of yarn that I have colored for our weaving purposes, since I came home. Besides all this I have colored some stockings for our family, some stocking yarn for ourselves and some for our neighbors, both blue and red, 3 runs of green for a neighbor to be woven for dresses.

“In another letter dated 12 mo, 9 th day. 1855, she writes about the farm crops. “I must tell thee, Mother, this is the first year that ever any rye was raised on our land or brought into our house and our Frances (a daughter) mixed the first rye bread that was ever made in our family, and good bread it was too.

“We raised 226 bushels of rye on 8 acres of ground; 128 bushels of wheat on 13 acres; over 100 bushels of barley on another piece of ground and 250 bushels of oats. We have some corn but the corn crop was poor owing to a wet season. We have about 300 bushels of potatoes. Apples a middling crop.

“Down through the years the Riker farm has varied in acreage. The original farm contained 76 acres and was bought from Joseph Gates for a sum of $1868,75. Today it contains about 100 acres. It has a vineyard of 37 acres. In fact, the Riker farm was one of the first in this section to produce grapes. In 1886 when the farm was owned and managed by tree brothers, sons of John and Mary, namely Fremont, Edward and James, the grape sets for this vineyard were purchased and planted.

“In 1842 the cobble stone house was erected on the farm for John and Mary by a man named Potter. It is said that Mr. Riker, carrying a basket, waded into the lake (Ontario) to gather uniform stones for his home. The stones on the front of the house are all the same color and size but mixed stones were used on the walls of the house.

“John Riker, son of Edward Lyon Riker, lived in this house and operated the farm until 1955. At that time the greater part of the farm was sold. John reserved several acres of the original farm for his home."

August 18, 1832, John Rikert of the town of Clinton deeded to Lydia Rikert, widow and administratrix of Henry Rikert, deceased, of the same place, in consideration of $500, 52 1/2 acres and 29 perches of land; also another piece containing 6 1/2 acres and 16 perches bounded on the north by Henry Rikert (Liber 49, folio 350). He was a democrat and served as assessor in his town for twelve consecutive years, and was commissioner of highways. He always was held in high esteem. Both he and his wife were members of the Friend's Society. They are buried in the Ontario cemetery. He and his brother Henry L. Riker married sisters. The children were born at Ontario.

James Henry Riker, b. January 1, 1837, d. February 1, 1911; unm. He was educated at Macedon academy and studied two years at University of Michigan. Buried at Ontario.

Frances Thorne Riker, b. November 16, 1837, d. February 6, 1862; m. June 5, 1860, William Hotchkiss, son James and Laura (Hotchkiss) Kent, farmer, of Macedon. She graduated form Macedon academy and was the first preceptress of Leavenworth Institute at Wolcott, N.Y. She died of consumption. No issue.

Helen Ann Riker, b. November 13, 1844, d. January 5, 1865; unm. She died of consumption.

Gulia Elna Riker, b. September 20, 1846, d. January 1, 1869; unm. She died of consumption. She was educated at Macedon academy.

Julia Parker Riker, b. October 11, 1848; m. February 13, 1879, Wilfred Montresser, son Nelson P. and Fannie (Olmstead) Burke, of Cato, b. November 28, 1846, d. January 1, 1928. She was educated at Macedon Academy. He was a farmer. Resided at Meridian, N.Y. Mr. Burke is buried at Meridian. No issue.

Henry Lyon Riker (b. 1814)

Henry Lyon Riker (Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Clinton, January 31, 1814, d. Chapinville, June 14, 1894; m. Clinton Hollow, December 3, 1835, Ann Chace, dau. James and Sarah (Chace) Thorne, b. Clinton Hollow, July 26, 1817, d. April 12, 1911. His mother's death having occurred during his infancy he was reared by his grandparents Lyon, by whom, and by his Lyon Cousins, he was loved. His education was limited to the common school. At his maturity he received gifts of $500. each from his father and grandfather Lyon. The first railroad in New York, the Mohawk and Hudson, was placed in service in September, 1831, between Albany and Schenectady, the De Witt Clinton locomotive hauling the first train. The Saratoga and Schenectady railroad was opened for traffic as far north as Ballston Spa July 12, 1832. Mr. Riker visited Saratoga Springs in August 1832, traveling by boat from Poughkeepsie to Albany and by the new railroad from Albany to Ballston Spa. February 9, 1835, he sold to Lydia Riker, his step-mother, widow and administratrix of Henry Riker's estate for $500, 52 1/2 acres and 29 perches; also another parcel containing 6 1/2 acres and 16 perches. This land was in the Great Nine Partners patent in the town of Clinton. By the deed he released also to Lydia his interest in the personal property of Henry Rikert, deceased. (Liber 57, folio 338). Following his marriage he moved about from place to place, some fourteen years passing before he became at all permanently settled. During this period little was added to his estate, but the growth of his family was quite satisfactory. On May 1, 1836, he set out with his young wife for Wayne county, N.Y. They drove a single horse and travelled via Binghamton, Ithaca and Auburn, arriving at Ontario on May 14, wither his brother John and bride had just preceded them. He purchased a 100-acre farm at Williamson, near Ontario; sold it the following year (1837) and purchased 70 acres in Cayuga county, near Cato; returned to Dutchess county during the winter of 1840-41, and purchased a grocery store at Clinton Hollow; two years later he disposed of the store, and the farm at Cato, and worked his father-in-law's farm near Clinton Hollow one year; returned to Cato in 1844 and rented a farm, moving to another nearby in 1846; purchased a farm at Victory village in 1850, where he remained 10 years. This last venture proved successful. In 1860 he bought a farm about 14 miles south in the town of Throop, removed to Ontario county in 1868 and purchased a farm in the town of Hopewell, a half mile east of Chapinville. Here both he and his wife died. In politics he was a republican. He and his brother John married sisters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Riker were member of the Friend's Society and are interred in the Friends' burying ground, on Shortsville Rd near Route 28, near Farmington, N. Y.

Sarah Elizabeth Riker, b. Williamson, July 3, 1836, d. Chicago, August 19, 1901; m. Victory, 1857, Charles Hunt, son John T. and Theoda (Newcomb) Knapp, b. Victory, January 12, 1837, d. . For twenty years she was a member of the board of directors of the Chicago Orphan Asylum, and was prominent in other charities in the city. Mr. Knapp was long connected with the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, first at Galina and Freeport, Ill., as freight agent, and later at Chicago as assistant general freight agent of the Northwestern system.

John T. Knapp was born Saratoga county, August 19, 1802; married Victory, February 20, 1823, Theoda Newcomb, dau. Capt. John and Theoda (Hunt) Newcomb, b. Lebanon, Conn., February 20, 1805. Capt. John Newcomb was born Lebanon, May 26, 1760, d. April 18, 1822; married 1762, Theoda Hunt, dau. Samuel and Hannah (Clark) Hunt, b. February 6, 1760, d. Candor, N.Y., 1817. He was descended through Silas, Hezekiah, Simon and Andrew, from Andrew Newcomb.

Martha Ann Riker, b. Clinton Hollow, May 15, 1841, d. Cato, June 6, 1848, Interred Rogers burying ground, near Cato.

Annie Laurie Riker, b. Cato, April 19, 1846, d. Brooklyn, February 1, 1912; m. Auburn, N.Y., January 30, 1867, John Schryver, son Solomon P. and Eliza (Van Auken) Eckert, b. town of Mets (now Throop), September 1, 1840, d. Auburn December 19, 1901. Resided on Mr. Eckert's father's farm in Throop until 1890, when they removed to Auburn.

Maud K. Eckert, b. Throop, October 18, 1875, d. Brooklyn, 1920; m. Auburn, September 15, 1901, Leslie Lyman, son John J. and Elthina (Olmstead) Tanner, b. Waverly, N.Y., November 4, 1874. Resided Brooklyn and Hackensack, N.J.

Cora Adelle Riker, b. Victory, May 29, 1857, d. Canandaigua, March 1, 1928. Unm. Interred Farmington, N.Y.

Frank Thorne Riker, b. Throop, June 27, 1862, d. Chapinville, December 31, 1869. Interred Farmington, N.Y.

James Thorne (b. 1785)

James Thorne, born town of North East, Dutchess county, December 12, 1785, died Chapinville, N.Y., August 6, 1872; married September 12, 1811, Sarah, daughter of James and Sarah (Davis) Chace, of Sommerset, Mass., born December 11, 1789, died Clinton Hollow, Feb. 4, 1765. James Thorne was buried in Friend's burying ground near Farmington, N.Y., and his wife in the Friend's burying ground, at Clinton Corners. He resided at Clinton Hollow. He gave the village its name, and established the first post office there in 1816, of which he was the first postmaster. He was superintendent of the Clinton schools, and for many years over seer of the poor.

He was son of Benjamin Thorne, born March 19, 1755, died April 1, 1819, and Frances, daughter of Richard and Mary (Peirce) Bates, of Warwick, R.I., born March 5, 1755, died May 14, 1829. He was a farmer and miller, resided in the town of North East and belonged to the Stanfordville Monthly Meeting of the Friend's Society. He had twelve children. His ancestry has not been traced. He is supposed to have been descended from William Thorne of Dorsetshire, England, who was made freeman at Lynn, Mass., May 2, 1638. Wife supposed to have been Sarah. He was one of eighteen to whom the original patent of the town of Flushing, L.I., was granted by the Dutch Governor, William Kieft, October 19, 1645. His descendants migrated to Westchester county and later to Dutchess county.

William Chace (b. abt 1595)

Chace is one of the oldest names in New England. The emigrant ancestor was William, born Chesham, in Buckingshire, England, about 1595, died 1659; married Mary. He came to America in 1630, in the fleet which brought Governor Winthrop and his colony. Resided Roxbury (Boston) until 1637. Made freeman May 13, 1634. One of the founders of Yarmouth, on Cape Cod, 1637, where he died. Chosen the first constable. Listed as one of those capable of bearing arms in 1643. Served against the Narragansetts in 1645. Will dated May 4, 1659. His son William, born England, about 1622, died February 27, 1685; married. Resided Yarmouth. Son Samuel, born about 1672, died; married 1699, Sarah, daughter Samuel and Martha (Tripp) Sherman, born Portsmouth, R.I. April 10, 1682. He removed about 1700 to Swansea, Mass. Son John, born December 8, 1720, married Lydia daughter James and Martha Luther. Son James, (*)3born Aug. 27, 1758, died Aug. 29, 1803; married November 22, 1781, Sarah, daughter Benjamin and Lydia (Nichols) Davis, of Rheoboth, Mass., born January 20, 1762, died June 5, 1849.

Henry Gildersleeve Rikert (b. 1833)

Henry Gildersleeve Rikert (William, David, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes) b. Town of Stanford, Dutchess county, N.Y., February 17, 1833, d; m. November 17, 1850, Elizabeth Phebe, dau. Eunice Clark, b.,d. September 28, 1891. His farm was at Bangall. By occupation he was a mason. Mrs. Rikert was a very estimable and capable woman. Her death resulted from an injury caused by a runaway team.

Theron G., b. March 4, 1863, d. February 10, 1865, age 1 year, 11 months 6 days. Burial in Friend's ground, Stanfordville.

Adelaide, b. November 9, 1866; m. December 30, 1885, Frederick Ernest, son Samuel and Adelia (Brinkerhoff) Ackerman, b. June 24, 1856. He is a lawyer at Poughkeepsie. No issue.

Philander Sleight Rikert (b. 1834)

Philander Sleight Rikert (William, David, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Town of Stanford, Dutchess county, N.Y., April 23, 1834, d. December 11, 1921; m. Stanfordville, May 19, 1861, Nancy Amelia, dau. Platt and Margaretta S. (Flace) Creed, b. Stanford, May 2, 1843, d. January 23, 1904. Resided Stanfordville. He was of large stature and splendid physique. By occupation he was an axel maker, and in politics a republican. He was a non-churchman. He died intestate. Nancy A. Rikert also died intestate. Minnie J. Knickerbocker appointed administratrix February 11, 1904. Children born Stanfordville.

Minnie Jane Rikert, b. September 24, 1868, d. February 16, 1922; m. Schultzville, March 27, 1889, Frank, son William and Susan (Warren) Knickerbocker, b. Bangall, March 4, 1866, d. November 6, 1921. She was educated Stanfordville and Brooklyn. Was stenographer and typist.

George Philander Rikert, b. February 22, 1880, d. December 21, 1889. Buried Friend's ground, Stanfordville.

John Fremont Riker (b. 1850)

John Fremont Riker (John, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Ontario, August 31, 1850, d. July 4, 1914; m. (1) February 12, 1879, Ann Sarah, dau. John and Sarah (Talbott) Odell, of Webster, Monroe county, b. Ontario, d. February 24, 1887; m. (2) January 17, 1896, Minnie, dau. Amos and Sarah (Hurley) Bean, of Ontario, b. Ontario, October 6, 1876. He was educated at Sodus Academy. After his father's death his farm was owned jointly by himself and his brother Edward L. He sold his share in the farm to Edward in 1898. He then purchased another farm lying 2 1/4 miles west in the same town (Ontario). He sold this place in 1908. No issue by first marriage. He and first wife are buried at Ontario. His widow married Henry Andrew, and resides Ontario Center (1932).

Amos Bean, born England, about 1843, died Aug. 7, 1932; married 1870, Sarah Bean, widow of his brother George, by whom he had Hattie, Clara, Martha, Minnie, and Eva. He was a farmer. Was son of Samuel and Mary Bean who came from England and settled at Ontario, May 28, 1856.

Edward Lyon Riker (b. 1867)

Edward Lyon Riker (John, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Ontario, N.Y., April 6, 1867, d. April 10, 1927; m. (1) January 27, 1887, Carrie Josephine, dau. William H. and Margaret (Harvey) Hawley, of Webster, Monroe county, N.Y., b. Webster, November 14, 1855, d. Rochester, March 12, 1900; m. (2) January 2, 1913, Adda Law, of Jane Law, W.Va., b. July 4, 1873, d. January 7, 1921, buried Weston, W.Va. In 1898 he purchased of his brother John F. and sister Julia Burke their interest in the farm upon which his father settled in 1836 and became sole owner. He engaged extensively in fruit farming. He and his first wife are buried at Ontario.

George Washington Riker (b. 1837)

George Washington Riker (Henry, Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Cato, N.Y., December 9, 1837, d. Potrero, Cal., October 27, 1916; m. (1) Victory, N.Y., September 7, 1861, Angeline S., dau. Smith and Eliza Ann (Williams) Benedict, b. Victory, September 7, 1839, d. Russell, Iowa, June 16, 1901; m. (2) Wolcott, N.Y., March 6, 1903, Ellen (Taylor) Van Auken (widow), dau. William and Marilla S. (Northrup) Taylor, b. Conquest, N.Y., March 20, 1845, d. Los Angeles, Cal., September 13, 1918. Educated in the common schools. His first venture was farming in the town of Throop, Cayuga county. His first move was eastward, but each subsequent move was westward until he had crossed the continent. From 1863 to 1867 he dwelt in Clinton Hollow, Dutchess county, farming and making gloves and boots and shoes; returned to Cayuga county in 1867, first to Conquest for a short stay, and thence to Throop; in September, 1871, he migrated to Iowa with his family, sojourning a short time at Melrose, Monroe county, whither his brother William H. had preceded him; purchased a farm four miles west, in Lucas county, remaining there ten years; in 1881 he moved on four miles farther, to Russell, making this his permanent abode thirty-three years; removed in 1914 to Potrero, San Diego county, California. In 1873 he established a post office in his residence, giving it the name of Zero. Mrs. Riker was appointed postmistress, and held the office until the removal of the family to Russell. After his settlement in Iowa he made bee-culture his vocation. His apiary consisted of hundreds of bee colonies equiped and managed on modern lines. He was a large honey producer, working mainly for extracted honey which was sent to wholesale buyers. His removal to southern California was to continue this pursuit in that more favorable climate. He was buried at Russell by the side of his first wife. The following tribute was penned by Mr. Gittinger of the Chariton (Iowa) Leader, a friend for many years: "He had a fearless independence amounting almost to audacity, and yet had a heart as kindly as that of the most sympathetic woman when it came to human distress and would go far to help relieve crying want. He enjoyed life, but in spite of his apparent rugged nature had an abiding charity which never failed when the test came. He despised the shams of life and was often misunderstood and censured by those who adhered more to established customs, and yet who is there to say his unique methods were not equal in all human respects. His life was clean, followed strictly moral habits, gave to a full measure of friendship." The sons were born in Clinton Hollow.

Adeline S., b. Conquest, August 26, 1867; m. (1) Russell, May 31, 1885, William A., son Aaron H. and Sarah (Landon) Coltry, b. February 22, 1863; m. (2) Russell, September 5, 1897, Reuben Thomas, son William T. and Eliza (Crabbe) Buston, b. near Romeville, Warren county, Ill., June 8, 1854, d. Russell, March 7, 1925. With her first husband, who was a telegrapher, she resided severally at Pt. Calhoun and Omaha, Neb., and Cariton, Iowa. With her second husband she resided in Russell where she still resides (1932).

Aaron H. Coltry probably was born in New York State. In the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Lucas county, Iowa, in the fall of 1862. Died in hospital, in Chicago, of typhoid fever, in 1863. Buried Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago. Sarah Landon was born near Morristown, N.J., in 1827, and died 1908. Having been orphaned at an early age she made her home with one John Coltry, near Watkins, N.Y., where she met and married Aaron H. Coltry.

Reuben T. Buston resided in Illinois until 1881, when he removed to Russell, where he engaged in the livery business and farming until his death. He was public spirited and prosperous, and a member of Lodge No. 337, I.O.O.F., Russell. In politics he was a republican. His first wife was Emma Rowland, of Russell, by whom he had two sons born in Russell; Harley R., born May 9, 1885, and Ralph Rodney, born September 22, 1891.

Bessie Coltry, b. Russell, January 23, 1886, unm. Resides (1932) with her mother.

William Henry Riker (b. 1839)

William Henry Riker (Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Cato, Cayuga county, N.Y., August 15, 1839, d. Canandaigua, August 21, 1921; m. Throop, Cayuga county, December 18, 1861, Fannie Eliza, dau. Harris and Minerva (Johnson) Vorce, b. Conquest, Cayuga county, June 5, 1842, d. Canandaigua, November 4, 1925. He spent two years prospecting and gold mining in Montana, Idaho, and Utah. Returning to New York he remained two years in Cayuga county and one year in Ontario county. Next he went to Iowa, engaging in farming and stock dealing near Melrose, Monroe county. In 1874 he returned to New York and worked his father's farm five years, then purchased 100 acres in town of Gorham, Ontario county, and some years later, 50 acres in town of Hopewell. He was a republican and twice served as delegate to state conventions. Upon retirement he resided at Chapinville and later at Canandaigua.

Harris Vorce was son of Daniel Vorce, a Quaker; born Dutchess county, February 15, 1802, died August 2, 1873; married July, 1841, Minerva Johnson, born Dutchess county November 17, 1817, died February 26, 1868. Resided Conquest and Throop.

Clara Bell Riker, b. Throop, November 8, 1862; m. Reeds Corners, N.Y. November 30, 1887, William son Stephen and Harriet Magaffee, b. Naples, N.Y., March 4, 1865. Resided Hopewell. Mrs. Magaffee resides Geneva, (1932). d. Canandaigua, NY, May 1956.

Elma Leontine Magaffee, b. Reeds Corners, July 6, 1891; m. January 11, 1916, Harry L., son Charles Henry and Gertrude (Magaffee) Putnam.

Melville Ganesvoort Riker (b. 1844)

Melville Ganesvoort Riker (Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Cato, N.Y., June 14, 1844, d. December 20, 1922; m. Auburn, N.Y., Jan. 30, 1867, Sarah Catherine, dau. Peter and Levina (Van Aken) Cole, b. Throop, N.Y., August 22, 1843. Removed to Chapinville in 1869 and resided on his father's farm a few years; purchased a farm in town of Gorham, Ontario county, and later one in town of Hopewell four miles east of Canandaigua (known as Riker's Corners). He retired from farming and engaged in business in Canandaigua in 1903. Buried at Canandaigua. His widow resides with daughter Anna Levina (1932).

Peter Cole, b. Ulster Park, Ulster county, N.Y., February 6, 1806; m. February, 1826, Levina Van Aken, b. Ulster, June 21, 1811. Removed to Cayuga county before 1843.

Carrie (Caroline) Adele Riker, b. Gorham, November 12, 1874; unm. Graduated from Canandaigua High School, and Syracuse University, class of 1901. Has taught school at Sidney, Mattawan, Canandaigua, and Rochester. Resides Rochester (1932).

Arlington Rikert (b. 1874)

Arlington Rikert (Philander Sleight, William, David, Henry David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Stanfordville, Dutchess county, N.Y., October 8, 1874, d. April 19, 1908; m. New York, May 18, 1898, Patience, dau. Charles and ( ) Marks, b. . He was educated Stanfordville and Brooklyn. By occupation he was a bookkeeper. In politics he was a republican and was a non-churchman. Resided Brooklyn. His widow m. (2) about 1910, Almond Germond. Buried Stanfordville, April 22, 1908.

Amos John Riker (b. 1898)

Amos John Riker (John Freemont, John, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Ontario, Wayne county, N.Y., September 17, 1898; m. Ontario, March 31, 1923, Esca N., dau. Charles Franklin and Harriet Naomi (Vande) Woodhams, b. Ontario, January 19, 1901. He conducts a restaurant at Canandaigua (1932). Mrs. Riker's parents reside at Ontario. No issue (1932).

John Howley Riker (b. 1887)

John Howley Riker (Edward Lyon, John, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Ontario, N.Y., December 13, 1887; m. Webster, N.Y., February 1, 1910, Mary Catherine, dau. Philip Mark and Elizabeth Anna (Kelly) Warren, b. Oswego, N.Y., May 20, 1888. He is a farmer, owning and residing on the farm upon which his grandfather John Riker settled in April, 1836. Mrs. Riker's parents reside at Ontario (1932).

Smith Henry Riker (b. 1863)

Smith Henry Riker (George Washington, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Clinton Hollow, Dutchess county, N.Y., September 2, 1863; m. Auburn, N.Y., November 24, 1886, Cora Bell, dau. Samuel Cheeksfield and Sarah Maria (Welch) Oliver, b. Syracuse, N.Y., October 10, 1867. His parents moved to Cayuga county, N.Y. in 1867, and to Lucas county, Iowa in September 1871. His education was confined to the public schools. His life's work was in the telegraph and telephone field. He early learned telegraphy and found employment, beginning September, 1879, in railway offices at several points in Iowa and Minnesota; entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph company in November, 1882 at St. Paul; resigned May 1, 1883, and went east; re-entered the Western Union, July 2, 1883, at Syracuse; appointed chief operator in the office of the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph company, Syracuse, March 1, 1886; returned to the Western Union, October 24, 1887, Syracuse; promoted to position of Wire Chief, September 16, 1890; resigned January 31, 1901, to accept a position with the American Telephone and Telegraph company at Troy, N.Y. His connection with this company continued until he reached the retirement age, June 30, 1930. He served in the plant department. His duties, for the most part, having to do with the maintenance and operation of the United States in the World War, necessitated many changes in the telephone organization to coordinate it with governmental activities. Mr. Riker was transferred to headquarters at New York, March 15, 1917, in a technical capacity, in which he continued, being transferred to Albany, April 1, 1922. His duties with the telephone company required him to travel about half the time. He and Mrs. Riker are Episcopalians. They were among the organizers of All Saints' parish, Syracuse, the first service of which was held November 1, 1896. Mr. Riker was elected vestryman and treasurer. In Troy he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School, and vestryman of Trinity church. In Albany he participated in financing the construction of a beautiful new edifice in St. Andrew's parish, completed in 1931. During a busy career, as time and means permitted, he accumulated a mass of historical facts pertaining to the Rikert-Rykert-Riker family, descendants of Joseph Reichert. Before his interest in the subject little was known of the annals of the family. His collection of records constitutes a substantial foundation upon which to construct a comprehensive genealogy of the family. Children were born in Syracuse. Smith Henry Riker died in 1935 in Syracuse, New York.

George B. Riker (b. 1865)

George B. Riker (George Washington, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Clinton Hollow, N.Y., March 26, 1865; m. Omaha, Neb., October 5, 1886, Cedora Ellen, dau. Samuel H. and Rachel Jane (Losier) Marquis, b. Liberty, Clark county, Iowa, October 22, 1861. His parents removed to Lucas county, Iowa, in 1871; he received a common school education; learned Morse telegraphy in 1881, and worked as railroad telegrapher eleven years at various places in Iowa, Minnesota, Manitoba, Kansas, and Nebraska; abandoned telegraphy in 1892 and entered the real estate, farm loan, and insurance business at Blair, Neb., occupying the same suite of offices for thirty-three years; took up life insurance work as a salesman in 1925, and he and wife resided three years in Florida; returned north and spent one year at Casper, Wyo.; re-entered real estate business in eastern Colorado and western Kansas; removed to Denver in 1931 as vice president of the Union Benefit Association, and secretary of The Reserve Building and Loan Association.

Samuel N. Marquis was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 10, 1833. He was a farmer and went to Henry county, Iowa, when a young man. Here he met and married Rachel Jane Losier, September 14, 1858. They removed to, and were among the first settlers of Clark county, Iowa.

Walter B. Riker (b. 1886)

Walter B. Riker, b. July 26, 1886; m. Des Moines, Iowa, November 3, 1921, Margaret Elizabeth, dau. John and Mary (McCormick) Feehan, b. Ottunwa, Iowa, September 7, 1888. He was born Walter Russell. When about 18 months of age he was taken and reared by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Riker, at Russell, Iowa. Although not legally adopted, he was given the surname Riker. His occupation is railroading, and the employ of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy R.R. in Iowa, as train man and baggageman. He enlisted in Co. C, 13th Engineer Regiment (Railway) and served in that organization in France in the World War. He resides (1932) at Burlington. Mrs. Riker's parents reside in Ottunwa.

Charles Melville Riker (b. 1871)

Charles Melville Riker (Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Chapinville, N.Y., April 10, 1871, d. Clifton Springs (N.Y.) Sanitarium, September 4, 1926; m. Canandaigua, May 2, 1902, Frances, dau. David C. and Maria Louise (Case) Hart, b. Canandaigua, January 21, 1871. Both he and his wife were graduates of Cornell University, he class of 1896, degree of M.E., and she, class of 1894, degree of A.B. Soon after his graduation he entered the employ of the Ridgeway (Pa.) Engine and Dynamo Co. for whom he traveled extensively for several years installing and inspecting steam and electrical plants. On the day of his marriage he started on an extended business trip to Puerto Rico, being accompanied there by his wife. After this he was stationed at New York for several years. In 19__ he was transferred to headquarters, at Ridgeway, where he remained until his death. (Charles actually took very ill in his later years and removed to the Clifton Springs Sanitarium in Clifton Springs, New York for treatment. He was a patient there, until he died.) His widow and sons reside at Rochester (1932). Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.

David C. Hart was born Hopewell, Ontario county, July 20, 1831, married Hopewell,

February 17, 1852, Maria Louise Case, born Bloomfield, N.Y., March 9, 1831. Resided

Wilfred Cole Riker (b. 1877)

Wilfred Cole Riker (Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Gorham, Ontario county, N.Y., January 24, 1877; d. April 1, 1969, m. Canandaigua, January 4, 1905, Grace Emma, dau. Cassius Clay and Harriet Matilda (Smith) Sutherland, b. Canandaigua, January 7, 1876, d. February 14, 1951. He is a farmer and machinery salesman (1932). Children were born at Canandaigua. Mrs. Riker's parents resided in Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Jean Louise Riker, b. Canandaigua, N.Y., June 29, 1914, d. Canandaigua, N.Y., October 3, 1937. Graduated Rochester Business College, 1932.

Harold Smith Riker (b. 1895)

Harold Smith Riker (Smith Henry, George Washington, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Syracuse, N.Y., January 12, 1895; m. Amsterdam, N.Y., December 29, 1918, Helen May, dau. Henry Matthew and Charlotte Ellen (Burley) Walsh, b. Cohoes, N.Y., September 10, 1895. He pursued his educatin in Troy, graduating from Grammar school, 1910; Lansingburgh (Troy) High School, 1914; studied one (senior) year at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire (1915); graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, class of 1919, degree of Chemical Engineer. At Exeter he was a member of Phi Epsilon Sigma, and at Rensselaer, Theta Xi. He was in his junior year at R.P.I. when the United States entered the World War. He enlisted in the Engineer Reserve Corps, as private, at Albany, January 18, 1918; was transferred to Students' Army Training Corps, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, October 14, 1918; honorably discharged December 14, 1918, on demobilization. Owing to the progress of the war his class graduated December 21, 1918. His business career began January 15, 1919, when he entered the employ of The New Jersey Zinc Co., at Palmerton, Pa. July 1, 1923, he went with the Dupont company, at Newark, N.J.; January 15, 1927, with the Dorr company, at New York, and July 22, 1931, with Texas Mining and Smelting Co., New York. For the two last concerns he traveled extensively, going to England for the Texas company in 1931. He was confirmed at Trinity Episcopal church, Troy, 1904. At an early age he evinced considerable musical talent, becoming an adept pianist. From age six he sang in the choir of Trinity church. While in High School he served as organist and choir master in St. Luke's church, Troy, and in Palmerton in the same capacity in St. John's church. No issue (1932).

Preliminary Draft.

Atlee Cecil Riker (b. 1887)

Atlee Cecil Riker (George B., George Washington, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Dakota City, Dakota county, Neb., August 1, 1887; m. Estes Park, Col., June 22, 1912, Roberta Laws, dau. Rev. Herbert G. and Josephene ( ) Horn, b. , 18__. He graduated Blair, Neb., High School, 1905, and Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago, 1909. He traveled abroad four months in 1907 while a student at Armour Institute. Upon graduation he entered the banking business at Fort Morgan, Col. In 1917 he removed to Casper, Wyoming, where he has continued banking (1932).

Natalie Cleon Riker, b. Fort Morgan, Col., June 19, 1914. Graduated Casper High School, 1932. She is an accomplished violinist. Represented the Casper High School at the National High School Band and Orchestra Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, in 1929 and also in 1930. Enrolled at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 1932.

Kenneth Melville Riker (b. 1904)

Kenneth Melville Riker ( Charles Melville, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry Joseph, Johannes ), b. Brooklyn, NY, February 15, 1904, d. Rochester, N.Y., February 10, 1958, bur. Whitehaven Memorial Park, Pittsford, N.Y., m. March 23, 1935, Roberta Fraser , dau. George Fraser , b. --- d. Rochester, N.Y., July 7, 1948.

Kenneth Melville Riker moved with his family to Ridgeway, Pennsylvania during his school years. He attended Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virgina and then attended Mechanics Institute (now known as Rochester Institute of Technology), Rochester, New York. He worked at several jobs but spent the most of his career working for The Gleason Works, in Rochester, as a machinist. Kenneth was also very interested in shortwave radio broadcasting and a 'Ham' operator. Roberta died an untimely death while their boys were still in school.

Robert Melville , b. Rochester, N.Y., December 4, 1936, d. Whittier, Calif., June 11, 1978, m. Rochester, N.Y., May 28, 1965, Barbara Ann Turner , b. October 6, 1943, Buffalo, N.Y., dau. Robert Dixon Turner , Rochester, N.Y., b. Oil City, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1912 and Rita Finnegan , b. Avon, N.Y., June 23, 1914, div.

Ralph Fraser , b. Rochester, N.Y., March 31, 1939, m. Florida, Connie Bielowos , div.

Roberta , b.Pompano Beach, Florida, 29 August, 1963 , m. , April 15, 1989 to William Rudolph

Charles George , b. Rochester, N.Y., April 10, 1943, m. (1) m. (2) m. (3) Marlene

Howard Charles Riker (b. 1905)

Howard Charles Riker ( Charles Melville, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry , Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes ) b. Brooklyn, N.Y., December 31, 1905, d. Albion, N.Y., October 24, 1984, bur. Mount Albion, Albion, N.Y., m. (1) Canandaigua, N.Y., August 18, 1930, Dorothy Elizabeth , dau. John Edgar Moyer and Florene Grace Hitchcock , b. Canandaigua, N.Y., June 2, 1909, div. Mexico, February 10, 1958, d. Rochester, N.Y., Januar y 17, 2007, m. (2) Loraine Soper . b. August 24, 1911, d. Melbourn, FL, January 2, 2001. Dorothy is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua, N.Y. Howard and Loraine are both buried in the Albion Cemetery.

Howard Charles Riker enjoyed his youth living and schooling in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, with his parents and his brother Kenneth . He was known, at an early age, to enjoy using his creative abilities in doing and building things for himself and others. This desire to help others was known and felt by many throughout his entire life.

As a young man, Howard was active in his church. He and several other young men, felled the necessary trees and built a fine, full sized, log cabin deep in the Pennsylvania forest, a few miles from town, where they had many great experiences. It was, no doubt, here where Howard learned to appreciate and love the blessings of the great outdoors, which he enjoyed throughout his life. After completing high school he moved to Rochester, New York to attend The Mechanics Institute (now known as The Rochester Institute of Technology). Howard was an early co-op student from this fine trade school and did his co-operative work blocks at The Gleason Works, Rochester, New York, where he was later joined by his brother. This co-op program included spending a training period in most of the various departments at this world-renown machine tool manufacturer. While at Mechanics Institute, Howard was active in Fraternal activities and, although small of stature, was a quarterback on the college football team. Upon graduating, Howard was awarded the Henry Lomb Key, a great distinction, as the top student in the mechanical program in his class.

Howard worked for nearly 40 years for The Gleason Works and earned the respect of his associates for his practical and innovative approach in building highly accurate and complicated machine tools, used for the generation of spiral bevel gearing.

Many years after his retirement, in the mid 1990’s, his son Lawrence , and wife Linda , met, by chance, James S. Gleason , then the Chief Executive Officer of The Gleason Corporation. Upon Lawrence asking Mr. Gleason if per chance he had known his then deceased father, Howard Riker , Mr. Gleason exclaimed “Of course I did! In our company, Howard Riker has taught us more than anyone else about the manufacture of our equipment.”

Howard and Dorothy , who moved from Canandaigua, New York in 1939, raised their two boys in East Rochester, New York. They were very involved in the Presbyterian Church, where Howard was the Scoutmaster of Troop 136, and was active as an Arrowhead District (then known as the Red Jacket District) Scout Leader for many years.

Howard spent his retirement years, living in the village of Albion, New York, always finding something useful to do or build for his friends and neighbors.

Lawrence Charles Riker , b. Canandaigua, NY, May 22, 1935, m. Rochester, NY, May 30, 1961, Linda Clare Brown , dau. Herbert Aloysius Brown and Arthalinda Simmons , b. Rochester, NY, March 3, 1939.

Donna Jean Riker , b. Rochester, NY, August 10. 1962, m. (1) Webster, NY, August 21, 1983, Salvatore Scotto , (div) m. (2) Brockport, NY, August 16, 1986, John Clinton Ornt , (div) son of Alfred Mathew Ornt, Sr . and Shirley Mae Butterbaugh , b. Rochester, NY, August 30, 1963.

Timothy Jay Riker , b. Rochester, N.Y., August 7, 1963, m. St George, UT, July 16, 1993 Keri Lynn Hains , dau Lewis Ben Hains and Elizabeth Clay , b. St George, UT, March 14, 1972

Henry Lyon Riker , b. South Jordon, UT, April 4, 1999 He was named after his great, great, great, great grandfather, Henry Lyon Riker b. January 31, 1814.

Alan Thomas Riker , b. Rochester, NY, January 12, 1965, m. Kensington, MD, June 6,1992, Mary Christine Bria , dau Frank Bria and Mary Linda Brown , b. Santa Clara, CA, January 28, 1969

Janet Elaine Riker , b. Rochester, NY, March 31, 1970, m. Pittsford, NY, August 3, 1996 Matthew Allen Davis , son Peter Francis Davis and Lynn Carol Lewis , b. Rochester, NY, September 30, 1972

Martin Lee Riker , b. Rochester, NY, May 18, 1971, m. Oakland, CA, November, 14 1997, Gloria Beth Totten , dau. John James Totten and Helen Mae Erickson , b. Walnut Creek, CA, October 8, 1974

Natalie Louisa Riker , b. Rochester, NY, December 25, 1975, m. Kensington, MD, November 6, 1968, Lorald Allen Gunter , son , James Ray Gunter and Christine Vera Matthews , b. Price, UT, June 26, 1976

Philip Merritt Riker , b. Rochester, NY, October 18, 1940, m. Rochester, NY, April 7, 1984, Susan Catherine Carhart , b. ( ), dau. Robert Atwood Carhart and Adele (Keating) Carhart .

Robert Sutherland Riker (b. 1909)

Robert Sutherland Riker ( Wilfred Cole, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes ), b. Canandaigua, N.Y., Jan 20, 1909, d. Penfield, N.Y., April, 1998, buried in the Quaker Cemetery, Farmington, N.Y., m. Rochester, N.Y., June 26, 1936, to Ruth Eleanor , dau. George Bridgman and Eleanor Simmons , b. Rochester, N.Y., July 10, 1910, d. Sebastian, Florida, June 22, 1997, buried, in the Quaker Cemetery, Farmington, N.Y.

William Bridgman Riker, b. Rochester, N.Y., December 2, 1942, m. (1) Rochester, N.Y., March 29,1963, to Kathleen Peoples (div. 1975), m. (2) Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1975, to Mary Christopher Hale (Lynch) , known as Christy , b. Denver, Colorado, May 28, 1942

William Bridgman Riker, Jr, b. Rochester, N,Y., December 5, 1963, m. Arizona, January 12,1996, Sandra Tatusko

Erika Jane Riker, b. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1967, m. (1) Chris Scolese

Wendy Walton Riker , b. Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1976, m. Charlottesville,

Children from second wife’s previous marriage, to Jay Alderson Lynch , who later took the Riker surname:

Douglas Sutherland Riker , b. Rochester, N.Y., July 9, 1945, m. Rochester, N.Y., June 4, 1966, to Sandra Schad , b. September 18, 1949.

John Sutherland Riker , b. April 24, 1968, m. to Theresa Louise Gillete , b. Lyons, N.Y., October 26,1963

Laurie Ann Riker , b. May 1, 1972, m. Avon, N.Y., May 24, 1996, to Jeffery Smith

Constance Jean Riker , b. Rochester, N.Y., April 1, 1947, m. (1) Penfield, N.Y., to John Gottland , (div), (2) April 1996, to Merrick Steven , b. January 3. 1948

Anna Lovina (Riker) Woodside (b. 1885)

Anna Lovina (Riker) Woodside b. Hopewell, Ontario County, New York, November 12, 1885, d. Canandaigua, N.Y., October 2, 1967 m. John A ., son James and Annie (Richie) Woodside , b. Canandaigua, N.Y., 1883, d. also in Canandaigua, 1961. John was a pharmacist for over 50 years at Simmions' Drug Store located at 84 South Main Street, Canandaigua, N.Y.

Marian Riker (Woodside) Kaley , b. Canandaigua, N.Y., September 28, 1918, m. December 25, 1942, Robert Harwin Kaley, DDS , son Myrle B. Kaley, DDS and Ruth Naromi (Harwin) Kaley .

Robert Woodside , b. Buffalo, N.Y., September 21, 1947, m. Mary Thompson , b. July 13, 1946.

John Myrle , b. Buffalo, N.Y., December 12, 1951, m. Kathryn Rose , August 2 1983, b. Johnson City, Broome County, N.Y., about November 9, 1953, dau. Michael and Pauline (Czebiniak) Sanyshyn .

Carole Anne , b. Johnson City, Broom County, N.Y., September 28, 1957, m. Mark James Stanley , b. Binghamton, Broom County, N.Y., May 23, 1955, son James Leon and Marjorie Ann (Keefe) Stanley .

2 We suspect this date, preceding his sister Elizabeth’s birth, is not correct.

Plutarch

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYNTAX