RIKERT RYKERT RIKER

A Record of the Decendants of Joseph Reichert who imigrated from Germany in 1710 and settled at West Camp, Ulster County, N.Y. removing to Duchess County in 1714 He was of the founders of Rhinebeck, N.Y. Situated on the Hudson River, north of New York City compiled by Smith Henry Riker 2 Sep 1863 - ?, Albany, N.Y. in 1932. Republished by the Lawrence Charles Riker Family, 69 Cloverland Dr., Rochester, N.Y. 14610 - 1995

It were, indeed, a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory of it belongs to our ancestors. --- Plutarch

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 reords 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 neccessary 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.

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.

Note: This is a copy of the original.

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 cam from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1710, settling probably in Pennsylvania. The name ie 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:

Joseph Reichert, a native of Kirchberg, county of Marbach, grand duchy of Wurtemberg, Germany, came to America in 1700 with a large emigration mainly from Palatinate. With the beginning of the eighteenth century two currents of immigration rapidly outdistance all others in numbers, importance and amount of attention which they attracted. These were the Palatines and the ScotchIrish. The Palatines were socalled 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 position of the country brought it into close relations with the Reformation, and large numbers of the population became Protestants. Wars had borne heavily on the Palatinate when, in 1709, more than 6,000, 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, for use in the British navy. The proposal was accepted 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. The first ship, the Lyon, landed at New York June 15. The people disembarked on Nutten (now Governor's) Island, where they soujourned about three months while the governor and his aids 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 about 115 miles from New York were selected as the most suitale for the purpose. The majority were conveyed up the river in sloops, probably late in September and were settled on both sides of the river. Two camps were established, on the west side, called West Camp; the other on the east side called East Camp. The latter is now Germantown. 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 familys and number of Persons in both Towns on ye west side of Hudson's River. Winter, 1710". (Doc. Hist. of N.Y., Vol. III, p. 569.) At this time he was a widower, without children. The statement contains also the name of Anna Maria Traver. They were married; two sons were born of this marriage, John Bernhard, December 30, 1711, and John David, April 17, 1714. Bernhard seems to have died young. With some 34 of the Palatine families Rikert moved to Dutchess County, probably in 1714, there becoming one of the founders of Rhinebeck. The deed of the farm of 76 acres which he purchased their bears the date October 20, 1718. This was some time after he took possession of the land. He died probably in 1742. It fell to his lot to help found three churches, all of which has since been continuously active. Upon their arrival at West Camp the Palatines lost no time in providing themselves with a place of worship. The 220th anniversary of this church was celebrated in May 1930. The original church records, still intact, contain the earliest American record of the Rikert and many other families. Among the people who removed to Rhinebeck were Lutherans and German Reformers. They jointly built the Dutch Reformed Church and worshipped in it together for 15 years. This was the first church in Rhinebeck, and is thought to have been the first in Dutchess County. In 1729 the Lutherans sold their share in the church to the Reformers. Joseph Rikert was a Lutheran, and one of the committee to receive the proceeds of the sale. The Lutherans then built themselves a church. This church, St. Peter's, is still functioning. The reformed church was removed to Red Hook in 1800.

Joseph Rikert's surviving son, David, 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 Rikert s. 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 2D, 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, Champeign 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 Ayers 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 meagre. 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-greatgrandson 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, Phillip and Johannes Rikert, and their brotherinlaw 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 acreswas 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 trace 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.

Abbreviations

JOSEPH RIKERT

Joseph Rikert was a native of Kirchberg, Wurtemberg, Germany. He came to America in 1710 with a large emigration of Palatines and settled on 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 familes, 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.

With the beginning of the eighteenth century two currents ofimmigration rapidly outdistanced all others in numbers, importance and the amount of attention which they attracted. These were the Palatines and the ScotchIrish. 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 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 form 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 tarmaking enterprise was abandoned two years later.

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 Refomed 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 171011 is said to have been severe, causing much hardship and suffering among these people. But possessing staunch and rugged spirits and 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.

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 the tarmaking 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 and 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 CarlNaher, "at Rhinebeck" January 11, 1715. This is strong evidence that Rikert then was living at Rhiebeck, 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 12, 1716, 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 DavidRykert, witnessed by Charles Crook, Jr., and Johannes Ergenbrogh (the latter by his mark). The second dated February 4, 1786, between JohannesRikert and Henry Dittemore. The indentures were not recorded. These three papers were deposited in the American History Division , New York PublicLibrary 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 AnnaConstantia , 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 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 cemetary 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. Yet Joseph Rikert merited that distinction. Upon their arrival at West Camp the Palatines lost no time in providing themselves a place of worship. (*) Note: In editing this work, an apparent error has been detected in the author's conjecture regarding the death of Hans (John) Reichard, the father of Joseph Rikert and Anna Constantia. It is stated on the marriage record of Anna Constantia the she is the daughter of the "late Hans (John)Reichard", indicating that at the time of her marriage in 1711, her father was already deceased. Therefore, disregard conclusions that Hans (John)Reichard died in 1743 and that he was approximately 72 years of age at that time. Perhaps he died in Germany, which could explain the inability to locate his gravesite. 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 Mariaappear 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 Calvanists, who built the first church together, remaining joint owners about fifteen years. The Lutherans sold their interest in the church and for 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 Red Hook. If any records were kept during the union of these churches between 1715 and 1730 they are lost. Joseph Rikertand 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.

Kirchberg, from whence Joseph Rikert came, is situated in central Wurtemberg, in southwestern Germany. It is approximately 15 miles southest 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.

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 Rimbeck 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 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 Liveingston 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)

In the presence of Mse. Edward Whitaker Justice of the Peace

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.

John David Rikert (Joseph, Johannes), b. West Camp, April 17, bap. April 18, 1714 d. July , 1784; m. 1st Anna Elizabeth , dau. Justus Henrichand 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.

New York, ye 12 Feby, 1759

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 recieve 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 requires 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 AnnaElizabeth 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 LutheranChurch , 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 there 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 atAlbany, 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 baptised 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 aboriginees 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:

Now we arrive at a point involving some conjecture. Is Anna ElizabethSchafer 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.

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.

2ly I give to my Eldest son Joseph my Big Dutch Bible.

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.

On the condition hereinafter mentioned, and not otherwise. (To witt).

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 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 LodwickElsefer, 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 (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 Henrythen 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 Rikert.

The Tator and Neher Families, like the Rikert s, 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 Tatorand 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, Soverignity 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, of even a son by a former wife, of Carl Neher, widower, who m. Anna Constantia, dau. of Joseph Rikert at Rhinebeck, Jan. 11, 1715.

David Rikert (Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Rhinebeck, bap. St. Peter's , November 26, 1769, d. April 29, 1843; m. , Anna Maria, dau. Henrich and Mararetha ( ) 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 Wurtemberg. 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.

Henry Rikert (Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes). b. Rhinebeck, 17, 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 brith has not been found. The inscription on hes tombstone reads: "Henry Rikert, died July 3, 1830, in about the 57th year of his age." 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.

Children by first marriage.

Children by second marriage.

Lyon.

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 (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 Dutcess 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.

Northrup

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 (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 on of the best read men in his vicinity. He was a Republican. Children born Stanford.

Deuel

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 Isaac, born April 26, 1780, married Mary , born December 23, 1758. Son of Isaac, born 1730-31, died October , 1816, married Jane . Son of Christopher, born January 27, 1700, died 1760, married Patience Mosher. Son of Joseph, who married Mary Soule', granddaughter of George Soule' who landed from Mayflower, December 1620. The Soule's were French Huguenots. Joseph Deuel's will was inventoried November, 1726. 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, N.Y., 1653 and 1680.

John Riker (Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Clinton, December 6, 1810, d. November 2, 1882; m. February 11, 1856, 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. 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 cemetary. He and his brother Henry L. Riker married sisters. The children were born at Ontario.

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 recieved 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 preceeded 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 near Farmington, N.Y.

Thorne

James Thorne, born town of North East, Dutchess county, Decemer 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 post master. 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.

Chace

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, (*) born 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. (*) James Chace, born August 27, 1758, made handmade end table, "Penbrook Table" in ship shop 1782. Table owned in 1989 by Dorothy Riker, Rochester, NY.

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.

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.

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).

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 (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 whin it came to human distress and would go far to help relieve crying want. He enjoyed life, byt 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 mort 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.

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.

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 (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).

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 book-keeper. 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.

William Philander Rikert, b. August 26, 1901.

Marguarite Rikert, b. October 2, 1903, d. February , 1904.

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 (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.

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 retiremnet 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 requires 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.

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 (Lozier) 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. 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 (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. His widow and sons reside at Rochester (1928). Buried at Canandaigua.

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 Canandaigua.

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

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 concerned he travelled 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 (George B., Geroge 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 (Charles Melville, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Brooklyn, NY, February 15, 1904, d. Rochester, NY, February 10, 1958, bur. Whitehaven Memorial Park, Pittsford, NY, m. March 23, 1935, Roberta Fraser, dau. George Fraser, b. d. Rochester, NY, 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 of an untimely death while their boys were still in school.

Robert Melville, b. Rochester, NY, December 4, 1936, d. Los Angeles, Calif., , m. Rochester, NY, May 28, 1965, Barbara Ann Turner, b. October 6, 1943, Buffalo, New York, dau. Robert Dixon Turner, Rochester, NY., b. Oil City, Pennsylvania, Feburary 14, 1912 and Rita Finnegan, b. Avon, New York, June 23, 1914, div.

Ralph Fraser, b. Rochester, NY, March 31, 1939, m. Florida,

Connie, , div.

Roberta , b. , m. , April 15, 1989 to William Rudolph

Kenneth , b. , m.

Christopher , b. , m.

Charles George, b. Rochester, NY, April 10, 1943, m. (1)

m. (2)

m. (3) Marlene

Howard Charles Riker (Charles Melville, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes) b. Brooklyn, NY, December 31, 1905, d. Albion, NY, October 24, 1984, bur. Mount Albion, Albion, NY, m. (1) Canandaigua, NY, August 18, 1930, Dorothy Elizabeth, dau. John Edgar and Florene Grace (Hitchcock) Moyer, b. Canandaigua, NY, June 2, 1909, div. Mexico, February 10, 1958, m. (2) Loraine Soper.

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 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 forest a few miles from town, where they had many great experiences. It was, no doubt, here where Howard learned to appreciate and to love the blessings of the great outdoors, that he enjoyed all his life.

After completing high school he moved to Rochester, New York to attend The Mechanics Institute (now known as Rochester Institute of Technology). Howard was an early co-op student from this trade school and did his 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-known machine tool maunfacturer. 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 innovative approach to the building of highly accurate machine tools.

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 for many years.

Robert Sutherland Riker (Wilfred Cole, Melville Gansevoort, Henry Lyon, Henry, Henry, David, Joseph, Johannes), b. Canandaigua, NY, Jan 20, 1909, m. Rochester, NY, June 26, 1936, Ruth Eleanor, dau. Charles and Bridgeman, b. Rochester, NY, July 10, 1910.

Robert Sutherland Riker graduated from highschool at age 16. He then attended and graduated from Hobart College. He spent most of his career working for Cutler Mail Chute.

Marian Riker (Woodside) Kaley, b. Canandaigua, New York, September 28, 1918, m. Robert Harwin Kaley, DDS, son Myrle B. Kaley, DDS and

Ruth Naromi (Harwin) Kaley, December 25, 1942.

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, New York, about November 9, 1953, dau. Michael and Pauline (Czebiniak) Sanyshyn.

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

Tricia Leigh Stanley, b. Johnson City, Broom County, New York, February 17, 1984.

Corinne Kaley Stanley, b. Johnson City, Broome County, New York, July 25, 1988.