THE HELMER FAMILY
PHILIP HELMER (The Pioneer) AND HIS DESCENDANTS
He.t,,,u,r
COMPILED BY
PASCOE W. WILLIAMS
Reprinted from ENTERPRISE AND NEWS 1931..:32
SKETCH OF THE COMPILER
PASCOE W. WILLIAMS
Pascoe W. Williams was born in the Town of Steuben, Oneida County, N. Y. January 19, 1880. After being graduated from the Holland Patent High School and the Albany Business College, he attended George Washington University. Later he was graduated fr.om the Pace Institute of Accountancy.
In 1902 he entered the government service in Washington, D. C., where he was employed for eleven years as an audit•or in the Treasury Department. In 1913 he resigned his position at Washington -and went to Albany as .an accountant in the State service. He has passed the New York State examina tion for certified public accountant and by successive pr>omoUons has been advanced to the po.sition of Chief Accountant in the State Comptroller's Office -at Albany, where he is in charge of the accounting system of the State. On July 29, 1903, he married Anna Dell Noble, daughter of George P. Noble and Mary Elizabeth Helmer of Boonville, N. Y. They have a son Noble Stanton Williams who was graduated in 1929 fr.om the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with the degree of civil engineer and is now a patent examiner in the United States Patent Office at Washington, D C. They also have two daughters, Dorothy Louise Willi.ams who was grad uated from Russell Sage College in 1929 and who is a girl scout director at Westfield, New Jersey and Marjorie Frances Williams who is now a student at Russell Sage College. Mr. Williams is a member .of the Board of Deacons of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church of Albany, one of the largest churches in the city. He is a member ,of the Masonic fraternity and the Masonic Veterans Association.
FOREWORD
In studying the early history of the M,ohawk Valley, one must feel a rev erence and admir:ation for those early pioneers who over two hundred years ag,o settled upon the Burnettsfield Patent on what was then the western frontier. During the French and Indian War of 1757 and 1758 their set tlement was twice invaded and about one hundred of the inhabitants carried "to Can,ada in captivity. During the Revolution their settlement was repeat edly invaded and for a time the inhabitants were obliged t~ abandon their homes and find protection farther down the valley. Is it any wonder that the early history of most of these families has in a great measure been lost? Few ,old church records prior to 1763 are available. Perhaps one of the largest families in the upper Mohawk Valley was the Helmer Family. About twenty-five men by the name of Helmer served in the Revolution, and the husbands of about ten daughters also served. In ad dition there were probably others of the family whose Revolutionary service will never be known. Theirs has been the fate of "The Unknown Soldier." When the Helmer articles first began in the Enterprise and News it was intended that they should only include the records of the family to the close of the Revolution. Such great interest has been shown and so much additional data furnished that the series has been continued, so far as possi ble, down to the present generation. There are records of many unidentified Helmers to which particular at tenti-on is called in the hope that they also may be identified. Acc-ording to the Census of 1710 the pioneer ancestor Philip Helmer had six children, the records of but three being here given. The others are un known. The three known sons were Lendert, Johan Adam and Frederick. It is not definitely known if the first two sons had ,other children than those mentioned, but it is definitely known from an old will that the son Frederick had eight children. However, the names of only four or five of these children are known. Thus it will be seen that at the very beginning of the Helmer Family there added, the record ,of the Helmer family would be much larger. added many missing lines. Could these early missing lines be traced and There are given here over three thousand names, yet the list is far from complete. In fact, the task is hardly more than begun. It is hoped that enough interest has been cre·ated in order to continue the task so as to make it more complete. Records from family Bibles prior and during the Revo lution are particularly desired. During that period the church records are very inoomplete.
ASSISTANCE APPRECIATED. The author deeply appreciates the very valuable assistance of many mem bers of the Helmer family. Over one hundred letters have been received, but a list of the senders is too long to be inserted here. PASCOE W. WILLIAMS.
HELMERS IN THE REVOLUTION
Names on the Ori-skany Monument John Helmer, Jr. Captain Frederick F. Helmer, John F. Helmer. killed at the Battle of Oriskany. John P. Helmer. Lieutenant George F. Helmer, Joseph Helmer. wounded at the Battle of Oris Lenerd Helmer. kany. Lenerd L. Helmer, Jr. Lieutenant Adam F. Helmer, Philip F. Helmer. scout who carried messages. Captain Philip Helmer. (Note~The above three were brothers). Philip Helmer of M'anheim. Helmer Grandson in the Rev,olu ti-on Names of Soldiers who Foug·ht at John Ernest Pier, son of Anna Magdalena Helmer. O•riskany, whose N·ames are n1ot ·on the Oriskany R•oster Helmer Sons-in-Law in the Revolu Han Adam Helmer, killed at the tio·n Battle of Oriskany. Ichabod Bany, husband of Eliza John G. Helmer. beth Margaret Helmer. Also a brother of John G. Hel Frederick Baum, husband of mer (name unknown) killed at Elizabeth Helmer. Oriskany. Adam Harter, husband of Eliza Captain Peter Bowman (husband beth (Betsy) Helmer. of Catharine Helmer) killed at Oriskany. Thomas Getman, husband of Elizabeth Helmer. George Haynes, husband ,of An Additional Helmers who Served in na Sophia Pier and son-in-law of the Revolution Anna Magdalena Helmer. John Kessler, husband of Ger Dietrich Helmer. trude Helmer. Frederick A. Helmer. Henry Nellis, husband of Chris Frederick F. Helmer, Jr. tina Helmer. George P. Helmer. Peter Hoyer, husband of Anna Godfrid Helmer, Jr., (pr,obably Maria Helmer. the brother of John G. Helmer Frederick Riegel, husband of mentioned as having been killed at Catharine Helmer. Oriskany). Jacob G. Weber, husband of An Hanyost Helmer. na Margaret Helmer. Henry A. Helmer. Adolph Walrad, husband ,of John Helmer. Catharine Helmer.
The Helmer Family Pioneers and ·ra.triots
BY PASCOE W. WILLIAMS
Together with the Complete Pension Papers Attached to the Claim of Ann-a P. Bellinge'" Widow of the Revolutionary Scout Adam F. Helmer.
CHAPTER I children. They are described as having been reduced to want by the The Palatine Im-migration ravages of the French in their coun Philip Helmer is supposed to have try, and are represented as being of been the first of that name to have good character. This paper states settled in the Mohawk Valley. He they w.ould have been sent to Jamai was one of the German immigrants ca or Antigua, but is was feared the from the Lower Palatinate of the hot climate of those islands would Rhine in Germany. Because of reli prove injurious to their constitutions. gious persecution in Germany as a It was finally concluded to send them result of the religious wars in Eu to the colony of New York, where rope, -of which Germany was the bat they could be employed in -0btaining tlefield nearly one hundred years, the nav,al stores after being seated on the sympathy of Queen Anne of England frontiers as a barrier against the was arouused in 1708 and the immi French and their Indians. gration of the German Palatines to This was the vanguard which was New York began. to be planted in advance of the pop In the first quarter of the eigh ulation then in the province as a bar teenth century, three bodies of these rier against the common enemy. This people arrived in New York, having company probably arrived at New been sent over .at the expense of the York about the close of the year British government. By an order in 1708. In the year 1"714 we find the council made at Whitehall, England, Lutheran minister J,oshua Kocker May 10, 1708, it appears that Joshua thal settled in Ulster county and Kockerthal, evangelical minister and hence it will be inferred that most sever.al poor Lutherans, had come to if not all of the first company which England from the Lower Palatinate came over followed their spiritual in Germany, being forty one persons, teacher and remained with him. ten men, ten women and twenty-one The second and more numerous 2 THE HELMER FAMILY comp,any of Palatines arrived at New and his eldest son Lendert who was York a short time before June 13, over 18 years of age at that time. 1710, and in consequence of sickness Philip Helmer, the pioneer ancestor during the voyage they were di was prob.ably born about the year rected to remain in quarantine on 1670 or before. The census of 1710 Govern-or's Island, where huts were would indicate that he had six child erected for them and provisions fur ren born between the years 1690 and nished at the public expense. More 1710. These dates of course· can only than three thousand emigrants came be approximate. He died some time over about this time. It was ,assert before 1741. There seems to be no ed by Governor Hunter that over information as to the name of his four hundred and seventy died on wi,fe. the passage and ten vessels were em The names of his children and the pl,oyed in bringing them to their fu approximate dates of their births are ture homes. as follows: The third company .of Palatine im 1 Lendert born about 1690 or 1692, migrants arrived in !fow York in or thereabouts. October, 17'22. The ship in which 2 Johan Adam born about 1695 to they came had lost many of its pa,s 1701. sengers during the voyage. 3 Son, born bout 1695 to 1701. It is not known whether Philip Hel 4 Daughter born about 1695 to 1701. mer and his family came in the first 5 Daughter born about 1695 to 1701. or second company of immigrants. 6 Frederick born about 1702 to 1710 In a report of the comm1ss1oners The reason for putting the ages of of the board of trade and plantations, these sons in this order is that Len dated December 5, 1709, in pointing dert had a son born in 1'715, Johan out the place most suitable for seat Adam had a son born in 1725 and ing the Pal.atines, the commissioners Frederick had children born fro::::i designate "a tract of land lying on 1735 or 1740 to 1754. Also it would ap the Mohaques (Mohawk) River, con pear that Frederick Helmer was un taining about fifty miles in length, married at the time of the grant ,of and four miles in breadth, and a the Burnettsfield Patent April 30, tract of land lying upon a creek ( ev 1725 as no wife was, mentioned. idently the Schoharie) which runs in This would indicate . that Philip to said river, containing between Helmer and his family lived in Ul twenty-four and thirty miles ' in ster county in the winter of 1710, but length. This last mentioned land is there appears to be no definite re claimed by the M::Jhaques, but that cord of their arrival or departure claim may be satisfied on very easy from Ulster county. terms." (See Benton's History of Herkimer County). The Settlement of Schoharie The Census of 1710 We next find a record of his family at Schoharie. Philip· Helmer and his According to a census taken in the son Lendert with ,other Palatines winter of 1710 (Documentary History from Schoharie were naturalized Oc of New York, Vol. 3, Page 343) of the tober 11, 1715, which naturalization Palatine families on the west side ,of list was recorded at Albany, N. Y .. the Huds,on River, now Ulster c,oun Lendert and his wife Elizabeth (pro ty, the following is found: bably Ruhl, also called Reals and: "Philip Helmer, 2 men. 2 lads from Riegal) had a son Go
names among the Burnettsfield Pat the youngest and unmarried at that entees in Herkimer County. time was granted Lot. 1 of 100 acres .on the north side of the Mohawk riv The Burnettsfield Patent er. The Burnettsfield Patent was No grants appear to have been granted April 30, 1725. It recites that made to the other son and two "whereas our loving subjects, John daughters mentioned in the Census J.oost Patri and Coenradt Rickert, in of 1710. Whether this son may have behalf of themselves and other dis died and the two daughters married tressed Palatines, by their humble will perhaps remain ,a mystery. petition presented the 17th day of According tQ the "New York Land January, 1722, to our trusty and well Papers" the following condition ex beloved William Burnett, Esq., Cap isted in 1741: tain General and Governor in chief of Philip R.e1mer, Lot 20, dead. the province of _New York, in council Lendert Helmer, Lot 21, removed. have set forth that in accordance The f.oll-owing were apparently with the governor's license they had alive, owning their respective lots: purchased of the native Indians at Elizabeth Helmer, Lot 14. the Mohawks country the tract of Johan Adam Helmer, Lot 6. land on both sides of the Mohawks Frederick Helmer, Lot 1. river commencing at the first car Why Elizabeth Helmer, wife of rying place (Little Falls), being the Lendert, still owned Lot 14, while eastermost bounds called by the na · her husband had moved .away, is un tives Astourogon, running along on explainable. She had probably mov both sides of the said river westerly ed with her husband and still owned unto a place called Gauondagaraon, Lot 14. or the upper end -of it, being about To confirm the removal of Lendert twenty-four English miles along both Helmer fr-om German Flatts prior to sides of the said river." The Indian 1741 as shown by the "New York deed was dated July 9, 1722. The Land Papers," we find in the record council advised the Governor to of the Reformed Dutch Church at "grant to each of the s-aid persons, Fort Plain, formerly known -as the man, woman and child, -a,3 are desir Reformed Calvinist Church of Cana ous to settle within the limits of the johary, a "Statement of the Church said tract of land the quantity of -one es of the River and Stone Arabia" hundred acres." dated July 14, l'-751. This statement In the list of Burnettsfield Patentees was signed by Leonhardt Helmer and Philip Helmer was granted Lot 25 of his two sons Gottfried Helmer and 100 acres on the north side of the J,:::ih::mn Leonhardt Helmer. Also in Mohawk River and on the east side 1751 Lendert Helmer and his son Jo -of the West Canada Creek. hann Leonhardt Helmer were mem His son Lenaert Heimer was grant bers of the Stone Arabia consistory. ed Lot 21 of 100 acres on the north In the "Annual Report of the New .side of the Mohawk river. Elizabeth York State Historian, 1896, Colonial wife -of Lendert Helmer, was grant Series, Vol. 11," appears the names ed Lot 14 of 100 acres also on the of :nany men by the name of Helmer north side of the Mohawk river. wh J served in the Colonial Wars. The record is as follows: Another son Johan Adam Helmer Bornets Field (Burnettsfield) May was granted Lot 6 of 100 acres on the 9, 1767. Captain Marx Petry's Com nor.th side of the Mohawk river an~l pny:-Frederick Hellmer, Sergeant, Anna Margaret, his wife, was grant and John Hellmer, Frederick Hell •ed Lot 12 of 100 acres -on the south mer, Phillip Hellmer, Adam Hell- .side of the Mohawk river. 1-1er and Henry Hellmer, privates. A third son Frederick, probably Philip Helmer had twenty-six grand 4 THE HELMER FAMILY children, of which at least twenty-two and his baptism as Jan. 24, 1716. In have been identified. These were Lendert Helmer's will he mentions the children of the three s,ons, Len Godfrid as his eldest son. dert, Johan Adam and Frederick. He Lendert Helmer was naturalized may have had grandchildren by his October 11, 1715, at which time he two daughters and son whose names was living at Schoharie, N. Y. In the are unknown. census of 1710 he is probably one of He had over ninety great grand the two men ,of the Helmer family. children. Many of his grandsons This would place the approximate and great grandsons were in the Re 3. Johann Leonhardt, known as 2. Leonard. This is another record Leonard, Jr., married before 1751, difficult to trace out. It is believed Catherine Nellis, born Jan. 18, 1124, he was the one who married before died Aug. 20, 1805, aged 81 years, 7 1752 Catherine Zimmerman. Has any months, 2 days (tombstone record.) one any further information? They :file was the daughter ,of Christian were the parents of one son Leonard, Nellis and Barvalis (Barbara) Klock Jr., a soldier of the Revolution. and grand daughter of Hendrick 3. Catharine married Dec. 26, 1759, Klock, pioneer. One son by this Frederick Riegel, son of Godfrid Rie ~arriage. Catherine Nellis married gel. Five children. Frederick Riegel for her second husband Col. Jacob was a soldier in the Revolution and Klock. No children by this marriage. was taken captive and held a prison 4. Anna Magdalena, born about er over two years. 1720, married Dec. 15, 1T41, Philip 4. Elizabeth Margaret, known as Peer (Pier). Two children. Elizabeth, married Sept. 30, 1760, Tea 5. Johnnes (John) married Feb. 7, bod Baani (Bany), son of Joseph Baa 1760, Gertrude Bell, daughter of ni. Four children. Icabod Baani was Frederick Bell. Four children. a soldier in the Revolution. 6. Maria Margred, married before 5. Johan Adam, known as Han Adam July 15, 1766, J,ohn Headcock (Hat and Adam, Jr. married Jan. 6, 1763, cock). Maria Beersch (Barse or Burch). 7. Gert1oud, married before 1751, Four children. Han Adam Helmer Jacob Krouss, Jr. (son of Jacob was killed at the Battle of Oriskany, Krouss, Sr.) Two children. August 6, 1777. 8. Elizabeth, married before 1765, 6. Margaret, married March 15, 1763 Peter Eygenbrodt. Two children Christian Riegel, son of Godfrid Rie John Adam Helmer gel. Three children. John Adam Helmer, known as 7. Philip, married (1st) Lefore 1757 Adam, son of Philip1 and his wife (wife's name unknown) and married Anna Margaret--were also Bur (2nd) May 4, 1762, Maria Philippina nettsfield Patentees. He was granted Ecker. Two children, one by each Lot 6 of 100 acres on the north side of marriage. Philip Helmer was a sol the Mohawk river and his wife was dier in the Revolution. granted Lot 12 of 100 acres on the 8. Gertrude, married May 10, 1763, South side ,of the river. He was pro John Kessler, a soldier in the Revo bably born between 1695 and 1701, one lution. Five children. of the sons mentioned as being be• 9. John, married Aug. 11, 1767 Mar tween nine and fifteen years of age in garet Mayer. Two child~en. the Census of 1710. 10. Henry A., born 1747, died May 15 He died after June 27, 1781, being 1815, married Maria Elizabeth ---, mentioned in the will of his brother born 1752, died April 14, 1819. Eight Lendert Helmer, this being the date of children. Henry A. Helmer was a the will. soldier in the Revolution. From the "New York Land Papers" Frederi·ck Helmer he still ,owned Lot 6 of the Burnetts field in 1741. Frederick Helmer~, son of Philipl, Children of Johan Adam Helmer was probably born between 1702 and and his wife Anna Margaret-- were: 1710, the son mentioned in the Cen 1. Frederick A., born Aug. 16, 1725, sus of 1710 as being under eight died March 5, 1804, married Barbara years of age. He was granted Lot 1 Elizabeth Homan, born in Holland who of 100 acres of the Burnettsfield Pat came to America in 1754. Four child ent on the north side of the Mohawk ren. Frederick A. Helmer was a sol river. In all probability he was un •dicr in the Revolution. married at the time the patent wa!:l 6 THE HELMER FAMILY gr~nted as no wife was . mentioned. Dygert and his wife· Maria Elizabeth He owned Lot 1 of the Burnettsfield Ecker. Frederick F .. Helmer was a Patent in 1741 according to "New member of the Tryon County Com York Land Papers." mittee of Safety from the German He married Maria Barbara Flatts District in 1775. His name is Kast, the daughter of John George on the Oriskany Monument as a cap Kast and his wife Anna--. John tain in the Rev-olution. He was killed George Kast was also a Burnettsfield at the Battle of Oriskany August 6, patentee. 1777. Ten children, six by the first marriage and four by the second Maria Barbara Kast died before marriage. April 30, 1755, the date of her fath er's will. 2. George F., born October 23, 1739 died March 23, 1823, aged 82 years, 5 The will of John George Kast, dat months. He married Jan. 9, 1770 ed April 30, 1755, reads in part as Margaret Mayer, who" died Feb. 26, follows: 1818, aged 66 years. Both are buried "Sixthly, I will that the children in the Columbia cemetery, Herkimer procreated by Frederick Helmer and county. He was a lieutenant under my daughter Maria Barbara shall Colonel Peter Bellinger at the Battle have fifteen pounds in current money of Oriskany where he was wounded. of New York and be freed of all the Eight children. debts they owe me, none for them to 3. Philip F., born about 1740, died pay." June 8, 1830,. married July 17, 1764, "Tenthly, it is further my will that Anna Mayer, born 1747, died Aug. 12, my personal estate or the remains of 1829. He was a soldier in the Revolu' my effects shall devolve on and come tion. Five children. to all my children share and share 4. Ada:::'.l F:, also known as Johan alike, the one no more than the oth Adam F., born 1754, died April, 1830 er. But the eight children Maria at Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y. He, Barbara had by Frederick Helmer married Feb. 27, 1776, Anna Bellinger, must have amongst them all only so daughter of Peter Bellinger. Anna much as ,one of my own children." Bellinger was born 1757, died Jan. 25, Thus it will be seen that Frederick 1841, at Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y. Helmer and his wife Maria Barbara Adam F. Helmer wasAhe, celebrated Kast had eight children, but the scout of the Mohawk · v.alley in the names of only four of these are Revolution. He was a lieutenant in known. The others may have been the scouts, also known as Rangers.. daughters who inarried of which His pension record is to be printed there is no record. It may also be · in the Enterprise and News soon and" possible that they may nave perish will be read with interest by descend ed in the Germ.an Flatts massacres of ants of the Mohawk Valley fa::.1ilies. 1757 and 1758. Seventy inhabitants His experience is typical of the hard were killed in these massacres and ships of the. Mohawk Valley families; many were carried· to Canada in cap during the Revolution. Three times tivity. J:iis home- and an his belongings were The four known children of" Freder~ burned by the enemy. He carried· ick Helmer and his wife Maria Bar messages from General Herkimer to· bara Kast were as fol1ows: Colonel Ganesvoort who was besieged· 1. Frederick F., probably the eldest, by St. Leger at Fort Stanwix. The· married before 1760 (1st): Edwina or garrison at Fort Stanwix was in. Sabina -·- who. died about 1769. Her grave danger, being outnumbered last name may have been either Hiltz nearly three to one. Adam F. Hel or Schumacher. Frederick F. married mer waded the river with the messag (2nd) about 1770- Elizabeth Dygert, es in his hat to keep the:::i dry and born 1749, the daughte:r:· of. William went. through the enemy's lines in. PIONEERS AND PATP-JOTS 7 safety to the fort. At the battle of General Nicholas Herkimer's name Oriskany he was not with General appears but a few times in these Herkimer's forces but having arrived volumes, being in a Ii.st of persons at the fort, he sallied forth with Col whose service was evidenced by man onel Willett's men to attack the en uscripts on file in the State Comp emy in the re•ar. troller's Office, but whose names were not found on the papers ,of any of the Adam F. Helmer and his wife An regular organizations. All records na Bellinger were the parents of ten have been lost of the 850 men who children. marched from Fort Dayton under CHAPTER Ill •. the commnd of General Herkimer to the Battle of Oriskany. The New York Men in the Revolution bronze tablets on the Oriskany Mon ument contain the names of 491 men Robert's "New York in the Revolu known to have fought in that battle, tion," published in 1904, was prepared leaving upwards of 360 who took under the direction of Hon. J'ames part whose names will remain un A. Roberts, State Comptroller. It known until they are brought forth was a reprint with many additions from old pension records, Bible and and much new material of the fir.st other family records. edition prepared by the State of New York in 1897. It was published. Additional Names for the 0.ris~any in two volumes with a total of 870 pages. R•oster These v-0lumes were prepared fro~ Among the names inscribed on the large quantities of forgotten papers Oriskany Battlefield Monument are relating to the services performed by those of Captain Frederick F. Hel New York in the Revolutionary war. mer, killed in that battle, and his two The.se papers contained the muster brothers Lieutenant George F. Hel and pay rolls of different organiza mer, wounded, and Lieutenant Jo ti,ons. Their historic value and im han Adam F. Helmer, the celebrated portance was clearly proved by the sc,out. Philip Helmer of Manheim fact that New York furnished nearly also fought in the battle of Oris two and one-half times the number kany. Among the pension papers of of tr.oops in the Revolu.tion with John G. Helmer, filed in the Pension which the colony had formerly been Office at Washington, are records C"'.'()dibd. General Henry Knox, first which show additional names of per Secretary of ·war under President sons at the Battle of Oriskany. In Vla'.::hington, in a report to Congress his pension application John G. Hel ·of the number •of. troops furnished by m.er states he fought at the Battle of ca::!h colony, gave New York credit Oriskany. He also states that a broth for 17,781 men. Robert's "New York c:::- was killed in that battle but does in the Revolution" contains the not give the name of his brother. He names of 43,645 men, with their rank als.o says that his brother-in-law Cap and organization. This book does tain Peter Bowman was also killed at not give all the names from New that time. Han Adam Helmer, a cou York who f.ought in the Revolution, sin of Adam F., the scout, was also as numerous cases were found in killed at the Battle of Oriskany, ac which records of a full quota of field, cording to the old church records. :staff and line officers for a regiment These arP. four names which are not are given, but no enlisted men. This now inscribed upon the Oriskany is explained by the fact that it was Roster but should be added. ·not uncommon for the officer com manding the organization to retain Thirty Helmer Names in Roster of ::::.11 the records relating to his com Rev.olution :□ and. .In Robert's "New York in the Re- 8 THE HELMER FAMILY volution" the names of thirty men by hundred French and Indians surpris the name of Helmer appear. This ed the settlement of German Flatts, name is variously spelled as I-fa.Im.er, now Herkiraer. The settlement ex Hellmer, Helmore, and Hollmer. tended on both sides of the Mohawk The name of John Helmer ap river. About forty inhabitants were pears in all nine times and one is killed and many carried to Canada in almost led to believe there must be captivity. Sixty dwellings and a large number of barns were destroy a duplication of names, as it would seem impossible for one man by that ed. name to have had so many periods Another attack was made upon of enlistment in so many different German Flatts on April 30, 1758, at organizations. But such was not the which time thirty inhabitants were case, as from the pension records we killed. find three men by the name of John Helmer in the same regiment and to Brant's Raid -on Herkimer and the distinguish them they were called Mohawk Valley in 1ns John G., J,ohn P. and John F. taking About the middle of September, the initial of their father in each case, 1778, four scouts were sent out from i. e., Godfrid, Philip and Frederick. German Flatts to learn the intentions In addition there were several other of Brant who was at Unadilla pre . John Helmers living at that time, paring to make an attack upon the some of whom may have been in the Mohawk Valley, with a force of 350 Revo1ution, but are still unidentified. Tories and Indians. The four scouts Of the thirty or more Helmer met Brant's force at Edmeston, na::nes who were in the Revolution, about thirty miles south of Herkimer. about twenty-five were from the Mo Three scouts were killed, but the hawk Valley, the others being from fourth Johan Adam F. Helmer escap the southern part of the state. ed and reached German Flatts just before sunrise to give the warning Absence of Reeords Pri·o-r to and Dur- that Brant and his allies were close ing Revolution at hand. The inhabitants barely had In tracing the lineage of the Hel sufficient time to reach the forts be mer Family, one is met with many fore the attack. Before daylight on difficulties, someti:c:ies lack of church the morning of September 7, 1779, the records and Bible records, similarity whole valley was ablaze with burning buildings. Every building for ten of names, and at times aimost a com plete lack of all records. This is miles along both sides of the river particularly true of the period prior was destroyed. The destruction was to 1763. At this time Dominie Ab:-aha:::i complete. Every do:nestic animal, Rosencrantz began keeping records over 730 in number had been driven of the German Flatts Refor::::ed away. Sixty-three houses, fifty seven Church, and for a time they were· barns, three grist mills and two saw quite complete. The records of the mills with all their contents were re Stone Arabia Reformed and Lutheran duced to ashes. No attempt was made Churches began a:bout 1739, but there· to capture the forts, where the in \.\·ere few Helmer records found in habitants had taken refuge and were those churches; prior to. 1763. During safe, thanks to the courageous scout the period of the Revolution the re• Johan Adam F. Helmer. cords are quite incomplete, particuc Between 300 and 400 militia follow larly as to marriages· and deaths: ed Brant as far as Edmeston, where German Flatts MassaC're the bodies of the three murdered scouts were found and buried. The At three o'clock of the morning of friendly Oneida Indians went as far November 12, 175.7. •. a force. of three: as the Unadilla Vall<>y, burned the·. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 9 houses of some Tories took several of the Burnettsfield Patent on the prisoners and brought L.:.. ~k sume of north side .of the Mohawk river. This the cate • that had been driven 3 2 mentioned above. Hanyost Helmer•, John , Lendert , 2 Philip1. Private in the Line, First John P. 1:ielme~, Philip3, (? , Phil Regiment, commanded by Colonel ip1. Private in Captain Jacob Shav Van Schaick; also priv.ate in the Al er or Seaver's Company, commanded bany County Militia, Second Regi by Colonel Willett. Who was his ment, commanded by Coloonel Wem grandfather? John P. Helmer was ple. Mentioned in his grandfather's born July 7, 1757, died January 20, will. No record as to his birth, mar 1833. Married Mary ____ born 1768. riage or death. Eight children. John P. Helmer was 1 a prisoner of war at Niagara_ Can Han Adam Helmer3 Adam\ Philip . ada, .over two years; released at the Private in Tryon County Militia un close of the Revolution. (Pension re der General Herkimer. No record as cord). t.., which regiment he belonged. Killed John Helmer. Private .in Tryon at the Battle of Oriskany August 6, County Militia, Seoond Regiment, 1777. Married January 6, 1763, Maria commanded by Colonel Klock. In all Beersch (Barse or Burch). Four probability he was of the third gen children. eration ,of Helmers, the son of either 2 1 2 1 Henry Helmer3, Adam , Philip . Adam or Lendert (2), Philip . Can Sergeant in Captain John Hess's any.one furnish ,any ~urther informa Company; also sergeant in Captain tion? Peter Wagner's Company, Second John Helmer, Jr., private in the Regiment Tryon County Militia, New York Line, First Regiment, commanded by Colonel Jacob Klock. , ; __ 1_~_·t::i.Je:l by Colonel Van Schaick. Born 1'747, died May 15, 1815. Married He was probably the son of the man Mari,a Elizabeth -~- born 1852, above mentioned. Is there any fur died April 14, 1819. Seven children. ther information available? 3 3 John F. Helmer4, Frederick F. , Joseph (Jost) Helmer', Godfrid , Frederic"t:2, Philip1. Private in Cap Lendert2, Philip1. Private in First t:tin Peter B. Tearne's Company, Regiment, Tryon County :Militia, 12 THE HELMER FAMILY commanded by Colonel Samuel Camp Adolph Walrad (Walrath) second bell. Born February 8, 1762, died husband ,of Catharine Helmer4, God- 3 1 February 12, 1820. Married Septem frid , Lendert2, Philip • Private in ber 16, 1786-8, Susanna Flint. Eight Tryon County Militia,. Second Regi children. ment commanded by Colonel Klock. Lenerd Helmer3, Adam2, Philip1. Pri Married Catharine HeLier. Four vate in Tryon County Militia, Sec,ond children. ~giment, commanded by Colonel Ichabod Bany (Eanni) husband of Klock. Married Catharine Zimmer- Elizabeth Margaret Helmer, Adam~• 1 . man. One son Lenerd, Jr., born Au Philip • Private in Tryon County Mi gust 8, 1752. liatia Fourth Regiment, commanded Lenerd L. Helmer, Jr.4, Lenerd3, by Colonel Peter Bellinger. Married 1 Aclam2, Philip • Private in Tryon SeptQmber 30, 1760. Four children. County Militia, Second Regiment, One son John was probably a soldier commanded by Colonel Klock. Born in the Revolution. August 8, 1752. Thomas Getman husband of Eliza Philip Helmer. Captain in Tryon beth Helmer\ probably the daughter 1 County Militia, Second Regiment, of Godfrid3, Lendert~, Philip • Private commanded by Colonel Klock. He in Tryon County Militia, Second Reg does not seem to be either of the two iment, commanded by Colonel Kloclt, men by the same name mentioned also private in the Try.on County Mi below. Has anyone any further in litia, Rangers (Scouts) under Captain formation? Getman. Elizabeth Helmer was born 4 3 2 1 Philip Helmer Philip , ? , Philip • 1753, died October 6, 1837. Thomas Private in Captain Andrew Finck's Getman was born November 15, 1,5.:: and Captain Hamtramik's Companies, died December 25, 1820. Three child commanded by Colonenl Van Schaick ren. and Colonel Du Bois, First Regiment, George Haynes husband of Anna New York Line. Born June 11, 1757. Sophia Pier1 Anna Magdalena Hel 1 Married May 9, ·1783, Margaret Bellin mer•, Lendert", Philip • Private in ger, born 1750. One son, perhaps Tryon County Militia, Rangers more. (Pension and old Bible re (Scouts), under Captain John Kas cord.) Who was his grandfather? selman. Married Anna Sophia 1:-ier, 3 born March 23, 1751, daughter of An Philip F. Helmer , Frederick~, Phil ip1. According to an old letter he was na Magdalena Helmer and Philip, a soldier in the Revolution. Born .1.~1er. Two children. John Kessler husband of Gertrude, 1740, died June 8, 1830. Married July 1 Helmer3, Ad-am\ Philip • Private in 17, 1764 Anna Mayer born 1747, died Battalion of Minute Men, Tryon August 12, 1829. Five children, one County Militia, commanded by Col of whom was George P., also a sol dier in the Revolution, mentioned. onel Campbell. Married May 10, 1763. Five children; probably two sons in above. the Revolution. Helmer Sons-in-law Henry Nellis, husband of Christina 3 Helmer4, Godfrid , Lendert", Philip' Peter Baumann (Bowman) first There were several men by the name, husband of Catherine Helmer\ God of Henry Nellis in the Revolution. 2 1 frid3, Lendert , Philip • Captain i:::i. Christina Helmer was born February Tryon County Militia co:::nmanded by 10, 1749, died June 14, 1827. Henry General Herkimer. Killed at the Nellis was born October 3, 1746. died Battle of Oriskany August 6, 1777. April 22, 1829. Can any one give the Married Catharine Helmer September Revolutionary record of this Henry 7, 1767. No record of children by this Nellis or add any further inforc1a marriage. (This record found in pen tion? sion record of John G. Helmer). John Ernest Pier, son of Anna. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 13 3 1 Magdalena , Lendert2, Philip and her vicinity of Stone Arabia and was husband Philip Pier. Private in killed at the Battle of Oriskany Au First Regiment, New York Line com gust 6, 1777. The papers accompany manded by Colonel Van Schaick. ing the pension application of the wi Born November 3, 1743. Married--. dow of J,ohann Adam F. Helmer, the His family consisted of three persons scout states that the 'Dory Adam Hel on March 27, 1780; names unknown. mer went to Canada with Johnson. Frederick Riegel husband .of Cath Hans Helmer. Judge William Har 2 1 arine Helmer3, Adam , Philip • Pri per, in a letter written at "Mohack v,ate in Tryon County Militia, Fourth District," Tryon County, 12 April, Regiment, commanded by Colonel 1779, to Governor Clinton, mentions Peter Bellinger. He was a prisoner a Hans Helmer "a Tory who was of war, taken captive October 31, taken the previous day by Solleman 1780; released November 22, 1782. W.odward, a true Whig in Johnston's Married December 26, 1759. Five bush; he went to the enemy in 1777 children. and is now a soldier in· Sir John Jacob G. Weber husband of Anna ston's regiment and is home on his Margaret Helmer, Frederick A.3, parole." 2 1 , • 3 Adam Philip Private in Tryon Philip Helmer', Leonaru, Jr. , Leon County Militia, Fourth Regiment, •ard2, Philip1• Son of Leonard Hel comm-anded by Colonel Peter Bellin mer, Jr. and Catherine Nellis. Pro ger. He was born September, 1751. bably born about 1750 or before. Mar died November 28, 1820. Married ried a Miss Bellinger, daughter of Anna Margaret Helmer born October Johannes Bellinger, about the claose of 28, 1763, died November 30, 1831. Two the Revolution. They were the par daughters. ents .of five daughters. He went as The To·ry Helme·rs a member of the Jacob L Klock Tory party to Canada. He should not be Many settlers of the Mohawk Val confused with Philip Helmer Patriot, ley remained loyal to the British born June 11, 1757 who married Mar cause at the outbreak of the Revolu garet Bellinger, daughter of Johannes tion. They were reluctant to take up Bellinger -and whose pension record the cause of a new -and untried revo covers almost continuous service lutionary movement. Many of these from January 15, 1777, to December joined the British army and waged 31, 1780. When two men by the name war on their former friends and of Philip Helmer marry two daugh kinsmen. ters by the name of Bellinger, both In the Helmer family there were daughters of Johannes, it is confus five men who were Loylists, but there ing. Possibly these were n9t sisters is so little information to be had as there were several men by the about them that it is difficult to place name of Johannes Bellinger. 3 their relationship with other mem J,ohn Helmer\ Leonard, Jr. , Leon bers of the family. ard\ Philip1. He was born May 17, Adam Helmer, a resident of Ger 1751. This John Helmer was the man Flatts, owned a farm which he younger brother of Philip Helmer, rented to one Johnn Kasselman. This the Tory mentioned above. While farm was declared forfeited June 7, there is no record of his participating 1777, to the United States for the rea in the activities of the Jacob I. Klock son that Helmer had gione to the en Tory party, he was a Loyalist. emy. There were three men of very Leonard Helmer. Also a Loyalist similar names, two living in the vi and went to Canada soon after the cinity of German Flatts, Adam Hel beginning of the Revolution. mer the Tory, and J,ohann Adam F. After the close of the Revolution Helmer the Revolutionary scout. The some of these Helmers returned to third Han Ad-am Helmer lived in the the Mohawk Valley and located near 14 THE HELMER FAMILY the East Canada Creek between Lit hary District. There appears no re tle Falls and St. Johnsville. cord of the date -of his death. His will mentions his wife Anna Marger CHAPTER V. etha and nine children, five sons and Godfrid Helmer four daughters. In his will Godfrid leaves to his Godfrid Helmer3, Lendert~, Philip\ eldest son Leonhardt all the right to was born at Schoharie, N. Y., either his estate and his saw mill till the December 17 or 27, 1715. The record "four sons . of my deceased wife" shall from the old family Bible written in become of age and become equal German gives his birth as December partners of it. 17, 1715. The Kocherthal Church re The quesGon arises whether he cord gives the fol1owing recQrd at may have had other children not Schoharie: "Johann Gottfrid, born mentioned in his will. If there were Dec. 27, 1715, child of Leonhar~ and no other children than those mention Elizabeth Helmer; sponsors Gottfrid ed in the will, then four of these sons Ruhl and wife. Baptized January 24, were by the first marriage. The four 1716." This is a discrepancy of ten daughters were older than three of days in the two records, which may the sone and were therefore also by be either as a result of the records the first marriage. This would leave not being legible or a mistake in only one son, Henry the youngest, transcribing. born Aug. 20, 1764, by the second Godfrid Helmer was the eldest 90n marriage. The church record of of Lendert Helmer, whose will, dated Henry's birth states that his mother .June '27, 1781, mentions certain be was Anna Margeretha, the second quests to the children -of his eldest wife of Godfrid Helmer. son Godfrid. Godfrid states in his will that his Godfrid Helmer probably moved daughter Margaretha was to have the with his parents to the Burnettsfield choice of living with any one of his Patent about 1723. Thirty or more sons during her life. This w-ould in families from Schoharie settled on dicate that she might have been an the land in Burnettsfield in 1723, and invalid. were given land certificates. The It is not believed that Godfrid, Sr., Burnettsfield Patent was issued April was a soldier in. the Revolution. But 30, 17.::5, his parents both being p'.l.ten he had a son. God~rid, Jr. who was tees. probably a private in a company of On July 14, 1751, he with his father Rangers (scouts) in the Revolution.. and bl"other Johann Leonhardt (Leon The scouts were usually much young ard, Jr.,) were signers of a "State er men and it was pr~bably his son. ment -of the Churches of the River of the sane name who had service. and Stone Arabia,'' which record is Godfrid Helmer married (1st) April found in the Reformed Dutch C!mr::::!1 6, 1737, Magdalena or Laura Ehle,. at Fort Plain, formerly known as the and {2nd) Anna Margaretha--. No Reformed Calvinist Church of Cana date available of his second marriage_ johary. This would indicate that he If we assume that the four sons had moved to the vicinity of Fort mentioned in his will are the four Plain or Canaj,oharie, about twenty sons by his first wife, then the child five or thirty miles d·own the Mo ren would probably be as given in the hawk Valley from Burnettsfield. list below. But it must be e:nphasized His will was dated March 14, 1765, that this arrangement is open to ser at which time he was living in the ious question. vicinity of Canajoharie, now Mont Children p!"obably by first mar gomery County. Letters of adminis riage: tration were granted March 25, 1784, 1. Leonhardt. No further definite· to his son John Helmer of Canajo,- r:ecord.. Mentioned in. his father's; PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 15 •will. Has anyone. any suggestion as Helmer and Margaret Heise (Hilts). to whom he married, etc.? There John G. Helmer and Magdalena Ehle were two others by the · name of we:::-e the parents of six children. Leonard, whose records are unidenti 7. Godfrid, born January 31, 1760, fied and will be given later. One of baptized February 10, 1760. Sponsors these may be this son. Godfrid Humacher (Schumacher?) . 2. Elizabeth. Mentioned in her and his loved fi3.ncee. No further re father's will. No further information. cord is found of Godfrid, Jr. He was 3. Margaretha. Also mentioned in probably a private in Captain John her father's will. She was probably Winn's Company of Rangers (scouts) an invalid as would be judged from in the Tryon County Militia. Was he the statement in her father's will to the brother killed August 6, 1777 at the effect that she should have the the Battle of Oriskany mentioned in privilege of living with any of his the pension application -of his brioth sons during her life. er John G. Helmer? 4. Christina, born February 10, 1749 8. Joseph (Hanjost or Joost), born died June 14, 1827, married Henry February 8, 1762, baptized February Nellis, born October 3, 1746, died '28, 1762. Sponsors Jost Klos and Eliz April 22, 1829. No record as to when abeth, his wife. Joseph married Sep Eley ::::-~:ar:•ied. She was probably his tember 16, 1786-8, Susanna Flint, daughter of Alexander (Sander) seoond wife. Did they have any child Flint. Joseph Helmer served in the ren? Henry Nellis had one son Geo. First Regiment, Tryon County Militia, H. born June 27, 1767, probably by commanded by Colonel Samuel Camp his first marriage. There were sev eral men by the name of Henry Nel bell. He was at the Battle of Johns lis in .the Revolution. Does any one town. Eight children. know if this Henry Nellis was one Child of Godfrid Helmer and his of them? second wife Anna Margeretha: 9. Henry, born August 20, 1764, bap ~ Catharine, married first Septem ber 7, 1767, Captain Peter Bowman tized September 2, 1764. Sponsors (Baumann,) killed August 6, 1'777 at Henry Nellis and his wife. Henry the Battle of Ori,skany. The mar Helmer married November 4, 1792, riage record and pension record give Catherine McCaffrey, born 1770, died the name of her first husband as 1837. Six children. Peter not Adam as some people have G•odfrid Helmers Nill written. No record of children by her first marriage. Catharine Helmer In the name of God, Amen, the married second Adolph Walradt. Four fourteenth day of March, 1765, I, children by her second marriage. Godfrey Helmer of Canajohary, Al Query, Vv"as Adolph Walradt's first bany County, N. Y., being very sick wife Anna Zimmerman? Both Cap and weak in body, I leave to my be tain Peter Bowman and Adolph Wal loved wife Anna Margeretha 50 acres radt were in the Rev-olution. of land in the New Patent, No. 118 6. Jo'ilannes (John) born January f;i'antei to George Klock "in company 15, 1758, died August 5, 1837, married for her" while my widow; also the re Magdalena (Margaret) Ehle, born mainder of the estate I now live upon 1760. He was a soldier in the Revo as long as she will stay by all my lution. In his pension application his children as my widow. name was given as John G. Helmer Unto my beloved son Leonhart all to distinguish him from several oth the right of said estate and my saw ers of the same name. He was one mill to be commander of it till my ::-,.f three men named John Helmer in f.our sons of my deceased wife, being the same regiment and his service of age, to become equal partners of it. will be given later. Sponsors at his Unto my son Johannes 120 acres of baptism March 5, 1758, were John New Patent No. 7. 16 THE HELMER FAMILY Unto my son Godfrey 100 acres of There is very little data to be had New Patent No. 53. Unto my son abou~ his fa::nily. Only fragoents of Joost 100 acres of New Patent No. re:::ordz a::-e found, which taken to 101. Unto my s-on Henry 100 acres of gether, still leave an incomplete •and New Patent No. 154. unsati:::f::t:::tJry hidory. Lots Nos. 7 and 53 must deliver Lc,JnarJ Helr:1er, Jr. shoul .l not be timber for the saw mill and timber co:ifu:.;ed with another Leonard Hel- fencing and fire wood for the said 1:ier, a cousin of about the sa .1e age, farm. who married C1therine Zimmerman. Unto my four daughters namely Leonard Helmer, Jr. was probably Elizabeth, Margaretha, Christina and born about 1720 to 1725. He probably Catharina 5 pounds each to be paid married about 1745 to 1750. There by my sons equally when demanded were few church records covering by my daughters. these ye;1rs, and it is hoped old fam My daughter MargarethP fo have ily Bibles will furnish more complete the choice of living with any one of data. my s-ons during her life. Leonard Helmer, Jr. married Cath The loose estate to be undivided erine Nellis, born Jan. 18, 1724, died until my children are of age or one of Au~. 20, 1805, aged 81 years, 7 :c10s., my· daughters shall marry, to take 2 days (tombstone record). She was two cows if there is a stock of crea the d,a.ughter of Qhristian Nellis and tures n,ot to be "hurted" to the fam Barvalis {Barbara) Klock and grand ily. dau3hter of Hendrick Klock pioneer. I make Daniel Miller and Jacob C:tttler!ne Nellis married for her sec Kraus both of Canajoharie executors. ond husband Col. Jacob Klock. No GODFREY HELMER. ch.ildren by her second marriage. Le-Jnar1 l:ie1=:ier, Jr., and Catherine Note-Letters of administration Nellis were the parents of two child were granted March 25, 1784, to John ren, perhaps more: Helmer of Canajohary District, Mont 1 Philip born before or about 1750. gomery County, the second son men 2 John born May 17, 1751. Sponsors tioned in this will. John Helmer and Catherine Zi::'l::1cr CHAPTER VI man. Philip Hefmer Leona-rd Helmer, Jr. 3 1 Philip Helmer"", Leonard. Jr.3, Len Leonard Helmer, Jr. , Lendert , Philip". The first record of Johann dert\ Philip'. He was born before or Leonhardt, known as Leonard., Jr. is about 1750. No definite record of his birth. when he -1:.:!ted as sponsor November 3, 1743, at the baptism of John Ernest At the outbreak of the Rev ,)}ution Pier, a nephew. In all probability he Philip Helr.1er was a. Loyi1Iist. He was unmarried at that time. was a r.'lember of the Jacob I. Klo~k The next two records ,are found in Tory party mentioned in the C::,l Ja the year 1751. On July 14, 1751, he ·~ob Kl::lck, Patriot, arti~les whi:::h ap was one of the signers of a "State peare,j in t:fre Enterprise and News ment of the Churches of the River two ye1rs ago. and Stone Arabia," mentioned in In -one of the Tory raids Philip Chapter 1 of the Helmer Family Ser Helmer discovered that some of his ies. On May 17, 1751 a record is frien::l.s v,.,.}re b be atta:!ked. Under found in the Stone Ar1bia Reformed the pretense of doing an errand he Church of a son born. This would in left the Tory c•ar..1p and gave the di:::ate he was living in the vicinity of alar.:n, saving hi.s friends. From that Fort Plain, Ca.naj,oharie. or Stone Ara time he deserted the Tory cause. bkt o.t that ti::::1e.. Ah::lut the crose of the Revolution he PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 17 married a Miss Bellinger, daughter of Philip Pier were the parents of two Johannes Bellinger. children: This Philip Helmer should not be 1 Johannes Ernestus, born Novem confused with another Philip Helmer ber 3, 1743. Sponsors Joh. Leonhard who married Margaret Bellinger 'Leonard, Jr.) Helmer and Barbara (daughter of Johannes Bellinger) and Elizabeth Dagsteter (Dockstater). who was a Patriot and had almost 2 Anna Sophia born March 23, continuous service in the Revolution 1751. Sponsors Philip Helmer and fro;::1 January 15, 1777 to December Anna Margaret Nems, unmarried. 31, 1780, for which be received a pen sion. John Ernest Pier Philip Helmer, Tory and his wife John Ernest Pier4, Anna Magdale 2 1 -- Bellinger were the parents of na Helmer3, Lendert , Philip • He was five d:>.•.1ghter,s: born November 3, 1743. He was a 1 Maria who married Simon Scou soldier· in the Revolution, a private in ten. the First Regiment, New York Line, 2 Catherine who married Christian commanded by Colonel Van Schaick. Shepperman. He evidently married but the names 3 Anne who married James Gremps of his wife and children are unknown. 4 M1agdalena (Lana) who married The Legislatuure passed a law Oc George Lambert. tober 20, 1779, allowing a gratuity of 5 Delia who married John C. Ehl. $30 per head to the families of men serving in the Continental Troops. Philip Helmer's widow -- Bellin Peter s. Deygart was appointed com ger marired (2nd) Leon;rd Helmer of missi.oner to carry this law into ef Kringsbush. fect in Tryon county. Maria Helmer Christopher P. Yates was supervis or of the Palatine District. Under Maria (Mary) Helmer\ Philip4, date of March 27, 1780 he rendered a 1 Leonard, Jr.3, Lendert\ Philip • Mar report to Commissioner Peter S. Dey ried Simon Scouten. She diecl at the gart of the gratuities allowed to the birth of her third child February '23, families of Continental Troops. In his 1802. They were the parents of tbree report Mr. Yates stated that the children: family of John Ernest Pier consisted 1 Anna born Sept. 29, 1795. Spon of three persons, but the names of sort Peter Fox and Anna his wife. these three persons were not given. 2 David born Sept. 17, 1797. Spon Anna Sophia Pier sors William Simons and Betsy his wife. Anna Sophia Pier4, Anna_ Magdale 2 1 na Helmer3, Lendert , Philip wa.s 3 George born February 23, 1802. born March 23, 1751. She married Sponsors George Loucks and Eliza George Haine (Haynes) a private in beth Loucks. the Tryon County Militia, Rangers Anna Magdalena Helmer (Scouts), under Captain John Kassel man. Anan Magdalena Helmer3, Lendert2, George Haynes and his wife Anna Philip1 was probably born about 1720. Sophia Pier were· the parents of two She was mentioned in her father's children: will which was dated June 27, 1781. 1 George, born July 20, 1787; spon The record of her marriage Decem sors Barthol Schaeffer and Anna ber 15, 1741, to Philip Pier (George Dorothea, his wife. Philip Peer) is f.ound in Stone Ara 2 J obtan born November 5, 1789; bia Lutheran church. This name in sponsors J elles Miller and Elizabeth later generations was spelled Pierce. Eigenbrodt. Anna MagdaI-ena Helmer and Geo. No further record of this family. 18 THE HELMER FAMILY John Helmer Krouss. They were the parent:;; of two children as follows: Johannes (J,ohn) Helmer3, Lendert", 1 Maria Elizabeth born November Philip1 was probably born about 1730 28, 1751. Sponsors Johannes Merckel, to 1740. The first church record in which his name appears was when and Maria Elizabeth Helmer. he acted as sponsor at the baptism 2 Deboria born November · 15, 1765. of a nephew in the year 1751. Sponsors Maria Elizabeth and Hen rich Laux. He married February 7, 1760, Ger trude Bell, daughter of Johannes Elizabeth Helmer Bell. This record is found in both the Reformed and Lutheran Churches of Elizabeth (Maria Elizabeth) Hel Stone Arabia. mer3, Lenjert°, Philip1 married Peter John Helmer and Gertrude .Bell Eygenbrodt. They were the parents were the parents of four children: ·of two children: 1 Dietrich, born Sept. 25, 1763. 1 E -- (nam illegible) born De Sponsor. :(>ieterick Bell. Dittrich Hel cember 6, 1765. Sponsors Anna Fox mer was. ·a: private in the First. Reg anu Johanne::, Kraus. · iment, New York Line, comman.\'led 2 Peter born October 23; 1768. Spon by Colonel Van Schaick. sors Peter Warmuth ·· and Sophia 2 Elizabeth, born July 25, 1765. Pierce. j Sponsors Elizabeth Hess and Lennert CHAPTER VI I. Helmer. 3 Leonhard, born July 15, 1766. Fredel'·ick A. Helmer in the Revolu Sponsors Leonhard Helmer and Mar tion garet Helmer, the wife of John Hat Frederick A. Helmer\ Adam2, Phil k-ok. ip1. He was a private in Captain Hen 4 Hanjost, mentioned in bis grand ry Herder's {H::i.rter) Company, Try father's will which was dated June on Oounty Militia, Fourth Regiment, 27, 1781. No record as to his birth, commanded by Colonel Pete::.- Bellin marriage or death. ger. He was in service for short per It is possible that the two sons iods in 1779 and 1780. · · Leonard and Hanajost may have He wa,s born August 16, 1725, and been soldiers in the Revolution, but died March 5, 1804. He married Bar there i.s no proof. However, it is bara Elizabeth Homan, 'who was born known there were several unidentified in Holland and who came to America men of these names in the Revolu in 1754. There is a, tradition that tion. Until ·additioDJal data is brought when Barbara Elizabeth Homan forth, it will be impossible to com reached this country she was sold by plete these lines. the Captain of the boat she came in, that he might have pay for her pas Ma•ria Margred Helm.er sage. -when the tilr.ie of her servitude 3 Maria· Margred Helmer , Lendert", expired she married Frederick A. Philip1 married before July 15, 1766. Helmer. John Headcock (Hatcock) . On this Frederick A. Helmer should not be date she acted as sponsor at the bap confused with his. oousin Captain. Frederick F. Helrn:er who killed tis::n of a nephew. Probably married -··· was . several years prior to this date. No at the ?attle of Oriskany. August 6, record .of children. :1.777. · Fred'erick A. Helmer ·,and Barbara Gertroud Helmer Elizabeth Homan were the: parents of Gertroud Helmer3, Lendert2, Philip1 four children: married about 1750 (possiply earlier) · 1. · Anna Margaret (Margaret) born Jacob Krouss, Jr., son of Jacob October 28, 1763.. Sponsors. Johannes: PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 19 Kessler and Qlertrude Helmer, his 1. Peter C. born September 9, 1789. wife. Margaret Helmer died Novem Sponsors Jacob Con: Folts (Volz) and ber 30, 1831. She married Jacob G. Anna Margaret Helmer. He married Weber, born September, 1751 died April 11, 1812-3 ,Anna Rasbach4, Jno.3, 1 November 28, 1820. On~ daughter. Marx", Johannes • Anna Rasbach was 2. Conrad, born January 28, 1766. born April 22, 1797. Five children. Sponsors Philip Helmer and Marg,ar 2. Conrad, born April 16, 1792. Spon et--, his wife. Oonrad Helmer died sors J•oh. Adam Helmer and Cathar October ·28, 1841. He married Anna ine Christman. He married September 3 1 Margaiet Folts , Conr.ad2, Melchoir • 10, 1815, Catharine Schell, daughter Anna Margaret .. Folts was born April of Peter Schell and Catharine Hilts, 10, 1766 or 1768, died February 10, his wife. Three children. 1822. Four children. 3. Barbara Elizabeth (Elizabeth) 3. Peter, born May 7, 1768. Sponsor born (?) Married January 1, 1815, 3 Peter Hohman. No record as to his Marcus Rasbach4, J,ohn , Marx". Jo marriage •Or death. He had ori.e son hannes1. Marcus Rasbach was born Frederick A. born about 1800. March 8, 1792, died February 21, 1855. 4. Johann Adam (Adam), born July Six children. 7, 1770. Sponsors Adam Helmer and 4. Catharine, born March 24, 1801. Mada Beers.ch, his wife. He died Sponsors George Folts and Christina December 30, 1854. Married March 9, -- his wife. She was confirmed as a 1794, Anna Margaret Harter; daugh member of the Herkimer Reformed ter of Captain Henry Harter~ and church September 17, 1815 at the age Catharine Piper, his wife. Captain of 14 years. No further record. Henry Harler's parents were Low Peter Helmer rens Harter1 and Apolone---, his wife, Burnettsfield Patentees. Ad•am Peter Helmer<, Frederick A.3, Adam.2 Helm.er and Anna Margaret Harter, Philip1 was born May 7, 1768. his wife, had eight children. No record as to his marriage or death. He was a soldier in the war_ Margaret Helmer of 1812. He had one son: 1. Frederick A. born about 1800 Margaret Helme~ Frederick A.3, 1 who was married three ·· times, but Adam", Philip was born October· 28; the names of his wive.s are unknown. 1763, died Novembe::: 30, 1831. Sh'.e was He had a son Richard born March, the second wife of Jacob· G. Weber, 1832, by the first wife who died when born September, 1751, died November Richard was about six months old. 28, 1820. Jacob G. Weber was an ield Richard Helmer marri-ed anq had one er in the Reformed Protestant daughter Juli-a A. Church at Herkimer. They had one d-aughter: Adam Helmer 1. Anna Margaret, born· October 7, Adam•, Frederick A.3, Adam\ Phil 1801. Sponsors Adam Helmer and ip1 was born July 7, 1770, died De Anna Marga11et Harter, his wife, of cember 30, 1854. Buried in the Hel Warren. mer demetery north ,of Jordanville, Conrad Helmer· Herkimer county, N. Y. He married March 9, 1794 Anna Margaret Harter3, 3 1 Conr-ad Helmer4; · Frederi:ck A. , Captain Henry Harter", Lowrens • An Adam", Philip1 was · born· Jan. ·28, na Margaret Harter was born Janua 1766, died October 28, 1841.. He mar ry ·28, 1773, diied December 23, 1859. 3 ried Anna Margaret Folts , Conrad", They were the parents ,of eight child Melchoir1. She was born April 10, ren. 1766 or 1768, died February 10, 1822. 1. Hannah (Anna) born September They had four children as follows: 5, 1795 . Sponsors Lorentz Harter and 20 THE HELMER FAMILY Anna Eva --. Hannah Helmer tember 9, 1789. He was confirmed as married May 21, 1820, Han Thomas a member of the Herkimer Reformed Helme.r, son of Adam Helmer and Church September 18, 1805. He mar Eva Schumacher, his wife. No fur ried April 11, 1812-3, Anna Rasbach4 3 2 1 ther record. John , Marx , J 1ohannes • Anna Ras 2. Henry A., born September 7, bach was born April 22, 1797. 1797, died September 2, 1868. Buried Peter C. Helmer -and Anna Ras in the Helmer cemetery, Jordanville, bach, his wife, had five children: N. Y. He married January '24, 1822, 1. Mary, born September 12, 1813. Veronica (Fanny) Rasbach4, Johna, Sponsors Conrad Helmer and Veron 2 1 Marx , Johannes • Veronica Rasbacb ica (Fanny) Rasbach, unmarried. was born February 19, 1800, died No Mary Helmer married May 31, 1829, vember 2, 1872. Eight children. Peter P. Smith, born 1805 son of Pet 3. Barbara. E. born December 20, er Smith and Dorothy Steel~ his wife.. 1799 died l:..pril 1, 1825. Not married? Mary Helmer and Peter P. Smith,. Buried in the Helmer cemetery, J,or her husband, had four children. danville, N. Y. 2. Frederick, born June 29, 1815; 4. Laurence, born July 13, 1802. Sponsors Marx Rasbach, Jr., and Eliz Sponsors Conrad Helmer and Mar abieth Devendorf, his wife. Frederick garet Folts his wife. Laurencle Hel Helmer neYer married. mer married Sophia Jennings. Six 3. Peter P., born May 2, 1821. Spon children. sors Conrad Folts and Catharine Hel 5. Catharine, born August 23. 1804. mer, unmarried. He married Decem Sponsors Philip Harter and Catharine ber 17, 1840, Mary Ann Smith, daugh ---, his wife. Catharine Helmer tler of Jacob S:nith, Jr., and Mary died December ·23, 1868. Never mar Livingston:, hi.s· wife. Peter P. Helmer ried. Buried in the Helmer cemetery, and Mary Ann Smith, his wife. had Jordanville, N. Y. two children -and lived at Moravia, N. 6. Margaret A. born April 27, 1807. Y. Sponsors Jacob G. Weber and Ann-a 4. William, born December 4, 1823. Margaret Helmer, his wife. Died Sponsors Jacob Fulmer and Mary about 1889. Married about 1829 Eliza Catharine Raisbach, his wife, Getman. No children. One record William Helmer dile.d November 2, says that Eliza Getman was the 1895, married December 4, 1844, Mary· daughter of Frederick Get!nan and Jane Jeffers and lived at Herkimer. Katharine Brodhack, his wife. Anoth Six children. er record gives her pa.rents 1as Colonel 5. Anna. Margaret, born May 15~ Frederick Getman and his wife Mary 1829. Sponsors Solomon Nellis and Strayer. Which is correct? Sophia. Rasbach, his wife. Anna Mar~ 7. Peter . H. born April 15~ 1810. gaPet Helmer died M.ay 2, 1843, aged Sponsors Peter C. Helmer and Mar 14 years less 13 days. garet Bellinger, unmarrioo. No fur Con·rad Helmer, Jr. ther record. 5 8. Anna Margaret (Margaret) born Conrad Helmer, Jr. , Oonrad4,. 2 March 12, 1812. Sponsors Henry L. Frederick A.3, Adam , Philip\ was Herder (Harter )and Catharine Star born. April 16, 1792. Confirmed as a ing, unmarried. Margaret Helmer member of the Herkimer Reformed died March 8, 1861. Never married'. Church July 11, 1808 at thle age of 16 Buried in the Helmer cemetery, Jor years; Married September 10, 1815;. danville, N. Y. Catharine Schell, daughter of Peter Schell and Catherine Hilts, his wife, Peter C. Helmer Conrad Helmer, Jr. and Catharine Peter C. Helmer5, Conrad4;. Fred'er Schell, his wife, had three children: 2 ick A.a, Adam , Philip\ was horn. S'eI>.- 1.. Jacob, born April 19, 1816. Spon~ PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 21 sors Peter C. Helmer and Anna Ras-. north of Jordanville, Herkimer coun bach, his wife. No further record. ty, N. Y. He married January 24, 2. Isaac, born April 9, 1826. Spon 1822, Veronica (Fanny) Rasbach\ 2 sors Frederick Helmer and Maria J,ohn3, Marx , Johannes1. Veronica Elizabeth Schell. No further record. Rasbach was born February 19, 1800, 3. Anna Margaret, born October 7, died November 2, 1872. 1822. Sponsors Catharine Harter and Henry A. Helmer and Veronica Conrad Harter. No further record. Rasbach, hi.s wife, had eight children: Elizabeth Helmer died November '20, 1867, buried in the Helmer cemetery, Jordanville, N. Y. Elizabeth Helmer\ Conrad\ Freder Adam H. Helmer married (2nd) Su ick A.3, Adam\ Philip1, born ? , mar san Gar1ock. ried January 1, 1815 Mi3,l"cus Rasbach4, 1. Adam H. born July 12, 1823. Spon 3 1 John , Marx\ Johannes • Marcus Ras sors Barbara Elizabeth Helmer and bach was born March 8, 1792, died, Henry :;EL Helmer. He married (1st) February 21, 1855. Marinda Starkweather, born 1832, Elizabeth Helmer and Marcus Ras 2. Henry J. born .July 9, 1838. Spon bach were the parents of six children: sors parents. He married September 1. Peter, born? Died July 16, 1816. 29, 1868, Lucy Ames, daughter of Otis 2. John I. born March 19, 1818: Ames and Mary Palmer, his wife. Sponsors .Jaoob Fulmer and Mari,a Two children. Frederick A. and Ross Catharine Rasbach, his wife. John I. D. Rasbach died April 16, 1905, married 3. J.ohn R. lived at Clinton, Wiscon (1st) Malinda Smith and ('2nd) Alzina sin. Married (1st) Helen Osborn and Cristman. Nine children by the first (2nd) Clara Morey (Edwards). Three marriage .and four by the second mar children, names not known. riage. 4. Anna Margaret. Married Aguer 3. William C. born September 27, Williams. Eight children: Fannie, 1822. Married (1st) October 10, 1844, Jennie, Charles, Fred~ Frank A., Har Mary Elizabeth Harter, born Decem ry, May and another daughter. ber 27, 1825, daughter of Henry G. 5. Harriet. Married Dr. Monroe B. Harter and Dorothy Hilts, bis wife. Robbins. Two children, both died Married ('2nd) Mary Catharine Eysa young. man, born January 1:3, 1839. No child 6. Elizabeth. Never married. ren by either marriage. 7. Mary Catharine. She was the 4. Anna Margaret born February 6, second wife of Rev. George W. Beck 1826. Sponsors Joseph Harter and So er. No children. phia Rasbach. Anna Margaret Ras 8. James. Died young, aged about bach died when about two years old. six years. 5. George Henry, born April 14. Laurence Helmer 1828. Sponsors Conrad Helmer, Jr., and Catharine Schell, his wife. Geo. Laurence Helmer, Adam\ Freder 3 1 Henry Rasbach died young. Buried at ick A. , Adam\ Philip was born July Oak Hill cemetery. 13, 1802. Married Sophia Jennings. 6. Marcus, born February 24, 1832. They were the parents of six child Sponsors Peter Smith, .Jr., •and Maria ren: Helmer, his wife. Married Nancy Ma 1. Frederick, died young. Buried in ria Schell. Three children. the Helmer cemetery, Jordanville, N. Y. Henry A. Helmer 2. Margaret born? died February, Henry A. Helmer, Adam4,· Fredei- 1834. Buried in the Helmer cemetery 3 1 ick A. , Adam\ Philip was born Sep .Jordanville, N. Y. temb~r 7, 1797, died September 2, 1868. 3. Sara Louise, who married Adam He is buried in the Helmer cemetery, B. Dockstader. One daughter, Addie 22 THE HELMER FAMILY who married North J. Newth and was born December 4, 1823, died No now lives at Ilion, N. Y. vember 2, 1895. Lived at Herkimer, N. 4. Amenilla (Armanella) born Feb Y. Married December 4, 1844 Mary ruary 18, 1832. Sponsors parents. Mar .J.ane Jeffers. ried Adolphus-. They were the parents if six child 5. Cora who married Charles Engle ren: hart. 1. Charles R. who lived in New 6. Frank who married Libbie Casler York city in 1907. ·2. William D. Ma•ry Helmer 3. Berton K. 4. Florence S. Mary Helmert<, Peter C.1\ Conrad". 2 1 5. Mary A. Frederick A.S, Adam , Philip was born September 12, 1813. Confirmed 6. Ada born February 15, 1871 who as a member of the Herkimer Re married October 8, 1895 Clarence B. formed Church at the age of 16 years Root. Lives at Herkimer. October 17, 1829. She married May 31, John I. Rasbach 1829 Peter P. Smith born 1806, son of Peter Smith and Dorothy Steel, his John I. Rasbach6, Elizabeth Hel wife. mer5, Conrad\ Frederick A.3, Adam!!. They were the parents of four Philip1 was born March 19, 1818, died children: April 16, 1905. Married November 6, 1839 (1st) Malinda Smith, daughter 1. Mary Elizabeth, born February ,of Adam Smith, Jr., and Elizabeth 28, 1832. Sponsors Frederick Helmer Hilts, his wife. Married (2nd) Alzina and Elizabeth Smith, unmarried Cristman, daughter of Lewis Crist 2. John Peter, born February 18. 1835. Sponsors John Rasbach and man and Lydia Kast, his wife. Alzina Anna Margaret Smith . Cristman was born September 18, 1835, died January, 1916. Thirteen 3. William Urias, born May 3, 1837. Sponsors parents. children, nine by the first marriag.e and f,our by the second marriage. 4. Anna Margaret, born March 12, 1843. Sponsors parents. Children by the first marriage: No further record of any of these 1. Elizabeth born january, 1846. children. Married Almeron J,oshua Ra3bach and had four children: John, Minnie, Peter P. Hermer Etta and Leona. Lived at Hermanr Peter P. Helmer•, Peter C.5, Con St. Lawrence county, N; Y. 2 rad C.4, Frederick A.3, Adam , Philip1, 2. Margaret who married Norton L. was born May 2, 1821 at Herkimer. Cxistman and had two children: Ma Lived at Moravia, N. Y. Married De linda ,and Bertha May. cember 17, 1840~ Mary Ann Smith, 3. Norman, born January 19, 1850~ daughter of J.acob Smith, Jr., a::d Never married. Mary Livingstone. 4. John Alonzo born May 16, 185!. They were the parents of two Married Amelia Cristman, born Mar. children: 9, 1854. They were the parents of twelve children: Webster, Edgar, Ma 1. William F. born about 1844 a bel, Edith, Louis J., Essie May, Ray short distance east of the village of mond, Norton J., Bernard A., Earl B.,. Herkimer. Lived at Moravia, N. Y. in Leon and Franklin. 1907. A civil engineer by profession. 5. Chlorinda boru 1852 who married 2. Smith. Jay Bacon. Lived at Lincoln Neb. 6. Ellen born.. 1854. Married (1st) William Helmer· Rosell Buck and (2nd) Charles- William Helmer"", Peter C?, Con Carleston. Lived at Lyons, Neb 3 rad\ Frederick A. , Adam2, Philip\. "t Harriet, born. 1856. Married (1st)· PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 23 John Petrie and (2nd) Samuel Welsh. Catharine Helmer and her husband · Children by the first marriage: Wil Frederick Riegel were. the parents ,of lis J. and Nettie. No children by the five children: second marriage. 1. Anna Margaret born October HI, 8. Marcus, born August 30, 1858. 1760. Sponsors Anna Margaret Hel Never married . mer, Adam Helmer's unmarried 9. Adam, born November 27, 1860. daughter and Timothy Frank, Conrad Frank's unmarried son. Married -- Chatman. One child, 2. Christian, born January 27, 1763. Winnie. Lived in Iowa. Sponsors Christian Riegel and -·-··· Children by the second marriage: 3. Godfrid, born November 26, 1764. 10. Bert J., born November 28, 1869. Sponsors Johannes Helmer and Mar Married Harriet M. Mellon, born De garet Bellinger. cember 3, 1871. Two children Hazel A. 4. Catharine, born February 7, 1767. ·and B. Floyd. Sponsors Maria Hielts (Hilts) and 11. Nettie Grace, married 1904 John Henrich Helmer. David Mahardy. 5. Frederick born June 15, 1769. 12 Nellis Rasbach, married Fred A. Sponsors Frederick Helmer and Ma Fuller. ria Philippina Ecker, his wife. 13. Eva, married Raymond S. War ner. Elizabeth Helmer Marcus Rasba-ch Elizabeth Helmer, Adam.2, Philip\ Marcus Rasbach~, Elizabeth Hel · married September 30, 1760, Icabod mer5, Conrad\ Frederiick A.3, Adam\ Baani (Bany), son of Joseph Baani · Philip1 was born February 24, 1832. of New Jersey. . Married Nancy Maria Schell. Three Icabod Bany was a private in the children. Tryon County Militia, Fourth Regi 1. Mamie born August ·27, 1873; ment. Married November 18, 1896, Bert Crill Elzabeth Helmer and her husband born April 13, 1872. Three children, Icabod Bany were the parents of four Hazel L., Ruth Leta and Edna. children: 2. Irving P. who married (1st) Mary 1. Maria Elizabeth born January 14, K. Myers and (2nd) Grace Smith. 1762. Sponsors Maria Elizabeth Hel Two children by first marriage, Ray mer and Johann Jost Folts, both un mond and Nellie. One child by second married. marriage, Vera. 2. Maria Margaret, born August 12, 3. William F. who married Bertha 1764. Sponsors Maria Margaret Hel Lasher. No children mer and John Helmer. This completes the family of Fred 3. Johannes, born July 9, 1766. erick A. Helmer. Sponsors John Kessler and Gertrude Helmer, bis wife. CHAPTER VIII 4. Anna, born October 10, 1770. Sponsors Anna Franck and Henry Catharine Helmer Helmer. Catharine Helmer3 Adam°, Philip\ married December 26, 1759 Frederick Han Adam Helmer Riegel, the son of Gottfreid Riegel, 3 Han Adam Helmer , Adam2, Philip\ deceased of Little Falls. married January 6, 1763 Maria Frederick Riegel was a private in Beersch (Barse or Burch). He was the Tryon Oounty Militia, Fourth killed at the Battle ,of Oriskany Au Regiment, and was a pri.soner of the gust 6, 1777. Revolutionary War, taken captive They were the parents of four October 31, 1780 released November children: 22, 1782. 1. J,ohannes born November 19, 1763. 24 THE HELMER FAMILY Sponsors Johanes Helmer and Eliza ried January 15, 1786, Maria Wolff, beth Rittman . daughter of Michael Wolff. They 2. Adam, born August 21, 1765. were the parents of twelve children. Sponsors Henry Helmer and Eliza The family and pensi•on records of beth Folts. John P. Helmer will be given in a 3. Anna Margaret born January 9, later article. 1768. Sponsors Margaret Campbell · 2. Philip whose record is difficult to and Ludwig Beersch. Anna Margaret trace. Helmer never married and died Octo Philip Helmer" married (2nd) May ber 19, 1845. 4, 1762 Maria Philippina Ecker. 4. Maria, born March 3, 1770. Query-Was the following one of Sponsors Philip Helmer and Maria Philip's sons? Philippina Ecker, his wife. Philip P. Helmer born June 11, Ma·rgaret Helmer 1757, married May 9, 1783 Margaret Bellinger, born 1750. A private in Margaret Helmer, Adam", Philip\ the First Regiment, New York line. married March 15, 1763, Christian His family and pension record will be Riegel, son of Gottfried Riegel. given in •a later article. They were the parents of three children: Gertrude Helmer 1. Frederick, born January 1, 1'764. 3 2 Gertrude Helmer , Adam , Philip\ Sponsors Frederick Riegel and Cath married May 10, 1763 John Kessler arine Helmer, his wife. (Casler). John Kessler was a private. 2. Maria Elizabeth, born November in a Battalion of Minute Men, Tryon 13, 1766. Sponsors Maria Helmer and County Militia, commanded by Col Gottfried Hiltz. onel Samuel Campbell. It i.s very 3. Gottfried, born August 1, 1768. probably that his two eldest sons. Sponsors Gottfried Hiltz and Cathar were also soldiers in the Revolution. ine Foltz. Gottfried Riegel married Gertrude Helmer and her husband November 24, 1789 Gertrude Ful;:-~1er, John Kessler (Casler) were the par daughter of Thomas Fulmer. ents of five children: 1. Johann Nicolaus (Nicholas) born . Philip Helmeir March 5, 1764. Sponsors Johann Nico 3 laus Kessler and Elizabeth Helmer. Philip Helmer . probably the s,on of 2 1 Died about 1827. He married Sept. Adam , Philip was twice married. This is another line difficult to trace, 14, 1782 Gertrude Bellinger, born July for the reason there were .several of 18, 1764. the same name of this generation. 2. Johann Adam (Adam) born Oc There is confusion -as to the births of tober 7, 1765. Sponsors Adam Helrner their children. There were two men and Maria Beersch, his wife. by the name of John P., either of 3. Johannes (John) born January whom may have been his son. One 14, 1768. Sponsors Conrad Foltz and was J•ohn P. who married Maria Elizabeth Kessler. Wolff and the other was John P~. 4. Catharine born February 15, who married Anna Dusler. However. 1770. Sponsors Henrich Helmer and it is believed the first mentioned was Catharine Schumacher. his son. Can anyone furnish more in 5. Anna born May 16, 1779. Spon formation? s,ors Joh: Friedr: Helmer and Maria By the first marriage (wife's name Elizabeth ------·· unknown) he probably had two son,3: Johann Nicolas Ke!S'sler 1. John P., born July 7, 1757 at Herkimer of German Flatts. Died Johann Nicolas (Nicholas) Kessler 2 January 20, 1833 in the Town of ~.fan (Casler)4, Gertrude Helmer', Adam ,. lius, Onondaga County, N~ Y. He mar- Philip1 was born March 5, 1764. Died_ PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 25 1827. Married Sept. 14, 1782 Gertrude law were in the Revolution. He was Bellinger, born July 18, 1764, died one of the sons of Adam2 who mov April 5, 1831. Gertrude Bellinger was ed towards the Stone Arabia sectiion. the daughter ,of Colonel Peter P. Bel John Helmer and his wife Margaret linger and his wife Delia Herkimer Mayer had the following children: and granddaughter of Captain Peter 1. Henry born April 13, 17(:8. Spon Bellinger and his wife Anna Margaret sors Henry Helmer and Maria Mayer. Horning, Burnettsfield Patentees. '2. Johann Adam (Adam) born Feb Johann Nicolas Kessler and Ger ruary 8, 1770. Sponsors Frederick trude Bellinger were the parents of Mayer and Catharine Gettman. eleven children: Henry A. Helme·r 1. John P. who married (1st) Betsy Steele and (2nd) Caroline Zoller. One Henry A. Helmer, Adam\ Philip1 son by the first marriage, Robert, was born about 1747. He died at who lived at Whitesboro, N. Y. Herkimer, N. Y. May 15, 1815. He 2. Christopher B. who married Es married Maria Elizabeth --, born ther Prall. about 1752, died April 14, 1819 at Her 3. Nicholas who married (1st) Polly kimer. They were the parents of Starring and (2nd) Polly Miller. Two seven children. Henry A. Helmer was children by the first marriage: Alfred a sergeant in the Second Regiment, who lived at Little Falls, N. Y. and Tryon County Militia. His record will Peter who lived at Jacksonburgh. One be given in a later article. son by the second marriage, Myron who died at Montreal; he was a Brig CHAPTER IX, adier General. After his death his family was living there. Sergea•nt Henry A. Helmer in the Re-. 4. Robert, who married Tina Zoller. voluti-on 5. Richard N. who married Jane Henry A. Helmer3, Adam2, Philip\ Young. was born about 1747. He died May 6. Peter B. who married Elizabeth 15, 1815, at Herkimer, N. Y. at the Catharine Eysaman. age of 68 years. He married Maria 7. Esther born about 1819. Never EUzabeth --• born about 1752, died malTied. Was living in 1906 at the at Herkimer, N. Y. April 14, 1819, at age of 87 years. the age of 67 years. 8. Mary who married Henry Heath. Henry A. Helmer was listed as a 9. Catharine who married Henry Sergeant on August 6, and December F. Cronkheit. One son, Tunis. 10., Delia who married (1st) Jacob 4, 1779, in Captain John Hess's Com pany, Second Regiment, Tryon Coun I. Harder and (2nd) Alanson Loomis. ty Militia, commanded by Col. Jacob One daughter by the first marriage, Klock. At a later date he was a Ser Gertrude who married Thomas Spon geant in Captain Peter Wagner's €nburg. Company of the same Regiment. The 11. Magdalena who married (1st) date of his service in Captain Peter Jacob Vrooman and (2nd) Joseph Wagner's Company cannot be deter Heath. Two sons by the first mar mind for the reason that a portion of riage, Nicholas and Henry M. the Revolutionary war roll covering John Helmer this service had been burned and the date destroyed. John Helmer3, Adam\ Philip1 mar Another record gives the following: ried August 11, 1767 Margaret Mayer On a "Return of Flour impressed (Myers). He may have been one ,of by Lieut. William Colbrate of the 2d the u::iidentified John Helmers who New York Regt. pursuant to a war were in.the Revolutionary war. Near rant granted fr,om His Excellency ly all of his brothers and brothers in Governor Clinton dated the 6 May 26 THE HELMER FAMILY 1781 and which the under mentioned county, N. Y. He was a soldier in the persons have received no certificate, war of 1812. no pay for the same and for which No children by the second mar I am accountable a copy of Sd Return riage. warrt to Brig. Genl. Clinton and money & pay State Agent for which Margaret Helmer the State has not made payment" 3 Margaret Helmer•, Henry A. , appears No. 4, Henry Helmer--am Adam2, Philip1 was born September ount £15 2s 9d. Audited 17 November, 18, 1778. Died April 18, 1844 .Married 1784. May 5, 1795 .Jacob Smith. They were Henry A. Helmer and his wife Maria the parents of ten children: Elizabeth were the parents of seven L J'acob, J'r. ckildren (probably more): '2. Ad-::i.r.:.1. 1 . .Jacob born about 1768. 3. Benjamin. 2. Elizabeth born May 3, 1777. 4. Henry born .January 1'7, 1803. Sponsors .Joh. Nicol Hiels· and Eliza Sp:.;insors Henry Helmer and Maria beth Fox,- his wife. Elizabeth___ his wife. 3. Margaret, born Sept. 18, 1778. 5. Catharine, born May 27, 1811. 4. Henry, born December 8, 1784. Sponsors Leonard Helmer and Cath Sponsors Adam Harter and Anna arine Herder (Harter) his wife. Marg,aret Helmer. 6. .Joseph, born August 14, 1812. Sponsors John Helmer and Dorothy 5. Maria Elizabeth, born November Falk, his wife. 13, 1786. Sponsors .Jacob Bell and Elizabeth__ _ 7. Margaret, born August 21, 1814. Sponsors .John (J'acob) Cristman and 6. .Johannes (.John) born September Margaret ____, his wife. 28, 1788. Sponsors . George Helmer 8. Ann, born .July 30, 1816. Spon and Anna Eva Folts. sors George Cass (Cast?) and Anna . 7. Lenhart, born September 16, 1791. ----, his wife. Sponsor~ 4dam Helmer and Cathar 9. Maria, born August 26, 1819. ine Riegel. Sponsors Maria Smith, born Petryr wif· >f John Smith. Jacob Hefme.r l.:. Lea.. .Jacob Helmer, Henry A.':f, Adam• Henry He(mer, Jr• Philip1 was born about 1768. Died .January 12,. 1856, aged 88 years. He Henry Helmer, Jr.4, Henry A?, was probably married twice, but no Adam~, Philip1 was born December 8. record of his first marriage is found. 1784. Died bef.ore the death of hm. It is believed he was the .Jacob Hel daughter menti-oned below. He mar mer who lived at Otego, N. Y., about ried --· (wife's name not known)·. 1790 to 1800. They were the parents of one daugh .Jacob Helmer and his 1st wife ter: (name unknown) probably liad se-ver l. Delia born 1808: died October 9',. al children, among them being: 1820, aged 12 years. The record of 1. Delia born between 1790 and her death mentions the fact that her 1800 who married Adam .J. Herder. father had died previously. .Jacob Helmer married (2nd) De cember 16, 1810, Sally (Sarah) Speef J·ohn Helmer 17rul ► 3 fen, born about daughter of .Jo John Helmer•, Henry A. , Adam~. ::?. ) Ji)cc£2c~1. S:1e die.::. November 16, Philip1 was born September· 28', 178K 1854, aged 85 years. Died November 21, 1845. Married .Jacob Helmer and his second wife May 8, 1814 Dorothy Falk, born in Sally Speeffen are· buried. in. Egypt Germany-in 1793. Died J"une 21, 1867~ Cemetery, T-own of Boonville,. Oneida Both are, buried in the Egypt ceme-· PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 27 tery, Town ,of Boonville, N. Y. John Sponsors Adam Smith and Maria Helmer wa:s a soldier of the war of Herder, unmarried. 1812. In later generations the name 4. Elizabeth, born December 2, 1813. Falk was possibly known as Fox. Sponsors Nicholas He!'der and Apol John Helmer and Dorothy Falk, his lonia,___ his wife. wife, were the parents of ten child 5. Robert born January 1, 1816. ren: Sponsors Joe Thomas Herder and 1. Henry born December 15, 1814. Elizabeth__ , his wife. Sponsors Jacob Helmer and Sarah 6. Catharine born June 7, 1818. Speeffen, his wife. Sponsors Jacob J. Cristman and Mar ·2. Johann Adam (Adam) born July garet-__, his wife. 7, 1817. Sponsors Leonard Helmer 7. Magdalena, born May 10, 1820. and Catharine Herder, his wife. Sponsors John Helmer •and Dorothy 3. Isaac, born July 25, 1819. Spon Falk, his wife. sors Adam Herder, Jr., and Delia__ 8. Henry born September 11, 1823. his wife. Sponsors Jacob Smith and Margaret 4. Jacob, born June 15, 1821. Spon Helmer his wife. sors Jacob Herder and. Magdalena__ 9. Philip, born August 29, 1825. his wife. . Sponsors Philip J. Herder and Almi 5. Daniel, born March 13, 1823. ra__, his wife. Sponsors Balthasar Falk and Maria 10. Maria, born November 19, 1827. Smith, his wife. Sponsors John Herder and Catharine 6. Mary Elizabeth, born March 13, Smith. 1825, died about 1830. Sponsors Jacob 11. Caty Margaret (Margaret), born Smith, Jr., and Maria Livingstone his March 19, 1830. Sponsors Henry A. wife. Herder and Mary__ , his wife. 7. William born October 26, 1829. 12. Benjamin born May 7, 1832. Sponsors Adam Falk and Elizabeth Sponsors Melchoir Folts and Eliza Spoon (Spohn) his wife. beth his wife. 8. Robert born about 1833. Buried 13. Lewisa (Louisa) born September at Westernville, N. Y. 13, 1834. Sponsors Adam J. Herder 9. Leonard. and Delia Helmer. his wife. 10. Benjamin born about 1837. Delia HeJmer 3 Lelonar-d Helmer- Delia Helmer5, Jacob4, Henry A. , 2 1 Adam , Philip married January 1, Leonard Helmer4, Henry A.3, Adam2, 1818, Adam J. Herder (Harter), son .of Philip1 was born September 16, 1791. Married January 17, 1809 Catharine Jacob Herder. Herder (Harter) daughter of Jacob They were the parents of five Herder. Leonard Helmer and his children: wife Catharine Herder are buried at 1. Jacob Jois, born July 22, 1819. Evans Mills, Jefferson oounty, N. Y. Sponsors Jacob Herder and Magda They lived at Fairfield, Herkimer lena..... _., his wife, uncle and aunt. C)unty, N. Y., at the time their last 2. Mary Ann born January 8, 1822. Gp,onsors Andrea (Andrew) Herder child was born. and Maria Helmer, unmarried. Leonard Helmer and his wife Cath 3. Magdalena, born September 19, erine Herder were the parents of 1823. Sponsors Michael Herder and thirteen children, all born -at Herki Appolloni,a____ , his wife. mer or Fairfield, N. Y.: 4. Leonard, born September 25, 1825. 1. Jacob, born about 1809 or 1810. Sponsors Leonard Helmer and Cath 2. Han Adam, born January 14, arine Harder, his wife. 1811. Sponsors Jacob Helmer and 5. Solomon Jackson, born July 24, Sally Speeffen, his wife. 1834. Sponsors Jacob Helmer and 3. Peter, born December 28, 1812. Elizabeth ___, his wife. 28 THE HELMER FAMILY Jacob Smith, J.r. 1844 Louisa Cristman, daughter of Jacob J. Cristman and Rebecca Jacob Smith, Jr.5, Margaret Hel Smith, his wife. Th'ey lived at Fair mer\ Henry A.3, Adam', Philip' mar field, Herkimer County, N. Y. ried November 5, 1820 Maria Living No record of children. stone, daughter of Malcomb Living stone and his wife Rebecca Smith. Lea Smith No record of children. Lea Smiths, Margaret Helmer•, Hen 3 2 1 ry A. , Adam , Philip married De Adam Smith cember 28, 1824, Henry Cristman, son Adam Smiths, Margaret Helmer', of Nicholas Cristman and Maria__ , ·· 3 Henry A. , Adam\ Philip\ married his wife. July 20, 1823 Elizabeth Hilts, widow No record of children. of Jacob Piper. Henry Helmer Adam Smith and his wife Elizabeth Hilts were the parents of four child Henry Helmer5, John4, Henry A.~, ren: Adam', Philip1 born December 15, 1. Norman who married Katherine 1814, married Roselly__ Lived at Harter and had three children: Adam Boonville, N. Y. J., Jacob and Frank B. They were the parents of one son: 2. Malinda who married John L 1. Gardner born June 2, 1849, at Rasbach and had. nine children: Boonville, N. Y. Elizabeth, Ellen, Clarinda, Adam, Adam Helmer John Alonzo, Marcus, Margaret, Nor Adam Heuner-, Jonn4, Henry A.3. man and Harriet. (For a continuation Adam', Phi1ip1 born July 7, 1817, mar of these lines, see Chapter VII-De ried Catharine--. Lived at Boon scendants of Frederick A. Helmer). ville, N. Y. 3. Lucinda who married Joseph They were the parents of one son: Helmer and had six children: Ed 1. Robert J., born May 13, 1847 at ward, Adam, Ervin, Norman, Joseph Boonville, N. Y. and Mary. 4. Clarinda who died when about 4t Isaac Helmer 3 years of age. Isaac Helmer•, John4, Henry A. •. 1 Adam2, Philip was born July 25, 1819, Benjamin Smith at Herkimer, N. Y. He married Sar Benjamin Smith', Margaret Hel n.:1 Farley, b.orn in Ireland in 1824~ mer\ Henry A.3, Adam\ Philip1, mar They were married at Boonville and ried June 19, 1825 Maria Herder, always lived in that vicinity. daughter of Philip H. Herder and They were the parents of eight Catharine Philips, his wife. children. No record of children. 1. John born about 1843. 2. Leonard born about 1846. Catharine Smith 3. Robert born September 30, 1848 Catharine Smith5, Margaret Hel 4. James born about 1850. 2 1 mer<, Henry A.3, Adam , Philip born 5. Henry C. May 27, 1811, married May 31, 1829, 6. Jane who married ____ Phillips. Leh::nan Cristman, son of Jacob J. and lived at Old Forge, N. Y. Cristman and Rebecca Smith, his 7. Andrew born August 1, 1855. wife. 8. Daniel J. born Dec. '25, 1858. No record of children. Jacob Helmer Jacob Helmer5, Leonard4, Henry A.3,. Joseph Smith 2 Adam , Philip1, born about 1809 or Joseph Smith•, Margaret Helmer, 1810, married April 22, 1832 Elizabeth 2 Henry A.3, Adam , Philip1 born Au Folts\ born about 1814, whose ances 3 gust 14, 1812, married September 19, tors were Conrad◄, Melchert , Johan. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 29 Conrad\ Melchert1. Jacob Helmer eral store at Alder Creek, N. Y. lived at Fairfield, N. Y. at the time They were the parents ,of two child of his marriage and later moved to ren: Evans Mills, N. Y. 1. Maude Louise who married Dr. Jacob Helmer and his wife Eliza Harvey Judson Vary, -a dentist, now beth F-olts were the parents of seven living at Rochester, N. Y. children of which the names of six 2. George R., now living at Roches are i;;n::iwn: ter, N. Y. 1. Gilbert who lived in the town ,of Le Ray, Jefferson County, N. Y. in 1890. Married Lenora___ and had Henry (;, Helmer two sons, George B. and Bidah. Henry C. Helmer~, Isaac5, John•, 2. Jacob who married Esther Van Henry A.3, Adam:, Philip', died 1895. Derwalker and lived at Evans Mills, He married Emma Recknall, daugh N. Y. in 1890. No children. ter of Frederick Recknall and his ·3. Minerva who married first David wife Caroline__ , Emma Recknall Miller and second William D. Miller. was born January 20, 1862 at White Three children, Merton, Metta and Lake, N. Y. and died Decemb'er 3, Elton. 1925 at Boonville, N. Y. 4. Conrad. They were the parents .of three 5. Mazina who married Peter Stein children: helber. No children. 6. Mary. 1. Carrie who married John Fassler now living at Boonville, N. Y. Elizabeth Helmer 2. Grace who married Harry L. Donnelly now living at Old Forge, N. Elizabeth Helmers, Leonard•, Hen Y. 1 ry A.3, Adam\ Philip born December 3. Edgar F. now living at Alder 2, 1813 married November 7, 1830, Creek, N. Y. · Francis Fahrbush, son of Alik Fahr bush and Elizabeth Casler, his wife. Andrew Helmer Witnesses at her marriage were Ja cob Helmer and Benjamin Helmer. Andre'\\' Helmer'\ Isaacs, John•, No record of children. Henry A.3, Adam', Philip\ born Au gust 1, 1855 at Boonville, N. Y. died Philip Helmer October 3, 1905. Married Eliza Rich Philip Helmers, Leonard•, Henry A.:, ardson. Adam', Philip1 was born at Herkimer, They were the :parents of four N. Y. August 29, 1825. In 1844 he mar daughters: ried Betsy C. Hoover, daughter of 1. Jennie who married Daniel M. Peter Hoover and lived in the town Blue, superintendent of schools, living of Le Ray, Jefferson County, N. Y. at Boonville, N. Y. They were the parents of •one son: 2. Elsie. 1. Albert E. born December 18, 3. Effie. 1860. Never married. 4. Margaret, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, Old Forge, Robe;rt J. Helmer N.Y. Robert J. Helmer\ Adam5, John\ Daniel J. Helme\r Henry A.3, Adam\ Philip1, was born at Boonville, N. Y., May 13, 1847. He Daniel J. Helmer'\ Isaacs, John4, married Sophia Jones, born 1855, died Henry A.3, Adam2, PhiUp1 born De 1924, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John cember 25, 1858 at Boonville, N. Y. T. Jones .of Steuben, Oneida County, died December 2, 1929 at Utica, N. Y. N. Y. Robert J. Helm·er kept a gen- Married Nettie A. Joslin. 30 THE HELMER FAMILY They were the parents of five child- children of his daughter Maria Bar ren: bara and Frederick Helmer. The 1. Arthur living at Utica. names of the eight children were n,ot 2. Frederick living at Utica. mentioned in his will. Although his 3. Merchant living at Utica. will does not speak of his daughter 4. Emma who married ____ Ostler, Maria Barbara as being deceased, it living at Utica. 5. Ella who married ____ Warren, is probable she had died prior to that living at Syracuse. date. Bequests were also made in his will to his other children CHAPTER X The family of Frederick Helmer lived in the vicinity of German Flatts Family of F,rederick Helmer, Bur- or Herkimer until after the Revolu- neti:sfield P.atentee tion. Frederick Helmer was pl'lobably the A Family One Hundred Per Cent 1 youngest son of Philip • He was Patriotic probably born some time between 1702 •and 1710, being the son mention Of the eight children of Frederick ed in the Census of 1710 as being 8 Helmer and Maria Barbara Kast the years of age or under. names of four sons are known. All When the Burnettsfield Patent was four sons were soldiers in the Revolu granted April 30, 1725 he wias granted tion. Three of these sons were at the Lot 1, · the most westerly lot of the battle of Oriskany, where ,one was entire patent on the North side of killed and another wounded. He had the Mohawk river. Tbjs lot was the two grandsons who were in the Re :.1J.,t exposed in the entire settlement volution, one being fifteen years of to the attacks· from the West during age at the close of the Revolution the French and Indi•an war of 1757 and the other sixteen years of age and 1758. It was about three and when he enlisted. Every known man one-half miles to the west of the and boy of this family, who was ol~ mouth of the West Canada creek enough was a soldier in the Revolu-_ where it empties into the Mohawk tion. river. Frederick Helmer and Maria Bar 'Frederick Helmer was probably . : ..:Lt we; e the parents of eight unmarried at the time the patent was children, the names of the four granted as no wife was mentioned. It known sons being as follows: is very probable that he married soon afterwards, perhaps as early as 1728: 1. Frederick F., probably r,orn about to 1732. 1735 He was twice married, the first Frederick Helmer married Maria record of children being in 1760. He Barbara Kast, daughter of Johann was a member of the Try,on County George Kast and his wife Anna--, Committee of Safety from the Ger also Burnettsfield Patentees. man Flatts district, and was a captain Frederick Helmer and his wife in General Herkimer's militia at the Mari-a Barbara Kast were the parents Battie of Oriskany where he was of eight children. The will of the killed August 6, 1777. One of his grandfather Johann George Kast was sons was also a soldier in the Revo ; d ', :1. dated April 30, 1755 and left fifteen pounds in current money of New 2. George F., born about October York to be divided among the eight 23,. 1739. Died March 23, 1823. He was PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 31 a lieutenant ih General Herkimer's Reports differ as to the amount of militia at the Battle of Oriskany destruction commitied by the French where he was wounded. and Indians in this raid. The French 3. Philip F., born about 1740 Died commander stated that immense June 8, 1830. From old letters infor quantities of grain had been destroy ed. Also that 3,000 horned cattle, mation is obtained that he was a sol dier in the Revolution but the name 3,000 sheep and 1,500 horses had eith er been killed or driven away. His 0_ ::L :·c:;L1ent cannot be deterr::iined. It is believed he was the Philip Hel torians have stated that no doubt this mer in the Fourth Regiment of the report was greatly exaggerated. The Tryon County Militia. One of his "P.aris Documents" in one record sons was also a soldier in the Revolu state that 102 persons had been made 1Jris::;ner:, while anotner report gives tion according to an old letter the numlier of prisoners taken as 4. Adam F. born 1754. Died April, about 150 and that 40 men had been 1830. He was a Lieutenant in a com killed. pany of Rangers (Scouts) in the Try- .. on County Militia. He was the, cele In the "London DocUlllents" is brated scout of the Mohawk Valley cound a rep..>rt of the New York Co during the Revolution. He carried lonial Lieutenant Governor James De messages from General Herkimer to Lancey dated January 5, 1758, to the Colonel Willett who· was being be Lords Commissioners of Trade to the sieged at Fort Stanwix. These mes effect that the settlement of German sage3 apprised Colonel Willet of the Flatts had been destroyed, some slain approach of General Herkimer's and about 100 carried to Canada into force. When General' Herkimer's captivity. Also that the loss in prop force was in action at the Battle of e .ty wus c::;tL:1ate:l about twenty-thou Oriskany, the garris,on at Fort Stan sand pounds in money, a large sum wix made an attack upon the enemy's for those days. This report is per rear. The scout Adam F. Helmer haps the most authentic and can be was with Colonel Willet's force in the relied upon. attack upon the enemy's rear, as will be shown in his pension record soon A second attack occurred the fol to be published in the Enterprise and lowing spring. On April 30, 1758, a News. small force of French and a large party of Indians attacked the set The French and Indian War tlement on the south side of the Mo hawk river. In this attack about 30 This family passed through two inhabitants were killed but there is terrible Indian massacres. The first .10 re::,::ird of prisoners being taken. was on November 12, 1757, when a force of about three hundred French The acoount of the attacks upon and Indians attacked and destroyed ..Jerr.:i.an Flatts .and later exchange the settlement on the North side of of prisoners with the French in Can the Mohawk river. At this time about ada are rarely spoken of in our Amer forty inhabitants were killed and be ican histories. These events occurred tween one hundred and one hundred out on what was then the frontier and fifty carried to Canada in captiv and did not attract the attention they ity. Sixty houses and a large number would have, had they been in the of barns were burned by the French m,ore thickly popu' ':ed sections of and Indians. the colonies. 32 THE HELMER FAMILY Kanasar,rag-o Indians Spy Upon the 1759 over one hundred prisoners were F-rench returned from Montreal where most of them had been held captive almost . In the winter of 1757-1759 five Kan two years. asarrago Indians from a settlement between Oneid·a and Onondaga were Included in this number were about hired by Sir William Johnson's orders twenty-five whose names were famil to spy on the French garrison at iar to the Mohawk Valley. Among Swegachy (Ogdensburg). The French these names were Helmer, Petry, De commander .at Swegachy suspected muth, Nelles, Getman, Stahl, Weaver, chem of being spies and sent tne:.1 Vedder, Harter, Hiltz a.nd Bellinger. to the governor at M•ontreal. There the Indians saw some of the German Helmer Prisoner:s prisoners who had been taken captive Two militiamen by the names of ,at German Flatts in 1757. The Indians Phillippe Almer and Phillipe Halmey spoke to some of the prisoners and nnd two vv.0.~1en na_ned Slelaine Al· offered to carry , messages back to 1ner and Marguerite Almer wert:: their friends in the colony. among the prisoners of war returned from Canada. This quaint Adam Hel:Le,'s ~e:ition to Genera, spelling may possibly be explained by Johnson the French being unable to under- · Among tti"' prisoners at Montreal stand the German pronunciation of was Adam Helmer who had been tak these names. The name Slelaine was en captive by the French in their probably a mistake in the "Paris raid upon German Flatts. Taking ad Documents" in copying the name Me v-antage of the ,opportunity of sending laine. a message by the friendly Kanassar The two men were probably of the rago Indians, Adam Helmer addressed same name Philip Helmer cousins, a petition to Sir William Johnson 1 grandsons of Philip • The two women begging that something be done t::i were probably Melaine (Magdalena) secure their release. Helmer and Margaret Helmer, but of His petition was as follows: which branch of the Helmer family it "March ye 12. day, 1759. Adam is difficult to say. Helmer with other captives with the Adam Helmer who signed the peti Indians their humble petition to Gen tion to General Johnson in the spring eral Johns,on. We beg a Releasement ,of 1759 was not in the list of prison for we are daily in fear of our lives, ers returned to German Flatts in Oc being in the hands -of cruel Men. The tober, 1759. Whether he was the Bur French are sending Men to Crown nettsfield Patentee or some other Point .and to other places for they are man of the same name is another dif in great fear, their Provisions being .tLult question. very scarce and they cannot get any help from France." Privations of the Prisoners The experience of the He:imer fam Retuirn of Pris·oners from Canada ily was typical of the hardships en After the surrender of Quebec to countered by the German Palatines. the English in 1759 the prisoners at After leav.ng · the Fatherland finy .t,L.mtre::i.l were delivered to Colont1 years of wanderings, toil, privation, Schuyler by the French. In October, devastation, captivity and deathr PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 33 What a hardy and resolute people ernment great responsibilities were they were, those German Palatines! pl,aced upon these committees. They Going out into the wilderness they enacted and enforced laws, performed cleared land and built homes, reared judicial ,and police duties, recruited large families and became substantial soldiers, raised funds, furnished mili citizens. tary supplies -and safeguarded the The French and Indian war train rights of citizens. Without the sound ed them in the use of arms, taught judgment and foresight of these com them to face the enemy and prepared mittees of safety there would have them for the Revolution which was been no orderly government. soon to come. Captain Frederick F. Helmer was the first representative from the CHAPTER XI German Flatts District at a meeting of the Try.:>n County Committee of Captain Frederick F. Helmer in the Safety held June 2, 1775. This was Revoluti-on the first time German Flatts was re Frederick F. Helmer3, Frederick~, presented. He was among the 850 Philip1 was probably born about 1"735. men who marched from Fort Dayton There appears no record of hi? birth, to Oriskany under General Herkimer, so it can only be assumed that this is many of whose names are unknown. the approximate date. His father was He was a Captain in Colonel Peter L"rederick Helmer, Burnettsfield Pat B(illinger's Regiment and was killed entee, who was probably un::r11arried at the Battle of Oriskany August 6, at the time the patent was granted 1777. April 30, 1725. His mother was Maria Barbara Kast, the daughter of Jo 8abina or Edwina hann George Kast and his wife Anna Captain Frederick F. Helmer was ------· The reason that the year 1735 twice married. He married (1st) be is given as the approximate date of fore 1760 Sabina or Edwina____ Her the birth of Frederick F. or Freder- last name is not known but it is be i::k, Jr., as his name was sometimes lieved to have been either Schumach written, is that his first child ,of er or Hiltz. The nar.J.e Sabina occur which there appears ·a record was red in earlier generations of the born in 1760. Schumacher family and it is possible she may have been of that family. Committee of Safety However, as members of the Hiltz Frederick F. Helmer was a member family acted as sponsors at the bap of the Tryon Ooun:ty Committee of tism of her children on three differ Safety from the German Flatts Dis ent occasions, one is led to believe trict. In the "Minute Book" of the she may have been .of the Hiltz fam Tryon County Committee of Siafeiy ily. Until there is definite proof:, it reference is made to many meetings is impossible to state who were her at which he represented the German parents. Sabina, the first wife, filed Flatts District. The members ,of about 1769 or 1770. these local .committees of safety were among the most influential men in Elizabeth Dyge~ their community. Captain Frederick F. Helmer mar In the change fr,om the monar ried (2nd) about 1770 to 1.772· Eliza chial to the republican form of goY- beth Dygert born June, 1749, the eld- 34 THE HELMER FAMILY est of sixteen children of William Dy ther record of him is f.ound. Probably gert and his wife Maria Elizabeth died young. Ecker. William Dygert was born at 5. Anna born January 22, 1769. Schoharie, N. Y., October 3, 1723, iand Sponsors Philip Helmer and Anna died at Frankfort, N. Y., May 28, Mayer, his wife. 1802. William Dygert's parents were 6. Edwina or Sabina. Johann Peter Dygert born near Captain Frederick F. Helmer and Strasburg, Germany, about 1680 and his second wife Elizabeth Dygert married about 1705 Anna Elizabeth were the parents of four children: Fuchs (Fox:). They emigrated to 7. William F., born July 19, 1773. America with the Palatines about 8. Elizabeth. 1709 ,or 1710. Johann Peter Dygert 9. Peter F., born about 1776. was still living in 1755 iand his wife Anna Elizabeth Fuchs was still liv 10. Henry F., born December 30, ing in 1752. 1777. Sponsors William. Dygert and Margaret. William Dygert was at the Battle of Oriskany with his three sons Wil ~,redarick F. Helmer, Jr. liam, Jr., George and Peter Dygert. He moved to the town ,of Frankfort Frederick F. Helmer4, Captain Fred 1 ab.out te.n years before the Revolu erick F.a, Frederick\ Philip was born tion. Maria Elizabeth Ecker his April 14, 1763. On May 2, 1813, he first wife died about 1769 and he acted as sponsor at the baptism of married August 21, 1770, his second one of his brother Henry F.'s child wife Miargaret Cunningham. ren. The church record here says he w.as unmarried. He was then fifty After her first husband was killed years of age •and pl'obably never mar at the Battle of Orisk-any Elizabeth Dygert married John Demuth, also a ried. Another church record March soldier in the Revolution. 2, 1817 gives him as a witness at the marriage of a nephew Adam Staring, Children of Capt. F·rederick F. Hel the son of Edwina Helmer. There is me,r no record of his death, which occur red some time after March 2, 1817. Captain Frederick F. Helmer and his first wife Sabina or Edwina______In the Census of 1790 he is given as were the parwts of six children: the head of ,a family. This family consisted of two males of sixteen 1. Johann George (George), born years of age and upwards, one male November 13, 1760. Sponsors Nicho under sixteen years, and three fe las Hiltz and Elizabeth Fox, his wife. males ages not given. As his next Johann George probably died young older brother John F. is also given as an,other child wias born seven in the same census as unmarried and years later and given the same name. separately listed, this family consist '2. Johann Frederick (Frederick) ed .of Frederick F. Helmer, unmar born April 14, 1763. Sponsors George ried, ,as the head of the family, his Helmer .and Anna Maria Mayer. brother William F. then seventeen 3. Johannes (John F.) born Septem years, Henry F. aged thirteen years, ber 3, 1765. Sponsors Johannes Hiltz and his three sisters Anna, Edwina and Anna Weber. and Elizabeth. These were the or 4. Johann George (George) born phaned children of Capt. Frederick November 14, 1767. Sponsors George F. Helmer (killed -at Oriskany August Hiltz and Appollonia Harter. No fur- 6, 1777) some by the first wife Sabi- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 35 na_...... and the others by the sec Sponsors J,ohn Helmer and Margaret ond wife Elizabeth Dygert. The sec Harter. cond wife Elizabeth Dygert had mar 2. Adam. ried again and these children appar 3. Edwina, born October 19, 1797. ently were not listed as a part of her Sponsors John Heier (Hoyer?) and family. Anna Helmer. Info-rmaUon h~ just been obtained 4. Elizabeth. that Frederick F. Helmer, Jr. born 5. George Frederick born December April 14, 1763, was also a -soldier in 4, 1801. Sponsors George Frederick the Revolution, a Private in the Hayer (Hoyer?) Fourth Regiment, Tryon County Mi litia, commanded by Colonel Peter 6. Anna, born October 12, 1804. Bellinger. There were two men nam Sponsors Peter Helmer, blacksmith, ed Frederick Helmer in this regiment and Anna Starring, his wife, of Ger one being Frederick A. {son of man Flatts. Adam) and the other Frederick or William F. Helmer Frederick F. (son •of Frederick). This information is subject to further William F. Helmer, Capt. Frederick 2 proof. If true, then another name F.3, Frederick , Philip1 was born July should be added to the list of Hel 19, ·1773. Died October 18, 1841. Mar mers serving in the Revolution. ried September 21, 1794, Elizabeth Myers, daughter of Frederick Myers. John F. Helmer Elim.beth Myers was born September John F. Helmer•, Captain Freder 16, 1774, .and died September 20, 1857. 3 William F. Helmer was a blacksmith ick F. , Frederick\ Philip\ was born September 3, 1765. Died at Herki in the village of Herkimer. · mer November 26, 1829. Married Eas They were the parents oi one son, ter Sunday, 1'797 Marg,aret Munter p,ossibly more. ba:::h, daughter of Johannes Munter 1. Frederick, .born March 11, 1796. hach. .;ohn F. Helmer and his wife Peter F. Helmer Margaret Munterbach were the par ents ,of ten children. Peter F. Helmer', Capt. Frederick John F. Helmer w,as a soldier in F.3, Frederick\ Philip1 was born the Revolution. He enlisted at the about 1776. Died February 14. 1821. age of sixteen years and served two Married Mary Anna (Anna) . Staring. and one-half years in the war. Peter F. Helmer like his brother Wtl- His pension record ,and family wm liam F. was also -a blacksmith, but -:-:..ppear in a later article. was located at German Flatts, on the south side of the Mohawk river. Edwina or Sabina Helm&r Peter F. Helmer and his wife Anna Edwina (or Sabina) Helmer4, Capt. Staring were the -pa.rents of two Frederick F.3, . Frederick\ Philip\ l'.aughters: married February 5, 1792 Peter Star 1. Elizabeth born March 31, 1802. ing, son of Adam Staring. Edwina's Sponsors John Demuth and Elizabeth name was also written Wena or Sa Dygert, his wife, formerly the widow bina. of Captain Frederick F. Helmer. They were the parents of six child 2. Anna, born June 10, 1.&04. Spon :ren: sors Nicholas Ittig (Edick) and Anna 1. Margaret, bom June 2, 1793. Helmer, unmarried. 36 THE HELMER FAMILY 2 Henry F. Helmer Capt. Frederick F.3, Frederick , Phil ip\ was born October 19, · 1797. Mar Henry F. Helmer•, Capt. Frederick ried Janu1.ry 30, 1822, Hubard Barber 3 2 F. , Frederick , Philip', was born De son of Jonathan Barber and Lucretia cember 30, 1777. This was nearly Palmer, his wife, of Frankfort, N. Y. five months after his father had No record of children. been killed at the Battle of Oriskany. He married March 9, 1806 Eva Myers•, Elizabeth Staring 3 daughter of Frederick , Henry\ Hen ry'. Eva Myers was born May 8, 1789 Elizabeth Staring\ Edwina Helmer\ 2 and confirmed as a member of the Capt. Frederick", Frederick , Philip\ Herkimer Reformed Church Septem married February 3, 1822, John In ber 20, 1806. graham, son of Benjamin Ingra.ham Henry F. Helmer and his wife Eva and Anna Steel. Myers were the parents of nine child No ... e,.ord of children. ren: 1. Elizabeth born October 25, 1807. George Frederick Staring 2. Anna Margaret, born about 1809. George Frederick Staring\ Edwina 3 Died October 6, 1822. Helmer\ Capt. Frederick F. , Freder 3. Catharine born November 23, ick2, Philip1 was born December 4, 1811. Sponsors Frederick Myers -and 1801. Married November 4, 1830 Mary Anna Margaret his wife. Jane Myers, born about 1813, daugh 4. Eva (twin) born May 2, 1813. te:r of Peter H. Myers and Sally Ste Sponsors Frederick Helmer and An vens, his wife. na Myers, unmarried. No record of children. 5. Maria (twin) born May 2, 1813. Sponsors Frederick Bellinger and Frederick Helmer Catharine Cristman. 6. Rhode, born April 18, 1816. Spon Frederick Helmers, William4, Capt. sors Maria, widow of Nicholas Star Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Philip\ was ing. born March 11, 1796. Died July 16, 7. Anna, born January 31, 1819. 1869. Married December 20, 1818 An Sponsors Henry F. Myers ,and Eliza na (Nancy) Bellinger, born October beth, his wife. 2, 1793, died May 11, 1872, daughter 8. Jeremiah, born February 18, -of Christopher Bellinger and Anna 1823. Sponsors Christopher Bellinger Harter, his wife. and Oatharine Myers. Frederick Helmer and Nancy Bel 9. Margaret, born March 25, 1826. linger, his wife, were the parents of Sponsors William Dalloott (Talcott) seven children: and Margaret Bellinger, unmarried. 1. Elizabeth, born either November Adam Staring 11, 1819 or July 19, 1820. Died August 30, 1821. Ad,am Staring5, Edwina Helmer4, 2. William Henry, born November 3 2 Capt. Frederick F. , Frederick , Phil 2, 1823. ip' married March 2nd, 1817 Cathar 3. Anna Margaret, born September ine Hess, daughter of Frederick Hess, witnesses .at the marriage were Fred 2, (?) (Year not legible). Sponsors erick Helmer, Jr. and David Hess. No Christopher Bellinger ,and Margaret, record of children. his wife. Edwina Staring', Edwina Helmer\ 4. Catharine, born August 17, 1826. PIONEERS AND PATRIOT~ 37 Sponsors Michael Harter •and Anna, ied in the Columbia cemetery, Herki- his wife. mer county, N. Y. 5. Frederick. George F. Helmer was a lieutenant 6. Christopher, born January 12, in Captain Small's company in a reg 1830. iment of militia commanded by Col 7. Elizabeth, horn December 6, onel Peter Bellinger. His pension re 1833. cord states that he became disabled in the service of the United States in Anna Helmer consequence of a wound in his left arm in the Oriskany Battle on Au Anna Helmers, Peter F.•, Capt. gust 6, 1777, for which he received 3 2 1 Frederick F. , Frederick , Philip was an invalid pension in 1786. This pen born June 10, 1804. Married June 10, sion was increased in 1816 to $15 per 1830, Christopher Hartman, born month, which sum he continued to about 1803. receive to the time -0f his death. No record of children. Lieutenant George F. Helmer and Elizabeth Helmer wife Margaret Mayer (Myers) were the parents of nine children: Elizabeth Helmers, Henry F.4, Capt. 1. Adam, born November 13, 1770. 3 2 Frederick F. , Frederick , Philip' was Sponsors Adam F. Helme!" (the born October 25, 1807. She was con scout) and Anna Miargaret Bellinger, firmed as a member of the ·Herkimer his wife. "R.PformPil C!lrnrr.h ln RPptember, 1824, 2. George F. born March 1, 1772. at the age of 17 years. She married December 26, 1827, Hiram Joslin, son 3. Mary Catherine died in infancy. of Silvester Joslin of Frankfort, N. Y. 4. Jacob born February 25, 1778. No record of children. Sponsors Jacob Mayer and Margaret. 5. Maria Barbara, born December Eva Helmer 25, 1780. Sponsors Lorentz_____ and Maria Barbar-a_____ . (The last names 5 4 Eva Helmer , Henry F. , Capt. Fred of the sponsors were not legible, pro 1 terick F.3, Frederick\ Philip was born bably Harter) . .May 2, 1813. Married August 6, 1835, 6. Margaret, born July 28, 1783 . .Jacob Hyser, son of Henry Hyser and Sponsors Joh. Jost Bellinger and Ma Madlene Smith~ his wife. ria Barbara Harter. No record of children. 7. Peter born June 20, 1786. Spon CHAPTER XI I. sors Ada::n Staring and Catharine. B. Anna born March 6, 1790. Spon '.Lieutenant _Geiorge F. Helmer in the sors Joseph Mayer and Anna Mayer. RevoluUon 9. Eva, born November 28, 179'2. George F. Helmer3, Frederick\ Phil Sponsors Thomas Schumacher and J.pl was born .about October 23, 1739. Anna Eva. Some records give this as the date George F. Heilmer, Jr. '°f his birth, while another record states he wia.s born in 1740. He died George F. Helmer, Jr.4, George F.3, .March 23, 1822-3, aged 82 years 5 Frederick2, Philip1 was born March 1, .months. He married January 9, 1770, 1772. Died in July, 1821. Married Margar.et Mayer, born April 14, 1751, either in January or February, 1796, .a..ied F.ebr.uar_y .26, 1818. Both :ar.e hur- Elizab.eth Thum, daughter ,of Mel- 38 THE HELMER FAMILY choir Thum . (Domb). Witnesses at 6, 1806, Elizabeth Klock, daughter of their marriage were Joe. Nicholas Henry Klock. Elizabeth Klock wa.E Thum and Margaret Helmer, his born August 8, 1786, died May 10, wife. Elizabeth Thum was born Jan 1843. J,acob Helmer lived in the town uary 24, 1772, died in October, 1832. of Warren, Herkimer county. Buried in the section known as the Woolf neighborhood near George Jacob Helmer town, Harrison County, Indiana. Jacob Helmer and his wife Eliza George F. Helmer, Jr., located with beth Klock were the parents of eight his family in Harrison County, India children: na., ·as early as 1817. He was a mer L Margaret born April 5, 1807. chant. On one trip to New Orleans 2. Chauncey, born April 18, 1810. with boats laden with produce after Sponsors John Frederick Frank and making sales he was found robbed Anna___ , his wife, of German Flatts. and murdered in his boat, supposedly Chauncey Helmer died April 7, 1831. by boat hands. No trace was found of the murderers or money. 3. Maria Catherine (or Mary Jane) born July 18, 1812. Sponsors Eva Hel George F. Helmer, Jr., and Eliza mer and Robert Klock, unmarried. beth Thum, his wife, were the par ents of eight children: 4. Caroline, born April 3, 1814. Spon 1. Jacob, born October 14, 1796. sors John Klock and Margaret Hel Died June 24, 1816. mer his wife. Caroline· Helmer died 2. Joseph, born J ap.. 2, 1798. Died ..t\.pril 18, 1814. May 29, 1815. 5. Ge:::>rge Henry, born June 23, 1817. ·3. Margaret, born Aug. ·2, 1800. Sponsor Gertrude Helmer of German 4. Melchert, born April 28, 1802. Flatts. Sponsors Joe. Nicholas Thum and 6. Elizabeth, born June 25, 1819. Margaret Helmer, his wife. Died January 23, 1902. 5. Elizabeth, born March 4, 1804. 7. Jacob Adam, bor:n June 25, 1824. Sponsors Rudolph Devandorf and Died January 4, 1839. Barbara, his wife. 8. Bianca Katherine, born Feb. 20, 6. Jeremiah, born March 26, 1806. 1829. Died May, 1893. 7. Mary, born Nov. 25, 1808. Died Maria Barbara Helmer June 9, 1815. 8. Calvin born July 7, 1815. Died Maria Barbara Helmer<, George F.3, October 1, 1817. Frederick\ Philip' w,as born Decem (Note-These children -are descend ber 25, 1780. Married November 21, ants of the Revolution on both pater 1802 John Clapsattle, son of Augus tinus Clapsattle. na't--.and maternal sides, tracing back through Elizabeth to Melchoir Thum They were the parents of four on the maternal side. Melchoir Thum children: or Dum was a private in Col. Klock's 1. Joannes (John) born Dec. 12, regiment thus giving these descend 1803. Sponsc.rs Joe. Adam Helmer ants two bars in the first genera ·and Elizabeth Clapsattle, unmarried. tion.) 2. Margaret, born May 12, 1805. 4 Jacob Helmer , George F.3, Fred George Helmer and Margaret Myers erick2, Philip1 was born Feb. 25, 1770. (Mayer) his wife, uncle and ,aunt, of Died 1839. Buried in Columbia. ceme Warrentown. tery, Herkimer county. Ma_rried April 3. Anna, born Sept. 17, 1808. Spon- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 39 sors William Dygert :and Anna Hel 8. Margaret, born Sept. 19, 1828. mer, unmarried. Sponsors parents. 4. Peter, born Feb. 22, 1810. Spon sors Peter F. Helmer and Gertrude Peter Helmer Schumacher of German Flatts. 3 Peter Helmer, George F. , Freder This line has not been traced out, ick\ Philip1 was born June 20, 1786. but from fragmentary data some of Married Dec. ~. 1809 Gertrude Shoe the grandchildren of John Clapsattle maker born 1786, daughter of Joseph and Maria Barbara Helmer were: Shoemaker. Peter Helmer died before 1. Mrs. Daniel (or David) Casler of March 3, 1830 on which date his wi Mohawk. dow married a second time. 2. Jacob who married Elizabeth No record of children. Klock. Gertrude Shoemaker, widow of 3. M-aria who married Jeremiah Peter G. Helmer iat the age of 44 Haner, among whose grandchildren married on March 3, 1830 Darius are J,ohn C. Miller of Miller Mills, Dexter aged 45. Sandford Gartman of Schuyler, A. G. Gartman of Frankfort and Mrs. Eva Heimer Monroe Helmer of Herkimer. Eva Helmer, George F.3, Freder ick", Philip1 was born Nov. 28, 1792. Margaret Helmer She was confirmed as a member of M&:-garet Helmer, George F.3, Fred the Herkimer .Reformed Church at rerick~. Philip1 was born July 28, 1783. the age of 18 on Sept. 30, 1810. She Died 1842. Married December '25, married Oct. 10, 1819 Marcus Crantz, 1.806, John Klock, son of Henry J. Jr., son of Marcus Crantz. Marcus Klock. John Klock was born 1784, Crantz was a soldier in the war ,died 1867. ,of 1812. Crantz in later generations They were the parents of eight was Grant. ,children: No children. 1. Anna born November 5, 18U7. ·sponsors Peter Klock and Anna___ , Mar:garet He.lme,r his wife. 4 Margaret Helmer", George F. Jr. , 2. Sanford, born Jan. 16, 1810. Spon George F.3, Frederick\ Philip1 was ·s::ir:s Magdalena Klock and Joe. Jo born Aug. 2, 1800. Died 18~8. Mar :seph Petry, unmarried. ried Jonas Howard. Mo;ved with her 3. Robert, born July 25, 1812. Spon parents to Indiana about 1817. :sor Margaret Klock, widow, aunt. Margiaret Helmer and her husband 4. Caroline, born May 13, 1815. ·sponsors Jacob Helmer and Elizabeth Jonas Howard had one son: Klock, his wife. 1. Jonas George. 5. Lucinda, born Oct. 22, 1820. Spon Melchert Helmer sors Peter Eisemann and Catherine, his wife. Melchert Helmers, George F. J'r.•, 3 1 6. Henry, born May 19, 1823. Spon George F. , Frederick~, Philip was sors Jacob Eisemann and Maria, his born .April 28, 18.02 in Herkimer coun wife. ty. Died June 13, !1.876 at Springville, 7. Mary Ann, born April 7, 1826. Indiana. Married 1826 Lucinda Bur Sponsors Benjamin Pe.try and Eliza ford Haggerty, daughter of William .be.th, his :wife. .Haggerty and .his wife Nancy Burford 40 THE HELMER FAMILY of Mercer County, Kentucky. Lucinda 1. Amanda E., born at St. Johnsville Burf,ord Haggerty was born April 25, N. Y. who -married John P. Swartout. 1805. Died Sept. 28, 1879. Jonas George Howard They were the parents of seven children: J,onas George Howard€, Margaret 3 1. Lucinda. Helmer5, George F., Jr.4, George F. , 2 1 2. Elizabeth Ann. Frederick , Philip married Martha 3. Mary J,ane. Jane _____ and lived in Jeffersonville, 4. Margaret. Indiana. Three .other children died in infan They were the parents of ,a daugh cy. ter: 1. Anna who married - William T. Elizabeth Helmer Ingram. 5 Elizabeth Helmer , George F. Jr.4, 2 1 Lucinda Helmer George F.3, Frederick , Philip was born March 5, 1804 in Herkimer coun 5 Lucinda Helmer~, Melchert , George ty May 9, 1891, married Thomas J ef 3 2 F., Jr.4, George F. , Frederick , Phil ferson Howard, born 1802, died 1879. ip1 married 1854 Dr. James R. Zear Lived in Floyd county, Indiana. ing. They lived in Dover, Illinois. They were the parents of the fol They were the parents of four l•owing: children: 1. Andrew J. born 1834. 1. Charlotte Lucinda, born in Dover, 2. Huldah. Ill. who married Buel P. Colton. 2. Luella Margaretta born in Illi Jeremiah Helmer nois, who married J·ames Ellsworth Jeremiah Helmer5, George F. Jr.4, Gross. 3 2 George F. , Frederick , Philip1 was 3. Lizzie Ruth who died at the age born March 26, 1806 in Herkimer of 12 years. county. Moved with his parents to 4. James who married Florence Indiana ab.out 1817. Died about 1842. Pier, and lived -at Des Moines, Iowa. Married Mary Haggerty. Elizabeth Ann Helmer No record of children. Elizabeth Ann Helmer~, Melchert\ Ma,ria Catherine Helmer George F. Jr.4, George F.3, Frederick\ :Maria Catherine (Mary Jane) Hel Philip1 married Madison Boyd Garten mer5, Jacob4, George F.3, Frederick2, and lived in Illinois. Philip1 was born July 18, 18t2. Died They were the parents ,of one son: Jan. 13, 1892. Married Henry Casler. 1. Melchert who married Mary No record of children. Frances Alford. Robe.rt Klo,ck Mary Jane Helmer 5 Robert Klock , Margaret Helmer4, Mary Jane Helmer'\ Melchert\ Geo. 2 1 George F.3, Frederick , Philip was F.4, George F.3, Frederick\ Philip\ born July 25, 1812. Died 1899. Married married first Edward Stannard and 1840 Catherine Snell born 1814, died second Andrew Broaddus. Six child 1884. ren by the first marriage, names not They were the parents of a daugh kn-own. No children by second mar ter: riage. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 41 Margaret Helmer Melchert Garten Marg,aret Helmer", M~lchert5, Geo. Melchert Garten7, Elizabeth Ann F. Jr.4, George F.3, Frederick", Phil Helmer\ Melchert", George F. Jr.4, ip' married Sylvester Hinman. They Geo. F.3, Frederick\ Philip' married were the parents of six children, Mary Francis Alford. names not known. They were the parents of one daughter: Andrew J. Howard 1. Blanche born in Illinois, now Andrew J. Howard", Elizabeth Hel living at Lincoln, Neb. mer°, George F., Jr.,4, George F.3, Frederick", Philip' was born 1834. Clara Heaton Died 1897. Married 18'70 Susan E. Clara Hcaton7, Huldah Howard'!, Crothers, born 1850. They lived in Elizabeth Helmer•. . George F., Jr.4, J efferscmville, Indiana. 2 1 George F.3, Frederick , Philip was They were the parents of one born in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She daughter: married Edward Wright Fitch. 1. Elizabeth L. born in Jefferson- They were the parents of a daugh ville, Indiana who married ____ Clark. ter: Huldah Howard Ellice born in Jeffersonville, India na who married Julian Craven Hall, Huldah Howard", Elizabeth Hel Jr. mer\ George F. Jr.', George F.3, Fred erick~, Philip' was born about 1825. Herman Howard Heaton Married Hiram Weaver Heaton. They 7 Herman Howard Heaton , Huldah lived in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Howard\ Elizabeth Ann Helmer\ They were the parents of three 3 George F. Jr.•, George F. , Frederick children; \ Philip', married Julia W,orthley, 1. Clara who married Edward lived at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Wright Fitch. They were the parents 0f a daugh 2. Herman Howard who married ter: Julia Worthley. 1. Clara who married William 3. Bettie who married Richard M. Ware Stephens. Hartwell. Charlotte Lucfoda Zearing Bettie Heaton Charlotte Lucinda Zearing•, Lucin Bettie HeatonT, Huldah Howard", da Helmer\ George F., Jr.4, George Elizabeth Ann Helmer\ George F. 3 Jr.\, George F.3, Frederick\ Philip\ F. , Frederick~, Philip' was born at Dover, Illinois. Married Buel P. Col married Richard M. Hartwe11. Lived ton who died September, 1906. Mrs. at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Colton was regent L'f the Letitia They were the parents ,of a daugh Gr.een Stevenson Chapter of the D. A. ter: R. at Bloomington, Ill. 1. Clara born in Jeffersonville, In They were the parents of three diana who married John H. Lewman. cbildren: CHAPTER Xlll 1. James Zearing. 2. Emily. Philip F. Helmer in the Revolution .3. Buel Kingsley. Philip F. Helmer.:!, Frederick2, Phil- 42 THE HELMER FAMILY ipl was born about July, 1740. This Died May 4, 1838. Never married. date is only approximate. His death Sponsors at her baptism were Cath- is recorded in the Herkimer Re arine and ______Staring (first name formed Church "June 8, 1830, Philip not legible). Helmer, widower, aged 90 years, less 5. Peter P. born about 1773. 1 month and some days." George P. Helmer .Deducting his age from the date of his death, would make July 1740 as George P. .Helmer4, Philip F.3, the approximate date of his birth. Frederick2, Philip! was born at Her The date of the birth of his brother kimer May 25, 1769. Died September George F. was either October 23, 1739 14, 1849, aged 80 years at Stone Mills, or 1740. This would bring up the Jefferson County, N. Y. He married question that they may have been May 11, 1790 Catharine Staring. · twins. There seems to be no way of daughter -of Henry Staring and Eliz verifying if they were twins. s:ibeth H~ss, his wife. Both are buried Philip F. Helmer married July 17, at Stone Mills, N. Y. 1764, Anna Mayer (Myers) born Henry Staring was a soldier in the about 1747, died August 1'2, 1829. Revolution. He was taken prisoner Philip F. Helmer was a ;:;oldier in by the Indians and, while being taken the Revolution according to old let to Canada made his escape and re ters of the family. There were three turned to the fort at Herkimer. Hen (possibly more) men by the name of ry Staring and his wife Eli~abeth Philip Helmer who were soldiers in Hess are buried at Herkimer. the Revolution and it is difficult to George P. Helmer also was a sol tell in which regiment he served. It dier in the Revolution according to is believed he was the Philip Helmer an •old letter written by a grandson. in the Fourth Regiment of the Tryon Born May 25, 1'769 he was but fourteen County Militia. No application was years of age when the treaty of peace ever made by him for a pension on was signed in 1783 with Great Bri account of his Rev,olutionary service. tain. His name was probably not on Philip F. Helmer and Anna Myers. any muster roll. He was one -of the his wife, were the parent.1 of five youngest soldiers in the Revolution. children, probably more: The grandson stated in the old letter 1. Elizabeth, born September 11, that he had heard his grandfather 1765. Sponsors Elizabeth Folts and say he did sentinel duty ,at the fort, Ad,am Helmer. using a pitchfork as a weapon as 2. Frederick (sometimes written as there were not guns enough for all. Han Frederick and Johann Freder George P. was probably one of those ick) born February 17, 1768. Died young lads who in their enthusiasm January 29, 1826. Never married. could not be prevented from doing Sponsors at his baptism were Captain their duty, although not listed as a Frederick F. Helmer and Sabina soldier. (Wena) his wife. Ge0rge P. Helmer with some of his 3. George P. (sometimes written as family moved to Stone Mills, Jeffer Johann George and George Ph.) born son County, N. Y. in 1837. Some of his May 25, 1769. Sponsors George Hel children had already married and liv mer and Margaret Mayer (Myers). ed in the vicinity of Herkimer. 4. Maria Barbara (sometimes writ George P. B'.elmer and his wife ten Barbara) born January 11, 1771. Catha.rine Staring were the parents.. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 43 -of twelve children, one of whom died garct Dygert were the parents of ten in infancy. The names of the eleven children: children were: 1. Timothy born about 1802. Con 1. Henry born June 25, 1790. Spon firmed as a member ,of the Herki sors Col. Henry Staring and Eliza mer Reformed Church October 26, beth Hess, his wife. 1817 at the age of 15 years. 2. Philip, born April 23, 1792. Spon 2. Margaret, born May 22, 1803. sors Philip Helmer and Anna Myers, Sponsors Joe. Nicholas Thum and his wife. Margaret Helmer, his wife. 3. Elizabeth (Betsy) born Septem 3. Catharine, born March 8, 1805. ber 5, I794. Sponsors Peter Helmer Sponsors Philip Helmer, her grand and Elizabeth Staring. father, and Appolonia Harter. 4. Michael, probably born about 4. Anna, born N ovemoer 25, 1806. 1796 to 1798. Sponsors Philip Helmer and Anna 5. Charity (also known as Ger Mye,:;,, his wife, grandparents. trude) born about 1799. 5. Elizabeth, born September 19, 6. Nicholas, born about 1801. 1808. Sponsors Severinus Dygert and 7. Augustinus (Tenus), born Janu Catharine Myers, unmarried. :ary 10, 1803. Sponsors Augustinus 6. Maria, born February 21, 1811. .Staring and Barbara Helmer. Sponsors Peter Dygert and Catharine 8. Nancy (Anna) born December Get~•an, unmarried. .3, 1804. Sponsors Henry J. Myers and 7. Severinus, born May 7, 1813. Anna, bis wife. Sponsors Henry J. Myers and Anna 9. Mary (Maria) born January 19, Helmer, his wife. 1808. Sponsors Peter Myers and Ma 8. Eva born Jan. 8, 1815. Spon _ria Staring, unmarried. sors Philip G. Helmer and Magdalena 10. Benjamin, born November 4, his wife. Eva Helmer died December 1809. Sponsors Michael M. Myers and 10, 1832, aged 17 years. .Anna Herder, unmarried. 9. Susanna, born July 21, 1819. Spon 11. Catharine, born March 17, 1813. sors John H. Myers and Ev-a Herder .Gponsors Henry M. Myers and Maria, (Harter). .his wife. 10. Peter William, born October 14, 1822. Sponsors Peter Smith and Doro Peter P. Helmer thy Steel, his wife. Peter P. Helmer4, Philip3, Freder Henry Helmer :ick2, Philipl was born about 1773. He married Margaret Dygert born Octo - Henry Helmer 5, George P.4, Phil ber 7, 1777, either in the Town •of Pal ip3, Frederick2, Philipl was born June atine or Canajoharie. She died No 25, 1790. He married February 10, vember 7, 1838. She was the daughter 1810 Elizabeth Mayer (Myers), -of William Dygert and bis wife Agnes daughter of Willi-aim Mayer. They ·Thum, granddaughter of Henry Dy lived in the Town of Schuyler, Her gert and his wife Margaret, and kimer County in the year 1816. This great granddaughter of Johan Peter town is on the north side •of the Mo Dygert and his wife Anna Elizabeth hawk river and adjoins Oneida Coun Fuchs (Fox). The record of her death ty. at Herkimer November 7, 1838, gives Henry Helmer and his wife Eliza her age as 61 years 1 month. beth May'er (Myers) were the parents Peter P. Helmer and his wife Mar- of four children: 44 THE HELMER FAMILY 1. Elizabeth, born March 5, 1811. (1st) June 20, 1812, Peter Dygert, son Sponsors Elizabeth Helmer ,and Hen of William Dygert. They lived in the ry A. Herder (Harter), unmarried. Town of Fowler, St. Lawrence Coun 2. William Henry, born May 23, ty, N. Y., in ·1821. Elizabeth Helmer 1813. Sponsors Henry F. Myers and married (.2nd) Stephen "Mosier. Anna, his wife. Elizabeth Helmer and her first 3. Gertrude born September 24, husband Peter Dygert were the par 1815. Sponsors Frederick Helmer and ents of six children: Gertrude Helmer. 1. Mary (Maria) born January 13, 4. J.ohn. 1813. Sponsors Henry Dygert and Bar Philip G. Helmer bara, his wife. Mary Dygert lived at Mohawk, Herkimer County. Philip G. Helmer5, George P.4, Phil 2. George Henry, born December 14. ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born 1814. Sponsors Henry Mayer (Myers) April 23, 1792. Married May 15, 1815, and Anna, his wife. George Henry Dy Magdalena Schumacher, daughter of gert lived at Gouverneur, N. Y. Christopher Schumacher. Philip G. 3. Catharine, born September 19, Helmer and his family lived in the 1816. Sponsors Philip Helmer, Jr., and Town of Deerfield, Oneida County, N. Magdalena Helmer. Catharine Dygert Y., from 1824 to 1829. It is possible probably died young. that he lived a short time in Allegany 4. Eva, born April 6, 1818. Sponsors County, N. Y. Later he moved to the Gertrude Helmer and Timothy, un State of Michigan, where he died. married. Eva Dygert probably died Some of his children also moved to young.. Michigan. 5. Joram, born December 4, 1819. George P. Helmer and his wife Sponsors Michael Helmer and Apol Magdalen.a Schumacher were Ionia Herder, unmarried. J.oram Dy the parents of five children: gert moved to the State of Illinois. 1. Jeremiah born February 17, 1817. 6. Elizabeth, born March 7, 1821. Sponsors George Helmer and Cathar Sponsors Nicholas Helmer and Eliz· ine Staring, his wife. abeth Smith. Elizabeth Dygert moved 2. Delia, born May 29, 1829. Sponsor to the State of Michigan. Michael Helmer. Elizabeth Helmer and her second 3. Sanford born May 10, 1824. Spon husband Stephen Mosier were the sors George Stevens and Anna Hel parents of one daughter: mer his wife. Sanford Helmer moved 7. Helen who after the death of her to Michigan with his parents. parents moved to the State of Michi 4. George who moved to Michigan gan. with his parents. Michael Helmer 5. Joseph Christopher, born Septem ber 8, 1829. Sponsor Catharine Cox. Michael Helmer5, George P.4, Phil ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl married Elizabelth Helmer Mary Conderman (Countryman). Mi Elizabeth Helmer5, George P.4, Phil chael Helmer located in the Town of ip P.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born Fremont, Steuben County, N. Y. September 5, 1794. She was confirmed Michael Helmer and his wife Mary as a member of the Herkimer Re Countryman were the parents of elev formed Church on September ·30, 1810, en children, the first two being born at the age of 16 years. She married at Herkimer: PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 45 1. Adam, born November 9, 1822. Easterbr,ook were the parents of a Spons,::irs Philip G. Helmer and Mag son: dalena Schumacher, uncle and aunt. 1. Abial E. 2. Elizabeth, born March 29, 1825. Nicholas Helmer and his second Sponsors Nicholas Smith and Ger wife had children but names are not trude Helmer, his wife. known. 3. George. 4. Catharine. Augustinus Helme·r 5. Roby. Augustinus (Tenus) Helmer5, Geo. 6. Mary Ann. P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, . 7. Jacob. was born January 10, 1803. Married 8. Harriet M. May 18, 1823, Dorothy Petry, daugh 9. Michael M. ter of Richard Petry and his wife 10. Cyrus C. Elizabeth E,i.seman. Their first twc 11. Benjamin, who died young. children were born at Fairfield, N. Y. Later they moved to Ad-ams, Jeffer Charity Helmer son county, N. Y. They had several Charity (Gertrude) Helmer5, Geo. children the names of ,only two be P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, ing known. was born about 1799. · She was con They were the parents of two firmed as a member of the Herkimer diaughters: Reformed Church in 1816 at the age 1. Catharine Elizabeth, born April of 17 years. She married June 8, · 16, 1824. Sponsors Nicholas Helmer 1823, Nicholas Smith, Jr., son of and Elizabeth Helmer, unmarried. Nicholas Smith and Apollonia, his 2. Axianna, born December 2, 1828. wife. Charity Helmer and her husband Sponsors Philip Helmer and Madlene, Nicholas Smith, Jr., lived at Herki his wife. mer. They were the parents of three Anna Helm~r children: 1. George, born November 23, 1823. Anna (Nan~y) Helmet'->, George P.4, Sponsors Joseph Smith and Anna Philip· F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was Helmer, unmarried. born at Herkimer December 3, 1804. She married George Stevens and lived 2. Elizabeth, who never married. at Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y. 3. Nicholas born May 4, 1830. Pro 4 They were the parents of several bably died young. Sponsors at his children,the name ,of one son being: baptism Jacob Falk and Mary Helmer 1. George, Jr. who died in the Civil Nfoholas Helmer War. Nicholas Helmers, George P. 4, Phil Ma·ry Helmer ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born Mary {Maria) Helmer5, George P.4, about 1801. He was confirmed as a Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was member of the Herkimer Reformed born Jianuary 19, 1808, at Herkimer. Church in 1816 at the age of 15 years. She married November 6, 1832, Peter He married (1st) Roby Easterbrook. Dygert, son of Henry Dygert and his They owned a farm at Antwerp, Jef wife Barbara Schell. The witnesses ferson county, N. Y. He married sec- at their marriage were Ludovik Hel !>lld, wife's name unknown. mer of Fairfield and Henry Helmer Nicholas Helmer and his wife Roby of Newport. Mary Helmer and her 46 THE HELMER FAMILY husband Peter Dygert moved to Onei Catharine Helmer da county, N. Y. Catharine Helmer5, George P.4, Mary Helmer and her husband Pet Philip F.3, Frederick2, Phlipl was er Dygert were the parents of three sons: born March 17, 1813 at Herkimer. She was confirmed -as a member of the 1. George. Herkimer Reformed Church on Octo 2. Norman. ber 2, 1830, at the age of 17 years. She 3. William. married November 13, 1831, John A. Folts5 whose ancestry was Conrad4, Benjamin Helmer Melchert3, Johan Conrad2, Melchertl. BenJamin Helmert>, George P.4, John A. Folts was born about 1811. Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was They were the parents of two born at Herkimer November 4, 1809. children: Died at Almond, Allegany County, N. 1. A daughter who died in infancy. Y. in February, 1884. He married Feb 2. George Philo (usually called Phi ruary 27, 1834 Elizabeth (Betsy) lo) who died about 1911 at Herkimer. Schell, born 1817, daughter of John He was the founder of the Folts Mis Schell, .Jr. and his wife Anna Hilts. sion Instituate at Herkimer. Elizabeth Schell was a descendant of Christian Schell of Revolutionary Timothy Helmer fame. Timothy Helmer5, Peter P.4, Philip Benjamin Helmer and his wife F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born moved fr.om Herkimer to Stone Mills, about 1802. He died August 4, 1853. Jefferson county, N. Y. about the year He was confirmed as a member of 1837. They lived at Stone Mills for the Herkimer Reformed Church at about eighteen years ,and in 1855 mov the age of 15 years on October 26, ed to the Town of Almond, Allegany 1817. He married Catharine Kast, a county, N. Y. Both are buried at Al- sister of George Kast. mond. All their children were born They were the parents of seven in Jefferson county. children: They were the parents of six child 1. Simon, born November 18, 1822. ren: Sponsors Margaret Helmer and Con rad Cast (Kast), unmarried. 1. Mary born April 10, 1837 in the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County. 2. Sanford, born May 28, 1824. Baptized at Herkimer January 20, Sponsors Adam Hyser and Delia Cast, 1839. Sponsors parents. Mary Helmer unmarried. married A. J. Radle ,and lived at Hor 3. Joseph, born January 22, 1826, nell, Steuben county, N. Y. Sponsors Thomas Cast and Anna Hel 2. Isaac lived ,at Almond, Allegany mer. county, N. Y. 4. A M•argaret Helmer Mary Dygeirt Margaret Helmer5, Peter P.4, Philip Mary Dygert6, Elizabeth Helmers, F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born May George P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, 22, 1803. She was confirmed as ,a Philip! was born January 13, 1813. member of the Herkimer Reformed She married November 6, 1832, Math Church at the age of 15 years on Oc eis Helmer, born about 1810, son of tober 26, 1817. She married January Philip Helmer, Jr. They lived at Mo 4, 1824, Jacob L. Herder, son of Lau hawk, Herkimer county, N. Y. rence L. Herder and Margaret Piper, No record ,of children. his wife. Witness at their marriage was NichoLas Helmer. George Smith No record of children. George Smith6, Charity Helmers, George P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Catharine Helmer Philipl was born November 23, 1823. Catharine Helmer5, Peter P.4, Phil He married Catharine Dygert, daugh ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born ter of Peter Dygert and Catharine March 8, 1805. She married September Hess, his wife. They lived at Herki• 4, 1825, Jacob L. Herder, son of Lau mer. rence F. Herder and Catharine Web No record of children. er, his wife. Abfal E. Helmer N,o record of children. Abial E. Helmer6, Nicholasa, Geo. Maria Helmer P.4:, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, lived in the vicinity of Antw.erp, J ef Maria Helmer5, Peter P.4, Philip ferson county, N. Y. His wife's name F.3, Frederick'2, Philipl was born Feb is not known. ruary '21, 1811. She married January They had one daughter: 12, 1832 John J. Herder born about 1. Sara who miarried James McIn 1812, son of Jacob Herder and Miad tosh, who lived at Ogdensburg, N. Y. lene McComb,\, his wife. No record of children. Simon Helmeir Susanna Helmer .Simon Helmer6, Timothy.1ii, Philip P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl Susanna Helmer5, Peter P.11, Philip was born November 18, 1822 at Her F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born Ju kimer. He married Sarah E. Stearns. ly 21, 1819. She married October 29, Simon Helmer was a carpenter by 1843, George Huyk (Hauck) son of trade and lost his life through a faul 'Gerrit Huyk and Madlene Cash ty scaffold which gave way with him. :(Cast?) his wife. He lived .at Herkimer. No record ,of children. Simon Helmer and his wife :Sarah Note-The Herkimer Reformed E. Stearns were the parents of six Church record is in error in stating cbildren, according to •an old letter that Susanna Helmer was the daugh written over twenty years ·a,g,o. This ter of Peter P. Helmer and Miargaret letter was very difficult to read, and Domb (Thum) deceased. Her parents the names of the children are very were Peter P. Helmer and :Margaret hard to make out and :subject to pos Dygert and her grandparents were sible correction. Wm.iam Dygert and Agnes Thum. They w:ere; 48 THE HELMER FAMILY 1. G. _M. (initials only were given) pensions as they wer~ purely State who in 1908 was proprietor of the organizations. If the claimant had Herkimer Mills, Mill street, Herki served in the New York Line of Con mer, wholesale and retail dealer of tinental Troops, he had less difficulty flour, feed, ec. Also bad branch stores in proving his service, being under at Newport -and Poland, N. Y. Ac the direction of Continental authori cording to the old letter he married ties and not under the control of the Laura Brown or a similar name, State. which was very difficult to make out. Church Records Lost 2. Aaron. 3. Willard. The pension application of the wi 4. Laurence F. or Florence F. who dow consists of her own affidavit married a Cristman . and sixteen other affidavits in sup 5. Fannie E. who married Josiah port of her application. She stated Mock. that her husbands' commission had 6. Lewis. been lost or destroyed so that it could not be produced. She also said CHAPTER XIV that owing to the alarm and state of the times during the war, that the Lieutenant Ad-am F. Helmer in the church records were put together in Revolution. The Revolutionary to a chest or box, which was buried Scout in the ground to keep it away from Adam F. Helmer3, Frederick2, Phil the enemy. The chest and all its con ipl was born in 1754 at German Flatts tents became wet and entirely de He died in April, 1830 at Brutus, Cay stroyed so that all record of her mar uga county, N. Y. He married Febru riage had been lost, and that she was, ary 27, 1776 Anna Bellinger (daughter unable to produce evidence of hPr '>f Peter Bellinger) born about 1757. marriage. Years later the record of She died January 25, 1841 at Brutus, her m.arri-age was found in a church Cayuga county, N. Y. record. It is perhaps because this chest containing the church records Adam F. Helmer was sometimes was destroyed that there are now so called Adam or Johan Adam. He was many missing records. a Lieutenant in a Company of Rang Brant'·s Raid on Herkimer and the ers (Scouts) commanded by Captain John Breadbake (Bigbread). He liv Mohawk Valley in 1778. ed in the vicinity of Fort Dayton at a time when the country was con In a former chapter it was stated stantly kept in a state of alarm by that Adam F. Helmer was ,one -of four the Indians. The pension record of scouts sent out from German Flatts his widow Anna Bellinger soon to be about the middle of September, 1778 published in the Enterprise and to learn the _intentions of Brant who News shows many interesting events was at Unadilla preparing to make an happening during the Revolution. The attack upon the Mohawk valley. In pension record consists of seventy the Governor Clinton Papers it is pages. It shows the many difficulties stated that nine scouts were sent out encountered by those applying for at that time and that Helmer was the pensions. Those serving in the New only one who escaped to give the York State Militia had great diffi alarm. culty in establishing their claims for The party of scouts met the enemy PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 49 near what is now Edmeston in Otsego Eighty-one of these families lost county. From this place Helmer fled everything. All their houses, barns, through the forest a distance of near furniture, clothing, food, grain, cattle ly thirty miles. Just before sunset and everything had either been burn Helmer reached the settlement of ed, destroyed or carried away. They German Flatts to give the warning were destitute. All of these families that Brant and his Indians were were furnished food by an act ·Of the about to make an attack. State Legislature. Each person .over One account of this warning w-as 16 years of age was .allowed one related by an ·old lady Mrs. Cather pound of bread and ,one pound of ine Myers, who at that time was a beef per d•ay. Each child under 16 girl of ten years. She told of the years of age was allowed one-half appearance of the courageous scout pound of bread and one-half pound when he gave the alarm-his cloth of beef per day. ing torn to tatters, eyes bl-ood-shot, Thirteen other families bad lost and bleeding from the effects of the their houses and barns but had some brambles and bushes through which grain left and were put on half al he had forced his headlong flight. He lowance. his hands, face and limbs lacerated halted long enough to shout "Flee for Five other families had previously your lives! Tbe enemy are not an left the German Flatts on account of hour behind" and hurried on to the the fear of Indian and Tory raids. next house. Their houses, barns and most of their belongings had been destroyed. According i.o the Governor Clinton Papers ninety-nine families were ren In addition fifteen other families dered homeless, having lost their whose homes were not destroyed but houses, barns and most of their be were obliged to leave, were put on longings. In addition fifteen other half allowance. families living at a distance from This list was signed by the princi Fort Dayton were obliged to leave pal officers and inhabitants of the their homes. In all 698 persons were German Flatts: :.--.:-,ade homeless the night of Septem Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieut. Col. ber 17, 1778. Of these 376 were child Frederick Bellinger, Capt. Henry Her ren less than 16 years of age. der, Justice William Petri, Capt. The inhabitants barely had time to Frederick Gettman, Lieut, Adam Hel reach the fort before the attack. mer and Frederick Franck. Thanks to the warning of the courag Another record states that 63 hous eous scout Ad-am F 13:elmer only two es, 59 harns, 3 grist mills, and 2 saw persons lost their lives. mills with all their contents were In the "Pu1>lic Papers of George burned and that 235 horses, 229 cattle, Clinton, · First Gnvernor of New 269 sheep and 93 oxen had been killed York" under date of November 28, or driven away. What terrible suffer- 1778 is published a list entitled "The ings they endured! Sufferers of German Flatts." There are many descendants of the This list comprised one hundred Mohawk Valley whose ancestors were :and fourteen families of German saved from a midnight massacre thru Flatts and vicinity that had suffered the courage of Adam F. Helmer, the in the destruction of September 17, Revolutionary scout. The destiny of 1778. the entire settlem,ent would have 50 THE HELMER FAMILY been different had that warning not er, in support of the application f.or been given. pension of the widow of Adam F. Hel mer, as follows: Revolutionary Ser-vice "Piper testifies to an impossibility The affidavits accompanying the when he has Adam Helmer in -action pension application of his widow show at Oriskany, for the evidence shows that he had several periods of enlist him indisputably to have been de ment. In the early part of the year spatched by Herkimer the night of 1777 he entered service as a Lieuten the 5th, to have arrived at the fort ant and served for a period of nine six miles west of the battlefield on months. Again in the winter or the 6th before the battle was much spring of 1778 he entered the service more than f.airly joined and to have •as a Lieutenant and served nine rema;u.ed there until midnight of the months or until about January 1, 1779. 7th.' Carried Messages to Fort Stanwbc There i? a..111pie proof that Adam Helmer v. as at the Battle of Oris In an affidavit furnished by An kany. drew Piper accompanying the pension application of the widow of Adam F. The affidavit of Andrew Piper Helmer mention is made of the three states "That the company of Rang scouts who were sent out the night of ers and Militia in which this depo the 5h ,of August, 1TI7, by General nent (Piper) and the said Adam serv Herkimer with a mesasge to Colonel ed were both engaged in the Oriskany Willett at F·ort Stanwix. The three Battle when this deponent recollects scouts were Adam Helmer, Marks distinctly seeing the said Adam Hel Demuth and Handyfoot Folts. The mer in the ranks." name "Handyfoot" was probably a An affidavit -of another pensioner, nickname of Han Yost Folts. These P~ter Flagg, states that "said Ad.am scouts carried the message to Colonel Helmer was not in the service of the Willett that General Herkimer was said Battle with General Herkimer's marching to the relief of Fort San men, yet he accompanied Col. Willett wix with a force of 800 men. The and his men from Fort Stanwix and force at Fort Stanwix was about 600, was in the said Battle and -attack up commanded by Colonels Willett and on the enemy with Col. Willett as the Ganesvoort. deponent has always been informed St. Leger had been joined by Sir and believed and still believes." John Johns-on and Colonel John But An affidavit of a third pensioner, ler, with their Loyalist followers and Peter Fox, states that "he (Helmer) a force of Indian warriors led by Jo sallied forth with Willett and his men seph Brant. With an army of 1,700 into the Indian camp. They broke St. Leger laid siege to F,ort Stanwix them up; took all from them, ammu and the garrison was in grave dan nition •and everything that was worth ger. carrying away and returned to the There has been some controversy fort without losing ,a man.'' whether Adam F. Helmer participat A letter written by A. Mann, Jr. of ed in the Battle of Oriskany. An ar Frankf.ort, N. Y., February 1839, to ticle appeared in the Rome, N. Y. the Commisisoner of Pensions, says "Sentinel" about two years · ago in re "Both tradition and testimony concur gard to an affidavit furnished by An- that as a Lieutenant he (Adam F. drew Piper, a Revolutionary pension- Helmer) went on the authority of PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 51 Gen. Herkimer from the German Indian attacks. No w.onder they Flatts to carry a message through fought with such vengeance. the ranks of St. Leger's and John The pensi,on record states that son's army to Fort Stanwix while it Helmer was compelled to wade the was beseiged before the Battle of river, puttiing the messages in his Oriskany to Col. Willett and suc hat to keep them dry. At other times ceeded in reaching the fort from the pension record shows several which he (Helmer) sallied forth with battles with the Indians. In one of Willett's men to the rescue of Herki these battles Helmer shot an Indian, mer's forces which had fallen into b~aking his leg, but discovered the a.n ambuscade-" Indian still intended to shoot him. As Here are three affidavits. and one the Indkm was fixing bis gun to letter all stating that Adam F. Hel ;hoot, Helmer sprang upon the In mer, after carrying messages fr-om dian and attempted to take the gun General Herkimer to Colonels Ganse away. Unab!e to do this Helmer grab VQ.ort Willett at Fort Stanwix, and bed the Indian's tomahawk and kill sallied forth with Colonel Willett's ed him. force which attacked the rear of the enemy, putting them to flight. While Captain Hans Marcus Demuth was he was not with General Herkimer's badly wounded _in the Revolution. force at the beginning of the battle Han Yost Folts, the third scout, be was with Col. Willett's force in had a hand to hand fight with five attacking the enemy from the rear. Indian chiefs waist deep in the water of the West Canada creek -on July 9, The Three Scouts, Capt. Hans Mar- 1779. These chiefs had attendect a .cus Demuth, Lt. Adam F. Hel council -at Johnson Hall and bad left mer and Han Yost Folts in great rage. On their return trip In many affidavits accompanying t0 Canada, they encountered Folts. In foe pensi,on application of Anna Bel the terrific hand to hand fighting .Unger, widow of Adam F. Helmer, Folts killed the five Indian chiefs, we find testimonials as to bis char but was himself badly wound.ed. The :u.:ter and integrity, that he was al friends and relatives of Folts fished ways :among the for.emost in resisting the five bodies from the creP.k -and and pursuing the enemy and -a leader prese::ited Folts with an the trophies when there was danger. Three times lxirne by the chiefs. bis house and all his be1ongings were Adam F. Helmer and his three :burned by 'the enemy. brothers were soldiers ln the Revolu '.I'he three scouts sent out by Gen. tion. One .br.O:ther Captain Frederick •er.al Herkimer on the night of Au F. Helmar was killed at the Battle .,::,f .gust 5, 1777 were Captain Hans Mar Oriskany. .Another brother Lieuten ·cus De:nuth, Lieutenant Adam F. ::rnt Georg.e F. Helmer was wounded .Helmer and Han Yost Folts. Their in that Battle. A third brother Phil- .names should go down in American lp F. :Helm.er was also .a :soldier. ltistory as three of the greatest In Captain Frederick F. Helmer had_ ,dian figh1t.ers of -all time. These three two sons who were soldier.s in the :scouts .fr.om their childhood had Revolution. They were Frederick F. -known the terror of Indian warfare. Jr. and John F., the latter enlisting ,Many of their families and friends n.t the age of sixteen years aud ;b:.(l bec.:r:i .killed .or .taken capti:v:e in ,;e1-ving .two and one h,alf years in the 52 THE HELMER FAMILY Revolution Philip F. Helmer also Sponsors Johann Frederick Bellinger has a son George P. who was less and Magdalena, his wife. than fifteen years of age at the close 9. Maria Barbara, born about 1795. of the Revolution, but true to the 10. Eva born August 24, 1800. Spon traditions of his family, he had also sors Gradus Bohlsen and Elizabeth, been a soldier. his wife. Family of Adam F. Helmer Ma1rgaret Helme1r According to the Census of 1790 Margaret Helmer4, Adam F.3, Fred Adam F. Helmer lived in the Town erick2, Philipl was born September of German Flatts. Later for a short 9, 1778. She married George Passage time he lived in the Town of War of the Town of Warren, Herkimer ren, Herkimer county. This sec County. Both are buried in the North tion is also known as Hen Columbia Cemetery, Herkimer coun dricktown. Prior to 1812 he had ty. moved with some of his family to They were the parents of three Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y:. Two of children: his daughters had married and re 1. Henry, born Jan. 2, 1806. Spon mained in Herkimer county, but sev sors Henry Passage and Anna Hel eral of his children were married at mer his wife. Brutus. 2. Eva, born May 7, 1809. Sponsori:, Adam F. Helmer and his wife An Peter H. Eckler and Eva Helmer. na Bellinger were the parents of ten 3. Peter born January 12, 1812. children as follows: 1. J obann Frederick (known as Anna Helmer Frederick) born February 6, 1777. Anna Helmer4, Adam Jii'.3, Freder Sponsors Captain Frederick F. Hel ick2, Philipl was born October 3. mer and Elizabeth Dygert, his second 1781. She married Henry Passage of wife. Hendrickstown and Warren, Herki 2. Anna Margaretha (known as mer county, Margaret) born September 9, 1778. They were the parents of three Sponsor On January 14, 1843 Peter Helmer 1810. Sponsors William Helmer and was living at Weedsport in the Town .Elizabeth, his wife. of Brutus. At that time he wrote to 2. Daniel, born January 5, 1812. Mr. Giles F. Yates in regard to his Sponsors Adam F. Helmer and .An mother's pension application. na Bellinger, his wife. No record of his family. 3. Edwin, born December 10, 1812. Sponsors, parents. Elizabeth Helmer 4. Angelina, born December 7, 1813. Elizabeth Helmer4, Adam F.3, Sponsors Magdalena Grim and Cath Frederick!?, Philipl was born .July arine, his wife. 30, 1788. She married James Moores. 5. Timothy, born November 14, 1815. No record of children. Sponsors Henry Grim, Jr. and Cath arine, his wife. Catharine Helmer 6. Anna, born October 16, 1817. Sponsors John Grim and Eva Hel Catharine Helmer4, Adam F.3, mer of Warren. Frederick!?, Philipl was botn · October 7. Lewis, born October 31, 1819. 14, 1790. She married John Hill (Hills Sp_onsors Henry F. Helmer and Eva or Hiltz). Myers, his wife. No reoord of children. 8. Polly (Mary), born December 3, David Helmer 1824. Sponsors parents. David Helmer4, Adam F.3, Freder Peter Passage ick2, Philipl was born January 7, Peter Passage5, Margaret Helmer4, 1793. He married January 23, 1816, Adam F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was Catharine Fox, daughter of Peter born January 12, 1812. He married Fox. David Helmer and his family Harriet Ward of Columbia, Herki lived at Brutus, Cayuga County, N. Y. mer county. David Helmer and his wife Cath They were the parents of a son: arine Fox were the parents of two 1. Ward, h'lrn May 28, 1846. children, both born at Brutus. 1. Anna born August 12, 1817. -Na1rd Passage 2. Hans Adam, born July 2 (year Ward Passages, Peter5, Margaret not legible). Helmer4, Adam F.3, Frederick2, Phil l\iaria Barba-ra Helmer ipl was born May 28, 1846." He mar ried Emma Coon_ Maria Barbara Helmer-1, Adam F.3, They were the parents of a son: Frejerick2, Philipl was born about 1. Albert J. born Jan. 11, 1879. 17.95. She had probably died before It is earnestly hoped that descend 1837 as she was not mentioned in the ants of this family especially the pension application of her mother. Brutus, Cayuga county line w'Ill pre She married Paul H. Grim and lived pare additional data in order that the :at Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y. family of Adam F. Helmer may be Maria Barbara Helmer and hus- c,ompleted. 'band Paul H. Grim (Crim) were the CHAPTER XV. parents of eight children born at Brutus and all baptized at the HeT John F. Helmer in the Rev·olution .k.imer Reformed church. They were: John F. Helmer4, Captain Freder .1. Maria Margaret born July .2, ick F)\ Frederick2, PlliUpl was born 54 THE HELMER FAMILY September 3, 1765. He died at Herki cording to data obtained from old mer November 26, 1829. He married deeds John Munterbach died ·between on Easter Sunday, 1797, Margaret June 8, 1829 and April 8, 1831. His Munterbach, daughter of John Mun wife Elizabeth died after April 8, terbach and his wife Elizabeth. Mar 1831. garet Munterbach was born about 1780 and died after 1855 at Mandana, Difficulty in Obtaining· Pension Onondaga County, N. Y. and is buried John F. Helmer made three appli in the Owasco cemetery, Cayuga cations for pension. He was allowed county, N. Y. John F. Helmer is bur pension on his first application exe ied in the Oak Hill cemetery at Her cuted April 20, 1818, at which time he kimer. was fifty-three years of age. He re John F. Helmer's parents were ceived this pension for several years Captain Frederick F. Helmer and his when it was stopped for the reason first wife Sabina or Edwina--: Sa his service was performed in the bina, his mother, died when John F. State troops and not in the regular was about four or five years of age. Continental line. The regiment to His father married for his second which he belonged at one time was wife Elizabeth Dygert. Captain a part of the regular line of Conti Frederick F. was killed at the Battle nental troops, but later became a por of Oriskany August 6, 1777 when his tion of the State troops. son. John F. was a llttle less than His second application fo~ p~nsion twelve years of age. was made May 5, 1823 and his third John F. Helmer was living with application executed February 5, 18'29 his step-mother Elizabeth Dygert on requested that his pension be restor November 28, 1778, according to the ed and that all back pay under his list of refugees who lost all their be former declaration be granted. _ longings in the destruction of Ger His widow Margaret Munte,Aach man Flatts September 17, 1778. Both executed an application of pension his parents being dead, some time June 13, 1855 and had great difficul later he lived with a family by the ty in proving her marriage for the name of Burch for several years. reason the church records were lost. At the age .of sixteen years John F. Her eldest son Frederick J. Helmer Helmer enlisted at Albany, N. Y. in and several neighbors furnished affi the Spring of 1782 as a private in davits to prove her marriage. Captain Peter B. Tearse's Company An interesting letter written by in Colonel Marinus Willett's Regi Charles Gray, County Judge of 'Her ment, New York Line, and was dis kimer county, is found with the pen charged at Schenectady, N. Y., in the sion application of Margaret Munter month of J,anuary, 1784. bach. Judge Gray sent two volumes The father of Margaret Munter of the records of the Herkimer Re bach was John Munterbach, a cor formed Church by express to the poral in the Fourth Regiment, Tryon Pension Office at Washington, D. C., County Militia, during the Revolu in order to prove her marriage to tion. Prior to the Revolution he liv John F. Helmer. She was granted a ed at what is now known as East pension upon this application. She Schuyler, then the extreme western was then seventy-five years of age white settlement in the state. Ac- and lived at Herkimer. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 55 One of the affidavits of her son Frederick J. Helmer Frederick J. Helmer aids materially Frederick J. Helmer5, John4, Fred in tracing the relationship of a half erick F.S, Frederick2, Philipl, was brother of John F. Helmer. Without born December 15, 1797. He married this affidavit this relationship would January 25, 1818, Elizabeth Folts, have been difficult to determine. daughter of Jacob F,olts. They mov This affidavit refers to a certified ed from Herkimer to Mandana, On -copy of a deed filed with the pen ondaga County, N. Y. sion papers. This deed was executed They had no children, but adopted April 23, 1802 by John F. Helmer and their niece Catharine Barse, the his wife Peggy, and conveyed certain daughter of Nathaniel Barse and land to William Helmer. Margaret Helmer, both deceased. In his affidavit Frederick J. Hel mer states that William Helmer was J·ohn Helmer his uncle and a half-brother of his John Helmer5, John F.4, Frederick father, John F. Helmer: These two F.3, Frederick2, Philip'!., was born half-brothers John F. and William F. January 6, 1802. Died June 1, 1881. were the sons of Captain Frederick Married June 19, 1831 Nancy ,(Anna) F. Helmer who was twice married. Fulmer, daughter ,of Jacob C. Ful- Some time after 1855 Margaret mer and Maria Catharine Rasbach. Munterbach, widow of John F. Hel Nancy Fulmer was born December Z mer moved to Mandana, Onondaga 1806 at Shell's Bnsh, Herkimer Coun County, N. Y., with her eldest son ty, N. Y. . Died August 13, 1896. John. Frederick J. Helmer. Helmer and his wife Nancy Fulmer Children of John F. Helmer mowed from Herkimer to Steuben in 183.5 and in 1848 ,they moved to Boon John F. Helmer and his wife Mar ville, Oneida Count, N. Y~., where th~y garet Munterbach were the _parents are both buried. Maria Catharine of ten children: Rasbach's ancestors were John-3,, 1. Frederick J. born December 15, Marx2 and J-ohannesl. 1797. Sponsors Frederick :Helmer and Margaret Munterbach. The Spirit of ~76 2. A daughter who died young. 'The "Spirit .of 776" was repr.es~nt 3. John born Jan. 6, 1802. ed by the ancestors of Nancy Ful 4. Anna born Feb. '7, 1803. ·sponsors mer. Three gener-a:tions of her .an Joe. Munterbach and .Anna Helmer. cestors w.ere soldiers in the Re:volu 5. William J. born Nov. 30, 1804. tion. They were John Rasbach, her Sponsors William :Helmer and Eliza grandfather, Lieut. Marx, ner _gr.eat beth Catharine .Mayer ,(Mye,rs), his grandf,ather, and Johannes, her wife. gr.eat great grandfather, all .s.cildlers 6. Eva. 1n the Revolution. Three ·ge.ne:ca:tions in the Revolution was a w:ery 'lSnusual 7. Margaret. occurrence and ls well worth record 8. Lavina, born about 1812. ing. There are few records cf such 9. Elizabeth, born March 7, 1816. cases in the :R.e;volution. Sponsors :Frederick Reimer and Ap Nancy Fulmer's father, .Jacob C. polonia Herder. .Flllmer was a .soldier 1:n the war of 10. Catharine .bc;lrD. .aJocimt 18.J.S. 1812. Her _grandfather was Conrad 56 THE HELMER FAMILY Fulmer, a soldier in the Revolution. William J. Helmer Conrad Fulmer's wife was Elizabeth William J. Helmer5, John F.4, Hiltz, whose father Nicholas Hiltz Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was also a soldier in the Revolution. Any descendant of John Helmer was born November 30, 1804. Mar ried January 3. 1830_ Elizabeth Smith, and his wife Nancy Fulmer is en titled to join either the Daughters of daughter of Adam Smith and his the American Revolution or the Sons wife Margaret Fo~ts: · ·wnua.:tn ·J. of the American Revolution upon any Helmer and his family l~ved near Mo of the eight f.ollowing ancestors: Cap ravia, Cayuga county, N. Y. · tain Frederick F. Helmer, John F. They were parents of four children, Helmer, John Munterbach, Johannes possibly more. · Rasbach, Lieut. Marx Rasbach, John 1. Henry born Sept. 24, 1830. Spon Rasbach, Conrad Fulmer and Nicho sors Henry Hyser and Sally--, his las Hiltz. wife. 2. Margaret, born Nov. 6, 1839. Children of John Helmer Sponsors, James Forbes and Marie, John Helmer and his wife Nancy his wife. Fulmer were the parents of ten child 3. Mary Elizabeth born Sept. 9, ren: 1840, sponsors Adam Smith and Mar 1. William Jacob, born April 19, garet, his wife, uncle and aunt. Mary 1832. Sponsors Marcus Schell and Elizabeth Helmer married a man Elizabeth Fulmer, his wife. named Hiser. 2. Margaret Catharine, born Janu 4. William. ary 10, 1834. Sponsors Aaron Fulmer Eva Helme,r and Margaret Spohn, his wife. Mar garet Catharine Helmer, never mar Eva Helmer5,. John F.4, Frederick ried. Died June 23, 1918 •at Boon F.3, Frederick2, Philipl married ville, N. Y. Adam Hilts. · ·3. James Henry, born August 16, They were the parents of five 1836. Sponsors John M. Rasbach children: and Elizabeth Helmer, unmarried. 1. Permilia born March 17, 1832. J,ames Henry never married. Died Sponsors Frederick J. Helmer a:r;id February 11, 1856. Elizabeth Folts, his wife. 4. David Alonzo born August 17, 2. Margaret born Sept. 7, 1833. 1838. Sponsors Thomas Hiltz and Edwina 5. Aaron Frederick, born December Helmer. 17, 1840, at Steuben, N. Y. Baptized 3. Melissa, born Sept. 12, 1835. at Herkimer, November 6, 1841. Died Sponsors Joseph Hiltz and Elizabeth April 17, 1856. Never married. Helmer. 6. Josiah (twin) born July 13, 1843. 4. Mason. 7. Sophia (twin) born July 13, 1843. 5. Lavina, lived with •a family named Cobbs. She married a . man 8. Eli, born July 24, 1846, at Steu named Steele and lived at Water- ben, N. Y. town, N. Y. 9. Mary Elizabeth born February 5, 1849 born at Boonville, N. Y. Marg.iret Helmer 10. Fanny Lavina born August 19, Margaret Helmeru, John F.4; Fred 1852. erick F.3, Frederick2, :Phi'l'ipl, mar- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 57 ried July 3, 1828, Nathaniel Barse. children, among them being: Both Marg•aret Helmer and her hus 1. Gus. band Nathaniel Barse died when 2. Mary, who married a man named their children were quite young. Griswold. They were the parents of four 3. Benjamin. children: 1. Rudolph born Feb. 16, 1829. Spon Catha,rine Helmer sors Adam R. Barse and Maria, his Catharine Helmer5, John F.4, Fred wife. erick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was 2. J,ohn Frederick, born Sept. 25, born about 1818. She was confirmed 1830. Sponsors Frederick J. Helmer as a member of the Herkimer Re anu Eliza.beth Folts, his wife. formed Church on September 28, 1833 3. Lavina Margaret, born May 1, at the age •of 15 years. She married 1832. Sponsors Lavina Helmer and Emanuel Van Slyke and lived at Charles Barse, unmarried. Clinton. Oneida County, N. Y. 4. Catherine (Kate) born Nov. 28, They were the parents of one 183!. Sponsors Frederick J. Helmer daughter and four sons, among them and Elizabeth Folts· his wife. Cathar being: ine Barse's parents died while she was 1. Ellen who kept house for her quite young and she was adopted by father after the doo.th of her mother. her uncle and aunt Frederick J. Hel 2. John. mer and Elizabeth Folts, hls wife, who had no children of their own. Wimam J. Helmer They lived at Mandana, On,ondaga County, N. Y. William J. Helmer6, John5, John F.4, Frederick F ..3, Frederick2, Phil Lavina Helmer ipl was born April 19, 1832. He died March 6, 1905. He married Margaret Lavina Helmers John F.4, Freder Lucinda Schell, the daughter of Mark ick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born Schell and granddaughter of John about 1812. She was confirmed as a Schell. Margaret Lucinda ScheU member of the Herkimer Reformed died in November, 1917. They moved Church on September 29. 1832 •at the to Moravia, Cayuga county, N. Y. age of 20 years. She married William They were the parents of two Baldee and lived near Columbia, Her children: kimer county. 1. William. They were the parents of two daughters: 2. Ida. 1. Nancy who married Philip Davjd A. He1mer 'Spohn. David A. Helmer6, John5, J"ohn 2. Mary who married Jeremiah F.4. Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Phil Sp,ohn. ip~ was born August 17, 1838. Died Elizabeth Helmer at Herkimer November 1:6, 1905. He married March 19, 1867 Fanny E Elizabeth Helmer5, John F.4, Fred Edick, daughter of Jaoob Edick and erick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was Almira Young. Fanny E. Edick was born March 7, 1816. She married born November 5, 1843 and died at Randolph Harris and lived at New Mohawk, N. Y. August 31, 1.9.27. They port, N. Y. lived at Moravia, Cayuga county, N. They were :the parents of seven Y. sever.al :ye.ars.. 58 THE HELMER FAMILY Fanny Edick, widow of David A. He was mustered out of service May Helmer, married (2nd) Philip H. 30, 1865, at Annapolis, Maryland. Spohn October 20, 1908 and lived at After the Civil War he became a Columbia, Herkimer county. No farmer near Boonville. After the children by her second marriage. death of his wife he removed to David A. Helmer and his wife Fan Boonville and carried passengers ny E. Edick were the parents ,of from there to Moose River and Old eight children: Forge and the north woods, during 1. John Philo born in Sempronius, the time when there was no travel Cayuga county. except by buckboard and horsebaclc. 2. Clinton Henry, born in Kelloggs He kept several saddle horses for ville, Cayuga county and died at the ladies and sick people who went to age of ten years at Moravia, Cayuga the Adirondacks for their health. county. Later he became a successful guide 3. Rhoda Nancy, born in Columbia, and while acting in this capacity was Herkimer county. ? drowned in Fourth Lake, Fulton 4. Eli Harvey born in Moravia, Chain of Lakes, May 29, 1893. Cayuga county. Jo!':dah Helmer and his wife Flora 5. Catharine Ann born in Venice, Grant were the parents of two child Cayuga county. ren: 6. Ally May born in Venice, Cayu ga county. 1. N0llie. 7. Hattie Fanny born in Moravia, 2. Francis who was accidentally Cayuga county. shot and died December 14, 1892, at 8. Warren David, born in German the age of 17 years. Flatts, Herkimer county. Sophia Helmer Josiah Helmer Sophia HelmerG, John5, John F.4, Josiah HelmerG, John5, John F.4, f,l"'rederick F.3, Frederick2, Philip1, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born at Steuben, N. Y., July 13, was born at Steuben, N. Y. July 13, 1843. Now in her eighty-eighth ye.'.lr 1843. He had a twin sister Sophia. she is living with her daughter at He died May 29, 1893. He married Sloansville, Schoharie county, N. Y. Dec. 9, 1868 Flora Augusta Grant, She married April 7, 1869, Edward born Oct. 2, 1844, died October 6, Manning, born June 10, 1844, who 1875, daughter of Nelson Grant and died July 3, 1895. Philora Celestine Munn. Sophia Helmer and her husband Josiah Helmer enlisted in the Civil Edward Manning were the parents War August 29, 1862, at Boonville, of two daughters: to serve for three years. He was 1. Estella May. mustered in as private in Co. D. 146th 2. Martha Ella. New York Regiment October 10, 1862. Eli Helmer Promoted to Corporal. He was at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, Eli Helmerll-, John5, John F.4, 1863. He was wounded and captured Frederick F.3, Frederick::?, Philipt. in action May 5, 1864 at the Battle was barn at Steuben, N. Y., July 24, of the Wilderness in Virginia. With 1846. He died July 27, 1907 at Sav other Union soldiers he was confined annah,. Georgia, and is buried .at in Florence Prison f.or seven months. Boonville, N. Y. He married Eliza- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 59 MR. AND MRS. GEORGE P. NOBLE OF BOONVILLE, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Noble celebrated their great granddaughter of Capt. J::'rc,1- Golden Wedding Anniversary June erick F. Helmer killed at Oriskany. 2nd, 1930 at Boonville at which time Mr. Noble is 86 and his wife is 82 the above likeness was published in She is a real granddaughter of the the Boonville Herald. Mrs. Noble Revolution. Cut furnished through was Mary Elizabeth Helmer, a grand- courtesy of Boonville Herald. daughter of John F. Helmer and a beth Putnam, born 1859. died May 17, husband George P. Noble celebrated 1894. their golden wedding anniversary at They were the parents of one son: Boonville on June 2, 1930. Their en 1. Walter. tire married life of fifty-one years has been spent at Boonville in the Mary t:.11zabe!th Helmer same house to which she came as a Mary Elizabeth Helmerfi, Johnri, bride. Eight of her ancestors were John F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Philipl was born at Boonville, N. Y. February 5, 1849. She .married June June 2nd is an important date in 2, 1880 George Payne Noble, bom the Noble family. In addition to its June 2, 1845. They are now living at being their wedding anniversary Mr. Boonville, N. Y. Noble was 86 years of age on that Mary Elizabeth Helmer and her date. Their only son was born on 60 THE HELMER FAMILY the same eventful day and it is also 1. Anna Dell. his wedding anniversary. 2. Mina Estella, a teacher· in the George P. Noble's grandfather, Boonville, N. Y. high school. Reuben Noble and his family came 3. Georgia Pearl, a teacher in the from Massachusetts to Boonville in Albany, N. Y. hi&"h school. 1809 and were among its first set 4. Chauncey H. tlers. Fanny Lavina Helmer Mr. Noble's parents were Chauncey Noble and Angeline Payne who in Fanny Lavina Helmer6, John5, 1840 went to Illinois in -a covered John F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, wagon. In 1844 they returned to New Philipl, was born August 19, 1852. York State and located at Depau Died August 29, 1884. Married about ville, Jeff~rs,on county, where Mr. 1871 George Seiter, born March 24, Noble was born. 1845, died September 2, 1923. They liv In 1858 Mr. Noble with his parents ed at Boonville and are buried in the came to Boonville. In 1859 his father cemetery there. built the house in which Mr. and They were the parents of four Mrs. Noble are now living. Mr. No children: ble has lived in this house for sixty 1. Anna. two years. 2. George. Mr. Noble is a veteran of the Civil 3. John. War. He enlisted and served in Co. 4. Rose. E. ,of the Tenth New Y:ork Heavy Melissa Hilts Artillery. He was mustered out •at Petersburg, Va. and received his dis Melissa HiltsO, Eva Helmer5, John charge with his regiment at Sacketts F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Phil Harbor, N. Y., on June 7, 1865. He ipl was born September 12, 1835, at was a member of Wheelock Post Herkimer. Married J,ob Meeker and No. 97, G. A. R., serving as its Com lived at Boonville, N. Y. mander for several years. He was They were the parents of four president of the village of Boonville children: a number of terms. He is a member 1. George. of Boonville Lodge, No. 165, F. & A. 2. Charles. M. 3. Polly. Mr. Noble's ancestors were all 4. Flora. from New England. On the Noble William Helmer side he can trace back to Deacon William Helmer7, William J.6, Samuel Chapin who came to America John5, John F.4, Frederick F.3, Fred before 1642 and was one of the erick2, Philipl married Mary Jane f,ounders of Springfield, Mass. On Bissel. the Payne side he traces back to El They had no children. der William Brewster and his wife Mary who came over on the May Ida Helmer flower and landed at Plymouth Rock Ida Helmer7, William J.6, J.ohn5, in 1620. Several of his ancestors John F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, fought in the Revolution. PhilipI, married Emmory Reed. Mary Elizabeth Helmer and her They are the parents of three sons, husband George P. Noble are the among them being: parents of four children: 1. Emmory, Jr. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS John P. !1-felmer 2. Glen Howard. 3. Byron J-erry, who died young. .John P. Helmer7, David A.t>, Johnu, 4. Myrtle, who died young. John F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, 5. Jerry. Phiilpl married Mary Jane Bissell, 6. Rober:t Murle. widow of William Helmer, who was 7. Frank11n B. the son of William J. Helmer and :Margaret Lucinda Schell. Ally M. Helmer They are the parents of two d.augl!J.- Ally M. Helmer7, David A.~, .Johni, 11:.ers: .J,ohn F.ll, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, married Everett .J. Harter. 1.. Anna Elizabeth who died young. They are now living at J ordanville, 2. Irene Frances who married Seth Herkimer county, N. Y~ Cuykendall and is now living at .Sol They are the parents of two sons: vay, Onondaga County, N. Y. 1. Harold Norman, who married Mabel Filkins, daughter of Berton .Rboda N. H.elme.r Filkins and grandwwghter of Frank Rhoda N. Helmer7., David A.,G, Filkins a:nd his wife Elizabeth. Her .Johnu, J,ohn F.4., Frederick F ..3, Fr.e.d great grandfather J o1m Filkins mar erick2, Philipl married Byron A. ried Delina Eck:er, born :May 4, 1815. Delina Ecker otherwise known as Cristman ,and is now Uving at Mo "Gr.andma" Filkins died December 4, hawk, Herkimer county, N. Y. 1928, at the advanced age ,of 113 They are the parents of one daugh years and 7 months at the home of ter: ber son at Jordanville, N. Y. This 1. Pearl Mae who married Leroy family was noted for its longevity. Wilbur Holmes. Delina Ecker's parents were Willi-am Ecker and .Susanna Harwick. Eli H. Helmer William Ecker was born July 11, .Eli H. Helmer'.i, David A:G, John5, 1782, and died in 1879 -at the age of .John F.4, Frederick F.3 Frederick2, 97 years. William Ecker's parents Philipl, married Lulu Moyer and is were Johannes Ecker, born in 1734 now living at Mohawk, N. Y. and his wife Anna E. Dockstader They are the parents -of three wbo were married May 4, 1763. '<:1iildren: 2. Warren Leroy, who married Alta 1. Marion Elizabeth who married Evelyn Parker ai Missoula, Monta- Eliis Zimmerman. ·na. They aire no.w :Jiving at ·Spokane, 2. George W. who married Ethe1 Washington. nuth Beeching. Hattie F . .H.etme:r 3. Lewis Henry. Hattie F. Helmer7, r>a-v1d A. Warren D. Helmer Fero and is now living. near Rural Gvove, Montgomery County," N. Y. Warren D. Helmer7, David A.6, No children. John5, John F.4, Frederick F.3, Fred erick2, Philipl, married (1st) Satie W,alter Helmer Reed and (2nd) Constance Mary Case. Lived at Lincoln, Nebraska. Walter Helmer7, Eli6, John5, John Children by the first marriage: F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Phil 1. Lyna Mae. ipl married Pearl Jackson who died October 27, 1907 at Boonville, N. •Y. 2. Arbutus Mary. They were the parents of one Nellie Helmer son: 1. Lyle. Nellie Helmer7, Josiah6, John5, John F.4, Frederick F.3, Frederick2, Anna Dell Noble Philipl, married Jarvis D. Curtiss. Anna Dell Noble7, Mary Elizabeth Now living at Richland, Oswego Helmer6, John5, John F.,4, Freder County, N. Y. ick F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, married They are the parents of a daugh Pascoe W. Williams, son of John G. ter: Williams and his wife Anne A. Wil-' 1. Frances Sylvia, who married Iiams of Steuben, Oneida County. N. Anthony Eugene Vunk, now living at Y. They are now living at Albany, Johnstown, N. Y. N. Y. They are the parents of three Estella M. Manning children: Estella M. Manning7, Sophia Hel 1. Dorothy Louise, who was gradu mer6, John5, John F.4, Frederick F.S, ated from Russell Sage College at Frederick2, Philipl, was born at Troy, N. Y., in the class of 1929. Boonville, N. Y. She married (1st) 2. Noble Stanton, who was gradu January 12, 1898 Albert B. Vunk, ated with the degree of civil engi who died October 1, 1900. They lived neering from the Rensselaer Poly at Charleston, Montgomery County, technic Institute at Troy, N. Y. in N. Y. She married (2nd) March 31, the class of 1929. -1913, James Peterson, who died May 3. Marjorie Frances who will be 7, 1915. She married (3rd) Frank graduated from the Milne High Burch and they ,are now living at School at Albany, N. Y., in June, Sloansville, Schoharie Oounty, N. Y. 1930 and who will enter Russell Sage Children by the first marriage: College at Troy, N. Y. next Septem 1. Ada Mae, who married Leland ber. Everson, now living near Charles Chauncey H. N·oble ton, N. Y. 2. Anthony Eugene, who married Chauncey H. Noble7, Mary Eliza Frances Sylvia Curtiss, now living at beth Helmer6, Johna, John F.4, Fred Johnstown, N. Y. erick F.3, Frederick2, Philipi, mar ried Many Oliver Van Allen, daugh Martha E. Manning ter of Rev. Harry J. Van Allen :,and his wife Jessie Ada. Oliver. Martha E. Manning7, Sophia Hel mer6, John5, John F.4, Frederick F.3, Chauncey H. Noble is a veteran of Frederick2, Philipl, married Charles the World War. He enlisted at B~f- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 63 falo, N. Y., in the 102nd Engineers. That he continued to serve in said He went with his regiment to the company and regiment on the conti Mexican border in 1916. He served in nental establishment and against the France with his regiment for ten common enemy from his fir!t enlist months, returning to the United ment until after the close of the Re States in 1919. volutionary War, to wit, until the Chauncey H. Noble and his wife month of January, seventeen hun Mary Oliver Van Allen are the par dred and eighty-four, when he was en ts •Of one son: honorably discharged at Schenectady, l. Allen George. in the State aforesaid. Th-at his discharge was signed by CHAPTER XV1 Col. Willett and by Pliny Moore, as Adjutant. John F. HeJmer in the Revolution That he, the said John, about First Application for Pension the year 1810 entrusted his said dis charge with one William Dexter, who State of New York is now deceased, and that since the Herkimer County death of said Dexter, the said John hath endeavored in vain to discover On this twentieth day of April, one what hath been done with said dis thousand eight hundred and eighteen charge -or whether tb.e same be now before me, David Holt, one of the in existence. Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County afore That he, the said John, was in sev said, personally appeared John F. eral skirmishes, but in no important Helmer aged fifty-three years, resi battle with the -enemy. dent in the Town of Herkimer in That he is in reduced circumstanc the County and State af.oresaid to es, and stands in need of the assis me well known, who being by m.e tance of his country for support. first duly sworn., according to law;, And that be has no other evi doth on his oath make the following dence now 'in his possession of his declaration in order to -ob:tain the services 'than this, his own declara _provision made :by the late Act of tion ,and the affidavit of Peter W. Congress entitled "An Act to pro:vide Dygert, which is hereunbo annexed., for certain persons engaged in the and the said John hereby relinquish .land and naval service of the United es all c1aim to .any J>ension heretofore .States in the Revolutionary War." allowed him by the laws of the Unit That the said John .enlisted as .a ed Stales.. _private soldier -at Albany in the .State .John F. Helmer.. -of New York in the :Spring .of the Sworn .to and declared befoFe year seventeen hundred and eighty me the day and year afo:::e two, in Captain Tearne's Company of saio. Infantry in the Regiment comm-ana. ·navm ·Holt. ed by Col. Marinus Willett, in the 'Sec Margaret 7th, Lavina 8th, Elizabeth er and the family on the said farm 9th and Catharine 10th. and from his childhood reco·uection That Margaret Helmer, whose de of occurrences while living on said claration is hereunto annexed and farm, he has no doubt that he and which he has heard is his mother and his father and the family were living that John Helmer is his father. on said farm at the time of the con veyance thereof by his father and (Signed) Frederick J. Helmer. mother to William HcI-r:1er, the gran tee in the said deed mentioned, that CHAPTER XVIII. the said William Helmer, the said grantee, was his uncle and a half John F. Helmer in the Revolutio-n brother .of his father and that from the time of the purchase of said Second affidavit of Frederick J. farm owned and lived on said farm Helmer, the son, to prove the mar until about twenty years ago when riage of his parents and his own age. he sold it to Christopher C. Bellinger State of New York ) who now owns -and lives on it and County of Herkimer ) that the said William Helmer is now dead, having died several years ago, Frederick J. Helmer of Herkimer and he further says that he has al in the said County of Herkimer be ways understood from his parents ing .duly sworn. says that he -is son that he was born ,and lived on said of John Helmer who w.as -known as farm until it was sold to his uncle John F. Helmer in his life time and William Helmer. of Margaret Helmer, the widow of John, who is an applic•ant for a pen Frederick J. Helmer. sion fur the Revolutionary services Subscribed and sworn to before me of the said John, her husband. In the 17th day of September, 1855. respect to his age he now verily b'e David Rasbach, lieves that he was born either in the Justice of Peace. year 1796 or 1797. When a minor he was apprenticed to George J. Hiltz. Affidavit of George J. Hilts in support of the pension application of And he further says that John F. Margaret Munterbach. widow of John Helmer and Peggy, his wife, named F. Helmer, Sept. 17, 1855. as grantors in the deed, a certified George J. Hilts of Herkimer say~ copy whereof is hereunto also an that he is seventy years old and is nexed, are his f.ather and mother and well acquainted with Frederick J. the identical John Helmer and Mar Helmer in the preceding annexed af garet Helmer, hereln before mention fidavit mentioned and that he has ed, that Margaret and Peggy is the also been acquainted with John F. same name, and that his f.ather John Helmer, his father, who is dead and Helmer was married but once and with Margaret Helmer, his wife, and never had any other wife than the who is still living; that the said John mother of him. and said Margaret for many years He says he is well acquainted· with before his death and from his earliest the farm and premises described and recollections of them lived and co annexed by the said deed and he re habited together as man and wife members distinctly when a little boy and were believed so to be and that his living with his father and moth- they raised a large family of child- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 69 ren together, and that since the whole life time liV'ed in the said death of the said John, the said town and county ,of Herkimer, and Margaret has not been again married that from his infancy until the death and that she is now a widow; that of John Helmer, he was well ac the said Frederick J. Helmer, when quainted with John Helmer, who a youth of about 13 years old was was the s.on of Frederick Helmer. bound by himself and his father, the And who from the time that this .said John Helmer, to him as an ap deponent became acquainted with prentice to serve until he was 21 him until his death lived in the said years old. Town of Herkimer or within •a few And he fudher says that he was miles of Herkimer where he died and acquainted with the said John F. was buried over tw.. nty years ago; Helmer and Margaret, his wife, when that the said John Helmer was for they lived on the farm and the land merly the owner of a farm about conveyed by them to William Hel half a mile above the Village of Her mer in and by deed, a copy of which kimer on which he and his family is hereunto annexed and mentioned. with whom this deponent has also And he remembers that they lived been well acquainted were living in on the said farm and that they sold the years 1800, 18-01, 1802 and 1803. the same to William Helmer, who That he knows and remembers was a brother of the said John, and that the said John and his family that at the time of the sale to the were living on said farm at the time said William they were living on the mentioned from the fact the said said farm and that they with their farm was in the immediate neighbor family had lived on the said farm foor hood and less than a quarter of a several years before the sale. mile distant of the farm owned by And he remembers that shortly af Jacob G. Weber for whom this de ter the sale of the said farm they nent w.orked at farming in the said moved on a farm at Germantown a years aforesaid; that he this depo few miles above the village of Her nent was hired to and labored for kimer wherie the said John had the said Jacob G. Weber for over bought a farm and lived f,or some three years during and in the said time. several years; that during the said (Signed) George J. Hilts. time and prior thereto he was ac Affid-avit of George L. Harter in quainted also with Margaret Helmer support of the pension application of the wife of said John whose maiden Margaret Munterbach, widow of name was Margaret Munterbach and J,ohn F. Helmer. during the said years af,oresaid and State of New York ) for several years previous thereto County of Herkimer ) the said John and the said Margaret On this 13th day of August, A. D., lived together at the same place and 1855, personally appeared before me, on the said farm aforesaid as man a Justice of the Peace in said County and wife and were reputed so to be; George L. Harter, resident of the and that they continued so to live T,own of Herkimer in said County and to be reputed until the death ,of and State aforesaid, who being duly the said John as aforesaid; and that sworn according to law, did depose they raised a large family of child and swear that he was seventy years ren and had several to the certain old and was born and during his knQwledge of this deponent during 70 THE HELliER FAMILY the time he so lived with and labored of Herkimer in the County and State for the said Jacob G. Weber. aforesaid. George L. Harter. That he remembers well the fact Subscribed and sworn to this 13th of their having children when he so day of August, 1855. worked for th'.e said Weber and he Affidavit of John Harter in sup particularly remembers that Freder port of the pension applic-ation of ick J. Helmer, who w.as the oldest of Margaret Munterbach, widow of their children, was in the habit of John F. Helmer. coming into the field of the said Ja State of New York ) cob G. Weber where he, this depo County -of Herkimer ) nent, was plowing with a wheel plow John Harter of Herkimer in said and that this deponent placed and County and State aforesaid being du set him up,on a bolster and plow ly sworn saith that he was born at beam between the wheels of the plow Herkimer on the 21st day of Novem and. there permitted him to ride; · ber, 1787, and had during his whole that the said Frederick J. was at that life time lived in the said Town and time a boy of suffici'ent age and County of Herkimer and fr.om his strength to set and ride on the plow infancy was acquainted with John F. safe and without any help or assis Helmer, deceased, who was the hus tance from this deponent. band of Margaret Helmer in the anx That he cannot state in what par nexed declaration nam1ed, ticular year or years of the said That he was acquainted with the peri>Od of his labor for the said Web said John F. Helmer before he, the er it was that the said Frederick J. said John F. Helmer, was married used so to amuse himself by riding and he continued to be well acquaint the plow, nor can he state how old ed with him after his marriage and the said Frederick J. then was, but during his whole life and until his judging from his age and ability so death which occurred at Herkimrer to hold on and ride he has no doubt over twenty years ag,o; and that he, he must at the time have been at this deponent, attended and assisted least five or six years old; and judg as a bearer at his funeral; that when ing fr,om the age of the boy and the he first became acquainted with the time of his so laboring for the said said Helmer he lived and owned a Weber and his .acquaintance with the farm about half a mile above th1e said Margaret Helmer and the said village of Herkimer and which was John Helmer at the time and pre in the immediate neighborhood where viously he has no doubt the said Mar this deponent was born and then liv garet and the said John began to ed and was brought up; that the said live together and be reputed as man John F. Helmer, so it was at the time and wife prior to the year 1800; and reputed and said, was married to he thinks as early as the year 179'7 Margaret Munterbach, the said Mar or 1798; and that since the death of garet being now still living and a the said John Helme!", th1e said Mar widow, when he, this dleponent as he garet has not again married; and should now judge and recollects the that she is now a widow living with time, was about ten years of age; her son, the said Frederick J. Hel that immediately after the reputed mer who lives in the Town of Herki intermarriage of the said John with mer about a mile out of the Village the said Margaret, she came to live PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 71 with the said John on his farm at umes of the Herkimer Reformed Herkimer and that from then for Church records to the Pension Office ward until the day of his death, he at Washington, D. C. Year 1855. and the said M-arg.aret continued to Mr. Chas. C. Tucker, live and cohabitate together as man Washington, D. C. and wife and were rieputed so to be, Dear Sir:- I have forwarded this day by Ex and that they reared a large f.amily press (American) the volume of the of children together. records of baptism, etc. of the Rev. J. P. Spinner, deceased, containing That he is well acquainted with the baptisms of Anna Helmer and Frederick J. Helmer, the oldest child, William Helmer, two of the children of John F. Helmer .and Margaret, and with John and William Helmer, widow, in support of the widow's sons of the said J,ohn and Margaret pension claim. Helmer, who as he is informed are The record consists of two large volumes and the (Spinner) family still living, and that he has also been were very reluctant about having acquainted with several of the them forwarded to Washington. It daughters. was only on my assuranc'e that the volumes w::mld be safely returned John Harter. that they consented to their being Subscribed and sworn to 15th day sent. You will therefore look for its re of August, A. D., 1855. ceint and when receiv'ed exhibit it to .Affidavit of Charles Spinner, son the- Department at the earliest pra~ t' cal moment ,and with as Jitt1e r1-, of Rev. John Peter Spinner. lav as pos::ible r·eturn to me by Ex State of New Y.ork ) press. County of Herkimer ) The family will not feel easy until the book is returned. Charles Spinner of Herkimer in And as I consider importa-:i.t affida vits to establish the marriage before 9..-S.id County of Herkimer being duly the year 1800, which is the fact we sworn says he is a son of John P. wish to establish. Spinner, deceased, who was a minis Charles Gray. ter of the Gospel and who for over CHAPTER XIV. forty years officiated as pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch J'Ohn G. Helmer in the Revoluti,on Churches of Herkimer and German John G. Helmer4, Godfrid3, Len Flatts, and as such minister from the dert2, Philipl, was born at Palatine years 1801 to 1848, he kept records of Montgomery county, on either Janu marriages, baptisms and burials. ary 15th or February 15th, 1758. His That the said dep,onent is intimate pension record gives the ~atter date ly acquainted with the handwriting while the fa..r:n.ily Bible· gives the of the said record of his deceased first date a discrepancy of one month father, which said record is now in in the two records. His parent.., were the care and custody of his mother Godfrid Helmer and his second wife Anna Margaret______and sister at the late family mansion of his deceased father; that he has Jchn G. Helmer served as a pri this day examined the said record of vate in the Revolutionary War. In baptis:-.'.ls and births and has found his pension papers he refers to sev there in several entries the births of er,al periods of service. Ee entered Anna and William Helmer. the service in January, 1777, as a mi Charles Spinner. litia man. At that time he was a 18th day of August, 1855. resident of the T,own of Canajoharie, Letter written by Charles Gray, Tryon County, now Montgomery Esq., relative to forwarding two vol- County. He was attached to Colonel 72 THE HELMER FAMILY Cox's Regiment, Capt. William Fox, and removed to Pike, then Allegany and went with that Regiment to Ti County now Wy.oming county. He conderoga against the British and died August 5, 1837 and is buried at Indians until March 17, 1777, when Theresa, Jefferson County, N. Y. His he returned home. tombstone in the Old Cemetery reads "John G. Helmer died August 5, 1837, Additional Names for the Oriskany ae. 79 y.-A Revolutionary Patr1ot of Roster '76." In July, 1777, he went under the J.ohn G. Helmer was one ,of a fam command of Capt. Peter Bowman, irt ily . of nine children. In his pension Colonel Cox's Regiment, to Unadilla. record he refers to his birth as Feb He served at the Battle of Oriskany ruary 15, 1758. The old family Bible under General Herkimer on August gives the date of his birth as fol 6, 1777. After assisting to remove lows: the wounded to Herkimer, he re "1758, my second son was born the turned to Oriskany to bury the dead. 15 of January (John G.) and was His brother-in-law Captain Peter taken to the Holy Christening the Bowman and Lieutenant Campbell 5th of March; the christening wit are mentioned as among those killed nesses are these, :Johann Helmer and at Oriskany. Captain Peter Bowman Marg,aret Heltze." (Baum,an) was the first husband of Catharine Helmer, sister of J•ohn G. Affidavit -of Robe,rt Flint Helmer. He later served at Sarato ga under Captain John Bowman, From the affidavit of Robert Flint brother of Captain Peter Bowman born in March, 1757, accompanying killed at Oriskany. At an.other time the pension application of John G. he served in Captain Gray's . Com Helmer, it will be seen that Robert pany in Colonel Gansevoort's Regi Flint was not at the Battle of Oris ment ,of the New York Line of Con kany, being unable to go on account tinental troops. of iameness. Robert Flint served at other times during the Revolution. In his pension application he ali;;o He was born in M•ontgomery County mentions that his brother was killed and was a resident of Pike, Wyom at the Battle of Oriskany, but does ing (formerly Allegany) County on not give the name of this brother. September 28, 1832. He bad one half-brother Leonhart and three brothers Godfrid, Jr., horn Children 1of J·ohn G. Helmer January 31, 1760, Joseph (Joost) born February 8, 1762, and Henry born Jolin G. Helmer married Magdale August 20, 1764. The brother he na or Margaret Ehle about 1780 t,n mentions as killed at the Battle of 1785. Having no definite date of Oriskany must have been either their marriage, this date is only ap Leonhart or Godfrid, Jr., as Jcseph proximate, being arrived at only from and Henry were both alive after the the dates of the birth of their child close of the Reviolution. Or could it ren. Can anyone supply the exact have been another brother killed in date ,of their marriage? Magdalena that battle of which we have no re Ehle was born about 1760. Her cord? name appears in the record of the St. John G. Helmer resided in Mont Johnsville Dutch Reformed Church gomery county until September, 1827, as Magdalena, but in later years she PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 73 seems to have been known as Mar born August 31, 1819. Died April 22, garet. 1870. J.ohn G. Helmer -and his wife Mag 8. Ambrose, born August 28, 1821. dalena Ehle were the parents of six Died July 4, 1883. children: 9. Harmon, born December '26, 1. Ann.a. (Nancy) born October 2, 1823. Died October 6, 1824. 1786. 10. Anna Maria, born March 19, 2. Johannes (John L) born August 1826. Died December 24, 1831. 30, 1788. Sponsors Johannes Ehle and Elizabeth Ehle. John I. Helmer 3. Christian, born March 27, 1791. John L Helmer5, John G.4, God Sponsors Henry Nellis and Christina frid3, Lendert2, Pbilipl, was born at Helmer, his wife. Palatine, Montgomery County, Au 4. Gottfrid, born December 30, 1793. gust 30, 1788. He married Elizabeth Sponsors Anthony Ehle and Cathar (Betsy) Walrath and moved to the ine Berhch (Barse,.) Town ,of Pike, Wyoming County, N. 5. Elizabeth (Betsy) born June 14, Y., ab.out the year 1822. 1796. 1. Zebulon, born July 29, 1813. Bap 6. Mary (Polly). No date of her tized February 6, 1814 at Fort Plain. birth. She may have been the daugh- Sponsors Peter Brown and Nancy, ter mentioned in his pension appli his wife. cation as being twenty years •of age 2. James. in 1820. 3. Oshea. 4. J.ohn D., born March 4, 1819, at Ann,a Helmer Canajoharie, N. Y. 5. Sally. Anna (Nancy) Helmerli, John G.4, 6. Jemima. Godf,id3, Lendert2, Philipl, was born 7. Maria. October 2, 1786. Died March 8, 1844. 8. Jelany. She married Abraham Walradt and 9. Herman Knox. lived at Theresa, Jefferson County, 10. Leonard. N. Y. Abraham Walradt was born Two of these children died in in October 9, 1784. Died March 8, 1826. fancy Anna Helmer and her husband Abraham Walradt were the parents Godfr-id Helmer of the foUowing children: Godfrid Helmer5, John· G.4, God 1. Margaret, born May 18, 1806. frid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was born De Died 1848. cember 30, 1793, at Palatine, Mont 2. David A. born January 18, 1809. gomery County. The record of his Died February 26, 1852. birth is found in the St. Johnsville 3. William, born May 24, 1811. Died Reformed Church. It is not known June 17, 1811. where he lived. 4. George, born April 30, 1812. Died An old letter written February 16, August 26,-- 1895, by his cousin Abraham Ehle, born about 1805, living at Blaine, 5. Elizabeth, born August 16, 1813. (name of State not given) states that Died 1877. Godfrid Helmer learned the harness 6. Godfrey, born June 3, 1816. Died business -a.t Buel (name of State not April 22, 1868. given). 7. Magd,alena (Lany) Catharine, No further record of his family. 74 THE HELMER FAMILY Elizabeth Helmer Ambre>se Walradt Elizabeth (Betsy) Helmer5, John Ambrose Walradt6, Anna Helmer5, G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was John G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, born at St. Johnsville, N. Y., June 14, was born August 28, 1821. Died July 1796. Died November 21, 1875. She 4, 1883. Lived at Theresa, N. Y. He married in Febraury, 1824, Dr. J,ohn married (1st) Esther U. Fischer and D. Davison, born June 23, 1793. Died (2nd) Helen Thompson. September 22, 1865. They lived at No record of children. Theresa, N. Y. all their married life John D. Helme(r and are buried there. John D. Helmer6, John I.5, John They were the pa.rents of five G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, children: was born at Canajoharie, N. Y., Mar. 1. James Madison, born December 4, 1819. When he was about three 29, 1824. Died January 2, 1854. years of age his parents moved to 2. Jerome Bonaparte, born January the Town of Pike, Wyoming County, 12, 1827. Died June 29, 1885. N. Y. He died in January, 1904. He 3. Mary Jane, born March 30, 1829. married about 1850 or 1851 Lemira A. 4. J-0hn Lester, born September 8, Everest, daughter of David Everest 1833. of Pike, N. Y. John D. Helmer was 5. Nathan Monroe, born January 4, president of the Vacuum Oil Com 1836. pany of Rochester, N. Y. John D. Helmer and his wife Le Mary ne1mer mira A. Everest were the parents of Mary (Polly) H~er5, John G.4, five children: Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was pro 1. Ella May, born September 16, bably born about 1800. Her :father 1852. made an application for pension for 2. Frederick Duncan, born March Revolutionary service in 1820 and 11, 1860. stated that he had a daughter twen Also three other sons who died in ty years of age at that ime. She may infancy. have be(:ln this daughter, as no other children are known .of this age. Zebulon Helmer Polly Helmer married a Mr. Ash Zebulon Helmer6, John I:5, John ley. Some ,of their descendants are G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was now living in 0-Jifornia. born June 29, 1813. Baptized Febru ary 6, 1814, at Fort Plain, N. Y. His Lany Catharine Walradt baptismal name was Zebulon Mont Lany (Magdalena) Catharine Wal gomery Pike, named after the cele radt6, Anna Helmer5, John G.4, God brated Lieutenant of the United frid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was born Au Stats Army who a few years pre gust 31, 1819. Died April 22, 1870. viously had discovered Pike's Peak Lived at Theresa, Jefferson County, in Colorado . Zebulon Helmer died in N. Y. She married Percival D. Bul 1864. He married Elvira---, born lard. in 1820. Die in 1910. Both are buried They were the parents of a daugh in the cemetery at Pike, Wy,oming ter: County, N. Y. 1. Ida, who married a Mr. Purdy They were the parents of three and is now living at Theresa, N. Y. sons, all soldiers in the Civil War PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 75 and all buried in the cemetery at Died in 1874. He was a physician. He Pike. They were: married (1st) Asenath Halleck and 1. William C., Co. A 130 Reg. N. Y. (2nd) Helen Ryther. State Volunteers Died June 12, 1864, Nathan Monroe Davison and his aged 27 years His wife's name was second wife were the parents of one Rosan They had a son and son: daughter, both died young. All are 1. Frank Nathan born in 1869. buried at Pike. '2. Stephen H., Co. B 2nd Reg. N. Ella May Helmer Y. State Volunteers . Died April 6, Ella May Helmer7, Jiohn D.6, John 1864, aged 25 years. I.5, John G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Phil-. 3. George W., Oo. B 2nd Reg. N. Y. ipl was born September 16, 1852. She State Volunteers Died June, 1864, married James A. Jones, a farmer •of aged 23 years. Pike, Wyoming County, N. Y. Herma·n Knox Helmer Herman Knox Helmer6, John I.5, They were u1e parents of two John G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl children: married Betsy Maria Kellar. 1. Nellie. They were the parents ,of three 2. Roy, born about 1876, who died children: at the age of 17 years and 7 months, 1. Frank A., now living at Chicago. being asphixiated at the World's Fair Illinois. at Chicago in 1893. 2. Olive. Frederick Duncan Helmer 3. Carrie. Frederick Duncan Helmer7, Jiohn D.6, Jol.n. I.5, John G.4, Godfrid3, Len J•ohn Lester Davison dert2, Philipl was born March 11, John Lester Davison6, Elizabeth 1860. Died June 2, 1908. He was Helmer5, John G.4, Godfrid3, Len graduated from Yale University. He dert2, Philipl was born in 1833. Died married in July, 1885 Jennie White. in 1925. He married in 1859 Mary They were the parents of one son: Frances Helmer, born July 2, 1834. 1. Harry W. now living in Chicago, Died in 1897. Mary Frances Helmer Ill. was the daughter of Steuben Helmer Kate Moak and his second wife Fannie Mulford. The ancestors of Mary Frances Hel Kate Moak7, Mary Jane. Davison6, merG were Steuben5, Joseph4, God Elizabeth Helmer5, J•ohn G.4, God frid3, Lendert2, Philipl. frid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born in They were the parents of three 1854. Died 1890.. She married Gill children: man P. Evans. They were the parents of one 1 Wilfred P. born 1863. daughter: 2 Arthur Lester born 1868. Died in 1. Jesise 0. who married Alfred 1894. A. Stratton. They are the parents of 3. Frances H. born 18'70. three children: Burton, born 1907; Nathan Monroe Davison Paul born 1909 and Arthur born 1911. Wilfred P. Davison Nathan Monroe Davison,6, Eliza beth Helmer5, John G.4, Godfrid3, Wilfred P. Davison7, John Lester Lendert2, Philipl was born in 1836. DavisonG, Elizabeth Helmer5, John 76 THE HELMER FAMILY G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl was (hold two pails full). born in 1863. He married in 1890 No My occupation is a carpenter but I ra A. Mix. have not worked at that business for 1. Arthur S. born 1899 who married four years and he is not able from Marian Steranka age and ill health to pursue his occu pati>on. Frances H. Davis,on I have a wife aged sixty who lives Frances H. Davison7, John Lester with me who enjoys poor health. Davison6, Elizabeth Helmer5, John I have two daughters, who yet re G.4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl was side with me, one aged twenty-three, born in 1870. She married in 1899 the other aged twenty years, and William C. Shapleigh, born in 1866. they are able to labour but they la They are n,ow living in Lockport, bour for . themselves, my sons have N. Y. left home. They are the parents of four I enjoy but poor health. children: 1. Lester Bartlett born 1901. John G. Helmer. 2. Frances born 1903, died 1916. Second Application for Pension 3. William C., Jr born 1906 4. .Alexander D. born 1909. State of New York Allegany County On this twenty-eighth day of Sep- John G Helmer in the Revolution tember, 1832, personally appeared ____ _ First Application for Pension John G. Helmer, a resident ,of the State of New Y,ork Town of Pike in said County of Al Montgomery County legany in the State, of New York On this 15th day of June, 1820 per aged seventy-four years on the fif sonally appeared John G. Helmer, ag teenth day of February last, who be ed sixty two years, resident in said ing duly sworn says County of Montgomery, who being That he entered the service in the duly sworn does declare that he serv latter part of January, 1777 as a mili- tia man ___ ed in the Revolutionary War as fol lows: In Capt. Gr:ay's Company in He went under the comm.and of Col. Gansevoort's Regiment of the Capt. William Fox who was attached New York line of continental troops. to Colonel Cox's Regiment, from And I, John G. Helmer, do solemn the Town of Canajoharie in the ly swear that I w.as a resident citi (then) County of Tryon, now Mont zen of the United States on the 18th gomery County, in the State of New day of March, 1818 ______and that I York, where he then resided and in have not in that time disposed of my whi::!h county he was born, to Ticon · property ,or any part thereof. deroga, and was employed in the ser John G. Helmer. vice against the British and Indians Sworn to 15th day of June, 1820. until the 17th -of March when he re Schedule of the property of John turned home. G. Helmer. In July of the same year he went Real estate-none. to Unadilla with other militia of the Personal estate-two cows, one same company under the command steer, one mare and colt, twelve of Capt. Peter Bowman in Col. Oox's sheep and five lambs, one iron kettle Regiment. The forces employed there PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 77 at that time were under the com p!'locured. mand of General Herkimer, who in That he cannot accurately estimate connection with Ool. Cox agreed on the amount of time he was engaged a treaty of peace with Brandt the in the service but he believes it Indian chief. would amount to more than three The agreement was violated imme years. diately by the Indians. He was ab That he has a record of his age sent from home at that time about contained in his family Bible which two weeks. Soon after his return he was copied from the family record of was again called into service under his father's f.amily and which he be the same Captain, unJer command lieves to be correct. of General Herkimer and marched to Johannes G. Helmer. Oriskany where they had a severe Sworn to Sept. 28, 1832. engagement with the Indians on the 6th day of August, in which the American forces gained the victory, Affiodavit ·of Robert Flint of Pike, N. though with a severe loss. A brother Y. i•n Support of Pensi·on Cl•aim •of the applicant was killed in the en • of John G. Helmer gagement and also Captain Bowman Robert Flint of Pike, Allegany who was a brother-in-] aw of him, the County, being duly sworn says that said John G. Helmer and also Lieu he was seventy-five years of age in tenant Campbell of the same com March last, that he was from child pany. That after assisting to remove h::>od acquainted with John G. Hel the wounded to Herkimer he return mer of Pike, that he remembers that ed to Oriskany to bury the dead. in the month of July, 1777 the said That soon after his return he was John G. Helmer with other militia ordered out with others t,o Saratoga was called in the service of the Unit- County and was absent on that ser ed States against the Indians. ___ vice about three weeks under Captain that they went to Unadilla, ____ John Bowman, brother of Captain his deponent also went being attach Peter Bowman who was killed as ed to the same company that said above mentioned. John G. Helmer belonged to. ___ That he was afterwards in the This deponent understood at that same year called out on sudden time that said John G. Helmer went alarms in the neighborhood in which with the same company ot militia in he was engaged in s01:..'le skirmishes the latter part of July to Oriskany with the Indians. and that he was in the Battle fought (Here followed over two pages of with the Indians on the 6th of Au his services.) gust when Capt. Bowman was killed, That he was born at .t?al.atine now but this deponent did not acc,om in Montgomery, then in Albany Coun pany that expedition being unable to ty, February 15th, 1758. That he re go on account ,of lameness. That he sided in Montgomery County until reme:::nbers the said John G. Helmer September, 1827, since which he has went into the service in May or resided in Pike, Allegany Oounty. June, 1778, in the company of rang That he knows no person whose ers drafted from the militia of Try testimony he can procure who is ac on County. This deponent · was quainted with his services except drafted and served in said company Robert Flint whose testimony he has and said John G. Helmer went as a 78 THE HELMER FAMILY substitute for Andrew Gray who was na Flint were the parents of eight drafted. The said company was em children: ployed in scouting among the Indians 1. Mary (Polly). and they were dismissed January 1, 2. Steuben (christened Frederick 1779. William Baron Steuben) born Octo (Then followed a page of various ber ·22, 1790. Sponsors Charles Nukerk services.) and Elizabeth Flint. Robert Flint. 3. Margaret. Sworn to 28th day of Sept., 1832. 4. Cornelia. CHAPTER XX. 5. Catharine. 6. Magdalena (twin) born January J-0seph Helmer in the Revolution 31, 1802. 7. Christina (twin) born January Joseph Helmer4, Godfrid3, Len 31, 1802. dert2, Philipl, was born February 8, 8. Gilbert Warden born May 29, 1762. Died February 12, 1820. He 1805. married September 16, 1788, Susanna Flint, daughter of Alexander (San Mary (Polly) Helmer der) Flint. The record ,of their mar'." Mary Helmer5, J< seph4, Godfrid3, raige is found in the Fort Plain Re Lendert2, Philipl is believed to have formed Church. Joseph Helmer lived been the eldest child of Joseph Hel in the Town of Minden, Montgomery mer and therefore born about 1789. County, N. Y. She married John Cole. Joseph Helmer served as a private They were the parents of four in the Tryon County Militia, First children: Regiment, under Col. Samuel Camp 1. Gilbert. bell. He was at the Battle of Johns 2. Walter. town. 3. Caroline. The records of New York State 4. Albert H. who lived at Fergus, troops in the Adjutant General's Of Minnesota. fice at Washington, D. C., show the Steuben Helmer names of Johan Jost, Anyost, Han yost, Joseph and Jost Helmer. In Steuben Helmer5, Joseph4, God "New York in the Revolution" by frid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born in Roberts the name is also spelled Hen the Town of Minden, Montgomery, N. yost and John Jost Helmer. The Y., October 22, 1790. His baptismal various ways of spelling this name name was Frederic William Steuben leads one to believe there was possi and was recorded in the St. Johns bly more than one man of this name ville Reformed Church under date of who had service in the Revolution. November 2, 1'790. He died August Joseph Helmer had a cousin Hana 30, 1874. jost Helmer (son of Johannes) who Stephen Helmer lived in a farm at has been previously mentioned in Oak Hill, four miles from Cherry chapters II and VI of this series. The Valley and six miles from Fort Plain, will of Lendert Helmer, their grand and between the villages of Salt father, was dated June 27, 1781, and Springville and Sprout Brook, two mentions this cousin, who perhaps miles each way from Oak Hill. This also had service in the Revolution. farm has been referred to as "the Joseph Helmer and his wife Susan- old homestead" and was probably the PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 79 home of his parents, who were resi Civil War. He lived at Olean, N. Y. dents of the Town of Minden. He Died ,about 1904 and is buried ,at Cu lived on this farm until about 1860, ba, N. Y. He married Hattie -·--·--· when he moved with his family to They were the parents of two child Lockp.ort, N. Y., where three of his ren, Fred and Harriet sons were living. 2. Orlando R. who lived at White Steuben Helmer was married three stone, Queens County, N. Y. times. He married (1st) December 3. Barney, a Lieutenant in the 76th 30, 1817, Mary (Polly) Hammond, N. Y. Regiment and was killed at born September 1, 1797, died August Petersburg, Virginia, in the Civil 24, 1824. War. He married ('2nd) December 29, Cornelia Helmer 1824 Mrs. Francis (Fannie) Mulford, born February 16, 1792, died March Cornelia Helmer5, Joseph4, God 26, 1838. frid3, Lendert2, Philipl, married John Jordan, brotner of James Jordan who He married (3rd) July 16, 1840, married (1st) Catherine Helmer and Abigail Stark of Connecticut, born (2nd) Margaret Helmer, both sisters August 20, 1804, died March 27, 1891. of Cornelia. Children by the first marriage: Cornelia Helmer and her husband 1 Joseph William born 'December John Jordan had only one son: 6, 1818. 1. Orlando who married Helen 2. Josi-ah Hammond born January Powers. 23, 1821. Children by the second marriage: Catherine Helmer 3. Mulford, born Oct. 17, 1825. Catherine Helmer5, Joseph4, Go 6. Margaret who married Orra Kin seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, ney. Five children. was born December 6, 1818 in the 7. Mary who married Clinton Min town of Minden, Montgomery Ooun er. One son Archie. ty, N. Y. He died about 1916 in Chi 8. Martha who married Wallace cago, Illinois at the age of 98 years. Southworth. One son Floyd. He was engaged in the real estate business in Chicago and lived in that Magdalena Helmer city from 1877 to the time of his Magdalena Helmer5t J oseph4, God death in 1916. He was an elder and frid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was born teacher of the adult Bible class in January 31, 1802. She had a twin the Sixth Presbyterian Church in sister Christina. Magdalena Helmer Chicago nearly forty years. married December 5, 1822, William J,oseph W. Helmer married (1st) Jacobs, born June 6, 1796. · Louise Schuyler, born February 10, They were the parents of eight 1819. He maried (2nd) Augurst 8, children: 1865 Mary Henrietta Roby. 1. James Henry, born June 5, 1826. He had four sons and four daugh 2. Sarah, born April 15, 1829. ters, among them being: 3. Joseph William, born April 6, 1. Lillian, now living in New York 1832. City. Unmarried. 4. Macy Frances, born October 18, 2. Harry. 1835. Died December 6, 1877. 3. Clara who married Rev. William 5. Marcus M. P. Merrill, pastor of the Brick Pres 6. Steuben H., born May 8, __ byterian Church at 37th Street and 7. Emma (twin) born February 9, Fifth avenue, New York city. 1844. 4. Ella who married William S. 8. Evaline (twin) born February 9, Jackson. 1844. 5. Joshua. 6. Emma. Chri,stina Helmer Christina Helmer5, Joseph4, God J.osiah Hammc-nd Helmer frid3, Lendert2, Philipl, was born Josiah H. Helmer6, Steuben5, Jo January 31, 1802. She had a twin Seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, sister Magdalena. Christina Helmer was born January 23, 1821 in the married Henry Reury (Ranney). Town of Minden, Montgomery Coun They were the parents of six child ty, N. Y. He died about 1906 at the ren: age of 85 years. 1. Charlotte. Never married. Lived He married ( 1st) May 19, 1853 An at Pleasant Brook, Otsego county, na Eliza Ranney, born August 18, N. Y. 1834, of Theresa, N. Y. 2. Jane who married a Mr. Walr,od. He married (2nd) Sarah Elizabeth 3. Julia who never married. Rogers of Lockport, N. Y. Sarah 4. Joseph Elizabeth Rogers was born December 5. Jacob who lived at Little Falls, 17, 1832, died July 10, 1866. N. Y. • Children by the first marirage: 6. James. 1. Anna Florence. Children by the second marriage: William J,oseph Helmer 2. George. Joseph W. Helmer6, Steuben5, Jo- 3. Elizabeth R. now living at Buf- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 81 falo, N. Y. Unmarried. 4. Albert R. 5. 'William R. Gilbert Wa•rden Helmer Gilbert Warden Helmera, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Phillpl, was born M-a.y 29, 1805. He died March 6th, 1869. He married first Mar garet Walradt and (2nd) either Ma ria Rice or Abbie Miller. ·.L'he record is not clear as to the name of his sec ond wife. Gilbert W. Helmer and Mrs. Gilbert vvarden Helmer Second wife of Gilbert W. HeJmer. 1. Highwell Dunlap, born Decem- ber 13, 1826. 2. Louise born Dec. 24, 1828. 3. Amelia Ann born Nov. 9, 1832. 4. Margaret born June 19, 1836. 5. Steuben born Feb. 22, 1838. 6. Catherine E. born May 4, 1840. 7. Mary Jane born Oct._ 7, 1842. 8. John J. born Nov 18, 1844 Mulford Helmer Gilbert W·arden Helmer Mulford HelmerG, Steubenri, Joseph4, Born May 29, 1805, died March 6, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born 1829 at Cuba, N. Y. October 17, 1825 in the Town of Min den, M,ontgomery county, N. Y. His both wives are buried in the Cuba, baptismal name was Baron Steuben N. Y. cemetery. Gilbert W. Helmer Mulford. was a deacon in the Methodist He married January 12, 1849 Almi char::!h at Cuba, N. Y. ra King, born August 24, 1828. Gilbert W. Helmer and his first They were the parents of one son: wife were the parents of eight child 1. Charles now living at Buffalo, re:i: N. Y. 82 THE HELMER FAMILY Rev. Charles D. Helmer M-ary Frances Helmer and her hus band John Lester Davison. were the Charles D. Helmer6, Steuben5, Jo parents of three children: seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, 1. Wilfred born in 1863. was born November 18, 1827 in the 2. Arthur Lester, born in 1868. Died Town of Minden, Montgiomery Coun in 1894. ty, N. Y. He died April 28, 1879. The 3. Frances H. born in 1870. name of his wife has not been .ob For a continuation of this line see tained. Rev. Charles D. Helmer was Chapter XIX of the Helmer family. pastor of ,a Congregational Church in Chicago, Ill. Edward Emerson Helmer They were the parents of a daugh Edward E. Helmer6, Steuben5, Jo ter: seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, 1. Mrs. Samuel C. Parks, now liv was born July 8, 1848 in the Town of ing at Cody, Wyoming. Minden, Montgomery County, N. Y, About 1860 he moved .. with his par Albert M. Helmer ents to Lockport, N. Y. He resided Albert M. Helmer6, Steuben5, J,o about forty years in Chicago, Ill., seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, where all his children were born. He was born March 10, 1832 in the Town is now 83 years ,of age and is living of Minden, Montgomery County, N. with his daughters in Vancouver, Y. He was a surgeon in the 28th N. British Columbia, Canada. Y. State Regiment in the. Civil War. He had three children, all born in He was taken prisoner and taken to Chicago, Ill.: Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia. 1. Abbie who married a Mr. Vining He returned at the close of the Civil and ·is now living in Vancouver, Bri War and died in Milwaukee, Wisc. tish Columbia, Canada. The name of his wife has not been 2. Ruth who married a Mr. Col obtaind. bourne and is now living in Vancou They were the parents of a son: ver, British Oolumbia, Canada. 1. Newhall. 3. Ralph who died about 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. Ma,ry Frances Helmer Margaret Jordan Mary Frances Helmer6, Steuben5, Margaret Jordan 6, Catherine Hel Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, mer5, Joseph4., Godfrid3, Lendert2, was born July 2, 1834 in the Town of Philipl married Orra Kinney. Minden, Montgomery County, N. Y. They were the parents of five She died in 1897. She married in 1859 children: John Lester Davison, son ,of Dr. John 1. Arthur who married Della Pen D. Davison and his wife Elizabeth dleton. (Betsy) Helmer, who lived at There 2. Eva F. sa, N. Y; 3. Carrie E. who married Frank John Lester Davison was also a de Peckam. scendant of the Helmer family. His 4. Ida May. maternal ancestors were Elizabeth 5. Florence. Helmer5, John G.4, Godfrid3, Len dert2, Philipl. These have been Emma Jacobs mentioned in Chapter XIX ,of the Emma JacobsG, Magdalena Hel Helmer family. mera, Joseph4, Godfrici.3, Lendert2, PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 83 Philipl, was. born Feb. 9, 1844. She in the undertaking business in Port died July 22, 1904. She married Nel Allegany, Pa., for many years -and son William Smith and lived at Oort for more than fifty years had been landville, N. Y. a resident of McKean County, Pa. They were the parents of a daugh For many years he held the office of ter: Justice of the Peace in Port Allegany 1. Winifred who married Arthur and was familiarly known as Judge Gutave Kioenig. Helmer. Highwell D. Helmer and his wife J·oseph William Jacobs Julia Jordan were the parents of Joseph W. Jacobs6, Magdalena seven children: Helmer5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, 1. Irvin who died in infancy. Philipl was born April 6, 1832. He '2. Irwin Roy. married Julia Northup and lived eith 3. Alberton D. er at Cortland or Cortlandville, N. Y. 4. Ida. They were the parents of two sons: 5. Daniel Steuben. 1. Fred. 6. Mittie who married (1st) Augus 2. Bert. tus Lamhofer and (2nd) Walter Mor ris. Marcus M. Jacobs 7. Ada. Marcus M. Jacobs6, .. Magdalena Louise Helmer Helme.r5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl1 married May 5, 1860 May Louise Helmer6, Gilbert W.5, Jo- Northup. seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philip!, They were the parents of one son: was born December 24, 1828. She 1. Clayton who lived at Auburn, married Peter Yerdon. N.Y. They were the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls: Highwell Dunlap Helmer 1. Willis L. who married Grace Highwell Dunlap Helmer6, Gilhc:rt Woodworth. One daughter Hazel A. W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, 2. F~orence. Philipl was born near Cherry Valley, 3. Jonas Adam who married Susie N. Y., December 13, 1826. He died Vincent. February 2, 1912 at the age of 86 4. Herbert B. who married Rose years at the home of a daughter at Riggles. Bolivar, N. Y. He married February 5. Helen Philene, who married Os 19, 1857, Julia Jordan, born March 5, car B. Cole:nan. One daughter Lena 1833, in Otsego county, N. Y. She M. died December 31, 1899, at Port Alle 6. John L. who married Edith Eliz gany, Pa. abeth Hyatt. Three children, James Highwell Dunlap Helmer was a F., Archie L. and Harold J. veteran of the Civil War. In 1864 he 7. Ralph P. who married Josephine enlisted as a private, being mustered Ryan in a member of Company A, 85th 8. Gilbert J. who married Arie E. New York Volunteers and served till Hooper. · One son Clarence Roy who the end of the war. He was mus married Daisy May Short. tered out of service at New Berne. Amelia Ann Helmer N. C. on June 27, 1865. Highwell D. Helmer was engaged Amelia Ann HelmerG, Gilbert W.u, 84 THE HELMER FAMILY Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, wounded had perished before relief was born November 9, 1832. She came. married Rufus Watson. They were the parents of three Catherine E. Helmer children: Catherine E. Helmer6, Gilbert W.5, 1. Olin who died in February, 1917, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl and is buried in Chicago, Ill. He had was born May 4,, 1840. She diedj several children. April 8, 1892. She married Robert 2. Osro R. born in 1857. Nichols. 3. Efie M. born in 1868. They were the parents ot three children: M-argaret Helmer • 1. Frank, now living at Marion, Margaret Helmers, Gilbert W.5, J,o Indiana. seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, 2. Minniea was born June 19, 1836 in Montgom 3. Fred. ery Cou!lty, N. Y. She married Ralph H. Sawyer who was born November Mary Jane Helmer 19, 1834 at New Haven, Conn. They Ma:ry Jane Helmer6, Gilbert W.5, lived at Morris, Illinois. Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philip! They were the parents of three was born October 7, 1842. Died Feb children: ruary 3, 1920. She married October 1. Walter H. born about 1856. He 15, 1863 Oliver G. Wilder, at Joliet, married (1st) Clara Marshall and Illinois. He died July 7, 1913. Both (2nd) Angie Ford. are buried at Roselawn, Illinois. 2. Helen J. born about 1861. They were the parents of four 3. Lettie E. born about 1868. She children: married Samuel F. Armstrong. 1. Josephine May. ·2. Mary M. Steuben Helmer 3. Worden Steuben. Steuben Helmers, Gilbert W.5, Jo 4. Sherman, who died in infancy seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl, December 5, 1880. was born February 22, 1838. He was killed in May, 1864, at the Battle of John J. Helmer the Wilderness in Virginia. He mar- John J. Helmer6, Gilbert W.5, Jo ried Hann-ah ______, ·a short time be- seph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl fore he enlisted in the Civil War. His was born November 18, 1844. He was wid•ow Hannah______later married a married three times. Mr. Parker and died in Olean, N. Y. He married (1st) Mary Walruth, Steuben Helmer met the death of a born April 19, 1849. Died January real hero on the battlefield at the 17, 1877, at Cuba, N. Y. battle of the Wilderness. When his He married (2nd) Emma A. Hunt, comrades came to him after the bat who died June 15, 1896 at Buffalo, tle they found him leaning against a N. Y. stump, having been shot through the He married (3rd) November 17, chest. He said to them, "Save the 1898, Theresa Dean, born August 6, others first. I have so small a chance 1854, at Meadville, Pa. to live. Come back after me if y,ou J•ohn J. Helmer was a veteran of can." They returned later but a the Civil War. He lived at Conneaut, fire had swept over the field and the Ohio. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 85 No record of children. Daniel Steuben Helmer Anna Floren·ce Helmer Daniel Steuben Helmer7, liighwell Anna Florence Helmer7, Josiah H.6, D.6, Gilbert W.5, Joseph4, Godfrida, Steuben5, Jaseph4, Godfrid3, Len Lendert2, Philipl was born May 23, dert2, Philipl married Charles L. 1800. Died May 16, 1~6. .M.a;rp.edf Snow. September 2, 1903 Bertha Hall, born They were the parents of a son: March 4, 1874, daughter of Jonn G. 1. Helmer who married Bess Thorn, Hall and his wife jj,Jnora .t:S. urino1s They are now living at Albion, N. Y., of Port Alleg,any, Pa. and have two children: Charles L. Daniel .S. Helmer was born at Gole and Elizabeth Alln. ville, Pa. He received his early 1erct ucation in the schools of McKean Erwin Roy Helmer County, Pa., after which he was graduated from a business course Erwin R. Helmer7, Highwell D.6, and later from the Law College of Gilbert W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Len Valparaiso University in the State of dert2, Philipl married Josie Camp Indiana. After taking a post grad bell and is now living ·at Port Alle uate course in the Chicag.o Law gany, Pa. School he engaged in the practice of They were .the parents of three law in the City of Chicago. After a children: residence of seven yars in Chicago he 1. Ora B. who married Floyd returned to Port Allegany, Pa. and Shurtz. was one of its most prominent citi 2. Frederick who married Mabel zens. He held many offices of trust Scott. They have •a son Gilbert. and prominence in Port Allegany, 3. Edna who married Max Roys. among which were Borough Attor They have a son Max, Jr. ney, Councilman, President of the Board of Education and trustee of Alberton D. Helmer the First Presbyterian Church. Alberton D. Helmer7, Highwell D.6, Daniel S. Helmer and his wife Ber Gilbert W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Len tha Hall were the parents of two dert2, Philipl married (1st) Addie ~hildrn: Catlin and (2nd) Mrs. Chloe Lyman. 1. Doris who married Robert G. Now living at Port Allegany, Pa. Hartman, and lived at Austin, Pa. Their children: 2. James M., of Port ~legany, Pa. 1. Lena, who married John Jfox. They have two children, a son Kalpn Ada Helmer and a daughter Gertrude who mar Ada Helmer7, Highwell D.6, Gilbert ried Therlow Kinney. W.u, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lendert2, Philipl married Charles Greer and is Ida Helmer now living in Los Angeles, California. Ida Helmer7, Highwell 1),15, Gll0ert They are the parents of two child W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Lend~rt:.:,t ren: Philipl was born about 1861. Dledl March 22, 1921. She married Jfrank 1. Harry H. who married Jessie Fanton and lived at Wellsville, .N. Y. Clark. Two children, Charles and They were the parents of a daugh- Jean. ter: I !, 2. Hazel wno married Alanson Kin 1. Bessie. ney. Two children Jack and Lois. 86 THE HELMER FAMILY Josephine May Wilder known. His father married a second wife May 4, 1762, who was Maria Josephine M. Wilder7, Mary Jane Philippina Ecker. Helmer6, Gilbert W.5., Joseph4, God John P. Helmer enlisted in the fore frid3, Lendert2, Philipl married Daily part of the Revolution in the . com M. Boyle and is now living at Okla pany commanded by Captain Jacob homa City, Oklahoma. Shaver or Seaver in Col. Willett's They are the parents of five child- Regiment. While in that comp.!.Ily he ren: assisted in building Fort Stanwix. 1. Jesse. He also served under Captain De 2. Truman. muth in a company of Rangers or 3. Oliver, who died in 1920. Scouts until April, 1777. He contin 4. Fay. ued in service and was in the Sulli 5. Opal. van Campaign in 1779 as a boatman. M•a•ry M. Wilder He was at the Battle of Newtown. After that he w-as taken prisoner by Mary M. Wilder7, Mary Jane Hel the Indians and was taken to Fort mer6, Gilbert W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, Niagara in Canada and held prisoner Lendert2, Philipl married James E. over two years. While a prisoner at Kennedy. Fort Niagara he was kept most of They are the parents of four child- the time in irons, the scars of which ren: he still bore at the time he made ap 1. Paul. plication for pension. At the close of 2. Cecil. the Revolution he was released and 3. Lloyd. returned to his home near German 4. Raymond who died July, 1898, Flatts. aged two months. Affidavit of Worde•n Steuben Wilder Among the pension papers of John Worden S. Wilder7, Mary Jane Hel P. Helmer is an affidavit executed in mer6, Gilbert W.5, Joseph4, Godfrid3, May, 1847, by Jae-ob Hauser, then 80 Lendert2, Philipl married Edith Les years of age "and upwards." Jacob son at Durham, Ontario, Canada. Hauser stated that he was born and They now live at Roselawn, Indiana. reared in Herkimer County and at They are the parents .of two child an age of thirteen years was taken ren: pris,oner by some Indians and carried 1. Theron W. captive to Canada. While a captive '2. Oliver H. at Fort Nfagara he became acquaint ed with John P. Helmer. After the CHAPTER XXI. close of the Revolution Jacob Hauser John P. Helmer in the Revolution returned to Herkimer and about the year 1807 moved to the Town of Ci John P. Helmer4, Philip3, Adam2, cero, Onondaga County, N. Y. Philipl was born July 7, 1757. The Family of John f:>. Helmer date of his birth is found in his ap plication :tior pensi-on on account of John P. Helmer lived at German his services in the Revolutionary war. Flatts at the time of his enlistment. His parents were Philip Helmer and He was born July 7, 1757. He mar his first wife whose name is not ried January 15, 1786, Maria Wolff. PIOI'fEERS AND PATRIOTS 87 born about 1768, daughter of Michael sors Frederick Petry and Catharine Wolff. About the year 1802 John P. Domb (Thum). Helmer with his family moved to the 9. Elizabeth (Betsy). town of Manlius, · Onond,aga County, 10. Henry, born ab.out 1805. N. Y., at which place he died Janu 11. Eva, born about 1807. ary 20, 1833. His wife Maria Wolff Query-Was the following their (sometimes called Anna Maria) died daughter? Maria Catharine, born Au some time between . November 27, gust 8, 1"797. Sponsors Jacob Helmer 1820, (the date of his application for and Catharine Ohrendorff. This re pension) and January 20, 1833, the cord is found in the Stone Arabia date of his death. Eight children are Reformed Church and may be of an mentioned in his · pension papers, but other family. according to the church records there were probably three or four other . Phjljp Helmer children. John P. Helmer. stated in Philip .Helmer5, John P.4, Philip3, his pension application that :his . occu Adam2, Philipl, was born either Janu pation was that of a tailor. ary 1 or June 1, 1787. The church The pension papers •of John P. Hel record gives the date as June 1, 1787, mer state that there were several while the tombstone gives hiiil birth other persons by the name of John as January 1, 1787. He was born at Helmer and in consequence he took German Flatts and moved with his the middle letter "P" t9 d).stinguish parents to the Town of Manlius, On him from others .of th~.· same name. ondaga County, N. Y. about the year Also that there were three John Hel 1802. He moved to the State of mers bel•onging to the same regiment, Michigan and died May 6, 1856, aged viz. John P. Helmer, another John 69 years 4 months and 5 days. He is F. Helmer and a third John G. Hel buried in the Upton Cemetery near mer. Parma, Michigan. John P. Helmer and his wife Maria Philip Helmer was a soldier in the Wolff were .the parents -of the follow War of 1812. ing children: Philip Helmer married (1st) Lena 1. Philip born January 1 or June 1, Harter and (2nd) (wife's name un 1787. Sponsors Conrad Fr: Helmer known). and Margaret Scherer. Children by the first marriage: 2. Margaret, born December 28, 1. William Henry, born about 1815. 1788. Sponsors Jacob W. Petry and 2. John, born about 1819. Margaret Helmer. 3. James, born January 17, 1820. 3. Gertrude, born April 3, 1790. Children by the second marriage: Sponsors Fritz Riegel and Gertrude 4. Mary. Demuth. 4. Lena (Magdalena) born Novem Michael Helmer ber 15, 1791. Sponsors Godfrey Rie Michael Helmer;;, John P.4., Philip3, gel and Lena Tyghart. ,(Dygert). Adam!?, Philipl, w.as born about 1796, 5. Johannes (John), born December at German Flatts, N. Y. His parents 15, 1793. Sponsors Philip Kelsch and moved to the Town of Manlius, Onon Margaret ...... daga Count, N. Y., about 1802. He 6. Michael,. born. about 1796 .. always lived in the T,own of Manlius 7. Adam: . where some .of his descendants now 8. Anna, born January 6, 1802. .Spon- reside. His wife's name is not known. 88 THE HELMER FAMILY They were the parents of four Michigan in 1858, where he lived the children: remainder of his life. He was twice 1. Rudolph, who lived at Manlius. married. 2. John, who lived and died on a He married (1st) Isabella Cook, a farm in the Town of Pompey, a few native of Ireland, and (2nd), wife's miles from the village of Manlius. name not known. Buried at Jamesville, N. Y. Children by the first marriage: 3. Joseph, who moved to the State 1. Mary Jane. of Michigan where he died. 2. Isabella. 4. Mary, who married George Miller 3. Edwin L., who marrjed . A and moved to the State of Michigan, daughter, Mrs. Anna Helmer Winin where he died. ger, now living near Jackson, Mich igan. Elizabeth Helmer Children by the second marriage: 4. J. Frank. Elisabeth (Betsy) Helmers, John P.4, Philip3, Adam2, Philip!, married 5. Fred. 6. George. a Mr. Newman. She was mentioned 7. John. in letters accompanying the pension 8. Kate. papers of her father. Probably li:ved in the vicinity of Manlius, N. Y. James Helmer No record of children. James HelmerG, Philip5, John P.4, Eva HelmE;fr Philip3, Adam2, Philip!, was born January 17, 1820, near Manlius, On Eva Helmers, John P.4, Philip3, ondaga County, N. Y. He learned the Adam2, Philip!, was born about the trade of blacksmith when young and year 1807. In her father's pension worked at it :f.or a number of years. application executed November 27, He married October 15, 1843, Laura 1820, he stated that this daughter Worden, born December 16, 1827, was then thirteen years of age. She daughter of Jabez Worden and his married a Mr. Wright and also pro wife Esther Parks. Laura Worden's bably lived in the vicinity of Man father and his nine brothers were lius, N. Y. soldiers in the War of 1812, and their No record of children. father was Captain of the company called the Silver Grays. Laura Wor· William Henry Helmer den was one ,of a family of twelve William Henry Helmer6, Philip5, children, eight daughters and four John P.4, Philip3, Adam2, Philip!, sons. was born about 1815. He lived near James Helmer movea with his Syracuse, N. Y. He was called "Un family t•o the State of Michigan when cle Henry" by his nieces and the first two children were quite nephews. His wife's name is not small. The last four children were known. He died November 27, 1854. born in Michigan. They were the parents of nine boys. James Helmer and his wife Laura Worden were the parents of six John Helmer children: John Helmer6, Philil-", John P.4, 1. Sarah, who married Steven Lud Philip3, Adam2, Philip!, was born low. One daughter Dollie who mar- about 1819. He moved to Jackson, ried Samuel Beal. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 89 2. Albert M., who married Eunice taken pris-oner by the Indtans in the Landon. service of the enemy and was de 3. Joseph, who married Katie Pres tained a prisoner in Canada until the cott . Five children: Lotta, Lee, cl,ose of the War .of the Revolution. Glenn, Jessie and Iva. That while a prisoner in Canada his 4. John B., who married Clara Liv- sufferings were very great for the ingston. most part of the time in irons, the 5. William H., who married Ida scars of which -are now to be seen Joslin. upon him. 6. James E., who married Lizzie I have no pr.operty except schedule Chapel. of small articles. And I d,o further declare that my Rudolph Helmer occupation is that of a tailor but Rudolph Helmer6, Michaela, John that I am unable to laoor at any P.4, Philip3, Adam2, Phlipl, was born thing; that the number of my family near Manlius, N. Y. He kept a ho is four, my wife Mary Helmer aged tel at Manlius Station a number of fifty-two years, able to labor f.or the years. After selling this hotel he most part of the time. My son John went to Prescott, Canada. He was Helmer, Jr., who is twenty-seven twice married but the names of his years old, able to suport himself, my wives are not known. son Henry Helmer aged fifteen years He had the fol1owing children: able to labor and my daughter Eva 1. 'William, who lived at Manlius, Helmer aged thirteen, not able to N. Y. One son Ernest now living at support herself . Manlius. John Helmer. 2. A daughter who married Andrew Subscribed and sworn to 27th day J. Larkin and lived at Baldwinsville, of November, 1820. N. Y. 3. Mary, who married a Mr. Brown Affidavit of his Son Michael Helme·r and lives at Manlius, N. Y. Refative to His Father's Revo 4. Almira, who married a Mr. Low lutionary Servi-ce rie and is now living at Seattle, State of New York ) Washington. County .of Onondaga ) I, Michael Helmer, of the Town of John P. Helmer's Application for Manlius in said County,_ aged fifty Pension years, being duly sworn, say I am the On this 27th day of November, son of John Helmer, late of said 1820, personally appeared before me Town deceased, who some times went _____ .John Helmer aged 62 years ______by the name .of John P. Helmer, in that he the said John Helmer enlist order to distinguish him from other ed for six months in the fore part of persons by the name of John Hel the Revolution in the Company com mer; when he first removed to this manded by Captain Jacob Seaver, in town, he went by the name of, and Colonel Willett's Regiment at the wrote his name John Helmer which German Flatts, in the State of New was his true baptismal .or Christian York, that while in that company he name. The said John Helmer accord assisted in building Fort Stanwix. ing to the f.amily record was born And he was with his army in the July 7, 1757. battle of Newtown. After this he was Deponent has often heard J<>hn 90 THE HELMER FAMILY Helmer say that he was a prisoner to bring about a personal interview over tw.o years, and until the close between said Walter and· my father, of the Revolutionary War and that and no affidavit was obtained fr>om he came from the Town ,of German him. About a year after this occur Flatts in the now County of Herki rence my father died in the seventy mer, where he lived when the said eighth year of his age. W,ar commenced, that he served in a I remember that said Walter told company of Rangers. me at the time that I visited him That he served under Captain Shav that there were three John Helmers er, Colonel Willett's Regiment, that belonging to the same Regiment my he assisted in building Fort Stanwix; f.ather did whom he the said Walter he served under Captain Demuth of well knew, viz. my father J.ohn and the Rangers until April, 1777; that he two others, the one named John F. was at the Battle ,of Newtown. Helmer and the third John G. Hel Michael Helmer. mer. Sworn to the '29th day of July, 1846. Michael Helmer. Sworn to the 26th day of May, 1847. Affidavit of Mi-chael Helme·r Relative to His Father's Revolutionary Affidavit of Jacob Hau·ser in Suppo.·t Service of the Pension Claim of the Children of J-oh•n P. Helmer State of New York ) County of Onondaga ) State of New York ) I, Michael Helmer, in the matter of County of Onondaga ) my application I have made in behalf I, Jacob Hauser, being aged 80 of myself and my brothers and sis years and upwards.______do depose ters, children of John Helmer, de and say, that I was born and reared ceased, for a pension, I do depose and in that part of the County now called say that when my said father John Herkimer. That when about thirteen Helmer came to reside in the Town years of age I was taken prisoner by of Manlius in said County in which some Indians and was carried captive he died and in which I now live, to to Canada. wit about forty-five years ago, he After my return from captivity I wrote his name John Helmer as it took up my residence in Herkimer, was originally before he was of age where I resided until about forty and during the War of the Revolu years ago when I moved to the Town tion, and he continued to write his of Cicero, in said County of Ononda name John Helmer without a middle ga, where I now reside. initial until the day ,of his death. I saw and became acquainted with of Manlius he was induced to use a John Helmer -at Niagara in Canada, middle letter "P" in consequence of he being also a prisoner. there being several persons ,of the I am acquainted with Micahel Hel name of John Helmer besides him mer, Philip, John and Henry his self. brothers and Lany Helmer, all child I undertook to procure additional ren of said John Helmer. testimony. I visited a Mr. Walter, a his Revolutionary pensioner at that time Jacob x Hauser. living in said Town of Manlius and mark he the said Walter being himself aged and out of health, I was unable Sworn to the 2-!th day of May, 1847. PIONEERS .A..~D PATRIOTS 91 Letter to G. F. Yates to the Commis from either his pension papers or the sioner of Pensions Relative to old family Bible -as to who were his the Pension Claim -of Child- parents. His record should not· be ren of John P. Helme,r confused with that of Philip F. Hel mer, a portion of whose record ap .Albany, July 31, 1846. peared in Chapter XIII. Neither Col. J. L. Edwards, should he be confused with an.other Commissioner of Pensions. Philip Helmer, a T,ory, who also mar Sir: ried a Margaret Bellinger and had John Helmer, late of the T.own of five daughters. Manlius, Onondaga County, N. Y., died on the 20th January, 1833, leav Philip Helmer of Manheim was al ing n,o widow surviving but the fol lowed pension on his application ex lowing children, .all over 21 years of ecuted April 24, 1818 at which time he age: Adam Helmer, Philip Helmer, was living in Palatine, Montgomery Henry Helmer, John Helmer, Jr., County, N. Y., with onE' of his child Michael Helmer, Lany Helmer, Eva ren, whose name was not stated in vVright, Betsy Newman. his pensioL application. 'l'his John Helmer is the same per He married May 9, 1783 Margaret son who made application for a pen Bellinger, born about 1750. An affi sion under Act of March, 1818, in d:avit executed June 11, 18'20, found which he said he was a prisoner of among his pension papers stated that war for over tw,o years. his wife was seventy years of age, Pay is claimed from 30th of March, thus being seven years older than 1826, to the 20th J.anuary, 1833, being her husband. day he died. This Philip Helmer was the only Respectfully your obdt. client, soldier ,of this name whose record G. F. Yates. appears among the Revolutionary War records ,of the Pension Office -at CHAPTER XXII. Washington, D. C. PHILIP HELMER OF MA,t,IHEIM' The record of his birth is found in A Soldier of the Revolution his application for pension. In the Philip Helmer born June 11, 1757, old family Bible his birth is given .as enlisted at Stone Arabia, January 15, June 11, 1757, which agrees with his 1777, served as private in Captain An pension application. The record of drew Finck's Company in Colonel his marriage on May 9, 1783, t•o Mar Gnose Van Schaick's New York Reg garet Bellinger is also :found in the iment; he was in the Battles of Lake old family Bible. George and Monmouth and was dis The following is the record from charged November 1, 1779. He en the old family Bible, written in Ger listed April 1, 1780, served as private man, of his birth, marriage, and in Captain Hamtr-amck's Company births of son, etc. The dashes .are in Colonel Du Bois' New York Regi for words not legible: ment and w.as discharged December Philip Helmer sein brethe buch im 31, 1'780. Jahr Desimber 31, 1804. He was known as "Philip Helmer Philip Helmer isth Gebohren the:r: of Manheim" to distinguish him from 11 Junie, 1757. several others of the same name. He Philip Helmer isth Gethrau witl: is buried in the Manheim cemetery. Margr.ath Belliner in Jahr, 1783, Me~ It is impossible to obtain any clue 9. 92 THE HELMEP.. FAMILY Im Jahr 1795, Agasth 14th, tho Isth 2. Margaret, born December 1, Mein Son Leonharth gebohren. Sein 1801. Sponsors Peter Cook antl Cath Fether enth Gott George Gettman en arine Loucks. sein frau. 3. Elizabeth, born September 1, Im Jahr 1821, Merz 13 (?) 1806. Sponsors Johannes Oook and _____ ist John Helmer ____ Catharine ---, his wife. William gebohren Gott 4. Roslyn. Rasten ______sein 5. Caspar, Jr. spek (?) Peter Helmer The record ,of the birth .of his son Leonard August 14, 1795, is also Peter Helmer, son of Philip Hel found in the Stone Arabia Reformed mer and Margaret Bellinger, his wife, Church. moved to Canada about 1820. He was Children living with his family at Osnabrook, Philip Helmer of Manheim and his Stormont County, Province of On wife Margaret Bellinger were the tario, Canada, in the year 1834. He parents of four children, possibly married a· Miss __ Rombough. more: They were the parents of either 1. Melaine (Magdalena), who mar ten or twelve children, seven sons ried January 21, 1798, Casper B. Cook. and either three or five daughters, 2. Peter, who went to Canada about am,ong them the f.ollowing, probably 1820 and located at Osnabrook, Stor born between the years 1820 and mont County, Ontario. 1840: 3. Elizabeth, born about 1791. Died 1. Sidney. about 1884 at La Crosse, Wisc. at the 2. Peter, Jr. · age of 93 years. Married Henry 3. Philip. Smith. 4. Jacob Leonard. 4. Leonard, born August 14, 1795. 5. William. Married Nancy Grey. 6. John. 7. Amos. Melaine Helmer 8. A daughter who married a Mr. Melaine (Lena or Magdalena) Hel McIntyre, in whose family there is mer, daughter of Philip Helmer and an old Helmer Bible. Will some one Margaret Bellinger, his wife, was please copy these old records if pos probably the eldest child. She was sible? quite young when she married Janu Elizabeth Helmer ary 21, 1798, Casper B. Cook. They lived in the vicinity .of Stone Arabia. Elizabeth Helmer, daughter of Phil They were the parents ,of nine or ip Helmer and Margaret Bellinger, ten children, the eldest a son, then a was born about 1791. She died about number of daughters and the young 1884 at La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the est a son. Three daughters married age of 93 years. She was living with into the Edwards family, two daugh a relative at the time of her death. ters into the Nellis family, one into Elizabeth Helmer married Henry the Thum family and one into the Smith, only child of William Smith. Beck family. Henry Smith was killed by a runa The names of the f.ollowing child way horse on the streets of Fonda ren have been obtained: and left three children quite young. 1. Ira. Elizabeth Helmer and her husband PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 93 Henry Smith were the parents of 1. George, who is now living on three children, all born in Fulton the old homestead at Lunenburg, County: Canada. He has the original deed of 1. Caswell, who married and had transfer when his gr,andfather Peter six children. In 1846 he was living at Helmer bought the farm when he Osnabrook, Ontario, Canada. went to Canada from the Mohawk 2. Clarissa, who married Guy Valley. He has a son Mr. R. S. Hel Remps and lived in Canada. mer now living at Ottawa, Canada. 3. Alexander, born about 1810. Died t. Mina, now Mrs. Loucks; and liv in 1885. Lived at Ephratah, Fulton ing at Massena, St. Lawrence Coun County, N. Y. He married and had a ty, N. Y. daughter Annie M., born about 1833, 3. Mary, now Mrs. Alex Gallagher who married a Mr. Bittinger and was and living at Covington, N. Y. living at St. Joseph, Missouri in 1916. 4. Maggie, now Mrs. C. Hurd and Another daughter was named Eliza living at Massena, N. Y. beth and was living in 1891. Peter Helmer, Jr, Leonard Helmer Leonard Helmer, son .of Philip Hel Peter Helmer, Jr., son of Peter mer and Margaret Bellinger, his wife, Helmer, married and had at least was bor1£ August 14, 1795. He wai, a two children: soldier of the War of 1812. He mar 1. Joseph, now deceased. ried Nancy Grey, and lived at Dolge 2. Charles, who lived at Lunen ville, N. Y. burg, Canada. They were the parents of twelve Philip Helmer children: 1. Leonard, Jr. Philip Helmer, son of Peter Hel 2. John. mer, probably born about 1825 to 1830 3. Samuel, born February 8, 1820. married and had children,. among Married Margaret Grey. them being: 4. Philip, born August 9, 1823. Mar 1. Wesley. ried Emeline Spofford, sister ,of Gen 2. George. eral Spofford and had an adopted daughter. William Helmer 5. George. William Helmer, son of Peter Hel 6. Reuben, who married Margaret mer, married and had four children: Getman. 1. William, Jr., born about 1851 or 7. Elij,ah. 1852, who died March 11, 1931, at 8. Levi. Cumberl,and, Ontario, Canada in the 9. Eliza. 80th year of his age. 10. Mary Ann. 2. Mrs. J. Quinn ,of Finch, Ontario, 11. Phoebe. Canada. r2. Julia. 3. Mrs. Nancy Forsyth of Osna Sidney Helmer brook, Ontario, Canada. Sidney Helmer, son of Peter Hel 4. Mrs. W. J. Jardine -of Ottawa, mer was probably born about the Canada. year 1820 or thereabouts: No defi Sa.muel Helme·r nite c:Iate obtained. He married and lived at Lunenburg, Ontario, Canada. Samuel Helmer, son of Leonard. He had four children Helmer and Nancy Grey, his wife, 94 THE HELME:R: FAMI?,.Y was born Febru.ai.r'.Y' 8. 182Q, i:n the 7. Cath_erine\ w:ti.o marri~d. ?-. MI\ Town of Manheim, H~rkimer County, Dougherty and lived at Osn_a_l;,rook~ N. Y. B:e married Ma,rgaret Grey, Ontario, Canad.~. Ther had fou,r- son,s niece of N,'ancy Grey, a:r;i,d lived at; and two d:;mght;ers, am<>ng them be P,olgeville, N. Y. ing: James, Scott, Wesley, Wallace They were the parents of five and two daughJers. children: 1. Anna who married N. S. Brock.,. Zi·ney Helmer ett. Their daughter Mrs. C. E. Mor Ztney Helmer, SOD; of George Jac-0:b ey is now living at Utica, N. Y. Helmer, married An,geiina Hollister, 2. Hannibal, born May 30, 1845. daughter of Barney ~ollister of Os Married (1st) Alice Sullivan a.nd na,brook, Ontario, Qanada. Th~y (2nd) ___ Englehardt. wer~ t;he parents of ten children: 3. Dwight now living at Dolgeville, 1. Qharles, who married Jennie N.Y. Gord-on of Morrisburg, Ontario. They 4. Edward. had one son who dted at the age of 5. Jean, who married Clarence six years. Snell and is now living at Herkimer, 2. Sidney, who married Caroline N. Y. Beckstead of Canada. Both dece!'l,s., George Jacob Helm€11' ed. N,o children. 3. Theodocia, who married J-ohn George Jacob Helmer was another Robson and ljved at Moulinette, On member ,of the Canada branch of tario, Canada. l'hey had one son and the Helmer family. It was not defi two daughters, Waltop., Laura and nitely known who bis parents were, Lottie. but it is believed he was the son of 4. Lillian, who married J-ohn ~m Philip Helmer, mentioned above, and blin of Potsdam, N. Y. Lived near the grandson of Peter Helmer who Rochester, N. Y. One son Frank. located in Canad-a about 1820. 5. Melinda, who married Pembroke George Jacob Helmer married and Robertson and lived at Buffalo, N. Y. had seven children: Two daughters, Blanche and Eva. 1. Sidney who was a farmer in 6. Agnes, who married a Mr. Mat Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. thews and lives in the State of Tex• He had four sons and four daugh as. ters, among them being Wesley and 7. George Jacob, who married (1st) Rodney. May Sime of Sime, Ontario, Canada. 2. Rodney, who was a farmer and He married (2nd) in 1897 Gail Hood lived in Sterling, Ontario, Canada. of Chelsea, Vermont. His first wife He had five or six children. died at the birth of twins, May and 3. Charles, who left home when 18 Katharine. He had two sons by the years of age and went to the Black second marriage, George Jacob, Jr. :Hills, South Dakota. Never heard and Charles William. George Jacob fr-om since. Helmer was a physician and lived at 4. Ziney, who married Angelina Nyack, Rockland County, N. Y. Rollister. 8. Maria, who married Fred Alexan• 5. Eliza, ma.rried a Mr, Lont. der and lived at Napanee, Ontario, 6. Nancy, who married a Mr. Se Canada. No children. cord and lived at Sterling, Ontario, 9. John, who married Ettie Merkley Canada. They had two daughters. o.f Canada. Lived at East Orange, :E:IO~EERS ANTI> PATRIOT,S '95 ~- J. T:w-o daughters, .Beula:h and vide; that I ·have no other means of Florence. support than what I receive from 10. Edna, who married George the pension. ~Merkl!=Y :µid lived at Fl1,1shing, Long :his Isla:p.d, llr. Y. No chJlc;lr~n. Philip x Helmer. Philip Heilmer in t'he Revolution mark Fi-rst Application f9.r .Pensipn Philip Helmer of Palatine in the -~tate of New York. ) ·state ,of New York who was a pri Montgomery Cou~ty ) ·vate in the regiment commanded by Be it remembe!'.ed .that on the 24th Colonel Van Schaick of the New ,9:ay of April, 1818, app_eared before York Line for term of 20 months, me P};lilip ~elmei:, aged sixty 1777. years the llt:ti d~y of June last, re&i Pension issued 14th ,of July, 1819. ,d~nt of t};le Town of Palatine. He en~ist~d .i:ti SJQne Arabi,.a. .Ul .tb.e CHAPTER XXIII. ,State of New York in the oompany Philip F. Helmer in the Revolutiu commanded by Co1onel Goose Van Additi-onal Descendaats ·Schaick on or about the 15.th Janu Philip F. Helmer.3, Frederick2, Phill ,ary, 1'777; that he continued to serve ip!, born about July, 1740, wed June ,in said corps until on or about Ute 8, 1830, aged 90 y.ears, less 1 mont1'1 1st day of Noyemb,er, 1779, whe:o. he and some days. The names of five was discharged .from service at Fort of his children were giYen 1n Chap .Stanwix. lie again enlisted April 1, ter XIII of the Helmer Family arti 1780. cles. Ada:itlon.al information has He continued in service until De been receiv-ed that his family con cember 31, 1780, and was discharg.ed sisted of eight children, four boys .from serYice at Morristown. and four girls. Philip Helmer. Philip F. Helmer, born about July Second Application f.or Pension 1740, had a twin br.other Lieutenant George F. whose record and family State of New York ) was given in Chapter Xll. Montgomery County ) Philip F. Helmer married July 17~ On this 11th day of June, 1820, per 1763, Anna (Nancy) Mayer (Myers), sonally appeared Philip Helmer, aged a sister of General Michael :Myers. 63 years, resident of Palatine in said Philip F. Helmer brought his h;ri.de State. He d,oth declare that he ser11- from New Jersey on horseback to ed in the Revolutionary War as fol Herkimer. Nancy Myers, his wife, lows: In Captain Andrew Finck's was born about 1747. She dled Au and Hamtramjk's companies in Oolo- gust 12, 182.9, aged .82 years 12 days. nel Goose Van Schaick's and Du Bois' Philip F. Helmer and his wife regiments, in New Y,ork line. __ Nancy Myers were first buried in That I have no income exc.ept con- what is now Myers Park, but at that tained in the following schedule. ____ time it was called the "New Burial I was br-ought up a farmer :Out Ground' 'to distinguish it fr.om the have not been able to do any work "Old Bqrj,al Ground" surrounding for thirteen years past, being lame the Refcn•med Church at Herkimer. by means of rheumatism. I have a In the year 1897 when the "New Bur wife living with me who is seventy ial Ground" was converted into a years of age for whom I must p~ park, their remains were removed. 96 THE HELMER FAMILY and interred in the Oak Hill Ceme 1. Elizabeth (Betsy), born Septem tery in the plot of his grandson Luth ber 11, 1765. Married Adam H~rter, ~r Helmer, which had been given in a soldier 0f the Revolution. exchange for two lots owned by him 2. Frederick, born February 17, in the village cemetery besides the 1768. Never married. land owned there by, his ancestors. 3. George, born May 25, 1769. Mar ried Catharine Staring. The Death of the Tory Walter N. 4. Maria Barbara, born January 11, Butler 1771. Never married. Philip F. Helmer was a scout with 5. Peter P., born about 1773. Mar Colonel Willett's Regiment during ried Margaret Dygert. the Revolution. The story is told by 6. Nancy (Anna), married Col. Hen a grandson that Philip F. Helmer ry J. Myers (his first wife). 7. Margaret, married Nicholas took part in an expedition with other soldiers and with the aid of a party Thum. of friendly Indians in the pursuit and 8. Philip P., born February 24, 1775. capture of the sav,ages and Tories un Married (1st) Margaret Barse and der the leadership of Walter N. But (2nd) Mary Osgood. ler. The record of those children not Butler had conducted a raid thru oomplete in Chapter XIII are now the Mohawk Valley, killing the inhab given. itants, burning dwellings and destroy Elizabeth Helmer ing property. Colonel Willett's forces pursued Butler's force and came upon Elizabeth (Betsy) Helmer4, Philip them near or a little above what is F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born now called Prospect and along the September 11, 1765. Died December West Canada Creek, then an unbrok 25, 1838. She married Adam Harter, en forest. Philip F. Helmer was in a soldier of the Revolution, who was the advance. part of the command a oook in General Washington's and saw when Butler, the Tory lead camp. They owned and lived on a er, was killed. The creek was nar farm at Schell's Bush. row enough to cross with what was Elizabeth Helmer and Adam Har called a setting pole, by placing the ter, her husband were the parents of pole midstream and swinging onself one son and at least five daughters: to the opposite srde. Butler waved 1. Abigail (AppoHonia), born about his arm over his head in defiance 1796. Married September 1, 1836, Pet thinking they could not get him but er Piper, a widower. No children. he was mistaken. Those not killed 2. Elizabeth, who married Asa fled to Canada and many dared not Hanchett, a jeweler by occupation return, fearing the wrath of the in and lived at Herkimer. No children. habitants against them. 3. Eva, who married Marks Coun tryman, and lived at Truxton, Cort Child•ren land County, N. Y. In Chapter XIII the names of the 4. Margaret, who married Abram first five children of Philip F. Helmer Petrie, and lived at Truxton, Cort and Nancy Myers, his wife, were giv land County, N. Y. en. The names -of their eight child 5. Catharine, born about 1794, who ren and whom they married are as married Melchert Folts. follows: 6. Henry. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 97 Nen-cy Helmer Philip Helmer was married twice. He married January 26, 1806 (1st) Nancy (Anna) Helmer4, Philip F.3, Anna Margaret Barse, daughter of Frederick2, Philipl married Col. Hen Luther (Lodovic) Barse and --·-·· ry J. Myers, son of John Myers. She Hoyer, his wife. Anna Margaret was his first wife and died before Barse died February ~8, 1813. 1826. Henry J. Myers' second wife was also named Anna (Nancy) Hel Philip Helmer married (2nd) Mary mer, the; daughter of Lieutenant Goo. Osgood, born November 2, 1781, at F. Helmer, and a cousin of his first Lebanon, Mass. and died October 14, wife. 1862 at Middleville, N. Y. Mary Os good w.as the wid•ow of Paul Grimes Nancy Helmer (the first wife) and and a sister of Relief Osgood. Henry J. Myers were the parents of two children: Philip Helmer and his first wife Anna Margaret Barse were the par 1. Philip, born January 7, 1803. Pro ents of four children: bably died young. Sp,onsors Philip Helmer and Anna Myers, his wife. 1. Luther, born December 29, 1806. 2. Elizabeth, born December, 1808, '2. Philip, born July 1, 1805. Spon died May 5, 1853. Never married. sors Philip Helmer, Jr., and Elizabeth 3. Matthew, born October 15, 1810. Staring, unmarried. 4. Margaret, born Feb::u,ary 19, Henry J. Myers and his second 1813. wife Nancy Helmer, daughter of Philip Helmer and his second wife Lieutenant George F. Helmer, were Mary Osgood were the parents of the parents of a son: four children: 1. John H. Myers who married 5. Nancy A., born May 19, 1815. February 9, ~26, Maria Bellinger, 6. Mary Elizabeth, born September daughter of Peter F. Bellinger and 2, 1817. Elizabeth Harter, his wife. 7. Abigail Catherine, born Sept. Margaret Helmer 2, 1819. Died February 4, 1897. Nev Margaret Helmer4, Philip F.3, Fred er married. erick2, Philipl married John Nicho 8. Philip, born April t2, 1822. las Thum. Catharine Harter They were the parents -of two children, probably more: Catharine Harter5, Elizabeth Hel 1. Anna, born December 23, 1802. mer4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, Sponsors Henry Myers and Anna was oori t about 1794. She died March Helmer, his wife. 28, 1875. She married Melchert 2. Melchoir, born December 3, 1804. Folts4, Melchert3, Johan Conrad2, Sponsors Rudolph Devendorf and Melchertl. Melchert Folts, husband Maria Elizabeth ______, his wife. of Catharine Harter, was born about 1789, died March 20, 1851. They lived Philip P. Helmer on what was known as the Folts Road near Fiddlertown, Herkimer Philip P. Helmer4, Philip F.3, Fred County. erick2, Philipl, was born February 24, 1775. Tradition is that he was born They were the parents -of three at the Fort where the family had children: taken refuge during one of the In 1. Maria, born in June, 1827. Never dian raids. He died August 14, 1858. married. 98 THE HELMER FAMILY 2. Clarissa, who married Nicholas eight children. No children by the Vedder. No childr-en. first marriage. 3. Adam, born September ~. 1834, 1. George Michael, born September October 15, 1902. Married George Dy Mary Elizabeth Helmer gertG, son of Peter Dygert and Mary Helmer5, George P.4, Philip F.3, Fred Mary Elizabeth HelmerG, Philip P.4,, erick2, Philipl. George Dygert died Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was January 19, 1908. They lived at Syra born September 2, 1817. Died Feb cuse, N. Y. from where they moved ruary 1, 1892. Married Crandall Waite! to Cayuga county, N. Y. born February 17, 1810, in Brook 5. Cynthia, born September 11, 1841. field, Madison County, N. Y. and Died January 10, 1886. Married Byron died July 8, 1860 at Middleville, N. Y. Cristman and had ,one son, Seymour. Cran<1all Waite was educated at 6. Philip born April, 1844. Never Hamilton College and was superin married. tendent of the Kenyon Mill at Middle 7. Lucy, born in 1846. Married J.ohn ville. He was a member of the Bap Forbes, son of James Forbes of Mo tist church and superintendent of the ravia, Cayuga county. They lived at Sunday School at Middleville many Sempronius, Cayuga county, N. Y. years. 8. Matthew, .Jr., born August, 1848. They were the parents of three Married Lidia F,orbes, daughter of children: James F'orbes of Moravia, and lived 1. Ira born about 1839. Lived at in Cayuga county. Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. 9. Nancy Catharine, born March 7, Y. He was a veteran of the Civil 1852. Died July 19, 19113. Never mar war. He was twice married, his sec ried. ond wife being Nellie Ocoback. He had one son named Earl. Mar91aret Helmer '2. Abig.ail, born October 4, 1840. Margaret Helmer5, Philip P.4, Phil Died August 6, 1869. She married· ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born James Farmer and lived on a farm February 19, 1813. Died October 18, between Herkimer and Middleville. 1895. She married December 26, 1832, They had two children, Wolcott and Conrad Kast, born about 1802, son of Grace who married Jerry Boland. George Kast and An.na Smith, his 3. Jennie, born April 21, 1843. Died wife. June 21, 1912. Never married. No record of children. Note-Mary Elizabeth Helmer and Nancy A. Helmer her husband Crandall Waite also had an •adopted daughter Matilda. Nancy A. Helmer5, Philip P.4., Phil ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born Philip He&mer, J•r, May 19, 1815. Died October 7, 1869, at Gailesburg, Knox County, Illinois. Philip Helmer, Jr.5, Philip P.( Phil At one time they lived in Troy, N. Y., ip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born from where they moved to Illinois. April 12, 1822. Died November 27, She married John A. Morse. 1891 at Brookfield, Madison county, They were the parents of three N. Y. He married Angeline Hall, children: daughter of Loren Hall and Louisa 1. Almir,a who married Eli Dickin Ward, his wife, of Eatonville. They son and lived in Cortland County, N. lived in the town of Fairfield and Y. Three children, George, Ida and moved to M-adison County. Asah. Philip Helmer, Jr. and his wife An 2. George. geline Hall were the parents of 12 1 Augustus. children: !00 THE HELMER FAMILY 1. Ada J,osephine, born May 11, They were the parents of five 1854 in the Town of Fairfield. Mar- children: ried a Mr. Bayliss and is now living 1. J,ohn, a soldier in the Civil War. at Waterville, N. Y. Returned home from the Civil War 2. Daniel Webster, horn May 15, after being out with a hunting party, 1856. Married a Miss Dye and is now accidentally shot and killed himself living at Utica, N. Y. while taking his gun from the wagon. 3. Otis Wells (twin), born January 2. Aar.on who married Hann-ah 1, 1859. Married a Miss Perkins and Mills. lived in New Hartford, N. Y. 3. Henry. 4. Oscar Ward (twin), born Janu 4. Mary who married Walter Crist ary 1, 1859. Never married. Lived at man, eldest son of Malcom Cristman. Brookfield, Madison county and died 5. Hannah who married Hale De October 7, 1913 at New , Hartford, vandorf and lived at M•or,avi,a, Cayu N. Y. ga county, N. Y. 5. Jessei D., born February 2, 1860. William Harter Married a Mr. Dixon and died in Il linois. They had two children. William Harter6, Henry Harterri, 6. Lester Grant (twin), born Janu Elizabeth Helmer4, Philip F.3., Fred ary 20, 1863. Married Rosabelle Fiolts erick2, Philipl married Mary Tyler, and is .now living at Kast Bridge. daughter of Daniel Tyler. Moved Three children. from Herkimer to Moravia, Cayuga 7. Leslie Mead (twin). born Janu county. ary 20, 1863. Married Marcia Bur They were the parents of two child lingame and is now living at Water ren: ·vme, N. Y. 1. Helen. 8. Gertrude Louisa, born June 28, 2. A son. 1867 at Brookfield, Madison county. George M. Helmer Married John Hollowell and is now . living at Penn Yan, Yates County, George Michael HelmerG, Luther•\ ~·N. Y. Philip P.4, Philip F.,3, Frederick2, 9. Henry W., born January 14, PhilipI was born September 25, 1832. 1869. Died young. Died August 3, 1896. He was gradu ated with honors from Fairfield 10. Edith, born August 12, 1870. Seminary March 23, 1858. He married Died young. in February, 1867 Maria Louisa Hale. 11. Grace Abigail, t>~rn December They were the pa.rents of four 31, 1871. Married Henry Davis and children: is now living at Br,ookfield, Madison 1. George Ulysses wk,o married county, N. Y. (1st) Martha Cristman who died 12. Estella V., born April 6, 1873. February 15, 1892. He married (2nd) Died September 23, 1911. Never mar in 1895 Anna McMillan. Lived at ried. Little Falls, N. Y. One son by the first marri•ai;e, George Irving. Three Adam Harter children by the second marriage, one Adam Harter6, Henry Harter,5 ,of whom was Mary Elizabeth. Elizabeth Helmer4, Philip F.3, Fred 2. Matilda who married Frank Van erick2, PhilipI, married Diana Hilts, Alstine. Two children, Bennie and daughter of George I. Hilts. Charlotte. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 101 3. Nancy Katherine who married 29, 1896. Never married. Robert Patterson. Eight children: 3. Helen now living at Herkimer. Clarence, Ethel, Robert E., Edna, Gertrude, Ruth, Nellie and Gr.ace. Luther B. Helmer 4. Leroy who went to Texas. Luther Bra.dish Helmer6, Luther5, Philip P.4, Philip F.a, Frederick2, Nancy M. Helmer Philipl was born December 31, 1838. Nancy Margaret Helmer6, Luther5, Died February 29, 1916. In 1866 he Philip P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, married Mary Esther Cristman. They Philipl was born February 2, 1834 at lived about one-half mile from Eaton Herkimer. She died a.bout 1930 at the ville in the Town of Herkimer. age of 96 years. She married Octo They were the parents of six child ber 24, 1855 William Folts6, Allen5, ren: Conrad4, Melcherta, Johan Conrad2, 1. Louis S. who married Nancy C. Melchert!. William Folts died May Fulmer, only daughter of John and 6, 1911. Margaret Fulmer. One daughter Nancy M. Helmer was educated at Grace May Fairfield Seminary. She was a devout 2. Luther R. who married Ella C. member of the Reformed church and Cristman, only child of Varnum her husband a member of the Metho Cristman. Now living at Herkimer dist church. She was greatly inter 3. Lester L. who married Brettie ested in the genealogy of the Helmer Angeline Brown, daughter of Mar family, well educated and her pen shall Brown of Eatonville. He died manship was very fine. It is large May 13, 1911, leaving two small child ly fr,om data that she had collected ren, Earl and Pearl Angeline. that this chapter has been arranged. 4. Phoebe L. who died May 21, Nancy M. Helmer and her husband 1911. Never married. William Folts were the parents of 5. Harry C. who married Maude three children: Kast Two children, Essie May and 1. Helen Rosabelle, born September Ernest. 27, 1863. 6. Mabel Esther who died aged 13 :2. Sherman Grant, born October 24, years. 1864. 3. John Howard, born January 29, Frederick M. Helmer 1871. Frederick Morgan Helmer6, Luth Matilda Helmer er5, Philip P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was born May 26, 1848. He Matilda Helmer6, Luther5, Philip married Rosanna Griggs .of Vienna P.-1, Philip F.8, Frederick2, Philipl, who was born February 22, 1853 and was born March 26, 1837. She mar died April 29, 1888. They lived at ried in 1865 Ambrose B. Arnold and Middleville and Kast Bridge. lived at Scott Hill until after her They were the parents of five husband's death which occurred Au children: gust 26, 1892. Matilda Helmer died 1. Nellie who married Charles June 25, 1899. Saunders, a railroad employee, .and They were the parents of three lived at Pulaski, N. Y. Two children, children: Leon and Ruth. 1. Polly now living at Herkimer. 2. Herbert, who married Mabel --·-·· 2. Thomas Roscoe, who died March and now living in New Hartford, N. 102 THE HELMER F~}.11~): Y. Four cbildren, Clarence,. Anna, F1;--a.t1~. Audrey and a younger son 9._ Charles J. who·. Illarr.ied ~~.r~ 3. Hettie Matilda who married John Cristman, daughter of . Norton Cri.st- .. ~ •.. , ··: :·• -·.. •• \ .• '!'" Knope and is now living in Amster man and his wife Margaret Ras,f:>~c::p. dam, N. Y. Two children, Rose and 6. Jennie, who married Alvah Pot- •...... ,.,, ·. . . . :,. John, Jr. ter. Two sons and· two daughters.· 4 Blanche Phoebe, who marr~ed J•ohn Rowe and is now living in Am Lester G. Helmer sterdam, N. Y. 5. Ruby who married John Dono Lester Grant Helmer6; Phj:lipa, van and is now living in Amsterdam. Philip P.-1, Philip -F.3, Freder:ie~2, Two children, Blanche and -a young Philipl • was boro . January , 20; 1863. er daughter He had · a •twin, brother -Leslie Mead. Lester G. Helmer . married- December 16, 1890, Rosabelle Folts, daughter of William N. Helmer William Fiolts and his wife Nancy William Nelson Helmer6, Matthew5, Margaret Helmer. Rosabelle . Folts' Philip P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, paternal ancestry was William Philipl, was born April 5, 1835. Died F,olts6, Allen5, Conrad-1, Melchert3, March 9, 1899. He married June 17, Johan Conrad2, Melchertl. Her ma 1857, Nancy Cristman, daughter of ternal ancestry was Nancy M. Hel Lehman Cristman. Nancy Cristman merG, ~uthera, Philip P.-1, Philip .F,a, was born February 24, 1834 and died Frederick2, Philip1. December 26, 1912. Lester G. Helmer and bis wife Ros They. were the parents ·of . two abelle Folts -are now living., on ,. a children: farm at Kast Bridge. 1. Nellie C. They are the . parents ,of. three 2. Devillo N. · who married Cora children: Morey, daughter of Fred Morey of 1. Laura B. Fairfield, N. Y. 2. Naioma F. 3 Howard P. Charles M. Helmer Charles Madison HelmerG, Mat Sherman G. Folts thew5, Philip P.4, Philip F.3, Freder Sherman Grant ;Fol,ts7, Nancy__ ·:M ick2, Philipl was born May 3, 1837. Helmer6, Lutber5, Philip P.4, P~iliJ Died June 6, 1912. He married Mar F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born Oc garet Forbes, daughter of James tober 24:, 18'34. Married· January 16 Fioroes of Moravia, Cayuga County, 1889, Alice J. Cole. They now livu N. Y. at Bluff Point, Yates County, N. 'Y. They were the parents of six child They are thEr . parents of fio~r ren: children: 1. Ellsworth who died at the age of two years. 1. Edward C. 2. Franklin Eugene wr..,) married 2. Maude E. Melinda Cristman. 3 William K. 3. Eva May who married George 4. Allen P. Benson. Two children Charles and J. Howard Folts Bessie who married Merton Harter. 4. Minnie who married John W. J. Howard Folts7, Nancy M. Hel Fulmer. Two children, C;7Z'Us and mer6, Luther5, Philip P.4, Philip ·F.3. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 103 Frederick2, Philipl was born January 1. Caty Maria, born January 31, 29, 1871. He married Harriett . Get 1812. Sponsors Henry Helmer and man of Schells Bush. They are now Catharine Getman, unmarried. living in New York city. 2. George Monr-oe, born January 18, One son Burr Carlton. 1824. Sponsors George M.onro.e and Margaret Helmer. He was called by CHAPTER XXIV. the last name Monroe. Descendants of Henry Helmer Query-Who was Catharine Get Henry Helmer4, Godfrid3, Len man, born May 14, 1812, died May 13, dert2, Philipl was born August 20, (or 19), 1895, wife of Conrad Helmer 1764, probably the youngest child of and daughter ,of Bartlett B. Getman Godfrid and his second wife Anna and Elizabeth Grant, his wife. She is buried in the "Old Columbia Ceme- • Margeretha -··---· The record of his birth is found in the Stone Arabia tery," Town of Columbia, Herkimer Reformed church. He died about 1849. County. Was she the second wife of His father's will was executed Mar. Conrad H. Helmer or the wife of a son by the same name of whom we 14, 1765 and bequeathed unto his son have no record? Henry 100 acres of New Patent No. 154. Henry Helmer, Jr. Henry Helmer married November 4, 1792 Catharine McCaffrey, born Henry Helmer, Jr.5, Henry4, God about 1770, died about 1837. The re frid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born cord of their marriage is also found Feb. 29, 1800. Died about 1887. He in the Stone Arabia Reformed married Oct. 14, 1822 Elizabeth Lath Church. The records of the birth of rop, born July 3, 1802 and died about several of their children are f,ound in 1868. the German Flatts and Herkimer Re Seven children: formed churches. Emeline born April 12, 1823. Six children: Abigail Katherine born Dec. 23, 1824 Mary Elizabeth born July 3, 1827. 1. John, born Novemoer 9, 1793. John b. July 27, 1829, d. about 1845. died 1814, aged 18 years. Sponsors James born March 2, 1831. Adam Heffner and Anna Margaret William born Oct. 13, 1836. Christina born March 22, 1841. Helmer. 2. Conrad H. born Nov. 19, 1795. William Helmer 3. Henry, Jr. born Feb. 29, 1800. William Helmer5, Henry4, God 4. William, born May 1, 1804. Spon frid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born May sors John G. Russey and Margaret 1, 1804. He married Jan. 13, 1823 Eliz ------·-·--, his wife. abeth Stanhope (or Sternberg). 5. Margaret, born April 23, 1807. 6. Christina, born May 1, 1811. No record of children. Margaret Helmer Conrad H. Helmer Conrw H. Helmer5, Henry4, God Margaret Helmer5, Henry4, God frid3 Lendert2, Philipl was born frid3, Lendert2, Philipl was born Nov. 19, 1795. Died 1875. He married April 23, 1807. Died June 17,, 1837 at May, 18113 Barbara (Permilia) Getman Hastings, Oswego county, N. Y. She and lived at Columbia, Herkimer Co. married Jan. 12, 1822 George Benedict. Two r..1-tildren: No record of children. 104 THE HELMER FAMILY CHAPTER XXV. 1813, as a private in Captain Timer man's Company of New York Militia. Descendants of John Helmer and Ann Shaw Children John Helmer (probably the son of John Helmer and his wife Ann John P. Helmer and Maria Wolff) Shaw were the parents of eight died at Alexandria Bay, N. Y., May children: 20, 1875. He married October 23, 1. Melinda who married William 1816 at Johnstown, Fulton county, N. Phillips of Manlius, N. Y. Y. Ann Shaw (Show or Shore), who 2. William born March 13, 1821 who was born about 1800 and died about married Adah Milliner. 1887. Ann Shaw came from Nan 3. Marvin born about 1827, who tucket, Mass. married Cordelia Hill. There is no reliable record · of his 4. Aaron who married Margaret birth. Tradition is that he was born Cronkhite of the T.own of about 1778. However, there are sev Alexandria, Jefferson county, N ..Y. eral reasons to believe that 1778 was 5. John Henry, born June 16, 1832 not correct. (or 1836) who married (1st) Ele-ano:i: At one time he lived at Manlius, Springer and ('2nd) Harriet Conant. Onondaga County, N. Y. From old 6. Adelia who married Alexander letters and other data, it is stated Anderson and llved at Johnstown, that the names of Michael, Adam, N. Y. Henry and Betsy occurred in his 7. Julia who married Sanford family. Also that he had a brother George of the T.own of .Alexandria, by the name of Philip. Jefferson County, N. Y. These six names were among the 8. James who was married three eleven or twelve children of John P. times and lived at Atlanta, Georgia. Helmer and his wife Maria Wolff, who lived at Manlius, Onondaga William Helmer County, about 1802 to 1833. William Helmer, son of John Hel Taking this information, one is led mer and Ann Shaw, was born March to believe that he was the son Jo 13, 1821. He married Adah Milliner hannes (John) born December 15, of Rochester, N. Y. 1793, mentioned in Chapter XXI. Re They were the parents of a daugh liable Bible records are necessary to ter: definitely establish the date of his 1. Caroline who married a Mr. Stair birth. and lived at Lake Odessa, Michigan. If it can be ascertained that he was the son .of John P. Helmer and Marvin Helmer Maria Wolff who moved from Herki Marvin Helmer, son of John Hel mer to Manlius about 1802, then his mer and Ann Shaw, was born about ancestry would be John P.4, Philip3, 1827 according to the pension applica Adam2, Philip!. It is hoped some one tion of his mother. In 1849 he mar will furnish old Bible records that ried Cordelia Hill and lived at Red will add additional information. wood, Jefferson County, N. Y. He died about 1903. His wife was bor.P. War of 1812 . . .,.f3: about 1832 and died about 1903... . <''-~ John Helmer was a soldier in the Marvin Helmer sailed on· boats· on War of 1812, enlisting September 14, the Hudson River during the summer PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 105 seasons and earned enough money to John Hen•ry Helmer pay for his farm. At one time he John Henry Helmer, son of John owned about one thousand acres of Helmer and Ann Shaw, was born land in northern Jefferson County. June 16, 1832 (or 1836), at Johnstown. He also sailed on ships carrying sup N. Y. He married (1st) Eleanor plies out .of New York Bay to ships Springer of Vermont. and (2nd) Har bound for the War with Mexico. Marvin Helmer and his wife Cor riet Conant, January 18, 1875. Many delia Hill were the parents of ten of their descendants are living in the children: State of Vermont. 1. Charles, who was twice married. He moved to the State of North Dakota. He and his second wife died By the first marriage he had a son John P. who lived at Colorado in Windmere, North Dakota. Children by the first marriage: Springs, Colorado. 2. Sarah born August 23, 1854 who 1. Herbert born 1864. married Edward H. Reynolds. Children by the second marriage: 3. Emma. 2. Albert born November 4, 1876. 4. Dauiel born August 26, 1858 who Died September 8, 1877. married Mattie E. Staring. 3. Aaron E. born .June 24, 1878. 5. Mary Jane born June 6, 1859 4. Lucy Adelia, b.orn April 3, 1880. who married Byron Wilbur. 5. Andrew born July 31, 1883. 6 Mary Lillian born October 9, 1885. 6. Persis. 7. Harmon. 7. Lida Hortense born May 5, 1888. 8. 8. Virginia. Clarence Erwin born December 9. Elsie. 21, 1890. 10. Berton. 9. Ralph Lincoln born December 22, 1893. Died October 11, 1918 at NOTE-One of these daughters Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. married a Mr. Casselman and anoth er married a Mr. Van Driesen of the James Helmef" Mohawk Valley. James Helmer was the youngest child of John Helmer and Ann Shaw. Aaron Helmer He was married three times. He died Aaron Helmer, son of John Helmer at Atlanta, Georgia, several years and Ann Shaw married Margaret ago. Cronkhite. Many of their descend James Helmer married· (1st) Alice ants are now living in Jefferson Smidt at Marysville, California, in county, N. Y. 1865. Alice Smidt and her parents They were the parents of five were from Kentucky and had travel children: ed overland in -a prairie schooner to California. 1. Caroline who married Darwin Olney. James Helmer married (2nd) in 1875 Cornelia Fitzpatrick Smith, 2. Julia, never married. daughter of Rev. Smith of Carthage, 3. Joseph who married Kittie N. Y. She died -about 1877. Pierce. James Helmer married in 1879 4. George who married Lillie Cur (3rd) Adele Gill of Brockville, Ontar tis. io, Canada. His widow is now living 5. Ella who married Henry Allen, at Atlanta1 Georgia. 106 'THE HELMER FAMILY James Helmer and his first wife 3. Jesse Martin born September 'r,' Alice Smidt were the parents of two 1913. daughters: Children by the second marriage. 1. Anna who married a Mr. Walker 4. Laurence Frederick, born No.: and is now living at Dexter, Jeffer vember 14, 1917. Died January 22, son county, N. Y. 1920. 2. Emma who married William 5. Charles Albert born April 1, 1921. Brown of Stone Mills, Jefferson coun ty, N. Y. Harry Cl-arence Reynolds James Helmer and his third wife Harry Clarence Reynolds, son of Adele Gill were the parents of sev Sarah Helmer and Edward H. Rey eral children. nolds, was born May 9, 1886. He married November 27, 1913 Jane Mc Sarah Helmer Donnell. Sarah Helmer, daughter of Marvin Helmer and C.ordelia Hill, was born Ernest Helmer Reynolds about August 23, 1854. Died Decem Ernest Helmer Reynolds, son of ber 6, 1918. She married November Sarah Helmer and Edward H. Rey 27, 1877 Edward ·H. Reynolds, born nolds was born August 12, 1888. He August 15, 1851. Edward H. Rey married April 4, 1920 Marie Antos. nolds was the son of Patrick Farrell Children: and M•ary O'Donnell and was adopted 1. Marie Frances born March 25, by the Reynolds family. Many of 1921. Deceased. their descendants are living in Jef 2. Nancy Louise, born September ferson County, N. Y. 26, 1929. Sarah Helmer and her husband Ed ward H. Reynolds were the parents Daniel M. Helmer of four children: 1. Nettie May born April 12, 1881. Daniel M. Helmer, son of Marvin 2. Edward Daniel born June 26, Helmer and Cordelia Hill, was born 1884. August 26, 1858, at Alexandria Bay, 3. Harry Clarence born May 9, Jefferson County, N. Y. He died 1886. March 22, 1900. He married May 15. 4. Ernest Helmer born August 12. 1887, Mattie E. Staring, born 1869, 1888. died 1924. They were the parents of a son: Edward Daniel Reynolds 1. Marvin C., who is agent for the Edward Daniel Reynolds, son of Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pa Sarah Helmer and Edward D. Rey cific Railroad Company at Coeur nolds, was born June 26, 1884. He d'Alene, Idaho. married (1st) August 8, 1908, Sarah - Mary Jane Helmer Martin, who died September 7, 1913. He married (2nd) November 30, 1916, Mary Jane Helmer, daughter of Louise Sargent. Marvin Helmer and Cordelia Hill, Children by the first marriage: was born June 6, 1859. Died Novem ber 3, 1912, at Alexandria Bay, N. Y. 1. Sarah Irene born October 16, 1910 She married Byron Wilbur. now living at Alexandria Bay, N. Y. They were the parents of four 2. Herbert Edward, born July 6, children: 1912. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 107 1. Gordon Frank, born April 5, Herbert Helmer 1882. · Occupati-on engineer. Herbert Helmer, son of John Henry 2~ Bertha. May, born November 27, Helmer and his first wife Eleanor 1884; Springer, was born in 1864. He mar 3.- Bessie. , Amelia, born May 18, ried July 9, 1889, Rosa L. Springer.· 1886 at Little Falls, N. Y. They were the parents of two sons: 4... Marvin W.,. born February 10, 1. Ernest Herbert, born about April 1890. 27, 1890. Died April 21, 1919. Ca-roline Helmer 2. Clifford, born June 8, 1899. Caroline Helmer, daughter of Aaron E. Helme.r Aaron Helmer and Margaret Cronk Aaron E. Helmer, son of J,ohn Hen hite, married Darwin Olney and lived ry Helmer and his second wife Har at Clayton, N. Y. Both deceased. riet Conant, was born June 24, 1878. They were the parents of a daugh He married February 15, 1923 Mrs. ter: Jennie Amundson. · 1. Minnie, · who married Leonard They have one son: Leitermanri. · and is now living at 1. Lowell Eugene, born December Clayton, N. Y. Two daughters, Lu- 8, 1923. cille and Margaret. Lury Adelia Helmer Jo,seph Helmer Joseph Helmer, son of Aaron Hel Lury Adelia Helmer, daughter of mer and Margaret Cronkhite married John Henry Helmer and Harriet Con Kittie Pierce. Joseph Helmer is de ant, was born ·April 3, 1880. She mar ceased. His widow Kittie Pierce is ried (1st) March 18, 1896 Ernest O. now living on a farm at Plessis, N. Y. Springer, who died November 22, They were the parents of a daugh 1909. She married (2nd) October 14, ter: 19U, Charles L. Bradley, who died 1. Grace, who married George Har January 7, 1928. dy, postmaster of Philadelphia, N. Y. Children of Lury A. Helmer and Five children, Ruth; James, Joy, Fern her first husband Ernest 0. Springer: 1. and ;W8:yil~- Serelle Maurice, born September 21, 1896. George Helmer 2. Alexander E., born April 16, 1902. Children of Lury A. Helmer and George Helmer, sori · -of Aaron Hel her second husband Charles L. Brad mer .· and Margaret Cronkhite, mar ley: ried Lillie Curtis. . Both . deceased. 3. Ruth L., born August 19, 1912. · They.were the parents of a daugh fer::- -·· •· - · 4. Edith May, born July 31, 1914. 5. Mary, born October 7, 1915. Died · 1. Ida, who married Bryce Wills. June 14, 1920. One daughter Lillie. 6. Charles Benjamin, born April Ella Helmer 29, 1917. 7. Lester Darrell, born August 17, :-Ella?,Hehriei-, . : daughter of Aaron 1918. Cronkhite. Heimer and Margaret 8. Hazel Margaret, born July 8. married Henry Allen. Both deceased 1920. No· i:ecord- of ~hildren. 9. Gladys Marion, born .July 10, 1921 108 THE HELMER FAMILY Andrew Helmer Clarence E. Helme!I" Andrew Helmer, son of John Henry Clarence E. Helmer, son - of John Helmer and Harriet Conant, was born Henry Helmer and Harriet Conant, July 21, 1883. He married December was born December 21, 1890. He mar ~5, 1906, Grace M. McDowell. ried July 16, 1913 Augusta May Stew They were the parents of eight art. children: They were the parents of three 1. John George, born October 15, children: 1907. 1. Elaine Clare, born July 26, 1914. 2. Clara Har~iet, born May 8, 1909. 2. Erwin Ralph, born December 10, 3. Redia Adelia, born December 1916. 16, 1910. 3. Archie Stewart, born March 15, 4. Frances Evelyn, born June 27, 1918. 1912. 5. Donald Ward, born March 8, Bertha M. Wilbur 1914. 6. Wayne Herbert, born .January 1, Bertha May Wilbur, daughter of 1916. Mary Jane Helmer and Byron Wil 7. Elsie Grace, born December 5, bur, was born November 27, 1884. She 1918. married December 25, 1914 Roy Cl-ark 8. Jennie Shella .born November Cummings and is now living at Cort 23, 1921. land, N. Y. They are the parents of three child ren: Mary Lillian Helmer 1. Raymond W., born December 13, 1916. Mary Lillian Helmer, daughter of 2. Jane Elizabeth, born January 25, John Henry Helmer and Harriet 1920. Conant, was born October 9, 1885. 3. Marian Manchester, born Sep She married February 20, 1906 Chas. tember 30, 1921. Zimmerman. They were the parents of si-.c child Bessie A. Wilbur ren: 1. Harriet Ann, born March 27, 1907. Bessie Amelia Wilbur, daughter of 2. Lillian May, born February 15, Mary Jane Helmer and Byron Wil 1909. bur, was born May 18, 1886 at Little 3. Frances, born April 21, 1911. · Falls, N. Y. She married April 1, 4. Eleanor Agnes, born July 8, 1913. 1908, Frederick Belding Wheeler, 5. Irene Susan, born March 13, 1918. born June 24, 1889, at Alexandria 6. John Charles, born January 27, Bay, N. Y. Frederick B. Wheeler 1922. died March 23, 1918. He was cashier of the Bank of Antwerp, Antwerp, N. Y. Lida Horten,se Helmer They were the parents of three Lida Hortense Helmer, daughter of children: J•ohn Henry Helmer and Harriet Con 1. Bertha Elizabeth, born April 14, ant, was born May 5, 1888. She mar 1909, -a graduate of the Cortland ried March 18, 1918, John W. Bor Normal School. deau and is now living at South Roy 2. Douglas W., born December l, alton, Vermont. 1910, a student at Ann ArQor, Mich. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 109 3. Jane Rosalie, born March 10, The Canada Branch 1914. Died December 25. 1918. Soon after the ~eginnin,g of the Re Ma-rvin W. Wilbur voltuion several brothers of the Hel mer family living in t_he vicinity of Marvin W. Wilbur, son of Mary Stone Arabia went to Canada. A Jane Helmer and Byron Wilbur, was letter written by a grandson refem to born February 10, 1890. He married some of these brothers ·as Philip, Edna Sehr-am. They now live at John and Godfrid. They were pro Alexandria Bay, N. Y. bably grandsons of Lem.dert Helmer, They were the parents of two the Burnettsfield Patentee and daughters: nephews of Godfried3, Lendert2, Phil 1. Helen Frances, born April, 1911. ipl, mentioned In Chapter V. A student at the State College for Teachers at Albany, N. Y. Some of these men had families 2. Eunice, born December 13, 1917. and did not dare return to the Mo hawk Valley for them. The wives Serelle Maurice Springer followed their husbands to Canada in Serelle Maurice Springer, son of the winter, using hand sleds for their Lury A. Helmer and her first hus children, provisi,ons and belongings. band Ernest 0. Springer, was born One of these brothers located at September 21, 1896. He married July Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada. Some 1, 1929, Hazel North. time after the close .of the Revolution They had one daughter: another brother returned to the Mo 1. Delia Hazel, born May 28, 1930. hawk Valley and located in the vicin• ity of East Creek. He raised a large Alexander E. Springer family. Several .of his sons later re Alexander E. Springer, son of Lury turned to Canada one locating at A. Helmer and her first husband Er Osnabrook and others locating first nest 0. Springer, was born April 16, at Cornwall. and afterward moving to 1902. He married November 26, 1924, the vicinity of Ottawa. Irma Wilson. From two separate sources infor They have one daughter: mation has been received that there 1. Mavis Lucille, born September 12, were two men by the name ,of John 1927. Helmer who went to Canada at the CHAPTER XXVI. outbreak Qf the Revolutioin These sources of information refer to each Loyalists in the Helmer Family of these men as named John and At the outbreak of the Revolution that they were brothers. This infor many families in the Mohawk Valley mation, of course, is questionable, adhered to the British couse. The and additional inf.ormation is neces inhabitants of the vicinity of Johns sary to clear up the record. It is town and Fonda had been under the hoped that some of the Canadian de influence of the Johnson family and scendants of the Helmer family will many joined Sir John Johnson in op assist in completing the record of posing the Revolution. this branch of the family. In the Helmer family there were The First John Helmer several men who remained loyal to the Crown. Some have been men As told by a grandson the first tioned in Chapters IV and VI. of th,~ m~n bf th~ ~am~ of Jqh;n 110 THE HELMER FAMILY Helmer was unmarried when he went The Second John Helmer to Canada and also that he was the Another .John Helmer according to son of Philip Helmer. old letters went to Canada during the In June, 1783, he located at Wil Revolution. Although he is spo~~n liamsburg, Dundas County, Ontario, of as being the brother of the John Canada. About 1793 he married a Helmer previously mentioned in· this French lady in Montreal, journeying chapter, this informatin is subject to. 120 miles to that city as there were further pr.oof. no clergymen nearer at that time. His After the close of the Revolution it wife's name is not known. is stated that he returned to the John Helmer and his French wife Mohawk Valley, locating in the vi were the parents of three sons and cinity of East Creek and had_ a either five or six daughters: large family. It is reported that he 1. John, the eldest son, born about had a hard after returning to 1795 who died at the age of 90 years. time the valley, so bitter was the feeling He had eight children, four sons and four daughters, names not known. against the Loyalists. The Loyalists not only lost their property through His eldest son enlisted in the Union Army and was killed in the Civil confiscation, but_ those remaining in War. New York State were disfr-anchised, discriminated against in taxation an_cl 2. Richard, born about 1807, who boycotted in business. . . died in April, 1895, aged 86 years. John Helmer married Anna Mul 3. Joseph, born about 1813. Killed at. ross. She was of Scottish descent, the Windmill Battle, Presc.ott, Cana-: born and raised in England. da in 1837 or 1838. They were the parents of seventeen Also five or six daughters. children, twelve sons and five daugh Ric•hard Helmer ters, born about 1775 to 1800, among them being: · Richard Helmer, son of John and 1. John, who married Agnes Peter,;. grandson of Philip, was born about son. 1807. He died in April, 1893 at the 2. Jacob who settled at Osnabrook, age of 86 years. His wife's name is Ontario. not known. 3. Philip who ma.rried Isabelle They were the parents of five sons Grimshaw. and one daughter, among them be 4. James. ing: 5. Thomas. 6. Aaron. 1. William B. who lived at River 7. Andrew. side, California. 2. One son who lived in Michigan. John Helmeir, Jr. 3. Albert who lived at Calgary, Al John Helmer, Jr., son of John Hel berta, Canada. mer and Anna Mulross, married Ag 4. Nathanel, born about 1838, who nes Peterson at Potsdam, N. Y. They lived in Ottawa in 1915. He had five with several brothers on both sides sons and two daughters. One son immigrated to Cornwall, Ontario, was C0l. R. A. Helmer, father of Lt. Canada, afterwards locating on the Alexis M. Helmer who was killed in Rideau River about ten or fifteen France in May, 1915, fighting with miles from Ottawa. John Helmer the British. died at the age of 90 years. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 111 John Helmer, Jr. and Agnes Peter One of these daughters married a son, his wife were the parents ,of Mr: Fitch and died at Simcoe, Cana eight children, four sons and four da in 1926 -at the age of 112 years. daughters: They had a son or grandson . named 1. Aaron. Nathan Fitch who is now living at 2. William. Courtland, Canada. 3. John who had a daughter Alice, who married a Mr. Denmark and is George Helmer now living at St. Catherine, Ontario, George Helmer, son of Philip Hel Canada. mer and Isabelle Grimshaw, was 4. Samuel. twice married. He married (1st) 5. Elizabeth. Susan Toban and (2nd) Lucinda Par 6. Eliza. ish. Some of their descendants live 7. Anna. in the vicinty of St. Thomas, Ontario, 8 Pauline. Canada. One of these sons married Mary Children of George Helmer and his Leslie, born in Westmeath, Ireland first wife Susan Toban: and had the following children: 1. George, Jr. Joshua, William, Inkerman, Eliza 2. Lorenzo. beth, Margaret and John, the latter 3. John. living in Duluth, Minnesota in 1915. Children of George Helmer and his Jacob Helmer second wife Lucinda Parish: 4. Nancy. Jacob Helmer, son of John Helmer 5. Phoebe. and Anna Mulross went to Canada 6. Maggie. when very young and settled in Osna 7. Euphemia . brook, Stormant County, Ontario. He married and had a large family, Lorenzo Helmer mostly boys. Lorenzo Helmer, son of George Philip Helmer Helmer and Susan Toban, married Mary Brackett. Philip Helmer, son of John Helmer They were. the parents of a daugh· and Anna Mulross, married Isabelle ter: Grimshaw. He was a shoemaker by trade. He died about 1870 at Turkey 1. Naomi who married a Mr. Pick ersgill and is now living at St: Thom Point, near Normansdale, Canada. Is as, Ontario, Canada. abelle Grimshaw died about 1885. Philip Helmer and his wife Isabelle Andrew Helmer Grimshaw, were the parents •of nine children, born about 1800 to 1830: Andrew Helmer was probably the 1. Melross (Mulross). son of John Helmer and Anna Mul 2. Joseph. ross. He was one of the Canadian 3.. Andrew. branch of this family and his ances 4. William try has not been definitely determin--: 5. George. ed. He married about 1828 Mary____ _ 6. Charles. and lived at New Hamburg and Pres 7. Philip. ton, Canada. 8. Nancy. They were the parents of two sons: 9. Elizabeth. 1. John, the eldest, born in Canada 112 THE HELMER FAMILY in 1830. · Lived in the State of Illi Anna Helmer nois from 1864 to the time of his Anna (Nancy) Helmer4, George F.3, death in 1915. His obituary dated in Frederick2, Philipl, was born March 1915 reads as folows: "Came to Ili 6, 1790. She was the second wife of nois in 1864. He was a member of Col. Henry J. Myers who was the the Presbyterian Church of New son of John Myers. Col. Henry J. Hamburg, Canada, and also a mem Myers' first wife was also named ber of the Masonic order from early Nancy Helmer, the daughter of Phil~ life. During his y-0unger life in Can ip F. Helmer and a cousin of his sec ada he, with his father accomplished ond wife. much~ clearing many acres of land and building long stretches of wagon Anna (Nancy) Helmer, daughter roads throughout that Province (On of George F., and her husband Col. tario). Many landmarks still bear Henry J. Myers were the parents of the name of Helmer." a son: 2. Philip, who also moved to the 1. J•ohn H. Myers who married Feb United States. His granddaughter, ruary 9, 1826, Maria Bellinger, daugh Miss Dorothy G. Helmer is now liv ter of Peter F. Bellinger and Eliza . ing in Indianapolis, Indiana. beth Harter, his wife. Note-Peter F. Bellinger was born February 22, 1759, died September 9, Lieutenant George F. Helmer in the 1815. He married March 4, 1781 Eliz Revolution abeth Harter, born October 19, 1764, Additi·onal Descendants died June 18, 1823. She was the In Chapter XII appeared the re daughter of Henry Harter, Deacon cord of Lieutenant George F. ·· Hel and Captain of the Militia. Henry mer3, Frederick2, Philipl. In that Harter was the son of Lawrence Har chapter it was stated that he was ter and his wife Apolone ····-·····• Bur born either in 1739 or 1740. An old nettsfield Patentees. family Bible now in the possession •of Peter F. Bellinger's parents were a Helmer descendant, Mr. David H. Lieut. Ool. Frederick P. Bellinger and Bellinger of Mindenville, N. Y. gives Catharine Weber, his wife. Lieut. the exact date of the birth of Lieu Col. Frederick P. Bellinger's father tenant George F. Helmer as August was Philip Bellinger. 8, 1740 and his death as March 22, Mary Jane Helmer 1823. George F. Helmer had a twin Mary Jane Helmer (christened Ma brother Philip F. Helmer, mentioned ria Catharine)5, Jacobi, George F.3, in Chapters XIlI and XXIII. The re Frederick2, Philipl, was born July 18, cord from this old Bible is valuable 1812. Died January 13, 1892. She as it definitely fixes the date of the married March 17, 1841 Henry Casler. births of these twin brothers, both Henry Casler died May 27, 1872. soldiers in the Revolution. They Mary Jane Helmer and her hus were the sons of Frederick Helmer band Henry Casler had three child- and Maria Barbara Kast. Their ren: grandfathers were Philip Helmer and 1. Margaret Elizai:>eth, born June Johann George Kast. 26, 1843. The following are additional de 2. George Henry, born July 19, 1848, scendants: Died July 21, 1861. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 113 3. Amanzo, born August 1, 1845. e;estry was Elizabeth Hilts4, Philip3, Died March 7, 1847. N1cholas2, Georgel. .Joseph Helmer and his wife Lucin Ma1rgaret Elizabeth Casler da Smith were the parents of six Margaret Elizabeth Casler6, Mary children: Jane Helmer::i,_ Jacob-!, George F.3, 1. Edward, died about 20 years of Frederick2, Philipl was born June 26 age. Never married. 1843. She married October 24, 1867, 2. Adam, who married Mildred Or Jonas Bellinger, who died October 2, endorf and lived at Herkimer. 1882. 3. Irving, who died young. Margaret Elizabeth Helmer and 4.. Norman, never married. Lived her husband Jonas Bellinger were at Mor-avia the parents of a son: 5. Frank (or Joseph, Jr.) Lived at 1. David Henry, born February 25, Moravia. 1874. 6. Mary, who died at the age of six: years. David Henry Bellinger David Henry Bellinger7, Margaret CHAPTER XXVII Elizabeth Casler6, Mary Jane Hel Lieutenant Adam F. Helmer in the mer5, Jacob4, George F.3, Frederick2, Revolution Philipl was born February 25, 1874. He married July 6, 1896 Jennie E. . Additional Descendants Hillegas. They now live at Minden In Chapter XIV ..was given the re ville, N. Y. cord of Lieutenant Adam F. Helmers, Frederick2, Philipl~ Additional de Descendants of Philip F. Helmer scendants are as foUows: In Chapters XIII and XXIII ap peared the record of Philip F. Hel Margaret Helmer mers, Frederick2, Philipl. He was Margaret Helmer4, Adam F.3, Fred born August 7, 1740. Died June 8, erick2, Philipl, was born September 1830. He had a twin brother Lieuten 9, 1778. She married George Pas ant George F. Helmer. sage of the Town of Warren, Herki- The following are additional de- mer county. scendants: They were the parents of six: child- ren: Joseph Helmer 1. Henry, born J-anuary 2, 1806. Joseph Helmer6, TimothyG, Peter 2. Eva, born May 7, 1809. She P.4, Philip F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, married a Mr. Fox and moved to the was born at Herkimer January 22, State of Michigan. 1826. He married about 1845 Lucin 3. Peter, born January 12, 1812. da Smith, daughter of Adam J. 4. John, who moved to the State of Smith and his wife Elizabeth Hilts. Illinois. Joseph Helmer owned a farm at Mo 5. Adam. ravia, Cayuga County, N. Y. He and 6. Lany who married Simon Spohn his wife died there. and lived in Livingston County, N. Lucinda Smith was also ,a Helmer Y. Simon Spohn was the son of descendant. Her paternal ancestry Henry Spohn and Margaret (Peggy) was Adam J. Smith6, Jacob, Jr.5, Hiller. Henry Spohn's parents were Margaret Helmer4, Henry A.3, Nicholas Spohn and Elizabeth Dev Adam2,, Philipl. Her maternal an- endorf. Nicholas Spahn's father was .114 THE HELMER FAMILY Henry Spohn, a Burnettsfield Paten F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was born tee in 1725. March 30, 1843. Died September 16, 1912. He married Charlotte Lyon. Pt:tter Passage They were the parents of four Peter Passage5, Margaret Helmer4, children: Adam F.3, Frederick2, Philipl, was 1. Lewis L., born March 16, 1875. He born January 12, 1812 in Herkimer married March 16, 1899, Grace Prym. County. He died April 6, 1906, •at 8. Flinn L., born February ·21, 1877. Dalton, N. Y~, aged 94 years. He He married July 14, 1908, Mary Tay married Harriet Ward of Columbia, lor. Now living at Gowanda, N. Y. Herkimer County. She was born Oc One child. tober 2, 1817 and was the daughter 3. Neal, born October 27, 1879. Died of Abraham Ward and his first wife April 29, 1896. Rosanna Earnest. Abra.ham Ward 4. Don L., born August 30, 1881. He was the son of Aaron Ward and his married September 24, 1907, Luella M. wife Elizabeth Wendell and was Glor, who was born May 30, 1882. born November 20, 1790, at Lansing burg, N. Y. Harriet. Ward died July Rosan·n•a Passage 27, 1894, aged 77 years. Rosanna Passage6, Peter5, Margar Peter Passage purchased a tract et Helmer4, Adam F.3, Frederick2, of land near Nunda, N. Y., in Janu Philipl was born June 30, 1844, at ary, 1838. After his marriage in 1842 Dalton, N. Y. She died April 16, 1922. he shipped bis furniture by canal She married February 23, 1868, Har boat to Rochester and from that rison Collins (or Colton) of Nunda, place hauled it to Nunda by team, a N. Y. distance of nearly fifty miles. Very They were the parents of two little of the timber had been cut children: .from his farm, the region thereabouts 1. Walter C., born July 27, 1873. being in a wild and unsettled condi 2. Harriet, born July 14, 1878. tion. Two log cabins were erected and in one of these he and his Ward Passage young wife began housekeeping, liv -ing in it for four years. He then Ward Passage6, Peter5, Margaret!, built a substantial frame house, Adam F.3, Frederick2, Philipl was which is still in a good state of pre born August 28, 1846. Died M-arch servation. 26, 1929 at Seattle, Wash. He married in June, 1866 Emma Coon of Undahl, Peter Passage and his wife Harriet Jackson County, Wisconsin. Emma Ward were the parents of four child Coon died March 3i, 1885 at Walla ren: Walla, Washington. l; Walter, who died July 13, 1860, aged 18 years. They were the parents of five 2. George Earnest, born March 30, children: 1843. 1. Ray Herbert, born August 31, 3. Rosanna, born June 30, 1844. 1872, at Dalton, N. Y. He married 4. Ward, born August 28, 1846. October 19, 1892 Emma Smith. Four children, May E., born Aug. 20, 1893, George E. Passage Edith born March 8, 1895, Margaret George Earnest Passage6, Peter born February 2, 1897 and Ruth J., Passages, Margaret. Helmer4, Adam born July 1, 1899. PIONEERS .AND PATRIOTS 115 2.. Harriet Mary, born May 23, 1876 as -a member of the Herkimer Re at Grove, N. Y. She married Ome formed Church September 17, 1815, Reid. at the age of 14 years. 3. Albert J., born January 11, 1879 In Chapter VII it was stated there at Rice Lake, Minnesota Lived in was no further record. Additional New York city about. 1926. information has been received that 4. Peter Ward, born April 15, .1881. she married Jacob Wollaber 4, Nich Living in Minnesota. olas:\ F'eter2, Nicholasl. 5. Jennie Bell, born August 25, 1885 They were the parents of a daugh at Walla Walla, Washington. She ter: married June 22, 1904 Clinton R. Nel 1. Mary E. who married John Alon son. zo Fulmer. Don L. Passage M-ary E. Wollaber Don L. _Passage7, George R.6, Pet er5, Margaret Helmer4, Adam F.3, Mary E. Wollaber6, Catharine Hel Frederick2, Philipl, was born August mer5, Conrad4, Frederick A.3, Ad 30, 1881. He married September 24, am2, Philipl, married John Alonzo 1907 Luell-a M. Glor, born May 30, Fulmer, son of David Fulmer and his 1882. They are now living at Attica, wife Mary Schell. N. Y. Mary E. Wollaber and her husband They were the parents of six J·ohn Alonzo Fulmer were the par children: ents of three children: 1. Freder1cK Glor, born October 29, 1. Milton J. 1909. 2. Emma A., who married Rev. 2. Neil George, born January 29, Charles L. Peck. 1912. 3. Mary C, who married (1st) Hugh 3. Doris Luella, born September 12, Fordyce and (2nd) Rev William H. 1913. Giles. 4. ·Rollins (twin), born August 20, 1916. Died August 20, 1916. Mary C. Fulmer 5. Robert (twin) born August 20, Mary C. Fulmer7, Mary A. Wolla 1916. Died August 20, 1916. ber6, Catharine Helmer5, Conrad4, 6. Don L., Jr., born July 17, 1924. Frederick A.3, Adam2, Philipl, mar CHAPTER XXVIII ried (1st) Hugh Fordyce and (2nd) Rev. William H. Giles and is now liv Frederi-ck A. Helmer in the Rev-olu ing at Auburn, N. Y. ti·on Children by the first marriage: A-dditional Descendants 1. Grace A. In Chapter VII. appeared the re 2. Wesley, who married Marguerite cord of Frederick A. Helmer3, Adam2, Ottman and is now living at Nan Philipl, born August 16, 1725, who tucket, Mass. married Barbara Elizabeth Homan. The following are additional de John R. Helmer scendants: John R. Helmer6, Henry A.5, Ad Catharine Helmer am4, Frederick A.3, Adam2, Philipl, Catharine Helmer5, Conrad4, Fred was born May 7, 1828, near Jordan erick A.3, ·Adam2, Philipl, was born ville, Herkimer County, N. Y. He died March · 24, 1801. She was confirmed at Clinton, Wisconsin, July 1, 1918, 116 THE HELMER FAMILY at the age ·of 90 years and was bur Tillotson. They are now living in ied at Clinton. He married (1st) Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are the Helen M. Osborn of ..: Richfield parents of two children: Springs, N. Y. who died December 4, 1. Helen Gene, born January 21, 1886. He married (2nd) Mrs. Clara 1919. Morey Edwards who is now living at 2. .John Frederick, born July 1, Everett, Washington. 1921. .John R. Helmer and his first wife J·o·hn H. Helmer Helen M. Osborn were the parents of three children: John Horatio Helmers, Frederick 1. Frederick R., born May 11, 1859. R.7, John R.6, Henry A.5, Adam4, 2. Grace Ellen, born March 25, 1861. Frederick A.3, Adam2, Philipl, was Died March 28, 1873. born .January 29, 1895. He married 3. Eugenia Helen, born February Dorothy Paul Smith. They are now 16, 1867. Died .January 17, 1886. living at Evanst9n, Illinois. They are the parents of child Frederick R. Helmer two ren: Frederick R. Helmer7, .John R.6, 1. Dorothy Joan, born August 24, Henry A.5, Adam4, Frederick A.3, 1923. Died January 17, 1931. Adam2, Philipl, was born May 11, 1899 2. John Coville, born November 18, at Fulton, Wisconsin. He married 1926. (1st) Charlotte E. Cronkrite, born August 17, 1869, who died March 11, CHAPTER XXIX 1915. He married (2nd) Lillian Descendants of Elizabeth Helmer Schuenke. They are now living at Clinton, Wisconsin. and Thomas Getma·n Frederick R. Helmer and his first Elizabeth Helmer was born about wife Charlotte Cronkrite were the 1753. Died October 6, 1837. She parents of three children: married Thomas Getman, born No 1. Helen G., born .J,anuary 25, 1887. vember 15, 1752. Died December 25, 2. Grace C., born August 24, 1888. 1820. Both are buried in the family 3 . .John Horatio, born .January 29, plot on the Getman Homestead at 1895. Ephratah. Helen G. Helmer Thomas Getman was a son of Cap tain George Getman and Delia Schu Helen G. ·Helmers, Frederick R.7, macher. Captain George Getman .John R.6, Henry A.5, Adam4, Fred served in the French and Indian erick A.3, Adam2, Philipl was born War under Sir William Johnson, and .January 25, 1887, at Clinton, Wiscon was the son •of John Frederick Get sin. She · married Edward 0. Scriv man and his wife Miss Buerman, en. They are now living in New daughter of Johannes Buerman, a York city. Burnettsfield Patentee in 1725. Delia No children. Schumacher, the wife of Captain Grace C. Helmer George Getman, was the daughter of John Schumacher of Stone Arabia. Grace C. :Helmers, Frederick R.7, The parentage •of Elizabeth Hel John R.6, ~-cy A.5, Adam.4, Freder mer is unknown. She was probably ick A.3, A!;l~gi.2, :Philipl, was born Au the daughter of Godfrid Helmer3, gust 24, ~'- _She married Knute Lendert2, Philipl. (See Chapter V.) PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 117 Elizabeth Helmer and her husband Casper Getman Thomas Getman were the parents of four. children: Casper Getman, son ·of George T. Getman and Margaret Cook, was 1. Catherine, who married Richard born February 2, 1799. He married Suts.. Elizabeth Bauder. 2. George T., born January 1, 1774. They were the parents of four Died June 23, 1834. Married Mar children: garet Cook. 1. George, who married (1st) Mar 3. John. garet Dillenbeck and (2nd) Eliza.beth 4. Thomas, Jr., who married Eliza Reed. beth Schell (Shull or Shutt). 2. Lucind-a, who married Christo pher Schultz. 3. Katherine, who married Lisan George T. Getman der Kilts. 4. Ervin, born about. 1834, died in George T. Getman, son of Thomas 1879, who married Ruby Claus. Getman and Elizabeth Helmer, was born January 1, 1774. He died June Robert Getman 23, 1834. He married Margaret Oook. They were the pru·tau.s of seven Robert Getman, son of George T. children: Getman and Margaret Cook, was 1. Casper, born February 2, 1799, born May 4, 1805. Died March 4, who married Elizabeth Bauder. 1872. Married June 1, 1828, Lucy_ 2. Robert, born May 4, 1805, who Young, who was born August 23, 1808 married Lucy Y.oung. and died March 12, 1872. 3. John. They were the parents of nine 4. Thomas. children: 5. Catherine. l. Darius, born .January 1, 1829. 6. Elizabeth. 2. Thomas, born February 10, 1831. 7. Hannah. 3. Mary E., born February 21, 1833. Died October 22, 1833. 4. George, born July 31, 1835. Thomas Getman, Jr. 5 .Joshua, born May 23, 1836. 6. Elizabeth, born October 23, 1839. Thomas Getman, Jr., son of Thom 7. Aaron, born June 4, 1841_. Lived as Getman and Elizabeth Helmer, at Fonda, N. Y. married Elizabeth Schell (Shull or 8. Laney A., born July 10, 1843. Shutt). Births of their children are 9. Nancy Catherine, born Septem found iD the Stone Arabia Lutheran ber 15, 1845 Church They were the parents of three sons: Volkert Getman 1. Volkert, born January 30, 1801. Sponsor11 Gaisbot Polman and Cath V.olkert Getman, son of Thomas arina-~- Getman, Jr., and his wife Elizabeth 2. Arcb1bald, born March 17, 1805. Schell (Shull or Shutt), was born Sponsors John Nellis and his wife. January 30, 1801. He died in 1884. 3. Thomas, who married Nancy He married Margaret Flanders. Best. · One son: Adam who married They were the parents of seven Helen I),l,J.la. Moyer. children: 118 THE HELMER FAMILY 1. Christopher, who married Mercy Christopher Getman Ann Blodgett. 2. Abner, who married Althea Vin Christopher Getman, son of. Vol-· cent. kerk Getman and Margaret Flanders, 3. M-artin, who never married. was born about 1826. Died in 1901. 4. William, who married ______Mc- He married Mercy Ann Blodgett and Mahon. lived at Chaumont, N. Y. 5. Mary, who married Duane Cross. They were the parents of three children; 6. Elizabeth, who married Hiram -i;: Kellogg. 1. Adelbert, who married Emma 7. Catherine. Ryder and lived at Chaumont, N. Y. One daughter: Minnie R., who mar George Getman ried Homer F. Horton. 2. William, who nlarried Laura George Getman, son of Casper Get Winch. One son Howard. man and Elizabeth Bauder, was born 3. Maralotte, · who married Clayton about 1825 to 1830. He married (1st) Rogers -and lived at Clayton, N._ ';, Margaret Dillenbeck and (2nd) Eliz abeth Reed. Abner Getman Six children by the first marriage: Abner Getman, son of Volkert Get 1. Samantha, who married R. Bloss. man and Margaret Flanders, married 2. Alva. Althea Vincent. 3. Casper, who married. and had They were the parents of two two children: George H. and Magda children: lena. 1. Duane. 4. Arvilina. 2. Myra, who married ___.Hume:;,- 5. Emma who married Clark Young. ton. Two children: Clarence •ud 6. Byron L., who married Emma Lyle. Borden. One child by the second marriage: William Getman 7. Eliza A., who married Myron William Getman, son of Volke. Saltsman. Getman and Margaret Flanders mar- ried ______McMahon. Thomas Getman They were the parents of two child• Thomas Getman, son of Robert ren: Getman and Lucy Y"·1ng, was born 1. Charles, who married and. had February 10, 1831. Died June 8, 1914. two children: Olive and Ruth. Married October 25, 1852, Alida Vroo 2. Irene, who married James , Mor man, born May 21, 1832. Died Jan g-an. uary 10, 1917. They were the parents of eight Ma-ry Getman children: Mary Getman, daughter of Volkert 1. Robert, born August 14, 1853. Getman and Margaret Flanders, wa1 2. Martin, born March 19 1855. ried Duane Cross. 3. Anna M., born July 8, .l.857. They were the parents of one son 4. Henry H., born April 23, 1863. 1. James. 5. Volkert L., born August 11, 1865. 6. Charles, born August 24, 1867. Elizabeth Getman Died April 12, 1883. Elizabeth Getman; daughter·· of' Vol:. 7. Sidney, born May 1, 1870. kert Getman and Matgaret: ·F:tan.dets, 8. Sarah M., born April .:'/, 1873. married Hiram Keii-ogg. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 119 They were the parents of one Anna M. Getman daughter: 1. Mercy Ann. Anna M. Getman, daughter of Thomas Getman and Alida Vrooman Samantha Getman was born July 8, 1857. Died January Samantha Getman, daughter of 30, 1911. She married December 18, George Getman and Margaret Dillen- 1879 John H. Dockstader, born Jan- beck, married R. Bloss. uary 17, 1856. They were the parents of six child- They were :he parents of three ren: children: 1. Margaret. 1. Edward, born May 31, 1883. Died 2. George A. August 12, 1884. 3. Bertha. 2. Lillian A., born June 11, 1886, 4. Alva. who married May 23, 1906, William 5. Zoe. T. Van Dusen, born July 16, 1881. 6. John. They are now living at Fonda, N. Y. Emma Getman 3. Gertrude H., born April 2, 1889. Emma Getman, daughter of George She married September 15, 1910 Fred Getman and Margaret Dillenbeck, E. Snyder. Two children Richard married Clark Young. Earl, born November 27, 1914 and They were the parents of a daugh Betty Arline, born September 11, 1920. ter. 1. Lina, who married Dr. Rathben. CHAPTER XX Byron L. Getman Jacob Helmer •of Manheim Byron L. Getman, son of George Getman and Margaret Dillenbeck, Jacob Helmer3, Frederick2, Philipl, married Emma Borden and is now was one of the five sons of_ Frederick living at Gloversville, N. Y. Helmer and his wife Maria Barbara The) are the parents of two child Kast, Burnettsfield Patentees. In ren: Chapter X the name of four sons of 1. Borden. this family were given. Since that 2. M,vrtle, who married a Mr. Ee- article appeared the name of another ker. son Jacob has been found. This still leaves three daughters of this family Eliza A. Getman whose names are unknown. Eliza A. Getman, daughter of Geo. However, it is believed that Anna Getman and his second wife Eliza Maria who married Peter Hoyer in beth Reed, married Myron Saltsman. June, 1750 was one of these daugh They were the parents of nine ters. Her record will be given in a children: later chapter. 1. Jeremiah. Jacob Helmer settled in what is 2. G1'Qrge. now the Town of Manheim at or near 3. D.1uglas. Brocketts Bridge, now called Dolge 4. C,.rlton ville. No record of his marriage has 5 Iantha. been obtained. He was probably the 6. Gladys. ancestor of the branch of Helmers 7. Burdette. living in the vicinity of Manheim and 8. Donald. Dolgeville. Philip Helmer of Man 9. H,-rl\ert. heim mentioned in Chapter XXII was 120 THE HELMER FAMILY probably a son of this Jacob Helmer, George F. menUoned in Chapter XII? but additional information is neces Children: sary to definitely establish that fact. It is earnestly urged that a:nyone 1. Han Thomas, who married May having old Bible records will forward 21, 1820 Hannah (Anna) Helmer, who them for publication in order to com was_ born September 5, 1795. Hannah plete this branch of the Helmer fam Helmer's ancestry was Adam4, Fred ily. erick A.3, Adam2, Pbilipl. (See Chap ter VII). The Settlement at Manheim The first settlements in the Town of 2. Johannes (John), born March 19, Manheim were made by Germans, 1805. Sponsors Joe Shumacher and Catharine, his wife. probably in about the year 1736. Dur ing the Rev-olution these settlements 3. John Frederick, born about 1810. were frequently attacked by the In He married January 30, 1834 Elsy dians and were mostly destroyed. The Swope, daughter of John Frederick first church built in 1774 or 1775 was Swope and his wife Adriane Witmuch. burned during the Revolution and Witnesses at the marriage were John was rebuilt soon after. During the Helmer and Timothy Helmer, broth Revolution the town was deserted by ers of the groom. all but Tories. 4. Timothy. Helmers N·o-t Identified Anna Maria Helmer The following list of persons by the name of Helmer have been gathered Anna Maria Helmer married in from various sources, but sufficient June, 1750 Peter Hoyer and lived in information has not been obtained to Herkimer county. Peter Hoyer was priove their relationship with other a solider in the Revolution. members of the family. Anna Maria Helmer was probably one of the eight children of Freder Adam Helmer of F•ort Plain ick Helmer, Burnettsfield Patentee, and his wife Maria Barbara Kast, Adam Helmer and his wife Cor daughter of Johann George Kast and nelia Backer lived· in the vicinity of his wife Anna. Fort Plain between the years 1801 and 1805. The records ,of the births The will of Johann George Kast of the following children are found in mentioned the eight children of Fred the Fort Plain church, names of erick Helmer and his daughter Maria sponsors not being given. Barbara Kast, but did not give their 1. Philip, born Oct. 1'2, 1801. names. Further information from old 2. John, born January 20, 1805. Bible ,or other records will be neces sary to definitely place their paren Adam Helmer of Herkimer tage. Adam Helmer and his wife Eva If Anna Maria Helmer was the Schumacher lived in the vicinity of daughter of Frederick Helmer, Pat Herkimer about the years 1805 to entee, then she would have beeu 1810. The records ,of the births of named after her grandmother Anna, several of their children are found in wife of Johann George Kast and her the Herkimer Reformed Church. mother Maria Barbara Kast, the Query-,W•as he the son Qf, L,ieut. wife of Frederick Helmer. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 121 Catherine Helmer Elizabeth Helmer of Fort Plain Catherine Helmer, daughter of Elizabeth Helmer married about Philip, married September 19, 1786, 1790 Anthony Stall (Stahl) and lived at German Flatts, Jacob Kraus (al in the vicinity of Fort Plain from so spelled Grass) and lived in the 1790 to 1808. The record of their vicinity of Palatine about 1789 to marriage and births of five children 1793. The records of the births of are found in the Fort Plain and the following children are found in Caughnawaga (Fonda) Churches. the St. Johnsville church: Children: 1. George, born September 20, 178&. 1. Peter, born June 5, 1795. Spon Sponsors George Helmer and Cath - sors Lawrence Backer and Elizabeth erine Hess. Backer. 2. Jacob, Jr., born January 7, 1793. 2. Catharine, born March 10, 1798. Sponsors Jacob Helmer and Anna 3. Philip, born July 3, 1800. Fox. 4. Margaret, born June 3, 1803. 5. John, born September 8, 1808. Daniel Helmer Elizabeth Helmer of Stone Arabia Daniel Helmer married Elizabeth Hilts and lived in the vicinity of Elizabeth Helmer married Novem- Herkimer about 1799 to 1803. The ber 18, 1815 Isaac Schutt. They lived births of their children are found in at Stone Arabia. the Herkimer Reformed Church: No record of children. 1. Elizabeth, born about 1799. Con C', ... ,....l.a ... :,...1, 0 Ua.f..,..a .. ,-·•11wu~•·""'" r• llliiilllll ..... firmed as a member ,of the Herkimer Frederick P. Helmer · was twice Reformed Church September 12, 1819, married, both marriages being re-: at the age of 20 years. corded in the Herkimer Reformed 2. Maria, born September 25, 1803. Church. He lived at Little Falls. Sponsors Joe. Nicholas Hilts and Su He married (1st) Maria Casler, sanna Miller, his wife. born February 21, 1800 who died Oc Elizabeth Helmer of Fonda tober 21, 1832. He married (2nd) Dec. 24, 1833, Elizabeth Helmer married Freder Anna Eva Casler, daughter of Rich- ick Cash (Cast?). The record of one ard Casler and his wife Margaret.____ . child is found in the Caughnawaga Anna Eva Casler (also called Eva) Church: was born about 1806, and died Janu 1. Anna, born September 8, 1774. ary 26, 1835, at the birth of her first Sponsors Johannes Neef and Anna child. Neef. Frederick P. Helmer and his sec ond wife Eva Casler were the par Eliza·beth Helmer of Ge•rman Flatts ents of one child: Elizabeth Helmer, daughter of Phil 1. Anna Eva, born January 26, ip, was born about 1765. She married 1835. Died July 3, 1835. October 12, 1784 Frederick Baum (his Jacob Helmer second wife), a soldier of the Revolu tion. The record of their marriage is Jacob Helmer married Mary Ann found in the German Flatts Reform Folts, daughter of Marks Folts and ed Church. Elizabeth Sparks. N•o record of children. No children. 122 THE HELMER FAMILY Jameis Helmer 1. Adam, born June 6, 1779. Spon- sors Adam Vorrer and Margaret..______James Helmer married Catharine John Helmer of Palatine (Caty) Service and lived in the vi John Helmer, son of Philip, mar cinity of Fort Plain . about 1799 to ried Anna Dusler and lived in the 1801. The records of births of two vicinity of Palatine about 1789. He children are found in the Fort Plain· was probably one of the Loyalists Church, names of sponsors not given: who went to Canada during the Revo 1. Elizabeth, born February 21, lution and later returned to Palatine. 1799. They were the parents of one 2. Peter, born June 27, 1801. daughter: 1. Anna, born December 23, 1789. Jenny Helmer Sponsors Jacob I. Klock and Anna Klock. Jenny Helmer, daughter of Philip J. Helmer and his wife Elizabeth John Helmer of Herkimer Harris, was born February 25, 1760. She married Charles Cady and lived John Helmer, son of Adam, was a in the vicinity of Fonda. The record witness January 30, 1834, at Herki of her birth and those of her child mer at the marriage of his brother ren are found in the Caughnawaga John· Frederick Helmer and Elsy (Fonda) and Geisenberg Churches. Swope. Jenny Helmer's name was also spell No record of his marriage or child ed Anna or Janatye. ren. Jenny Helmer and her husband Leona•rd Helmer of Stone Arabia Charles Cady were the parents of six Leonard Helmer (probably the s,on children: of Adam2, Philipl) married Cathar 1. Sarah, born May 7, 1778. Spon ine Zimmerman about 1750. They liv sors John Berns and Lena Helmer. ed in the vicinity of Stone Arabia. 2. Susanna, born March 7, 1780. He was a private in the Tryon Coun Sponsors Adam Rees and Susanna ty Militia, Second Regiment, com Fyles. manded by Colonel Klock. (See Chap 3. John, born July 6, i782. Sponsors ter IV). William Sobel and Mary Sobel. They were the parents of one son: 4. Philip, born May 15, 1786. Spon 1. Johann Leonhardt (Leonard L., sors Philip Helmer and Elizabeth Jr.) born August 8, 1752. Sponsors Helmer, the grandparents. Leonhardt Helmer and Elizabeth 5. Lena, born September 18, 1792. (Ruhl?) his wife. Leonard L. Hel Sponsors John Montgomery and Lena mer was a private in the Tryon Coun Montgomery. ty Militia, Second Regiment, com 6. Abigail, born August 15, 1794. manded by Colonel Klock. Sponsors Charles Cady and Jenny his Leonard Helmer of Kringsbush wife, parents. Leonard Helmer who resided at Kringsbush was twice married. Just Johannes Helmer, of German Flatts what relati-onship he was to other J,ohannes (John) Helmer married members of the Helmer family has Maria,______and lived in the vicinity not been determined. The name of of German Flatts about 1779. his first wife is not known. His sec They were the parents of one son: ond wife was a widow of Philip Hel- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS i23 ·mer, the Tory, and her maiden name N. M. Hutton. They had one daugh was Bellinger. ter: 1. Susan, who was twice married. Leonard Helme·r of Stone Arabia Her first husband's name is not known. She married (2nd) July 4. Leonard Helmer lived in the vi 1823, Oliver Arnold, a widower, the cinity of Stone Arabia from 1778 to son of Job Arnold and Hannah Dex 1792. He married Elizabeth Kock ter, his wife. (Cook). The births of four children are found in the Stone Arabia Re Philip J. Helmer of F'Onda formed Church: Philip J. Helmer, son of .Jo~, ma; 1. John, born February 9, 1778. ried Elizabeth Harris before 1760. Re Sponsors Severinus Kock and Eliza cords of the births of two of their beth Finck. children are found in the Caughna 2. Rudolph, born March 30, 1780 waga (Fonda) Church: Sponsors Rudolph Kock and Maria 1. Jenny (Jannetye), born February Schell. 25, 1760. Sponsors .Jacob Harris and ... 3. Anna, born October 14, 1787. Cataleyntje Harris. Jenny Helmer Sponsors Casper Kock and Catharine married Charles Cady. Her children ------·• his wife. have been previously mentioned in 4. Henry, born May 3, 1792. Spon this chapter. .. sors Jacob Getman and Catharine 2. Aaron, born August 9, 1775 . Getman. Philip Helme-r Magdalena Helmer Philip Helmer married Margaret Magdalena Helmer married Mar They were the parents of two cus Lies about 1760 and lived in the daughters: vicinity of Fonda. The record of the 1. Delia (twin), born April 20, 1769. birth of a daughter is found in the Sponsors Sophia Pier and Jacob Caughnawaga (Fonda) Church: Kraus. 1. Lena, born September 18, 1762. 2. Margretha (twin), born April 20, Sponsors James Schoolcraft and his 1769. Sponsors Elizabeth Helmer and wife. Dietrich Merkel. Philip Helm~r of Seneca County Maria Helmer Philip Helmer (wife's name not Mari.a Helmer, daughter of Daniel known) settled in the Town of Tyre, Helmer and Elizabeth Hilts, was Seneca County, N. Y., about 1820 to born September 25, 1803, at Herki 1840. mer. She married'. :s~tember 25, 1822, at Herkimer, Frederick F. Mil- Children, seven sons and two ler, the son of Frederick Miller and daughters: Catharine Cristman. No record ,of children. 1. Isaac. 2. Jacob. 3. Philip. ·• ·:;::.-·· 4. David. :Mary Helmer of Herkimer married 5. Jackson, who went to California 124, THE HELMER FAMILY in 1850 in search of gold and died 7. Jenetta, who lived at Hastings, there. Michigan. 6. Abraham. 7. George. David Helmer of Seneca County 8. Louisa. David Helmer, son of Philip, liv-ed 9. Margaret. in Seneca County, N. Y. His wife's Jacob Helmer of Wayne County name was Delia -·--·· They were the parents of three Jacob Helmer (son of Philip) mar- daughters: ried Rhoda -·----·--- and settled in 1. Mary. Wayne County, N. Y. He was killed 2. Julia. by the fall of a tree and left seven 3. Sally. small children, the eldest being about 14 years of age. vnver 1"1. Helme~ His widow Rhoda -· died several years ago at the age of 96 years at Oliver M. Helmer, son of Jaoob the home of her daughter Jenetta in Helmer and his wife Rhoda. and Hastings, Michigan. grandson of Philip Helmer, married Sarah -·-· · Oliver M. Helmer enlist .Jacob Helmer and his wife Rhoda ed in 1862 in the Civil War and was __ were the parents of seven child wounded twice. At one time he lived ren: in Savannah, Georgia. 1. Oliver M., who lived at Savan nah, Georgia. Oliver M. Helmer and his wife Sar 2. Charles, who had two daughters. ah -···--· were the parents of three 3. L. (initials only were given) who children: had a son living in Michigan. · 1. Selden, who lived in Auburn, N. 4. Emily who married and had two Y. and had two children. sons living in Syracuse, N. Y. also 2. George, who lived in Savannah, two daughters. Ga. and had two daughters. 5. Washington. 3. Edith, who lived in Savannah, 6. James. Ga. and had one son. OLD FORT HERKIMER CHURCH, STILL STANDING Within these walls the Helmers have worshipped, loved, mourned and shed their blood in defense of the beautiful valley where the first Philip founded the Helmer Family of America. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 125 CHAPTER XXI found it and delivered the precious mail all right, determined to save it The Line o-f Aaron Helmer if he died in accomplishing it. The following sketch was copied He had another adventure with from a note book written many years his pony in carrying. the mail. It was ago by Nancy Margaret Helmer, born a very dark night. He journeyed February 2, 1834, who married Octo nights as well as during daylight and ber 24, 1855, William Folts. She died his pony saw what he did not and re fused to go any further. He was · about 1930 at the age of 96 years. obliged to dismount and lead the pony The notebook is owned by her daugh through what proved to have been a ter Mrs. Lester G. Helmer now living battleground of the Indians and was at Kast Bridge. atrewn with the bodies of about thirty Aaron Helmer dead Indians, over which he· w,as obliged to pick his way clinging tight Aaron Helmer, son of Timothy Hel ly to the bridle of his pony, which mer, wished to see the world and snorted, reared and plunged deter left his home February 23, 1853. His mined to get away from that horror experiences would fill a volume, but as quickly as possible. he was very reticent in regard to relating his adventures, and we learn The Overland Journey ed only by questioning what is relat In the spring of 1860 he started ed here. with his wife and · two children for He sailed from New York city and the east in high hopes of showing his went by water around Cape Horn, little family, of whom he was very '· and after many storms and delays fond and proud of, to his mother · ·.· :reached San Francisco and Sacra- soon. · •· mento and thence after a while in He took the overland route as cus Mexico and New Mexico. There he tomary at those times by people who enlisted in the standing army on the came east and considered safest and frontier in which he served five best as the Indians were quite trou years. blesome at that time and most people The Pony Express traveled that way. But in crossing tne plains in June It was while doing duty there that misfortune overtook him and his lit he served as mail carrier in what tle three year old daughter Marie was called the "Pony Express," a sickened and died and w:as buried very hazardous and perilous piece of near Wagon Mound, Nebraska. They work; He carried the United States were obliged to move on and leave · mail over mountains, through ra her in that desolate country alone. vines and plains and was liable at They continued their lonely journey any time to encounter marauding In east when again sickness and death dians or savage beasts, both of which visited them, taking their baby Wil were numerous at that time on the liam, seven months •of age. They route he had to travel. buried him in St. LQuis, Missouri, One time his pony threw him and where they had tarried while he was ran away with the mail and he pur sick. sued it over the mountains two or Full of grief he made another at three days before he caught and tempt to start for home with his wife - 126 THE HELMER FAMILY who was sick and heart b:r,oken over Three Helmer Brothers at the Bat the loss of their children. But they tle of Antietam only proceeded as far as Alton, Illi- The three Helmer brothers were all nois when she became so ill, he again together in the morning of Septem halted hoping to rest there while she ·ber 17, 1862 and were together on might recover. the battlefield in their usual health But there i.s no cure for a broken but when night came, Jerry was lleart, -and after about ten days she wounded and taken to a place where rejoined her children. He then re the wounded would be attended to. · turned to St. Louis with her remains Aaron was missing, but his brother and laid her t,o rest beside her young- Sanford was determined to learn his est child in a Catholic cemetery. Thus fate. That night before he slept San he was bereft of his whole family in ford with some comrades found about six weeks, his first child having where the battle was the hottest, the passed away in June, his little son in lifeless body of his brother Aaron July ·and Marie, his wife, died August with a minnie ball through his fore 1, 1860, aged 25 years. This I learn- head which he received facing the ed by seeing his diary after his death foe. in which he had made these entries. What a terrible finding; how can No one knows with what a sorrowful we picture the sorrow and anguish heart he pursued his way to his for of that brother. He was buried in a mer home, which he left about seven trench with others by the side of and one half years before, for he was Sergt. Mead; his gr,ave being marked. a man of but few words. The following winter February 6, He reached Herkimer August 24, 1863, his remains were brought home 1860, so thin and pale, but a shadow to Herkimer by his brother Sanford, of his former self, but had a good a funeral held, and the sermon de constitution and after being home livered by Professor Cockran of Fair a while his health improved. field Academy. A sketch of his life and his ad The Civil War ventures and services in the Grand Army of the Potomac was given by He enlisted in the United States the Rev. Gardner. It was very touch service again at the b~eaking out of ing and eloquent. There were not the Civil War. Fort Sumter was ms.ny dry eyes in that large congre bombarded. He went to Herkimer to gation that filled to overf1.ow1ng0 the see his mother and hear the news Reformed Church at Herkimer. He of "what the Secessi•onists were do was buried beside his father in the ing." When he returned at night he cemetery which is now "Myers Park" had enlisted in a comp,any of volun and a suitable stone erected to his teers under James A. Suiter, a veter memory bearing this inscription: an of the Mexican war. After him 'Here rests a soldier and trusted there were fifteen others VDlunteered friend Sergt. Aaron Helmer, Co. G. the same day. 34th Regt. N. Y. S. Vols, son of Timo His brother Sanford enlisted in the thy and Catharine Helmer, born April 13, 1830, killed at the Battle of An same company. Another brother Jer tietam Sept 17, 1862." ry enlisted and was in the same bri gade as the 34th Regiment. A Lieutenant's Commission was on PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 127 its way to him before the battle, but Gertrude Helmer it arrived too late for him. Gertrude Helmer3, Adam2, Philipl, The Aaron Helmer Post, Grand married May 10, 1763, John Kessler Army of the Republic, at Herkimer, (Casler), who was a baker in the Re was named in his honor. volution. They were the parents of seven children: Nicholas Kessler (Casler) 1. Johann Nicolaus (Nicholas) born A correcti'on March 5, 1764. Married 1799 Cather ine Tousick. 2. Johann Adam (Adam) born Oc In Chapter VIII of the Helmer tober 7, 1765. Married 1792 Maria Family was given the marriage May Sitts. 10, 1763 of Gertrude Helmer (daugh 3. Johannes (John) born January ter of Adam) to John Kessler (Cas- 14, 1768. Ier). There was also given a list of 4. Jacob born February 15, 1770, the children among them being Jo married Nancy Sitts. hann Nicolaus (Nichol-as) born March 5. Catherine born February 16, 1770. 5, 1764. It was stated that this 6. Philip born May 29, 1777, mar Nicholas Kessler married Gertrude ded Maria --·· Bellinger. 7. Anna born May 16, 1779, mar This was an err•or. Nicholas Kess ried Henry Bush. ler, born March 5, 1764, married Catherine Tousick. Nicholas Kessler There were two men ·of the same Nichola,; {Johann Nicholas) Kess name of Nicholas Kessler. Consider ler4, Gertrude3, Adam2, Philipl, was able confusion has arisen in the re born March 5, 1764. Married May 5, cords of these men on account of the 1799, Catherine Tousick, born Janu similarity of names. It was Nicholas ary 20. 1769. Kessler, son of Jacob, who married They were the parents of six Gertrude Bellinger. Nicholas Kess children: ler, son of John, married Catherine 1. Elizabeth born January 1, 1800. T•ousick. 2. Catherine born February 24, 1802. Names of additional children of 3. Leonah born December 6, 1803. Gertrude Helmer and John Kessler 4. Hannah born April 27, 1806. are given below, together with a cor 5. DaniP-1 born October 16, 1809. rected record of their son Nicholas. 6. Sally born August 7, 1812. ORISKANY By Rev. Charles D. Helmer, D. D. As men who fight for home and Heroes are born in such a chosen child and wJfe, hour; As men oblivious of life,_ O'er common men they rise and In holy martyrdom. tower; The yeomen ,of the valley fought Like thee, brave Herkimer! that day, Who wounded, steedless, still beside Throughout the fierce and deadly fray the beech Blood-red Oriskany. Cheered on thy men with sword and speech In grim Oriskany. 128 THE HELMER FAMILY Helmer Pension Papers Cl,aim of Anna (Belli•nger) Helmer, Widow of Adam Frededck Helmer, Revolutionary Scout and Ranger. From photostat copies of the originals in Pension Bureau at Washington, furnished through oourtesy of Henderson Chapter, D. A. R. Orthography and sentence construction copied exactly as appears in originals now on file with the secretary of Henderson Chapter, D. A. R. AFFAOAVIT OF GEORGE ITTIG Subscribed and Sworn before me l'rovember 13, 1837, Adam S. Huntley, State of New York, County of On Justice. andada, ss. I hereby certify that I have been Nov. 13, 1837 acquainted with the above named George Ittig •about twenty years and George Ittig of Manlius being duly that he always has sustained a good sw.orn before Adam S. Huntley one moral character and is entitled to full of the Justice of Peace of the Town credit. of Manlius and county aforesaid makes oath and says that he is eighty one years old last December that he was well acquainted with Adam Hel mer before the revolutionary war. That in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy-Eight this deponent was ADAM S. HUNTLEY, in the service of his country in a Justice Peace, Nov. 13, 1837. Company of Rangers a man by the name ,of Bigbread was Captain and AFFADAVIT OF JOHN DOCK the said Adam Helmer was Lieuten STADER ant •and John Smith was Ensign his company during that Summer at Nov. 18, 1837 Herkimer and vicinity; was dismiss State of New York, Herkimer Coun ed on the first day of January in the ty, ss. morning: they had <;erved nine months: the said Adam Helmer was John Dockstader of Herkimer in Lieutenant during the nine months the county ,of Herkimer being duly He was •acquainted with the said sworn before Nicholas Smith, Esquire Adam Helmers wife; her name when a Justice of the Pe,ace of the said a girl was Anna Bellinger-he knows Town and County aforesaid deposes of their living together as long back and says that he is seventy seven as Seventeen Seventy five or six and years that he has been acquainted as late as about sixteen or eighteen with Adam Helmer now deceased years ago. It was the general under from his youth; that he was ac standing that they were married and quainted with said Adam before and further sayeth not. in and after the Revolutionary war. That in the said war the ,said Adam served as Lieutenant in a company of Rangers commanded by Captain Bigbread but this deponent does not remember the year in which he per. formed said service nor does he now remember how long he served in said Company; That while said Adam GEORG ITTIG. served in said company ,of Rangers PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 129 this deponent served in a Company signed & sworn the foregoing affida of Militia c-ommanded by Captain vit for forty years now past and that Henry Harter, Lieutenant John Dem he has during the whole period sus arett and Ensign Peter Weber that tained a good Moral character and a thi,s deponent and the said Helmer fair reputation and that his State were at the same Station at Fort ments are entitled to full Faith credit. Dayton at Herkimer and that whilst Dated November 18th, 1837. they were So there intelligence was received at said F,ort that a party of Indians had taken prisoner a Mr. ~4~~ ~ Frank on the Mohawk River near a · J,✓ !1 /C<"', h'erbn?er /4. /14,>;/9 ~J7 place called Frankfort in Herkimer County. That on that occasion the Nichola8 Smith Justice. said Adam Helmer and Capt. Big bread and this deponent and some others went from Yort Dayton in AFFADAVIT OF ANDREW PIPER pursuit of the Enemy and in the neighborhood of Frankfort fell in Nov~mber 18, 1837 with a party of Indians and had a State of New York, Herkimer Skirmish with them wherein ,one of County, ss. the Enemies Indians was killed and Andrew Piper of Frankfort in the one of the party that accompanied Said County of Herkimer being duly his deponent was wounded of which sworn·· .before-·. Nicholas Smith one of wound he died the next day after the the ;Justic.es of the Peace of the skirmish. That on that Occasi•on the Town of Herkimer in the said Coun Said Adam Helmer· besides being ac ty of Herkimer deposeth & saith that tually engaged in the Said Skirmish he is seventy seven years of age that after the said Indian was killed went he was acquainted with Adam Hel in pursuit of a Tory who was also mer ·now deceased from his Infancy. engaged who was flying for the dis That he was acquainted with Said tance of half a mile when he gave Adam· during the Revolutionary & up the Chase and returned to our subsequent to· the said W.a.r and until party. his· death which occurred sever.al years ago. That in the year One thou That this Depunent has also l)een sand Seven Hundred & Seventy seven acquainted with Anna Helmer the the said Adam Helmer served as a widow .of the Said Adam Helmer that Lieutenant in A Company of Rangers the .said Adam and the said Anna which was commanded by · one Big lived at Herkimer in the immediate bread whose given name as this de neighborhood of this deponent after ponent believes was John as Captain. the war but when they were married The said Adam Helmer served there or whether they were actually mar· in as Lieutenant and John Smith was rie this deponent does not know but Ensign. That the said Company was from the fact that they were generally organized and served fior the period reputed to be married and from the of nine months during the said year. fact of their living together as ma!l That the said Company was raised on and wife and having as such raised the Mohawk River then Tryon a family of Children and having County in the State of New York be never heard the fact of their mar ing the District now Comprising riage questioned or disputed this de parts of Herkimer and Montgomery ponent believes and has no doubt Counties; That the service of the Said that the said Adam Helmer & the Company of Rangers in which the said Anna Helmer were lawfully mar said Adam served during the said ried and that the said Anna is the year 1777 was rendered at Fort Day lawful widow of the Said Adam Hel ton at Herkimer and in the vicinity of mer deceased. that place and at Oriskany and at Fort Stanwix above Herkimer on the Mohawk. That this Deponent during the said year 1777 served also at the said Forts Dayton & Stanwix in a Company of Militia commanded by JOHANNES DOCKSTADER. Captain Frederick Getman 1st Lt. John Roof 2nd, Lieutenant Jacob Subscribed & Sworn to thi,s 18th Magee and Ensign John Magee. Th~.t day of November, 1837 before me, whilst this dep,onent so ,served m Nicholas Smith, Justice. said Company of Militia he repeatedly And I the said Nicholas Smith the during that season sa:v . the Ana:-n said Justice do hereby further ccrti · Helmer in actual Service m the S:url fy that I have been acquainted with Company of Rangers and knows that John Dockstader the person who. has he commanded as Lieutenant therein. 130 THE HELMER FAMILY That the Company of Rangers and day of November 1837 before me. Militia in which this deponent and NICHOLAS SMITH, Justice. the said Adam served were both en gaged in the Oriskany Battle when And I the said Justice do hereby this deponent recollects distinctly further Certify that I have been ac seeing the s-aid Adam Helmer in the quainted with Andrew Piper the per ranks. That this deponent remembers son who has signed & sw,::>rn the also that the night previous to the f.oregoing affidavit for twenty five engagement at Oriskany the said years now last past that he has the Adam Helmer & Marks D'muth .and whole period sustained a giood moral ,one Handyfoot F.olts as this Depo character and a fair reputation and nent now remembers & believes were that bis statements are entitled to secretely dispatched to Col. Willett full faith and credit. and Col. Gansbroadt in Fort Stanwix Dated November 28th, 1837. when they with some Troops were NICHOLAS SMITH, J. P. stationed and when at the time they were besieged by St. Leger and his army, to inform Colonels Willett and State of New York, Herkimer Coun Gansbr.oadt of the approach ,of Gen ty, ss eral Herkimer and which informance I, John Dygert, Clerk of the said w.as the cause of the Sortie from Fort County of Herkimer do certify that Stanwix by Col. Willett with a party Nicholas Smith, Esquire is a Justice of men and the attack upon the en of the Peace as within and that the emy whilst the engagement between within signature purporting to be his General Herkimer and the enemy as is genuine. In testimony whereof I the Oriskany Battle was going on. have hereunto affixed my seal of of That besides the said .services of the fice and subscribed my name thi,s said Adam Helmer in the said Com 18th day of November 1837. pany of Rangers in the year 1777 he afterwards served in the Militia at Herkimer where this deponent also served, but .this Deponent does not now remember any particular service under & by said Adam. And this de E. A. MUNSON, ponent further ,saith that he has also Deputy for John Dygert, Clerk. been acquainted with Anna Helmer the widow of said Adam Helmer since AFFADAVIT OF DOROTHY WOOL he was a child that they were child ren together lived in the same neigh IVEN borhood That the Maiden name of the said Anna is Bellinger and She was State of New Y,ork, Cortland Coun the daughter of Peter Bellinger with ty ss whom this deponent was also well ac quainted that this deponent was also Dorothy Wooliven of the Truxton well acquainted with the Said Anna in Cortland County being duly sworn before her intermarriage with the Says that she is aged about eighty said Adam Helmer. That the said two years and is sister to Anna Hel Anna and the said Adam a.s the de mer of Brutus in the County of Cay ponent now believes were married uga the widow of Adam Helmer late some time before the war although of Brutus af.oresaid now deceased this deponent cann.ot state how long that she was present at the marriage before. That this deponent did not of the said Adam Helmer & Anna attend the Solemonization of the Helmer and saw the ceremony per Marriage nor does he know of said formed. That the name of said Anna Marriage Except from heresay and before said marriage was Anna Bel report of the time and from the con linger. That ,said Adam & Anna tinual living together of the parties were lawfully married at the Church as· man & wife in the neighborhood in what is now Herkimer in the of· this deponent and their raising a County of Herkimer on or about the twenty seventh day of February 1776 f~ily of Children toJrzr. by the Rev. Abraham Rosekrants. That she is not so positive -about the precise day of February 1776 of the _/4(;fut~x~/ marriage but thinks it was on the . ,-:.._ . // said twenty seventh day. his And further deponent says that She ANDREW x PIPER, recollects that said Adam Helmer mark. was in service during the Revolution ·subscribed & sworn to this 18th ary War but she does not remember PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 131 times with sufficient accuracy to tes company and served another term of tify to the· time. nine months at the ,same place which her said tour ended on •or about the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine. She fur o£C ~x~~ ther says that in both ,of said tours - the said Adam served •as Lieutenant. DOROTHY x WOOLIVEN. She furthc:: that during the whole of Mark said time said Adam Helmer lived in Sworn this 5th day of December, Herkimer aforesaid near Fort Day 1837 before me ton where the country was constant ly kept in a state of alarm by the Indians -and said Adam was kept in service almost the whole time but in consequence of age in failure of memory she is not able to specify WM. BLANCHARD, any other tours of service than as above and she would not have been Justice of the Peace. able. to recollect so particularly about I certify my opinion that said Dor the above mentioned tours were it othy Wooliven is a person of truth not for the assistance of the affada and veracity. vits hereto annexed. That said Adam WM. BLANCHARD, J. P. Helmer had a commission but the same is now lost or destroyed so she cannot produce it. That she has no AFFADAVIT OF ANNA HELMER record evidence of said service. That Dec. 13, 1837 she was lawfully married to the said Adam Helmer at the Church in what State of New York, Cayuga Coun is now called Herkimer on the twen ty, ss ty seventh day of February 1776 by On this fifteenth day of December the Rev. Abraham Rosecrants. That 1837 personally appeared before John during said war the Church records P. Hulbert one of the Judges of the owing to the alarm and state of the Court of Common Pleas of the Coun - time were put together into a chest ty of Cayuga in said state Anna or box and the said chest or box was Helmer a resident of Brutus in said buried in the ground to keep it away County aged eighty years who bein,.,. from the enemy as she has been in · ctuly sworn acoording to law doth on formed and believes and the said her oath make the following declara chest and its contents became wet tion in order to obtain the benefit on and entirley destroyed so that all re the pension made by the act of Con cord of such marriage has been lost gress passed July 4, 1836. and she is unable to produce record That she is the widow of Adar.:i of evidence of said marriage. That Helmer who was a lieutenant in the the said Abraham Rosecrants is dead time of the Revolutionary war. That and has been for many years and she soon after the 0ommencing of the has never obtained a certificate of Revolutionary war the said Adam said marriage. That the said Adam Helmer enlisted or was enrolled in a Helmer died in the month of April Company of Rangers at what is now 1830 and that she has remained a Herkimer in the County of Herkimer widow ever since. As will more fully in said state of New York and con appear by the proof hereunto annex tinued to serve therein as Lieutenant ed. in tours for and during a part of the war. That said Company was 0om manded by Captain Bigbread, Lt. Adam Helmer and Ensign John Smith. That the said Company was organized in the fore part of the year 1777 entered active service and continued to serve a time of nine months in the neighborhood some her times stationed at Fort Dayton and ANNA x HELMER. at other places to p:r,otect the inhabi mark ants from the Indians. ;Sworn and subscribed on the day That said Adam Helmer continued and year first above written. to serve during the whole term of John P. Hulbert, nine months which ended late in the fall of the year aforesaid as she be Judge of Court of Common Pie.as, lieves. That in the following winter, of the County of Cayuga. 1778 or spring the said Adam Helmer I certify that said Anna Helmer is a~ain entered service in the said entitled to credit and that she is un-, 132 THE HELMER FAMILY able to attend court on account of ing of said judge and believe his ~ig age and extreme debility. nature to said documents affad,avit Dated Dec. 15th. 1837. and certificates to be genuine. · Witness my hand and seal of office the nineteenth day of December 1837. ~~ Jvd9e ~ C:tyv']'a (d. P~C./J'" /i'.97 JOHN P. HULBERT, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cayuga. JOINT AFFADAVIT OF MICHAEL MICHAEL ITTIG ITTIG AND PETER HOYER PETER HOYER State of New York, Herkimer Co .. ss: Sworn and Subscribed this 12th day Michael Ittig of German 7i'latts ag- of March 1838 before me PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 135 JOHN H. RASBACH, Abraham G. Rosecrants of the · Justice of the Peace. Town .of Little Falls in said (:!qunty Herkimer · County, ss. I do hereby 'oeing duly sworn deposeth and -saith certify that I am personally acquaint that he is a son of George Rosecrants ed with Peter Flagg, Michael Ittig Esquire deceased •Of the same place and Peter Hoyer the deponents in who died the 21st day of December the foregoing affadavits and that last pa.st and is grandson of the Rev they are men ·of good moral charac erend Abraham Rosecrants many ter and their statements entitled to years since deceased and who as de ponent is informed & believes true credit. was before, during & until his death Dated this 12th day of March, 1838 after the Revolutionary War the min· at Herkimer. ister of the Ref.armed Protestant JOHN H. RASBACH, Dutch Church in the (now) town of Justice. German Flatts. That a short -time AFFADAVIT OF JACOB MARKELL before the death of this deporient's father he placed in deponents hands Personally appeared before William for safe keeping the records of mar Brooks, one of the Justices of the riages, births, baptisms kept as depo Peace of the town of Little Falls nent has always been informed & as county of Herkimer, Jacob Markell he believes true were made & kept of the town •of Manheim in said by deponents said Grandfather while ccunty of Herkimer who being duly he was such minister. Deponent sworn deposes and says that he is saith he is in his thirty fifth year the age of 67 years that he wa.s well of age an:d the said records are the acquainted with John Breadbake of same records which have from the the Town of Palatine and County of infancy of the deponent · been used Montgomery from the infancy of and treated by his father & others this .dep:::ment to the death of the ,as the true & genuine records ,of mar said Breadbake wfio was an uncle riages, births, & baptisms made · & of his deponent that among the Ger Kept by his said Grandfather at the man people the said Breadbake went periods_ at which they bear date. This generally by the name of Bigbread deponent saith that in said records that there was no other in this coun is contained "the marriage of Joh: ty that his deponent ever heard of Adam F. Helmer to Anna Piet. Bellin by the name of Breadbake or Big ger on the twenty seventh day of bread except the above named John February one thousand seven hun Breadbake and that he always went dred and ,seventy six · and this depo by the name ,of Captain Bigbread nent further states and certifies that among the German people. it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is ex pressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "1776" ,.27 Febr. J-oh: Adam F. Helmer t,o Anna Piet: Bellinger." I Abraham G-. Rosecrants above .i"ACOB MARKELL named deposeth and sait!l that· I hold the office of supervisor in . the town Sworn before me the 13th day of of Little Falls in -said e9unty and March, 1838. state aforesaid. That the. above -is a WILLIAM BROOKS. true extract from the records afore Justice of the Peace in Herkimer said of said marriage with the excep County, N. Y. tion above named as certified by me. I the undersigned hereby certify that I have been personally acquaint Jf,ha-1ievi-l. )(!IM. Vt~ ed with the above namd Jacob Mar ABRAHAM ROSECRANTS. kell for a term of twenty years and that he is a highly respected person and of the highest creditability and This may certify that on this 11th that his statement above made are day of January 1839 before me Abra entitled to the fullest confidence. ham G. Rosecrants who is person-ally WILLIAM BROOKS. known to me to be the person who Justice of the Peace. is described in & who ,signed the above deposition is true & I certify AFFIDAVIT OF ABRAHAM G. that he is a man of fair & good ROSECRANTS character for truth and veracity. WILLIAM BROOKS, State of New York Herkimer Coun Justice of the Peace. ty, ss: The above erasure of "Abraham 136 THE HELMER FAMILY G. Rosecr-ants" was made before ex on the look out for tories & Indians. ecuting this paper & was a mistakl? That said Company was attached to in the said Rosecrants in fir,st put the Command of as deponent believed ting his name in that place. of Col. Gansevoort. That the -au - thority of its officers Capt. Bigbread, W. BROOKS, J. P. Lieutenant Helmer and John Smith was understood to be derived from the Governor through the commit tee .of Safety and that to the know AFFIDAVIT OF CONRAD ITTIG ledge of the deponent such compani~ (Pensi•oner) of the local Militia under the same authority were usually organized ev Herkimer County SS: Conrad Ittig ery summer season, that the officers of Frankfort in said County being du were either volunteers or were ap ly sworn before Charles Clow a Com pointed by the Committee and unless missioner of Deeds for said. county they happened to be officers of the says-that he is aged seventy seven local Militia they were not usually years the 20th day of thi.s month and commissioned by the Governor and ihat he is a pensioner of the United further says not. States and that he resided in the town of German Flatts before and during the Revolutionary war. That he was well acquainted with Adam F. Helmer sometimes written Adam Helmer also of the town of Germ.an Flatts. That to the knowledge and distinct recollection .of this deponent the said Adam F. Helmer was a CONRAD ITTIG. Lieutenant in Capt. Bigbread or Breadbakes Company of Rangers for the period of nine months. That this Sworn and subscribed the 15th day deponent served in the same Com of J-anuary 1839 before me. pany at the same time which was during the Revolution year 1778 and was discharged the first day of Jan uary 1779. That said company was r-aised and officered under the direc tion of the Committee of Safety as this deponent was informed and be lieves by the authority of the G~vern or. The said Committee of Sa:cty CHARLES CLOW. then were Rudolph Steel, Michael It Commissioner of.. Deeds. tig and John Frank, foe latte!" of whom is still living. That during the frequent alarms and attacks upon thP I certify that I am well acquainted inhabitants by the Tories and Indian,,; with Conrat Ittig the individual who under the direction of the Commit made the annexed affidavit and that tee and the Continental Officers the he is a person of good moral char Militia were classed in classes of acter and that his statements are eight or ten & deponent does not re entitled to full credit and belief. collect which & each class were CHARLES CLOW. obliged to furnish one man for the Com. of Deeds. service & in this manner the c0m pa.ny called Rangers under the Com mand of Capt. Bigbread who was a ADDITIONAL AFFIDAVIT OF AN Captain of the Militia was raised & DREW PIPER deponent was hired by one of the. classes as a soldier therein & served Herkimer County ss: nine months during which time the Andrew Piper of Frankfort in said said Adam Helmer was a lieutenant County being duly sworn before in said Company acting under the Charles Clow a Commissioner of authority of the Committee and the Deeds in and for said county in -addi Governor as this deponent is inform tion to the facts stated in his affida ed & verily believes. That said vit sworn before Nicholas Smith. Company deponent well recollects Esq. on the 18th day of November went down to Fort Plain and were 1837 says that the nature of the war mustered by Col. Waggoner that J.ohn fare pr.osecuted upon the frontier of Smith commonly called Blind John the state of New York in the Valley Smith was Ensign & they were con \of the Mohawk River by the sudden stantly employed as .scouts in parties ,. decent of the Torie$ and, Ind.i'-n!:l up- PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 1....9"' on the settlements that it became Herkimer County, Clerks Office, ss necessary to organize some of the Militia & keep them in service during I hereby certify that Charles Clow every summer season that -after the Esq. was on the date of the above Battle of Oriskany this deponent re affidavits a Commissioner of Deeds members this militia was divided into etc. And that William Brooks Esq. classes of eights or ten. Each class was a Justice .of the Peace on the being obliged to furnish one man date of the within affidavit in and this division was understood. to be for said County & lawfully Commis under the authority of the Governor sioned & qualified. And that I am & the Committee of Safety & depo well acquainted with their severa~ nent recollects that the Company handwritings and verily believe that called Rangers under the Command the several signatures purporting to of Capt. Bigbread and Lieutenant be theirs are genuine. In witness Adam F. Helmer and Ensign John whereof I have hereunto set my hand Smith was thus organized that Capt. and seal of .said County, Jan., 1838. Bigbread belonged at Palatine in the now County of Montg.omery & EDWIN A. MUNSON, was a commissioned Captain of the Deputy Cle:r!r. Militia belonging to Klock's Regi ment that the officers of these were as deponent is informed & believes appointed by the local Committee ,Of Safety under the authority derived AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN FRANK from the Government & were not therefore usually commissioned that (Pensioner) their services were for different & uncertain periods of time according John Frank of said county being to the various necessities of the coun duly sworn says that he is aged ty & the times and deponent further eighty years the 23 day of March says that the said Ad-am F. Helmer next and is a pensioner of the Unit was usually called among the dutch ed States. That he resided in the people Adam & his name was fre town of German before -and during quently written Adam but his true the Revolutionary war and w-as for name deponent believes was Adam F. one year or thereabout a member of Helmer. That the statement in the the Committee of Safety. That he was Life .of Brant by W. L. Stone page well acquainted with Adam Helmer 233 which has been read to deponent who was a son of Frederick Helmer that the said Adam Helmer went to to distinguish him from a person of carry Intelligence to Col. Gaoovoort the same name who was a tory his is correct according to the best re name was written Ad.am F. which collection of deponent & refers to ,stood for Frederick because he was the same Adam F. Helmer mentioned a faithful whig of those times as in this affidavit & this deponent was well as those of his family and con knowing to said Helmer going away nexions. That to the knowledge of from the troops at the time & further this deponent the said Adam F. Hel saith not. mer was engaged in the service of the United States in year 1778 but this said deponent cannot state the his precise time he served but this de ANDREW x PIPER. p.onent believes he was absent from mark his home from the Spring of that year until the succeeding winter. Sworn and subscribed the 15th day This deponent knows that said Ad-am of January 1839 before me. F. Helmer acted as a Lieutenant in Captain Bigbread,s company of Rang ers but does not know that he ever CHARLES CLOW, had a commission. The Deponent Com. of Deeds. well recollects that the local mili tia were classed into classes of eight I certify that Andrew Piper the ten and sometimes fifteen and each person who made the above affidavit class when organized by the Commit is a man of good moral character & tee of Safety or by the Governor his statements are fully entitled to were obliged to furnish a man and credit & belief & that am well ac in this way a company of Guards or quainted with said Andrew Piper. Scouts were organized every sum mer season usually for nine CHARLES CLOW, months service -and the officers were Com. of Deeds. generally either volunteers from the 138 THE HELMER FAMILY militia or were appointed by the es have desired me to ,state to you Committee of Safety or by the Gov briefly my knowledge of the man & ernor. This deponent recollects that his revolutionary neighbors (witness Captain Bigbread (who always was so es in behalf ,of his widow) and to calied, but his right name was Bread solicit you to view the case with all bake) company was thus raised and the fervor which the rules of vom· organized in the year 1778 but the office will permit. I do this most deponent does not recollect how the freely because my ,sympathies are al officers were appointed or commis ways awakened in behalf of t.i1ose sioned or whether they were com - who suffered famfne and death · to missioned at all, but Adam F. Hel establish the liberty of the Land mer acted as a member and Lieuten whereon as a freeman I now dweli ant of said company. This deponent and I know your own kindness of lived near the said Adam F. Helmer disposition well enough by past · ex during his life time and has often perience to believe you will if need talked with him about the events of ful pardon this intrusion. the war and he always was reputed to - be and to have been a faithful offi cer and soldier of the war. That he This Mr. Adam F. Helmer resided married Anna Bellinger with whom within a few miles of me from the he always lived as his wife until his time of my birth to his death and decease. And further saith not. was among our most respectable . Ger~ man farmers. His wid.ow now ciaims the pensi•on allowed to a Lieut. & J .. understand from the papers that no evidence exists in the minutes of .the · Council of appointment of hls ap:. /k~➔ appointment or Commission. · Not withstanding this I am satisfied from JOHN FRANK. the statements of all _ his surviving· contemporaries with whom I have conversed that he was legally a LieµL Sworn an subscribed the 18th day in Capt. Breadbake's . company. : of of January 1839 before me George Rangers & served therein succesifu(- . W. Fox, Justice. ly. Both tradition and testimo':tif. concur that as a Lieut. he went on the authority of Gen. Herkimer fron.1 the German Flatts (where I now;, Herkimer County ss: write) to carry a message thr-.ougn the ranks ,of St. Leger's & Johnson,'.:: I certify that I am well a~quai~::ed army to Fort Stanwix while it · was personally with John Frrcnk whose besieged before the battle of'· Ori:: name is subscribed to E1e annexed af lrnny to Col. Willett & succee::led i:1 fidavit and he is a resnectable citi:: reaching the fort from which he'::cai:- · zen and his statemer..ts -:1.ce cr.CtlE'd tn lied forth with Willetts men to · the · entire and full belief as he retain': resc~e of Herkimers forces · which his faculties abnut RevoJ.uti.onar:v had fallen into an ambuscade. I:1 t:1{ events well for a person of his age. Language of Judge Frank his neigh bor wh3se affidavit is before yo·, "Capt. Helmer was not afraid of t-:;r ies or Indians but was always a leade1 ftp •vhen there was danger. In respect to the want of a commi.ssion I ha:l formerly occasion frequently to ex GEORGE W. FOX, plain verbally to you the nature of Justice. the warfare which was altogether purdatory in the Valley of the Mo hawk then the extreme frontier_ The LETTER FROM A. MANN, JR. service was temporary short as a general rule but the frequent . incur Frankfort, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1839. sions of the Indians and rriore cruel tories rendered it expedient ev~ry · J. L. Edwards, Esq. summer to .organize a compa~y 0,1::• Com. of Pensions two ,of patrols o.r scouts to keep'.:': ;;a. 1-ook out for the enemy : :whil~ 3 j:J]gJ?~-. Sir: who remained near the forts ol' The friends of the late Adam F. blockhouses planted.... corn and Helmer whose widow Anna is an ap produced subsistence. These com plicant before you for a pension on panies were frequentiy organized by account of his Revolutionary Servic- the local Committees of Safety under PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 139 the authority of the Governor .or in the county of Herkimer, New Y.ork Chief Officers in Command. They State came before me S. Countryman were generally under t:he command a Justice of the Peace of the said of Militia -officers as Volunteers or County of Montgomery being duly otherwise but for want of such the sworn deposeth and saith he was sev. Committee of Safety appointed. In enty seven last December and an in this manner I have no doubt Adam F. valyd pensioner -of _the United States Helmer was appointed in Breadbakes that in the Revolution war he was a co.:npany and of course had no c<:>m soldier under Adam Lipe Captain un r..1ission from the Governor and Coun der Colonel Murphy who was_ under sel. This is corroborated and es Captain Cornelius Venever ,, of the tablished by the testimony and con same regiment that in the year One firmed by traditi-::m and the history thousand seven hundred and seventy of the times and I trust in a case as eight this said Thomas ·Murphy en-· meritorious as this is known to be listed as a nine months- man and was may be satisfactory to the Law_ and considered under Captain . Breadbake its administrators. I perceive als,o and I Henry Murphy took his place. some queries as to the name or Iden and did actually serve. nine months tity because the name is sometimes Captain Breadbake thaL was a Militia written Adam & sometimes Adam F .. officer wa. ~alled our Captain. Bread your own acquaintance with the bake was an officer in Col. Clock's manners & customs of the early and Regiment General Her.i,eimers . 'Bri~ unlettered Germans will enable you gade Breadbake was wounded in.. the to account f,;n· this especially when Oriskany battle but was .still able -to you consider how long they contended keep a long with the .other troops ,vith the difficulties of speaking pro the greatest part of the time he fur_;.. per names in English and more still ther saith the c,ountry was in a . de in writing them. At any rate there plorable situation the rangers raised was but one Adam Helmer in this in seventy six were not Sufficient to county-the other -of the name of guard the country the Governor ap A(lam Hel·~er adhered to the enemy pointed a committee the committee and went with Johnson during the gave orders to the Officers to rais.e war to C::inarh more rangers. On this ground the companies of nine months men were I presume there is no difficulty as raised in the year seventy seven and to the marriage and identity of the seventy eight I did actually serve the widow and allow me to add the nope nine months in seventy eight and thi> that this case may be most favorably Militia captain Bre.adbake was my considered because :i believe it is un captain and I think the said A. Hel doubtedly meritorious. mer w-as first Lieutenant and was commissioned by the higher Officers I remain Sir with great we were nulled and hauled and order ed from place to place and often in Respect your Obt. Servt. great confusi,on but were staU:med .,_ apart of the time at Fort Daton, Fort Herkimer and Fort Stanwix. We were not kept together but we· were rangers and did range from pl3.ce to place it was difficult to raise suffi cient c,ompanies to guard our country A. MANN, JR. unless there could be officers that sited the soldiers that is one reason (Member Assembly 1828-29-30-38, why Breadbake when Captain in the Member Congress two terms lt32 34. militia volunteered as a captain Over -~ditor.) the rangers Breadbake was a good ·'.:;aptain although wounded and I ac· tually served under him as a ranger the nine months stated it is so l,ong since I cannot exactly .state all the AFFIDAVIT OF HENRY MURPHY officers in their several capacities but (PENSIONER) there was One we called blind Hohn S!nith was One and there was one State of New York ) Get-:-r!an and several Others that act County ·of Montg,omery ) ss: ed as under officers we were dismiss Town of Minden ) ed the fir.st day of January seventy nine and further I deponent saith not. This fifteenth day of May One thousand eight hundred and forty HENRY MURPHY. Henry Murphy of the town of Starks 140 THE HELMER FAMILY AFFIDAVIT OF PETER FOX for mercy but Helmer perceived the Indian still fixing his gun to shoot (Pensioner) Helmer sprung caught hold of the gun Indian would not let go Helmer took State of New York, Montgomery the Indians tomahawk and made an County, Town of Palatine, ss: end of him Helmer took the gun This F.ourteenth day of May One and tomahawk and we went on our thousand eight hundred and forty return we saw he had been scalped Peter Fox came before me Jacob C. I cannot state the acts of Helmer Fox, one of the Justices of the but the time he lived among us here Peace in said county being duly he kept himself well equiped and sworn deposeth and saith he was ready to start any moment to the eighty years old last December and end of the war and as ever been es that he is a pensioner ,of the United teemed as One of the preservers of States that he was well acquainted our country. with Adam Helmer whose widow is now an applicant for a pension. He knows the said Helmer to have been one of the most respectable men a °Y'tJ7t man whose word was ever to be be PETER FOX. lieved and a worthy citizen and good Sworn and subscribed bcf.ore me patriot and soldier on the year one this 14th day of May, 1840. thousand seven hundred and seventy seven he lay with the troops up the river all the companies all along the river were ordered out we marched along from old Fort Schuyler to Oriskany in marching along the said /a ,:a;!F~.~~ Helmer sit on a log beside the road he bid good by I called him he said This is to certify that I am well he would be amongst us I did not acquainted with Peter Fox to be a happen to see him when fighting but man of truth and veracity. when we met again he told me he I myself have heard my father say was chosen to carry an express to that he was in Company with the Fort Stanwix he was ordered by Gen said Adam Helmer when he killed eral Herkimer to sit on the log until the Indian. the troops were all out of sight then JACOB FOX, Justice. to go across the woods and let n,o one I Peter C. Fox do hereby certifJ know he had the letter Helmer told that I was well acquainted with the me he could not get by the Indian above named A. Helmer in the Rev-0 camp no .other way then to wade the lutionary war and that he and familJ river he put the letter in his hat and lived in my father's house in .or tow kept his head above water and came rds the last ,of the war and to mJ toward the Fort he left the river recollection no man more braver when he found he must and crept than him the said A. Helmer. along. The guard at the F.ort hailed PETER C. FOX. him he gave them a sign they im mediately came to him and aided him to the fort he further told me LETTER OF PETER HELMER TC the foUowing day he sallied fourth MR. YATES with Willet and his men into the In dian camp they broke them up took Weeds Port in the town of Brutm all from them ammunition and every Cayuga County, N. Y. State. thing that was worth carrying away Mr. Giles F. Yates, Esq. and returned to the Fort without Sir: loosing a man at the latter part •Of Having by a friend been inforemo the war he brought his fa 'Ilily here you Sir have assisted the widow and to Palatine he lived in the louse with the fatherless to .obtain their right~ my father a part of the ti: 1e I can in getting pensions I take the libert) not state exactly the time b'lt a com to inform you of my luck in tryini, pany of Tories and Indians came into to obtain a pension for my mothe1 our border. One of the tories de (who died the 25th of January 1841; serted came and told us the enemy it is five years since I began I went was near we all turned out and to Herkimer in expectation of find went Helmer and five Others were ing evidence to pvove of my father's chosen to Spy them out, enemy es services as Captain after one Cap pied us and fired we were imme tain Bake Bread was w.ounded Big diately in battle Helmer shot an In bread the German used to call him I dian broke his leg but descovered failed of finding such evidence but the Indian intended to shoot him Hel obtained three affidavits for being mer came to him , the In, !an cried first lieutenant for nine months in u PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 141 company of rangers Breadbake being raised to guard the country from Captai11. I proved their marriage T,ories and Indians called Rangers. and supposed all done but obtained The Deponent volunteered and listed no pension there has been two jour for six months we were regularly -or neys since and obtained several affi ganized as a company, our Captain davits but -0btain nothing, although was Jacob Seeber, first Lieutenant there is found in the war department John Seeber, second Lieutenant John at Washington four months and sev House we were stationed around Fort en days credited to Adam Helmer Stanwix to guard the Fort and work (the name of my deceased father) man who was engaged in building s::>metimes his name was written said Fort at the expirati-on of six Adam F. Helmer he was a man months I was discharged and return which went through every hardship ed home. The Tories and Indians that was endured during the war he grew so· outrageous the Governor ap was in several skirmishes and bat pointed a Committee of Counsel and tles among the Indians he was the the Committee of Counsel gave or Identical Helmer which is mentioned ders to raise companies for nine in the Life of Brant as going with months men who were usually called the express to Fort Schuyler for rangers in the year 1777 the com nearby called Fort Stanwix and sal panies was called together under lied out with Willett to meet Herki general Herkimer, Jr. but at what mer and many more services his places the deponent cannot say but family was routed three times his it is his impression that it was at house and all his stuff burnt three Fort Herkimer. They found it diffi times during the war for which he cult to raise volunteers until they had no compensation nor ever re knew who their officers were. John ceived any pay for his services and Breadbreak was a farmer had many because he was s.:> valiant a soldier servants and never labored himself and his wife while living needed her was much esteemed as a man and as pension and her heirs who are needy an officer and for the encourage which prompts me still to persevere. ment of the inhabitants. and soldiers Now Mr. Yates a line from you giv volunteered as a Captain over the ing your advise would oblige your nine months men as before stated at humble servant. that time of the Oriskany Battle he called his militia men and ranger.3 together and they formed one com ~;y.7/I!#J~, pany under Captain John Bread break. Mr. Giles F. Y.ates. January 14th, 1843 And the deponent says that Anna N. B. Sir by conversing with many Helmer who is the widow of Adam of the Rev.olutioners you might ob· Helmer is now an applicant for a pen tain information concerning my fath sion and that she now resides in the er's services and if their is any town of Brutus, in the County of chance for us to obtain our right I Cayuga, in the State of New Y,ork should like it. and the said Adam Helmer was first Lieutenant over these rangers under AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN HENRY Capt. John Breakbreak and whethre WAFLE (PENSIONER) served as an uncommissioned officer State of New York County of Mont or was commissioned by the higher gomery ss: officers he actually served nine months in the year 1778. There was This sixteenth day oi May 1840 a company of rangers raised and this John Henry Wafle of the town of Captain John Breadbreak though Canajoharie in the Oounty of Mont wounded took charge of this company gomery came before me John I. Van of Rangers raised by the order of Alstine a Justice of the Peace for this committee of Counsel and Adam and in County and deposeth and Helmer valunteers as first Lieutenant saith that he is eighty three years and that one John Smith was an un old, a pension~r of the United States der officer who was usually called in the commencement of the war he blind John Smith in order to dis resided in Stone Arabia in the town tinguish him from another Smith and of Palatine in the County aforesaid this deponent caunot now recollect about two miles fr-om the residence the other under officers of said com of Captain John Breadbreak a Mili pany. tia officer in Col. K1ock's Regiment Captain John Breadbreak was so and General Herkimer's Brigade, he much esteemed among the soldiers was a private soldier under Capt. that they daily got many volunteers John Breadbreak soon after the com and that then they classed these men mencement of the war the Govern fr.om ten to sixteen in a class an·i ment ordered seveFal companies to be drew out of all their companies suffi- 142 THE HELMER FAMILY dent to make up a guard of rangers AFFIDAVIT OF DENNIS A. FLAN caped nine months men and Lhey DER were. legally organized as a company at Col. Waggoner's near F.ort Plain State of New York, Montgomery in .. the county of Montgomery, and County, ss: wherever there was likely to lie a battle the militia who were generally Dennis A. Flander of the town • of farmers were called together and Oppenheim in the County of · Fulton started at a minutes warning . and aged eighty six years and • upwards their equipement examined in .order being duly sworn saith that during to be . in . readiness and when they the Revolution he was well acquaint· marched to battle they all formed ed and knew Aadm Helmer who hai1- one company as here and before stat ed from the district -0f Herkimer: ed under Captain John Breadbreak That said Adam Helmer in the sum and when the battle was over the mi mer of 1781 was on duty with the mi litia returned to their several occu litia from his district in what is now pations and that Captain Breadbreak called Palatine and the deponent at usually lay around among his nine the time saw and particularly remem months 1:ien, which were divided in bers that said Adam Helmer was in scouting parties under watch day the battle so called (Mudder Kill)) .or and night and that they served their Mud Creek in the town now of St. nine months & were discharged on Johnsville and then and there saw New Year's morning in the year 1779 said Adam Helmer knock an Indian and returned home to their several in the head and the Indian said occupations. I, this deponent, was "Skana Skana" and said Helmer re - called into Oriskany Battle, Saratoga plied "I will skin y.ou" and then kille'.l Battle, Johnstown Battle, and several him. This deponent was then and .other skirmishes and after the latter there on duty in the company com were once returned home to my far:;J.1. manded by Captain Gr-oss in the Reg and held myself in 1·eadiness as usual iment of Colonel Willett. at a moments warning and further the deponent saith not. his DENNIS x FLANDER. his mark JOHN HENRY x WAFLE. mark Subscribed and sworn this 12th day of Oct. 1844 before me Sworn this 16th day of May 1840 oe fore me LAWREN CE MARCELLUZ, J. P. I also certify that said Dennis Flan der is a witness of credibility and that the foregoing affidavit was care fully read over to him and its con J. I. VAN ALSTil~E. tents explained before he signed or made his mark & sworn to the same. I certify that I am personally ac L. MARCELLUZ, J. P. quainted with John Henry Wafle t':e person who made the above affidavit that he is a creditable and reputab}<' New York 4163 witness. Dated May 16th. 1840. Anna Helmer, widow of Adam Hel J. I. VAN ALSTINE. mer who died April, 1830 of Cayuga Justice. in the State of New York who was Lt_. in the Co. commanded by Cap State of New York. Montgomery tam...... of the Reg. commanded County by______in the ...... line for 18 Clerk's Office: I do hereby certify months N. Y. that the above named John I. Van Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at Alstine whose name is subscribed to the rate of 240 DoUar.s 00 Cents per the jurat of the foregoing affidavit annum, to c•ommence on the 4th day etc. was on the day of the date of March 1831 Jan. 25 '41 when she thereof a Justice of the Peace in and died. for: the said County and duly author Certificate of Pension issued tne ized by the laws of the state to ad 15th day of Feb. 1845 and sent to G. minister oaths and that his signature F. Yates, Present. subscribed to the same is genuine. Arrears to the 4th of Semi-Annual ' In testimony whereof I have here allowance ending unto set my hand and the seal of mv Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, office this sixteenth day of May 1840. 1836 Section the...... A. J. CONNIE, Recorded by F. S. Swann, Clerk. Clerk. Book C Vol. 1 page 117. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 143 In pursuance of a law passed the formed under the following officers, 27th day of April 1784, entitled "An viz: act f<>r the settlement of the pay of First under Capt. Henry Miller in the Levies and Militia, for their ser Col. Jacob Klock Regiment. vices in the late War, and for other Second under Capt. John Bradbick, purposes therein mentioned," the fol in Col. Lewis Dubois, 2, regiment N. lowing certificates have been is.sued, Y. Levies. bearing interest at five per cent per Third, under Capt. Hendrick Star annum, viz: ir.g, in Col. Peter Bellinger's Regi 1780 Sept. 1 1126 Adam Helmer Pri ment. vate 0---16-0. Fourth in Capt. Hendrick Staring, 1780 Oct. 24, 18526 Adam Helmer, ir: Col. Peter Bellinger's Regiment. Lieut. 45-5--8. Fifth, under Capt. Hendrick Star 1780, April 1, 20841. Adam Helmer, ing, in O:::>l. Peter Bellinger's Regi Sergt. 6-5-4. ment. Sixth under Capt. Hendrick Star ing in Col. Peter Bellinger's Regi State of New York ment Comptroller's Office, Albany, Seventh, under Capt. Hendrick Staring in Col. Peter Bellinger's Reg October 23, 1840 iment. Eighth under Capt. Hendrick Star I hereby certify the above to be ing, in Col. Peter Bellinger's Regi true extracts from Book 1, 4 and 5 ment. now remaining in this :::iffice and that the service for which the certificates W.W. TREDWAY, above named weer issued, were per- Dept. Comptroller. / ,t/{/(JI// ., ·?2 /. 1/ 1 144 THE HELMER FAMILY ADDENDA Since the Helmer Family articles tained about other descendants. appeared in the Enterprise and News Pages refer to "The Helmer Fami additional information has been ob- ly Genealogy". DESCENDANTS OF PHIL!P HEL 25, 1790 (son of George P. Helmer MER and Catharine Staring) married Feb CHAPTER XIII (Exte-nded) ruary 10, 1810, Elizabeth Myers, and lived in the Town of Schuyler, Her Severinus Helmer kimer County, in the year 1816. Some years afterwards they moved to the Page 43. Severinus Helmer, born Town of Boonville, Oneida County, May 7, 1813 (son of Peter P. Helmer N. Y. and Margaret Dygert) was also call They were the parents of several ed Sylvanus. He married Mary Bar children, among them being: bara Frank and moved to Fredonia, 1. Elizabeth, born March 5, 1811. Wisconsin, about 1835 and died there '2.William Henry, born M•ay 23, a few years later. ]813. Severinus (Sylvanus) Helmer and his wife Mary Barbara Frank were 3. Gertrude (Charity), born Sep the parents of two daughters: tember 24, 1815, who married Ira 1. Charlotte Malvina. Burch Howe. 2. Margaret who married Philip 4. John, who lived in or near Boon Maxey in Brandon, Wisc., in 1866. ville, Oneida County, N. Y. There were probably other child Peter William Helmer ren. Two daughters were Mrs. Hor ace Olds, who lived at Boonville, N. P•age 43. Peter William Helmer, Y., and Mrs. Charles Wildey. born October 14, 1822 (son of Peter A granddaughter was Mrs. Charles P. Helmer and Margaret Dygert), Shumway. married Nancy Frank who was a sis ter of Mary Barbara Frank, wife of Gertrude (Charity} Helmer Severinus Helmer. Page 44. Gertrude (Charity) Hel mer, born Sept. 24, 1815, (daughter of Henry Helmer Henry Helmer and Elizabeth Myers), Page 43. Henry Helmer, born June died in 1852. She married in 1837 PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 145 Ira Burch Howe, who was born No Eva Dygert vember 24, 1815, in Deerfield, Oneida Page 44. Eva Dygert, born April County, N. Y. 6, 1818 (daughter of Elizabeth Helmer Ire Burch Howe was the son of Jo and her husband Peter Dygert) mar seph Howe, an early settler of Utica, ried John Millard. N. Y., and a soldier in the War of 1812. After the death of his wife in Aurelia Mosier 1852 Ira Burch Howe moved with his four children to La Salle County, Illi Page 44. Aurelia Mosier was a sec nois, and in 1854 to Ottawa, Illinois. ond daughter .of Elizabeth Helmer G~rtrude Helmer and her husband and her husband Stephen Mosier, not Ira Burch Howe were the parents of mentioned heretofore. Aurelia Mos four children: iier married a Mr. Fisher and lived at 1. Byron, born 1838, who married Grand Rapids, Michigin. Emma Trowbridge. 2. Aaron, born 1840, who married Mary Ann Helmer Jennie Dunavan. Page 45. Mary Ann Helmer (daugh 3. Amy, born 1844. Died 1855. 4. Ira Clark, born 1846. Died 1906. ter of Michael Helmer and Mary Countryman) married a Mr. Wright Married Louisa Pierce in Ottawa, DI. They were the parents of a daughter and lived in Steuben County, N. Y. Adelaide who married Vinton Earl Ha,rriet M. Helmer Sisson and is now living at Winnet-- ka, Illinois. Page 45. Harriet M. Helmer (daugh- ter .of Michael Helmer a!ld .Mary Countryman) married John C. Dreh Mary Dygert mer and lived at Dansville, N. Y. Page 44. Mary Dygert, born Janu Cieorge Dygert ary 13, 1813 (daughter .of Elizabeth Helmer and her husband Peter Dy Page 46. George Dygert (son of gert) married November 6, 1832 Mat Mary Helmer and Peter Dygert) mar thew Helmer. ried Mary Ann Helmer, born May, See Chapter XXIlI, page 98 for the 1839, (daughter of Matthew Helmer continuation of this line. and his wife Mary Dygert). See Chapter XXIII, page 98. George Henry D,ygert George Philo F•olts Page 44. George Henry Dygert, Page 46. George Philo Folts, son ,of born December 14, 1814 (son of Eliza Catharine Helmer and John A. Folts) beth Helmer and her husband Peter married first Aurelia Bellinger, Dygert) married Lucy Farmer and daughter of Henry Bellinger. They lived at Gouverneur, N. Y. had ,one son named Bellinger who died young. George Philo Folts mar Catharine Dygert ried .second Elizabeth Snell. He mar ried third Amanda De Haven. No Page 44. Catharine Dygert, born children by the last two marriages. September 19, 1816 (daughter of Joseph Helmer Elizabeth Helmer and her husband. Peter Dygert) married P~te!' 9l~p- Page 46. J.oseph Helmer, born Jan- saddle. 1,1ary 221 18~ (sq:q ot Timothy Hel. ., 146 THE HELMER FAMILY mer and Catharine Kast) married Lu ruary 21, 1811 (daughter of Peter P. cinda Smith and lived at Moravia, N Helmer and Margaret Dygert) . mar Y. Lucinda Smith was a daughter of ried January 12, 1832, John J. Her Adam Smith and Elizabeth Hilts and der. a granddaughter of Margaret Hel They were the parents of several mer4, Henry A.3, Adam2, Philipl. children, among them being a daugh See Chapter IX, page 28 for a con ter: tinuation of this line. 1. Melissa who married Hiram HuyC'k. Anna Elizabeth Helmer Page 46. Anna Elizabeth Helmer, Simon Helmer born February 28, 183'2 (daughter of Timothy Helmer and Catharine Kast) Page 47. Simon Helmer, born No married Robert J. Smith and moved vember 18, 1822 (son of Timothy Hel to Empire City, Minnesota. mer and Catharine Kast) married Sarah E. Stearns. In the former ar Timothy Helmer, Jr. ticle it was stated that the names of Page 46. Timothy Helmer, Jr., born their children were very difficult to November 26, 1838 (son of Timothy make out and were subject to possi Helmer and Catharine Kast) mar ble correction. ried Anna Symonds and moved to The names of their six children are Wisconsin. Later he returned to Her here given correctly: kimer. He was a blacksmith by oc 1. George Monroe who married Lou ise Brown. cupation. No children: 2. Orville who married Almy Wat son Jeremiah Helmer 3. Willard. 4. Lorena, who married Isaac Crist Page 46. Jeremiah Helmer, born man. November 2, 1841 (son ,of Timothy 5. Fannie E., who married Josiah Helmer and Catharine Kast) married Mock. Nancy Catharine Cristman. 6. Lewis. Margaret Helmer Page 47. Margaret Helmer, born CHAPTER XX (Extended) May 22, 1803 (daughter of Peter P. DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH HEL Helmer and Margaret Dygert) mar MER ried January 4, 1824, Jacob L. Her der. Joshua Stark Helmer They were the parents of two Page 79. Joshua Stark Helmer, daughters: born September 8, 1841 (son of Steu 1. Mary, born December 4, 1825, died t-en Helmer and Abigail Stark) mar May 13, 1905, who married Lewis P. ried Lucy Flagler and lived at Lock Phelps. port, N. Y., from there moving to 2. Harriet, born September 20, 1833, Toronto, Canada where he died. died August 8, 1892, who married They were the parents of two George Shannon. children: Mari.a Helmer 1. Frederick F., born March 11, 1870, now living at T,oronto, Canada. Page 47. Maria Helmer, born Feb- 2. Cyrus, who died in infancy. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS Joseph William Helmer Rev. Charles D. Helmer Page 80. Joseph William Helmer, Page 82. Charles D. Helmer, bor!'l born December 6, 1818 (son of Steu • November 18, 1827 (s-on of Steuben ben Helmer and Mary Hammond) Helmer and Frances Mulford) mar had eight children: ried December 25, 1861 Susan Bon 1. Ella who married William S. nell. Jackson. They were the parents of five 2. Emma, :who married Horace children: Flagler. 1. Charles Clarence, born August 31, 3. Howard, who married Carrie 1863. Di~d in infancy: Daniels. 2. Bruce Hathorn. Died 1873. 4. Ernest (twin). 3. Faith, born 1867, who married 5. Eugene (twin). Samuel C. Parks, and is now living 6. Harry. at Cody, Wyoming. 7. Lillian. Unmarried. 4. Ernest, born 1869. 8. Clara, who married Rev. William 5. Grace, born April 17, 1875. Died P. Merrill. in infancy. Mulford Helmer Albert M. Helmer Page 81. Mulford Helmer, born Oc Page 82. Albert M. Helmer, born tober 17, 1825, died April 20, 1894, March 10, 1832 (son of Steuben Hel (son of Steuben Helmer and Francis mer and Frances Mulford) married Mulford), married January 12, 1849 Minnie Newhall. Almira King. They were the parents of three They were the parents of three children: sons: 1. Newhall. 1. Charles Mulford, born January, 2. Minnie, who married a Mr. 1856, died November 14, 1931 at Buf Dickey. falo, N. Y. 3. Ella who married Daniel New 2. William King. hall. 3. Frank Watson. 148 THE HELMER FAMILY f'alatme's Village, Destroved by Ci::1.naa1an French and Indians l\aov. 12th, 1757. No. 2. D"s Petrcs, hat15, No. 8. Das Pfarr, haus. No, 4. Das Christmans, haus, Nn. 6. H Mayers, haus. No, 6. Das Hergemers h"ns, and ford, No, 7. Das Franck en h:ms, and ferryauf dergroseflach, ten, No, 8. Derweg vom Franck, Nach dcr Flachten. No, 9. Derweg Das Christmans, mit Seiner family D1, flacht gcnomcn nnd ihr leben i::esalnicrecl, wie And Hendrick !\fayer. No. 10. n;,,4 wege wo die Francen und ,vilde" Enge• fallen sine. No. 11. Ft. Herkimer Church. Erected 1757. From Simms' Frontiersmen, p. 232. From original CLC loaned by tne pt'esent owner, Supt. of Schools N. Berton Alter, Nelliston, N. Y. Explanation of Map. From survey made as early as 1750 by John Lawyer, Jr., surveyor among whose papers it was found. Translation. No. 1 The church. No. 2 Mr. Petry's house. He was patroon of village. No. 3 Minister's house. No. 4 Mr. Christ man's house. No. 5 H. Mayer's house. No. 6 Fort Herkimer. No, 7 Francken house and ferry at great flatts. No, 8 road going west. No. 9 Way in which Christmans and Seiner families, also Hendrick Mayer took flight and saved their lives. No. 10 Route by which French and Indians entered village. No. 11 Fort Herkimer church completed -about 1757. MAP 8URNET5fl[LD PATfNT April 3011z.s The original pu1•chase from the Indians was for "24 English miles along the river and as far back on each side as they wished but the colonial Governor allowed each patentee •only 100 acres, This was given in 30 acres as the town site and 70 acres wood lot. The names are as copied. Purchase was dated July 9, 1722. Petition for patent Jan. 17, 1723. Thirty or more families from Schoharie settled on the land in 1'723 and were given land certificates. The patent was is sued April 30, 1725. The petitioners were John Jost Petrie and Conrad Rickert in behalf of them selves and other Palatines. There were 46 lots of 100 acres each side of the river. Some split as noted. The Village of Herkimer now occupies part of the above patent. Copied for the Enter prise and News, by Boyd Ehle, C. E., and published here for the first time. PIONEERS· AND PATRIOTS 149 Additional Helmer Genealogy CHAPTER XXV. (Extended) Steinburg and is now living at .Johns town, N. Y. ADDITIONAL DESCENDANTS OF 8. Jennette, who married a Mr. JOHN HELMER AND ANN SHAW Jones. Adelia Helmer Page 104. Adelia Helmer (daughte!' of John Helmer and Ann Shaw) mar Page 105. Harmon M. Helmer, born ried Alexander Anderson and lived at .January 31, 1864, in the Town of Al .Tohnstwn, N. Y. exandria, N. Y. (son of Marvin Hel They were the parents of a son: mer arid Cordelia Hill). He died Februc1.ry 26, 1924. He married Car 1. Daniel, born July 1, 1849. rie May Vandresar, b0rn December 9, 1870. Daniel Anderson They were the parents of four children: Daniel Anderson, born July 1, 1849, (son of Alexander Anderson and 1. Frank Eugene, born January 13, Adelia Helmer) married Huldah 1892. Married Helen M. Derby. They Plank. have a son, Frank Eugene, Jr., born They were the parents of eight December 29, 1930. children: 2. Floyd E., born November 22, 1894. Married Irene B. Russell and 1. Alexander. is now living at Omar, St. Lawrence 2. George. County, N. Y. They have a son, Har 3. Arch. old Hubert, born August 12, 1925. 4. Eugene. 3. Lena M., born September 13, 5. Earle. 1896, who married Casper Jack Kel- 6. Emma A., who married a Mr. lar. Minor. 4. Lora A., born February 11, 1900, 7. Frances Ella, who married •a Mr. died May 29, 1g2s. 150 THE HELMER FAMILY Helmers of the North THE HELMER FAMILY before her death; to Ella Anderson Steinburg of Johnstown who loaned By Mrs. Bertha Wilbur Cummings the pictures of the great grandpar ents; and to my uncle, Berton Hel "History is lacking in much if the participants are not identified and mer who helped prove Mr. Williams· their descendants traced."-Col. 0. W. records and also gave us valauble in Bell. formation. There are .i..nany others The editor of tli.e Helmer Genealogy among the relatives who have helped Mr. Pascoe W11!iams, asked me to by their interest and cooperation. I write a sketch of my branch of the know we all appreciate the work of Helmer family. For years I searched Mr. Pascoe Williams, for without his old records, churches and cemeteries years of labor we could only have for Helmer data. There was a great traced three generations. Among Re deal but it was a tremendous task to volutionary records are accounts of sort it out and when I was about to twenty-seven Helmers who served in give up in despair my attention was the Revolution. Imagine the task of called to The St. Johnsville paper. I picking the one who was my ances tor. put an inquiry in this paper ~ itn mediately got in touch with Mr. Wil liams. He had already collected sev The Revolutionary Ancestor eral thousa.nl Helmer records and John P. Helmer was born in 1758 in had access to thE> old records in Al the Mohawk Valley. He enlisted ear bany and New York. Only with his ly in Colonel vVillett's regiment at assistance were we able to untangle German Flatts, N. Y. and helped re "the web" and piece out bit by bit our build Fort Stanwix where he fought. line. We had many discouraging ex In August, 1775 he went into Dubois' periences as all the older people of regiment. This was disbanded in my family were gone and valuable April, 1777 but he continued in the records had been lost in a fire. Again service and was in Sullivan's expedi and again we were sure we had the tion as a boatman. Afterwards the line complete only to discover that Indians carried him a prisoner to one link was wrong. This record is Fort Niagara (Canada) and placed not complete yet but we feel that it is him in irons, the scars from which almost finished and is accurate as were visible until his death. He was soon as all the descendants send in released at the end of the war and in what they have of their own imme 1790 was in Herkimer, N. Y. On Jan diate families. uary 15, 1786 he married Maria Wolff. In later years, about 1802 they moved I wish to pay tribute to my mother, to Manlius, Onondaga County. He is Jane Helmer Wilbur, who gave me buried in Onondaga county. The fol what inf.ormation she could and who lowing children were born to them: inspired me to undertake the task and who passed away before we had See Chapter XVIII. learned of Mr. Williams' work. Also to Caroline Helmer Olney of Clayton; John P. Helmer married Maria who gave me valuable information Wolff on Jan. 15, 1786. They were PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 151 the parents of eleven or twelve child were lost ·when my great grandpar ren: ents lost all their possessions in a 1. Philip born June or January 1, fire. For years we tried in vain to 1787. find duplicates of these records and 2. Margaret, born Dec. 28, 1788. only by untiring patience and perse 3. Gertrude, born April 3, 1790. verence by Mr. Pascoe Williams have 4. Lena, born Nov. 15, 1791. we pieced out this record: 5. John, born Dec. 15, 1793. 1. One daughter Adelia, married 6. Michael, born about 1796. Alexander Anderson and lived in 7. Adam, born? J ohn.stown. Their son Daniel lived 8. Anna, born Jan. 6, 1802. and died there. His children live to 9. Elizabeth, (Betsey). day in Johnstown and Gloversville. 10. Henry, born about 1805. 2. Melinda married William Phillips 11. Eva, born about 1807. of Manlius, N. Y. 3. William married Adah Milliner •of Possibly another daughter Maria Rochester, N. Y. Catharine, born Aug. 8, 1797. 4. Marvin married Cordelia Delight Hill of Alexandria, N. Y. John Helmer, Jr. married Ann 5. Aaron married Margaret Cronk Shaw of North Bush near Johnstown, hite, Alexandria, N. Y. Oct. 13, 1816. Her father had moved 6. John married Eleanor Springer, there from Nantucket. When Ann Alexandria, N. Y. Shaw and John Helmer, Juni•or were 7. Julia married Sanford George, married they drove to Saratoga Alexandria, N. Y. Springs on their wedding trip. Old letters state that in her dowry 8. James married three times. First Ann Shaw had real silver spoons and wife 1865, Alice Smith. Second wife real silk dresses. They had eight Cornelia Smith, N. Y. Third wife children. With the youngest, James Adele Gill of Canada, 1879, lived at a baby in her lap, they moved from Atlanta, Ga. Fonda, N. Y. north to Jefferson coun J-ohn Helmer died May 20, 1875 and ty where other branches •of the fam is buried in the cemetery known as ily had settled. Great Grandfather Barnes Settlement, Jefferson County. John P. Junior had gone on ahead. His wife Ann Shaw who was born in When Great Grandmother started 1800 died in 1887 and is buried there north she had to go by stage coach also. the last part of the journey. It was a dark stormy night with bad roads The Mexican War and she wondered if it would be safe to ride with a strange driver, when to One son Marvin (my own maternal her husband. Great Grandfather John grandfather) was born in 1825, died her surprise she found the driver was 1903. Came north at the age of 14 Jr. served in the war of 181'2 in Capt. and lived practically all his life in Timmerman's Company. My mother Jefferson county, town of Alexandria, could remember an army overcoat near Redwood. While a young man worn by her grandfather that dated he sailed on the Hud9on. He began back farther than the Civil war. We sailing with an uncle. Later he own learned later it was the war of 1812. ed some of the sailing ships. Many Mother remembered old German Bi times he tried to tell his grandchild bles (Deutsch) with big brass clasps ren stories of his early life, but we that contained family records. These were not interested and paid little 152 THE HELMER FAMILY attention. How many times since This farm was almost self support his death we have wished that we had ing. There was an abundance of ev listened and written down what he erything. The farm supplied nearly could have told us. When I was a all their needs. My mother told me child I remember him trying to ex how they made their own cheese plain to me the differences in a when she was a little girl. Grand schooner, a brig, etc. He carried sup mother had a cheese press. Mother plies, f•ood and ammunition out of told of the big churn fior making but New York Bay to ships sailing for ter. They had trained a sbeep to do Mexico during the Mexican war. The the churning. He walked up and r-ocks had not been blasted out of the down (tread mill). One of the child harbor then -and his ships sailed out ren had to watch the sheep ,or he to the larger boa.ts where his cargo wouldn't wm:k. How they hated the was transferred to them. He began task. The old sheep seemed to know buying land in Jefferson county and what days he would be needed and paying for it while sailing. would hide from them. My mother, when a little girl, stuffed old clothes Pioneers from Vermont to look like a man and placed near He married a young school teacher, the sheep so she could go and play. Cordelia Delight Hill, born Oct. 21, But he smelled of the clothes, discov 1832, died 1903. She was about 16 ered the deception and refused to when she married. Her parents Jane work fer the "dummy." Smith of Vermont and Luther Manly I remember how we used to rum Hill drove from Vermont in a cover mage in the big attic. There was a ed wagon drawn by oxen. The father loom for weaving and spinning of Luther Hill was an Englishman wheels and a trundle bed. Grand and his wife, Ruth Manly was father gave each ,of his daughters a Scotch. They, too, settled in Jeffer cow as part of her dowry. Each son son county near the Helmers. Marvin had a horse. The house was a large Helmer and Cordelia Hill started rambling affair. I remember the housekeeping in a house built by wide paneled doors with latches, widP. them and in this house they lived all flooring boards, the parlor, parlor their lives and they reared 11 child bedroom, living room, dining room, ren. There were only three houses in kitchen, pantry, summer kitchen and Redwood when they were married. three other bedrooms all on the first Redwood was their nearest village. floor. Their house was one story and a half Mother told me how she helped Colonial, with a pretty fl"ont door, :c:iake the candles. How they peeled central hall, open stairway and prac and dried apples for winter. The ber tically all the rooms on the first floor. ries also they dried for winter and On each side of the front door grand the sweet corn was cut from the cob mother planted locust trees. These and dried. Grandafther kept many grew very large. Here his large fam cows, and many horses, also sheep, ily grew up. He kept buying land un pigs, chickens. Red plum trees had til he owned 1,000 acres of splendid been planted around the house. They land. He devoted all his time to made preserves from them. How farming after his house was built. He much we enj,oyed going to Grandpa's. built a small house near his for his In summer during school vacations father and mother who lived there we took turns g,oing to grandfather's. until their deaths. How badly we felt if one grandchild PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 153 went "out of turn" or over stayed his Seni,or who fought in the Revoluti-on time. In winter often my father was sent out with a gun when a boy would hire two horses and a long of 12 to help fight the Indians. He sleigh and put in hay in the bottom told of seeing a white man kill an and plenty of blankets and away .we Indian with a hammer. The Indian would go to grandfather's seven miles was burning buildings. away. A good team would get there My grandfather (his brother?) liv in an hour if the roads were good. ed well and wanted to have his child Sometimes when the snow was deep ren get an education. The two eld the men drove through fields because est sons taught school, also one the roads might not be opened in sev daughter. eral weeks. Charles, the eldest had an adven In summer _grandfather let us ride turous spirit. He traveled through horseback on some trusty horse. We out the United States. His son John would get up early and ride to the now lives in Colorado. cheese factory where the milk wa;; Daniel traveled extensively and carried in big cans. The milk was spent many years in Florida before it made up into cheese. Then as we was developed. Daniel married Mat grew older grandfather let us rake tie Storing. They had two children, hay driving a horse and also let us Marvin and Ella. Marvin is now liv drive the horses on the horse fork ing in Idaho. Ella died several years that unloaded the hay. ago. Her children are in Idaho. I remember coaxing grandmother Emma, eldest daughter married to make salt rising bread for us, as Frank Casselman. They lived and my mother made bread the modern died near Alexandria Bay. They cele way. Grandfather was fond of "but brated their 5oth wedding anniver termilk pop." I don't know how this sary before their death. They have dish was prepared. I remember they one daughter Ethel. fixed wilted lettuce, cottage cheese, Sarah married Edward Reynolds. corn meal bread. Great Grandmother She lived in Alexandria Bay until her Helmer told a story about feeding death. They have f.our children, Net a hungry Indian. He came in her tie, Edward, Junior, Harry and Er home one day when she was alone nest. and asked for food. She was fright Harmon married Caroline Van Dre ened and said, "I haven' t anything sar. They had four children, Frank, but "Injun" bread. Then she feared Floyd, Lena and Lora. All liying but be would be angry because she said Lora. The father is dead. "Injun" bread. But instead he replied Jane married Byron Wilbur and "Me Injun, me like Injun bread." lived near Alexandria Bay until her When he had finished eating he said death. Four children all living, Gor "Some day me bring venison," and don, Bertha, Bessie and Marvin. departed as silently as he crune. Many Percy :married Milton Van Dresar. stories were told to the children and Lived in Alexandria Bay until her grandchildren of the old days in the death. One daughter survives, Ula. Mohawk Valley; of Cherry Valley; of , Virginia married Lewis Scott. Three Fort Stanwix; General Herkimer and children survive, Harold, Helen, Mil Indian Wars. All the traditions told ton. Their mother also is buried at of the Helmers as valiant soldiers and Alexandria Bay. great fighters. One of our family Elsie married Frank Y.oungs of traditions states that John P. Helmer , Redwood. Five children survive, Wil- 154 THE HELMmR FAMILY liam, Frederick, Beulah, Rava and share of the farm work. He was Ernest. Mother is dead. short and well built with a pleasing Berton the last survivor of this personality. In his latter years he large family is living in Plessis. He wore his hair quite long and it was married Nellie Hagen. They have snow white. eleven children. He was the y.oung I remember when the threshers ar est and remembers many stories of rived to thresh the grain. The old by gone days. three horse tread. where the horses My mother could remember when walked all day with-out getting any her mother had blue willow ware where. The hay pressers when men dishes, homespun woolen sheets, the were skillful hay jumpers. The maple feather beds, the grandfather clock, sugar time when the syrup was boiled the brass candlesticks, the cord bed in a huge caldron kettle; the soap steads. making time when a barrel of soft We still have one of the cord bed soap was made at ,one time to last !;!teads. It was a great day for the for a year. Grandfather was using Helmer family when a man drove in some modern machinery when I was to our yard with a new rosewood a child, that is to cut hay, but when melodeon. Grandfather paid $125.00 mother was small, it was all cut and for it, a great deal of money then. It raked by hand. There was a big was the only one in the neighborhood. wood lot on this big farm and grand It was beautifully carved, and was father let his sons-in-law come and placed in the parlor. All the children cut all the wood they wanted or had played on it, mostly by ear. The boys time to cut. Grandfather was a secured a violin and also played by strong prohibitionist. He saw the ear. They were a very lively family evils and abuses ,of ,alcohol all around and used to sing and dance evenings. him and although reared in a time Mother told about going to singing when there was little prohibition sen schools in winter and also to old timent he never touched intoxicating fashioned dances. My mother loved liquor nor tobacco. His mother, music. Althougil she had never taken great grandmother Ann Shaw had a many lessons, she played and sang strong character. Through many for us when we were children. There hardships she remained faithful to was always a big family on grand the end. After her children were father's farm. I remember the long grown up and left home, she used to table which usually was "set twice" visit her children and grandchildren. when there was oompany. There was She used to knit beautiful lace with always room for compan~. There was fine difficult patterns. always an abund,ance. As my grand Grandfather (Marvin Helmer) lived parents grew older and their own only nine months after grandmother's children were grown up, grandmother death. My grandfather could not car read a great deal and painted pic ry on the farm any longer. None of tures. She taught herself and paint the children were situated so they ed with oil paints. Grandfather told could take it over, so much to our us grandchildren many stories. He sorrow the old home was sold to stran was very fond of his children and gers. The house modernized so that grandchildren. He was a great work it is no longer attractive. In fact it er and even when he was an old man no longer seems like grandfather's he continued to drive his horses to and instead of driving by there we go town with produce and to do his the "other way.'' PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 155 We only recently learned from the This work can best be done in the St. Johnsville paper that the Cassel right way." mans and Van Dresars mentioned in We grandchildren had many un this article were also descendants of cles and aunts and cousins to visit or the Palatines and must have come to have them visit us. We often had north to Jefferson county from the reunions, picnics, and anniversaries. Mohawk Valley. It is interesting to Grandfather and grandmother cele study those old records and see brated their 5oth wedding anniver where these families served in the sary five years before they died. They same regiments, during the Revolu with their parents and their children tionary War. are buried in the little rural cemetery in their old neighborhood. Grand The Wilburs mentioned in this arti mother died from an attack of pneu cle are also descended from early monia. Grandfather only lived nine settlers who came to America in 1668 months longer. He passed away in and took an active part in the early his sleep. Both died in the year 1903. history of Rhode Island. Gideon, son There were strong family ties, abun of Captain Aar.on Wilbur, Junior, of dance of hospitality, service and loy ficer in the Revolution married a alty to each other and hard work descendant •of the Palatines, Hannah and self denial. From those Pala Conrad. Marvin Wilbur, b:riother of tines we the descendants still inherit the writer of this article is married a love for the country they helped to a Palatine descendant, Edna to build. We hope to be true to the Schramm. The Kocherthal records ideals they handed down to us, and be tell of Schramm, Casselman, Helmer, faithful to our homes, our schools, Van Drieser families among those our churches, our Country. How who came over in 1710 and helped set thankful we should be to have for tle Central New York. An ,outstand our inheritance ancestors who suffer in characteristic among the Helmers ed such hardships, practiced such is that they have never been self self denial, who gave their all to seeking, nor anxious at any cost to their Country and who in time of achieve fame or popularity. Each peace became good solid trustworthy has been ever anxious and zealous to citizens of their country. be faithful "in a few things", to love his or her home and strive to make We, the grandchildren and great their children g,ood citizens and to grandchildren are striving to carry share with others less fortunate and on and follow the teachings of the to l,ove the higher things of life. prophet Micah, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but t0 deal justly, to They lived the spirit of Van Dyke's love mercy and to walk humbly with poem: thy God." Am,ong the granacnuaren and great "Let me but do my work from day to day grandchildren of Marvin and Cordelia In field or forest or at the deslt or Helmer, five (5) served in the Wiorld loom In roaring market place or in the War. Four are sailors, engineers of tranquil room, boats that sail the Great Lakes. Four Let me but find it in my heart to say are school teachers, several in busi When vagrant wishes beckon me astray. ness and professions and many others engaged in agriculture. "This is my task-my blessing not my doom This record is far fr.om complete. Of all who live I am the one by whom The women mostly are home makers. 156 THE HELMER FAMILY There are cousins in far away cities. Today six lines of railroad tracks tra There is much information that the verse its entire length carrying the writer was unable to get. fastest and finest express trains ever BERTHA WILBUR CUMMINGS. built. New York State's wonderful Cortland, N. Y. Barge Canal constructed at 1a cost of January 16, 1932. over $175,000,000 carries immense car goes of freight and grain through the FINAL CHAPTER valley. Beautiful concrete roads on each side of the Mohawk river permit The Beautiful Mohawk Valley the •automobilist to travel the entire length of this valley in a few hours. A Two hundred and seven years ago journey of three hours through this Governor William Burnett of the valley today would have taken more Province of New York granted to than that number of days for the ninety-two persons a patent to ,a tract early pioneers. of I.and on both sides of the Mohawk The province of New York was River in what is now the County of sparsely settled and the journey from Herkimer. It was then known as the one settlement to another was an Burnettsfield Patent. A settlement event oftentimes accompanied with and been made here a few years ear dangers. lier, probably about 1722. There is no reliable data as to the The names appearing on that patent population of the Province of New over two hundred years ago are still York in 1725 when the patent was familiar to the Mohawk Valley and granted at German Flatts. The first descendnts are to be found in almost census was made sixty five years lat every state of the Union and in Can er in 1790 and gave the State of New ada. Bell, Bellinger, Casler, Dock York a population of 340,120. New stader, Demuth, Edick, Folts, Fox, York city had a little more than 32,- Fulmer, Hager, Harter, Helmer, Hess, 000 inhabitants according to that cen Kast, Orendorf, Petry, Schumacher, sus. Smith, Spohn, Staring, Weaver and Wollober are names that are still T'he Causes of the Palatine Immigra found in almost every town of the tion valley. Why did they settle in the Mohawk Those pioneers of 1725 faced condi Valley? Why face the privations of a tions that the present generation new world? They knew that dangers finds hard to realize. Let us stop to lurked in the forests surrounding consider the tremendous changes that their settlement, but they were not have taken place since that little band turned from their purpo.se. of Palatines settled on what was then The first immigration from Ger the f.ar western frontier. Can we pic many to the Province of New York ture that vast unbroken forest peo occurred about the year 1708. History pled by sav•age Indians and savage tells, us that for nearly one hundred beasts? There was no settlement to years prior to that time the Lower the west and they were exposed to Palatinate of Germany had been the the attacks of hostile French in Can scene o !religious wiars. To ascertain ada. One hundred years before the the cause of those religious wars one coming of the fir,st railroad, they lit must go back to about the year 1517 tle knew that the Mohawk Valley was to the outbreak of the Protestant Re to become one of the greatest com formation under Martin Luther, an mercial thoroughfares in the world. Augustinian friar and professor of PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 157 theology in the University of Witten ments to the faith of those early pi burg, Saxony. There was not the i:-e '.)neers. If the stones of those old ligious tolerance at that time that we churches could speak, what a story have today. Reformed and Lutheran they would tell! From the earliest civ churches were established under diffi- ilization of the Mohawk Valley to culties. Freedom of worship was lit- the present time; what a change. tle known and their religion was us ually dominated by the ruling sover The M-ohawk Valley History eign. ·~l,l History relates there were several In 1689 the Lower Palatinate -of raids by the French and Indians up Germany was invaded by the French, on the Mohawk Valley in 1'(57 and many of its towns were burned, the • 1758 during ::.l.~ French and Indian country devastated and the defense wars and many of the inhabitants less inhabitants who begged for mer were killed or carried into capitivity. cy on their knees, were stripped nak During the Revolution raids by the .::d and driven into the fields, then Tories and Indians were frequent •and ..:overed with snow where many of many of the inhabitants were killed. tnem perished. At the Battle of Oriskany August 6, Such had been the history of that 1777 850 men were under the com company of Palatines who came to mand of General Herkimer, but the America from 1708 to 1720. The dan names of only about 500 who partici gers of the New World did not deter pated are known. The names of the them in their . efforts to find a place other 350 men who fought in that bat to build their homes where they could tle have not been ascertained. worship as they pleased. They were So many of the old church records a home loving, God fearing, hard have been lost that little is known of working and peaceful people. They the history of the early families of worked with diligence and soon made the valley. Patents, deeds, wills and rapid progress in clearing farms, old church records contain valuable building homes and converting the information but much is lacking con Mohawk valley into a prosperous cerning their early history from 17~5 community. to the outbreak of the Revolution. The Mohawk Valley Churohes The Rangers o.r Scouts of the Revolu- Soon after the first settlements in tion the Valley these Pala:'.:ines began their plans for the erection of churches. A valuable source c;,f information is The first church at German Flatts found in the old pension records of was organized about 1723 and that at the soldiers of the Revolution. They Stone Arabia about 1725. The first give interesting ae<:ounts of the hap church buildings, constructed of penings of that period. Each pension wood were later replaced by substan record is interesting in itself. tial stone buildings ,that of German In the paper.s accompanying the Flatts being completed some time pri pension application of Anna Bellin or to 1767 and that of Stone Arabia ger, widow of Lieutenant Adam F. about 1788. Helmer, interesting accounts are giv Each o! these churches should be en of the comparatively unknown a shrine to which every descendant of rangers or scouts commaded by Cap the Mohawk Valley should .some day tain John Breadbake. This company make a visit. Those beautiful old was raised and officered under the di stone churches stand today, monu- rection of the committee of safety. The 158 THE HELMER FAMILY Militia was divided in classes of eight his losses and received but little pay or ten men and each class was oblig for his srvices. ed to furnish one man for service in the company of rangers. In this man Anna Bellinger, his widow, · died ner a company of rangers, guards or January 25, 1841, nearly eleven years scouts w,as raised for the perilous task after her husband's death in April, of spying upon the enemy, carrying 1830. Her pension was granted Feb messages and giving alarms of the ruary 15, 1845 over four years after approach of danger. her death and over seven years after her appli-cation was made. Diffi.culty Captain John Breadbake command in proving her marriage and inability ed the company of rangers and Lieu to produce her husband's commission tenant Adam F. Helmer was second in saemed to have been the cause of the command. It was difficult to raise delay in granting her a pension. volunteers in this company until it was known who would be the officers. Eighteen affidavits extending over John Breakbake was a well to do far a period of seven years were on re mer and had many servants. He wag cord as proof of her pension claim. greatly esteemed by the soldiers a.nd Many of these .affidavits were execut as the result of his popularity volun ed by soldiers of the Revolution, sev teers were more readily procured. eral being pensioners. Thy give ac The rangers were on guard day and counts of battles in which these pen night and the safety of the valley de sioners fought and tell of the service pended upon their alertness. Captain of Adam F. Helmer. Breadbake accompanied his men on many of their scouting trips and wa.s The Rosecr,ants Affidavits popular for the reason he led his men through many dangers and difficul In order to prove her marriage the ties. widow Helmer procured two affida vits giving the record of her marriage Pension of the Widow Helmer as recorded in the original church re Anna Bellinger, widowof Lieutenant cords. The first of these in 1838 was Adam F. Helmer, made an application by George Rosencrants, son of the for pension on December 15, 1837. It Reverfend Abraham Rosencrants who was a long heart breaking struggle was the minister of the German for recognition and her pension was Flatts Reformed Church for a period not granted until over four years af of forty-four years from 1752 to 1796. ter her death. The second affidavit in 1839 was by a grandson Abraham G. Rosencra.nts Her husband had endured every into whose hands the church records hardship during the war. He had spent several years as a lieutenant in had been placed for safe keeping nearly forty years after his grand a Company of Rangers, on guard day father's death. and night. These guards had no time to devote to their own occupations but These affidavits as well as those of were continually on watch for the en Revolutionary pensioners and of per emies and Tories. sons present at her marriage were Three times his house and all his procured to prove her pension claim. belongings had been burned by the They extended over a period of seven enemy, but each time he escaped. He years and show the difficulty encoun almost seemed to bear a charmed tered in obtaining Revolutionary War life. He was never recompensed for pensions. PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 159 Affidavits of Revilutio•nary Soldiers be traced out, and it will require the united efforts of all those interested The pension claims of several of the to complete these records. Descend Revolutionary soldiers relate inci .ants are urged to add as much addi dents about the Battle of Oriskany. tional information as pOS.'!lible. They give the names of several who were in that battle who have not been previously recorded. Conclusion The writer wishes to thank many Helmer Family Reuni·on members of the Helmer family for Suggestions have come from several their generous aid in furnishing re sources that a Helmer family reunion cords. Without such aid the list of un be held in the Moh!awk Valley at identified Helmers would have been some time in the near future. much greater. The Helmer family is probably one The writer extends to the publisher of the largest families that originated of the Enterprise & News the thanks in the Mohawk Valley. of the entire Helmer family for the So far as the writer Knows, every publication of these articles. Without person by the name of Helmer traces such an opportunity as has been giv his ancestry back to the Mohawk val en by the publisher there would not ley. It is fitting that such a large have been the interest shown nor family should again unite in a com the means by which much of this in mon cause to perpetuate and complete formation could have been procured. the history of this family. There are many branches of this family yet to THE END 160 THE HELMER FAMILY OAKHILL Dear Mr. MacWethy Berlin and from 1859 to 1879 was pas St. Johnsville, N. Y. tor of the Plymouth Church (Congre gation:al), Milwaukee, The Union Mr. Williams has asked for bio Park Church, Chicago and The Tomp graphical sketches relating to the kins Avenue Church, Brooklyn. The Helmer :fiamily and I believe the fol introduction by Rev. Henry W.ard lowing may be of considerable inter Beecher says, in part, of Rev. Helmer: est, especially to the· des·cendants of "He possessed uncommon intellectual Steuben Helmer. It is copied from a gifts and they had been thoroughly memorial volume of about 400 pages, trained. He was a close thinker, an published in 1880 and entitled, Charles able reasoner, fluent with pen or D. Helmer, an Earnest Life of Faith v,oice and had his health been firm he by Grace. would have left behind him works worthy of his gre·at ability." The volume is largely a collection Cordially yyours, of sermons and poetical writings. Rev JOHN H. HELMER. erend Charles D. Helmer w-as a grad uate of Yale, class of 1852. He then Evanston, Ill. studied abroad at Heidelberg and Oct. 12, 1931. CHARLES OWNES HELMER afforded by the common schools of that time, and was obliged to spend Charles Downes Helmer was born nearly all of his after years in on the 18th of November, 1827 at Oak wringing from an obstinate farm the hill in the town of Canajoharie, Mont bare necessities of life for his large gomery County, New York. He was family, he neverthless, by the careful the fourth born of nine children, reading and study of a few good having seven brothers and one sister, books, and by making the best use of all of whom but one, a brother, ,are whatever ,opportunities came within still living. (1880). his reach, succeeded in attaining a po siti.on of honor and influence in the His father Steuben Helmer was de community, "which was of more value scended from ,one of the Palatine fam to his children,'' ,says one of them, ilies that cianie over from Germany "than any other legacy he could have during the colonial peri,od and settled left them. in the inviting valley of the Mohawk near the ground now covered by the For many years he was a public village of Fort Plain. magistrate and so sturdy was his in The father is said to have been a tegrity and his judgment so fair, that man of very marked character. Al his neighbors for miles ar,ound sought though he had enjoyed as 1a youth his trusty services whenever they had only such scanty ad¥antages as were contracts, deeds, mortgages or wills PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 161 to be drawn up, or estates to be ad agine thiat when ~ boy he often stood ministered. Even when, after cross in his father's door yard or sat perch ing the advanced line of three score ed on one of the fences, following years and ten. He left his eartern home with hi,s admiring eye the pleasant to spend the remnant of his days land as ~t sloped gradually down in among some of his children in the every direction-down to the M,ohawk, western part of the state, he was which flowed seven miles to the north, •obliged to relinqui,sh the office of ex down eastward, southward and west ecutor in a number of estates. ward to •a winding stream called That the example of such 'a father Bowman's Creek. Beyond this stream in the business affairs ,of life made a the land rose ·again in a high moun deep impression upon the son who is tain range, a spur of the romantic the subject of thi.s .sketch cannot be Catskills, which did not disgrace its doubted. illustrious parentage. Starting from The boy's mother Frances Mulford its nearest point in the south, the en Helmer was a native of East Hamp raptured y,outh could follow it away ton, Long Island and fior several for miles on either side •and around years prior to her marriage 'a member almost in the form of 1a crescent until of the church of which the famous its sharp, clear outline softened 'and Doctor Lyman Beecher was pastor. To faded into a dim, ethereal vision of the instruction and guidance of her beauty. children she brought a rare natural Now when we find Mr. Helmer in endowment of mental and moral qual the last year of his life, while writing ities, all developed to a high degree from the White Mountains, speak of under the ministrations of that grand their magnificent prospects as "the old pulpit king. nourishers of soul and character" can The home in which those boyhood we doubt that he, with his observing days were spent was a plain farmer's eye -and susceptible mind, derived house, where the good effects of tem much of his remarkable strength and perate, regular habits were experienc breadth ,of character from these ,su ed and where simple rustic duties were perb surroundings of his early home? performed from day to day by all mem Still less can we doubt that the rare bers of the household. It was a quiet, poetic faculty that he aiterwards de secluded spot where young Helmer veloped was first stirred within him le·arned the real dignity of labor, and by the marvelous and ever changing where a sympathy for those whose landscape that lay within the scope lives are spent in hard manual toil of his vision. was kindled, which never in after Before we .;urn away from these years burned out, as we shall see on material surroundings of our youth, more than one occasion. we must trace yet another important I have spoKen ,of the old house as influence that came in upon him thru lowly-lowly only in its structure and the medium of their famed historic occupations, however, not in its sit associations. I have recorded that uation, for th·at was lofty, as it was his German ancestors had helped to perched on the summit of Oakhill at form -a colonial settlement on the an elevation of hundreds of feet above banks of the Mohawk and now it is the valley ,of the Mohawk. to be added that, in common with all Remembering, as we do, what a their neighbors, they suffered great fine inbred love of nature character hardships, first during the French ized Mr. Helmer, we can easily im- and Indian Wars and afterwards in 162 THE HELMER FAMILY the war ,of the Revolution. During Cyanthia Jane Dunivan. They were the boyhood of Mr. Helmer there was the parents of three children: a revered grandmother in the house 1. Mabel who married Walter hold-a lingring relic of the olden Houghton. time-and thrilling were the stories 2. Irene, who m'arried a Mr. P,atter often: told by her to the children by the s•on. One son Merton. winter fireside, especially thrilling 3. Claire, who married George Bal when she recounted the cruelties per dridge. Now living at Kansas City, pe:ra.ted by that notorious half-breed Missouri. Brant, and his Indian hordes at Cher ry Valley and along the Mohawk. Ira Clark Howe These stories were eaily drawn from Page 145. Ira Clark Howe, born 1846 her remote childhood and as radily died 1906, son of Gertrude (Charity) takn in by her youthful listeners, as Helmer and Ira Burch Howe, married Cherry Valley w,as only three miles 1870 Louisa Peirce ,at Ottaw,a, Illinois. aW1ay to the south and the Mohawk Louisa Peirce was the daughter of but seven miles distant to the north. George W. Peirce. Ira Clark Howe Here, then, were th springs of that served in the Union Army during the passionate love of country which, Civil War. from a mountain brook, grew into ·a Ira Clark Howe •and his wife Louisa bDoad deep river with Mr. Helmer's Peirce were the parents of eight advancing years-here in these fire children: side tales ,of his childhood -and in the 1. Walter Clark, born 1871. Died historic associations that trailed along 1885. all the neighboring streams and over 2. George Burch, born 1873. Died all the adjacent hills. 1885. 3. Anna Peirce who married Frank B. Williams. Now living ,at Dexter, CHAPTER XIII (Extended) N. Y. Three children, Leonard who ADDITIONAL DESCENDANTS OF died 1926, leaving one son Leon. Amy PHILIP F. HELMER, REVOLU who married Donald Anderson, now TIONARY SOLDIER living in Detroit, Mich., ·and have three children, Richard, Roberta and Carl. Ade1aide who married Alfred Sargent now living at Limerick, N. Y. Byron Howe and have one son William. Page. 145. Byron Howe, born 1838, 4. Amy Louise who married Charles son ,of Gertrude (Charity) Helmer Albert Burnett and is now living at and Ir,a Burch Howe, married •about Lost Angeles, California. One son, 1865 Emily Tvowbridge. They were William Ross. the parents of four children: 5. Adela1ue wno married Vinton 1. Charles who married first Agnes Earl Sission and is now living at Win Gallagher and second ------netk•a, Ill. One daughter Muriel Adele 2. Isabelle who married a Mr. Buck. who married Forrest Eugene Peirce 3. Ell!=i, who married a Mr. Rice. and now living in Chicago, Ill. 6. Williiam Peirce, unmarried and living at Webster Groves, Mo. Page 145. Aaron Howe, born 1840. 7. Nellie Peirce, who married Alex son of Gertrude (Charity) Helmer and ander S. Palmateer and is now living Ira Burch Howe, married ,about 1874 at Solana Beach, California, PIONEERS AND PA'l'RIOTS 163 8. Ir-a Burch II, who married Flor 5. Elsie Louisa, born July 10, 1883. ence Wasserman ,and is now living at 6. Leo King, born December 5, 1888. Kirkwood, Mo. Four children, Toa Died 1908. Burch ill, Mary Louise, Bernard and 7. Guy Leonard, born May 16, 1895. Amy Read. Helen Philene Yerdon Helen Philene Yerdon, born Febru CHAPTER XX (Extended) ary 23, 1852, daughter of Louise Hel ADDITIONAL DESCENDANTS OF mer and Peter Yerdon, married May JOSEPH HELMER, REVOLU 28, 1875 Oscar B. Coleman. She died TIONARY '30LDIER April 15, 1926. They were the parents of one daughter: 1. Lena May. Louise Helmer Julia Amelia Yerdon Page 83. Louise Helmer, born De cember 24, 1828, daughter of Gilbert Julia Amelia Yerdon, born August 1, Warden Helmer and Margaret Wal 1854, daughter of Louise Helmer and radt, married first December 21, 1848 Peter Yerdon, married August 19, 1869 Peter Yerdon, born J-anuary 12, 1823 John C. Rice (,or Rowe). She died and died February 6, 1880. She mar January '25, 1903. They were the par ried second October 26, 1891 Willi1am ents of one daughter: Hall who died May ·21, 1912. Louise 1. Mary A. Helmer died November 11, 1911. Jonas Ad-am Yerd,on Louise Helmer and her fir.st hus band Peter Yerdon were the parents Jonas Adam Yerdon, born April 1, of seven children. 1857, son of Louise Helmer and Peter 1. Mary Margaret, born October 19, Yerdon, married April 2, 1883 Susie E. 1849. Vincent. He died May 11, 1924. 2. Helen Philene, born February 23, They were the parents of one son: 1852. 1. Herbert, born September 16, 1887, 3. Julia Amelia, born August 1, 1854. who married Rose Riggles. They have 4. Jonas Ad·am, born April 1, 1857. one adopted d-aughter. 5. Gilbert Joseph, born February 7, Gilbert Joseph Yerdon 1863. Gilbert Joseph Yerdon, born Febru 6. John Levi, born September 12, ary 7, 1863, son of Louise Helmer and 1868. Peter Yerdon, married March 5, 1883 7. Ralph Peter, born June 19, 1871. Arie L. Hooper :at Gerry, N. Y. They have three children: Mary M,a,rgaret Yerdon 1. Roy Clarence, born Octaber 13," 1884. Mary Margaret Yerdon, born Octo ber 19, 1849, daughter ,of Louise Hel 2. Willis L., born November 7, 1886. mer and Peter Yerdon, married Au 3. Florence B., born September 29, gust 9, 1866 John J. Moore. They were 1888. the parents of seven children: J•ohn Levi Yerdon 1. Worden Leroy, born March 18, 1869. Died in infancy. John Levi Yerdon, born September 2. Ozro Burton, born May 17, 1871. 12, 1868, son of Louise Helmer and 3. Lizzie Iola, born February 2, 1874. Peter Yerdon, married December 30, 4. Theodore Ray, born May 11, 1880. 1891 Elizabeth E. Hyatt. Now living 164 THE HELMER FAMILY at Bradford, Pensylvania. gust 9, 1898 Harvey S. Hausman. They They were the p-arents of four are the parents of one son: children: 1. Raymond H. 1. James Floyd, born March 26, 1893. Theodore Ray Moore Died March 15, 1895. :2. Archie Lloyd, born April 2, 1894:. Theodore Ray Moore, born May 11, 3. Harold John, born February 18, 1880, son of . Mary Margaret Yerdon 1910. and John J. Moore, married October 4. Edith EliZiabeth, born April 30, 9, 1904 EliZlabeth May Cotten. They 1912. are the parents of three children: Ralph Peter Yerdon 1. Dorothy Emily, born July 30, 1905. Ralph Peter Yerdon, born June 19, 2. Kenneth Ray, born M'arch 8, 1908. 1871, son of Louise Helmer and Peter 3. Febian David, born May 17, 1911. Yerdon, married August 21, 1895 Jo Elsie Louisa Moore sephine Ryan. No children. Elsie Louisa Moore, born July 10, Ozro Bu•rton Moo·re 1883, d•aughter of Mary Margaret Yer Ozro Burton Moore, born May 17, don and John J. Moore married 1904 1871, son of Mary Margaret Yerdon David Hamilton Culbertson. They are 'and John J. Moore, married December the parents of six children: 27, 1899 Emily Maud Hyatt who was 1. J oh:n Mullin, born 1905. Married born October 10, 1878. 1927 Ena Wahn. They .are the parents of nine child 2. Eila M'ary, born 1907. Married ren. 1923 Plumer Moorehead Printz. One 1. Max Burton, born October 3, 1900. daughter, Sara Patricia, born 1924. Married November 19, 1923 Emily 3. Clarence Lamont, born 1908. Mar Irene Banks. One son Gayle Francis ried 1930 Catherine Mary Morrison. born February 6, 1927. One daughter Corinne Ann born 1930. 2. Lucy Margaret, born February 4. Lillian Loretta, born 1910. Mar 22, 1902. Married May 26, 1924 Oscar ried 1930 Edward C. Walker. One Albert Johnson. One daughter Emily daughter Elsie M., born 1930. Josephine, born January 9, 1927. 5. Neil King, born 1912. 3. Ethel Maud, born January 8, 6. Homer Leroy, born 1915. 1904. Miarried June 30, 1930 Raymond Minerd Dalton. One son Raymond Guy Leonard Mo·ore Minerd, Jr., born March 15, 1926. 4. Ruth Emily, born February 9, Guy Leonard Moore, born May 16, 1906. 1895, son of Mary Margaret Yerdon 5. Ralph Edgar, born August 4, 1908. and John J. Moore, married June 9, 6. Helen Genevieve, born December 1915 Mary R. Steinour. 13, 1910. M'arried September ·2, 1930 They are the parents of four child- David . James McIntyre. :.:en: 7. Donald James, born February 28, 1. Evelyn Verna. 1913. 2. Doris Leah. 8. Howard John, born June 1, 1917. 4. Mary Margaret. 9. Allan Hyatt, born July 27, 1920. 5. Martha Roe. Lizzie lol•a M1oore Roy Clarence Yerdon Lizzie Ioia Moore, born February 2, 1874, daughter of Mary Margaret Yer Roy Clarence Yerdon, born October don · and John J. Moore, m'arried Au- 13, 1884, son ,of Gilbert Joseph Yerdon PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 165 and Arie L. Hooper, married April 30, He was married three times, a por 1908 Daisy M. Short ,at Buffalo, N. Y. tion ,of which record having been They are the parents of three child previously given. ren: .James Harrison Helmer was of an 1. Dorothy May, born .July 9, 1909. adventurious spirit and about 1856 at Married Apirl 4, 1931 Lloyd M. Miller the age of nineteen years went with at .Jamestown, N. Y. .John Cosgrove, a young neighbor to 12. Lucille Mary, born March 22, Pike's Peak in search of gold. There 1917. they found untold hardships but no 3. Gerald Gilbert, born November gold. On their retUl'Il trip their food 22, 1919. gave out and for two days they lived on wild onions. Although .James Hel Willis L. Yerdon mer lived to be 76 he never again ate Willis L. Yerdon, born November 7, an onion. 1886, son of Gilbert .Joseph Yerdon During this hard trip home .John and Arie L. Hooper, married May 3, Cosgrove was taken sick and Jam.es 1915 Grace E. Woodworth at Cleve Helmer carried him on his back fur land, Ohio. miles. A long line of empty wagons They are the parents of three child passed the two youths, but the last ren. wagon halted and the driver took the 1. Hazel A., born August 1, 1916. two boys on their way. 2. Glen W., born August 4, 1923. When James Helmer was twenty one years of age he left his home Archie Lloyd Yerdon again, near Redwood, N. Y. and this time went to California. \\7hi1e there Archie Lloyd Yerd1on, born April 2, he became acquainted with ,a family 1894, son of .John Levi Yerdon and named Schmidt who traveled in a cov Elizabeth E. Hyatt, married July 12, ered wagon from Kentucky. He mar 1922 Anna Belle Laughlin. ried their daughter Alice Schmidt and They are the parents of four child made his home at Marysville, Calif. ren: for eighteen years. By his first mar 1. Mary Elizabeth, born August :26, ri.a.ge he had two daughters. His wife 1924. died in California and he returned to 2. Virginia Ann, born October 21, Redwood, N. Y., bringing his two 1925. daughters with him. It took eight 3. Christine Louise, born March 9, days to make the journey and the last 1927. twenty-five miles had to be made by 4. Gloria .Jean, born .July 11, 1930. stage coach. .James Helmer married second in CHAPTER XXV. (Extended)) 1875 Cornelia Fitzpatrick Smith, the ADDITIONAL DESCENDANTS OF daughter of Rev. Smith of Carthage, JOHN HELMER AND ANN N. Y. She died about two years later woHAW and is buried in Carthage, N. Y. James Helmer married third in 1879 James Harrison Helme,r Adell Gill of Brockville, Ontario, Can Page 105. .James Harrison Helmer, ada. Adell Gill Herner was a promi the youngest child of .John Helmer nent club woman and interested in civ and Ann Shaw wa.s born .January 7, ic improvements both in city and 1837 at Jiohnstown, Fulton county, state. N. Y. .James Hem.er engaged 1n bUilness 166 THE HELMER FAMILY in Redwood for a time where he was Leslie Harper, born at Theresa, N . .a partner in a general ,store. Later Y. Married V.au,ghn Livermore of he eng,aged in buying and selling . cat Dexter, N. Y. One daughter, Carol tle wholesale. He was one of the Jean, born January 14, 1925. pioneer c'attle buyers in Jefferson 4. Carlton J., born at Dexter, N. Y. county and shipped carloads of cattle Emma Helmer Brown with her to New York city, Albany and other children and grandchildren now re p1aces. side at Dexter, N. Y. The spirit of adventure again seized him and with his wife Adell Gill mov Anna Helmer ed to Atlanta, Georgi'a where he was engaged in mining and agriculture. Anna Helmer, born December 19., Here he lived the remainder of his life 1870, daughter of James ~arris!>n Hel and with his wife i,s buried in West mer .and his first wife Alice Smidt, .Vi~w cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia. married Herbert J. Walker of There Children: sa, N. Y. - Jabes Harrison Helmer and his They were the parents of there .. first wife Alice Smidt were the par children: ents of two daughters, both born at 1. Glenn Hartwood, born August 28, _Marysville, Calif.: 1895, at Theresa, N. Y. 1. Emma, bor~ January 9, 1869. 2. Another son born at There.sa who 2. Anna, born December 19, 1870. died in infancy. . James Harirson Helmer and his 3. Margaret Frances, born August third wife Adell Gill were the parents 11, 1898 at Theresa, N. Y. She married of five children: Ross Arthur Llddle ot Brownsville, 1. Lillian M'ary, born at Redwood, N. Y. N. Y., October 4, 1880. Anna Helmer Walker and :Margaret 2. Mabel Irene, born at Redwood, Frances Liddle and their families re N. Y., March 1, 1882. side at Dexter, N. Y. 3. Claude Ernest, born at Philadel Lillian Mary Helmer phia, N. Y., October 4, 1883. 4. Violet Clare, born December H:, Lillian Mary Helmer, born October 1889 at Atl-anta, (}eorgi.a. She died 4, 1880, daughter of James Harrison August 1, 1906 at the age of t7 years Helmer and his third wife Adell Gill _and is buried in West View cemetery, married first Robert Early Church of Atlanta, Georgia. Atl-anta, Georgia. She .:narried sec .. 5. James Harry,; Jr., born October ond Charles Edgar DaviJ.son of Can 31, 1891 at Decatur, Ge,orgia. as~ta, N. Y. where they now reside. Lillian Mary Helmer and her first Emma Helmer husband Robert Early Church were the parents of two daughte~s: Emma Helmer, born January 9, 1869 1. Cllarlotte. daughter of James Harrison Helmer 2. Mabel. and his first wife Alice Smidt married William Fowler Brown of Alexandria M,abel Irene Helmer Bay, N. Y. They were the parents of four children: Mabel Irene Helmer, born March 1, 1. How,ard, born 'at Theresa, N. Y. 1882, daughter of James Harrison Hel Died at the age of eight years. mer and hjs third wife Adell Gill, 2. Fred, born at Theresa, N. Y., died married Eugene H. Grave$ of Atlanta, They were the parents of three March 2, 1917 Mae M. Whooley and is children all born at Atlanta: now living -at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. 1. Helmer Horace, born January 27, They are the parents of thr~e 1906. Married and now living at At children: lanta, Georgia. 1. Marvin Curtis, born September ·2. Irene Junella, born June 2, 1908. 16, 1918. Married Alvin Sansing and is now liv 2. France,: C., born November 12, ing at Atlanta, Georgi.a. One daugh 1919. ter Mabel Emily born July 21, 1931. 3. Grace Elinor, born July 10, 1924. 3. Wilmer. Elinor M. Helmer Claude Ernest Helmer Elinor M. Helmer, daughter of Dan Claude Ernest Helmer, born Octo iel M. Helmer ,and Mattie E. Staring, ber 4, 1883, son of James Harrison was born May 20, 1889. She married Helmer and his third wife Adell Gill, June, 1913, Charles B. Harting. married CJ.ara B. Carnes of Kenwood, They are the parents ,of three child- Georgia. Claude E. Helmer died in ren: June, 1929 and is buried at Kenwood, 1. Ruth Elinor, born August 7, 1914. Georgi.a. They were the parents of 2. Marvin Curtis, born June 25, 1917. ,one son: 3. Sherman Bruce, born November 1. Percy, now living at Atlanta, Ga. 17, 1921. James H. Helmer, Jr. Vi>rginia E. Helmer James· H. Helmer, Jr., born October Page 105. Virginia E. Helmer, born 31, 1891, son of James Harrison Hel August 2, 1871, daughter of Marvin mer and his third wife Adell Gill, Helmer and Cordelia Hill, married married Mary Gower of Pantherville, November 30, 1892, Lewis A. Scott, Georgia and is now living at Atlan born February 26, 1875 who now re ta, Georgia. They are the parents of sides at Syracuse, N. Y. Virginia E. two daughters: Helmer died April 1, 1917 and is bur- 1. · Anna Adell. ied at Alexandria Bay, N. Y. . 2. Mary· Doris. They are the J>arents of three child ren: 1. Harold L., born May 9, 1894. Mar Daniel M. Helmer ried January 30, 1922 and is now liv . Page 106. Daniel M. Helmer, son of ing at Camden, N. Y . Marvin Helmer and Cordelia Hill, 2. Helen M., born September 17, married Mattie E. Staring. 1899. Married June _11, 1920 Charles They were the parents ,of two D. Storey, and is now living ,at Syra children: cuse, N. Y. One son C. DeForest, 1. Marvin C., born Februiary 18, born August 29, 1921. 1888. 3. Milton R., born September 27, 2. Elinor M., born May 20, 1889. 1902. Married October 17, 1923 and is now living at Durango, Colorado. Marvin C. Helmer Berton Helmer Marvin C. Helmer, son of Daniel M. Page 105. Berton Helmer, son of Helmer and M'attie E. Staring, was Marvin Helmer and Cordelia Hill, born February 18, 1888. He married married Nellie Hagen and is now liv- 168 THE HELMER FAMILY ing at Plessis, Jefferson county, N. Y. brother se'alping his own sister, ie. They were the parents of eleven two cases, but Philip Helmer's case children: is not that bad. The story given by 1. Berton, Jr., born June 2, 1902. W. L. Stone follows as brought ,out 2. Ralph, born August 25, 1903. by Prof. Hess. Stone was g,ood in 3. Irene, born March 2, 1906. forming readable sentences but poor 4. Catherine, born October 31, 1908. in presenting correct impressions on 5. Wellington, born April 19, 1911. the reader. W. L. Stone's account of 6. Glenn, born April 30, 1913. the Battle at Mother Creek and the 7. Guy, born October 2, 1915. Peggy Bellinger Romance (Life of 8. Garland, born September 127, l.918 Brant II, 160 1781). 9. Ernest, born June 22, 1920. "Shortly after the irruption of Dox 10. John H., born April 26, 1923. tader, there was 'another descent of 11. George J., born April 19, 1927. Indians and T,ories upon Palatine, which was an event of more singu larity than importance. A .son of Col THE BATTLE OF MOTHER (MUD onel Jacob Klock with several of his DER) CREEK Tory friends went off to Canada. He returned in about four weeks with a Comment on Discrepancies as Re band of Indians and T,ories to fall up oorded by V,ari,ouis H istoirians. The on the settlement and encamped for Killing of an Indian by Lt. Adam one night in the vicinity of his •own {3cout) Helmer. neighborhood. During the night one (By Lt. Commander L. F. Bellinger) of the number, Philip Helmer, having De'ar Editor: discovered that a part of their ob Note well and closely the affidavit ject was to plunder and murder the of Peter W. Fox among the pension family of his relative, John Bellinger papers of Adam Helmer which is determined to save that family. Tak found on p. 140 in this volume. Many ing a young Indian with him, there historians in the valley have delighted fore, under the pretext of reconnoiter to tell the romantic story of Peggy ing the settlement, he proceeded so Bellinger and Philip Helmer, just as near to some of the houses that the they thought they heard it. W. L. Indian, becoming suspicious ran back Stone had in his possession (1837) to his comrades. Helmer's object was statements of Lt. Jacob Sammons and to surrender himself and cause the In of Col. Wm. Feeter, from which state dian to be taken prisoner and he ac ments he made out a dreadful case cordingly delivered himself up to of inhumanity .on the part of Philip Judge Nellis. Expresses were imme Helmer who killed the Indian, his re diately sent to Fort Plain and Stone cent comrade, while the latter was Arabia f.or .assistance and the enemy "begging for quarter." When "mob finding themselves betrayed took to frenzy" takes possession o a the woods. Lieutenant Sammons with crowd of human beings the result is twenty-five men was .ordered by Col deplorable from any standpoint, as in onel Willett to go in pursuit and so the incidents of Fort Pillow (Civil rapid were they of foot as to arrive. War) and the lynchings at Coatesville, .at the enemy's encampment before Pa. ,and Herrin, Ill. The terrible mas his fires had gone out. William Feet sacre at Wyoming, Pa. 1778 is no ex er, with ,six other violunteers, was sent cuse for individual savagery. In two forward to keep his trail. In about families we have traditions of a Tory two miles after entering the woods, PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS 169 most luckily they discovered a number devotes five pages in which he draws of the Indians lying flat upon the on his imaginati,on for the .sentiment ground. The latter no sooner dis involved .and the thoughts evolved, cerned Feeter's approach than they among the participants and for the rose and fired; but one of their num actual facts he uses an affidavit of ber having fallen grie'V'ously wounded 3 Nov. 1781 by Nicholas Herkimer by the return fire of Feeter's party, (not Honnikol) a member of Tory while they were stooping down to re Klock's expedition and for the Mother k>ad, they spr•ang to their feet and Creek battle, (L.ampman's is not a fled-Tories .and all-leaving their good location name) on Isai.ah Fail provisions, knapsacks and some of ing's (1879) land, he quotes Gen. their muskets. They rann down a Charles Gray of Herkimer. Simms steep hill and were measurably shield gives Peggy to Lt. John Bellinger, has ed from Feeter'.s fire by the thickness Andrew Gray shoot the Indian, leaves of the shrubbery and trees. One of Philip Helmer out of the fight and them gave himself up as a prisoner; lets him propose to Peggy, toward three more were wounded and died the close of the war and the Mother ,en their way to Canada. The poor In Creek fight was 1781. dian first wounded was put to death Niow comes the affidavit of Peter by Helmer who ran up and despatch W. Fox •among the Adam Helmer pa ed him while he was begging for pers saying that while Adam Helmer quarter!" (Note-Narrative of Ool. was living with Peter Fox's father "a Wm. Feeter in the author's possession company of Tories and Indians came and also of J.acob Sammons. Col. into our border. One of the Tories Feeter is yet living 1837)." deserted, came and told us the enemy was near. We all turned out and Beers' History of Montgomery Co. p. went. Helmer •and five others were 55 and p. 171 permits Philip Helmer chosen bo spy them out. Enemy es to kill a wounded Indian (not very pied us and fired. We were imme civilized) and gives Peggy Bellinger diately in battle. Helmer shot an In to the family of Philip Bellinger, and dian, broke his leg but discovered the the £arm was in 1879 "where Menzo Indian intended to ,shoot him. Hel Smith lives." If Menzo lived along mer came to him. The Indian cried Mother Creek, Beers did not make for mercy but Helmer perceived the three mistakes in this story, he made Indian still fixing his gun to shoot. only two! Helmer sprung, caught hold of the gun. Indian would mot let go. Helmer (Editor's Note-The battle occurred took the Indian's tomahawk and made on the farm then owned by Peter an end of him. Helmer took the gun Lampman, compr1s1ng some !200 and tomahawk and we went on. On acres. Hence the name Battle of our return we saw he had been scalp Lampman Field.) ed." And there y'are! Frothingham in his History of Philip Helmer deserted the Toreis; Montgomery county, p.age 308 follows Col. Klock and Christian Nellis were Simms in giving Peggy to her own credited with his capture; a capturd father Lt. John Bellinger and Stone man is a prisoner; prisoners are not in having Philip Helmer kill the taken that soon on an attacking par wounded Indian. Simms' Frontiers ty; Lt. Adam Helmer was at hand, men of N. Y., Vol. II page 382 men was much more valu.able than Philip tions the incident and pages 517-522 at all times in Indian warfare; Lt. 170 THE HELMER FAMILY Adam made an end of the Indian, in the east and was touched on very not Philip anq Philip is forever ab lightly in the affidavit, probably un solved from Stone's charge of killing der the guidance of the pension law an Indian who had surrendered and yer. The style of fighting Indians in was begging for quarter! the west 100 years after · the Mother Query. Did Lt. Adam Helmer Creek battle is well described in the scalp that Indian? No written evi true stories of Indian warfare among dence that he did . is known to me. the Blackfoot Indians, printed a few Many white men accustomed to Indi ye·ars ago in the Youths' Compani,on, a.n life and customs, gained respect by James W. Shults, author, one of among the Indians by the adioption of the descendants of the Sadler Bible lndian modes of living and fighting. Family of Bellingers. Personally I and indulged at the -appropriate time wouldn't feel badly about it even if in scalping enemies. The affidavit Lt. Adam did! was made 60 years after the fight, sc'alping by white men wasn't of style L. F. BELLINGER. ERRATA Page 5--"John Adam" Helmer read 'Nellie" Rasbach, who married should read "Johan Adam" Helmer. Fred A. Fuller. Page 17-"Delia Helmer." The in Page 24.-"Nicholas Kessler." See formation that "Delia Helmer'' mar correction at page 127. ried Joh·n C. Ehle was obtain.ed from Page 73.-"Christian" Helmer .should "Simms' Fr·ontiersm-an.' There pro read "Christina" Helmer. bably w.as no person in this family Page 105.-"Lucy Adeli'a" Helmer named: "Delia Helmer." John C. Ehle should read "Lury Adelia" Helmer. married Delia Bellinger, daughter of Page 113.-Philip F. Helmer was Johannes Bellinger killed at the Bat born "August 8, 1740" instead of "Au tle of Oriskany. gust 7, 1840.'' Page 18-Gertrude Bell, who mar Page 29.-Albert' E. Helmer, born ried John Helmer was the daughter December 18, 1860, son of Philip Hel of "Frederick Bell" instead of "Johan mer and Betsy C. Hoover. It was nes" Bell. (See page 5). previously stated that he never mar Page 20.-"Margaret A." Helmer ried. Information has been received should read "Frederick A." Helmer, that "Bert Helmer ,of Evans MiUs" porn April 27, 1807, who married about married Fannie Peck and had three 1829 Eliza Getman. children. Albert E. and Bert are Page 23.-"Nellis" Rasbach should probably the same person. INDEX-DESCENDANTS NAMED HELMER 171 INDEX IN TWO PARTS PART I. Christian Names of Persons Bearing the Name of Helmer. PART II. Descendants of Helmers or those connected by marriage bearing other names. · NOTE-Where a name appears more than once on a page the duplication is indicated in parenthesis thus (2). PART I. CHRISTIAN NAMES OF HELMERS Aar,on, 46, 48, 104, 105, 87, 88, 94, 96, 97 (2), Carrie, 29, 75 110, 111, 123, 125, 151. 102, 106, 111, 112 (2), Catharine, 5, 12, 13, i5, Aaron E., 105, 107 122, 123, 151, 166 17, 19, 20, 23, '27, 36 Aaron Frederick, 56 Anna Adell, 167 (2), 43 (2), 45, 46, 47, Abbie, 82 Anna Elizabeth, 46, 52, 52, 53, 55, 57, 78, 79, Abial E. (Boyle), 45, 47 61, 146 94, 115, 121, 145, 169 A'bigail Catherine, 97 Anna Ev.a, 121 , Catharine Ann 58 6i · Abigail Katherine, 103 Anna Florence, 80, 85 Cather~ne E., 81, 84 ::_ A.braham, 124 Anna Magdalena, 5, 17 Cath'arme ;Elizabeth, 45 A.da, 22, 83, 85 Anna Margaret, 13, 18, Caty Margaret, 27 · A.da Josephine, 100 20 (2), 21 (2), 24, 36 Caty Maria, 103 A.dam, 13, 19, 20, '24, 25, (2), 52 Charity (Gertrude)," 43, 27, 28, 137. 45, 52, 87, Anna Maria, 119, 120 44, 45, 144 104, 113, 120 (2), 122 Anne, 17 Charles, 81, 93, 94 (2), ( 12), 151 Arbutus Mary, 62 105, 111, 124, 153, 162 Adam, Jr., 5 Archie Stewart, 108 Charles Clarence, 147 Ad'am F., 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, Arthur, 30 Charles D., 79, 82 127 31, 48, 113 Audrey, 102 147, 160 ' ' Adam H., 21 Augustinus, 45 Charles J., 102 Adelia, 104, 149, 151 Axianna, 45 Charles Madison 98 Agnes, 94 Barbara, 42 102 ' ' Albert, 105, 110 Barbar.a E., 20 Charles Mulford, 147 Albert E., 29 Barbara Elizabeth, 19 Charles R., 22 Albert M., 79, 82, 89, 147 Benjamin, ·27 (2), 43. Charles William, 94 Albert R., 81 45, 46 Charlotte, Malvina, 144 Alberton D., 83, 85 Berton, 105, 154, 167 Chauncey, 38 Alexis M., 110 Berton, Jr., 167 Christina, 1:2, 15, 73, Alice, 111 Berton K., 22 78, 80, 103 (2) Ally May, 58, 61 Betsy (Elizabeth), 4:3. 8hristopher, 37 Almira, 89 87. 104 Clara, 80, 147 Amelia Ann, 81, 83 Beulah, 95 Clara Harriet, 108 Amenilla (Armanella), Bianca Katherine, 38 Clarence, 102 122 Bidah, 29 Chrence Erwin · 105, Amos, 92 Blanche Phoebe. 102 108 ' Andrew, 28, '29, 105, 108, Boyle (Abi-al E.). 45, 47 Claude Ernest, 166 167 110, 111 Bruce Hathorn, 147 Clifford, 107 ' Anna. (see Nancy), 19. Calvin, 38 Clinton Henry, 58 34, 35, 36, 37 (2), 43 Caroline, 38, 104, 105, Conrad, 18, 29, 103 (2), 45, 52, 53, 55, 73, 107 Conrad, .Jr., 19, 20 172 INDEX-DESCENDANTS NAMED HELMER Conrad H., 103 Eugene, 147 15. 73, 109, 116 Cora, 22 Eugenia Helen, 116 Grace, 29, 107, 147 Cornelia, 78, 79 Euphemia, 111 Grace Abig,ail, 100· Cyanthia, 99 Eva, 36, 37 (2), 39, 43, Grace C., 116 Cyrus, 146 52, 55, 56, 87, 88, 151 Grace Elinor, 167 Cyrus C., 45 Eva M·ay, 102 Grace Ellen, 116 Daniel, 27, 121, 123 Faith, 147 Grace May, 101 Daniel J., 28, ·29 Fannie E., 48, 116 Guy, 169 Daniel M., 105, 106, 153, Fanny Lavina, 56, 60 Han Adam, 5, 7, 11, 13, 167 FI,orence, 95 23, 27, 53 Daniel Steuben, 83, 85 Florence S., 22 Han Frederick, 42 Daniel Webster, 100 Floyd E., 149, 153 Hans, 13 David, 52, 53, 123, 124 Frances C., 167 Han Thomas, 20, 1:20 David Al•onzo, 56, 57 Frances Evelyn, 108 Hanjost (Hanyost), 11, David Henry, 98 Fr,ancis, 58 18 Deli.a, 26(2), 27, 44, 123 Frank, 22, 88, 113 Hannah, 19, 120 Devillo N., 102 Frank A., 75 Hannibal, 94 Dietrich, 10, 18 Frank Eugene, 149, 153 Harmon M., 105, 149, Donald Ward, 108 Frank Eugene, Jr., 149 153 Doris, 85 Franklin Eugene, 102 Harold Hubert, 149 Dor,othy G., 112 Frank Watson, 147 Harriet, 21 Dorothy Joan, 116 Fred, 88 Harriet M., 45, 145 Dwight, 94 Frederick, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, Hattie Fanny, 58, 61 Earl, 101 20, 21, 30 (2), 135, 36, Harry, 80, 147 Edgar F., ·29 37, 42, 52, 85, 96, 119, Harry C., 101 Edith, 100, 124 120 Harry W., 75 Edna, 85, 95 Frederick A., 5, 10, 18, Helen, 98 Edward, 28, 94, 113 19, 21, 115 Helen G., 116 Edward Emerson, 79, Frederick Duncan, 74, Henry, 15, 25, 27 (3), 82 75 28, 43, 56, 87, 88, 103, Edwina (Sabina), 33, Frederick F., 6, 7, 10, 104, !23, 144, 151 34, 35 30, 33, 51, 146 Henry, Jr., 26, 103 Edwin L., 88 Frederick F., Jr., 34, 51 25 Effie, 29 Frederick J., 54, 55 Henry A., 5, 11, 20, 21, Elaine Clare, 108 Frederick Morgan, 98, Henry C., 28, ,29 Eli, 56, 58 101 Henry F., 34, 36 Eli Harvey, 58, 61 Frederick P., 121 Henry J., 21 Elijah, 93 Frederick R., 116 Henry W., 100 Elinor M., 167 Gardner, 28 Herbert, 101, 105, 107 Eliza, 93, 94. 111 Garland, 168 Herman Knox, 73, 75 Elizabeth, 2, 3, 5 (2), George, 34 ('2), 44, 45, Hettie Matilda, 102 12 (2), 15, 18 (2), '23, 80, 88, S3 (2), 105, Highwell Duniap, 81, 83 26, 27, 29, 34, 35, 36 107, 111, 124 (2) Howard P., 102 (2), 137 (2), 38 (2), 40, George, Jr., 111 Ida, 57, 60, 83, 85, 107 42, 43 ('2), 44 (2), 45, George B., 29 Inkerman, 111 52, 53, 55, 57, 73, 74, George F., 6, 7, 10, 30, Irene, 168 82, 87, 88, 92, 96, 97, 37, 51, 97, 112, 120 Irene Frances, 61 98, 111 (3), 116, 121 George F., Jr., 37 Irvin, 83 (5), 122, 144, 145 (2), George Henry, 38 Irving, 113 151 George Irving, 100 Irwin Roy, 83 Elizabeth Ann, 40 George J., 169 Isaac, ·21, 27, 28, 46, t23 Elizabeth R., 80 George Jacob, 94 (2) Isabella, 88 Ena, 30, 80, 105, 107, G. M., 48 Iv,a, 89 147 (2), 153 George Michael. 98, 100 Jackson, 123 Ella May, 74, 75 George Monroe, 103, 146 Jaoob, 20, 26, 27 (2), 28, Ellsworth, 102 George P., 10, 42, 46, 29. 38 (2), 45, 110, Elsie, '29, 105, 153 96, 144 111, 119, 121, t23, 124 Eh!!ie Grace, 108 George R., 29 Jacob Adam, 38 Emeline, 103 George mvsses, 100 Jacob Leonard, 92 Emily, 124 George W., 61, 75 James, ·21, 28, 73. 87, 88. Emma, 30, 46, 80, 105, Gertrude (Charity). 5 103, 104, 110, 122, 124 106, 147, 166 (·2), 12. 18. 24, 43, 44. James E., 89 Ernest, 89, 101, 147 (2), 45. 87, 127, 144, 151, James Harris,:m, 105 168 162 151, 165 Ernest Herbert 107 Gertrude Louisa. 100 James Harry, Jr., 166, Ervin, 28 Gilbert, 29. 85 167 Erwin Ralph. 108 GilhP.rt Warden, 78. 81. J:ames Henry, 56 Erwin Roy, 85 163 James Lathrop, 79 Essie May, 101 rnenn, 89, 169 James M., 85 Estella V., 100 Godfrid, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, Jane, 28 INDEX-DESCENDANTS NAMED HELMER 173 Jean, 94 125 Mary Frances, 75, 79, J". Frank, 88 Lester L., 101 82 Jelany, 73 Leslie Mead, 100 Mary Jane, 40 (2), 81, Jemima, 73 Levi, 93 84, 88, 105, 106, 112 J enetta, 124 Lewis, 48, 146 Mary Lillian, 105, 108, Jennie, 29, 102 Lewis Henry, 61 153 Jennie Shella, 108 Lida Hortense, 105, 108 Matilda, 98, 100, 101 Jenny, 122, 123 Lillian, 80, 94, 147 Matthew (Mathias), 47, Jeremiah, 36, 38, 40, Lillian Mary, 166 97, 98, 145 · 44, 46, 126, 146 Lora, 149, 153 Matthew, Jr., 99 Jessie, 89, 100 Lorena, 146 Maude Louise, 29 John (Johannes), 5 (2), Lorenzo, 111 M'azina, 29 11, 13, 16, 18, '.23, 25, Lotta, 89 ~ay, 94 26, 28, 44, 45, 55, 87 Louis S., 101 Melaine (Magdalena) 92 (2), 88 (3), 92, 93, 94, Louisa (Lewi,sa), 27, Melchert, 38, 39 103 (2), 104, 109, 110 124 Melinda, 94, 104, 151 (2), 111 (4), 120 (12), Louise, 81, 83, 163 Melross (Mulross), 111 122 (3), 123 (2), 144, Lowell Eugene, 107 Merchant, 30 149, 151 (2), 153, 165 Lucinda, 40 Michael, 43, 44, 87, 104, John, Jr., 11, 110 Lucy, 99 145, 151 Johan (John) Adam, 2, Lucy Ann, 98 Michael M., 45 3, 5 19, ·27 Lury Adelia, 105, 107 Mina, 93 John B., 89 Luther (Ludwig), 97, 98 Minerva, 29 John Coville, 116 Luther Bradish, 98, 101 Minnie, 102, 147 John D., 73, 74 Luther R., 101 Mittie, 83 J1ohn F., 8, 11, 34, 35, Lyle, 62 Monroe, 39, 103 51, 53 Lyna Mae, 62 Mulford, 79, 81, 147 John Frederick, 120 Mabel Esther, 101 Nancy (Anna), 43, 93, John G., 7, 8, 11, 15, 71 Mabel Irene, 166 94, 96, 97 (2), 111 (2) John George, 108 Magdalena (see Lena), Nancy A., 97, 99 John H., 168 17, 27, 78, 80, 92, 1'23 Nancy Catharine, 99, John Henry, 104, 105 Margaret (Maggie), 5, 101 John Horatio, 116, 160 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, ·24, Nancy Margaret, 98, John I., 73 26, 21, 29, e6, 37, 38, 101, 102, 1'25 John J., 81, 84 39 (2), 40, 41, 43, 47, Naoma F., 102 John P., 8, 11, 24, 86, 52, 55, 56 (2), 78, 79, Naomi, 111 104, 105, 150 81, 84, 87, 93, 96, 97 Nathaniel, 110 John Philo, 58, 61 (2), 99, 103, 111 (12), Nellie, 58, 62, 101 John R., 21, 115 113, 123, 124, 144, 146 Nellie C., 102 J,oseph (Jost), 11. 15, (2), 151 Newhall, 82, 147 _ '28 (2), 38, 46, 78, 88, Margaret Catharine, 56 Nicholas, 43, 45 89, 93, 105, 107, 110, Maria (see Mary), 17, Norman, 28, 113 111, 113, 145, 146, 163 24, 27, 36, 43 (2), 45, Oliver, 75 Joseph Christopher, 44 46, 47, 73, 94, 121, Oliver M., 124 Joseph William, 79, 80, 123, 146 Ora B., 85 147 Maria Barbara, 37, 38, Orville, 146 Josiah, 56, 58 39, 42, 52, 53, 96 Oscar Ward, 100 Josi:ah Hammond, 79, Maria Catherine, 38, 40, Oshea, 73 80 87, 112, 151 Otis Wells, 100 Joshua, 80, 111 Maria Elizabeth, '26, 27 Pauline, 111 Joshua Stark, 79, 146 Maria Margred, 5, 18 Pea.rl Angeline, 101 Julia, 93, 104, 105, 124, Marion Elizabeth, 61 Percy, 167 151 Marvin, 104, 149, 151, Persis, 105, 163 Julia A., 19 153 Peter, 19, 27, 37, 39, 52, Kate, 46, 88 Marvin C., 106, 167 92, 122, 132, 140 L. (initials only), 124 Marvin Curtis, 167 Peter, Jr., 92, 93 Laura B., 102 Mary (see Maria), 20, Peter C., 19, 20 Laurence, 20, 21 22, 28, 29, 38, 45, 46, Peter F., 31, 34, 35 Lavina, 55, 57 73, 74, 78, 87, 88, 89, Peter H., 20 Lee, 89 93, 99, 113, 123, 124, Peter P., ·20, 22, 24, 42, Lena (see Magdalena), 145 43, 96, 97, 144, 146 85, 87, 149, 151, 153 Mary A., 22 Peter William, 43, 144 Lendert, 2, 3, 4, 9 Mary Almira, 98 Philip, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, Leonard, 5, 12, 13, 14, Mary Ann, 45, 93, 98, 12 ('2), 13, 16, 24, 27, 18, 25, 27 (2), 28, 73, 145 (2) 29, 43, 87, 91, 92 (2), 92, 93, m2 (2), 123 Mary Catharine, 21, 37 93 (2), 97. 99. 104, Leonard, Jr., 5, 12, 13, Mary Doris, 167 109, 110, 111 (2). 112, 16, 93, 122 Mary Elizabeth, 27, 56 119, 120, 121, 122, 1'23 Leroy, 101 ('2), 59, 97, 99, 100, (3), 124, 151 Lester Grant, 100, 102, 103 Philip, Jr., 97, 99 174 INDEX-DESCENDANTS NAMED HELMER Philip F., 6, 12, 41, 51, Sally (.see Sarah), 73, Violet Clare, 166 95, 112, 113, 162 124 Virginia, 105, 153, 167 Philip G., 44 Samuel, 93, 111 Walter, 59, 62 . Philip J., 1·22, 123 Sanford, 44, 46, 1!26 warren David, 58, 62 Philip P., 47, 96, 97 Sara, 47 Washington, 1!24 Phoebe, 93, 111 Sarah (see Sally), 88, Wayne Herbert, 108 Polly (see Mary), 74, 78 105, 106, 153 Wellington, 168 Phoebe L., 101 Sara Louise, 21 Wesley, 93, 94 Selden, 124 Willard, 146 R. A., 110 Severinus (Sylvanus) Wlilliam, 20, 22, · ZJ, 56, R. s., 93" 5'7, 60, 89, 92, 93, 103 Ralph, 82, 169 43, :J.44 (2), 104, 111 (3), 151 Ralph Lincoln, 105 Sidney, 92, 93, 94 (2) Simon, 46, 47, 146 William, Jr., 93 Redia Adelia, 108 William B., 110 Reuben, 93 Smith, 22 Sophia, 56, 58 William C., 75 Rhoda, 36 William D., 22 Rhoda Nancy, 58, 61 Steuben, 75, 78, 81, 84, 146, 147 William F ., 22, 34, 35, Richard, 19, 110 55 Robert, 27 (2), 28 Stephen H., 75 Susanna, 43, 47 William H., 89 Robert J., 28, 29 William Henry, 36, 44, Roby, 45 Sylv,anus (Severinus), 43, 144 87, 88, 144 Rodney, 94 (2) William J ., 55, 56 Ross D., 21 Tenus (Augustinus), 45 William Jacob, 56, 57 · Ruby, 102 Theodocia, 94 William King, 147 Rud,olph, 88, 89, 123 Thomas, 110 William Nelson, 98, 102 Ruth, 82 Timothy, 43, 46 (2), 120, William R., 81 Sabina (Edwin,a), 10, 125, 145, 146 Zebulon, · 73, 74 33, 34, 35 Timothy, Jr., 146 Ziney, 94 PART IL HELMER DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES Alexander, Fred, 94 Ashley, -----····-·• 74 Beck, ----···• 92 Alford, Mary Frances, Baani (Bany) Becker, George W., 21 40, 41 Anna, 23 Beckstead, Caroline. 94 Allen, Henry, 105, 107 Icabod, 5, 12, ·23 Beeching, Ethel Ruth, Ames, Lucy, '21 J 1ohannes, 23 .61 Otis, 21 Joseph, 23 Beersch, Mari.a, 5, 11, Amundson, Jennie, 107 Maria Elizabeth, 23 23 Anderson, Alexander, Maria Margaret, 23 Bell, Gertrude, 5, 18 104, 149 (2), 151 Backer, CorneUa, 120 Johannes, 18 Arch, 149 Bacon, Jay, 22 Bellinger, Anna (Nan C'arl, 162 Baldee, Mary, 57 cy), 6, 10, 36, 48, Daniel 149 Nancy, 57 131 Donald, 16·2 William, 57 Aurelia, 145 Earle, 149 Baldridge, George, 162 Christopher, 36 Emma A., 149 Banks, Emily Jarie, 164 David Henry, 112, Eugene, 149 Barber, Hubard, 36 11r3 Frances Ella, 149 Jonathan, 36 Dorothy (Wooli- George, 149 Barse ven, 130 J enetta, 149 Anna Margaret, 97 Frederick P., 112 Richard, 162 Catherine (Kate), Gertrude, 127 Roberta 162 55, 57 Henry, 145 Antos, Marie, 106 John Frederi~k. 57 Johannes, 17 Armstrong Lavina, 57 Jonas, 113 · Samuel F., 84 Luther (Lodovic), Lyle F., 169 Arnold 97 Margaret, 12, 24, 91, Ambrose B., 101 Margaret, 97 92 Helen, 101 Nathani'al, 55, 57 Maria, 97, 112 Job, 128 . Rudolph, 57 Peter, 6, 48 Oliver, 123 Bauder, Elizabeth, 117 Peter F., 97,. 112 Polly, 101 Baum, Frederick, 121 Philip, 112 Thomas Roscoe, 101 Bayliss,_____ , 100 Benedict, George, 103 PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES 175 Beal, Samuel, 88 Cady, Abigail, 122 Ira, 92 Benson, Bessie, 102 Charles, 122, 123 Isabella, 88 Charles, 102 John, 122 Margaret, 92, 117 George, 102 Lena, 122 Roslyn, 92 Best, Nancy, 117 Philip, 122 Coon, Emma, 53, 114 Bissell, Mary Jane, 60, Sarah, 122 Cotton, Elizabeth May, 61 Susanna, 1:22 164 . Bittinger, ------, 93 Campbell, Josie, 85 Countryman (Conder Blodgett, Mercy Ann, Oarleston, Charles, 22 man, Marks, 96 118 Carnes, Clara B., 167 Mary, 44, 145 Bloss, Alva, 119 Case, Constance Mary, Cr-antz, M'arcus, 39 Bertha, 119 62 Marcus, Jr., 39 · George A., 119 Cash (Cast?), Anna, Crill, Bert, 23 . John, 119 121 Edna, 23 · M.argaret, 119 Frederick, 121 Hazel L., 23 R., 118 Madlene, 47 Ruth Leta, 23 Zoe, 119 Casler (see Kes,sler) Cristman, Alzina, 21, 22 Blue, Daniel M., '29 Amanzo, 113 Amelia, '22 Boepple, Uoyd, 61 Anna Eva, 121 (2) Bertha, 102 Boland, Jerry, 99 Daniel (or David), Bertha May, 22 Bonnell, Susan, 147 39 Byron, 99 Bordeau, John W., 108 Elizabeth, 29 Byron A., 61 Borden, Emma, 118, 119 George Henry, 112 Catharine, 123 Bowman (Baumann), Henry, 40, 112 Ella C., 101 Peter, 7, 12, 15 Libbie, 22 Henry, 28 Boyle, Daily M., 86 Margaret Eliza- Isaac, 146 Fay, 86 beth, 112, 113 Jaoob J., 28 (2) Jesse, 86 Maria, 121 Lehman, ·28, 102 Opal, 86 Richard, 121 . Lewis, 22 Oliver, 86 Casselman, ______, 105 Louisa, '28 Truman, 86 Ethel, 153 Malcolm, 100 Brackett, Mary, 111 Frank, 153 Malinda, 22 Bradley, Charles Ben- Catlin, Addie. 85 Martha, 100 jamm, 107 Champion, John, 98 Mary Esther. 101 Charles L., 107 Chapel, Lizzie, 89 Melinda. 102 · Edith May, 107 Chatman, ------, 23 Nancy, 102 Gladys Marion, 107 Church, Charl,otte, 166 Nancy Catharine, Hazel Margaret, Mabel, 166 146 107 Robert Early, 166 Nicholas, 28 Lester, Darrell, 107 Clapsattle, Anna, 38 Norton, 102 Mary, 107 Aligustinus, 38 Norton L., 22 61 Ruth L., 107 J 1ohn, 38 (2), 39 Pe·arl Mae. Broaddus. Andrew, 40 Margaret, 38 Seymour, 99. Brockett, N. S.. 94 Peter, 39, 145 Varnum, 101 ·walter, 100 Brown, ------, 89 Clark, ------, 41 Brettie Angeline, Jessie, 85 Cronkhite, Margaret, 101 Claus, Ruby, 117 104, 105, 151 Carlton J., 166 Colbourne, ·------, 82 Cronkrite, Charlotte E., Carol Jean, 106 Cole, Albert H., 78 116 . Fred, 166 Alice J., 102 Cross, Duane, 118 Howard, 166 Caroline, 78 James. 118 Leslie Harper, 166 Gilbert, 78 Crothers: Susan E., 41 Louise, 146 John, 78 Culbertson, Clarence Marshall, 101 Walter, 78 Lamont, 164 William Fowler, ··colem·an, Lena May, 16'3 Ella Mrary, 164 106, 166 Oscar B., 163 Homer Leroy, 164 Buck, ------, 162 Collins (,or Colton) J•ohn Mullin. 164 Rosell, 22 Harriet, 114 Lillian Loretta, 164 :Ruerman. Johannes, 116 Harrison, 114 Neil King, 164 Bullard, Ida, 74 Walter C., 114 Cummings, Jane Eliz Percival D., 74 Colton, Buel P., 40, 41 abeth, 108 Burch, James, 62 Buel Kingsley, 41 Mari'an Manches- Burford, Nancy, 39 Emily, 41 ter, 108 Burlingame, M'arcus, James Zearing, 41 Raymond W .. 108 100 Conant, Harriet, 104, Roy Clark, 108 Burnett, Charles Al 105 Cunningham, Margar bert, 162 Oonrad, Hannah, 155 et, 34 William Ross, 162 Cook, Casper B., 92 Curtis, Frances Sylvia, Bush, Henry, 1:27 Casper, Jr., 92 62 Butler, G. M., 46 Elizabeth, 92, 123 Jarvis D., 62 176 PART 11.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES Curtis, (continued) Dunivan, Cynthia Jane, Fero, Carles, 62 Lillie, 105, 107 162 Filkins, Berton, 61 Cuykend•all, Seth, 61 Dusler, Anna, 24, 122 Frank, 61 Dalton, Raymond Min Dye, ----, 100 John, 61 erd, 164 Dygert, Catharine, 44, Mabel, 61 Raymond Minerd, 47, 145 Fischer, Esther M., 74 Jr., 164 Elizabeth, 6, 10, 33, Fisher, -----·, 145 Daniels, Carrie, 147 44, 54 Fitch, Edward Wright, Davidson, Charles Ed Eva, 44, 145 41 gar, 166 George, 34, 46, 99, Ellice, 41 Davis, Henry, 100 145 Nathan, 111 Davison, Arthur Lester, George Henry, 44, Flagg, Peter, 133 75, 82 145 Flagler, Horace, 147 Arthur S., 76 Henry, 43, 45 Lucy, 146 Frences H., 75, 76, Joram, 44 Flander, Dennis A., 142 82 Margaret, 43, 96, Flanders, Margaret, 117 Frank Nathan, 75 144, 146 Flint, Alexander, 78 James Madison, 74 Mary, 44, 47, 98, Robert, 77 Jerome B., 74 145 Susanrra, 12, 78 J,ohn D., 74, 82 Johan Peter, 34, 43 Folts, Adam, 98 John Lester, 74, 75, Norman, 46 Allen P., 102 82 Peter, 34, 44, 45, 47, Anna Margaret, 19 Mary Jane, 74 98, 99, 145 (2) Bellinger, 145 Nathan Monroe, 74, William, 6, 34, 43, Burr Carlton, 103 75 44 Clarissa, 98 Wilfred P ., 75, 82 William, Jr., 34, 46 Conrad, 19 Dean, Theresa, 86 Earne·st, Rosanna, 114 Edward C., 102 De Haven, Amanda, 145 Easterbrook, R,oby, 45 Elim.beth, 28, 55 Demuth, J.ohn, 34 Ecker, -----, 119 George Philo, 46, Denmark, ------, 111 Delina, 61 145 Derby, Helen M., 149 Johannes, 61 Helen Rosabelle, Devandorf, Elizabeth, Maria Elizabeth, 6, 100, 101, 102 113 34 Ida, 98 Hale, 10 Mari,a Philippina, 5, Jaoob, 55 Dexter, Darius, 39 24, 86 J. Ho,ward, 101, 102 Hannah, 123 William, 61 John A., 46, 145 Dickey, -----, 147 Edick, Conrad, 128, 136 Margaret, 56 Dickinson, Asah, 99 Fanny E., 57 M'aria, 97 Eli, 99 Jacob, 57 Marks, 1'21 George, 99 Michael, 134 Mary Ann, 121 Ida, 99 Edwards, ---··---, 92 Maude E., 102 Dillenbeck, Margaret, Ehle, John C. (see Er Melcoir, (Melchert) 11'1, 118 rata) 19, 96, 97 Dingman, Byron Jerry, M-argaret (Magda Philo, 46 61 lena), 11, 15, 72 Sherman Grant, Fr,anklin B., 61 Englehart, ------. 94 101, 102 Glen Howard, 61 Charles, ·22 William, 101, 102, Howard, 61 Evans, Gilman P ., 75 125 Jerry, 61 Jessie 0., 75 William K., 102 Myrtle, 61 Everest, David, 74 Forbes, James, 99, 102 Ray H., 61 Lemira A., 74 John, 99 Robert Murie, 61 Everson, Lel·and, 62 Lidia, 99 Dixon, ----·--·, 100 Eygenbrodt, Peter, 5, M-argaret, 102 Dockstader, Adam B., 18 (2) Ford, Angie, 84 21 E. (initials only) 18 Fordyce. Grace A., 115 Addie, 21 Eysaman (Eiseman), Hugh, 115 Anna E., 61 Elizabeth, 45 Wesley, 115 Edward, 119 Mary Catharine, 21 Forsyth, ------, 93 Gertrude H., 119 Fahrbush, Alik, 29 Fox (Fuchs), ------, 113 John, 119, 128 Francis, '29 Anna Elizabeth, 34, Lillian A., 119 Falk, Dorothy, 26 43 Donnelly, Harry L., 29 Fanton, Bessie, 85 Catharine, 53 Donovan, Blanche, 102 Frank, 85 Gertrude, 85 John, 102 Farley, Sarah. 28 John, 85 Dougherty, James, 94 Farmer, Grace, 99 Peter, 53, 140 Scott, 94 Lucy, 145 Ralph, 85 Wallace, 94 .J.ames, 99 Frank John, 137 Wesley. 94 Woloott, 99 Mary Barbara, 144 Drehmer, John C., 145 Farrell, Patrick, 106 Nancy, 144 Dunavan, Jennie, 145 Fassler, John, 29 Fuller, Fred A., 23 PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES 177 Fulmer, Conrad, 55, 56 M•ary, 118 William, 163 Cyrus, 102 Mary E., 117 Halleck, Asen.ath, 75 David, 115 Minnie R_ 118 Hamblin, Frank, 94 Emma A., 115 Myra, 118 John, 94 Frank, 102 Myrtle, 119 Hammond, Mary, 79, Gertrude, 24 Nancy Catherine, 147 Jacob C., 55 117 Hanchett, Asa, 96 J,ohn, 101 Olive, 118 Haner, Jeremiah, 39 John Alonzo, 115 Robert, 117, 118 Ruth, 118 Hardy, Fern, 107 John W., 102 George, 107 Margaret, 101 Samantha, 118, 119 Sarah M., 118 James, 107 Mary C., 101, 115 Joy, 107 Milton J., 115 Sidney, 118 Thomas, 12, 116, 117 Ruth, 107 Nancy (Anna), 55 Wayoe, 107 Nancy C., 101 (3), 118 Thomas, 24 Thom'aS, Jr., 117 Harris, Benjamin, 57 Gallagher, Alex, 93 (2) Elizabeth, 1.22, 123 Agnes, 162 Volkers, 117 Gus, 57 Garlock, Susan, 21 Volkert L., 118 Mary, 57 Garten, Blanche, 41 William, 118 (2) Randolph, 57 M·adison Boyd, 40 Giles, William H., 115 Harter, Aaron, 100 Melchart, 40, 41 Gill, Adele, 105, 151, 165 Abigail (App.ollon Gartman, A. G., 39 Glor, Luella M., 114, 115 ia), 96 Sanford, 39 Gordon, Jennie, 94 Adam, 96, 98, 100 George, Sanf,ord, 104, Gower, Mary, 67 Adam J., 27 151 Grant, Elizabeth, 103 Anna (see Nancy), Getman, Aaron, 117 Flora Augusta, 58 36 Abner, 118 Nelson, 58 Anna Margaret, 19 Adam, 117 Graves, Eugene H., 166 Catharine, 27, 28, Adelbert, 118 Helmer Horace, 167 96, 97 Alva, 118 Irene Junella, 167 Elizabeth, 96, 97, Anna M., 118, 119 Wilmer, 167 112 Archibald, 117 Greer, Charles 85 (2) Eva, 96 Arvilina, 117 Hazel, 85 Everett J., 61 Barbara (Permil- Harry H., 85 Hannah, 100 ia), 103 Jean, 85 Harriet, 146 Bartlett B., 103 Gremps, James, 17 Harold N., 61 Borden, 119 Grey, Margaret, 93, 94 Helen, 100 Byron L., 118, 119 Nancy, 92, 93 Henry, 19, 96, 98, Casper, 117, 118 Grigg.s, Rosanna, 101 100, 11!2 Catharine, 103, 117 Grim, Angelina, 53 Henry G., 21 (3), 118 Anna, 53 J.acob, 27 (2), 47 Charles, 118 (2) Daniel, 53 Jacob Jois, 27 Christopher, 118 Edwin, 53 Jacob L., 47 (2), 146 Darius, 117 Lewis, 53 John, 100 Duane, 118 Maria Margaret, 53 John J., 47, 146 Eliza, 20 Paul H., 53 Lana, 98 Eliza A., 118, 119 Polly (Mary), 53 Laurence F., 47 Elizabeth, 117 ('2), Timothy, 53 Laurence L., 47 118 Grimes, Paul, 97 Dawrence (Low- Emma, 118, 119 Grimshaw, Isabelle, 110, rens), 19, 112 Ervin, 117 111 Lena, 87 George, 116, 117 (2) Grinols, Elnora B., 85 Leonard, 27 118 Griswold, ·------, 57 Magdalena, 27 George H., 118 GroSIS, James Ells- Margaret, 19, 96 George T., 117 worth, 40 Maria, 28 Hannah, 117 Hagen, Nellie, 154, 167 Mary, 98, 100, 146 Harriet, 103 Haggerty, Lucinda B., Mary Ann, 27 Henry H., 118 39 Mary Elizabeth, 21 Howard, 118 Miary, 40 Melissa, 146 Irene, 118 W:illiam, 39 Merton, 102 John, 117 (2) Haine (Haynes), Geo., Nancy (Anna), 98 John Frederick, 116 12, 17 (2) Philip H., 28 Joshua, 117 Johan, 17 Solomon, Jackson, Laney A., 117 Hale, Maria LOuisa, 100 27 Lucinda, 117 Hall, Angeline, 99 Warren L., 61 Magdalena, 118 Bertha, 85 William, 98, 100 M.aralotte, 118 John G., 85 Harting, Charles B., 167 Margaret, 93 Julia Craven, 41 Marvin Curtis, 167 Martin, 118 (2) Loren, 99 Ruth Elinor, 167 178 PART. II.-DESCENDANTS -BEARING OTHER SURNAMES Harting, (continued) Amy Louise, 162 Nellie, 75 Sherman Bruce, Amy Read, 163 Roy, 75 167 Anna Peirce, 163 Sophia, 27 Hartman, Christopher, Bernard, 163 Jordan, Almida, 79 ,37 Byron, 145, 162 Alonzo H., 79 Robert G., 85 Charles, 162 · Dewitt, 79 Hartwell, Cl'ara, 41 Claire, 162 Frank, 79 - Richard M., 41 Ella, 162 -Ida, 79 Harwick, Susanna, 61 George Burch, 162 James, 79 Hauser, Jacob, 86, 90 Ira Burch, 144, 145, Joel, 79 Hausman, Harvey S., 162 John, 79 164 Ira Burch II, 163 Julia, 83 Raymond H.; 164 Ira Burch III, 163 Margaret, 80, 82 Headcoc;k (Hatcock), Ira Clark, 145, 162 Martha, 80 John, 5, 18 Irene, 162 Mary, 80 Heaton, Bettie, 41 Isabelle, 162 Orlando, 79 Clara, 41 (2) Joseph, 145 Roxaline, 79 Herman Howard, 41 Mabel, 162 J,oslin, Hiram, 37 Hiram Weaver, 41 Mary Louise, 163 Id-a, 89 Herder ( see Harter) Nellie Peirce. 162 Nettie A., 29 Hess, Catharine, 36, 47 Walter Clark, 162 Silvester, 37 Eli2l8.beth, 42, 47 William Peirce. 162 K:ast, Catharine, 46, 146 Frederick, 36 Hoyer, ------, 97 Conrad, 99 Hill, Cordelia, 104 149 Peter, 119, 120, 134 George, 46, 98, 99 151 ' ' Humeston, Clarence, Johan George, 6, 30, J.ohn, 53 .. 118 1'20 . Luther Manly; 152 Lyle, 118 Lydia, 22 Hillegas, Jennie 113 Hunt, Emma A., 84 Maria Barbara, 6, Hiller, Margaret 113 Hurd, C., 93 30, 119, 120 Hilts, Adam, 56 ' Hutton, N. M., 1'23 Maude, 101 Anna, 46 Susan, 123 Matilda, 98 Catharine, 19 20 Huyck, Hiram, 146 Phoebe, 98 Dian·a. 98, 100 Huyck (Hauck), Geo. Kellar, Betsy Maria, 75 Dorothy, 21 47 Kellogg, Casper Jack, Elizabeth, 22, 28, 56, Gerrit, 47 149 113, 12.1, 123, 146 Hyatt, Edith Elizabeth, Hiram, 118 George I., 100 163 Mercy Ann, 119 Lavina, 56 Emily Maud, 164 Kennedy, Cecil, 86 Margaret, 56 Hyser, Henry, 37 James E., 86 Mason, 56 Jacob, 37 · Lloyd, 86 Melissa, 56, 60 Ingraham, Benjamin, 36 Paul, 86 Nicholas, 56 John, 36 Raymond, 86 Permma, 56 Ingram. William T .. 40 Kessler (see Casler) H!nman. Sylvester, 41 Ittig (see Edick) · Adam, 24, 1'27 Hiser, ------. 56 Jackson, Pearl, 62 Anna, 24, 127 Hollister;· Angelina, 94 Willi,am S., 80, 147 Catharine, 24, 127 Barney, 94 Jacobs, Bert, .83 (2) Hol1owe1l. John, 100 Clayton, 83 Daniel, 127 Holmes, · Leroy Wilbur, Emma, 80. 82 Elizabeth, 127 61 Evaline. 80 Hannah, 1'27 · Homan. Barbar-a Eliza- Fred, 83 Jacob, 127 (2) beth, 5. 10. 18, 115 James Henry, 80 John, 5, 1-2, '24 (2) Ho,od, G'ail. 94 Joseph Willi-am, 127 (2) Hooper, Arie L., 163 80, 83 Leonah, 127 Hoover Betsv C., '29 Marcus M., 80, 83 Nicholas. 127 (2) . Pater. 29 Mary Frances, 80 Philip, 127 Horton. Homer F., 118 Sarah. 80 Sally, 127 T-fouo:htnn. Walter, 162 Steuben H., 80 Kilts, Li,sander, 117 How8rd, Andrew J., 40, William, 80 King, Almira, 81, 147 41 Jardine, .W. J., 93 Kinney, Alanson, 85 Anna, 40 Jeffers, Mary Jane, 20, Arthur, 82 Elizabeth L., 41 . 22 Carrie E., 82 Huld-ah. 40, 41 Jennings, Sophi'a, 20, 21 EV'a F., 82 · J.::inas, 39 John.son, Oscar Albert, Florence, 82 Jonas George, 39, 164 Ida Mav, 82 40 Emily Josephine, .fa.ck, 85 'Thomas J., 4,0 164 Lois, 85 HowP.. /I 'Iron, 145, 162 Jones. ------, 149 Orra. 80, ·82 . _Adelaiiie. 145, 162 James A., 75 Therlow, 85 Amy, 145 . John T., 29 · Klock, Amanda E., 40 PART II.-D~SCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES 17P Klock, (continued) Matthews, ...... , 94 164 ·Anna, 39 Maxey, Philip, 144 Ralph Edgar, 164 Barbara (Barvalis). McCaffrey, Catherine, Ruth Emily, 164 5, 16 103 - Theodore Ray, 163, Caroline, 39 McCombs, Madlene, 47 164 Elizabeth, 38 McDonnell, Jane, 106 Worden Lerioy, 163 Hendrick, 5, _16 McDowell, Grace M., Morey, C. E., 94 Henry, 38, 39 108 Clara (Edwards), Henry J., 39 McIntosh, James, 21, 116 Jacob, 5, 16 47 Cora, 102 John, 39 McIntyre, --·, 92 Fred, 102 Lucinda, 39 James, 164 Morgan, James, 118 Margaret, 39 McMahon, -··-·, 118 Morris, Wialter, 83 Mary Ann, 39 McMill'an, Anna, 100 Morrison, Catherine Robert, 39, 40 Meeker, Charles, 60 Mary, 164 Sanford, 39 Flora, 60 Morse, Almira, 99 Knope, John, 102 George, 60 Augustus, 99 John, Jr., 102 Job, 60 George, 99 Rose, 102 Polly, 60 John A., 99 Koenig, · Arthur Gus Mellon, Harriet M., 23 Mosier, Aurelia, 145 tave, 83 Merkley, Ettie, 94 Helen, 44 l{raus, George, 121 George, 94 Stephen, 44, 145 Jacob, 121 Merrill, William P., 80, Moyer, Helen Delia, 117 Jacob, Jr., 121 147 Lulu, 61 Krouss, Debora, 18 Millard, John, 145 Mulford, Fl"ances (Fan Jacob,- Jr., 5, 18 Miller, Abbie, 81 nie), 75, 79, 147 Maria Eliza.beth, 18 David, '29 Mulross, Anna, 110 Lambert, George, 17 Elton, 29 Munn, Phi1or.a C., 58 Lamhofer, Augustus, 83 Frederick, 123 Munterbach, J•ohannes Landon, Eunice, 89 Frederiek F., 123 35, 54 ' Larkin, Andrew J., 89 George, 165 Margaret, 11, 35, 54 Lasher, Bertha, 123 John C., 39 Murphy, Henry, 139 Lathrop, Elizabeth, 103 Lloyd M., 165 Myers (Mayer), Anna, Laughlin,' Anna Belle, Merton, 29 6, 12, 42, 95 165 Metta, 29 Catherine, 4 9 Leitermann, Leonard, William D., 29 Elizabeth, 35, 43, 107 Milliner, Adah, 104 151 144 Lucille, 107 Mills, . Hannah, 100 ' Eva, 36 Margaret, 107 Miner, Archie, 80 Frederick, 35, 36 Leslie, Mary, 111 Clinton, 80 Henry J., 97, 112 Lesso11, Edith, 86 Minor, ·····-·• 149 John, 97, 112 Lewman, John H., 41 Mix, Nora A., 76 John H., 97, 11'2 Liddle, Ross Arthur, Moak, Kate, 75 Margaret, 5, 6, 10, 166 Mock, Josiah, 48, 146 25, 37 Lies, Lena, 123 Mooers, James, 53 Mary Jane, 36 Marcus, 123 Moore, Allen Hyatt, 164 Mary K., 23 Livermore, Vaughn, Corrinne Anna, 164 Michael, 95 166 Donald James, 164 Nancy (.see Anna) Livingston, Clara, 89 Doria Leah, 164 Peter H., 36 Livingstone, Malcomb, Dorothy Emily, 164 Philip, 97 (2) 28 Elsie Loui,sa, 163, William, 43 M.ary (Maria), 20, 164 Nellis, ...... , 92 22, '28 Ethel Maud, 164 Catherina, 5, 13, 16 Lont, 94 Evelyn Verna, 164 Christina, 5, 16 Loucks, 93 Febian David, 164 Henry, 12, 15 Lowrie, 89 Gayle Francis, 164 Nelson, Clinton R., 115 Ludlow, Dollie. 88 Guy Leonard, 163, Newhall, Daniel, 147 Stephen, 88 164 Minnie. 127 Lyman. Chloe, 85 Helen Genevieve, Newman, -·-·····, 88 Lvion, Charlotte, 114 164 Newth, North J., 22 Mahardy, John Da.vid, . Howard John, 164 Nichols, Frank, 84 23 John J .. 163 Fred, 84 Mann. A., Jr.. 138 Kenneth Ray, 164 Minnie, 84 Manning, Edward, 58, Leo King; 163 Robert, 84 62 _ Lizzie Iola, 163, 164 Noble, Allen George, 63 Estella M., 58, 62 Lucy Margaret. 164 Anna Dell, 60, 62 Martha E., 58. 62 Martha -Roe, 164 Chauncey, 60 Markell, Jacob, 135 M·ary Margaret. 164 Chauncey H .. 60, 62 Marshall, Clara, 84 Max Burton, 164 George P., 59 Martin, Sarah, _106 Ozro Burton, 163, Georgia P., 60 180 PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES Noble, (continued) Robert, 101 Elizabeth, 22, 28 Mina E., 60 Robert E., 101 Ellen, 22, 28 Reuben, 60 Ruth, 101 Essie May, ·22 North, Hazel, 109 Payne, Angeline, 60 Etta, 22 Northup, Julia, 83 Peck, Charles L., 115 Eva, 23 May, 83 Peckham, Frank, 82 Fanny (Ver,onica), Ocoback, Nellie, g9 Peirce, Forest Eugene, '20, 21 O'Donnell, Mary, 106 162 Franklin, 22 Olds, Horace, 114 George W., 16'2 George Henry, 21 Oliver, Jessie Ada, 62 Louisa, 162 Harriett, 22, 28 Olney, Darwin, 105, 107 Pendleton, Della, 82 Hazel A., 23 Minnie, 107 Perkins, -······• 100 Johannes, 55 Orendorf, Mildred, 11!3 Peterson, Agnes, 110, John, 22, 55 Osborn, Helen. H., 21, 111 John Alonzo, 22, 28 116 James, 62 John I., '21, ·22, 28 Osgood, Mary, 96, 97 Petrie (Petry), Abram, Irving P ., 23 Relief, 97 96 Leon, 22 Ostler, -···-·, 30 Dorothy, 45 Leona, 22 Ottman, Marguerite, 115 J.ohn, 23 Louis J., 22 Palmatier, Alexander Nettie, 23 Mabel, 22 s., 162 Richard, 45 Mamie, 23 Palmer, Lucretia, 36 Willis J., 23 Marcus, 19, 21, 23, Mary, 121 Phelps, Lewis P., 146 (12), 28 Parish, Lucinda, 111 Phenes, Barney, 79 Marcus, Jr., 21 Parker, Alta Evelyn, Fred, 79 Margaret, 22, 28, 61 Harriet, 79 102 Parks, Esther, 88 Martin, 79 Maria Catharine, 55 Samuel C., 82, 147 Orl'ando R., 79 Marx, 55 Passage, Adam, 113 Philip, 79 Minnie, 22 Albert J., 53, 115 Philips, ·---·, 28 Nellie, 23 (2) Anna, 52 Catharine, 28 Nettie Grace, 23 Don L., 114, 115 William, 104, 151 Norman, 22, 28 Don L., Jr., 115 Pickersgill, ·-··-·, 111 Norton J., 22 Doris Luella, 115 Pier, Anna Sophia, 12, Peter, 21 Edith, 114 17 Raymond, 22, 23 Eva, 52, 113 Florence, 40 Vera, 23 Flinn L., 114 George Philip, 17 Veronica (Fanny), Frederick Glor, 115 John Ernest, 12, 17 20, 21 George, 52, 113 Philip, 5, 17 Webster, 22 George Earnest, 114 Pierce, Kittie, 105, 107 Willim C .• 21 Harriet Mary, 115 Lizzie, 145 William F., 21 Henry, 52 ('2), 113 Piper, Andrew, 129, 136 Winnie, 23 Jennie Bell, 115 Catharine, 19 Rathben, ...... , 119 John, 113 Jacob. 28 Recknall, Emma, 29 J.oseph, 52 Margaret, 47 Frederick, 29 Lany, 113 Peter. 96 Reddish, Sanford, Lewis L., 114 Plank, Huldah, 149 79 Margaret, 114 Potter, Alvah, 102 Reed, Elizabeth, 117, Maria, 52 Powers, Helen, 79 118 May E., 114 Prescott, Katie, 89 Emm.ory, 60 Neal, 114 Printz. Plumer Moor- Emmory, Jr., 60 Niel Glor, 115 head, 164 Satie, 62 Peter, 52, 53, 113, Sara Patricia, 164 Reid, Orne, 115 114 Prym, Grace, 114 Remps, Guy, 93 Peter Ward, 115 Purdy, ...... , 74 Reury (or Ranney), Ray Herbert, 114 Putnam, Elizabeth, 58 Charlotte, 80 Biobert, 115 Quinn, J., 93 Henry, 80 Rollins. 115 Radle, A. J., 45 Jacob, 80 Rosann'a, 114 Ranney, Anna Eliza, 80 James, 80 Ruth J .. 114 Rasbach, Adam, 123, 28 Jane, 80 Walter, 114 Almeron Joshua, 22 Joseph, 80 Ward, 53, 114 Anna, 19, 20 Julia, 80 P,atterson, ·····-·• 162 Anna Margaret, 21 Reynolds, Charles Al Clarence, 101 Bernard A .. 22 bert, 106 Edna, 101 Bert J., 23 Edward Danis!, 106, Ethel, 101 B. Floyd, 23 153 Gertrude, 101 Clarinda, 22, 28 Edw.ard H., 106, 153 Grace, 101 Earl B., 22 Ernest Helmer, 106, Merton, 101 Edgar, '22 153 Nellie, 101 Edith, 22 Harry Clarence, PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES 181 Reynolds, (c,ontinued) Leon, 101 162 -·"S, 153 Ruth, 101 Sitts, Maria, 127 Herbert Edward, Sawyer, Helen J., 84 Nancy, 127 106 Lettie E., 84 Smidt, Alice, 105, 151, Jesse Martin, 106 Ralph H., 84 165 Laurence Freder Walter H., 84 ick, 106 Schell, Barbara, 45 Smith, Adam, 26, 27, 28, Marie Frances, 106 Catharine, 19, 20 56, 146 Nancy Louise, 106 Christian, 46 Adam, Jr., 22 Nettie May, 106, Elizabeth, 46, 117 Adam J., 28, 113 100 John, 57 Alexander, 93 Sarah Irene, 106 John, Jr., 46 Ann, 26 98, 99 Rice, -----, 162 Margaret Lucinda, Anna, John C., 163 5'i Ann~ Margaret, 22 Mari'a, 81 Mark, 57 Anme M., 93 Mary A., 163 Mary, 115 Benjamin, 28, 29 Richardson, Eliza, 29 Nancy Maria, 21, 23 Caswell, 93 Riegel (or Ruhl), Anna Peter, 19, 20 Catharine, 26, '28 Margaret, 23 Schram, Edna, 109, 155 Clarinda, 28 Catharine, 23 Schuenke, Lillian, 116 Clarissa, 93 Christian, 5, 23, 24 Schultz, Christopher, Cornelia Fitzpat- Elizabeth, 4 11,· rick, 105, 151, 165 Frederick, 5, 13, 23, Schumacher (,see Shoe Dorothy Paul 116 (2), 24 maker) Elizabeth, 45, '56, 93 Gottfreid ( Godfrid), Christopher, 44 Emma, 114 5, 23 (2), 24 (2) Delia, 116 Frank B., 28 Maria Elizabeth, 24 Eva, 20, 120 George, 45, 47 Riggles, Rose, 163 John, 116 Grace, 23 Robbins, Monr.oe B., 21 Magdalena, 44 Henry, 26, 92 Raberts, Addison, 46 Schutt, Isaac, 121 Jacob, 26, 28 Jacob, Jr. 20 22, Robertson, Blanche, 94 Schuyler, Louise, 80 26, 28 - ' ' Eva, 94 Schwartz, Harry, 61 Jane, 152 Pembroke, 94 Scott, Harold L., 153, Robson, John, 94 John Peter, 22 167 Joseph, 26, 28 Laura, 94 Helen M., 153, 167 Lea, 26, 28 Lottie, 94 Lewis A., 153, 167 Lucinda, 28 113 Walton, 94 M'abeJ..., 85 146 ' ' Roby, M'ary Henrietta, Milton R., 153, 167 Madlene, 37 80 Scouten, Anna, 17 Malinda, 21, 22, 28 Rogers, Clayton, 118 David, 17 Margaret, 26 Sarah Elizabeth, 80 George, 17 Maria, 26 Rombough, ------, 92 Simon, 17 Mary Ann, 20, 22 Root, Clare!lce B., 22 Scriven, Edward 0., 116 Mary Elizabeth, 22 Rosecrants, Abr,a.ham Secord, ------, 94 Nancy, 98 G., 135 Seiter, Anna, 60 Nelson William 83 George, 132 George, 60 (2) Nicholas, 45 ' Rowe, John, 102 John, 60 Nicholas, Jr., 45 John C., 163 Rose, 60 Norman, 28 Mary A., 163 Service, Catharine, 122 Peter, 20, 22 Roys, Max, 85 (2) Shann~n, George, 146 Peter P.; 20, 22 Russell, Irene B., 149 Shapleigh, Alexander, Rebecca, 28 (3) Ryan, Josephine, 164 76 Robert J., 146 Ryder, Emma, 118 Frances, 76 William. 92 Ryther, Helen, 75 Lester Bartlett, 76 William Urias, 22 Saltsman, Burdette, 119 William C., '76 Winifred, 83 Carlton, 119 William C., Jr., 76 Don.aid, 119 Shaw, Ann, 104, 149, Snell, Catherine, 40 Douglas, 119 151, 165 Clarence, 94 George, 119 Shepperman, Christian, Elizabeth, 145 Glady;s, 119 17 Snow, Charles L., 85 (2) Herbert, 119 Shoemaker (see Schu Elizabeth Ann, 85 Iantha, 119 macher) Helmer, 85 Jeremi'a.h, 119 Gertrude, 39 Snyder, Betty Arline Myron, 118, 119 Joseph, 39 119 ' Sansing, Alvin, 167 Short, Daisy M'ay, 165 Fred E., 119 Mabel Emily, 167 Shurtz, Floyd, 85 Richard Earl, 119 Sargent, Alfred, 162 Sime, May, 94 Louise, 106 Sisson, Muriel Adele, Southworth, Floyd, 80 William, 162 162 Wallace, 80 Saunders, Charles, 101 Vinton Earl, 145, Sparks. Elizabeth. 121 182 PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES- Speefen, Sally (Sarah), Storey, C. DeForest, Edward C., 164 26 167 Elsie M., 164 Joab, 26 Charles D., 167 Herbert J., 166 Spoff,ord, Emeline, 93 Stratton, Alfred A., 75 Glenn Hartwood, Spohn (Spoon), Henry, Arthur, 75 166 113, 114 Burton, 75 M-argaret Frances, Jeremiah, 57 P,aul, 75 166 Nicholas, 113 Sullivan, Alice, 94 Walradt, Abraham, 73 Philip, 57, 58 Suts, Richard, 117 Adolph, 112, 15 Simon, 113 Swartout, John P., 40 Ambrose, 73, 74 Springer, Alexander E., Swope, Elsy, 120 Anna Maria, 73 10'1', 109 John Frederick, 120 David A., 73 Delia Hazel, 109 Symonds, Anna, 146 Elizabeth, 73 (2) Eleanor, 104, 105, raylor, Mary, 114 Ge,Drge, 73 151 Thompson, Helen, 74 Godfrey, 713 Ernest 0., 107 John, 98 Harmon, 73 Mavis Lucille, 109 Thorn, Bess, 85 Lany Catharine, 73, Rosa L., 107 Thum, 92 74 Serelle Maurice, Agnes, 43 Margaret, 73, 81, 107, 109 Anna, 97 163 Stair, ------, 104 Elizabeth, 37 Wllliam, '73 Stall (Stahl), Anthony, John Nicholas, 96, Walrod, ------, 80 121 97 Walruth, Mary, 84 Catharine, 121 Melchoir, 38, 97 W•ard, Aaron, 114 John, 121 Tillotson, Helen Gene, Abraham, 114 Marg,aret, 121 116 Harriet, 53, 114 John Frederick, 116 Louisa, 99 Peter, 121 116 Philip, 121 Knute, Warner, Raymond, 23 Stanhope (,or Stern- Toban, Susan, 111 \Varren, ------, 30 Tousick, Catherine, 127 Wasserman, Florence, berg), Elizabeth, Trowbridge, Emma, 103 163 145, 162 Watson, Almy, 146 Stannard, Edward, 40 Tyler, Daniel, 100 Staring, Adam, 35 (2), Mary, 98, 100 Effie M., 84 36 Van Allen, Harry J., Olin, 84 Anna, 35 62 Osro R., 84 Catharine, 11, 42, Mary Oliver, 62 Rufus, 84 96, 144 Van Alstyne, Bennie, Webber, Anna Margar Edwina, 35, 36 100 et, 19 Elizabeth, 35, 36 Ch,ar1otte, 100 Catharine, 46 George Frederick, Frank, 100 Jacob G., 19 35, 36 Van Derwalker, Es Weber, Catharine, 47, Henry, 42 ther, 29 112 Margaret, 35 Van Dresar, Caroline Welsh, Samuel, 23 Mary Anna, 35 May, 149, 153 Wendell, Elizabeth, 114 M,attie E., 106. 153, Milton, 153 Wheeler, Bertha Eliza- 167 Ula, 153 beth, 108 Peter, 35 Van Dusen, William T., Douglas W., 108 Stark, Abigail, 79, 146 119 Frederick Belding, Starkweather, Marin Van Slyke, Ellen, 57 108 da, 21 Emanuel, 57 Jane Rosalie, 109 Stearns, Sarah E., 47, John, 57 White, Jennie, 75 146 Vary, Harvey Judson, Whooley, Mae M., 167 Steel, Anna, 36 29 Wilbur, Aaron, 155 Dorothy, 20, 22 Vedder, Nicholas, 98 Bertha May, 107, Steele, ------, 56 Vincent, Althea, 118 108, 150, 153 Steinburg, ------, 149 Susie E., 163 Bessie Amelia, 107, Steinhelber, Peter, Vining, , 82 108, 153 29 Vrooman, Alid'a, 118 Byron, 106, 153 Steinour, Mary R., 164 Vunk, Ada M., 62 Eunice, 109 Stephens, William Albert B., 62 Gidet>n, 155 w·are, 41 Anthony E., 62 Gordon Frank, 107, Steranka, Marian, 76 Wafle, John Henry, 141 153 Sternberg (or Stan- Wahn, Ella, 164 Helen Frances, 109 hope), Elizabeth, Waite, Abigail. 99 Marvin W_, 107, 109, 103 Crandall, 99 153 Stevens, George, 45 Earl, 99 Wilder, Josephine May, George, Jr., 45 Ira, 99 84, 86 Sally, 36 Jennie, 99 Mary M., 84, 86 Stewart, Augusta May, Matilda, 99 Oliver G., 84 108 Walker, ------, 106 Oliver H., 86 PART II.-DESCENDANTS BEARING OTHER SURNAMES 183 Wilder (continued) Mary E., 115 Peter, 163 Sherman, 84 Nicholas, 115 Ralph Peter, 163, Theron W., 86 Peter, 115 164 Worden Steuben, Woodworth, Grace E., Roy Clarence, 163, 84, 86 165 164 Wildey, Charles, 144 Worden, Frances M., Virginia Ann, 165 Williams, Adelaide, 162 61 Willis L., 163, 165 Amy, 162 Fred D., 61 Young, Almira, 57 Anne A., 62 Jabez, 88 Clark, 118, 119 Auguer, 21 Laura, 88 Lina, 119 Charles, 21 Mabel E., 61 Lucy, 119 Dorothy L., 62 Worthley, Julia, 41 Youngs, Beulah, 154 Fannie, 21 W,right, --·----• 88, 145 Ernest, 154 Frank A., 21 Yerdon, Archie Lloyd, Frank, 153 Frank B., 162 164, 165 Frederick, 154 Fred, 21 Christine Louise, Hava, 154 Harry, :21 165 William, 153 Jennie, 21 Dorothy May, 165 John G., 62 Edith Elizabeth, Zearing, Charlotte Lu Leon, 162 164 cinda, 40, 41 Leonar, 162 Fl,orence B., 163 James, 40 Marjorie F ., 62 Gerald Gilbert, 165 James R., 40 M,ay, 21 Gilbert Joseph, 163 Lizzie Ruth, 40 Noble S., 62 Glenn W., 165 Luella Margaretta. Pascoe W., 62 Gloria Jean, 165 40 Wills, Bryce, 107 Ha!'old John, 164 Lillie, 107 Hazel A., 165 Zimmerman, Cathar- Wilson, Irma, 10!, Helene Philene, 163 ine, 5, 1'2, 16, 122 Winch, Laura, 118 Herbert B., 163 Charles, 108 Wininger, ---·--·, 88 James Floyd, 164 Eleanor Agnes, 108 Witmuch, Adriane, 120 John Levi, 163 Ellis, 61 Wolff, Maria, 24, 86, Jonas Adam, 163 Frances, 108 104, 150 Julia Amelia., 163 Harriet Ann, 108 Michael, 24, 87 Lucille Mary, 165 Irene Susan, 108 Wollaber (Welleven), Mary Elizabeth, 165 John Charles, 108 Jacob, 115 Mary Margaret, 163 Lillian May, 108 REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS MENTIONED Demuth, John Frank, Jiohn Murphy, Henry Demuth, Marks Folts, Conrad Piper, Andrew Dockstader, John Folts, Hanyost Rasbach, Johannes Edick (Ittig), Conrad F,olts, Melchert Rasbach, John Edick (Ittig), George Fox, Peter Rasbach, Marx Edick (Ittig), Michael Fulmer, Conrad Staring, Henry FJ.agg, Peter Harter (Herder), Hen Thum (Domb), Mel Flanders, Dennis A. ry cboir Flint, Robert Hilts, Nicholas Flint, AlexandP.r Munterback, John Wafle, John Henry