and
The Generation Descendants
1. Johannes GROAT, the founder of the GROAT family line under study, was probably born in the vicinity of Neuwied, Germany around 1680 and married his wife, Walburgis or Walpurga (last name unknown), around 1699. Documentation shows him living at 5419 Dierdorf (18 km. northeast of Neuwied). In 1704 he is called a shepherd at Bruckrachdorf. The family was an old one in the Neuwied -- Westerwald Area, some residing at 5905 Oberfischbach. It is probable that Johannes was among the Palatine refugees who fled Germany to Holland and, via Rotterdam, went first to England, in 1709, and then to the Palatine Settlement in and around Livingston Manor along the Hudson River, New York, arriving there during the summer of 1710. Promised free passage, a parcel of land, and the necessities to commence farming life, he was instead charged even for basic subsistence provided on Manhattan Island and in the settlement. He was still indebted to the British Government as late as 1726. Records indicate that he and his family lived first in the East Camp village of Annsbury near present day Germantown, Columbia County, and later in Kiskatom near Catskill in present day Greene County. Apparently far from embittered, in 1711, he volunteered to serve the British on an expedition against the French in Canada during the second of the French and Indian Wars, Queen Anne's War (1702-1713) Other records indicate that he was nationalized by the British, February 14, 1715/16. He remained in the Manor after the British eased their restrictions, living first in the Village of Annsbury and later in Kiskatom.
Johannes and Walpurga apparently had seven children:
2. Maria Margaretha: Born about 1700.
3. Gabriel: Born about 1703.
4. Eifge (Eva Margaretha): Born July 9, 1704.
5. Henrich: Born about 1710.
6. Marytje: Born about 1712.
7. Anna Elizabeth: Born July 9, 1714.
8. Barbara: Born about 1717.
2. Maria Margaretha GROAT, the first child of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga, was probably born in Germany about 1700. She came to America with her parents in 1710 and lived at first in Annsbury, a part of the Palatine Settlement along the Hudson River. The only further record of her is that, as "Greetje Graat, sister of Gabriel Groat" (3), she witnessed children's baptisms at Kiskatom in 1729.
3. Gabriel GROAT of Kathoway, the son of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga, was probably born in Germany around 1703, came to America with his parents in 1710 and lived in Annsbury, part of the Palatine settlement along the Hudson River. He married Anna Catharina Kreisler of Kiskatom, the only daughter of Johan Philip Kreisler and Anna Catharina Braun, born October 13, 1714, and christened at West Camp, October 17, 1714, by Reverend Kocherthal. Sponsors at Anna Catharina's christening were Catharina Elisabeth Rau, Apolonia Froehlich, and Johann Philipp Feller. Her parents were Palatine immigrants, married at Udenheim, Germany, April 26, 1701. "Banns" or engagement vows were recorded Kiskatom Lutheran Church, November 22, 1733. The wedding was recorded at the Dutch Reformed Church at Catskill, December 11, 1733. Gabriel is listed as a 59 year old farmer at Claverack in 1762. The "Minutes of The Commission for Conspiracies" indicate that Gabriel was tried before the Commission on April 24, 1778, and released when his son Nicholas (12) gave 100 pounds sterling bail.
Gabriel and Catharina had fourteen children (one unconfirmed):
9. Annatje: Born April 28, 1736.
10. Johannes: Christened April 24, 1737.
11. Nicholas (Niclass): Christened April 29,1739.
12. Nicholas (Niclass): Christened April 29, 1739.
13. Catharine: Christened April 14, 1740.
14. Henrich: Christened September 14, 1741.
15. Phillip: Born March 11, 1743.
16. Christina: Christened March 26, 1744.
17. Philip: Born June 15, 1745.
18. Marya: Born September 20, 1746.
19. Lisabeth: Born March 26, 1749.
20. Maria: Christened April 14, 1751 (Twin).
21. Hieronymus: Christened April 14, 1751 (Twin).
22. Elizabeth: Christened April 23, 1755.
4. Eifje (Eva) Margaretha GROAT, the daughter of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga, was born in Germany, July 9, 1704. Sponsors at her christening in Dierdorf were Godhard shepherd from Marchrachdorf, Margaretha - daughter of Thonges Muller from Krummel, and Eva - wife of Johann Henrich from Bruchrachdorf. This christening record is the earliest public record of this family yet found. She came to America with her parents in 1710 and lived at first in Annsbury, a part of the Palatine Settlement along the Hudson River. About 1723, she married Friederich Dederich (Johann Friederich Dietrich), son of Johann Wilhelm Dederich and his wife Anna Margaretha Neff. We will be seeing the family name Dederich frequently thoughout the early part of this volume. This name can be found with numerous spellings in the early church records of the Palatine settlement including Dederich, Dederick, Deaderich, Deterick, Dedrick, Detrick Detrich, and Dedrich. Since it is mostly spelled "Dederich" when found in conjunction with the Groat family, it will be spelled in that fashion hereafter.
Johann Wilhelm Dederich was a Palatine refugee, said to have been born in Wurtenburg, Germany. The ancestral origins of Johann Wilhelm Dederich were at 5450 Niederbieber (3 km. north of Neuwied). The earliest known ancestor of the Hudson River family was Simon Dederich from Segendorf, who died November 12, 1701, and his wife Anna who was buried April 17, 1682. Simon and Anna had seven children the fourth of whom was Johann Wilhelm, christened December 16, 1660, at Segendorf. Sponsors at the christening were Jacob Hundert, WiIhelm Anhausen, and Catharina... Johann Wilhelm Dederich 1st married Agnes Remagen who died June 27, 1700, at the age of 37. On November 25, 1700, as a widower at Segendorf, he married Anna Margaretha Neff, the daughter of the late Peter Neff at Niederbieber. He is listed as among the first group of Palatine refugees who arrived in England from Rotterdam in 1709. He was then 44 years of age and had sons ages 11, 9, and 7, and a daughter, age 8. He is listed as a member of the Reformed Church. They were transported to the Palatine Settlement on the Hudson River in 1710.
Eva's husband Friederich (Johann Friederick) Dederich was christened October 2, 1701, at Niederbieber, Germany. Sponsors at his christening were Georg Friederich Neff - a citizen at Neuwied, Johan Wilhelm - son of the late Hans Casper Bauer at Neuwied, and Margaretha - wife of Johannis Remagen at Segendorf. He is listed as a freeholder at Caters Kill and Cats Kill in 1763. He apparently died early in 1764 as his will was dated June 6, 1746, and probated February, 1764. His sister, Maria Catharina, married Eva's brother, Henrich Groat (5).
Eva and Friederich had nine children:
23. Johannes DEDERICH: Johannes Dederich, the son of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened August 23, 1724, at Kingston, NY. Sponsors at the christening were Pieter Helm and Anna Elizabeth Kleyn. He married Elizabeth Overbaugh, the daughter of Johann Pieter Overbaugh and Maria Christina Thonius. They had children christened at Catskill and Katsbaan Reformed Churches. They later lived at Claverack.
24. Anna Margaretha DEDERICH: Anna Margaretha Dederich, the daughter of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened November 25, 1725, at New Town (West Camp). Sponsors at the christening were Hans Wilhelm Dederich and Anna Margaretha Neff - the grandparents. This is probably the Anna Margaretha Dederich who married Jacob Beijer.
25. Maria DEDERICH: Maria Dederich, the daughter of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened January 24, 1728, (being 3 months old) at the West Camp Lutheran Church. Sponsors at the christening were Jurge Willem Kohl and Maria Margaretha Graad (2). This is probably the Maria Dederich who married Peter Brandow, the son of Nicolas Brandow and Elizabetha Klein (m. November 5, 1726, at Kingston Reformed Church). Peter Brandow was born March 29, 1741, and christened at Kiskatom Lutheran Church with Peter Borchard and his wife, Amalia, serving as sponsors. Nicolas Brandow was the brother of Johann Frederick Brandau (Brandow) who married Maria Groat (6). He served during the Revolution under Captain Cornelius DuBois, along with his uncle Johann Friederich (husband of Maria Groat 6), and his brothers - Hieronymus and Henrich.
26. Maria Catharine DEDERICH: Maria Catharine Dederich, the daughter of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was born March 29, 1729, at West Camp. Sponsors at the christening were her uncle Gabriel (3) and her aunt "Maria Catharina Dieterich," who later married another uncle, Henrich Groat (5). This is probably the Maria Catharine Dederich who married Michael Seger.
27. Wilhelmus DEDERICH: Wilhelmus Dederich, the son of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened November 8, 1730, at Katsbaan. In 1761, he married Catharine Brandow (47), his first cousin the daughter of Friederich Brandow and Marytje Groat (6), and lived in Katerskill. He died about 1794 and his wife died November 30, 1808.
28. Henricus (Henrich) DEDERICH: Henricus Dederich, the son of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened at the Reformed Church in Catskill, December 11, 1733. Sponsors at the christening were his uncle Gabriel Groat (3) and his aunt Catharina Kreisler. In 1760, he was married to Catarina Kalyer (Collier) at Catskill Reformed Church.
29. Elizabetha DEDERICH: Elizabeth Dederich, the daughter of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was born February 5, 1736, and christened February 29th at New Town. Sponsors at the christening were "Christian Dieterich" and "Liesabeth Graad" (7). In 1760, she was married to Johannes Schermerhorn at Catskill.
30. Sara DEDERICH: Sara (Sarah) Dederich, the daughter of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4) was christened at Germantown Reformed Church, January 12, 1737. Sponsors at the christening were "Godfried Brandau" and "Marytje Grad" (6). She was married in Kingston, NY. to Solomon Schut, October 15, 1756.
31. Petrus DEDERICH: Petrus Dederich, the son of Friederich Dederich and Eva Groat (4), was christened at the Reformed Church of Katsbaan, August 18, 1740. Sponsors at the christening were Johann Matheis Jonk and Catharina Diederich. He married Catharina Coree, probably daughter of Jacob Coree and his wife Sara.
5. Henrich (Hendrick) GROAT, the son of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga, was probably born in Holland or England around 1709 or 1710. He arrive in America with his parents in 1710 and lived in Annsbury, part of the Palatine settlement along the Hudson River. He married Maria Catharina Dederich (Dietrich), August 21, 1734, at the Dutch Reformed Church at Catskill, Greene County, NY. Maria Catharina Dederich was the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Dederich and his wife Anna Margaretha Neff, born in 1717. The background of the Dederich family is outlined in more detail under the biography of Eva Groat (4) above. After the wedding they probably lived at New Town, the present West Camp in Ulster County, until about 1750. Henrich was elected Elder of the Catskill Church. September 15, 1749.
A word of caution here - do not confuse this Maria Catharina Dederich with her niece and namesake, Maria Catharine Dederich (26), who was the daughter of her brother, Friederich Dederich and her sister-in-law, Eva Groat (4).
Henrich was one of the first settlers of the present Township of Ghent, Columbia County, New York, moving there during 1750. The town is probably named after Ghent, in Holland, and is centrally located in Columbia County. It was originally a part of the towns of Kinderhook, Chatham, and Claverack. A History of Columbia County, New York, lists a Johannes Hogeboom and states that: "Farther south, Henrich Groat was one of the first settlers in 1750. Among his sons were William and Peter." Among the other early settlers of the town were the Moul, Jacobi, Ostrander, Stupplebeen, Shufelt,
Philips, Kittle, Van Alstyne, Van Buren, Dederich, and Dunspaugh families, all of whom we shall be hearing more of later, either through marriages, business relationships, or close friendships. The Groat family farm in West Ghent remained in the family for four generations. Again, quoting from History of Columbia County. New York: "Peter... remained on the homestead, where he reared William P., Peter (Jr.), Jacob, Jeremiah and Henry. Peter (Jr.) removed to Chatham, at what is now the village. William P. remained on the homestead which (was later) occupied by one of his sons, Cyrus."
Henrich is listed as a freeholder at Claverack in 1763. He served in the 8th Regiment of the Albany County Militia during the Revolution, in Captain Jeremiah Hogeboom's Company, along with his four eldest sons and two sons-in-law. Another son-in-law served in the 2nd Regiment and yet another in the 7th Regiment. A notarized letter prepared by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, October 24, 1938, states: "The record of this family during the Revolutionary War was unusual, in that all of the male members of the family served."
Henrich died between May 16, 1790, and March 28, 1801, the date of the 1790 Federal Census and the date his will was probated. The 1790 Federal Census lists him as living in Claverack Town, Columbia County with 2 white males over 16 (probably Henrich and his son Petrus), 6 white males 16 or under (probably grandsons), and 3 white females. In his will, dated May 16, 1780, and probated March 28, 1801, which shows him a yeoman, he mentions his sons John, Wilhelmus, Henrich, and Peter and his daughters Catherine (wife of Hendrick Shutt), Elizabeth (wife of Wilhelmus Ostrander), Anna (wife of Petrus Philips), Janetje (wife of William Pike), and Mary: Executors of the will were son Peter, son-in-law Hendrick Shutt, and Henry I. Van Rensselaer. Witnesses were Rachel Van Rensselaer and Peter B. Ten Broeck.
32. Anna Marytje: Christened March 2 (27?), 1735.
33.Annatje: Born October 8, 1736.
34. Hannes: Born September 5, 1738.
35. Catharina: Birth date unknown.
36. Annatje: Christened March 26, 1744.
37. Henrich: Born September 26, 1748 (Twin).
38. Wilhelmus: Born September 26, 1748 (Twin).
39. Elizabeth: Christened December 26, 1750.
40. Peter (Petrus): Born February 21, 1753.
41. Margrietje: Born August 23, 1755.
42. Janetje: Christened August 4, 1757.
43. Frederick: Christened June 30, 1760.
6. Marytje (Maria) GROAT was the first American born child of this particular Groat line. Born about 1712, probably in Annsbury, East Camp, near present day Germantown, NY, she was the daughter of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga. The records of Livingston Manor indicate the addition of a child to the family of Johannes Groat between 1710 and 1712. On December 5, 1737, at Bak-Oven, NY, she was married to Johann Frederick Brandaw (Brandau, Brandow), son of Johann Wilhelm Brandau and his wife Maria Elizabeth Catharina, born January 1, 1715, at West Camp, Greene County, NY Sponsors at his christening were Friedrich Streit and Elizabetha Krantz.
Johan Wilhelm Brandow was a Palatine refugee who sailed from Rotterdam to England aboard the ship of Captain Robert Bulman in June of 1909. He came to New York about 1710 and, in 1728, bought land in the second division of the Loveridge Patent. Johann Frederick Brandow was a sergeant in Captain Cornelius DuBois' Company at Catskill, April 9, 1767, along with nephews Henrich, Hieronymus, and Peter (husband of Maria Dederich - 26). He died between September 12, 1787, and July 10, 1789, the date and probate of his will.
Johann Friederich Brandow and Maria Groat lived in Katerskill and had eight children.
44. Elizabeth BRANDOW: Elizabeth Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was born March 3, 1739, and christened at New Town. According to Loonenburg Lutheran Church records sponsors at the christening were "Gotfried Brandau" and "Lisabeth Graad." Elizabeth probably died in infancy.
45. Elizabetha BRANDOW: Elizabeth Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat was christened at Catskill Reformed Church, May 30, 1740. Sponsors at the christening were "Johannes Diederich" and "Catharina Brando." She was married in 1760, again at Catskill, to Henry Weber. She was still living, a widow, in 1799.
46. Marytje BRANDOW: Marytje Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat was christened at Katsbaan, March 22, 1742. Sponsors at the christening were "Henrich Graat" (5) and "Marietje Diederich. She was married to Andrew Eckler, son of Andrew Eckler and Maria Bortern. This was the second marriage of Andrew Eckler.
47. Catharine BRANDOW: Catharine Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was born August 24, 1744, and christened at the Reformed Church of Rheinbeck Flats, Dutchess County, NY., August 26, 1744. Sponsors at the christening were Johannis Brando" and "Jannetje Van Schaek." She was married at Catskill, 1761, to William Dederich (27) of Catskill, her 1st cousin, the son of Frederick Dederich and Eva Groat (4). Her husband died about 1794 and she died November 30, 1808.
48. Annatje or Hannah BRANDOW: Hannah Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was christened at the Reformed Church of Germantown, April 5, 1747. Witnesses at the christening were "Frederick Dederich" and "Eva Grad" (4). She married John Souser, born September 9, 1740, son of Peter Souser and Marytje Overbaugh. She died sometime before 1794.
49. Sally (Sara) BRANDOW: Sally (Sara) Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was christened at the Reformed Church of Germantown, August 27, 1749. Witnesses at the christening were Jurg Johan Oberbach and Lisabeth Lehman. She married Petrus Overbaugh (NY Marriage License issued November 24, 1773), son of Jurry Overbaugh and Elizabeth Lehmann Straub, and was still living in 1798.
50. Wilhelmus BRANDOW: Wilhelmus Brandow, the son of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was christened at Coxsackie Reformed Church, February 16, 1751, by Dom. George Weiss, 1st pastor of the church (1st sermon October 21, 1733). Sponsors at the christening were Wilhelmus Bergen and Catharina Bergen. He married Margaret Brandow, his 1st cousin, and the daughter of Johannes Brandow and Jannetje Van Schaek, born April 21, 1751.
51. Peggy or Margaret BRANDOW: Peggy Brandow, the daughter of Johann Frederick Brandow and Maria Groat (6), was christened at Catskill Reformed Church, December 17, 1758. Sponsors at the christening were Nicolaes Brando and Elizabeth Brando. She married Robert Vandenburg.
7. Anna Elizabeth GROAT, the daughter of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga, was born July 9, 1714, and christened July 18, 1714, by Reverend Kocherthal at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, West Camp, NY. Witnesses at the christening were Baltha Stuber and Anna Elizabeth Duntzbachin. She is shown on the 1733 seating plan of the First Reformed Church of Catskillwith the remainder of the family and listed as Elizabeth. On July 24, 1939, at the Dutch
Church at Katsbaan, West Camp (now Saugerties, Ulster County), she was wed to Hendrick Miesig, the son of Veit Musig (a Palatine immigrant) and his wife Maria Catharina, who was born in the camp, December 29, 1714, and lived at Livingston Manor. Anna Elizabeth apparently died childless prior to 1748 since, on September 1, 1748, her husband was remarried to Anna Catharina Dederich at Kingston Reformed Church.
8. Barbara GROAT, the daughter of Johannes Groat (1) and his wife Walpurga was born about 1717. A Barbara (Barber) Groat is shown as a member of the First Reformed Church at Catskill in 1733. About 1740, she married Jacob Philip (Philipp, Philips), the son of Palatine immigrants, Peter Philip and his wife Magdelena, born about 1715. They had five children.
52. Elizabetha PHILIP: Elizabetha Philip, the daughter of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened, August 16, 1741, at the Reformed Church of Linlithgo. Sponsors at the christening were Henrich Miesig and Elizabetha Graet (7). Elizabetha married Hans Velton Landt.
53. Petterus PHILIP: Petterus (Petrus Peter) Philip, son of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened February 6, 1743, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Red Hook, NY, with witnesses Hennerich Bender and Catharina Bitzerin. In 1765, he married Anne Groat (36), his first cousin and the daughter of Henrich Groat (5) and Maria Catharina Dederich (marriage license issued October 24, 1765). A History of Columbia County New York, records that Peter Philip was among the first settlers in the part of Ghent where the Groat family settled. He was one of four brothers, the others being John, Jacob and Wilhelmus. For further details of this marriage and the children that it produced see the record of Annatje Groat (36) in the next chapter (The Second Generation Descendants).
54. Johannes PHILIP: Johannes (John) Philip, the son of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened, May 19, 1745, at the Reformed Church of Linlithgo. Sponsors at the christening were Johannes Philip and Catharina (?). A History of Columbia County, New York, records that John Philip was among the first settlers in the part of Ghent where the Groat family settled. He was one of four brothers, the others being Peter, Jacob and Wilhelmus. He married Anna Ostrander at the Reformed Church of Linlithgo, June 18, 1769.
55. Jacob PHILIP: Jacob Philip, the son of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened, August 7, 1746, at the Reformed Church of Germantown. Sponsors at the christening were Jacob Musig and Gertken Betzer. A History of Columbia County, New York, records that Jacob Philip was among the first settlers in the part of Ghent where the Groat family settled. He was one of four brothers, the others being Peter, John and Wilhelmus. He married Catharine Ostrander in 1772 (marriage license issued November 27, 1772).
56. Magdelena PHILIP: Magdelena Philip, the daughter of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened January 28, 1748, at the Reformed Church of Germantown, Columbia County, NY, with witnesses Henrich Philipp and Magdelena Befor. She married Jacob Reisdorff at the Reformed Church of Linlithgo, March 27, 1769.
57. Wilhelmus PHILIP: Wilhelmus Philip, the son of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened December 25, 1P49, at the Reformed Church in Germantown, Columbia County, NY. Sponsors at the christening were Wilhelm Philipp and Eva Philippin. A History of Columbia County, New York, records that Wilhelmus Philip was among the first settlers in the part of Ghent where the Groat family settled. He was one of four brothers, the others being John, Jacob and Peter.
58. Marietje PHILIP: Marietje Philip, the daughter of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened June 18, 1752, at the Reformed Church of Germantown, Columbia County NY. Sponsors at the christening were Henrich Graat (5) and his wife Maria Catharina Dederich - the child's grandparents.
59. Anna PHILIP: Anna Philip, the daughter of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened at the Reformed Church of Linlithgo, May 6, 1754. Sponsors at the christening were Jacob Philip Jr. (poss. 55) and Annatje Graet (poss. 36).
54. Eva PHILIP: Eva Philip, the daughter of Jacob Philip and Barbara Groat (8), was christened February 28, 1756, at the Reformed Church of Germantown, Columbia County, NY. Sponsors at the christening were Johannes Hultsappel and Mareytje Hultsappel.
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