Notes for: Elizabeth Newkirk
Her age at death was transcribed as 77-7-28. One online cemetery source gives her death date as March 21, 1819. This makes more sense, given the age of her husband, than the year 1812 which I did have for her. I will put 1819 unless I find some more reliable source.
From: wayne german (gmwinc at IowaTelecom.net)
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005
Subject: Re: Nieukirk, Newkirk, Newkerk........
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply. As you know, one never knows where, when or why something useful will emerge.
Regarding the German Reformed Church of Hannover.... I don't have a lot of information on it except that Jost German, and his probable brother, Andreas German, who both came from Germany in about 1750 to New York as immigrants, were prominent in that Church. It was Lutheran, as was the Old Brick Dutch Reformed Church in Montgomery, NY. There was actually no difference in the Dutch Reformed Churches, and the German Reformed Churches in the area in those days. The term Dutch and German were used interchangeably by the Angelicans in the area. I speak fluent German, thus understand the reason for that. The Angelicans would pronounce the German word "Deutsch" (meaning German) as "Dutch". West Camp was the arrival point for the Palatine Germans who migrated enmasse in around 1710. Jost German and Andreas German arrived in the "West Camp" which was the major gathering point for most of the German Immigrants back then. I do not think these two men were palatines, even though several others claim they were. My reasoning is this: Jost and Andreas arrive about 40 years AFTER the Palatine migrations. Ths is in the Mohawk Valley region. Researching early New York is a little frustrating at times, due to the re-organization and splitting up of the big counties into smaller counties which occurred in the late 1700s. My German line left many vital pieces of information in the form of old letters, and bible records which have been handed down through the Generations. Unfortunately, the info handed down was rcorded back then, in the 1700s, and the references to places such as Towns, Counties, etc. has changed. A prime example is Montgomery, NY. Originally Montgomery was in Ulster Co. So our records refer to Montgomery, Ulster CO. Today, of course, it is Montgomery, Orange County. Never having been to NY State early in my voyage through the maze of antiquity, I did not know then that the Counties had been re-organized in Eastern NY. Now, of course, I have no problem navigating through the area.
One note on researching the Mohawk Valley: the earliest reference , of course is the so called "Beekman Patent". A German by the name of Beekman was the original prominent figure (caucasion) in the Mohawk Valley. I won't go into the responsibilities he was assigned, by the Queen of England, except to say he was given responsibility to survey and over see the region.
What is important to understand, is that it is commonly accepted that Johann Nicholas Emigh Sr. was the first white settler in the area. He settled in the famous "Klove" area of the Mohawk Valley. He purchased Land in the Klove from Beekman. Johann Nicholas Emigh Sr. was probably the most well known individual in that area . His Son, Johan Nicholas Emigh Jr. b. 30 Nov 1720, married Eve Uhle b.14 Feb 1723/24 in Kingston, NY, dau of Johann Hendrick Uhle and Maria Wenner. Johan Nicholas Emigh Jr. was quite wealthy, for the time, he is shown in the Tax Rolls as being the highest tax payer in the Mohawk Valley. He owned at least 820 acres of land in the famous Klove. Which even to day is some the most expensive land in NY. This in a day when most farmers had 40 acres or less.
"My" Henry German married his daughter Rachel Emigh, thus she is my 3rd Gr Grandmother.
I believe I have seen the name Bodine or similar, in census listing, near the area where the German, Emigh, Nieuwkirk, Klaarwater families were in mid 1700s. Bear in mind that there were as many Dutch people in the area as there were Germans. The Nieuwkirk, Klaarwater, and Emigh families were heavily Dutch. The Emighs seem to have come from Germany, even though it is a Dutch name. My German line married into every one of these families and they appear to have been closely associated in about every thing they did. All were extremely successful. All were of the Lutheran Faith.
Henry German was a Deacon in the Old Brick Church. Jost German's will lists the usual language used back then, and all of his children, then, he mentions his appointed administrators of his estate, which were his sons, wife, and "My Trusty Beloved Friend, Jacob 'Newkark' " . This of course was Jacob Nieuwkerk (correct spelling then), brother of Elizabeth and Anna Catherina Nieuwkerk.
Johan Nicholas Emigh b. 30 Nov 1720 was the son of Johan Nicholas Emigh Sr. b. 06 Feb 1684/85 in Dannenfels, Nassau, Weibergschen, Germany. His wife was Anna Catherina MUELLER b. 1693 in Staudrum, Germany. Johan Nicholas Emigh Sr died in 1761, at KINGSTON, New York. His wife Anna Catherina MUELLER died in 1750, at Poughguag District, Dutchess Co, NY.
Johan Nicholas Emigh Sr. was the son of Hans Veltin Emigh b. 1659, Dannenfels, Nassau, Weibergschen, Germany. He died in Germany. His wife was Anna Eve ____? b. 1663 in Dannenfels, Nassau, Weibergschen, Germany. She died in Germany.
I send you the above, in case you want to research the Mohawk Valley, these families were the originals. It is a good place to start.
Other prominent names in the Mohawk Valley in that era were: Dubois, DeWitt, Dennis, Cuir, Putz, Letts, Rosekrans, Clark. There were of course many others, but these have been the most help to me.
Now, interestingly enough, with the exceptions of the Emighs, most of these other families eventually moved wetward to Ohio, generally in the southern part of Ohio, in counties such as Stark, Clinton, Brown, and nearby other Counties. Next, they migrated on to Illinois, settling in the Peoria County area, in such counties as Peoria, Stark, Knox.
In about 1868, many moved on to Southern Iowa, and Missouri. today they are spread across the nation.
Oh yes, almost forgot, the original surname of Emigh is today , in the New York area, called "Amey". this due to the Angelicans misconstruing the German pronounciation of Emigh. In german language, Emigh sounds like the speaker is saying "Amey". Over time it evolved into Amey.
Hope this will help you in the future. Will advise if I come accross more on your Bodines.
...
Regards,
ayne German