Johannes (Johan – Hance) Runkle (c. 1735-1803) was born about 1735, probably in the Runkle region of Germany.
Runkel Castle
He was the progenitor of Runkles in New York State, a farmer who fought in the Revolutionary War, as well as the great X-grandfather or great X-granduncle to future generations of at least four Harvard graduates during the 1800s, one who became president of MIT. Continue reading
John Runkle (1756-1813) was born March 28, 1756 in the Boght (Watervliet), NY. He was my third great grandfather.
His parents were Johan Runkle (1730-1803) and Anna Barbara Neher (1728-1793). John’s father purchased a 246 acre farm in October 1769 in the Boght, eight miles north of Albany. It was there that John and his brother and their four sisters were raised. John’s older brother Henry (1754-1838) inherited Continue reading
Clement Ducas (c. 1780-?) of French heritage and born in France before the time of the French Revolution. His parents are unknown.
According to multiple family sources, the Clement family resided on a plantation in French-ruled Haiti. The story goes that during a slave uprising, two children (cousins) were smuggled to safety in sugar barrels.
The children arrived in Continue reading
Frederick ROFF (about 1728-1825) was born in 1728, probably in Germany although some believe he was of Dutch origin. How and when he immigrated by sea remains unknown. He served in the Revolutionary War, owned a farm, had a son who was murdered, and lived a long life. He was my 4th great-grandfather.
The earliest record of the family name Roff/Raaf/Raff in America is found in the History of Gilead Evangelical Church. Continue reading
William Roff (1769-1862) was born July 24, 1769 in Watervliet, NY. William’s life was marked by loss: his brother was murdered over real estate, his wife died early leaving two young children to be raised by William. His simple gravestone is near a hiking path outside of Latham near what once was the family homestead and today is a popular hotel named the Century House.
His parents were Frederick Roff (about 1729-1825) and Maria Elizabeth Tolhamer (1745-). Frederick arrived by sea, served in the Revolutionary War, and settled in the Boght. Maria Elizabeth’s family first settled in Beekman (Rhinebeck) and later moved to Half Moon. William was their third son.
William married Christina Sicker (1770-1807) on January 28, 1794 at the Dutch Reformed Church of the Boght. She was the daughter of Lodwyck (Lewis) Sicker (1738-1804) and Christina Fratt. Later, Continue reading
Frederick Roff (1795-1890), a veteran of the War of 1812, was widowed early and raised five children on his own. He owned a number of farms and lived until age 95.
Frederick, my great-great grandfather, was born January 3, 1795 in Watervliet, NY. His parents were William Roff (1769-1862) and Christina Sicker (1770-1802).
His grandparents, Frederick Raff and Maria Elisabeth Tollhamer, witnessed his baptism at the First Lutheran Church in the City of Albany. Continue reading
Isaac Roff (1846-1927) was born on December 10, 1846 in Colonie, NY, the youngest of five children. He was motherless by age 2. Isaac was raised with his father and grandfather, both farmers since the late 1700s. Isaac eventually owned a number of farms but later went into the manufacturing business in Cohoes, NY. His son and grandson entered Harvard University and pursued the textile manufacturing business founded by Isaac. He was Continue reading
Jacob Fratts (c. 1725-1777) was most likely born in Germany — possibly in Wurtemberg. He probably was a Palatine.
It appears that Jacob Fratts arrived by sea before 1758 because a record in the Colonial Laws of New York of public debt states: “Unto Jacob Fretz or his order, for a wagon etc. lost in his Majesty’s service in the year 1758, the sum of 6L 10’s.” Continue reading
John Thomas Norton (1865-1942) was born in Troy, New York, on February 4, 1865 during the civil war. His parents Thomas Norton (about 1822-1888) and Rose Shattuck (about 1825-1898) came by sea from Ireland. John Thomas became a well respected attorney who fought for justice and is portrayed in the novel “The Trial of Bat Shea” by Jack Casey. Continue reading
Thomas NORTON (1822-1888) was born in Tipperary County, Ireland (probably Thurles Town) in 1822. As an immigrant, he worked hard, became active in politics and provided his son John Thomas with an Ivy League education.
Thurles market 1848
Thomas arrived to New York by sea in 1847 at the age of 25, later settling in Troy, NY. The identity of Continue reading
