VanValkenburg, Jacob

Baptism records of the Kinderhook, NY and Caughnawaga (Fonda), NY Reformed churches, name the children of John-Johannes VanVolkenburgh and Hannah Patterson, thus NY state has been confirmed as their places of birth.  Is it possible that the family, although politically loyal to the British through the Revolution, maintained ties with their original home churches and communities?  Fonda is in Montgomery Co. (Tryon Co. before the war), and early VV researchers have suggested that an 1813 last will and testament, filed in nearby Canajoharie, is that of John VanVolkenburgh who married Hannah Patterson.  The will, written February 1813 and executed (post-decease) in September, names John's wife "Hannah" and several children:  sons Richard, Jacob and Peter, and daughters Catherine, Caity, and Margaret.

Is it possible that John and Hannah had returned to the States after John was unable to prove an UEL claim and receive land in Canada?  Some have suggested that John VV abandoned the family, or lived in the States while maintaining his family in Canada; some have further suggested that Hannah Patterson-VV remarried a John Jenkins in 1808. 

The land petitions of five sons have indicated that John's name had still not been placed on the UEL list well after his death, specifically that John VV had been "prevented by sickness from attending the Quarter Sessions for the enrolment of his name as an U.E. Loyalist... and dying left his family too young and helpless to attend to their interests in that respect, and his name has therefore been omitted to be placed upon the U.E. List to which he was justly entitled."  See land petitions associated with this family.

The files of Paul E. Van Volkenburgh, descendant of this family, may provide further insights.  He notes a John VV of Albany Co. had been on the list of Albany & Tryon Co. Confiscations in 1783, forfeiting his NY assets for his allegiance to the enemy.  It would seem John had little to return to.  However, Paul's 1982 letter to the Lennox-Addington Co. Archives also makes reference to a will of this John VV in Canajoharie, and suggests it is this John VV who died there in 1813. 

This is believed to be the estate file under review:

(Learn how to find NY estate files, specifically how to find this will).

"New York, Probate Records, 1629-1971," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-24578-22872-25?cc=1920234&wc=M9S9-KYY:218504570), Montgomery > Wills 1810-1826 vol 2-3 > image 166 of 593.

In the name of God amen, I John Vanvolkenburgh of the town of Canajoharry in the County of Montgomery and State of New York Farmer being weak in body but sound and perfect memory - thanks be to God, do make this  my last Will and Testament in form and manner following - First I give and resign my Soul to almighty God who gave it to do with it according to his good pleasure and my body to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of the Executors and all my worldly posessions I dispos of in form and manner following - I give and bequeath to my Son Richard all my farm together with all my Stock of every kind, and all my farming utensals and to my Daugter Catherine and my Daugter Caity I give and bequeath ten Dollars to each after my Debts are paid and to  my Daughter Margaret I give and bequeath a Cow and three Sheep and ten Dollars after the Debts are paid, And to my Son Jacob and my Son Peter I desire to have their maintenance of the farm and learning sufficient for a Trade and to be bound to the Trades that suits them and after they come to age each is to have a Cow and two Sheep.  And to my loving Wife Hannah I give and bequeath all my houshold furniture and the disposal of all my Effects of every kind while she remains my Widow, and if she marries I give and bequeath unto her two Sheep and two Cows.  I also appoint my loving wife Hannah Executrix and Abram Wessles and James Johnsbee Executors to see all my dues collected and my Debts paid (IE) that is all my affair both active and passive finally settled.  Given under my hand and sealed with my Seal this 25th Day of February 1813.

[signed x his mark] John Vanvolkenburgh [LS]

N.B. My Daughter Margaret is to have the Cow after she is married and the ten Dollars after the Debts are paid.

Signed and sealed in the presence of

William Newton, Peter Colyar, Jacob Wessels

Be it remembered that on the nineteenth Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, personally appeared before me James Lansing, Surrogate of the County of Montgomery Jacob Wessels who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw John Van Volkenburgh sign the foregoing Instrument by making his Mark thereto, and did see and hear him acknowledge the Seal thereto and publish and declare the said Instrument as and for his last Will and Testament.  That the said John was at the time thereof of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding and that this Deponent subscribed his Name thereto as a Witness to the execution thereof in the testators presence

[signed] James Lansing

Be it also remembered that on the eighteenth Day of September in the year above mentioned also personally appeared before me the said Surrogate William Newton who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw the said John Van Volkenburgh sign and seal and heard him publish and declare the said Instrument as and for his last Will an Testament.  That the said John Van Volkenburgh was at the time thereof (according to the best of this Deponents knowledge and belief) of sound and disposing Mind, Memory and Understanding.  That this Deponent subscribed his Name thereto as a Witness to the execution thereof in the Testators presence, and that he saw Peter Colyar and Jacob Wessels also subscribe their names thereto as such Witnesses, also in the said Testators presence.

[signed] James Lansing

The preceding are Copies of the last Will and Testament of John Van Volkenburgh deceased, of the Certificates of the proof thereof and of the Letters Testamentary thereon.

Registered the 18th Day of September 1813

[signed] James Lansing Surrogate

Be it also remembered that the said Abraham Wessels and James Johnsbee surviving Executors in the last Will and testament of the said John Van Volkenburgh deceased named, have personally appeared before me the said Surrogate, and were duly sworn as Executors.

[signed] James Lansing