Major John DECKER

On page 870 of the source shown below is an entry on John Decker Carpenter, son of Benjamin and Margaret (DECKER) CARPENTER and grandson of Major John DECKER. This sketch contains some interesting background information on both of these men.

On February 28, 1776, John (or Johannes as he was called by the Dutch) Decker "was commissioned Major by the provincial Congress, and so prominent and bold did he become in his attacks upon the enemy, that a reward was offered for his scalp by the British Government. In the hope to secure this reward, the Indians, led by the infamous Brant, made a desperate attempt to capture him, but he escaped, though several of his comrades were killed. When the squad of red men came into the little village, [Decker's daughter] Margaret was in the schoolhouse with a number of other children, but fortunately none of them were attacked. She attained an advanced age, dying when 84 years old.

The entry for Dr. John Conkling on p. 1071 indicates that his parents were Samuel and Martha (Jackson) Conkling. Martha was born 8 May 1768 and was a descendant of Anneke Jans, who was famous in early colonial history and a relative of the Prince of Orange. Her parents were Alexander and Martha Jackson.

The entry for Henry G. Cuddeback on p. 968 indicates that Major John Decker purchased the tract of land near Deerpark (where the subject lived in 1895) from the Indians in 1732, giving as compensation various cooking utensils, powder, lead, etc. On 21 Dec 1848, George Cuddeback (father of subject) married Margaret Carpenter, daughter of John D. and Catherine (Westfall) Carpenter.

The entry for Levi Van Etten on p. 988 indicates that the first of the Van Etten family to locate in Deerpark was Anthony Van Etten, a son of Jacob and Antje (Westbrook) Van Etten. Anthony was baptized 12 Jun 1726. On 03 Aug 1750 Anthony married Hannah Decker, daughter of Thomas and sister of Major Decker. The father of the subject married Eleanor Carpenter 12 Dec 1811.

Margaret's birthdate is shown on p. 896 of the source under an entry for Benjamin Van Fleet, who married Jane Van Etten, the eldest child of John and Margaret (Carpenter) Van Etten.

I thought I'd seen a reference to Major John DECKER's wife as being a JACKSON in PBROC, but when I went back over the material (admittedly quickly scanned), I couldn't find it?!

In big green Brokaw book, p49 shows that Abe BROKAW's (not in my line) wife was Seletie (Ceeltje) WESTBROOK, and that her dad was Johannes m. Maria DIRKSE. On 5 Jun 1805 Johannes of Walpack, Sussex Co., NJ conveyed property 'for love and affection' to the heirs of Salache (deceased), his dau, wife of Abe BROKAW, to Jane, wife of Aaron DECKER; to Judith, wife of Lewis LAYTON (hmmm, related to Paul?); to Mary, wife of John DECKER, and to Margery and Sally BROKAW.

Green bk p105 shows parents of Aaron DECKER (bap 18 Nov 1779, m. Jane BROKAW 21 Jan 1800, d. bef. 1842) of S. Minisink, NJ, were Daniel and Blandina (VREDENBURG) DECKER who were m. 14 Dec 1756. Aaron was a Justice of the Peace in Walpack, Sussex, NJ. Same page shows Mary BROKAW (1787-1823) m1802 John DECKER (1780-1827), also a son of Daniel/Blandina. They were part of the Dutch Reformed Church at Walpack, lived nearby and he had a ferry and blacksmith shop.

Green bk p784 ff shows SWARTOUT family w/DECKER connection. In 1614 TDR granted patents to sundry merchants for exclusive trade rights on Hudson River in America. The company in 1618 built a fort at Kingston Landing and est. a post (now Kingston, Ulster, NY). Thomas SWARTOUT was the 1st of family to arrive there. Family roots in Europe were deep and they along w/FREYLINGHUYSENs and POLHEMUSs were Free Manor holders who, from Charlemagne's time on thru Middle Ages, protested against Romanism and Feudalism, against Pope and Emperor. They welcomed the Reformation as a final/total breach w/Roman Imperialism. The SWARTOUTs were living in Groningen, Holland early in 1600. Once Thomas came over, he became a local ldr. Earliest known ancestor was Roefoff SWARTOUT b. c1580 ... Thomas represented the Holland authorities in signing a Breuckelen (Brooklyn) petition! He became magistrate of Midwout (Flatbush), Long Island. In 1664 the English under Sir Richard NICHOLS took New Netherlands colony from the Dutch, renaming in NY. In that line is one Bernardus Van Vleit bap 28 Jan 1727 who m2. Margaret DEKKER, probalby in Orange, NY. Then there's Bernardus SWARTWOUT m. 6 Oct 1720 at Kingston, NY to Grietjen (Marggriet) DEKKER (DECKER) who was chr 31 Mar 1700, 3rd child of Jacob and Annetje (HENDRICKS) DECKER. This Jacob was perhaps a bro of Jan DECKER of Marbletown, one of the jurymen w/Roelof SWARTOUT at the trial in Esopus in 1684. Hmmm, a later Christina KERMER (KRAMER) m1749 one John DREEK (DRAKE) in Smithfield, PA (hmmm, connected to my DRAKEs?).

Right after the long SWARTOUT section is (a short) one for the DECKER family. The earliest record of Jacob DECKER is from 1695 i.e. 'Jacob DECKER J.M. and Annetje (Antje) HENDRICKS J.D. (marriage), both residing in Mombackes (Mombaccus)' which is the area later called Rochestor, Ulster, NY. There kids were Femmetje bp 4 Oct 1696, Hendrick bp 19 Jun 1698, Margriet (Grietjen) bp 31 Mar 1700 m. Bernardus SWARTOUT, Cathrina bp 22 Jan 1702 and Geertje (Geertjen) bp 6 Feb 1704. Hmmm, so perhaps Thomas (father of Major John) was a son of Hendrick?

I do not have a will for a TIMOTHY CARPENTER, One is mentioned in John Gale's will 1760 as having property in E Div. Gale's property is between Timothy Carpenter and Old Mr. Drake. One also listed as witness in Wm Jackson will 1746 with Moses Horton and Richard Allison (OC wills Vol 1 pg 6) and, as above, listed as a brother in John Carpenter will, 1738/9.