Re: Finding the Dutch DeGraws in Michigan
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In reply to:
Finding the Dutch DeGraws
3/06/01
Here is what I have related to Michigan. I have more about earlier DeGraws.
Johannes (John) DeGraw was born November 25, 1753, baptized December 16, and married Leah De Vries from Haverstraw, the daughter of John De Vries, a well-to-do farmer and minuteman in the Revolutionary War.Johannes’ grandfather, Willem, had owner most of the land that made up Haverstraw in New York so that may be how Johannes met Leah.
John De Vries owned a large number of stock and several slaves in the Tappan Valley.John DeGraw and Leah set up housekeeping in New Jersey, near New York, and reported hearing cannon roar all day in celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.They also had a farm in Orange County, New York, where Willem had owned land.Most likely, John DeGraw’s cousins still lived in the Orange County area where Leah’s family lived.
John and Leah had nine children:John who died young, another John, Cornelius who lived in Essex County in 1800 and later died in New York of tuberculosis, Benjamin, Damiel who became a Methodist minister and moved to Michigan, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob who died in Seneca County, and Joseph who also went to Michigan.Note the biblical nature of the names Daniel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
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Re: Finding the Dutch DeGraws in Michigan
Pamela Chamberlin 9/18/02