Johann Georg Schmidt.
Born on 8 Aug 1712 in West Camp, Ulster County, New York.466 Johann Georg was baptized in St Paul’s Lutheran Church, West Camp, on 9 Aug 1712.466 Johann Georg, son of Joh: Peter Schmid & Elisabeth Margretha, witness Johann Georg Bender [Baender].
Johann George, also spelled Jurge, Jurry, or Yerry, Schmidt, or Smith.
Jurge and his brother Johannes were conf. together 28 Feb 1733 at Theerbosch, according to the Athens Zion Church.386
(The Johannes Smith of Claverack, yeoman, whose will was dated 21 Mar 1796, probated 1 Nov 1796, was Johann Valetin Smith, b. 1721, son of George Adam Schmit & Christina Landt.)
From Miller’s Historic Sketches of Hudson:607
Although the first settlements in the territory now comprising this town [Taghkanic] were probably made soon after 1700, when the proprietor induced Dutch and German emigrants to lease farms from him, general settlement did not begin until about 1750. On an old map, made in 1714, are printed the names of Witbeck, Class and Brusie, as residents on the lands of the manor; the Witbecks, however, were located on the territory that afterward went to form a part of the town of Copake. No doubt the feudal system adopted by the proprietor had much to do in retarding settlement, as tenants were constantly giving up their leases for one tract to remove to another, and more often than otherwise, when possessed of the means to do so, removing to localities where lands could be purchased in fee simple, thus securing more permanent rewards for their toil. One result of this changing and flitting was that but few became permanent residents, whose children and children's children remained on the soil, establishing a pioneership worthy of historical mention.
The first settler whose record is traceable through his descendants was George Smith, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America about 1755, or soon after. He leased about 240 acres of land in the east part of the town, and was one of the few who thrived under the leasehold system. He had two sons, Killian and John; the former succeeded his father on the homestead, and the latter leased an adjoining farm. In 1838 the lease of the homestead farm was cancelled by the purchase of the property by Adam, a grandson, and Killian A. Smith, a great grandson of the settler. Killian I. Smith, another great-grandson, was a blacksmith by trade, and settled near New Forge, where he practiced his calling. Other descendants of the worthy pioneer still reside in the town [in 1862].
From Ellis’ History of Columbia County:608
George Smith (called Yerry Schmidt by his Dutch neighbors) came from Germany to America many years previous to the breaking out of the Revolution, probably about 1755–60 [actually born in New York in 1712]. He leased a large tract of fertile land in the east part of the town, lying on the banks of the Copake creek, and containing about two hundred and forty acres. His great-great-grandson, John L. Smith, now occupies the homestead, which has thus remained in the family for the unusual term of a century and a quarter. The farm was held under lease until about 1838, when the soil was purchased by a grandson and a great-grandson, Adam and Killian A. Smith, the latter of whom is still living on the homestead with his son. George had two sons, Killian and John. The former occupied the homestead after his father, and the latter leased a fiirm adjoining it on the east, known as the “Christie” farm, and now owned by Killian A. Smith. Killian I. Smith, another great-grandson, and son of John 2d, was a blacksmith, and settled in the south part of the town near New Forge, and worked at his trade there. A son of his, John K. Smith, is now [1878] living at West Taghkanic. Jacob Smith, a merchant at Valley Falls, near Providence, R.I., and Mrs. Hannah Williams, of Hillsdale, are great-grandchildren of George Smith.
Johann Georg married
Anna Barbara Minckler (32930) , daughter of
Kilian Minckler (15661) (ca 1673-20 Feb 1748) &
Anna Margaretha (-ca 1736).
Born ca 1718.
Barbara, also known as Anna Barbel.
Jurry Smidt and wife Barbara Minkler were witnesses for the 1759 Linlithgo baptism of Jurry, son of Pieter Haver & Anna Maria Minkelaer [Barbara’s sister].
Jurry Smith and wife Barbara Minklaer were witnesses for the 1766 Claverack baptism of Adam, son of Adam Klapper & Madelena Philip.
Johannes Schmidt.
Born on 17 Jan 1715 in West Camp, Ulster County, New York.466 Johannes was baptized in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, West Camp, on 13 Feb 1715.466 Johannes, son of Peter Schmid & Elisabeth Margretha, witnesses Johann Peter Roschmann & wife.
Johannes married Elisabeth Atkins.
Jacob married
Gertraud Minckler (32931) , daughter of
Kilian Minckler (15661) (ca 1673-20 Feb 1748) &
Anna Margaretha (-ca 1736).
Jacob Schmid & wife Gertraut were witnesses for the 1 Jun 1746 baptism of Gertraut, daughter of Henrich Heidorn & Barbara Heidorn at the Germantown Reformed Church.
Jacob & Geertruy Smith were witnesses at the 1755 Claverack baptism of Michiel, son of Michil Philliph & Anna Margrieta [Geertruy’s sister].