Found in the Montgomery County Department of History and Archives in assorted files
from St. Johnsville Enterprise and News articles. Most were undated but the issue and
date could be found with more research. Many of the old E&News issues are in the
storage archives in Fonda, and the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library in St. Johnsville
has all of the E&News indexed by surname.
Please read my comments at the end of the article.
ANOTHER PRE-REVOLUTIONARY FAMILY
Sketch of the Walrath Family Written by the late Hon. Martin Walrath.
Adolph Walrath came from Holland and settled in the town of Palatine, Tryon county,
N.Y. about 1760. He had a son named Adam (my great grandfather), born 1770. In
Palatine; also William, Christian, John and Catherine who married Cornelius Beekman.
Christian married Mary Hillegas. He moved from here and settled near Briar Hill, St.
Lawrence county in early life.
Adam married Catherine Duesler. They had twelve children, eight sons and four
daughters. The names of the sons were Christian, John, Daniel, Charles, Andrew,
Rugene, Martin and James. Daughters, Nancy, Margaret, Catherine and Laney. John
and David Walrath moved to Jefferson …….(missing text)……… River. Their
descendants now reside in that county. Charles went to Chautauqua county and died
there. Nancy married Jacob Herring who lived and died at Sandy Creek, N.Y..
Martin was born 1814. He married Julia Flanders, also had twelve children, ten boys
and two girls. Boys names James, Harlan, Rugene, Martin, Charles, Adam, Alvin, Joel,
George and Edward. Girls Martha and Mary. All deceased except Alvin and Joel.
Martin Walrath, Sr. died in 1885. His wife in 1892.
Note—Adolph Walrath settled just north of the village about 1790. He owned nearly
300 acres of land obtained from the Harrison Patent. The first house on the farm was a
small one made of logs. Later in 1801 it was rebuilt and this is the home now standing
where Joel Walrath resides.
I believe that there is one generation missing. Adam J., William, Christian, John,
and Caty were not the children of Adolph (as per 1828/29 petition for the partition
of land), and grandchildren of Adolf. It is uncertain as to the author of the note at
the end of the article, but it is most likely that the Adolph mentioned in the note was
the brother of Johannes, and uncle of Adam J., and siblings.
The St. Johnsville church records show a marriage record for Adam Walrath and
Christina Tusler. This is most likely Adam J. and wife. It is uncertain whether her
name was Christina or Catherina, but it does seem possible that Tusler is a spelling
variation, or incorrect transcription of, Duesler. Therefore Adam’s wife may have
been Catharine.
The above article lists Daniel as one of Adam J. Walrath’s 8 sons and then goes on
to mention that David moved on to Jefferson county with John. A Daniel was listed
in Adam J. Walrath’s but not a David. Also, there was no Rugene listed in the will
although it is quite possible he had died before. Martin A. Walrath had a twin
brother named Rugene.