editors note: this letter was from John I. Eckerson whose Aunt Irma Eckerson was corresponding with Ray Eckerson. You can see that from 1936 this letter to E J Eckerson’s letter of 1939 there was some definite conclusions. Again a very interesting letter in the process of search and discover and the railroad information was a plus.

514 North Commonwealth Avenue
Los Angeles, California
March 28, 1936

Dear Miss Eckerson:

When I returned home rather late last evening from attending an association church meeting I found your kind letter awaiting me. Thanks you very much.

I am especially glad to have more of the dates and names. Just now I am not ready to state just how I may think that our line connect; but the evidence increases that we are two of the families connected with the Thomas(2) Eckerson who settled some two centuries ago in the Mohawk Valley.

The name of Katie Zielie adds to the evidence. The Zielies were numerous in that section, and I knew that the Eckerson and the Zielie families had intermarried several times.

I am much interested also in the John Eckerson who with his brother Tunis, as your father says, "Followed the Erie Canal". As the canal was finished in 1825, I can readily understand how any of the young men living along its course must have felt the appeal of a new method of travel during the ten or twenty years following.

Just now, since I commenced this letter, I have paused to listen to the radio. The new Union Pacific train the "Challenger" is now out at Exposition Park, where they are allowing the people to see it. Since they left Omaha 55,000 person have passed through the train. It will be on exhibition here for a number of days. Good meals from here to Chicago cost only $2.05!

Your letter brings another interesting fact to my mind. In 1898 I commenced my work as a minister in western Illinois. Several persons whom I met, having learned my name, asked me if I was related to a Mr. Eckerson who lived in Creston, Iowa. I did not know, and to tell them so. I think that he had a position with the Burlington railroad, and was well know along the lines of that extensive system. But I never met him. I wonder now if he left any descendants in that section. I have Creston friends here, I think I must ask them what they know about the family.

I presume that in a short time, after I consult with Elbert in New York, we may be able to come nearer to seeing the exact connection o our lines. My notes are getting rather extensive, but just now I have not been able to find the name of Katie Zielie, It is possible that Elbert will have more material than I have on the Zielies; and meanwhile we shall keep watching for the Kirkham name.

Our great-grandfather, Adam(5) Eckerson and his wife Elizabeth Fetterly (sometimes spelled Fatherly) had son John A. and Tunis; but John A. (6) was our grandfather, and I feel certain that he always remained in Schoharie of Otsego counties, and we have the names of all of his children. My father was his son Horton (7); and Elbert’s father was another son, Adam (7).

Thanks you again for writing, and remember me to your father and to Mrs. Sherry and the others.

Cordially yours,
Ray Eckerson

(This was submitted by John I. Eckerson, who has the same common descendant of mine John/Jan Eckerson b. 1701. John I Eckerson is president of the Ackerson/Eckerson Association. Irma Eckerson is John I. Eckerson’s Aunt. Please note that this is the same "Ray Eckerson 1939 Genealogy" that is referenced in many of the notes of the Eckerson surname link.)

417 Eighth Ave.
North Troy, N. Y.
Nov. 9, 1939
Irma Eckerson
Akron, N. Y.

Dear Cousin,

Just cannot remember when I last wrote you or whether I answered your last communication. Anyhow I recently discovered some, to me, very important information on your Eckerson line.

Some years ago there was a cemetery located in what is now the center of the village of Middleburgh. It was small and I think was not well taken care, like many of the older cemeteries, and the village fathers decided to remove the headstones, and make of the place sort of a park, or flower garden. All of the stones except one or two on the outer edge of the lot were taken up and piled upon one side of the lot. One of the stones left standing was that in memory of Tunis Eckerson, who died 1-10-1797 aged 67 years. I had visited the spot several times and taken the inscription from the one stone, upon my visit last July, I noticed for the first time the pile of markers that had been removed and piled up on the edge of the lot. Right away it occurred to me to wonder if someone had not taken an inventory, as it were, of the stones removed. In the October issue of the quarterly of the Schoharie Historical Society this was answered. Someone had made a list of those buried in the Cemetery—Memorial Cemetery of Middleburgh it is called, -- and that list was given to the society. Upon my visit to the Old Stone Fort, at Schoharie, Oct. 23, I copied the names of the Eckerson’s that were buried in this cemetery. There were as follows:

Tunis Eckerson, died 1-10-1797 aged 67 years (Think he was a son of John Eckerson and Marytie Slingerland.
Lany Eckerson, died 9-19-1931 aged 20 years. (no doubt a daughter of Cornelius Eckerson and Cornelia Vrooman, born 6-18-1811 (editors note these dates do not seem correct)
Caty, wife of Tunis Eckerson, Jr. Died 9-4-1831 aged 26 years children of Tunis and Caty. Charlie, died 10-22-1831 aged 9 years Catherine died 8-29-1831 aged 6 mo. 22 days

The last three entries cleared up, for me the link needed to complete the lineage of Tunis Eckerson, your great grandfather, who married, first Caty Zelie and 2nd. Mary Kirkham. Here we have the explanation of the five children of Tunis Eckerson and Caty Zelie. Viz-John, who married Laura Patrick, Cornelia, who married Luke Dunham and Nancy who married Hiram Harrington, with the two buried at Middleburgh make the five.

Caty Zelie was no doubt the daughter of Johannes Zelie and Annatie Vrooman, b. 11-1-1805 as recorded in the Reformed Dutch Schoharie. Johannes Zelie and Annatie Vrooman also had a son, Derick Becker Zelie, baptized 5-1-1814, records Reformed Dutch Church Middleburgh, and no doubt the Becker Zelie mentioned as "Uncle" in the deeds, copies of which I am enclosing.

Was very much elated when I found this connecting link as it cleared up the Cornelius Eckerson – Cornelia Line with the exception of their son Barent Vrooman, who married Christina Eckerson. All I have been able to find regarding Barent V. is the record of his baptism and marriage, except that he and his wife were granted, together with his brothers, Tunis and John and their mother Cornelia in the execution of deeds.

Tunis brother John married Hanna Loucks. She died and he married Maria Van deKar. Four children by first wife and two by second wife. Dr. Fred Eckerson, who you have mentioned in your letters, was a grandson of John Eckerson and Maria Van der Kar, as was Harry Eckerson of Rochester.

Catherine Eckerson, dau. Of Cornelius and Cornelia Vrooman, married Cyrus Smith, I think. They had five children. A letter from cousin Ray, some time ago told me that you had had a call from him when you were in California the past summer. Glad you could meet him and I hope and trust that you had a very pleasant and enjoyable, as well as profitable trip to the coast.

I have recently presented the Schoharie Historical Society and The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society of New York with a copy of the 115 typed pages I have compiled on the genealogy of the Eckerson family in America. Both Societies seemed pleased to have it. It is in loose leaf form and mounted in just a common cover. Will add to it as new matter is accumulated. And right here I want to thank you again for the information you gave me regarding your ancestors and their family. And have given you credit for the same on the page devoted to John Eckerson and Laura Patrick.

I am enclosing a booklet of the Old Stone Fort at Schoharie. It might interest you to know the your g,g,g,g,gfather was the donor of the land upon which this Fort stands. It was originally granted by him to the trustees of the Dutch Reformed church, land upon which to erect a church.

The Eckersons were among the very early settlers of the Schoharie Valley and greatly interested in its welfare. Below are a few excerpts from Roscoe History of Schoharie Co.,
"The Eckersons family early settled here and been from the first settlement of the Schoharie Valley, especially during the Revolution, one of the first families of the Co., The early fathers were intimately connected with the Reformed churches of Schoharie and were substantial support of the organization" "The Low Dutch Beckers of Middleburgh, The Zelies, Swart, Eckerson and Vrooman Families became wonderfully mixed up in marriage, as will be seen by noticing each family lineage. These Families, were in early times the aristocrats of the valley, having come here with abundant means, but through loses occasioned by Indians and Tory invasions, were reduced to a level with their German neighbors." "Johannes Eckerson, brother of Major Eckerson, of Weiserdorf purchased the land of Myndert Schuyler and conveyed it to "The High Dutch Reformed Church" in 1752. This fact is found in the Old Stone Fort, as also by in the had of Henry Cady. This church was razed in 1772". "Thomas and Cornelius Eckerson were without a doubt the first resident merchants in the town of Middleburgh and the business was continued by some member of the family up to the year 1800".

Sure, we can be proud of our family name, but I’ll stop throwing brags. Hope you will be glad to have this that may be news to you and that your are in good health and all that.

Cordially,
E. J. Eckerson

PS Sold a copy of book for $10.00 typed to an Eckerson yesterday.

(Editors note: E. J. Eckerson must have worked closely with Ray Eckerson in compiling the bulk of the 1939 Genealogy on the Eckerson Family. Some research by E.J. Eckerson is listed on page 6. E.J. Eckerson also lived in Troy NY which is very close to Schoharie and made research by him accessible.)