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[This information is from Vol. I, pp. 150-155 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]

The family name of Selkirk is derived from a borough town of Scotland. It was originally Cellkirk, a religious house; a "cell" was anciently that part of a temple within the walls. It is also said that the name is derived from "Sel-carrik," (Cor. Br.) which signifies the high rock; "Sel," a view, or prospect, Welsh "syllu" to look, and "carrik" or "craig," a rock. From this latter formation of the name, we are led to believe that when the family first was given that cognomen, they dwelt on an eminence, a high, rocky hill, or upon a mountain top in the Highlands of Scotland.

The Selkirk coat-of-arms. Creation, August, 1646. Arms, Quarterly: 1st and 4th arg, a human heart; gu, ensigned with an imperial crown; or, on a chief; az, three (3) mullets of the field for Douglas; 2d. gu, three (3) cinquefoils; erm, for Hamilton. 3d. gu, a lion, rampant; arg, within a bordure of the last, charged with ten (10) — (8?) roses of the first, for Dunbar of Baldoon. Crest: On a chapeau, gu, turned up, erm, a salamander in flame, ppr. Supporters: Dexter, a savage, wreathed about the temples and loins with ivy, holding with his exterior hand a club over his shoulder; ppr; Sinister, an antelope, arg, armed or, ducally gorged and chained of the last. Mottoes: "Firmior quo paratior"; over the crest, "Jamais arrière." Seat, St. Mary's Isle, Kirkcudbright.

(I) James Selkirk was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, November 1, 1757 (old style), and emigrated to America. He left Kirkcudbright early in March, 1775, and after a stormy passage of one hundred and six days, landed in the city of New York, the day after the battle of Bunker Hill, June 19, 1775. He remained there for a few days, and then went to Argyle, afterwards to what was then Albany county; but now within the limits of Saratoga county. Following a residence in Argyle for a few months, he enlisted in the provisional army, or forces of the struggling colony of New York, and served out his term of enlistment, when he returned to Albany. There he remained for a few days, and then enlisted a second time, December 20, 1776, for the whole period of the war, serving to the end of the revolution. He had served under General Benedict Arnold in the fierce northern campaign of the Adirondack region, and was in that greatest of American revolutionary struggles, the battle of Saratoga, which, known as the battle of Bemis Heights, resulted in the surrender of General Burgoyne, October 17, 1777. Under General Greene, he was in the retreat through New Jersey, and endured the hardships of the winter quarters of the army at Valley Forge. Subsequently, under Gen. Horatio Gates, he was in the southern campaign until after that general's defeat at Camden, and later with his regiment in the allied army at Yorktown, Virginia, when Cornwallis surrendered. He received his certificate of service and discharge duly signed by George Washington, and this document is now in the Hall of Military Records in the Capitol at Albany, New York. His discharge was dated June 7, 1783, and he likewise received with it a paper setting forth "Reward of Merit." His service was in battalion of force, commanded by Colonel James Livingston, Company Two, Dirk Hansen, captain, and was quartermaster-sergeant in that company. At the close of the war, James Selkirk married Elizabeth; daughter of William Henry, the ceremony taking place in February, 1787, in the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York. They were the second couple ever married in that church. She was born April 12, 1766, and was a sister of William Henry, who was the father of Professor Joseph Henry, the inventor of the electro-magnet, while an instructor in the Albany Academy, he, Joseph, having been born in the city of Albany, December 17, 1799, and as their parents had come over from Scotland in the same ship, the families were bound by ties of closest intimacy. Besides this, Professor Henry had taught school at Selkirk for two years, when a young man, before his appointment to the Albany Academy, September 11, 1826. James Selkirk died at Selkirk, Albany county, about ten miles south of Albany, December 2, 1820. Elizabeth, his wife, died May 9, 1844. Both are buried in the family burying-ground of Colonel Francis Nicoll, at Cedar Hill, Albany county. Children:

  1. James, born August 28, 1788; married Rachel Mull; died March 5, 1821.
  2. Nancy, born May 18, 1791, died in infancy.
  3. William, born July 24, 1792; married Matilda Hallenbeck.
  4. John, born November 1, 1794; married Mary Gillman; died June 16, 1840.
  5. Robert, born March 18, 1797; married, 1821, Maria Boucher.
  6. Charles, born April 13, 1799, see forward.
  7. Joseph, born October, 1801.
  8. Elizabeth, born April 7, 1804.
  9. Francis Nicoll, born October 8, 1806.
  10. Alexander, born, April 16, 1809.

(II) Charles, fifth son of James and Elizabeth (Henry) Selkirk, was born in Selkirk, Albany county, New York, April 13, 1799. He was for some time, in 1814-15, apprenticed as a silversmith under his brother, William, then residing in Albany and foreman for John F. Doty, silversmith and watchmaker, doing business at No. 71 South Pearl street and with a factory at No. 7 Union street. He was a fellow apprentice with his first cousin, young Joseph Henry, and thus in the second generation preserved the family acquaintanceship.

Professor Henry, following his discovery of the principle of the electro-magnet, and demonstrating its practicability in the large room of the Academy, about 1829, was called to Princeton in November, 1832, as an instructor in the sciences, and was made the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C., December 3, 1846, and died in that city, May 13, 1878. On account of his poor health, Charles Selkirk did not continue this line of work; but returned to the homestead and became a carpenter. Following the death of his father, in 1820, with his brother, William, he took the old farm and turned his attention to agriculture. In January of 1845 he made a trip to Scotland, where he visited his relatives, traveled through England and Ireland, and returned to this country in September of the same year. He died July 26, 1866. Charles Selkirk married, September 10, 1829, Jane Elmendorf, born November 22, 1809, died January 26, 1845, daughter of Jacob Elmendorf, of Bethlehem, Albany county, New York, who was a descendant of Jacobus Elmendorf, who came to this country from Ghent, Holland, in the year 1649, and settled at Kingston, Dutchess county, New York. Children:

  1. Alexander, born in Selkirk, New York, July 18, 1830, see forward.
  2. Lewis McMullen, born August 14, 1832.
  3. Frances, born January 18, 1841.

(III) Alexander, son of Charles and Jane (Elmendorf) Selkirk, was born on the homestead at Selkirk, Albany county, New York, July 18, 1830, died October 18, 1905. With his brothers, he received his education at district school No. 2, at Selkirk, his teachers being generally men from the eastern states who made school teaching a means to aid them in acquiring a collegiate education, and under this class of instructors he was educated in the highest English branches of that day. He removed to Albany in 1847, and at James Goold & Company's coach factory learned the art of coach ornamentation and heraldry, and was made foreman in that department in 1850. In 1849, with George H. Boughton, James McDougal Hart and James Williamson, he formed a class for the study of freehand drawing from models, with John E. Gavit, banknote engraver, as instructor. In the spring of 1853 he went into the business of carriage manufacturer, and continued in that until 1864, when he sold out to Shaw & Rose. He then entered the profession of solicitor of patents and attorney in patent cases, also that of mechanical expert, and continued in this profession with success that won recognition until his death. He was located at the start at No. 44 North Pearl street, and after 1885 at No. 31 North Pearl street. Being of an inventive turn of mind, he perfected several important and practical inventions. In politics he voted first for Fremont and was always a Republican and protective tariff man. Although not in any sense a politician, he was frequently present at gatherings to advocate a cause or candidate, serving his party considerably in one way or another without thought or expectation of personal gain. When a new water supply for the city of Albany was being agitated with considerable fervor by the advocates of different methods to be pursued, and a scheme known as the "Kinderhook Water Supply" was being pressed, Mr. Selkirk gave such time and untiring effort in convincing the public of the enormous cost and impracticability of the proposed scheme that the promoters of the bill before the legislature decided not to call it up for a third reading. He drafted other bills relating to Albany's water supply, which passed both houses; but ended in a veto by the governor. In 1848 he united with the Wesleyan Church, and in 1864 with the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Albany. In 1832 he joined Union Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1857 Wadsworth Lodge, No. 417, Free and Accepted Masons. He married, at Albany, February 17, 1853, Elizabeth Jane Fee, born in Albany, February 18, 1835, died in the same city, December 27, 1904, daughter of Adam and Henrietta (Reid) Fee, both of Albany, New York. Children, born in Albany:

  1. Charles, February 23, 1855; see forward.
  2. William Fee, May 23, 1857, see forward.
  3. John Adam, March 16, 1864; in 1910 connected with the Delaware & Hudson railroad offices at Albany.
  4. Elizabeth Reid, August 19, 1866; residing at No. 284 Clinton avenue, Albany, in 1910.
  5. Alexander, February 2, 1868, see forward.
  6. Frank Elmendorf, March 10, 1871, see forward.

(IV) Charles, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jane (Fee) Selkirk, was born in Albany, New York, February 23, 1855. He received his education at the local schools, and about 1870 commenced studying mechanical and art drawing under his father, who had studied with the celebrated artists, Boughton and Hart, at his father's office, then located at No. 44 North Pearl street. About 1885 both he and his father removed their separate offices to the suite at No. 31 North Pearl street, where he was located in 1910, as art designer, and had achieved success in his line. He is a Republican, an attendant of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, and resides at No. 113 South Lake avenue, Albany. He married, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1884, Lillian Plumly, born in that city February 17, 1860, daughter of Richard Bernard and Harriet Miller (Plumly) Connolly. Children, born in Albany, New York:

  1. Charles Richard, March 7, 1885;
  2. Harriet Connolly, January 16, 1891.

(IV) William Fee, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jane (Fee) Selkirk, was born in Albany, New York, May 23, 1857, and resided at No. 291 First street, that city, in 1910, being connected with the printing establishment of Weed-Parsons & Company, of Albany. He married, in Albany, April 2, 1884, Mathilde, born in Albany, New York, August 29, 1860, daughter of August W. and Johanna (Koch) Koenig, who were married in Albany, June 5, 1858. Children:

  1. Augusta Louise, born December 4, 1886; died October 11, 1894;
  2. Alexander T., born in Norwalk, Ohio, May 24, 1889;
  3. Theodore Koenig, born in Albany, May 8, 1896;
  4. Catherine King, born in Norwalk, Ohio, April 9, 1895; adopted October 14, 1901.

(IV) Alexander (2), son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jane (Fee) Selkirk, was born in Albany, New York, February 2, 1868. He was educated at the primary schools in his native city and is a graduate of the Albany high school, class of 1885. After leaving school, he entered the office of Franklin H. Jones, an architect of considerable prominence, then located at Albany, where he was a student at first, and remained there for eight years, being the head draughtsman. Between this time and the actual opening of an office for himself, about six months, he was engaged by George Westinghouse, Jr., in designing buildings for his country residence, "Erskine Park," Lenox, Massachusetts. Since then he has practiced his profession, meeting with abundant success, with his office at No. 31 North Pearl street, Albany, New York. In politics he has ever been a Republican, and is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Masters Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, a charter member of the Aurania Club, and a member of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution. His residence is No. 209 Lancaster street, Albany, New York. He married, in Coxsackie, New York, August 12, 1897, Clara Hartt, born at Indian Fields, New York, September 20, 1874, daughter of John McCarty Ver Planck, a descendant of the revolutionary general of that name, and his wife, Mary Eliza (Chapman) Ver Planck. Their other children were Robert Isaac and Louise Bosworth Ver Planck. (See Ver Planck VIII.) Child: Helen Ver Planck, born in Albany, New York, December 24, 1899

(IV) Frank Elmendorf, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jane (Fee) Selkirk, was born in Albany, New York, March 10, 1871. He was educated in the city schools and the Albany high school, and commenced his business career in the old Hoyt coal yard, first as a clerk, later as manager for John E. Rathbun, who succeeded to the business, and still later for Howell & Company. in the same business and yards. In 1905 he entered the employ of Simon Stahl, as superintendent in the millinery business, and was continued in that capacity when the business was sold to the present proprietor, Jonas Muhlfelder, where he was still employed in 1910. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted May 2, 1898, as corporal in Company A, First New York Infantry Volunteers, was promoted sergeant, July 20, 1898, and served until the muster out, February 21, 1899. He served eleven and a half years in the New York State National Guard. He is a charter member of the Frank Rockwell Palmer Camp of Spanish War Veterans, and has filled the offices of junior vice-commander and senior vice-commander of that organization. He is also a member of the Old Guard, Company A, Albany Zouave Cadets, having served three years as secretary, and he is a member of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution. He married, Albany, November 23, 1904, Bertha Elizabeth Riggs, born in Albany, New York, September 25, 1881, daughter of Frederick James and Emma Louise (Whiting) Riggs. (See Riggs X.) Child: Elizabeth Whiting, born in Albany, New York, October 22, 1906.

(The Ver Planck Line)

The family name of Ver Planck is found in many of the ancient as well as several of the modern languages, Greek, Latin, German, French, etc., signifying anything that is flat and broad, and while the common acceptance of the meaning in America seems to be confined in the main to a piece of timber or to signify a board, in foreign countries, whence the family came, it would mean rather a broad field or extensive, level plain, to risk tautology in making the definition a little more comprehensible, so as to adhere to the particular significance, "flat and broad." The family in America originally dwelt on a plain in Holland. The name is also found, in the same family, Planck, Planche and Plancque, and with or without the prefix "Ver," because the progenitor in this country sometimes wrote his surname "Planck." The Ver Planck Arms — Shield: Ermine, on a chief engrailed sable; three mullets argent. Crest: A demi wolf proper. Motto: Ut vita sic mors.

(I) Abraham Ver Planck was the first of this family in America, the progenitor of a number of individuals who gained prominence in the province and state of New York and intermarried with other families whose names figure largely in the founding of the commonwealth. His father, Isaac Ver Planck, lived in Holland, and hence the son sometimes wrote his name Abraham Isaacse Ver Planck, and often simply "Abram Planck." In the year 1638 he obtained from Governor Kieft a patent for land at Paulus Hoeck, previously granted to a director of the Dutch West India Company, named Pauw, a patroon, who, tiring of the project of colonizing, abandoned it. He gave to the tract a Latin name, Pavonia, a translation of his name meaning "Peacock." Thereon Abraham Ver Planck established a tobacco plantation, and likewise conducted a farm for cattle raising and dairying purposes. He married Maria Vinge. Children:

  1. Abigel, married Adrian Van Laer.
  2. Gelyn (Gulian), born January 1, 1637; married, June 20, (N. S.) 1668, Hendrika Wessels.
  3. Catalyna, married October 13, 1657, David Pieterse Schuyler.
  4. Isaac, baptized, New Amsterdam, June 26, 1641; died an infant.
  5. Sussanna, baptized May 25, 1642; married, December 4, 1660, Marten Van Waert.
  6. Jacomyntje, baptized July 6, 1644, died an infant.
  7. Ariaentje, baptized December 2, 1646, married, December 4, 1660, Melgert Wynantse Vander Poel.
  8. Hillegond, baptized November 1, 1648; married David Ackerman in Albany.
  9. Isaac, baptized February 26, 1651, see forward.

(II) Isaac, son of Abraham and Maria (Vinge) Ver Planck, was born in Albany, New York, baptized February 26, 1651, and lived there, dying about 1729. He married Abigail Uyten Bogart (or Bogaart, also Bogaert) who was alive in 1728. Children:

  1. Isaac, born in Albany, died about 1721.
  2. Jacobus.
  3. Abigail.
  4. Jacob, born in Albany, June 21, 1684.
  5. Dirkje, baptized in Albany, September 16, 1686.
  6. Jacob, baptised in Albany, October 28, 1688.
  7. Guleyn (Gillian), baptized June 18, 1693.
  8. David, baptized in Albany, April 14, 1695, see forward.
  9. Catalyntje, born June 19, 1698; married February 23, 1734, Landert Whitbeck.
  10. Rachel, baptized in Albany, May 12, 1700; married, January 2, 1726, Jan Winne.

(III) David, son of Isaac and Abigail Uyten (Bogart) Ver Planck, was born in Albany, April 4, 1695, baptized April 14, 1695. He was commonly known as David of Baeren Island because of his residence there. He married Ariantje, daughter of Barent Pieterse Coeymans, and when she died, without issue, she left to her husband a great part of the patent granted to her father. Barent P. Coeymans was the miller to Patroon Van Rensselaer, and he bought of the Catskill Indians a large tract of land adjoining those of the patroon, having one length, it is estimated, of twelve miles along the Hudson river. The Indians had previously granted it to Van Rensselaer, or had an understanding with him, yet he had not taken full possession, hence a suit in the courts which was decided in favor of Coeymans, who afterward, in 1714, obtained a patent from Queen Anne, confirming title to his heirs. — Beeren (Baeren, or Bear's) Island was therefore part of the Coeymans Patent, and lies along the western bank of the Hudson, about fourteen miles below Albany. In 1900 it was known as Baerena, and was a place for river excursions to land and hold picnics. David Ver Planck married (first), July 16, 1723, Ariantje Coeymans; married (second) ———— Brouwer; married (third) November 12, 1752, Catrina Boone. Children:

  1. Johannes, baptized November 12, 1753.
  2. Ariantje, baptized July 1, 1755; married (first) Abraham Gardinier; married (second) Levi Blasdell; died January 10, 1814.
  3. Harriet, baptized in 1757.
  4. Isaac David, baptized in 1759, see forward.

(IV) Isaac David, son of David and Catrina (Boone) Ver Planck, was born in 1759 died February 24, 1836, at Coeymans, New York.

He married Lena Houghtaling. Children:

  1. Helena, born June 22, 1783; married John McCarty.
  2. David I. D., born May 30, 1785, see forward.
  3. Catherine, born December 14, 1787, died September 22, 1817; married Peter Van Antwerp.
  4. Harriet, born April 12, 1789; married, February 14, 1808, Eliphalet Ackerman.
  5. Abraham, born December 4, 1793.
  6. Elizabeth, born April 12, 1796; died in Brooklyn.
  7. Ann, born December 15, 1799; married, October 8, 1823, Dr. B. B. Fredenburgh.
  8. Maria, born January 25, 1802; married, December 30, 1824, Isaac Whitbeck.
  9. Caroline, born March 7, 1807; married Van Lenner Overpaugh.

(V) David I. D., son of Isaac D., and Lena (Houghtaling) Ver Planck, was born May 30, 1785, died Segtemher 26, 1854. He married Elizabeth Whitbeck. Children:

  1. Isaac, born August 27, 1809, see forward.
  2. Maria, born October 29, 1812; married, July 10, 1829, Aaron Dorman.

(VI) Isaac (2), son of David I. D. and Elizabeth (Whitbeck) Ver Planck, was born August 27, 1809; died July 20, 1854. He married (first) September 2, 1835, Charlotte Elizabeth McCarty; married (second) Phoebe Ann Edgett. Children:

  1. John McCarty, born January 17, 1838, see forward.
  2. David I. D., born February 14, 1840, died March 28, 1904; married, December 25, 1860, Lettie Northrup Powell.
  3. Isaac, born July 12, 1854; married Lillie Ingalls, of Nortonhill, New York.

(VII) John McCarty, son of Isaac (2) and Charlotte Elizabeth (McCarty) Ver Planck, was born in Indian Fields, Albany county, New York, January 17, 1838; resided there, where he was engaged in the foundry business. He married in Greenville, New York, September 6, 1858, Mary Eliza Chapman, born in South Westerlo, Albany county, New York, December 18, 1840, died in Albany, January 30, 1899, daughter of Robert W. and Eliza (Hickok) Chapman. Children:

  1. Robert Isaac, born in Dormansville, Albany county, New York, August 27, 1859; married Ida May Oakey, Albany, New York, July 19, 1894.
  2. Clara Hartt, see forward.
  3. Louise Bosworth, born in Greenville, New York, August 10, 1876; married in Coxsackie, New York, November 29, 1893, Merton E. Allard, and had children, Walter Joseph Allard, born October 10, 1894, and Frank Ver Planck Allard, born December 11, 1896.

(VIII) Clara Hartt, daughter of John McCarty and Mary Eliza (Chapman) Ver Planck, was born in Indian Fields, Albany county, New York, September 20, 1874. She married, Coxsackie, New York, August 12, 1897, Alexander Selkirk. They have one child, Helen Ver Planck Selkirk, born in Albany, New York, December 24, 1899. (See Selkirk IV.)

(The Riggs Line)

The family name of Riggs is derived from the Dutch word "rig," meaning wealthy, rich; or the name may be local, and denote a steep elevation, a range of hills, or the upper part of such a range.

(I) Edward Riggs was born about 1590 in Lincolnshire, England. He landed in Boston, Massachusetts, early in the summer of 1633, with his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth, two sons and four daughters. Children:

  1. Edward, born in 1614, see forward;
  2. Lydia, born about 1616, died August, 1633;
  3. John, born about 1618, died in 1634;
  4. a daughter, born about 1622, married a Mr. Allen;
  5. Mary, born about 1625, married a Mr. Twitchell.

(II) Edward (2), son of Edward (1) Riggs, was born in England in 1614; came to America with his parents in 1633. He was a sergeant in the Pequot war, in 1637, and distinguished himself by rescuing a band of his companions from an ambuscade into which they had been led by the Indians, and by which subterfuge all of his party would have been cut off but for his great act of bravery. He was known as Sergeant Riggs through a long and honorable life. In 1665 he removed to New Jersey. Children:

  1. Edward, see forward;
  2. Samuel, born in 1640, married Sarah Baldwin;
  3. Joseph, born in 1642, married Hannah Brown;
  4. Mary, born in 1644, married George Day.

(III) Edward (3), son of Edward (2) Riggs, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1636. He accumulated considerable property, leaving at his death an estate of much value. Children:

  1. Anna, born in 1662, married J. Gage;
  2. James, born in 1664;
  3. Mary, born in 1666, married Joseph Lindsley;
  4. Edward, born in 1668, married Aphia Stoughton;
  5. Joseph, born in 1675, see forward;
  6. Martha, born in 1677, married S. Freeman;
  7. Elizabeth, born in 1678, married John Lyon;
  8. John, born in 1679, married Frances Colburn;
  9. Samuel, born in 1681;
  10. Charity, born in 1685, married John Bowers.

(IV) Joseph, son of Edward (3) and Mary Riggs, was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1675. He was an active member of the first church society in Orange, New Jersey, which was called the Mountain Society. He died and was buried there, September 11, 1744. Children:

  1. Josiah, born in 1703;
  2. Miles, born in 1705, married Elizabeth Whitney;
  3. Hannah, born in 1707, married Mr. Hedden;
  4. Mary, born in 1709, married Thomas Cushman;
  5. Benjamin, born in 1711;
  6. Gideon, born in 1713;
  7. Dinah, born in 1716;
  8. Zebulon, born January 23, 1719;
  9. Joseph, born in 1720, see forward;
  10. Daniel, born in 1724, married Sarah Lamson;
  11. Sarah, born in 1726, married Thomas Roberts.

(V) Joseph (2), son of Joseph (1) Riggs, was born in Orange, New Jersey, in 1720. He was a magistrate for many years, and a leading man in the business affairs of his neighborhood. At the opening of the revolution he was one of the committee of safety for the county of Essex. His wife's name was Abigail. Children:

  1. Prudence, born in 1746, married John Young;
  2. Jerusha, born in 1748, married Mr. Swan;
  3. Cyrenus, born in 1750, see forward;
  4. Anna, born in 1752, married Mr. Ward;
  5. Experience, born in 1754, married Mr. Smith;
  6. Caleb S., born in 1756, married Abigail J. Barnett;
  7. Abigail, born in 1758, married James Crane;
  8. Sarah, born in 1760, married Benjamin Myer.

(VI) Cyrenus, son of Joseph (2) and Abigail Riggs, was born in Orange, New Jersey, in 1750, He was a soldier in the war of the revolution from Bergen county, New Jersey. In 1791 he removed to Amsterdam, New York. He married Esther Crane. Children:

  1. Isaac, born November 8, 1779, see forward;
  2. Electa, born in 1781, married David Crane;
  3. Ogden, born in 1783, married Joanna Crane;
  4. Abraham, born in 1785; and Mary, born in 1787.

(VII) Isaac, son of Cyrenus and Esther (Crane) Riggs, was born in Orange, New Jersey, November 8, 1779. He removed, with his father's family, to Amsterdam, New York, where he learned the printer's trade and founded the Schenectady Cabinet, in 1809. He died in Fonda, New York, June 18, 1850. He married Catherine Seaman in 1808. Children:

  1. Stephen Seaman, born May, 1809, married Julia H. Vedder;
  2. Mary E., born July 31, 1812, married Henry Brown;
  3. James, born February 13, 1815, see forward;
  4. Caroline, married Vernon Cuyler;
  5. William, married Jellica Coons.

(VIII) James, son of Isaac and Catherine (Seaman) Riggs, was born February 13, 1815, died August 21, 1854. He married, May 22, 1843, Anna Odell, of New York City, born April 13, 1818, died November 8, 1907. Children:

  1. Katharine Elizabeth, born February 22, 1844, died October 22, 1904;
  2. Frederick James, born in Amsterdam, New York, May 3, 1847, see forward;
  3. Anna Odell, born May 20, 1854, died August 24, 1855.

(IX) Frederick James, son of James and Anna (Odell) Riggs, was born in Amsterdam, New York, May 3, 1847. He married, in Holliston, Massachusetts, December 19, 1872, Emma Louise Whiting. Children:

  1. Harry Whiting, born in Amsterdam, New York, October 19, 1873; married, Albany, September 7, 1899, Jennie Malcolm Tygart, residing in 1910 at No. 190 Western avenue, Albany, New York.
  2. Frederick William, born, Albany, January 13, 1876; died, Albany, May 13, 1876.
  3. Bertha Elizabeth, born in Albany, September 25, 1881, see forward.
  4. Waldo Elbridge, born in Albany, November 27, 1884, died in Albany, January 19, 1885.
  5. Katharine Estelle, born in Albany, May 23, 1890.
  6. Marguerite, born in Albany, August 18, 1892.

(X) Bertha Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick James and Emma Louise (Whiting) Riggs, was born in Albany, New York, September 25, 1881. She married, Albany, November 23, 1904, Frank Elmendorf Selkirk. Child: Elizabeth Whiting Selkirk, born Albany, October 22, 1906. (See Selkirk IV.)

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