Willem Schermerhorn

William Schermerhorn, son of Johannes, evidently went through many adventures. For some reason or other he adhered to the Loyalist cause at the beginning of the Revolution, instead of joining the patriot army. This is evidenced in a long account of his claim against the Government for compensation after the War. When the Revolution broke out he lived in Albany County, "at the Beaver Dam," 18 miles from Albany, in the Helderberg Mountains. He owned, in all, three farms in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, with many horses, cattle, etc. His property was confiscated entirely by the Colonial authorities and he was taken prisoner and held for a year. He had previously served with Burgoyne and was to have carried dispatches from Burgoyne to Clinton. After escaping from prison he became active in raising a company of men to enlist with the British, and pledged the entire value of his estate to give satisfaction to them. He managed to get to Canada with the company, who afterwards joined Butler's Rangers. He was promised a commission for his services, but never received it. He lived in Montreal and his wife joined him in 1783. He died in June, 1786. It is not known what reimbursement his wife obtained or what became of his family, which consisted of four children. Whatever made William Schermerhorn a Loyalist made him a hearty one, as many papers show. One, dated March, 1777, is to the effect that 100 persons signed the oath of allegiance to Great Britain, administered by Captain Schermerhorn. Another paper dated May 24, 1780, is signed by 60 persons asking that Schermerhorn might be made one of their officers.