Luke Family, Past to Present

Updated 08/20/2007

click on the following link to go to THE LUKE FAMILY HISTORY home page http://www.geocities.com/chasluke3/

Generation One - The Alpha Luke

The Palatinate is located in the western part of the Rhineland of Germany, just north of the French border. The Palatinate has been a much fought over area since the time of the Holy Roman Empire. During the late sixteen hundreds the Palatinate was ravaged by war. The wars were Religious in nature, Protestant rule verses Catholic rule. Queen Ann of England offered the Palatine Protestant’s refuge. Thousands of Palatine’s migrated to England. From England many went to settle in the British Colonies in America.

Johann Philipp Laux (Luke) was among the first wave of Palatines arriving into New York harbor in the year 1710. The voyage was treacherous. Four hundred and seventy of twenty eight hundred Palatines perished during the Atlantic crossing from England to the American Colonies. Conditions aboard the ships were wretched. Upon their arrival to the new world the survivors were in such a sickly state they were not allowed to enter the city of New York (New Amsterdam). Two hundred and fifty more Palatines would die from illness during that first summer of 1710.

The Palatine, Germans were sent north up the Hudson River to settle in encampments. The settlements were on both sides of the Hudson River in the general area of what are today Columbia, Dutchess and Ulster counties in New York State. To pay for their voyage the Palatines worked in these camps collecting pine pitch for the Royal (British) Navy. Over a period of years they would leave the encampments. They often left in groups, to settle new wilderness territories. Many of the New York Palatines settled along the Mohawk valley and in the Schoharie county area.

Johann Philipp Laux (Luke), the Alpha, or first Luke would be assigned to Beckmansland, a Palatine encampment sometime after his arrival to the new world. The exact location of the encampment is unknown, but believed, by some, to be in the vicinity of Ulster County, New York. After a number of years Philipp and his family would leave the Beekmansland encampment and migrate further up the Hudson River towards Albany County. The earliest found recordings of the Philipp Luke family are from 1717 at the baptism of a daughter at the Reformed Dutch Church in Albany. Around this time there is some indication that Philipp and his family may have resided in Athens (Loonenberg), New York, then part of Albany county. In 1732 Philip Luke leased land in an area just south of the city of Albany known as the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck (currently Bethlehem, New York). He like many of his Dutch neighbors would become farmers and freeholders of the land. Freeholders would be given a certain number of years, usually seven, to establish their farms rent free. Afterwards they would pay to Stephen Van Rensselaer or his heirs a portion of their crops or livestock. The records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, as well as, deeds and mortgage recordings in Albany County have been an invaluable source of information.

Johann Philipp Laux, known as Philip (forename not used) Luke was born in the Palatinate of Germany at an unknown date in the late 1600‘s. Philip died in 1751 and was buried near his farm in Bethlehem, New York. Philip Luke and his wife Magdalena Roosa* had the following children:

Johannes Loeck (Luke) - born about 1711

Anna Marie Loeck (Luke) - born 1717, died after birth

Jacob Loeck (Luke) - born 3/14/1718

Anna (Marytje) Maria Loeck (Luke) - born 2/10/1721

Magdalena Loeck -(Luke) born 12/5/1726

Coenraedt Loeck (Luke) - about 1731

Johannes Loeck (Luke) was born in 1711 and died in 1787 according to cemetery records. He married Geesje Legrange in 1753. At that time the De Legrange’s were one of the oldest farm families in Albany County. They were French Huguenots that settled in America during the early 1630’s. Johannes Luke had a son Philip born in December of 1753 and a daughter Maria born in 1758. His son Philip married Eistje Spawn (Vanderspaan) in 1776. During the Revolutionary War, Philip would serve as a Captain with Butler’s Rangers, a New York Militia group loyal to the British Crown. Dutch records show Philip and Eistje had a son Johannes and a daughter Catrina. Philip and his family fled to Canada at the end of the Revolutionary war. He was among the first settlers of Saint Armand Parish, Quebec. According to a Canadian source he had two more sons, and five more daughters. Philip, Jacob, Lucretia, Mary, Magdalena, Hannah and Margaret. Philip Luke would become a prominent and prosperous citizen in Canada. He would serve his new country as a Colonel in the Militia during the war of 1812. His son Philip Luke Jr. would also serve in the Canadian militia. During an American invasion into Canada Philip Luke Jr. and his men were captured and taken prisoner. They were held in a Jail cell in Burlington, Vermont until the end of hostilities. Philip Luke’s sons, Philip and Jacob Veeder Luke would have many heirs. Over the years several Luke families would re-cross the border and settle throughout the United States. Extensive research is continuing in this area. Colonel Philip Luke is also at the center of a controversy in Quebec. Upon the death of his mother Geesje Luke in 1790, Philip received from his brother-in-law, John Van Allen a certain amount of currency and likely a number of family slaves (between 6 and 8) in settlement his parents Estate. These slaves were taken to Saint Armand, Quebec, Canada where they would work and toil on Philip Luke’s 500 acre farm until the time of their deaths. They are buried near the site of a large rock in unmarked graves known locally as “Nigger Rock”. Philip Luke son of Johannes, and his family are buried in the Luke Family cemetery in St. Armand, Canada on the site of his original farm.

Maria Luke, (Johannes and Geesje Luke’s only daughter) married John Van Allen. John Van Allen served as a patriot in the Militia during the Revolutionary War. John Van Allen was without question a much beloved and trusted son-in-law of Johannes and Geesje Luke. In 1778 Johannes Luke had his last will and testament re-written. His previous will, though not available would have likely left his earthly belongings to his only son Philip. Based on other wills from this period, there would have been a clause to provide for his wife for her lifetime and perhaps a stipend for his only daughter Maria. During this time of the Revolutionary War the real and personal property of those who remained loyal to England was subject to forfeiture and seizure by the government of New York. The new will written in 1778 left the entire estate of Johannes Luke to his wife Geesje. Johannes predeceased his wife in 1787, when she passed away in 1790, she died intestate, leaving no will. John Van Allen had a full and painstakingly complete inventory taken of his in-laws estate. This inventory is on file in the Albany County Courthouse. In a clandestine meeting, Philip Luke and John Van Allen along with witness met. At this meeting Philip Luke signed over the deed to his father’s farm to his brother-in-law, John Van Allen for a certain sum of currency. This original deed is part of the Van Rensselaer Collection in the Archives of the New York State Library in Albany, New York. Johannes and Geesje Luke as well as many of the Van Allen’s are buried in the Jerusalem cemetery in Feura Bush, New York.

Coenraedt Loeck married Geertruy Van Deusen in 1751. He is a direct descendant and will be featured in Generation Two.

Jacob Loeck married Alica (Alida) Goewey in November of 1754. She gave birth to twin sons, Philip and Solomon Luke. Alida died shortly after the birth of her sons. Jacob remarried Rachel (Slingerlandt) Hogen a widow. They had two daughters, Alida and Achie. Alida was named after Jacob’s first wife, this was a Dutch custom. Alida would marry David King of Schodack, and Achie married Garritt Gowey, her half brothers cousin. Solomon Luke was a Patriot and served in the Militia on the New York line during the Revolutionary War. He would eventually take over his father, Jacob’s farm. He would inherit his land and most of his property. Solomon married Lena Moak, they had a son Jacob born in 1790. They also had two daughters, Alida born in 1798 and Magdalena born in 1800. Alida Luke married John Crewel of Bethlehem, New York. Magdalena Luke married Teunis Slingerlands of Bethlehem, New York. Solomon’s son Jacob Luke married Angelica Moak. He and his wife would continue to farm his grandfather’s lands known as the “Homestead Farm”. The farm would eventually be sold to the Honorable Adam Van Allen in the 1840’s. Van Allen a prominent Albany business man and the Albany County Treasurer was the grandson of Magdalena Van Wie Luke Van Allen. Jacob Luke’s heirs lived and farmed in the town of Bethlehem, New York until the late eighteen hundreds.

Philip Luke, the twin brother of Solomon Luke had been presumed by this author to have died sometime during his childhood. The presumption had been made because there was no further evidence of his existence. Most recently, there has been strong evidence that Philip Luke the son of Jacob remained loyal to the British Crown and served with Butler’s Rangers a Militia group during the Revolutionary war years. It is also believed that he, Philip Luke of Jacob Luke would settle in Canada along with his cousin Philip Luke of Johannes Luke. There is record of two Philip Luke’s of Albany county (Yeoman) having their properties confiscated by the State of New York. One Philip Luke is distinguished from the other as being referred to as the son of John (Johannes). There is also documentation of one, Philip Luke, of Butler’s Rangers being born on 10/9/1755. This is significant because the pension records of Solomon Luke state that his birth date was also 10/9/1755. While the author is still seeking further evidence, it seems compelling that twin brothers Philip and Solomon Luke served on opposite sides during the Revolutionary War.

Marytje Loeck married Henrick Van Wie, the Van Wie’s were among the original Dutch settlers of Albany. They married in 1750 and had six children. The Van Wie’s were a large and important family in Albany county. Marytje (Maria) and Henrick would settle on a farm along side the farms of her brothers and sister.

Magdalena Loeck married Johannes Van Wie (Hendrick’s brother), she was Johannes’s second wife, there is no record of them having any children. They too would settle close to the original family farm bordering the farms of her brothers and sister.

*Magdalena Roos (Roosa, Rose) The Roosa’s were an old Dutch family that settled in America in the early 1600’s and lived in Ulster County. I have seen no direct evidence of this, but a researcher for the Bratt family claims to have evidence of this link. I also believe this to be true. It was no accident that Philipp and his wife settled in Bethlehem. They were neighbors to Andres Bratt whose wife Wyntje Roos was Magdalena’s sister. Andres Bratt and Wyntje Roos were also sponsors at the baptisms of Johann Philipp and Magdalena’s first two children.

H.Z. Jones a Palatine researcher along with another prominent Luke family researcher believes Magdalena wife of Johann Philip Luke was a Lang (Langin). It is this author’s opinion that Magdalena Langin was likely the first wife of Johann Philipp Luke as well as the mother of Johannes Luke. There is a six year gap between the birth of Johann Philipp Luke’s first and second child. It is in this time period that Magdalena Langin may have passed away and Johann Philipp Luke remarried Magdalena Rossa. Magdalena Langin a Palatine and likely a Lutheran would help to explain the missing baptism record of Johannes Luke. Likewise, Magdalena Roosa, a Dutch Protestant, explains her involvement with the Reformed Dutch Church in Albany. This would make Johannes Luke all German and his siblings half German and half Dutch.

Generation Two, Koerad Loeak

Philipp the Alpha Luke, died in 1751. An old map of Rensselaerwyck dated 1767 shows all of Philipp’s children living on adjoining farms, on or near his original farmlands between the forks of the Vlooman kill, a creek in southern Albany county. His children either inherited portions of his lease or were fortunate enough to secure adjoining farms on their own. Early deeds suggest that Koerad (Coenradt) Luke‘s family ended up on the location where his fathers original farmhouse stood. The Vlooman kill runs from the Heldeburgh hills to the Hudson River just a few miles south of the Normanskill. Some of the neighbors surrounding the Luke’s farmlands were the Van Deusen’s, Slingerlandts, Van Wie’s, Van der Zee’s, Hilderbrandt’s, Houck’s, Moaks, Van Allen’s, Winne’s and Sager’s. Many of these are prominent names in the early history of Albany County. Most all of these families would intermarry with each other at one time or another over the years. These were perilous times in the early colonies. Good neighbors were a necessity. During the early 1700’s bands of Mohawk Indians still roamed the area. Though there were times of relative peace and trade, there were also times of hostilities and revenge taking. Albany, once called Fort Orange was a hub of activity and a source of protection. It was the best part of a days travel away, thus, in times of need these early settlers had to rely upon themselves and their neighbors.

Coenradt Luke (Koerad Loeck) birth date is unknown and there is no record of his baptism. An estimated date of birth of 1727 has been used on some sources. The most reliable source to date is 1731 from the D.A.R. books. Coenradt married Geertruy Van Deusen**. There is some speculation about her birth year and lineage. Coenradt was active in the militia during the French and Indian war according to H.Z. Jones. There are other records indicate that he served in the New York militia as a private during the War of independence. Coenradt Luke appears in the 1790 census and was alive and active in Bethlehem town meetings as late as 1794. Based on deed information the author estimates his death to be around 1797-1798. Ceonradt and Geertruy had the following children:

Philip Luke born in 1753, he married his cousin Magdalena Van Wie. He is a direct descendent and will be featured in generation three.

Engeltje Luke was born in 1756. She married Hezekeah Van Orden in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. Van Orden was from the Catskill area and served as an officer in the Militia. Engeltje died in 1780, during child birth, two years after their marriage. She is buried in Catskill, New York.

**Geertruy Van Deusen has no existing birth record. The author along with another Luke family researcher believe that she is the daughter of Mattheus Van Deusen and Engeltje Slingerlandts. They had sons Ardent and Jan Van Deusen. Both, Ardent and Jan Van Deusen were sponsors for the children of Conrad and Geertruy. Also naming their daughter Engeltje after the mother in-law follows Dutch custom. More research is pending. The Van Deusen’s and the Van Buren’s are related and have links to President Martin Van Buren and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The burial site of Geertruy and Coenradt Luke is unknown. The author believes that they were buried somewhere on the original Luke family farm.

Generation Three, Philip Luke

Philip was born in 1753 and married his cousin Magdalena Van Wie (of Marytje Luke and Hendrick Van Wie). Philip served as a Captain in the Albany County Militia, Fifth Regiment (Third Rensselaerwyck Battalion). He enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in October of 1776. Philip died in 1782 towards the end of the Revolutionary War. The circumstances of his death and his burial site are as of yet still unknown. As late as 1880 his powder horn was in the hands of his great-grandson, Solomon Luke of Pennsylvania. More research on this subject is pending. Philip Luke died at the age of 29 and left a widow and three young sons. They are as follows.

Coonrad Luke was born on June 6, 1772. He married Elizabeth Hilderbrandt around 1795 and had six daughters, and two sons; Magdalena, Engeltje, Hannatie, Maria, Betsy, Philip C. , Samuel Jackson Luke and Sally Smith Luke. Coonrad often used Junior after his name on several documents. It is believed by the author that he was raised by his grandfather after his father’s untimely death. Coonrad likely used the junior moniker to distinguish himself from his grandfather. It is Dutch tradition for the first son to be named after the paternal grandfather. Coonrad stayed on at his grandfather’s farm for a few years following the death of his grandfather. In 1801 he would liquidate his holdings in Albany County and move his family to the Town of Florida in Montgomery County. Coonrad’s heirs would live in Montgomery County for the next two hundred years.

Hendrick (Henry) Luke was born in 1776 the year of our independence. He married Jane Waterson and is a direct descendant and the subject of generation four.

Johannes Van Wie Luke was born in 1778. He married Jane Britt, the daughter of Frederick Britt a veteran of the Revolutionary War and Helena Burhans a long time Luke family neighbor. They had two sons, Philip and Frederick. Johannes Van Wie Luke would be active in the early town politics of Bethlehem, New York. He served as Pound Master then later he would serve as a Justice of the Peace. John VW Luke died in 1817 at 41 years of age. His son Frederick died in his mid- twenties and little is known of him. John VW Luke’s son Philip lived a long and successful life. He had farm properties in the county as well as properties in the city of Albany. Philip married Maria Vanderzee, they were together for over thirty five years. After her death Philip remarried Hannah Pickett who was many years his junior in age. The Johannes Van Wie Luke family is buried in the Britt-Luke cemetery in Feura Bush, New York behind the old Britt-Luke farm. According to old deeds this property was the site of the original Luke family farm. The farm of Philip, the Alpha Luke established in 1732. The farm site passed to his son Coenradt, whose only male heir Captain Philip Luke died in 1782. Coenradt may have died in testate, having no Will. It appears that after his death his property went into the hands of his grandson Coonrad Jr. It is unknown if the property was owned by him singularly or in joint with his brothers. Either way, this property was not wholly owned by the Luke family, but was instead part of a lease-for-life agreement with the Van Rensselaer manor, this agreement could be passed down to heirs. Sometime after the 1797 wedding of John VW Luke and Jane Britt a new home was being constructed on the original Luke family farm site. This home would be owned in joint by Frederick Britt and his son-in-law John VW Luke. During the time of the 1800 census it appears that both Coonrad Luke Jr. and his brother Henry and their families lived in the original Luke Family farm house. While the Britt’s and JVW Luke and their families lived next door in a newly constructed home. Soon after this time, the farm site would be turned over by deed to Britt and JVW Luke. By 1801 Coonrad Jr. would be on his was to Montgomery county and Henry would settle on his new farm in New Salem, New York. The property passed on to Philip Luke the son of John VW Luke. In 1869 Philip Luke purchased the property outright from the Van Rensselaer Estate.

Magdalena Van Wie Luke, the wife and widow of Captain Philip Luke was left with three young sons. It is most, and highly likely that she lived with her father-in-law Coenradt at the time of her husband’s death. From reading many wills from the period one would sense that the father-in-law’s would tend and care for a widow and her children up until the time of her remarriage, when that obligation would be taken over by the new husband. By 1782 Coenradt and Geertruy had lost both of their children. Their grandsons were most likely a welcome sight to have around on the large farm. There was most certainly a well beaten path through the fields to Magdalena’s parent’s home by which she and her children could visit. In 1789 Magdalena Van Wie Luke would remarry Wilhem Van Allen. Wilhem served as an officer under the command of Captain Philip Luke in the Albany County Militia. Like Philip, Wilhem was also a cousin of Magdalena Van Wie Luke, his mother was Magdalena’s aunt. Wilhem Van Allen was the brother John Van Allen who married Maria Luke the daughter of Johannes and Geesje Luke, mentioned in a previous chapter. Wilhem and Magdalena would have a son named Garrett W. Van Allen, born in 1790 and a daughter Maria born in 1793. In years to come Garrett would marry Hannah Winne. Magdalena and Philip Luke’s oldest son Coonrad Luke married in 1790, one year after her remarriage to Wilhem Van Allen. Coonrad and his brother Henry were approaching manhood at the time of their mothers remarriage. The author believes that these older sons stayed on the farm with their grandparents. The census of 1790 tends to bare this out. Wilhem Van Allen died in 1795. Once again Magdalena Van Wie (Luke) Van Allen was left widowed, with young children. Her children from her first marriage were now grown men. Magdalena would marry for a third time in 1797. Her husbands name was Richard Godsby (Goesby) a widower and long time Bethlehem resident. Richard’s will was recorded in 1836, it proclaims deep devotion and love for his beloved wife of many years Magdalena. Richard and Magdalena were sponsors at the baptism of Philip Luke the son of John VW Luke. Magdalena is buried with her second husband Wilhem Van Allen in the Van Allen family plot in Jerusalem, (Bethlehem), New York. Why she was buried by the side of Wilhem was most likely decided by her son Garrett Van Allen, son of Wilhem.

Generation Four, Henrick (Henry) Luke

Henry Luke born in October of 1776, the year of our independence. His father Captain Philip Luke had died during the time of the Revolutionary War. Henry married Jane Waterson around 1798. He and his wife would reside in Bethlehem for a few years living with his brother Coonrad on his grandfather’s original farm. Around the turn of the century (1800) he and his young family would start a farm in what is today the Town of New Salem, New York. New Salem was originally part of Bethlehem. The township of New Scotland would split off from Bethlehem. At a later date, the town of New Salem would then split off from New Scotland. Henry and Jane had the following children: Magdalena, John, Mariah, Philip, Conrad, Nancy, Garrett , Henry, and Solomon. This was a much needed replenishing of the Luke family gene pool. Henry died on his farm in June of 1848. He and Jane are buried at the Mt. Pleasant, Cemetery in New Salem, New York.

Magdalena Luke born 1799 married Andrew Reamer from a large family in East Berne, New York. They had seven children. They would reside in the town of East Berne, New York. Her son James Reamer would serve as a Supervisor in the Town of Berne, New York. The Reamer Family bible was a great source of backup information.

John Luke born 1801 married Charity Reamer. Charity was the sister of Andrew Reamer married to Magdalena Luke. John and Charity married in 1821 and had the following children: Jane, Mary Ann, Magdalena, Rachel, Henry, Sarah, Phebe, Abigail, Solomon, John, Eunice, and Maria. Around 1830 John Luke, his wife and family would move to western Pennsylvania. Henry Luke, son of John would serve in the Civil war. There would be several generations of Luke’s in Pennsylvania and some family members would later move to Ohio.

Mariah (Mary) Luke born 1804 married Cornelius Van Wormer of Albany county and had the following children; Frederick Cornelius, Jane, Lucretia, and John Van Wormer. While researching this family line, one must search spelling variations such as; Van Wormer, Wurmer, and Wormer.

Philip Luke born 1806 married Mary Matthias and is a direct descendant and the subject of generation five.

Conrad Luke born in 1809 married Eva Ann Moak the daughter of a neighbor. Conrad would reside and raise his family on his father Henry Luke’s farm. After his fathers passing Conrad bought the farm from his brothers and sisters. Conrad and Eva Ann had six children, Nancy Jane, James Henry, Maria Louisa Luke, Sarah Magdalena, Harriett Taylor and Frances. Several of Conrad’s children would marry and reside in Schenectady/Glenville area. In his later years, Conrad himself would move to Glenville and live with his daughter Sarah Magdalena Luke Stalker. Henry Luke’s original farm currently lies under the Vly Creek Reservoir in the town of New Salem, New York.

Nancy Luke was born in 1811 and married George Stevenson. Nancy and George had the following children; George, Elizabeth, Sarah E., Harry, Charles, Maria, Harriet, and Howard Stevenson. The family moved to Superior Township, Washtentaw County, Michigan sometime between 1855 and 1860. George appears as a farmer on the 1860 census, born in England. He passed away sometime before the 1870 census. Nancy and her children remained in Michigan through the 1880 census, further information pending.

The Reverend Garrett Luke born 1813 married Maria Houghtaling (Hotaling) around the year 1836. The couple owned a farm and resided in the Albany County area until 1849. In 1849 the family moved to Cayuga County, New York. They resided there for five years. They would relocate again, this time to Boone County Illinois. The family lived in Boone County for four years. The Reverend Garrett Luke would move on once again to shepherd a new flock, this time to Galena in Jo Daviess County in the Northwest tip of Illinois. The family raised eight children; Catherine, John, Garrett, Mary Jane, Moses, Elizabeth, Elmira and Alice. Sons, John Wesley Luke, Garret Watson Luke and Moses Hotaling Luke would serve in the Union army during the Civil War. The many heirs of Garrett and Maria would settle in many different western States.

Henry Luke Jr. was born in 1816. He and his brother Solomon moved to Albany and took up business. They owned and operated the H & S Luke, Dry goods on South Pearl street in downtown Albany. Along with the dry goods business Henry and his brother also seemed to have bought and sold real estate. They appear to have had real estate dealings with their cousin Philip Luke son of John VW Luke. Henry Luke Jr. married Theresa Jameson, they had five daughters Isabella, Emma, Josephine, Jessie B. and Fannie T. Luke. Henry, his wife and several heirs are buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery.

Solomon Luke born 1818 married Jane Antis. He owned real estate and ran a dry goods business with his brother Henry. After Henry got out of the family business, Solomon would continue to run the business with his nephew John Luke, the oldest son of his brother Philip. Solomon and Jane had the following children, Fannie, Jane E., Mary W. and Charles S. Luke. Solomon’s wife Jane died in 1860. Solomon raised his daughters in Albany, New York. At the time of the 1880 census he and his son Charles were living next door to his daughter Jane and her husband in Manhattan, New York. Solomon died in 1904. He and most of his family are buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery.

Jane Waterson (Watterson) wife of Henry was born in 1778 and died in November of 1841. She is buried at Mt Pleasant cemetery in New Salem, New York. Research on Jane has been difficult. The author believes that her father was John Waterson who was living in Bethlehem around 1795 according to town records. There is record of a Robert Waterson (brother) being wed in 1800 in the Dutch Reform Church in Albany. Jane’s own children seem unclear as to her origins. Some say she was born in the United States, other claim she was born in Ireland and one child claims she was born in Scotland. Researching the surname, Waterson almost always leads one to the Isle of Man, one of the British Isles with people of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English decent. More research is pending.

Generation Five, Philip Luke

Philip Luke born in 1806 married Margaret Matthias in 1835. They had a ninety five acre farm in New Salem, New York. Portions of the original house and barn are still standing. They are located on what is today the corner of Clipp and Hurst Road. The farm had a gentle stream flowing through it, a pond and views of the Helderberg Hills. The author believes that the farm was the original property of Fredrick Matthias and Eunice Reamer, Philip Luke’s Father and Mother-in-law. Philip and Margaret had the following children: John, Mary Magdalena, Adaline, Frederick, Solomon, David, Addison, Sarah M. and Antoinette.

John Luke born 1835 married Margaret, (unknown last name), they had a son Edward and resided in the city of Albany. John worked with his uncle Solomon in the dry goods business. Years later John and his son Edward would reside together in the city of Watervliet, New York. They worked together on River Street in Troy, New York as upholsterers. John and his family are buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery.

Mary Magdalena born 1836 married a man named William J. Ward. They resided in Watervliet, New York and had the following daughters; Mary E., Carrie, Lavinia and Jennie. At the time of the 1880 census their daughter Mary E. Ward lived with her grandparents Philip and Margaret Luke. Mary E. Ward is buried with her husband Elmer Orlep and their two sons in the Luke family plot in New Salem, New York. Mary Magdalena Luke Ward was living with her brother John in Watervliet, New York at the time of the 1900 census.

Adaline Luke born in 1838 married Jacob Ogsbury. They resided in Guilderland, New York where Jacob served as justice of peace. They had a daughters named Mary and Cora Ogsbury. At the time of the 1920 census, Adaline Luke Ogsbury, a widow and late into her years resided with her daughter Cora and her husband Charles Vandenberg in Meriden, Connecticut.

Frederick Luke born 1841 married Mary Winne, he is a direct descendant and is featured in generation six.

Solomon Luke was born September 8th 1843. Solomon served in the 3^rd New York Infantry, Company E during the time of the Civil War. He mustered into service on May 14^th 1861. In June of 1862, while stationed in Baltimore, Maryland, he left the Army and joined the Navy. He returned home to the family farm when his service time was complete (see, Luke’s serving in the Civil War, below). According to a family will it appears that Solomon Luke was deceased before the death of his father Philip Luke in 1891.

David Luke was born in 1844. He is 17 and living at home at the time of the 1860 census. He is not located again until the 1880 census, where it appears that he is single and living in Bartlett Springs, California and working as an engineer. From this point there is no further record of him. Like his brother Solomon, he too appears to be deceased at the time of his father’s death in 1891.

Addison Luke born 1849 married Ellen Relyea. Addison moved to South Troy, New York where he raised his four children, Martha, Alden, Philip, and Lena. Addison moved to Troy in the late 1870’s and worked at the Burden Iron works. By 1891, now widowed, Addison would return to the family farm in the New Scotland/New Salem area. By the time of the 1900 census Addison and his second wife Harriet would be residing in Amsterdam, New York. Years later he would move in with his son Philip who also lived in Amsterdam with his wife and family. Addison died in 1936 and is buried in Mt. Pleasant cemetery in New Salem, New York along with his first wife Ellen Relyea and their infant daughter Martha. Alden Luke, 1873-1965 is buried in Washington State. Lena born 1877 is believed to have lived into her years and passed on in 1970 in Florida. Addison’s son Philip Luke would reside in Amsterdam, New York and have a large family.

Sarah M. Luke was born in 1851 and married Avery Gallup of Berne, New York. In 1870 Avery is working as a farm hand near the Luke farm. By 1880 they are married and living next door to Sarah’s parents. Avery passed away in 1884, further research is pending on Sarah. It appears that they had no children.

Antoinette (Nettie) Luke born in 1857 was married in 1876 to Walter Hurst and died in 1944. In 1880 they resided in the town of New Salem and had a son Robert and a daughter Ella May. Further information is pending.

Margaret Matthias, Philips wife was born in 1816. She is the daughter of Frederick Matthias and Eunice Reamer. Eunice is the sister of Andrew Reamer married to Magdalena Luke of Henry Luke. Margaret has many interesting lines in her family, one to the Van Buren’s (of Martin Van Buren), another to Ots-Tochs, a Mohawk women from the Turtle Clan, and yet another to Rebecca Towne, who was hung during the Salem witch trials, after being accused of witchcraft. Margaret is buried with her husband Philip at their family plot in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery in New Salem New York. Her parents, Frederick and Eunice Reamer are buried in a family plot just west of the Luke family plot.

Generation Six, Frederick Luke

Frederick Luke was born in 1841 on his fathers farm in New Salem, New York. Frederick married Mary M. Winne, they would first reside on a farm in Berne, New York. There they had the following children; Charles, Ida, William, and Ira. They lived in Berne until the early 1870’s when the family moved to South Troy, New York. Frederick’s younger brother Addison would follow him to South Troy some years later. Both families lived on Willis Street. By the time of the 1880 census Frederick had four more children, James, Frederick Jr., Anna and Edward. The census indicates that Frederick, his brother Addison, and his oldest son Charles, 15 at the time, all worked at the Burden Iron Works in South Troy, New York. By 1900, Frederick and Mary left Troy and moved to a small farm in North Greenbush, New York. There Frederick would once again take up farming. He only stayed in North Greenbush for a short time. He would next purchase a one hundred acre farm in Clifton Park, Saratoga County, New York. He remained there until around 1920 when illness forced him to move back to South Troy and reside with his son Ira Luke. Frederick died on May 24, 1922. A wake was held at his son Ira’s home on Grant Avenue in South Troy. Frederick and his wife Mary are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in New Salem, New York.

Charles E. Luke born in 1865 married Nellie Pickett. Charles is a direct descendant and the subject of Generation Seven.

Ida Luke born 1866 married a man by the last name of Lindsley. They had a son Robert and a daughter Susie. They all resided with Ida’s father, Frederick in North Greenbush at the time of the 1900 census. In 1920 Ida is living with her sister Anna in Florida. The author believes that Ida remarried a gentleman later in life with the last name of Pierce.

William (Willie) Luke born 1867 and died young in 1873.

He is buried in the Luke family plot in New Salem, New York.

Ira Luke born 1869 moved to South Troy as a young lad and remained there for the rest of his life. He worked at the collar factory in Troy when he was young. He married Agnes Bain and they lived at 42 Grant Avenue in South Troy with their daughter Margaret Luke. Margaret was born in 1904 and was still living with her parents at the time of the 1930 census. In both the 1920 and 1930 census Ira listed himself as a Fruit farmer. Agnes Luke died in 1936. The author believes that Ira predeceased Agnes. According to a family source Margaret Luke married a local man named “Dutchy“ Williams. They would reside at her parent’s home on Grant Avenue in Troy.

James Luke was born in 1871, he married Alice Smith. Alice was of English decent. The 1900 census indicates that she was born in the United States and that both of her parents were born in England. At the time of the 1900 census James and Alice and their three oldest daughters were living near James’s father’s home in North Greenbush. James worked at Collar factory in Troy, New York. By 1920 the family had relocated to Schenectady, New York and resided on Albany Street. During this time period James worked for a Locomotive company in Schenectady, New York. James and Alice had the following children; Ruth, Anna M. (May), Marian, James, John Enos, Minnie, Dorothy and Alice. By the time of the 1930 census, James, his wife and their youngest daughter Alice lived on Glenridge Road in Clifton Park, New York. His son, James A. Luke and his wife Carrie Hayes lived next door. James A. Luke was a wood pattern maker working for General Electric. John Enos Luke would marry Daisy Welch and reside in Lansingburgh, New York. In 1944 John and Daisy along with their children would relocate to the Clifton Park area. Both James and John Luke have heirs living in the Schenectady/Saratoga county areas.

Frederick Luke Jr. was born in 1873, at the time of the 1900 census, he along with his wife Alice and their daughter Ida M. were living with his father Frederick in North Greenbush, New York. Later that same year both his wife and daughter passed away. By 1920 Frederick had remarried a women named Mary E. and resided on Locust Avenue in Schenectady, not far from his brother James‘s home. No further information is available.

Anna Luke born in 1875, married a man named Benjamin Hayes. Benjamin was many years older then Anna. During the 1920’s they had a home in Pinellas County, Florida, and spent their summers in upstate New York. She is buried in the Luke family plot in New Salem, New York.

Edward Luke born 1878 married a women named Margaret Kennedy from Troy, New York. They moved to Bayone City, N.J. and raised the following children. Agnes, Ida, Edward, Frederick and James. Edward worked for an Insurance Company.

Jessie Luke born in 1880 died in 1901 at 21 years old. She is buried with her parents in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Mary M. Winne, Frederick’s wife was born in Albany County in 1844. Mary was a direct descendant of Peter Winnie one of the areas original Dutch settlers. Andrew and Catherine Winne, Mary’s parents were from the Bethlehem/New Scotland section of Albany County. Mary had eleven brother and sisters.

Generation Seven, Charles E. Luke

Charles was born 1865 in Berne, New York. At a young age he moved to South Troy with his family. In 1880 at the aged of 15 he was working full time at the Burden Ironworks along with his father and his uncle Addison. Charles married Nellie (Ellen) Pickett and had the following children; Mary M., William, Charles, Ira, Anna and Ellen. Charles and Nellie’s first home was on Vandenburg Avenue in South Troy, New York. They would soon move a few blocks away to 40 Willis Street, in South Troy. It appears that Charles purchased his father, Frederick’s home when he moved to North Greenbush. In 1930 Charles and Nellie were still living on Willis Street and Charles was still working at the Iron Mill. By this time Charles was 65 years of age and had been working at the Iron mill for 50 years! Charles and Nellie are buried in Saint Mary‘s Cemetery in Troy, New York. They are buried along side their son William. Sadly, Charles and Nellie have no headstone to mark their graves.

Mary Margaret Luke born 1898, she married Louis Schackett of Troy, New York. Margaret and Louis resided in downtown Troy. The author believes they had at least one son named Joseph Schackett who was a pall bearer at his grandmother Nellie Luke’s funeral. According to family sources, Margaret spent time at a Mental Institution in Poughkeepsie, New York. She later committed suicide by jumping off the bridge connecting Green Island and Troy somewhere around 1936.

William Joseph Luke born 1901 was 19 years old and living at home at the time of the 1920 census. He died In January of 1924 and is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, New York. He was a seaman second class in the USNRF.

Charles J. Luke born in 1904 married Ruth Laboissiere. He is a direct descendant and the subject of Generation Eight.

Ira E. Luke born 1906 was a life long resident of Troy New York. He was married to Louetta Clickner and had two sons Charles E. Luke and James Luke Sr. They also had a daughter Louetta Luke who drowned tragically at an early age while playing on the ice with school mates. Louetta is buried with grandparents, Charles and Nellie in an unmarked grave. Ira and his family resided in South Troy, New York. Ira died in 1989, his sons James and Charles still reside in the Troy, New York area.

Anna Luke born 1908 married Alexander Seney. At the time of the 1930 census they lived in Green Island, New York. Anna Seney’s brother Charlie also lived in Green Island at this time. The Seney’s would soon move to Rensselaer, New York, where they would reside and raise their family. Alexander and Anna Seney had three sons; Charles, Alexander and Robert Seney. They also had a daughter Shirley Seney. Both Alexander and Anna lived into their nineties and left several descendants.

Ellen R. Luke born 1910 was still living with her parents as late as 1930. She married Edwin Wager, a Troy Fireman. The couple lived on 9^th Street in Troy. According to family sources they had a son also named Edwin.

Nellie Pickett Luke, the wife of Charles Luke was born in 1869 in New York State. Her parents, William Pickett and Ellen Dineen both resided in Troy at the time of the 1880 census. The census indicates that they were both born in Ireland. Nellie had a sister Mary and a sister Anna Pickett. Anna married a man named Howard Gordiner of Troy, New York.

Generation Eight, Charles J. Luke

Charles Luke (Charlie, Pop) was born in 1904 in South Troy, New York. He married Ruth LaBoissiere and moved to Green Island, New York. In the early 1930’s Charlie Luke worked as an insurance salesman. He and his young family would soon move to Latham, New York. In Latham he would try his hand at a variety of things, he eventually started his own gas station business. He would later own and operated a small vending business for many years. For most of their years in Latham, Charlie and Ruth resided on their small “farm” on the Troy-Schenectady Road. “Pop” Luke was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He knew of many “secret” fishing holes between Latham, New York and Long Lake, New York. Long Lake, New York is where he spent much of his time with the likes of Old Bill Coghill, Emerson Pitts and Indian Pete, to name a few, of a cast of characters. Charlie Luke was one of the first Chiefs of the Latham Fire Department. Charlie and his wife Ruth both passed away in 1971. They had the following children.

Alice Luke who married James Cooley an Air Force veteran of World War II. Alice and James resided in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They raised the following children; Maureen, Ann, James, Peggy, Eileen, Mike and Sheila. Alice and James Cooley, both deceased are survived by many grandchildren, living throughout the United States.

William Luke married Theresa Freije and is a direct descendant and will be featured in generation nine.

Ruth Luke married Alan Knipe of Latham, New York. Ruth and Al lived in various places in New York and eventually settled in downstate New York where Al worked for many years in a management position at New York Telephone Company. In retirement Ruth and Al have homes in Lake George, New York and Florida. Ruth and Allen had the following children; James, Jeff, Jeannette and Kathy.

Ruth LaBoissiere was from Green Island, New York. Her fathers name was Ulrich LaBoissiere from Schaghticoke, New York. Ulrich’s father Joseph and mother Caroline were both born in Canada. Ruth’s mothers name was Elizabeth O’Connor daughter of Michael and Bridget O’Connor both born in Ireland. The O’Connor’s first settled in Cambridge, New York, they would later settle in Schaghticoke. They had two sons and eight daughters. It is believed by many family members that Ruth LaBoissiere Luke made the greatest pie crust on earth!

Generation Nine, William Francis Luke

William Luke was born July 19, 1930 in Green Island, New York. William (Bill) moved to Latham with his family and attended high school at Vencentian Institute in Albany, New York. Upon graduation he married Theresa Freije of Cohoes, New York. Bill joined the National Guard and eventually took over his father’s gas station business. Evenings, Bill ran an auto repair garage. In the early 1960’s he took over a small, once a week, trash route from the widow of an elderly man he had known. He would turn this small route into a full-time going business. Luke’s Disposal Inc., under different ownership and name it is still in existence today. William Luke passed away in 1971 at 41 years old, from Hodgkin’s disease. Bill (The Right Hander) and Terry had the following children; William Jr., Charles F. and Ann Marie.

William F Luke Jr. married Pam McCarthy, both are life long residence of Latham, New York. Bill owned and operated a Lumber yard in Latham for many years. After closing the Lumber company Bill took a job with the Town of Colonie in the water department. Pam Luke works as a dental hygienists. Bill and Pam have the following children William F., Daniel, Robert and Erin Luke.

Charles F. Luke married Katherine Reilly. Charles is a direct descendant and will be featured in generation ten.

Ann Marie Luke married Bob Ballard, they reside in Latham, New York near the old family farm on Homestead Drive. Ann Marie has worked for several large companies specializing in computers. Bob works for a printing company and does small contracting jobs on the side.

Theresa Freije Luke was born in Troy, New York. She was only a child when her father bought the mansion on Saratoga Avenue in Cohoes, New York. Wrought iron fences and stately lions guarded the main entrance of the home. Huge pillars supported the upper balcony which offered sweeping vistas of Van Schaick Island and the Hudson River. Though still very young Theresa had vivid memories of the upstairs ballroom and the downstairs library of the home, once owned by a New York State senator. Over the years her father and older brothers went to work on the home converting the third floor as well as the ground floor into nine apartment units. The family would reside on the massive middle floor with its formal rooms and inlaid parquet flooring. Theresa would reside here until her marriage. Her father and mother, Fred (Fuad) Freije and Mary Ferris Freije were both born in Lebanon (Syria). They migrated to the United States sometime around the turn of the century. Fred and Mary had the following children; George, Philip, Margaret, Charlie, Fred, Theresa, Joseph and Mary. George, Philip and Fred Freije all served their country in the United States Navy during World War Two.

Fred Freije senior operated a fruit and vegetable store located at 49 Congress Street in Troy, New York as early as 1907. With the help of his family he would expand his business. He would eventually own the Congress Street property along with several other pieces of real estate. Fred Freije senior would loose everything at the time of the great depression. Starting from scratch he would relocate his family to Cohoes, New York. There, he and his family would rebuild his grocery business. First, with the Big Value (IGA) Supermarket in Cohoes, New York. Then later with a sister store in Waterford, New York. His sons Charlie and Fred Freije junior, along with his daughter Mary Freije would run and operate the Big Value Supermarkets until their closings in the late 1970’s. Philip and Margaret Freije were employees for the State of New York. Charlie Freije retired to Florida from the Supermarket business, until he passed away in August of 2004. George Freije, was a technical wizard who was well ahead of his time. He would own and operated a variety of small businesses. Joe Freije owned and operated Custom Cooling Service as well, as having several real estate holdings.

At a very young age, Theresa Freije, the apple of her father’s eye, was known as “Little Miss Cohoes”. Dressed in Shirley Temple type outfits she would sing and dance at local theaters and variety shows. She also had many guest appearances, singing live on local radio broadcast. Theresa resided in Latham, New York with her husband Bill and raised three children. She obtained her real estate license and worked in the field for a few years prior to her husbands untimely death. After her husbands death she worked as a rental agent for a large Apartment complex. She met and remarried to Brian Stancil and lived in Louisiana for several years. She eventually returned to New York and spent many great years with her grandchildren. She died in January of 2000.

Generation Ten Charles F. Luke

Charles F. Luke was born in Cohoes, New York. He attended Shaker High School in Latham, New York. Later he graduated from Siena College in Loudonville , New York with a Bachelors degree in business administration majoring in Accounting. He opted for an early retirement after a twenty year career at United Parcel Service where he was employed as a manager in Operations. He along with his wife Katherine owned and operated a Luke Beverage Center, Ltd. in Cohoes, New York. Charles Luke married Katherine Mary Reilly of Rensselaer, New York, they had the following children, Charles F., Jonathan W., and Joseph M. Luke.

At the time of this writing;

Charles Luke Jr. graduated from Shaker High School in Latham, New York. He was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also a many-time High School All-American in Gymnastics. Charles Jr. was a two time, State of New York, high school gold medalist on the floor exercise. He is a recent Siena College graduate, majoring in Accounting. He is currently working in his field.

Jonathan William Luke graduated from Shaker High School and attends Adirondack Community College. Jonathan was also an accomplished gymnast in High School. He was honored several times as a High School All-American in gymnastics. He finished in the top three to five in the New York State finals several times in his career in a variety of gymnastic events. Jonathan attended Adirondack Community College, majoring in Police Science. He is currently a New York Park Police officer.

Joseph Michael Luke is a recent graduate of Lake George High School in Lake George, New York. While attending Shaker High School, prior to moving to Lake George, Joseph was a tough and determined member of the wrestling team. He was honored as the most improved on the team by his coaches. Joseph is attending Adirondack Community College, majoring in Computer Science.

Katherine Mary Reilly (Luke) was raised in Rensselaer, New York. Her father Joseph Vincent Reilly and her mother Anne Marie Carey were both born and raised in Rensselaer, New York. Joe and Anne Reilly had the following children; J. Michael, Anne Marie, Robert, Katherine, John Raymond, and Carolyn.

Katherine Luke’s father, Joseph Vincent Reilly was a veteran of world war two. As a graduate of Oneonta State University, Joseph Reilly pursued a career as a history teacher in the Rensselaer School district. He would later serve as Principal, then as Superintendent of the Rensselaer school district.

Joseph Reilly’s great grandfather Patrick Reilly, was born in Ireland in 1828. At the time of the 1880 census, he, and his large family had settled in Albany, New York. Patrick Reilly worked as a carpenter. His son Henry P. Reilly migrated to Rensselaer, New York. Henry Reilly worked as a car inspector for the railroad. Henry’s son Joseph Dalton Reilly, the father of Joseph Vincent Reilly, would raise his family in Rensselaer. He too worked as a car inspector for the railroad.

Katherine Luke’s mother, Anne Marie Carey, was a housewife and the wonderful mother of six children. Her great grandfather was John Cary (Carey). He was born in Ireland in 1833. He and his large family appear in the East Greenbush, New York census of 1860. A stone and brick mason, John Carey died in the mid 1870’s. His wife Margaret Keenan and his eldest son Mathew Carey, a stone mason, were left to fend for the family. Dennis E. Carey, the second oldest son of John would eventually marry and raise his family in Rensselaer, New York. His son, John Raymond Carey, the father of Anne Marie Carey, would also raise his family in Rensselaer, New York. Like his father, John Raymond Carey worked for the railroad. He worked as a trainman for the Steam Railroad Company.

Katherine Mary Reilly (Luke) attended Saint John’s Catholic High School in Rensselaer, New York, until its closing in her junior year. She graduated from Rensselaer High School. Katherine attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. She worked for the federal government in the Department of Housing and Urban Development for several years. Later she would co-own and operate the Luke Beverage Center in Cohoes, New York.

A Call to Arms,

The Luke Family in

The American Revolution

This is the story of two men. They are born just months apart. Their fathers are brothers. They are raised on adjoining farms. They are second generation Americans. They share the same name. Both men are known as Philip Luke. The year of their birth is 1753.

The year is now 1776, both men are 23 years old. They are farmers and sons of farmers. They have each recently married. Both men married women who came from reputable local families. One of the young men has a child. The other, has one on the way. They live in an area known as Jericho in the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck. It is a small community just south of the city of Albany in the State of New York. Here, in Jericho, everyone knows everyone. The families of these two men, both named Philip Luke have been very prosperous. Their grandfather and namesake, Philip Luke, came here to settle in 1732. He and his children would start with nothing. They have worked hard and have done well for themselves. Their farms have been productive in crops and livestock. Now, in this time of turmoil, both men realize that everything they know and everything they and their families have worked for is at stake!

There is a call to arms, a Rebellion has started! This call to arms is coming to this peaceful back country from opposing forces. England, the Mother country is soliciting volunteers to help quell this rebellious outbreak. They try to reassure the populace that those who choose to rebel are no more than a loud few. They make it clear to all, that those loud few will be dealt with in a very harsh manner.

A call to arms is also coming from those who wish to shed the English boot and strike out for independence. Reliable information is slow in coming to the citizenry of the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck. They have heard the British warning of swift and severe retribution. There are those who say this rebellion is well organized. They say a large army of patriots has been raised. Now is the time for action. Now is the time for self government. Others, say the army raised are no more than a group of untrained militiamen. They say they will be crushed in an instant by British professionals.

There is a gathering storm to the north in Canada. Major General John Burgoyne is there in Montreal. He is in command of some seven thousand, well supplied British regulars. He will take Ticonderoga, then he will strike Albany. The men of this community have much to consider. This is no longer a political debate. War is coming to them! Here in Jericho, they’ve worked hard and have been successful, all of them. They are simple freeholders of the land. Everything here is about the land. They intend to pass this land to their children. If they fight for an independent State will their land and the land of their families be theirs? Theirs to keep, free and clear? If so, says who? Who would they be beholding to under a new form of government? Who would they petition their grievances to? If they fight and lose to the professional soldiers, will their lands be taken? Would they be hanged for treason? What would become of their families, their wives and children?

A call to arms, that was the easy part for these young men named Philip Luke. They had arms and knew how to use them. They’d learned to shoot from an early age. They were frontiersmen as well as farmers. They learned to shoot to protect their families and to defend their lands.

Both men named Philip Luke were lads when the war with the French and the Indians had started. They had become young men by time the war had ended. Their fathers, uncles and neighbors had been members of the militia and had sided with the British. There was glory in warfare. It was this time of war that these young men had learned to shoot. The French had put a price on their heads. A price for their scalps, scalps of men, women and children. The Indians were eager to lift their scalps for their bounty. They’d been raiding in small bands all around. It would be easy enough for a group of warriors to cross the Helderbergs and pick off the settlers one farm at a time. The settlers had talked. They would defend themselves, as well as each other, if, and when it came to that. They would not abandon their farms without a fight! Albany was a day’s journey away, it offered them no protection where they lived. Protection was in their own hands. Both young men named Philip Luke were alert, wary marksmen brought up during a time of war. They’d prepared for war for their entire lives. Had the war with the French continued they would have joined the militia and fought side by side with their fathers. This coming war would not be like the war with the French. In the war with the French the opposing armies tried to move each other back and forth over boundary lines drawn on the map to expand or secure their borders. This war would be different. This war would be against the British. This would not be a war to move them, it would be a war to expel them from the continent. The task ahead would be far greater and the stakes would be much higher. Decisions would have to be made.

The State of New York had spoken. It had committed its militia to the cause of Independence. The Continental Army was being raised. An army of paid professional soldiers collected though out this confederation of States. The New York State Militia would join this army and remove the English preeminently by force.

It was no secret, not even here in the West Manor, that this so called Continental Army was a laughing stock. They had no money, no uniforms and no proper training. They had neither cannon nor shot. Was this ragtag army along with the State militias going to stand up against the British Regulars? Who were these madmen in New York who had committed their militias in this fight? Where was their representation? There were one hundred armed men, from here, right here, in the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck, who said, no to this madness. These armed men would not fight the English. They would not fight at all if they didn’t have to. Shots had not yet been fired here in New York. If there were one hundred armed men from here in the Manor, then there were thousands more elsewhere. Perhaps there was still a solution. These men were not afraid to fight. But, if they did fight, it would not be against the British.

Philip Luke, the son of Johannes Luke, of Jericho was among this group of one hundred men. The group of one hundred formed and traveled north towards the Lake George region. Once there they hid deep in the woods. There they waited for General Burgoyne to arrive. The Albany Militia had been called. The Militiamen were to take their arms and supplies and meet at Fort Edward. They traveled to Fort Edward alone or in small groups. In route these militiamen were met by forces from this group of one hundred men. Shots were not fired. The Albany Militiamen were disarmed and persuaded to give up this idea of war and return to their farms in peace. Members of this group of one hundred men would tell them that they were not looking for a fight, but, warned them that they would indeed fight, if they had to. Philip Luke the son of Johannes, a United Empire Loyalist would remain loyal to the crown and side with the British throughout the war years. Later in the war Philip Luke would join up with a group of guerilla style fighters know as Butlers Rangers. He would serve as a Captain. After the war, with his cause lost, everything he had and everything he had ever known would be lost. His lands, goods and chattel would be confiscated by the State of New York. He and his young family would be exiled to Canada. He would arrive there destitute. He settled in Saint Armand, just a few miles north of the Vermont border. Here he started a new farm, not far from the most northern banks of Lake Champlain. He was destitute, but his will was not broken. Here, he would rebuild. Back home in the county of Albany a father he had loved and had not seen, would die without him, his only son, by his side. His fathers’ lands and holding would go to the husband of his beloved sister Maria, a Patriot.

Philip Luke the son of Coenradt Luke, from Jericho, chooses to join the side of rebellion. He would become a Patriot. Many friends and family members choose independence and freedom and were willing to fight for it. His two aunts, married men from the Van Wie family. The Van Wie’s were family, neighbors and solid patriots willing to fight. Philip’s mother was a Van Wie, she too chooses independence. More then any other influence, Philip’s father was a Patriot. He’d fought with the British against the French. Now, even in his years he would join the Albany County Militia and offer his services in anyway they were deemed useful. On October the twenty second of the year 1776, Philip Luke, the son of Coenradt Luke would join the Albany County Militia. He would be assigned to Colonel Garrett Vandenberg’s Fifth Rensselaerwyck Regiment of Foot. He would first serve as a Second Lieutenant. He was soon promoted to Lieutenant. After the battle of Saratoga, the Fifth Rensselaer Division, third regiment of foot would be re-commissioned. At this time Philip Luke would be promoted to Captain. In June of 1781 Captain Philip Luke and his men would be sent deep into the Helderburgh Hills to route out English sympathizers and other reputed dangerous persons. In 1782, towards the end of the war, while hostilities were still strong in the western part of State, Captain Philip Luke died of reasons as of yet to be determined. He was twenty nine years old. He would leave behind a wife and three young sons.

It is difficult to envision these two cousins, childhood friends and neighbors, sharing the same name their grandfather handed down to them, taking opposing sides in this great moment in history. Imagine the rift in the family with young sons marching off on opposing sides. Imagine if you can the rift in this small community when one hundred of their sons march off to fight on opposing sides.

There is more… there is compelling evidence the identical twin son of Jacob Luke, the brother of Johannes and Coenradt Luke also took separate sides during this time of war. Philip and Solomon Luke the twin sons of Jacob Luke were born in 1755. They were two years younger then their cousins’ who were both named Philip Luke. These four Luke boys and the only male heirs of Philip Luke the grandfather would all grow up together. Their families were close knit. They helped each other in time of need. Solomon Luke, the youngest twin son of Jacob Luke, would serve in the militia on the New York Line as a patriot. His minutes older brother Philip Luke, son of Jacob, would serve along side his older cousin Philip Luke, the son of Johannes Luke, as Loyalist, in the Butlers Rangers militia group. After the war Solomon would return to the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck. He would one day take over his fathers’ farm. His minutes older brother Philip would go to Canada, never to return.

The Revolutionary War created immeasurable difficulties and hardships for this once very close family. In the last will and testament of Johannes Luke’s there is no mention of the name of his son, Philip Luke. In the last will and testament of Jacob Luke most all material worth is left to his youngest of his twin sons Solomon. There is no mention of the name of his oldest twin, Philip. Both Johannes and Jacob Luke may have been cautious not to leave anything to their prodigal sons knowing that anything left to them would in turn be confiscated by the State of New York. During the war years Jacob Luke’s home was burglarized by people who were thought to be sympathetic to the English cause.

Luke’s serving during the Civil War

Solomon Luke, son of Philip of Henry Luke. Served in the 3^rd New York Infantry, Company E. He mustered in on May 14, 1861. His unit saw action at Big Bethel, Virginia, a union loss. After the battle his company was moved to stand guard in Baltimore, Maryland. The unit remained there for nearly a year. In June of 1862 Solomon Luke left the Army and joined the Navy. His Army record states he deserted. In the remarks section, it goes on to explain that he re-enlisted into the Navy.

John Wesley Luke, son of Garrett of Henry Luke. Served in the 14^th and 15^th Illinois Infantry, Company A and E. Rank in as a 2^nd Lieutenant, Rank out Captain. Regiment was organized in Freeport, Illinois and mustered in May 24, 1861. Regiment saw action at the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, battle of Hatchie River, the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Bentonville.

Garrett Watson Luke, son of Garrett of Henry Luke. Served in the 96 Illinois Infantry, Company K. Rank in Sergeant, Rank out 2^nd Lieutenant. Regiment was organized in Rockford, Illinois and mustered in September 6, 1862. Regiment saw action at the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Buzzard Roost Gap, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta and the battles of Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville.

Moses Houghtaling Luke, son of Garrett of Henry Luke mustered into Company F of the 17^th Regiment of the Illinois Cavalry. The company was assigned the Missouri Territory where much action was seen if the form of skirmishes.

Henry Luke, son of John of Henry Luke. Served in the 137^th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company B, as a Sergeant. Henry saw action at South Mountain, Antietam and Chancellorsville.

Comments, Thoughts and Notes on My Research

My research began almost by accident when I stumbled across the Troy City web site that included an 1880 and a 1900 city census. Knowing my grandfather Charles Luke was from “South Troy“, New York, I decided to take a look. I found a Fredrick and an Adderson Luke as heads of household living in Troy, New York in 1880. I also found a Charles Luke age 15, I wondered, could this be my grandfather? A quick finger count of years, said no. Could he be my great grandfather? It turned out that he was in fact my great grandfather. Soon I was able to determine that his father was Fredrick Luke (my great, great grandfather). I correctly thought, but did not know for certain at the time that Fredrick and Adderson were brothers. I was able to trace the movements of these two families through the 1900,1920 and 1930 census and establish the beginnings of a nice little family tree.

I had many nagging questions. Fredrick and Adderson Luke seemed to burst onto the Troy, New York scene post civil war then disappeared at the turn of the century. Where were they from? The one bit of information I did have was that both Fredrick and Adderson noted on the 1880 census that both their mothers and fathers were born in New York. This to me was exciting information. It dated the existence of our family roots in America back to sometime at least to the early 1800’s!

I made an exhaustive search of Rensselaer County looking for Luke’s and chasing down a few random leads. I expanded my research to the rest of New York State. I found Luke names in Albany, Schenectady, Western New York and New York city. Coming up with any information prior to 1880 was incredibly difficult. I eventually got onto the web site of the Latter-day Saints.

I found a Philip Luke who had several children living in New Salem, New York. He had sons named Frederick and Addison (not Adderson). The names were spelled different then those on the 1880 census. The birth years were close, but also different. I had a good feeling that this was the connection to the Troy, Luke’s, but no proof. I had previously collected several bits of information about the Albany county Luke’s, in fact I had, already had, Philip Luke’s name but did not know at the time that he had a son named Frederick born around the same time as my great, great grandfather. This became increasingly exciting to me because some of the information I had about Albany County Luke’s dated them back to the time of the Revolutionary War. Could this be the same family? Were we connected? I started to trace Philip Luke backwards. I found that his fathers name was Henry Luke. Henry also had a large family in the Bethlehem/New Scotland/New Salem, New York area. I found that Henry’s fathers name was also Philip Luke. This put me into the Records of the Dutch Reform Church of Albany. I started to find variations on name spelling. I found Laucks, Laux, Louk, Loek, Locks, Loock, Loeck, Lock, Loeck, Look, Loek, and Luke. Who were all of these people? I sorted out the entire Dutch Records, by last name, first name, and sponsor names at baptisms. Not only were last names translated from the old Dutch with different spelling, but first names too were spelled differently, Conrad, Coonrad, Coenradt, etc. To make matters more complicated the Dutch custom of naming children after grandparents and renaming children after deceased children further complicated matters. There were two Philip Luke’s born in 1753 and another one born in 1755! Once it was all on paper I was able to determine with 100% certainty that the Philip Luke’s father I was looking for was Coenradt Luke (loeck). I was later able to support my research through the Latter-day saints and other resources. I was becoming very endeared to this family. But, was it my family? I had nothing other then a gut feeling. The one thing I found out for sure doing research was that assumptions could not be supported.

The key to making the link between these two generations of Luke’s turned out to be Adderson (Addison) Luke. I was actually hunting down his son Philip Luke. I found a Philip Luke living in Amsterdam, New York in 1930 who was the same age as the Philip Luke from the Troy census I was looking for. When I got out the actual census page guess who was still alive and living with him, his father Addison, not Adderson. The 1880 census had his name misspelled. Addison lived until 1936 and was buried in New Salem, New York. To me this was the link, I was 99% certain, but it was too difficult to explain. So, I now chased down Frederick Luke my great, great, grandfather. He had moved to Clifton Park, New York and was living there in 1920. I went to the New York State archives and researched the date of his death, 1922. I then went to the NYS Library and researched his obituary. He too was buried in New Salem, New York. The linkage to the generations was complete at 100% certainty.

I was now no longer just endeared to this early Luke Family of Albany County. They were my ancestors. I restarted my research into their history with more vigor. I researched all of the census information of the 1800’s and came up with more and more information. I stumbled across the Reamer Family Bible. This not only confirmed all of my information but it gave me new names that I had not previously had. I was eventually able to establish the last name’s of the Luke’s wives. To me this information was vital to get a sense of our families’ nationality.

Eventually, I ended up back in the early Dutch records. Early on with the Luke family everything seemed Dutch. We were following Dutch customs. The early Luke wives were all Dutch. We were living in what appears to be a Dutch community in early Albany county. I pieced together all of the Luke families. Then, I made a time line of all the entries of family members in the Dutch records. The nagging question of the moment was who was Coenradt Luke’s father? I knew from the Dutch Records that Coenradt was born in Albany county, so he was not the Alpha or the first Luke I was looking for. I believed with a very high degree of certainty that his father was Philipp Luke. I also believed that he had two brothers Jacob and Johannes. I made and entire family tree that also included two sisters. The degree of certainty was so high that there was really no question that Philipp was the father. But, was he the Alpha? Just as the Luke’s burst onto the Troy, New York scene in 1880. The Luke’s I was tracing seemed to burst onto the Albany county scene in the early 1700’s. It is impossible to do a family research of this time period without picking up a lot of factoids about early colonial times. During this time period there were many Irish, English and Scottish soldiers in the colony’s who settled here and took American brides. Being aware of the history of the Colony’s, I was also aware of the Palatine (German) migration of the early 1700’s. After some exhaustive card catalog research at the NY State library, I came up with the Henry z. Jones book on the early Palatine families. This is perhaps the most extensive research book of all time on the Palatine migration. In this book (from the Hunter list, family 439) I found Johann Philipp Laux. Not only did it have his name but it had the names of his entire family. This matched the list I had made from the Dutch records exactly 100% to the tee. Here was the Alpha Luke, at least in America. Johann was a forename and not used. Philipp was one of the 1709ers. This was the first migration of Palatines to America. These early Palatines endured much hardship during these early voyages and most of them were penniless. This too leads to many questions. There were several families with the Laux name that migrated from Germany. Of all of these families their names translated to Laucks and is still Laucks today with the ks ending, sounding like an x ending. Even from the earliest Dutch records the Luke name we use seems to be written and pronounced with a harder k sound, Luke or Look or Loeck. On an early 1767, map of Rensselaerwyck it written as Lauck without the s. I am uncertain if this information is of any value. To me it is doubtful that our Johann Philip Laux is related to any other Palatine Laux families that made this voyage in 1709. If they were related they would have most likely settled together as the other Laux families had. It is also seems uncertain that researching old German records for the Laux spelling will come up with anything. The Palatine records state that Johann Philip Laux came to this country with a wife and child. It is thought by H.Z. Jones that the Philipp’s wife and child did not survive the trip. Jones is also uncertain about Magdalena Laux, Philipp’s wife. He tends to think she could be Magdalena Lang, from another Palatine family. A Roosa family researcher claims to have written proof that Magdalena is in fact a Roosa (Rose) from an old Dutch family. To me, this seems to actually tie in better and H.Z. Jones would not of had this information. Some other thoughts and questions are, Philipp Luke was widowed sometimes around 1710 or sometime there after and was remarried by at least 1716. According to Jones and other Palatine researchers, they show our Philipp Luke settling in Beckmansland a temporary Palatine refugee camp somewhere near the West Camp settlement (Saugerties, New York), but its exact location is uncertain. As stated earlier Philipp was most like (but not for certain) penniless. He may have had to work for many years in service to the Queen of England to pay for his voyage to the new world. (Many Palatines worked at collecting pine pitch for the Royal English Navy) It seems from my research that the Palatines that settle on the east side of the Hudson River in or near East Camp settlement (Germantown, New York area, Columbia County) became more in servitude to the Livingston Family of New York and spent a longer time in their service. Either way, somehow Philipp must have paid for his voyage, became a free man, and remarried. I believe that he lived in what is today the Athens area of Greene County, New York for a number of years prior to moving with his new and growing family to the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck (Albany County). Further research may prove this out, because at some point in time he became a freeholder in Albany County. For now, this is the extent of my comments and thoughts about my research. The reader can form their own opinions.

References

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints

www.familysearch.org/Eng/default.asp

The Palatine families of New York : a study of the German immigrants who arrived in colonial New York in 1710 / by Henry Z. Jones, Jr. AUTHOR: Jones, Henry Z., 1940- PUBLISHED: Universal City, Calif. : H.Z. Jones, 1985. SUBJECT: