Ritzema - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Rudolph Ritzema in the American Revolution

gilljackson70 — 2009-08-15 14:52:35Z

Good to hear form you, Johannes Ritzema was born in Kollum, Frielsand, Holland, where Rudolphus was also born, in about 1708. He was a Paster in the Dutch Free Church and went out to New York with his wife and their three children in 1744 to join a committee of other Dutch Church members. He preached and widely in the area and wrote many pamphlets. He was one of the founders/trustees of Columbia University in Manhatten, where Rudolphus later became one of the first eight students. Johannes died in 1896. I know nothing about Hilte Dykstra who died the previous year, she and Johannes had two more children once in America, one of whom died as a baby. One of their daughters married into a well known Dutch family in New York and she and her husband had 13 children naming one of them Rudolphus after his famous uncle.

This year I have made contact with 3 other people via Ancestry or Genes Reunited who like me are desended from Ann Ritzema, the daughter of Rudolphus's eldest son John.

If would like more info, my email address is gill-jackson@o2.co.uk.

Bestwishes,

Gill Jackson

Re: Rudolph Ritzema in the American Revolution

pompeygreg — 2009-08-13 15:11:51Z

It would appear Rudolphus was also my 5 times Great Grandfather. Do you have any information on Johannes Ritzema, his wife Hilltje Dyckstra or their ancestors?

Greg Smith, Bristol UK

Re: Rudolph Ritzema in the American Revolution

gilljackson70 — 2009-06-21 12:54:25Z

Hi,

Not sure he was a clergyman, has dad Johananes was. Although Rudolphus went on, post his degree at Columbia (1758), to study Divinity back in Holland he did not complete the course but instead left Groningen University to fight with the Prussian Army in the 7 Years War against Austria. Afterwards he returned to New York and worked as a lawyer/interpreter until the Revolution. He spent the rest of his life, post the Revolution in England where he married and raised a family and died in 1803. He was my 4 times Gt Grandfather. Gill Jackson. near Liverpool, UK

Rudolph Ritzema in the American Revolution

BasketLady420 — 2006-04-13 21:06:49Z

Ritzema, Rudolph(us). Continental officer (Col.), clergyman.
New York resident; assumed command of the 3d New York, 1775; went over to the British, November 1776.

I am not related to this person, I am just passing on this information, which comes from a book titled "People & Events of the American Revolution" by Dupuy/Hammerman. R.R. Bowker Company, 1974. pg.395.
Joyce