I am still looking for any information on Elizabeth Van Rensselaer, born April 14, 1816, died March 20, 1890. She was the wife of John B. Klinck. John B. was the son of George Klinck, married to Joanna Baker. I have records saying that Elizabeth and John are buried in Boonville in the Joslin Cemetary. I believe they are the parents of George Klinck, who would be my great great grandfather.

George Klinck was married to Orra Joslin. The other children of John and Elizabeth according to the census were Stephen and Joanna (Johanna?) I found them listed in the 1860 Onondaga County census in the first ward, Syracuse.

I'm looking for any info on John and Elizabeth, their children, their parents, etc. Anything would be great. I am especially interested in finding who the parents of Elizabeth Van Rensselaer were.

Thanks,

Georgiana

Hi Georgiana,
Not sure who Elizabeth's parents were; but I would imagine that John B. Klinck married in ALbany County to one of the ALbany Co Van Renselaers. I find it kind of ironic because I think the old Klincks in Albany COunty might of had some sort of hero worship of the Van Renselaer family because they were the old wealthy DUtch patroon land owning family in the area. I know that the name Van Renselaer was adopted by Klincks who do not seem to be related to the Van Renselaers such as Benjamin Van Renselaer Klinck 1810 Census Albany, Albany New York and George Klinck Jr. and Joanna Baker's son Stephen Van Renselaer Klinck born abt. 1821. Now I discover recently that this John B. Klinck marrried aVan Renselaer years later. Now the B. stands for either Baker or possibly Benjamin.
So John B. Klincks parents were George Klinck Junior and Joanna Baker of ALbany Co. and grandparents were George Klinck Sr. b. 1750-1760 died in Albany Co. in 1812. wife was Catharine Graham who died in 1838 in Albany Co. It is believed that Johann George was born in Pennsylvania or New York then Colonies of Great Britain of German immigrant parents, Johann Jacob Klinck and Margaretha Fichter who came to America from Wuertemberg, Germany in the year 1754. With great luck, baptismals records show that Jacob and Margaretha settled in the Rhinebeck, Dutchess County are of the Province of New York by the early 1760's along with another adult Georg Klinck.
By the end of the Revolution, the eldest son of Jacob and Margaretha, Michael Klinck born 1748 is at Aquetuck, Coeymans where in 1780 is arrested and later released on bail for being a Tory suspect. His brother Frederick Klink on the other hand is serving in Cooper's Militia of the DUtchess County Rangers on the rebel side. Many families were divided particulary in New York State which of all the colonies the people were most bitterly divided over the rebellion. Many chose to join ranks with Sir John Johnson and John Butler, wealthy loyalist land owners of old Tryon County, New York who were forced to flee to Canada and formed Loyalist militias aided by their Mohawk Indian allies. The Utter half of my Clink family that resided in Coeymans, remained in the States for quite a few years after the Revolution; but had participated on the loyalist side with British General Burgoyne and failed attempt to capture Albany from the rebels. My ancestor John Utter, Stephen Clink's 1786-1871 father-in-law chose not to flee to Canada after the defeat; but motivated by the leinancy of the surrender terms remained in New York State in 1777 after his parole presumingly as a prisoner of war and married and had a family before years later in 1803 settled in Upper Canada where his brother Dr. David Palmer Utter also a former COeymans New YOrk Resident had been living since being banished by the New York State GOvernment in 1790 for being too pro British.

This Van Renselaer connection is interesting and I suspect my own ancestor Stephen Clink who may have been born in Stephentown, Renselaer County may have even been named after Stephen Van Renselaer who was a famous Van Renselaer. There was infact more than one Stephen Van Renselaer includinng later a famous commander in the War of 1812 who had the misfortune of trying to invade Canada.
regards
Donald CLink

I have a genealogy book for the Sill family in America dating back to 1636. On Pg 26 a reference is made to John DeFriest Sill who married Lydia B. Van Rensselaer of Albany.
I also have a news article on the Nicoll/Sill house in Bethlehem that was built in 1735 by Rensselaer Nicoll for his bride, Elizabeth Salisbury. Rensselaer died in 1776 and passed house on to son Francis, who married his sec. cousin Margaret VanRensselaer. Their daughter Elizabeth married Maj. Richard Sill. That's where my husband's family comes in. I don't know if this adds up to what you have but thought I'd write. Thanks, Sandy Whelan

I am a decendant of Stephen Van Rensselaer Klink through his son George Ezra Klink. I have been unable to verify Stephen's birth. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Allen Gentry
algentry@aol.com

Did you ever hear from Donald Clink about this? I have been trying to contact him but my emails keep getting returned. He and I used to correspond quite frequently and do Clink research together. Please contact me at clinkj@bellsouth.net if you know anything. Thanks, Jan Clink

Hi Georgiana, Any updates on your research? My mother is Johanna Joslin. John and Elizabeth were her great-great grandparents.

Tim Rowe