Coldengham, New York
Store of Cadwallader Colden, Jr.
Lawrence Alsdorph
Three different members of the Alsdorph family did business at the Colden Store on this day, 250 years-ago. Lawrence Alsdorph and his son, Simon, both sold flaxseed to the Store. The elder also sold the store fifty-nine pounds of butter. Lawrence's daughter purchased many household items such as tea, sugar, pepper, rum, and gun shot. She purchased Cambrick, Check Linen, and Tape (fabric edging) as well as the luxuries of a hat and two cotton handkerchiefs. Her purchase of an iron-bound barrel (Hogshead) might have been for storage of salted meat for the coming winter. It is suspected that her mother may have already passed away and that the five daughters were maintaining the household.
Simon's wife was pregnant with Simon Jr. He would be born in April the following year.
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| Headstone of Simon Alsdorph (1769-1853) (son of Simon Alsdorph and grandson of Lawrence Alsdorph) Image courtesy of David Baird |
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This article is one in a series of a daily accountings of Colden Store transactions. Be sure you read the first installment for an introduction to the store. You should also read this article which appeared in the Journal of the Orange County Historical Society.
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The Alsdorph surname appeared twenty-one times in the Colden Day Book. Lawrence appeared eleven times. He was identified as the father of at least one daughter and a son named Simon (Symon, Sermion, Lymon). A wife of Lawrence was never mentioned.
Lawrence and his son Simon appeared in the 1779 tax assessment of Shawangunk Precinct. Lawrence had 265 acres and Simon held 78 acres. John Alsdorph was also listed with nine acres. Was this a young son or the grandfather? (see below.)
Luckily for us, Lawrence created a will on January 10, 1788. The will was probated in August of 1789. In the will he confirmed he was of Shawangunk and left an 180 acre farm and a 50 acre farm to his eldest son, Simon. He also left a 110 acre farm to his grandson, Lawrence, who was the son of Johannis. To Johannis (John?) he gave 300 acres purchased from Walter DuBois. He had five daughters Elizabeth (John Tearpenning [Tarpening]), Catherine (Johannis Krans Junr), Mary (Samuel Tearpenning), Margaret (Lawrence Ronk [Rank]), and Geertruyd (Samuel Erwin). Geertruyd and Samuel had by this date long left the area of Shawangunk. Lawrence's wife was not mentioned in the will.
Simon had a son with the same name who lived a long life (see headstone image above.) By this date, it appears the spelling of the last name had morphed to Alsdorf.
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