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THE WEYANT FAMILY OF THE HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK

SEARCHING FOR THE WEYANT FAMILY IN NEW YORK’S HUDSON RIVER AND CENTRAL VALLEYS – by Jonathan Ansley Ward

I am a Weyant.  My maternal grandparents lived in Highland Falls, New York on the banks of the Hudson River.  Growing up, I’d spend some time every summer there. I learned that our ancestors were early settlers of that region. Hearing snippets of family history now and then piqued my interest in discovering more about the Weyant family. Where did they come from, and why did they journey across the sea to settle in a wild and strange land? 

In Europe the 1600’s were a time of ceaseless war.  The Palatine on the western frontier of Germany bordering France was a lovely agricultural region.  In the Thirty Years War the region was the prize sought by contested rulers and their armies devastated the land. Later when armies again moved through the area during the Franco-Spanish war, the Palatine was ravaged. The people of the Palatine suffered; their farms were pillaged; their homes were burned over and over.  The people grew weary of rebuilding in this land of conflict, investing in a future with little hope of a peace and stability.

Among the Palatines was the Weyant family.  They were Lutherans in the flock of Reverend Joshua Kockerthal.  The Palatine Lutherans devised a plan. In early 1708 they left the Palatine and sailed for London.  There they gained the support of Queen Anne.  Initially they were offered land in Jamaica, but they declined upon learning that land up the Hudson River in New York resembled the land and climate of the Palatine. Eventually they were granted a colony about 70 miles upriver.  

What brave and adventurous souls embarked on this journey of settlement. New lives carved from a wilderness awaited, with native Americans and other unknowns to face.  What a gamble! It is recorded that there were 41 Palatines who sailed for the New World in October 1708: 10 men, 10 women and 21 children. Included were the Weyant family: Michael, husbandman, 52; Anna Catharine, his wife, 54; Anna Maria, 13; Tobias, 7; and George, 5.  It took nine weeks to cross the Atlantic and some Palatines did not survive the journey, but thankfully all the Weyants did.

When they arrived in New York, the Hudson River was frozen over so they spent their first winter at the New York settlement on Long Island.  When the ice melted they made their way to their new land.  Eventually, each family was given 50 acres per family member.  The Weyants’ land was bordered by present-day Washington and Renwick Streets in Newburgh. There were, in all, nine family plots of 100 to 250 acres.  In the center were 500 acres of Glebe (church) Lands, which is where the original church was built and the Old Town Cemetery still stands today.  

Michael Weyant lived the rest of his life by the Hudson River; his hope of peace for his family coming true.  He and his sons built the stone house which later became George Washington’s Headquarters and is now a museum.  By the war, his original plot had been sold to the Hasbrouck family who hosted the Colonial leaders.

George and Tobias Weyant were 20 and 22 when their father died. By late 1730 most of the original settlers had sold their lands to seek out more fertile farms in the region, as many Scottish and English families were moving in. Tobias became a Glebe trustee and lived in Newburgh, the town that rose up around the Palatine Glebe. By 1744 George Weyant had moved to a 234-acre farm near Marlborough, New York.

With the changing of Newburgh, Tobias’ four sons, Tobias, Jr., Martin, Berger, and John, were faced with a choice of learning a new trade for town life or moving elsewhere to farm.  Martin acquired choice property and founded the Weigand (Weyant) Tavern which still stands today very near the Old Town Cemetery.  John and Tobias, Jr. both moved to Smith Clove in the Central Valley to farm.  John married Hannah Rider in 1764 and they had four sons, Tobias III, Andrew, John II and George II. 

The late 1700’s brought challenging times to the Hudson River and Central Valleys of New York. A new nation was in the making and to England that meant war.  All citizens were asked to sign a “Revolutionary Pledge” gambling their lives and lands on the American cause.  Not only did they sign the pledge, but the Weyant men left their farms, enlisted in the American Army and fought the British, a major world power at the time. In the Central Valley the Weyants joined the Smith/Woodbury Clove Militia and were called to Fort Montgomery on the Hudson River to fight the British.  Their leader, Captain Francis Smith, was severely wounded in the ensuing battle.  When the cause was lost and the British about to overcome the fort, John Weyant II and his comrade Nathan Miller carried Captain Smith home over the mountains.  They later married Captain Smith’s two daughters on the same day.  After the war, the Weyants returned to their farms. The heroes are all buried in the small family plot along Route 32 at Roselawn Road in Woodbury Clove.

After the war John Weyant I moved his family to Haverstraw in Rockland County.  There he lived out his life by the Hudson.  One of his sons, George, married Catherine Waldron and they are buried in the Waldron Family Cemetery by the railroad tracks in Stony Point.  The family may have moved to take part in the brick industry which blossomed at that time.

Another of John I’s sons, Tobias III had held and worked the family farm while his father and other family members fought in the Revolution. He moved with the family to Haverstraw and later married Jerusala Smith. They had eight children, among them John Weyant III.

John Weyant III and Tobias III moved their families to Doodletown (also called Mountville), New York which is now abandoned and part of Bear Mountain State Park.  Tobias III married Mary Rider and they had three sons, among them King Weyant.  Tobias III is buried in the Herbert Family Cemetery in Doodletown.  The Weyants harvested cordwood there which was used in Haverstraw in the making of bricks.  

King Weyant started carrying freight up and down the Hudson River to fast-growing New York City.  Later he invested in brickyards at Jones Point and Green Cove, not only making bricks but also delivering them to the city. King Weyant married Elizabeth Kessler and they had seven children. After 20 years of working on the river, a friend sold his large farm to King Weyant, and so he moved the family back over the mountains to the Central Valley. The area was then called Queensborough. He later bought more acreage amassing about 1900 acres. Right off the Long Mountain Traffic Circle in Central Valley is King Weyant’s well-marked grave, among other family members.

The Weyants were forced to give up their land in the Central Valley and settle in Highland Falls when the State built the Palisades Interstate Parkway. King’s son Charles Weyant was a businessman, and my Grandfather Chester Weyant was the first mayor of Highland Falls, had an early car dealership and later helped found the Highland Falls Savings & Loan.  My cousin David, a former Savings & Loan officer, has retired to Fort Myers, Florida and I live in Southern California.  Over the last 300 years, the family has multiplied and branched out throughout this country.   

It’s been good to search for my Weyant family roots, highlighting some family members along the way.  One can appreciate and respect their story – how it all began in the Palatine and continued into the New World wilderness.  And in the middle of all that, fighting and defeating the British.  Inspired by those Weyants, I’m proud to be a member of that American family and part of their continuing journey. 

35 thoughts on “THE WEYANT FAMILY OF THE HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK”

  1. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers

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  3. Thank you, Jonathan for this fine article. I’m part of the Brooks family which married into the Weyant family. My niece and I were having a discussion about George Washington’s headquarters. I feel some acknowledgement should be made for the fact thar a Weyant family built the original stone residence. She turned me on to your article and some other resources. I was born in Newburgh but ended up in Los Angeles where I prepare Historic-Cultural Monument — a landmark in most other locations — applications and other historic documents. Sadly, I know less of my family history than I do of many families in the LA Metro…

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    1. When I posted this to the Highland Falls Facebook page, someone there said yes the Weyants built the foundation of what became Washington’s Headquarters, that another family (can’t recall the name) built the actual house that became the headquarters. Water under the Bear Mountain Bridge at this point. I’ve been to the old cemetery off the Long Mountain Traffic Circle and seen the Brooks’ graves. Yes, an amazing family with an amazing tale – basically the founding of America in a nutshell. I think all of us owe a huge bow to Michael Weigant and his descendants, Francis King Weyant, and all offshoots and females’ surnames – in my book all equals in the hard adventure and success. all best wishes, Jonathan Ward

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  4. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

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  7. My grandfather is Leonard Weyant. I grew up listening to his stories and visiting his house that he believed had been a tavern possibly visited by Washington during the Revolution.

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    1. Hi Julie, my cousin David Weyant – used to live in Highland Falls, and now in Ft. Myers, FL – sent me Leonard Weyant’s family history . I based my article partly on that history. If you don’t have a copy, I could send you one – srfrjon@gmail.com. Thanks for your comment cuz.

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  8. Hi. My father Leonard Weyant. His great-grandfather was King Weyant. I believe the Julie on this message board is my niece. He contacted a Weyant in Cal doing his research. Was that a relation?

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    1. I have a history of the Weyant family written by “Leonard Weyant, Jr.” If you don’t have a copy, email me your address and I’ll send you a copy – srfrjon@gmail.com I know of a Weyant with a restaurant up on Camarillo, CA – but unsure how to answer your question. There’s been several inquiries my way? Anyway, Happy Holidays cuz. Jonathan Ward (mother was Susan-Jane Weyant of Highland Falls, NY.

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  10. I was deeply pleased to read this recounting. My long-deceased uncle (whom I never met), Wesley Keyser is buried in the Weyant Long Mountain Cemetery.
    His connection to the Weyants was from his grandmother, Ann Elizabeth Weyant, whom I believe was a daughter of Frank (King) Weyant. I am happy to say that when last visited the cemetery looked decent. Thank you for your excellent research.

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    1. Thank you John. Francis (he didn’t use) King Weyant’s daughter Ann Elizabeth married Wesley Van Wert. King Weyant’s Will mentions, “I bequeath to my daughter Ann Elizabeth VanWert what is known as the Kemp place of about one hundred and ninety acres…..” If only the decedents had held some of the land – King had 1900 acres of the central valley. Ann Elizabeth’s daughter called “Bessie” married Mr. Keyser and they had your uncle. Anyway, thank you for your comment. I could send you a family history written by Leonard M. Weyant, Jr. in 1979, but I’d need a physical address? My email is srfrjon@gmail.com.

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  11. Thanks for the gracious reply, and offer. I would be quite pleased to see the Weyant history and will send you more details by email. Best to you!

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      1. I know my grandfather told me we had a Weyant in every war since the American Revolution.

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      2. Yes, to that. My dad was stationed at West Point during WWII and had my Mom, Susan-Jane Weyant as his secretary, whom he married and brought back to Atlanta (Emory University). So, I had decedents on both sides of the battlelines. And come to think of it, my Great Grand Father was a Charles, married to Agnes Lewis. Thank you for your interest and comment. If you don’t have a family history written in 1978 by Leonard Weyant, Jr. I can send a copy – just give me an address. Your cuz, jw

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  13. Hi I don’t know much of my family history on Weyant side. My maternal grandfather was from Newburgh area his name was Charles R Weyant and he was born in 1901. I was wondering if he was part of your family tree. Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

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    1. Dear Dawn, Was your great grandfather James Weyant? Anyway, tell me what you know, like wife and siblings’ names and I’ll see what I can dig up. Also if you email me an address, I’ll send you a Weyant History written by Leonard Weyant in 1978. srfrjon@gmail.com Thank you for you comment and interest. Your cuz, jonathan

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  14. Jonathan, are you aware that Highland Falls suffered terrible flooding on July 10th?
    King Weyant was my great great grandfather. I live in Stony Point which is just north of Haverstraw. My great grandmother was Alice Athalia Weyant Brooks. She
    lived in Queensboro from the time she was ten in 1860. She married Russell Brooks out there and remained there until the State took over their land in 1919. They then moved to Stony Point with their 3 children. My mother, Alice Virginia Brooks Dunn,
    their 4th child was born in 1920 in Stony Point. I visit the cemetery next to the traffic circle every so often to see the final resting place of so many generations of Brookses and Weyants.

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    1. Hello Cousin Kathleen. My cousin David Weyant told me about the flooding. But he lives in Ft. Myers and now and was run over by the hurricane! I was there a couple of years ago – stayed at the Bear Mt. Inn and visited the cemeteries, etc. I was at the traffic circle – my mother called it the Queensboro Traffic Circle and said from time to time her father Chester Weyant would go and maintain it. His father Charles was forced out and they lived in Highland Falls right by the Grand Union Grocery Store. I did come down to Stony Point and visited the old cemetery by the railroad tracks. I also hiked up to Doodletown and went to the Herbert Cemetery looking for one of the Weyants – grave stones are pretty unreadable. King Weyant was my GGG Grandfather also and his son John would have been next, then Charles, Chester, and then my mom Susan-Jane Weyant Ward. Glad to meet you. Thank you for the comment and the follow.

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      1. Thanks for the update, Jonathan. I hope the cemeteries are being maintained by the State (NYS) as I believe there was a covenant they were supposed to. My father and brothers and I used to make some efforts towards the Keyser and Brooks graves in particular. My father has passed on and the rest of us are getting along so I hope some effort is being made. Best regards, J. Keyser

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  15. Mr. Ward: I am one of the Weygant’s from the Newburgh city. I have to tell you the historical view here-in is very accurate. I have researched the Weygant family history and I know the history as I said. You are very accurate here like I said. There were a few Weygants one being a Col. Weyant who was mayor of Newburgh in 1880-two terms, and there was also an Orange County sheriff too. I followed in his footsteps when I became a City of Newburgh Police officer and retired as a deputy Chief after 23 years with the PD. I was born and raised in Newburgh too. So that’s a little positive comment on your historical outlook for the Weygand’s of Newburgh, NY. By the way we left what would ultimately become Germany due to the local battles and warring factions in Germany at that time. That’s why we left. Then we went to Queen Ann of England who gave us farm tools and the land you referred to here-in and we agreed to fight with England in the French and Indian wars that were going on when the family came to America. Also, the north part of the Hasbrouck house which sits on Washington’s Hgts was built by Weygant’s. The north end of the house was the original portion of the house that the family built. Then there were two additions. You have to be careful with searching the Weygant name because the name has a large number of different spellings. Just like me I spell my name different although the same family. Thank you for the listing. Very good read. You should take a look at the restoration of Weigand’s tavern that a guy named Thomas Dodd recently did. Great job. Ellsworth D. Weygant (Spud)

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  16. My name is Jean Ellsworth is my cousin. Your article is very interesting. A little extra info, the original spelling of the name was Weinguard. Would love to know the German pronunciation. Charles, the civil war soldier, had one daughter who never married nor had any children so his line ended. My grandfather had a brother Charles, not sure if there were other men carrying the name Charles but I would bet there were, he had children. Information I have read, can’t tell you exactly where right now, said that the family was granted 250 acres from the river up to what is now West Street and south to the Quisaick Creek. My great grandfather was James Anderson Weygant. There is a distant cousin that has done extensive research on the history of the family . How can I find the book you refer to for your research? Thank you for your work and sharing of information.

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    1. Thank you Jean – very interesting. My main sources were Leonard Weyant’s history which I recently forwarded to Ellsworth and just word-of-mouth from my Mom, Susan-Jane Weyant originally from Highland Falls. Thank you for your insight.

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