The Forgotten New York State Historical Marker: John Dean Rock in Hawthorne, NY
By Philip HayesPublished On: February 18th, 2024Categories: In The Military, Military, Places: Mount Pleasant, Places: Philipsburg, Surname: YerksWho Was John Dean? John Dean was a youngster in the town of Mount Pleasant, NY before the American Revolution. His family’s farm sat squarely in the middle of what was known as the Neutral Zone. Like many from the area, John was forced to take a side. He clearly chose the side of being
The Life of James LeRoy Yerks, b. 1892, d. 1973
The Early Years James Leroy Yerks, originally known as Leroy Yerks, embarked on a remarkable journey from Northern Westchester County to Greenwich, Connecticut. His story is marked by transformation, adaptation, and a significant change in his name. Born on November 6, 1892, in Mount Kisco, New York, Leroy's early life was marked by
Philipsburg Manor…A Must Visit For Yerks (Jurckse) Family Members
By Philip HayesPublished On: November 4th, 2022Categories: Places: Philipsburg, Surname: YerksTags: Philipsburg, Tarrytown, YerksI vaguely remember visiting Philipsburg Manor as part of a school trip I went on when I was little. I didn't remember much about its history, but I definitely remembered it was there, across the street from the well-known Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. I would never have imagined that I would marry someone with a direct
The Philipsburg Encampment of 1781
By Philip HayesPublished On: October 20th, 2022Categories: Events, Surname: YerksTags: American Revolution, George Washington, Philipsburg, Westchester, YerksPhilipsburg Manor in Westchester County was home to many Yerks families, including Colleen's 6th great-grandparents. I grew up in Westchester County, knowing little about Westchester's role in the revolution. But through genealogy, I have learned that my children's ancestors were right there at ground zero and were known as Patriots of the cause. In
The Yerks Family’s of Neperhan / Unionville/ Hawthorne and Pleasantville in 1867
1 – A Yerks A Yerks > William Brook Yerks (Mary) > William Yerks (Catherine) Location: Rosedale Nursery, Saw Mill Road, Hawthorne, New York Most likely, the site of the farmhouse that Catherine See & William Yerks (my wife’s 6th great grandparents) and their ancestors lived in while tending the 300-acre family farm in
Yerks Farm Overlay in Hawthorne with Modern Map – 1925-2021
By Philip HayesPublished On: December 15th, 2021Categories: Surname: YerksTags: 1925, 2021, aerial, HawthorneThe black and white photo of the Yerks farm was taken in 1925 as part of an aerial photographing project. The modern map comes from a screenshot of Apple Maps. The Apple map was then manipulated to match up certain landmarks that have survived the 100-year difference. What a difference a hundred years make!
1925 – Catherine Yerks Farm in Hawthorne Revisited.
On December 6, 1785, the Commissioners of Forfeitures for the Southern District of New York awarded Catherine Yorkse (Yerks), widow of William Yerks, the 300-acre farm that her husband and her husbands family had been farming for many decades as tenant farmers of Philipsburg Manor. Philipsburg Manor was a large swath of central Westchester land
A YERKS Family Bible Found!
More than a decade ago, I came across an archived newsletter in which a person named Cula Katzky indicated that she was in possession of a "Yerks" family bible with several dates in it. She was not a Yerks family member and was seeking to return it to someone in the family. The
A Needle In The Haystack Find!
This is a story I have not told before... but one that Yerks cousin Gibby Iannotti will appreciate. Many years ago I learned from Gibby of a gravestone of one of her great ancestors. It may be her great x2 Grandparents. Emeline Yerks married Benjamin Schenck. She indicated that their headstone also has someone named