Dietz, Adam
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Birth
Adam Dietz was born in 1715 at Vielbach, Parish of Nordhofen, Westerwald, now Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. He was baptized on 1 Sep 1715 at Nordhofen Parish Church, Parish of Nordhofen, Westerwald, now Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. His parents were Johann Peter Dietz (1690-1730) and Anna Eva Becker (b. cira 1690) of Vielbach, Parish of Nordhofen, Westerwald, now Rhinland-Pfalz, Germany. His father died in 1730 in Germany. He immigrated circa 1733 with his three oldest brothers, three sisters and his mother. He spent a few years in the Catskill area, then moved up through Schoharie to homestead land at Beaver Dam on the Foxenkill between present day Berne and West Berne by 1740. He was the first settler on the present Steve and Amy Anderson farm. Adam's Beaver Dam farm was the original Dietz homestead in what became the Town of Berne.
Education
Not known. But he was naturalized on 11 Sep 1761, and began military service in 1767 at Beaver Dam (now Berne), Albany, NY. He left a will on 26 Sep 1775 at Beaver Dam (now Berne), Albany, NY. The will gave a part of his farm to brother William Dietz Esq., and that made it possible for William's son, Col. Johan Jost Dietz to inherit or buy Adam's farm since he left no living children of his own.
Occupation
He was a Farmer. Adam's farm was located on the present corner of Rock Rd. and Helderberg Trail along the Foxenkill. Because he was among the first settlers at the Beaver Dam by 1740, he did not have to enter into a Rent Lease with the Albany patroon who had not yet discovered settlers in the Helderbergs. Surveys of the farms in the Helderbergs were carried out after Adam's death, about 1786-87. It was the next Dietz generation, Col. Johan Jost Dietz who entered into a Rent Lease on 20 Mar 1787 for lots no. 610 & 659; Adam's original farm of 170 acres. His house and barn would have been of log construction, common of all buildings then.
Marriage & Children
Adam Dietz (oldest of the Dietz brothers) married neighbor (Maria) Gertrude Ecker, daughter of Nicholas Ecker and Margaretha (-?-), on 25 Aug 1740 at Schoharie Reformed Church, Schoharie, Albany(now Schoharie), NY. They had one child;
- Hendrick Dietz - b. 14 Sep 1741. He married Catherine Houck. Adam's will, of 26 Sep 1775 left at Beaver Dam (now Berne), Albany, NY, does not mention Hendrick.
It is assumed neither he or wife Catherine were living at the Adam's death. Schoharie Reformed Church records show Adam Dietz & Gertrude sponsored the Apr 1759 SRR baptism of Maria, daughter of John Ball & Maria Dietz, the Sep 1768 SRR baptism of Adam Dietz Ecker, son of John Ecker & Catherine Young, and the Jan 1778 SRR baptism of John, son of William Dietz & Maria Magdalena.
Death
Adam died before 2 Oct 1780 at Switzkill Valley, Beaver Dam (now Berne), Albany, NY. His estate was probated on 2 Oct 1780. No gravemarker has been found.
Obituary
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