Thomas Homburger to Lawrence Lawyer

     The following genealogical diagram will reveal You why I am interested in this question: My ancestor Thomas Homburger was among the Palatine immigrants to Schoharie (see: H.Jones: Palatine Families of New York 1710). Ca. 1715, he died in Schoharie, aged about 70 years. His daughter Anna Catharina Berg had 6 children, of whom one (= Elisabeth) was married with Lawrence Lawyer.
     In "Towns of Schoharie County" by J.H.French 1860 it is stated that Lawyersville is "named from Lawrence Lawyer, said to have been the first settler in town".
     Regarding the genealogy of the Lawyer family as searched by H.Jones, there are 2 Lawrences Lawyer coming into question:
1.) Lorentz Lawyer, * 10.Oct. 1750, son of Jacob Friederich Lawyer, grandson of the immigrant Johannes Leyer, and
2.) Lorentz Lawyer, * 6.Nov. 1727, son of Johannes Leyer, brother of Jacob Friederich.
     In the "History of Schoharie County" by W. Roscoe 1882 Chapt. XXIII, 
I found the following statement: "In 1752 ... Johannes Lawyer 2nd" (= son of the immigrated Johannes Leyer) ..."purchased the lands... upon which the village"
(= Lawyersville) ..."now stands and addition was made to the settlement. They were Lawrence Lawyer, son of Jacob Frederick Lawyer 1st...".
     This suggests that this Lawrence Lawyer (= 1.) was the first settler and name-giver of Lawyersville, of whom J.H.French spoke.
As for Thomas Lawyer (1785 - 1868): he was the grandson of Jacob Friederich Lawrence and son of the above mentioned Johannes Lawyer 2nd. Thomas' father Johannes and the name-giving Lawrence were brethren. Or more simple: the name-giver was Thomas' uncle.
     I had an interesting correspondence with Elisabeth Lawyer Allinson about this, and we saw that we are distantly related.
     Thanks to many publications of the Schoharie County NYGen Web Site, I could follow rather sufficiently the traces of the American descendants of Thomas Homburger. It seems that there are descendants of his grandson Philipp Berg still living in Schoharie County. Beyond this, I have with Thomas Homburger a common ancestor with an unknown number of Frymeiers, Lawyers, Keysers and others in the U.S.A.
     In the "Topographical Atlas of Schoharie County" by Beers and Assistants, Philadelphia 1866, the houses of Barent Keyser and Philipp Bergh in Breakabeen are drawn in, and a little brook flowing into the Schoharie River bears the name "Keyserkill".
     Near a former farm of the Bergh Family north of Breakabeen, it is said to be there a private cemetery of the Bergh family (19th. century).
I hope that I can some good day come for a visit to Schoharie County.

With my best greetings, I remain
Sincerely
Bernard Humburger

A Note to Researchers using this Web-site: As you use this site, please keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources and the importance of building a preponderance of evidence. Accept nothing without further checking. It is our hope that through this collection of data from many sources, you will find a piece of the puzzle that you are working on and that may lead you to further discoveries.

Links to external web sites are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or approval of any of the products, services or opinions contained in any external web site.

Welcome Page of Schoharie County NYGenWeb Site
This page created April 29, 2005