Ralph Voorhees Suydam1,2

(1814 - 1870)
Extended Family
ChartsAncestors of Robert E Suydam

Children of Ralph Voorhees Suydam and Sarah Bughlmeier

Children of Ralph Voorhees Suydam and Catharine Van Zandt

Life Events

Overview
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     The Suydams were an early Dutch family in New York and New Jersey. Earlier information has been researched by others but I haven't yet written it up yet. Ralph was born in New Jersey and used the names Ralph or Voorhees or RV. His first wife was Sarah, whom he married before 1840. They moved to Dundee Township in Monroe County, Michigan and had six known children together. Sarah died in 1852 and RV married Catharine Van Zandt. Ralph was a farmer and tax lists from the 1860s give a bit more insight into his produce.
     Together Ralph and Catharine had nine known children [a total of 15 over 32 years for Ralph Voorhees], including our ancestor Richard in 1856. R.V. died in 1870 at the age of 56 and Catharine lived a further eleven years.

* * * * *

 
BirthRalph Voorhees Suydam was born on 10 May 1814 in New Jersey.
[birth date calculated from age on gravestone]3 
MarriageHe married Sarah Bughlmeier.4
 
Research Note Sarah's surname was recorded as Rightmire on her daughter Cornelia's death certificate. 
1840 CensusRalph V Seydam was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 census taken on 1 Jun 1840 in Monroe County, Michigan. The tally for his household showed 1 male under age 5, 1 male age 20-29, 1 female under age 5, 1 female age 20-19, and 1 female age 50-59. One person was working in agriculture.5
Note.The people in the household in 1840 would correspond to Ralph, his wife Sarah, daughter Cornelia, an as yet unknown son born between 1836 and 1840, and an older female who could be either Ralph or Sarah's mother. 
1850 CensusRalph and Sarah appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Dundee Township, Monroe County, Michigan, enumerated 7 Aug 1850. Ralph was 39, a Farmer owning real estate worth $1000, and was born in New Jersey. Sarah was 36 and born in New Jersey. With them were Cornelia (12), Sarah Ann (9), Mariah (8), Catharine (5), Caroline (1), as well as Coridon J Chapel (male, age 15, attending school, born Michigan).4
(Widowed) DeathHis wife Sarah died on 21 Jan 1852.6  
MarriageRalph Voorhees Suydam married Catharine Van Zandt, daughter of Winant Van Zandt and Rachel Smith, between 1852 and 1855.
 
1860 CensusVoras and Catharine appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Dundee Township, enumerated 7 Jun 1860. Voras was 46, a Farmer with real estate valued at $2000 and personal estate of $500. Catharine was 32. They were both born in New Jersey and five of their children were attending school. The household included Cornelia (22), Sarah (18), Mariah (17), Catharine (14), Caroline (12), Jacob (8), Joseph (6), Sophia (5), Richard (3), and Chas (1) Suydam, as well as a farm laborer, Lemuel Van zant [Catharine's brother] and a carpenter, Thos Larry [Ralph's daughter Sarah's future husband].2
Tax ListR V Suydam appeared on the Nov 1863 tax list for Michigan as a 2nd class Peddler for 6 months in Dundee. At a tax rate of $15 per year, he owed $7.50.7 
Tax ListRV Suydam appeared on the May 1864 tax list for Michigan with 8 cattle over 18 months, 6 cattle under 3 months, and 1 sheep, for a total tax of $1.93.7 
Tax ListRV appeared on the 1865 tax list for Michigan with an 8 month assessment as a Produce Dealer in Dundee. At a tax rate of $10 per year, he owed 6.67.
Typical tax rates were $1 for a carriage, $5 for a butcher from a wagon, $10 for a manufacturer, dealer, photographer, butcher, small auctioneer, surgeon, $20 for a commercial broker, and $25 for liquor dealers.7 
Tax ListRV Suydam appeared on the Jan 1865 tax list for Michigan with 3 cattle over 3 months and 2 under 3 months, 3 swine and 1 sheep killed, for a total tax of $1.65.7 
1870 CensusVoorhess and Catharine appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Dundee Township, enumerated 11 Jun 1870. Voorhess was 56, a Farmer, had $3600 in real estate and $1500 in personal estate, was a US citizen and was born in New Jersey. Catharine was 43, Keeping House, and born in New Jersey. At home were Jacob (19, working on farm), Catharine (24), Caroline (21), Joseph (18), Sophia (15), Richard (14), Charles (12), Mary (9), Margaret (7), George (5), Lottie (3), and John (1 month). The children from Sophia down to George attended school.1
DeathRalph died on 13 Jul 1870 in Dundee, Monroe County, Michigan.8
Ralph V Suydam, death record, 1870
[the courthouse register ran across two pages so the format has been edited]
BurialHe was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dundee Township, Monroe County, Michigan.3
RV Suydam gravestone
Maple Grove Cemetery, Dundee Township
Last Edited18 Mar 2011

Citations

  1. [S1739] 1870 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Monroe County, Dundee, Roll M593 691, Page 240. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  2. [S1740] 1860 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Monroe County, Dundee, Roll M653 554, Page 23. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  3. [S1754] Photograph of R V Suydam gravestone, taken by Bev Price.
  4. [S857] 1850 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Monroe County, Dundee, Roll M432 358, Page 392. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  5. [S1756] 1840 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Monroe County, Roll 208, Page 354. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  6. [S1755] Photograph of Sarah wife of RV Suydam gravestone, taken by Bev Price.
  7. [S1760] Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for Michigan, 1862-1866; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M773, 15 rolls); Records of the Internal Revenue Service, Record Group 58; National Archives, Washington, D.C. (images viewed on Ancestry.com).
  8. [S1510] Website Find A Grave (www.findagrave.com).
  9. [S1540] Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Denias Smith & Sarah Lang, 1909.
  10. [S939] 1900 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Lenawee County, Adrian Ward 1, Roll T623 725, ED 34, Page 15A. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  11. [S1540] Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Charlie E Suydam & May Merchant, 1891.
  12. [S1540] Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, George G Smith & Mary L Suydam, 1884, #320.
  13. [S938] 1880 Federal Census for United States, Michigan, Monroe County, Dundee, Roll T9 595, ED 175, Page 342A. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  14. [S1540] Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, George L Suydam & Delia Miller, 1894.
  15. [S1540] Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Ralph A Suydam & Theresa M Jones, 1907.
  16. [S1574] Birth Records of Michigan, 1867-1902. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Ralp Suydam, recorded in 1871, #160.