According
to Brooklyn Eagle of 12 Sept 1880 (see below) Foster married Mary Elizabeth
_____ about 1875 and sued for "absolute divorce" from her in 1880
because she had misrepresented herself as a widow. The 1880 Census data (see
below), gathered before the September lawsuit, shows Foster living with his
daughter, Phebe, and son-in-law, Charles Van Wickler. Mary E. Van Wickler is
living in the household of her sister and brother-in-law, Edward and Almyra Hegeman. According to the
Brooklyn Eagle account, Edward is in Suffolk County jail awaiting trial for the
murder of Louis Schmidt
(married third? to):
Jane Mott (b. 1855, NY, parents, Henry [b. abt 1831
and Harriett [Gilbert] Mott b. abt 1833, NY) before
1882 (Lillian is the daughter of this marriage of Jane and Foster.
See 1900 US Census information below.)
Children:
(All children except Lillian are with first wife, Mary Ann Ryder)
1. Phebe^9 Van Wickler,
b. June 1837, Hempstead, LI, NY
2. George^9 L. Van Wickler, b. abt. 1839, Hempstead, LI, NY
3. Hannah^9 J. Van Wickler, b. abt. 1841, Hempstead, LI, NY
4. Sarah^9 Elizabeth Van Wickler, b. abt. 1845/6, Hempstead, LI, NY
5. Susan^9 Amanda Van
Wickler, b. 1 August 1847, Hempstead, LI, NY
6. William^9 F. Van Wickler, b. 1849, Hempstead, LI, NY
7. Benjamin^9
Valentine Van Wickler, b. 9 July 1851, Hempstead, LI, NY
8. Caroline^9 Van
Wickler, b. abt. 1853, Hempstead, LI, NY
9. Alice^9 E. Van Wickler, b. abt. 1855, Hempstead, LI, NY
11. Mary^9 Emma Van Wickler, b. abt. 1856, Hempstead, LI, NY
12. Nathaniel^9 M.
Van Wickler, b. August 1859, Hempstead, LI, NY
(by third marriage to Jane _______)
13. Lillian^9 Van Wickler, b.
1882, NY
The 1850 US Census for Hempstead, Queens, NY shows Foster Van Wicklen, 35, carpenter with wife, Mary, 33, and children:
Phebe E., 13, George, 11, Hannah J., 9, Sarah E., 5, Susan A., 3, and William
F., under one year. Living nearby are Cornelius and Mary A. Van Wicklen (age 26 and 21 respectively) living in the
household of Joseph and Catherine Hendrickson (both age 65). Also in the
Hendrickson household is a black female, age 15, named Sarah Smith.
Parents:
Foster's parents are Cornelius
and Ann Nancy (Foster) Van Wickle.
Mary Ann's parents are Uriah and _____ Ryder.
Background
information:
Foster^8 Van Wickler (Cornelius^7, Evert^6,
Evert^5, Frederick^4, Evert^3, Gerrit^2, Jentie^1 Jeppes), b. 1815, L.I., NY and m. 21
September 1836 in Christ Presbyterian Church of Hempstead, Queens, NY, Mary Ann
Ryder (b. 10 Oct 1817), d/o Uriah Ryder (bap. 19 March 1777). Foster's parents
are Cornelius and Anny Nancy (Foster) Van Wickle.
Foster Van Wickler d. 16 Jan 1906 in Inwood, NY [see obit in source section below]. Mary Ann [Ryder] Van Wickler died 18
Feb 1869 at age 51 years, 4 months, 8 days.
In the article cited below, Macy writes...
"A branch of the family using the spellings Van Wickler/Van Wicklar descends from an Evert Van Wicken
(1775-1852) of Jamaica, and Hempstead who appears to be connected to the line
of Evert^3 (Gerrit^2, Jentie^1 Jeppes) though the
link has never been proved." (This information from the Benjamin Van
Wickler application to Holland Society lends credence to Mr. Macy's statement.)
Children: Phebe^9 Van Wickler,
b. June 1837, Hempstead, LI, NY; George^9 L. Van Wickler,
b. abt. 1839, Hempstead, LI, NY (George enlisted in the Union
Army 9 November 1861 from NY. See also Foster's civil war pension application
information below.) ; Hannah^9 J. Van Wickler, b. abt. 1841, Hempstead, LI, NY, m.
1 May 1859 Daniel H. Rhodes, Jr. of Jamaica; Sarah^9 Elizabeth Van Wickler, b. abt. 1845/6, Hempstead, LI, NY m.
18 August 1872 John H. Van Wicklen,
both of Franklin Square at time of marriage. In the 1920 US Census, John H. Van Wicklen, age 83 (b. abt 1837,
NY) resides in Oyster Bay, NY; Susan^9 Amanda Van Wickler,
b. 1 August 1847, Hempstead, LI, NY. She married William H. Hedges (b. abt.
1846, NY) abt 1870, NY. 1870 US
Census for Hempstead, Queens, NY lists a Susan Van Wickler, 22 (b. abt 1847, NY) domestic servant in the household of Samuel
(age 52) and Mary (age 41) Place with their dau. Ella
Place, 11; William^9 F. Van Wickler, b. 1849, Hempstead, LI, NY, and d.
15 July 1864, Jamaica, NY [LI Cem. 19 July 1864, age
15]; Benjamin^9
Valentine Van Wickler, b.
9 July 1851, Hempstead, LI, NY, d. 29 October 1908 Inwood, LI, NY. He had with
wife, Mary, Benjamin^10
Valentine Van Wickler, Jr.
who made application to the Holland Society. Lived at time of application at
170 Cherry St. Pokipsie, NY; Caroline^9 Van Wickler, b. abt. 1853, Hempstead, LI, NY, m.
1 March 1874 Henry Van Wicklen by Rev. E.K. Fanning (This Henry is no longer
(as of 2 August 2000 information) likely to be the son of Peter Van Wicklen as this Henry dies by 1869) 1920 US
Census for Hempstead, Queens, NY lists Henry A. Van Wickler, 66 (b. abt 1854, NY), Sea Captain of a coasting vessel (father b.
NY; mother b. MA) with wife Caroline (Van Wickler) Van Wickler, 66 (b. abt 1853, NY) and brother, Nathanial, 60 (b. abt 1859, NY), planter. Alice^9 E. Van Wickler,
b. abt. 1855, Hempstead, LI, NY; Mary^9 Emma Van Wickler,
b. abt. 1856, Hempstead, LI, NY; Nathanial^9 M. Van Wickler,
b. August 1859, Hempstead, LI, NY. He married Maggie (b. Nov 1859, NY) before
1882.; (by
third marriage to Jane _____)
Lillian^9 Van
Wickler, b. 1882,
NY
Research note from Harry Macy, Jr.: George Van Wickler (father, Foster VW)
served as a Union Soldier in the Civil War, Cos. H, I, K, 90th NY Infantry;
father 5-25-1898, #687041, A87942, NY (applying on the basis that son was sole
means of support).
John H. Van Wicklen enlisted during
Civil War with 6th Independent Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery as a Pvt. in
the Union Army; was also with the 8th Wisc. Independent Battery.
Source:
Harry Macy, Jr. The Van Wicklen/Van Wickle Family: Including its Frisian Origin and Connections
to Minnerly and Kranchheyt;
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,
Vol. 128, No. 4 (October 1997); p. 245-8.
Holland Society of NY, application for membership of Benjamin Valentine Van Wickler
1850c NY index Van Wicklen, Foster NY Queens Co.,
Hempstead 176 1850
1860 US Census for Jamaica, Queens, NY lists Foster Van Wickler,
45, Carpenter, with wife, Mary, 42, George L., 21, carpenter, Sarah E., 14,
William F., 10, Benjamin V., 9, Caroline, 7, Alice, 5, Mary E., 4, and
Nathaniel, 11mos. All b. NY
1860
US Census for Queens, NY lists Susan A. Van Wickler, 12 in household of Nicholas
Everett, 60. Also in this household are Henrietta Everett, 23, Elias Everett,
21, Sarah Everett, 19, and James Burns, 27, farm laborer. Nearby is Phebe M.
Van Wickler, 21, in household of Nathaniel Carpenter, 67, Elizabeth Carpenter,
66, and John R. Carpenter, 21.
1860
US Census for Jamaica, Queens, NY lists Phebe M. Van Wickler, 21, b. NY in household
of Nathaniel Carpenter, 47, farmer, and Elizabeth Carpenter, 30.
18
Feb 1869 -- Mary
Van Wickler, wife of Foster Van Wickler, died 18 Feb 1869: aged 51 years, 4
months, 8 days [i.e. b. 10 Oct 1817] Transcription of a gravestone in the First
Methodist Church cemetery, Jamaica, NY. Eardeley,
William, A. Cemeteries in Kings and Queens counties, Long Island, NY 1753 -
1913 [1916], p. 45, entry #89 [courtesy of Marie Velardi via 8 Nov 09
email]
1870 US Census for Hempstead,
Queens, NY for Susan Van Wickler
1870
US Census for Jamaica, Queens, NY (11 July 1870) lists Foster Vanwicklen, 55, carpenter, with Sarah E., dau., 24; Benjamin, 19, tinsmith; Allice E., 14, Mary Emma,
13, at school, Caroline, 17, and Nathaniel, 10. All are b. NY
1880 US Census
for Queens, NY lists
Foster Van Wickler, 65, Carpenter, widower, in the household of his son-in-law,
Charles Van Wickler, 44, Laborer. With Charles is his wife, Phebe, 43, Leander,
son, 15, Mary, 13, daughter, Sarah, 11, daughter, Romine, 9, son, Ada, 5,
daughter, Charles, 3, son, and Irvin,1, daughter. (All
b. NY). Phebe is Foster's biological daughter.
1880
US Census for Hempstead, Queens, NY lists William H. Hedges, 33, works on farm,
with wife, Susan, 32, keeps house, and Charles, 9, George W., 7, Susan E., 4,
and Mary H., 2. All are b. NY with parents b. NY
1880 US Census
for Brooklyn, Kings, NY lists
Edward J. Hegeman, 34, with wife, Almyra,
32, and children, Catherine, 13, Hannah E., 10, William E., 7, and Cornelia A.,
1 and 5/12. Also in the household is Almyra's sister,
Mary E. Van Wickler, 36, dressmaker, "single", b. Amityville, L.I.
She is the second wife of Foster Van Wickler who he sued for divorce in 1880. (See Brooklyn Eagle
article)
Also...research notes of
Harry Macy, Jr. as forwarded in 6 July 2000 email by Michael Wolfe.
Brooklyn
Eagle, 12 September 1880, page 4: A Divorce Suit. Foster Van Wicklen, of Jamaica, a carpenter, has sued for an absolute
divorce from his wife, Mary Elizabeth, on the ground of infidelity. The party
incriminated is William H. Sprague. Foster was a widower when, five years ago,
he married Mary Elizabeth, who was represented to be a widow, but Foster claims
to have learned, quite recently, that she has had four husbands, and that there
is no proof of the death of either of them. The infidelity is claimed to have
taken place at Amityville. No children were born of this marriage. Theodore J.
Armstrong, of Jamaica, was appointed referee to take the testimony, and
yesterday he held his third session. The proof so far is not very direct. It
was shown that Sprague and Mrs. Van Wicklen lived in
the same house, in which there are but two rooms, a kitchen and a bedroom. Mrs.
Van Wicklen yesterday appeared, saying that she was
ill when the papers were served upon her, and not knowing their importance, put
them one side, and they were lost. She was accompanied by Mrs. Hegeman, her sister, and the wife of Edward Hegeman, who is in the Suffolk County Jail awaiting trial
for the murder of Louis Schmidt, of Amityville. She had been subpenaed to give testimony as to her sister's alleged
misconduct, but her examination was of little account to the plaintiff.
"Yes, you old rascal," said she, looking hard at Van Wicklen, "you want a divorce so that you can marry a
young gal. I wish you'd a married me. I'd a fixed you so as you wouldn't be
able to git up and go a courtin'."
Van Wicklen looked at his lawyer and smiled. Van Wicklen says his wife used to beat him. the
hearing was adjourned. If he fails in this suit, he will try to be divorced on
the grounds that his wife has a plurality of husbands.
1900
US Census for Inwood, Nassau, NY lists Foster Van Wickler, Head, 84, b. July 1815,
NY (parents b. NY), with wife, Jane, 45, b. 1855, NY (parents b. NY) with
Lillian, dau., 18, b. 1882, single, domestic.
1900
US Census for Jeanette Avenue, Inwood, Nassau, NY lists Nathaniel Van
Wickler, head, 40, b. August 1859, NY (parents b. NY), mason, with wife,
Maggie, 40, b. Nov. 1859, NY (parents b. NY) and Harry M., son, b. Feb 1882,
NY, day laborer, and Annie M., dau., 14, b. Jun 1886,
NY.
1900
US Census for Queens Ward 4, Queens, NY lists Benjamin V. Van Wickler, head, b. July
1851, NY (NY, NY), 48 (M-11), Tinsmith, with wife, Mary, b. Apr 1871, NY (NY,
NY), 29, (M-11), and Blanche, dau, b. Feb. 1891, NY,
9, Bessie, dau., b. Dec. 1893, NY, 6, and Ben, son,
b. Mar 1897, NY, 3.
19
Jan 1906 in Brooklyn Daily Eagle, p. 3... obituary for
Foster Van Wickler. Foster
Van Wicker. Inwood, L.I. January 19 -- Foster Van Wickler, one of the oldest
residents of this place, died suddenly on Tuesday evening while sitting in an
arm chair at his home on Solomon street. Deceased was
in apparently good health but feeble from old age. He was in his 91st year and
had lived in Inwood for more than twenty years. He leaves a widow, two sons and
seven daughters. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 1 o'clock at the
home of his son, Nathaniel Van Wickler.
1920 US Census Information,
courtesy Cheryl Viger via 11 Dec 2002 email
1920
Us Census for Hempstead, Nassau, NY (ED#42) lists Henry A. Van Wickler,
66, b. NY (father b. NY, mother b. MA), sea captain, with wife, Caroline, 66,
b. NY (parents b. NY), and Caroline's brother, Nathaniel Van Wickler, 60, b. NY
(parents b. NY), planter. (Both Caroline's maiden and her married
name are Van Wickler.)
1930
US Census for Hempstead, Nassau, NY lists Susan A. Hedges, head, 82, widow, no occ.
with son, George W., 57, single, painter of automobiles, and brother, Nathaniel
M. Van Wickler, 70, widower, no occupation.