Klapper Family History

Klapper
   The origin of the name "Klapper" is Dutch. The family Coat of Arms features a Red shield with three mallets.
   First found in Holland, the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Amsterdam, an ancient 13th century town held by the Lords of Amstel. Giesebrecht II built a castle there. Geisbrecht III built the dam to keep out the sea. It is first mentioned in charters of 1275 when Floris IV, the count of Holland granted its charter. It became a city of great mercantile wealth. It holds great treasures of art. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into a most influential family. They were originally of Bucquoy in ancient times but when they moved from France and assumed the style of de Klopper. The name also branched into the province of Haarlem.
   This family can be traced back to JOHANN WILHELM KLAPPER, born on 4 Aug 1667 in Braunfels, Lahn-Dill-Kreis, Hessen, near where the Hauß family lived in what is now Germany. He married Anna Agatha Becker (1630 - 1711), and they had the following kids: "A Little Klapper" (b. 1706); Coenrad (d. 1805); Elisabetha Catharina (b. 1692); Johann Wilhelm (1694 - 1732); Johann Henrich (1699 - 1772); Anna Magdalena (b. 1702). The family crossed the ocean together, to Colonial America in the Great Palatine Migration, where Anna died a year later. Johann Wilhelm died in 1733 in Claverack, Columbia County, New York.
   Their son JOHANN HENRICH KLAPPER was born in 1699 in what is now Germany. He married ANNA MARGARETHA SCHMIDT (1705 - 1779) and they had the following kids:

CHILDREN OF JOHANN HEINRICH KLAPPER AND ANNA SCHMIDT

  • JOHANN WILHELM KLAPPER was born on 12 Mar 1727 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess, New York. He died on 11 Feb 1772 in Claverack, Columbia, New York.
  • ANNA BARBARA KLAPPER was born in 1729 in Claverack, Columbia, New York. In 1756, she married Wilhelm Schneider (1728 - 1801) and they had: Pieter (b. 1758); Mary Snyder (b. 17580; Marya (b. 1761); Henry W (1764 - 1835); Annatje (b. 1765); Johannes (b. 1767); Jacob (b. 1769); Elizabeth (1771 - 1818); Geertruy (b. 1772); Lena (b. 1774); Catherine (1779 - 1854); and Wiliam (b. 1780). Anna Barbara died on 10 Mar 1801 in Red Hook, Dutchess, New York.
  • HENDRICK KLAPPER was born in 1731, in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York. In 1754, he married Eva Holtzapfel (1735 - 1785) and they had Anna Margaretha (b. 1755); Willem (1757 - 1818); Hendrick (1758 - 1848); Johannes (1760 - 1848); Gerrtje (b. 1761); Elsje (b. 1763); Catherina (b. 1764); Annetje (b. 1766); Elisabeth (b. 1772) and Marytjen Klapper (b. 1773) . Hendrick died in 1791 in Claverack, Columbia, New York.
  • CATHERINA KLAPPER was born in 1734 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess, New York.
  • ADAM KLAPPER was born in 1737 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess, New York. In 1756 he married Magdalena Philip (1737 - 1783) in Claverack, Columbia, New York and they had a son, Lambert Clapper (b. 1780) and Adam Jr. Adam Sr. died in 1801 in Québec, Canada.
  • GEORGE (JURGE) KLAPPER was born on 17 Oct 1739 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess, New York. He died on 6 Apr 1794.
  • ELIZABETH KLAPPER was born in 1740 in Dutchess Co., New York. On 6 Apr 1760 she married Richard Plimley (1733 - 1771) in Claverack, Columbia, New York. They had the following children: Heinrich (b. 1761); Willem (1763 - 1830); Margriet (b. 1765); Catherina (b. 1767); Eva (b. 1769 ) and Geertjen (b. 1771). Elisabeth died on 11 Feb 1771.
  • COENRAD KLAPPER (1741 - 1805) married MARRITJE HAUS (c. 15 Oct. 1750 in Orangetown, Rockland County) on 29 Mar 1768 at Reformed Church, Linlithgo, Livingston, Columbia, New York, and had: Johannes Conrad (b: 18 Apr 1769, c: 1769 in St. Thomas' Lutheran Church, Churchtown, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Henrich (b: 11 Apr 1771, c: 11 Apr 1772 in St. Thomas' Lutheran Church, Churchtown, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Sara (b: 28 Feb 1773, c: 1773 in St. Thomas' Lutheran Church, Churchtown, Claverack, Columbia, New York) Critje (b: 24 Dec 1776, c: 19 Jan 1777 in Reformed Church, Claverack, Columbia, New York); William (b: 8 Jan 1780, c: 20 Feb 1780 in Reformed Church, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Elizabeth (b: 11 May 1782, c: 19 May 1782 in Reformed Church, Linlithgo, Livingston, Columbia, New York); George (b: 5 Sep 1784, c: 12 Sep 1784 in Reformed Church, West Copake, Columbia, New York); Catharina (b: 30 Jul 1787, c: 2 Sep 1787 in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York) and Peter Klapper (b: Abt 1791 in Dutchess, New York). Marritje died abt 1832 in Bethlehem, Albany, New York.
  • PETER KLAPPER (c. 2 Apr 1743 in Red Hook, Dutchess, New York) married MARGARETHA HAUSE (b. 15 Apr 1749 in Kakiat, Rockland, New York) Abt 1768 in Columbia Co., New York. They had the following children: Johannes P. (c: 11 Dec 1768 in Reformed Church, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Henry Peter (b: Abt 1770 in Columbia, New York); Jacob (b: 2 Feb 1773 c: 1773 in St. Thomas' Lutheran Church, Churchtown, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Petrus (b: 23 Jul 1777 c: 12 Aug 1777 in Reformed Church, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Sarah (b: 29 Sep 1779 c: 17 Oct 1779 in Reformed Church, Linlithgo, Livingston, Columbia, New York) Critje (b: 22 Jun 1782 c: 14 Jul 1782 in Reformed Church, Claverack, Columbia, New York); Wilhelm Peter (b: 21 Sep 1784 in Clapper Hollow, Albany, New York c: 1784 in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York); Nicholas (b: 16 Jun 1787 c: 8 Jul 1787 in Reformed Dutch Church, Albany, Albany, New York); and Maria (b: 14 Mar 1790 c: 19 Mar 1790 in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York. Margaretha died abt 26 Jan 1833 in Bethlehem, Albany, New York. Her will was proved 26 Feb 1833. Data provided by James Dibble - provided baptism place - Lutheran Church, NYC.
  • CATHARINA KLAPPER was born on 1 Jan 1745 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess, New York. She died in 1840 in Otsego, New York.
  • GERTRAUT KLAPPER was born on 4 Dec 1746. She died in 1751.
  • FREDERICK KLAPPER was born on 14 Feb 1747 in Claverack, Columbia, New York. On 25 Feb 1770 he married Elizabeth Whitmore (1746 - 1810) at Linlithgo Reformed Church, New York, and they had: Anna Margareth (b. 1771); Hendrick (1773 - 1828); Elizabeth (1776 - 1870); Anna (1779 - 1830); Eva (1782 - 1812); Maria (1785 - 1850); and Frederick F Clapper (1788 - 1865). Frederick Sr. died on 7 Aug 1820 in Claverack, Columbia, New York.
  • GEERTJE KLAPPER was born on 3 Feb 1751 in Linlithgo, New York. In 1774 she married Philip Holzappel (1749 - 1783) and they had Margaret (b. 1774) and Philip Henrich Holtzappel (b. 1777). She died in 1779 in Claverack, Columbia, New York.

    •    Johann Heinrick died in 1772 in Claverack, Columbia, New York, and left the following will:¹

    In the name of God Amen, This Eleventh day February annoque Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Two -

    I Hendrik Klapper of Claverack in the County of Albany and Province of New York Blacksmith, Being Weakly, but of a sound and disposing mind, Memory and understanding, Do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in Manner following viz

    First and Principally I Resign my Soul to God Allmighty, and my Body I recommend to the Earth, to be interred in a Christian and decent manner at the discretion of my beloved Wife and Children hereinafter nominated -

    (My just Debts, (if any) and Funeral Charges first being paid.) I dispose of my Temporal Estate as follows.

    Imprimis I Give and Bequeath unto my Eldest Son William for his Birth Right the Sum of Five Pounds Yorks currency, which said Five Pounds shall be discounted and deducted from the Debt, which he is owing to my, Estate; and I will and ordain, that he (Being a degenerate and prodigal Son) shall be utterly excluded and for Ever barred, of haveing any share or inheritance to my Real or Personal Estate whatsoEver. Except what has been Given to him for his Birthright abovesaid.

    Item I Give devise and Bequeath unto my beloved Sons George and Frederik All my Real Estate viz. All Improvements and Possessions of my Farm, whereon I now do dwell together with my Dwelling House, Barns stables outhouses, and all other appurtenances belonging unto my real Estate, To Have and to Hold the said, Estate unto my said Two sons their Heirs and assigns for Ever; Provided That my said Two sons, George and Frederick joyntly their Executors or administrators shall and will out of the profits of the said Estate, Sufficiently maintain or cause to be maintained, my beloved Wife Anna Margaritha, during her being my Widow, and that in such a Manner, as my trusty and beloved Executors herein after nominated, shall think proper, ---

    To the Reformed Protestant Congregation in Claverack, known by the name of the new Church, standing near the Ministers House I Give and bequeath the Sum of Twenty shillings Yorks currency. Likewise I give and Bequeath the like Sum of Twenty shillings Yorks currency unto the reformed protestant Congregation in Rinebeck. My Great German Bible I Give and Bequeath unto my Son George. My Great Copper Kettle I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Catharina. All my other Personal Estate, all my Stocks of Creatures, whatSoEver and WheresoEver, all my Goods and Chattels, Effects, Monnies, Sureties of Monny, Book Debts, all Farming utensils all Smiths Tools; Bellows, anvils, Hammer Tongs and Irons, which then shall be in the said Shop, all and Every Thing what, SoEver and wheresoEver it shall be found belonging to my Estate (Except the legacies Given and bequeathed as above said) All such personal Estate I Give devise and Bequeath unto my Four Sons. viz. Hendrik, Coenrad, Adam and Peter, and unto my. Beloved Wife Anna Margaritha, and unto my Five Daughters viz Anna the Wife of Jost Kellder, Elisabeth the Wife of Richard Blameless, Barbara the Wife of William Snyder, Catharina and Gertruyd, to be equally divided among them, or their heirs or the Survivors of them, share and share alike (my Son George may Redeem at pleasure the Smiths Tools with paying the Sum of Twenty Pounds) But in case that any one or more should be discontented with the final Settlement of my Trusty and beloved Executors, and raise a quarrel, or attempt to go to Law for a pretended Recovery of inheritance, he or they so disturbing my Good intention shall by this my last will be utterly excluded of Haveing any share of shares in my Estate, and his or their share shall them be divided among the others, who shall be contented with the final Settlement of the Executors. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    And Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my trusty and Beloved Friends Esqre John van Alen and Capt. Richard Esselstyne bot of the aforesaid place and County, to Look after my Family, that they not be wronged, and that no disputes might arise by the Division of my said Estate, but that all things might be executed to the true Intent and meaning of this my last Will and Testament - In Testimony hereof I have hereunto putt my hand and Seal in Claverack The Day and Year above Written------------------------

    Signed Sealed published an Declared by the said Hendrik Klapper as and for his last Will and Testamint, in the presence of us, who have hereunto sett our names as Wittnesses, in his presence at his Request, and in the presence of each other--------------------

    Frenscis Hardyck Jui his benedickus Valkenar Hendrik H K Klapper Peter Wiessmer (mark)¹

       When our ancestor WILLIAM E. HAUSE moved to Western New York in the early 1800s, our family's alliance the the Klappers ended. But this proud family is responsible for thousands of descendants now, with names like Clopper, de Klopper, Klopper, Klopffer, and Kloper. But no matter what the spelling, it's written with pride.

    ¹—Proved, January 29, 1773. ... Abstracts of New York City Wills - Volume 8 page 87 ... New York City Wills - Liber 28 page 367 .