The Knickerbocker Historical Society

While serving as a young lawyer, Herman Knickerbocker met and was befriended by Washington Irving. Irving visited Herman in Schaghticoke several times over the years.  Irving wrote his satirical A History of New York, using the pen name Diedrich Knickerbocker.

Born in 1856, Herman's great grandmother was Kathlyne Knickerbocker, daughter of Joannes Knickerbocker III. Although he is best known as a writer, he began his career as a civil engineer, following in his father's footsteps.

Kathlyne, born in 1853, was the older sister of Herman Knickerbocker Viele. Her parents were Egbert Viele and Teresa Brewer, a novelist. She was named for her paternal great grandmother, Kathlyne Knickerbocker, daughter of Johannes III. Her most notable work Viele, 1659-1909, Two Hundreds and Fifty Years with a Dutch Family in New York, was published in 1909, which was dedicated to the memory of her brother, Herman.

David Buell, was born in Schaghticoke, New York on February 24,1833. He was the son of Congressman Herman Knickerbocker and his third wife, Mary Buell. He spelled the family name traditionally with an "a". He was graduated from Trinity College in 1853 and the General Theological Seminary in 1856. In the latter years he was made deacon. He was ordained as a priest on July 12,1857.

Johannes was born in 1751 in Schaghticoke, New York. He was the great grandson of Herman Jansen Van Wye, of Friesland, Holland, one of the earliest settlers in colonial New York.His father was Colonel Johannes Knickerbacker II, son of the first Knickerbacker to settle in Schaghticoke. Johannes married Elizabeth Winne (pictured above), daughter of William Winne and Maria DeWandelaer. They had 14 children, eleven of who survived to adulthood. Those children gave them 102 grandchildren.

None of the real Knickerbockers ever reached the level of fame attained by the fictional Deidrich Knickerbocker created by Washington Irving. However, the family did produce remarkable individuals who as pioneers, military officers, politicians, public servants and authors made important contributions to New York State's and America's development, culture and history.

Abraham took possession of the Knickerbocker Mansion upon his father's death in 1826 and lived there until his own demise in 1869. The year 1827 was a pivotal year for the Knickerbockers and the family homestead because New York State emancipated its slaves on July 4th.

Abraham's second wife. Their marriage produced four children. Their youngest son, Henry, inherited the Mansion after Mary Ann's death.

Herman was born on July 27, 1782.  He was the son of Johannes III and Elizabeth Winne. He received a classical education, studies law and began practice in Albany.