GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS, FROM FONDA CEMETERY and VICINITY.
Fonda, Montgomery County, New York.

from: Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Caughnawaga;
now the Reformed Church of Fonda, in the village of Fonda, Montgomery County, N.Y.
New York; unknown, 1917, 748 pgs.



[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

The inscriptions which follow were copied on one or two afternoons, in the latter part of June 1917. For the most part, they include only the names of families, whom I know were early settlers. Numbers 1 to 31 occupy two rows on the high ground in the rear of the Fonda Cemetery. Elsewhere, insciptions were copied at random, but these two rows are complete. The stones in these two rows were removed to the Fonda Cemetery from a private burying ground on the east side of the road leading to Fultonville, near the river. This land is now a part of the fair grounds. At first, it was owned by Douw Fonda and later by the Van Horne family. I found no other gravestones in the Fonda Cemetery, although a part of it was once the burying ground of the Caughnawaga church. I did not have an opportunity to visit the "Sand Flats" Cemetery, a mile or two west of the village. The scarcity of old gravestones in the Fonda Cemetery is partly accounted for by the number of old private burying grounds, within a few miles from the village. The inscriptions in one of them the old Visscher burying ground on the Alfred De Graff farm, I copied completely. Another, the Van Eps burying ground in Fultonville, I was prevented from copying by a passing shower. 1. Adam Fonda, who departed this life 20th November 1808, in the 75th year of his age. 2. Adam Fonda [Foot stone to No. 1]. 3. In memory of Nelly, wife of Adam Fonda, who died 12th Dec. 1820, in the 83d year of her age. 4. N. F. [Foot stone to No. 3]. 5. In memory of Barent Fonda, who deptd this Life Jan. 18th, 1788, Aged 12 Years, 6 mo. & 14 das. 6. Here lies the body of Mary Fonda, Wife of Douw Fonda, born the 24 Day of March 1698, Departed this Life in hopes of a better the 30 Day of Janry 1756, Aged 53 Years and Ten Months. 7. In memory of Doct. Giles. H. Fonda, who Died Oct. 5th, 1825, Aged 30 Years 6 Months and 23 Days. 8. In memory of Henry V. Fondam Obiit 23d April 1799, ae 29 y'rs 5 mo's & 17 days. 9. Janettie, Widow of the Late Jollis Fonda Deceased, Obit. 2nd Feb'y 1804, age 73 yrs 3 m. & 28 days. 10 In memory of Jelles Fonda, who deparated this Life June 23d, 1791, Aged 54 {or 64 or 84} yrs 2 Mo. & 19 ds. 11. Douwe Fonda's second wife, born July 28, 1710; died December 12, 1770. Named Debora Fonda. 12. In memory of Douw Fonda who departed this Life May 22d 1780, Aged 79 yr. 9 m. Note: He removed to Caughnawaga from Schenectady in 1751. At the time of the Revolution he was living on the flats, between the present turnpike and the river, a few rods east of the road leading to the bridge, at which place he was murdered by the Indians under Sir John Johnson. The village of Fonda was named after him. [Smith's New York State Gazetteer, page 415]. 13. Abraham A., son of G. H. F. & C. Van Horn, died July 29, 1838, aged 11 months & 12 days. 14. Aaron V., son of G. H. F. & C. Van Horn, died Dec. 16, 1841, aged 4 months & 8 days. 15. Margerett, A daughter of C. H. F. & C. Van Horn, died July 15, 1843, aged 8 months & 25 days. 16. Abraham, son of G. H. F. & C. Van Horne, died Feb. 18, 1844, aged 4 years 7 months & 24 days. 17. Catharine, wife of Giles H. F. Van Horn, died Feb. 26, 1844, aged 31 years 7 month & 18 days. 18. Nicnholas Smith, Eldest son of G. H. F. & M. E. Van Horn, born Dec. 21, 1846, died Jan. 30, 1859. [Erected by his Grand Father, Col. N. Smith] (Stone broken). 19. N. S. V. H. [Foot stone to No. 18]. 20. Giles Henry, son of G. H. F. & M. E. Van Horne, died May 8, 1852, ae 19 mos. & 20 ds. 21. G. V. H. [Foot stone to 20]. 22. Jane Fonda, wife of A. A. Van Horne, born Nov. 8, 1792, died March 24, 1881. 23. Abram A. Van Horne, born Jan. 27, 1790, died Apr. 14, 1871. 24. Anne Covenhoven, wife of the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, born Oct. 13, 1767, died Sept. 14, 1840. 25. A. V. [Foot stone to No. 24]. 26. Rev. Abram Van Horn, born Dec. 31, 1763, died Ja. 5, 1840. Ordained a Minister of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church in 1790, and for upwards of 40 years had the pastoral charge of the Dutch Church of Caughnawaga in which time he married about 1500 couple. 27. A. V. [Foot stone to 26]. 28. In memory of Henry V. Fonda, son of Ab'm & Jane Van Horne, who died 22nd May 1815, aged 11 months & 17 days. 29. In memory of Anne, daughter of Ab'm A. & Jane Van Horne, who died 22d Feb. 1813, aged 1 year 4 months & 9 days. 30. In memory of Caroline, daughter of Ab'm A. & Jane Van Horne who died Feb. 3rd, 1825, aged 7 Years 8 Mons & 18 days. 31. In memory of Virgenia, daughter of Ab'm A. & Jane Van Horne, who died Feb. 15, 1827, aged 2 years 11 mon. & 21 days. 32. Gen. Peter H. Fonda, died Aug. 30, 1874, aged 73 yrs. 33. P. H. F. [Foot stone to No. 32]. 34. Gertrude, wife of Peter H. Fonda, born May 23, 1805, died March 11, 1870. 35. G. F. [Foot stone to No. 34]. 36. In memory of Gen. Henry Fonda, who departed this life Sept. 17th, 1828 [or 26], at 11 O. C. A.M. aged 62 years & 27 days. 37. H. F. [Foot stone to No. 36]. 38. Hester, wife of Henry Fonda, died Feb. 14, 1840, in her 75th yr. 39. H. F. [Foot stone to No. 38]. 40. In memory of William Henry, son of Peter H. & Gartrude Fonda who died Aug. 20, 1835, aged 1 year 1 mo. & 1 days. 41. W. H. F. [Foot stone to No. 40]. 42. In memory of Frances Deare Fonda, daughter of Rev. J. D. & Cornelia Fonda, who died Feb. 19th 1837, aged 2 years 5 months and 9 days. 43. Anne, daughter of Henry & Eveline Fonda, died July 9, 1838, age 1 mo. & 7 days. 44. O. T. B. Fonda, born April 5, 1808, died Aug. 8, 1879. [the O also resembles either a "C" or a "G"]. 45. Rachel, wife of Garret T. B. Fonda, died July 5, 1844, aged 34 yrs. 46. R. F. [Foot stone to No. 45]. 47. In memory of Garret D., son of Garret F. B. & Rachel Fonda, who died March 9, 1831, aged 1 year & 7 Mo. Inscriptions from the Old Reformed Church Cemetery, Fultonville. 48. (Double stone): John C. Van Epps, died March 1, 1810, in the 52nd year of his age. Alada, wife of John C. Van Epps, died June 19, 1800, in the 36th year of her age. 49. (Double stone): J. V. E. / A. V. E. [foot stone to No. 48]. 50. In memory of Rev. John Ames, who died Dec. 28, 1844, aged 85 years. 51. Mary Wempel, born November 10, 17 **, departed this life ***** Note: The part of the inscription marked with asterisks is illegible. This is Maria Veeder, first wife of John Barent Wemple; she was born Nov. 10, 1750, and died April 17, 1785; (Wemple Genealogy, in N.Y. Gen. & Biog. Record, Vol XXXV, pages 197 - 198 (July 1904). 52. In memory of Barney I. Wemple, who departed this life 1st April 1811, in the 33rd year of his age. Note. This is a son of Mary Wemple, No. 51. 53. In memory of Cathe..wife of George Voorheis, who departed this life Feb. 23, 1816, aged 47 years. 54. Frederick Starin, departed this life April 1, 1826, ae 82 years. Elisabeth Frank, his wife, died Nov. 12, 1835, aged 89 yrs. Inscriptions from a private burying ground on the Alfred De Graff Farm, at Danccara creek, three miles east of the Caughnawaga Church site. 55. In memory of Deborah, daughter of Peter & Susan Conyne, and wife of Herman Vissher, who was born January 6th 1791, and departed this life July 25th 1813, aged 22 years 6 months and 19 days. (This stone resting against the wall enclosure). 56. In memory of Herman Visscher, who departed this life Jan. 31st 1815, aged 34 years 9 months and 26 days. {This stone resting against the wall inclosure). 59. In memory of Myndert S. Ten Eyek, who departed this life October 4th 1805, aged 52 years 9 months and 2 days. 58. In memory of Deborah, wife of Dr. W. H. Devce, who died April 2nd 1831, in the 49 year of her age. 59. In memory of Peter A. Conyne, who departed this life September the 25th 1811, aged 26 years 1 month and 11 days. 60. In memory of Rebackah Visscher, who departed this life January 3rd, 1788, aged 26 years 7 months. 61. In memory of Rebecca Visscher, who departed this life November 22nd 1760, aged 10 years 1 month & 29 days. 62. In memory of Wm. Brown Visscher, who departed this life January 19th, 1776, aged 26 years 8 months & 24 days. 63. In memory of Harmen Visscher, who departed this life January 16, 1776, aged 74 years & 22 ds. 64. In memory of Catrerna Visscher, who departed this life January 22d, 1791, aged 70 years, 4 months & 9 days. 65. In memory of John Visscher, who departed this lfie May 22nd, 1780, aged 36 years, 10 mo & 20 da. Also: Harmanus Visscher, who departed this life May 22nd, 1780, age 29 years & 1 month. 66. In memory of Harmen Visscher, Jun., who departed this life Aug. 3rd 1779, aged 19 years 1 month & 29 days. 67. In memory of Frederick Visscher, Jun., who departed this life April 6th, 1792, aged 3 years. 68. Catharine, wife of Jacob S. Glen, departed this life Jan. 15th, 1827, aged 51 years, 6 months & 26 days. 69. Peter C. Visscher, who died Nov. 20, 1822, age 1 mo. & 18 days. 70. In memory of Frederick Fisher, who was born February 22nd 1741, and departed this life June 9th, 1809, aged 68 years 3 months and 18 days. 71. In memory of Gezena Visscher, who departed this life September 9th, 1815, aged 67 years 10 months and 4 days. 72. In memory of Gazena Mabee, wife of Simon Mabee, who departed this life Nov. the 13th, 1806, aged 35 years 3 months and 29 days. 73. In memory of Gazena, daughter of Simon & Gazena Mabee, who departed this life Jan. 5th, 1797, aged 21 months and 19 days. 74. Jesse Visscher, died Oct. 11, 1831, aged 44 years. 75. Daniel Visscher, departed this lifce on the 14th day of January 1850, aged 76 years 4 months and 12 days. 76. Hester, wife of Daniel Visscher, entered into rest June 10th 1843, aged 57 years and five months. 77. Charles Howard, son of Wm. Farnam & Susan Degraff, died July 28, 1864. Aged 8 m's & 4 d's. 78. Howard, youngest child of Jesse D. Degraff & O. (?) Catharine Visscher, born March 2, 1843, fell asleep in Jesus Nov. 22, 1857. (This stone resting against the wall inclosure).