Who was Rudolph Buys?
For several years now, I have been researching and tracking the movements of our ancestor, Rudolph Buys, of Columbia County New York. Here I will share the most recent information that has surfaced as a result of my efforts.

The earliest record that we have to date on Rudolph Buys, appears in the form of a tax list entry in the township of Claverack, Columbia County, NY., just north of Livingston Manor. I will attempt to provide all information researched to date on Rudolph Buys in chronological order.

Source:
"Upstate New York in the 1760's; Tax List & Selected Militia Rolls of Old Albany County 1760-1768," by Florence Christoph. (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1992. Note this book only covers old Albany county.

Tax List of the District of Claverack in the County of Albany, The List of Rensselaer Manor of Claverack.
List dated: 1 Feb 1766. *Note: This record entry appears 1 year, 7 months, and 24 days before Jacob Boice of Taghkanic is born.

Page. 81, List Entry: Rudolf Beys (1)

"This may be an entry for taxes of 1 pound"



Source:
Tax List of the District of Claverack in the County of Albany. Claverack included the present towns of Hillsdale, Hudson and part of Ghent. The District of Claverack is now located in Columbia County.
List dated 4 February 1767. *Note: This record entry appears 7 months, and 21 days before Jacob Boice of Taghkanic is born.

Page. 74, List Entry: Rudolph Beys (1)

"This may be an entry for taxes of 1 pound"


This is the baptism record for Jacob Boice of Taghkanic,
father of John Boice of Greene County NY.,
and grandfather of
Stephen V. Boyce of San Juan Island, WA.
Source:
Baptism Record of St. Thomas Lutheran Church: Churchtown, (Columbia County) St. Thomas Lutheran Church 1760-1899
Baptism Date: - 1768
Father: Rudolph Beis
Mother: Catharina
Item #: 196
Child: Jacob
Sponsor: Jacob Platner, & wife Catharina (Loescher)
Birth Date: 25 Sep 1767



Source:
Settlers and Residents in the town of Livingston Vol. 3 Part 1 1710 - 1899." Arthur C. M. Kelly,
Kelly, 1 Feb. 1978.

The record book states the following:

Page. 49, List entry: Rudolph Bies appeared on the Livingston Account Book for 1767-1769,
and is listing as paying rent in the form of 24 bushels of wheat, and 4 hens.

*Note: The record which appears below the above entry dated 1767-1769, states that William (Linck), also paid rent on the above farm, between 1770-1784.


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This is a very peculiar place in the time line of Rudolph Buys. We have him on the account books for 1767-1769 and then no records of taxes paid, rents received, or baptism records until the following baptism records beginning in 1781. Where did he go? The above record refers to "William Link" paying rent on his farm between at least 1770-1781. That's nearly 11 years of no information recorded. Also, I have poured over the Revolutionary War records for this area on microfilm, also checked pension records and find no reference to him during this time period.

Is it possible that Rudolph Buys traveled to Holland during the Revolutionary War?
It wasn't uncommon for residents to return to their homeland for periods of time as to settle family estates.

Perhaps more records will surface for this 11 year period, that will settle this missing section in the time line of Rudolph Buys.

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Source:
Baptism Record of St. Thomas Lutheran Church: Churchtown, (Columbia County) St. Thomas Lutheran Church 1760-1899

Record dated: 1781, Rudolph Buys and wife Catherine listed as sponsors of the baptism of George Zufeld, born: 24 Nov 1781, Parents: Henrich Zufeld and Maria (Road)

Record dated: 1782, Rudolph Buys and wife Catherine listed as sponsors of the baptism of Christina Rossman, born: 17 Mar 1782, Parents: Jacob Rossman and Elizabeth (Zufeld), sister of above noted Henrich Zufeld.


Source:
Heads of Families. at the first U.S. census. NY.,1790. By U.S. Bureau of the Census. Washington, 1908. (308p.) :71, Volume: 23, Rudolph Buys: Birth place: New York.

Page Number: 412, District of Livingston:

The 1790 Rudolph Buys census listing reads as follows: One head of family (Rudolph), One male under the
age of 16 (?), and two free white females including heads of family (wife: Catherine and (?).


Source:
Records of St. Thomas Lutheran Church: Churchtown, (Columbia County) St. Thomas Lutheran Church 1760-1899 p. 59.

In 1792, Rudolph Beiss and wife Catharina attend a church dinner hosted by Prediger Johann Friederich Arnet, and appear as the 3rd and 4th guests on the list.



Source:
West Copake, Columbia County Reformed Church Baptism Records.

Record dated:
26 Oct 1794, Rudolph Bays and wife Catherine listed as sponsors of the baptism of Cathrine Bechtel, born: 10 Jul 1794, Parents: Christophel Bechtel and Christina Bays, daughter of Rudolph Buys.


Source:
Settlers and Residents in the town of Livingston Vol. 3 Part 1 1710 - 1899." Arthur C. M. Kelly,
Kelly, 1 Feb. 1978.

Rudolph Buise appears on the Livingston Tenants List dated: (1799-1808), and is listed as having 70 acres and 45 acres on road from Fite Miller to Ancram, 2 miles from Miller.

Click Here to View Farm Location!


Source:
Settlers & Residents Series, Clermont, Vol 2, Part 1: Town of Clermont 1756-1899 " Arthur C. M. Kelly.

Account of days riding & fowls received from lot #2,
List date entry:
1805, Rud Bice (Rudolph Buys)
Paid by Jacob Buyce (Boice) on bond, 1801
Paid by Jacob bioce. (Boice) rent, 1805

1805 is the last known entry located for Rudolph Buys in this area. The 1800 Census for the township of Livingston Shows Jacob and family, Peter and family, and Christine Bechtel (Buys) and family.


To view the family tree of Rudolph Buys., Click Here.


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