Newsletter 8-8-2021 – Dutch Cousins

WILLIAM’S OBITUARY
Mr. William Demaree entered into this life on June 18, 1936 on a farm near Madison Indiana. He was the loving son of the late James Hayes and Mary Agnes Mathews Demaree. Bill moved to the town of Madison as a small child and industriously started his first job as paper carrier. He won a contest selling subscriptions to the Indianapolis Star, which earned him a trip to Washington D.C. He graduated from Madison High School in 1956 and attended Indiana University Southeast. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1958 and rose to the rank of Specialist E-4 and was transferred to the Reserves and honorably discharged in 1964. He was united in marriage to Betty Kay Millican on June 18, 1967 at the Hanover Presbyterian Church. This happy union of 54 years was blessed with a daughter, Julie. Bill was a lifelong resident of the Madison community and was a well-known realtor for over 50 years. He founded a real estate agency, Bill Demaree Realty, and served in various roles for the Jefferson County Board of Realtors, including president. Bill eventually became the first Jefferson County Realtor Emeritus. Bill also served on the Madison City Council from 1986 to 1995. For many years, Bill was a bus driver for Prince of Peace schools and later, for Madison schools. Earlier in life, he was an assistant manager at Inglis Drug Store and worked in car sales and as a parts manager at the family business, Demaree Motors. Bill was a member of First Baptist Church, Major Samuel Woodfill Post No.9 of the American Legion, the Madison Moose Lodge No. 765, Madison Elks Lodge No. 524, Jefferson County Historical Society and the Jefferson County Board of Realtors. As a young man, Bill’s hobbies included riding a unicycle and water-skiing. Bill also built his own small cabin cruiser boat. Bill always enjoyed the movies, particularly old westerns, and acted in local theatre. His interests also included historic houses, cars (including his 1928 Chevrolet Capitol Truck), weight lifting, running, and hiking. Bill loved Madison, enjoyed socializing, never met a stranger and loved spending time with his family. Bill died on Friday July 9, 2021, at 4:50 p.m. at the King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana with his loving family at his side.
Please Click Here to View the Video Tribute
Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording

A Loving Family
Bill will be missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Betty Kay Millican Demaree of Madison, Indiana; his beloved daughter Julie Ann Demaree and her husband Kiran Somashekara of Montclair, New Jersey; his grandchildren Justin and Keenan Somashekara; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Hayes Demaree, died April 21, 1965 and his mother Mary Agnes Mathews Demaree, died January 27, 1993. Bill was also preceded in death by his siblings Marianna Demaree McLendon, died August 14, 2012; James Mathews Demaree, died September 13, 1992; Charles Richard “Dick” Demaree died November 6, 2009; Nancy Demaree Stiles died April 3, 1964 and John Robert “Jack” Demaree died January 2, 2006.
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Bob Demaree wrote:

Did you get the news that my Uncle Bill died?

Bill Demaree of Madison had attended several Dutch Cousin gatherings. Here is the link to his obituary. Obituary for William Louis “Bill” Demaree at Madison Chapel
Obituary for William Louis “Bill” Demaree at Madison Chapel————————————————————————–

Carolyn Leonard wrote:I just learned of the death of one of our cousins, Bill Demaree of Madison, Indiana, last month. Bill and his wife Betty never missed a Cousins gathering even tho he wasn’t on email. Lynn Rogers sent me the obit, and I learned that Bill’s mother and Lynn Rogers mother were close friends, and Lynn’s grandfather delivered both Bill and Lynn. Isn’t that something!

We spent a wonderful weekend several years ago at Madison visiting Bill and Betty and staying with them in their 1900 era home, visiting Betty’s antique shop, and touring the historic sites of Madison with Bill. He was helping me research the story of my Cozine cousin, Sara, who was kidnapped in 1790 by Pottawatomie Indians in Henry County, Kentucky when she was nine years old. Her stepfather was some relation to Bill, land some of my info comes from his Demaree family history books.

Sara’s 12-year-old brother Daniel was killed and scalped. His skull was crushed by a tomahawk. Sara was also scalped by the Potowattomie Indians but lived. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1795 she was allowed to “find her way home to her family” from the Detroit area. However, by that time she had forgotten her real name and they listed her as Sarah Parsains.

Back in Harrodsburg she lived at first with her mother and stepfather, Sam Demaree Jr, and was mentioned in the Draper Manuscripts as still living age 55. She did marry but had no children. In later years she lived in a home built for her near the home of her nephew, William Underwood Demaree. (William U Demaree was the son of Sara’s half-brother Daniel Demaree, named for Sara’s brother killed by the Indians). She was known to all as “Aunt Sally”. Sara was regared as eccentric for following some Indian habits of her captivity time. For instance she kindled a fire in the Indian way. In the summer she would set up a tent or wigwam in her yard and said it was cooler there.

Sara MIGHT be buried – Demaree cemetery (abandoned), located on China-Manville Road 0.8 mile below Bacon Ridge hill Road, and 0.2 mi above Lower Dry Fork Rd.
Lynn Rogers, in 2013, says the place is 70 yards east of the road on a slight rise. Gps-lat/long=38.81820/85.32407. In 2011, 4 iron fence posts marked a 30’x40’ rectangle; only the lower half of one gravestone was visible lying on its back (“died 1862”), possibility of only one other stone remains. (I’d love to have a photo if anyone goes there).

Yes the chemo is working and I am still here! Long ago I started a book about Sara’s journey and still hope to finish it if the Lord tarries. I have not given up hope of coming to Kentucky for the cousins reunion next month, but have to wait and see. My immunity is very low so not much “congregating” allowed. I love each of my cousins and would love to be there.

Blessings to all!
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Lynn Rogers wrote:
Helen McKinney of the Painted Stone Settlers (the group which does the Reenactment) has sent the press release for this years event. In 2017 the Dutch Cousins attended the Reenactment. The event is interesting and informative. Most of our Dutch Cousin ancestors experienced similar events.

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J. Michael Schmermund Lloyd wrote:
Hi Carolyn, I completed a small document on Elizabeth Peters Bercaw history to get it right in my own records and just forwarded it to you. If you want to share it feel free. I trust you are doing well and getting ready for the “Dutch ” Meeting. Im just finishing a major update on the children of Joshua Bercaw born 1779 so people accessing family Findagraves can now see the lost branch in Ohio.
Cheers, Michael

Carolyn Leonard wrote:
Thank you Michael. The Conewago Dutch continue to hold a place in my heart! I have added this information to Elizabeth’s findagrave memorial, and also copied the info to be published in the next Dutch Letters. Are you on that mailing list? If not, and you would like to be, send an email to King and Sharon Cole.

Blessings to you and keep up the good work!
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Subject: ELIZABETH PETERS (BERCAW), 1792-1867, Adams Co. Pa., challenging life

    ELIZABETH PETERS, born 23 Mar 1792, died 18 October 1867 Adams County, Pa. based upon records was married only once to PETER BERCAW #1 born 1753. Their marriage on 31 Oct 1822 was for Peter Bercaw his third marriage and one in which he would die 15 Oct 1823 not quite one year after their marriage. On its face the marriage to a well established gentleman farmer with a house hold of grandchildren a good opportunity for security. Unfortunately that would not prove to be the case.
For Elizabeth Peters timing was off leaving her facing a long challenge to provide for her son. Isaac, and for herself. We do not know exactly when the couple met but we do know she conceived a child, Isaac, by Peter Bercaw about June 1822 while Peter Bercaw, born 1853 was drafting his Will”. Unfortunately for Elizabeth her marriage and son would both come after the Will was filed in probate and she and her son was not included in the will. The marriage was 31 Oct 1822 at the age of 30 when she was about 5 months pregnant. Isaac , her son, was born 19 Mar 1823 in Mount Joy Township, Adams County, Pa.
The husband, Peter Bercaw, born 1753, died 15 Oct 1823 only 7 months after his last son (#8) was born. Peter Bercaw born 1753, would out live , his sons Peter Jr., Isaac born 1790, and daughter Anna (Kitchen). Records show Peter Bercaw born 1753 had 8 children including Isaac born 1823. Two additional children have been credited to wife #2 Ann Loyster, but not record including his Will recognized these children.
    Elizabeth Peters Bercaw had a long journey through probate court and “Orphans Court” . We know by postings in the newspaper of court filings she was in court at least to 1834 asking money to be released for her son and herself. Because of the untimely death of both Isaac born 1790 and brother Peter Fr, born 1882 along with the real estate of Peter Bercaw born 1753, no purchases came to transform the real estate to cash. Son number 4 , Joshua moved to Ohio about 1828 and sold his land to his eldest brother, George, who was the executor of his father’s estate. Ultimately relief did not come to Elizabeth Peters Bercaw until Peter P. Bercaw, son of George Bercaw upon the death of his father , 21 Feb 1863, deeded land to Isaac Bercaw born 1823 , 5 April 1866 who was abt 43 years old. Elizabeth Peters Bercaw would 18 Oct 1867 at the age of 75.
   What does appear is Peter P Bercaw, 1807-1890, son of George Bercaw, 1777-1863, was a friend and supported as cousins and for a number of years lived adjacent and worked together. The relationship to the senior son , George Bercaw, born 1777-1863, is questionable. It seems George Bercaw born 1777 was both executor and receiver for the courts on numerous families during a time that Adams County was being depopulated with locals migrating in large numbers to Ohio likely from inflated real estate values. It was easy for George Bercaw to have a conflict of interest with his role in the courts.
Ultimately the family came together and Isaac Bercaw born 1823 was able to raise his family through the civil war in Adams County, Pennsylvania. George Bercaw born 1777 had all his children but one remained single and never had family. The only child to marry was George W Bercaw 1820-1892 who moved to Ohio and settled in Indiana.
   Elizabeth Peters Bercaw Findagrave #19024021, born 23 Mar 1792 , died 18 Oct 1867 age 75, buried in Saint Mark’s Reformed Cemetery, Mount Joy Township, Adams County, Pa. We can say to tribute to Elizabeth Peters Bercaw she stayed at the side of her son throughout his life and saw him build a successful family despite the obstacles she faced from money and the civil war.

Completed by,
J. Michael Schmermund Lloyd
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5 August 2021
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Sara Brower wrote to be added to our mailing list:
Mailing address: Philadelphia, PA 19111

Dutch connection:
Adam Brouwer c1620 – 1692 > Nicholas > Adolph > Nicholas > William > Caleb > Charles Henry > Joseph Nicholas > EFK > JW > me collaterals possible to Kentucky
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Beverly DeMotte Santella wrote:

Inquiry: Origin of Cosine name:

First let me say, I regret that I cannot come to the fall Dutch Cousins weekend.

Secondly, I just found the following ancestors far up a maternal line in my DeMotte family. The spellings of names notoriously change over the years, and this “Coensen” name struck me as a possible “Cosine” variation. So I’m wondering if any Cosine’s out there have any more insights to these people and/or how/if the Cosine name has changed over the years. BTW: The following finds are from Ancestry.com
9XGGMAGNIETJE COENSEN/COENSSEB:1594 Holland, Reusel-de Mierden, Noord-Brabant, NetherlandsD:6 Aug 1638 Holland, Reusel-de Mierden, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands 10XGGFTHOMASZ COENSEN B:1565 Holland, Reusel-de Mierden, Noord-Brabant, NetherlandsD:AFT 1594 Netherlands 11XGGFWOLTERUS COENSENB:1540 NetherlandsD:Unknown Netherlands Beverly DeMotte Santella, Uniontown PA
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May ye be in Heaven ha’f an hour before the devil knows ye dead!
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Bill Black wrote:
I am a 6th GGrandson of Jacob (Valley Creek Jake) Van Meter, a prominent pioneer settler of Hardin County.

The DC website surname list does not seem to include Van Meter. If there is a DC member who is interested in this family would you perhaps forward the attachment. Over the years I have accumulated a ton of data and stories and would be happy to share.

Thanks so much

Bill Black, DAR
Richmond, Va

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