138.125 FEB 7 1906 4.50 PREFACE. It is said that "an ungrateful generation neglects the memory of its fathers," but Moses, the inspired law-giver, cherished the memory of his fathers and made a record of them and of his people for the benefit of future generations. Let us do likewise. The people of the United States of America, with their enterprising and impetuous spirit, ever in quest of new discoveries and greater acquisitions, have somewhat neglected the things of the past, but a new era is now being inaugurated of National expansion and world-wide improvements, and it behooves us as a Christian and a progressive people to treasure up the valuable things of the past and make provision for the future. Among the leading nations of Europe genealogies have long been recorded and kept while in this country they have been neglected, but during these latter days of invention and discovery and progress, birth records are being made in the States, and family genealogies are being multiplied, and, since the Rosenkrantz family is a titled and a distinguished one in Northwestern Europe, and is at least honorable in this country, why should not the names and doings of the American branch be recorded? In offering to the public this genealogy of the Rosenkrans family in this country, the compiler does not claim to have found and recorded the names of all the descendants of Harmon Hendrick Rosenkrans, our first American ancestor, yet he hopes in this volume to contribute materially to the reader's knowledge of the family both in Europe and America from the beginning of the family, 1227, A. D., to this closing year of the nineteenth century and probably near the closing one of the present dispensation. The information concerning the family in Europe having been received by letters from public officials, will appear in letter form, followed by a summary, and the genealogy and history of the family in this country, obtained from various sources, will appear in individual form, generation by generation, according to the number of the name, while that of the children and grandchildren of Rosenkrans women will be given in connection with their parents. In giving the family name of individuals, many of whom have changed the orthrography, that form of spelling it will be given as far as known that was last used by the person mentioned. Some mistakes will undoubtedly appear, as some have failed to answer letters of inquiry, and reports concerning them have been received from others, frequently fragmentary and conflicting. besides changes have taken place in some families since the reports were received. To the many who have courteously and kindly answered letters of inquiry and have thus aided in the formation of this genealogy, the writer herewith tenders most grateful acknowledgments. In the undertaking and execution of the work, covering a period of about seven years, the compiler trusts that he has not been actuated by mercenary motives, but has had in view the interests of the entire family, as well as his own, believing that a genealogy and history will not only afford the reader a better knowledge of the family, but will tend to produce increased fraternal relations among the scattered members and give pleasure and satisfaction to coming generations. Having completed the work with a realizing sense of the Divine guidance from Beginning to End, I now dedicate this volume to "SELAH," imploring upon it the Divine blessing, and upon all whose names are herein recorded. THE AUTHOR, FAMILY TRADITIONS. A tradition among the descendants of Colonel John Rosenkrans, and perhaps others, is that our forefathers were Hollanders, and that our first American ancestor came from Amsterdam. A second tradition in this branch of the family is that a Rosenkrans ancestor died in Holland leaving a fortune to which the American branch of the family is entitled by inheritance. A third tradition, or legend, regarding the origin and beginning of the Rosenkrantz family and ǹame somewhat mysteriously received by the writer, 1880, is in substance as follows: "A bonny Scott, by the name of Donald Mack, 1050 years ago, went to another country and married a fair daughter of the land. He raised a family of seven children-of sons brave and daughters true. A descendant of his, the eldest son of the eldest, whose mother was not of Scotch descent, went to war and by his bravery won the name of Rosenkrans. He was afterward crowned, or presented, with a garland of roses, which he added to his coat of arms, and took the name of Rosenkrantz.” A fourth tradition, coming from Steuben County, New York, is that in the time of William 1st, Prince of Orange, then Ruler of the Netherlands, a celebrated Swedish military officer was sent by the king of Sweden to instruct Maurice, the son of Prince William, in the science of military engineering; that Maurice became a great military chieftain, and that a son of the military instructor in Holland came to this country and was the progenitor of the Rosenkrans family here. A continuation of this tradition, received from the same source, and which has found its way into Everett & Peck's History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, (p. 195) is as follows: One Alexander Angustus Rosenkrans came from Holland to New Amsterdam in 1689, accompanied by his wife whose maiden name is not known. He reared a family of sons and daughters among whom was John Rosenkrans, who was born May 18, 1724." EXPLANATIONS. Tradition first:-Regarding Holland as the former home of our Rosenkrans ancestors, is undoubtedly true, and is corroborated by the European reports, as may be seen in the history of "The Family in Europe," though the family did not originate in Holland, nor did our first American ancestor come directly from Amsterdam to this country, but from Bergen, Norway, as his marringe record declares. Tradition second:-Concerning the fortune left in Holland and its inheritance, seems founded upon facts as to its having been left there, but not as to its inheritance by the American branch of the family. In 1895, the writer made inquiry of our American Minister at the Hague, Hon. W E. Quimby, concerning the Rosenkrans family in Holland, and also concerning the fortune, but while reporting concerning the family in Amsterdam through the officials there he said nothing about the fortune, and, having no hopes of receiving any benefit from it, further inquiry was not made. Mrs. A. E. White (196), of Steuben County, New York, reports that a Hollander once in the employ of her father in Hammondsport, stated that in a newspaper received from Holland, there was an advertisement for the heirs of a certain Rosenkrans who had died there leaving a fortune, and suggested that it probably belonged to the Rosenkranses in this country. This was probably the origin of the tradition. She reports also that subsequently upon inquiry a relative of the family received intelligence through the American Minister in Holland, that one "Augustus Adolphus DeRosenkrantz," a bachelor, had died there leaving a fortune, but as no heirs had come to claim it, it eventually reverted to the Crown or State, The name "DeRosenkrantz" indicates that he was of the Baronial line of the Danish noble family, and if so, the American branch of the family could not have inherited the fortune, as it did not come from that branch of the family, but, as indicated by the European reports, the American branch originated in a German branch, prior to the time when the Danish noble family adopted the name, Tradition third :-Regarding the origin of the Rosenkrantz family and name is remarkably confirmed by the early records of the family in Europe, as shown in letter 20 and in the summary. Erik, the eldest son of the eldest, was presented with a Rose-wreath, 1325, which he added to his coat of arms and took the name of Rosenkrantz. Tradition fourth-Has not been corroborated by any reports or records found, except that Maurice, son of Prince William, did truly become a great military chieftain, and successfully withstood the Army of Spain under the able leadership of Alva and |