The future Dr. Henry van Hoevenberg was born November 2, 1790, at Staatsburgh, Dutchess County, New York, the fifth child of Lt. Henry van Hoevenberg and Esther Dumond. He was two years younger than his brother Abraham, and fifteen years older than his brother James Dumond.
The young Henry attended an academy in Ellsworth, Connecticut, then in 1810 studied medicine with Dr. Joshua E. R. Birch in New York City, followed by more medical study at Philadelphia in 1811-12. After receiving his diploma he immediately entered the Army as Surgeon's Mate of the 13th Regiment under Col. Peter B. Schuyler on the Niagara Frontier, where after the Battle of Queenstown he organized the first American military hospital. When the hospital was moved to Buffalo, her served there, until 1814 when ill health forced him to resign. During this time frame Dr. Henry served on the privateer Whig, and practiced in the Kingston are until 1827 when he moved to New York City.
Dr. Henry met Jane Catherine Heermance during his military service. According to one family tradition, Martin Henry was conceived and born while his father was away at war. In any case, Dr. Henry married Jane Catherine on March 29, 1813 in Rhinebeck. They had the following children:
Martin Henry, born March 31, 1815
Sarah Jane, born November 5, 1818
James Oliver, born July 16, 1822
John Kiersted, born October 10, 1823,
Charles Ruggles, born May 18, 1825,
Andrew Heermance, born July 1, 1827
Esther Maria, b. 1829
John Kiersted and Andrew Heermance died in infancy, and Esther Maria died at age three. Charles Ruggles lived to the aged of 60, but was incapacitated his entire life.
In 1835, Dr. Henry was appointed Resident Physician of Bellevue Hospital, and Supervisor of the Alms House, Pentientiary, Bridewell, etc. In 1838 he was appointed Deputy Health Officer of the Port of New York, then Health Officer of the Port in 1843, holding that office until 1848 when he retired. After eight years' residence on Staten Island, he returned to Kingston until his death. According to other sources, he was active in Tammany Hall during this time.
Dr. Henry's retirement coincided with some family difficulties.
The marriage of his eldest son, Martin, had failed. His first wife, Charlotte Reed Phelps, and their three surviving children thus followed Dr. Henry back to Kingston, as did Dr. James Oliver and his family.
Clearly some rift had occurred, if only because Dr. Henry's descendants had no clue throughout the 20th Century of what had occured to Martin: the best that could be had was the rumor that Martin had "run off with a governess and started a new family in Wisconsin." However, the rift was not complete, at least not in the next few decades. This is indicated not only by the suggested visits to Martin Henry in Haledon, but also by the fact that in his Will Dr. Henry left a significant bequest to both Martin Henry as well as to his daughters from his first marriage.
Dr. Henry's wife died in 1862. He passed away on July 29, 1868. They are both buried in Rhinebeck.
(Adapted from the article "The van Hoevenberg Family")
|
