BELLINGER
The surname Bellinger, spelled also Pellinger, is of Palatine origin. There appear to be five persons of this name among the grantees of the Burnetsfield patent in Herkimer county; two of them being married women. The name is also found in 1711 among those Palatines who volunteered under General Nicholas Herkimer, in 1711, for the expedition against Montreal, then held by the French. The Palatines were sent by Governor Hunter on their arrival in 1710 to Livingston Manor under the pretense of collecting naval stores and there is good reason for believing that they were origianlly seated on the east side of the Hudson river. The emigration of the Palatines to Schoharie appears to have been from the west side of the Hudson, and consisted of those who had been the most restless under the harsh treatment of the colonial authorities and the failure to conform to the promises of Queen Anne when they started for this country. In November, 1722, Governor Burnet in a letter to the board of trade and plantations, says: "But as about sixty families desired to be in a distinct tract from the rest, and were of those who had all along been most hearty for the government, I have given them leave to purchase land from the Indians - on a creek called Canada Creek.
The Bellinger family was prominent in the new settlement from the outset. They had a high place in the regard of their fellow citizens, especially at the time of the revolution, and were undeviating and unflinching in their attachment and devotion to the cause of the colonists in the revolutionary struggle. Colonel Peter Bellinger, mentioned below, had a regiment composed of the militia of the German Flats and Kingsland district, and Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bellinger of the same regiment participated in the bloody battle of Oriskany, was taken prisoner and carried to Canada. Colonel John Bellinger of this family was also in that battle as a volunteer; removed about 1791 to Utica, New York. Most if not all of the land allotted to the Bellinger family was continued in the possession of descendants to the present time [1910]. Many of the family have been prominent in military affairs. General Christopher F. Bellinger was born in the town of German Flats; was active in politics, a Democrat of the Jefferson type; was often superviror, and held many other offices of trust; four times member of the assembly; colonel of a regiment in the war of 1812, and afterwards commissioned brigadier-general of militia. Major Frederick Bellinger, another military represnetative of the family, was a merchant; was member of the assembly in 1836; was major of militia; died at German Flats; was married twice.
(I) Colonel Peter Bellinger, son or grandson of one of the first settlers at Burnetsfield of this family, was born about 1730. He commanded a regiment and performed gallant service for the colonies during the revolution. He was one of the most prominent of the German Flats and Kingsland district, from which most of his regiment was recruited.
He married Delia Herkimer, sister of General Nicholas Herkimer (see Herkimer I).
Children:
Joseph, mentioned below; John, Christopher.
(II) Joseph, son of Colonel Peter Bellinger, was born about 1760 in German Flats, N.Y. He married Anne E. Campbell.
(III) John Christopher, son of Joseph Bellinger, was born about 1790 in German Flats, N.Y. He was a farmer and was a man of sterling character and highly esteemed by his neighbors. In politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Lutheran. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel Wliliam Feeter.
Children:
1. John W., born Sept. 2, 1819; died Dec. 21, 1847; unmarried.
2. Joseph H., March 29, 1821; died July 21, 1867, married Roxy Ann Smith.
3. Elizabeth Ann, April 1, 1823; died Nov. 6, 1882; married Robert Casler; no children.
4. Catherine, Feb. 11, 1824; died Nov. 17, 1882; married John Smith.
5. James F., March 7, 1826, died Sept. 8, 1895; married, in 1850, Jane Green.
6. Peter, March 7, 1826; married Mary A. Goddell.
7. Christopher, Dec. 17, 1828; died May 16, 1897; married Christine Walrath.
8. Abram Eyseman, Feb. 11, 1831; mentioned below.
9. Joram P., Sept. 11, 1833; married De Etta E. Steele, of Mohawk.
(IV) Abram Eyseman, son of John Christopher Bellinger, was born Feb. 11, 1831. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and in 1844 had a three years' course in Little Falls Academy. In 1847 he opened a general store and continued it until 1875. At the present time [1910] he is the oldest merchant living in the Mohawk Valley. Since 1885 he has been associated in business with his son, a lawyer at Little Falls, N.Y. He was a justice of the peace from 1891 to 1896, and served three terms as town clerk. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Democrat.
He married Maria Elizabeth, daughter of Henry H. and Gertrude Bellinger.
Children:
Gertrude Ann, born 1856, died 1862; Abram H. mentioned below.
(V) Abram H., son of Abram Eyseman Bellinger, was born March 13, 1862. he attended the public school and graduated from the Little Falls high school and from Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams, Jefferson county, N.Y. He studied law at Little Falls in the office of Mills, Palmer & Morgan, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He has been practicing since then at Little Falls, N.Y., and has achieved a notable success. He is a member of Little Falls Lodge No. 181, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Astorogan Chapter, No. 161, Knights Templar, and Little Falls Commandery, No. 26, of Little Falls, N.Y. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Presbyterian.
He married, Jan. 9, 1883, Jennie, born Dec. 16, 1863, daughter of Captain Romaine Roof.
Child:
Gertrude I., born Nov. 13, 1883.
Mrs. Jennie Bellinger is a member of the order of the Eastern Star, Rock City Chapter.