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Curated family history

Stories

Family history, biographies, migration research, origins, and historical episodes that provide context beyond the full genealogy database.

Historical schooner illustration associated with the Fonda family story
27stories

Abraham A. Fonda (1803–1871)

Born in Wynantskill, Rensselaer County, NY; 1850, 1860 & 1870 Census, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY; participated in a 1838 Jackson County, MO land sale (Prudhomme Tract) which eventually became Kansas City. Engaged in the family grocery business in the City of Louisville and owned two lots of…

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Adam Douw Fonda (1736–1808)

(1736-1808) Sources: History of Schoharie County, Hager / McClanahan Family Adam, younger brother of Jellis, was born in Schenectady and was a career military man, attaining the rank of Lt. Col. in Tryon County Militia, 3rd Battalion (Mohawk). He later became a Tryon County Judge, State…

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Albert (Douw) Fonda (1844–1928)

Albert Fonda was born and raised on the Fonda Farm, in Mohawk Township, just outside of the Village of Fonda. After his twelfth birthday, he attended the district school near his home only during the winter and early spring of the three following years. He was needed as his father's helper on…

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Anthony Phillip Fonda (1878–1935)

Anthony Fonda made a most creditable record as a farmer, as a lawyer and particularly as a citizen whose devotion to the welfare of the great majority is a recognized fact. A resident of Independence, he was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, his parents being Anthony Phillip and Laura D. (Wier)…

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Cornelius C. Fonda (1809–1897)

father of William Henry Fonda (see next entry), spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity (New York) and then he too became a pioneer resident of Michigan, arriving in Calhoun County in the spring of 1838. He made the journey up the Hudson River by steamer, across the…

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David Bartholomew Fonda (1834–1903)

(1834-1903) Sources: Early Chicago and The Northwest, History of Early Chicago Civil War Surgeon 89th Illinois Infantry Proprietor of Dr. Fonda's Medicines, and a gifted speaker and writer; D. B. Fonda, M.D., physician and surgeon, took a full classical course at the Lisha's Kill Academy, and…

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George Farrell Fonda (1859–1943)

(1859-1943) Sources: Biographies of Denver and Vicinity George Fonda - Pioneer of Boulder County, Colorado; born in Augusta, Illinois, son of Henry Dockstader Fonda, a Hollander; mother, Catharine Farrell of Pennsylvania Dutch. He moved to Solomon City, Kansas in 1874, then at the age of 15 on…

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Henry Adam Fonda (1820–1896)

(1820-1896) Sources: History of Montgomery Co., Biographical Encyclopedia of Schuylkill Co. Born in Fonda, Montgomery Co., NY; bp. Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga, NY; 1860 Census, Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PA; 1870 Census Milton, Northumberland Co., PA; 1880 Census, Chillisquaque,…

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Hester Janse Fonda (1615–1690)

Much of the story of the Fonda beginnings in the New World centers around Hester Janse, who today would be called feisty and tenacious. Hester was born in Leiden, Holland, Netherlands in 1615. Rev. W. A. Williams in his book, "Early American Families" states that she and her husband, Jellis,…

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Jane Seymour Fonda (1937– )

Sources: Internet Movie Database, Wikipedia Actress, Writer, Model, Producer, Activist, Fitness Guru; born in New York City, daughter of legendary screen star Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw; sister of Peter Fonda, aunt of Bridget Fonda. Henry, Jane & Peter Fonda Jane…

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John Giles Fonda (1822–1910)

(1822-1910) Sources: Illinois in the 19th Century, 118th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Civil War High Commands, My Dear Aunt Martha Illinois Cavalry - Mexican & Civil War Born along the Mohawk River in Sand Flats, Montgomery County, New York, John came to Hancock County, Illinois with his parents…

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John Henry Fonda (1808– )

Born in Watervliet, Albany Co., New York; trekked to Prairie Du Chien, Crawford Co., Wisconsin in 1825. He was an Explorer, Trader, Mail Carrier, Indian Agent and Civil War Officer (Colonel). Although he moved away from the family homestead at an early age, John had six brothers (some…

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John Isaac Fonda (1761–1814)

(1761-1814) Sources: New York State Museum Albany, New York - 1797 Son of Albany area residents Isaac D. and Susanna DeForest Fonda, John was also was known as "Fondey". While still in his teens, he joined the crusade for American liberties. He was an ensign in an Albany Ranger company and also…

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John Peter Fonda (1735–1826)

(1735-1826) Sources: Landmarks of Rensselaer Co.; Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles Born in Albany, NY; one of the first settlers of the town of Brunswick in 1750; his wife was Dirkje Fonda Winne, his second cousin, and they had 9 children; Revolutionary War Officer (Captain, 6th…

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Ten Eyck Hilton Fonda (1838–1923)

(1838-1923) Sources: Pearce Civil War Collection, Civil War Times Illustrated Ten Eyck was born in Fonda, New York, and served as a United States Army telegrapher during the Civil War. He moved his family to Illinois and then Nebraska in 1878 for railroad work and he died in Omaha, Douglas,…

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William Cornelius Fonda (1807–1885)

William was born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York; in 1835 he moved his young family to Michigan, casting in his lot with the earliest settlers of Calhoun County. He settled upon a farm in Pennfield Township, which constituted a part of the farm now owned by the heir of Henry Foss. From…

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William Henry Fonda (1834–1910)

Civil War Soldier, Farmer, Innkeeper, Deputy Postmaster, Railroad Agent, Personal Secretary; born in Poughkeepsie, New York. William was reared to the occupation of farming and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturalist. He was educated in the…

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General Family History

Albany was the second settlement in the 13 original American colonies, after Jamestown, Virginia. The Dutch, who built a fort there in 1614, called the place "New Orange", after the Prince of Orange. When the land was taken by the British in 1664, the name was changed to "Albany", in honor of…

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Voyage to America

Jellis Douw Fonda and family made their voyage to America... Although we do not know upon which ship Jellis Douw Fonda and family made their voyage to America, we can make an educated guess or at least narrow it down. The following two facts serve as a window for the timing: 1. The youngest…

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Fonda Name Origins

Languages: Fonda( Latin ) - foundation, base, support (also Funda) Fonda( Spanish ) - 1). bottom, foundation, source or beginning; 2). cafe or small restaurant; or 3). boardinghouse Fonda( French ) - charitable organization (foundation) Note: Some name variations appear as Fondy, Fondey, Funda,…

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Adam & John Fonda: Prisoners in the Raids of 1780

At the commencement of hostilities, John Fonda had some difficulty with Alexander White, sheriff of Tryon county, about their hogs and cattle breaking in upon each others premises, which resulted in a quarrel, in which White called Fonda "a damned rebel"; and the latter, provoked to anger, did…

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