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Douw Jellis Fonda was born in Schenectady, New York, and was a great-grandson of the Dutch-born Jellis and Hester Fonda. Family-history records describe him as a dairy farmer who later settled in Caughnawaga, in the area that became Fonda, New York.

Portrait attributed to Douw Jellis Fonda
This image was scanned from a miniature on ivory preserved among Fonda family possessions and reproduced in the 1850–1950 Centennial Souvenir of the Village of Fonda.

Family and settlement

Douw married Maritje Vrooman on October 21, 1725. In 1751 the family moved from Schenectady to Caughnawaga, roughly twenty miles west. Family-history accounts describe a large stone dwelling standing between the present Mohawk Turnpike area and the Mohawk River.

Why this profile matters: The village of Fonda, New York, was later named for Douw Jellis Fonda. His life provides a direct connection between the family genealogy and one of the best-known places carrying the Fonda name.

The 1780 raid

Family-history accounts place Douw’s death during Sir John Johnson’s May 1780 raid through the Mohawk Valley. The narrative describes the destruction of Caughnawaga and surrounding settlements and identifies Douw, nearly eighty years old, among those killed.

Historic illustration of the 1780 Mohawk Valley raid
Illustration accompanying the account of the 1780 Mohawk Valley raid.

Genealogical notes

Douw was born August 22, 1700, in Schenectady, New York, and died May 22, 1780, in the Caughnawaga area. He was buried in Old Caughnawaga Cemetery in Fonda. His house was plundered and burned during the raid, and his sons John and Adam were taken prisoner to Canada. His will was dated December 16, 1779, and proved December 13, 1791.

Sources and references

  • Frontiersmen of New York
  • History of Schoharie County
  • Centennial Souvenir – 1850–1950 – Historical Sketch of the Village of Fonda N.Y.: image attribution
  • www.rootsweb.com
  • Village of Fonda, New York