Derrick Updegraff

     Derrick Updegraff was born in 1731 at Germantown, Philadelphia County, Province of Pennsylvania, America.¹ He was the son of Herman Updegraff and Mary Ann Louden. Derrick Updegraff married Susan Stricker, daughter of Martin Stricker and Susan [—?—], on Tuesday, 28 November 1758 at Christ Lutheran Church, York County, Province of Pennsylvania, America. Derrick Updegraff died on 20 June 1815 at West Branch Valley, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, at age 84 years.² He was buried in the Old Fourth Street Cemetery, located in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
     The following records have been found and though not 'proved' are most probably this same Derrick - we will continue on that assumption, although one descendant/researcher claims that Derrick 1731 - 1815 was a son of Jacob who was a son of the emigrant Abraham - this can be disproved by the fact that Jacob in his will dated 1750 does not list a son named Derrick.

More descendants than any other line in this book have traced their ancestry back to this Derrick and Susan and many researchers have contributed their records and are included as follows:

From Mrs. Susan Updegraff Smith

Derrick had a tract of 134 acres in Newberry Township, York County, PA which he sold to Joseph Updegraff for 200 pounds sterling on 5/10/1776 and then on 10/11/1788, he entered into an article of agreement with John Clark, of Newberry Township, for a tract of land lying along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Indian land, which tract had been pre-empted by John Anderson and conveyed to a William Clark. Derrick made the purchase subject to a land patent, he reserved the right to remove all of his fruit trees from the place in Newberry Township and subsequently removed with his family up the river in canoes. His stock was taken overland, continuing by the old Indian paths and finally coming down the Culbertson path to where DuBoistown now stands. The tract of land comprised 313 acres and 113 perches, adjacent lands of McMeen on the west, Thomas Kemplain on the east and extending back to the big hills on the north. When the first church was built at Newberry (York County) in 1789, Derrick was a contributor to the subscription list for one pound, ten shillings and in the formation of the first class of the Methodist Society at the house of Amarish Sutton in 1791.

From Milton Updegraff:

In 1789 Derrick moved from York County, PA to the vicinity of what is now Williamsport, Lycoming County, PA. An association known as the 'Updegraff Society' met annually there for many years, it was disbanded sometime in the 1920's.

From 'History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania,' by John F. Meginness ed., (1990 edition, prepared by Lycoming County Historical Society; Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1892), page 1126.

Derrick Updegraff was one of the early settlers of Lycoming County, whither he came from York County, Pennsylvania, in April of 1789. His paternal ancestors came from Holland towards the close of the seventeenth century and settled at Germantown, Pennsylvania. Derrick was born there in 1731, grew to manhood, and then removed to York County, where he purchased a portion of the Penn Manor. In the spring of 1789 he brought his family to the West Branch valley, and purchased several hundred acres of land on what is known as 'Long Reach', a portion of which is still (1892) in the possession of his descendants. He soon afterward bought another tract at Level Corner, upon which he settled his sons Martin and George. He was a Quaker in religious belief and died in 1815. His wife Susan survived him by several years.

From 'History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania,' by John F. Meginness ed., (1990 edition, prepared by Lycoming County Historical Society; Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1892), page 654.

In 1787 Dirck (now called Derick) Updegraff purchased over 500 acres of land from Clark and Dougherty and soon after located there. He at that time lived in or near Yorktown, PA. After making his purchases he removed hither. On account of old Fair Play claims, he became involved in a lawsuit which lasted six years, but he finally won and got his title to the land. With the aid of five grown-up boys he cleared a farm which became one of the finest on the river. His barn was the largest in the county and stood for years as a monument of its builder. He prospered and in the course of time purchased what were known as the Weir and Latcha farms, seven miles up the river. Derick's sons were - Herman, Samuel, Daniel, George and Martin. He divided his estate among them and many of their descendants still living in the county and city.

From 'Sketch of the Life of the Late Thomas Updegraff' by son Abraham Updegraff, Williamsport, PA - 1881:

Derick owned 200 acres of land in 1787 in Newberry Township, York County, PA, laying on both sides of the great Codorus Creek. It was well improved, but unfortunately for him, these lands turned out to be part of the famous Penn claim and the Penn Family, having employed the best legal counsel, were pushing their claim with great vigor in York County, he was hailed one day by an attorney named John Clark, who asked him if he would trade his claim to the land for a tract of land containing 317 acres and allowance, lying in the Indian country above Lycoming Creek, in what was then Northumberland County, where upon Derick went to explore and on his return he informed Mr. Clark that he could only give him a special title for his farm and that if Clark could give him a general warranty deed for the 317 acres, he would trade, with one reservation that he might take all of his apple trees in his nursery and the bargain was closed. He later had to employ Charles Hall, Esq., an eminent doctor of the law, as the attorney to defend his claim, with another purchase of a squatter which he had bought in good faith, but which caused a six year lawsuit, he was successful all through and with his purchases from Clark and Dougherty, he possessed over 500 acres strict measure. With the aid of five grown-up boys he cleared his farm and was one of the most successful farmers of the West Branch. He later bought two other farms seven miles above on the river, known as the Weir and Latcha farms, for two of his sons. This farm had groves of wild plum trees interlaced with wild grapevines, its mulberry, sugar and nut trees skirting the banks of Doughterty's run.

The following court records were located:

One 5/9/1776, Derick Updegraff, yeoman, of the same township, county and Province, bought of Samuel John of Newberry township in the county of York and Province of PA, a tract of land, from patent to William Passmore (Philadelphia 6/20/1743) on the 'branches of the Conawago Creek on the west side of the Susquehanna River in that part of Lancaster county, now called Newberry township, in the county of York' aforesaid - 420 acres of land and usual allowance of six acres for roads and highways according to Patent Book A, Volume M, page 203. William Passmore by deed dated 8/24/1744 to his two sons George and Joseph. George Passmore released to Joseph Passmore his share. Joseph Passmores' heirs sold to Samuel John 2/20/1768 - 134 acres, 92 perches for 320 pounds.

On 5/1/1787, Derrick Updegraff bought from John Updegraff (of Manchester township, York county) a tract of land situate in Newberry and Dover townships, York county, PA - Book 2-0, page 434.

From Prowell's 'History of York County', Volume I, page 1033: Derrick taxed in 1783 Newberry township.

On 11 October 1788 Derrick Updegraff of Newberry Twp, and County of York and State of Pa and Susanna, his wife, to John Clark, Esq. of the same county and state, for 1,000 pounds - land containing the whole including the allowance of 150 acres (the same land Derrick has purchased of the heirs of Samuel John). Part of Passmore Patent - Book G, page 109; Book 2-E, page 411 York County, PA. All that plantation and tract of land whereon he the said Derrick Updegraff now dwells, being part of a larger tract originally patented by the Hon. the Proprietaries of the late province, now State of PA to a certain William Passmore...Patent Book A, Volume II, page 203, situate in Newberry Twp, York County, State of PA - 134 acres 92 perches. It being the same tract which Samuel John granted and conveyed to the said Derrick Updegraff in fee by deed duly executed on 9 May 1776 and recorded in the office for the recording of Deeds in the County of York - Book G, page 109.

Deed Book D, page 257 Northumberland County, PA - the first paragraph being...This indenture made 15 October 1788 between John Clark of the town of York in the County of York and State of PA, Esq., and Margaret his wife, of the one part and Derrick Updegraff of the Twp of Newberry, County and State aforesaid, yeoman, of the other part...the tract of land involved situate in Lycoming Twp, Northumberland County, PA - containing 313 acres and 113 perches. 1,000 pounds. There are no other deeds found showing that he purchased property in Northumberland County.

From PA Archives - 3dr Series Volume 25, page 335: A Derrick Updegraff had 400 acres - survey 15 March 1793, in Northumberland County, PA 1772 - 1892.

2 February 1796 Book 2-O, page 435 - Lycoming County, PA - Power of Attorney - Derrick Updegraff of the Township and County of Lycoming (seized of a certain tract or parcel of land situate in Newberry and Dover Townships, of York County, State of PA aforesaid...) containing 350 acres more or less: Now known All Men by These Presents that I, Derrick Updegraff, doth by these presents constitute authorize and empower my son, Joseph Updegraff of the Township, County and State aforesaid, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to sell, dispose, grant or convey the same in fee simple...

19 March 1798 - Book 2-?, page 436 - Lycoming County, PA - Deed between Derick Updegraff of Lycoming County, State of PA, by his attorney, Joseph Updegraff of the same place and Philip Fettero of Newberry Township in the County of York and the State of PA - the following tract or parcel of land, part of the before described two tracts situate in Newberry and Dover Townships, aforesaid, adjacent lands now of late of John Richcreek, Jacob Gardner, George Meyer, Philip Fettero, the heirs of Thomas Bonine and...on Conowage Creek, containing 350 acres be the same more or less...deed for the sale of land bought from John Updegraff to Philip Fettero.

From 1800 Census - Lycoming County, PA - Derick Updegraff, Lycoming Twp and in 1810 in Washington Twp, Lycoming Co, PA.

WILL made 16 August 1807, proved 1815 Lycoming County, PA - Williamsport Court House - Will Book 1, page 94 - Derick Updegraff of the county of Lycoming, PA...names daughter Mary, sons Daniel, Samuel, dec'd, son Harman and Harman's sons Martin and Derick and Harman's daughter Susannah, and Harman's sons Joseph and Abraham, and Harman's daughter Elizabeth, Harman's widow, Derick's sons Martin and George and Derick's wife Susannah.