VANMERKEMP, FRA.NCIS ADRIAN (1752 18e). An immigrant from Holland to the State of New York toward the close of the eighteenth century; a man of remarkable learning and of the highest character, who w•as prevented by un toward circumstances from attaining the celeb rity which he richly deserved. Born in a family of distinction at Kempen, Holland, and educated in the University of Groningen, and among the Baptists of Amsterdam, he became a minister in Leyden (1777), and there remained for several years. In politics and in religion he was liberal, and incurred the displeasure of the Government. He enjoyed the friendship of Baron van der Ca pellen of Pol—a firm friend of the American col onies—and joined the armed forces of the Patriot Party, which sought political reform in oppo sition to the Orange Party. Taken prisoner, lac was in confinement for several months. Disheartened upon his release in December. 1787, he informed his friend John Adams, then United States Min ister in London, of his intention to emigrate to America, and received from him :feveral intro ductory letters. Lafayette gave him others.
Early in 17SS he arrived in New York. For six years his home was Esopus, after which he re moved to the neighborhood of Lake Oneida, where he was engaged in agriculture during the re mainder of his life. An appointment as a jus tice of the peace gave him the title of judge. With many of the foremost men of the country he maintained the friendliest relations, and lie was chosen a member of learned societies and ad mitted to the honorary degree of T.L.D. by Har vard College (1820). In addition to many printed papers lie left an autobiography, which has furnished the material for a memoir written in 1903 by Mrs. Ilelen Lineklaen Fairchild. Many of his manuscripts are preserved by the Pennsyl vania and Buffalo Historical Societies and by Columbia University.