Felix Myer

One time Albany resident Felix Myer probably was born during the 1740s. We seek defining information on his origins and path to Albany. At that time, a number of similarly named individuals are at-risk in New York colony. This sketch focuses on the man who appears to have lived in Albany during the 1770s.

In July 1759, one "Felix Meyer" became a naturalized British subject in New York. Two years later, a "Felix Mayer" was naturalized (perhaps a duplicate entry).

In 1762 and in 1764, "Felix Myer" contacted Sir William Johnson regarding an eviction from his farm at Canajoharie.

In December 1769, Felix Myer married one Margaret Williams at St. Peter's Anglican church. At that time, both partners were identified as "of Albany." Two weeks earlier, the church recorded banns of their intent to marry. In February 1772 and October 1773 "a child of Mr. Felix Myers" was buried from St. Peters. In June 1779, Dutch church records noted that he along with one Phebe Wyngaert witnessed the baptism of Dirk Michell.

We wish for and strive to establish a connection with contemporary Albany newcomer businessman Simon Myer.

An adult during the era of the American Revolution, we expect to find documentation regarding his life during that decade. A number of similarly named Myerses (but no Felix) have been noted (mostly as Tories) and referenced in the wartime papers of New York Governor George Clinton and in the records of Albany's revolutionary governments. A large number of men with the same general surname appear in the wartime military record - telling us that those families were widespread in the State. The family of this Felix Myer still alludes our grasp.

In 1779, Albany assessment rolls valued the first ward property of "Alexander Meyer" (in March) and of "Felix Myers" (in October) in virtually the same location in the city's first ward. During the 1760s, references to his surname (but not naming Felix) appear in city assessment rolls.

By 1790, only the name of Carol Myer appeared on the census of city householders. However, three other Myer(s)-named households were enumerated in surrounding Watervliet.

Well past diminishing returns, and with little definition let alone comprehensive of this subject, we move on for now from the life of Albany's Felix Myer.

Sources: The life of Felix Myer is CAP biography number 1158. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

In a perfect world the information currently collected on the Felix Myer who was living in New York during the second half of the eighteenth century all would relate to the life of early Albany resident Felix Myer. Variants encountered (particularly in military records) range from Maier to Myer with many individual references in-between. Reference to a Palatine "Felix Myer" naturalized in 1759.

We hope to be able to link his wife to the Albany Williams family descended from Innkeeper and sheriff Thomas Williams.