John F. Schermerhorn

John Freeman Schermerhorn (September 24, 1786 – March 16, 1851) was an American minister and commissioner for Indian Affairs during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, a friend of his.

Early life John Freeman Schermerhorn was born on September 24, 1786, in Schenectady, New York. He was the son of Barnard Freeman Schermerhorn and Ariaantje Van der Bogart. In 1809, he graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Career Immediately after graduation he was sent out by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. His report to the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut was published in pamphlet form in Hartford in 1814, and was entitled: "A Correct View of that Part of the United States which lies West of the Allegheny Mountains, with regard to Religion & Morals"; by John F. Schermerhorn and Samuel J. Mills. He first settled at Middleburgh, Schoharie County, New York, where he was pastor of the Reformed Church there from 1816 to 1827. In 1816, he was Chaplain of the 9th Regiment New York Infantry. He never afterwards held a pastoral charge, but was frequently a leading member of the ecclesiastical assemblies, and continued to interest himself in the benevolent movements of the Church. beyond the Mississippi River (later to be known as the Trail of Tears). Schermerhorn helped negotiate the Treaty of New Echota, proposing that in exchange for all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River, the Cherokees would receive $5,000,000 from the U.S. (to be distributed per capita to all members of the tribe), an additional $500,000 for educational funds, title in perpetuity to land in Indian Territory equal to that given up, and full compensation for all property left behind. The treaty was concluded at New Echota, Georgia, on 29 December 1835 and signed on 1 March 1836.

While Indian Commissioner, he acquired large tracts of land in Highland, Grayson, Bath and Wythe Counties, Virginia, in all about 400,000 acres (1,600 km2). After long litigation the disposition of this property finally resulted in favor of his heirs. John F. Schermerhorn moved to Carroll County, Indiana, in 1840. Col. Yates was the nephew of Abraham Yates Jr. (1724–1796), the New York State lawyer and politician, and cousin of Robert Yates (1738–1801). With his first wife, he had eight children: son of Alfred Conkling and brother of Roscoe and Frederick A. Conkling, went abroad and remained four years, most of the time in Paris, France. She travelled extensively through Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. During the Franco-Prussian War, she was in Paris, and was Directress of the Woman's Department of the American Ambulance Corps, organized by Dr. Evans, dentist to the Emperor. It was to his house that the Empress Eugenie fled when she left the Tuileries Palace. Mrs. Conkling assisted Dr. Evans in effecting the escape of the Empress, whom he took in his private carriage to the coast. She remained in Paris during the reign of the Commune and witnessed many blood-curdling scenes.