Birth
Michael was born about 1793 in Columbia County, NY. He was the son of Myndert Decker and Saartje (Sarah) Shuts.
Marriage & Children
Michael married Elizabeth Bovie (b.1804 d.1869). Known children:
- Minard b. May 11, 1823 in Albany Cty.; d. July 3, 1863 Gettysburg (Civil War)
- Samuel b. abt 1827 in Town of Berne
- Lucius H. b. abt 1831; d. July 3, 1863 Gettysburg (Civil War)
- Wesley b. Dec. 23, 1835 in South Berne
- MaryEtta (Polly) b. abt 1839, probably Berne.
- Lodema b. abt 1840 in Town of Berne; m. Thomas Newton Denison
- Angeline Esther b. Mar. 1, 1845 in South Berne; d. Dec. 13, 1869 in Berne; m. John Calvin Kniskern
- William H. b. June 20, 1847 in South Berne; d. 1923, Jefferson County (Civil War)
Occupation and Life
Michael was located by 1830 in Berne, and was again in 1840 Berne.
In 1850 Berne, Michael 57, was a carpenter and lived with his wife Elizabeth 46 and children Samuel 23 (shoe maker), Lucius 19 (farmer), Wesley 14, Mary 11, Lodena 8, Angeline 5, and William 3.
In 1855 Berne, Michael 62, was a carpenter and lived with his wife Elizabeth 50, Josiah W. 19 (Wesley, a laborer), MaryEtt 17, Lodena A. 13, Angeline 10, and William H. 7.
Still located in Berne in 1860, Michael 66, was a carpenter, with Elizabeth 56, Wesley 23 (farm laborer), Lodema 18, Angeline 15, and William 13.
Elizabeth 61 was a widow in 1865 Berne, and living alone. Her youngest son William 9 lived with his married sister, Lodema Denison. One "Mrs. Decker" is referenced on the 1866 map of Berne; presumably this was Elizabeth.
Michael and Elizabeth gave three sons to Civil War service; Lucius, Wesley and William, and only William survived the war. Minard and Lucius enlisted on the same day, September 17, 1861, at Shandaken, Ulster County, and died together in battle, on July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, presumably in the battle of Pickett's Charge. They are both buried at Gettysburg, next to each other. Minard left behind a wife and four young daughters, and Lucius never married. Youngest brother William enlisted after the death of his brothers, on December 29, 1863 at Goshen, NY, at about age 16-17. Minard and Lucius wrote many letters to family back in Berne during their service, 1861-1863, and they made no reference to their father Michael.
Death
Michael died between 1860-1865, probably in South Berne. His burial location is unknown, but is probably in Berne. Elizabeth died in 1869 in Ellisburg, Jefferson County.
Obituary
Additional Media
Civil War envelope 1 
Civil War envelope 2 
Civil War envelope 3 
Civil War letter 1 
Civil War letter 2
Sources
