Edward Ryckman was born in Tappan, NY in 1767. He was one of ten children (parents Johannes Ryckman 1738- 1784 and Susannah Brown b. 1739). Johannes was a tanner and shoemaker. He served as a guide for the British Army during the American Revolution. The family had all their property seized by the Rebels and were forced to leave New York. They arrived, destitute, in Sorel, Lower Canada in the fall of 1783.
Johannes died in 1784, and the oldest son, Tobais, made a land claim on behalf of the family. The family first settled in Sophiasburg. Edward moved to Hamilton in 1812, and to West Flambourough in 1816. Edward Ryckman married Anne (or Anna) Warren. They had five children.
Edward Ryckman is buried in Rock Chapel Cemetery, near Hamilton, Ontario.
Submitted by Carol Ufford, UE