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Johannes Rikert is born to Johan David Reichard and Anna Elizabeth Schafer in Rhinebeck, New York on October 9, 1746.

1775: Johannes marries Catherine Tator (also spelled Dater) in Rhinebeck at the age of 29.

1775- 1783: Originally when asked to pledge his support to the Continental Congress, it is known that he refused to sign in support of the revolution. However, Johannes is listed as an enlisted man in the Dutchess County Militia-- Sixth Regiment in the Land Bounty Rights held by the State of New York for services rendered during the Revolutionary War. He was possibly a sergent; however, it was unlikely that he ever served in battle, but was ready if called upon.

1777: The couple welcome their first child to the family, Elisabeth on April 11, 1777. Elizabeth will marry Jacob Berringer. It is unknown if the couple had children or when Elizabeth died.

1779: Catherine is born to the couple on November 21, 1779. In looking through the records, the information about this woman seems to be unclear and confused, as a number of women with the same name seem to have merged. She may have married a man named John Mink (1775-1844) on September 23, 1798 in Rhinebeck. The couple is known to have had three sons: William J. (1799-1857), John (1804-1880), and Robert Russell (1814-1883). It is also possible that she moved to Elgin, Illinois at some stage. If she did, she died on July 5, 1849.

1781: The next child was Frederick born in 1781. Frederick will marry Catherine Traver in Rhinebeck in 1802. They will have five children: Louisa Frederica (1803-unknown), Catharine (1806-unknown), Gilbert Transon (1809-unknown), John Abraham (1811-1859), and Elijah (1816-1839). He was a farmer in the Rhinebeck area according to the 1830 and 1840 census records. He will die on September 1, 1856.

1783: David Rikert was born on August 13, 1783. It is believed he may have married a woman name Anna Maria Sleight. If so, they had a number of children: Ann (1797-1868), Anna Maria (1799-unknown), Henry (1802-1862), William (1808-1895), Elizabeth (1810-1888), and Katharine (1819-1872). It is also believed that he served as a member of the New York Militia in the War of 1812 from War of 1812 Payroll information. David is believed to have died in 1826 in Rochester, New York.

1784: It is believed that this year, when his father died, Johannes became the primary heir to his father's will:

"David Rikert's Will
In the name of God, Amen. I, David Rikert of the precinct of Rhinebeck in Dutchess county, yeoman. Being sick, But of sound memory, mind and understanding, and considering the uncertainty of this Transitory Life, do make, publish and Declare, this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following (to witt).
1st I Order and direct that all my just debts and funeral Charges, be paid and satisfied.
2ly I give to my Eldest son Joseph my Big Dutch Bible.
3ly I give and bequeath to my step-daughter Elizabeth Counes , a Cow, a Ewe, & a Lamb.
4ly I do hereby give, devise, and Bequeath to my son Johannes Rikert, and to his heirs and assigns forever all my farm at Rhinebeck as it is now in my possession, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, together with the wagon sleds ploughs and all and singular the farming utencels, on, and belonging to the said farm.
On the condition hereinafter mentioned, and not otherwise. (To witt).
5ly That my said son, Johannes, his heirs Or Assigns, pay to my wife Mary, and my other ten children, that is to say, Joseph, Henry, Jacob, David,Philip, Zacharia, Barent, Susanah, The wife of Lodwick Elsefer, Mary the widow of Urry Ziperly, and Catherine the wife of Wilhelmus Feller and to their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the sum of five hundred spanish milled, silver Dollars, share and share alike, to be paid in three equal payments, (to witt) on third part thereof, one year after my decease, another third part thereof, two years after my decease, and the remaining third part thereof, three years after my decease.
6ly And further that my said son Johannes his heirs or assigns, allow my wife Mary a good room in the dwelling house, and the same kept in sufficient repair, with celar and garret room, and sufficient firewood cut by the door and if on the division with the children my wife get a cow and two sheep, or if she provide them otherwise, my son Johannes, his heirs or assigns shall keep and take care of them summer and winter, as his own cattle, and if any turn old he or they, are to change them from time to time and keep up the number to her, so long as she doth live, and these that she hath at her death are to be at her own disposal. But if she doth not get nor provide the cow and two sheep as aforesaid, that then my son Johannes, his heirs, or assigns, also to provide them for her use yearly a sufficient quantity of garden stuff as herbs, potatoes, turnips, cabage and roots for summer and winter, likewise apples for her use in the summer & winter store and liberty to keep and feed a pig each fall out of the falen apples. Also to sow for her yearly half a schiple of flax seed, to pull, rott, bring in & thresh the flax thereof. Also to deliver to her every fall three bushels of indian corn, and carry the same to mill and bring home the meal to her. Also to deliver to her every fall three barrels of cider if there is a sufficiency of apples for both families, if not, then in proportion only and likewise to deliver to her every fall a quarter of good beef, and one hundred and twenry five pounds weight of pork well fattened.
7ly All the residue and remainder of my worldly estate wherewith God has Blessed me with, I give devise and bequeath unto my wife Mary and my said ten children Joseph, Henry, Jacob, David, Philip, Zacharias, Barent, Susanah, Mary and Catharine and to their respective heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike.
8ly I do hereby appoint my son Joseph and my two sons in law LodwickElsefer, and Wilhelmus Feller, Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former will and wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, 1783.

David Reichert, L.S.

Signed, sealed published and declared by the within named David Rikard, as and for his last will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said Testator and in the presence of each other.

Will Cockburn
Jas. Cockburn
Philip Verplanck

Dutchess County SS. Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four personally came and appeared before me Gilbert Livingston Surrogate of the Said County James Cockburn of Dutchess County farmer and being duly sworn on his Oath, declared that he did see David Reichert sign and seal the within written Instrument purporting to be the Will of the said David Reichert bearing date the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, that at the time thereof he the said David Reichert was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the deponent, and that his name subscribed as a witness to the said Will in the testators presence and that he the deponent saw William Cockburn and Philip Ver Planck the other witnesses to the said Will, subscribed their names as witnesses thereto in the Testators presence.

Gilbert Livingston, Surrogate.

Dutchess County SS. Be it also remembered that on the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four Joseph Reichert, Lodewick Elsever and Wilhelmus Feller the Executors of the within written Will of David Reichert likewise appeared before me the said Gilbert Livingston and were duly sworn to the execution and performance of the said Will, by severally taking the Oath of an Executor as by law appointed.

Before me Gilbert Livingston Surrogate."

1786: The next son born in the family is George Irving Rikert on March 8, 1786. From the 1850 Census, it seems that George married a woman named Margaret. At the time, the couple were both 3 years of age.Their grown daughter, Eliza A., was living at home at 24 and either their very young son, or more likely, a grandson, Wellington was living with the family as well. They also seemed to be housing the local school teacher, Benjamin Shafer at the time of the census. George, like his brother Frederick, was a farmer. The value of his estate was estimated at 4000 dollars. This was a great deal of money today- $121,212 in today's money. He is believed to have died in the town of Milan, in Dutchess County on August 8, 1868.

1788: John I. Rikert was born to Johannes and Catherine in 1788 on April 11. He is thought to have married a woman named Elizabeth Plattner. It is unknown if the couple had children. He is known to have died on March 15, 1849.

1790: The last child born in the family was another son, Henry I. Rikert on September 16, 1790 in Rhinebeck. He married a woman named Elizabeth Risley sometime around 1812. They had five children: John Henry (1813-1883), William Christopher (1815-1888), Catharine Andoline (1820-1878), Stephen Andrew (1823-1895), and son that died young (1830-1830). He died on March 14, 1858 in East Rhinebeck at the age of 67. He is also, like his brothers a farmer. His estimated estate is worth 3600 dollars.

 1792: On the 31st of August, 1792, Johannes died in Rhinebeck.