Nicholas Hagerman (1761-1819)
Major Nicholas Hagerman J.P., of Adolphustown, Upper Canada
His father was a Hessian mercenary attached to the British Army, a veteran of Culloden who fought at the Conquest of Quebec in 1759 when he chose to settle in North America. His parents moved south and bought 2,000-acres in Dutchess County, on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1778, after the outbreak of the Revolution, Nicholas sided with the British and he fought in Major Peter Van Alstine's Regiment before being granted 600-acres at Adolphustown. He was said to have studied law before leaving New York and became one of the first appointed lawyers in Upper Canada. His eminent son, Christopher, studied law under him and later joined his firm. Sometimes they were employed by opposing clients and on winning a case against his father the older man exclaimed: "Have I raised a son to put out my eyes?" to which his son replied, "No, to open them father”. His wife was the sister of Judge Alexander Fisher (1756-1830) and by her he had at least three children.
