LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michael Hess posthumously upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Michael Hess
posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; in addition, he is being honored posthumously at the
Columbia County Honor-A-Veteran Program on March 28, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Michael Hess was born October 14, 1752, in the Manor of
Livingston (Germantown) in the County of Columbia, to Johannes and Anna
Margaretha (Scherp) Hess; he was baptized on November 12, 1752, at the
Reformed Church of Germantown and grew up in that community; and
WHEREAS, While residing in Claverack, New York, Private Michael Hess
valiantly served as a private in the militia from January 15, 1776,
until the Fall of 1780, during which time he served in the defense of
the Hudson and Mohawk Valley Region; and
WHEREAS, In 1777 Private Michael Hess was a part of Col.
VanRensselaer's Regiment that guarded Albany, Half Moon Point, Stillwa-
ter, Saratoga, and Fort Miller, Edward and George; for the next few
years his militia was frequently ordered into service in the Town of
Claverack and the outlying regions; and
WHEREAS, On October 19, 1780, British leader Sir John Johnson and
Mohawk leader Joseph Brant, having descended on the Mohawk Valley, were
easily defeated by Private Michael Hess' militia, resulting in an Ameri-
can victory; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Michael Hess met
and married Margaret Schauer on February 10, 1784, at the Reformed Dutch
Church in Claverack; together they raised twelve children, Margaret,
Johannes, Elizabeth, Catherine, Maria, George Willem, Jacob, Cornelia,
Cathlina, Laurance Landt, Jeremias and Rachel; and
WHEREAS, Michael Hess died on December 5, 1838, in Claverack, New
York, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Michael Hess, devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Michael Hess posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Michael Hess.