Saturday, January 22, 2011
Holland, The Dutch West India Company and New Jersey
Between the Reformation sweeping throughout Europe and the Thirty Years' War, Holland--of all the circle of nations--had guaranteed safety to people of every religious belief and enforced, within her own borders at least, respect for civil liberty. As a result, she became the harbor of refuge and the temporary home of thousands of the persecuted of almost every country; The Brownists from England, the Waldenses from Italy, the Labadists and Picards from France, the Walloons from Germany and Flanders, and many other Protestant sects, all flocked into Holland.
Across her borders flowed a continual stream of refugees and outcasts. This influx of foreigners, augmented by the natural increase of her own people, caused Holland to suffer seriously from overcrowding, particularly in her large cities....In the few years preceding 1621, several voyages of discovery and adventure had been made by the Dutch to New Netherland, but no colonies had been founded. Letters from these voyagers declared that New Netherland was a veritable paradise--traversed by numerous great and beautiful rivers, plentifully stocked with fish; great valleys and plains, covered with luxuriant verdure; extensive forests, teeming with fruits, game, and wild animals; and an exceedingly fertile and prolific soil....
In 1621, the "States-General" took steps looking toward relief from the situation and on 3 June 1621 granted a charter to "The Dutch West India Company" to organize and govern a colony in New Netherland. Thirty Dutch families braved the weeks-long sea voyage to New Amsterdam and began a settlement on the lower end of Manhattan Island. Capt. Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, leader of the first expedition, decided he did not like the job of being director of the new colony and soon returned to Holland, leaving matters first in the hands of William Verhuist and then finally with Peter Minuit in 1626.
The first colony was not a success. The colonists were "on the make." Aside from building a few rude bark huts and a fort, they busied themselves dickering with the savages for skins and furs. They tilled no ground and, for three years, were non-supporting. In June 1629, the "States-General" granted a bill of "Freedoms and Exemptions" to any and all private persons who would plant colonies in any part of New Netherland, except the island of Manhattan.
Special privileges were also granted to members of the West India Company. Whoever of its members should plant a colony of fifty {50} persons should be a feudal lord, or Patroon, of a tract "sixteen {16} miles in length, fronting on a navigable river and reaching back eight {8} miles." And yet, only a few exploring parties bent on trade with the savages traversed Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. No one had ventured to "take up" any lands there until Michael Pauw--then burgomaster of Amsterdam--received grants in 1630 of two large tracts, one called Hoboken Hacking and the other Ahasimus.
But Pauw failed to live up to conditions set forth in his deeds and was obliged, after three years, to convey his "plantations" back to the West India Company. His lands went to Michael Paulesen, an official of the company, who oversaw them as superintendent. It is said Paulesen built and occupied a hut at Paulus Hook early in 1633; if so, it was the first building of any kind erected in either Bergen or Hudson County.
Later that same year, the company built two more houses: one at Communipaw (afterward purchased by Jan Evertse Bout), the other at Ahasimus--now Jersey City, east of the Hill--(purchased by Cornelius Van Vorst).
Paulus, Bout and Van Vorst were each in succession superintendents of the Pauw plantation, which then kept its headquarters at Communipaw. During his tenure, Van Vorst kept "open house" and entertained the New Amsterdam officials in great style.
Early in 1638, William Kieft became the Director-General of New Netherland and, on 1 May 1639, granted to Abraham Isaacszen Planck (Verplanck) a patent for Paulus Hook (now lower Jersey City). Myndert Myndertse of Amsterdam--bearing the ponderous title of "Van der Heer Nedderhorst"--obtained an enormous grant in 1641 of all the country west of Achter Kull {Newark Bay} and from there north to Tappaen {Tappan}, including what is now Bergen and Hudson Counties. Accompanied by a number of soldiers, Myndertse occupied his purchase, established a camp, and proceeded to civilize the Indians by military methods. It is needless to say that he failed. He soon abandoned the perilous undertaking of founding a colony, returned to Holland, and forfeited the title to this grant.
There were now two plantations at Bergen, those of Planck and Van Vorst, with parts of these lands leased to and occupied by twelve {12} settlers. All these, with their families and servants, now constituted a thriving settlement.
From the Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, ed. Cornelius Burnham Harvey (New York: The New Jersey Genealogical Society. 1900)
Across her borders flowed a continual stream of refugees and outcasts. This influx of foreigners, augmented by the natural increase of her own people, caused Holland to suffer seriously from overcrowding, particularly in her large cities....In the few years preceding 1621, several voyages of discovery and adventure had been made by the Dutch to New Netherland, but no colonies had been founded. Letters from these voyagers declared that New Netherland was a veritable paradise--traversed by numerous great and beautiful rivers, plentifully stocked with fish; great valleys and plains, covered with luxuriant verdure; extensive forests, teeming with fruits, game, and wild animals; and an exceedingly fertile and prolific soil....
In 1621, the "States-General" took steps looking toward relief from the situation and on 3 June 1621 granted a charter to "The Dutch West India Company" to organize and govern a colony in New Netherland. Thirty Dutch families braved the weeks-long sea voyage to New Amsterdam and began a settlement on the lower end of Manhattan Island. Capt. Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, leader of the first expedition, decided he did not like the job of being director of the new colony and soon returned to Holland, leaving matters first in the hands of William Verhuist and then finally with Peter Minuit in 1626.
The first colony was not a success. The colonists were "on the make." Aside from building a few rude bark huts and a fort, they busied themselves dickering with the savages for skins and furs. They tilled no ground and, for three years, were non-supporting. In June 1629, the "States-General" granted a bill of "Freedoms and Exemptions" to any and all private persons who would plant colonies in any part of New Netherland, except the island of Manhattan.
Special privileges were also granted to members of the West India Company. Whoever of its members should plant a colony of fifty {50} persons should be a feudal lord, or Patroon, of a tract "sixteen {16} miles in length, fronting on a navigable river and reaching back eight {8} miles." And yet, only a few exploring parties bent on trade with the savages traversed Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. No one had ventured to "take up" any lands there until Michael Pauw--then burgomaster of Amsterdam--received grants in 1630 of two large tracts, one called Hoboken Hacking and the other Ahasimus.
But Pauw failed to live up to conditions set forth in his deeds and was obliged, after three years, to convey his "plantations" back to the West India Company. His lands went to Michael Paulesen, an official of the company, who oversaw them as superintendent. It is said Paulesen built and occupied a hut at Paulus Hook early in 1633; if so, it was the first building of any kind erected in either Bergen or Hudson County.
Later that same year, the company built two more houses: one at Communipaw (afterward purchased by Jan Evertse Bout), the other at Ahasimus--now Jersey City, east of the Hill--(purchased by Cornelius Van Vorst).
Paulus, Bout and Van Vorst were each in succession superintendents of the Pauw plantation, which then kept its headquarters at Communipaw. During his tenure, Van Vorst kept "open house" and entertained the New Amsterdam officials in great style.
Early in 1638, William Kieft became the Director-General of New Netherland and, on 1 May 1639, granted to Abraham Isaacszen Planck (Verplanck) a patent for Paulus Hook (now lower Jersey City). Myndert Myndertse of Amsterdam--bearing the ponderous title of "Van der Heer Nedderhorst"--obtained an enormous grant in 1641 of all the country west of Achter Kull {Newark Bay} and from there north to Tappaen {Tappan}, including what is now Bergen and Hudson Counties. Accompanied by a number of soldiers, Myndertse occupied his purchase, established a camp, and proceeded to civilize the Indians by military methods. It is needless to say that he failed. He soon abandoned the perilous undertaking of founding a colony, returned to Holland, and forfeited the title to this grant.
There were now two plantations at Bergen, those of Planck and Van Vorst, with parts of these lands leased to and occupied by twelve {12} settlers. All these, with their families and servants, now constituted a thriving settlement.
From the Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, ed. Cornelius Burnham Harvey (New York: The New Jersey Genealogical Society. 1900)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Kakiat, Rockland Co., NY, Dutch Reformed Church Records: Part 2
--Information if parentheses ( ) occurs in the original manuscript. --Additional information in brackets { } is mine. Abigail 15 April 1776 12 May 1776 --- Paulus Van der Voort Jannetje Van Horen --- [blank] ***** John 10 Dec. 1775 14 May 1776 --- John Van der Voort Elizabeth Pattet --- [blank] ***** John 24 Nov. 1775 14 May 1776 --- Gilbert Jonson "Jinne" Smith --- [blank] ***** Josua 4 Dec. 1775 14 May 1776 --- Paulus Van der Voort Maria Canklin --- [blank] ***** Gerrit 28 May 1776 16 June 1776 --- Gerrit Ecker Dirkje Sprinkstein --- [blank] ***** Hester 28 May 1776 16 June 1776 --- William Osborn Hester North --- [blank] ***** Jan 27 May 1776 30 June 1776 --- Gysbert Hogenkamp Fannie Cokaljet --- Jan Hogencamp Elizabeth Van Houten ***** Gerrit 14 June 1776 7 July 1776 --- Abraham Anderdonck {Onderdonck} Hester Palmer --- [blank] ***** Pattrick 21 June 1776 21 July 1776 --- Arter Jonsson Susanna Bartjes --- [blank] ***** Antje 19 July 1776 11 Aug. 1776 --- Samuel Boss {Bush?} Magdalena Christie --- James Christie Elizabeth Cuyper ***** Elizabeth 15 Aug.1776 1 Sept. 1776 --- Jan Myer Catarina Van Houten --- Gerrit Van Houten Jannetje Blauvelt ***** John 4 July 1776 22 Sept. 1776 --- John Van Donck {Van der Donck?} Rebecca de Grauw --- [blank] ***** Myndert 8 Sept. 1776 6 Oct. 1776 --- Resolvert V. Houten {Van Houten} Elizabeth Hogenkamp --- Myndert Hogenkamp Helena Crom ***** Jacobus 25 Sept. 1776 6 Oct. 1776 --- Jacobus De Marest {Demarest} Grietje Terneur --- Jacobus Terneur Reynaye Blauvelt ***** Martha 27 Jan. 1770 25 June 1777 --- Isaac Coe Rachel Archer --- [blank] ***** Samuel 2 Sept. 1771 25 June 1777 --- Isaac Coe Rachel Archer --- [blank] *** Sarah 6 March 1773 (sic) (this date must be an error) 25 June 1777 --- Isaac Coe Rachel Archer --- [blank] ***** Rachel 28 March 177? {I believe this should read 1776} 25 June 1777 --- Isaac COE Rachel Archer --- [blank] ***** Rebecca 8 April 1777 25 June 1777 --- Isaac Coe Rachel Archer --- [blank] ***** Martha 20 April 1777 25 June 1777 --- Jacob Archer Maria Goldtrep --- [blank] ***** Zebulon 31 Oct. 1776 29 June 1777 --- Nathaniel Townsel Sarah Hallstead --- [blank] ***** Jan 27 April 1777 6 July 1777 --- Rynier Quackenbush Sarah Derjee --- Jan Derjee Jannetje Peck ***** Isaak 28 May 1777 6 July 1777 Albert Cuyper Feebie Palmer --- [blank]
Wild Times in Wildwijk, NY
--Additonal information included in brackets { } is mine.
The Dutch traded at Kingston Point as early as 1613, but no permanent occupation seems to have been made, so far as appears from any manuscript records, prior to 1652. In that year Thomas Chambers, an Englishman by birth, with a colony of settlers from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, began a permanent occupation of the region of Esopus {originally Hesopues}, presumably by consent of the aborigines or by purchase of farms from them. [The History of Ulster County, edited by Alphonso T. Clearwater, Kingston, N. Y., 1907, pp. 33-34.]
Rev. Johannes Megapolensis and Rev. Samuel Drisius {leading ministers of the established Reformed Dutch Church in Nieuw Amsterdam}, in August 1657, writing to the Classis of Amsterdam {Netherlands}--the governing body of the church--refered to Esopus as follows:
"About eighteen [Dutch] miles [about 54 English] up the North River, half way between the Manhattans and Rensselaer or Beaverwyck, lies a place called by the Dutch Esopus or Sypous and by the Indians Atharhaeton [Atkarkaeton]. It is exceedingly fine country there. Thereupon some Dutch families settled there, who are doing well." [Ecclesiastical Records of New York, vol. 1, p. 398]
Although the Dutch authorities had forbidden the sale of brandy and other liquors to the Indians, Chambers reported to Governor and Director General {Pieter} Stuyvesant in May 1658 that "great trouble" occurred at the Strand "through the fearful intoxication of the barbarians." The cause of the outbreak, as Chambers described it, was no doubt correctly stated--men crazed by the "strong water" which the settlers or traders had supplied. They had obtained an anker of brandy (about five gallons), and, lying under a tree at the tennis-court had, in their "madness," fired at and killed one "Harmen Jacopsen...and during the night has set fire to the house of Jacob Andrieson, so that the people were compelled to fly."
At a previous date the Indians, under the influence of liquor, had become quarrelsome and had compelled the settlers, under threat of arson, to plow their lands for them, killed some hogs and a horse or two that had strayed on their plantations, and, in the estimation of their white neighbors, "used great violence every day." [Clearwater, supra, p. 34]
"The savages besiged and surrounded the place during twenty-three days; fired with brand-arrows one dwelling house and four grain stacks"; killed and wounded a number of settlers and took others prisoners...
On an appeal to Stuyvesant for assistance, the Governor went up from Manhattan to the scene of the disturbance. In an interview with the inhabitants he pointed out to them it was not advisable to think of war against the Indians. He then suggested that they should build closer together and enclose the whole place with palisades. He marked out for them a site for a village on the north side of the Great Plat, and in 1661 it was called Wildwijk.... [Ibid, pp. 34-35]
The agreement of the inhabitants by which they bound themselves to live close together, upon the assurance of protection from Stuyvesant in case of attack by the Indians, is the first entry in the extant Dutch records now put in print. A photogravure of the record of this agreement accompanies this translation. {See the post below, Dutch Records Found, for this engraving.}
The Indians were not pleased with the action of the white men, and complained to Stuyvesant that the land taken for the village had not been paid for, but after a conference with him they agreed to yield their claim "to grease his feet with, because he had made such a long journey to come and see them."
Peace was concluded July 15, 1660, "under the blue sky."...{1} By its terms, the Sachems promised to surrender, as compensation, all the territory of the Esopus and to remove to a distance from there, without ever returning again to plant." In other words, they promised to give up the Great Plat which Stuyvesant wanted and which the settlers hoped to obtain without payment. [Ibid, pp. 33-38]
Matters proceeded with more or less friction until a settlement was soon commenced which was called Nieuw Dorp, or New Village, about three miles west of Wildwijk, or the Old Village. The sachems protested. They "were willing to allow the erection of dwellings, but would have no fortifications made," and claimed positively that the two large pieces of land on which the settlers clearly were determined to settle were not included in the Peace Treaty signed in 1660.
The Indians would not allow the settlers to plow, sow, plant, or make pasture out of the property until the they "were paid for it," making many threats to burn and destroyed what had already been done. The lands spoken of are supposed to have been to the east of and at what is now known as Old Hurley...obviously clear, open river bottoms or meadows.
The storm broke on the settlements on the morning of the 7th of June, 1663. The "barbarians," as they were called, attacked the New Village when the male settlers were at work in the fields, "burned twelve dwelling places, murdered eighteen persons (men, women and children), and carried away as prisoners ten persons more." A report filed with the Director General's office continues, "the New Village has been burned to the ground, and its occupants are mostly taken prisoner or killed, only a few of them have come safely to this place." {Wildwijk}
The disaster did not stop there. The attacking "barbarians" had planned the destruction of both villages, had penetrated the Old Village under the pretense of trading, and at a pre-arranged signal, struck down inhabitants and set dwellings on fire. Eighteen Wildwijk settlers were killed, eight wounded, and twenty-six made prisoners. Total destruction of Wildwijk by fire was only averted by a change in the wind. Men at work in the fields rallied to drive the invaders out. Within its palisades and around its ruined homes, the settlers gathered when night came on and kept mournful watch.
Dutch forces, led by Martin Kregier, and accompanied by 65 Marsepequa Indians from Long Island carried sword and cannon into the heart of Esopus country. They burned the Indian villages in the more immediate area of Wildwijk and then crossed the hills and destroyed the Indians' palisaded towns of Kerhanksen and Shawagunk. The Dutch killed a large number of barbarians, destroying their wigwams and plantations.
Peace finally came on May 15, 1664, leaving the Dutch with the beautiful valley of Esopus.
{1} This incident is mentioned in the post Biography of Rev. Henricus Selyns.
The Dutch traded at Kingston Point as early as 1613, but no permanent occupation seems to have been made, so far as appears from any manuscript records, prior to 1652. In that year Thomas Chambers, an Englishman by birth, with a colony of settlers from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, began a permanent occupation of the region of Esopus {originally Hesopues}, presumably by consent of the aborigines or by purchase of farms from them. [The History of Ulster County, edited by Alphonso T. Clearwater, Kingston, N. Y., 1907, pp. 33-34.]
Rev. Johannes Megapolensis and Rev. Samuel Drisius {leading ministers of the established Reformed Dutch Church in Nieuw Amsterdam}, in August 1657, writing to the Classis of Amsterdam {Netherlands}--the governing body of the church--refered to Esopus as follows:
"About eighteen [Dutch] miles [about 54 English] up the North River, half way between the Manhattans and Rensselaer or Beaverwyck, lies a place called by the Dutch Esopus or Sypous and by the Indians Atharhaeton [Atkarkaeton]. It is exceedingly fine country there. Thereupon some Dutch families settled there, who are doing well." [Ecclesiastical Records of New York, vol. 1, p. 398]
Although the Dutch authorities had forbidden the sale of brandy and other liquors to the Indians, Chambers reported to Governor and Director General {Pieter} Stuyvesant in May 1658 that "great trouble" occurred at the Strand "through the fearful intoxication of the barbarians." The cause of the outbreak, as Chambers described it, was no doubt correctly stated--men crazed by the "strong water" which the settlers or traders had supplied. They had obtained an anker of brandy (about five gallons), and, lying under a tree at the tennis-court had, in their "madness," fired at and killed one "Harmen Jacopsen...and during the night has set fire to the house of Jacob Andrieson, so that the people were compelled to fly."
At a previous date the Indians, under the influence of liquor, had become quarrelsome and had compelled the settlers, under threat of arson, to plow their lands for them, killed some hogs and a horse or two that had strayed on their plantations, and, in the estimation of their white neighbors, "used great violence every day." [Clearwater, supra, p. 34]
"The savages besiged and surrounded the place during twenty-three days; fired with brand-arrows one dwelling house and four grain stacks"; killed and wounded a number of settlers and took others prisoners...
On an appeal to Stuyvesant for assistance, the Governor went up from Manhattan to the scene of the disturbance. In an interview with the inhabitants he pointed out to them it was not advisable to think of war against the Indians. He then suggested that they should build closer together and enclose the whole place with palisades. He marked out for them a site for a village on the north side of the Great Plat, and in 1661 it was called Wildwijk.... [Ibid, pp. 34-35]
The agreement of the inhabitants by which they bound themselves to live close together, upon the assurance of protection from Stuyvesant in case of attack by the Indians, is the first entry in the extant Dutch records now put in print. A photogravure of the record of this agreement accompanies this translation. {See the post below, Dutch Records Found, for this engraving.}
The Indians were not pleased with the action of the white men, and complained to Stuyvesant that the land taken for the village had not been paid for, but after a conference with him they agreed to yield their claim "to grease his feet with, because he had made such a long journey to come and see them."
Peace was concluded July 15, 1660, "under the blue sky."...{1} By its terms, the Sachems promised to surrender, as compensation, all the territory of the Esopus and to remove to a distance from there, without ever returning again to plant." In other words, they promised to give up the Great Plat which Stuyvesant wanted and which the settlers hoped to obtain without payment. [Ibid, pp. 33-38]
Matters proceeded with more or less friction until a settlement was soon commenced which was called Nieuw Dorp, or New Village, about three miles west of Wildwijk, or the Old Village. The sachems protested. They "were willing to allow the erection of dwellings, but would have no fortifications made," and claimed positively that the two large pieces of land on which the settlers clearly were determined to settle were not included in the Peace Treaty signed in 1660.
The Indians would not allow the settlers to plow, sow, plant, or make pasture out of the property until the they "were paid for it," making many threats to burn and destroyed what had already been done. The lands spoken of are supposed to have been to the east of and at what is now known as Old Hurley...obviously clear, open river bottoms or meadows.
The storm broke on the settlements on the morning of the 7th of June, 1663. The "barbarians," as they were called, attacked the New Village when the male settlers were at work in the fields, "burned twelve dwelling places, murdered eighteen persons (men, women and children), and carried away as prisoners ten persons more." A report filed with the Director General's office continues, "the New Village has been burned to the ground, and its occupants are mostly taken prisoner or killed, only a few of them have come safely to this place." {Wildwijk}
The disaster did not stop there. The attacking "barbarians" had planned the destruction of both villages, had penetrated the Old Village under the pretense of trading, and at a pre-arranged signal, struck down inhabitants and set dwellings on fire. Eighteen Wildwijk settlers were killed, eight wounded, and twenty-six made prisoners. Total destruction of Wildwijk by fire was only averted by a change in the wind. Men at work in the fields rallied to drive the invaders out. Within its palisades and around its ruined homes, the settlers gathered when night came on and kept mournful watch.
Dutch forces, led by Martin Kregier, and accompanied by 65 Marsepequa Indians from Long Island carried sword and cannon into the heart of Esopus country. They burned the Indian villages in the more immediate area of Wildwijk and then crossed the hills and destroyed the Indians' palisaded towns of Kerhanksen and Shawagunk. The Dutch killed a large number of barbarians, destroying their wigwams and plantations.
Peace finally came on May 15, 1664, leaving the Dutch with the beautiful valley of Esopus.
{1} This incident is mentioned in the post Biography of Rev. Henricus Selyns.
Missing Dutch Records Found
Colonial Records Arrive Anonymously At County Clerk's Office
KINGSTON, New York--June 1895. Dutch colonial records, many years missing from the Ulster County [NY] Clerk's office, have mysteriously made their reappearance there.
An express package was received by the Clerk was duly opened and was found to contain the long-lost records, along with some others in English.
The Clerk made inquiries and learned the records has been shipped from Quogue, Long Island, New York, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Further investigation discovered that a gentleman unknown to the express company had arranged for the package to be delivered.
For many years before their sudden arrival, these colonial records had disappeared under circumstances not now definitely known.
About fifteen years before this, rumors had been circulated in Ulster County that the records could be found on Long Island. But a sheriff, armed with a search warrant, whose arrival in New York was heralded with an announcement of the purpose of his visit, found nothing.
In explanation of their disappearance and return, a gentleman interested in searching for genealogical information and known to Thomas J. Van Alstyne, former Mayor of Albany and ex-congressman, made a statement concerning the Kingston records.
"Years ago I, along with a few others, became interested in these old Dutch records at Kingston. There was very little interest displayed in their preservation, and, being written more or less illegibly in the old Dutch of that early period, they were as a sealed book to most people.
"No translation has ever been attempted, officially or otherwise, and as there seemed to be no prospects of a translation, the records were removed to Brooklyn, where arrangements had been made for a complete translation by an old Dutch scholar.
"The work was scarcely started when the translator was taken ill and died. Owing to the press of other business, I lost track of the records. But it seems that when the effects of the deceased translator were disposed of, his executors, knowing nothing of the ownership of the records, but being satisfied that they were of a public character, had them packed in a box and removed to the old city hall.
"I was one of the commissioners having in charge of the building of the new city hall, and when that edifice was completed and the work of transferring the books and papers was underway, this old box of Kingston records came to light.
"While the officials, to whom the records were Greek, were discussing the advisability of consigning the box of 'rubbish' to the junk pile, I happened to come into the room, and at once recognized the records. I had them carefully boxed and shipped to the Ulster County Clerk's office at Kingston.
"No word was sent with them, because those who had brought them to Brooklyn were unable to complete the work and thought they might be open to censure for removing them from Kingston and then allowing them to remain so long neglected and in danger of destruction.
"These are the facts of the disappearance and return of the Kingston records, and the mystery is a mystery no longer."
KINGSTON, New York--June 1895. Dutch colonial records, many years missing from the Ulster County [NY] Clerk's office, have mysteriously made their reappearance there.
An express package was received by the Clerk was duly opened and was found to contain the long-lost records, along with some others in English.
The Clerk made inquiries and learned the records has been shipped from Quogue, Long Island, New York, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Further investigation discovered that a gentleman unknown to the express company had arranged for the package to be delivered.
For many years before their sudden arrival, these colonial records had disappeared under circumstances not now definitely known.
About fifteen years before this, rumors had been circulated in Ulster County that the records could be found on Long Island. But a sheriff, armed with a search warrant, whose arrival in New York was heralded with an announcement of the purpose of his visit, found nothing.
In explanation of their disappearance and return, a gentleman interested in searching for genealogical information and known to Thomas J. Van Alstyne, former Mayor of Albany and ex-congressman, made a statement concerning the Kingston records.
"Years ago I, along with a few others, became interested in these old Dutch records at Kingston. There was very little interest displayed in their preservation, and, being written more or less illegibly in the old Dutch of that early period, they were as a sealed book to most people.
"No translation has ever been attempted, officially or otherwise, and as there seemed to be no prospects of a translation, the records were removed to Brooklyn, where arrangements had been made for a complete translation by an old Dutch scholar.
"The work was scarcely started when the translator was taken ill and died. Owing to the press of other business, I lost track of the records. But it seems that when the effects of the deceased translator were disposed of, his executors, knowing nothing of the ownership of the records, but being satisfied that they were of a public character, had them packed in a box and removed to the old city hall.
"I was one of the commissioners having in charge of the building of the new city hall, and when that edifice was completed and the work of transferring the books and papers was underway, this old box of Kingston records came to light.
"While the officials, to whom the records were Greek, were discussing the advisability of consigning the box of 'rubbish' to the junk pile, I happened to come into the room, and at once recognized the records. I had them carefully boxed and shipped to the Ulster County Clerk's office at Kingston.
"No word was sent with them, because those who had brought them to Brooklyn were unable to complete the work and thought they might be open to censure for removing them from Kingston and then allowing them to remain so long neglected and in danger of destruction.
"These are the facts of the disappearance and return of the Kingston records, and the mystery is a mystery no longer."
The above image is the first page of the Kingston records recovered in June 1895.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Kakiat, Rockland Co., NY, Dutch Reformed Church Records: Part 1
"The Reformed Church of Kakiat, or West New Hempstead, known, also, as the "Brick Church," was organized Dec. 4th 1774. It was never a large church, as its Membership List ... shows. New Hempstead was erected from the town of Haverstraw, March 18th 1791, and the name was originally given by the Long Island Settlers from the town of Hempstead, L. I. (Beer's, p. 138)...The name was changed from "Kakiat" to "West Hempstead" prior to 1824."
"The present authorities as to the Church History are" History of Rockland Co., NY, with Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men, edited by Dr. David Cole, D. D., [1884] and A Manual of the Reformed Church of America, (formerly Ref. Dutch Protestant Church), edited by Dr. Edward Tanjore Corwin, D. D. [1879].
~~~~~
The information is listed in this order:
Child
Birth date
Baptismal date
Parents
Witnesses
Child
Birth date
Baptismal date
Parents
Witnesses
--Information if parentheses ( ) occurs in the original manuscript. --Information in brackets { } is my best interpretation of the very faded manuscript.======================
Cornelus {sic: Cornelius}
29 Sept. 1774
18 Nov. 1774
---
Albert Smit
Susanna Ecker
---
Cornelius Smit
Marytje Haring
*****
Paulus
29 June 1774
4 Dec. 1774
---
Jacobus Dam
Neelje Van der Voort
---
[blank]
*****
Antje
3 Jan. 1775
15 Jan. 1775
---
Gilbert Cuyper {given elsewhere as Gysbert}
Elizabeth Van der Voort
---
[blank]
*****
Jacobus
9 Dec. 1774
15 Jan. 1775
---
Kendrick Jong
Annatje Osband {possibly Osbern/Osborn}
---
Jacobus Walderon
Claasje Quackenbos
*****
Nathaniel
"Aged 21 years"
15 Jan. 1775
---
[blank]
---
[blank]
*****
Abigail
[blank]
15 Jan. 1775
---
Nathaniel Townsel
Sarah Halstead
*****
Magdalena
11 March 1775
16 April 1775
---
Cornelius Banta
Maria de Marest {This would later become Demarest.}
---
Jan Forshee
Magdalena Banta
*****
Andries
2? Feb. 1775
16 April 1775
---
Abraham de Baan {de Baun}
Gregje Akkerman
---
Reynier Quackenbos
Sara Duryee {given elsewhere as Durjee}
*****
Martha
and {twins}
Lazarus
17 March 1775
16 April 1775
---
Jan Secow {Secor}
Anna Grom {Grow for Grauuw? possibly de Grauuw?}
---
[blank]
*****
Hannah
24 Aug. 1774
16 April 1775
---
Israel Miller
Anna Van der Veert
---
[blank]
*****
Elizabeth
7 June 1775 {this probably should be 1774; or this is a clerical error.}
16 April 1775
---
Andries Abrahamzen
Catrine Secow {Secor}
---
[blank]
*****
John Pearsall
12 Jan. 1775
16 April 1775
---
Abraham Stag
Geertje Pearsall
---
Jacob Mace
Neeltje Pearsall
*****
Willem
23 Aug. 1774
24 Sept. 1775
---
Geshom Hoff
Polly Wood
---
[blank]
*****
Martha
19 Nov. 1777
[blank]
-----
Gysbert Cuyper
Elizabeth Van der Voort
---
[blank]
*****
Gysbert
13 Oct. 1777
[blank]
---
Gysbert Cuyper
Elizabeth Van der Voort
---
[blank]
*****
Wendel
11 April 1776
17 May 1776
---
Jacob Miers {Myers}
Neelje Wessel
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Historic Maps of Pennsylvania
If you have ancestors who lived in Pennsylvania, here is a website you need to bookmark!
http://www.mapsofpa.com/
http://www.mapsofpa.com/
1770 Map of New York Restored
A 240-Year-Old Map Is Reborn
In May 2010, a tattered and brittle map was discovered in storage at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Experts identified it as a rare item, a Bernard Ratzer “Plan of the City of New York” map in its 1770 state. Until then, only three copies were thought to exist. After a painstaking restoration to remove layers of shellac and grime and repair dozens of breaks, the map is now behind plexiglass and ready to be displayed to the public. Below is the map before, left, and after restoration. For more details on the map and the story of its restoration, go to the related article.
Marriage Banns of the Reformed Dutch Church at New York 1686-1687
From 14 June 1686 to 23 April 1687
Banns were read three times before the engaged couple could be married, usually on successive Sundays, just as they are today in many churches. Rev. Mr. Henricus Selyns' day-book--from which these records were extracted--does not have the actual marriage date listed. The official Church Records give the date of the Registration and of the Marriage; the dates of the publication of the Banns must fall between those dates. They are therefore given here. The couple may have been married on the day of the third reading of the banns. In only one case do I know this to be true: that of Dominie Selyns' own second marriage on 20 Oct. 1686.
Translations of Dutch terms are listed below:
j. m. = Jong man--young man, bachelor.
j. d. = jonge dochter--young daughter.
Beyde wonende alhier = Both living here.
als voren = the same as above.
alle wonende alhier = all living here
we. v. = weduwe van--widow of.
wed. v./wede. v. = weduwe van--also widow of
wr. = weduwnaer--widower of.
laest wedr. van--late widower of
laest wede. van--late widow of
----------
1686
den 14 Juni (June 14).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Zeger Corn, van Egmont, j. m. van (from) N. Albanien (new Albany), en
Femmetje Laurens Zluys, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Simon van Breedstede, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Janneken van Laer, j. d. als voren.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Johannes Hardenbroeck, j. m. van (from) Amsterd(am)., en
Sara van Laer, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Hermen Douwenszen Taelman, j. m. van (from) Amsterdam, en
Grietie Minnens, i. d. van (from) N. Amersfort.
d'Eerste wonende op Tappan, en tweede op Haverstroo.
(The one living at Tappan, the other at Haverstroo.)
-----
den 14 Juni (June 14). Voor de Eerste male (For the first time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt,
beyde wonende alhier
-----
den 20 Juni (June 20).
Voor de twedemale (For the second time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt,
beyde wonende tot (at) N. Yorke.
-----
den 27 Jun. (Jun. 27).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt.
-----
den 4 Jul. (July 4).
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Albanien, (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, we. v. Elias de Windel,
alle wonende alhier.
-----
Voor de twedemale (For the second time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. van (from) N. Alb(anien) (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, wede. van Elias de Windel.
-----
den 11 Jul. (July 11).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Albanien (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, wed. v. Elias Windel,
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Jan Dircxen, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d.
als voren, beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewits, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. van (from) Renselaerswyck.
-----
den 18 Jul. (July 18).
Voor de twedemale. (For the second time)
Jan Dircxen, j. m. van N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d. als voren,
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewents, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. v. (from) Renselaerswyck.
1686. July 18.
-----
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Jan Eewetsen, j. m. van de (from the) Beets, en
Lysbeth Pluviers, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
-----
den 25 Jul. (July 25).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Jan Dircxen, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d. als voren,
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewents, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. van (from) Renselaerswyck,
d'Eerste woonende alhier, en twede op Rensl.
(The one living here, the other at Renselaerswyck.)
-----
Voor de Twedenmale (For the second time).
Jan Eewetsen, j. m. van de (from the) Beets, en
Lysbeth Pluviers, j. d. van N. Yorcke.
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
En voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Simon Corniel, wr. van Claesje petit Mangln, en
Theuntje Walings, wede. van Corn. Jacobszen.
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
[21 (?)-3 Sept.]
Evert Arentszen, j. m. N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van Spyck, j. d. Middleburg.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
+[Sept.] Avontmael. (Holy Communion.)]
+This shows again Dominie Selyns' use of the Notebook on the pulpit.
-----
[10 Sept.-(?)]
Aert Theunissen Lanen, j. m. van (from) N. Uytrecht (New Utrecht), en
Neeltje Jans van Thuyl, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
d'Eerste wonende op n. Uytrecht en twede alhier.
(The one living at New Utrecht, the other here.)
-----
[11-29 Sept.]
Pieter Janszen Bogaert, j. m. van (from) Leerdam, en
Fytie Thyssen, j. d. van N. Albanien. (New Albany)
d'Eerste wonende op N. Haerlem, en twede op Stuyvsants bouwerye.
(The one living at N. Haerlem (North Haarlem/Harlem), the other at Stuyvesant's Bowery.)
-----
[19 Sept.—13 Oct.]
Barent Janszen, j. m. v. (from) Midwout, en
Marritje Brouwers, wede. van Jacob Pieterszen.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[2-20 Oct.]
Henricus Selyns, wedr. van Machteld Specht, en
Margareta de Riemer, wede. van den Hr. (Mr.) Cornells Steenwyck.
beyde wonende alhier.
NOTE:
From here on the MS. gives no date. The number of the Banns are indicated, however: I, II or III.
1686
[2-20 Oct.] .
III. Isaac Kip, j. m., en
Sara de Mill, j. d.
beyde gebooren en wonende alhier.
(Both born and living here.)
-----
[16 Oct.—19 Nov.]
I. Willem Teller de Jonge, j. m. van (from) N. Albanien (New Albany), en
Rachel Kierstede, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[26 Nov.—15 Dec.]
III. Willem Willemszen Bennet, j. m. vande Gujanen (from Gowanus), en
Ariaentje van de Water, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
d'Eerste wonende op Gujanen en twede alhier.
(The one living at Gowanus, the other here.)
-----
1687.
[26 Mar.—?]
III. Revnier van Zicklen, en
Janneken van Houw.
d'Eerste wonende op N. Amersfoort, en twede alhier.
(The one living at N. Amersfoort, the other here.)
-----
[31 Mar.— ?]
III. Jan Strycker, laest wedr van Swaentie Jans, en
Theuntie Theunis, laest wede van Jacob Hellacken.
d'Eerste wonende tot Midwout en twede alhier.
(The one living at Midwout, the other here.)
-----
1687.
[15 Apr.—11 May.]
III. Laurens Thomaszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catharina Lievens, j. d.
als voren, beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[15 Apr.—11 May.]
III. Jacob Corneliszen, j. m. van (from) Vlissingen, en
Aeltje Fredericx, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[23 Apr.—11 May.]
Jan Meet, j. m. van (from) Oudt Amersfoort in °t Sticht van Utrecht (old Amersfoort in the Province of Utrecht, Netherlands), en
Grietie Mandevil, j. d. van (from) N. Amersfoort of °t Lange Eylt. (N. Amersfoort on Long Island.)
beyde wonende alhier.
Banns were read three times before the engaged couple could be married, usually on successive Sundays, just as they are today in many churches. Rev. Mr. Henricus Selyns' day-book--from which these records were extracted--does not have the actual marriage date listed. The official Church Records give the date of the Registration and of the Marriage; the dates of the publication of the Banns must fall between those dates. They are therefore given here. The couple may have been married on the day of the third reading of the banns. In only one case do I know this to be true: that of Dominie Selyns' own second marriage on 20 Oct. 1686.
Translations of Dutch terms are listed below:
j. m. = Jong man--young man, bachelor.
j. d. = jonge dochter--young daughter.
Beyde wonende alhier = Both living here.
als voren = the same as above.
alle wonende alhier = all living here
we. v. = weduwe van--widow of.
wed. v./wede. v. = weduwe van--also widow of
wr. = weduwnaer--widower of.
laest wedr. van--late widower of
laest wede. van--late widow of
----------
1686
den 14 Juni (June 14).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Zeger Corn, van Egmont, j. m. van (from) N. Albanien (new Albany), en
Femmetje Laurens Zluys, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Simon van Breedstede, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Janneken van Laer, j. d. als voren.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Johannes Hardenbroeck, j. m. van (from) Amsterd(am)., en
Sara van Laer, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
Beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Hermen Douwenszen Taelman, j. m. van (from) Amsterdam, en
Grietie Minnens, i. d. van (from) N. Amersfort.
d'Eerste wonende op Tappan, en tweede op Haverstroo.
(The one living at Tappan, the other at Haverstroo.)
-----
den 14 Juni (June 14). Voor de Eerste male (For the first time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt,
beyde wonende alhier
-----
den 20 Juni (June 20).
Voor de twedemale (For the second time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt,
beyde wonende tot (at) N. Yorke.
-----
den 27 Jun. (Jun. 27).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Simon Claeszen, j. m. van (from) Oosthuysen, en
Tryntie Gerrits, j. d. van (from) Kyckuyt.
-----
den 4 Jul. (July 4).
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Albanien, (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, we. v. Elias de Windel,
alle wonende alhier.
-----
Voor de twedemale (For the second time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. van (from) N. Alb(anien) (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, wede. van Elias de Windel.
-----
den 11 Jul. (July 11).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Isaac Arentszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Albanien (New Albany), en
Anna Populaer, wed. v. Elias Windel,
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Jan Dircxen, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d.
als voren, beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewits, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. van (from) Renselaerswyck.
-----
den 18 Jul. (July 18).
Voor de twedemale. (For the second time)
Jan Dircxen, j. m. van N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d. als voren,
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewents, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. v. (from) Renselaerswyck.
1686. July 18.
-----
Voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Jan Eewetsen, j. m. van de (from the) Beets, en
Lysbeth Pluviers, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
-----
den 25 Jul. (July 25).
Voor de derdemale (For the third time).
Jan Dircxen, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catalina Cloppers, j. d. als voren,
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
Barent Liewents, j. m. van (from) N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van der Poel, j. d. van (from) Renselaerswyck,
d'Eerste woonende alhier, en twede op Rensl.
(The one living here, the other at Renselaerswyck.)
-----
Voor de Twedenmale (For the second time).
Jan Eewetsen, j. m. van de (from the) Beets, en
Lysbeth Pluviers, j. d. van N. Yorcke.
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
En voor de Eerstemale (For the first time).
Simon Corniel, wr. van Claesje petit Mangln, en
Theuntje Walings, wede. van Corn. Jacobszen.
beyde woonende alhier.
-----
[21 (?)-3 Sept.]
Evert Arentszen, j. m. N. Yorcke, en
Johanna van Spyck, j. d. Middleburg.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
+[Sept.] Avontmael. (Holy Communion.)]
+This shows again Dominie Selyns' use of the Notebook on the pulpit.
-----
[10 Sept.-(?)]
Aert Theunissen Lanen, j. m. van (from) N. Uytrecht (New Utrecht), en
Neeltje Jans van Thuyl, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
d'Eerste wonende op n. Uytrecht en twede alhier.
(The one living at New Utrecht, the other here.)
-----
[11-29 Sept.]
Pieter Janszen Bogaert, j. m. van (from) Leerdam, en
Fytie Thyssen, j. d. van N. Albanien. (New Albany)
d'Eerste wonende op N. Haerlem, en twede op Stuyvsants bouwerye.
(The one living at N. Haerlem (North Haarlem/Harlem), the other at Stuyvesant's Bowery.)
-----
[19 Sept.—13 Oct.]
Barent Janszen, j. m. v. (from) Midwout, en
Marritje Brouwers, wede. van Jacob Pieterszen.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[2-20 Oct.]
Henricus Selyns, wedr. van Machteld Specht, en
Margareta de Riemer, wede. van den Hr. (Mr.) Cornells Steenwyck.
beyde wonende alhier.
NOTE:
From here on the MS. gives no date. The number of the Banns are indicated, however: I, II or III.
1686
[2-20 Oct.] .
III. Isaac Kip, j. m., en
Sara de Mill, j. d.
beyde gebooren en wonende alhier.
(Both born and living here.)
-----
[16 Oct.—19 Nov.]
I. Willem Teller de Jonge, j. m. van (from) N. Albanien (New Albany), en
Rachel Kierstede, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[26 Nov.—15 Dec.]
III. Willem Willemszen Bennet, j. m. vande Gujanen (from Gowanus), en
Ariaentje van de Water, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
d'Eerste wonende op Gujanen en twede alhier.
(The one living at Gowanus, the other here.)
-----
1687.
[26 Mar.—?]
III. Revnier van Zicklen, en
Janneken van Houw.
d'Eerste wonende op N. Amersfoort, en twede alhier.
(The one living at N. Amersfoort, the other here.)
-----
[31 Mar.— ?]
III. Jan Strycker, laest wedr van Swaentie Jans, en
Theuntie Theunis, laest wede van Jacob Hellacken.
d'Eerste wonende tot Midwout en twede alhier.
(The one living at Midwout, the other here.)
-----
1687.
[15 Apr.—11 May.]
III. Laurens Thomaszen, j. m. v. (from) N. Yorcke, en
Catharina Lievens, j. d.
als voren, beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[15 Apr.—11 May.]
III. Jacob Corneliszen, j. m. van (from) Vlissingen, en
Aeltje Fredericx, j. d. van (from) N. Yorcke.
beyde wonende alhier.
-----
[23 Apr.—11 May.]
Jan Meet, j. m. van (from) Oudt Amersfoort in °t Sticht van Utrecht (old Amersfoort in the Province of Utrecht, Netherlands), en
Grietie Mandevil, j. d. van (from) N. Amersfoort of °t Lange Eylt. (N. Amersfoort on Long Island.)
beyde wonende alhier.
French "Dit/Dite" Names
Researching French ancestry with "dit/dite" names is mind-boggling until you get used to it. They're called "dit" names for males or "dites" for females. Literally, France couldn't figure out how they wanted to handle the new invention of the surname until Napoleon just put an end to it in the 1800s. They routinely interchanged two different names and would hyphenate them only for the Church.
You could have a man named Hugues Picard who also used the name Hugues LaFortune. When he signed a contract, he could use either name. But when he went before God, he was Hugues Picard-dit-LaFortune. BUT...his children might be baptized under either name and later use the other. That was up to the priest to keep straight. The LaFortune might develop because he inherited a large fortune that he wasn't expecting, or got into a business venture that reaped unexpected windfalls.
Now here's the funny part about "dit/dite" names.... The sons of this man might take either name with them as their own surname, then develop their own dit names. So Hugues might have fathered Pierre and Rene. Pierre Picard could take the dit name LaGuerre because he was a great soldier. His brother might become Rene LaFortune and take the dit name LaVigne because he was a great vintner. A few generations of this and you'll be begging for the good old days of Dutch patronymics.
It takes a while to figure it out, but once you do, just muddle through until you get to some semblance of stability. The 1600s and 1700s are the worst. The 1400s and 1500s are far better.
Also know that in France, surnames weren't required until the 1600s. So you can have some regions still using patrynoms or they would use their patron saint for their surname. You might find someone name Martin-Jacques Gilles-St-Martin. His name was Martin, son of Gilles, whose patron was St-Martin. That's usually in the Franche-Comte and other eastern provinces where education was lacking. The parish priest kept all the records, and they didn't have much contact with the outside world, so they didn't worry about this "surname" craziness.
You could have a man named Hugues Picard who also used the name Hugues LaFortune. When he signed a contract, he could use either name. But when he went before God, he was Hugues Picard-dit-LaFortune. BUT...his children might be baptized under either name and later use the other. That was up to the priest to keep straight. The LaFortune might develop because he inherited a large fortune that he wasn't expecting, or got into a business venture that reaped unexpected windfalls.
Now here's the funny part about "dit/dite" names.... The sons of this man might take either name with them as their own surname, then develop their own dit names. So Hugues might have fathered Pierre and Rene. Pierre Picard could take the dit name LaGuerre because he was a great soldier. His brother might become Rene LaFortune and take the dit name LaVigne because he was a great vintner. A few generations of this and you'll be begging for the good old days of Dutch patronymics.
It takes a while to figure it out, but once you do, just muddle through until you get to some semblance of stability. The 1600s and 1700s are the worst. The 1400s and 1500s are far better.
Also know that in France, surnames weren't required until the 1600s. So you can have some regions still using patrynoms or they would use their patron saint for their surname. You might find someone name Martin-Jacques Gilles-St-Martin. His name was Martin, son of Gilles, whose patron was St-Martin. That's usually in the Franche-Comte and other eastern provinces where education was lacking. The parish priest kept all the records, and they didn't have much contact with the outside world, so they didn't worry about this "surname" craziness.
Monday, January 17, 2011
1686 Brooklyn Dutch Reformed Church Members: Part 6
All the following places were outside the City Walls.
Sara Joosten h. v. Isaac de Mill.
Dirck van de Clyff, en syn huysv. Geesje Hendricks.
Styntje Jans, h. v. Joost Carelszen.
Willem Hellaecken, en syn huysv. Tryntie Boelen.
Anna Maria Engelbert, h. v. Clement Elswaert.
Wilhelmus Beeckman, en syn h. Catharina de Boog.
Johannes Beeckman, en syn h. Aeltje Thomas.
b. Buyten de Landtpoort [Beyond the Country-gate] (Broadway, above Wall Street)
Anneken Schouten, h. v. Theunis Dey.
c. Over't Versch Water [Beyond the Fresh Water] (The old pond at Kalck-hoei, or The Collect.)
Wolfert Webber, en syn huysv. Geertruyd Hassing.
Neeltje Cornelis, h. v. Hendrick Corneliszen.
Arie Corneliszen, en syn h. Rebecca Idens.
Francjscus Bastiaensz. en syn h. Barbara Emanuels. (1)
Salomon Pieters, en syn h. Marritie Anthony.
Anthony Sarley, en syn huysv. Josyntie Thomas.
Francois van der Koeck, en syn h. Wyntie de Vries.
Daniel de Clerck, en syn huysv. Grietie Cozyns.
Cozyn Gerritszen, en syn huysv. Vrouwtje Gerrits.
Jan Thomaszen, en syn huysv. Appolonia Cornelis.
Pieter Janszen, en syn huysv. Marritje Jacobs.
Jacob Kip, en syn huysvr. Maria de la Montagne.
Maria Kip.
Juffr. Judith Isendoorn, w. v. den Hr Petrus Stuyvensant.(2)
Nicolaes Willem Stuyvesant, en h. Lysbeth Slichtenhorst.
Marritie Jacobs, h. v. Gys Servaes.
Abraham van de Woestyne.
Catalyntie van de Woestyne.
(1) Negroes
(2) D° Selyns spells his name Stuyvensant, Stuyvesant and in the banns Stuyvsant (Stuyvsants Bouwerye).
Ibel Bloottgoet, h. v. Ide Ariaenszen.
Pieter Jacobszen, en syn h. Belitie Ariens.
Jan de Groot, en syn huysv. Margrietie Gerrits.
Jacob de Groot, en syn huysv. Grietie Jans.
Jillis Mandevil, en syn huysv. Elsje Hendricx.
Grietje Mandevil.
Egbert Fockenszen, en syn huysv. Elsje Lucas.
Johannes Thomaszen, en syn h. Aefje Jacobs.
Johannes van Couwenhoven, en h. Sara Frans.
d. Aen de Grote KU [By the Great Kill]
Conradus van Beeck, en syn h. Elsje Jans.
Claes Emanuels. } negers
Jan de Vries. } negers
c. Boschtvyck, [Bushwick.]*
Lysbeth Jans, h. v. Joost Kockuyt.
f. Arme Bouwerye [Poor Farm] (1) (Steinway, L. I.)
Arnout Webber, en syn h. Janneken Cornelis.
Margariet Meyrinck, h. v. Hendrick Martensen.
Abraham Rycking.
Wyntie Theunis, wed. van Herck Tiebout.
Annetje Claes, h. v. Theunis Corneliszen.
Mr- Daniel Mortenauw, en h. Theuntie Vermeere.
g. Nieutv Thuyn, [Newtown] (2)
Catharina Jans, h. v. Stoffel Gerritszen van Laer.
(1) 'This "Poor Farm" was given to the Collegiate Church by Deacon Jeurian Fradell about 1651. It contained about 140 acres, together with three of the neighboring islands in the East River. It was still in possession of the church in 1686, as this item proves. It lay between Flushing Bay and Astoria, and is now covered by Steinway. The locality was known as the "Poor Bowery" until after 1850. The name still persists in "Bowery Bay" near by. For map and further particulars, see Riker's Newtown, 21-23, 35-37, 73
(2) Omitted in Wilson.
Sara Joosten h. v. Isaac de Mill.
Dirck van de Clyff, en syn huysv. Geesje Hendricks.
Styntje Jans, h. v. Joost Carelszen.
Willem Hellaecken, en syn huysv. Tryntie Boelen.
Anna Maria Engelbert, h. v. Clement Elswaert.
Wilhelmus Beeckman, en syn h. Catharina de Boog.
Johannes Beeckman, en syn h. Aeltje Thomas.
b. Buyten de Landtpoort [Beyond the Country-gate] (Broadway, above Wall Street)
Anneken Schouten, h. v. Theunis Dey.
c. Over't Versch Water [Beyond the Fresh Water] (The old pond at Kalck-hoei, or The Collect.)
Wolfert Webber, en syn huysv. Geertruyd Hassing.
Neeltje Cornelis, h. v. Hendrick Corneliszen.
Arie Corneliszen, en syn h. Rebecca Idens.
Francjscus Bastiaensz. en syn h. Barbara Emanuels. (1)
Salomon Pieters, en syn h. Marritie Anthony.
Anthony Sarley, en syn huysv. Josyntie Thomas.
Francois van der Koeck, en syn h. Wyntie de Vries.
Daniel de Clerck, en syn huysv. Grietie Cozyns.
Cozyn Gerritszen, en syn huysv. Vrouwtje Gerrits.
Jan Thomaszen, en syn huysv. Appolonia Cornelis.
Pieter Janszen, en syn huysv. Marritje Jacobs.
Jacob Kip, en syn huysvr. Maria de la Montagne.
Maria Kip.
Juffr. Judith Isendoorn, w. v. den Hr Petrus Stuyvensant.(2)
Nicolaes Willem Stuyvesant, en h. Lysbeth Slichtenhorst.
Marritie Jacobs, h. v. Gys Servaes.
Abraham van de Woestyne.
Catalyntie van de Woestyne.
(1) Negroes
(2) D° Selyns spells his name Stuyvensant, Stuyvesant and in the banns Stuyvsant (Stuyvsants Bouwerye).
Ibel Bloottgoet, h. v. Ide Ariaenszen.
Pieter Jacobszen, en syn h. Belitie Ariens.
Jan de Groot, en syn huysv. Margrietie Gerrits.
Jacob de Groot, en syn huysv. Grietie Jans.
Jillis Mandevil, en syn huysv. Elsje Hendricx.
Grietje Mandevil.
Egbert Fockenszen, en syn huysv. Elsje Lucas.
Johannes Thomaszen, en syn h. Aefje Jacobs.
Johannes van Couwenhoven, en h. Sara Frans.
d. Aen de Grote KU [By the Great Kill]
Conradus van Beeck, en syn h. Elsje Jans.
Claes Emanuels. } negers
Jan de Vries. } negers
c. Boschtvyck, [Bushwick.]*
Lysbeth Jans, h. v. Joost Kockuyt.
f. Arme Bouwerye [Poor Farm] (1) (Steinway, L. I.)
Arnout Webber, en syn h. Janneken Cornelis.
Margariet Meyrinck, h. v. Hendrick Martensen.
Abraham Rycking.
Wyntie Theunis, wed. van Herck Tiebout.
Annetje Claes, h. v. Theunis Corneliszen.
Mr- Daniel Mortenauw, en h. Theuntie Vermeere.
g. Nieutv Thuyn, [Newtown] (2)
Catharina Jans, h. v. Stoffel Gerritszen van Laer.
(1) 'This "Poor Farm" was given to the Collegiate Church by Deacon Jeurian Fradell about 1651. It contained about 140 acres, together with three of the neighboring islands in the East River. It was still in possession of the church in 1686, as this item proves. It lay between Flushing Bay and Astoria, and is now covered by Steinway. The locality was known as the "Poor Bowery" until after 1850. The name still persists in "Bowery Bay" near by. For map and further particulars, see Riker's Newtown, 21-23, 35-37, 73
(2) Omitted in Wilson.
1686 Brooklyn Dutch Reformed Church Members: Part 5
13. Hoog Straet, [High Street] (Stone Street, between Broad and William Sts.)
Reynier Willemszen, en syn huysv. Susanna Arents.
Tryntie Reyniers.
Geertruyd Reyniers.
Adolph Pietersen de Groef, en syn h. Aefje Dircks.
Agnietie de Groef.
Maria de Groef.
Mr. Evert Keteltas, en syn h. Hillegond Joris.
Anna Hardenbroeck, h. v. John Lillie.
Johannes Hardenbroeck.
Jacob Abrahamszen Santvoort, en1 Magdalena van Vleck.
Laurens Holt, en syn huysv. Hilletje Laurens.
Janneken van Dyck, h. v. Jan Coeley.
Lysbeth Coely.
Barent Coert, en syn huysv. Christina Wessels.
Geertruyd Barents, wed. v. Jan Hybon.
Sara Ennes, h. v. Barent Hybon.
de Hr. Nicolaes de Meyert, en syn h. Lidia van Dyck.
Lysbeth de Meyert.
Christina Steentjes, h. v. Guiljam d' Honnour.
Claes Jansz. Stavast, en syn huysv. Aefje Gerrits.
Evert Wessels, en syn huysv. Jannetje Stavast
Laurens Wessels, en syn huysv. Aeltje Jans.
Anneken Duycking, h. v. Johannes Hooglant.
Franz Goderus, en syn huysv. Rebecca Idens.
Jan Jansz. van Langendyck, en syn h. Grietje Wessels.
Jan Harberdinck, en syn huysv. Mayken Barents.
Gerrit Duycking, en syn huysv. Maria Abeel.
Christina Cappoens, w. v. David Jochemszen.
Anna Tobbelaer, w. v. Elias de Winder.
Marritje Andrees, w. v. Jan Breestede.
Hendrick Wesselsz. ten Broeck, en syn h.
Jannetje Breestede.
Geertruyd Breestede.
de Hr- Nicolaes de Bayard, en syn h. Judith Verleth.
Francjna Hermans.
Evert Duyclcing, en syn huysv. Hendrickje Simons.
Cytie Duyclcing, h. v. Willem Block.
Anthony de Mill, en syn huysv. Elisabeth van der Liphorst.
Pieter de Mill.
Sara de Mill.
de Heer Abraham de Peyster, en syn h. Catharina de Peyster.
Jannetje Schouten, h. v. Pieter Stephenszen.(1)
14. Slyci Straet [Mud Street] (South William Street)
Jan Hendr. van Bommel, en syn h. Annetje Abrahams.
Geertruyd de Haes, h. v. Jan Kroeck.
Emmerentje Laurens, wed. van Hendrick Oosterhaven.
Leendert Oosterhaven.
15. Princen Straet [Prince's Street] (Beaver Street between Broad and William Sts.)
Jan Langstraeten, en syn huysv. Marritje Jans.
Albertje Jans, h. v. Jan Janszen van Quisthout.
Susanna Barents.
Hendrick de Foreest, en syn huysv. Femmetje Flaesbeeck.
Barent Flaesbeeck, en syn huysv. Marritje Hendricks.
Susanna Verleth, h. v. Mr. Jan de Foreest.
Metje Pieters, h. v. Jan Pieterszen.
Nicolaes Janszen, en syn huysv. Janneken Kiersen.
Annetje Jans, h. v. William Moore.
Ambrosius de Waran, en syn huysv. Adriaentje Thomas.
Susanna de Negrin (2), h. v. Thomas de Moor. (3)
(1) Not listed in Wilson at all.
(2) The Negress.
(3) The Moor.
16. Koninck Straet, [King Street]
Elsje Borger, h. v. Jan Sipkens.
Cornell's Pluvier, en syn huysv. Neeltje van Couwenhoven.
Frederick Hendrickszen, en syn huysv. Styntje Jans.
Geesje Schuurmans, wed. v. Bruyn Hage.
Lysbeth Schuurmans.
Jacob Franszen, en syn huysv. Magdalena Jacobs.
17. Smit Straet [Smith Street] (William Street, below Wall Street)
Cornelia Roos, w. v. Elias Provoost.
Jan Vinge [sic; Vigne], en syn huysv. Wiesken Huypkens.
Assuerus Hendricks, en syn huysv. Neeltje Jans.
Hester Pluvier, h. v. Thymon Franszen.
Jan Meyert, en syn huysv. Anna van Vorst.
Pieter Janszen, en syn huysv. Lysbeth Frans van Hoogten.
Jan Janszen van Flensburg, en h. Willemtie de Kleyn.
Francyntje Stultheer, h. v. Jan Wesselszen.(1)
Laurens Hendrickszen, en syn huysv. Marritje Jans.
Hendrick van Borsum, en syn h. Marritje Cornelis.
Jannetje Cornelis, h. v. *
Thymon van Borsum, en syn huysv. Grietje Focken.
Wyd Timmer.
Geertie Langendyck, w. v. Dirck Dye.
Jannetje Dye, h. v. Frans Cornelisen.
Jan Pietersen Bosch, en syn h. Jannetje Barents.
Jannetje Frans, h. v. Wiljam Buyell.
David Provoost, en syn huysv. Tryntje Laurens.
Tryntje Reyniers, w. v. Meynardt Barentzen
Marritje Pieterszen, h. v. Jan Pieterszen.
a. Smits Vallye [Smith's Valley] (The East River Shore above Wall Street, Maiden Lane)
Lysbeth Lubberts, wed. v. Dirck Fluyt.
Jan Janszen van Langedyck.
Pieter Janszen van Langedyck.
Herman Janszen, en syn huysv. Brechtie Elswaert.
Tryntie Hadders, h. v. Albert Wantenaer.
Hilletje Pieters, wed. v. Corn. Clopper.
Johannes Clopper.
(1) Not in Wilson at all.
*Name of husband omitted in original manuscript.
Margareta Vermeulen, w. v. Hendr. van de Water.
Adriaentie van de Water.
Abraham Moll, en syn huysv. Jacomyntie van Dartelbeeck.
Tytie Liphens, w. v. Jan Roelofszen.
Wilhelmus de Meyert, en syn h. Catharina Bayard.
Jacob Swart, en syn huysv. Teuntje Jacobs.
Reynier Willemszen, en syn huysv. Susanna Arents.
Tryntie Reyniers.
Geertruyd Reyniers.
Adolph Pietersen de Groef, en syn h. Aefje Dircks.
Agnietie de Groef.
Maria de Groef.
Mr. Evert Keteltas, en syn h. Hillegond Joris.
Anna Hardenbroeck, h. v. John Lillie.
Johannes Hardenbroeck.
Jacob Abrahamszen Santvoort, en1 Magdalena van Vleck.
Laurens Holt, en syn huysv. Hilletje Laurens.
Janneken van Dyck, h. v. Jan Coeley.
Lysbeth Coely.
Barent Coert, en syn huysv. Christina Wessels.
Geertruyd Barents, wed. v. Jan Hybon.
Sara Ennes, h. v. Barent Hybon.
de Hr. Nicolaes de Meyert, en syn h. Lidia van Dyck.
Lysbeth de Meyert.
Christina Steentjes, h. v. Guiljam d' Honnour.
Claes Jansz. Stavast, en syn huysv. Aefje Gerrits.
Evert Wessels, en syn huysv. Jannetje Stavast
Laurens Wessels, en syn huysv. Aeltje Jans.
Anneken Duycking, h. v. Johannes Hooglant.
Franz Goderus, en syn huysv. Rebecca Idens.
Jan Jansz. van Langendyck, en syn h. Grietje Wessels.
Jan Harberdinck, en syn huysv. Mayken Barents.
Gerrit Duycking, en syn huysv. Maria Abeel.
Christina Cappoens, w. v. David Jochemszen.
Anna Tobbelaer, w. v. Elias de Winder.
Marritje Andrees, w. v. Jan Breestede.
Hendrick Wesselsz. ten Broeck, en syn h.
Jannetje Breestede.
Geertruyd Breestede.
de Hr- Nicolaes de Bayard, en syn h. Judith Verleth.
Francjna Hermans.
Evert Duyclcing, en syn huysv. Hendrickje Simons.
Cytie Duyclcing, h. v. Willem Block.
Anthony de Mill, en syn huysv. Elisabeth van der Liphorst.
Pieter de Mill.
Sara de Mill.
de Heer Abraham de Peyster, en syn h. Catharina de Peyster.
Jannetje Schouten, h. v. Pieter Stephenszen.(1)
14. Slyci Straet [Mud Street] (South William Street)
Jan Hendr. van Bommel, en syn h. Annetje Abrahams.
Geertruyd de Haes, h. v. Jan Kroeck.
Emmerentje Laurens, wed. van Hendrick Oosterhaven.
Leendert Oosterhaven.
15. Princen Straet [Prince's Street] (Beaver Street between Broad and William Sts.)
Jan Langstraeten, en syn huysv. Marritje Jans.
Albertje Jans, h. v. Jan Janszen van Quisthout.
Susanna Barents.
Hendrick de Foreest, en syn huysv. Femmetje Flaesbeeck.
Barent Flaesbeeck, en syn huysv. Marritje Hendricks.
Susanna Verleth, h. v. Mr. Jan de Foreest.
Metje Pieters, h. v. Jan Pieterszen.
Nicolaes Janszen, en syn huysv. Janneken Kiersen.
Annetje Jans, h. v. William Moore.
Ambrosius de Waran, en syn huysv. Adriaentje Thomas.
Susanna de Negrin (2), h. v. Thomas de Moor. (3)
(1) Not listed in Wilson at all.
(2) The Negress.
(3) The Moor.
16. Koninck Straet, [King Street]
Elsje Borger, h. v. Jan Sipkens.
Cornell's Pluvier, en syn huysv. Neeltje van Couwenhoven.
Frederick Hendrickszen, en syn huysv. Styntje Jans.
Geesje Schuurmans, wed. v. Bruyn Hage.
Lysbeth Schuurmans.
Jacob Franszen, en syn huysv. Magdalena Jacobs.
17. Smit Straet [Smith Street] (William Street, below Wall Street)
Cornelia Roos, w. v. Elias Provoost.
Jan Vinge [sic; Vigne], en syn huysv. Wiesken Huypkens.
Assuerus Hendricks, en syn huysv. Neeltje Jans.
Hester Pluvier, h. v. Thymon Franszen.
Jan Meyert, en syn huysv. Anna van Vorst.
Pieter Janszen, en syn huysv. Lysbeth Frans van Hoogten.
Jan Janszen van Flensburg, en h. Willemtie de Kleyn.
Francyntje Stultheer, h. v. Jan Wesselszen.(1)
Laurens Hendrickszen, en syn huysv. Marritje Jans.
Hendrick van Borsum, en syn h. Marritje Cornelis.
Jannetje Cornelis, h. v. *
Thymon van Borsum, en syn huysv. Grietje Focken.
Wyd Timmer.
Geertie Langendyck, w. v. Dirck Dye.
Jannetje Dye, h. v. Frans Cornelisen.
Jan Pietersen Bosch, en syn h. Jannetje Barents.
Jannetje Frans, h. v. Wiljam Buyell.
David Provoost, en syn huysv. Tryntje Laurens.
Tryntje Reyniers, w. v. Meynardt Barentzen
Marritje Pieterszen, h. v. Jan Pieterszen.
a. Smits Vallye [Smith's Valley] (The East River Shore above Wall Street, Maiden Lane)
Lysbeth Lubberts, wed. v. Dirck Fluyt.
Jan Janszen van Langedyck.
Pieter Janszen van Langedyck.
Herman Janszen, en syn huysv. Brechtie Elswaert.
Tryntie Hadders, h. v. Albert Wantenaer.
Hilletje Pieters, wed. v. Corn. Clopper.
Johannes Clopper.
(1) Not in Wilson at all.
*Name of husband omitted in original manuscript.
Margareta Vermeulen, w. v. Hendr. van de Water.
Adriaentie van de Water.
Abraham Moll, en syn huysv. Jacomyntie van Dartelbeeck.
Tytie Liphens, w. v. Jan Roelofszen.
Wilhelmus de Meyert, en syn h. Catharina Bayard.
Jacob Swart, en syn huysv. Teuntje Jacobs.