USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Carly Dutch Settlers
Monmouth County,
new Jersey.
Gc 974.901 M75b 1233693
M. L.
GENEALOCY COLLECTION
E ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 6782
364 north Ml Et. PL
Geo & Beekman
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS
OF
MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
BY
GEORGE C. BEEKMAN.
1901 MOREAU BROS., PUBLISHERS, FREEHOLD, N. J.
Second Edition Printed, 1915.
1233693 PREFACE.
When the publication of these articles on the Early Dutch Settlers of Momonth was begun in The Freehold Transcript, I had no idea they would develop to such length.
Several of the articles written for the weekly issues of this newspaper read all right therein, but now, gathered together in book form, they appear fragmentary and disconnected.
A great deal of time and labor by more than one person has been devoted to gathering material from public records, family papers, tombstone inscriptions, and other original sources of information. Much of this is comprised in short notes and small type, and, by putting these compilations in book form they will be accessible for reference. For there is much work to be done before a full genealogy can be written of either the Conover, Hendrickson, or Schanck families.
The illustrations are chiefly old dwelling houses erected by the early settlers or their sons. The buildings are disappear- ing before the march of improvement and the decay of time, and in another generation not one will probably be left. Some are of the Dutch style of architecture, others of the English, but they show the radical difference of the two races in character. I have been unable to procure the likeness of any of our pioneer settlers, and therefore was compelled to select persons of the present generation, who bear in form or features a strong family resemblance to their parental ancestors. These selec- tions have been made by myself, and solely for the above reason.
Among these pictures are four members of different gen- erations of the same family, all closely connected by ties of blood. Each generation shows a marked difference, yet a family likeness can be detected in all of them. G. C. B.
Freehold, N. J., August 7, 1901.
RECORDS OF THE CONOVERS, SCHENCKS AND VANDERVEERS.
Roelof Martense Schenck was born at Amersfoort, Province of Utrecht, Hol- land, in 1619, and came to New Amster- dam with his brother Jan, and sister Annetje, in 1650. In 1660 he married Neeltje, daughter of Gerrit Wolphertse VanCouwenhoven, who was a son of Wolfert Garretson VanCouwenhoven, who came from Amersfoort aforesaid to America in 1630 with the Dutch emi- grants who settled Rensselaerwick, near what is now Albany in the state of New York. Soon after his marriage to Neeltje Conover (as the name is now spelled ) he settled permanently at Flatlands, Long Island, where his wife had been born.
His will was made September 4. 1704, proved August 3, 1705, and is recorded in Book 7, page 209, in Surrogate's office of the county of New York. This will with other information concerning him and many of his descendants, is pub- lished in a book compiled by Capt. A. D. Schenck U. S. A., published in 1883 and entitled "Ancestry and Descendants of Rev. William Schenck."
The will of his son Garret, wno set- tled in Monmouth county, N. J., is also published in this work; it was executed January 12, 1739, proved October 7th, 1715, and is now on record in the office of Secretary of the state of New Jersey.
Roelof Martense Schenck devised all his real estate to his eldest son Martin. who married June 20th, 1686, Susanna . Abrahamse Drinckerhoff He bequeaths to his two youngest sons, Garret and Jan. and to his six living daughters, Jonica, Maryke, Margaretta, Neeltje. Mayke and Sara, and the two children of his deceased daughter Annetje sixty and a half pounds each, and makes these legacies changeable upon the real estate devised to his eldest son.
His two sons, Garret and Jan, settled in Monmouth county about 1695. Their names appear in our court and other public records soon after this date. They and their wives were among the first communicants of the Marlboro Dutch church, as now called. Garret Schenck married Neeltje Coerten Van- Voorhees at Flatlands, L. I., and died September 3, 1745, on the farm known as the Rappleyea farm at Pleasant Val-
ley in Holmdel township, now occupied by Theodore R. Thorn.
He names in his will five sons, viz :- Roelof, who married Eugentje Van- Dorn: Koert, who married Mary Peterse VanCouwenhoven, and died on his farm near the present village of Marlboro in 1771. Garret, who married Jannetje Williamse VanCouwenhoven and died on the homestead farm in Pleasant Val- ley, February 14, 1792; John, who mar- ried for his first wife Ann Couwen- hoven, and died February 13, 1775; Albert, who married first Caty Conover, second, Agnes VanBrunt, and died May 21, 1786.
Mary, one of Garret Schenck's daugh- ters, married Hendrick Smock and died in 1747, leaving six sons and two daughters surviving her.
Altje, another daughter, married Tunis VanDerveer and had six sons and three daughters.
A third daughter married for her first husband Hendrick Hendrickson and for her second Elias Golden.
The Smocks and Vanderveers, now so numerous in Monmouth county, are principally descended from these sons of the above named Schenck sisters.
Jan Schenck, the brother of Garret, was born at Flatlands, L. 1., February 10, 1670, married there in 1691 his cousin, Sarah Couwenhoven, who was born at the same place January 6, 1675. He died January 30, 1753, on the farm now owned by Edgar, son of the late Hon. George Schenck in Pleasant Val- ley. His wife died January 31, 1761. Three of Garret and Jan Schenck's half sisters married the three VanCouwen- hoven brothers, who were the first set- tlers of this name in Monmouth county, viz:
First. Cornelius Williamse VanCon- wenhoven, born at Flatlands, L. I., Nov- ember 29, 1672, married there September 8, 1700, Margaretta Schenck and died May 16, 1736, on his farm adjacent to the farms of Garret and Jan Schenck in Pleasant Valley. On pages 82 and 8212 of the old town book of Middle- town township is the record of their cattle marks as follows:
"June ye 24, 1696, then Garret Schenck, Cornelius Couwenhoven and
.
2
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
Peter Wicoff gave their ear marks to be recorded."
"Garret Schenck, his ear marks, a fork on top of left ear and a piece cut aslope of the upper or foreside of the right ear, making the ear both shorter and narrower. Recorded to his son."
"Cornelius Couwenhoven, his mark is a fork on the right ear and a small cut in on the underside of the left ear. Recorded to his son."
"Peter Wicoff, his ear mark is a hole through the right ear and a piece cut aslope off the upper or foreside of the left ear, making the ear both shorter and narrower."
"April 25, 1698, John Schenck, his ear mark is a crape of the top of the near ear and a half penny on each side of same ear."
Second. Albert Williamse VanCou- wenhoven, born at Flatlands, L. I., Dec- ember 7, 1676, married there about 1701 Neeltje Schenck and died in Monmouth county July 7, 1751.
Third. Jacob Williamse VanCouwen- hoven, born at Flatlands, L. I., January 29, 1679. married there November 12, 1705, Sarah Schenck and died at Middle- town, Monmouth county, December 1, 1744.
Thus a very close relationship, both by blood and intermarriage, existed be- tween the two Schenck brothers, and the three Conover brothers who first settled here, and who are the ancestors of all who now bear those names in Mon- mouth county.
The name Vancouwenhoven, as the Dutch language yielded very slowly but surely to the English tongue, under- went several changes both in spelling and pronunciation. Our early court and church records show some of these changes. The "Van" was dropped and name spelled Couwenhoven or Kowen- hoven. Then Cowenhoven, next Coven- hoven or Covenoven, and finally Con- over.
This family have been in America nearly three centuries. As the original progenitor came here in 1630, another generation, or 32 years from present date, will complete this period since the Conover tree was first planted in the new world. Very few families in the United States of Netherland blood can show such an ancient lineage, about which there can be no doubt. Neither can any family show greater fidelity in their obedience to the Scriptural in- junction "to increase and multiply in the land." If all the male and female descendants of Wolphert Garritson VanCouwenhoven now in the United States could be gathered together in
one place it would be a mighty multi- tude.
Neither do I know of any of this name who has been convicted of any infamous crime. Their family history is remarkably free from all dishonor- able stains. While none of them have achieved tame as authors, ministers, presidents, generals, or millionaires, yet on the other hand they have gen- erally occupied respectable positions, led useful lives, and been good citizens. That is, the Conovers are not found at either extreme of the social scale but on the safe middle ground. During the stormy days of the Revolution I do not know of a single Conover, Smock. Schenck, or Vanderveer in Monmouth county who was a Tory. On the con- trary, so far as I can learn, they were all sturdy, uncompromising patriots. Many of them, like Captain Jacob Cov- enhoven, Colonel Barnes Smock, Cap- tains John and William Schenck and Tunis Vanderveer, did yeoman service both in council and battle for their country. During the late war of the rebellion the records of our state show that over 50 Schencks and over 70 Con- overs served in the New Jersey reg- iments. I, therefore, can sincerely say that I do not know of any family of Dutch descent who have a better right to celebrate the year 1930, the tricen- tennial of their residence in America (now only 32 years off) than the Con- overs and their kinsmen among the Smocks, Schencks and Vanderveers. They can then sing with gusto and truth the following verses and no one can question their right to do so, or the propriety of such a tricentennial jubilee.
Ye sturdy Dutchmen, now arise, Stand up in a row,
. For singing of the ancient times, We're going for to go: When this fair land on every hand Was peopled by the Dutch, And all the rest however blest, They did not count for much.
Of centennial celebrations, We've had some two or more; These upstarts of an hundred years, But one find in their score,
And tho' they boast a mighty host, "Four Hundred." brave and fair: We quietly look in History's book And fail to find them there.
Chorus.
I am a Van, of a Van, of a Van, of a Van, Of a Van of a way back line: On every rugged feature
Ancestral glories shine, And all our band in kinship stand. With all that's old and fine.
I'm a Van, of a Van, of a Van, of a Van. Of a Van of a way back line.
TRAITS OF CONOVER CHARACTER. FANCIFUL ORIGIN OF THE NAME.
I have sometimes heard the inquiry, what does "Covenhoven" mean in the Low Dutch language?
This question I cannot answer, al- though many years ago, I heard a gentleman of this family give the fol- lowing explanation :
He said that in the early settlement of Long Island, a Hollander with a long jaw-breaking name, had taken up his residence near Gravesend. His nearest neighbors were English people, who had followed Lady Deborah Moody from Massachusetts Bay. They were unable to understand his Dutch talk any better than he understood their foreign speech. Neither were they able to pro- nounce his name. Near his house he had erected on four posts an old fash- ioned oven. Such ovens were quite common in Monmouth county fifty years ago. They had a level brick bottom, some three or four feet wide, and eight or ten in length. This was arched over with brick. Light dry fuel, like old fence rails, was placed in the oven and fired. When the wood was consumed and the oven thoroughly heated, the bread, pies or other things to be baked, were shoved in with a long handled iron shovel. The door was then closed until the articles were thoroughly done. This Hollander also owned a cow, which had been brought over from his old sea-home, and was a highly prized ani- mal in those early days. One cold win- ter's night, a pack of hungry wolves approached very close to his dwelling. Their fierce howling frightened the cow, so that she broke out of the shed. and ran wildly around the house. Coming in contact with the oven on four posts she kicked it over. This inci- dent was talked about by the English neighbors who, unable to pronounce his name, described him as the man whose cow kicked over, or went over the oven. This was soon abbreviated into "Cow- and-oven," or "Cow-n-hoven," This is doubtless a fanciful explanation. Like those given by Washington Irving in his Knickerbocker History of New York, of the meaning or origin of Dutch surnames, based on the erroneous idea, that Dutch names have a meaning like English words of "idem sonans."
Although this old "VanCouvenhoven" name has been often changed, yet the genuine Conovers retain in a marked degree the physical and mental char- acteristics of the Batavian and Frisian race from which they spring. That is, where they have not intermarried too often with French, Irish, English or other foreign people.
The real Couvenhoven, whose Dutch blood is unadulterated, is generally a fine looking specimen of the "genus homo." Robust and well proportioned in person, square shouldered and deep chested, with ruddy complexion, light blue eyes and sandy hair. Bluff in manner, sincere and frank in expression of his opinions, honest in his dealings and grim and tenacious in resolution. Trickery, deceit and show he detests, and would rather be underestimated than overestimated by other people. He wants the substantial things of this life and not the mere show or appear- ance of things. That is, he would choose anytime a square meal of pork and potatoes, rather than a fine or fashion- able suit of broadcloth, with jewelry to match, on an empty stomach. Such are some of the traits of the genuine Couvenhoven, if a true descendant of the first Hollanders of this name. And there ought to be many genuine Con- overs in Monmouth. The late Rev. Gar- ret C. Schenck told the writer that there have been 150 marriages in Mon- mouth county since 1700 where both the bride and groom were of this name. The three brothers who settled here, must have been men of marked individ- uality, great vigor, and force of char- acter. For a century after their settle- ment, or in 1800, their respective des- cendants were spoken of as three sep- arate or distinct branches or families.
The late Samuel Conover, who was twice sheriff of Monmouth county, often remarked that there were three kinds of Conovers, and distinguished as the "Lop-eared" Conovers, the "Big-foot" Conovers and the "Wide-mouth" or "Weasel" Conovers.
The lop-eared variety were so called because of their protuberant ears, set at right angles with the head. They were noted for their up-to-date farms.
4
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS'OF MONMOUTH.
substantial buildings and good strong fences. Their crops in the rear of their farms were as well cultivated and look- ed as good as those next to the public highway, for none of them liked "Pres- byterian" farming, as they called it. They liked to set a good table with full and plenty on it, and the "wayfaring man," if half decent in looks, who hap- pened to come along at meal time, was never denied a seat at their table.
The "Big-foot" Conovers, although sadly lacking in the standard of beauty which prevails in the Celestial empire, are nevertheless a fine looking people. Some of the most handsome men and most beautiful women ever raised in Monmouth county can be found among the different generations of the big- foot variety. They, too, liked good big farms, solid and comfortable buildings for man and beast, with well filled barns, well stocked cellars and smoke houses, with true friends and neighbors to gather around the blazing fire, and partake of the good cheer of their homes.
The "Wide-mouth" or "Weasel" Con-
overs, were generally tall and wiry men. Polished and polite in manners. smooth and pleasant in speech, and very well groomed in appearance and dress. Fond of fast horses and elegant carriages, of fashionable clothing and expensive jewelry. This variety of the Conovers were also very successful in horse trading, in running for office and also occasionally in "bucking the tiger" when led into it by bad company. In fact they were at home in any business which required diplomacy or extra finesse.
How this description given by Sheriff Sam Conover tallies with the real facts the reader can judge for himself. ] merely repeat the current gossip with- out vouching for its accuracy. Although I can safely say that so far as success- ful horse trading and office getting goes, nobody has ever beat the Couven- hovens in Monmouth county, unless it is the Hendricksons, Schencks, Smocks or Vanderveers, who are really nine- tenths Conover by blood and inter- marriage for some 300 years.
THE WILL OF JAN SCHENCK, AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
Jan Schenck, who settled on and owned the farm now owned by Edgar Schenck in Holmdel township, was a VanCouwenhoven on his mother's side. He likewise married an own cousin, Sarah Couwenhoven, who was a sister of the three brothers of this name, who all married Schenck wives and settled in Monmouth county.
His will was executed September 7th. A. D. 1746, proved June 3rd, 1753, and is now on record in the office of Secre- tary of State at Trenton, N. J., in Book F of Wills, pages 262, etc.
The following is a true copy of this will:
In the name of God Amen:
The seventh day of September in the twen- tieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the grace of God over Great Britian King, etc. Annoq Domni one thousand seven hundred and fourty-six. I, John Schenck, Sen., of Middletown in the County of Monmouth and Eastern Division of the Province of New Jersey, yeoman, being in health of body and of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God ; therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament. That is to say Principally
and first of all I give and recommend my Son! into the hands of God that gave it, and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in Christian like and decent manner at the dis- cretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned, nothing doubting but at the General Resur- rection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God; and as tonching these wordly things and Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, Devise and Dispose of the same in manner and form following. Viz: Imprimis I Will and positively Order that all my Debts and Funeral charges be paid and fully discharged in con- venient time after my Decease by my Exec- utors hereafter mentioned. Item: I give and bequeath to Sarah, my dearly beloved wife (and hereby order that she shall have) the full and sole use and possession and benefit of all and singular my Estate Real and Personal after my decease of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever the same may be found to be belonging to me, by any way or means what- ever the use benefits and profits thereof, and every part and parcel thereof to be received by and belong unto her for and during her natural life. That is to say for the support of herself and maintenance of my loving son John Schenck, so long as my above said wife's natural life shall continue. Item: I give, be- queath and Devisc unto my aforesaid son, John Schenck, after the decease of my aforesaid loving wife, Sarah Schenck, all and singular my Lands and Tenements, meadows and Rights
DANIEL SCHENCK
JOHN L. SCHENCK
JOHN C. SCHENCK
DANIEL P. SCHENCK
5
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
to Lands and meadows that I shall die posses- sed of or that shall by any way or means be- long unto me at the time of my decease ; the same immediately after the decease of my aforesaid wife, to be received held possessed and Enjoyed by my said son, John Schenck. his heirs and assigns forever, to his and their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever. He performing, fulfilling and paying what is hereinafter by me appointed for him to pay and discharge as legacies to his brothers and sisters as follows: Viz: It is my will and desire and 1 do hereby order that my said son, John Schenck, shall pay unto my two sons, Roelof and Peter, and their seven sisters in equal portions the sum of four hundred and fifty pounds current money of the Province aforesaid at eight shillings the ounce ; the one half in two years and the other half in five years after the Decease of the longest liver be it either me or my wife; that is twenty-five pounds to each of my said nine children at two years and twenty-five pounds more to each of them at the end of five years after the decease of the longest liver of us two ; that is me and my wife. I do further order and it is my will and desire that the fifty pounds that falls to my daughter Sarah be equally divided between my said Daughter Sarah and all her children. as well as those she had by Johannes Voorhees. as those she had by Hendrick Voorhees ; also in case of the Death of either of my two sons or seven daughters or that one or more of them should die before they have received their part of the said sum of four hundred and fifty pounds, then my will and desire is and I do hereby strictly charge and order that the share or part thereof that should be paid to such so Dying shall be by my said Son John, paid to the Heirs of their Body or Bodies them surviv- ing ; also it is my will and desire that after the decease of the longest liver of us two ; that my said son John shall have his outfit of my movable Estate in quantity and quality equal with his Brothers and Sisters as they had of me when they left me, and if any of my mov- able Estate be then left, I will and devise it may be equally divided between all my chil- dren. And in case my said Son John Dies be- fore he is seized and possessed of the said Es- tata in fee simple, then I give and bequeath the same to my two sons and seven daughters, viz: that the whole Estate given as above said to my said Son John shall be sold to the highest bidder amongst my children, and the money thence arising shall be equally Divided amongst my two Sons and seven daughters in the same manner as the aforesaid four hundred and fifty pound's is to be Divided in every respect what- ever. But it is my Will and Desire anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstand. ing that my said Son John at the time of his Decease have issue of his Body, lawfully be- gotten altho it be before he is in actual pos- session : that if his Ex. shall perform in every particular what is herein by me ordered ; that then the whole Estate given to him as afore- said shall be and remain to his lawful Heirs and assigns forever. Item : I Give and be- queath unto my Son, Roelof Schenck, the sum of Ten pounds money at eight shillings to the ounce with interest, to Barr him of further Claims to my Estate or part thereof either Real or Personal as Heir-at-Law or otherwise (except what is herein hefore given and he-
queathed to him) the sum of Ten pounds to be paid to him by my Executors in convenient time after my Decease. And lastly I do here- by make, ordain, constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Sarah Schenck, and my loving Son, Roelof Schenck, Executrix and Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby utterly disallowing, revoking and disannulling all and every other former Testament, Wills, Legacies and Bequests and Executors by me in any wise before named willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have here unto Set my Hand and Seal, this day and year above writ- ten. JAN SCHENCK. [L. S.] This Will contained in two half side sheet of paper, the one of fourty-seven lines, the other of fourty-one lines without any alterations or interlinations was signed, sealed and pronoun- ced by the said Jan Schenck, to be his last Will and Testament in Presence of Roelof Couven- hoven, Garret Schenck, Tho. Craven.
The foregoing is a true copy Executed by THO. BARTOW.
Jan Schenck and his wife were buried in the old Schenck and Couvenhoven burying ground, which lies at the cor -- ner of the farms of Edgar Schenck. Theodore R. Thorne and Henry Con- over, about half a mile from Holmdel village and near the turnpike to Key- port. This graveyard has lately been cleared up and put in -order by Mrs. Lydia Hendrickson Schenck Conover. daughter of the late Daniel P. Schenck, and widow of Dr. Charles A. Conover of Marlboro. It was a very creditable work for which she deserves commen- dation. She has also devoted much time and labor to tracing up an accurate record of the descendants of Jan Schenck from church records, inscrip- tions on old tombstones, and private family papers scattered through many farmhouses in Holmdel and the adja- cent townships. She has thus completed a genealogy which can be depended on for accuracy. I am indebted to her for nearly all the dates of births, deaths and marriages contained in this paper. She has accomplished a work which will be more appreciated in the future than though she had erected a costly mon- ument of marble over their graves. She has honored the memory of a virtuous, hardy and industrious race of men and women, who laid the foundation of the solid respectability and prosperity which their descendants have so long enjoyed in Monmouth county and else- where in the United States where they have settled.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.