USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume IV > Part 8
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(II) Peter (2), son of Peter (1) Kester, or son of Hermanus Kester, removed from Hun- terdon county, to Chesterfield township, Bur- lington county, New Jersey, where he died be- tween June 3 and 24, 1822, the dates of the executing and proving of his will. He mar- ried (license granted December 4, 1773) Theo- dosia Hickman, of Burlington county. Chil- dren: Sarah, married Jesse Gilbert ; Nancy,
married Robert Holloway; Isaac, referred to below; Pearson.
(III) Isaac, son of Peter (2) and Theo- dosia (Hickman) Kester, was born in Bur- lington county, New Jersey, and died there. The name of his wife is unknown. Children : I. - Peter, married Martha Arnold; children : Robert; Edwin Stevens; Mary; Clara, living in Bordentown, New Jersey. 2. Isaac, married Mary Garvin ; children: Perry; Kate; Frank N., born in Philadelphia, 1851, is car distribu- tor of Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Read- ing terminal, married Mrs. Ida Perrine. 3. Frank, married Esther Cooley ; one child, Frank (2). 4. John, referred to below. 5. Jane Amanda, married Joseph, son of Hosea Willard and Mary Payne (Snead) Beldon (q. v.). 6. Mary, married Samuel White. 7. Eliza, married William Warner.
(IV) John, son of Isaac Kester, was born itt Burlington county, New Jersey, and died itt Bordentown, same county. He established and during his long life conducted the old Bordentown Hotel, which during the days of the Camden & Amboy railroad was an impor- tant hostelry and a favorite and well patron- ized resort of travellers. He married (first) Mary Arnold, sister to the wife of his brother, Peter : (second) Catharine Snowhill. Chil- dren, four by first marriage : I. William Arnold, referred to below. 2. Edwin Stevens, died un- married. 3. Kate, married John Bate; one child, John. 4. Annie, married - Gordon ; one child, Edward. 5. Frances, married Camille Baquet ; children: Camille Baquet, Louise Kester Baquet, Lillian Esquire Baquet. The Baquets have their summer residence on the old Snowhill homestead in Spotswood, New Jersey. 6. Mary Virginia, married (first) Robert Perrine ; (second) W. J. Lovell, editor and proprietor of the Morristown (New Jer- sey ) Chronicle ; children, two by first marriage : Percy Bishop Perrine; Stanley Kester Per- rine, who married Louise Foster, and has Richard Perrine, and Stewart Kester Perrine.
(V) William Arnold, son of John and Mary (Arnold) Kester, was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, in 1829, and died there, March I. 1891. After receiving his education in the Bord- entown schools he learned the trade of brick mason, but when gold was discovered in Cali- fornia in 1849 he contracted the gold fever and in 1853 went to the diggings. His journey brought him little besides experience and ad- venture, and after a short absence from home he returned and entered the employ of the
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Camden & Amboy railroad as a trainman. Later he was appointed baggage master of the lower station in Bordentown, and this position he held until death. He was a Democrat in politics, and a communicant of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church. He married, in 1867, Amanda Virginia Savannah, daughter of Au- gustus and Mary Mathelin, who was born in 1827, in the Garden House, Bonaparte Park, Bordentown, New Jersey. Her father, Au- gustus Mathelin, was a native of France, who came to this country with Prince Joseph Bona- parte, brother of Emperor Napoleon I. of France, as head gardener of Bonaparte Park, the famous American home of the Prince. Child: William. Mathelin.
(VI) William Mathelin, son of William Arnold and Amanda Virginia Savannah ( Math- elin) Kester, was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, September 16, 1868. After receiving his early education in the Bordentown schools, he graduated from the State Model School at Trenton, after which he entered the Philadel- phia Dental College, from which he received his degree in 1888. In 1889 he returned to Bordentown, where he has ever since been en- gaged in the active practice of his profession, having his home in the old family homestead. Dr. Kester is an exceedingly capable and suc- cessful practitioner. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is past master of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 28, F. and A. M., of New Jersey, a member of Mount Moriah Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M .; of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. II, K. T .; past grand master of Lodge No. 46, I. O. O. F .; a member of Olympia Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias; and of Bordentown Chapter, Ancient Order United Workmen. He married, in January, 1898, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Martha (Dav- enport) Lesk, of Trenton, New Jersey. Chil- dren : Florence Merion, born in Bordentown, New Jersey, July 8, 1907; Amanda Emily, born March 15, 1910.
This old Dutch name is numer- HARING ously represented in New Jer- sey, especially in Bergen county, and southern New York, and ha's various spellings, although the one here used is the most usual. It is found at Hoorn, in Holland, as early as 1573, when Jan Haring took a posi- tion upon a narrow place in the dike and held at bay a large body of Spaniards, while his companions made a safe retreat ; he then jump- ed into the sea and escaped by swimming.
Later, in a sea fight, he boarded the Spanish war ship "Inquisitor," and hauled down its colors. He was immediately set upon by those on the vessel and killed.
(I) The first from whom a direct line can be traced to the American family was Pieter Jansen Haring, who was born in 1610, at Nieu- enhuysen, and settled at Hoorn.
(II) Jan Pietersen, son of Pieter J. Haring, was born December 26, 1633, at Hoorn, and in 1660 came to America. Two years later he married the widow Margaretta Cozine, who was born in 1634, this being the first marriage performed in the Dutch Church on the Bowery in New Amsterdam, the site of the present St. Mark's Church at Second avenue and Elev- enth street. He purchased a farm of one hun- dred acres which extended from the Bowery Lane to Bedford street and from Waverly place to Bleeker street, and on this he lived and died, and it was owned by his descendants for more than a century. Children: Peter ; Cozine ; Cornelius; Abraham; Brechie ; Vron- tie and Marretje. He died before 1685, and in 1686 his widow and all of her children re- moved to Tappan, in what is now New York. The widow married (third) February 2, 1685, Daniel de Clark. All settled on the Tappan Patent, the first four in what is now Harring- ton township, Bergen county, New Jersey. This town was named for the family, in 1775.
(III) Cozine Johns, son of Jan Pietersen and Margaretta Haring, resided on the Tap- pan Patent, and married Margaretta Garretts Blauveldt.
(IV) John Cozines, son of Cozine J. and Margaretta G. (Blauvelt) Haring, resided in the home of his fathers, and married Aeltje Van Dolsen.
(V) Garret Johns, son of John C. and Aeltje (Van Dolsen) Haring, resided in the neighborhood of his nativity and married Cor- nelia Lent.
(VI) Daniel A. Haring, son of Garret Johns Haring, married Brackie Ferdon, of Glou- cester, New Jersey.
(VII) Abraham D., son of Daniel A. and Brackie (Ferdon) Haring, was born about 1779, at Nanuet, now in Rockland county, New York, where he lived and engaged in farming. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a Democrat in politics, and an active and useful citizen. He was buried in the cemetery at Nanuet. Children: William, Bridget, Ann, Elizabeth, Daniel A., Sally, Maria and Caroline.
Thomas & Mopring
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(VIII) Daniel A., second son of Abraham D. Haring, was born September 6, 1808, at Nanuet, and resided there where he engaged in farming, and owned and operated a grist and saw mill. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and a Democrat. He mar- ried, June 12, 1830, Sally Ann Eckerson, born September 9, 1810, at Nanuet. Children : Abra- ham, born March 12, 1832, died July 11, 1821, and Thomas Eckerson, mentioned below.
(IX) Thomas Eckerson, son of Daniel A. and Sally Ann (Eckerson) Haring, was born August 30, 1839, at Nanuet, in 1843 removed to New York City with his parents, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of that city. His business life began as a clerk in the dry-goods store of C. H. Hedden, at 305 Hudson street, New York City, at the age of fifteen. He subsequently learned the trade of ornamental plastering, and this provided him occupation until 1862, when he engaged in the trucking business in New York City, in which he is still occupied with success. In 1890 he took up his residence at Westwood, where he has a pleasant home and is an active member of the community. He is a director of the Board of Trade of Westwood, is a Demo- crat in politics, and with his family is connect- ed with the Methodist Episcopal Church of their home town. He married, November 28, 1867, at 127 Perry street, New York City, Margaretta Bogert, a native of New York City, born in 1846, daughter of David J. and Maria (Ackerson) Bogert of that city. Mr. Bogert was a truckman and had children : Margaretta, John, Mary Ellen, Martha Ann, Sarah and Emma. Children of Thomas E. Haring and wife: I. Charles E., born October 16, 1868; is engaged in hardware business in Westwood ; married, November 2, 1892, Serena, born June 17, 1873, daughter of John and Kate (Myers) Carlock ; children : Roger, born July 2, 1906; Walter, December 18, 1907. 2. Warren T., born August 28, 1870; engaged in trucking business ; married, November 9, 1899, Elmina (now deceased), born August 21, 1869, daugh- ter of Daniel and Sarah (Zabriskie) Christie ; children : Alice May, born May 9, 1900; Mabel E., June 26, 1906. 3. Ella B., born November 30, 1876, resides at home ; unmarried.
Prior to 1630 Fort Orange BEEKMAN (or Beaverwyck as sometimes called), was wholly a trading station of the Dutch West India Company to exchange such goods as the Indians of the "Five Nations" wanted for their beaver skins iii-31
and other pelts. This trade in the skins of wild animals was the most profitable of any than carried on between America and Europe. In the year 1623 the Dutch obtained from the Mohawk Indians the grant of an extensive tract of land, on the west side of the Hudson river, in vicinity of what is now Albany City. They erected a new and strongly constructed fort on the banks of the river, within what are now the limits of that city. Their old fort on an island in the river was abandoned.
The Maquas, or Mohawk, Indians occupied four towns, close together, and near the Mo- hawk river, about one hundred and ten miles west from what is now Albany City. The Oneidas had one large town near what is now Oneida Lake, about two hundred and fifty miles northwest from Albany City. The Onon- dagoes had one town on a hill, thirty-six miles southwest from the Oneida town. The Cayugas had three towns, within one mile of each other, some sixty odd miles southwest of the Onon- dagoes. The great Seneca tribe had four towns, seventy odd miles northwest from the Cayugas. The Mohawks, as the nearest neighbors, were the first to begin trading with the Dutch. The Mohawk river afforded them an easy route to paddle down their canoes, loaded with beaver and other skins. They soon realized the ad- vantage of firearms over the bow and arrow, also steel knives and hatchets over their stone clubs and flint knives. They soon learned the use of guns.
The Dutch secured the lasting friendship and alliance of the Mohawks by their honest and truthful dealings with them, according to their standard of judgment. Between 1630 and 1660 a Dutchman named Arent Van Curler, or Van Corlear, obtained a remarkable influ- ence with, and control over, these fierce Mo- hawks. He was remembered for generations in their traditions. To express their warm friendship for the Dutch they called them by his name, "Corlear." The friendship and loyal- ty of the Mohawks to the Dutch was never shaken, although the French in Canada made constant efforts to gain them over, and carry the beaver trade to Montreal. The French claimed the eastern part of what is now the state of New York, as far south as Saratoga, and the whole of the western part. If they had gained over the "Five Nations" the history of Canada and New York might have been altogether different. The Mohawks were bitter and implacable enemies to the French; and by their watchfulness over the other four nations, defeated several attempts of Jesuit priests to
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lead away the Senecas and Cayugas into an alliance with the Canadian government. After the English obtained control of New York in 1674, the Schuylers and other Dutchmen con- tinued to hold all the prominent offices in Al- bany county. The Indians, when they met the English governors at Albany, could see no differ- ence. The same Dutchmen acted as interpreters for them, and they saw their old friends appar- ently in control. They therefore addressed the English governor as "Corlear," the same as they had done in previous years, when the Dutch controlled.
The first effort to establish a permanent settlement at Albany was in 1630. Van Rens- selaer the Patroon, as called, had obtained the ownership of an extensive territory on both sides of the upper part of the Hudson river. The first colonists came over from Holland in 1630, and settled on the west side of the Hud- son river, in the vicinity of what is now Al- bany City, but then named "Rensselaerwyck." Van Rensselaer was a man accustomed to deal with large enterprises. He knew this great territory was worthless unless occupied by an intelligent, industrious and moral population. The first company of settlers who came over from the Netherlands in 1630 were a picked body of men and women, chosen not only for their knowledge of different trade or occupa- tions, but because of their good reputations and respectable antecedents. The Dutch firmly believed that children inherited the traits of their parents, or ancestors, and would, in time, develope same virtues or vices. The Van Schaicks, Wendells, Bleeckers, Schuylers, Cuy- lers and other Dutchmen who settled at Al- bany in 1630, have demonstrated whether their descendants, now living in America, have justi- fied this opinion or belief. The second com- pany of settlers to occupy Van Rennselaer's lands came over from Holland in 1638. These men and women were selected to make the sec- ond settlement on the east side of the Hudson river, in what is now Rensselaer county. This locality was called "Schotac," or "Schodack Landing," and was situated about eight miles south of what is now Albany City, but on the opposite side of the river.
Maarten Beeckman, as his name was spelled in the Dutch language, was one of these set- tlers. He was a young man, and a blacksmith by trade. A man understanding this trade was indispensable in a new settlement remote from all sources of supply. Schodack Landing had been chosen for this new settlement, because a fine stream of water which flowed into the
Hudson river was near this location. It was called Schodack creek, and it afforded water power for a grist and saw mill. Such mills were of great importance, not only to furnish timber for dwellings, but to grind their wheat and corn, so that they could have bread to eat. Van Rensselaer erected, at his own expense, grist and saw mills on Schodack creek at an early date. This mill is named in the will of Killian Van Rensselaer, executed June II, 1718, proved May 10, 1720. (See New York Historical Collections, 1893, labeled "Abstract of Wills," vol. 2 (1708-1728), pp. 216-219). He leaves this mill on Schodack creek to his son, Jacob. He also devises to same son "fif- teen hundred acres of woodland" on or near Schodack creek, and "between bounds of Jo- hannes Beekman" (as the name is spelled) and Moss Van Buren, "with right to cut saw logs and timber for said mill." Johannes Beekman, as the name is spelled in Van Rensselaer's will, was eldest son of Maarten Beeckman, the first settler, and doubtless occupied same lands which had been leased to his father, who had died in 1676, leaving a widow named Susannah Jans surviving, and three sons and five daughters.
The first Dutch church, on east side of the upper part of Hudson river, had been erected at Schodack Landing. It stood at or near the locality now called the "Old Burying Ground." Maarten Beeckman was buried in the old grave- yard, but tombstones in those days could not be procured, so his grave cannot now be fixed. This church at Schodack Landing was first legally incorporated under the laws of the state of New York in 1788, by the name of "The Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church of Schotack." The name of John H. Beeckman, as spelled in the records, is named at this date as one of the elders. He was probably a grandson of the Johannes Beekman, named in above will, and residing on same property. In 1810 the location of this church was changed to a place called Mutzeskill, about two and a half miles from the river, where it still remains. The early records of this church, if in existence, would furnish considerable information about the first settlers.
Maarten Beeckman, the progenitor of the Albany Beekmans, as the name was generally spelled in the English language, died in the latter part of the year 1676. His widow, Sus- annah Jans, on June 21, 1677, makes applica- tion to the Albany courts and represents that she is the widow of Maarten Beeckman, and bas eight children, three sons and five daugh-
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ters. The sons were Johannes, Marten and Hendrick. Johannes married, in 1680, Machtel, daughter of Jacob Jansen Schermerhoorn and Jannetje Egmont, his wife. He had two sons and three daughters by this wife. Johannes, his first born son, was baptized in Albany Dutch Church, January 27, 1684. He married, January 15, 1714, Hester, daughter of Jeroni- mus Wendell. His second son, Jacob, was baptized August 12, 1685 ; married, December 17, 1714, Deborah, daughter of Hendrick Han- sen and Deborah Van Dam, his wife. Machtel Schermerhoorn, first wife of Johannes Beek- man, died in 1690. He married (second), Oc- tober 22, 1692, Eva, daughter of Jan Vinhagell, or Vinhagen, for this name is spelled both ways in early records of the Albany Dutch Church. By this second wife he had three sons and four daughters, making twelve children in all. His first son, by second wife, was named Johannes Hanse, baptized May 20, 1694; mar- ried (first), July 6, 1729, Sarah Cuyler ; mar- ried (second), December 10, 1748, Deborah Van Schaick. His second son was Martin, baptized August 8, 1695; married October 28, 1721, Gertrude Visscher. His third son was Henry, baptized March 30, 1707 ; married Anne- tje Swits, and died December 2, 1755. Johannes Beekman, father of above named five sons, died at Albany, September 27, 1732, leaving a will probated December 2, 1733, and now on record in the surrogate's office of New York City. (See Abstract of Wills, vol 3 (1730- 1744), p. 112, also labeled "Collections of New York Historical Society for year 1894"). He names in this will all of his twelve children. His widow, Eva, is named as sole executrix. She survived her husband some twenty-two years. It will be noticed that testator had a son by first wife named "Johannes," and also a son by his second wife named "Johannes Hanse," unless this is especially noticed it is likely to make confusion in the genealogy.
This Johannes Beekman, father of twelve children, is the same person named in Killian Van Rensselaer's will, made in year 1718, as the occupant or owner of lands near "Scho- dack Creek," as hereinbefore mentioned. The will of his eldest son, Johannes, is recorded in same volume as his father's, on page 384 of "Abstract of Wills," vol. 3 ( 1730-1744). He died ten years after his father.
Martin, second son of the emigrant, seems to have engaged when quite young in some occupation in New York City. He is named first in connection with Albany, in May of that most eventful year, 1689, in the history of
England. In this year the Stadtholder of the Netherland Republic became the first constitu- tional king of Great Britain, to the great de- light and satisfaction of the Hollanders then residing in the province of New York. They hailed this as "poetical" if not "providential" justice, that the Duke of York, or later James II., who had stole New York from the Neth- erlanders in 1664, should now lose his throne and kingdom to the "head" of the Hollanders, their much loved prince of Orange. In May, 1689, Martin Beeckman, as his name is spelled, is mentioned as one of the volunteers going up from New York City to Albany with a com- pany of soldiers, to help defend that town against a threatened attack by the French and Indians from Canada. The terrible midnight massacre of the men and women of Sche- nectady had occurred only three months previ- ous. Martin Beeckman had doubtless known personally many of these Dutch people who had been slaughtered in their beds. Sixty human beings had been killed and thirty others carried away to Canada as prisoners. Martin Beeckman's mother, brothers and sisters re- sided at or near Albany. It was only natural that he should have been concerned for their safety after the terrible slaughter of the people of Schenectady. Family ties were strong among the Netherlanders, although outwardly they seemed so stolid and undemonstrative. Among no people were children so strongly attached to their parents. (See O. Callaghan's Doc. His. New York, vol. 2, p. 216). Martin Beeckman is here named among the soldiers going up to Albany in May, 1689. He seems to have re- turned to New York City when his term of service expired. The following record from Albany Dutch Church was published in "1904 Year Book of Holland Society of New York," on page 25: "Marten Beekman, a young man of New York City, and Neeltje Slingerlandt, a young lady of Albany, were married Septem- ber 20th, 1692." There were seven children by this marriage, all daughters, whose names are given in Holgate's "American Genealogies," in his account of the Beekman family.
Hendrick Beekman, the remaining son of the first settler, is named among the forty citi- zens and residents of Albany City, in the year 1689. They give their reasons why they can- not recognize the government established in New York City under Jacob Leisler. They repudiate all right on part of the people resid- ing in that part of the province of New York to establish a government over the people in Albany county. They also give other reasons
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for declining to recognize the Leisler govern- ment until they have definite information that Jacob Leisler has been appointed governor of New York, or authorized to act as such. by King William and Queen Mary, for whom they profess the warmest loyalty. (See O. Callaghan's Doc. His. of New York, vol. 2, pp. III-12). Hendrick Beekman married Annetje, daughter of Pieter Quakenbosch (or Quack- enboss) and Martje, his wife. They came from a place called "Oestgeest," in Holland, to America, when their first born son, Reynier, was an infant. (See "Genealogy of Quacken- bush or Quackenbos family of Albany, New York"). Hendrick Beekman and Annitje, his wife, seems to have resided with his mother at Schodack Landing for a year or two after his marriage. His first born was a son named Martin for the pioneer settler. He was born in 1685, and no doubt baptized in the Dutch Church at Schodack Landing. The old Dutch settlers were very careful to have their children baptized. The early records of this church have never been published. Hendrick Beekman, with his wife and child took up a residence in the town of Albany, in the beginning of the year 1686, and continued to reside there until the end of that century. Between the first of March, 1686, and first of January, 1698, he had three daughters and two sons baptized in the Albany Dutch Church, the daughters bap- tized are named Susannah, Lydia and Martje. ( See "1904 Year Book of the New York City Holland Society"). His second son, named Hendrick, was baptized June 5, 1692. He died unmarried on the farm in Somerset county, New Jersey, March 19, 1769. After coming to New Jersey he lived with his father until his death in 1735. After this he lived with his brother, Martin, and after his death with Martin's children. He left a will which was duly proved and is now recorded in the office of the secretary of state at Trenton, New Jer- sey, in book K, of wills, page 148, etc. He bequeathes and devises all his property equally, between the five children of his deceased brother, Martin. They are named in this will in the order of their ages, as Elizabeth, Hend- rick, Samuel, Annitje and John.
Peter, third and youngest son of Hendrick Beekman, was named for his maternal grand- father, Pieter Quackenboss. He was baptized in the Albany Dutch Church, July 25, 1697. Jacob Bogart and Lysbeth Quackelbosch, as their names are spelled, were sponsors. (See "1904 Year Book of New York City Holland Society," p. 75). Peter Beekman died on his
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