USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of the county of Hudson, New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 35
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In shillings, double and single stivers & English money, fl. 19 1 Jacobus ( - 12
17 Rix dollars a 50 stivers, 42 10
1 single dollar « 30 stivers, 1 11
" All the preceding is thus found at the house of Jacob Stof- felsen, at Ahasimus, who on his manly troth declares that he has not and does not know of any more chattels than are hereinbe- fore mentioned belonging to the aforesaid estate.
" Done in Pavonia the 15th April, Aº 1641, New Netherland.
" This is the mark of
" JACOB STOFFELSEN."
Second Generation.
Cornelius had ch. :
2. I. Hendrick, b. in Holland. So far as appears he was the first white person who cultivated the bouwerie at Hoboken. He went to Holland in the summer of 1639, and d. unm. shortly after his arrival there.
3. II. Jan, b. in Holland about 1616. On arriving at his majority in 1641, he took possession of his inherit- ance,3 but so far as appears did not reside in this county.
+. III. Annetje, m. Claes Jansen Van Purmerendt, Nov. 11, 1656. In the marriage record she is named "An- neken Cornelissen of Voorst." Her husband was a tobacco planter on Paulus Hoeck. In 1650 she was engaged to be married to Pieter Kock, her father's former partner in the sloop. He was a man of some note, a sergeant in the war of 1643.
JA gill measure.
2 Snaphaans, a firelock, fusee.
3 Alb. Rec., i., 270.
129
THE VAN VORST FAMILY.
and enrolled as a small burgher in 1654. During these happy days many presents were made to her by Pieter. When she was wooed and won by the tobacco planter, Pieter brought suit " in the matter of matrimony " before the Burgomasters and Schepens in New Amsterdam to recover the presents. The snit was pend- ing for more than a year, the record in the mean while having been sent up to their " High and Mighty Lordships, the Director- General and Conneillors, to obtain thereon a verdict."1 The judg- ment was : " Whereas a certain process has been moved before the court of the city of New Amsterdam by Pieter Kock, single man, a burgher and inhabitant of the said eity. as plaintiff at and against. Anna Van Vorst, single woman, living at Ahasimus, defendant. respecting a marriage contract or a verbal promise of marriage between the said Pieter Kock and Anna Van Vorst, mutually entered into, and in confirmation thereof certain gifts and pres- ents were made by the plaintiff to the aforesaid defendant, how- ever, it appears by certain documents exhibited by the parties to the defendant and bride of the plaintiff in consequence of cer- tain misgivings is in no way disposed to be married to the said Pieter Kock, and it is also proved by two witnesses on the 24th of December, 1653, testifying that Pieter Koek had given her up with a promise of a written acquittal, therefore the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city having perused the doenments exhibit- ed by the parties, and having examined, do by these presents de- cide that. as the promise of marriage has been made before the Omniscient God, it shall remain in force, so that neither the plain- tiff nor the defendant, without the knowledge and approbation of their Lordships, the Magistrates, and the other one of the regis- tered parties shall be permitted to enter matrimony with any other person, whether single man or single woman, provided, how- ever, that all the presents made in confirmation of the marriage contract shall remain in the possession of the defendant,2 while
Alb. Rer., v., 250.
" This was no misfortune to Pieter, for what of his worldly goods the gentle Annetje had not received, a thieving fellow named Marten Van Waert, son-in- law of Abraham Isaacsen Planck, in part appropriated. For this he was sen- tenced to " be severely scourged with rods in a closed chamber, banished ten years out of this jurisdiction, and further in the costs and mises of justice." His father-in law secured his pardon. Valentine's Manual, 1849, 409. On the oc- casion of his marriage with Susanna Planck, December 4, 1660, Marten at. tempted to cheat the government out of the excise on a half barrel of beer. Occasionally he " committed great insolence, noise and uproar by night, and at unseasonable hours, as well at Obe's house as in the street ; ves, so much that many sprung out of bed, opened doors and windows, not knowing what was going on." He finally came to grief, for " Pieter, the negro," executed sentence upon him. Ibid, 1861, 541. A likely heir to Paulus Hoeck !
.
430
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the parties remain together in good will and con- tentment with each other, or lawful marriage or until the consent of one another, they shall be ex- empted from the contract. Furthermore, both the plaintiff and the defendant are condemned equal- ly in the costs of this suit."
This sentence was pronounced May 18, 1654.1 From it Annetje appealed, but it was confirmed. She nnited with the church in Bergen, Feb. 19, 1672; d. Jan. 12, 1725 ; her husband d. Nov. 30, 1688. Their ch. were known by the name of Kuyper.2
5. IV. Ide (6) is said to have been the first white male child born and married in New Netherland.3 In the war of 1643 the " little boy " was captured by the Indians and taken to Tappaen. Captain de Vries and a couple of friendly natives, a few days after- ward, went up and ransomed him. Hem. Hilletje Jans, of Oklenburgh,4 Oct. 18, 1652. That he had a good time at his wedding is learned incidentally from the record of a law snit between him and his stepfather about two years afterward. It appears that Stoffelsen had some time previous given a dinner to Captain Geurt Tysen and his friends, and in return the captain had presented Stoffelsen with a negro. Two sheep were required for the entertainment, and these being taken from the common flock, Ide claimed to own one-half of them, and therefore one-half of the negro. Stof- felsen replied that Ide had two sheep at his wed- ding, and these having also come out of the com- mon flock balanced accounts, leaving the negro to him.5
He continued to reside at Ahasimus as a farmer, accumulating wealth which was to enable him to become the owner of not an inconsiderable part of the domains of Panw.6 He braved the dangers of border life, and exposed his property and family to
Nen Amst. Rec., i., 463.
2 Winfield's Land Titles, 42. Valentine's Manual, 1862, 768.
4 Oldenburgh was a place of considerable importance in Holstein, on the river Brockaw. It was at one time the capital of the Wagri and Venedi, two warlike nations.
Ibid, 1849, 382. New Amst. Rec. 6 Winfield's Land Titles, 40, 44, 121.
431
THE VAN VORST FAMILY.
the attack of the stealthy savage rather than aban- don his home. During the war of 1655 he took refuge in New Amsterdam, but returned to his farm when peace was established. Yet he was in danger, and occasionally obliged to fly for his life. One day in October, 1659, the Indians came down upon him as he was engaged in dressing some meat near his house. Seizing the meat, he fled to his boat, and pulled across the river to New Am- sterdam. The Solons who administered justice in that great city could not wink at such a gross breach of the law, and they solemuly fined him twenty guilders and costs, "for bringing meat to the city without taking out excise license."1
In illustration of the strictness with which the laws were enforced in his day, the following is in- serted : " Cornelis Aersen, Ide Van Vorst and their servants, complained of, for that their servants raced on Sunday evening after sermon, with horses and wagons, and much noise and singing, from which great damage and disaster might have arisen." Each master was fined three guilders, and they were ordered to watch themselves, so that all dangers and irregularities might be pre- vented.
His name, Ide, was probably the name of his mother's father, as her name was Ides. His wife survived him, and d. July 18. 1705.
Third Generation.
Ide [5] had ch. :
6. I. Vrouwtje, bap. Aug. 24, 1653 : m. Andries Meyer, of New York, Nov. 5. 1671.
7. II. Annetje, b. in 1655 : m. John Meyer, of New York. June 13, 1677.
8. III. Cornelius, bap. Aug. 26, 1657; d. in inf.
9. IV. Pietertje, bap. Nov. 9, 1659 ; m. Merselis Pieterse in 1680 ; d. Sept. 3, 1744.
10. V. Cornelius (12), bap. July 30, 1662; m. Fitje Gerritse Van Wagenen (+), of Communipaw, April 6, 1685 : d. July -, 1753.
New Amst. Rec., ir., 68.
432
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
11. VI. Joanna, bap. April 16, 1666; m. Jan Adrianse Sip (3), April 22, 1684.
Fourth Generation.
Cornelius [10] had ch. :
12. 1. Ide, bap. July 10, 1687 ; d. Dec. 7, 1689.
13. II. Jannetje, b. June 5, 1688 ; d. unm.
14. III. Gerrit (23), bap. May 1, 1689 ; m. Sarah Van Winkle (19), May 22, 1714; he removed to New Barba- does Neek, near Aquackanonck ; his will, dated June 13, 1764, was proved June 15, 1785. Some of his descendants returned, and settled near West Hoboken and Union Hill.
15. IV. IFillegond. b. March 2, 1682; d. Jan. 31, 1710.
16. V. Annetje, bap. Jan. 28, 1694; m. Martin Winne, Dec. 9, 1713.
17. VI. Ide, b. Dec. 4, 1695 ; d. unm. ; VII. Johannis, b. May 7, 1697.
18. VIII. Hendriek, b. Jan. 29, 1699 ; d. unm.
19. IX. Cornelius (31), b. March 8, 1700; m. Claesje, dau. of Mattys De Mott, Nov. 26, 1726; d. Dec. 5. 1760. He represented Bergen in the 1Sth Provincial As- sembly, in 1751.
20. X. Jacob, b. July 7, 1702. His name does not appear in his father's will, hence it is inferred that he was then dead, s. p.
21. XI. Jannetje, b. March 7, 1704; m. Walter Heyer, Aug. 8, 1723.
22. XII. Maritje, b. May 22, 1706 ; m. Isaac Hennion, in 1726.
Fifth Generation.
Gerrit [14] had ch. :
23. I. Fitje, m. Gerrebrand Jurrianse Van Ripen (32), Jan. 6, 1742.
24. II. Annetje, m. Frederick Van Ripen (34), Dec. 2, 1742.
25. III. Jenneke, m. Johannis Vreeland.
26. IV. Cornelius (34), m. 1st, Annetje Toers, Dee. - , 1752 ; 2d, Annatje Outwater, wid. of Abraham Berry, July 2, 1778.
27. V. Waling, b. April 5, 1729; d. in inf.
28. VI. Waling (37), b. March 30, 1731 ; m. Catrina Van Eyd- estyn, Sept. - , 1755.
29. VII. Maritje : IX. Hilletje.
433
THE VAN VORST FAMILY.
30. VIII. Catrina had ch. : 1. Catrina, b. Dec. 23, 1754 ; vader onbekent.
Cornelius [19] had ch. :
31. I. Cornelius (42), b. Nov. 25, 1728; m. Annetje Van Horn (8), April 21, 1753; d. Sept. 30, 1818. He was popularly known as " Faddy ;" was one of the wealthiest men in the county, full of fun and practical jokes. He was fond of fast horses, and drove the best team in the vicinity. He estab- lished the race course on Paulus Hoeck in 1753, and was the lion of that "Derby." But while he loved the genial side of life, he did not forget its weightier duties. He established the Jersey City ferry in 1764. When the Revolution broke out he took decided ground on the side of his country. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Bergen county, held at Hackensack, June 25, 1774, he was ap- pointed one of a " committee for corresponding with the committees of the other counties in this province, and particularly to meet with the other
county committees at New Brunswick, * * * in order to elect delegates to attend a general Congress of Delegates of the American Colonies."1 On June 29, 1776, the Provincial Congress ap- pointed him lieutenant-colonel of the battalion of foot militia in the county of Bergen .? It is doubt- ful, however, if he ever was in actual service. Shortly after the capture of New York by the British, and the fall of Paulus Hoeck, his house at Harsimus was occupied by the officers of a de- tachment . of cavalry. He and his family were crowded into the kitehen.3 The fact that he con- tinued to reside on his place while in possession of the enemy aroused suspicion that he had become a tory. On Nov. 10, 1776, he was charged before the court with having joined the British. After a thorough investigation he was honorably ac- quitted.
During this occupancy of his house by the enemy the officers were in the practice, for their own
2/ bid, ci., 1633.
1 Am. Archives, 4th Series, i., 450.
3 Part of this kitchen is yet standing.
28
434
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
amusement, of discharging muskets up the chimney. One day, his mother being sick, he regnested them to desist. This they haughtily refused to do. Being a powerful man, he proceeded to vindicate his rights by administering a drubbing to the insolent soldiers. Incarceration in the old sugar house was the conse- quence of attempting to administer justice inter arma. Sir Henry Clinton, then in command at New York, was an old school com- panion of Van Vorst,1 and released him with the admonition not to let such a thing happen again. But being impetuous as well as powerful, he was soon in another difficulty-by taking up the canse of a cobbler. An officer refused to pay for the repair of his boots, whereupon Van Vorst satisfied the shoemaker by thrash- ing the officer. For this he was again locked up in New York, and again discharged with a like admonition.
The presence of the enemy, always offensive to the sturdy patriot, finally became unendurable. They not only lived in his house, but seized his horses and confiscated his cattle. Deter- mined to separate from their company, which he loathed, he took his family to Pompton and there resided with Philip Schuyler. On his return he went to Paulus Hoeck, and lived in the ferry house until the close of the war.
Like his opulent neighbors, "Faddy " was a practical believer in the patriarchal institution, and kept his spacious kitchen well stocked with slaves. Among the number was a character known as " Half Indian Jack," who died at Harsimus February 2, 1831, at the age of 102 years, and was buried on what is now the rear of lot No. 153 Wayne street. Jack ran away from Van Vorst during the Revolutionary war, and became a spy for the British. He was generally in the company of a white spy, named Meyers. Both did their work for pay-Jack for whiskey, Meyers for gold. Meyers deposited his money in a box, which he kept buried. Whenever he was in a condition to add to the deposit, he and Jack would unearth the treasure. When uncovered. Jack would be dismissed, and Meyers buried the money in a different place. The story, as told by Jack, was that, as often as he had helped Meyers dig up the box, he had never seen it buried, nor was it ever buried twice in the same place. At last the patriots entrapped and shot Meyers, but Jack was too wary and escaped. After Meyers' death great efforts were made to discover his treasure. His widow, ever looking for the end of the rainbow where rests the pot of gold, every spring when the
1 Clinton had probably met Van Vorst at school in the city while his father, Admiral Clinton, was Governor of New York.
435
THE VAN VORST FAMILY.
ground was soft, would go over what was recently the Fourth and Fifth wards of Jersey City, pros- peeting with an iron rod, which she pushed into the ground, hoping to strike the box. She never suc- ceeded, though she worked and hoped while she lived. It is possible that the old spy's box of Brit- ish gold yet lies buried in that part of the city, awaiting its resurrection by the spade of some lucky finder.
Jack pretended among the slaves to be an Indian doctor. IIe induced them to believe that he was a particular favorite of the devil, and gave them to understand that, unless they helped him to a few pennies, old "clootie " would come for them some day. In time this mode of raising the wind failed Jack, and he was left to suffer from his chronic drought. But, fortunately for him, one day a man came to Jersey City with a horse nineteen hands high. He could be mounted only by means of a ladder, and his foot was like a peck measure. IIe was put up at Holmes' stable, near the corner of Washington and Montgomery streets. Jack saw the " huge, earth-shaking beast " pass down the avenne. Hastening to the slaves, he reminded them of his frequent warnings that the devil would come for them and how they had disbelieved him ; but now he was at hand and had put his horse in Holmes' stable. The poor creatures wondered, yet doubted, and resolved to see for themselves. But when they came to Newark avenue and saw the prints of the horse's feet, they fled in wild dismay. From that day till he died the devil would come at Jack's bidding, coppers were not wanting for his whiskey, and he was prophet and king in Faddy's kitchen.
32. II. John, is said to have been m. and had a family.
33. III. HIelena, m. Henry Kingsland. IV. Eleanor.
Sixth Generation.
Cornelius [26] had ch. :
34. I. Arie, b. April 26, 1756; m. Lena Berry, Jan. 5, 1777; removed to the west.
436
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
35. II. Gerrit (46), b. Nov. 21, 1758; m. Mary Van Eyde- styn, Aug. 5, 1786 ; d. April 2, 1834.
36. III. Annatje, b. Ang. 25, 1764; d. in inf.
Waling [28] had ch. :
37. I. Gerrit, b. April 30, 1756; d. in inf.
38. II. Sarah, b. April 14, 1761 ; m. Casparus Van Eydestyn, Feb. 1, 1784.
39. III. Gerrit (51), b. June 22, 1764; m. Elizabeth Bilju, of Staten Island, Aug. 19, 1786.
40. IV. Casparus (54), b. Sept. 3, 1769 ; m. Margrietje Van Buskirk, June 9, 1799.
41. V. Hendrick (55), m. Annatje Pickston, Dec. 7, 1800. Cornelius [31] had ch .:
42. I. Johannis (56), b. March 3, 1761; m. Sarah, dau. of Jean Francois Vasher,1 June 20, 1816; d. Jan. 13, 1832; she d. Feb. 23, 1851, æt. 64 yrs., 1 mo., 20 days.
43. II. Cornelius (60), b. Sept. 6, 1763 ; m. Hannah Gilbert.
44. III. Claesje, b. Aug. 31, 1765 ; d. Oct. 9, 1773.
45. IV. Neeltje, b. Sept. 16, 1768; m. Henry Traphagen, Jan. 25, 1803 ; d. March 4, 1824.
Seventh Generation.
Gerrit [35] had ch .:
46. I. Ann, b. Feb. 24, 1787 ; m. Daniel Smith.
47. II. Catharine, b. Oct. 17, 1789 ; m. John K. Holmes.
48. III. Annatje, b. Nov. 28, 1793; m. Benjamin McCollum.
49. IV. Cornelius (63), b. Dec. 14, 1799; m. Letitia, dau. of James Warner, Jan. 1, 1826.
Gerrit [39] had ch. :
50. I. Waling, mn. Maria Kip; had ch. : I. Hendrick and II. Garret, twins, b. Jan. 21, 1814; III. Joanna, b. Dec. 6, 1816; IV. Catharine, b. Sept. 1, 1819 ; V. Jacob, b. Ang. 28, 1821 ; VI. John, b. July 25, 1825; VII. Christian, b. Oct. 11, 1828; VIII. William Oscar, b. Nov. 13, 1831.
1 Vashér was a Frenchman. He came to this country during the Revolution- ary war; was a surgeon in the fourth New York regiment ; an intimate friend of Washington and a member of the Cincinnati. He in. Miss Potter of Madison, N. J. His ch. were, I., Sarah, m. John Van Vorst ; II., Eliza; III., Frances, m. Robert Gilchrist, Oct. 1, 1812 ; her son Robert is now Attorney-General of N. J. : IV., Frank, d. in inf.
THE VAN VORST HOMESTEAD. (N. E. corner of Wayne street and Jersey avenue.)
437
THE VAN VORST FAMILY.
51. II. Jacob (67), b. July 17, 1788 ; m. Christina Everson, Jan. 21, 1809; d. July 4, 1857.
52. III. Gerrit (70), b. June 26, 1790 : m. Cynthia Hennion, Dec. 25, 1810 ; d. March 25, 1852 ; she b. Dec. 24, 1789 ; d. Aug. 14, 1852.
53. IV. John, b. Nov. 18, 1795.
Casparus [40] had ch. :
54. I. Catharina, b. April 12, 1800; II. Thomas, b. Sept. 11, 1802.
Hendrick [41] had ch. :
55. I. Catharina, b. Sept. 17, 1801; II. Isaac, b. Aug. 23, 1803; III. Waling, b. Oct. 16, 1805, d. in inf .; IV. Waling, b. Sept. 22, 1806; V. Antje, b. March 7, 1809; VI. Saartje, b. Feb. 12, 1813; VII. Garret, b. March 5, 1821 ; VIII. Eliza Jane, b. April 7, 1823.
Johannis [42] had ch. :
56. I. Ann Eliza, b. June 2, 1817 ; m. J. Dickinson Miller, Feb. 19, 1835. He was a prominent lawyer in Jersey City, and, for several years, Alderman.
57. II. Cornelia, b. Nov. 15, 1819 ; m. Henry Augustus Boo- raem.
38. III. Sarah Frances, b. Sept. 12, 1820; m., 1st, Charles B. C. Bacot ; 2d, Michael Lienau, March 17, 1859.
59. IV. John (73), b. Sept. 25, 1823; m. Emily H., dau. of Peter Bacot, of Charleston S. C., Jan. 10, 1850. He was Alderman of Jersey City and a member of the General Assembly of N. J. for several years Cornelius [43] had ch. :
60. I. Cornelius (74), b. Aug. 6, 1794; m. 1st, Sarah S., dau. of William Brower, Dec. - , 1816; she d. Aug. 12, 1835 ; 2d, Antoinette, dau. of Cornelius Roose- velt, Oct. 19, 1836 ; d. Jan. 23, 1852 ; she d. Sept. 14, 1849.
61. II. Susanna, b. March 15, 1798 ; d. March 26, 1815.
62. III. Anna, b. March 26, 1803 ; m. Joseph Cooper, March 11, 1830 ; d. Jan. 1, 1865.
Eighth Generation.
Cornelins [49] had ch. :
438
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
63 I. Garret, b. Oct. 30, 1826 ; m. Abigail Hazard ; had ch .. I. Garret ; II. Lena.
64 II. Letitia, b. June 26, 1823; m. Charles W. Ward.
65. III. Cornelius (85), b. May 25, 1830; m. Phebe Jane, dau. of Thomas Gardner.
66. IV. Jane Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1832; m. William II. Tise ; d. Dec. 6, 1870.
Jacob [51] had ch. :
67. I. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 4, 1809 ; m. Henry Spier, Dec. 19, 1830.
68. II. John, b. in 1820; d. in 1824.
69. III. Sarah, b. Feb. 22, 1822 ; m. Isaac IIalenbeek, July 8. 1850.
Gerrit [52] had ch .:
70. I. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 6, 1812; m. Abraham Shotwell.
71. II. David (86), b. Feb. 20, 1823; m. Fanny, dau. of Charles Heritage, June 1, 1851.
72. III. Garret (ST), b. June 21, 1826; in., 1st, Sarah, dau. of John Everson ; 2d, Mary, dau. of John Spier, Jan. 10, 1861.
John [59] had ch .:
73. I. John, b. Oet. 18, 1850; II. Dickinson M., b. May 15, 1854; III. Eugene C., b. March 2, 1856 ; IV. Emily H., b. Dee. 1, 1857 ; V. Sarah, b. Oct. 24, 1860; VI. Henry H., b. Dec. 3, 1865 ; d. July 14, 1866 : VII. Harriet B., b. Feb. 10, 1870 ; d. July 15, 1870; VIII. Mary S., b. Sept. 11, 1872.
Cornelius [60] had ch. :
74. I. Elizabeth B., b. Nov. 3, 1817; II. Susan, b. Aug- 22, 1819 ; d. in inf.
75. III. Cornelius (SS), b. March 7, 1822; m. Sophia A., dan. of Edward Phillips of Providence, R. I., June 16, 1846. Ile was Alderman and Mayor of Jersey City for several years.
76. IV. Mary B., b. Feb. 1, 1824; m. William P. Powers, Aug. 14, 1851.
77. V. Susan, b. April 17, 1825; d. in inf. 78. VI. Sarah, b. Feb. 25, 1831; m. Robert Sewell, April 24. 1860.
439
THE VREELAND FAMILY.
79. VII. Anna G., b. April 25, 1832; VIH. Juliet, b. Ang. 5, 1834.
SO. IX. Julia, b. Oct. 27, 1837.
81. X. Susan, b. March, 30, 1839 ; m. Louis Dez Armanld. Nov. 17, 1863.
S2. XI. Antoinette, b. Nov. 24, 1841 ; d. in inf.
83. XII. William B., b. Dec. 6, 1842; m. Katie, dan. of S. E. Swain, May 31, 1871 : she d. Ang. 31, 1872.
84. XIII. Antoinette, b. Jan. 27, 1846 : m. Hugh Toler Boo- raem, May 14, 1867.
Ninth Generation.
Cornelius [65 ] had ch. :
85. I. Cornelius : II. Charles : III. Garret Thomas ; IV. Har- rison ; V. Howard ; VI. William ; VII. William ; VIII. Erwin ; IX. Letitia.
David [71] had ch. :
86. I. Maria Frances, b. Oct. 7, 1852 ; II. Garret F., b. Nov. 16, 1854; III. Ella Louisa, b. May 17, 1864.
Garret [72] had ch. :
87. I. Sarah Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1851 ; II. Cynthia, b. May 19, 1854 ; III. Garret. b. July 23, 1863; IV. George, b. May 10, 1867.
Cornelius [75 ] had ch. :
88. I. Mary R .: II. Cornelius P., b. March 29, 1849 ; III. Edward P., b. Jan. 19, 1832; d. in inf. : IV. Eliza B., b. Jan. 20, 1853.
VREELAND-VREELANDT-FREELAND.
There was in Holland a place named Freelandt, but whether a hamlet, parish or manor has not been ascertained.1 The family in this county now bearing the name is descended from Michiel Jansen, who came from Broeckhuysen (North Brabant).2 He left Holland October 1, 1636, in the ship Rensselaerwyck,3 with his wife and two children. He settled at what is now Green-
1 Col. Ilist. of N. Y., ii., 183. " Valentine's Hlist. of N. Y., 138.
3 ()'Cal., V. N., i., 437.
440
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
bush, opposite Albany, as a boereknecht, or farm servant.1 It was not long before he grew weary of agricultural pursuits and the narrow road thereby opened to wealth, and engaged in the fur trade, in which " he made his fortune in two years." Such private speculation being prohibited by law, soon brought him into difficulty with the authorities. He thereupon abandoned lis farm, and came to Manhattan. The date of this change is not known, but he was a resident in New Amsterdam November 4, 1644, on which date he empowered Arent Van Curler to settle with Pa- troon Van Rensselaer all accounts and differences. In 1646 he came over to Communipaw, and settled on the bouwerie owned by Jan Evertsen Bout. In the years 1647, '49 and '50, he repre- sented Pavonia in the Council of "Nine,"2 and joined his asso- ciates in their crusade against Governor Stuyvesant.3 It was at his house that the journal of Van der Donek was seized, and it was suspected upon information furnished by himself.4 He was a signer of the application for the first municipal government in New Netherland, July 26, 1649.5
The following record of June 15, 1654, shows that he had not yet overcome his reluctance to farming :
" Michiel Jansen, residing at Pavonia, belonging to the juris- diction of New Amsterdam, appeared before the Court of Bur- gomasters and Schepens of this city aforesaid, and stated that lie intended, for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the place, to brew some beer, and, as it was very inconvenient to give in the same every time, and to procure the excise certificate, wished therefore to make an agreement with the Burgomasters and Schepens about the excise ; which being granted to him, the Burgomasters and Schepens have made an agreement with Michiel Jansen for one year, that for all the beer he shall brew and sell at the aforesaid place, he shall pay 50 guilders, each half year the half, and it is hereby allowed to him to sell beer by the small measure also, to persons coming over to that place."6 Thus he has the honor of being the first licensed tapster in the State of New Jersey.7
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