| Notes |
- Note on Find a Grave:
b. before 1590, d. between 2 March 1662 and 24 June 1662
Thanks to E Smith ID 51649174 for contributing a nice photo of Wolfert and a paragraph of new source.
NOTE: I don't see his nice photo of Wolfert. 8 June 2024 [omitted?]
Vanderbilt Progenitor, Source: Vanderbilt Family-Wikipedia
The progenitor of the 'Vanderbilt' family was Jan Aertszoon b1620 d1705 was an indentured servant to the Van Kouwenhoven family in the Dutch colony of New Netherlands (Long Island N.Y.). He was from the village of De Bilt in Utrecht, Netherlands.
...........................
Father: Gerrit Wolferts Suype
W.F. van Kouwenhoven, "Wolfert Gerritse in The Netherlands"
Wolfert Gerritszen was born before 1590 at Netherlands.
He married Neeltgen Jacobsdr, daughter of Jacob Peterss and Metgen Jacobsdr, at Netherlands before 1610.
The first record with reference to Wolfert Gerritse appears in the Netherlands with the date 15 Dec 1611, in which "Wulphert Gerrits" signed an agreement in which he assumed the debts and property of the deceased parents of his wife"Neeltgen Jacobsdr." In 1622 he was made the blood guardian of the five minor children of his brother Willem Gerritsz Couwenhoven.
Hubert Lambertsz Moll and Wolfert Gerritszen, purchased (with their wives) a bleachcamp outside the Coppelpoort of Amersfort., 3 January 1618.
On 11 June 1623, Hubert Moll and his wife Geertgen Cornelis sold a bleach camp to Wulpher Gerritsz. bleacher and his wife in which they had been residing. This was situated in Amersfoort outside the Coppelpoort.
He came to New Netherland in 1625.
One of the earliest settlers of New Netherlands, Wolfert was one of the five "head-farmers" first sent by the Dutch West India Company, arriving on Manhattan Island in 1625 and remaining until 1629. He was back in the Netherlands in 1630 when he was contracted by Killian Van Rensselaer to manage his interests in New Amsterdam and later at Rensselaerwyck. In 1636 he acquired property on Long Island, about 3600 acres, first called "Achterveldt," later becoming the settlement of New Amersfoot, and later still, the town of Flatlands. He was admitted to the Small Burgher right on 18 April 1657.
In 1630 he returned to New Netherland. Sailed from Texel aboard de Eendracht, 21 March 1630; arrived at New Amsterdam, 24 May 1630.
He settled at Rensselaerswyck in 1630.
From Amersfoort. He was occasionally referred to as Wolfert Gerritsz van Couwenhoven. Couwenhoven being a farm or estate about four miles northwest of Amersfoort in the province of Utrecht. He was engaged by the patroon (of Rensselaerswyck) in January 1630 to superintend the establishment of farms in the colony and to purchase cattle. He was to serve for four years, each year from April to November, but at his request was released by the patroon in 1632. He lived at the Manhatans.
Witnessed the baptism of Johannes Van Couwenhoven, son of Jacob Wolfertszen and Hester Jansen, on 19 May 1641 at Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, (sponsors Wolfert Gerritszen, Pieter Wolfertszen, Aeltie Cornelis).
Jan; parents: Jacob Wolphertszen; witnesses: Wolfert Gerritszen, Pieter Wolfertszen, Aeltie Cornelis.
Witnessed the baptism of Neeltje Gerritse, daughter of Gerrit Wolfertszen and Aeltje Cornelis Cool, on 20 September 1641 at Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, (sponsors Wolfert Gerritszen, Huyge Aertszen, Hester Simons).
Witnessed the baptism of Marritje Gerritse, daughter of Gerrit Wolfertszen and Aeltje Cornelis Cool, on 10 April 1644 at Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, (sponsors Wolferts Gerritszen, Pieter Wolfertszen, Tryntje Huygens, Marritje Phillips).
Witnessed the baptism of Aeltje Couwenhoven, daughter of Jacob Wolfertszen and Hester Jansen, on 27 August 1645 at Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, (sponsors Wolfert Gerritszen, Pieter Wolfertszen, Maryken Thymens, Ariaentje Cornelis).
A series of articles investigating the origins of Wolfert Gerritsz, written by W.F. van Kouwenhoven, entitled "Wolfert Gerritse in the Netherlands," appear in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record vol.129 (1998).
Children by Neeltgen:
1. Gerrit Wolfertszen b. ca. 1610, d. ca. 1645
2. Jacob Wolfertszen b. ca. 1612, d. 21 Apr 1670
3. Pieter Wolfertszen b. ca. 1614
Wolfert Gerritszen died between 2 March 1662 and 24 June 1662.
Likely buried Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery.
Bio includes data from The Brouwer Genealogy Database.
∼Also known as Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Wolfert "Gerritsen" Van Couwenhoven, was an original patentee, director of bouweries, and a founder of the New Netherlands colony; founder of the first European settlement on Long Island, New Amersfoort, and a "Schepen" of New Amsterdam in 1654. He played an active role in laying the foundations of the communities of Manhattan, Albany, Rensselaer, and Brooklyn.
Gerretse ran a baking and clothes bleaching business, when in 1625 he was assigned as one of the first settlers to cultivate farms in the New Netherlands colony by the Dutch West India Company.
Following that service, in 1630 he returned to the Netherlands, where he entered into a contract with Kiliaen Van Rensselaer to return to the colony to manage his farms. Wolphert arrived back in the colony aboard the ship "Eendracht", where he proceeded in his duties as director for Renselaer's farms in Rensselaerwyck and Fort Orange. His contract was to run through 1636, but Gerretse requested it cancelled early so he could pursue his own interests. Rensselaer agreed, and in 1632 Gerretse was released from his contractual obligations.
He leased a bouwerie in New Amsterdam and managed it until 1636, when he was granted a patent of several hundred acres on Long Island. He called his plantation "Achervelt"; later it served as the founding of the town of New Amersfoort, named after Gerretse's original home. Today the area is known as Flatlands, where the former location of his plantation is found at King's Highway and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1637, he became a Freeholder in Midwout, and again in 1641. In 1653, he was sent by the colony to the States-General in the Netherlands as a Commissioner. In 1654, Wolphert served as a Schepen of New Amsterdam, and in 1657 was made a Burgher.
Gerretse died in 1662. A member of the Dutch Reformed Church, on January 17, 1605, he married Neeltje Jacobsdochter at the church in Amersfoort, Netherlands. With her he had three sons: 1) Gerrit (b. 1610-d. 1648) was a Representative at the Council of Eight in 1643;
2) Jacob (b. 1612-1670) assistant to Gov. Woulter Van Twiller, Representative at the Board of Nine in 1647, 1649–1650, sat on the Court of Arbitrators between 1649–1650, Delegate of New Netherlands to the Hague in Holland; and, 3) Pieter (b. 1614-d. 1699)-one of the first magistrates of New Netherlands, member of the Schepens Court 1653-1654, 1658–1659, 1661 and 1663, Delegate from New Amsterdam to the Convention of 1653, Lieutenant in the Esopus War, signer of the peace treaty 1664 with the Esopus Indians.
His descendants include:
1. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt
3. U.S. Senator Sidney Breese
4. Astronomer John Monroe Van Vleck
5. Nobel Prize winner John Hasbrouck Van Vleck
6. Cardiology pioneer William B. Kouwenhoven
7. Philanthropist Edward Harriman
8. Diplomat William Harriman
9. Railroad baron E.H. Harriman
10. Vice-Admiral Arthur S. Carpender
11. Actor Michael Douglas
12. 12th Great Grandson Kyle William King
13. 10th Great Grandson-Robert Hunt Bruce, Popculturist and Author
14. Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Denmark Christopher N. Smith
Brooklyn areas named for him:
1. Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn
2. Kouwenhoven Lane-Brooklyn
[1]
- Note on Find a Grave:
Gravesite Details
There may be exfoliated, sunken, buried, field stones, as grave markers, for these early Dutch/English congregation of colonists. The majority of the deceased were buried in unmarked graves.
[1]
- Conover genealogy page
3. Wolphert Gerretse2 Van Kouwenhoven (Gerritt1Couwenhoven) was born before May 1, 1579; when baptisms began in Amersfoort, Netherlands. He was born circa 1583 at Netherlands; he stated on October 8, 1638 that he was 54 years old. He was born circa 1584. He was born circa 1588 at Holland. Marriage banns for he and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter were published on Jan 9, 1605 at Amersfoort, Netherlands. He married Neeltgen Jacobsdochter, daughter of Jacob Peterss and Metgen Jacobsdr, on Jan 17, 1604/5 at Dutch Reformed Church, Amersfoort, Netherlands. He died between Mar 2, 1662 and Jun 24, 1662 at New Amerstoort, NY.
He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsz Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Garretsen Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulphert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulpher Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulffer Geritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsen Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretson Van Couwenhoven. Dec 15, 1611. The first reference to WOLFER GERRITSE when Wulphert Gerrits signed an agreement with his stylized A. According to the terms of that document, he agreed to assume the property and debts of the deceased parents of his wive Neeltgen Jacobsdr from the other heirs for 100 guilders. Her brother Herman Jacobsz also signed this document as well as her brother-in-law Willem Dircx who was married to Aeltgen Jacobs Petergen Petersdr, the underage daughter of her brother Peter Jacobsz, had already recieved 50 guilders
Apr 14, 1615. Wulphert Gerritsz and his wife Neeltgen Jacosdr sold a bleachcamp outside the Coppelpoort of Amersfoort to Hendrick Janss and his wife Hasgenb Thonis for 1,200 Carolus guilders, the occupation of Wolfert is not disclosed in this document on Mar 22, 1612. In the settlement of the estate of Wolfert's wife in Amersfoort, it was declared before the court that his profession at the time was baker on Aug 8, 1612 at Amersfoort, Netherlands. Wolphert took part in a curious agreement with Herman Zieboltz of Amsterdam, before Johan van Ingen an officer of the court of Utrechet. The name of the Amsterdammer suggests that he was a German or that he was of German descent. His name is also spelled Syboelt and Zyeboltz in those documents. According to a "donatiaq iner vivos" (gift to a living person) Ziebolz gave Wolphert two morgans of turf ground near Cologne in recognition of services rendered) but not payment for them). No monetary amount is mentioned for the services or the turf ground. In a second document of the same date issued by the same officer of the court of Utrecht, Ayeboliz made a debt owed by him by Henrick Adrianesz and Adriaen Adriansz over to Wulpher Gerrits baker and Cornelis Wynantsz inkeeper. This second document authorized Wulpher Gerritss and Cornelis Wynantsz to assume ownership of the two morgens of turfground mentioned in the first document. These documents create the impression thaqt Zieboltz was unable to pay Wolfert money that he owed him, that the Amsterdammer made over a debt on which he had not been able to collect, and that Wolfert may have agreed to these vague terms because he would otherwise not be able to retrieve anything from his business dealings with the Zieboltz
Between Feb, 1617 and Jul, 1617. Wulpher Gerritss baker appeared as a witness before Johan van Ingen officer of the court of Utrecht, in a case in which Willem Gerritz miller testified that Griet Maes was evading the city grain tax. The document does not specify that Wulpher and Willem were brothers, and if such were the case, it is likely that this would have been discussed in the document on May 16, 1616. Hendrick Janss and Haesgen Thonis made the last payment on the bleach camp which they had purchased from Wolfert Gerretse and Neeltge Jacbsdr, and the property was made over to them on Oct 28, 1616. He purchased from Aert van Schayck and his wife Anna Barents a house on the Langegraft in Amersfoort which lay between the house of the aforesaid Aert on the one side and that fo Henrickgen Barents widow of Aelbert Conrneiss on the other side, while the breadt of the house lay on the Lieverrouwestraet (Dear Lady Street). Wolphert was listed as a baker on Jan 30, 1617 at Langegraft, Amersfoort, Netherlands. Within a short time, Wolpeher placed three mortgages on this house. Perhaps the transactions with Zieboltz were unprofitable, and this was one of the causes of his need for money. On Feb 15, 1617, Wulpher Gerritss baker and his wife Neeltgen Jacobsdr borrowed 100 guilders from the Armen to Amersfoort on which he agreed to pay 6 guilders per year. On May 16, 1617, Wulpher Gerritss baker and his wife Neeltgen borrowed 200 guilders from Cornelis Baecx van der Tommen at a yearly interest of 12 guilders. On Jul 25, 1617, Wolphurt Gerritss baker and his wife Neelttgen Jacobsdr borrowed 250 guilders from Anna Goerts widow of Franck Frandkss at 15 guilders interest per year.
Jan 3, 1618. Wulphert Gerritsz and his wife Neeltgen Jacobs purchased a bleachcamp outside the Coppelpoort of Amersfoort with Hubert Lambertsz Moll and his wife Geertgen Cornisdochter as their partners. They borrowed 500 Carolus Guilders from Ghijsbert Cornelisz van Cuijlenburch, a citizen of the city of Utrecht, at an annual interest of 25 guilders and 20 stivers. In addition, Hubert Lamberts and his wife Geertje Cornelisdochter contracted a special mortgage for 400 Carolus guilders with the consent of Wulffert Gerritsz and his wife. On the north side of the property lay the River Eem, on the east the city moat and on the south and west the heirs of Gerrit van Speulde. This property came with two other mortgages: 200 guilders to the Poth and 600 guilders to Jo. Catharina van Morendael not yet conveyed to her. In a codicil, Wulpher Gerritsz baker and his wife Neeltgen Jacobs become party to the mortgage of Hubert Lambertsz Moll and his wife Geertge Cornelis for 400 guilders with interest on Ghijsbert Cornelisz van Culenborch with restriction that Wulpher would pay 150 guilders in the year 1618 and thereafter be free of obligation.
In the margin is a notation that Dirck van Cullenburch as heir of his father Gysbert van Culenburch acknowledged that the obligation on the mortgage was fully paid on Mar 5, 1628.
In the seventeenth century, a bleach camp was a capital intensive, seasonal business which required the labor of relatively many workers. Profits were meager because the buyers of the finished product and the suppliers of raw materials such as low were generally the same persons, and they acted to keep their costs and thus the profits of the bleachers love. There were three types of bleaching activities, and the skills and experience required of workers was generally so high that each bleachery specialized in but one sort of material: Yarn (garenblekerij), woven cloth (lijnwaadblekerij), or clothing (klerenblekerij). In all three cases, the material was first generally cooked in a lye solution and later spread out on green grass for many weeks in small fields surrounding the bleach house where it was kept damp. Later, it was cooked in a solution of wheat meal before being again spread on the field for a lengthy period, the entire process requiring about three months. The consequences of this long procedure was that only wealthy people were the customers of clothing bleachers because only they could afford to part with many items of clothing for so long a time.
No equipment of the bleach camp listed in the purchase document for Wolphert are given. So no indication of what type of bleachery Wolphert purchased. The bleach camp he sold in 1612 included a bleach table meaning it may have been a cloth bleach camp. Wulphert Gerritss baker and his wife Neeltge Jacobs contracted a mortgage with Coenraet Fransz, former mayor of the city of Amersfoort, for 100 guilders at an annual interest of 6 guilders, with the house of Wulphert on the Langegracht as security, which house lay between the house of Aert van Schayck and that of Hednrickgen Speldemaeckster.
It does not appear that Wolferts endeavor as bleacher met with great success, and this may have been caused by a general malaise in the weavers trade in Amersfoort in this period, which in turn lay on a lack of capital. Because Wolfert's work was dependent on this industry, he was limited as a businessman by the lack of success of the parent industry on Sep 17, 1618. Wolphert was appointed guardian over the five under aged children of Willem Gerritsz Couwenhoven.
From NYGBR
Wulffer Geridtz, bleacher residing by the Coppelpoort and Harman Willemsz citizen of Amersfoort as "bloetvoochden" (blood guardians) of the five sons of Willem Gerridsz Couwenhoven, namely Gerridt, Willem, Jan, Harmen, and Willem the Younger, none of whom had yet reached the age of majority, made an agreement with the mother of the children Neeltgen Willemsdr the widow of Willem Gerridtsz assisted by the owner of Cowenhoven the honorable Johan de Wijs.
This document indicates that Wolfert Gerritse had a brother Willem and that he was the tenant of the farm Couwenhoven which was owned by Johan de Wijs. This document indicates that Wolfert is connected to the Couwenhoven by Hoogland. It is at the same time possible that he was also linked to the Couwenhoven near Woudenberg because he was a son of Gerrit Willemsz van Couwenhoven, but documentation for this has not been discovered on Nov 5, 1622. Beermt van Munster made a deposition under oath before the lieutenant, the schout, and the schepenen Dam and Bronchorst at the request of the (police) officer. He stated that the previous Saturday afternoon he had caught a bucket of fish by the Coppelpoort bridge and had given half of it to Wulphert the bleacher according to an agreement which they had made, and that Beernt had caught a small number of fish thereafter. Wulpher and Harmen Teut then took these fish from Beernt, and they would not divide them with him. Wulpher took the net and tried to give it to his wife. Harman hit Beernt in the eye with a weight in the net, but by then, it was ripped. Beernt then went to the defense of his wife, and Wulpher drew his knife and threatened him without harming him. Dirck Gerritsz, stevedore, using well-chosen words, separated the people from each other. On April 1 1623, Dirch Gerrisz was heard at the request of the officer and made a similar deposition under oath on Mar 24, 1623. Hubert Moll and his wife Geertgen Cornelis sold a bleach camp to Wulpher Gerritsz bleacher and his wife in which they had been residing. This was situated in Amersfoort outside the Coppelpoort. The property description differs slightly from that given for the land transaction of 1618, but the mortgages are the same. It is likely that this is the same ground that Wulpher Gerritsz and Hubert Moll purchased then. On the date of purchase in 1623, Wulpher Gerritss sold this property to Monsieur Jacques Chiese Cuirass(ier) of the company of his Princely Excellency (Maurits?) and the purchaser assumed the mortgages.
This is the last document pertaining to Wolfert Gerritse that has been discovered in the archives of Amersfoort.
On Jun 11, 1623. He was a baker and then later a bleacher (bleaching laundry on a grassfield in the sun) before 1624. He immigrated between 1624 and 1625 to New Amsterdam, Kings Co. Long Island, NY. He and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter immigrated in Jun, 1625 to New Netherlands; or July 1625, with his wife and family on a ship of the Dutch West India Company which sailed in the expedition that was comprised of the ships Mackerel, Horse, Cow and Sheep. Wolfert returned to the Netherlands in 1629. He returned from the Netherlands on board "De Endracht" (the Unity) on May 24, 1630. There exists a letter from Kiiaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert which I have to get from sources. At this time Wolfert was in the Netherlands and the letter had to do with terminating Wolfert's contract with van Rensselaer and mentions that Wolfert's wife was unhappy living in New Netherlands. In the letter van Rensselaer states he would not want someone who was not happy working for him to remain in his employ under the circumstances. It was a friendly letter. According to the source there are several letters to Wolfert from Van Rensselaer. The letter above was read over the phone to me and I have yet to receive the exact copy and don't take short hand in 1632. He purchased "Keskateuw" located on Long Island from the Indians. Here was established the first known white settlement on Long Island. Wolphert called his "plantation" Achterveldt, shown on the Manatu Map of New Netherlands as farm No.36 near the Indian long house to the Kestachau tribe. Wolphert's house surrounded by palisades, was the focal pont of the village of New Amersfoort, later called Flatlands on Jun 30, 1636. He got "Small Civil Rights" on Apr 18, 1657. Wolfert Gerritsen Van Couwenhoven was named in a suit filed by Frans Jansen regarding a dispute over a contract in which Jansen was to buy land from Wofert. This was the first time the name Van Couwenhoven was mentioned in reference to Wolfert on Oct 20, 1661.
Children of Wolphert Gerretse2 Van Kouwenhoven and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter were as follows:
4. i. Gerret Wolfersen3, born circa 1610 at Amersfoort, Ultrecht, Netherlands; married Aeltje Cornelis Cool.
5. ii. Pieter Wolphertse, born circa 1614 at Amersfoort, Netherlands; married Hester Daws; married Aeltje Sibrants; married Josynthe Thomas.
6. iii. Jacob Wolphertse, born 1615 at Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands; married Hester Jansen; married Magdaleentje Jacobs Van Amsterdam.
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~conover/genealogy/Pages/newinfor.htm
[6]
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfert_Gerritse_van_Couwenhoven
- https://history.nycourts.gov/figure/wolphert-gerritsen/
- https://familyhistorytreasures.wordpress.com/wolfert-gerritsen-van-couwenhoven-1584-1661/
- On the westernmost of them, called Kaskutenu, located in Flatlands, purchased of the Indians and patented by Gov. Van Twiller to Andries Hudden and Wolfert Gerretsen (Van Couwenhoven), on the i6th of June, 1636 (the same date as Van Curler's patent for flats), a plantation called " Achtervelt " was established, on which, prior to July 9, 1638, when an inventory was taken, they had a house set around with long round palisades, the house being 26 feet long, 22 feet wide, 40 feet deep, with the roof covered above and around with plank ; two lofts above one another, and a small chamber at their side } one barn, 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 24 feet deep ; and one bergh with five posts, 40 feet long. The plantation was stocked with six cows, old and young, three oxen and five horses.'
The Bergen family: or, The descendants of Hans Hansen Bergen. 1876 edition. page 6.
[7]
- Garret Cowenboven is a descendant of Wolfert Gerretsen Van Couwenhoven, the common ancestor of the Cowenhoven, Kouwenhoven or Conover family in this country, who emigrated ' from Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, in Holland, in 1630, with the colonists who settled Rensselaerwick, near Albany, where he was employed by the patroon as superintendent of farms. He afterwards resided on Manhattan Island, where he cultivated the company*s bouwery or farm No. 6, and in 1657, was enrolled among the small burghers of New Amsterdam.
The name is probably derived from the village or hamlet of “Couwenboven" of which he may have been a native, located a little north-west of Amersfoort, in Holland, hence van (from) Cowenhoven. There is also a village of '* Kauwenhoven,** about nine miles south-west of Amersfoort.
On the 16th of June, 1636, Wolfert Gerretsen and Andries Hudden bought of the Indians and obtained from Gov. Van Twiller, on the 6th of June, 1637, a patent for the westernmost of the three flats on Long Island (small prairies), commonly known as the little flats, and called by them Castuteeuw or Kaskateuw, which patent was ratified on the 22d of August, 1658, to which premises he appears to have removed, on which they immediately commenced a settlement, and where he resided in 1662. “July 26th, 1638, “Andries Hudden sold to Gerret Wolfersen 50 morgens of his one-half of the “district of Achtervelt, for 52 gL Hollands he owed Gerret.” August 2d, 1639, Wolfert purchased of Hudden, his interest in a house, barrack, barn, and garden, on said patent, called “Achtervelt,” and Sept. 16th, 1647, he purchased of Hudden all his interest, not previously disposed of, in the original patent. These buildings, erected prior to July 9th, 1638, and testified on the 22d of March, 1639, by Gillis Pietersen van de Gouw to have been built by himself and the company's carpenters, were of the following dimensions: the house, 26 feet long, 22 feet wide, 40 feet deep, including a small chamber at the side, with the roof covered above and around with plank, and having two lofts above one another, and also being set around with long round palisades ; the barn, 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 24 feet deep, all Dutch measure } a bergh with 5 posts 40 feet long.
The following is a copy of the inventory of the chattels on the farm, July 9th, 1638 :
3 milch cows,
1 heifer of two years old,
1 yearling cow,
2 old oxen,
1 young calf,
1 young do.,
2 old mares,
1 stallion of three years,
1 mare of one year old,
1 gelding of four years,
1 new wagon and appurtenances,
1 wheel plough and appurtenances.
1 iron harrow.
Some farming utensils, necessary for the bouwery.
About 16 morgens of land sowed with summer and winter wheat.
A garden stocked with a quantity of fruit trees.
I yawl, with appurtenances.
Wolfert*s heirs conveyed, March 25th, 1666, the main portion of these premises to Elbert Elbertse StoothofF. The settlement was at first named New Amersfoort, in honor of the place of Wolfert's nativity, was afterwards commonly known as the Baai or Bay, and since as Flatlands. Wolfert’s children, who all came over with their father, were Jacob Wolfersen, died about 1670, m. (1st), Hester Jansen, m. (2d), Sept. 26th, 1655, Madalena or Magdalentje Jacobs Rysen, settled in New Amsterdam, where he carried on a brewery, was one of the nine men who, from 1647 to 1650, represented the principal classes of the community, and in 1649, one of the agents on the part of the community to Holland; Gerret Wolfersen, born 1610, died about 1645, m. Aide Cornelis, dau. of Cornells Lambertse Cool, of Gowanus (who, after the death of Gerret, m. prior to 1647, Elbert Elbertse Stoothoff), settled on a farm in Flatlands, of which town he was a magistrate in 1644; and Peter Wolfersen, living as late as 1673, m. (1st), Nov. i8th, 1640, Hester Simons (Daws), from "Amsterd," widow of "Jacques de Vernurs," m. (2d), Nov. 22d, 1655, “Aeltje Sibrants”, widow; was also a brewer on the corner of the present Whitehall and Pearl streets, in New Amsterdam, where, among other offices, he held that of schepen for many years. About 1665, after the conquest by Nicolls, he removed to his farm at Elizabeth, N. J., where he resided until the reconquest by the Dutch, in 1673, when he moved back to New Amsterdam.
from: The Bergen family, 1876 edition. page 327-328
[8]
- The most tempting locality on the west end of Long Island for natives of the low and level lands of Holland or Belgium, who were inexperienced in the clearing of forests, were the flats in Flatlands and Flatbush,* miniature prairies, void of trees, with a dark colored surface soil, similar to that of the prairies of the west, which had been subject to the rude culture of the natives, and which were ready without much previous toil and labor for the plow. On these flats, of which there were three, it is supposed, and almost certain, that the first agricultural settlements on Long Island were made, and their adaptation to cultivation accounts for their being first sought for and purchased.
On the westernmost of them, called Kaskutenu, located in Flatlands, purchased of the Indians and patented by Gov. Van Twiller to Andries Hudden and Wolfert Gerretsen (Van Couwenhoven), on the 16th of June, 1636 (the same date as Van Curler's patent for flats), a plantation called " Achtervelt " was established, on which, prior to July 9, 1638, when an inventory was taken, they had a house set around with long round palisades, the house being 26 feet long, 22 feet wide, 40 feet deep, with the roof covered above and around with plank ; two lofts above one another, and a small chamber at their side 1 one barn, 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 24 feet deep ; and one bergh with five posts, 40 feet long. The plantation was stocked with six cows, old and young, three oxen and five horses.
From The Bergen Family, 1875 edition, page 36-37
[9]
- Cornelis Jacobun Stille and Jan Jacobsen, his brother, leased, August 15, 1639, for six years, of James Bronck, one house, two horses, and one cow, with the land to cultivate. Cornelis leased May 13, 1643, of Cornelis Van Tienhoven, his bouwery in the Smith's valley, on the Manhattens. March 18, 1647, Stille obtained a patent for bouwery No. 6, previously occupied by Wolfert Gerretsen Van Couwenhoven, containing 28} morgens, on Manhattan Island. It lay along the present south side of Chatham square, coming down to Pearl street, and was known as "Bowery No. 6." He died in 1680, and his son, Jacob Comelissen, bom in New Amsterdam, occupied the farm after hu father's death.
From The Bergen Family, 1876 edition, page 35.
[10]
- "Kaakuteuw, lying on the island named by the Indians Suanhacky, between the Bay of the North River and the East River; in breadth from a certain meadow or valley, and stretching about westerly to and into the woods"; which lands were patented to them by Gov. Wouter Van Twiller, June 1 6th, 1636, and by a confirmatory patent of August 24th, 1658, granted by Gov.Stuyvesant to said Wolfert. Elhert Elbertsen obtained, Nov. 1st, 1667, from Gov. Nicolls, a confirmatory patent for the above premises, and as per recorded deeds was in possession, at the time of his death, of at least 600 acres of upland in Flatlands, being the largest landholder in the place. There is no patent for land on Long Island of an earlier date, than that to Hudden and Van Couwenhoven, and from papers in the possession of the descendants of Elbert, it is evident that farm buildings were erected on the premises covered by this patent prior to its date, showing an earlier occupation than 1636.
From The Bergen Family, 1876 edition, page 248.
[11]
- The following is the published translation of an "Inventory of the effects and good at Achtervelt belonging to Andries Hudde and Wolfert Gerritsen."
Three milch cows
One heifer of two years old
One yearling cow,
Two old oxen
One young calf
One young do
Two old mares
One stallion of three years
One mare of one year old
One gelding of four years
One new wagon and appurtenances
One wheel plough and appurtenances
One iron harrow
Some farming utensils, necessary for the Bowery.
"One house surrounded by long round palisades; the house is 26 feet long, 22 feet wide and 40 feet deep with the roof covered above and all around with planks, two garrets, one above the other an a small chamber on the side with an outlet on the side.
"One barn, 40 feet long, 18 wide and 24 high with the roof.
One Bergh (Footnote: a shed consisting of a movable roof set on posts, upon which is slides up or down, to shelter hay or grain against rain and snow. - B.F.), with five posts, long 40 feet.
About 16 morgens of land sown with summer and winter grain.
A garden planted with a number of fruit trees.
A yawl with appurtenances.
This done and fuond on the aforesaid Bowery, called Achtervelt, situate upon Long Island, this 9th of July A 1638."
(Col. Doc. Vol. XIV, p.10.)
Keskachauge, page 85
[12]
- Mr. Van Winkle says of number 36:
"Two plantations and two farms of Wolfert Geritsz Van Couwenhoven and two ofhis partner Andries Hudde. These were tobacco plantations. The patent was granted on June 16, 1636, making these patentees together with Jacobus Van Curler the first recorded land owners on Long Island. (Manhattan 1624-1639, p.23)
Andrew Hudde, a surveyor by occupation, was the son of Rutger Hudde of Amsterdam and was born in 1608. In 1633 he came a member of Van Twiller's Council (Ibid.)
These farms were called Achterveld meaning rear tract and later 'Amersfoort', and at present 'flatlands,' a part of Brooklyn (Ibid.)"
from: Keskachauge, page 139.
[13]
- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Volume I, page 172. O'Callaghan says:
Van Twiller, Wolfert Gerritsen, Andreas Hudde, and Jacob van Curler, obtained from the Indians, in the course of this summer, without the knowledge or approval of the directors in Holland, three flatts of land on Long Island, amounting, it was estimated, to between ten and fifteen thousand acres. (Footnote: 16th June, 1636. The Director-general and council of New Netherland, residing at Fort Amsterdam, on the island of Manhattans, certify, that before them appeared, this day, Tenkirauw, Ketamiau, Ararykau, Aswackhou, Suarinkekinkh, Wappattawackenis, Ehetyl, owners, who by the advice and in the presence of Penhawis, Cakapeteyno, chiefs in that quarter, have, for certain goods delivered to them, sold, &c., to Jacobus van Curler, the middlemost of the three flatts to them belonging, called Castateeuw, lying on the island Sewanhancky, between the boy of the North River and the East River. Same day, same parties sell to Hudde and Ferrittsen, the westernmost of the above flatts; and on the 16th of July, same year, same Indians sell to Van Twiller the easternmost of those flatts. Alb. Rec. GG,31, 35, 39. Van Curler transferred his part, called Cashutey, to Van Twiller in July, 1638. Alb. Rec.i.,30.) The Director-general established a tobacco plantation on one part of his section; Gerritsen and Huddde had a well-stocked farm, called Achterveldt, on theirs; and Jacob van Curler hired Thomas Hall to superintend another farm, or plantation, which he commenced on his part.
Keskachauge, page 257-258. [14]
- Register in Alphabetical Order of the Early Settlers of Kings County, Long Island, N.Y., From its First Settlement by Europeans to 1700.
https://archive.org/details/registerinalphab00berg/page/342/mode/2up
- VAN COUWENHOVEN
WOLFERT GERRETSE' VAN COUWENHOVEN, 892 \/\/ the common ancestor of this family, married Neeltje ____, and emigrated with his family in 1630 from Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, Holland; was employed at first, as early as 1630, as Superintendent of farms by the Patroon at Rensellaerswick, afterwards cultivated a farm on Manhattan Island and in 1637 bought land on Long Island. He may possibly have removed to New Amsterdam prior to his death, which occurred after 1660, as his name appears in 1657 on the list of small burghers of that place. They had at least 3 children.
Gerret Wolfertse Van Couwenhoven, born 1610, came to this country with his father and resided in Flatlands, where he died about 1645. He married Aide Cornelis Cool, daughter of Cornelis Lambertse and Aide Cool who, after the death of Gerret, married Elbert Elbertse Stoothoof . They had 4 children, two sons and two daughters, one of the daughters being Marretje Gerretse, bap. Apr. 10, 1644, died after 1702 and before 1709, who .married Coert Stevense Van Voorhees, 1M and the other Neeltje Gerretse, bap. Sep. 20, 1641, died 1674, w ho married in 1660, Roelof Martense Schenck.
A register of the ancestors of Dorr Eugene Felt and Agnes (McNulty) Felt. page 138.
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1579 - 1662 (82 years)
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