Tjerck Claasen Nichols Dewitt

   Another name for Tjerck was pronounced "Cherrick."

  Noted events in his life were:

• Religion: Dutch Reformed.

• Owned: the family seal. ³⁴¹ I used a wax seal engraved with the coat of arms borne by Johan DeWitt, the Grand Pensionary of Holland. I brought this seal over from my homeland.

• Immigration, 1639, Breda, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. ^342,343 My brother, Jan Claessen and my sister Emmerentie and I emigrated to New Amsterdam. However, I continued to own property in the Netherlands from which I received rent. I used the DeWitt wax seal on my legal transactions in my native country as well as in New Amsterdam. I was proud of our family seal, as it was the same coat of arms borne by Jan DeWitt the Grand Pensionary of Netherlands. I was well educated and was particular about signing my name on documents in a firm German script.

• Court Case, 1 Feb 1656. ³⁴⁴ From Fort Orange and Beverwyck Court Minutes 1652-1656:


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Tuesday, February 1, 1656

Johan de Deckere, ex officio plaintiff, against Tierck Claesen, defendant. He demands that the defendant be fined sixteen guilders for having fought last Sunday with Willem Tellier and killed a goat of Sander Leendertsz. The court, having heard the defendant's confession, condemns him to pay a fine of two and a half beavers.

Idem, plaintiff, against the same defendant, for having been found last Sunday in the company of the Lutherans, performing divine service, contrary to the ordinance issued against it. Demands therefore that he be fined fl.6.

The court, having heard the confession of the defendant, condemns him to pay the fine demanded.


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From Early Records of Albany

Ø William Tellier:

William was an immigrant from Holland who worked for the Dutch West India Company. He lived in Albany, New York with his wife and children.

• Property. I was a navigator and owned a sloop of 50 feet keel (sloop) called the St. Barbara..

• Travel, Spring 1657. ^345,346 Barbara and I started up the Hudson River in our sloop “of about fifty Dutch feet by the keele,” a year after our marriage. We settled at Kingston following a stay at Albany. I was a trader, farmer and bricklayer and a person of some rank among the original settlers.

• Court Case, 25 Jun 1657. I appeared before Johannes La Montagne, Deputy at Fort Orange, declaring that I had conveyed to Carsten Claessen and Jan Barensen Wemp 180 guilders to be paid in merchantable beavers, growing out of the sale of a stallion, at public sale, of which Jan Roeloffse remained the last bidder.

Ø Johannes La Montagne:

Johannes was the Vice-director of the Dutch West India Company. He was an apothecary and surgeon. The first doctors sent to New Netherland were those who ministered to the ills of the crews and passengers in the West Indies Company's ships, and those who were hired to stay and heal the sick among the Company's servants. The resident doctors appointed by the Company charged the independent settlers for their services. Sometimes they charged a lump sum for an accident case or an illness, but it was more usual to contract with a family or an individual for an annual payment.
In 1652 the surgeons petitioned that nobody but they should be allowed to shave others. To this the director and Council replied, “that shaving was properly not in the province of surgeons, but only an appendix to their calling.” The names of the petitioning surgeons were Jan Croon, Van der Bogaert, Aldart Swartout, Hans Kierstede, Jacob Hendricksen, Varre Vanger, and Jacob Hughes.
The following is a list of doctors appointed by the West Indies Company to practice in New Netherland:
1630 Herman Mynderts van den Bogaert
Johannes La Montagne: Member of the Supreme Council and Vice Director of Fort Orange

Johannes La Montagne also advised Governor Kieft regarding the handling of the Indians, but he was ignored.

Ø Carsten Claessen:

Carsten served the community as a carpenter

• Leased Home, 20 Nov 1658. I arranged to lease my house in Beverwyck (Albany) to Arent Isacksz from May 1, 1659, to May 1, 1660.

Appeared before me, Johannes La Montague, in the service of the General Chartered West India Company commissary at Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, Tierck Claesen, who declared that he had leased, as he hereby does lease, his house lying in the village of Beverwyck, for the term on one year beginning on the first of May 1659 and ending next year 1660, to Arent Isacksz, burgher and inhabitant of the city of Amsterdam in New Nethland, for the sum of two hundred guilders in good, merchantable beavers at eight guilders apiece; on condition that the lessor shall raise the ground behind the house and make a stoop in front on the house, the lessee being bound to pay each half year one-hald of the aforesaid sum; for which the parties bind their persons and estates, real and personal, present and future. Thus done in Fort Orange, in presence of Jan Willemsz and Corenilis Teunissen, witnesses, the 20th of November Ao. 1658

Tierck Claesse De Witt Arent Isackxen Van Den Huock
This is the X mark of Jan Willemsz
This is the X mark of Cornelis Teunesen

Acknowledged before me,
La Montagne, Commissary at Fort Orange

• Traded, Sep 1660. I traded our Albany property to Madame de Hutter (also known as Madame Johanna De Laldt) and her husband Honorable Jeronimus Ebbink for land inWiltwyck (Kingston), New York that included 2 lots with 71 acres each. I was to receive possession on May 1, 1661. I brought my servants from Albany to Wiltwyck. I owned 4 male Negro slaves above the age of 14 and two female slaves above the age of fourteen that I took with me as well. I owned two sloops that sailed the Hudson and along the Atlantic Coast, carrying on trade at various places.

• Taxed, 1661. I was taxed, 125 guilders to pay for a new church building in Esopus.

• Court Case, Sep 1661. I appeared in court as a plaintiff in an action of law before the Schepens Court of Wiltwyck.

October 11, 1661 (age 30)

The court ordered Sheriff Roeloff Swartwout to pay me three and a half schepels of wheat in eight days and seven more in one month.

Roeloff Swartwout:

Roeloff Swartwout was a farmer who emigrated from the Netherlands. He was well connected with the Dutch West Indies Company, which commissioned him sheriff of Wiltwyck in Esopus at a very young age and against the advice of others. He was later commissioned Justice of Ulster County.

• appointed: magistrate, 1661-1663. I was appointed magistrate in 1661-1663 in Esopus and Kingston.

• Owned, 1662. I owned the house on lot number 28 in Kingston.

• purchase, 28 May 1663. I bought a lot in Beverwyck from Harman Tomassen.

Appeared before me, Johannes La Montague, in the service of the General Chartered West India Company commissary at Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, Tierck Claesen, who declared that he had leased, as he hereby does lease, his house lying in the village of Beverwyck, for the term on one year beginning on the first of May 1659 and ending next year 1660, to Arent Isacksz, burgher and inhabitant of the city of Amsterdam in New Nethland, for the sum of two hundred guilders in good, merchantable beavers at eight guilders apiece; on condition that the lessor shall raise the ground behind the house and make a stoop in front on the house, the lessee being bound to pay each half year one-hald of the aforesaid sum; for which the parties bind their persons and estates, real and personal, present and future. Thus done in Fort Orange, in presence of Jan Willemsz and Corenilis Teunissen, witnesses, the 20th of November Ao. 1658

Tierck Claesse De Witt Arent Isackxen Van Den Huock
This is the X mark of Jan Willemsz
This is the X mark of Cornelis Teunesen

Acknowledged before me,
La Montagne, Commissary at Fort Orange

• Colonial Event, 7 Jun 1663. ³⁴⁷ The Indians attacked the village of Kingston where we lived, capturing my eldest daughter, Jannetje. The village was fortified, but not well enough to fend off the Indians. We all fought valiantly to save our families and property.

“On December 1663 Christiaen Niessen (the commander of the militia) and Thomas Chambers (the captain of the train band) gave this report:

Also, sent a convoy down in the morning with grain to the riverside, which on returning brought up the Wappinger Sachem and his wife, and Splitnose, the Indian last taken by us. Which Sachem brought with him two captive Christian children, stating to us that he could not, pursuant to his previous promise of the 29th November, bring along with him the remainder, being still five Christian captives, because three were at their hunting grounds, and he could not find them, but that another Indian was out looking for them; the two others are in his vicinity, the Squcllaw who keeps them prisoner will not let them go, because she is very sick and hath no children, and expects soon to die; and when he can get Albert Heymans' oldest daughter, who is also at the hunting ground, and whom he hath already purchased and paid for; then he shall bring the remainder of the Christian captives along. For the two Christian children which he hath brought with him, an Indian child is given him, being a little girl, and three pieces of cloth, with which he was content..”

• Court Case, Tuesday, November 20, 1663. ³⁴⁸ Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, November 20, 1663
Present: Roelof Swartwout, Schout; Albert Gysbertsen Roosa, Thomas Chambers, Gysbert Van Imborch, Commissaries.

The Schout, Roelof Swartwout, presents this complaint against Tjerck Claesen de Wit, reading, according to his understanding, as follows:

Whereas, Aeltje Wygerts and Albert Gysbertsen have complained to me that on November 13, Tjerck Claesen, armed with a drawn knife, openly quarreled in his house, acting as if he wished to kill every man, woman and child, I therefore, on this complaint, inform the Court of the matter, and also decide to exclude him for the present from the Bench, until he shall have cleared himself of the charge, and shall have been declared cleared by the honorable Court. The advice of the Commissaries is requested herein.
The Honorable Court orders that, whereas, Tjerck Claesen de Wit has already amicably settled the above matter with his accuser, Albert Gysbertsen, and they have come to an agreement regarding it, he shall remain away from the Bench until he shall have settled and adjusted this matter with the Schout.

• Colonial Event, 1664. The British sent Captain Broadhead and 13 soldiers to take possession of Kingston. The British renamed Kingston after the Duke of York and Colonel Richard Nicolls took over as Governor.

• Sued, Winter 1664. During the winter of 1664, there was much sickness in Esopus (Kingston). Fever took hold of the people and prostrated half the town. During that time, I bought a horse from Roeloff Swartwout, who became dissatisfied and secretly took the horse from my barn. I sued the ex-sheriff for the property.

• Colonial Event, 1667. ^349,350 I was one of those who opposed the British occupation. I refused to keep Christmas on the day according to the English observation, but according to the Dutch.” (The Dutch used the old Julian calendar, which was about two weeks off from the modern Gregorian calendar used by the British.) The court papers read as follows: “Captain. Broadhead has beaten Tjerck Claezen De Witt without reason and brought him to prison. Ye reason why Captain Broadhead abused Tjerck De Witt was because he would keep Christmas Day on ye day according to the Dutch and not on ye day according to ye English observation.”

Reports were sent down to Nicolls, who issued a special Special commission empowering Counselors Needham and Delavall and Justice Van Ruyven to go to Esopus, and “hear, receive, and determine such and so many complaints as they shall judge necessary or of moment, and to pass sentence of imprisonment, fine, correction, or suspension of office against such who shall be found guilty.” At the same time the governor guided the action of his commissioners by private instructions. They were to be attended by a file of soldiers, and were to admit but “very few” into the room in which they might sit. The case of Fisher was “to be the first tried, because a man is killed.” But he could only be convicted of manslaughter; and it might turn out that he had acted in self-defense. In regard to the “first occasion” of the mutiny, as Slegt, the brewer, had first assaulted Captain Brodhead, they were “to declare that the king's officer is not of so mean a quality as to be struck by a burgher,” and were to enlarge their discourse on this point as they should “find fit.” But as the captain had broken his instructions several times, they were to suspend him from his command for “that only fault” of keeping the brewer in prison after the schout and commissaries had asked for his release. A few of the “most notorious” insurgents were to be found guilty of “a treasonable and malicious Riot,” and were to be brought to New York for “final sentence of punishment” by the governor. “Discourage not the soldiers too much in public,” added Nicolls, “lest the boors insult over them; appear favorable to the most of the boors, but severe against the principal incendiaries; and, in general, you may tell them freely that I will proceed against every man that shall lift arms against His Majestie's garrison, as rebellious subjects and common enemies.”

The commissioners sat three days at Esopus. Captain Brodhead frankly admitted the charges against him, and Brodhead was suspended from his command, which was entrusted to suspend Sergeant Beresford. The burghers excused their being in arms because the soldiers had threatened to burn the town, and because Brodhead had imprisoned their sergeant. Four of the movers of the insurrection, Antonio d'Elba, Albert Heymans, Arent Albertsen, his son, and Cornelius Barentsen, were found guilty of a “rebellious and mutinous Riot,” and were carried down to New York for sentence by the governor. Nicolls was of opinion that they deserved death. But, on the petition of the inhabitants and by the advice of his council, he sentenced Heymans to be banished for life out of the government and the others, for shorter terms, out of Esopus, Albany, and New York. These sentences were afterward modified; and Heymans, the chief offender, became a prominent officer at Esopus.

• Oath of Allegiance, 1668. I refused to take the Oath of Allegiance required of heads of families by the English.

• Building Permit, 8 Apr 1669. ³⁵¹ Colonel Francis Lovelace, issued a permit to allow me to “erect a house and barne with convenient outhouses for my cattle upon my own land at Esopus, lying betwixt Hurley and Kingston,” noting that I previously had permission from Governor Nicolls to do this and on that promise had provided all the materials to get started. This land was on the Kingston-Hurley road.

Note: In June 1779, the house was used as a military depot storing salt and hard bread to feed 600 men for an entire month. It was gaurded by 30 local Minutemen.

• Court Case, 1669. I refused to pay an Indian wages that were due him. I was banished by the court and fined 600 guilders for this refusal. However, the banishment was rescinded, the fine remitted, and I was ordered to pay a reasonable sum to the complaining Indian-about 80 cents.

• Trouble with neighbors, 1670. I had problems with some of my neighbors: Mattys Blanchon, Louis DuBouis (Chertien) and Henry Pawling. The problems stemmed from my duties as a fence examiner and a court officer. After oxen trampled Blanchon's crops, I determined that Blanchon's fences weren't up to specifications. This angered Blanchon, the only miller in town. Subsequently, I had to go to Albany to get my grain milled. As an agent of the court, I confiscated Louis DuBois' brandy on suspicion of smuggling. Harsh words were exchanged between Blanchon, DuBois (Blanchon's friend) and I, resulting in coart action.

Henry Pawling killed one of my pigs and hid the evidence. When the truth came out, Pawling and I ended up in a knife fight in which I was wounded. Unfortunately for me, Captain Pawling was friendly with government officials in Albany and only got a slap on the wrist.

Ø Mattys Blanchon and Louis DuBouis:

Mattys and Louis were both immigrants from France. Louis DeBouis was married to Mattys's daughter Catherine. The French and the Dutch struggled in having a workable relationship with in the community. The barriers were primarily language and cultural differences. Mattys and Louis moved their families to a site that Louis discovered upon recovering his wife who was captured by the Indians during the Esopus and Kingston Massacre. They named their new village New Pfalz

• Deeded, 2 Jun 1672. On June 25, 1672, Governor Lovelace officially deeded me the “parcel of bush land, together with a house, lot, orchard and calves' pasture, lying near Kingston in Esopus.” The deed was a confirmation of my title to the land, now that I had built on it.

• Colonial Event, 7 Aug 1673. The Dutch recaptured New Amsterdam on August 7, 1673, but in February 1674 the Dutch agreed to give the colony back, and on October 11, 1674, Captain Antony Colve officially handed over control to the new English Governor, Major Edmond Andros and the name was changed to New York.

• Deeded, 8 Oct 1677. Governor Andros deeded 50 acres of woodland “to y' west of ye towne to me.”

• Signed Treaty, 11 Feb 1679. I signed the Nicholas treaty with the Esopus Indians.

• Signed Petition, 1684. I signed a petition asking for self-rule. “The humble petition of the inhabitants of Esopus in the County of Ulster praying that there might be liberty by charter to this county to choose our owne officers to every towne court by the major vote of the freeholders.” Governor Dongan was offended and all the signers were arrested and fined.

• Property, 13 Feb 1685. One hundred and eighty nine acres of land were conveyed to me by the trustees of Kingston, New York.

• claimed, 6 Jun 1685. I claimed two hundred and ninety acres of land lying upon the north side of Rondout Kill, and known by the name of “Momboccus” in the town of Rochester in Ulster County. This was laid out for me by Phillip Welles, a surveyor, and was granted to me by patent on 14 May 1694

Phillip Welles:

Phillip Welles was not only a surveyor but he was also the steward of Sir Edmund Andros from 1680 to 1681. He was a planter and served as Mr. Andros attorney. On September 9, 1684, Philip Welles was secured to lay out the land on Staten Island, Long Island and Esopus. On May 11, 1686, he was commissioned to draw the boundaries of New York and Connecticut.

• Sold, 6 Sep 1686. I sold William West a mill lot on Groon Kill in Hurley

• will, 4 Mar 1687. I wrote my will.

Book of Deeds, Liber I.
Folio 252. -DE WITT, TJERCK CLAESE, of Kingston
Will dated March 4, 1687, and written in Dutch.

“Myn huysvrouw Barbara d' Widt sall blyven in posessie van myn geheele

“Aen myn oudste Soon Andres de Widt” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet, en dat myn voorsch. Soon na het overlyden van myn voors. Huysvrouw, sall hebben en genieten voor hem” “de gerechte helft van all t' Lant, huysing, etc. myn soebehoorende Mils gehouden naelselve by onpartydige parsonen op Eedt gepryseert is, uyt te Keeren en betalen aen myn andere Erfgenaemen als haer volgens dien Sullen Compiteeren ook so heb ick 't landt van Cocksinck betaelt en Naederlant Een grandt van de goveneur en Raeden van deese proventie voor Een groot bedeelte, geobtineert alsmede een stuck Landt omtrendt de Klyne Soopis in Compagnie met Wm. De Meyer gecoght Welcke Lande van Korcksinck en Klyne Esoopeis ick hebbe gegeven aen myn voors. Soon en Confermeere tselve sonder dat hy gehouden Sall syn Jetwes voor 'tselve aen myn andere Erfgenaeme te betalen.” (To my oldest son, A. de W., 1/12 of my estate, and after the decease of my wife one half of all the land, houses, my mill, etc., to be appraised by impartial witnesses, he to pay my other heirs whatever they may appraise it to. I have paid for my land at C., and also obtained a grant from the Governor and Council of this Province, as well as purchased a piece of land near the Little Esopus in company with Wm. De Mayer, which land I have given to my said son, and which conveyance I hereby confirm; he not to be obliged to pay anything further for said land to my other heirs).

“Aen myn Jongste soon Tjerck de Widt” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet en dat myn voors. Soon na het overlyden van myn voors. Huysvrouw sall hebben en genieten” “de geregte helft van all 't lant huysing Etc.” (To my youngest son, T. de W., 1/12 of my entire estate, and after my wife's decease one half of all the land, houses, etc.).

“Myn Soon Jan de Widt” “de geregte twaelfde part van myn geheele State op maniere als boven ook dat myn voors. Soon uyt de penningen myn Competeerende weegens Koop van Landt Sall genieten vyf hondert This is entered exactly as it is written in the book, but I suspect the phrase marked in blue is an inadvertent repetition.
Competeerende weegens Koop van Landt Sall genieten vyf hondert Schepels tarwe.” (My son J. de W. 1/12 of my whole estate, as above, and out of the money due me for sale of land, 500 schepels of wheat).

“My son Luycias D Witt” “de gerechte twaelfde Part van myn geheele Staet” “ook so hebbe ick Een Sloep getimmert de voorlede Jaer de helft van voors. Sloep is en Sall Syn ten behoeven” (My son. L. de Witt, 1/12 of my estate, and half interest in a sloop which I built last year).

“Aen myn Soon Dieck d Witt” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet.” “Aen myn dogter Tjatje huysvrouw van Mattys Mattyson” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet.” “Aen myn dogter Jannetie huysvrouw van Cornelis Swetts de gerechte twaelfde part” (to son D., daughter T., wife of M. M., and daughter J., wife of C. S., 1/12 part of the entire estate each) met dese Conditie dat Indien myn voors. Dogter quam te overlijden Sonder Kindere” “voors. Portie Sall Syn Ten behoeve van myn Erfgenamen om Egaelyck” “gedeelt Te Werden (on condition that if my daughter should die, leaving no children, her portion shall be equally divided among my other heirs).

“Aen myn dogter Geertruy” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet, “ock soo heift myn voors. Dogter een Negerinn” “in possessie myn toe behoerende Welch ick begeere Sall Syn ten behoeren van myn voors. Dogter” (to my daughter G. 1/12 part of my whole estate, and the negress which she now has in her possession).

“Aen myn dogter Ragel” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet” “mitsdat gekort sal werden uyt myn voors. Dogters portie tot benifitie van myn Erfgenamen Een hondert pondts die myn voors. Dogters man Cornelis Bogardus Schuldigh Aen myn is voor Een Aghule van Een bercken tyn Aen him vercoght (to my daughter R. 1/12 of my whole estate, less £100, which my said daughter's husband, C. B., owes me for 1/8 interest in a brigantine, which I sold him) dogh begeerende dat t' Kind van voors. Bogardus met naeme Barbara Sall genieten nye voors. Hondert pondt vyftigh Stuck van aghten” (the child of said B., called Barbara, to have 50 pieces of eight out of said £100).

“Aen myn dogter Maritie” “de gerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet.” “Aen myn dogter Aegie” “degerechte twaelfde part van myn geheele Staet.” (To daughters M. and A. 1/12 part each).

“Indien Eeniege van myn voors. Erfge. In haere onmondighyt quamen to overlyden dat als dan desselfs portie onder myn Erfgenamen Eegaelyk sall gedeelt werden.” (If anyone of my heirs should die during their minority, such portion shall be equally divided among my other heirs).

“Huysvrouw Barbara de Witt” appointed executrix. Signed by the testator, and witnessed by

Jacob Rutsen Abraham Lamater W. D. Meyer.

Abr. Lamater & Wm. De Meyer of Kingston, appeared, March 6, 1700/1 before Jacob Rutsen, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, proving the will. (A true copy examined with the original by Ruth Bleeker, Clark).

Tjerck Claessen DeWitt
Last Will and Testament
IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AMEN
Be it known to everyone by these, that on this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seven and eight and ninety, I, the undersigned, Tjerck Claessen DeW itt's of Kingstowne in the county of Ulster, being sick of body but my mind remaining completely sound, the Lord be praised 's life, the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the hour of it, and being desirous to put all things in order, do make this, my last will and testament, in the form and manner hereafter written, now by these revoking, annulling and making naught all such testament or testaments, will or wills heretofore made or attempted to be made, by word or writing, and this alone shall be taken to be my last will and testament and otherwise none.
IMPRIMIS. I commit my soul to God Almighty my Maker, and to Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and to the Holy One my Sanctifier, and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a d, houses, my heirs as hereafter written.
ITEM: I give to my eldest son, Andries DeWitt, his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, and that my aforesaid son, on the death of my said wife, shall have and poses for him his assigns or heirs forever, the lawful half part of the land, houses, etc., belonging to me, provided that the same shall be sinck paid for, and since then a grant of the Government and Council of this province for a great part authorized, also, with a piece of land, near the little Esopus, acquired in the company with William De Meyer, which land of Kocksinck and Little Esopus I have given to my aforesaid son and confirm, even without his being obliged to pay any money to my other heirs.
ITEM: I give to my youngest son, Tjerck DeWitt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, and that my aforesaid son, on the death of my wife, shall have and possess for himself, his assigns or heirs, forever, the lawful helf of the lands, houses, etc. according to that which they shall be entitled to be paid therout, to be appraised by impartial persons, on oath.
ITEM: I give to my son, John DeWitt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner as above mentioned. Also, that my said son, out of the money belonging to me, shall receive, for the purchase of land, five hundred bushels of wheat, without returning anything for it to my other heirs.
ITEM: I give to my son, Lucas DeWitt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid. Also, I built, during the last year, the half of a sloop is and shall be the property of my said son or his assigns, without his being obliged to return or pay anything for himself to my other heirs.
ITEM: I give to my son, Peek DeWitt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid.
ITEM: I give my daughter Tjaatje, the wife ofMattys Mattysen, or her assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid.
ITEM: I give my daughter Jannetje, the wife of Cornelius Swits, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, with these conditions, that if my foresaid daughter shall died without leaving any children, then all the said part shall be the property of my heirs to be equally divided amoung them.
ITEM: I give my daughter Gertruy, or her assigns, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid, to be held by my said daughter without paying for it to my heirs.

• Sold, 10 Sep 1687. I sold Erlick Schuldgh a lot in Kingston.

• census, 1689, Ulster County, New York. A ROOL OF THE NAMES AND SURNAMES OF THEM THAT HAUE TAKIN THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE IN Ye COUNTY OF VLSTr, BY ORDr OF HIS EXCELY: Ye GOUERNOR; Ye FFIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBr ANNO Qe: DOMINI 1689 -


Agbortsin, Gerritt
Albertsa, Hendrick
Albortsa, Gisbort
Anthony, Nicolas
Arreyn, Hendrick
Arsin, Gerritt
Arsin, Jacob
Beekman, Capn: Henry
Berry, Saml:
Besteyansa, Jacob
Blanchard, John
Blanzan, Matthis Junior
Bogard, Hendrick Cornelis
Bogardos, Cornelis
Bonamiz, James
Boorehanc, John
Bouier, Lowies
Bush, Johanas
canchi, Aimi
Cantine, Moses
Carrmar, Abraham
Claes, Hendrick
Coll, Barrant
Cool, Cornelis
Cool, Jacob
Cool, Lendart
Cool, Symon
Cordaback, James
Cornelis, Gerrit
Cornelis, Pettr:
Cottin, John
Criupill, Anthony
Criupill, Petter
Cuinst, Barrant
Danswick, William:
David, John
Deboijs, Abraham
Deboyes, David
Deboyes, Isack
Deboyes, Jacob
Deboyes, Lowies Senior
Deboyes, Sallomon
Decker, Gerritt Jansa
Decker, Jacob
Decker, John Broerson
Dehogos, Johanas
De Lamontanij, William
Demarr, Petter
DeMont, Wallraven Junior
DeMyrs:, William
Depuis, Moses
Dewitt, Andries
Dewitt, John
Dibois, Isack
Dovo, Pettr:
Elison, Tunis
Elting, John
Elvendorop, Coinradt
Euertsa, John
Evedin, Jno:
ffeelt, Hendrick in the
ffinehoudt, Cornelis
ffocken, John
ffrance, Arrie
ffranckford, Abraham
ffreri, Hiuge Junior
ffreri, Hiuge Senior
Gerritts, Cornelis
Gerrittsa, John
Gerrittsa, John of new Church
Gisborts, Gerrit
go Doon, Privie
Haesbrock, Left: Abraham
Haesbrock, John
Harramansa, Thomas
Hellibrandts, Petter
Hendricks, Agbert
Hendricks, Brown
Hendricks, Dirrick
Hendricks, Harrama
Hendricks, Hendrick
Hendricks, Jochijam
Hendricks, John
Hendricks, Rolloff
Heybertsin, Lambert
Hoffeman, Marten
Hoogtilin, William
Jacobs, Arrent
Jacobs, Barrant
Jacobs, Leury
Jacobs, Pettr:
Jacobs, Tunis
Jacobs, William
Jansin, Jost
Jay, August
Johnson, Gerritt
Johnson, Hendrick
Johnson, Pettr:
Johnson, Roulof
Johnson, Thomas
Johnson Poast, John
Johnson Van Bush, Hendrick
Johnson Van Osterenhoudt, John
Johnson V: Steenwicke, Albart
Jores, Rutt
Josten, John
Laconta, Moses
Laffever, Andries
Laffever, Symon
Lambertsa, Heybert
Lambertsin, Cornelis
Lamiater, Abraham
Lamiater, Jacob
Larew, Abraham
Lazer, Hellebrandt
Lazier, Claes
Lazier, John
Lhommedien, Pietter
martenson Doorn, Artt
Mastin, Cornelis
Matthies, John
Matthison, Capn Matthis
Middag, John
Mindrson, Burgar
Osternhoudt, John Junor:
Peteet, John
Petters, Andries
Pettersin, Petter
Petterson, Cornelis
Pettrson, John
Pier, Harrama
Powlas, Powlas
Powlason, Powlas Junor
Provorist, Benja:
Quick, Thomas
Roesinkranc, Sander
Roos, Arrie
Roos, Heymon
Roos, John
Roosinffelt, Claes
Rulland, John
Rutton, Abraham
Schencke, Johanas
Schutt, Jacob
Schutt, John
Schutt, William
Sealand, Heibort
Slecht, Cornelis
Slecht, Matthies
Sluittr, Claes Claes
Smedis, John
Stoll, John Jacosa
Swardtwout, Thomas
Swartwoudt, Anthony
Swartwout, Rollof
Sweitts, Cornelis
Tacke, Cornelis
Tenbrock, Wessell
Traphager, Hendrick
Traphager, Johanas
Traphager, William Junor
Tunies, Jury
Tunis, Arrian
Tunis, Claes
Valleij, Jesely
Van Acar, Marinos
Van Ama, Jochyam
Van der Bush, Lowranc.
Van Dick, Arrent
Van Etta, Jacob
Van Etta, John
Van ffleitt, Gerrit
Van ffleitt, John
Van ffredingborch, Isack
Van ffredingborch, William
Van Wien, Hendrick
VerNoij, Cornelis
Westbrock, Dirrick
Westbrock, Johanas
Westfallin, Symon
Westfalin, Abl
Westfalin, Claes
Westfalin, Johanas
Williamson ye Duitcher, John
Willianson Hogetilen, John
Wincoop, Gerritt
Wincoope, Evert
Wincop, Johanas
Winniy, Pette:


These ffowing persons were present when ye Oath was A givin. but Did Reffeues to taike it Vizt


ffocker, Joseph
Horne, Jacob
Tilba, Antony
Van der Marrick, Thomas


These ffollowing persons Did nott appeare Vizt

Archer, John
Aylberts, Gerritt
Brown, Jacob Alis ye Noorman
Bussalin, Antony
Crum, Gisbert
Demont, Wallraven Senior
DeMott, Maghell
Dewitt, Terrick Claes
Duitcher, Cornelis ye
Hogoboom, Cornelis
Hornebeak, Warnar
Keizer, Dirrick
Larow, Symon
Larrow, Livie
Lodtman, Hellebrandt
Lodtman, Jno:
Lodtman, Jury
Lowrance, John
Meueson, Jno: Alis Jn De pape
Pelce, Euert
Pelce, Symon
Pollin, Jno
Powlasin, Gombart
Schepmous, Dirrick
Tennick, Matthis
Tunis, Claes
Van ffleitt, Arre Gerritt
Van ffleitt, Dirrick
Wallaffish, William From E.B. O'Callaghan, M.D., The Documentary History of the State of New-York. (Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1850), vol. 1, p. 173.

• appointed, 4 Mar 1689. I was chosen as an Ulster County magistrate after having served in other offices.

• Oath of Allegiance, 1689. ³⁵² I again refused to take the oath of allegiance to the British crown, as did many others, because the British authorities had not fulfilled their treaty stipulations on the country being surrendered to them.

• Petitioned, 14 May 1694. I petitioned for an order to survey 280 acres of land purchased of the Indians at Coxinke on June 6, 1685. I was granted 290 acres in Rochester Township, north of the Roundout Kill, near Mombaccus River. Near the confluence of the Mombackus and Rondout Kills, there stood for a long time a sycamore tree in which had been cut a man's face carved to commemorate a battle fought near the spot. Mombakkus means silent head from 'mom', silent, and 'bak or bakkus', head.

• Sold, 27 Feb 1695. I sold Cornelius Swits 60 acres in Rochester Township.

• Sold, 22 Apr 1695. I sold Gerret Aertse upland near the Esopus Kill in Kingston

• Sold, 24 Dec 1695. I sold land in Rochester Township to my sons Jan and Jacob.

• Sold, 24 Feb 1696. I sold Grietje Elmendorf land in Kingston for L67

• Sold, 22 Jun 1698. I sold Gerret Aertse upland near the Esopus Kill in Kingston.

• Sold, 6 Sep 1698. Peter Schuyler sold me a lot with a sawmill in Dutchess County NewYork on the Hudson River (near Madlien's Island) for L60.

Peter Schuyler:

Peter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany. He was born in Albany, New York, September 17, 1657; and died there, February 19, 1724. Peter began his public career in March 1685, by receiving an appointment as lieutenant in the militia of Albany, from which he rose to the rank of colonel, the highest grade conceded to a native of New York. He also received during the same year the office of judge of the court of over and terminer, and in October 1685, was made a justice of the peace. On 22 July 1688, Albany was incorporated as a city, and Peter Schuyler became its first mayor. He was also chairman of the board of commissioners for Indian affairs, and knew how to deal with the Indians better than any man of his time. During the difficulties between the French and English on the northern boundary he conducted all negotiations with the Five Nations and other Indians. In 1691, he had command of the army that was sent against the French and Indians, and defeated the invading force from Canada. He was made a member of the council in 1692, and used every effort to relieve the sufferings of the settlers on the frontiers, who were exposed to the ravages of the Indians. In the expedition against Montreal in 1709 he was second in command, and led one of the New York regiments, but, from lack of supplies and proper support, the French were allowed to retreat, and the expedition proved a failure. The Five Nations were wavering in their allegiance, looking upon the French as formidable enemies and the English as incompetent protectors, and accordingly an appeal was made to England for means to conquer Canada. Colonel Schuyler, accompanied by five chiefs, sailed for England in December 1709, and was absent for seven months. Queen Anne offered to confer on him the order of knighthood, but he declined, although he accepted a gold snuffbox and some pieces of silver plate as well as a diamond brooch and earrings for his wife. In July 1719, he became president of the council, acting as governor until the arrival of Peter Burner in September 1720. He continued active in the affairs of the colony thereafter until his death.

• Will Proved, 6 Mar 1700. ³⁵³ Abr. Lamater & Wm. De Meyer of Kingston, appeared, March 6, 1700/1 before Jacob Rutsen, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, proving the will. (A true copy examined with the original by Ruth Bleeker, Clark).

• Sold, 7 Feb 1700. I sold the land in Dutchess County to my son Peek for L15.

• land Appraised, 25 Apr 1716. His estate was appraised at L 1,472.

Tjerck married * Barbara Andriessen, daughter of * Andries Luycaszen Andriessen and Jannetje Sebyns, on 24 Apr 1656 in Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam.³⁴⁰ (* Barbara Andriessen was born about 1630 in New Amsterdam ³⁵⁴ and died on 6 Jul 1714 in Kingston, Ulster County, New York ³⁵⁵.)