FATHER

Adrian (Adriaen) Hegeman

MOTHER

Catherine Margits

WIFE

Lucrecia (Grace) Dollen

CHILDREN

1. Dollius Hegeman
    b. Abt. 1681 Pemaquid, Maine
    m. Geertruy

2. Adrian Hegeman
    b. Abt. 1683 Pemaquid, Maine
    m. 15 Dec 1706 Elizabeth van Wyck
    m. Bef. 1719 Sarah
    d. Aug 1762

3. Catharine Hegeman
    b. Abt. 1685 Pemaquid, Maine
    m. 12 May 1706 Hendrick Vonk

4. Jane Hegeman
    b. Abt. 1687 probably Pemaquid, Maine
    taken captive 1689

5. Joseph Denys Hegeman
    b. 4 Mar 1693 Quebec, Quebec, Canada
    m. 4 Jun 1714 Flatbush, Kings, NY to Alida Andries
    d. Aft. 1751

6. Jacobus Hegeman
    bap 18 Jan 1699
    m. 13 May 1721 Jannetje Van Vegten
    d. 25 Sep 1736

7.Denys Hegeman
    bap 29 Jun 1702 

Denys Hegeman
by Susan Brooke
June 2021

Denys Hegeman was born about 1655 in Flatbush to Adriaan Hegeman and Catherine Margrits.  Inn 1673 he was a private in Captain Stemnek's company of the Reformed Dutch Church in Flatbush. He moved to Pemaquid, Maine, possibly having been sent there as a member of the militia and married Lucretia Dollen about 1680.  They had four children born in Pemaquid, Maine and then Pemaquid was assaulted by the Indians on 2 Aug 1689.  Grace and her two year old daughter Jane were captured by the Indians and taken to a fort at Pebobscot, Maine for two years.  She was then sold to the French who moved her to Quebec.  Meanwhile, her husband Denys Hegeman was back in New York.  In 1691 he got permission to go back to Pemaquid to look for his wife and try to make a deal with the Indians.  However, when he arrived he was also taken prisoner by a Frenchman and taken to Quebec City where he was imprisoned with his wife. She gave birth to her fifth child, Joseph, on 4 Mar 1693 in Quebec.  Denys Hegeman was then transported to France where he was held for a few months. While there he wrote, in a petition to authorities to get his wife released, "I have been a prisoner in all said place about three years to the great hardship durance & damage of your petitioner who is a lame man having but one arm."  Lucretia left Quebec City with her young young son Joseph on 4 Sep 1694 and eventually got back to Flatbush.  Her daughter Jane had apparently died sometime during her captivity.  In the census of Kings county, circa 1698, the family of Denys Hegeman consisted of one man, one woman, and five children. Their son Denys was baptized in Jamaica, New York on 29 Jun 1702. (1) Two months later on August 1702, 6g was paid for Denys Hegeman's shroud. (2)
In 1703 the widow of Denys Hegeman petitioned for recompense for her husband's services to the government.   (3)

Sources

(1) Baptisms in Jamaica, New York

1702 Jun 29 Denys Hegeman, Lucretia; Denys; Witnesses Dallius Hegeman, Hendrikus Hegeman, Jacobus Kranckheyt, Annetie Stryker

(2) Marriage Fees; Deaths; Members
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Town of Flatbush, by Josephine C Frost
fhl film 17663  image 399
Aug. 1701. Denys Hegeman's shroud     6g

(2)  Henry Cobb Stryker and Amanda Rosetta Walker Their Ancestors and Descendants by Daisy Belle Wikberg, 1971 pg 93
"Denys Hegeman, the fourth son of Adrian Hegeman and Catherine Margits, was born about 1655, several years after his parents had migrated from Amsterdam, Holland, to America. Nothing is known of his boyhood, but it is assumed that he lived with his parents in Midwout (Flatbush). In 1673 Denys Hegeman was a private in Capt. Stemnek's company of the Dutch Reformed Church there.
He removed to Pemaquid, Maine, possibly having been sent there as a member of the militia, and about 1680 married Grace, probably a daughter of John Dollen, who for twenty or more years the principle inhabitant of Monneghan Island and in 1687 the second largest taxpayer in Pamaquid. (Gen. Dict. of Maine and N.H.: NEHGR 32:314; Doct. Hist. of Maine 6:119) John Dollen, born ca 1626, is supposed to have married a daughter of Richard and Grace Gridley and Richard Gridley's will (dated 19, 8 mo. 1674, Suffolk Co., Mass. Probate Court) has been cited in this connection. The only reference in this will could apply, however, is: 'In Case there Doth remains anything after my wife's Death I Doe give to my Daughter Dorlom (?) ten pound that Douth live at the Eastward."
In a valuation made October 14, 1687 (List 124), Denys Hegeman had an estate in the town of Jamestown (the settlement at Pemaquid was so named in 1677), the county of Cornwall, between the river Pemaquid and St. Croix (NEHGR 32:313). In an undated document, supposedly about 1688, mention is made of 'a Certaine Tract of upland lying upon ye westwards side of Pemaquid River between ye lotts of Henry Hedger & Denise Higaman.' (Johnston, Hist. of the Towns of Bristol and Bremen, Maine, p. 185). On May 11, 1689, Denys Hegeman with other (List 125) signed a petition (Doc. Hist. of Maine 6: 478-79; NEGHR 32:313).
Pemaquid was assaulted by the Indians on August 2, 1689, and among the inhabitants taken prisoner were Grace Hegeman and her daughter Jane. (Coleman's New England Captives Carried to Canada. p. 169) Grace was conveyed to the fort at Pebobscot and for three years held captive by the Indians, who moved from place to place. then she was taken to Quebec and sold to the French, who treated her well but held her for another two and one-half years.
Meanwhile her husband, Denys Hegeman, had returned to New York, probably with the rest of their children, and on April 16, 1690, he signed an agreement with his brothers to have their mother's land appraised (Liber A, Flatbush, p. 331). In 1691 he obtained permission from Governmor Slaughter to make a trip to Pamaquid to inquire about his wife and to treat with the Indians there. On April 22, 1691, Governmor Slaughter gave instructions to John Cornelisse, of the sloop, Grace, as to his voyage to Pemaquid (NYCDM 37:44), Denys Hegeman, upon landing at Pemaquid, was taken prisoner by St. Castine, and sent to Canada, and from there to France. While Denys was in Quebec he was joined by his wife, and on March 4, 1693, their son Joseph was born.
'The 5th of March 1693 was baptised by me Francois Dupre cure de Quebec, Joseph born yesterday, son of Denys Hegeman Englishman and gresdalain his wife, the godfather was le Sieur Francois pachiot, the godmother Louise Douaire wife of the sieur Pino who have signed. (Signed) Denys Hegeman, Louise Douaire, pachois, Francois Dupre.' Upon the return to New York of the sloop Grace, several depositions were regarding the seizure of Denys Hegeman at Penobscot.
New York the 4th of May 1691 Christian Laurier one of the men on board the Grace John Cornelisse commander upon his oath saith that they put Dennis Hegeman on shore one day about 8 or 9 in the morning that next day they moved from the shore to be without musket shots reach that the third day they weighed and heaved to and again waited for their boat which came not and at night came to an anchor a great way off next morning came away for Boston. Cornelis Cregar one of the men on board the Grace John Cornelisse Commander upon his oath declareth the same that Christian Laurier did declare being severally and apart examined..'
October 21, 1692. I, the undersigned, Harman Jansz; residing within the city of New York, declare that in the year 1691, in the month of April, I sailed from here with the sloop 'Grace.' Jan Cornelis, commander, to Ponapskat. Having arrived there, I and Wilhelmus de Laurier were ordered by said commander Jan Cornelis to put Denys Hegeman ashore with a letter, when which we did with a flag of truce. Having come ashore we found there a certain Monsr. St. Castyn with whom Denys Hegeman had a little talk. Hegeman asked Monsr. St. Castyn whether he would not like a drink. Monsr. Castyn answered, Yes, if we only had it. Thereupon Denys Hegeman ordered me and Will de Laurier to go on board, which we did. We fetched two bottle of run and twelve biscuits. When we got on board Capt. Jan Cornelis asked us how things were going on land. I replied: 'All right; Monsr. St. Castyn speaks well, but he looks like a murderer.' When we were to go back to shore, the aforesaid Will de Laurier would not go back, but Elias Burger said; 'then I will have to go.' Capt. Jan Cornelis said; 'No, those who went first must go again, in order not to arouse any evil suspicion.' to which I replied; 'I shall go.' thereupon Elias Burger went with me and Capt. Jan Cornelis said to both of us: 'Ask Monsr. St. Castyn to be pleased to come aboard to drink a bowl of punch with me, and I shall make him welcome with what I have. But return immediately on board the boat.'
Upon landing, I and Denys Hegeman reported the said words of Capt. Jan Corelis, Monsr. St. Castyn then said, 'no, we must first have a drink.' Immediately, two young Indians went to the boat and towed it around a point. The Monsr. St. Castyn opened the letter which Denys Hegeman had delivered to his and read it. He asked Denys: 'Where does this letter come from?' He answered: 'From Governor Sloughter.' Monsr. St. Castyn then said: 'Who is this governor and how long has he been there?' Denys replied: 'A month or six weeks.' Monsr. St. Castyn then said: Why has Monsr. Frederick Phillips, or his son Philip, who hand-writing and name I know, not written me a letter of recommendation? Therefore, I cannot consider you as anything but traitors and I am forced, according to orders from Governor de La Conte, to send you to Quebec.' He then ordered us both with thirteen Indians to go to the boat, which lay about a half mile from there and he and Denys Hegeman followed.
Having come to his house, we asked him for what reason he took us prisoners. He replied that he did so by order of the governor of Canada. We then asked him whether there was a chance of our release for what we had with us. Monsr. St. Castyn answered: 'No, because it would cost me my neck.' He thereupon resolved immediately to make with the Indians an attack on the sloop to plunder it and that he would put us both in the bow of the canoes. Therupon Denys Hegeman said: 'Don't do that, for we are strong.'
A Frenchman, standing near, asked Denys whether there were any hand grenades on board the sloop. I answered: 'Yes,' whereupon the attack did not take place.
After, we noticed that Capt. Jan Cornelis had hoisted sail and was tacking back and forth and fired several cannon shots with blank cartridges, and as soon as Capt. Jan Cornelis had left, I, Denys Hegeman and Elias Burger were sent prisoners to Quebec. Signed. Harmen Jansen
When Denys Hegeman returned from captivity he petitioned, 19 July 1694, for recompense.
To is Excellency -- Benjamin Fletcher Capt generall & Governor in Chiefs of the province of Newyorke, province of Pensilvania, Country of New Castle and Territorys and Tracts of land depending thereon in America and Viceadmiral of the same their Majesties Lieutenant and Commandr in Chiefs of the militia of their Majesties Collony of Connecticutt and of all the forts and places of Strength within the same, and to their Majesties homble Coucill of the Province of New Yorke.
The humble peittion of Denys Hegeman sheweth Unto yr Excellency and the homble Councill yt yr peticonr was sent the 23th day of April ano 1691 by the late Governor Slaughter deceased and their Majesties Councill in a message to pemaquid & the Easterne parts on their Majesties service to treat with the Indians There, and to bring two or three of the Chiefs Sachem (if possible) to Newyorke, and in ordr there unto had perswaded ym & gott their Consents to Come but it was prevented by Castine a frenchman who upon my arivall at his habitcon at penobquid immediately tooke me a prisonr to Canada & from thence I was sent to france by the governr of said place where I haue bin a prinsonr in all said place aboue three yeares to the great hardship durance & damage of yr peticonr who is a lame man hauing but one arme & not Capable to gett his living by any servile labour and his wife wch would be his greatest help is now a prisonr at Canada; yr poor peticonr humby prays yr Excellency & the honble Councill to Consider his Condicon, his loss of time and sufferings in the service of the Majesties & this their prvince and that he may haue reasonable satisfacon for his said voyage to penmaquid as in yr Excellencys and the honble Councills discrecon shall be thought fitt and Expedient. And for yr Excellency & the honble Councills heralth happiness & prosperity yr Peticonr as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. Denijs Hegeman
On September 4, 1694, Grace Hegeman left Quebec for St. John's, and then went on to Port Royal where she stayed for the winter. On May 6, 1695, she left Port Royal and arrived in Boston about May 19. Shortly thereafter, Grace 'Eigeman' gave a long Statement of her capture and experience.
This statement makes no mention of the daughter Jane, who was still listed as a captive of the Indians, January 24, 1698/9. (Barter, Doc. Hist. of Maine, 2:516-17; Coleman's New England Captives carried to Canada, p. 79), It seems most likely that Jane was dead by this time.
Denys Hegeman was probably living Midwout on May 2, 1696, for he then witnessed the will of Jan Temsen of that place (NYHS, Unrecorded Wills, Vol. XI), and in 1697/8 Nys Hegeman paid for a small grave in the Flatbush Church (FCR, p.31). In the census of Kings county, ca 1698, the family of Denys Hegeman consisted of one man, one woman, and five children (NYDH 3:134). In August 1702, 6g was paid for Denys Hegeman's shroud (FCR, p. 10) It is likely that Denys Hegeman's death occurred rather suddenly, as he left his wife with a child to be born posthumously the following year.
In 1703 the widow of Denys Hegeman, now called Lucretia, petitioned for recompense for her husband's services to the government. On April 13, 1703, 'The petition of Lucretia widdow and relict of Denys Hegeman read and referred to the Members of this board or any three of ym who are to exame into the allegations of the sd petition and make report of the _____ to this board.' Subsequently,
The report of the Gentn of (---) the petition of Lucretia hegeman was (---) 13th day of April last was read and (----) and ordered warrants issue payment of L50 to the said Lucretia hegeman as a 'Reward for' the Services and sufferings of her husband (in his) life time he having been sent to the Eastern Indians by this Goevernment during the last war & was taken prisoner and detained about three years from his family.'
Either the same peition or another fated June 13, 1703, by Lucretia widow of Denys Hegeman, for pay for her husband's services as agent to the Indians, (N.Y. Co. Mss. 47:181) was destroyed in the Albany capital Fire of 1911.

The last record is a conveyance made 17 February 1710, by the 'worth widow of Denys Hegeman, deceased, Lucretia Hegeman, accompanied by her eldest son, dollius Hegeman........' (Flatbush Records, B:74).

It has been a puzzle as to why Deny's wife was known as Grace by the English and Lucretia by the Dutch. The best answer seems to be that the name Grace sounded very similar to the diminutive for the name Lucretia as it would have been pronounced by the Dutch. In any case, there is no doubt that Grace and Lucretia were one and the same person."