AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

Baptized: 28 Apr 1604 Register of St. Nicholaes Roman Catholic Church of Valenciennes.

5. Jan Joriszen Rapalje
    b. 28 Aug 1637
    m. 16 Apr 1660 Maria Fredericks
    d. bef. Oct 1662

6. Jacob Joriszen Rapalje
b. 28 May 1639 New Amsterdam
d. abt. 1643 killed by the Indians

7. Catalyntje Jorise Rapalje
    b. 28 Mar 1641
    bap. 29 Mar 1651
    m. 16 Aug 1664 Jeremiah Westenhout

8. Jeronimus Joriszen Rapalje
    b. 27 Jun 1643
    bap. 28 Jun 1643
    m. Annetje Teunis Nyssen

9. Annetje Jorise Rapalje
    b. 8 Feb 1646
    bap. 11 Feb 1646
    m. 14 May 1663 Marten Ryersen

10. Lysbeth Jorise Rapalje
    b. 28 Mar 1648
    bap. 29 Mar 1648
    m. Dirck Corneliszen Hooglant

11. Daniel Joriszen Rapalje
    b. 29 Dec 1650
    bap. 1 Jan 1651
    m. 13 Jun 1647 Sara Clock

Joris Rapalje was baptized in St. Nicholaes Roman Catholic Church of Valenciennes 0n 28 Apr 1604. (1) His father,Jean Rapareilliet, died in 1606 and the wife of his father, Elizabeth Baudoin, who may or may not be the mother of Joris, also died about the same time. We do not know anything about his youth, but somehow Joris became a nineteen year old textile worker in Holland in 1624 when he agreed to a contract with the West India Company. The company was recruiting men with wives. It usually took at least three weeks between the reading of the bans and the marriage, but the bans for the marriage of Joris Papalje and Catalyna Trico were published on Saturday, January 13, 1524 and their marriage took place a week later on Sunday, January 21, 1624 with Catalyna's sister as a witness. (2) The "De Eendracht" (Unity) sailed four days later on January 25, 1624.
Originally they settled at Fort Orange. (Albany). Their daughter Sarah was born there on 9 Jun 1625, the first female child of European descent in the colony. After the harvest of 1626 the Company resettled them to New Amsterdam (New York.)
Joris settled on what eventually became Pearl Street and became a tavern keeper. (3) In 1637, Joris Rapalje purchased about 335 acres around Wallabout Bay in what in now Brooklyn. (4) However, his main residence was still on Pearl Street. His daughter Sarah married Hans Hansen about 1639 and they lived next door. His daughter Jannetje married Rem Jansen in 1642 and they lived across the street. In 1647 Joris Rapalje, Hans Hansen and Rem Jansen all received patents for their land on Pearl Street. (5)
While living on Pearl Street Joris Rapalje was also cultivating his lands on Long Island. He had a tenant living on the land in 1643.(6) In April 1644 there is a record of "Gorge Rappaelje" and his son-in-law Hans Hansen leasing some animals to William Smith of Stamford. (7) In December of the same year there is a record of Joris making bond for some wheat that was being delivered to him. (8)
Joris Rapalje was doing well and was a respected member of the community. In 1641 when a Dutchman named Claess Swits was murdered by the Indians for the revenge of the death of an Indian some twenty years previously, Joris was elected to the newly formed Council of Twelve Men to advise on Indian affairs. (9) This led to Director Kieeft's War against the Native Americans and the death of 80 Indians in the Pavonia Massacre of February 1643. (10) There are assumptions made that Jacob Rapalje, the four year old son of Joris Rapalje was killed in 1643.
Joris and Catalyna had eleven children. (11) As stated, their oldest was Sara born in 1625. In a court record Maritie Bevois testified that she heard the mother of Jeronimus Remsen (son of Jannetje married to Rem Jansen) say an Indian squaw took Sarah across some creek in a tub. (12) And in the testimony of Catalyna Trico in 1688 she said that during her three years in Albany, "the Indians were all as quiet as Lambts."
Joris and Catalyna remained in New Amsterdam on Pearl Street until after the baptism of their last son in 1650. In 1654 he sold his home on Pearl Street to Henderick Hendericsen. (13) He spent his remaining years on his plantation in Brooklyn. On 25 Aug 1662 he became of member of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn. There are reports that he died at an election of church officers Feb 21, 1663. (14) Joris Rapalje was a French Huguenot who was quickly adapting to the Dutch culture. When he is first signing documents his name was usually listed in some form of Joris Rapalje. But as you can see in the baptismal records in 1653 he started adding the name Jansen to his name with the baptism Pieter, son of his daughter Judith and her husband Pieter Pietersxen. (15)
Joris Rapalje and Catalyna Trico were founding members of the Dutch Colony in New York. To this day there is a small street in Caroll Gardens called "Rapelye Street". (16)

"Joris Raparlie van Valenchie./ boratwercker out 19 jaeren woon.. op't Waele/ padt & Catharina triko van (word parijs crossed out) pris in / (word Vranckrijck crossed out) Walslant geasst.. met mary Fla."

"Joris Raparlie, born in Valenchie--, borat worker, aged 19 years, living at the Waele padt, and Catharina Triko, born (word 'Paris' crossed out) pris, , in (word 'France' crossed out) Walsfant, assisted by Mary Flamegh, her sister, living in de Vles, age 18 years."

(3) Wikitree
On Mar 16, 1648, his name was listed among others who were inn keepers and tapsters (owning a tavern) in the books of the burgonmaster court, promising to observe the Mar 10, 1648 proclamation of Governor Stuyvesant regulating such houses.
The extensive rules were designed to control "unreasonable and intemperate drinking" at night and on Sundays, and the owners of taverns were required to have some other legitimate occupation.

We, director general and council of New Netherland, etc. testify and declare, that on the date underwritten personally appeared before us Kakapetteyno, Pewichaas, as owners of this district, and declared that voluntarily and advisedly, by special order of the rulers and with consent of the community there, for and in consideration of a lot of merchandise, which they acknowledge to have received into their hands and power to their full satisfaction and contentment before the passing hereof, they have transferred, ceded, surrendered and conveyed as lawful, true and free possession, as they herewith transfer, cede, surrender and convey to and for the behoof of George Rapalje a certain piece of land, called Rinnegachonck, located upon the Long Island, south of the island, Manhattan, containing [ blank ] morgens and reaching from a kil to the woods, south and east to a certain thicket, where the water runs over the stones, with all the action, rights and privileges, etc.

Done on the island of Manhattan, this 16 June 1637.

(5) New York State Archives
NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0184 March 13, 1647

We, Willem Kieft, etc... have given and granted to Hans Hansen a certain lot for a house and garden located south of Fort Amsterdam between Jan Snediker and Joorsy Rapalye; its length next to the aforesaid Joorse or on the east side is 9 rods, 2 feet, 2 inches; its breadth at the rear or on the north side is one rod, 9 feet, 6 inches; its length next to Jan Snediker or on the west side is 9 rods, 8 feet, 3 inches; its breadth in front or on the south side is 2 rods, 3 feet; amounting in all to 20 rods, 3 feet, 8 inches and 5 grains, with the express conditions etc...

We, Willem Kieft, etc... have given and granted to Jorse Rapalye a certain lot located on the island of Manhattan; it extends in front on the south side on the street 2 rods; on the west side 8 rods, 5 feet; on the north side 2 rods, 9½ feet; and on the east side 8 rods, 5 feet, with the express conditions etc...

Patent. Rem Jansen; lot on the street between Claes de Ruyter and the company's bakery, Manhattan Island.
NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0204a March 29, 1647

We, Willem Kieft, etc... have given and granted to Rem Jansz a certain lot located on the island of Manhattan on the street between Claes d'Ruyter and the Company's bakery; its breadth on the street is 2 rods, 3 feet, 2 inches; in the rear on the strand its breadth is 3 rods; its length on either side is 6½ rods, with the express conditions etc...

A Map showing the original land grantees of New Amsterdam

(6) New York State Archives
Lawsuit against tennet
NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p168 June 11, 1643
G[ e ]orge Rapalge requests in court that the land which is used by Tymen Jansen may be restored to him. Rapalge is ordered to show the bounds of his land, whereupon justice will be done.

Willem Smith, residing at Stamford, acknowledges that he has received the following animals from Hans Hansen and Gerge Rapalje on the following conditions, to wit: If said animals arrive at Stamford healthy and strong and remain in health, he, Willem Smith, promises to restore the said animals within a year from date at Stamford, provided that the increase shall be divided half and half. It is also stipulated that Hans Hansen and Gorge Rapalje shall run the risk of death of the animals, but if they happen to die through the neglect of Willem Smith, he must pay for them.

Two milch cows, one of which is with calf
One ox of last year
One heifer of last year
One bull calf of 1644
One heifer calf of 1644
Two mares, one of six and the other of four years
four sows

He, Willem Smith, binds his person and property, submitting the same to all courts. Done the 23d of April A°. 1644, in Fort Amsterdam, New Netherland.

Jaques Bentyn says that it will be best to kill the Indians so as to fill them with fear.

Jan Eversen says that he does not think it advisable to undertake anything against the savages but to lull them to sleep so as to avoid suspicion.

Jacob Stoffelsen says that it will be best to wait for a ship to come from the fatherland.

G[ e ]orge Rapalje, Gerrit Dircksz, Hendrick the tailor agree with the above opinion.

http://ancestorbios.blogspot.com/2012/03/beginning-of-new-york-joris-jansen.html
Joris was appointed on August 29, 1641 to be a member of the Council of Twelve Men who conferred with Governor Kieft regarding the conflict resulting from the murder of a man by the Indians in revenge for the death of one of their people. They did not recommend war, but proposed a friendly request to be sent to the Indians to surrender the murderer. Because Governor Kieft wasn't happy with the recommendation, he disassembled the Council of Twelve Men on February 8, 1643. Although the council was temporary, it was considered to be the earliest form of democracy in the Dutch colony.

Willem Kieft became director in 1638 but five years later was embroiled in Kieft's War against the Native Americans. The Pavonia Massacre, across the Hudson River in present-day Jersey City, resulted in the death of 80 natives in February 1643.

(11) The American Genealogist by George E McCracken Vol 35 no 4, October 1959, pg 196-7
Children of Joris Janszen Rapalje and Catalyntje Jeronymous Trico
1. Sara, b. Albany, 9 June 1625, baptisms not found
2. Marratie, b. Albany or New Amsterdam, 18 Aug. 1627, baptism not found
3. Jannetie, b. New Amsterdam, 18 Aug. 1629, baptism not found.
4. Judith, b. New Amsterdam, 5 July 1635, baptism not found.
5. Jan, b. New Amsterdam, 28 Aug. 1637, baptism not found
6. Jacob, b. New Amsterdam, 28 May 1639, baptism not found.
7. Catalyntje, b. 28 Mar. 1641, bapt. 29 Mar. 1641.
8. Jeronymus, b. 27 June 1643, bapt. 28 June 1643.
9. Annetje, b 8 Feb. 1646, bapt. 11 Feb. 1646.
10. Elisabeth, b. 27 Mar. 1648, bapt. 29 Mar. 1648.
11. Daniel, b. 29 Dec. 1650, bapt. 1 Jan. 1651.

The Bergen Family; or the Descendants of Hans Hansen by Teunis G Bergen, 1866 page 232

1741 Maritie Bevois says is aged 84 years.---"Heard Jeronmus Remsen's mother say, that there was only a small creek between Nutton Island and the shoar, and that a squah carried her sister over it in a tub; that that sister was the first born in this country."
Jeronimus Remsen was the son of Jannetje married to Rem Jansen.

Concering Jannetje Rapalje, it is said that as a child she was taken across from Governor's Island to Brooklyn by an Indian in a tub.

June 22, A° 1654, New Amst.

Before me, Corenlis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in the service of the General Chartered West India Company in New Netherland, appeared Jorse Rapalje, of the first part, and Hendrick Hendricksen, drummer, of the second part, which said Jorse Raplaje acknowledged that he had sold and he, Hendrick Hendricksen, that he had bought of him a certain lot belonging to the seller, with the house standing thereon, situated on the island of Manhatans, on Parrelstraet (Pearl street), in the city of New Amsterdam, in length and in width as is to be seen from the deed made thereof, free and unencumbered, without any charges thereon or issuing out of the same, saving the lord's right; for the purchase of which aforesaid lot and the house standing thereon the buyer promises to pay eight hundred guilders at 20 stivers to the guilder, in the following installments and currency, to wit: on the date hereof 400 guilders in good merchantable beavers and the remaining 400 guilders A° 1655, also on the 22d of June; for which the parties severally bind their persons and estates, present and future; all in good faith. Thus done and executed in New Amsterdam in New Netherland, this 22d of June A°. 1654.
Jorse Rapalje
Henerick Hendericsen

(14) The Bogart Family: Tunis Gysbert Bogaert and His Descendants by John Albert Bogart, 1959

Rapalje was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn. He served as a deacon, having been elected to that office in 1661. He died at an election of church officers February 21, 1663. Upon his death he was succeeded by Tnis Gysbert Boaert, his son-in-law.

(15) Baptisms in the Dutch Reform Church, New Amsterdam
1642 Sep 7, Abel Redderhas; Hendrick; Witnesses Claes Corneliszen, Joris Rappalje, Pieter Pedro Alberto, Maria Rappalje
1643 Dec 20; Michiel Paulusz; Josyntie; Witnesses Joris Rappalje, Jan Aertszen, Tryntje Everts
1645 Mar 12; Rem Janszen; Annetje; Witnesses Joris Rappalje, Catalyn Joris, Margrietje Hendricks
1647 Jan 20; Rem Janszen Smit; Belitje; Witnesses Joris Rappalje, Catalina Trico
1649 Jan 03; Michiel Pauluszen; Paulus; Witnesses Joris Rapalje and his wife
1653 Oct 12; Pieter Pieterszen, Judith Rapalje; Pieter; Witnesses Joris Janszen Rapalje, Hans Hanszen, Catalyn Hieronymus
1657 Dec 16; Theunis Gysbertszen, Saertie Joris; Cathalyn; Witnesses Joris Rappalje, Cathalyn Hieronymus
1658 Aug 04; Jacob Jacobszen, Machtelt Michielszen; Catalyntje; Witnesses Joris Janszen Rapalje, Marritje Joris, Christyntje Capoens
1661 Mar 25; Aart Theuniszen Middag, Brechtje Hans; Theunis; Witnesses Theunis Gysbertszen Bogaert, Joris Rapalje, Sara Joris

Baptisms in Brooklyn

1662 Apr 30; Jan Joriszen Rapalje, Maria Fredericks; Frederick; Witnesses Joris Janse de Rappalie, Aeltie Claes
1662 Mar 19; Rem Jansen, Jannetje: Jacob: Witnesses Jan Jorizen de Rappalie, Teunis Gysbertsen Bogaert, Catharina Joris de Rappalie

(16) Brooklyn by Name: How the Neighborhoods, Streets, Parks,---- page 69
by Leonard Bernardo, Jennifer Wisss, 2006

Rapelye Street.This small street in the southern part of Carroll Gardens is all that is left of one of Brooklyn's founding Walloon (and French-speaking) families. Joris Jansen Rapelye came to New Amsterdam on the first ship to make the passage in 1624, spent three years in Fort Orange before settling in New Amsterdam around Pearl Street. Rapelye later removed to Brooklyn, where he acquired additional property, tended farm, and was appointed a magistrate in 1655.