William Stephen Conover was born on 31-May-1830 at Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey. He was the son of Stephen Conover and Margaret Ann Reid. William married Nancy Philimin Martin, daughter of John Haywood Martin and Elizabeth Boyd, at Middlesex County, New Jersey. William Stephen Conover died on 2-Sep-1888 at Manalapen, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 58. William was buried at Manalapan Cemetery Hwy 33 Milstone Twp., Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     

William Stephen Conover, a well-known farmer of Manalapan, died on Sunday of last week aged 58 years. His death was almost without warning and was the result of heart disease. He leaves a wife and five children.

Source: Red Bank Register Wednesday, September 12, 1888.

      Nancy Philimin Martin was born on 15-Feb-1836 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. She was the daughter of John Haywood Martin and Elizabeth Boyd. Nancy married William Stephen Conover, son of Stephen Conover and Margaret Ann Reid, at Middlesex County, New Jersey. Nancy Philimin Martin died in 1926. Nancy was buried at Manalapan Cemetery Hwy 33 Milstone Twp., Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Nancy Philena Martin. She was also known as Nancy P. Cowenhoven.

      John Haywood Martin was born on 13-Feb-1811 at Baltimore, Windsor County, Vermont. He was born on 13-Dec-1811 at Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vermont. John married Elizabeth Boyd on 1-Jun-1835. John Haywood Martin died on 1-May-1867 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at age 55. He was buried on 5-May-1867 Lot 233, Section 69 at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
     He was also known as John Hayward Martin. He was also known as John D. Martin. He was also known as John H. Martin. He was also known as John S. Martin. He resided at at 1 Bridge St., Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, in 1841. On 22-Sep-1847 John purchased lot 2003 section 69 Green=Wood Cemetery.

Interments at the family plot lot 2033, section 69

Albert Martin Nov. 13, 1865
Bell Martin Jan. 28, 1985
Charles Martin Aug. 22, 1875
Charles S. Martin Jul. 10, 1921
Charles S. Martin May 19, 1848
David B. Martin Apr. 2, 1927
David H. Martin Aug. 7, 1861
Elizabeth Martin Sep. 8, 1888
Esther E. Martin May 30, 1869
Ida Martin May 18, 1858
John H. Martin May 5, 1867
Joseph Martin Jul. 30, 1870
Maria Louise Martin Jun. 18, 1922
May E. Martin Feb. 19, 1928
May Warren Martin Aug. 18, 1867
Phoebe B. Martin Mar. 13, 1931
William E. Martin Apr. 30, 1924.

      Stephen Conover was born on 17-Apr-1801 at Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey. He was the son of John P. Conover and Lydia Duncan. Stephen Conover was baptized on 2-Jul-1810 at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Stephen married Margaret Ann Reid, daughter of Joseph I. Reid and Ann Miller, on 1-Nov-1827 at Middlesex County, New Jersey. Stephen Conover died on 18-Dec-1838 at age 37.
     He was also known as Stephen Covenhoven.

      Margaret Ann Reid was born on 28-Jan-1808 at Perrineville, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Joseph I. Reid and Ann Miller. Margaret married Stephen Conover, son of John P. Conover and Lydia Duncan, on 1-Nov-1827 at Middlesex County, New Jersey. Margaret married Jacob Johnson, son of Abram Johnson and Mary Riggs, in 1845. Margaret Ann Reid died on 28-Apr-1880 at age 72. Margaret was buried at Manalapan Cemetery, Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Joseph I. Reid was born on 1-Oct-1787. Joseph married Ann Miller on 2-Sep-1807 at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Joseph I. Reid died on 10-Oct-1828 at age 41.

      Ann Miller was born on 27-Jan-1783 at Middlesex County, New Jersey. Ann married Joseph I. Reid on 2-Sep-1807 at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Ann Miller died on 16-Aug-1855 at age 72. Ann was buried at Old Tennent Church Cemetery, Tennent, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Anne Miller. She resided at at Middlesex County, New Jersey, circa 1807.

      John P. Conover was born on 3-Oct-1778 at Mercer County, New Jersey. He was the son of Peter Covenhoven and Phebe Dey. John married Lydia Duncan, daughter of John Duncan and Anna Dey, on 27-Aug-1800 at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. John P. Conover died on 12-Apr-1835 at age 56. John was buried at First Cranbury Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
     He was also known as John P. Couvenhover. He was also known as John Peter Conover. He was also known as John Cowenhoven marriage license. He was also known as John P. Covenhoven.

      Lydia Duncan was born on 11-Mar-1777. She was born on 11-Mar-1778; Bible record. She was the daughter of John Duncan and Anna Dey. Lydia married John P. Conover, son of Peter Covenhoven and Phebe Dey, on 27-Aug-1800 at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Lydia Duncan died on 1-Aug-1851 at age 73. She died on 2-Aug-1851 at age 73. She died on 21-Aug-1851 at age 73. Lydia was buried after 21-Aug-1851 at Cranbury Cemetery, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Lydia Dunkin.

      Peter Covenhoven was born on 18-Oct-1743 at Penn's Neck, Mercer County, New Jersey. He was the son of William Covenhoven and Catryntje Lane. Peter married Phebe Dey, daughter of Joseph Dey and Martha Wiley, circa 1770. Peter Covenhoven died before 20-Aug-1831 at South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Peter was buried after 20-Aug-1831 at Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Peter's estate was proved on 31-Aug-1831.
     He was also known as Peter Convenhoven. He served in Capt. Gardiner's Company of New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War. circa 1777. He at First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1786.
Peter Covenhoven purchased from John Bartow, Jr. ux vol 1, page 793 in 1795 at Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
He was dismissed from the church and is said to have gone to New York state. 5-May-1808.
Peter's left a will on 29-Aug-1825

He evidently returned to New Jersey for in his will dated Aug 29, 1825 and proved on Aug 20, 1831, he is styled as a resident of South Amboy. In his will he mentioned his sons Set, Peter, and David; his daughters Phebe, Tamzen, Catherine, and Martha Wiley, deceased; and his grandchildren Peter Gulick, and John and Joseph Covenhoen, children of his son David.

      Phebe Dey was born on 18-Oct-1743 at Middlesex County, New Jersey. She was born on 18-Nov-1745. She was born on 18-Nov-1748. She was the daughter of Joseph Dey and Martha Wiley. Phebe married Peter Covenhoven, son of William Covenhoven and Catryntje Lane, circa 1770. Phebe Dey died on 14-May-1824 at age 75. She died on 11-May-1826 at age 77. Phebe was buried after 11-May-1826 at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey; row 53, place 19. She died on 14-May-1826 at age 77. She died on 14-May-1826 at Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey, at age 77. Phebe was buried after 14-May-1826 at Cemetery, Cranford, Union County, New Jersey.
      The parents of Phebe are only a possibility.

She was also known as Pheby Dey. She was also known as Phebe Day.

      William Covenhoven was born on 25-Oct-1705 at Penn's Neck, Mercer County, New Jersey. He was born on 25-Oct-1705 at Probably, Long Island, New York. He was the son of Jan Willmse Kowenhoven and Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer. William Covenhoven was baptized in 1711. William married Catryntje Lane, daughter of Cornelius Lane and (Unknown) (Unknown), circa 1732 at Monmouth County, New Jersey. William Covenhoven died on 25-Nov-1764 at Penn's Neck, Mercer County, New Jersey, at age 59. William was buried circa Dec-1764 at Old Penn's Neck Cemetery, New Jersey. William's estate was proved on 10-Apr-1765.
     He was also known as William Conover. He was also known as William Couwenhoven. He was also known as William Van Kouwenhoven. He resided at; Shortly after his birth, his parents moved the family to Monmouth County, NJ. He first lived in Marlboro, NJ, and later moved to Penn's Neck, NJ. In his will dated Nov 16, 1764, William Covenhoven, yoeman, of Penn's Neck, Middlesex County, NJ, bequeathed to his wife "the legacy that is due her from her father, Cornelius Lane, deceased." and mentioned his ten children: John, Cornelius, William, Peter, Hermanus, Gilbert, Jacob, Dominicus, and Jacoba Covenhoven, and Mary wife of Jacob Schenck. The executors wer his son John, and his son-in-law Jacob Schenck, and it was witnessed by John Covenhoven, John Cox, Thomas Atkin, and Joseph Skelton.

      Catryntje Lane was born on 16-May-1709 at Marlborough, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Cornelius Lane and (Unknown) (Unknown). Catryntje Lane was baptized on 26-Mar-1710 at Dutch Reformed Church, Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was baptized on 26-Nov-1710 at Dutch Reformed Church, Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Catryntje married William Covenhoven, son of Jan Willmse Kowenhoven and Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer, circa 1732 at Monmouth County, New Jersey. Catryntje Lane died on 24-Jun-1787 at age 78. Catryntje was buried circa 25-Jun-1787 at Old Penn's Neck Cemetery, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Chrystenah Laen. She was also known as Sacha Laen. She was also known as Chrystena Lane. She was also known as Catryntje Van Pelt. She was also known as Christina Lane. She was also known as Cacha Lane. She was also known as Sophia Lane.

     Cornelius Lane was baptized on 3-Apr-1685 at Dutch Reformed Church, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was the son of Gijsbert Thyssen Laenen and Jennike Smith. Cornelius married (Unknown) (Unknown). Cornelius Lane died in 1762 at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     He was also known as Cornelis Gysbrechtse Van Pelt. He resided at at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1711. On 1715 received 200 acres of land from his father.

      Jan Willmse Kowenhoven was born on 9-Apr-1681 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. He was the son of Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort. Jan Willmse Kowenhoven was baptized on 11-Apr-1681 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York. Jan married Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer, daughter of Cornelius Janse Vanderveer and Tryntje Mandeville, on 1-Jan-1700/1 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Jan married Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer, daughter of Cornelius Janse Vanderveer and Tryntje Mandeville, circa 1704. Jan Willmse Kowenhoven died in 1756 at Wickatunk, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He died before 29-Dec-1756 at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Jan's estate was proved on 29-Dec-1756 at Wickatunk, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He died on 29-Dec-1756 at Wickatunk, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 75. Jan was buried after 29-Dec-1756 at Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey.
     He was also known as Jan Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Jan Willemse Couwenhoven. He was also known as John Couwenhoven. He was also known as Jan Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as John Willemse Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Jan Covenhoven. He was also known as John Willemse Van Kouwenhoven. He resided at at farm, Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1703. He a member at Dutch Reformed Church, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1709.

      Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer was born at Flatbush, Kings County, New York. She was born circa 1686. She was baptized on 20-Apr-1686 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. She was baptized on 29-Apr-1686 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York. She was the daughter of Cornelius Janse Vanderveer and Tryntje Mandeville. Jacoba married Jan Willmse Kowenhoven, son of Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort, on 1-Jan-1700/1 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Jacoba married Jan Willmse Kowenhoven, son of Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort, circa 1704. Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer died in 1735 at Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Coba Vanderveer. She was also known as Jacoba Vanderveer.

     Cornelius Janse Vanderveer was baptized on 3-Mar-1622/23 at Wemekdinge, Zeeland, Netherlands. Cornelius married Tryntje Mandeville in 1667 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York. Cornelis died before Feb 22, 1703, when his widow paid for a grave in the church at Flatbush for her husban.
      The is a theory out that the Vanderveer family of America descends from aristocratic family Van der Veer and Van Borsselen in the Netherlands. This theory has Cornelius Van der Veer of Flatbush, Long Island being the son of Cornelis Van der Veer and not of Jan Cornelius Dominicus. The source of first line is a work by Louis P. DeBoer (1913) which traces this particular line back over ten generation through one Wolfert Van Borsselen, I Van Der Veer. Many reputable genealogists believe the DeBoer work and cite it thoroughly. I am of the other school that believes this is total bunk.
DeBoer was an esteemed researcher in his age, and I wouldn't say he fabricated his information. But the work was commissioned by a wealthy Long Island family, and at that time it was fashionable for affluent families to claim aristocratic roots. DeBoer did what his clients wanted, and probably simply found a common name and went with the easy answer. The Wolfert Van Borsselen line is, in itself, legitimate, and their are those that do have connection to this line. But I do not believe Cornelius Janse (Dominicus) Vanderveer is one of them, and that DeBoer is wrong in linking him to this to this line.
In DeBoer there is no real evidence to make the vital connection between Cornelius Vanderveer and Cornelis Van der Veer, who DeBoer claims is his father. This might be a simple connection or assumption to make, but there is little support for it. The connection with the Dominicus family is, however, fully documented, particularly in the research of C.G. William and Mapes. These works, sadly, despite the soundness of their material are often ignored by genealogists fascinated with the ancient aristocratic line.
There are many researchers who have thoroughly debated this issue, and I barely touch on some of the aspects of the debate. But those that come across this should be aware of the two schools and wary of accepting information that is not throughly documented.

William J. Hoffman in "The Dutch Ancestry of the Van Der Veer Family" (1948) contains the following of the subject (obtained from the Vandiver family website of Steve Vandiver)"
" On the 20th of June 1706, there appeared in the office of Notary Public Cornelis van Aansurg at Dordrecht, Netherlands, "the Honorable Dominicus Dominicussen van der Veer, living at Midwout in the Province of New York," who submitted two powers of attorney. Of these the first one is of pertinent interest to the Van der Veer family and was executed at New York on Nov. 20, 1705. (O.S.) In it Tryntje Jillis, widow and heir of the late Cornelis Dominicus, (more commonly known as Cornelis de Seeuw*), and her children appointed their beloved and trusted son and brother, Dominicus Dominicussen van der Veer, to collect in their name all sums of money due the estate of the late Cornelis Dominicus, as joint heirs of the same. The power of attorney was to apply to all outstanding debts in any part of Europe with special reference to any part of the seven provinces of the United Netherlands and especially to collect a debt from Jacob Dominicus, his heirs or assignees; the said Jacob Dominicus was then living or had lived in or near the city of Ter Goes on the island of South Beveland in the province of Zeeland. The debt was for 3230 gulden as was evident from a note executed by Jacob Dominicus on Mar 24, 1671; in it he declared that he owed his brother, Cornelis Jansz Dominicus, that amount, in payment for land "situated in Zeeland," and he promised to pay him 1200 gulden in May 1672, and similar sums in each following May until the total had been paid in full. The power of attorney listed those who executed it as follows: Tryntje Jillis, widow of Cornelis Jansz Dominicus, and her children Jan Dominicus, Daniel Polhemus husband of Neeltje Dominicus, Jan Dorland husband of Maria Dominicus, Isaac Remsen husband of Hendrickje Dominicus, and Jan Couwenhoven husband of Jacoba Dominicus, all of whom signed the document.
"The second power of attorney, under the same date, was given to Dominicus Van der Veer by his mother-in-law Cornelia van Wesel, at that time the wife of Marten Schenck. In it she empowered her son-in-law, then living in Midwout and on the point of leaving for England and Holland, to settle her share of the estate of her late husband, the Rev. Wilhelmus Lupardus, and her late mother, Margarita de Vries, widow of Rochus van Wesel. Dominicus transferred both powers of attorney to Hendrick Taay, merchant of Dordrecht, who was a brother-in-law of Cornelia van Wesel and consequently an uncle of Dominicus Van der Veer's wife, Maria van Noortwyck. (Rec. v.68, pp.24-30). From this document it is evident that the family name used by Cornelis Jansz in his native Zeeland was Dominicus and not Van der Veer, the surname by which he was known in New Netherlands. But what is more important, the document had established the fact that the family owned land in the neighborhood of the city of Goes, thereby locating the place where further search might prove to bring results.
"I have already stated in my previous article, a brief search showed no definite connection with the fatherland but indicated that the name Dominicus was a well-known one in and around the neighborhood of Goes, the largest city on the island of South Beveland; consequently, the family to which the settler undoubtedly belonged had been located but the exact connection had still to be established. Fortunately, a study of this family, written by Mr. J.J. Polderman, appeared in the March-June 1945-46 issue of De Nederlandsche Leeuw, the leading genealogical magazine of the Netherlands. It was the first in a series of articles dealing with South Beveland families; from it, and from additional information obtained by corresponding directly with Mr. Polderman, the ancestry of Cornelis Jansz Van der Veer, whose emigration to the new world was unknown to the latter, has been definitely established.
"[Footnote:] *The original has "de Leeuw", i.e. the lion, obviously a mistake. In the old script the L and S are quite similar. "

William J. Hoffman's 1948 book "The Dutch Ancestry of the Van Der Veer Family" contains the following (as transcribed in the webpage of Steve Vandiver):
"Cornelis Jansz Dominicus, also known as Cornelis Jansz Seeuw (the man from Zeeland), and as Cornelis van der Veer, is, in all probability as I have shown, the child baptized at Wemeldinge Mar 3, 1623.While still a young man his father died and it appears that he contracted debts through unsuccessful business ventures. In 1649, he sold one half of a 'hoeve' to his brother Jacob and we know for the notarial record that he disposed of considerable property in 1671. Finally he decided to emigrate to New Netherland and in February of 1659 he boarded the good ship, 'Otter'. His name and occupation on the West India Company's Passenger List appeared as Cornelis Jansz Van der Veer, Farmer, (NYYB, 1902, p.10), and apparently settled on Long Island which must have reminded him of his native land. Why he dropped the fine old name of Dominicus, being the only one of his family to do so, and adopted the of Van der Veer is not known; it may be he intended to break forever with the past and to start a new life beyond the seas. Van der Veer is translated as "from the ferry," of which means of transportation there were quite a few in his native archipelago; only a quarter of a mile from his birthplace was the ferry of Bergen op Zoom on the mainland.
"When leaving for New Netherland Cornelis, apparently, had not disposed of all his holdings. That he appointed his brother, Jacob Jansz Dominicus, to look after his interests is evident from the following 'schepen' record in the archives of Wemeldinge, dated Dec 24, 1661 (Inv. Lasonder 3605), which reads in part: "Appeared before schepens, as indicated below, Jacob Cornelis Rombouts declaring that he lawfully owes Jacob Dominicus as representing his brother Cornelis Dominicus who is absent from this country, the sum of XXX£VI sch(ellingen) and XXV D(uyten) landpagt (rent of land) due since 1659," the year Cornelis left for New Netherland. He presently agreed to borrow the amount at 5% interest and to date the debt back to 1659. The first installment was to be paid on Christmas Day 1662, and yearly payments of both interest and principal were to be made thereafter until the entire debt was liquidated; this was expected to be done in three years. As security he gave a mortgage on his house (described), and his personal belonging and his own person. The document was signed and sealed Dec 24,1661, in the presence do Christian Foortsen and Adr. de Wagemaker (the cartwright), schepens. It was not until two years after Cornelis has sailed to the New World that his name as Cornelis Jansen Vanderveer first appears in records, together with six others, when they petition Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, on Jan 13, 1661, for a patent of land on the Canarisse (CDNY14:501). It is possible that the grant of sixty morgens of land in Midwout, Mar 12, 1661, to Cornelis Jansen refer to him and also the mention of Cornelis Jansen having land next to a parcel of which Gerrit Snedicker had purchased there in 1684; however, we are not certain as there were others here at the time who had the same Christian name and patronymic.
"On Oct 27, 1661, Anthony Jans bought from the Orphan Masters 18 morgens of plain and meadow land, containing two small house lots, on the east side of the road and abutting on the Canarisse Flats (Flat. Deeds Lib. A, p.109). He sold this on Mar 20 1670, to Wil. And Thomas Willets and then in turn, conveyed it in 1677 to Cornelis Jansen Vanderveer. There is a record of sale of land, on Sept 2, 1672, before Jacob Joosten clerk at Midwout, by Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw and Cornelis Slecht, to Cornelis de Seeuw an again, on Oct 21st of the same year, of a sale by Johannes Christoffel of land at Midwout to Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw (Flat. Deeds Lib. A pp 64-65). On Jan 7, 1678-79, Louis Cornelisse sold Lots Nos.32 and 33 of woodland in New Lots to Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw; later in the same year the latter conveyed then to Stoffel Jans. However, on Apr 2 1680, Cornelis de Seeuw was listed as the owner of two lots on the "New Lotts at Midwout."
"In a transaction, dated Feb 24, 1678-79, Jan Jans sold land south of his farm to Cornelis Jansen Van der Veer for two thousand guldens and the following year the latter sold land in Midwout, owned in common with Thomas Lamberts, to Cornelis Berrien. In this last conveyance Cornelis signed the document as Cornelis Jansz Seeuw while his name in the instrument itself was Cornelis Jansen Vanderveer, thereby proving that these two names were used by one and the same person. (Flat. Deeds Lib. A, pp.126-37. Another proof of his identity, is that in the same year Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw and Cornelis Jansen Van der Veer appear as constable (CDNY 14:745). Finally in July 1681 Cornelis bought of Jan Jansen Fyn land in Midwout which had formerly belonged to Margritta Provost (Flat. Deeds Lib. A,pp.143-45). Together with his son-in-law, Daniel Polhemus, he erected on his property a corne mill or grieze mill, with dwelling house" an the barn which belonged to it was on "a certain kill or creeke call Fresh Kill, all within the limits of Flatbush towne patent." This property later came into the possession of his son Dominicus.
"In 1683, Cornelis Van der Veer is listed on the Assessment Roll of Midwout as owner of one hundred acres of land and in the Flatbush Census of 1698 his household consisted of one man, one woman, and four children; two other children had already married and started households of their own. Cornelis died before Feb 22, 1703, when his wife paid for a grave in the church at Flatbush for her husband. She was Tryntje Mandeville, daughter of Gillis Jansz Mandeville, who mentions her in his will dated Sept. 15, 1696, and his wife Elizabeth Hendricks."

The following is from "The Vandivere Family" by Jerry D. Vandiver copied from a Van der Veer webiste:
"Cornelius Janse (Dominicus) Vanderveer was probably the unnamed son of Jan Cornelisse Dominicus that was baptized 03 March 1623 in Wemeldinge, Zeeland, The Netherlands. The evidence consists of records in Zeeland concerning him and his brother Jacob Janse Dominicus between 1649-1658. In specific, references to Jacob selling property as "curator of the land of brother Cornelius Jansz Dominicus" explain that Cornelius was "out of the Country." These later records more or less correspond with Cornelius' arrival at Midwout in New Amsterdam (Flatbush, New York) aboard the vessel "de Otter" on 17 February 1659. A document dated 20 June 1706, filed by his son Dominicus in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, makes reference to the sale of property and provides the final proof of the identity of Cornelius Janse Vanderveer.
Cornelius received a patent for land in 1661 from Governor Stuyvesant. He married Tryntie Mandeville, daughter of Jillis Mandeviewll and Elsie Hendricks, around 1669. In 1678, Cornelius purchased a 100 acres farm in Flatbush, which was located in the present day 26th & 32nd wards of Brooklyn. This property remained in the family until the early 1900's.
He died in February 1703 in Flatbush, Kings Co., New York at the approximate age of 80. Cornelius and Tryntie had 6 children that reached maturity and possibly 3 others who died young."

Additional notes from Jerry D. Vandiver:
"1) In the Documentary History of New York by E. B. O'Callaghan, MD, volume 3, page 137, a "Census of 1698 at Flatbush (Midwout)" lists the following:
Cornelius Vanderveer - 1 man; 1 woman; and 4 children
Jan Vander Veer - 1 man; 1 woman; and 2 children
Since daughter Neeltje married in 1685 to Daniel Polhemus, the number of children including Jan checks out at 6.
2) On 5 May 1704 an agreement is filed between:
John Cornelisse Vanderveer
"Minikes" Vanderveer
Daniel Polhemus (husband of Neeltje)
John Durlant (husband of Marykje)
Hendrickje Vanderveer and
"Coba" Vanderveer
with "Tryntje Vanderveer, widow and relict of Cornelius Vanderveer, late of Flatbush, Kings Co."
3) The document mentioned above dated 20 June 1706 was signed by the following:
Treijnte Jillis, widow of Cornelius Jansz. Dominicus, commonly called Cornelius de Zeeuw
Jan Dominicus (son)
Daniel Polhemus, and his wife Neeltie Dominicus
Jan Dorlant, and his wife Maria Dominicus
Isaack Remsen, and his wife Hendericje Dominicus
Jan Cowenhoven, and his wife Jacoba Dominicus
This document gave power of attorney to "Dominicus Dominicussen van der Veer" to collect 3,200 guilders from "Jacob Jansz. Dominicus," Cornelius' brother. Interestingly, the document was indirectly enclusive of all 3 names by which Cornelius was known - Dominicus, de Zeeuw and van der Veer. (Though "Zeeuw" was transcribed into Dordrecht court records as "Leeuw," it is obvious that this was misinterpreted or is misread due to handwriting styles. It is also logical, since "de Zeeuw" means "of Zeeland," where Cornelius was originally from.)
This list of 5 children giving power of attorney to the 6th again matches the list above.
Upon review of records, it is apparent that Cornelius may have had 3 children that died young, evidenced by the purchase of burial shrouds. There are 4 other children traditionally name as follows: Cornelius (no records to date); Jacob (no records to date, it appears that Jacob Jacobsson of Penn's Neck may have been mistaken as Cornelius' son); Michael (mistaken relationship, actually Cornelius' grandson); and Peter (most likely the mistaken assumption of a relationship to Pieter Corneliszen Vander Veene --[no known relation])."

The following is from Blake's "Pioneers of Johnson County, Indiana" (this after the book incorrectly subscribes to the Van Borsselen theory):
"Cornelius Jansen Vander Veer, who was the first American progenitor of the American branch, arrived in Brooklyn, New York [New Amsterdam], from Zeeland on the ship "Otter" in February, 1659. During the next century the descendants became thoroughly Americanized. At the time of the Revolutionary War they lived in Somerset, New Jersey. Peter Vandivier I fought on the side of the American colonists. After the war he moved his family to Mercer County, Kentucky, where his son Peter II was born in 1785...."
This sketch then goes on to discuss the family of Peter Vandivier. This Peter, I think, is Petrus VanDerveer (son of Jan and Seytje VanDerveer) and brother of Cornelius (husband of Sarah Tilton and father of Garret Vandivier). The branch of Cornelius VanDerveer also moved from Somerset Co., NJ to Mercer Co., KY, and his son Garret would, like his cousin Peter, would migrate to Johnson Co., IN.

Teunis Bergen's "Genealogy of the Lefferts Family" (1878) contains information about one Cornelius's descnedants (from a different branch than ours, but with data on Cornelius):
"David G. Vanderveer was a descendant of Cornelis Janse Vandeveer, who emigrated to this country from Alkamaar, a free city on the the North Holland canal, of 9835 inhabitants in 1841, in the ship Otter in Feb., 1659. Feb. 24, 1677-8, he bought a farm of Jan Janse in Flatbush where he took up residence."

From the Vanderveer Family website of Steve Vandiver (www.buxx.com):
"Cornelius Janszen Van Der Veer b. 1622 or ~1642 d. bef 22 Feb 1703
"He is believed to have left Amsterdam and arrived in the America on Feb 17, 1659 on the ship De Otter , landing at Midwout, what is now Flatbush, NY. On 13 Jun 1661 Cornelius was one of six persons who petitioned Gov Stuyvesant for a patent of land, who authorized a survey. In Feb 1678 he purchased a farm in Flatbush for about 2600 guilders or $1274 current US dollars. In 1683 The Assement Roll of Midwout lists him as having 100 acres. This land became known as the 26th and 32nd ward of Brooklyn and was owned by his descendents until 1906. He and his son-in-law Daniel Polhemus, erected a grist mill on Fresh Kill in Flatbush, which came into the hands of his son Dominicus, and later his grandson Cornelius. He died in Feb, 1703 in Flatbush, NY.
"In 1672, he married Tryntje [Grietje] De Manderville b.1654 in Guildeland, Holland, daughter of Gillis De Manderville and Eltje Hendrickson. She died in Flatbush, NY. She arrived the America in 1659 with her parents. Different records refer to her father leaving Holland 12 Feb 1659 on the ship De Trouw ( Faith) or arriving on Apr 1659 on the Moesman (The Market Gardener). A ship listing of the Moesman in Apr 1659 show Gillis Mandeville as a passenger."

Steve Vandiver also includes the following:
"Origins of Cornelius Janszen Van Der Veer
"The origins of Cornelius Van der Veer is in question at present, one version based on the book "The Van Der Veer Family in the Netherlands" Louis P. DeBoer - Published 1913 and work by John J. Van Der Veer in 1912, which indicates that Cornelius came from Allkmaar, Holland, The Netherlands. While DeBoer's book is a good match for the movements of the Dutch people during the colonial period, the connection to the Van Borsselen family is probably optimistic. Curious is that the village of Borssele is just a few miles from Kloetinge where the other opinion indicates he's from. The second opinion is that he may have been called Cornelius Jansz Dominicus based on a document from Dordrecht, The Netherlands dated 20 Jun 1706. This document states that Dominicus Domincussen Van Der Veer of Midwout, New York is to recover monies owed his father Cornelius Dominicus by a brother named Jacob Dominicus living near the city of Goes. Clearly within this document it refers to Cornelius Van Der Veer's family in New York and lists him as using the name Cornelius Dominicus and Cornelius Leeuw. Cornelius used the name Cornelius De Seeuw on several occasions in New York, but the use of Leeuw is somewhat of a question however since that translates to Cornelius Lion and Cornelius Seeuw translates to Cornelius of Zeeland. Zeeland being a providence in south part of the Netherlands, containing the villiages of Veere, Kloetinge, Goes, Welmelding, and Borssele, all of which have been associated with the Van Der Veer and Dominicus names. From other unconfirmed references I have recently found, Cornelius Dominicus of Kloetinge, did have a brother Jacob Dominucus of whom was selling land on Cornelius Dominicus's behalf. In serveral land transactions dated 19 May 1957, 22 Jun 1657, 15 Feb 1658, and 22 Mar 1658, Jacob is taking care the property of Cornelis who is listed as out of the country and in one reference to a land transaction dated 15 Feb 1658 in Wemeldinge, it refers to Cornelius being out to the county and his property heavily in debt. This may have prompted him to leave for Niew Amsterdam to seek his fortune. I have yet to find a record to indicate where Cornelius Dominicus left for or where Cornelis was between 19 May 1657 and until his arrivial in New Amsterdam in Feb 1659. Veere is approx 25 miles away from Kloetinge and therefore quite possible that Cornelius Dominicus adopted Van Der Veer in favor of Dominicus in Niew Amsterdam."

Steve Vandiver also includes these four children which Jerry Vandiver does not:
-- Cornelius, b. c. 1673
-- Jacobus Cornelise, b. Oct. 20, 1686 Flatbush, Kings, NY
-- Michael, b. Flatbush, NY
-- Pieter, b. Flatbush, NY.

Cornelius Janse Vanderveer was also known as Cornelis Jansen de Seeuw. He was also known as Cornelis Jansz Dominicus. It is unknown why he dropped the name of Dominicus, being the only one of his family to do so. He was also known as Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw, (the man from Zeeland). He sold land he sold one half of a "hoeve" to his brother Jacob and we know from the notorial record that he disposed of a considerable property in 1671. in 1649. He resided at at Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands, in 1659. He decided to Emegrate to New Netherland and in February 1659, he boarded the good ship , Otter. His name and occupation on the west India Company's Passenger List appeared as Cornelis Jansz Van der Veer, Farmer. On Jan 13, 1661 Cornelis Jansen Vanderveer, with six others, petitioned Gov. Peter Stuyvesant for a patent of land on the Canarisse. When leaving for New Netherland, Cornelis, apparently, had not disposed of all of his holdings. He appointed his brother, Jacob Jansz Dominicus, to look after his interests is evedent from the following schepen record in the archives of Wemeldinge, dated Dec 24, 1661, which reads in part: "Appeared before schepens, as indicated below, Jacob Cornelis Rombouts declaring that he lawfully owes Jacob Dominicu, as representing his brother Cornelis Dominicus who is absent from this country, the sum of XXX L, VI sch(ellingen) and XXV D(uyten) landpagt (rent on land due) since 1659," the year Cornelis left for New Netherland. He presently agreed to borrow this amount at 5% interest and to date the debt back to 1659. The first installment wast to be paid on Christas Day 1662, and yearly payments of both interest and principal were to be made thereafter until the entire debt was liquidated; this was expected to be done in three years. As security he gave a mortgage on his home (described), all his personal belongings and his own Person The document was signed and sealed Dec 24, 1661, in the presence of Christian Foortsen and Adr, de Wagemaker (the cartwright), schepens. There is a record of a sale of land, on Sept 2, 1672 before Jacob Joosten clerk at Midwout, by Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw and Cornelis Slecht to Cornelis de Seeuw and again on Oct 21, 1672, of a sale by Johannes Christoffel of land at Midwout to Cornelis Jansz de Weeuw on 2-Sep-1672. He sold land land was conveyed to Cornelis Jansen Vanderveer formWill and Thomas Willets, which they obtained from Anthony Jans on Mar 20 1670, described as 18 morens of plain and meadow land, containing two small house lots, on the east side of the road abutting on the Canarisse Flats in 1677. On Jan 7, 1678/79, Louis Cornelisse sold Lots nos. 32 and 33 of woodland in New Lots to Cornelis Jansz de Seeuw; later in the same year the latter conveyed them to Stoffel Jans. However, on Apr 2 1680, Cornelis de Seeuw was listed as the owner of two lots on the "New Lotts at Midwout." In a transaction, dated Feb 24, 1678/79, Jan Jans sold land south of of his farm to Cornelis Hansen Van der Veer for two thousand guldens and the following year the latter sold the land in Midwout, owned in common with Thomas Lamberts to Cornelid Berrien. In this last conveyance Cornelis signed the document as Cornelis Jansz Seeuw, while his name oin the instrument itself was Cornelis Janszen Vanderveer, thereby proving that these two names were used by one and the same person. In July 1681, Cornelis bought of Jan Jansen Fyn, land in Midwout which had formerly belonged to Margritta Provost. Together with his son-in-law Daniel Polhemus, he erected onhis property "a corne mill or grieze mill, with dwelling house" and the barn which belonged to it was on "a certain kill or creeke called Fresh Kill, all within the limits of Fratbush towne patent." This property later cane into the posssession of his son Dominicus. In 1683, Cornelis Van der Veer is listed on the Assessment Roll of Midwout as the owner of one hundred acres of land.

      Tryntje Mandeville was born between 1650 and 1653 at Voortbuzien, Netherlands. She was born circa 1652/53. Tryntje married Cornelius Janse Vanderveer in 1667 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York. Tryntje Mandeville died in 1696 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York.
     She was also known as Ttyntje G. De. Manville. She was also known as Trintje DeManderville. She was also known as Tryntje de Manderville.

     Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven was born in 1636 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York; although his father's purchase of land there was not dated until July 26, 1638. He was the son of Gerret Wolfersen Van Kouwenhoven and Aeltje Cornelis Cool. Willem married Altie Jorise Brinckeroff, daughter of Joris Dirksen Brinckerhoef and Susannah Dubbels, on 21-Mar-1660 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Willem married Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort, daughter of Pierre Montfort and Sarah De Plancken, on 12-Feb-1665 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven died between 1721 and 1723. He died circa 1728. He died in 1728 at Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     He was also known as William Gerretse Couwenhoven. He was also known as William Kouwenhoven. He was also known as William Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven. On the earliest survivig list of members of the Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, Sep 12, 1660, appear the names of Willem Gerritse Van Couwenhoven, his first wife, and her parents. On an unknown date Willem Gerretse, on behalf of his first wiife, was one of the three heirs to the Brooklyn grant of his father-in-law, Joris Dicksen Brinckerhoff, and joined with the other heirs in selling this property on January 16, 1661.
On 1662 Signed a petition on May 25, 1662, as schepen.
He resided at at Flatlands, Kings County, New York, in 1667 His name apears on the patent of Flatland, 1667 and he apparently removed there about this time. He was an Elder at Dutch Reformed Church, Flatlands, Kings County, New York, 1677. He signed the oath of allegiance at some time between Sep 26-30, 1687 being called a resident of "fflackland" and native born. at Signed oath of allegiance, Flatlands, Kings County, New York. The Records of th Brick Church, Marlborough, Monmouth Co., NJ, originally known as the Reformed Church of Freehold of the Navasink, begin in 1709 and show that in that year seven children of Willem Gerretse were already members of that congregation namely, Cornelis, Pieter,Albert, Jan, Jacob, Neeltje (Nelke), and Sara. In 1717, two other children appear as members, Annetje (Autie) and Jacomina (Jockamiinke). It was not until 1721 that the chuch shows as members "Willem Ger Kowvenhoven and his wife," and since the wife, Jannetje (Janneke), appears alone on the list in 1723, it seems possible that Willem Gerretse died between 1721 and 1723. He sold land He sold his plantation in Brooklyn to his son William and moved to Monmouth County, NJ in Nov-1709. On an unknown date The existence of the original Bible of Willem Gerrete, with his own record of his marriages and the births of his children, states that he married "Altieu Yoris" in the year 1660. She was Altje, daughter of Joris Dickerson Brinckerhoff, and was the widow of Cornelis Mattys (Mathiews). She died on June 3, 1663, and Willem Gerretse married secondly, on Febrary 12, 1665, "Jannetie Peters," who was Jannetje, daughter of Peter Monfort. She was baptized as Jannetje on May 8, 1646, in the D. R. Church of New Amsterdam.

     Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort was baptized on 8-May-1646 at Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam, New York County, New York. She was the daughter of Pierre Montfort and Sarah De Plancken. Jannetije married Willem Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven, son of Gerret Wolfersen Van Kouwenhoven and Aeltje Cornelis Cool, on 12-Feb-1665 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Jannetije Pieterse Monfoort died after 1723 at Monmouth County, New Jersey.
     She was also known as Jannetje Montfoort. She was also known as Janica Monfoort. She was also known as Jannetje Pieters. She was also known as Jannetje Monfort.

     Pierre Montfort was baptized on 20-Jan-1616 at Valenciennes, Nord, France. He published marriage intentions "Pierre Montfoor from Valenciennes age 20, attended by his father Jean Monntoor, lace worker (passementwerker), living on the Engelspadt," appeared before the civil authorities to record his marriage intention with Sara de Planq. on 1-Mar-1636 at Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Pierre married Sarah De Plancken on 23-Mar-1636 at Walloon Church, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Pierre Montfort died on 4-Jan-1661 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at age 44.
     He was also known as Pieter Monfoort. He was also known as Peter Monfort. He resided at at Valenciennes, Nord, France. He immigrated on 25-Jan-1624 to Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands; aboard the Eendracht. On before 1636 returned to Amsterdam.
He he was received into the Walloon Church, Amsterdam, Netherlands at Walloon Church, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, 13-Jan-1636. On 16-Mar-1639 the church gave attestations to "Jean Monfort et Jaquemine Moreau, Pierre Monfort et Sara de Planq, pour Virginia."
He and Sarah De Plancken emigrated on 16-Mar-1639 from Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Pierre Montfort and Sarah De Plancken resided at at New Netherland, New York, on 17-Sep-1639. On 15-Dec-1639 He appears to have entered a contract With Pieter Caeser Alburtus, an Italian, to make a plantation and build a house. This was probably at the Wallabout, and prior to the date of the patents obtained by both the contracting parties in that locality, in advance of which, plantations appear to have been selected, improved and occupied.
Pierre Montfort recieved a patent Pieter obtained a patent for land at the Wallabout between the palantations of Jan Monfoort and Pieter Ceser Alberto "in breadth 300 paces, with the same breadth straight into the woods." on 29-May-1641. He recieved a patent He received another patent for the same premises, in which they are more particularlay describedas "a piece of land for a Tobacco plantation, lying on Long Island in the bend of Meyrechkawick, bounded by Jan Maonfort on the east, and Pieter Italiaen on the west, extending along the marsh into the woods 70rods, and 220 rods along the land of Jan Monfoort, to the woods 70 rods, again to the marsh in a northerly course 227 rods along the land of Pieter Italiaen, amounting to 25 morgen and 8 rods." on 17-Aug-1643. He recieved a patent In addition to the previous land, he was granted 406 rods, provided it did not interfere with other grants on 1-May-1647. He held the position of magistrate in 1658. He and Sarah De Plancken became mambers at Dutch Reformed Church, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, 12-Mar-1660.

      Sarah De Plancken was born circa 1615 at Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. She was born circa 1615 at Noord, Netherlands. She published marriage intentions "Pierre Montfoor from Valenciennes age 20, attended by his father Jean Monntoor, lace worker (passementwerker), living on the Engelspadt," appeared before the civil authorities to record his marriage intention with Sara de Planq. on 1-Mar-1636 at Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Sarah married Pierre Montfort on 23-Mar-1636 at Walloon Church, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Sarah married Lambert Janse Bosch on 1-Jan-1663 at Dutch Reformed Church, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Sarah De Plancken died circa 1670 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
     She was also known as Sara Deplancque. She was also known as Sara De Planck. She was also known as Saartje (Unknown). She was also known as Sarah Blanck. She and Pierre Montfort emigrated on 16-Mar-1639 from Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Sarah De Plancken and Pierre Montfort resided at at New Netherland, New York, on 17-Sep-1639. Sarah De Plancken and Pierre Montfort became mambers at Dutch Reformed Church, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, 12-Mar-1660.

      Gerret Wolfersen Van Kouwenhoven was born circa 1610 at Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands. He was the son of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter. Gerret married Aeltje Cornelis Cool, daughter of Cornelius Lambertse Cool and (Unknown) (Unknown), circa 1635 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Gerret Wolfersen Van Kouwenhoven died circa 1648 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York; Was probably after patent issued.
     He was also known as Gerret Wolphertse Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Gerret Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Garret Wolfert Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Gerret Wolferse Van Couvenhoven. He was also known as Gerret Wolfertse Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Gerret Wolfersen Couwenhoven. On 22-Aug-1639

1639. Document (MDC:10).
"This day, date underwritten, before me Cornelis Van Tienhoven, secretary, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses, appeared Wolphert Gerritsen and Gerrit Wolphertsen, as guardians of Lambert Cornelissen Cool, and at the request of said Lambert Cool, have permitted him to go with his cattle to his brother-in-law Claes Jansen, in order to take up together some plantation or farm, and we the principals in the capacity aforesaid have consented hereto as we are bound in the place of father and mother to promote the above named Lambert Cool's interest and we cannot perceive that he will earn anything, much less prosper so long as he remains with his father, Cornelis Lambertsen. We have therefore considered it advisable to permit him to do something for himself in company aforesaid. Done at Fort Amsterdam the 22 of August 1639.

This is the mark x of Wolphert Gerritsen
This is the mark x of Gerrit Wolphertsen

Maurits Jan and Frerick Lubbertsen ; witnesses
"Consent of the guardians of Lambert Cornelissen Cool to let Cool remove his
cattle and take up a farm with his brother-in-law Claes Jansen"
"Copied with slight variations from E.B. O'Callaghan's manuscript translation
of the original in the New York Colonial MSS., Vol. I, p. 155, which was
destroyed in the Capitol fire of March 29, 1911, Albany, October 4, 1933 ;
signed A.J.F. van Laer."
On 11-Mar-1647

On March 11, 1647, Gerrit Wolphertson (Van Kouwenhoven) received a patent for "a certain piece of land, gouat the (Ma) Rechawieck, both the maize and woodland, on the marsh of the Gouwanus Kil, between the land of Jacob Stoffelsen and Frederick Lubbertsen, extending from the aforsaid marsh till into the woods, till to the land of said Frederick, till to the land of Andries Huddle, northeast by north, a little northerly, 148 rods: behind through the woods, till to the land of the aforesaid Jacob Stoffelsen, southeast by east 80 rods next to the land of Jacob Stoffelsen aforesaid, till to the aforsaid marsh, southwest a little westerly 165 rods, along the marsh to the place of beginning 60 rods, with an oblique outpoint: amounting in all to 29 morgens, 341 rods." Pattents, GG, 172

This plot evidently fronted on the main road leading from Flatbush, through the village of Breuckelen, which was located at this point, to "the Ferry," andis inchluded in lands marked as G. Martense's on Butt's map. Wolphertsen sold this property to Nicholas Jans, baker, of New York.

      Aeltje Cornelis Cool was born circa 1615 at Gowanus, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. She was the daughter of Cornelius Lambertse Cool and (Unknown) (Unknown). Aeltje married Gerret Wolfersen Van Kouwenhoven, son of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter, circa 1635 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. Aeltje married Capt. Elbert Elbertse Stoothoff on 27-Aug-1645 at Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam, New York County, New York. Aeltje Cornelis Cool died before 1663. She died at Flatlands, Kings County, New York. She died on 14-Apr-1683. She died on 14-Jun-1683.
     She was also known as Aeltje Cornelius Cool. She was also known as Albie Cool.

      Cornelius Lambertse Cool was born circa 1588 at Of, Gowanus, Kings County, New York. Cornelius married (Unknown) (Unknown) before 1615. Cornelius married Aeltje Braconie after 1624. Cornelius Lambertse Cool died between May-1642 and Dec-1643.
     He was also known as Cornelius Lanberts Cool. He was also known as Cornelis Lambertsen Cool. He resided at at New Amsterdam, New York County, New York, on 24-Jun-1638.
Cornelius Lambertse Cool purchased In 1639, he pruchased the property adjoinging the Bennet farm in 1639.

      Aeltje Braconie was born circa 1588 at Netherlands. She was born circa 1600. Aeltje married Thomas Badie circa 1603; 1st marriage Aeltje. Aeltje married Cornelius Lambertse Cool after 1624. Aeltje Braconie married Willem Bredenbent on 4-Sep-1644, they had no issue. Marriage banns for Aeltje Braconie and Willem Bredenbent were published on 9-Oct-1644. Aeltje Braconie died on 22-Jun-1670 at Gowanus, Kings County, New York. She died circa 1683.
     She was also known as Aeltje Brookhange. She was also known as Altien Brackhonge. She was also known as Aeltje Braconye Eli Braconye's sister. She was also known as Altien Braconie. She was also known as Aeltje Brackoengie. She resided at at New Amsterdam, New York County, New York, between 1627 and 1637. She resided at at Gowanus, Kings County, New York, after 1637. She resided at at New Amsterdam, New York County, New York, in 1644. She and Willem Bredenbent resided at at Gowanus, Kings County, New York, in 1650.
Aeltje's left a will in 1670

states that Mary Badye was her daughter from a previou marriage.

      Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven was born before 1-May-1579; when baptisms began in Amersfoort, Netherlands. He was the son of Gerritt Jansz Couwenhoven. Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven 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 Netherlands. Wolphert married Aeltje Jansdochter. Marriage banns for Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter were published on 9-Jan-1605 at Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands. Wolphert married Neeltgen Jacobsdochter, daughter of Jacob Petersz and Metgen Jacobsdr, on 17-Jan-1604/5 at Dutch Reformed Church, Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands. Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven died between 2-Mar-1662 and 24-Jun-1662 at New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York.
     He was also known as Wulphert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulffer Geritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulpher Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Garretsen Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsen Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretson Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsz Van Kouwenhoven. On 15-Dec-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 received 50 guilders.

On 22-Mar-1612 Wulphert Gerritsz and his wife Neeltgen Jacosdr sold a bleachcamo outside the Coppelpoort of Amersfoort to Hendrick Janss and his wife Hasgenb Thonis fo 1,200 Carolus guilders, the occupation of Wolfert is not disclosed in this document.

On 14-Apr-1615
Wolphert took part in a curiious 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 mim 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.

On 16-May-1616 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 28-Oct-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.


Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven purchased from Aert van Schayck and his wife Anna Barents a house on the Langegraft in Amersfoort whch lay between the hosue 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 30-Jan-1617 at Langegraft, Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands.
On between Feb-1617 and Jul-1617 Within a short time, Wolpeher palced three mortgages on this house. Perhaps the transactions with Zieboltz were unprofiatble, and this was one of the causes fo his need for money. On Feb 15, 1617, Wulpher Gerritss baker and his wife Neeltgen Jacobsdr borrowed 100 guidlers from the Armen te 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, Wul;phur Gerritss baker and his wife Neelttgen Jacobsdr borrowed 250 guilders from Anna Goerts widow of Franck Frandkss at 15 guilders interest per year.
On 3-Jan-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 thier 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 ofr 400 Carolus guilders with the consent of Wulffert Gerritsz and his wife. On the no9rth 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 propety 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 oblicgation.

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 matierials such as lye were generally the same persons, and they acted to keep theri costs and thus the profits of the bleachers love. There were three types of bleaching activities, and the skills and experience reqiuired 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, iot was cookled in a solution of wheat meal before being again spread on the field for a lenghtly period, the entire process requiring about three months. The consequences of this long procedure was that o9nly 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 purcahse 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.
On 17-Sep-1618 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 sucess of the parent industry.

On 5-Nov-1622 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 ouwenhoven 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 24-Mar-1623 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 threafter. 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 11-Jun-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 purchser assumed the mortgages.

This is the last document pertaining to Wolfert Gerritse that has been discovered in the archives of Amersfoort.

He immigrated between 1624 and 1625 to New Amsterdam, New York County, New York. 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 saled in the expedidition that was comprsed of the ships Mackerel, Horse, Cow and Sheep. On 1629 Wolfert returned to the Netherlands.
On 24-May-1630 He retruned from the Netherlands on board "De Endracht" (the Unity).
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 Wolferts 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 fo 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.


Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven purchased "Keskateuw" located on Long Island from the Indians. Here was established the first kown 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 30-Jun-1636.
On 18-Apr-1657 He got "Smal Civil Rights."
On 20-Oct-1661 Wolfert Gerritsen Van Couwenhoven was named in a suit filed by Frans Jansen regardin a dispute ofver 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.

In the October 2004The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, Review, published and article titled Wolfert Gerritse in the Netherlands: Further Thoughts About the Van Couwenhoven Family This article follows.

WOLFERT GERRITSE IN THE NETHERLANDS: Further Thoughts About the Van Couwenhoven Family
BY WILLEM VAN KOUWENHOVEN
The purpose of this article. Several years ago, I made a study using documents about Wolfert Gerritse van Couwenhoven which Marcel Kemp had sought out at my request in the archives of the district Amersfoort in the Netherlands.[1] The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society was kind enough to publish this in THE RECORD as "Wolfert Gerritse in the Netherlands." (2] During the intervening time, I have developed several points of criticism about the article which pertain to the views which were expressed there about Wolfert's first wife Aeltge Jansdochter, the birth order of Wolfert and his brother Willem, the date on which the tenancy of Willem's son Jan on the farm Kouwenhoven was terminated, and the projected picture of Wolfert's childhood.
Wolfert Gerritse in recent literature. Additional information has been published in the meantime by Marcel Kemp and Gerard Raven as "Boerderij Kouwenhoven en de familie Van Kouwenhoven 1400-1650" in De Bewaarsman,[3] the publication of the Historische kring Hoogland, the Historical Society' of Hoogland. (The farm Kouwenhoven is located in the neighborhood Coelhorst within the former district Hoogland, which is now a part of the district Amersfoort.) Gerard Raven was co-editor of De Bewaarsman when the article was published. In addition to information about the early history of the farm that appeared in Kemp's article "De herkomst van Wolfert Gerritsz, stamvader van de Amerikaanse familie Van Kouwenhoven" in the 1996 Jaarboek van bet Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie[4] and in the above-mentioned article in THE RECORD, the article in De Bewaarsman contains information about a tenant on the farm in 1536, insights into the lives of the tenants in the period 1620-1650, and a report of the construction of a brick manor house on the farm during the eighteenth century by a new land owner, as well as the history of the farm to the present day. Only the material that pertains to the critique of the article in THE RECORD will be dealt with in this discussion.

Information about Kouwenhoven, its neighborhood Coelhorst, and the local Chapel Coelhorst were included in the booklet "Hoogland-West," the issue of De Bewaarsman for April 2001. The material about the chapel will be recounted in the portion of this critique that deals with Wolfert's childhood.

Aeltge Jansdochter, Wolfert's first wife. As first point of critique, the view of Aeltge Jansdochter which was set forth in the article in THE RECORD[5] should be revised - that it was uncertain that the Wolfert Gerritse who married Aeltge Jansdochter on 17 January 1605[6] was the same person as the Wolfert Gerritse who is found in numerous documents in the archives of Amersfoort in the period 1611-1623. M. Kemp expressed this opinion initially in the report of his impressively thorough search for documents regarding Wolfert Gerritse which was first given to this writer, and this opinion was used in the article for THE RECORD. By the time it was published, Kemp had expressed the same view in his article "De herkomst van Wolfert Gerritsz, ..."[7] Because other documents were not found which linked Aeltge Jansdochter to the baker/bleacher Wolfert Gerritse, Kemp hesitated to draw the conclusion that Aeltge was Wolfert's first wife.
This seems overly cautious. Only one Wolfert Gerritse has been found in the numerous other documents from more or less the same period that have been preserved in the records of the district Amersfoort. Although many documents from this period in the district have been lost for various reasons, those that have survived give no reason to surmise that there was at that time a second Wolfert Gerritse in the district to whom the entry in the marriage register might refer. It would then be better to reason that the Wolfert Gerritse of the marriage record is the same person who is found in all of the other documents. It then follows that Aeltge Jansdochter was Wolfert's first wife, that she died shortly after their marriage without bearing any children who survived, and that Neeltje Jacobsdochter, who is shown as his wife in the documents from the Amersfoort archives, was his second wife and the mother of his known children.
Willem Gerritse, Wolfert's younger brother. Secondly, there is a problem in the article with the estimated birth year that was given for Wolfert's brother Willem. While Kemp made no statements about Willem's birth year in his article in the Jaarboek, he and Raven estimated in the article in De Bewaarsman that Willem was born in the period 1580-1585.[8] Since Willem remained on the farm Couwenhoven as its tenant, it was assumed in the article for THE RECORD that he was older than Wolfert, who was born in 1584.1] Yet, none of Willem's five children had attained their majority when their father died in 1622. Thus, none of them were capable of succeeding him as tenant. The family was enabled to stay on the farm because Willem's widow Neeltge Willemsdochter married Peter Coenraetsz., apparently with the approval if not the instigation of the owner of the farm, Johan de Wijs of Amersfoort.[1]

If one of Willem's five sons was but a few months removed from attaining his majority, it would seem that it could have been arranged in one way or another that he become the tenant of the farm, if he was in other respects a suitable candidate for this work. That this did not occur suggests that the oldest son was several years removed from his majority, and this is the tenor of the agreement which the "blood guardians" Wolfert Gerritse and Harmen Willemsz. of Amersfoort (respectively the brother of Willem and the brother of Willem's widow) made with the mother of Willem's children on 5 November 1622.P 1] She was to care for the children and let them attend school and learn to read and write. Such stipulations suggest that some of the children were too young to have learned basic literacy skills at the time of their father's death.

Since Willem's children were not so old when he died in 1622, it would seem that the birth year 1580 that was assigned to him lies too far in the past and that it is likely that he was born several years later. If Willem's children are listed in birth order in the agreement between the "blood guardians" and the widow, Jan would be his third son. He became the tenant on Couwenhoven on 5 July 1636,02] and he married Nellitgen Henricxdr. five days later.[13] Assuming that both father and son married shortly after their twenty-first birthday and that there were three years between each child, results in an estimated birth date of circa 1587 for Willem rather than circa 1580, which was assigned in THE RECORD article.[14] Willem would have been legally eligible to enter into contracts as a tenant only when he reached his majority, which would seem to have been about 1608.

It should be emphasized that this is but an estimate that is based on reasonable assumptions about birth order and birth intervals that have been made in regard to two men. It should be expected that new documents about Willem and Jan could well require further slight corrections regarding their birth and marriage dates. Yet, Kemp's search in the Archives of Amersfoort was so thorough that it is unlikely that further documents about these persons will be found there. Perhaps a reference to them will by chance be discovered in one or more documents from other districts while other matters are being studied.

as the younger son who left home, learned a trade (perhaps with some parental support) and became a businessman. The thought that is being presented here is that although Willem was the younger son, he stayed on the farm, working it and perhaps initially serving as a caretaker for his parent(s) while the older brother Wolfert had years earlier left the homestead, even though it was customary in Hoogland that the oldest son succeed his father as tenant. Wolfert sought to survive in the business world of Amersfoort, where he already resided as a married man when he was twenty-one years old according to the entry in the marriage register of the Reformed Church of Amersfoort, which was located in the St. Joriskerk[15] (St. George's Church). This is a plausible explanation, yet it requires further refinement.

Jan Willemse's tenancy on Kouwenhoven ends. The other tenants on Kouwenhoven about which there is information were not able to labor there many years. Peter Coenraetsz. became tenant in 1622, and by 1638 he had died and was succeeded by Jan Willemsz van Kouwenhoven. While Kemp and Raven argue that Jan was deceased as early as 1646, it is certain that he was no longer living in 1656 when the estate of his mother Neeltge Willemsdr. was inventoried.[16

Kemp and Raven are of the opinion that Jan had died by 1646 since a police report from that year was made by Jan Bartz. who lived on Kouwenhoven.[17] Apparently the thought is that the farm Kouwenhoven was so small that the tenant farmer (pachter) could not have employed a resident worker (knecht), but only day laborers (dagloners) as they were needed. Thus, it could be reasonably concluded that a person who listed his residence as Kouwenhoven must have been the tenant farmer of that date.[18] It is noted that it is a problem that Jan Willemsz. and his wife Nelletge Hendrixdr. would then have had to have had eight children in ten years. Kemp and Raven conclude that Nelletge was forced to depart from Kouwenhoven following Jan's death because none of the children was old enough to become the succeeding tenant.

It would be more reasonable to consider that it would be bad for the health of the wife and the children which she bore if they came into the world made for a healthier farm. Although the `pill' was not yet then known, local populations generally had their own effective means of planning parenthood, even in the seventeenth century. It would then seem better to conclude that by 1646, Jan Willemsz. and his wife Nelletge Hendrixdr. had relocated, that five of their children or so had been born on Kouwenhoven and that the rest were born in their new location before Jan died somewhat more than fifteen years after he had become the tenant farmer on Kouwenhoven. [19]

As a third point then, there is no need to change the view which was expressed in THE RECORD article of 1998 regarding Jan's death date, but it would appear that the family's tenancy on Kouwenhoven likely had already ended by 1646, ten years earlier than was presented in that article.
Wolfert's childhood. What were the circumstances of Wolfert's childhood? Farm work was much harder and heavier than it is now, and it was often necessary to labor in a strong wind in cold, wet weather, which caused severe illnesses. Although it now seems strange, the life of a farmer was similar then to that of a contemporary professional athlete. The training or work began for both early in life, and by the time each was thirty years old, he was already past his peak. While it is now unusual to find an athlete older than forty-five on a team roster, it was then unusual to find a farmer older than forty-five years old on a landlord's list of tenants - not because the older tenant was enjoying retirement in his luxurious villa, but because he had died of exhaustion and illness. Although it would seem that the average lifespan of a tenant farmer in this region did not differ greatly during this period from that of the general population and that it thus was about forty-five years, Jan Willemsz. was younger when he died, and it would seem that this was also true of his father. It would seem that some tenants died several years before they reached forty-five while a similar number lived a few years beyond that benchmark.

It would seem unlikely that Gerrit the father of Wolfert and Willem would have been able to work as a tenant farmer for many more years than the documented tenants of Kouwenhoven Peter Coenraetsz. and Jan Willemsz.[20] It would thus have been unlikely that he would have been able to work as a tenant much more than fifteen years. If Willem became the tenant about 1608, it would then seem that his predecessor may have begun his tenancy about 1593. This is three years later than the estimate given in the above cited article in THE RECORD.
According to the above calculations, Wolfert would then have been nine years old, and Willem six. At first sight, this would seem to suggest that there is something wrong with the assumptions behind these figures, since this would mean that the children apparently were not born on Kouwenhoven, but it is more profitable to reason that insight is thus given into the complex and fragile world into which the boys were born.

There is no document in which Wolfert is listed as a resident of Kouwenhoven or as its tenant farmer, nor for the reasons enumerated above, does it seem likely that such evidence of his presence on the farm will be discovered. Yet, he used the name Van Couwenhoven,[21] and he worked as a farmer and as a farm supervisor. Why the choice for this name? Where did he learn farm work? If he lived and worked on the farm Kouwenhoven as a child, both questions would be answered. Thus, because no better explanation has yet been found, it is reasonable to assume that this farm was his home and work place for a time during his early years.

In the earlier article in THE RECORD it was mentioned that a director of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) in the early seventeenth century bore the family name Couwenhoven,[22] and it was suggested that although this man was not a blood relative, his high position may have afforded Wolfert a further reason to use the name Van Couwenhoven in New Amsterdam rather than another reasonable choice of name such as Van Amersfoort or Van Coelhorst. In regard to this, Gerard Raven has commented[23] that the directors of the Dutch West India Company in Amsterdam would not necessarily know that a Couwenhoven was a director of the Dutch East India Company in Rotterdam. It is thus uncertain that it would have been professionally advantageous for Wolfert to use this name. This implies that he used it for personal reasons, that is to say, because he had lived and worked there during a significant portion of his youth.

It is possible that Wolfert and his brother Willem were born elsewhere and that their father only later became tenant on Kouwenhoven. If so, he probably was tenant for six or twelve years at their previous residence. If that is the case, the father likely died within five years of the start of his work on the farm, although he may have lived longer and have seen Willem become the tenant on the farm, in which event he may then have been able to do but limited work because he would already have reached the advanced age of 45 years. Still, there is a considerable likelihood that the father died before either boy attained his twenty-first year. This implies that there was a tenant intermediate between Willem and his father. If that was indeed the case, how were the children enabled to remain on the farm? And their mother? Other siblings? Because of the dearth of documents, it is not possible to answer these questions. There is for instance no testament or inventory for the estate of Wolfert's father in which his patronymic and that of his mother are disclosed with a list of their children, although it is reasonable to think that such documents once existed. It is not possible to ascertain precisely to what extent Wolfert's life and that of his father Gerrit and his brother Willem were in agreement or disagreement with the possibilities and probabilities which have been set forth here. The contours of the pieces of the puzzle do not come into clear view, and it is not possible to seen how they fit together.

Early change of family on the farm Kouwenhoven. Kemp and Raven list the tenant of Kouwenhoven about 1536 and in 1548 as Reyer Pot.[24l In 1564 the tenant was Gherit Jansz;[25] in 1619/20 Willem Gerritsz.[26] As noted above, the tenant in 1622 was Peter Coenraetsz., and in 1636 Jan Willemsz.,[27] while Jan Bartsz. apparently had become the tenant by 1646. Clearly a change of tenant families occurred sometime between 1548 and 1564 and again about 1646. Because of the short life expectancy and the disruptions of death, it is likely that other changes in tenant families on Kouwenhoven occurred during this period which are not disclosed because of the dearth of documents.

It is thus best to be cautious about drawing an easy conclusion that Gerrit the father of Wolfert and Willem succeeded his father on Kouwenhoven and that the family can be found on this farm much further back into the past. This accentuates the conclusion in the earlier article in THE RECORD that there is insufficient basis to conclude that there was a family relationship between Wolfert Gerritse and the Gherit (Gerrit) Jansz. who in 1564 was listed as the tenant of Kouwenhoven.[28] Kemp described him as a suitable candidate to be the father of Wolfert Gerritsz. and Willem Gerritsz. In his article, he placed brackets around the name [Jansz. Couwenhoven] in his "Genealogie Van Couwenhoven" to indicate that the names within the brackets were merely hypothetical for Gerrit Jansz.[29] He was certain that the father of Wolfert and Willem was Gerrit, and it was speculative if the father was Gerrit Jansz. Couwenhoven.[30] This thought is repeated in the article in De Bewaarsman with the cautionary observation that Gerrit Jansz. would have been unusually old if he were the father of Wolfert and Willem.[31]

A further weakness in the thesis that Gerrit Jansz. and Wolfert Gerritsz. were father and son is that the patronymic Gerritsz. (son of Gerrit) is largely the basis for asserting that this relationship exists while Gerrit together with Willem, Jan and Hendrik are the most common Dutch given names. Gerrit occurs as frequently as Willem in the registers of marriages and baptisms during this period. It is not surprising then that a tenant bore the name Gerrit Jansz., and without further documentary evidence, there is insufficient basis to assert that he was the father of Wolfert Gerritsz. It should be noted that Kemp has cautiously refrained from doing this.

Religious life in Wolfert's childhood, the Coelhorst Chapel. A discussion of religion and worship can be added to the treatment of Wolfert's childhood. The Coelhorst Chapel, which was built about 1350, stands just around the corner from the farm Kouwenhoven. This proximity evokes a picture of Wolfert trudging on Sunday mornings with other family members and residents of the neighborhood Coelhorst through the snow to worship services in this building. Yet, the historical story differs greatly from this.
About 1350, the residents of Hoogland no longer had to attend mass in Oud-Leusden, which was several miles south of Amersfoort while their hamlet then stood several miles northwest of the more northerly city.321 They received their own chapel, which was dedicated to St. Nicholas, who was not only the patron saint of farmers in areas that had just been placed under cultivation, but also the protector from floods. The Reformation brought a step backward to this little settlement. In 1580, Catholic services were forbidden by the provincial parliament of Utrecht, and the church was closed. It seems to have been the intention of the Protestants to hold their own services in this building, which during the intervening two centuries had been endowed with the income from several farms, but a pastor could not be found. It was not until 1655 that it could be arranged that Reformed pastors from the region would hold services in turn in the chapel. In the meantime, itinerant priests had offered the mass for the faithful without interruption at other places in the neighborhood such as the manor house Hoogerhorst, until Hoogland was again assigned its own priest in 1640.33 Ill feeling was likely generated when the chapel was close[d and its income was not used for many decades for services in that building or for pastoral care for the local residents. Perhaps as a result, the Protestant families gradually departed from Coel[horst in the seventeenth century so that the hamlet was almost exclusively Catholic in the eighteenth century as is noted in another source.[34] This has remained unchanged in subsequent years.

It seems unlikely that such negligence by the administrators of the local Reformed church would have generated interest for that church and its teachings in Wolfert. When he lived in Coelhorst, it would seem that there was little that would have attracted him to the Reformed church. This may explain why none of his children are to be found in the baptismal registers of Amersfoort or Leusden. In a later period when he cultivated contacts with Reformed businessmen such as Killiaen van Rensselaer, he may have found it expedient to affiliate with their church. Perhaps it is for this reason that he is listed on 13 August 1651 as a witness of the baptism of Albert, son of Albert Albertszen, at the Reformed church in New Amsterdam.[35]



October 31, 2007
A document described as the oldest surviving land deed for Long Island land was auctioned Wednesday for $156,000 in Manhattan.

The deed, signed by Dutch Colonial Gov. Wouter von Twiller at "Eylandt Manhatans" on June 6, 1636, confirms the purchase of 3,600 acres from the Lenape Indians. The land is known as Keskachauge, and constitutes a large portion of present day Brooklyn.

The winning bid was more than three times predicted, and for almost four times the opening bid of $40,000
"It is without question one of the oldest Dutch documents in private hands," said Jeremy Markowitz, head of Americana sales at Bloomsbury Auctions, a Manhattan auction house where the sale took place. "It is the first deed for land on Long Island."

Markowitz describes the deed as one of the earliest examples of private land ownership in the colony controlled by the Dutch West India Company.

"It is amazing it survived, being over 370 years old and preceding the first private land ownership in Manhattan."

Markowitz said the deed was signed a dozen years after the founding of the Dutch colony by von Twiller, the successor to the first and better known governor, Peter Minuit.

"We know from the records of the Dutch West India Company who received land deeds," Markowitz said. "There are only about a dozen land deeds that preceded this one" and they are for tracts north or south of present day New York City.

The 13-by-18-inch document, written in ink in Dutch, confirms the purchase of the land in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn from the Indians by Wolfert Gerritsz van Couwenhoven and Andries Hudde.

The auction catalog carries a price estimate of $50,000 to $75,000 but auction organizer Markowitz said that range was very conservative and there has been a lot of interest from institutions and private collectors.

On the reverse side, there is a reaffirmation of the original transaction in 1658 and signature of another more famous governor, Peter Stuyvesant, who amended it to say the sole owner of the property was Kouwenhoven. The endorsement was a result of the proclamation by the Dutch West India Company in 1652 that annulled all private land purchases and took all the land back

"It came from a private collector," Markowitz said. It has been auctioned several times after being held by the Kouwenhoven family for centuries.

The document has minor soiling and a small hole affecting two words where the deed is dated. The text reads:

"We, director and council of New Netherland, residing on the island of Manhattan at Fort Amsterdam ? herewith testify and declare, that today, date underwritten, before us personally appeared Tenkirau, Ketaun, Ararikan, Awackouw, Warinckehinck, Wappittawackenis, Ehettin, as owners; Penhawis, Kakappeteno being present as chiefs of the district, ? have transferred, ceded, surrendered and conveyed as lawful, true and free possession, as they therewith transfer, cede, surrender and convey to and for the behalf of Andries Hudde and Wolphert Gerritsz the westernmost of the flats called Keskateuw belonging to them on the island called Suan Hacky between the bay of the North river and the East River of New Netherland?"

According to Markowitz, on June 6, 1636, Wolfert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Andries Hudde purchased jointly the 3,600 acres. The same day Jacobus Van Corlear bought an adjoining tract, and 10 days later a third was purchased.

Together, these three tracts in present day Brooklyn constituted an area called 'Castuteeuw,' 'Kestateuw' and 'Casteteuw.'" The name is thought to be derived from the Lenape word for "where grass is cut."

The catalog notes "the sale of these lots was a significant event and constitutes among the earliest examples of private land ownership in New Netherland. At the time, it was highly unusual for land to be owned by anyone except the Dutch West India Company." And most land was leased rather than sold.

Colonial records show the first private purchase of land in the colony of New Netherland occurred in 1629, in present day Delaware. The 1636 purchases collectively are the seventh purchase of land in New Netherland, and the third in the present state of New York. The first private land sale on the island of Manhattan was recorded two years later.

Corlear purchased the land for speculation but Gerritsz van Kouwenhoven settled on the westernmost of the three plots and constructed a dwelling and laid out a plantation that eventually became the settlement and town of Flatlands. The pioneer called his estate Achterveldt and his dwelling stood near the junction of Kouwenhoven Place and Flatbush Avenue.

      Neeltgen Jacobsdochter was born circa 1584 at Netherlands. She was the daughter of Jacob Petersz and Metgen Jacobsdr. Marriage banns for Neeltgen Jacobsdochter and Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven were published on 9-Jan-1605 at Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands. Neeltgen married Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven, son of Gerritt Jansz Couwenhoven, on 17-Jan-1604/5 at Dutch Reformed Church, Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands. Neeltgen Jacobsdochter died circa 1658 at New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York.
     She was also known as Aeltgen Jans. She was also known as Neeltje Janse. She was also known as Neeltje Jans. She and Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven 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 saled in the expedidition that was comprsed of the ships Mackerel, Horse, Cow and Sheep.

      Albert Garland Conover was born on 9-Sep-1868 at Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of William Stephen Conover and Nancy Philimin Martin. Albert married Estsella E. Edwards, daughter of Samuel Edwards and Carrie (Unknown), circa 1891. Albert married Ida May Davison, daughter of John J. Davison, in Oct-1903. Albert Garland Conover died on 4-Aug-1945 at Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey, at age 76. Albert was buried at Manalapan Cemetery Hwy 33 Milstone Twp., Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Ida May Davison was born circa 1876 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of John J. Davison. Ida married Albert Garland Conover, son of William Stephen Conover and Nancy Philimin Martin, in Oct-1903.

      Olga Conover was born on 26-Jan-1905 at Etra-Hightstown, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Albert Garland Conover and Ida May Davison. Olga Conover died on 13-Mar-1989 at Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey, at age 84.
     She resided at at 3 Pershing Ave., Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey.