Tjerck Claesse DeWitt

Citations

1. [S663] Gustave Anjou, compiler, Ulster County N.Y. Probate Records (New York: Gustave Anjou, 1906), I:56-58, entry for Tjerck Claese De Witt, of Kingston, citing Folio 252, his will dated 4 Mar 1687 (in Dutch).
2. [S520] VWH.
3. [S667] Jonathan Pearson, compiler and translator, Early Records of the City and County of Albany and Colony of Rensselaerwyck, four volumes; revised and edited by A. J. F. Van Laer (Albany, N.Y.: University of the State of New York, 1869; rev. 1916-1918), III:61, footnote: "The first mention of Tjerck Claessen occurs under date of April 24, 1656, in the register of marriages of the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, where he is given as from " Grootholt in Zunderlandt." This place has not been identified. Grootholdt, or Groote Holt, is the name of a small place near Borkelo in the province of Gelderland and also of a forest near Assen in the province of Drenthe, but no district by the name of Zunderlandt is found near either place. G. J. Honig, in a note on Tjerck Claessen de Witt inserted in Algemeen Nederlandsen Familieblad, 1889, 6:47, for the purpose of eliciting information that might connect him with the family of Johan de Witt, the grand pensionary of Holland, suggests that Zunderlandt may refer to Saterland, a small district in Oldenburg, and Schoonmaker, History of Kingston, p. 477, says : " This place is supposed to be Saterland, a district of Westphalia, on the southern border of East Friesland." Considering, however, that Tjerck Claessen, in a power of attorney to his brother-in-law, Jan Albertsen, of June 9, 1661, printed on another page, speaks of land inherited by him at " Oosterbemus in Oost Vrieslant," and that he had a sister Emmerentje de With, who in the record of her intended marriage at New Amsterdam to Marten Hofman, in 1664, is described as from " Esens in EmbderlV, it seems likely that " Zunderlandt " is a mistake for "Emderlandt " and that Grootholt was located not far from Esens in the northern part of East Friesland.". Hereinafter cited as Early Records of Albany and Rensselaerwyck.
4. [S663] Gustave Anjou, Ulster County N.Y. Probate Records, I:56-58, entry for Tjerck Claese De Witt, of Kingston, citing Folio 252, his will dated 4 Mar 1687 (in Dutch). Prob. East Frisia, a Dutch satellite at the time.
5. [S666] Samuel S. Purple, editor, Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York: Marriages from 11 December 1639 to 26 August 1801 (New York: New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 1890), p. 20; "[593] A^o 1656; den 24 dicto. [April]; Tjerck Claeszen de With [or Wits], van grootholt in Zunderlant, en Barber Andrieszen, Van Amsterdam."
6. [S675] Ulster County N.Y. Archives, online www.co.ulster.ny.us, Book 1, pp. 524, 525, 526; Ordinary Session, 10 /26 /1668.
   Claesen, Tierck (complt.) and Blansjan, Blansyan, Blanchan, Blanshan: Matthys (deft.).
   Minutes: Ordinary session held at Wiltwyck by Schout and Comm. of the village of Wiltwyck, on Tuesday October 26, 1668. Present The Heer Schout W. Beeckman. Commissaries: Thomas Chambs, Hendrick Jochemsen, Jan Joosten.
   Tierck Claesen Complt v.s. Matthys Blanchan Deft.
   (literal)Complt Tierck Claesen, happening to come in deft, Mat's, house, says that deft has said that he, complt, does not do justice (geen recht en doet) Deft Matthys Blansjan says that in the year 1663 when Roelof Swartw. was schout, and complt Tierck Claesen magistrate, that he stole 1/2 ancker of brandy of Lowies DuBois, and lost on account of the same 120 gldrs because he deft had furnished the wine to Lowies DuBooys, and that complt ever since that time, has hated him, and that complt Tierck Claesen has complt to govr Nickels that deft would be obliged to grind for him, and that complt has said that if the mill was on fire, he, complt, would not assist in putting it out, and complt has decided that the palisades of Harmen Portugies were in good condition. Complt answers and says that he, besides the Schout Swartwout and the commissaries of the hon. court had been ordered to inspect the new village and that the schout, in his quality of conservator of justice (reght bewaerder) attached the same (gets elve aengetart heeft) and refers to the minutes.
   And absolutely denies that he should always have hated deft Matthys Blanghan, and says that he never made any complaint about deft to the Lord General, notwithstanding he, deft Matthys Blanghan, had said to others: "if he were starving he would not grind for him," which is no christian love, and deft's daughter has even said to complt: "if complt should be in want, she would not grind for him."
   Complt Tierck Claesen further says that deft Matthys Blangan's son in law, viz. Jan Thysen said sneeringly: "I thought you were going to make my father grind," whereupon complt answered "I have once assisted in putting out the fire in the guardhouse, which threatened to damage the mill. If it should happen again I would not even move a hand in assisting to put it out," and that he complt and more others has been obliged to take ship to Fort Albany for the purpose of having [their grain] ground there through the obstinacy of deft Matthys Blangan. And complt answers in regard to the fence of Harman Portugies that he complt examined the same with the other inspectors, and found the same at the time in a good and sufficient state.
   Jacob Carel, having been summoned before the hon. court testifies that Matthys Blangan said: "if he were master he would hang Tierck Claesen" Defendant replies and says that he appealed to the Manhattans from the sentence in regard to the confiscation of the half ancker of brandy [and] that Van Ruyven said that the sentence was to be annulled, and the commissaries have been written to about the same, and further says that three times he was willing to go, and once with the messenger, for the purpose of agreeing about grinding but nobody was willing, and says that there is sufficient proof to show that he hated him, because he said: "if the mill were on fire he would not assist in putting it out."
   The hon. court having heard parties decides that it cannot correct what has been officially done by former schout and commissaries, but should at the time, have been rectified by the hon. Ld Gl Petrus Stuyvesant. Having examined the minutes it is found that there is written that the schout at the session of commissaries has given the information that Matthys Blangan had not declared his wine which he had transported to the New village which was in violation of the decree of the Ld General Stuyvesant, and brought said Blangan under suspicion of smuggling, on account of which gauging was done at his house, and he then excused himself [by saying] that he had two or three times distilled in the ashes, and it was resolved by Schout and commissaries that an inquiry should be made concerning smuggling at the new village, for which purpose the schout and the commissaries Evert Pels and Tierck Claesen from the bench were deputed. Going with the schout and coming at the new village at the house of Lowies DuBooys, son in law of Matthys Blanghan, they found in the said house a half ancker of brandy and took it with them, and the commissaries did this ex officio or by virtue of their office in accordance with the Lord's decrees, he judging it was his duty, and therefore cannot be deemed or called a thief, as deft Matt Blangan has caused it to be written down here expressly and in many words.
   And said Blanghan is ordered to prove at the next session that complt Tierck Claesen is a thief, or by default he will have to expect such punishment as ought to be justly meted out to a thief.
7. [S675] Ulster County N.Y. Archives, online www.co.ulster.ny.us, Book 2, pp. 29, 30; Ordinary Session, 4 /24 /1674.
   Complainants: Willemsen, Jan; Fynhout, Corn.; Aertsen, Gerrit; Aertsen, Hendrick; Schepmoes, Dirck Jansen. Defendant: Claesen, Clasen, Classen: Tierck.
   Note: Complainants say that defendant made his children break through their fence, for the purpose of driving his horses through the same. Answer: That he can only get off his land through the aforesaid fence.
   Minutes: Jan Willemsen, Corn. Fynhout, Gerrit Aertsen, Hendrick Aertsen, Dirck Jansen Schepmoes Complt; Tierck Claesen Deft. Complts say that deft made his children break through their fence, for the purpose of driving his horses through the same.
   Deft says that he can only get off his land through the aforesaid fence. He took out the rails, led the horses through, and again put in the rails.
   Jacob Jansen says having seen that Tierck Claesen's children broke the fence, drove the horses through, and also left the same open. Requests the nobody shall drive through the same.
   The hon. court orders and commands Tierck Claesen to abstain from breaking open anybody's fence or land or to drive any cattle through the same.
   Tierck Claesen requests that a central fence shall be made, and that each shall erect one half. The hon. court decides that everybody is at liberty to fence in his land as he pleases, but cannot force his neighbor to do his share of the same. In regard to a road of exit (uitweg) no neighbor can refuse the same to the other, but each one is master of his own land.
8. [S221] Roswell Randall Hoes, compiler, Baptismal and Marriage Registers of the Old Dutch Church of Kingston, Ulster County, New York (New York: De Vinne Press, 1891), p. 38, no. 701, 1692; Cornelis Bogardus and Rachel de Witt; Helena, 17 April; sponsors Tjerk de Witt and Barbar de Witt.
9. [S668] George G. De Witt, "The Will of Tjerck Claeszen de Witt", Olde Ulster VIII, No. 1 (Jan 1912): Translation of will from the Dutch:
   IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AMEN. Be it known to every one by these, that on this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seven and eight and ninety, I, the undersigned, Tjerck Clase De Witt of Kingstowne in the county of Ulster, being sick of body but my mind remaining completely sound, the Lord be praised therefor, considering the shortness and frailty of man's life, the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the hour of it, and being desirous to put all things in order, do make this, my last will and testament, in the form and manner hereafter written, now by these revoking, annulling and making naught all such testament or testaments, will or wills heretofore made or attempted to be made, byword or writing, and this alone shall be taken to be my last will and testament and otherwise none.
   Imprimis. I commit my soul to God Almighty, my Maker, and to Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and to the Holy One my Sanctifier, and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a christian like manner, and there to lie till that my soul and
   body shall be raised at the last day to enjoy the blessings of immortality which God in His mercy, through the sole merits of our Saviour, has promised and made known to all that sincerely, from the heart, believe in Him. And touching such temporal estate of land, houses, negroes, goods, horses, beasts, debts, gold, silver coined and uncoined, etc., as it has pleased the Lord heretofore to lend me for my use, I order, bequeath and dispose of it as follows: It is my will and desire that my wife Barbara remain in possession of the whole of my estate during her life, to have the same for her own use, and on the death of my said wife, the remainder of my estate, together with that which may be gained thereon and at that time accumulated, shall be distributed among my heirs as hereafter written.
   Item. I give to my eldest son, Andries De Witt, his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, and that my aforesaid son, on the death of my said wife, shall have and possess for him his assigns or heirs forever, the lawful half part of the land, houses, etc. belonging to me, provided that the same shall be appraised by impartial persons, on oath, and that he pay to my other heirs thereout according to that which they shall be entitled to. Also, as I have the land of Kocksinck paid for, and since then a grant of the Government and Council of this province for a great part authorized, also, with a piece of land, near the little Esopus, acquired in company with William De Meyer, which land, near the little Esopus, acquired in company with William De Meyer, which land of Kocksinck and Little Esopus, I have given to my aforesaid son and confirm, even without his being obliged to pay any money to my other heirs.
   Item. I give to my youngest son, Tierck De Witt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, and that my aforesaid son, on the death of my wife, shall have and possess for himself, his assigns or heirs, forever, the lawful half of the lands, houses, etc. belonging to me, upon the condition to bind himself to pay to my other heirs according to that which they shall be entitled to be paid thereout, to be appraised by impartial persons, on oath.
   Item. I give to my son, John De Witt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the one lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner as above mentioned ; Also that my said son, out of the money belonging to me, shall receive, for the purchase of land, five hundred bushels of wheat, without returning anything for it to my other heirs.
   Item. I give to my son, Lucas De Witt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid. Also I built, during the last year, the half of a sloop, which sloop is and shall be the property of my said son or his assigns without his being obliged to return or pay anything for himself to my other heirs.
   Item. I give to my son, Peek De Witt, or his assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid.
   Item. I give to my daughter Tjaatje, the wife of Mattys Mattysen, or her assigns, heirs or administrators, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, in manner aforesaid.
   Item. I give to my daughter, Jannetje, wife of Cornelius Switz, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate, with these conditions, that if my aforesaid daughter shall die without leaving any children, then all the said part shall be the property of my heirs, to be equally divided between them.
   Item. I give to my daughter Gertruy, or her assigns, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate in manner aforesaid, to be held by my said daughter without paying anything for it to my heirs.
   Item. I give to my daughter Rachel, or her assigns or heirs, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate in manner aforesaid, with the condition, that my said daughter's share shall be decreased one hundred pounds for the benefit of my heirs, which is what my daughter's husband, Cornelius Bogardus, owes me for the one-eighth of a brigantine, desiring however that the child of the said Bogardus, named Barbara shall receive, out of the aforesaid hundred pounds fifty pieces of eight.
   Item. I give to my daughter Marritje, her assigns or heirs, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate in manner aforesaid.
   Item. I give to my daughter Aaghe, or her assigns or heirs, the lawful twelfth part of my whole estate in manner aforesaid.
   Item. It is my will and desire, that if any of my heirs shall die before coming of age, then that those shares shall be equally divided among my heirs.
   Item. I appoint as executrix of this my last will and testament, my aforesaid wife, Barbara De Witt. Item. I desire that this my last will and testament shall be completely fulfilled and executed as thus made, at my house, the day and year above noted.
   Tjerck Claeszen De Witt. l. s.
   Signed, sealed, and declared by Tjerck De Witt this to be his last will and testament, in presence of
   Jacob Rutsen
   Abraham Lameter
   William de Meyer
   
   The certificate of Robert Hunter, Esqr., "Captain General and Governor in Chief of ye Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Territories depending thereon, in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c, sets forth, that on the 26th day of December, before William Nottingham, Gent'n, by me thereunto authorized, the last will and testament of Tjerck De Witt, was proved, approve, and allowed by me, having, while he lived, and att ye time of his death goods, chattels and creditts, in divers places, within this Province, . . . and the administration of all and singular, ye goods, chattels and creditts of ye s'd Dec'd, & his will and testament, in any manner or way concerning the same, was granted unto Barbara De Witt, ye executrix in ye s'd last will and test'm't named."
   In test. Jany. 26th, 1710.
   
   [Notice that while each of the children is to receive one-twelfth of the state, only eleven children are named. The same is true in the record printed in Ulster County Probate Records. Apparently missing children are Klaes (bapt. 17 Feb 1664, no further record) and Jacob (marr. before 1 Mar 1696 Grietje Vernooy).
10. [S663] Gustave Anjou, Ulster County N.Y. Probate Records, I:56-58, entry for Tjerck Claese De Witt, of Kingston, citing Folio 252, his will dated 4 Mar 1687 (in Dutch). Wife Barbara to have whole estate for as long as she lives; eldest son [1] "Andres de Widt"; youngest son [2] Tjerck; sons [3] Jan, [4] "Luycias", [5]"Dieck"; dau.[6] Tjatje, wife of Mattys Mattyson; dau. [7] Jannetie, wife of Cornelis Swetts; dau. [8] Geertruy; dau. [9] "Ragel", wife of Cornelis Bogardus; daus. [10] Maritie and [11] Aegie; also child Barbara, dau. of Rachel and Cornelis.
    Notice that while each of the children is to receive one-twelfth of the state, only eleven children are named. The same is true in the translation in Olde Ulster. Apparently missing children are Klaes (bapt. 17 Feb 1664, no further record) and Jacob (marr. before 1 Mar 1696 Grietje Vernooy).
11. [S667] Jonathan Pearson, Early Records of Albany and Rensselaerwyck, III:61, footnote: " According to Gustave Anjou, Ulster County, Probate Records, 1:58, he died at Kingston February 17, 1700 [1700/1], his will, dated March 4, 1687, being proved on March 6, 1700/1 ; but according to the translation of the will in Olde Ulster, 1912, 8:18-22, it [the will] was dated March 4, 1697/8, and proved on December 26, [1710]."
12. [S1158] William S. Pelletrau, compiler, Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate’s Office, City of New York (New York: New York Historical Society, 1893-1913), II:50-51. "Page 601.—Dirck Claas De Witt. (Written in Dutch Language.) I, Dirck Claas De Witt, of Kingston in Ulster County. I leave all estate to my wife Barbara." [no other information, appears among entries of the year 1710.]
13. [S221] Roswell Randall Hoes, Baptisms and Marriages ODC Kingston, p. 53, no. 1047. Tjerck de Wit, son of Jacob de Wit and Grietje Vernoy, bapt. 3 Jul 1698; sponsors Tjerck Classen de Wit and Barbara Andriessen.
14. [S221] Roswell Randall Hoes, Baptisms and Marriages ODC Kingston, p. 57, no. 1128. Barbara, dau. of Leucas de Wit and Annetje Delga, bapt. 12 Nov 1699; sponsors Tjerck de Wit and Sara Roosekrans.
15. [S663] Gustave Anjou, Ulster County N.Y. Probate Records, I:65-66.
16. [S221] Roswell Randall Hoes, Baptisms and Marriages ODC Kingston, p. 60, no. 1203. Jan de Wit, son of Leucas de Wit and Annetje Delba, bapt. 8 Dec 1700; sponsors Tjerck Claasse de Wit and Barbara de Wit.