Cornelius Van Gaasbeek

Citations

1. [S671] David Lawrence Pierson, History of the Oranges to 1921 (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1922), iV:94: "From entries made in the family Bible of Dominie Laurentius Van Gaasbeek, which are yet extant, it is learned that his parents were Goevert and G[hand-corrected to J]acomyntje Van Gaasbeek, who presumably were residents of Leyden, Holland. From the same record it is learned that they had at least three children : Dominie Laurentius, founder of the family in this country ; Cornelius and Cornelia.
   Dominie Laurentius Van Gaasbeek was among the first of the Dutch clergymen, educated in the universities of Holland, and sent to this country by the classis of Amsterdam. He was born in Holland ; was the first of his name to arrive in New Amsterdam ; is the ancestor of all who bear the name in this country, and so skillful was he in his medicine that he was known as the "Dominie Doctor." He was graduated from the University of Leyden, M. D., May 25, 1674, having married. May 28 of the previous year, Laurentia Van de Kellemaar [m hand corrected to n in margin], who died May 3, 1703. She was a sister of Sarah Van de Kellemaar [same correction as above], who married Dominie Johannes Wieckstein, the third pastor of the Dutch Church, at Kingston, New York. By request of the consistory of the Dutch Church, at Kingston, Hurley and Marbletown petitioned to the classis of Amsterdam, that a pastor he sent them ; Dominie Laurentius Van Gaasbeek was sent to that church, duly accredited by the classis of Amsterdam, Holland. He sailed May 13, 1678, and arrived at New Amsterdam, August 21, following, and at Kingston, Ulster county, New York, with his family, September 8, 1678. He preached his first sermon one week later, and was so zealous and faithful that in one year the membership of his church amounted to 180. A new and substantial stone church, erected on the corner of Wall and Main streets, Kingston, was dedicated about January, 1680, but Dominie Van Gaasbeek did not long enjoy his new church, being stricken with a fever, from which he died in the city of New York, February, 1680."