Early Harsen Family Ties: Woffert Gerritze Van Kouwenhoven aka Couwenhoven
Nearly twenty-five years before Gerrit Graveraet’s great grandfather, Isaac Graveraet, came to Manhattan Island (aka New Amsterdam/New Netherland) as a “free trader”, Jacob Harsen’s 3rd great grandfather, Wolfert Gerritze Van Kouwenhoven, aka Couwenhoven[2], stepped foot upon the soil of this New World [3]
As mentioned in Part One of this blog series, the Dutch founded the colony of New Netherlands in North America in 1614. About 1624, the States General of the Netherlands created the West India Company, which gave the Dutch a monopoly for trade over a large area of the world stretching from West Africa to Newfoundland. The first colonists to come to New Netherland arrived in 1624-1625 at Fort Orange near what was later known as Albany.[4] This voyage is known as the Verhulst expedition. [5] Wolfert was one of the original five farmers who came over with these colonists.[6] Many historians are certain he came from an estate named “Kouwenhoven” located near the city of Amersfoort, Netherlands.[7]
Farming on Manhattan Island
The original five farmers agreed to lease and work the farms on Manhattan Island for the benefit of the West India Company for a term of six years unless released earlier. To enter the contract, the farmers had to swear an oath to “keep secret all transactions and affairs of the Company during their lease or thereafter.” Under their agreement, the Company was responsible to provide the farmers and their families with all the tools, equipment, clothing, and supplies for the first two years of the lease.[9]
Living on Manhattan Island could not have been easy for Wolfert and the other farmers. They were not afforded a life of free will and choice. Every aspect of their lives was organized and dictated by the Company through council members appointed to oversee their operations and business. When the farmers arrived in the New World, each of them received four horses and four cows. [10]
According to specific instructions from the Company, the animals were to be used “in their labors and be made to breed to supply the daily want.” If the animals were used for any other purpose, the farmers were subject to a penalty of four times the value of the animal to be paid to the Company for a first offense. The farmers faced arrest and the forfeiture of all earned wages for a second offense.[11]
In addition, the slaughtering of excess animals was only allowed to be performed by the farmers after they were granted permission from the members of council. If an animal died of disease, natural causes, or was eaten by wild animals, the farmers would have to ask one of the council members to come out to their farm to inspect the animal before they were allowed to skin or bury it. A record of the inspection was placed on file with the acting secretary for the Company. An inspection was also conducted on any tools or equipment that was broken or came into disrepair that had been allotted to the farmers for their use on the farms.[12]
The original farmers had to be strong willed and men of great ambition. To swear an oath to the Company to live by their strict rules, look after the Company’s interest, manage farms they did not own, and provide labor that maximized profit for the least expense are remarkable goals to undertake. Their life had to be grueling. All for the chance to gain the status of “free men and colonists” at the end of their terms of service.[13]
Wolfert and his family lived on Bouwery No. 3. From a letter written by Isaak de Raisere to the Amsterdam Chamber of the West India Company dated September 23, 1626, he describes a transaction with Wolfert’s wife for an otter skin.
“We live here very plainly; if there is anything to be had it is the colonists who get it. It happened one day that the wife of Wolfert Gerritsz came to me with two otters, for which I offered her three guilders, ten stivers. She refused this and asked five guilders, whereupon I let her go, this being too much. The wife of Jacob Lourissz, the smith, knowing this, went to her and offered her five guilders, which Wolfert’s wife again told me. Thereupon to prevent the otters from being purchased, I was obliged to give her the five guilders. Should your Honors desire to remedy such and other similar practices, it will be necessary to send me and the Schout other instructions and to order the Council to assist us better.”
This firsthand account clearly expresses the frustrations of a young man assigned to work for the Company on its council. Apparently, the farmers and their family members eventually found ways to profit despite the strict rules of the Company.[14]
A Change of Scene
Sometime in 1629, Wolfert made his way back to his hometown of Amersfoort, Netherland to renew his lease with the West India Company. While in his native country, Wolfert found himself presented with an additional opportunity in North America. In 1629 the West India Company created the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions to members willing to plant colonies in New Netherland. This Charter created a patroon system that mimicked feudal lordship. If an invested member of the Company could bring 50 settlers to New Netherland, he could receive land patents and manorial rights over a specific area set out by a land grant from the Company. The land grant could not be located on Manhattan Island, and certain conditions had to be met before a member could become a patroon. First, the patroon needed to have at least a quarter of the 50 settlers living on the land within the first year, with the remainder of the settlers being settled within three years after receipt of the grant. To entice settlers to come to New Netherland and live under a patroonship, settlers were free from taxation for the first 10 years after settlement. This timeframe was considered their term of service. During this 10-year period, the settlers were not allowed to leave the colony without the written consent of the patroon. The settlers were also obligated to offer any goods they had for sale first to the patroon. If he did not purchase the goods, the settler could then sell their wares on the public market.[16]
The patroon was responsible for paying all expenses to erect barns and homes as well as preparing the fields for farming. In essence, the patroon bore all expenses of settlement. The patroon would act as the magistrate to settle any disputes between settlers. If a settler was unsatisfied with the patroon’s decision, there was no appellate process unless the dispute in question was for more than 50 guilders. In this circumstance, a settler could appeal to the Director and his Council in New Amsterdam to review the patroon’s decision and rule on the matter.[18]
One of the founders of the West India Company and a wealthy diamond and pearl merchant from Amsterdam, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, had designs of a patroonship. In fact, he ended up being the only successful patroon. While the members of the West Indian Company were considering the patroon system and working on the Charter of Freedom and Exemptions in early 1629, Kiliaen gave notice to the Directors of his intention to create a patroonship in New Netherlands. He and two other members, Samuel Godyn and Samual Blommaert, had sent men overseas to find them a good location for settlement.[19]
The notice dated January 13, 1629 read:
“President Godyn and Mr. Rensselaer notify the Chamber that their honors together with Mr. Blommaert by the ships now going to New Netherland send two persons, one named Gillis Houset, sailor, and the other Jacob Jansz Cuper, with the intention, in case they make favorable report to their honors, of planting a colony there in accordance with the conditions drawn up by the Assembly of the XIX.”[20]
After the charter was ratified on June 7, 1629, another member, Michael Pauw, informed the Directors of his desire to create a patroonship along the “Sickenames River, a stream east of the Connecticut River.”[21] The notice read:
”Confrater Michiel Pauw notifies this Chamber that his honor declares himself as patroon of a colony which he agrees to plant, on the conditions ratified today in the Assembly of the XIX, in New Netherland, on the river Sickenames, beginning at the entrance of the said river, and prays the said Chamber to be pleased to take notice thereof.”[22]
Michael Pauw ended up abandoning his designs for settlement and no colony was established. Samuel Godyn placed his settlement on “the bay of the South River” known today as Delaware Bay. He called the settlement Zwaanendael. He only managed to bring 32 colonists. The colonists were lost in a skirmish with a local Native American tribe shortly after their arrival. This led Samuel to sell the land back to the West India Company. Samuel Blommaert was unsuccessful with his attempts at patroonship too. This left Kiliaen Rensselaer alone in the world of patroons.[23]
In November of 1629, Kiliaen settled on a location for his patroonship on the upper Hudson River and issued his notice to the Chamber. “Kiliaen Van Renselaer declares himself cum suis from now on as patroon on the North River of New Netherland beginning above and below Fort Orange, on both sides of the river with the islands therein, as many leagues downwards as the Assembly of the XIX has determined, intending to send a colony thither at the first opportunity on the conditions framed as aforesaid by the Assembly of the XIX.”[24]
Kiliaen set out to purchase his plot of land, which he intended to call Rensselaerswyck. This area is now part of Albany and Rensselaer counties. It extended on both sides of the Hudson River. Kiliaen never came to New Netherland to see the land. He conducted all its business from Amsterdam. This land would stay in the Rensselaer family until the 1840s. The last patroon was Stephen Van Rensselaer III.[26]
On January 12, 1630, Kiliaen sent instructions to Bastiaen Jansz Krol [sic][Crol], the acting commander of Fort Orange, to make the purchase along the Hudson River, cautiously and correctly.[27] Crol had made his initial voyage to New Netherland with Wolfert in 1624-1625 and was given his appointment as commander of Fort Orange due to his ability to understand the native language.[28]
The instructions detailed Kiliaen’s expections of the purchase:
“First, Crol shall try to buy the lands hereafter named for the said Rensselaer from the Mahijcans [sic] [Mohicans] or some other nations as have any claim to them, giving them no occasion for discontent, but treating them with all courtesy and discretion. And what he shall give to the said nations in consideration of the aforesaid purchase, he shall take (according to the order of the Company) from its merchandise, charging the same by measure or weight to the said Rensselaer. The limits he shall extend as far as possible, as high above the Fort Orange, and as far inland as they will in any way cede and as many below the same fort, and as far inland as possible, specially in places where there is flat and good land and the least underbrush and trees. In case he cannot purchase the said lands from one or two nations, that he purchase the same from all who pretend any right to them. Having bought the islands, that he convene not only the respective chiefs but all the people, in order to make the payment in the presence of them all, and that he takes then the chief of each nation to the island of Manhattan [sic] [Manhattan Island] to confirm the purchase before the director and council, and that he have the same recorded among the resolutions and send me a copy.”[29]
While Kiliaen was working on purchasing the property for his patroonship, he was also searching for someone to oversee the colony for him. Being a native from Nijkerk, Netherlands, Kiliaen searched to find families from this area to move to his new settlement.[31] Less than 10 km from Kijikerk was Amersfoort. It was in Amersfoort, Kiliaen had the luxury of finding Wolfert, who was back home negotiating a second lease with the West India Company to manage Bouwerie No. 6 on Manhattan Island.[32] Having already established a farm on Manhattan Island, Wolfert was the perfect candidate for the job.
Wolfert had to contemplate the lofty task of working a Company farm on Manhattan Island as well as managing the Kiliaen colony. But in the end, he agreed to sign both contracts. Having Kiliaen as his employer in the New World had to appeal to Wolfert. Kiliaen was a very wealthy member of the Amsterdam mercantile community as well as a dominant member of the Company.[33]
Kiliaen sent Wolfert his instructions dated January 16, 1630.
“Wulfert Gerritssz aforesaid is engaged by Rensselaer, his service to begin on his arrival in that country. He is bound for four summers, but Rensselaer may end the contract after one or two summers. The annual term of service of Wulfert is agreed upon to be from April to November, when all the winter seed is in the ground; and if it is very necessary he must stay through the winter and he shall receive 20 guilders for each month of service being at his own expense as to board.” Kilaen went on to explain his need to plant 50 people in his colony and the necessity of having within his community many animals to maintain the population. He commanded Wolfert to make this endeavor a priority. He enclosed an extract from the Resolution Book of the Company for the purchase of the property made by Crol for Wolfert’s use if required.”[35]
Long Island Home
The new settlers of Rensselaerswyck and Wolfert set sail on March 21, 1630. They arrived in New Netherland May 24, 1630. The original settlers were: (1) Claes Claesz from Vlecker [Fleckero, an Island off the south coast of Norway]; (2) Wolfert from Amersfoort, in the province of Ulrecht; (3) Jacob Goyversen [Goyverttsen] from Vlecker; (4) Pieter Hendricksz from Soest [presumably the village of that name in the province of Utrecht, but possibly the city of Soest in Westphalia]; (5) Rutger Hendricksz from Soest; (6) Barent [Beerent] Jansz, given as being from Desens on one list and from Esen on another; (7) Roelof Jansz from Masterland [Marstrand on the coast of Sweden]; (8) Seger [Zeeger] Jansz from Nijkerk; (9) and Brant Peelen from Nijkerk.[37]
Wolfert took up residence on his farm, Bouwerie No. 6, on Manhattan Island and set to creating the colony of Rensselaerswyck. Wolfert worked for Kiliaen for two years and then ended the contract in 1632. It has been said Wolfert gave his notice to Kiliaen because his wife would not join him on the Rensselaerswyck land since none of the colonists were allowed to engage in the fur trading business.[38]
In his acceptance letter to Wolfert regarding his resignation, Kiliaen makes reference to his wife:
“I had hoped that you would have settled in my colony but, as I am told, your wife was not much inclined thereto, which I imagine to be the reason that you seek to be released, and as I should be sorry to keep anybody in my service against his will and to his discomfort.”[39]
After Kiliaen released him from his duties, Wolfert concentrated on farming Bouwerie No. 6 on Manhattan Island. This property was not released until March 31, 1639, to Jan Van Vorst.[41] Wolfert eventually realized his dream to be a landholder of property in the New World when he and Andries Huddle purchased 15,000 acres on Long Island on June 16, 1636, then called “Kestateuw”. They made the purchase from the local Native Americans in that area. This area was later known as New Amersfoort. Today it is known as Flatlands, Brooklyn. Wolfert would live out his days on this property.[42]
It is not confirmed whether Wolfert immediately left Bouwerie No. 6 after his 1836 land purchase. However, it is confirmed he was living on his little slice of heaven in 1639 thanks to the Manatus Map. Manatus is the Dutch name for Manhattans. The map is the first survey made of Manhattan Island, New Amsterdam. It depicts New Amsterdam and other New Netherland settlements nearby.[44]
The original Manatus Map has been lost. There are two copies made of the original in the 17th Century that show slight differences. Both copies of the maps have a key which includes a name designation for the bouweries and plantations in New Amsterdam. The difference between a bouwery and a plantation is a bouwery was a “fully developed farm with cattle” and a plantation was “confined to raising tobacco or other crops.” In comparing the keys located on both maps, Wolfert’s land in Long Island is listed as line 36 of each map.[45]
Translation: 2 plantations and 2 bouweries Wolfert Gerritz with 2 partners[48]
References:
[1] Wikipedia, (2022). Dutch West India Company. Flag of the Dutch West India Company aka Geoctrooieerde Westindische Compagnie (GWC) [image], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_West_India_Company, accessed October 1, 2022.
[2] Coucheu, Lincoln C. (1939). The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, NYG&B Record, Vol, 70, Issue 3, p. 231-232.
[3] Wolfert Gerritze Van Kouwenhoven aka Couwenhoven had three sons. His second son, Jacob Wolpherstse Van Louwenhven aka Couwenhoven was married to Hester Jansen. They had Aeltje Couwenhoven on August 20, 1645. Aeltje Couwenhoven married Bernardus Harsin July 7, 1669. They later resided in Flatbush, Long Island. Aeltje and Bernardus are Jacob Harsen’s great grandparents.
[4] City of New York website, (2022). Guide to the New Amsterdam Records, 1647-1862 (bulk 1647-1675) processed by Rachel Lintz. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/records/pdf/featured-collections/new-amsterdam-records.pdf, accessed, January 19, 2022.
[5] West-Indische Compagnie (Netherland), (1924), Van Laer, A.J.F, ed. Further Instructions for Director Willem Verhulst and the Council of New Netherland, April 22, 1625. Documents Relating to New Netherland 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library; pp.81-129, San Marino, California; The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
[6] Coucheu, Lincoln C. (1939). The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, NYG&B Record, Vol, 70, Issue 3, p. 231-232.
[7] Historical Society of the New York Courts website, (2022). Wolphert Gerritsen (Van Couwenhover) c. 1583-1662) profile. https://history.nycourts.gov/figure/wolphert-gerritsen/, accessed January 28, 2022.
[8] Wikipedia, (2022). Manatus Map [images], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatus_Map, accessed January 27, 2022.
[9] West-Indische Compagnie (Netherland), (1924), Van Laer, A.J.F, ed. Provisional Regulations for the Colonists Adopted by the Assembly of the Nineteen of the West India Company, March 28, 1624. Documents Relating to New Netherland 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library; pp.1-20, San Marino, California; The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
[10] West-Indische Compagnie (Netherland), (1924), Van Laer, A.J.F, ed. Further Instructions for Director Willem Verhulst and the Council of New Netherland, April 22, 1625, pp. 81-129. Documents Relating to New Netherland 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, California; The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] West-Indische Compagnie (Netherland), (1924), Van Laer, A.J.F, ed. Letter of Isaak de Rasiere, September 23, 1626. Documents Relating to New Netherland 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library, pp. 218-219, San Marino, California; The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
[15] Wikipedia, (2022). Dutch West India Company. The West India House in Amsterdam [image]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_West_India_Company, accessed October 1, 2022.
[16] Wikipedia, (2022). New Netherland Settlements, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Netherland_settlements, accessed January 25, 2022 and Wikipedia, (2022). Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Freedoms_and_Exemptions#:~:text=The%20Charter%20of%20Freedoms%20and,supplied%20by%20members%20of%20the, accessed January 25, 2022.
[17] Wikipedia, (2022). Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Freedoms_and_Exemptions#:~:text=The%20Charter%20of%20Freedoms%20and,supplied%20by%20members%20of%20the, accessed January 25, 2022.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Wikipedia, (2022). Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Freedoms_and_Exemptions#:~:text=The%20Charter%20of%20Freedoms%20and,supplied%20by%20members%20of%20the, accessed January 25, 2022 and Wikipedia, (2022) and Wikipedia, (2022). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (merchant), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiliaen_van_Rensselaer_(merchant), accessed January 25, 2022.
[20] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, p. 154, Albany; University of the State of New York.
[21] Wikipedia, (2022). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (merchant), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiliaen_van_Rensselaer_(merchant), accessed January 25, 2022.
[22] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, p. 154-155, Albany; University of the State of New York.
[23] Wikipedia, (2022). Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Freedoms_and_Exemptions#:~:text=The%20Charter%20of%20Freedoms%20and,supplied%20by%20members%20of%20the, accessed January 25, 2022.
[24] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, pp. 157-158, Albany; University of the State of New York.
Portrait of Patroon Kiliaen Van Rensselaer[1]
[25] French Wikipedia, (2022). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. Portrait of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer [image], https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiliaen_van_Rensselaer, accessed October 1, 2022.
[26] Wikipedia, (2022). Manor of Rensselaerswyck, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manor_of_Rensselaerswyck, accessed January 25, 2022.
[27] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, pp. 158-161, Albany; University of the State of New York.
[28] West-Indische Compagnie (Netherland), (1924), Van Laer, A.J.F, ed. Letter of Isaak de Rasiere, September 23, 1626. Documents Relating to New Netherland 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library, p. 176, San Marino, California; The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
[29] Van Laer, A.J.F., ed. (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, pp. 158-161, Albany; University of the State of New York.
[30] Wikipedia, (2022). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, merchant. Kiliaen Van Rensselaer’s Merchant Mark [image], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiliaen_van_Rensselaer_(merchant), accessed January 25, 2022.
[31] Wikipedia, (2022). Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Freedoms_and_Exemptions#:~:text=The%20Charter%20of%20Freedoms%20and,supplied%20by%20members%20of%20the, accessed January 25, 2022.
[32] Cocheu, Lincoln C. (1939). The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, NYG&B Record, Vol. 70, Issue 3, p. 232.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Wikipedia, (2022). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, merchant. Original Map of Rensselaerswyck [image], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiliaen_van_Rensselaer_(merchant), accessed January 25, 2022.
[35] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, pp. 161-163. Albany; University of the State of New York.
[36] Johnson, Carl, (2021). Kiliaen Van Rensselaer Marker on Albany’s City Hall [image], Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 4 – The First Patroon, Hoxie! Being the History of Albany, Schenectady, Troy & More. https://hoxsie.org/2021/01/25/albany-bicentennial-tablet-no-4-the-first-patroon/, accessed October 1, 2022.
[37] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, pp. 805-806. Albany; University of the State of New York.
[38] Cocheu, Lincoln C. (1939). The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, NYG&B Record, Vol. 70, Issue 3, p. 233.
[39] Van Laer, A.J.F., (1908). Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, p. 218. Albany; University of the State of New York.
[40] New Amsterdam History Center, (2022). Document: Patent of Andries Hudde and Wolphert Gerritsen van Couwenhoven for a tract of land on Long Island [image], https://encyclopedia.nahc-mapping.org/document/patent-andries-hudde-and-wolphert-gerritsen-van-couwenhoven-tract-land-long-island, accessed October 1, 2022.
[41] Cocheu, Lincoln C. (1939). The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family, NYG&B Record, Vol. 70, Issue 3, p. 234.
[42] Ibid.
[43] Wikipedia, (2022). Flatlands, Brooklyn [image], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatlands,_Brooklyn, accessed October 1, 2022.
[44] Wikipedia, (2022). Manatus Map, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatus_Map, accessed January 25, 2022.
[45] Phelps Stokes, I.N. (1916). The Iconography of Manhattan Island, Volume Two, New York: Robert H. Dodd, pp. 201-202. A digital copy of this work can be found at archive.org, https://archive.org/details/iconographyofma_02stok/page/n13/mode/2up?view=theater, accessed January 19, 2022.
[46] Wikipedia, (2022). Manatus Map [images], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatus_Map, accessed January 27, 2022.
[47] Ibid.
[48] Ibid.
[49] Ibid.
[50] Ibid.
