1 Willem Davidszen [Williamson] of Flatlands, Long Island in My Efforts

WILLEM DAVIDSZEN [WILLIAMSON] OF FLATLANDS, LONG ISLAND 1

This document is Copyright 1999 by Perry Streeter. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder.

I am seeking all genealogical and biographical details for the family documented below including their ancestors, children, and grandchildren and the spouses thereof, including the full names of those spouses' parents. All additions and corrections within this scope, however speculative, will be greatly appreciated.

Willem Davidszen [Williamson] of Flatlands, Long Island

In my efforts to determine the origins of my earliest confirmed Williamson ancestor, Peter Williamson of Greenwich Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, I have researched many different Williamson families of New Jersey. I now believe that Peter and his brother Jacobus were descendants of Willem2 Willemsen (Willem1 Gerritsen) and Mayke2 Pieters Wyckoff (Pieter1 Claeszen). However, descent from Willem1 Davidszen remains a secondary possibility. In any case, I continue to update my document on his descendants in hopes that my efforts may be of benefit to others.

1. WILLEM1 DAVIDSZEN [WILLIAMSON], also "Davies," "Davis," and "Davidz," died before 20 May 1695; married, about 1675 HELENA AARDS (HSYB, 1898:124,132), died after 1698. Willem and Helena named their first daughter Helena and their second son Aert, indicating that Helena was probably the daughter of a couple named Aert and Helena . Also, Helena used Aertsen as a surname as detailed further below. She was not a daughter of Jan Aersen/Aertsen of the Ferry, as some researchers have theorized, but she may have been his sister. Jan also had a daughter Helena. Willem came to New Netherland about 1653 (E.B. O'Callaghan, The Documentary History of the State of New York [hereinafter DHNY] in 4 volumes; [1849-1851]; I:661); perhaps some of those cited below with him were kinsmen to him or Helena:

Reynier Aertsen... emigrated to New Netherland in 1653 along with Jan Teunisz Van Dyckhuys, Rutger Bruynsen, Willem Davis, Stoffel Jansz Romeyn, Jochem Gulick, Rutger Joosten Van Brunt, Jan Van Cleef, and Symon Jansz Van Aersdalen (Charles Vanorsdale, [email protected], 15 October 1998).

Jochem2 Gulick (Hendrick1) was the maternal grandfather of Catherine (Griggs) Williamson, wife of my earliest confirmed Williamson ancestor, Peter. Of Jochem's children, his daughter Catelyntje married Willem3 Williamson (Willem2 Willemsen, Willem1 Gerritsen) and his daughter Grietje married Cornelius3 Williamson (Willem2 Willemsen, Willem1 Gerritsen). The association between Willem Davidszen and Jochem Gulick was apparently a "red herring," or false

clue, in my research, steering me towards Willem Davidszen as the potential immigrant ancestor of Peter Williamson. On 11 April 1670, "Willem Davids" and Dirck Storm served as witnesses to the prenuptial agreement of "Sr. Jan Stryckker of fflackbush" and "Mrs. Swaentie Jans widdr off Cornelis De Potter at the Ferry" (A. Van Doren Honeyman, James Nevious and His Descendants [hereinafter Nevious], [1900]). Willem eventually settled at Flatlands, where he was taxed on 25 morgens of land in 1683 (DHNY, II:497). When William Davies took the Oath of Allegiance in September 1687, he stated he had been in this country for 34 years. He died before 20 May 1695, when Thomas Willett, Sr. and wife Helena of Flushing; Garrett Stoothoff and wife Johanna; and John Vandyckhuys and wife Aechye of Flatlands, deeded Helena Davies of Flatlands, widow of William Davies, land in that place (Long Island Source Records). All of the children of Willem and Helena assumed the patronymic of Willemsen and Williamson soon became the family's surname. By the time of the circa 1698 Census of Kings County, Long Island, Helena was a widow, still residing at Flatlands, and went by a derivation of her own patronymic, Aertsen, at the time of the enumeration (DHNY, III:136). Residing in her household at the time were two men, one of whom was undoubtedly her son David. If Willem and Helena followed Dutch naming practices in naming their children, his parents were named David and Ida. However, if Willem and Helena had strictly followed Dutch naming practices, one would anticipate that the third son would have been named Willem instead of Laurens. There may have been other children born to this couple, including a son named Willem who has not been identified. Helena, along with Elbert Elbertse [Stoothoff], witnessed the baptism of Jan Aertsen's son, "Aeftie," on Pinksterday, April 1677. Although Helena was not the daughter of Jan Aertsen of the Ferry in Brooklyn, perhaps there was some tie of kinship:

Jan Aersen, whom I believe to be the father of... John/Jan Aersen (who took the name of Harrison), also had 4 children by Adriantje Bleijk Nevius: Helena m Christopher Hoogland; Aert, m Elizabeth Andriesse; Matheus, m Mareytje Van Dyck; David, m Helena Harssing. (Margery Freas, Dutch- [email protected], 14 October 1998)

Jan, of the Ferry, (Aertsen/Aersen/etc.) married three times. The name of his first wife is unknown but he had a son named Jan/Johannis/John by her. His second wife was Adriaentje Bleijck (widow of Johannis Nevius and daughter of Swaantje Jans). They had a number of children one of whom was the Helena or Helen who married Christopher Hoaglandt. His third wife was Elizabeth Smith, widow of Peter Smit (or Smith). Most of Jan Aersen's children and grandchildren (none of whom adopted or used Middagh as a surname—they appear in most records as Aersen, Arrison, and even Harrison) eventually moved to and settled in Northern NJ. Jan himself never moved there even though he once bought a large tract (700 acres) of land there. (Jack Middaugh, posting to Dutch-Colonies@ rootsweb.com, 27 April 1998)

Children, all of whom assumed the surname of Willemsen; there may have been others (SCGQ):

2. ii. DAVID2, b. ca. 1676; m. MARYTJE2 VAN NESTE; named after paternal grandfather. iii. HELENA, bapt. 3 Feb 1678 (J. van der Linde, NEW YORK HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS: DUTCH—OLD FIRST DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK [1983]; 157); named after mother (and probably maternal grandmother); possibly identical with the Helena Willemsen who m., as his second wife, HENDRICK2 WYCKOFF (Pieter1 Claeszen), b. 1658, d. 1744, m. (1) Geertje , son of Pieter1 Claesen Wyckoff and Geertje Hendricks Van Ness. iv. IDA, b. ca. 1680, m. PETER2 KINNEY (Adrian1 Pieterse) "Pieter Kinne" (TAG, 26:28), b. ca. 1676 Flatlands, NY, will dated at Reading, Hunterdon Co., NJ 28 Aug 1736 and proved 6 Aug 1745, son of Adrian1 Pieterse Kinne and Willempe Pieterse Wyckoff (Pieter1 Claesen). Perhaps Ida was named after her paternal grandmother; direct ancestors of Catherine Di Pietro (SCGQ). Children, surname Kinney, birth order uncertain: 1. Adrian, d. before 1736; m. Readington, NJ Kniertje Lynbrou. 2. William m. Eve Shirts, dau. of Michael Shirts. 3. David, bapt. 1st Reformed Church, Raritan, NJ 27 April 1710, witnesses Davit Willemsen and wife (SCHQ, 2:138); m. Angelica Mowerson. 4. Willeminsa, m. Daniel DeVore/DeVoor. 5. Eleansor/Lenae, bapt. (then Six Mile Run, now) Franklin Park, Somerset Co., NJ 17 April 1711; m. George Biggs. v. AERT, bapt. 20 Jan 1682, witnesses: Gerrit Elberts Stoothof and Ailtie (HSYB, 1898:124); d., perhaps at Freehold, Somerset Co., NJ, probably before 1731; m. Monmouth Co., NJ 11 Nov 1704 ANNATJE4 COUWENHOVEN (Willem3 Gerretse, Gerret2 Wolfertse, Wolfert1 Gerretse) (GMNJ, 22:85, 23:69), b. 13 April 1683, bapt. 22 April 1683 (RDC), dau. of William3 Gerretse Couwenhoven and Jannetje Pieterse Monfort. Aert was named after his maternal grandfather. 11 Feb 1712 Peter Nevious witnessed a deed of Aert Willemsen (Nevious). Annatje m. (2) JOHANNES ANTONIDES; among the church members listed at Freehold, NJ in 1731 were Antie Willemse, widow of Aert, John Antonides, and Johanna Couvenhoven, wife of John Antonides (GMNJ, 24:20-21). Children, surname Williamson, birth order uncertain (correspondence, 27 Oct 1998): 1. Aert, b. ca. 1704; d. Marlboro, Monmouth Co., NJ 1750. 2. Elbert, b. 1701-1724; d. ca. 1799; m. Mary . 3. Willem A., b. 18 Feb 1708/09; d. 22 [March] 1788; will made 31 May 1788 and probated 3 May 1788; m. 16 Jan 1729/30 Aeltje5 Couvenhoven (Pieter4 Willemse, Willem3 Gerretse, Gerret2 Wolfertse, Wolfert1 Gerretse), dau. of ancestors Pieter4 Willemse Cowenhoven and Patience Daws. 4. Jannetje, b. 1711; d. after 1748; m. ca. 1732 Leffert Lefferson. 5. Aeltje, b. 1714; d. 1756-1809; m.

2 Dec 1737 William3 Barkalow (Dirck2 Willemse, Willem1), b. ca. 16 Jan 1714/15, d. Upper Freehold, NJ 1766, son of Dirck2 Willemse Barkalow and Jannetje Van Arsdalen. 6. Neeltje, bapt. 16 Oct 1720; d. 6 Nov 1771; m. 28 Dec 1742 Peter Forman, son of Jonathan Forman and Margaret Wyckoff. 7. David, b. 1721; d. April 24, 1766, will probated Freehold, Monmouth Co., NJ 21 May 1766; m. Marlboro, Monmouth Co., NJ 12 June 1745 Geertje Van Voorhees, d. 13 Oct 1784, dau. of Hendrick and (Jensen) Voorhees. vi. [WILLEM, when "of the Raritan"; d. before 8 Aug 1748; m. 1741 as her second husband STYNTJE JANSEN, m. (1) Adriaen Langstraet, b. Flatlands, NY, d. ca. April 1728, son of Dirck Stoffelsz Langstraet and Catharine Van Leeuwen; m. (3) 9 Aug 1748 Pieter Monfoort of Jamaica, NY. This placement for Willem is speculative on my part.] vii. LAURENS, bapt. 29 June 1684, witnesses: Petrus Nevius and Janetje Roelofs (HSYB, 1898:132); m. 20 March 1711 SARA STOOTHOOF (HYSB, 1898:96 and Bergen, Early Settlers of Kings County First Settlement to 1700's), dau. of Gerret Elbertsz Stoothoff and Johanna, dau. of Johannes Nevius and Ariaentje Bleyck. This Gerret was the son of Elbert Stoothoff and Altje Cool, widow of Gerret2 Wolfertse Couwenhoven. Elbert and Annatje Stoothoff who were witnesses to the baptism of Laurens' and Sara's son were probably her brother Elbert Stoothoff and his wife Johanna, dau. of Wilhelmus Lupardus. "To Lourens Willemse... from Jacob Osterland.. land on No. Branch Raritan River, Somerset Co. 20 Dec 1706," (Pamphlet, Colonial Conveyances—Province of East and West New Jersey 1664-1794, New Jersey State Library, Trenton). "3 Jun 1709 from Jacob O. Fertaud and John Kuyser of London by Octavo Coenraats of NY to Peter Nevious and Lourense Willemse of Kings Co. NY, 346 acres of land in Middlesex Co., NJ. Received 23 June 1731 NJ," (Nevious). Lawrence Williamson, of Pishadawa, Middlesex Co., New Jersey sold to Enoch Vreeland, farmer, of Pemberypogh, Bergen Co., New Jersey, 346 acres, 13 Sep 1715 that said Williamson purchased of Peter Nevins, who purchased of Octavo Caenroot, of New York City... Signed Lawrence Williamson; witnesses Jan DeWitte, Abraham Gouverneur and Thomas Farmer (Mary Lou Vreeland Fischer, Vreeland Transcriptions from Bergen County New Jersey Courthouse Deed Records, Volume C, 1736-1771). Child, surname Willemsen: 1. Garret, bapt. to Lo Wilmse and Saarje; witnesses: Elbert and Annatje Stoothoff; named in honor of maternal grandfather (Six Mile Run Baptisms 1743-1805, Six Mile Run/New Brunswick Church Baptisms, Special Collections Room, Rutgers University, Rutgers, New Jersey).

2. DAVID2 WILLIAMSON (Willem1 Davidszen) also known as "Willemsen," born Flatlands, Kings County, Long Island, New York circa 1676; died in Somerset County, New Jersey after May 1710; married MARYTJE2 PIETERSE VAN NESTE (Pieter1 Pieterszen), born 1 June 1678 (BR)

at Breuckelen (now Brooklyn), Kings County, New York, baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City as "Marritie" with "Theunis Gysbertsen & Sara Joris" her maternal aunt and uncle as witnesses (BDC I:132), died, probably in Middlesex County, New Jersey, after March 1732, daughter of Pieter1 Pieterszen Van Neste and Judith Joris Rapalje. Marytje married second, circa 1710, PETER BODINE, born circa 1690, died, circa 1751, son of Jean and Marie (Crocheron) Bodine; the Bodines removed to Piscataway Township, Middlesex County (SCGQ). David and Marytje were first identified as a married couple when they witnessed the baptism of "Nicolaes," son of Claes Arentszen Tours and Jacomyntje2 Pieterse Van Neste (Pieter1 Pieterszen) at the Bergen Church on 21 June 1703. David Willemsen served at least twice on the Grand Jury for Somerset County. He is first mentioned on 7 September 1708, when "David Willemson" and seventeen others were in attendance (MxCt:211). Again, in May 1710, he was a member of the Jury (MxCt:233), and this is the last known instance in which David is recorded as alive, (SCGQ).

Children of David2 Williamson and Marytje Van Neste; there were perhaps others (SCGQ):

3. ii. WILLIAM3, b. ca. 1703; m. JANNETJE5 "JANE" PIETERS COWENHOVEN; named after his paternal grandfather. 4. iii. [PETER, b. say 1705; not identified in SCGQ.] iv. JUDITH, b. 1707; bapt. Church of the Raritan 3 Aug 1707 (SCGQ; 2:44) with her maternal uncle, Pieter Van Neste Jr. as witness; named after her maternal grandmother.

Children of Peter Bodine and Marytje (Van Neste) Williamson, surname Bodine:

v. JOHN, bapt. 30 April 1712; m. CATHARINE LEBOITEUX. vi. PETER, b. ca. 1714; m. EME . vii. DAVID, bapt. 3 April 1717. viii. MARY, b. ca. 1719.

3. WILLIAM3 WILLIAMSON (David2, Willem1 Davidszen), also known as "Willem Willemsen," born circa 1703; married, perhaps in Kings County, New York (LDS FHL Film Number 2034787), circa 1722 to JANNETJE5 "JANE" PIETERS COWENHOVEN, born 28 July 1697, daughter of Pieter4 Willemse Cowenhoven (William3 Gerretse, Gerret2 Wolfertse, Wolfert1 Gerretse) and Patience Daws (Lincoln C. Cocheu, "The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family," Genealogies of Long Island Families, Vol. II [hereinafter Cocheu]; [Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co; 1978]). Notes on other New Brunswick, New Jersey baptisms in "Williamson" Notes, genealogy notebook, New Jersey Room, Rutgers University, Rutgers, New Jersey). It is interesting to note that two sisters married first cousins who were both named William Williamson; Jannetje's sister, Aeltje5 "Alice" Pieters Cowenhoven, married William3 Williamson (Aert1, Willem1 Davidszen).

Willem Willemsen, (or William Williamson), the individual by this name who married, before 1731, Jannetje (surname unknown), and had a son, David,

baptized 25 July 1731 (PNJHS 1926:401). Willem's son, David, was named, in accordance with Dutch custom, for his paternal grandfather (SCGQ).

In records of the New Brunswick Congregation 1732-35 (Six Mile Run Baptisms 1743-1805, Six Mile Run/New Brunswick Church Baptisms, Special Collections Room, Rutgers University, Rutgers, New Jersey), the following listings are included:

Members 1738 William Willsen and Jannetje Wilmsen Members 1748 William Willimse and Jannetje Members 1751 William Willimse and Jannetje Deacon 1741 William Willimsen Deacon 1750 William Willimsen

Children, first baptized at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey; remainder baptized at New Brunswick, Somerset County, New Jersey (Cocheu):

i. child4, bapt. 8 Aug 1725 to "Willem Willemsen" and "Janneke Kouwenhoven," (GMNJ [1948], 14). ii. PATENTIES, bapt. 20 Sep 1728 to Wilm and Jannetje Wilmsen; named in honor of her maternal grandmother. iii. CATALYNTJE, bapt. 30 May 1731 to Willem and Jannitie Willemse. I think that Cocheu was in error in attributing this baptism to a child of Willem3 Willemsen and Jannetje Couwenhoven. Catalyntje was probably identical with Catalyntje5 Williamson (William4, Willem3, Willem2 Willemsen, Willem1 Gerritsen, dau. of William4 Williamson and Jannetje Van Nest and named in honor of her paternal grandmother, Catalyntje3 (Gulick) Williamson (Jochem2, Hendrick1). iv. DAVID, bapt. 25 July 1731 to Wellem and Yannetye Wellemse; named in honor of his paternal grandfather (SCGQ). v. PETERIUS, bapt. 19 May 1734 to William and Jannetje Williamson; named in honor of his maternal grandfather; probably identical with the Peter Williamson who made an inventory on 11 April 1785 for [his brother] William Williamson with [his first cousin] Aaron Longstreet [son of Jan3 Longstreet (Adriaen2, Dirck1) and Antje Couwenhoven (William3 Gerretse, Gerret2 Wolfertse, Wolfert1 Gerretse)] (File 9647L). vi. JANNETJE, bapt. 9 Jan 1737 to William and Jannetje Williamson; named in honor of her mother. vii. WILLIAM, bapt. 6 Feb 1737 to William and Jannetje Williamson. I think that Cocheu was in error in attributing this baptism to a child of Willem3 Willemsen and Jannetje Couwenhoven who died young. William was probably identical with William5 Williamson (William4, Willem3, Willem2 Willemsen, Willem1 Gerritsen, son of William4 Williamson and Jannetje Van Nest and named in honor of his paternal grandfather. In addition, it seems unlikely that the same couple would have baptized two children in less than a month.

viii. JOHANNES, bapt. 2 Mar 1743 to William and Jannetje Williamson. ix. WILLIAM WILLEMSE, bapt. 9 April 1749, son of Jannetje, witnesses: John and Patiense TenBrock; perhaps identical with the William Williamson for whom an inventory was made on 11 April 1785 by [his first cousin] Aaron Longstreet [son of Jan3 Longstreet (Adriaen2, Dirck1) and Antje Couwenhoven (William3 Gerretse, Gerret2 Wolfertse, Wolfert1 Gerretse)] and [his brother] Peter Williamson (File 9647L).

4. PETER3 WILLIAMSON ([David2, Willem1 Davidszen]), born say 1705; married first WILLEMPTJE , perhaps the daughter of a couple named Peter and Mary; married second MARY4 COSSART (David3, Jacques2-1), born 3 July 1706, daughter of David3 Cossart and Styntje Van Horne of New York City and Somerset County, New Jersey. No son of David2 Williamson and Marytje Van Neste named Peter has been previously identified. However, one would expect this couple to have named their second son Peter, in honor of Marytje's father, Pieter1 Pieterszen Van Neste. In addition, Peter named his eldest son David.

Children, by Willemptje :

i. DAVID4, b. New Brunswick, NJ 4 April 1731; presumably named in honor of paternal grandfather. ii. MARY, b. New Brunswick, NJ 8 April 1733.; presumably named in honor of maternal grandmother. iii. PETER, b. 3 May 1735; named in honor of father and perhaps maternal grandfather; probably m. DEYNA BLAW, bap. First Church of the Raritan 8 Oct 1737 (SCHQ, 2:300), dau. of Hendrick and Aeltje (Staats) Blaw, she may have been the widow of a Mr. Grant.

Children, by Mary Cossart:

iv. WILLIAM, b. Raritan, Somerset Co., NJ 26 March 1737; presumably named in honor of eldest paternal uncle and great-grandfather. v. JACOB, b. Raritan, NJ 24 Feb 1739; named in honor of eldest maternal uncle and great-grandfather. vi. GEORGE/JORIS, b. New Brunswick, NJ 3 Oct 1742; named in honor of second eldest maternal uncle. vii. THEODORUS, b. Raritan, NJ 25 Jan 1745.

Index

This is a complete every-name index for the entire document; each woman is indexed under her maiden name and her married name(s). A question mark, (?), indicates an unknown maiden name.