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The Holland Society of New York

122 EAST 58th STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 President

J o h n H . Vander Veer

Advisory Council of Past Presidents:

Bruce S. Cornell T h o m a s M. Van der Veer Kenne th L. Demarest Gerri t W. Van Schaick Walter E. Hopper Dr. Harold O. Voorhis

Julian K. Roosevelt Carl A. Willsey J a m e s E. Q u a c k e n b u s h

Vice Presidents:

New York County Harry A. van Dyke Long Island Adrian T. Bogart, Jr. Dutchess County Clifford A. Crispell, Jr. Ulster County Kenne th E. Hasbrouck

Patroons, Albany Henry Bradt Central New York George N . Van Fleet Old Bergen County, N .J Francis A. Goetschius Essex and Morris Counties, N.J Daniel S. Van Riper Central New Jersey K e n n e t h L. Demares t Connect icut-Westchester Harrold W. deGroff

New England Tweed Roosevelt Mid West J o h n Schermerhorn Potomac George Bogardus Virginia and the Carolinas Howard E. Bartholf

Florida Edward V. Di tmars Pacific Coast George E. Roosevelt, Jr. Niagara Frontier Chase Viele South River Wi l l i am M. Alrich United States Army . Col. William T, Van At ten , Jr., USA (Ret) United States Navy Rear Adm. Blinn Van Mater, Jr. (Ret)

United States Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Ar thu r J. Poillon, U S M C United States Air Force Captain Laurence C. Vliet, USAF

Treasurer: Secretary:

J o h n A. Pruyn Rev. Louis O. Springsteen

Domine: Associate Domine:

Rev. Dr. Howard G. Hageman Rev. Louis O. Springsteen

Trustees: William M. Alrich James P. Snedeker Frederick W. Bogert James M. Van Buren II Ralph L. DeGroff, Jr. Wynant D. Vanderpool, Jr. John O. Delamater Harry A. van Dyke Richard C. Deyo Peter Van Dyke William B. Deyo, Jr. J a m e s M. Vreeland Henry H. Livingston Stanley L. Van Rensselaer Huber t T. Mandeville Clifford, A. Crispell , Jr. Robert D. Nostrand John R. Voorhis III Ar thur R. Smock, Jr. Peter G. Vosburgh

Trustees Emeritus: Wilfred B. Talman Charles A. Van Pat ten

Editor:

Rev. Dr. Howard G. Hageman

Editorial Committee: Frederick W. Bogert Wilfred B. Talman Clayton Hoagland James M. Van Buren II

David William Voorhees

Burgher Guard Captain: Executive Secretary:

James J . Ringo Mrs . Barbara W. Stankowski

Organized in 1885 to collect and preserve information respecting the settle­ment and early history of the City and State of New York, to perpetuate the memory, foster and promote the principles and virtues of the Dutch ancestors of its members, to maintain a library relating to the Dutch in America, and to prepare papers, essays, books, etc. in regard to the history and genealogy of the Dutch in America.

The Society is principally organized of descendants in the direct male line of residents of the Dutch Colonies in America prior to or during the year 1675. In­quiries respecting the several criteria for membership are invited.

De Halve Maen, published by the Society, is entered at the post office at New York, N.Y. Communications to the editor should be directed to the Society's address, 122 East 58th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022, telephone (212) PLaza 8-1675.

Copyright ©The Holland Society of New York 1985.

The Editor's Corner Well, the great year has dawned! All throughout 1985

we shall be celebrating the fact in 1885 a group of Dutchmen, mostly from New York, gathered together to form the Holland Society of New York, believing that the time had come to begin an organization devoted exclusively to the heritage and achievements of the settlers of New Netherland.

The list of what they and their successors have accom­plished could easily fill the pages of an issue of de Halve Maen. In addition to such obvious things as the publication of New Netherland records in the New Netherland Project, the appearance of many historical articles in the pages of this publication, the stimulation through the Scholarship Fund of many valuable historical studies, there is the larger, though much less tangible matter of forcing American historians to re-consider the place of the Dutch in American Colonial history, a role which before 1885 had been almost totally ignored.

The list of things still remaining to be accomplished could also fill the pages of an issue of our magazine. The publica­tion program still awaits completion, especially as the secur­ing of funding becomes more and more difficult. As the volumes of translations appear, however, the re-writing of American colonial history becomes increasingly urgent. Materials uncovered in these newly translated and published Dutch records make the re-writing of this part of American colonial history imperative. A whole new generation of American scholars has to be encouraged to take seriously the story of New Netherland and its contribution to American life.

It has often been pointed out that the group which first gathered in New York in 1885 probably had interests that were as much social as historical. Certainly that side of our Society's history ought not to be despised. All of us can think of friendships that have been formed through the Holland Society, can remember former members whose lives were meaningful to us who are now our cloud of witnesses, can savor the many social events which we have enjoyed in the

(continued on page 15)

IN THIS ISSUE

The Ancestry of Adriaen Hegeman 1

New Netherland Ancestors of Aeltye Van L a e r . . . . 4 Albany's Dutch Pope 8 Society Activities 11 Calendar of Events for the Centennial 14 Sponsors of the Centennial 15 Here and There with Our Members 16 In Memoriam 17

Cover: ' 'Prospect of the City of Albany in the Province of New York in America' '(1717). Courtesy of the Institute of History and Art, Albany, N.Y.

De

HALVE MAEN VOL. LVIII • NO. 4 FEBRUARY 1985 NEW YORK CITY

The Ancestry of Adriaen Hageman of New Netherland

Foreword

In 1973 Mr. Franklyn Frick of Sioux City, Iowa requested the Netherlands Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie to do research in the history of the Hegeman family. This work was completed and published in the 1974 Jaarboek of the Bureau. From this publication Mr. Fnck compiled an English version from which we here print excerpts. Adriaen was the common ancestor of the Hegeman, Hageman, Hagaman and Hagerman families in this country. We are grateful to Mr. Fnck for his splendid contribution to genealogical research.

Summary

Adriaen Hegeman emigrated from the Netherlands to New Amsterdam in 1652. He came with his wife and several children. He was born in Elburg in Gelderland, probably in 1624, came to Amsterdam before 1649 as a worker in silks. On March 7, 1649, at the age of 25, he married Catharina Margits, the daughter of a London diamond cutter. After arrival in New Netherland, he settled in Midwout (Flatbush) where he served as auctioneer, public venduemaster and schout. He was the fathet of seven sons and one daughter. His death occurred in 1672. His widow survived him until 1690.

Adriaen was the son of Hendrick Hegeman, born in Elburg about 1595, and a domine of the Dutch Reformed Church. He served the church in Vorchten in Gelderland from 1624 till his death in 1637.

Research

The collections of the Central Bureau for Genealogy already contained a number of data on several Hegemans, most of which appeared to have lived in the old cities of Harderwijk and Elburg on the (former) Zuyderzee. Moreover a Rev. Hendricus Hegeman was found mentioned, who had been Dutch Reformed Minister at Vorchten, a village in the municipality of Heerde, Gelderland, 1624-1637.

As older Hegemans were found to have lived exclusively in Elburg and Harderwijk, the church records of these towns were searched. Alas, church records of Elburg have only been preserved from 1635 (baptisms) and 1666 (marriages). So the judicial archives of Elburg were searched and there the first important record was found:

The Dutch Reformed Church in Vorchten, Gelderland, dating from about 1200. Adrian 's father was domine here from 1624 till his death in 1637.

1652 February 21, Elburg (r.a. no. 154): Henrick Gerrits by proxy of Egbert Berents at Zwolle, tutor of the minor children of the late Hendrick Hegeman, procreated by Marricken Berents, his wife, and Dionys Hegeman, acting for himself and for his brother Adnaen Hegeman by notarial proxy given at Amsterdam, provide a guaranty for the estate of the late Gualtherus Hegeman, by his life minister of Doornspijk, in favor of his creditors. A search in the archives of Amsterdam revealed that

Adnaen Hegeman, from Elburg, 25, parents deceased, had his banns proclaimed on 29 January 1649 with Catharina

(1)

Margits, from Amsterdam, 21, assisted by her fatherjoseph Margits. They were married at Sloten (near Amsterdam) 7 March 1649.

His brother Dionys Hegeman had his banns published at Amsterdam on 28 August 1653 with Susanna deSchilder. He came also from Elburg, was 29 years old and a grocer by profession.

Further research in the archives of Elburg and, in a later stage, of Harderwijk revealed a number of records as shown below, which made it possible to compile the following genealogy.

Genealogy

I. Jacob Hegeman, born, presumably at Harderwijk, about 1520, member of the St. Jorisgilde (St. George's guild) 1553, deacon and alderman of the Sacrament's guild 1555, orphans' master 1555, alderman 1561 and burgomaster of Harderwijk 1564, f before 28 December 1571, married Harderwijk 22 April 1544 Elsgen Cornelisse (daughter of Cornells), f Harderwijk 1593.

1571 Dec. 28, Harderwijk: Before the alderman appears Willem Hegeman for his sister Cornelia Hegeman and his brother Wolter Hegeman, who has taken refuge abroad, children of the htc Jacob Hegeman.

1573 Nov. 27, Harderwijk (r.a. no. 138, fol. 47): Else Hegemans provides a guaranty in favor of her daughter Cornelisje Hegemans.

1578 July 28, Harderwijk (r.a. no. 138, fol. 264vso): Elsgen, widow of Jacob Hegeman, also acting for her son Wolter Hegeman, captain, and Nyesgen, his wife, confers a gift to the poor.

1578 Sep. 27, Harderwijk (r.a. no. 138, fol. 269): Elsgen, widow of Jacob Hegeman, with captain Wolter Hegeman her son and chosen tutor on one side, and Marrytgen Bitters, widow of the ensign Willem Hegeman, on the other side, make a settlement about the estate of Willem Hegeman.

1589 April 1, Harderwijk (r.a. no. 139, fol. 277vso): Else, widow of Jacob Hegeman gives a legacy to Jan, il­legitimate son of the late Wolter Hegeman, her son. She owns a house in the Bruggestraat. Wolter has left a daughter Wyntje. Else has a daughter Cornelisje Hegemans, widow of Geerlof Voet.

His children (sequence unsure):

1. Willem Hegeman, ensign, f before 27 Sep. 1578, mar­ried Maria Bitter, f after 27 Sep. 1578.

2. Cornelisgen Hegeman, owner of land in Elspeet and Ud-deler Heegde, buried Harderwijk 16 Nov. 1604, married (marriage contract Arnhem 12 August) 1581 Geerlof Jansz. Voeth, burgomaster of Harderwijk, banished by the Duke of Alba, Spanish governor of the Netherlands, 5 April 1568, for his being a heretic and having participated in the iconoclastic riots on 22 Sep. 1566, returns to Harderwijk in 1578, alderman 1582, J before 1 April 1589.

3. Wolter Hegeman, born Harderwijk ca. 1545, captain 1574-78, colonel 1578-82, banished by the Duke of Alba in 1568 for the same reasons as his brother-in-law Geerlof Voeth, takes refuge in Germany and joins the forces of William I, Prince of Orange, participates in defeating the Spanish troops near Nijkerk 1573, captures Hindelopen

(Friesland) together with his brother Willem in 1574, ap­pointed as commander of the Wieringerwaard in 1577, etc., f (killed in battle during the siege of Bronkhorst, before 5 April) 1582, married (marriage contract Harderwijk 23 March) 1567 Niesgen Claesdr., born about 1541, buried Harderwijk 6 March 1620.

Children:

a. Wijntgen Hegeman, born Harderwijk ca. 1580, f Harderwijk 26 Jan. 1639, married Harderwijk 4 May 1597 Dirck Aeltsen, master of the mint of Harderwijk, buried there 21 Nov. 1604. Their sons Aelt and Wolter took their mother's name Hegeman. Wolter became the progenitor of a second family of this name.

b. (illegitimate son) Johan Hegeman, born ca. 1581, inn-keeper at Harderwijk, buried there 7 Aug. 1646, married Zwolle (banns published Deventer 30 June) 1610 Aelken Pouwels. His son Wolter Hegeman, born ca. 1620, f 1664, became a captain in the service of the King of Denmark; he married Utrecht 9 Aug. 1646 Anna van de Kerkhof. They had offspring in Sweden.

4. Roelof Hegeman, lived at Elburg, alderman 1587, burgomaster of Elburg 1590, f after 1603, married ca. 1580 Jacobgen Heecks, daughter of Gerrit van Empste and Aleyt Heecks.

Their son: Cornells Hegeman, born Elburg 1581, alderman and burgomaster of Elburg, f after 23 Jan. 1626, married Rodolpha de Baeck. They had a son named Roelof, 1611-1669, who by his wife Geziena Greven had 7 children.

5. Lambert, who follows II.

6. Jutte Hegeman, buried Harderwijk 20 April 1609, mar­ried 1. Janjacobsz., married 2. (marriage contract Harder­wijk 4 Aug.) 1577 Jan Dircksz., widower of Naeltje Vosch.

By her first husband she had two children, who used their mother's name Hegeman:

a. Hilletje Hegeman, only heir of her brother Jacob's in 1619, unmarried, buried Harderwijk 12 Oct. 1624.

b. Jacob Hegeman, born Harderwijk, wagon-master of Harderwijk, buried there 29 Dec. 1619, married Harder­wijk 28 Nov. 1599 Naele Wolffs.

II. Lambert Hegeman, owner of a house and land at Elbutg, and of a farm called Witborncamp at Elspeet, f before 5 Oct. 1611, married N.N. (his wife has not been found).

His children (sequence unsure):

1. Jan Lambertsz. Hegeman, owns land in Elburg, formerly-owned by his father and before him by the widow of Wolter Hegeman.

2. Wolter Lambertsz. Hegeman, born Elburg, inherits his parents' house at Elburg and the Witborncamp, burgher of Harderwijk 6 April 1612, f after 7july 1649, married Harder­wijk 13 Nov. 1611 Stijntje Hendricksdr. Maten, buried Harderwijk 27 March 1649.

When they made a marriage contract, Harderwijk 5 Oct. 1611, Wolter was assisted by his cousin Jacob Hegeman (son of Jutte, p. 5).

They had no offspring.

3. Jacob, who follows III.

4. Marie Hegeman, born Elburg, f after 24 Sep. 1625, mar­ried 1. Evert Hendricksz., from Elspeet, f before 17 Feb. 1611, married 2. Harderwijk 23 July 1611 Wolter Hesselsz. van Brienen.

1625 Sep. 24, Elburg (r.a. no. 120, fol. 59): Wolter Lambertsz. Hegeman and Wolter van Brienen, for themselves and their wives, also acting for Jacob Hegeman, their brother (-in-law) and the late Betgen Hegemans, their sister (-in-law), have sold a parcel of land near the harbour of Elburg.

5. Betgen Hegeman, mentioned as legatee of Hilletgen Hegemans (p. 5), f between 6 Oct. 1624 and 24 Sep. 1625.

III. Jacob Lambertsz. Hegeman, mentioned as nephew of the colonel Wolter Hegeman in an old manuscript genealogy of the Feith family, f after 24 Sep. 1625, married Elburg 20 Sep. 1590 Arntgen (Aertien)Feith, f shortly before 28 Feb. 1651, daughter of Hendrick Arntsz. Feith, burgomaster of Elburg, and Erwertje van Hoeclum.

1595 April 11, Elburg (r.a. no. 119, fol. 54): Jacob Hegeman and Arntgen Feiths, his wife, have sold some parcels of land to Bettgen Hegemans, his sister, half of which are already in Bettgen's possession.

Their children:

1. Aert Hegeman, f between 1641 and 1646, married before 27 March 1632 Betgen Gerritsdr. Rhijnvisch, f before 18 April 1640.

1648 July 28, Elburg (r.a. no. 121, fol. 9): Henrick Peters and Dirck Peters, tutors of the children of the late Aert Hegeman and Bettjen Gerrits, have sold a parcel of land. The children are also owners of a plot of land on the old churchyard, the counterpart of which is owned by Aertjen Hegemans, the children's grandmother.

They had three daughters, Jenneken who married Been Cornelisz. Stuyrman, Lambertgen and Aertien, both unmarried.

2. Henrick (Henricus), who follows IV.

The pulpit of the Dutch Reformed Church in Vorchten. This pulpit was built in 1630 when Hendnk Hegeman was domine.

Nes at Amsterdam, married (banns proclaimed Amsterdam 28 Aug.) 1653 Susanna de Schilder, born Amsterdam ca. 1623.

The following children were noted:

a. Elisabeth, bapt. Amsterdam (Westerkerk) 15 July 1654.

b. Abraham, bapt. Amsterdam (Nieuwe kerk) 30 July 1656.

c. Abraham, bapt. Amsterdam (Nieuwe kerk) 5 March 1659. d. Isaac, bapt. Amsterdam (Nieuwe kerk) 5 March 1659 (the latter Abraham and Isaac were twins).

e. Elisabeth, bapt. Amsterdam (Oude kerk) 29 June 1663.

Son by his second wife:

4. Helmichius Hegeman (mentioned as half brother of Gualtherus in 1647), born Vorchten ca. 1633, student at Harderwijk university 15 April 1651, Dutch Reformed Minister at Oosterwolde 1658-1677, at Vorchten 1677-1696, f Vorchten 11 May 1705, married Oosterwolde 10 Sep. 1658 Maria Nienhuys, f Vorchten 27 April, buried 6 May 1690.

Children:

a. Henricus Hegeman, bapt. Arnhem 20 April 1662, surgeon in the regiment of Baron van Wassenaer, f Vorch­ten 7, buried 28 April 1691.

b. Bernhardus Hegeman, born Vorchten, Dutch Reform­ed Minister at Vorchten 1696-1737, f Vorchten 29 Dec. 1737, married 1. IJsselmuiden 24 Nov. 1702 Margrita van

(continued on page 21)

IV. Henrick (Henricus) Hegeman, born Elburg ca. 1595, student at Franeker university 26 May 1617 (Album studiosorum no. 1668), Dutch Reformed Minister at Vor­chten 1624-1637, f Vorchten 1637, married 1. N.N. (name of first wife still unknown), married 2. Mantgen Berentsdr. van Marie, f Vorchten 1, buried 8 Oct. 1679, daughter of Berent Egbertsz. van Marie; she remarried Vorchten (banns published Harderwijk 9 Aug.) 1638 Joachim Straetman, Minister at Vorchten 1638-1660.

Children by his first wife:

1. Gualtherus (Latin for Wolter) Hegeman, born Elburg, Dutch Reformed Minister at Doornspijk 19 Oct. 1647, f Doornspijk 1651.

1652 Feb. 21, Elburg (r.a. no. 154): Henrick Gerrits by proxy of Egbert Berents, living at Zwolle, tutor of the children of the late Henrick Hegeman and Marricken Berents, Dionys Hegeman, acting for himself and for his brother Adriaen Hegeman by proxy given at Amsterdam, provide a guaranty for the estate ofthe late Gualtherus Hegeman by his life minister of Doornspijk, in favor of his creditors.

2. Adriaen, who follows V.

3. Dionys Hegeman, born Elburg ca. 1624, grocer on the

New Netherland Ancestors of Aeltye Van Laer

by David M. Riker

The story of Aeltye Van Laer's New Netherland ancestors is entwined with much of the history of New Netherland. It begins with the immigration of the Walloon settlers in 1624, involves the selection of a council of twelve advisors to Director Kieft in 1641 and the wars which followed Kieft's massacre of the Indians. Aeltye's ancestors witnessed the development of New Amsterdam into a thriving commu­nity and the eventual takeover by the English in 1664. Aeltye, born in 1663, was married to Abraham Davidse Ackerman in 1683. By 1684 they were living in Bergen but removed to the Hackensack, N J . area twelve years later. They had fourteen children.1

The great grandparents of Aeltye Van Laer were Guleyn Vigne, also called Vinge, and Ariaentje Cuvilje, who prob­ably came to New Netherland in 1624 with a group of Walloon settlers.2 Most of these Walloon families settled at Fort Orange (Albany) but a few were sent to other parts of New Netherland. Late in 1626 all were removed to Manhat­tan Island for protection. The Vigne family was from Valen-ciences, a town in France near the border with Belgium.

Some historians have claimed that the Vigne family were in New Netherland as early as 1614. At that date no perma­nent settlement existed, but fur trading expeditions visited for short periods of time. It is unlikely that the Vigne family was among these fur traders. This claim concerning the 1614 date was due to an interview with Jan Vigne by two Labadist missionaries in 1679.3 Jan told them he was the first male born of Europeans in New Netherland. The Labadists as­sumed his age at about sixty-five years. In contradiction to this claim are the facts that Jan was listed as a minor in a 1634 document and his sister Rachel was baptized at the Leyden Walloon Church in 1623.

Guleyn Vigne had a bowery on the lower part of Manhat­tan Island near the present Wall and Pearl Streets. Shortly after Vigne's death which occurred circa 1634 and prior to her second marriage tojanjansen Damen, Ariaentje Cuvilje made a settlement with her children by Vigne. The settle­ment refers to Maria and Christina as married persons and to Rachel andjan as minors. This prenuptial settlement was entered in the register of the Provincial Secretary Cornells Van Tienhoven on May 7, 1638.4 Van Tienhoven's copy dated the settlement as the last day of April, 1632; however, it is a known fact that Jacob Albertse Planck, who wrote and witnessed the document, was not in New Netherland until August 1634.5 The date of the settlement, therefore, would have to be 1634 or later. After the marriage, Ariaentje moved her family to Damen's bowery, which was just north of what became Wall Street and adjoined the Vigne property. She survived her second husband who died in 1651, inheriting most of Damen's estate since he had no descendants of his own. In turn she passed this estate on to her four children when she died four years later.

David Riker, an engineer with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is a member of the Society and serves on its Committee on Genealogy.

tl ^ s> •' i t ^ r L L * ' " * ' ' r -,1 r HAWA AS

- fc AUH1C \ (A AKS. rZ^' "

New Netherland as known to the Walloon Settlers Section of Adnaen Block's Figurative Map - 1616

The Vignes had four children: (1) Maria Vigne, married first Jan Roos, and second circa 1634, Abraham Isaacsen VerPlanck, died circa 1671; (2) Christina Vigne, married Dirck Volckertsen the Norman; (3) Rachel Vigne, bapt. March 16, 1623 at the Leyden Walloon Church, married Pro­vincial Secretary Cornelis Van Tienhoven; and (4)Jan Vigne, born circa 1624, married first Emmerentje Niewerzluys and second on Feb. 15, 1682, WeiskeHuytes, widow of Andries Andriesen. Jan Vigne was a brewer by trade, a great burgher in New Amsterdam and a schepen of the City between the years 1655 and 1663. The Vigne surname became extinct because Jan died in 1690 without any descendants.

Gerrit Jansen Roos, the progenitor of the Roos family, was a son of Maria Vigne by her first marriage to Jan Roos. Gerrit, who was a carpenter by ttade and lived in New

1 Barbara Tobey, "The Ackerman Family," Vol. l , p p . 10-12. Compiled for the "David Ackerman Descendants - 1662," 1980.

2 George O. Zabriskie, "The Founding Families of New Netherland No. 4, The Rapalje-Rapelje Family - Parr II, De Halve N[aen, April 1972.

3 Jasper Danckaerts and Pieter Sluyter, "Journal of a Voyage to New York and a Tour in Several of The American Colonies in 1679-80," ed. and trans, by Henry C. Murphy, 1867.

4 A.J.F. Van Laer, ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. I, Register of the Provincial Secretary, pp. 12-13, Baltimore 1974 (hereafter called NYHM).

5 A.J.F. Van Laer, ed., "Settlers of Rensselaerswyck 1630-1658," p. 9, Baltimore 1965.

Amsterdam, died in 1698. His known children were Pieter, Johannes, Cornelia, Guleyn, David, Aefje and Aeltie.

The grandparents of Aeltye Van Laer were Maria Vigne and Abraham Isaacsen VerPlanck, also called Planck, who were married circa 1634. The exact date of Abraham's ar­rival in New Netherland is unknown but he may have come with Jacob Albertsen Planck on the ship "de Eendracht" in 1634. These two men could not have been brothers since they had different patronymic names, but they may have been cousins since Jacob wrote and witnessed Ariaentje Cuvilje's prenuptial settlement and also served as surety when Abraham purchased lands at Pavonia in 1638. Jacob Planck, who was from the town of Edam in North Holland, became Schout and agent of Rensselaerswyck colony from 1635 to 1638 after which he returned to Amsterdam.6

Abraham VerPlanck purchased land at Paulus Hook, Pavonia (now part of Jersey City, NJ) from the West India Company by deed from Director Kieft, dated May 1,1638.7

On the same date as the purchase, Abraham secured a loan from the Company for five hundred and twenty guilders. The land was part of a patroonship granted to Michael Pauw in 1630 but the title had reverted to the Company in 1634. Abraham probably did not live at Pavonia prior to his pur­chase since on July 21, 1638 his stepfather-in-law, Janjansen Damen, brought a complaint before the Council who ordered Abraham ejected from Damen's New Amsterdam house.8

He leased to Gerrit Dircksen Blauw and Claes Jansen two acres of land each for a tobacco plantation in the fall of the same year. Abraham had cleared enough of his land by May 16, 1639 to make a contract with Director Kieft, for two cows on half shares, that is to divide the milk, butter and offspring.9

It is assumed that Abraham lived at his Paulus Hook plan­tation until the Indian war forced him to leave in the winter of 1643 and seek the protection of Fort Amsterdam. On April 20, 1643 he leased his house and garden at the Hook to Cor­nells Arissen.10 He retained ownership, however, as his title was confirmed by Governor Carteret on May 12, 1668.u The Hook remained in the possession of Abraham's family after

6 Ibid., p. 9. 7 NYHM Vol. I, pp. 23-25. 8 Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 18.

9 Ibid., Vol. I, pp. 76, 84, 149. 10 Ibid., Vol. II, pp. 118-119. 11 Wiliiam Nelson, ed., "New Jersey Patents and Deeds 1664-1703," p. 7. 12 Charles H. Winfield, "History of Land Titles in Hudson County, N.J.

1609-1871." 13 Charles T. Gehring, ed. and trans., New York Historical Manuscripts:

Dutch - Land Papers, p. 53, Baltimore 1980 (hereafter called Land Papers).

14 E.B. O'Callaghan, ed., "Calendar of Dutch Historical Manuscripts 1630-1664," p. 162, Albany 1865; I.N. Phelps Stokes, "The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1495-1909, Vol. 2, p. 263.

" N Y H M , Vol. Ill, pp. 126-127. l 6John H. Innes, "New Amsterdam and its People," pp. 319-325, New

York 1902.

" N Y H M , Vol. IV, pp. 124-126; E.B. O'Callaghan, ed., "Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York," Vol. I, p. 45, Albany 1858 (hereafter called Doc. Rel.).

18 Ibid., pp. 124-126; p. 203; Doc. Rel., Vol. I, p. 201.

" N Y H M , Vol. IV, pp. 146-147; Vol. II, p. 31. 20 Doc. Rel., Vol. I, p. 193, pp. 411-412;J. Franklinjameson, ed., "Nar­

ratives of New Netherland, 1609-1664," pp. 226-227, New York 1909. 21 Doc. Rel., Vol. I, pp. 355-356.

his death in 1691 but was conveyed by his heirs to Cornelis Van Vorst on August 2, 1699-12

Apparently Abraham VerPlanck lived in New Amster­dam after 1643, He received a grant to a lot on Bridge Street on March 15, 1647, which was bounded on the east by Hen-drick Kip and on the west by Bridge Lane and the five stone workshops of the West India Company.13 He did not con­struct a dwelling on this lot at the time but was about to build in 1656 when the Government confiscated the land and later built a hospital on the site.14

On August 4, 1649 his brother-in-law, Cornelis Van Tienhoven, sold Abraham a lot from his plantation in Smits Vly, where he built a house and resided after 1649. This lot was along the river road which led to what was later known as the Ferry. At the same time Van Tienhoven sold adjoin­ing lots to another brother-in-law, Dirck Volckertsen, and to Lambert Huybertsen Moll. These lots contained nearly half an acre each and extended back from the river road to the high ground in their rear. Van Tienhoven retained the major portion of his plantation on the hill behind these lots and reached his farm by what was known as Van Tienhoven's Lane. l6 Later Volckertsen subdivided his lot so that by 1654 a row of five houses formed a small hamlet. In addition to the previously mentioned properties, Abraham held other lots in New Amsterdam by right of his wife's inheritance of a portion of the Damen estate.

Abraham VerPlanck's exact involvement in the Indian war is unclear, however he appears to have been drawn into the affair by his brother-in-law Secretary Van Tienhoven. In 1641 he was nominated by the citizens to be one of the council of twelve men to advise Director Kieft on Indian matters.17

This council, which Kieft hoped to use for his own purposes, recommended patience which displeased Kieft and resulted in the council being disbanded.18 The twelve men were angry at Kieft for trying to use them as puppets. On April 7, 1642, Abraham VerPlanck emerged from the Fort after apparently having a conversation with Director Kieft. He stopped by the gate, denounced the principal officers of the Company and tore down a placard posted on the gate. This action was reported by a soldier standing guard and Abraham was forc­ed to pay a fine of 300 guilders and was threatened with banishment if he continued to abuse the Company's officers.19

The following winter Secretary Van Tienhoven took a petition to a dinner party being held at the home of his stepfather-in-law Jan Jansen Damen, who was another member of the now defunct council of twelve men. At the party were Director Kieft, Abraham VerPlanck and Maryn Adriaensen. It is not known what happened at this dinner party but it was reported that an enigmatic toast was drunk by a few of those present without the others knowing what it meant. The petition, which requested a major attack upon the Indians, was signed by Damen, Adriaensen and VerPlanck.20 On the night of February 25, 1642, Kieft ordered an attack and the resulting massacre of the Indians prolonged the war for several years.

In the controversy over the Indian war, Abraham VerPlanck and others were summoned to the Hague to answer questions in 1649. On the certificate of service of the sum­mons, dated March 16, 1649, it was stated that Abraham did not go but made answer that he knew nothing about when the war commenced.21

After 1643, Abraham VerPlanck gave up farming in favor of leasing his land holdings and trading beaver pelts. He trad-

)

ed at New Amsterdam, north along the great river to Fort Orange and at the South River. An example of Abraham's stature as a trader can be seen in his involvement with the West India Company to extend its influence on the South River. In 1646, the Company's main trading post in the region was Fort Nassau on the eastern shore of the river. The Swedes had successfully blocked the Dutch on the western shore and thereby intercepted the Indian trade from the west. The Company determined to establish a settlement on the western shore at a place which is now within the city of Philadelphia. They instructed their agent, Andries Hudde, to purchase land from the Indians which they did on September 25, 1646. At about the same time, the Company granted a Patent for one hundred morgens of land to an association of prominent traders made up of Simon Root, Jan Andriesen, Pieter Harmensen and Abraham VerPlanck. The land was given to them on the condition that they establish plantations there and cultivate the land within one year or lose their title. Apparently they did not take posses­sion, for in 1648 Root attempted to build along the Schuylkill River and three years later Andriesen and Harmensen were residing at Fort Nassau.22

Abraham VerPlanck probably accompanied Director Stuyvesant on his expedition against the Swedes on the South River in 1655 and was a witness to a treaty with the Indians involving a land purchase several months later.23 On April 17, 1657, Abraham obtained the small burgher right which allowed him to trade at New Amsterdam. In 1664 he was one of the signers of a petition requesting that Stuyvesant surrender before the English destroyed New Amsterdam. After the surrender, he swore allegiance to the English King.

After the change in government, Abraham fades from public view except in 1674 when he was assessed with others to repair the fortifications. In the 1680's, he became finan­cially embarrassed and had to mortgage a large portion of his lands in the City to Jacobus Kip who had married the widow of his son Guleyn. On August 11,1691, letters of Ad­ministration of Abraham VerPlanck's estate were issued to Jacobus Kip, his principal creditor.24

Abraham VerPlanck and Maria Vigne had nine children: (1) Abigail VerPlanck, born circa 1635, married circa 1660, Adriaen Van Laer, died prior to 1672; (2) Guleyn VerPlanck, born circa 1637, married June 1, 1668, Hendrickje Wessels and had children Samuel, Jacobus, Abraham, Johannis, Ben­jamin, Anna and Guleyn. Guleyn, who died in 1684, was a successful merchant in New York City, an Alderman of the City and a progenitor of a VerPlanck family; (3) Catalyna VerPlanck, born circa 1638, married October 13, 1657, David Pieterse Schuyler; (4) Isaac VerPlanck, bapt.June 16, 1641, died young; (5) Susanna VerPlanck, bapt. May 25, 1642, married December 4,1660, Marten Van Waert; (6)Jacomyntje VerPlanck, bapt. July 6, 1644, probably died young; (7) Ariaentje VerPlanck, bapt. December 2, 1646, married Melgert Wynantse Vanderpoel; (8) Hillegond VerPlanck, bapt. November 1, 1648, married 1680, David Davidse Ackerman (older brother of Abraham Ackerman, husband of Aeltye Van Laer); and (9) Isaac VerPlanck, bapt. February 26, 1651, married circa 1680, Abigail Uytenbogart and had children Isaac, Abigail, Jacob, Dirkje, Guleyn, David, Catalyntje and Rachel. Isaac, who died circa 1729, was a shoemaker in Albany and a progenitor of a VerPlanck family.

The parents of Aeltje Van Laer were Abigail VerPlanck and Adriaen Gerritsen Van Laer. Adriaen Van Laer was born in Amsterdam and baptized at the New Church on January

17, 1634." Adriaen's father, Gerrit Stoffelsen, shoemaker, had married his mother, Barbara Adriaens at the Old Re­formed Church in Amsterdam on April 20, 1630. Barbara Adriaens had been born in Amsterdam, a daughter of Adriaen Cornells, a rope maker, and Jannetje Markes. Ger­rit Stoffelsen used his patronymic name in most records, but when he wrote his will he added Van Laer. Adriaen Van Laer married on March 23, 1656 in Amsterdam, DwertjeLuycus. His first wife apparently died about a year later, and shortly afterwards in the Spring of 1658, Adriaen immigrated to New Amsterdam aboard the ship "Gilded Beaver."26 He was granted the small burgher rights on July 18, 1658, which allowed him to carry on his trade as shoemaker.27

New Amsterdam fire fighting equipment - 1659

When Adriaen Van Laer arrived in New Amsterdam, the town had grown in population to 1400 persons, crowded together in houses primarily made of wood. Much of the available space between these dwellings was occupied by haystacks and out buildings. The chimneys were often made of logs plastered with clay and would catch fire if not prop­erly maintained. There was always a danger of a major fire, even though laws were passed to regulate chimneys, roofs and haystacks. These regulations were often ignored even though the government had appointed Firemasters to en­force them.28

In 1657 the Burgomasters of the town were directed by the governing council to tax each household eight guilders and use the revenue to order leather fire buckets from the fatherland. The town was also directed to levy a yearly tax of one guilder for every chimney to help keep them in good condition. Ultimately it was decided to have the leather buckets made in New Amsterdam rather than ordering them from the fatherland; on August 1, 1658 they called in four shoemakers and asked them to make the buckets.29 One of these shoemakers was Adriaen Van Laer who had recently arrived in New Amsterdam. He agreed to make fifty of these

22 A.Johnson, "The Swedish Settlements on The Delaware, 1638-1664," Vol. I, pp. 410-412; C.A. Weslager, "Dutch Explorers, Traders and Set­tlers in the Delaware Valley, 1609-1664, Philadelphia 1961.

23 Ibid. 24 W.E. VerPlanck, "The VerPlanck Family, 1638-1892," Fishkill Landing,

New York 1892. 25 W.D.Thomas, "The Van Laer-Crawford Descendants," Manuscript,

dated 1974. 26 "Holland Society of New York Year Book - 1902," New York 1902. 27 B. Fernow, ed., "Records of New Amsterdam," Vol. VIII, p. 190, New

York 1897 (hereafter called RNA). 28RNA, Vol. I, p. 5, pp. 21-22, pp. 34-36. 2*RNA, Vol. VII, pp. 191-192, pp. 207-209.

buckets and deliver them to City Hall byjanuary, 1659- The town had the seal of New Amsterdam placed on the buckets and numbered for identification. The buckets were placed around the town including twelve at Abraham VerPlanck's house at Smits Vly. These leather buckets were the first pieces of fire-fighting equipment owned by New Amsterdam. However, fire fighting continued to be a volunteer opera­tion until a few years later when the Rattle Watch was ordered to report for fire fighting duties.30

Adriaen Van Laer must have married his second wife, Abigail VerPlanck, circa 1660. It is not known how they met, but perhaps it had something to do with the leather buckets being placed in Abigail's home at Smits Vly. Adriaen had his shoemaker shop and home along High Street a short distance west of the canal, now Broad Street.31 He was granted a lot in New Amsterdam on April 15, 1661.32 It is known that Adriaen Van Laer trained boys as apprentices in the shoemaking trade, as a mother was unhappy with the way he treated her son and tried to break the two-year contract six months before its expiration. Adriaen took the mother, Grietje Provoost, to court where she accused him of ill-treating her boy and showing him a bad example. The court directed Grietje Provoost to allow her son to serve out his time but warned Adriaen to treat him properly and set a bet­ter example.33

Adriaen's brother, Stoffel Gerritsen Van Laer, arrived in New Amsterdam aboard the ship "Faith," having left the Netherlands on February 12, 1659- Stoffel, baptized in the New Church at Amsterdam on March 22, 1639, was five years younger than Adriaen. A year later, Adriaen agreed to settle his accounts for the passage to New Amsterdam.34 Stoffel Van Laer married Catherine Jans Boots on February 10, 1660 and then returned with his wife to Amsterdam where their first child, Gerrit, was born. By 1662 they were back in New Amsterdam where Stoffel bought a house and practiced his shoemaking trade.

Stoffel Van Laer and Catherine Boots had ten known children35: (1) Gerrit Van Laer, bapt. October 5, l660atthe Old Church, Amsterdam, died young; (2) Jannetje Van Laer, bapt. October 21, 1662 at New Amsterdam, married June 16, 1686, Simon Breestede; (3) Sara Van Laer, married May 27, 1686, Johannes Hardenbroeck; (4) Johannes Van Laer, bapt. November 27, 1667, married Maria Bennet, widow of Jacob VerHulst, and in 1698 removed to Philadelphia; (5) Barbara Van Laer, bapt. January 21, 1672, probably died young; (6) Jacobus Van Laer, bapt. May 15, 1675, probably died young; (7) Abraham Van Laer, bapt. March 2, 1678, married May 2, 1697 Hester Davids; (8) Gerrit Van Laer, bapt. May 29, 1680, married first November 8, 1703,Jan­

s'* RNA, Vol. VII, p. 265.

" R N A , Vol. Ill, p. 250. 32 Land Papers, p. 124.

" R N A , Vol. V, p. 243. 3 4NYG&B "Record," Vol. 94, p. 195, Oct. 1963; Year Book of The

Holland Society of New York, 1902. 35 W.D. Thomas, "The Van Laer - Crawford Descendants," manuscript,

dated 1974; Arnold J.F. Van Laer, the New York State Archivist who translated New Netherland records, was not a descendant of this Van Laer family. He was born in 1869 at Utrecht, The Netherlands and came to America in 1894.

36RNA, Vol. VI, pp. 245, 258, 275. 37RNA, Vol. V, pp. 281, 333; Vol. VI, p. 11. 38RNA, Vol. VI, p. 124.

netje Streddles, married second January 3, 1719, Annetje Ten Eyck, widow of Elbert Aertze, died 1752; (9) Isaac Van Laer, bapt. May 22, 1681; and (10) Cornells Van Laer, bapt. November 4, 1682, probably died young. Johannes, Abraham and Gerrit Van Laer are known to be progenitors of Van Laer families.

Adriaen and Stoffel Van Laer built a tanning mill at the southwest corner of present Board Street and Exchange Place on a lot purchased from the estate of Rachel Van Tienhoven by Stoffel on October 23, 1665. On September 29, 1670, four shoemakers appeared in court to complain that Adriaen and Stoffel Van Laer were not processing their tan according to an agreement. The two defendants claimed it was impos­sible for them to do this at the agreed price and therefore terminated the agreement by giving the shoemakers one year notice.36

In 1665 the Van Laer brothers had a disagreement over a debt with one of Stoffel's in-laws, Claes Boots. Boots wanted to settle the debt with tobacco which Stoffel accepted but Adriaen refused. Six months later, Stoffel appeared in court complaining that his brother Adriaen had threatened him with a knife. However, rather than using the knife, Adriaen beat his brother severely and as a result was hauled into court and fined 100 guilders.37

Adriaen Van Laer, like his father-in-law Abraham VerPlanck, swore allegiance to the English King in 1664. It appears that between the years 1665 and 1669, Adriaen lived for short periods of time in such places as Kingston, Bergen and Flatlands, but retained his property in New York City as he was renting a house there tojurianJansen Kuyper in 1668.38 Abigail died prior to April 28, 1672, for on that date Adriaen married his third wife, Luytie Schonen, widow of Hendrick Assuerus. The last known record of Adriaen is dated January 19, 1687 when he served as a witness at the baptism of a grandchild, Abigail Ackerman, at the New York Reformed Church.

Adriaen Van Laer and Abigail VerPlanck had three known children: (1) Aeltye Van Laer, born May 14, 1663, bapt. April 25, 1666 at the Kingston Reformed Church, married May 28 ; 1683, Abraham Davidse Ackerman; (2) Sara Van Laer, bapt. 1667 at the Bergen Reformed Church, died young; and (3) Gerrit Van Laer, bapt. November 27, 1669 at the New York Reformed Church, probably died young.

Among Aeltye Van Laer's relations in New Netherland are the progenitors of three families, VerPlanck, Roos and Van Laer. Their stories reflect much of New Netherland history as experienced by the common settler.

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Albany's Dutch Pope by Howard G. Hageman

In the eighteenth century, the Church in Albany was easily the second most important Dutch Reformed congrega­tion in the Province of New York. Only the Church in New York City exceeded it in numbers, wealth and prestige. Far removed from most of the centers of Dutch population, it had pretty much lived its own life in terms of its own tight little community. Mrs. Grant says in reviewing the earlier history of the church,

The domines, as these people called their ministers, contented themselves with preaching in a sober and moderate strain to the people; and living quietly in the retirement of their families, were little heard of but in the pulpit; and they seemed to consider a studious privacy as one of their chief duties.1

Mrs. Grant was not always a reliable witness, but in this case, considering what we know of the ministries of such eighteenth century Albany domines as Lydius, van Driessen and van Schie, she was probably right.

But all that changed in 1745 with the coming of Domine Theodore Frelinghuysen, the oldest son of the famous New Jersey evangelist. Although he had been educated entirely in this country by his father's colleagues, he did go to the Netherlands for licensure and ordination. It was while he was there that he learned that the Albany church was look­ing for a domine because of the recent death of Cornelius van Schie, its last minister. With the approval of the Classis of Amsterdam, young Frelinghuysen accepted the assign­ment and arrived in Albany to take up his duties as domine in 1745 at the tender age of twenty-two.

Frelinghuysen differed from all of his predecessors in two important respects. For one thing, he came from a family which led the evangelical party in the Dutch Reformed Church and was determined to arouse the Albany congrega­tion from what he considered its spiritual lethargy. For another, because of his own personal experience, he wanted to see both college and seminary training established over here and to cut the traditional educational ties with the Netherlands.

To his evangelical zeal he won a number of supporters in the Albany congregation, though there were also some who opposed his point of view. In his crusade for American institutions, however, he found little support in Albany. That was basically a New York City-New Jersey quarrel in which the Albany Church did not wish to become involved.

As early as 1755 those who shared his point of view had urged him to go to the Netherlands to try to raise money for an American academy, but he postponed his visit until 1759- By that time he had stirred up a good deal of opposi­tion in the community with his stern evangelical preaching and had decided that an absence from Albany would be a good thing for all concerned. Whether he intended to return here after his visit to Holland is not clear, but he never did. He was lost at sea on his return voyage in 1761. Whether his death was the result of an accident or a suicide will never be known.

This paper on Westerlo was originally given by the Editor as a lecture in the Albany Institute of History and Art in March, 1984.

The Dutch Reformed Church in Albany as it was in Westerlo's time. This building, erected in 1715, was demolished in 1806.

In the meantime, however, the Albany Church obviously did not expect Frelinghuysen to return, for in 1760 it ap­plied to the Classis of Amsterdam for his successor. At just that time the attention of the Classis had been drawn to a young man who had recently completed his college and seminary training and had volunteered for service overseas. Eiiardus Westerlo, who was also only twenty-two, was the son of Domine Issac Westerlo, one of the ministers in the important northern Dutch city of Groningen. He had graduated from the University of Groningen in the spring of 1760 and had notified the Classis of Amsterdam which was in charge of Dutch Reformed operations overseas of his willingness to accept such an assignment.

Though he was still a young man, the Classis was great­ly impressed by his abilities and felt that he could cope with the important Albany congregation in spite of the dif­ficulties which Frelinguysen's ministry had created there. Soon after his ordination he was on the Atlantic bound for his new assignment. We do not know the exact date of his arrival, but he was in Albany by November 10, 1760 for on that day the elders of the church had to borrow 165 pounds from the deacons' poor fund to repay the young minister the money which he had laid out to make the voyage across the ocean.

There is a legend suggested by Mrs. Grant that Domine Westerlo came to the new world on the same vessel that brought his predecessor, Domine Frelinghuysen, back from Holland. Although she confesses that this rumor was "not well authenticated," she intimates that it was popularly believed in Albany that when Frelinghuysen discovered that he had been superseded in Albany, he threw himself into the sea. The probability is, however, that this romantic no-

1 Ecclesiastical Records, Vol. V, Albany, 1905, p. 3740.

tion is without foundation and that Westerlo had been in Albany for some time before Frelinghuysen returned from the Netherlands.

Although the two men were both twenty-two when first they came to the Albany Church, similarities between them ended just about there. American born and American educated, Frelinghuysen represented an evangelical almost charismatic style of ministry, while Westerlo, a product of the eighteenth century Dutch university system, was prob­ably a good example of what someone has called the "high and dry" school of theology. With those who had disliked his predecessor, their new domine's style must have been congenial, while the Frelinghuysen adherents in the con­gregation must have found it somewhat cold and formal.

Apparently Westerlo himself found that to be true. In an unpublished autobiography which can no longer be found he is reported to have said that in about 1768 he underwent a personal religious crisis which resulted in a deeper appreciation on his part of the point of view of the more evangelical party. As one of his biographers says of the change,

His preaching still exhibited the same thorough preparation and intellectual rigor but became more distinguished by spiritual unction and discriminating application of divine truth to the various classes of hearers. Thus while his preaching attracted and gratified the more cultivated of his hearers, he became more and more the favorite of plain and experienced Christians.2

The pulpit in the Albany Church from which Domine Westerlo preached. It is still in use today.

strength to its success. The first meeting which was held in New York in June, 1772 was attended by both Westerlo and his elder John Roseboom. That fall he was also able to persuade the little flock at Schaghticoke where he occa­sionally ministered to give up their neutrality and become part of the newly organized church.

Domine Westerlo's position of leadership in the Church was soon to be increased in an unexpected way. Stephen van Rensselaer, the Albany patroon, died while he was still a young man, leaving a widow with three children, Stephen, Philip and Elizabeth. The patronal family were active members of the Albany congregation so that the domine was with them a great deal during the Patroon's last illness and death. It probably came as no surprise therefore when in 1775 Domine Westerlo married the widow van Rensselaer and took up his residence in the Manor House which for the next decade or so also served as a parsonage.

Mrs. van Rensselaer, now Mrs. Westerlo, had been born Catherine Livingston, a daughter of Philip, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. By marrying the widow, Domine Westerlo at once became allied with two of the leading families in New York, the van Rensselaers and the Livingstons. It should be noted that Dr. John H. Livingston, clearly the leader of the Dutch Church in America, was now Westerlo's brother-in-law.

The happy marriage occurred on the very eve of the American Revolution. While Westerlo had been careful to remain neutral in the earlier ecclesiastical dispute in the Dutch Church, there was no neutrality in his political at­titudes. From the very outset he had been a firm supporter of the American cause and remained such throughout the war. In the fall of 1777 with the approach of Burgoyne's army from the north, the domine placed his family in a posi­tion of safety and then returned to the town to await the final outcome. As Burgoyne's army came steadily closer and the fate of Albany became more uncertain, he was much in evidence in the town offering hope and encouragement.

A week before Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga, when just about everyone believed that the British army was invin-

2 E.T. Corwin, Manual of the Reformed Church, New York, 1902, p. 906.

One suspects that this is but a fancy way of saying that the young Westerlo matured greatly during the first eight years of his pastorate and that one of the signs of his maturity was his ability to serve a wide variety of people.

Such a posture was important because like the congrega­tion in New York, the Albany Church was determined to remain aloof from the controversy which had split the Dutch Church in two. Frelinghuysen's sympathies with one of the parties in the dispute had been very obvious and that had been one of the reasons for his growing unpopularity in the congregation. Westerlo realized the importance of a dif­ferent stance and became a leader of what were called "the neutral brethren," friendly with members on both sides of the argument, but definitely refusing to become allied with either.

When, however, the dispute was brought to an end in 1772 with the adoption of the so-called Plan of Union, Westerlo's neutrality disappeared. He was present at the convention held in New York in the fall of 1771 when the plan of union which had been prepared in the Netherlands was presented by Dr. Livingston who had just returned from Utrecht to become one of the New York domines. As a mat­ter of fact, Westerlo was elected one of the two secretaries of that convention and its proceedings are signed by him with his first name written in capital letters all with calligraphic flourishes.

Westerlo and his elder, Harm Gansevoort, who had at­tended the convention with him, took the plan back to Albany where it was speedily adopted. Now that almost all of the dissenting parties had agreed to come together in an American Dutch Reformed Church, the Albany brethren were quite willing to forsake their traditional position of neutrality and under the leadership of their domine who enjoyed wide respect in the new denomination to lend their

cible, the domine opened the old Dutch Church, which then stood at the foot of State Street, and held special ser­vices of prayer there every day. Every day during that fall week the bell tolled, those who would gathered in the church where Westerlo prayed fervently for the success of American arms and from the pulpit exhorted and encour­aged the people. When news of the British defeat at Saratoga reached Albany, it was difficult to persuade the Dutch Reformed people of the town that their domine's prayers had not played a significant role in the American victory.

It was during the Revolution that a question which had been agitated for some time came to a head in Albany. Ever since its beginning in 1642, the services of the Albany Church had been held in the Dutch language. At first, the coming of the English had not changed that since they had their own church to attend. But even in Albany, the English language was a pervasive influence and an increasing number of young people were unable to understand the Dutch language which they heard only on Sunday in church. In this connection it is interesting to note the increasing number of Dutch names which appear at this time on the rolls of St. Peter's Church.

As early as 1748 Domine Frelinghuysen had taught himself English so that he could preach in that language. He had no idea, however, of introducing English into the Dutch Church; he wanted to be able to preach to the English troops that were stationed in Albany and the record says that he did. By 1780, however, the question had to be faced in the church itself.

The British occupation of New York City which, it will be recalled, lasted until the end of the Revolution, had forced all patriot clergy to flee to other parts of the prov­ince. Among those who had fled north was Westerlo's brother-in-law, Dr. John H. Livingston. Although he made his temporary home in his native Poughkeepsie, Dr. Liv­ingston and his family spent a good deal of time enjoying the hospitality of the van Rensselaer Manor House. Whenever he was available, Westerlo invited him to preach to the Albany congregation in English. Whatever trouble the introduction of a new language in the Albany pulpit might have caused was doubtless allayed when it was done by America's most celebrated Dutch Reformed domine and a member of the great Livingston family.

In 1780 the Albany consistory invited Dr. Livingston to become a colleague with Dr. Westerlo, the former to be the English preacher to the congregation. Having been away from his home in New York for four years, with no indica­tion as to when, if ever, he might be able to return, the New York minister is said to have considered the invitation seriously. He respected his brother-in-law and got on well with him and certainly after four years a regular salary would not have been unimportant to him. But Mrs. Livingston did not feel that she wanted to take the harshness of Albany winters on a permanent basis and so the Albany invitation was declined.

While Dr. Livingston was occasionally available for English preaching, Westerlo understood that a final solu­tion was up to him. An accomplished linguist who had writ­ten both a Greek and a Hebrew dictionary, he set himself to gain proficiency in the English language and by 1782 one of the two services each Sunday was conducted in English by Westerlo himself.

In fact, when in 1782 General Washington visited Albany and a public reception was held in his honor, it was the Dutch domine who gave the welcoming address in English. We have to assume that Washington understood it. Doubtless it was delivered, as all of Westerlo's sermons must have been, with a noticeable Dutch accent, but we can be sure that the English was so well chosen and so polish­ed that the accent really did not matter.

By 1784 young Stephen van Rensselaer had graduated from Harvard and was ready to begin his own career as patroon. It seemed proper, therefore, that at the age of twenty he should begin his own career and occupy the Manor House. The Westerlo family moved back to the Dutch Church parsonage which then stood on what to-day is Broad­way and there the domine remained for the rest of his life.

By 1787 Westerlo's health had begun to fail, even though he was not quite fifty years of age. The Consistory felt that the time had come to obtain a colleague for their domine, especially one who could look after the needs of the English part of the congregation while Westerlo con­tinued to minister to the Dutch. The choice fell upon the Rev. John Bassett, a twenty-one year old native of Brooklyn and graduate of Columbia who had just completed his theological study with Dr. Livingston in what is to-day New Brunswick Seminary. Himself an excellent Hebrew and classical scholar, he and Westerlo seem to have hit it off remarkably well sharing many common interests, as they did, as well as the work of the Albany congregation.

For the last few years of his life Westerlo made up for his inactivity by becoming a prodigious letter writer. He cor­responded with many religious leaders in the country, not only those in his own denomination but with others from other churches. One of his favorite correspondents was Dr. Ezra Stiles, the president of Yale. They usually exchanged letters in Latin, though occasionally in Hebrew. The two men never met, but Dr. Stiles said that Westerlo wrote the finest Latin he had ever read.

In 1789 in an attempt to regain his health, Westerlo visited Saratoga to try the waters there. In a letter to his young colleague Bassett under date of July 2 that year (and fortunately for us written in English and not in Latin or Hebrew), he describes his experience.

Yesterday I have been to the Springs and tasted of the water out of the rock which has been blessed to many present witnesses, especially to such who are affected with complaints similar to mine. I have drank but lit­tle when at the Springs, but am not so averse to the taste as many others and brought a little of the water with me here (Schuylerville) which I have used this morning on an empty stomach, and though it has had the desired effect of physic, yet it has made me feel sickish, and probably if I should stay and try further at the Springs, who knows the Father of Mercies may render it also effectual to remove the cause of my cholical complaints.3

He informed Bassett that he intended to stay for another week and continue to try the Saratoga cure. Even though he was not feeling well, he planned to preach in Schuyler­ville the following Sunday to encourage them to call his young friend Samuel Smith who was anxious to settle there.

(continued on page 20)

3 Ecclesiastical Records, Vol. VI, p. 4349.

)

Summer Picnic of The Mid-West Branch Sunday, August 19, 1984 was a perfect day for the picnic

held at the lovely home of Bob and Sandra Heyer in Hinsdale, 111.

Members, their spouses and guests present were Arthur John Heyer and son Sean from Cedarburg, Wis., Art and Mitzi Heyer of Forest Park, 111., our hosts Bob and Sandi Heyer and daughter Elizabeth, Bill Heyer from Roselle, 111., Francis R. Schanck and wife Kathryn, Dr. Robert R. Schenck and wife Marci of Chicago, Peter H. Schenck and wife Ann of Clarendon Hills, 111., Branch President John Schermerhorn and wife Claire of Deerfield, 111., Mr. & Mrs. George Ter-williger of Crown Point, Ind., Dr. Lee Van Antwerp and wife Helen from Northbrook, 111., Walter and Arlette Van Epps of Portage, Wis., Elmer and Dore Vliet from Lake Bluff, 111. and guests Mr. & Mrs. Nels Olson of Elmhurst, 111.

A great time was had by all, and plans were made for the Fall Dinner Meeting of The Mid-West Branch members, wives and guests and hopefully a speaker from the New York Society.

South River Branch Meeting The newly-formed South River Branch embracing the

southwestern part of New Netherland was divided into four regions to enable members living some distance from Philadelphia and the western shore of the South (Delaware) River to hold meetings of their own at more accessible loca­tions. Members in southwestern New Jersey constitute one region, those in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware are within the southeastern area. The central region includes members living in central Pennsylvania while the western region con­sists of those in Pennsylvania living west of the central region as far west as Pittsburgh. Coordinators for these regions, work­ing with Branch President Alrich are, respectively, James J. Ringo of Ringoes, N.J., Richard W. DeMott of Springhouse, Pa., David M. Riker of Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Ralph C. Terhune of Pittsburgh, Pa. All have held meetings during 1984.

In March the New Jersey region had a dinner meeting at the Nassau Inn, Princeton, N.J., at which attendance was limited due to bad weather but support was voiced for future meetings. In April a Saturday noon luncheon took place in Pittsburgh presided over by Ralph C. Terhune for the western region. Central region coordinator David M. Riker held an afternoon meeting at his home followed by a "Dutch treat" dinner in June while Richard W. DeMott entertained

Activities southeastern region members at a cookout at his home in Springhouse, Pa., in July.

The first Annual Dinner Meeting of the branch was held September 14th at the Faculty Club of the University of Penn­sylvania in Philadelphia. Those present were: Branch Presi­dent and Mrs. William Alrich, Trustee and Mrs. John R. Voorhis III, Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. Van Vlack, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dutcher, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dutcher III, Col. and Mrs. Samuel F. Brink, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Riker and Dr. D. Campbell Wyckoff. Trustee Voorhis brought greetings from the Society to its newest branch, discussed branch activities in general and noted that one of the founding members of the Society, Thomas J. Bayard, had lived in the South River area, being a resident of Wilmington, Delaware.

Branch President Alrich called upon David Riker, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Genealogy of the Society to speak on "Dutch Family Histories." In his informative talk, Riker traced the development of some Dutch family surnames and noted how first names of their children usual­ly followed a pattern with the first and second sons being named for the paternal and maternal grandfathers. He also pointed out the importance of noting the names of witnesses at the baptisms of children as frequently they were close relatives of the child. He also suggested ways in which to pursue Dutch family genealogy and discussed difficulties con­nected with establishing definite boundaries for New Netherland.

Following the conclusion of his talk which was warmly applauded by all present, Branch President Alrich expressed his gratitude for the support given the meeting by those pre­sent and the hope that events planned for the coming Centen­nial Year of the Society would be well attended.

Long Island Branch Dinner Meeting More than two dozen members of the Long Island branch

gathered at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Centre Island, N.Y., October 4, 1984 for a dinner meeting. Among those present were Society President John H. and Mrs. Vander Veer, Past President Julian K. and Mrs. Roosevelt, Trustee John R. and Mrs. Voorhis and past Trustee John Van Siclen.

Following the cocktail hour and a delicious dinner which a toast to the President of the United States was offered by Branch President Adrian T. Bogart, Jr. and responded to by those present, Branch President Bogart introduced President Vander Veer who spoke about events planned for the Centen­nial Year of the Society to be celebrated in 1985. Trustee Voorhis also briefly reported on the activities of the bran­ches as well as noting that a history of the Society is being written for publication next year, a copy of which will be sent to each member.

Past President Roosevelt, United States representative on the International Olympic Committee, provided a special item of great interest when he displayed one of the Olympic torches carried across the nation last summer by relays of run­ners to light the opening flame of the 1984 Olympic Games at Los Angeles.

The speaker of the evening, introduced by Branch Presi­dent Bogart, was Ms. Elizabeth Roosevelt of Oyster Bay, L.I., who, most appropriately, read Robert Barnwell Roosevelt's tribute to the Dutch influence on New York City. The ad-

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dress was first delivered by Mr. Roosevelt, a charter member of the Holland Society, its second president (1890-1891) and later U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, to Holland Society members at the annual meeting, April 6, 1903 in anticipa­tion of the 2 50th anniversary of the granting of a city charter to New Amsterdam in 1655. Praising the strict yet just regime of Director-General Peter Stuyvesant, Roosevelt emphasized that Stuyvesant waived a clause imposed by the Dutch West India Company which restricted trading to Holland. This action of Stuyvesant, he contended, not only opened New Amsterdam to shipping but, more importantly, opened the way for future development of New York City into one of the world's largest ports.

Branch President Bogart thanked Ms. Roosevelt for her presentation of this memorable item of the Holland Society's history which was applauded by those present.

October Trustees Meeting The Society's trustees and officers, including past Presi­

dent James E. Quackenbush, Trustee Emeritus Charles A. Van Patten, and Captainjames Ringo of the Burgher Guard gathered at the Union Club for the third quarterly meeting of 1984 on October 10.

Secretary Reverend Louis O. Springsteen presided in the absence of President John Vander Veer.

As the first order of business, a discussion of the Executive Committee minutes of their September 27, 1984 meeting included that the Society realized $3,840 from the sale of surplus old maps and books, which sum is to be used in the refurbishing the Library and Headquarters; that the new roster was distributed, and some errors have been noted; that the Stephentown Book was in hand and will be distributed as part of our Centennial Program.

Further discussions included that the Ralph DeGroff Memorial Fund has now reached a sum in excess of $3,000 and that a Resolution acknowledging the Society's deep sense of loss at his death and the appreciation of his service to the Society, the warmth of his personality and the wisdom of his mind, which directly resulted in the publication of so many early documents of New Netherland, be presented to his widow, Marion Wilson DeGroff, and Family.

Treasurer John A. Pruyn, though not present in person, submitted his report for the six month period endingjune 30, 1984, including a comparison with the approved budget, which indicated that cash receipts exceeded cash disbursements by some $87,000, which was due principally to the monies received from the liquidation of the Bogert and Carlough Company stock, which stock had been gifted to the Society by Louise Bogert,wife of JohnJ.Bogert, a few years ago.

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Peter Van Dyke, initiated an extensive discussion concerning the transfer of these funds to our endowment, which decision was postponed until the next Trustees meeting on December 13, 1984 before which the Chairman of the Centennial Committee, Arthur Smock, will have drawn up a Centennial Budget.

Trustee Smock reported that the Centennial Committee was moving ahead with its plans on a timely basis: That the Centennial History shall be with the publisher before 1985: that the Centennial Cruise on board the "Nieuw Amster­dam" was sailing from Tampa, Florida onjanuary 19, 1985; that ' 'The Midwinter Gathering of the Dutch Nation in New York was scheduled for March 7, 1985 at the Union Club in New York; and that replies from the Centennial Ques­

tionnaire were received from more than thirty percent of our members with an eighty per cent approval thereof.

Branch Committee Chairman, John R. Voorhis, III, reported that there had been 19 branch meetings in 1984 compared to 11 in the previous year.

Harry Van Dyke, Chairman of the Banquet Committee, announced that arrangements with Brendan Gill, our Distinguished Achievement Medalist for 1984, were com­plete. The banquet would be held at the "Windows of the World" in the World Trade Center November 2, 1984.

Secretary Springsteen announced the Necrology and the trustees were saddened to hear that Stephen Elting, Ralph Terhune, and George B. Wendell, Jr. had died.

Trustee William Alrich gave the Report of the Commit­tee on Genealogy, in the absence, due to illness, of Chair­man Frederick W. Bogert, and six new members were pro­posed as qualified, and elected. They are: Russell Murray Brink, West Vancouver, British Columbia

Abraham Van Alstyne, Kinderhook, New York Peter Briston Van Benthuysen, Easthampton, Mass.

Curt Kip Van Riper, Piano, Texas Stephen Cortlandt Van Wyck, Essex, Mass.

John Aubry Williamson, Silver Spring, Maryland

Ulster County Branch Meeting Fifty-four members and guests of the Ulster County

Branch gathered at the DuBois Fort in New Paltz, N.Y. for the annual autumn dinner and meeting. Included in the number was a delegation of eighteen members of the Dutch­ess County Branch led by Branch President Clifford Crispell. Refreshments before dinner included the famous Poucher's Punch, a Hudson Valley Holland Society tradition.

After dinner the group adjourned to Deyo Hall of the Huguenot Historical Society where Domine Hageman opened the meeting with prayer in English, Dutch and French. President Hasbrouck urged more donations to the Scholarship Fund which is used for college-bound students. He also urged support for the centennial projects scheduled for 1985. The President of the Holland Society, John H. Vander Veer, was present and brought greetings. By vote of the members present, Kenneth Hasbrouck was chosen Presi­dent for another year; Melvin Van Sickle, First Vice-President; Chester DuMond, Second Vice-President; Charles Deyo, Secretary and Richard Lent, Treasurer.

Cornelius LeFevre introduced the speaker, Alan Page from Central Hudson. He gave an interesting address on nuclear plant operations.

New England Branch Meeting A dinner meeting of the New England Branch was held

on October 12 at the Harvard Club in Boston with eighteen persons in attendance. After cocktails and dinner, the Rev. David Mulholland, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in Owasco, New York, gave an address entitled ' 'Tolerance, Intimidation and Intrigue: the Nature of New England and New Netherland Relations." The beaver was brought from New York by Branch Chairman Dr. John Voorhis. Plans were discussed for a special dinner to be held during the centen­nial year.

Those in attendance were Bruce Bogart, Henry and Ray Hoagland, David and Sandy Mulholland, Mr. and Mrs. John Outwater, Tweed and Candace Roosevelt, Mr. and Mrs. Gene

2)

Van Loan, Peter Van Wyck, Willard and Natalie Voorhees, Dr. and Mrs. John Voorhis, Charlotte Westman and Charles Zabriskie.

Mid-West Branch Meeting The Fall Meeting of the Mid-West Branch of the Holland

Society of New York was held on Sunday, October 14, 1984 at Sunset Ridge Country Club, Northbrook, 111.

Our host and hostess were Dr. Lee Van Antwerp and his wife, Helen, who are members of Sunset Ridge Country Club and provided a fine afternoon with cocktails and a delicious dinner for those of the Mid-West group who could attend. Those present were: Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Vliet, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Schenck, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Van Epps, Dr. & Mrs. Robert Schenck, Mr. & Mrs. John Schermerhorn, Robert Heyer and Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Heyer.

A very interesting color and sound movie "Unmistakably Holland" provided by the Consul General Mr. Simon Van Nispen was enjoyed by all after the excellent dinner. The only negative note of the day was when the Cubs lost!

As is customary at the Fall Meeting of the Mid-West Branch, the newly elected officers were installed as follows: John Schermerhorn, President; Dr. Robert Schenck, Vice President; Robert Heyer, Secretary; Francis Schanck, Treasurer and Arthur Heyer, Staadsomroeper.

Old Bergen Branch Meeting Old Bergen Branch's annual autumn dinner meeting was

held at the Duck Cedar Inn, Tuxedo, N. Y., on October 18th with thirty-four members, wives and guests present. Among those in attendance were President and Mrs. John H. Vander Veer, Secretary, Rev. Louis O. and Mrs. Springsteen, Past President and Mrs. James E. Quackenbush and Trusteesjohn R. Voorhis III and Frederick W. Bogertand their wives. From Duchess County, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Buys joined the Old Bergen Branch members for the occasion.

Following the cocktail hour, a full course dinner was served which was enjoyed by all. After introducing the guests present, Branch President Francis A. Goetschius called upon President Vander Veer for comments concerning present and future activities of the Society. Branch member Henry Van Wormer then entertained those present with a rendition of some of the old Dutch songs which had been sung at events of the Society in past years.

The guest speaker, Nancy B. Gay, Executive Director of the Great Falls Development Corporation in Paterson, N.J., was introduced by the Rev. WilliamJ.F. Lydecker of the Old Bergen Branch. Mrs. Gay described the steps which had been undertaken to rehabilitate the historic Great Falls district of Paterson and the adjacent old mills which constitute land­marks of the early 19th century complex that marked Pater­son as a birthplace of American industry.

President Goetchius expressed the thanks of those pre­sent for the evening's entertainment and noted that the branch advisory board was working on a special event to be held next year to mark the centennial year of the Holland Society of New York.

Florida Branch Meeting The fall meeting of the Florida Branch was held on

November 10 at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club with twenty-two in attendance. President Ditmars was re-elected

to another term and Theodore Schoonmaker was chosen Vice-President.

There was a general discussion about the plans for the Centennial celebration in 1985. It was decided to alter previous plans and hold a luncheon at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club on March 9, 1985. The President was instructed to send a special notice to all Florida members about the Centennial Luncheon. Branch Chairman Dr. John Voorhis was present and shared with the members some of the plans that are being made in New York for the Centennial celebration.

The following were present at the meeting: Mr. Robert Banta, Mr. and Mrs. Edward V. Ditmars, Mr. and Mrs. David L. Ringo, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Schoonmaker, Col. William T. Van Atten, Mr. and Mrs. J .D. Van Atten, Mr. and Mrs. Melwood Van Scoyoc, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Tassel, and Dr. and Mrs. John Voorhis. Guests attending were Marion Benmore, Mr. Earl Killian and Mrs. Dorothy Vitt.

David Ackerman Descendants — 1662 With the lovely Christopher Wren steeple serving as their

beacon, members of the "David Ackerman Descendants — 1662" (DAD) converged on the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, N.J., on Saturday, Oct. 20, 1984. Over one hundred cousins met to celebrate their Dutch heritage, renew friendships, and study the history of the local region, once familiar to their ancestors.

The annual business meeting of DAD was conducted by President Patricia Bissett of Old Tappan, who was re-elected to the office. Also elected were Assistant Treasurer Stanley Oren and Chaplain Rev. William S. Ackerman.

Following luncheon, the family members heard a most enlightening lecture by James M. Ransom, author of "Vanishing Ironworks of the Ramapos." He spoke about the Ramapo valley area, the mountain people, and particularly of the furnaces and forges of the Pomptons from 1710 to present day.

Tours of the handsome, authentically restored sanctuary and church grounds capped off the delightful reunion.

New cousins are constantly sought. Eligible non-members are urged to contact Mrs. Calvin Meyer, 82 Page Drive, Oakland, New Jersey 07436 for information.

The Editor's Corner (continued)

past and hope to enjoy in the future. We have been and con­tinue to be a significant Nederlandse Broederschap.

The challenges of our second century are obvious. How can we continue to be a meaningful organization when members meet in Boston, Lighthouse Point, Florida and Nor­thbrook, Illinois as well as in New York? And how can we enlarge our fellowship with the literally hundreds of eligible men across the country who either do not know about the Holland Society or, in many cases, have mistaken notions about it? We want to be sure that members of the Holland Society in 2085 have as much or even more to celebrate as we do this year!

-jg^ The first religious services in New Amsterdam took place in the loft of a mill. When Rev. Everardus Bogardus refused to preach in the mill, a wooden church was built on Pearl Street which was later replaced by a stone church in 1633.

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Calendar of Events for the 1985 Centennial Celebration March 7, 1985 (Thursday)

The Mid- Winter Gathering of the Dutch nation in New York will be a reception and dinner at the St. Regis Roof, Fifth Avenue and 55th Street. The location has been changed so that a larger number can be accommodated. The evening program will begin at six o'clock. Our special guest will be Prof. Dr. H.A. Romer, Governor of the Netherlands Antilles and an authority on Dutch colonial history who will give the address of the evening. The Hon. C.J.M. Kramers, Consul General of the Netherlands will also be presented.

A most felicitous part of the program will be the formal investiture of our president, John H. Vander Veer, as Honorary Director General of New Netherlands successor in spirit to the directors general appointed by the Dutch West India Company from Minuit to Stuyvesant. The ceremony will be conducted with all pomp and ritual befit­ting the occasion, including the parading of the beaver, the display of the flags of the Society, the Dutch West India Company and the provinces of the Netherlands. The subscription price will be $40 which includes cocktails and wine with dinner. Once invitations have been sent out, early reservations are suggested.

March 9, 1985 (Saturday)

The Florida Branch of the Society has scheduled a festive Centennial luncheon at 12:00 noon at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club. The Club is located at 2701 N.E. 42nd St., Lighthouse Point, Florida. Vice Admiral Edward N. Parker, U.S.N. Ret., will address the gathering and the Honorable Parker D. Thomson, Consul General of the Netherlands in Florida, will be present representing Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix. Subscription price will be $15 per person. Members of other branches who might like to attend should write to Mr. Edward V. Ditmars (President of the Florida Branch) at 800 Chapel Hill Blvd., Boynton Beach, Florida 33435.

April 8, 1985 (Monday)

The 100th Annual Meeting of the Society will convene at 6:00 p.m. at the Union Club (Society members only) and will be followed by a cocktail party and dinner. During din­ner, the Gold Medal of the Society will be presented to the Rev. Dr. Howard Hageman, Domine of the Society, Editor of De Halve Maen, and President of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, for his years of outstanding service to the Society. Dr. Hageman will acknowledge his award with appropriate remarks. Following dinner there will be a Dutch beer and cheese collation to enable members to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends in an at­mosphere of traditional good fellowship. All newly elected members are urged to attend to receive the Society rosette in person. Handsome beer steins featuring the Society Seal will be presented all attendees as a memorial of this auspicious event. By virtue of a bequest by the late Frank H. Vedder, there will be no charge for the dinner.

authority in Dutch colonial studies. The cost of the Seminar, including lunch, is $10. Inquiries may be addressed to New Brunswick Seminary, 17 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901.

On Sunday morning at 11, members of the Society are in­vited to a special service honoring the Society's Centennial to be held in Kirkpatrick Chapel on the campus of Rutgers University. (Incidentally, the Chapel was designed by Henry Hardenbergh, an architect whose Dutch pedigree should be obvious.) The preacher will be Dr. Tanis of Bryn Mawr.

In the afternoon there will be opportunity to visit the Rutgers Campus, especially to see the statue of William the Silent presented to Rutgers by the Holland Society, to see East Jersey Olde Towne, a reconstructed colonial Dutch village, or simply to rest.

On Sunday afternoon at five the annual Memorial Service of the Holland Society will be held in the Seminary Chapel. In addition to commemorating those members of the Society who have died during the previous year, there will be special prayers of thanksgiving for the Holland Society and its ac­complishments during the previous century. Domine Hageman will be the preacher.

Following the service, a cocktail party will be held in the President's House at 25 Seminary Place followed by a buf­fet in Hertzog Dining Hall in the main Seminary building.

NOTE: Many hotels and motels in the New Brunswick area offer special week-end rates. The Seminary office at 17 Seminary Place will be glad to send a listing to those interested.

May 18, 1985 (Saturday)

The Dutchess and Ulster Branches of the Society are plan­ning a joint Centennial Program at the Huguenot Street Historical Site in New Paltz, New York, to include a tour of the 1700's stone houses, and lunch at the Old Fort Restaurant. Additional program events and exhibits are being planned, and additional details will be provided all members later. Members of other branches who might like to attend should write Mr. Clifford A. Crispell, Jr. (Presi­dent of the Dutchess County Branch) at 20 Adriance Ave., Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.

September 27, 1985 (Friday)

The History and Traditions Committee of the Society will sponsor an informal reception and dinner at the Union League Club in New York at 6:00 p.m. An audio-visual pro­gram is planned depicting the symbolism of four centuries as reflected in the Society's mottos, ceremonies and rituals today. A collection of songs written by and for the Society in its early years, and uncovered from early Yearbooks of the Society, will be featured, and Society memorabilia will be displayed. The subscription price has been set at $40.

October 12, 1985 (Saturday)

The Mid-West Branch will sponsor a reception and dinner (place and time to be announced) that will feature a visit by an officer of the Society who will address the gathering on the accomplishments of the Society since its founding, and will outline plans and programs for the future. More

May 4 & 5, 1985 (Saturday and Sunday)

The Adrian Leiby Seminar will be held at New Brunswick Seminary beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continuing through lunch and an afternoon session. Lectures will be given by Stefan Bielinski of the New Netherland Project in Albany and James Tanis, Librarian of Bryn Mawr and a recognized

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details on this program and the subscription price will be provided later in de Halve Maen and in Centennial newslet­ters. Members of other branches who would like to receive invitations to this branch affair should write to Mr. John Schermerhorn (President of the Mid-West Branch) at 1611 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201

October 16, 1985 (Wednesday)

A symposium on New Netherland History will be held in the auditorium of the New York G. & B. (in the same building that houses our Society Headquarters and Library). Sponsored by the Library Committee, the program will feature short talks by Mr. Peter Cristoph and Dr. Charles Gehring, both "Fellows of the Holland Society," and reminiscences by Trustee Emeritus Charles Van Patten.

Following the program there will be a reception with cocktails and sandwiches. There will be no charge for this event.

Date & Location to be announced (probably November 1985)

The Society is planning an outstanding Centennial Banquet, continuing the tradition of notable Banquets sponsored by the Society from the year of its inception. The Centennial Banquet will be a gala and glittering formal affair featur­ing a most distinguished Medalist, and eminent honored guests. This high-point of our Centennial Celebration will be held in New York and members will be advised of the subscription price, date and location as soon as arrangements have been completed.

Sponsors of the Centennial Celebration Mr. Ernest R. Acker; N. Grandby, CT Mr. David Ackerman; New Vernon, NJ Mr. James F. Ackerman; New Haven, CT Mr. Robert S. Ackerman; Poughkeepsie, NY Mr. Garret G. Ackerson, Jr.; Geneva, Switzerland Mr. David P. Amerman, Wyckoff, NJ Mrs. Richard H. Amerman; Rutherford, NJ Mr. William W. Amerman; Woodcliff Lake, NJ Mr. George E. Banta; Poughkeepsie, NY Mrs. Raymond Banta; Ridgewood, NJ Mr. Peter J. Bergen; New York, NY Mr. William B. Bergen; St. Michaels, MD Mr. Robert Blauvelt; Franklin Lakes, NJ Mr. William D. Blauvelt, Jr.; Franklin Lakes, NJ Mr. & Mrs. George Bogardus; Bethesda, MD Mr. James W. Bogart; Somerset, NJ Mr. Eugene Bogert, Jr.; Ridgewood, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Frederick W. Bogert; Paramus, NJ Mr. William R. Bogert; Cedarhurst, NY Mr. Howard G. Braisted, Jr.; Baldwin, NY Mr. Andrew W. Brink; Greensville, Ontario Mr. Samuel Brink; W. Trenton, NJ Mr. Douglas C. Buys; Fishkill, NY Dr. C. Whitney Carpenter II; Bloomsburg, PA Mr. Clifford Crispell, Jr.; Poughkeepsie, NY Mr. John G. DeGraff; Clinton Corners, NY Mrs. Marion Wilson DeGroff; Baltimore, MD Mr. Ralph L. DeGroff, Sr.; Baltimore, MD Mr. Ralph L. DeGroff, Jr.; New York, NY Mr. Rodman DeKay, Jr.; Chatham Center, NY Mr. John O. Delamater; New York, NY Mrs. Clarence Delgado; Naples, FL Mr. Daniel A. Demarest; New York, NY Mr. James V. Damarest; Chatham Center, NY Mr. & Mrs. James V. Demarest; Deland, FL Mr. Kenneth L. Demarest, Jr.; Morristown, NJ Mr. R. Warren DeMott; Springhouse, PA Mr. Richard C. Deyo; Short Hills, NJ Mr. Ivan D. Ditmars; Burbank, CA Mr. & Mrs. Carlton Durling; Whitehouse, NJ Mr. Garret J. Garretson II; Greens Farms, CT Mr. Francis Goelet; New York, NY Mr. Kenneth E. Hasbrouck, Sr.; New Paltz, NY Dr. Andrew A. Hendricks; Lumberton, NC Mr. George W. Hoagland; Shaker Heights, OH Mr. Henry W. Hoagland, Jr.; Kennebunkport, ME Mr. James L. Hoagland; St. Louis, MO Mr. Bertrand C. Hopper; Taylorville, IL Mr. Everett Hopper; Horseheads, NY

Mr. Edwin Huff; Saint George, UT Mr. George D. Hulst; Bradenton, FL Mr. Frederick L. Hyer; Brielle, NJ Mr. Phillip O. Keirstead; Tallahassee, FL Mr. William C. Keator; Fairfield, CT Mr. William A. Kirkendale; Lake Placid, FL Mr. Frederick B. Krom III; Summit, NJ Mr. Richard W. Lent; New Paltz, NY Mr. Harold M. Lowe; Orlando, FL Mr. Robert C. Lydecker; Short Hills, NJ Mt. Ernest W. Mandeville, Jt.; Hackettstown, NJ Mt. Hubert T. Mandeville; New York, NY Mr. John D. Marsellus; Fayetteville, NY Mr. John F. Marsellus; Syracuse, NY Mr. W. Dwight Nostrand; Farmingdale, NY Mr. William L. Ostrander; Chicago, IL Maj. Gen. A.J. Poillon; Birmingham, AL Mr. John A. Pruyn; Des Moines, IA Mr. James E. Quackenbush; Wyckoff, NJ Mr. Jan B. Quackenbush; Montrose, PA Mr. David M. Riker; Mechanicsville, PA Mr. David L. Ringo; Palm Beach Shores, FL Mr. Tweed Roosevelt; Boston, MA Mr. Francis R. Schanck, Jr.; Hinsdale, IL Dr. Kenneth W. Schenck; Ft. Laudetdale, FL Dr. Robert R. Schenck; Chicago, IL Mr. John P. Schermerhorn; Deerfield, IL Mr. George B. Schoonmaker; New York, NY Gen. Cortlandt Van R. Schuyler; Sullivans Island, SC Mr. Alonzo B. See II; Greenwich, CT Mr. Arthur R. Smock, Jr.; Murray Hill, NJ Mr. David L. Smock; McLean, VA Mr. & Mrs. James P. Snedeker; Wilton, CT Mr. Sedgewick Snedeker; Palm Beach, FL Mr. David F. Springsteen; Greenwich, CT Rev. Louis O. Springsteen; Old Tappan, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Elmer B. Staats; Washington, DC Mr. Henry N. Staats III; Deerfield, IL Mr. Harold A. Sutphen, Jr.; Fairfield, CT Mr. Edwin L. Sutphen; Gettysburg, PA Mr. Samuel R. Sutphin; Zionsville, IN Mr. Coe D. Suydam; Urbana, IL Mr. Edwin E. Suydam, Jr.; College Point, NY Mr. William K. Teller; Leawood, KS Mr. Hugh S. Ten Eyck; Dunedin, Fl Mr. William B. Ten Eyck; Troy, MI Mr. John S. Terhune; Teaneck, NJ Mr. William H. Tymeson; Troy, NY Mr. Kipp C. Van Aken; San Clemente, CA

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Centennial Sponsors {continued)

Mr. Frederick H. Van Alstyne, Jr.; Oakland, NJ Mr. Herbert P. Van Blarcom; Wolfeboro, NH Mr. James M. Van Buren II; New York, NY Mr. Frank C. Van Cleef, Jr.; Manchester, CT Mr. Garret Van Cleve; "In memory of J. Allen vande Mark"; Wallkill, NY Mr. Gordon M. Vanderbeek; Bayside, NY Mr. Wynant D. Vanderpool; New York, NY Mr. Wynant D. Vanderpool; Washington, DC Mr. John H. Vanderveer; Syosset, NY Mr. & Mrs. John H. Vanderveer; Mineola, NY Mr. Winslow B. Van Deventer; Chevy Chase, MD Mr. Arthut W. Van Dyke; Mountainside, NJ Dr. Paul B. Van Dyke; Jekyll Island, GA Mr. Peter Van Dyke; Baltimore, MD Mr. George N. Van Fleet; Syracuse, NY Dr. James Van Fleet; Louisville, KY Mr. & Mts. Ray L. Van Horn; Lenoir, NC Mr. Erskine B. Van Houten, Jr.; Richmond, VA Mr. Eugene M. Van Loan, Jr.; Bedford, NH Col. Blinn Van Mater; Washington, DC Mr. George C. Van Mater; Annapolis, MD Mr. Duncan Van Norden; Palm Beach, FL Mr. Montagnie Van Norden; New York, NY Mr. Leroy Van Nostrand, Jr.; Amityville, NY Mr. Charles A. Van Patten; New Yotk, NY Mr. Isaac T. Van Patten III; Virginia Beach, VA Mr. Eugene V.B. Van Pelt; Lancaster, VA Mr. J. Charles Van Rensselaer; Wilton, NY Mr. Stanley L. Van Rensselaer; Saratoga Springs, NY Mr. Daniel S. Van Riper; Piano, TX Mr. Edwin Van Riper; Piano, TX Mr. Gerrit W. Van Schaick; Coral Gables, FL Mr. Anthony G. Van Schiack III; Woodland Hills, CA Mr. & Mrs. Melwood Van Scoyac; Sarasota, FL

Mr. Melvin G. Van Sickle; Newburgh, NY Mr. DeForest Van Slyck; Washington, DC Mr. Thomas G. Van Slyke; East Walpole, MA Mr. & Mrs. William Van Tassel; Sun City Centet, FL Mr. John D. Van Wagoner; McLean, VA Mr. Robert E. Van Wagoner; New York, NY Mr. Arthur D. Van Winkle; Rutherford, NJ Rev. E. Kingsland Van Winkle; West Hartford, CT Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Van Winkle; Rutherford, NJ Mr. Richard L. Van Winkle; Rutherford, NJ Mr. Robert Van Winkle; Rutherford, NJ Mr. Theodore L. Van Winkle; Rutherford, NJ Mr. Thomas S. Van Winkle; Roxbury, CT Mr. E. Hawley Van Wyck III; Vienna, VA Mr. Nicholas P. Veeder; St. Louis, MO Mr. Elmer B. Vliet; Lake Bluff, IL Mr. George B. Vliet; Bridgewater, NJ Mr. & Mrs. David A. Voorhees; Strongsville, OH Mr. David William Voorhees; New York, NY Mr. DeForest B. Voothees; Houston, TX Mr. Willard P. Voorhees; Woodstock, VT Mt. Gotdon D. Voorhis; Red Hook, NY Dr. John R. Voorhis III; Ridgewood, NJ Mr. John C. Vredenburgh; Vero Beach, FL Mr. Donald W. Vreeland; Summit, NJ Mr. & Mrs. James M. Vreeland; Far Hills, NJ Mr. Jerome H. Waldron; Piscataway, NJ Mt. Sherwood Waldron; Locust Valley, NY Mr. & Mrs. Jay Westervelt; Parsons, KS Dr. Carl G. Whitbeck; Hudson, NY Mr. Frederick A. Wyckoff, Jr.; South Yatmouth, MA Mr. Gerardus Wynkoop II; Clearwater, FL Mr. William M. Wynkoop; New York, NY Mr. Harold B. Zabriskie; Flagstaff, AZ

Here and There With Our Members Kenneth E. Hasbrouck, has received the 1984 Alum­

nus of the Year Award from the State University of New York at New Paltz Alumni Association ' 'as a New Paltz graduate who has accomplished significant achievement in his pro­fessional l i fe ." The award was presented to Hasbrouck, a prominent writer, New York State historian, genealogist and President of the Huguenot Historical Society, at the college reunion June 9, 1984. A resident of New Paltz, N . Y . , Mr. Hasbrouck is also President of the Ulster County Branch of the Society.

Harry Van Dyke was featured in an article in The New York Times citing the restoration of old houses in Columbia County, N.Y. , "settled by the Dutch in the mid-seventeenth century and farmed ever s ince ." Mr. Van Dyke and his brother, Frank, are the owners of Forth House, a red-brick manor house near Livingston, N . Y., built between 1760 and 1770 by John Livingston, a member of one of New York's most distinguished colonial families.

The Society extends its sympathy to Dirk Van Emburgh on the loss of his mother, Mrs. C.C. Van Emburgh , Jr . , who passed away May 27th at Bay Head, N.J .

James Roosevelt was recently quoted in the Long Island newspaper, Newsday, as believing that his father, the late President Franklin D . Roosevelt, may have been suffering

16)

" t h e late effects of p o l i o " at the t ime of his death in 1945. His remarks were made at a two-day conference held in May at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Insti tute for Rehabil i tat ion, Warm Spring, Georgia, of which Mr. Roosevelt is President.

Francis A. Goetschius was chosen Alumnus of the Year by the Suffern High School from which he graduated in 1931. The award was presented on June 3, 1984. He also announced the birth of a granddaughter , Courtney Alexandra Down­ing, in Babylon, Long Island on November 6, 1983.

Frederick (Rick) Wyckoff of South Yarmouth , Mass. received a heart transplant in Presbyterian Hospital in New York on February 13,1984. He was able to return to his home in Cape Cod in J u n e . " I want to make people believe that this is not some way out t h i n g , ' ' says Wyckoff. " I t ' s saving lives. The big p tob lem now is donors. People must become aware that their organs are needed by h u n d r e d s and thousands of peop l e . "

Charles Van Patten, Trustee Emeritus of the Society, was recently present for the dedication of the Van Patten Libtary in the Lower School of the Ojai Valley School in California. He had been one of the first students in the school of which his brother Philip was the first graduate and of which his father, Dr. Philip Van Pat ten, had been one of the originators.

In Memoriam JOHN VAN VOORHIS

John Van Voorhis, a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1940, died at the age of 86 years on November 25, 1983 at Irondequoit, New York. A distinguished New York jurist and noted legal scholar, Judge Van Voorhis was descended from Steven Coerte Van Voorhies who came to New Netherland in 1660. Judge Van Voorhis was born June 14, 1897 at Irondequoit, the son of Eugene Van Voorhis and Allis M. Sherman. After receiving his early education at the Rochester, N.Y. public schools and the Hill School, Potts-town, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Yale University in 1919, afterwards entering his father's law firm where he prepared for his career as attorney and jurist. His father, Judge Van Voorhis once said, wanted him to "learn the law through the soles of my shoes.'' His grandfather and father both prac­ticed law in Rochester, the former starting his career there in 1854. His public career began in 1933 when Judge Van Voorhis was appointed attorney for the town of Irondequoit. He was elected to the Supreme Court of the State of New York in 1936 and was appointed an Appellate Court justice by Governor Thomas E. Dewey in 1947. Elevated to the New York Court of Appeals, the highest court in the State of New York, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on that court in 1953. The following year he was elected to the same position of associate justice on that court, serving until mandatory retire­ment at age seventy in 1967. After retiring from the bench he went into the private practice of law with his son, Eugene, the fourth generation of the family to follow the legal pro­fession, in the firm of Van Voorhis & Van Voorhis in Rochester, N.Y.

Judge Van Voorhis was the recipient of honorary doctor of laws degrees from Hobart College, the University of

Rochester, the Albany Law School, the New York Law School and the Brooklyn Law School. He was also a member of the faculty at the New York Law School for seven years. Off the bench, he was an accomplished yachtsman, becoming in­terested in sailing at an early age while acting as crew member on the family yacht that took part in the Canada Cup races on Lake Ontario. He was also active in clubs and organiza­tions that included the Rochester Country Club, the Genesee Valley Club, the University Club of Rochester and the Fort­nightly Club, a century-old dinner and discussion group. As a member of its Executive Committee, he was active in the affairs of the Van Voorhees Association, being the prin­cipal speaker when in I960, that family group celebrated the 300th anniversary of the arrival of Steven Coerte Van Voorhees in New Netherland.

Judge Van Voorhis was the third member of his branch of the Van Voorhis family to be a member of the Holland Society. His grandfather, John Van Voorhis, was elected to the Society at one of its earliest meetings following the organization of the Society in 1885. His father, Eugene, became a member in 1892 and his son, Eugene, who sur­vives him, is a life member of the Society. Other survivors include his wife, the former Linda Gale Lyon, whom he mar­ried in 1926, two daughters, Allis (Mrs. Louis) DAmanda of Irondequoit, N.Y., and Emily Harris of Rochester, Min­nesota as well as thirteen grandchildren. Funeral services were held November 28, 1983 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Irondequoit.

STEPHEN G. ELTING

Stephen Gerow Eking, a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1958, died at the age of eighty years at

Distinctive Holland Society Items Available to Members With the Centennial approaching, The Society is ex­

panding its selection of items featuring Society insignia for sale to members. While most of these items are currently available, those marked with an * are in production, and we beg your indulgence in anticipating delivery. We do, however, guarantee delivery on all items before the end of

Item No. Description

1. Society Membership Certificate. 11" x 14" overprinted on lithographed 1656 map of New Netherland, with col­ored depictions of Old and New Amsterdam. Please print your name on the order form exactly as you wish it en­grossed on the certificate, and note the year you became a member.

2. Society lapel pin. Depicts the Dutch lion, rampant, in red on a gold background. The informal recognition insignia of the Society.

3. Orange lapel rosette. Traditionally presented to new members at each annual dinner, and worn by members at Society affairs.

4. Blazer Patch. The Dutch Lion, rampant, embroidered in gold on dark blue background. Includes scroll with Society motto: "Eindelijk wordt een spruit enn boom."

the year and prior to the start of our Centennial Celebration. Please use the order form overleaf to place your order.

All prices are net including mailing and handling charges. Send your order to: The Holland Society of New York, 122 East 58th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022

Item No. Description

* 5. Blazer Buttons (set of 2 large, 6 small). The Society Beaver on a blue shield (seal of New Netherland) in cloisonne enamel packaged in a plush jewelry box.

6. Necktie (four-in-hand). A deep blue tie upon which is superimposed the Lion of Holland.

* 7 . Delft Tile imported from Holland. 6" x 6", whh delft blue border design with Society Seal in orange, centered.

8. On-the-rocks glasses, set of 6. lOVi oz. sham bottom glasses with the Society Seal in orange, permanently fired into the glass.

9. Cocktail napkins, package of 50. The Dutch Lion, in orange, and the Society's name printed on buff background.

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Tucson, Arizona on April 2, 1984. Descended from Jan Eltinge who was living at Flat bush, Long Island in 1663, mov­ing later to Ulster County, N. Y., Mr. Eking was born March 23, 1904 at New Paltz, N. Y., the son of Watson Eltinge and Agnes Crawford. Mr. Elting received his education in the New Paltz school system, the Albany Academy and Blair Academy, Blairstown, N.J., from which he graduated in 1925.

By profession he was a steamfitter, having been a lifetime member of the United Association of Journeymen, Plumbers and Steamfitters of the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Elting also became adept as an estimator and salesman in the heating industry. While living in Belleville, N.J. he was active in pro­moting sports, including the purchase of an eight-oar rac­ing shell for the Belleville High School Crew. Particulars re­garding the later years of Mr. Elting's life were unavailable at the time this obituary was being written. He is survived, it is believed, by his wife, the former Julia Thompson and two sons, James Gerow Elting, M.D., and William Watson Elting of Brooklyn, N.Y.

WALTER SUYDAM

Walter Suydam, a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1974, died at the age of 68 years on April 25, 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Descended from Hendrick Rycken who came to New Netherland in 1663 and whose sons adopted the surname Van Zuytdam or Suydam, he was born at Woodhaven, Long Island, N.Y., May 17, 1915 the son of Daniel R. Suydam and Elizabeth Guilfoy. A business executive and registered professional engineer, he retired as President of Loftus Engineering Corporation, previously a Pittsburgh-based firm, now located in Detroit, Michigan. He had also served as a consultant for Western Gear Cor­poration of Forest Hills, Pennsylvania.

Graduating with a B.S. degree from Columbia Univer­

sity in 1935, he received the M.E. degree from the same university in 1936. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi frater­nity. During World War II he served for more than three years with the Construction Battalions (Seabees) of the U.S. Navy throughout the Pacific theater, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Upon release to inactive duty he joined the Loftus Engineering Corporation in 1946. His duties with Loftus, a manufacturer of large boilers and other heavy equipment, required him to travel extensively throughout the United States as well as in Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. An outstanding authority in his field, he was elected to membership in the American Iron and Steel Institute in August 1977.

Mr. Suydam is survived by his wife, the former W. Mae Elgin, whom he married October 1, 1949, a son, Walter Suydam, Jr., a daughter, Barbara Suydam Staniszewski, two grandchildren, Lauren Ann and Grant Walter, and a first cousin, John T. Suydam III of Lakehurst, N.J., a member of the Holland Society of New York.

RALPH D. TERHUNE

Ralph Demarest Terhune, a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1945, died at the age of 83 years onjuly 15, 1984 at Ridgewood, Newjersey. Descended from Albert Albertsen Ter Huen who was in New Amsterdam before 1651, he was born January 8, 1901 at Hackensack, N.J., the son of Peter Christie Terhune, a former Holland Society member, and Myra Demarest. Mr. Terhune was a graduate of the Stevens Institute of Technology, started his business career with the Consolidated Gas Company of New York and later was associated with the gas products division of the American Radiator Company. Prior to his retirement in 1963, he was branch manager for a manufacturer of heating and air-conditioning systems in Paterson, N.J. He returned to the business world as a director and the treasurer of the

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6.

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9.

DESCRIPTION

Membership Certificate

Society Lapel Pin

Orange Lapel Rosette

Blazer Patch

Blazer Button (set)

Necktie

Delft Tile

On-the-rocks Glasses (set 6)

Cocktail Napkins (pkg. 50)

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Co-operative Savings and Loan Association in Ridgewood. After the latter was merged with the Carteret Savings and Loan Association, Mr. Terhune retained his directorship with that financial organization. He was very active in commun­ity affairs taking a leading role in fund-raising for the Ridgewood YMCA, the Community Chest, the Valley Hospital and The Residence in Hackensack, N.J. Mr. Terhune also served with the Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department retiring in 1966 with the rank of captain. He was active in educational circles, serving as a member of the Ridgewood Board of Education's long-range planning committee. An elder and trustee of the Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood of which he had been a member for forty years, he also was chairman of the joint church board and a member of the Ridgewood Council of Churches. His service club af­filiations included the Ridgewood Rotary Club and the local Masonic Lodge. He had been a member of the Demarest Family Association for some years and served the Old Bergen Branch of the Holland Society as treasurer for over ten years.

Surviving are his wife, the former Kathryn I. Leete, two sons, Donn L. Terhune of Jacksonville, Florida and Ralph C. Terhune of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter, Ann Massey of Atlanta, Georgia, eleven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. A memorial service was heldjuly 19th at the Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood with private interment in Maple Grove cemetery, Hackensack, N.J.

GEORGE B. WENDELL, JR.

George Blunt Wendell, Jr., a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1926, died at the age of 81 years after a prolonged illness on July 30, 1984 in Westfield, N.J. Descended from Evert Jansen Wendell, who came to New Amsterdam about 1640 residing there before moving to Beverwyck (Albany, N.Y.) where he became a prominent trader, Mr. Wendell was born in East Milton, Massachusetts, September 27, 1902, the son of George Blunt Wendell, a member of the Holland Society, and Lucy S. Eaton.

A graduate of Milton Academy, Milton, Massachusetts, in 1921, he entered Harvard University from which he was graduated in 1925. Thereafter he worked for The Wheatena Corporation, Rahway, N.J., later becoming president of that firm. He was also a vice president and director of the Rahway Savings Institution and a director of the Industrial Workmens Building and Loan Society of Rahway. In 1976 Mr. Wendell was made an honorary life member of the Holland Society following fifty years of active membership. He was also a member of the Saint Nicholas Society, The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the Colonial Order of the Acorn, the Founders and Patriots of America and the Harvard University Clubs of New York and New Jersey.

Mr. Wendell's first wife, the former Elizabeth Phillips, died in 1943. He is survived by his second wife, formerly Leonora Burnett, his son, George B. Wendell III, a life member of the Holland Society and three grandchildren. A memorial service was held August 2, 1984 at the First Presbyterian Church in Westfield, N.J.

HOWARD A. DE MYER

1653, he was born June 2, 1907 in La Porte, Indiana, the son of Claude De Myer and Emma M. Ahrens.

After elementary and secondary education in the La Porte public schools, Mr. De Myer entered the University of In­diana from which he was graduated in 1931 with the L.L.B. degree. While at college he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Following college he practiced law in La Porte from 1931 to 1967 and was active in Republican political affairs, serving as a city councilman and prosecuting attorney. He became interested in welded steel sculpture, studying art and sculpture at the summer school of the Ox-Bow School of Painting in Saugatuck, Michigan and in 1967 took a leave of absence from his law practice, went to the island of St. Maarten in the West Indies and devoted himself to creating sculpture. Mr. De Myer became very successful in his second vocation, never returned to his law practice but came back to the United States in 1975 with a new career. He executed commissions for statues and murals for hotels in the West Indies as well as for business corporations in the U.S. Some of his work can also be found in private collections. He created an eighteen-foot statue for the Amway Corporation Center in Ada, Michigan, and another "The Potawatomie Indian" for the City of La Porte which was placed in front of the La Porte City Hall with appropriate ceremonies in 1976.

Mr. De Myer is survived by his wife, the former Evelyn Nord, also a talented artist, of Gainesville, Florida, a daughter, Christine Morris of Hodgenville, Kentucky and one grandson. A son, Don H. De Myer, died in 1972. A memorial service was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, La Porte, Indiana.

R. ALEXANDER BRINK

Royal Alexander Brink, a member of the Holland Socie­ty of New York since 1982, died at the age of 87 years on October 2, 1984 in Madison, Wisconsin. Descended from Lambert Huysbertsen Brink who came to New Netherland in 1659, settling two years later at New Dorp (Hurley, N.Y.), Dr. Brink was born September 16, 1897 in West Oxford Township, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada, the son of Royal W. Brink and Elizabeth Cuthbert. A graduate of Ontario Agricultural College, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Dr. Brink received his M.S. from the Univer­sity of Illinois in 192 1 and his D. Sc. degree from Harvard University in 1923.

For over fifty years Dr. Brink devoted his life to applying the sciences of genetics to the improvement of agriculture. Among the many important contributions he developed in this field was a wilt-resistant and winter-hardy strain of alfalfa which became the leading variety planted in the United States and Canada. He was also active in the improvement of hybrid corn as well as soil improvement and conservation. Joining the faculty of the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1922, he became professor of Genetics in 1931 serving as chairman of the Department of Genetics at that university from 1939 to 1955. Retiring in 1968, he nevertheless continued to carry out research at his farm near Madison during the summer and in Florida during the winter months.

During his distinguished career, Dr. Brink was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in chemistry. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1947 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served as presi­dent of the Genetics Society of America in 1957 and of the American Society of Naturalists in 1963. Dr. Brink was also managing editor of the publication, Genetics, and editor

Howard Ahrens De Myer, a member of the Holland So­ciety of New York since 1982, died at the age of 77 years on September 24, 1984 at Gainesville, Florida. Descended from Nicholas De Myer who came to New Netherland in

of Heritage from Mendel, an account of the proceedings of the Mendel Centennial published in 1967. In August of 1984, just two months before his death, he had been awarded the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal of the Genetics Society for his lifetime contributions to the science of genetics.

He is survived by his second wife, the former Joyce Hick-ling, his first wife, Edith M. Whitelaw, having predeceased him, a son, Andrew W. Brink of Greensville, Ontario, Canada, a member of the Holland Society, a daughter, Margaret Ingraham of Okomos, Michigan, a sister and several grandchildren. A memorial service was held October 12, 1984.

SAMUEL H. ACKERMAN

Samuel Herbert Ackerman, a member of the Holland Society of New York since 1952, died at the age of 83 years on October 29, 1984 in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. Descended from David Ackerman who came to New Amsterdam in 1662, he was born November 19, 1901 in Wyckoff, N.J., the son of Arthur Ackerman and Maggie DeBaun.

After graduation from the Paterson, N.J., High School,

Albany's Dutch The help of the Saratoga waters was apparently insuffi­

cient for the day after Christmas, 1790, Domine Westerlo died suddenly though not unexpectedly, in his fifty-third year. His health had been failing for some time, but no one was quite expecting the end to come when it did. The old Dutch Church was crowded for the funeral service and his body was entombed in the van Rensselaer family vault.

It is not easy to recapture the personality of a man who was by nature somewhat aloof, who had made definite con­nections with the town's aristocracy and who had little to say about himself. Simeon Baldwin, a Connecticut Yankee, who was in Albany from the summer of 1782 till the spring of 1783, re-acted to Westerlo in different ways. He was much taken with his ability as a preacher, saying nothing about any Dutch accent. On the other hand, Baldwin found his personal company trying. He had dinner with the domine on October 5, 1782.

Had a very good dinner; but many disagreeable Latin proverbs which he is very fond of exhibiting with all the airs of pedantry and not without reflections. He is fond of their European education and seems to despise ours. He certainly transgresses the rules of politeness by introducing so much of his Latin upon every occasion, especially as he knows that from his manner of pronunciation it cannot be clearly intelligi­ble and consequently must be disagreeable to those he converses with. . . . But I find that this is his pretty general practice, and upon my word it is some com­fort to me to find that others understand him no bet­ter than I do.4

For the thirty years that he was in Albany Domine Westerlo kept a diary, changing from Dutch to English in 1782 when regular English services began in the Albany Church. The English portion of the diary as well as a number of Dutch sermons was recently discovered in the archives of the Albany Institute of History and An. When these have been translated and transcribed, they may help to shed fur­ther light on this complex personality.

His one published work appeared posthumously in

Mr. Ackerman was employed by the Manhattan Life In­surance Company in New York City where he spent his en­tire business career, rising to become chief underwriter for that company, a position which he held for more than fifty years. He was also a prominent civic leader in his communi­ty serving as a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Council from 1948 to 1963 and was, at one time, its president. He was also a member of the Zoning Board of that municipality from 1964 to 1981 serving as chairman. In 1983 he was chosen grand marshall of a parade honoring the 75th anniversary of Ho-Ho-Kus Borough. Mr. Ackerman was also one of the organizers of the David Ackerman Descendants, a family association of those who trace their lineage back to the first Ackerman in New Netherland.

He is survived by his wife, the former Margaret W. Suitor, a son, David A. Ackerman of Ho-Ho-Kus and three sisters, Anna M. Ackerman and Marion G. Ackerman, both of Wyckoff, N.J., and Lois A. Dorman of Orient, N. Y. Funeral services were held November 1, 1984 at St. Bartholomew's Church in Ho-Ho-Kus with burial in George Washington Park, Paramus, N.J.

Pope (continued)

English in 1805. One of his theological heroes in the Netherlands had been a Dr. Alberthoma who had prepared a simple catechism for young people which Westerlo had used in Albany as confirmation instruction. Evidently he had translated it into English when the official language of the church had changed in 1782. It must have had suffi­cient popularity to warrant its continued use after his death, for Principles of the Christian Religion by Dr. Albethoma and translated by Eilardus Westerlo was printed in Albany in 1805 by Charles and George Webster. Apart from that little book, his only memorials are a street in the Pastures, a town in the southern part of Albany county and a street in Coeymans.

But the thirty years which he spent in Albany deserve more than that. For most of his ministry here he was regard­ed as the leading religious figure in the community by members of the Dutch Reformed Church as well as those of other churches. Not only had he guided his church through difficult times, in its time of testing he had been a pillar of strength to the entire community which did not soon forget his resolute piety during the dark days of the Burgoyne threat. The success of his ministry may be gauged by the fact that only eight years after his death, the old church building at the foot of State Street proved inade­quate for the crowds that attended and a second building had to be erected on North Pearl Street which is still stand­ing as the First Church in Albany.

Though his was not the longest pastorate in the history of the Albany congregation, it was certainly one of the most significant. When he came in 1760 Albany was still a Dutch outpost in an English colonial society. At his death in 1790, it was an important town in the new United States of America. To have led his people through thirty years of dramatic ecclesiastical change, radical political shift, to say nothing of basic change in language and culture — and to have done it in such a way that there were no quarrels and no dissension — such a record indictes the high degree of skill in leadership which Westerlo possessed. And that general remark takes no account of the impression which

he must have left on the hundreds of Albany young people who grew up under him and for whom he was always the Domine. Harmanus Bleecker who was one of them has left a rather fulsome description of the way Westerlo impressed him.

Indeed so omnipresent was his religion, so engrossing his piety, that his habitual state of mind seemed to be one continued prayer and his life an unbroken of­fering of praise.5

Perhaps I exaggerate in referring to him as Albany's Dutch Pope, but I hope that this simple effort will help to revive the memory of someone who meant a great deal in the development of this city in one of the critical periods of its history.

4 From the unpublished Albany diary of Simeon Baldwin, p. 2, courtesy of Roderic Blackburn and Historic Cherry Hill, Albany, N.Y.

5 E P. Rogers, Historical Discourse, New York, 1858, p. 32.

The Ancestry of Adriaen Hegeman (continued)

der Wende; married 2. Haarlem 11 June 1720 Maria Straetman.

They had 7 children.

c. Gerhard Hegeman, born Vorchten, f Elburg 6 Nov. 1697, married Vorchten 18 Aug. 1689 Fennechien Daendels, widow of Gerhard Dijk.

d. Maria Hegeman, bapt. Elburg 20june 1672, married 1. Vorchten 14 Dec. 1704 Henrick van Nes; married 2. Vorchten 26 April 1717 Teunis Visser.

V. Adriaen Hegeman, born Elburg ca. 1624, silk merchant, f 1672, married Sloten (banns proclaimed Amsterdam 29 Jan.) 7 March 1649 Catharina Margits, born Amsterdam ca. 1628, f 1690. They emigrated to New Amsterdam in 1652.

Children:

1. Hendricus, baptized in Amsterdam, 13 April 1649, mar­ried in Midwout, 12 April, 1685 to Ariaentie Bloedtgoedt.

2. Joseph, baptized in Amsterdam, 15 January, 1651, mar­ried on 21 October 1677 to Femmetje Rems and on 2 August, 1687 to Sarah van der Bilt.

3. Jacobus, baptized in New Amsterdam on 9 March 1653, married on 14 October, 1683 tojannetje Ariaens.

4. Abraham, married on 30 October, 1690 to Geertruyjans of Albany.

5. Denys, married Lucretia Dalley.

6. Isaac, born in Midwout, 1666, married on 15 February, 1687 to Marytie Roelse Schenk.

7. Benjamin, born in Midwout, married on 9 April, 1688 to Barentje Jans of Albany.

8. Elisabeth, born in Midwout, married on 27 April, 1684 to Tobias Ten Eyck, widower of Aeltie Duycking.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of this Hegeman family is:

silver with three red hearts (2, 1); crest: a red heart between a pair of wings, one silver, one red; mantle: silver and red.

It was used by: Roelof Hegeman, student at Leiden in 1634 (manuscript armorial of Leiden students, I, 27).

Bernhardus Hegeman, minister of Vorchten in 1711 (seal, before World War II in the Rijksarchief in Gelderland).

Helmichius Hegeman, minister of Oosterwolde, used in 1676 a seal with a monogram in the shape of a heart, in­side which the three hearts, and the letters H H.

Call for Papers Anyone doing general research relating to "Dutch Merchants and Traders of New Netherland" is welcome to submit a topic for inclusion in the 1985 Rensselaerswyck Seminar to be held in Albany, NY, September 21, 1985. Any aspect of the West India Company's trading operations, including ties between New Netherland and the West Indies or Africa, would be of interest. Send paper proposals by April 1 to:

Charles Gehring or Nancy Zeller New Netherland Project NY State Library - CEC 11D35 Albany, NY 12230

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:'™3V**» ii£4s«^£i£-

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