Person:Wolfert Van Kouwenhoven (1)

Notes for Wolfert Gerretsen Van Couwenhoven:[[1]]David Kipp Conover's website Wolpert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven, one of the founders of New Amsterdam (New York) and the founder of our family in America. He was one of five "head farmers" first sent by the Dutch West India Company to New Netherlands in 1625. Wolphert came with his wife Aeeltje (Neeltje) Jans, whom he married January 17, 1605, in the Dutch Reformed Chuch at Amersfort, Holland, and their three surviving sons, Gerret, Jacob, and Pieter.

Until his return to Holland in 1629, Wolphert farmed Bouwerie (farm) No. 3 in New Amsterdam and, through his wife, engaged in the profiable fur trade.

While in Holland, Wolphert signed a six year lease with the Dutch West India Company for Bouwerie No. 6 (about 91 acres). He also contracted with Kiliaen Van Rensselar, patroon of Rensselarwick (comprised of many thousands of acres along the Hudson including most of present day Albany) as a factor or director and to be in charge of Bouwerie No. 7 in New Amsterdam, All this bore tribute to Wolphert's reputation for competence and dependability.

Upon his return from Holland May 24, 1630 on De Eendracht (The Unity), Wolphert farmed Bouwerie No. 6, and for about two years served under contract with Kiliaen Van Rensselar.

On June 30, 1636, Wolphert purchased land on Long Island called Keskateuw from the Indians, Here was established the first known white settlement on Long Island. Wolphert called his "plantation" Achterveldt, shown on the Manatus Map of New Netherlands as Farm No. 36, near the Indian long house of the Keskachau Tribe. Wolphert's house, surrounded by palisades, was the focal point of the village of New Amsterdam (later called Flatlands).

The following information published in the Central Bureau Voor Genealogie, Part 50 1996 (Dec 16, 1996), The Hague, by M.S.F.Kemp. Additional information has been obtained from the NYGBR issues of October 1997 and January 1998.

Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven was born before May 1, 1579; when baptisms began in Amersfoort, Netherlands. He was born circa 1583 at Netherlands; he stated on October 8, 1638 that he was 54 years old. He was born circa 1584. He was born circa 1588 at Holland. Marriage banns for he and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter were published on Jan 9, 1605 at Amersfoort, Netherlands. He married Neeltgen Jacobsdochter, daughter of Jacob Peterss and Metgen Jacobsdr, on Jan 17, 1604/5 at Dutch Reformed Church, Amersfoort, Netherlands. He died between March 2, 1662 and June 24, 1662 at New Amerstoort, NY.

He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsz Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Garretsen Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulphert Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulpher Gerritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wulffer Geritsz Van Couwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretsen Van Kouwenhoven. He was also known as Wolfert Gerretson Van Couwenhoven. Dec 15, 1611. The first reference to WOLFER GERRITSE when Wulphert Gerrits signed an agreement with his stylized A. According to the terms of that document, he agreed to assume the property and debts of the deceased parents of his wive Neeltgen Jacobsdr from the other heirs for 100 guilders. Her brother Herman Jacobsz also signed this document as well as her brother-in-law Willem Dircx who was married to Aeltgen Jacobs Petergen Petersdr, the underage daughter of her brother Peter Jacobsz, had already recieved 50 guilders This is the last document pertaining to Wolfert Gerritse that has been discovered in the archives of Amersfoort.

on Jun 11, 1623. He was a baker and then later a bleacher (bleaching laundry on a grassfield in the sun) before 1624. He immigrated between 1624 and 1625 to New Amsterdam, Kings Co. Long Island, NY. He and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter immigrated in Jun , 1625 to New Netherlands; or July 1625, with his wife and family on a ship of the Dutch West India Company which sailed in the expedidition that was comprised of the ships: Mackerel, Horse, Cow and Sheep. Wolfert returned to the Netherlands in 1629. He retruned from the Netherlands on board "De Endracht" (the Unity) on May 24, 1630. There exists a letter from Kiiaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert which I have to get from sources. At this time Wolfert was in the Netherlands and the letter had to do with terminating Wolfert's contract with van Rensselaer and mentions that Wolferts wife was unhappy living in New Netherlands. In the letter van Rensselaer states he would not want someone who was not happy working for him to remain in his employ under the circumstances. It was a friendly letter. According to the source there are several letters fo Wolfert from Van Rensselaer. He purchased "Keskateuw" located on Long Island from the Indians. Here was established the first kown white settlement on Long Island. Wolphert called his "plantation" Achterveldt, shown on the Manatu Map of New Netherlands as farm No. 36 near the Indian long house to the Kestachau tribe. Wolphert's house surrounded by palisades, was the focal pont of the village of New Amersfoort, later called Flatlands on Jun 30, 1636. He got "Smal Civil Rights" on Apr 18, 1657. Wolfert Gerritsen Van Couwenhoven was named in a suit filed by Frans Jansen regarding a dispute over a contract in which Jansen was to buy land from Wofert. This was the first time the name Van Couwenhoven was mentioned in referenc to Wolfert on Oct 20, 1661.

Children of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven and Neeltgen Jacobsdochter were as follows:

4. i. Gerret Wolfersen, born circa 1610 at Amersfoort, Ultrecht, Netherlands; married Aeltje Cornelis Cool. 5. ii. Pieter Wolphertse, born circa 1614 at Amersfoort, Netherlands; married Hester Daws; married Aeltje Sibrants; married Josynthe Thomas. 6. iii. Jacob Wolphertse, born 1615 at Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands; married Hester Jansen; married Magdaleentje Jacobs Van Amsterdam.

Marriage Notes for Wolfert Van Couwenhoven and Neeltje Janse: Gerret, oldest of the three sons, settled in Midwout (Flatbush) near Achterveldt on 50 morgens of land. deeds for which are dated January 26, 1638 and September 16, 1641. In 1643, Gerret was one of a group sent to the Staats General in Holland to present the forlorn and defenseless condition of New Netherlands settlers due to Director Wilhelmus Kief's inciting war amongst the Indians. Grandsons of Gerret; Cornelius, Albert, Peter, and Jacob--settled in Monmouth County, New Jersey about 1700. Another grandson, William, remained in Flatlands. [Woolley G.w Family Tree.FBK.FTW.lnk.FTW-3.FTW]

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Beekman, George Crawford. Early Dutch settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey. (Freehold, N.J.: Moreau Bros., 1901).