The Family of Elbert Williamson and Jacomyntje Couwenhoven
In his article, “Willem Davidszen [Williamson] of Flatlands, Long Island ,”[1] Perry Streeter presents an excellent overview of the family of Willem Davidszen and Helena Aards. In addition to the children listed, they had another son, Elbert Williamson, who married Jacomyntje Couwenhoven. He is sometimes misidentified as the son of William Aertsen and Styntje Nagel.
Elbert Williamson, son of Willem Davidszen, married Jacomyntje Couwenhoven on 5 Jun 1709.[2] At their engagement both were previously unmarried and both were from New Amersfort on Long Island . The marriage records of two of his sons, William and David, state they were born on Long Island .[3] Elbert Willemsen and wife, Jackuminke joined the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold and Middleton, Monmouth Co., NJ in Aug 1717,[4] so they had probably moved to New Jersey Long Island , bought land in Freehold on 21 Jan 1718.[5] Elbert Williamson served as one of the witnesses for his niece, Neeltje, daughter of Aert Williamson and Annetje Couwenhoven on 16 Oct 1720 at Freehold.[6] Elbert also served as one of the witnesses for his great nephew, Aert, son of William Williamson and Aeltje Couwenhoven on 2 Dec 1739.[7] The witness for the baptism of Jannetje, daughter of Elbert Williamson and Jacomyntje Couwenhoven on 3 Aug 1732 was Jannetje Willemse, probably the child’s aunt, daughter of Aert Williamson and Annetje Couwenhoven.[8] Baptismal records have been found for only three of Elbert’s six children, but other documents and the naming of their children and grandchildren establish the others.
The children baptized at the DRC of Freehold were Elbert, in Mar 1724, Aert (Arthur) on 1 Jan 1727 and Jannetje, on 3 Aug 1732.[9] In his will Arthur Williamson names Cornelius Vanderveer, Albert Williamson and David Williamson as the executors.[10] Cornelius Vanderveer was his father-in-law, Albert was probably his brother, Elbert, and David was probably an undocumented brother. The abstract of Arthur’s will mentions “the testator’s three brothers and sisters”, David being the third sibling. However, it is likely the abstract should read as “the testator’s three brothers and the testator’s sisters”, not as “the testator’s three siblings.”
A series of deeds suggest that Aert had three brothers. Elbert Williamson of Freehold purchased land from Margaret Redford on 10 May 1727.[11] He apparently sold the same land (both parcels bordered the land of Alexander Napier) to William Williamson, presumably his son, who sold it in 1750 to David Williamson, presumably William’s brother, who in turn sold it in 1757, reserving one acre to himself, to Elbert Williamson, presumably David’s brother as suggested earlier.
Pg 360. 14 Apr 1757. David Williamson of Freehold, Monmouth..sells to Elbert Williamson of afsd place ...a tract of land in Freehold...to line form. of Alexander Napier…to n.e. corner of 1 a. reserved by sd. David Williamson...[who] claims title by deed of William Williamson and Ann Williamson, his wife, dated 3 Mar 1749/50.
The relationships between the people in this deed are not stated, but I believe William (husband of Ann Voorhees), David and Elbert were brothers. None of the grandchildren of Elbert and Jacomyntje named Elbert were old enough to have been the purchaser, but they did have a son named Elbert who was.
Elbert apparently died by 26 Jun 1742 when a survey was done of the land of Albert
Their children included:
1) William, named after his paternal grandfather, was born about 1714 on Long Island according to his marriage record. He married Annetje Voorhees on 19 Dec 1739 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold and Middletown
a) Elbert, named after his paternal grandfather, baptized on 3 Jan 1742.
b) Sarah, named after her maternal grandmother, baptized on 7 Jul 1745.
c) Johannes, named after his maternal grandfather, baptized on 28 May 1747.
d) Jacomyntje, named after her paternal grandmother, baptized on 5 Jan 1752.
2) David, named after his paternal uncle, was born about 1716 on Long Island according to his marriage record.[15] He married on 5 Dec 1745 Femmetje Swart, daughter of Teunis Swart and Geertje Luyster, baptized on 5 Sep 1725. They had 8 children, all baptized at the DRC of Freehold[16]:
a) Elbert, named after his paternal grandfather, baptized on 26 Nov 1746.
b) Teunis, named after his maternal grandfather, baptized on 18 Jun 1749.
c) Jacomyntje, named after her paternal grandmother, baptized on 8 Dec 1751.
d) William, named after his paternal uncle, baptized on 20 Oct 1754.
e) John, named after his maternal uncle, baptized on 25 Jun 1757.
f) Geertje, named after her maternal grandmother, baptized 25 Dec 1761.
g) Cornelius, named after her maternal uncle, baptized on 21 Oct 1764.
h) Jannetje, named after her paternal aunt, baptized on 24 May 1767.
3) Elbert, baptized in March 1724 at the DRC of Freehold. He married by license dated 6 Dec 1752 Willemptje Schenck[17], daughter of Peter Schenck and Jannetje Van Nostrand, baptized 6 Apr 1735 at the DRC of Freehold. They have 4 children, all baptized at the DRC of Freehold[18]:
a) Aert, named after his paternal uncle, baptized on 3 Jun 1753, who had recently died.
b) Peter, named after his maternal grandfather, baptized 26 Jan 1755.
c) Jacomyntje, named after her paternal grandmother, baptized on 5 Sep 1756.
d) Jannetje, named after her maternal grandmother, baptized on 2 Jul 1758. The father’s name was Albert Williams in the record.
4) Aert, named after his paternal grandfather, baptized on 1 Jan 1727 at the DRC of Freehold. He married by license dated 31 Jan 1746 Maria Vandeveer[19], daughter of Cornelius Vanderveer and Mary Smock, baptized on 22 May 1730 at the DRC of Freehold. Aert died before 21 Sep 1750 when the inventory of his estate was taken. They had 2 children, both baptized at the DRC of Freehold[20]:
a) Cornelius, named after his maternal grandfather, baptized 21 Jun 1747.
b) Jemima, named after her paternal grandmother, baptized 17 Jun 1750.
Cornelius & Jemima applied for guardians on 21 Jul 1766, Jacob Ten Eyck. Fellowbondsmen Peter Ten Eyck and Peter Post. Maria married 2nd, Conrad Ten Eyck, probably brother of Jacob Ten Eyck and Peter Ten Eyck.
5) probably Helen, named after her paternal grandmother, born about 1730, married with license dated 5 Jun 1756 Cornelius Couwenhoven[21]. They had at least one child baptized at the DRC of Freehold:[22]
a) Annetje, baptized 11 Dec 1757.
6) Jannetje, named after her maternal grandmother, married with license dated 28 Oct 1757 Dominicus Vanderveer[23], son of Cornelius Vanderveer and Mary Smock. They had five children baptized at the DRC of Freehold:[24]
a) Cornelius, named after his paternal grandfather, baptized 9 Apr 1758.
b) Mary, named after her paternal grandmother, baptized 27 Jan 1760.
c) Elbert, named after his maternal grandfather, baptized on 7 Mar 1762.
d) Johannes, named after his paternal uncle, baptized on 30 Apr 1764.
e) probably Jacomyntje, named after her maternal grandmother, born about 1766.
Elbert Williamson, son of William Aertsen and Styntje Nagel, was baptized 26 Feb 1687/88.[25] Nothing further is known about him. Their family lived in New York City , not Long Island , appearing in the West Ward and then the East Ward in the tax listing of NYC from 1695 through 1699.[26] Their son, Aert Williamson, appears in the 1702 tax listing and in the 1703 census of the East Ward. Aert did not live in Long Island or New Jersey , but in NYC and Westchester .[27]
[1] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~streeter/williamson/davidszen.pdf
[2] Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County , New York
[3] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[4] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[5] Monmouth Co. Deeds Liber E, p. 334.
[6] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[7] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[8] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[9] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[10] Documents Relating to the Colonial History of New Jersey, Vol 30, Calendar of Wills, vol .2, p. 533
1750 Sept 3; Williamson, Arthur of Freehold Monmouth Co, will of. Children to be educated. Wife Mary 60 pounds. Son Cornelius two parts of residue of estate. Daughter Jemimah the other third part. If children die in minority estate to testator's three brothers and sisters. Executors Mr Cornelius Vanderveer, Albert Williamson and David Williamson. Witnesses Jacob Covenhoven Garret Covenhoven Cornelius McCurtain. Lib E p. 457
1750 Sept 21 Inventory 309 includes negro lad 50 old negro and old wench f25 gun and sword Made by Cornelius Vanderveer Elbert Williamson David Williamson
[11] East New Jersey Land Records, Book F3, abtstracted by Richard Hutchinson, p. 188.
[12] https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/EarlyLandRecords.aspx, S1 (EJ Surveys) : Folio 235 (PEASJ003)
[13] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[14] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[15] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[16] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[17] New Jersey Archives, https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/ColonialMarriages.aspx, W (Part 1 : 1737-1765) : 118
[18] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[19] New Jersey Archives, https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/ColonialMarriages.aspx, W (Part 1 : 1737-1765) : 46
[20] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[21] New Jersey Archives, https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/ColonialMarriages.aspx, C (Part 1 : 1735-1764) : 191
[22] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[23] New Jersey Archives, https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/ColonialMarriages.aspx, V (Part 1 : 1739-1761) : 161
[24] Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown
[25] http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rbillard/vital_statistics.htm
[26] Collections of the New York Historical Society for the year 1910, Tax Lists of the City of New York, December 1695 – July 15, 1699.
1695 West Ward William Arens p. 17, 52
1696 West Ward William Aerse, p. 93
1697 West Ward William Aersen p. 236
1698 East Ward William Aertson p. 253
1699 East Ward William Aerse p. 287
1702 East Ward Aert Williams
[27] Aert Williams or Aertse, was living with his wife in Mamaroneck in September 1698, and in New York
The notes of Grenville Mackenzie in the Westchester County Historical Society
Perhaps you find it interesting to read my conclusions at https://www.cedar-and-windmill.com/williamson and click on the pdf 'Willem Davidsze & ancestors"
ReplyDeleteI am sorry it has taken me so long to get back with you.
DeleteI agree with you about your conclusions on the possible parentage of Willem Davidsze.
Some additional information about the children of Aert Willemsen and Annatje Couwenhoven may be helpful:
1) I did not find any direct evidence of their supposed 1st son, Aert, born about 1704, died 1750. I believe Mr. Streeter was relying on secondary sources, which I have seen, but with no supporting evidence. I doubt he existed.
2) I have not found any evidence of their supposed 2nd son, Elbert, born 1701-1724, died 1799, either. I believe Mr. Streeter was again using secondary sources, which I have seen but also with no supporting evidence. I have seen an Elbert, eldest son of David Williamson and Femmetje Swart, baptized 26 Nov 1746 at the DRC of Freehold and Middletown, who died before 03 Oct 1798 when his will, written at Middletown, Monmouth, NJ, was probated. He left a wife named Mary. It is likely he is the person who was mistaken as the son of Aert and Annatje.
Assuming these are correct, it simplifies your argument.
In 1972 I purchased an 18th century house on a 100 acre parcel in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, N.J., originally part of Freehold Township in the 18th century. I researched the deed which was transferred in 1766 when David Williamson (1718-1766) died. As an historic preservationist I preserved the original floors, doors, chimney, foundation, etc. After doing my family genealogy years later I learned that Elbert Williamson (1724-1799), a direct ancestor, was David's first cousin. I still own the house and am in the process of putting an historic easement on the house and barn with the N.J. Historic Trust so that they won't be demolished or significantly altered.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about the restoration of a great house! Great to hear of the ancestral connection as well.
ReplyDelete