The Family of Cornelius Van Nuys and Neeltje Amerman

Cornelius⁵ Van Nuys (Isaac⁴, Jacobus³, Auke², Jan¹), husband of Neeltje Amerman

The family of Cornelius Van Nuys and Neeltje Amerman is a good example of the caution needed even when working with published records.  In this family it appears that three of the seven baptismal records of their supposed children have one of the parent’s names wrong.  Also in the baptismal records, the father’s surname is listed as both Van Nuys and Van Hise.  The family did use both surnames, making tracing the family more difficult.  Luckily, there are later records which tie the family together.

Cornelius⁵ Van Nuys was baptized on 13 Jul 1735 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Raritan, NJ.[1]  He married Neeltje Amerman, daughter of Nicholas Amerman and Neeltje Polhemus.[2]  The baptismal records of six of their seven children are recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of Harlingen, NJ:

        24 Jun 1759; Cattyrnte; Cnelius Van Nuys, nilte [3]

        21 Nov 1762; Nelte; Cnelius Van Nuys, Nelte; Niklas Amelman & his wife.[4]  [Note: witnesses were the maternal grandparents]

        4 Aug 1765; Eysak; Cnelius Van Huys, Nelte,[5]

        2 Dec 1770; Madalenti; Cnelius VanNuys, Vroute,[6] [Note mother’s name incorrect]

        27 Aug 1775; Jan & Femmethe; Cornelus Van Nus; Nelthe;[7]

They had another daughter, Sally, who was born about 1768 as will be seen later.

His brother, Isaac⁵ Van Nuys,[8] married Vroute Quick and had their children baptized at the Reformed Dutch Church of Harlingen as well.  In the cases where one of the parents is incorrect, the couple seems to have been confused with the family of his brother, Isaac⁵ Van Nuys (Isaac⁴, Jacobus³, Auke², Jan¹), husband of Vroutje Quick.  Two of Isaac’s children appear to have had bad records:

        19 May 1765; Petterus; Cnelius Vannuys, Vroute [9]  [Note: the father’s name is wrong]

        12 Apr 1767: Marya; Eysak Van Huys; Nelte,[10]  [Note: mother’s (or father’s) name is incorrect]

Cornelius and Neeltje’s son, Isaac, was baptized just a few months after Peter. supposed son of Cornelius and Vroutje, so Peter is almost certainly the son of Isaac and Vroutje.  Also, Cornelius⁵ did not have a known son named Peter, but Isaac did.[11] However, as will be seen later seen, the child’s name in the baptismal record was actually probably Isaac, not Peter.  Mary could be the daughter of either couple, but Isaac and Vroute are known to have had a daughter named Mary, so she has been placed with their family.  The confusion in the baptismal records and the fact that both families had children of the same names raised the need to examine the families more closely.  Some time between the baptisms of their children in 1775 and 1795, the family moved to Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH.  On 8 Oct 1795 Cornelius was of Cincinnati, OH when he purchased a town lot in Hamilton, Butler Co., OH,[12] witnessed by his son, Isaac.

Cornelius died by 15 Oct 1810 when land in Butler Co., OH[13] was sold by his presumed heirs, including:

·         Adam Lee and Catherine his wife (late Vannuys),

·         Phebe Smith (late Vannuys), of Hamilton, OH,

·         John Sunderland and Sally his wife (late Vannuys),

·         Isaac Paxton and Laney his wife (late Vannuys),

·         John Vannuys, and

·         Isaac Vannuys, of Butler, OH

This listing does not include their daughter, Neeltje, who is presumed to have died young.  His son, John, was also of Cincinnati, OH when he bought land in Butler Co., OH on the same day,[14] witnessed by his brother, Isaac.

As noted earlier, Cornelius’ nephew, Isaac⁶ Van Nuys (Issac⁵), was born on 3 May 1765, as inscribed on his tombstone.[15]  Given that Cornelius’ son, Isaac, was baptized just a few month’s later, and Isaac had a different son, Peter, baptized the same month, it seemed likely that these two Isaacs had been confused.  However, a quick review of the life of Isaac⁶ Van Nuys (Issac⁵, Isaac⁴, Jacobus³, Auke², Jan¹) shows they were not confused.

Isaac⁶ Van Nuys and his siblings were of Somerset Co., NJ in 1806.[16]  He was of Henry Co., KY when he purchased land in Switzerland, IN on 9 May 1825.[17]  His oldest children[18] were named after their grandparents.  These all support that he was the son of Isaac and Vroutje, and that being born in 1765, he was probably the child baptized as Peter in 1765.

Genealogical Summary

Generation No. 1

1.  CORNELIUS⁵ VAN NUYS  (ISAAC⁴, JACOBUS³, AUKE JANS², JAN¹) was born Bef. 13 Jul 1735 in near Raritan, NJ, and died Bef. 1811 in Butler, OH.  He married NEELTJE AMERMAN, daughter of NICHOLAS AMERMAN and NEELTJE POLHEMUS.  She was born Bef. 06 Apr 1735 in near Readington, NJ.

Children of CORNELIUS VAN NUYS and NEELTJE AMERMAN are:

        i.    CATHERINE⁶ VAN NUYS, baptized 24 Jun 1759, at Harlingen, NJ,[19] d. 7 Jul 1847,[20] m. ADAM LEE.  He was probably b abt 1747, died 5/27/1836, Hamilton, OH.[21]  Their children included David, b 1784, d 15 Jul 1852, and Eleanor, b 1796 and a son born after 1800.  They lived in Sycamore, Hamilton, OH in the 1820[22] and 1830[23] censuses of Sycamore, Hamilton Co., OH.

                      ii.    NEELTJE VAN NUYS, baptized 21 Nov 1762 at Harlingen, NJ,[24] d. bef. 1811 when she does not appear in the sale of property related to her father’s estate.

2.   iii.    ISAAC VAN NUYS, baptized 04 Aug 1765, at Harlingen, NJ; d. 1848.

3.  iv.    SARAH VAN NUYS, b. circa 1768, NJ; d. 19 Dec 1851,[25]  m .John Sunderland.

       v.    MAGDALENA VAN NUYS, baptized 02 Dec 1770,[26] at Harlingen, NJ; died 5 Jun 1826, m. (1) DAVID WILLIAMS, 20 Jan 1795, Hamilton, OH;[27] m. (2) ISAAC PAXTON in 1803[28], born: 21 Feb 1770 at Acquackanonk, NJ.[29] She and Isaac are said not to have had any children by her, but in the 1820 census[30] there are two girls and a boy living with them.  The boy and the youngest girl may be grandchildren.

      vi.    FEMMETJE VAN NUYS, baptized 27 Aug 1775, at Harlingen, NJ; died 13 Oct 1816[31] m. JOHN SMITH, 16 Nov 1795, Hamilton, OH.[32]  She shared her tombstone with her sister, Magdalena.

    viii.    JOHN VAN NUYS, baptized 27 Aug 1775, at Harlingen, NJ; m. ELIZABETH UNKNOWN.

        His wife signed a deed on 25 Nov 1807 and 12 Jan 1811.[33]

Generation No. 2

2.  ISAAC⁶ VAN NUYS (CORNELIUS⁵, ISAAC⁴, JACOBUS³, AUKE JANS², JAN¹) was born Bef. 04 Aug 1765 in near Harlingen, NJ, and died 1848.  He married ELIZABETH BRODERICK 18 Oct 1798 in Hamilton, OH.[34]  She died 1850.  Based in his age, he may be the Isaac Van Nuys of Greenfork, Randolph, IN in 1830[35] and 1840.[36] 

       

Children of ISAAC VAN NUYS and ELIZABETH BRODERICK are:

4.     i.    CORNELIUS⁷ VAN NUYS, b. 26 Nov 1803, OH; d. 15 Aug 1880, Wayne Co., IN.

       ii.    ISAAC VAN NUYS, b. circa 1806, OH.

5.   iii.    WILLIAM VAN NUYS, b. 07 Apr 1810, OH; d. 23 Jan 1859, Wayne Co., IN.

      iv.    MARGARET VAN NUYS, b. 04 Jan 1818, OH; d. 05 Feb 1882, Wayne Co., IN.[37]

3.  SARAH⁶ VAN NUYS (CORNELIUS⁵, ISAAC⁴, JACOBUS³, AUKE JANS², JAN¹) was born circa 1768 in NJ, and died 1851.  She married JOHN SUNDERLAND.  He was born circa 1757 in Burlington, NJ, and died bef. 25 Jul 1830 in Rockville, Parke, IN.[38]  Sarah was probably living with her son, Cornelius, in the 1840 census.[39]  She was not found in the 1850 census, so her death date, based on a cemetery transcription, may be incorrect.

       

Children of SARAH VAN NUYS and JOHN SUNDERLAND are:

          i.    CORNELIUS⁷ SUNDERLAND, b. 1788, OH; d. 1851, Parke, IN; m. NANCY PAGE, 24 Dec 1812, Butler, OH.[40]

         ii.    WILLIAM SUNDERLAND, b. 1795, m. Julia Mills on 3 Sep 1817, Butler, OH.[41]

        iii.    SUSAN SUNDERLAND, b. 1798, m. Henry Greer on 20 Aug 1818, Butler, OH.[42]

        iv.    JOHN SUNDERLAND, b. 1800; m. ELIZABETH PAGE 19 Feb 1819, Butler, OH.[43]

Generation No. 3

4.  CORNELIUS⁷ VAN NUYS (ISAAC⁶, CORNELIUS⁵, ISAAC⁴, JACOBUS³, AUKE JANS², JAN¹) was born 26 Nov 1803 in OH, and died 15 Aug 1880[44] in Wayne Co., IN.  He married MATILDA HARRISON 09 Feb 1827 in Wayne Co., IN.[45]  She died 02 Jan 1859 in Wayne Co., IN.[46]

       

Children of CORNELIUS VAN NUYS and MATILDA HARRISON[47] are:

          i.    CHARLOTTE⁸ VAN NUYS, b. 1836, IN.

         ii.    SELINA VAN NUYS, b. 1838, IN.

        iii.    LUCINDA VAN NUYS, b. 1841, IN.

        iv.    HARVEY VAN NUYS, b. 1846, IN.

         v.    ANGELINA VAN NUYS, b. 1850, IN.

5.  WILLIAM⁷ VAN NUYS (ISAAC⁶, CORNELIUS⁵, ISAAC⁴, JACOBUS³, AUKE JANS², JAN¹) was born 07 Apr 1810 in OH, and died 23 Jan 1859 in Wayne Co., IN.[48]  He married SELINA HARRISON 23 Apr 1829 in Wayne Co., IN.[49]  She died in Oct 1757.[50]

       

Children of WILLIAM VAN NUYS and SELINA HARRISON[51] are:

        i.      SOLOMON⁸ VAN NUYS, b. 1834, IN.

       ii.      JOSEPH VAN NUYS, b. 1835, IN.

      iii.      ISAAC VAN NUYS, b. 1838, IN.

      iv.      CORNELIUS VAN NUYS, b. 1841, IN.

       v.      WILLIAM VAN NUYS, b. 1843, IN.

      vi.      MARY VAN NUYS, b. 1845, IN.

     vii.      MARTHA VAN NUYS, b. 1847, IN.

    viii.      JACOB VAN NUYS, b. 1849, IN.

---

[1] Somerset County Historical Quarterly, Baptismal Records: Reformed Dutch Church, Raritan, Vol 2, p.218.

[2] The will of Nicholas Amerman, written 12 Apr 1777 in Sowerland, Somerset Co., NJ, names his son-in-law, Cornelius Van Nuys, as one of the executors of his estate.  See: Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Vol 34, Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol 5, p. 15.

[3] Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey (GMNJ), Vol 18, p. 58

[4] GMNJ, vol 18, p. 83

[5] GMNJ, Vol 19, p. 11

[6] GMNJ, Vol 19, p. 38

[7] GMNJ, Vol 19, p. 88.

[8] A Record of the Family of Isaac Van Nuys (or Vannice) of Harrodsburg, Kentucky Son of Isaac Van Nuys of Millstone, New Jersey, by Carrie E Allen, p. 31

[9] GMNJ, Vol 19, p. 11.

[10] GMNJ, Vol 19, p. 14.

[11] A Record of the Family of Isaac Van Nuys (or Vannice) of Harrodsburg, Kentucky Son of Isaac Van Nuys of Millstone, New Jersey, by Carrie E Allen, p. 36.  Peter was named after his maternal grandfather, Peter Quick.

[12] Butler Ohio Deed, Book B, p. 235,

[13] Butler Ohio Deed, Book B, p. 298, Deed from Cornelius’ presumed heirs to David Edwards & others, heirs of John Gildersleve, dated 15 Oct 1810, for land in Butler Co., in section 14 & 23 T2 R3E

[14] Butler Ohio Deed, Book B, p. 236,

[15] Findagrave.com at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79598203

[16] Somerset County, NJ Deeds, Vol D, p. 676

[17] Bureau of Land Management Patent Search for State: Indiana, County: Switzerland, Last Name: Vannius at: https://glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx

[18] A Record of the Family of Isaac Van Nuys (or Vannice) of Harrodsburg, Kentucky Son of Isaac Van Nuys of Millstone, New Jersey, by Carrie E Allen, p. 71.

[19] 24 Jun 1759; Cattyrnte; Cnelius Van Nuys, nilte Vol 18, p. 58

[20] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60860371/catharine-lee  Consort of Adam Lee. Died in the 91st year of her age,

[21] https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/portrait/KH9P-7DL

[22] "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBC-CC7?cc=1803955&wc=3L7F-K65%3A1586985003%2C1586988931%2C1586988935 : 16 July 2015), Ohio > Hamilton > Sycamore > image 7 of 17; citing NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[23] "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBM-9DQW?cc=1803958&wc=35YC-3BJ%3A1588481803%2C1588470333%2C1588483609 : 14 August 2015), Ohio > Hamilton > Sycamore > image 28 of 37; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[24] 21 Nov 17625; Nelte; Cnelius Van Nuys, Nelte; Niklas Amelman & his wife Nelte, vol 18, p. 83

[25] http://ingenweb.org/inparke/Cemeteries/AdamsTownshipRockvilleCemeteryQtoZ.htm

[26] Inscription on tombstone, age 54, 7, 22, calculates to a birth date of 14 Oct 1771.

[27] Pioneer Marriage Records, Hamilton County Ohio, 1791-1820, copied by John Day Caldwell: http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohhamilt/hamiltonpioneermarr2.htm

[28] Pioneer biography : sketches of the lives of some of the early settlers of Butler County, Ohio, by James McBride, p. 140.  It notes her maiden name was Vanhise. 

[29] Vital Records of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church at Acquackanonk, Passaic, NJ, transcribed and indexed by Arthur C. M. Kelly, record 1000.

[30] "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBC-W17?cc=1803955&wc=3L7F-V2M%3A1586985003%2C1586985830%2C1586986105 : 16 July 2015), Ohio > Butler > Hamilton > image 3 of 4; citing NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[31] https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2017/138/UNCEM_1495129615267.jpg

[32] Pioneer Marriage Records, Hamilton County Ohio, 1791-1820, copied by John Day Caldwell: http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohhamilt/hamiltonpioneermarr2.htm

[33] Butler Co., OH Deeds, Vol B, p. 374 and p. 403.

[34] Pioneer Marriage Records, Hamilton County Ohio, 1791-1820, copied by John Day Caldwell: http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohhamilt/hamiltonpioneermarr2.htm

[35] "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYTR-3ZL4?cc=1803958&wc=35Y4-CN2%3A1588469004%2C1588469112%2C1588470251 : 14 August 2015), Indiana > Randolph > Greensfork > image 15 of 21; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[36] "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYM-58C?cc=1786457&wc=31SV-MJJ%3A1588665919%2C1588665997%2C1588668486 : 24 August 2015), Indiana > Randolph > Greenfork > image 1 of 20; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[37] Findagrave.com at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98620668

[38] Findagrave.com at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14444210

[39] "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YB3-9VHL?cc=1786457&wc=31SK-B8S%3A1588665919%2C1588666065%2C1588665902 : 24 August 2015), Indiana > Parke > Not Stated > image 68 of 149; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[40] "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BJ9Q-M1?cc=1614804&wc=ZR43-VZ9%3A121349701%2C121450801 : 15 July 2014), Butler > Marriage records 1803-1834 vol 1 > image 24 of 189; county courthouses, Ohio.

[41] "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BJ93-6R?cc=1614804&wc=ZR43-VZ9%3A121349701%2C121450801 : 15 July 2014), Butler > Marriage records 1803-1834 vol 1 > image 47 of 189; county courthouses, Ohio.

[42] "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BJ9S-4D?cc=1614804&wc=ZR43-VZ9%3A121349701%2C121450801 : 15 July 2014), Butler > Marriage records 1803-1834 vol 1 > image 53 of 189; county courthouses, Ohio.

[43] "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BJ93-6T?cc=1614804&wc=ZR43-VZ9%3A121349701%2C121450801 : 15 July 2014), Butler > Marriage records 1803-1834 vol 1 > image 56 of 189; county courthouses, Ohio.

[44] Findagrave.com at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98621978/cornelus-vannuys The transcription says he died in 1850 but it was actually 1880.

[45] "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897W-RW63?cc=1410397&wc=Q83F-HJP%3A962978001%2C962992001 : 21 January 2016), Wayne > 1817-1830 Volume A > image 120 of 255; Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis.

[46] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98622096/mathilda-vannuys

[47] "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DYNQ-MY1?cc=1401638&wc=95R3-16N%3A1031336301%2C1031568501%2C1031419101 : 9 April 2016), Indiana > Wayne > Franklin > image 32 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[48] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98619213

[49] "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97W-R7JZ?cc=1410397&wc=Q83F-HJP%3A962978001%2C962992001 : 21 January 2016), Wayne > 1817-1830 Volume A > image 205 of 255; Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis.

[50] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98755547/s_-vannuys

[51] "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DYNQ-79Y?cc=1401638&wc=95R3-16N%3A1031336301%2C1031568501%2C1031419101 : 9 April 2016), Indiana > Wayne > Franklin > image 21 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).  Note: indexed as Vanyhus.