The Family of Francis Titus and Annetje Fonteyn

The Families of Francis² Titus (Titus Syrach De Vries¹) and Annetje Fonteyn,

Francis³ Titus (Francis², Titus Syrach De Vries¹) and Elizabeth Vandervoort and
Titus³ Titus (Francis², Titus Syrach De Vries¹) and Jannetje Boudet

Francis² Titus of Bushwick, Kings Co., NY is usually thought to have first married Annetje Fonteyn about 1699 and second a woman named Elizabeth about 1725.[1]  However, Annetje Fonteyn was born 40 – 45 years before Elizabeth, so there appears to be a generation missing.  It is almost certain that Francis² Titus and Annetje Fonteyn had two previously unidentified children: Francis³ and Titus; and it was the son, Francis³, who married Elizabeth.[2]

The birth date of Francis² Titus is unknown, but he was probably born in Flatbush.  He was a witness for the baptism of his niece Geertje, daughter of Sirach Titus and Aeltje, on 3 Apr 1698 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY.[3]  He married Annetje Fonteyn sometime between late 1698 when her first husband, Mauritz Covert of Bushwick, NY, died[4] and 1701 when Francis Titus is listed as a freeholder (and Annetje Fonteyn is not) in Bushwick, NY,[5]  say 1699.  Given that Francis’ brother, Syrach, was baptized on 28 Dec 1679, it is likely Francis was born before that, by at least 1677. 

Francis² sold land in Bushwick to Andries Stockholm on 4 April 1730.[6]  He is listed in the 1731 census of Bushwick, NY,[7] with two males over 10, 1 male 10 and under, 1 female over 10 and 2 females 10 and under. 

It is not known when Francis² died, but it was thought to be after the will of Francis Titus of Bushwick, NY,[8] was written on 1 Nov 1758.  However, that will was probably not the will of Francis² Titus, but of his son, Francis³.  The will mentions a parcel of land “my father bought of Abraham Duryee.”  Abraham Duryea was born about 1684,[9] far too late to have sold land to Titus Syrach¹, who died before 26 Jan 1688/89,[10] "my father" then must have referred to Francis² instead.  The will also mentions land he himself bought from Abraham Duryea, and that is how the properties were distinguished in the will for distribution purposes so the distinction between who bought the land was important and was unlikely simply a mistake in wording.

Other things suggest that this was the will of Francis³, rather than Francis²,  If Francis² wrote the will in 1758 he would have been at least eighty years old.  Though not required, wills of the elderly typically stated that the testator was old, but of sound mind, in order to obviate any contest to the will on the basis of mental state.  Francis is stated to be sick, but no mention is made of his state of mind suggesting testator was younger.

The will also states he bought property from Isaac Meserole.  Isaac moved to NJ by 1758[11], shortly after his father, John, died in 1756.[12]  Though the deed has not been found, this is a likely time he would have sold his land.  The land was supposedly part of the property was known as Kijkuit Farm, owned by Isaac's father (which contained about 128 acres in the 1683 rate list at Bushwick, in 1706 as containing 170 acres of improved land then in a fence, see Andrew Provost's Early Settlers of Bushwick).  This is probably land Isaac inherited from his father in 1756.  Francis² would have been about 80, seemingly late in life to be buying property.

Finally, the will makes no provision for his step-children, including Teunis Covert.  Step-children are often not included, there being some other agreement or provision earlier.  However, Teunis Covert inherited from his father some of the land that Francis disposed of in his will.  There was a dispute between them regarding its ownership and was settled by mutual agreement on 16 May 1719.[13]  A deed from Teunis Covert to Francis Titus was then executed that same day.[14]  Though the agreement precludes Teunis or his heirs from making any further claim on the property, it may not have prevented any right of inheritance.  A conservative will would likely have included some token bequest to Teunis or explicitly excluded him in order to prevent further litigation.

Military records thought to be regarding Francis² are similarly questionable on the basis of his age.  He was an Ensign in the Kings Co. Militia of 1713.[15]  He was listed as a Captain in the 1715 Militia.[16]  He was not listed as a Captain in 1728[17] or 1738.[18]  A Francis Titus was acting as Captain in 1755[19] taking the Slave Census when Francis² was in his late 70s. The others who took the census were described as captains, so it was probably not a personal or honorific reference.  A Francis Titus was also acting as Captain in recruitment in 1758[20] when he would have been over eighty.  Both seem unusual for his age.  Also, there is a long time gap between 1728 (or earlier) and 1755 for him to have been pulled back into service for non-emergency purposes.  The upshot of all this is that when Francis² died is unclear. 

However, the record of the sale of land by Francis in 1730 to Andries Stockholm does not mention his wife, though his presumed second wife, Elizabeth, was alive, and other deeds of the time did mention the wife of the seller.  Also, the deed was acknowledged on 30 Jun 1736, not by Francis, but by Leffert Lefferts, one of the witnesses.  Since there is no other obvious reason why he did not personally acknowledge the deed, he may have been deceased by that time.

Annetje Fonteyn, wife of Francis², was baptized on 16 Jul 1662 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn, NY,[21] thus she was as much as fifteen years older than her husband.  She married first Jacob Jansen and second Mouritz Covert, having children by both of them.  She died by May 16, 1719 when her son, Teunis Covert, conveyed fifty-eight acres of land to Francis Titus, "his loving father-in-law" for his care and expense for raising him and his siblings after the death of his father, Mouritz Covert.[22]

Francis² Titus and Annetje Fonteyn are thought to not have had any children.[23]  However, that is unusual given that Annetje had several children before she married Francis² when she was about 38 (well within her childbearing years), and he supposedly had eleven children by his second wife, spaced every other year, until he was at least 70, so why was the couple infertile?  While men don’t go through a biological phase like menopause, as they age they become less fertile, pregnancies are at higher risk and their children less healthy,[24] making his second marriage seem unlikely.  More importantly, there are two men who appear to actually be their children.

The first is Titus³ Titus.  He married Jannetje Boudet on 25 Mar 1726 at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City,[25] so born about 1701 if married at 25.  They probably had at least[25a] three children:

1. Annetje, baptized on 08 Jun 1726 at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City, Francis Titus being one of the witnesses.  She married Rem Onderdonk on 09 Apr 1757 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY.  The fellowbondsman for her marriage license was Francis Titus.[26]  Their children included a daughter named Mary[27] after her paternal grandmother, and a son named Titus after his maternal grandfather.  Annetje was named after her paternal grandmother.
2. Francis, born about 1730.  He lived in Newtown.[28]^,[29],[30]  He was named after his paternal grandfather.  He may have married a woman named Maria (see the baptism of his niece, Jannetje Onderdonk, later).  He probably had a son also named Francis who sold land in Newtown on 2 Mar 1781 (no wife mentioned).  The witness was Titus Underdunk, his cousin. (Queens Co., NY Deeds, Vol. K, pg. 198).  He later married Maria Bennet, daughter of William Bennet and Annetje Woertman, their first child being born in 1793.  They sold land together on 20 Mar 1806, but it was his widow, Maria, who acknowledged the deed on 16 Apr 1812.  (Queens Co., NY Deeds, Vol. N, pg. 39)  Thanks to Steve Eustis for providing these deeds.
3. Elizabeth, born about 1738, married George Polhemus in NY by license dated 03 Dec 1760.[31]  Francis Titus [brother or maternal uncle] and Maria Titus [wife of Francis?] were witnesses for the baptism of their daughter, Jannetje (named after her maternal grandmother).[32] Annetje Onderdonk [maternal aunt] was the witness for the baptism of their child, Tietie (probably Titus), named after his paternal grandfather).[33]  Elizabeth was named after her paternal aunt, the wife of Francis Titus.

The family moved to Newtown, Queens Co., NY sometime before Francis and Elizabeth Titus sold land in Newtown to Titus Titus on 6 Dec 1739 where he was already living (Newtown Town Records, pg. 202).  Francis witnessed as deed there on 26 Mar 1771, and served as one of the overseers of highways in 1776 (Newtown Town Records, pg. 245 and 248).

This Titus is sometimes thought to have been the son of Teunis² and Mary Titus but they had moved to NJ by 1712 when he was a young child after selling at least 2 parcels of land[34] and being resident in Burlington Co., NJ when he purchased land there on 19 Mar 1710. [34a] 

The other is Francis³, who was the man who actually married Elizabeth, supposed second wife of Francis².  The first evidence of Francis³ is in the 1731 census of Bushwick, NY where the probable residents were Francis², Francis³, (the two males over 10) his wife, Elizabeth, their eldest daughter, Annetje⁴, their eldest son, Francis⁴, and their second daughter, Helen⁴.[35]  Francis⁴ is known to have been born in 1728[36], so given a two year spacing for births, Annetje was probably born about 1726, Helen born about 1730 and Francis married about 1725.  Assuming marriage about at about 25, Francis³ would have been born about 1700 and assuming marriage at about 20, his wife Elizabeth would have been born about 1705.  He is likely the Francis Titus who registered his earmark on 23 Sep 1732 in Bushwick, not his father who had presumably been using his own earmark for over 30 years.[36a]

Francis’³ wife, Elizabeth, was probably the daughter of Jan Vandervoort and Magdalena Huysman,[37] as discussed later.  The children of Francis and Elizabeth were as follows:

1. Ann⁴, born about 1726, married John Blanck about 14 Apr 1760.[38]  She was named after her paternal grandmother, Annetje Fonteyn.
2. Francis, born in 1728, married Cornelia Duryea on 11 Jun 1757.[39]  He married second Mary Wyckoff about 20 Aug 1772.[40]  He married third Catherine Lawrence, widow of Derick Wortman, on 27 Nov 1781.[41]  He was named after his paternal grandfather, Francis Titus.
3. Helen, born about 1730, married John Duryea on 30 May 1752.[42]  She was named after her maternal grandmother, Magdalena Huysman.
4. Elizabeth, born about 1732, married Dirck Duryea on 01 Jun 1754.[43]  She was named after her mother.
5. Jan, born about 1734, married Elizabeth Boerum on 04 Dec 1756.[44]  He married second a woman named Sarah.[45]  He was named after his maternal grandfather, Jan Vandervoort.
6. Johannes, born about 1736, married Leah Andriessen on 10 May 1755.[46]  He was named after his maternal uncle, John Vandervoort.
7. Arianntje, born about 1738, died after 1793.[47]  She was named after her maternal aunt, Arriantje Vandervoort.
8. Jannetje, born about 1740, married Thomas Skillman on 11 Apr 1761.[48]  She was named after her paternal aunt, Jannetje Bordet, wife of Titus Titus.
9. Charles, born about 1742, married Sarah Rapalje.[49]  He was named after his maternal uncle, Charles Vandervoort.
10. Titus, born about 1744, married first Rebecca Boreum about 03 May 1770,[50] married second Jemima Townsend on 12 May 1775.[51]  He was named after his paternal uncle, Titus Titus.
11. Christina, born about 1747,[52] married Abraham Polhemus on 02 Jul 1770.[53]  She was named after her maternal aunt, Styntje Vandervoort.

Note that the naming of their two eldest sons and two eldest daughters fits the normal Dutch naming conventions, and that all their other children are named after their aunts and uncles or their spouses.

Francis’³ wife, Elizabeth, is thought to be the daughter of Jan Vandervoort and Magdalena Huysman based on circumstantial evidence:

1. Francis and Elizabeth Titus were the witnesses for the baptism of Elizabeth Voorhees,[54] daughter of Adriantje Vandervoort [maternal aunt] and her husband, Albert Voorhees.

2. The child, Elizabeth, was apparently named after the sponsor, Elizabeth Titus, implying a close relationship.
3. All of the other children (they had 9) of Albert Voorhees and Adriantje Vandervoort were named after their grandparents or their parents’ siblings.  Elizabeth was their third daughter, so it seems likely she would fit the pattern of the rest of the children.
4. Elizabeth and Francis Titus named a daughter Adrianna, who was born about the same time as Elizabeth Voorhees, implying a close relationship between Elizabeth Titus and Adriantje Vandervoort Voorhees.
5. The naming of Elizabeth and Francis’ 11 children as outlined above suggests this placement.
6. Most of the grandchildren of Jan Vandervoort and Magdalena Huysman were named after their grandparents or their parents' siblings.  Jacob Vandervoort had a daughter named Elizabeth and a son named Francis.  Abraham Vandervoort had a son named Francis.  Those names fit the normal pattern assuming Elizabeth was their sister, but have no other explanation if she is not. 
7. Elizabeth herself was named after her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Paulus.

Some have held that this Elizabeth Vandervoort married George Rapalje on 04 Oct 1746.[55]  A discussion of that couple is beyond the scope of this article, but that Elizabeth Vandervoort was the daughter of Peter Vandervoort and Metje Vanderhoeven.[56]

Genealogical Summary 

Generation No. 2 

1.  FRANCIS² TITUS (TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born Bet. 1674 - 1677 in Kings Co., NY.  He married ANNETJE FONTEYN bet. 1698 - 1701, daughter of CAREL FONTEYN and CATHERINE DE BAILE.  She was born bef. 16 Jul 1662 in near Brooklyn, NY, and died before 1720.

Children of FRANCIS TITUS and ANNETJE FONTEYN are:

2.                i.    TITUS³ TITUS, b. circa 1700, NY.

3.               ii.    FRANCIS TITUS, b. circa 1702, NY; d. bef. 15 Jun 1764, Bushwick, LI, NY. 

Generation No. 3 

2.  TITUS³ TITUS (FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1700 in NY.  He married JANNETJE BOUDET 25 Mar 1726 in DRC of NYC, NY.  

The witnesses for the baptism of Jannetje, daughter of Joris Polhemus and Elizabeth Titus, were Francis Titus and Mary Titus, likely other children of Titus and Jannetje, though Mary may be Francis' wife.

Francis Titus, freeholder of Newtown, Queens Co., NY in 1775, may have been Titus' son.  He is probably the Francis Titus who was a bondholder for the marriage bond of Antje Titus and Rem Onderdonck.  Antie was of N.T. in her marriage record at the DRC of Flatbush, N.T. being a common abbreviation for Newtown.

Children of TITUS TITUS and JANNETJE BOUDET are:

4.                i.    ANNETJE⁴ TITUS, bap. 08 Jun 1726, near NYC, NY.

5.               ii.    FRANCIS TITUS, b. circa 1730.

6.              iii.    ELIZABETH TITUS, b. circa 1738; d. Aft. 1785.

3.  FRANCIS³ TITUS (FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1702 in NY, and died bef. 15 Jun 1764 in Bushwick, LI, NY.  He married ELIZABETH VANDERVOORT circa 1725, daughter of JAN VANDERVOORT and MAGDALENA HUYSMAN.  She was born circa 1707 in NY, and died aft. 1763.       

Children of FRANCIS TITUS and ELIZABETH VANDERVOORT are:

7.                i.    ANNETJE⁴ TITUS, b. circa 1726, Bushwick, NY; d. Aft. 1774.

8.               ii.    FRANCIS TITUS, b. 1728, NY; d. 13 Apr 1802, Bushwick, NY.

9.              iii.    HELEN TITUS, b. circa 1730, Bushwick, NY; d. Aft. 1794.

10.             iv.    ELIZABETH TITUS, b. 18 Jan 1732/33, Bushwick, NY; d. 24 Jun 1808, NYC, NY.

                   v.    JAN TITUS, b. circa 1734, Bushwick, NY; d. bef. 20 Nov 1794, Bushwick, NY; m. (1) SARAH UNKNOWN; m. (2)

                 vii.    ARRIANTJE TITUS, b. circa 1738, Bushwick, NY; d. Aft. 1764.

12.           viii.    JANNETJE TITUS, b. circa 1740, Bushwick, NY; d. circa 1792, NY.

13.             ix.    CHARLES TITUS, b. circa 1742, Bushwick, NY; d. 27 Dec 1802, Bushwick, NY.

14.              x.    TITUS TITUS, b. circa 1744, Bushwick, NY; d. 1788, Kings Co., NY.

15.             xi.    CHRISTINA TITUS, b. circa 1747, Bushwick, NY; d. 1816, NY, NY. 

Generation No. 4 

4.  ANNETJE⁴ TITUS (TITUS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was bap. 08 Jun 1726 in near NYC, NY.  She married REM ONDERDONK 09 Apr 1757 in DRC of Flatbush, Kings, NY, son of ANDRIES ONDERDONK and MARRITJE REMSEN.  He was born 23 Mar 1735/36 in near Tappan, NY, and died bef. 1771 in NY. 

Marriage Bond: 7 Apr 1757 Titus, Ann and Rem Underdanck.  Rem Underdanck, Francis Titus [1:492]

DRC of Flatbush, NY, by Frost: 1757 09 Apr; Rem Onderdonk, of New Land; Anne Titesse, of Newtown       

Children of ANNETJE TITUS and REM ONDERDONK are:

                   i.    MARRITJE⁵ ONDERDONK, b. 09 Aug 1760, Tappan, NY; d. 02 Aug 1835; m. ISAAC BLAUVELT, 18 Nov 1782; b. 31 Oct 1762; d. 28 Mar 1827.

                  ii.    TITUS ONDERDONK, b. circa 1762, Tappan, NY; d. bef. 25 Oct 1791, NYC, NY.

Minutes of the Common Council of the City of New York, 1784-1831, p. 190

18 Jan 1785 mentions Titus Onderdonck, marshall, misconduct

Titus Underdunck, NYC, soldier in the NY 2nd Reg., letter of administration to James B. Clarke, NYC, friend of the deceased, dated 10/25/1791 

5.  FRANCIS⁴ TITUS (TITUS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1730.  He is listed in the 1771 census of Newtown, Queens, NY, and was a freeholder in Newtown in 1775.       

Children of FRANCIS TITUS are:

                   i.    HANNAH⁵ TITUS, b. bef. 1765; m. GABRIEL DURYEA, 05 Nov 1783, NY⁴; b. circa 1758.  They did not have any known children.

Marriage Bond:  5 Nov 1783 Titus, Hannah of New Town, spinster, and Gabriel Duryee.  Gabriel Duryee of Bushwick, Kings Co., farmer, Francis Titus of Queens Co., farmer [40:104]

                  ii.    FRANCIS TITUS. born abt. 1755.  He married Maria Bennet, daughter of William Bennet and Annetje Woertman.  He died before the 1810 census.  Their children included (baptisms at the Reformed Dutch Church of Bushwick): Maria, b. 20 Jun 1793: Titus, b. 18 Oct 1796; Francis, b. 25 Dec 1802; and William, b. 20 Mar 1804..  Listed in the following censuses:

Newtown, Queens, NY 1790

Newtown, Queens, NY 1800   

Newtown, Queens, NY 1810, under Mary Titus.

6.  ELIZABETH⁴ TITUS (TITUS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1738, and died Aft. 1785.  She married GEORGE POLHEMUS 03 Dec 1760 in NY⁵, son of JACOB POLHEMUS and MARRITJE REMSEN.  He was born 01 Nov 1734 in near Tappan, NY, and died bef. 04 May 1786 in Haverstraw, NY.       

Children of ELIZABETH TITUS and GEORGE POLHEMUS are:

                   i.    MARRITJE⁵ POLHEMUS, b. 17 Nov 1761, near Clarkstown, NY.  She was baptized 13 Dec 1761, DRC of Tappan, NY, the witness was Antje Onderdonck.

                  ii.    TITUS POLHEMUS, b. 30 May 1763, near Tappan, NY; m. MARY D. CLARK, 18 Apr 1793, DRC of Clarkston, NY.

Military Minutes of the Council of Appointment of the State of New York, pg 123

1787, Titus Polhemus, ensign

                 iii.    JACOB POLHEMUS, b. 15 Oct 1765, near Clarkstown, NY.

                  iv.    JANNETJE POLHEMUS, b. 09 Oct 1767, near Tappan, NY; d. bef. 1773, Tappan, NY.

Baptized: 29 Dec 1767, Irregular Church, Tappan, NY, witnesses: Francis Titus and Maria Titus

                   v.    DANIEL POLHEMUS, b. 22 May 1769, near Tappan, NY.

                  vi.    JORIS POLHEMUS, b. 06 Oct 1771, near Tappan, NY; d. bef. 1775, Tappan, NY.

                 vii.    JANNETJE POLHEMUS, b. 09 Jul 1773, near Clarkstown, NY.

                viii.    JORIS POLHEMUS, b. 11 Jun 1775, near Clarkstown, NY; d. bef. 1783, Tappan, NY.

                  ix.    ELIZABETH POLHEMUS, b. 23 Feb 1777, near Clarkstown, NY.

                   x.    ANNETJE POLHEMUS, b. 25 May 1779, near Clarkstown, NY; d. bef. 1781, Tappan, NY.

                  xi.    ANNETJE POLHEMUS, b. 25 Oct 1781, near Clarkstown, NY.

                 xii.    JORIS POLHEMUS, b. 04 Aug 1783, near Clarkstown, NY. 

7.  ANNETJE⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1726 in Bushwick, NY, and died Aft. 1774.  She married JOHN BLANCK 14 Apr 1760 in NY⁶.  Members of DRC of NYC:  Antje Titus, hvv Jan Blanck met Attestaie van Boswyck 22 May 1775.      

Children of ANNETJE TITUS and JOHN BLANCK are:

                   i.    ELIZABETH⁵ BLANK, b. 1762, NY.

                  ii.    FRANS TITUS BLANK, bap. 22 Jul 1764, near NYC, NY. 

8.  FRANCIS⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born 1728 in NY, and died 13 Apr 1802 in Bushwick, NY⁷.  He married (1) CORNELIA DURYEA 11 Jun 1757 in DRC of Flatbush, NY, daughter of CHARLES DURYEA and HARMTJE WOERTMAN.  She was born bef. 1740 in NY.  He married (2) MARY WYCKOFF 20 Aug 1772 in NY⁸.  She was born bef. 1757.  He married (3) CATHERINE LAWRENCE 27 Nov 1781 in NY⁸, daughter of DANIEL LAWRENCE and SARAH WILLIAMS.  She died bef. 06 Mar 1815 in Bushwick, NY. 

Will of Francis Titus of Bushwick, Kings Co., NY.  Dated 14 May 1801, mentions wife, Catherine (previously married), son Francis, daughters Harempie, Elizabeth and Cornelia.  Executors: son Francis, sons-in-law John Messerole and David Van Cots.  Dated 14 May 1801.  Witnesses: Sarah Johnson, Jane Remsen, Jeremiah Johnson.  Probated 18 Nov 1802. Liber1, page 347. 

Will of Catherine Titus of Bushwick, Kings Co., NY, widow.  Mentions son Tunis Wortman, his wife Margaret, sisters Elizabeth Lawrence and Hester Lawrence, children of son Tunis, Catherine Wortman, Matilda Lydia Wortman, Richard Henry Wortman, Tunis Wortman, Jr..  Executors: friends Theodorus Polhemus, Abraham Bloodgood and George Buckmaster and son Tunis Wortman.  Dated 11 Aug 1810.  Witnesses: David Miller, Abraham Van Raust, David Miller, Jr.  Proved 6 Mar 1815.  Liber 2, page 210.       

Children of FRANCIS TITUS and CORNELIA DURYEA are:

                   i.    FRANCIS⁵ TITUS, b. 1758, NY; d. bef. 22 Jul 1836, Williamsburgh, Kings, NY; m. (1) Nelly Vandervoort on 12 Mar 1790 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY.  They were divorced on 10 Apr 1805.  He married. (2) IDA DEBEVOISE, 15 Nov 1804, DRC of NYC, NY; b. circa 1775; d. 03 Jan 1835, Williamsburgh, Kings, NY.

 

Will of Francis Titus of Williamsburgh, 12 Aug 1835, mentions daughter Cornelia, Helen Hoffman, daughter of his late wife, Ida, Francis Titus, grandson of his late wife, nephew, Fracis T. Luquere, grand-nephew Francis Titus Messerole, grand-nephews, Fracis Titus Miller.  Executors, nephew Francis T. Luquere & friend Stephen H. Meeker of Bushwick.  Proved 22 July 1836

 

Newspaper: On Friday morning, the 24th ult., col. Franois Titus, in the 74th year of his age. Jul 2, 1036 Death 2 2

Newspaper:  On Saturday evening last, at Williamsburgh, Ida, wife of Col. Francis Titus, aged 60 years.  Jan 10, 1835 Death 1 1

 

                  ii.    ELIZABETH TITUS, b. 1758, NY; d. 1841; m. JOHN MESEROLE, JR., 28 Jun 1780, NY⁸; b. 1754, NY; d. 1834.

                 iii.    HARMTJE TITUS, b. 1762, NY; d. 1814, Bushwick, LI, NY; m. DAVID VAN COTT; b bef. 22 Dec 1754, NY; d. 03 Nov 1824, Bushwick, LI, NY.

                  iv.    CORNELIA TITUS, b. 1765, NY; d. circa 1831; m. (1) JOHN LUQUER; b. 30 May 1766; d. 15 Oct 1797; m. (2) JOHN MESEROLE. 

9.  HELEN⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1730 in Bushwick, NY, and died Aft. 1794.  She married JOHN DURYEA 30 May 1752 in DRC of Flatbush, NY, son of ABRAHAM DURYEA and ELIZABETH POLHEMUS.  He was born circa 1729 in NY, and died bef. 03 Nov 1809 in Bushwick, NY.

I have not proved the same John married Phebe and Helen.  However, he did have a daughter, Phebe/Femmetje, who may be the daughter transcribed as Teuntje, named after his deceased first wife.       

Children of HELEN TITUS and JOHN DURYEA are:

                   i.    TEUNTJE⁵ DURYEA, bap. 23 Apr 1753, near Flatbush, NY.

I think her name is actually Femmetje, but I have not reviewed the film of the baptismal record to verify that.

                  ii.    PHEBE DURYEA, b. circa 1755, NY; m. REM A. REMSEN, 12 Nov 1773, NY⁹; bap. 24 Apr 1753, near Oyster Bay, NY.

I have not proved her marriage to Rem.  She is probably Teuntje.

                 iii.    ELIZABETH DURYEA, b. NY.

                  iv.    FRANCIS DURYEA, b. NY; m. EVA DEBEVOISE.

                   v.    ABRAHAM DURYEA, b. NY; m. CORNELIA VANDERVEER. 

10.  ELIZABETH⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born 18 Jan 1732/33 in Bushwick, NY, and died 24 Jun 1808 in NYC, NY.  She married DIRCK DURYEA 01 Jun 1754 in DRC of Flatbush, NY, son of CHARLES DURYEA and HARMTJE WOERTMAN.  He was born circa 1733 in NY, and died 08 Feb 1786 in NYC, NY.  Members of DRC of NYC:  Elizabeth Titus, hvs Dirk Duryee 20 Feb 1775

Children of ELIZABETH TITUS and DIRCK DURYEA are:

                   i.    CHARLES⁵ DURYEA, bap. 06 Jun 1755, near NYC, NY.

                  ii.    ELIZABETH DURYEA, b. circa 1755, NY; d. 21 Aug 1840; m. PETER DEWITT, 1782; bap. 18 Feb 1738/39, near New Utrecht, NY; d. 07 Oct 1809.

                 iii.    FRANCIS DURYEA, bap. 09 Sep 1759, near NYC, NY.

                  iv.    RICHARD DURYEA, b. 1768, NY.

                   v.    JOHN DURYEA, bap. 28 Jul 1771, near NYC, NY.

                  vi.    JACOB DURYEA.  I have not confirmed he is their son. 

11.  JOHANNES⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1736 in Bushwick, NY, and died 1799.  He married LEAH ANDRIESSEN 10 May 1755 in DRC of Flatbush, NY, daughter of HARMAN ANDRIESSEN and ANNETJE RYERSEN.  

The book - Long Island N.Y. American Families, page 428 has the following:  "Johannes Titus (Francis, Titus) d. 1799; left a son, Francis Johannes, who inherited the farm of his uncle, John Titus, and he by will, May 30, 1799, devised equal shares to his sons Johannes and George. Francis Johannes d. May, 31, 1799, aged 24 years, eleven months, and ten days."

Children of JOHANNES TITUS and LEAH ANDRIESSEN are:

                   i.    ELIZABETH⁵ TITUS, b. 1756, NY; m. PETER MILLER, 14 Dec 1778.

                  ii.    ANN TITUS, b. circa 1759; m. WILLIAM BENNET, 03 Apr 1782, NY⁹; b. circa 1760.

                 iii.    MARY TITUS, b. 01 Sep 1765, Bushwick, NY; d. 15 May 1850, Woodhouse, Norfolk, ON CAN; m. JOHNATHAN WILLIAMS, 17 Sep 1782, NY¹⁰; b. 01 Aug 1752, Westchester Co., NY; d. 28 Oct 1833, Woodhouse, Norfolk, ON CAN.

                  iv.    LEAH TITUS, b. circa 1768, NY; d. Aft. 1812; m. CHARLES DEBEVOISE, 27 Sep 1788, DRC of Bushwiick, NY.

Members of DRC of NYC:  Leah Titus, wife of Charles Debevois, by certificate from Dutch Church at Bushwyck 9 Jun 1813

                   v.    FRANCIS J. TITUS, b. 21 Jun 1774, LI, NY; d. 31 May 1799, Bushwick, LI, NY; m. IDA DEBEVOISE; b. circa 1775; d. 03 Jan 1835, Williamsburgh, Kings, NY.

Bushwick Churchyard Cemetery:Francis Titus, departed this life May 31, 1799, aged 24 years, 11 months, and 10 days.

Census of Bushwick, Kings, NY 1800

  Ida Titus            2 0 0 0 0 / 2 0 1 0 0

  Francis J Titus     1 0 0 1 1 / 1 0 0 1 1 

12.  JANNETJE⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1740 in Bushwick, NY, and died circa 1792 in NY.  She married THOMAS SKILLMAN 11 Apr 1761 in NY¹⁰, son of JOSEPH SKILLMAN and SARAH MESEROLE.  He was born 13 Mar 1735/36 in Flatbush, Kings, NY, and died 03 Mar 1814 in Aquebogue, Suffolk, NY.  Francis Tittus was the fellowbondsmen for her marriage.       

Children of JANNETJE TITUS and THOMAS SKILLMAN are:

                   i.    JOSEPH⁵ SKILLMAN, b. 1763; d. 1809.

                  ii.    SARAH SKILLMAN, b. 1766; m. MARTIN SCHENCK; b. 03 Oct 1765, NY.

                 iii.    THOMAS SKILLMAN, b. 1770; d. 1833, Smithville, NY.

                  iv.    FRANCIS SKILLMAN, b. 1764; m. ANNETJE SCHENCK; b. 07 May 1768, NY. 

13.  CHARLES⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1742 in Bushwick, NY, and died 27 Dec 1802 in Bushwick, NY.  He married SARAH RAPALJE, daughter of FOLKERT RAPALJE and MACHTEL POLHEMUS.  She was born 04 Oct 1748 in NY, and died 09 Oct 1796.       

Children of CHARLES TITUS and SARAH RAPALJE are:

                   i.    FOLKERT⁵ TITUS, b. Bet. 1774 - 1784, Kings, NY.

                  ii.    CHARLES TITUS, b. Bet. 1774 - 1784, Kings, NY; d. 28 Oct 1807; m. ANNE JENKINS, 12 Aug 1805, DRC of NYC, NY.

                 iii.    ELIZABETH TITUS, b. bef. 1777, Kings, NY; m. JOHN DEBEVOISE; b. circa 1770.

                  iv.    MATILDA TITUS, b. Kings, NY.

                   v.    SARAH TITUS, b. circa 1772, Kings, NY; d. 02 Sep 1838, Bushwick, NY; m. JOHN SCHENCK; bap. 27 Mar 1768, near Oyster Bay, NY.

                  vi.    JANE TITUS, b. circa 1785; m. JACOBUS LOTT; b. 02 Apr 1771, NY; d. bef. 08 Dec 1831, Brooklyn, NY.

I have not proved her parents. 

14.  TITUS⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1744 in Bushwick, NY, and died 1788 in Kings Co., NY.  He married (1) REBECCA BOERUM 03 May 1770 in NY.  He married (2) JEMIMA TOWNSEND 12 May 1775 in St. Georges Church, Hempstead, NY.  She died bef. 1795.       

Child of TITUS TITUS and JEMIMA TOWNSEND is:

                   i.    REBECCA⁵ TITUS, b. 1776, NY. 

15.  CHRISTINA⁴ TITUS (FRANCIS³, FRANCIS², TITUS SYRACH¹ DE VRIES) was born circa 1747 in Bushwick, NY, and died 1816 in NY, NY.  She married ABRAHAM POLHEMUS 02 Jul 1770 in NY¹⁰, son of THEODORE POLHEMUS and ANTJE BRINKERHOFF.  He was born 09 Aug 1742 in Newtown, NY, and died 11 Sep 1826 in NY, NY.       

Children of CHRISTINA TITUS and ABRAHAM POLHEMUS are:

                   i.    THEODORE⁵ POLHEMUS, b. 1771, NY, NY; d. 1802.

                  ii.    ELIZABETH POLHEMUS, b. 1772, NY, NY; d. 1839; m. THOMAS STAGG; b. 1771; d. 1839.

                 iii.    FRANCIS POLHEMUS, b. 1775, NY, NY.

                  iv.    ANN POLHEMUS, b. 1777, NY, NY.

                   v.    HELEN POLHEMUS, b. 1783, NY, NY.

                  vi.    ABRAHAM BRINCKERHOFF POLHEMUS, b. 13 May 1789, NY, NY; d. 1798, NY, NY.

---

[1] The Dutch Titus Family, by Frank H. Titus, RECORD 39 (1908):1, p. 5

[2] First suggested to the author by Barbara Van Boerum.

[3] Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, Vol 1, by David William Voorhees, p. 452

[4] His widow is listed in the 1698 Census, Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol III, by E.B. O’Callaghan, p. 133.  Mouritz is mentioned as having adjoining land in a deed dated 3 Feb 1698. Kings County, New York, Deeds, Vol 2, p. 155.

[5] Freeholder in Bushwick 6 Nov 1701. Town records of Bushwick.  p 325-329.  Francis’ father, Titus Syrach, had lived in Flatbush and is not known to have owned land in Bushwick.

[6] Conveyance dated 4 April 1730 by Frans Tytus, of Bushwyck, farmer, to Anderies Stockholm, of the same place, yeoman, of lands in Bushwick, adjoining Charl Durie, David Cats and Leffert Leffertse.  Wits: Leffert Leffertse, David Sprongh.  Ack: bef Ryck Sudam, Justice, June 3, 1736.  Rec: Oct 7, 1745.  Anderies Stockholm, Clerk.  P 382-384.  Town records of Bushwick.  He signed the document, not by mark, online at: Old Town Kings County Microfilm, NYC Department of Records & Information Services, p. 146, https://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/media/book/showBook/NYCMA~17~17~164~1243378 image 81.

[7] The Documentary History of the State of New York arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of State, by E.B. O'Callagahan, Volume IV, pp. 122-131. Albany: Charles van Benthuysen, 1851.

[8] Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York (Volume VI. 1760-1766), page 324, LIBER 24. Page 415.

In the name of God, Amen. I, FRANCIS TITUS, of Bushwick, in Kings County, being sick. I order all debts paid. I leave to my wife Elizabeth, in whom I am well pleased, the use of all my estate, real and personal, so long as she remains my widow. If she marries then I leave her a negro girl, 3 cows, a horse, and as much household goods as she shall think fit. After her death or marriage I leave to my eldest son, Francis Titus, my Large Dutch Bible for his birthright. Also all my old place where I now live, except 20 acres, to be taken off the back part of the place; I bought of William Latting. And to the said 20 acres there is to be added 12 acres that I bought of Isaac Meserole. The said 20 acres are to be 8 chains broad on the East river, from the northwest corner of the 12 acres, and from thence to run up with a straight line through the old place and through the place I bought of William Latting, to the land of Tennis Wortman, so as to take in just 20 acres off both places. All the remaining part of the old place I leave to my son Francis. Also 1/3 of the woodland my father bought of Abraham Duryee. I leave to my second son, Jan Titus, all that piece of land I bought of William Latting, except as ~above. I leave to my third son Johanes the place that I bought of Joseph Skillman, and likewise as much land off the south side of the land that lies between the land of John Stockholm and Johanes Lequier, so as to have as much land for his brother, Titus Titus, as he has got in all. That is to say, with the land of Joseph Skillman. I also give to my son Johanes all the fresh meadow besides the land. I leave to my fourth son, Charles Titus, the place I bought of Isaac Meserole, and also the 20 acres that is to be taken off the place I bought of Latting and off the old place, as mentioned above. I leave to my youngest son, Titus Titus, all the north part of the land that lies between John Stockholm’s and John Lequier’s, and whereof his brother John is to have the south part. Also all the salt meadow and fresh meadow. I leave to my sons Jan and Johanes all the woodland I bought of Nicholas Van Wyck. I leave to my sons, Francis, Charles, and Titus, all the land I bought of Abraham Duryee. To my son Titus 2 acres of salt meadow that did belong to the old place, and all the salt meadow that did belong to the place I bought of William Latting. I leave to my eldest daughter Antie £50. To my second daughter Helena £10, to make up her outset. To my fourth daughter Ariantie £20. To my fifth daughter Jannettie £20. To my daughter Christina £20. I leave to my eldest daughter Antie £200 for life and then to her children, and the same to my other daughters. These to be paid in 6 annual payments after death of wife. My son Francis shall pay to my executors £360. Jan is to pay £160, Charles £116, and Titus £83. Dated November 1, 1758. Witnesses, Michal. Vandervoort, Tunis Wortman, Dirck Wortman. Proved, June 15, 1764.

Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York (Volume XVII. Corrections to Vol.VI-IX and XI), CORRECTIONS ABSTRACTS OF WILLS, VOLUME VI. page 265

Page 324. Will of Francis Titus also mentions daughter Elizabeth, also adds as Executors Wife, sons Francis & Jan & good friend Abraham Schenck.

[9] See Andrew J. Provost, Early Settlers of Bushwick, Long Island, New York and their Descendants (Darien, CT: A.J. Provost, 1949-1963), p.43

[10] Kings County, New York, Deeds, RECORD 48 (1917);292

[11] Baptism at FRC of New Brunswick, Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, Vol 11, p. 559.

[12] Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York (Volume II. 1708-1728), page 102.

[13] Kings County, New York, Deeds, Liber 4, p. 240.

[14] Kings County, New York, Deeds, Liber 4, p. 241.

[15] Kings Co. Militia Frans Titus, Ensign, Bushwick, 1713

[16] Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol III, “Papers Relating to Kings County”, by E.B. O’Callaghan, p. 184.

[17] Annual Report of the State Historian, Vol 2.  New York State Historian, Roll of the Military Officers of Kings County (March 23, 1728), p. 570

[18] Third Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York, 1897, p. 495

Kings County 1738, p. 84.  Feb. 24, The officers for ye Rigement of Kings County.

[19] Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol III, “Census of Slaves, 1755”, by E.B. O’Callaghan, p. 856.

[20] 1758 Muster Rolls of Kings Co. lists a Capt. Titus, presumably Francis. Muster Rolls of the NY Provincial Troops, p. 121.

[21] Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, First Book of Records, by A.P.G. Jos van der Linde, p. 112.

[22] "A History of the City of Brooklyn" by Henry Reed Stiles, p. 314, citing Conveyances, liber IV, Office Clerk of Kings Co.

[23] The Dutch Titus Family, by Frank H. Titus, RECORD 39 (1908):1, p. 6.

[24] https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/older-fathers-health-risks-study-2019/

[25] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York, Marriages, by Samuel Purple, p. 144.

[25a] They may have had another son or grandson named Samuel after his maternal grandfather or great grandfather, Samuel Bourdet.  He lived in Newtown where his probable siblings or cousins lived, and had land dealings with the Dutch Titus family and others of a Dutch background. Those include:
1) On 5 May 1802 Charles Titus of Bushwick, NY, mentioned Samuel Titus in his will as owing him money which would be paid to his executors, possibly related to the land he had just sold to him.
2) On 1 May 1802 Charles Titus of Bushwick sold to Samuel Titus of Newtown, approximately 15 acres in Bushwick bordering land of Charles Titus, Francis Titus, for $3,207.50.  Kings Co., NY Deeds, vol 8, pg. 6.
3) On 26 Apr 1803 Samuel Titus of Newtown, Queens, NY, sold to Richard M Woodhull for NYC, NY, the land he purchased from Charles Titus in Bushwick, NY for $3,207.50.  No wife joined in the sale.  Kings Co., NY Deeds, Vol. 8, pg. 2.
4) On 15 Jul 1801 Jacob Rapelje of Newtown, Queens Co., NY, sold to Samuel Titus of the same place, land in the 7th Ward of NYC for $250.  NYC, NY Deeds, Vol. 133, pg. 193.
5) On 1 Jun 1802 Samuel Titus of Newtown, Queens Co., NY sold to Israel Bedell the land be bought of Jacob Rapalje for $500. No wife joined in the sale.  NYC, NY Deeds, Vol. 133, pg. 195.

[26] New York Marriage Bonds, compiled by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 491.

[27] New York Births and Baptisms, Southeast Region, Clarkstown Reformed Church, CD by Ancestry.com

[28] See 1771 Census of Newtown.  Other Titus families lived in the area, but none are known to have a son named Francis. 

[29] He or his son, Francis, is probably the Francis Titus who was the bondsman for the marriage of Gabriel Duryee and Hannah Titus, of Newtown on 5 Nov 1783, see New York Marriage Bonds, compiled by Dr. Kenneth Scott.

[30] http://bklyn-genealogy-info.stevemorse.org/Queens/history/newtown.html

[31] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[32] New York Births and Baptisms, Southeast Region, Tappan Irregular Church, CD by Ancestry.com

[33] New York Births and Baptisms, Southeast Region, Tappan Reformed Church, CD by Ancestry.com

[34] Kings County Conveyances Liber 4, page 4.

[34a] West New Jersey Deeds, Liber AAA, page 377.

[35] Their children are listed in birth order by sex in the will of Francis.

[36] The Dutch Titus Family, by Frank H. Titus, RECORD 39 (1908):1, p. 7.

[36a] Old Town Kings County Microfilm, NYC Department of Records & Information Services, p. 146, online at: https://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/media/book/showBook/NYCMA~17~17~164~1243378 image 72.

[37] For a discussion of the children of Jan Vandervoort and Magdalena Huysman, see the soon to be published “Vandervoort” genealogy by Jean True.

[38] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[39] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[40] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[41] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[42] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[43] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[44] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[45] She is named in the will of her husband, Kings County, New York, Probate Records, Liber 1, page 162.

[46] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[47] She is named in the will of her brother, Jan, dated 9 Sep 1794, Kings County, New York, Probate Records, Liber 1, page 162.

[48] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[49] Annals of Newtown in Queens County, New York, by James Riker, p. 270.

[50] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[51] St. Georges Church, Hempstead, NY, see http://longislandgenealogy.com/StGeorge/marriages/M1775.html

[52] The Dutch Titus Family, by Frank H. Titus, RECORD 39 (1908):1, p. 7.

[53] New York Marriages Previous to 1784, with Additions and Corrections, by Dr. Kenneth Scott, p. 393.

[54] Baptisms of Dutch Reformed Church of New Utrecht [RECORD 113]

[55] Marriages at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, NY, Frost Collection.

[56] See the will of Peter Vandervoort where Elizabeth is named as the wife of Johanes Gerrittse, her second husband.