The "Father-In-Law" of Albert Jans Terhune, Peter Nevius

The “Father-In-Law” of Albert Jans Terhune, Peter Nevius

Albert³ Terhune (Jan², Albert¹) married a woman named Aeltje, but her maiden name has been contested.  The Van Voorhees Family in America[1] lists her as the daughter of Gerrit Van Voorhees and Willempje Luyster, and this is supported by a review of most of the records.[2]  However, the will of will Albert Jans Terhune, dated April 11, 1721 at Flatbush, Kings County, New York and probated 18 Dec 1721 at Kings County, New York,[3] names Peter Nevius as Albert’s father-in-law, causing researchers to propose different methods of reconciling that statement in the will with other facts known about the families concerned.

Albert’s wife was named as Aeltje Voorhees in their marriage record of 17 Oct 1708:

"Albert ter Huynen, and Aaltie Voorhees; both born and residing in N. Amersfoort."[4]

The record does not state whether either of them was previously married, but Albert’s will also named Koert Voorhees as his brother-in-law, so Aeltje’s maiden name was almost certainly Voorhees.  

Albert did not have a second wife named Aeltje, as Aeltje Van Voorhees survived him.  She probably married second Jan Elbertsen before 7 Apr 1728 when Jan Elbertsen and Aeltje (not specified as his wife) were witnesses for the baptism of Jan, son of Peter Luyster and Annetje Barkeloo,[5] Peter being Aeltje’s maternal cousin.  The Elbertsen family was living in Flatlands at the time of the 1731 census.[6]  Jan Elbertsen and Aeltje Voorhees, his wife, joined the DRC of NYC, from Flatlands on 22 Aug 1732.[7]  Aeltje, wife of Jan Elbertse, was buried on 4 Dec 1734.[8]

Willempje Pieters Luyster, mother of Aeltje Voorhees, was the mother-in-law of Albert Terhune.  She is mentioned in the will of her husband, Garret Voorhees,[9] dated 1 Oct 1702, which was proved 23 Sep 1704.  As Hmtie. Courtie [her preivous husband’s patronymic name], she married Peter Roos with license dated 21 Sep 1704.[10]  Peter Roos died before 13 May 1713 when his will[11] was proved.  It mentions his wife, Willmeutie, and their son, John.  Peter Roos is listed in the 1709 Tax List of the East Ward of NYC.[12]  There is a gap of 12 years in the surviving records, but Willemptje does not appear in the later lists, even though she was to inherit everything from her husband during her life.  Willempje herself died in 1744.[13]  This suggests she remarried and/or moved.

Peter Nevius’ first wife, Jannetje Schenck, probably died before 1 Mar 1718 as she is not mentioned in a deed from that date by Peter Nevius to Albert Terhune.[14]  No marriage record has been found for Peter Nevius and Willempje Luyster, but based on the reference in Albert Terhune’s will, it is almost certain they did so by 1721, Peter Nevius then being Albert’s step-father-in-law. 

An additional change follows from identifying Aeltje, wife of Albert Terhune.  On 10 Jun 1711, Marike and her husband, Roelof Terhune, and Aelkie, and her husband Albert Terhune, being daughters of Garret Coert Van Voorhees, sold their two of sixth parts of land in Flatlands to Coert Van Voorhees, Peter Rose [step-father of Marike and Aelkie Voorhees] being one of the witnesses.[15]  In short, sisters Mary and Aeltje Voorhees, married brothers, Roelof and Albert Terhune.  Mary did not marry Jan Remsen as previously thought.  Roelof Terhune and Mary Gerrits [VanVoorhees] were married on 5 May 1706 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatlands, NY.[16]  The will of Roelof Terhune [17] mentions his wife; sons: Garret and Albert; daughters: Annetje, Willemptje, Mary, Styntje, Aeltje and Margaret.

[1] The Van Voorhees Family in America, The First Six Generations, by Florence A. Christoph, pages 14 and 15, as recently shown that Aeltje did not married John Willemse.  See also footnote 2.

[2] http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~batrhune/genealogy/Early%20Dutch%20Family%20Ties/page35.htm

[3] http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~batrhune/genealogy/Early%20Dutch%20Family%20Ties/page35.htm

[4] Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, translated and edited by David William Voorhees, p. 287.

[5] Records of the New Utrecht Reformed Church, RECORD 112 (1981):134.

[6] 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.

[7] Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York, NYGBR vol. 60, p. 280

[8] Year Book of the Holland Society of New York, 1899, Record of Burials in the Dutch Church, New York, p. 162

[9] Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogates Office, City of New York (Volume I. 1665-1707)  ABSTRACTS OF WILLS LIBER 7. p. 395

[10] Marriage Licenses Issued by the State of New York - Supplementary List 1665-1786, University of the State of New York, State Library Bulletin, History.no. 1, Apr 1898.

[11] Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York (Volume II. 1708-1728) ABSTRACTS OF WILLS LIBER 8. p. 105

[12] New York City Assessment Rolls 1699-1734, Family History Library Film 0448033.  For more description see NYGBR Newsletter Fall 1996, p. 26.

[13] Lincoln C. Cocheu, "The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record Vol.70-71,81-83 (1939-40, 1950-52): 71:72.

[14] Kings County Conveyances, Liber 4, p. 177.

[15] Kings County, NY, Deeds, Liber 3, p. 213.

[16] Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, translated and edited by David William Voorhees, p. 281.

[17] Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York (Volume VI. 1760-1766), ABSTRACTS OF WJLLS LIBER 23. LIBER 23, p. 74.