Individual Details

Gerrit Wolfertsz Van Couwenhoven

(1610 - Bef Aug 1645)



Said to have come from Holland in 1625 along with his parents and brothers, Jacob and Pieter.

Gerrit arrived with his father in New Amsterdam, on his father's second trip in 1630. He settled at New Amersfoot on Long Island. He was a magistrate at Flatlands in 1644.
Lincoln C. Cocheu, "The Van Kouwenhoven-Conover Family", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record Vol.70-71,81-83 (1939-40, 1950-52): 70:353.

He lived across the road from his father but within the palisades of New Amersfoort in 1639.

In Feb 1643, several of the settlers, including two of Wolfert's sons, Jacob and Gerrit, petitioned the director and council for permission to “ruin and conquer” the Indians. Director Kieft refused their request, but they did it anyway, killing several Indians. A war ensued, which destroyed much of the settlement, a fate which escaped Wolphert because his houses were protected by a stockade and troops. The hostilities ended in 1645, but his eldest son, Gerrit was killed at age thirty-five.

On 5 January 1644, Before Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Aeltjen Brackogne, widow of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool, of the first part, and Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen from Emden, each of whom married a daughter of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool, of the second part, who acknowledge that in love and friendship they had agreed and covenanted respecting the division of the goods and chattels which the aforesaid Cornelis Lambersen left behind, on the following conditions. (The conditions being that the parties acknowledge that they have divided and apportioned the movable and immovable property. That Aeltjen Brackongne pays Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen and additional 200 guilders, and that Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen acknowledge that they are fully satisfied and paid. Also that Aeltjen Brackongne shall pay all debts incurred by her deceased husband and that she shall receive all debts due her deceased husband. It is also stipulated that the property at Gowanus shall remain undivided until (through the mercy of God) the lands there may be used, when the parties shall enter upon the partition thereof. Aeltjen Brackongne, Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen all sign by their mark. Witnessed by Huych Aertsen van Rossom and Willem de Key.
Arnold J.F. Van Laer, Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1642-1647, New York Historical Manuscripts, Vol. 2 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1974), page 189.

Events

Birth1610Amersfoort, Utrecht, Holland
Marriage24 Jan 1635Flatlands, Kings County, Long Island, New York - Aeltje Cornelis Cool
DeathBef Aug 1645Flatlands, Kings County, Long Island, New York

Families