Aeltje Braconie

Name

Aeltje Braconie (wife or widow of Thomas Badie at her arrival). Her given name is recorded in vernacular documents as Aeltje (4×), Aeltjen (3×), Aeltie (2×), Aeltien (2×), Aaltje, or Eli (2×), and is one case latinized as Aleidis. Her surname appears as Braconie (3×), Braconnie, Brackonje, Braconije (2×), Brackanije, Braccongne, Brackongne, Brackoenge, Brackoengne, and Brachunee (2×), and is presumably a variant of the well-known name Braconier or Braconnier.[1] In her widowhood she is once referred to (in 1679) as Bredenbent, the surname of her third husband.

Origin

Aeltje was probably from Liège, Southern Netherlands (in modern-day Belgium), based on the likely baptism of a child there in 1614 (see below) and the eyewitness account, almost certainly of Aeltje Braconie, by the traveler Jasper Danckaerts, who wrote in September 1679 of meeting at Gowanus “the oldest European woman in the country,” a widow “from Luyck” (Liège) who “still spoke good Wals [Walloon French] though she “had been about fifty years now in the country.” Danckaerts adds (likely with some exaggeration) that “Her mother had attended women in child-bed in her one hundred and sixth year, and was one hundred and eleven or twelve years old when she died.”[2] 

The case for the identification of the widow of Gowanus with Aeltje Braconie was developed in 2011 by Macy, who notes: “The Catholic registers for Liège begin in the sixteenth century and are indexed and available on microfilm from the Family History Library. The indexes show the surnames Braconier and Bady but only [with a single exception] after the time that Aeltje and Thomas would have lived in the city. . . . It is possible that the Badie-Braconie family did not live in the city, but in a nearby village or elsewhere in the principality. There is one baptism that might be relevant, except for a question about the surname.”[3] Macy questioned the surname in this record because it appears as Badrie in the version of the register he used, which is in fact a copy begun in 1779.[4] As the entry in the original register in fact reads Badie, there is no reason to question its pertinence to the present family.[5]

Moreover, a fresh examination of the indexes reveals six other baptisms at Liège for persons of Aeltje Braconie’s surname during the period when she was still living there. Among the numerous Roman Catholic parish churches in existence at the time, the church of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts claimed the exclusive right to baptize children, and most children were indeed baptized there.[6] The size of its register would make an exhaustive search prohibitive, but the indexes supply references to the following entries, with some conspicuous gaps: three children of Jo[ann]is le Braquenier le Joen [Jeun] by various wives, namely Chrystina on 1 May 1597,[7] Maria on 8 March 1604,[8] and Georgius on 7 July 1610,[9] and three children of Paulus Braconier and his wife Francisca, namely Nicolaus on 25 October 1612,[10] Nicolaus (again) on 30 November 1617,[11] and Franciscus on 27 September 1619.[12] In the 1612 entry the father is named as Paulus de la Fonteyne Brackonier Le Joen [Jeun]. All these records—in which personal names are latinized throughout—were checked, and none names a sponsor with the surname Braconier or Badie, so they provide no pertinent hint of a family structure. 

Migration

Aeltje came to New Netherland about 1628–29, based on the above-quoted statement of Jasper Danckaerts that in 1679 she “had been about fifty years now in the country.” Presumably she came with her daughter Maria and with her first husband Thomas Badie, if he was still alive.[13] Most New Netherland settlers during this period sailed from Amsterdam, but neither Aeltje Braconie nor Thomas Badie has been found there in notarial records, or as a parent in baptismal records.[14]

Biographical Details

Aeltje was born between say 1585 and 1594 (based on first marriage by about 1610), probably in the Southern Netherlands, and perhaps at Liège (in modern-day Belgium) where a child was born.[15] She died at Gowanus probably shortly before 8 April 1681, when a notation on her will states that a copy had been provided to her daughter Marike Thomas Baddie.[16]

Marriage and Children

Aeltje married (1) say 1610, likely at or near Liège, Thomas Badie (name inferred from the patronym of his daughter, Marie Thomas Badie),[17] who died probably by 1639.[18] She married (2) probably by 1639 and certainly by May 1642 (as his second wife), Cornelis Lambertszen Cool, from Woerden in Holland (now in Utrecht), who died between May 1642 and 30 December 1643. To summarize Macy’s analysis of the evidence for the marriage date:[19] On 22 August 1639 a document was executed by the guardians of Cool’s minor son, Lambert Corneliszen, proving that one of the child’s parents had died by that date and thus that Cornelis was a widower.[20] On 17 May 1639 Cornelis purchased the Gowanus farm bordering that of Aeltje’s son-in-law Willem Adriaenszen Bennet.[21] In May 1642 her stepson Lambert Cornelissen Cool acknowledged that he had been paid in full for the portion of his deceased mother’s estate which had been in the custody of his father and his stepmother Aeltien Braccongne.[22] On 30 December 1643 Cornelis’s son-in-law Gerrit Wolphersen made a power of attorney to collect his wife’s share of the property of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool from the latter’s widow, Aeltjen Brackoengne.[23] On 5 January 1644, Aeltjen Brackongne, widow of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool, entered into an accord with Cornelis’s sons-in-law Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen whereby she agreed to pay them 200 Carolus guilders and assume any outstanding debts of the estate.[24] She married (3) shortly after 4 September 1644 (date of intention) at New Amsterdam,[25] Willem Bredenbent, from Cologne, whom she outlived, without further issue.[26] Their marriage intention describes them as “Wilhem Bredenbent, j.m. van Ceulen,” and “Aeltje Braconie, wed[uw]e van Corn[elis] Lamberts.”

Known issue:

1. Marie Badie, born ca. 1612 (baptism not found), probably at or near Liège, still alive on 28 February 1693/4,[27] but almost certainly dead before 30 December 1699 when her former property was in the hands of her son Conradus Van der Beek.[28] She married (1) Jacob Janszen Verdon, (2) Willem Adriaenszen Bennet, and (3) Mr. Paulus van der Beek.
2. Thomas Badie, baptized 24 October 1614 in the (Roman Catholic) parish church of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts, Liège, as a child of Thomas Badie and Aleidis [the latinized form of Aeltje, no surname stated], with sponsors Franciscus Wilre and Chatar[ina] [sic] Freraz.[29] This child presumably died young as he does not appear in New Netherland records or in his mother’s will.

Education

In the accord dated 5 January 1644, “Aeltjen Brackongne” made a mark in the shape of a “+” sign in lieu of a signature.[30] On 22 June 1670, Aeltje signed her will with a mark “A B.”[31]

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Holdings and Estate

As the wife of Cornelis Lambertszen Cool and later Willem Ariaensen Bennet, Aeltje Braconier co-owned property in Gowanus. On 17 May 1639 Cornelis Lambertszen Cool purchased the Gowanus farm bordering that of Aeltje’s son-in-law (by her first marriage) Willem Adriaenszen “the cooper.”[32] The property was destroyed in the war between the colonists and the Native Americans in the fall of 1643, and on 5 January 1644 when “Aeltjen Brackongne, widow of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool,” entered into an accord with Cornelis's sons-in-law Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen. They agreed “that the property and lands at Gowanus should remain undivided until through the mercy of God the lands there may be used, when the parties shall enter upon the partition thereof” (dat de goederen ende landerijen op Gouwanes sullen in geheel blijven ter tijt [dat] door de genade godes de landen aldaer mogen gebruijckt worden, als wanneer men tot de Repartie derselver sal treden).[33] On 15 February 1663 her daughter “Maritie Tomas, formerly widow of Jacob Verdon, then wife of Willem Ariaensen and now wife of Mr. Poulus van der Beeck,” came before a notary and confirmed that there had been no partition of the property “which she brought to her present husband, Mr. Poulus van der Beeck . . . after her house had been burned and destroyed in the war with the savages about 19 years ago.”[34]

A deed (written in English) made by Aeltje’s daughter, Mary Baddie, widow of Paulus Van der Beek, of 28 February 1693/4, recites the terms of a lost earlier deed describing a “farm formerly belonging to William Bredebent deceased . . . being upon the Island of Nassawe in Kings County at Gowanus,” which is said to have been held “by vertue of a patent granted by the Dutch Govern[o]r William Kieft to Cornelius Lambertse Cooll, the 5th of Aprill 1642. . . .”[35] The patent itself survives.[36]

On 22 June 1670, before the town secretary of Midwout (Flatbush) Adriaen Hegeman, Wellem Bredenbent and Aeltien Brackanije his lawful wife, residing at Gauwanes, the wife by reason of her great age being very weak but both of them sound of mind, memory and speech, made a joint will in Dutch, signed by Willem Bredenbent and with the mark (AB) of Aeltien Brackanije.[37] The will provides that when either testator died all their property was to go to the survivor, but if Aeltje should die first, her only daughter Maerrijke Tomas Baddie was to have two milch cows, several pieces of jewelry, and all her clothing. No provision was made for the disposition of the property after both were dead. The will, which was witnessed by Jan Strijcker and Willem Jacobse van Boerum, was never probated. Macy suggests this may have been unnecessary as title to the Bredenbent farm was transferred to Aeltje’s daughter Maria and the latter’s husband Paulus van der Beek while Aeltje was still alive, by 2 December 1678 when Paulus conveyed to his son Paulus Jr. half of “a farm formerly belonging to William Bredenbent, deceased.”[38] Macy plausibly suggests that Aeltje was dead by 8 April 1681, when a notation on the will states that a copy was provided to Marike Thomas Baddie. This is followed by a notation stating that a copy was given to Adam Brouwer (husband of Marie’s daughter Magdalena Verdon) on 28 April 1681.

In the aforementioned deed dated 15 February 1663, Aeltje’s daughter Maritie further stated that “she brought to her present husband, Mr. Poulus van der Beeck . . . a lot with a house on the Beavers Graft [Bevers Gracht] in this City [i.e. New Amsterdam].” This agrees with Willem Bredenbent’s ownership of lot no. 20 on the Costello plan.[39] Macy suggests that Aeltje and Willem Bredenbent lived there following the destruction of their Gowanus farm in 1643.[40]

Church Membership

On 6 January 1641 Michiel ter Oycken, fiscael, and Eli Braconie served as baptismal sponsors in the New Amsterdam Dutch Reformed Church for Christiaen, son of Willem Adriaensz. (mother not named).[41] In this and the following record the parents were undoubtedly Willem Adriaensz. Bennet and his wife Maria Baddie, as noted by Totten.[42]

On 9 March 1644 De H(ee)r Willem Kieft, Gouv[er]neur, and Eli Braconnie served as baptismal sponsors in the New Amsterdam Dutch Reformed Church for Marije, daughter of Willem Adriaensz. (mother not named).[43]

On 10 September 1645 De H[ee]r Willem Kieft, Gouv[er]neur, Mr. Hans Kierstede, Willem Bredenbend, Aeltje Braconie, and Marritje Lievens, served as baptismal sponsors in the New Amsterdam Dutch Reformed Church for Catharijn, daughter of Mr. Paulus [van der Beeck], surgeon (chirurgijn) (mother not named).[44]

On 23 September 1646 Mr. Paulus Verbeeck, Willem Bredenbend, Aeltje Braconije, and Marij du Trieux served as baptismal sponsors in the New Amsterdam Dutch Reformed Church for Pieter, son of Adam Brouwer (mother not named).[45] The child’s mother was Magdalena Jacobs Verdon, daughter of Maria Badie and Jacob Verdon.[46] As previously noted, Adam Brouwer received a copy of Aeltje’s will on 28 April 1681.

On 19 March 1656 Mr. Paulus van der Beeck, Mr. Gijsbert van Inbroeck, and Aeltje Braconije served as baptismal sponsors in the New Amsterdam Dutch Reformed Church for Jacobus, son of Thomas Verdon and Barber van Inbroeck.[47] Thomas Verdon was a son of Marie Badie and Jacob Verdon.[48]

Aeltie Brachunee is recorded with her third husband, Willem Bredenbent, in a list of members of the Dutch Reformed congregation of Gowanus (under the jurisdiction of the church of Brooklyn) dated 12 September 1660.[49] As Aeltje Bredenbent she is recorded with her daughter Maria Badye, widow of Paulus van der Beek, as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Gowanus on 19 November 1679.[50] As noted by Macy, the second of these records proves she was still alive at the visit of Jasper Danckaerts to Gowanus in September 1679.

On 7 January 1663 Willem Bredenbent, Aeltie Barckunee, and Janneken Boons served in the Brooklyn church as baptismal sponsors to Jan, son of Willem Willemszon and Getruijd van Mullem, of Cujanes [Gowanus].[51]

Associations

Aeltje’s only known relative in New Netherland prior to her second marriage was her daughter Maria, and as noted above, all six of Aeltje’s appearances as a baptismal sponsor are for known children or grandchildren of Maria.[52] Totten thought that an “Eli” Braconie who appears as a sponsor in two family baptismal records (see below) was “the brother of Aeltje Braconie,” while Wilson V. Ledley more cautiously suggested that this sponsor was “a . . . relative” of Aeltje Braconie.[53] But as Macy notes, in each case “Eli” is listed second after an obviously male sponsor, strongly suggesting that this person was female.[54] Since both events occurred during the lifetime of Aeltje Braconie, and in the absence of other evidence for people named Braconie in New Netherland, Eli was probably Aeltje. “Eli” may have been a phonetic rendering of her name when pronounced with a French accent, or of a French variation like Aelis.

On 12 May 1639, Aeltje is mentioned as having paid off a debt of Cornelis Claesen, from Weverveen [Waverveen, in the province of Utrecht], in a document which survives only in English translation: "I . . . , Master Jehan Jenny, hereby acknowledge that I have received the sum of twenty guilders Holland money, reckoned at 20 stivers to the guilder, in full satisfaction and payment of the debt which Cornelis Claesen from Weverveen, deceased, owed me, which aforesaid sum [has been paid] to me by Aeltjen Brackonje on account of said Cornelis Claesen. I hereby release Aeltjen Brackoenge or the heirs of Cornelis Claesen from all demands and claims. . . .”[55] This transaction was perhaps somehow connected with the purchase of a farm at Gowanes by Aeltje’s second husband, Cornelis Lambertszen Cool, only five days later,[56] and no other connection to Cornelis Claesen has been noted. On 29 May 1661 Willem Bredenbent and Aeltie Brackunee served as character witnesses for Arie Willemszen, “from New Netherland,” on his admission as a new member of the Dutch Reformed congregation of Brooklyn.[57] Arie Willemszen was Adriaen Willemszen Bennet, son of Marie Badie and Willem Adriaenszen Bennet.[58]

Aeltje's will, dated 22 June 1670 (see above), was witnessed by Jan Strijcker and Willem Jacobse van Boerum. 

Literature

Bergen, Teunis G. Register in Alphabetical Order, of the Early Settlers of Kings County, Long Island, N.Y. (New York, 1881). Includes Bennet (pp. 29–30), Bredenbent (p. 46), Fardon [Verdon] (113), and Vander Beek (318–19).

Lamison, Esther Wonder. “Cornelis Lambertsen’s Wives,” New Netherland Connections 11 (July–September 2006): 70–72. Confuses Thomas Badie with Thomas Beets (a.k.a. Beeche, Bescher), who was still alive in 1639.

Macy, Harry, Jr. “Origins of Some New Netherland Families,” pt. 1. New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (NYGBR) 123 (January 1992): 18–24. Includes Bennet (pp. 21–23) and Verdon (pp. 23–24).

_____. “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie and Maria Badie.” NYGBR 142 (January 2011): 21–36. See the brief comments on this article in Gens Nostra 66 (September 2011): 467. Macy was apparently the first to recognize the allusion to Aeltje Braconie in the 1679 travelogue of Jasper Danckaerts.

Totten, John Reynolds. “Aeltje Braconie – Baddie – Cool – Bredenbent Family Notes,” NYGBR 65 (July 1934): 234–45.

_____. “Editorial Iconoclastiana—Who was the mother of Lambert Cornelissen, son of Cornelis Lambertszen Cool?,” NYGBR 65 (January 1934): 15–21. Proves that Aeltje Braconie was not the mother of any of Cornelis Cool’s children.

_____. “Verdon Family Notes,” NYGBR 64 (April 1933): 105–32, 65 (January 1934): 20 (revision of chart on p. 107). Identifies Maria Badie as a daughter of Aeltje Braconie by her first husband, Thomas Badie.

Source Editions

Fernow, Berthold, ed. The Minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam, 1655 to 1663, 2 vols. New York: Colonial Dames of the State of New York, 1902, 1907. 2:33–34 (testimony by Maritie Tomas concerning family property).

James, Bartlett Burleigh, and J[ohn] Franklin Jameson, eds. The Journal of Jasper Danckaerts 1679–1680, ed. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1913. Discusses the woman now believed to be Aeltje Braconie in pp. 52–53.

Stokes, N. Phelps. The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498–1909, 6 vols. New York: Robert H. Dodd, 1915–1928. 2:241–42, 368, 371 (evidence of land ownership).

Sypher, Francis J., Jr., ed. and trans. Liber A, 1628–1700, of the Collegiate Churches of New York, in 2 parts. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009, 2015. Part 2, pp. 12, 21, 28, 32, 83 (Aeltje Braconie, under various spellings, as baptismal sponsor); 476 (marriage intention of Wilhem Bredenbent and Aeltje Braconie).

Van der Linde, A. P. G. Jos, ed. Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, First Book of Records, 1660–1752, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983. Pp. 20/21 (Aeltjie Brackunee as character witness), 113 (Aeltjie Barckunee [sic] as baptismal sponsor).

Van Laer, Arnold J. F., ed. Register of the Provincial Secretary [vol. 1], 1638–1642. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1974. Pp. 146, 152–54, 216–17 (land transactions of Aeltje Brackoenje and Cornelis Lambertszen Cool).

_____. Register of the Provincial Secretary [vol. 2], 1642–1660. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1974. P. 18c (discharge by Lambert Cornelissen Cool for his portion of his mother's estate).

Voorhees, David William, ed. Records of The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, 2 vols. New York: Holland Society of New York, 1998, 2009. 1:336/337 (Aaltje Bredebent [sic] in list of church members).

Citations

[1] Harry Macy Jr., “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie and Maria Badie,” New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (NYGBR) 142 (January 2011): 21–36, at p. 24 n. 15.

[2] The Journal of Jasper Danckaerts 1679–1680, ed. Bartlett Burleigh James and J[ohn] Franklin Jameson (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1913), 52–53. Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie and Maria Badie,” at p. 25 n. 27, notes: “Even if Aeltje’s mother only lived to be 90, she would have been alive when Aeltje came to New Netherland, and it is conceivable that she too came to the colony, but thus far she has not been identified in either New Netherland or European records.”

[3] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 30.

[4] Baptism of Thomas Badrie [sic], 24 October 1614, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 5, 1612–1616, folio 143; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1B-N9ZL-B) > image group number (IGN) 8435417 > image 717 of 825; citing Archives de l’État, Liège, Belgium. For the date of libers 1–5, which are an eighteenth-century copy of registers 54–57, see the introduction to liber 1, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1B-6SJM-3) > IGN 8435416 > image 4 of 751; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[5] Baptism of Thomas Badie, 24 October 1614, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 56, 1599–1616, folio 226v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3M9-F73H-6) > IGN 8435429, image 235 of 541; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[6] On the supremacy claim of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts in the matter of baptisms see Etienne Helin, “Les registres aux baptêmes des paroisses liégoises: Notes sur leur interprétation,” L’intermédiaire des Généalogistes / De middelaar tussen de genealogische navorsers 17 (July 1962): 187–95, at 191.

[7] Baptism of Chrystina le Braquenier le Joen, 1 May 1597, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 57, 1593–1613, folio 46; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3M9-F7SF-C) > IGN 8435429, image 348 of 541; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[8] Baptism of Maria le Braquenier, 8 March 1604, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 57, folio 117v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3M9-F7SP-S) > IGN 8435429, image 427 of 541; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[9] Baptism of Georgius le Braquenier, 7 July 1610, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 57, folio 186v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3M9-F735-L) > IGN 8435429, image 497 of 541; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[10] Baptism of Nicolaus de la Fonteyne Brackonier, 25 October 1612, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 57, folio 216v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3M9-F73Q-J) > IGN 8435429, image 528 of 541; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[11] Baptism of Nicolaus Braconie[r] (end of word lost in binding), 30 November 1617, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 6, 1616–1622, folios 48v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1B-ZG31) > IGN 8435418, image 54 of 584; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[12]Baptism of Franciscus Braconi[er] (end of word lost in binding), 27 September 1619, in Parish of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts (Liège), liber 6, folio 126v; imaged, “Registres paroissiaux, 1576–1796,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1B-ZGMZ) > IGN 8435418, image 134 of 584; citing Archives de l’État, Liège.

[13] See discussion in Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 24.

[14] George E. McCracken, in The American Genealogist 58 (1982): 57, reviewing Leslie Aulls Bryan, Immigrant Ancestors Allied to Certain Bryan and Aulls Family Lines (1981).

[15] Baptism of Thomas Badie, 24 October 1614.

[16] Last will of Wellem Bredenbent and Aeltien Brackanije, 22 June 1670, in Flatbush, town records, liber C, deeds, 1666–1686, p. 81–83; imaged, “Digital Collections,” NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/), identifier MSS0004_2_04_01_005_001, image 86–88 of 169; citing Brooklyn Old Town Records, New York City Municipal Archives.

[17] The inferred name “Thomas Badie” appears in John Reynolds Totten, “Verdon Family Notes,” pt. 1, NYGBR 64 (April 1933): 105–32, at p. 107, perhaps for the first time in print.

[18] The statement in Josephine C. Frost, Ancestors of Welding Ring and his wife Ida Malvina Mailler (Brooklyn, 1935), 96, that Thomas Badie “died about 1607/8” is chronologically impossible and perhaps a misprint.

[19] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 31 nn. 54, 56.

[20] “Consent of the guardians of Lambert Cornelissen Cool to let Cool take up farming with Claes Jansen,” Arnold J. F. Van Laer, ed., Register of the Provincial Secretary 1638–1642, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1974), 216–17, from the portion of the original register destroyed by fire in 1911.

[21] “Contract of sale between Thomas Beeche (Bescher) and Cornelis Lambertsen Cool of a plantation on Long Island, adjoining Gouwanus,” 17 May 1639, Van Laer, ed., Register of the Provincial Secretary 1638–1642, 152–54, from the portion of the original register destroyed by fire in 1911.

[22] Discharge by Lambert Cornelissen Cool for his portion of his mother’s estate, May 1642 [remainder of date obliterated], in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1660, p. 18c; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/10922), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_018c; citing series A0270-78, New Netherland Provincial Secretary Register of the Provincial Secretary, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[23] Power of attorney from Gerrit Wolphertsen to Andries Hudde, 30 December 1643, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1660, p. 93b; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11070), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_093d; citing series A0270-78, New York State Archives.

[24] Agreement between Aeltje Brackogne and her sons-in-law regarding the settlement of the estate of the late Cornelis Lambertsen Cool, 5 January 1644, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1660, p. 93f; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11073), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_093f; citing series A0270-78, New York State Archives.

[25] Marriage intention of Wilhem Bredenbent and Aeltje Braconie, 4 September 1644, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, marriage register, 1639–1701, p. 576; imaged, “U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639–1989,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6961) > New York > Manhattan > Collegiate Church . . . > image 477 of 1410; citing The Archives of the Reformed Church in America, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

[26] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie” 32, n. 66.

[27] Deed of Mary Baddie, widow of Paulus Van der Beek, 28 February 1693/4, in Kings County Records, Conveyances, vol. 2, p. 80; imaged, “Digital Collections,” NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/), identifier MSS0004_2_01_33_002_001, image 82 of 369; citing Kings County records, Brooklyn Old Town Records, New York City Municipal Archives, New York City, New York.

[28] Indenture between Conradus Van der Beeck and Elsie his wife and Cornelis Gerritsz Van Duijn, 30 December 1699, in Kings County Records, Conveyances, vol. 2, pp. 210–11; imaged, “Digital Collections,” NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/), identifier MSS0004_2_01_33_002_001, images 213–14 of 369; citing Kings County records, Brooklyn Old Town Records, New York City Municipal Archives.

[29] Baptism of Thomas Badie, 1614.

[30] “Agreement between Aeltje Brackogne and her sons-in-law regarding the settlement of the estate of the late Cornelis Lambertsen Cool,” 5 January 1644.

[31] Last will of Wellem Bredenbent and Aeltien Brackanije, 22 June 1670.

[32] “Contract of sale between Thomas Beeche (Bescher) and Cornelis Lambertsen Cool of a plantation on Long Island, adjoining Gouwanus,” 17 May 1639.

[33] “Agreement between Aeltje Brackogne and her sons-in-law regarding the settlement of the estate of the late Cornells Lambertsen Cool, 5 January 1644.

[34] “The Records of Walewyn van der Veen, Notary Public 1662–1664,” in The Minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam 1655 to 1663, ed. Berthold Fernow, 2 vols. (New York: Colonial Dames of the State of New York, 1902, 1907), 2:33–34.

[35] As noted by Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 29 n. 45, this description is derived from a lost deed of 2 December 1678, the terms of which are recited in a deed of 28 February 1693/4 (written in English), of Mary Baddie, widow of Paulus Van der Beek, 28 February 1693/4. This land is also mentioned in a slightly later deed of 30 April 1694 in Kings County Conveyances, vol. 2, p. 12.

[36] Patent of Cornelis Lambersen Cool for land on Long Island, 5 April 1642, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630–1664, volume GG, p. 46 of modern pencilled numbering; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/51144), identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0046; citing series A1880, New York State Archives.

[37] Last will of Wellem Bredenbent and Aeltien Brackanije, 22 June 1670.

[38] Deed of Mary Baddie, widow of Paulus Van der Beek, 28 February 1693/4.

[39] I. N. Phelps Stokes, The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498–1909, 6 vols. (New York: Robert H. Dodd, 1915–1928), 2:241–42, 368, 371, cited by Macy.

[40] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 32.

[41] Baptism of Christiaen, son of Willem Adriaensz., 6 January 1641, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 255; imaged, “U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639–1989,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6961) > New York > Manhattan > Collegiate Church . . . > image 252 of 1410; citing The Archives of the Reformed Church in America.

[42] John Reynolds Totten, “Aeltje Braconie – Baddie – Cool – Bredenbent Family Notes,” 234–45, at p. 234.

[43] Baptism of Marije, daughter of Willem Adriaensz., 9 March 1644, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 260; image 260 of 1410.

[44] Baptism of Catharijn [van der Beeck], 10 September 1645, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 265; image 265 of 1410.

[45] Baptism of Pieter Brouwer, 23 September 1646, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 267; image 267 of 1410.

[46] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 34.

[47] Baptism of Jacobus Verdon, 19 March 1656, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 295; image 295 of 1410.

[48] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 34.

[49] Willem Bredenbent and Aeltie Brachunee in list of members of the Dutch Reformed congregation of Gowanus, Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, First Book of Records, 1660–1752, ed. A. P. G. Jos van der Linde (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983), 12/13.

[50] Paulus van der Beek [name stricken and annotated as “obiit” (deceased)], Maria Badye, and Aaltje Bredebent [sic] in list of members of the Dutch Reformed congregation of Gowanus, Records of The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, ed. Voorhees, 1:336/337.

[51] Baptism of Jan [Willemszen], 7 January 1663, in Jos van der Linde, Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, 113.

[52] As noted by Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 25, n. 22. Macy states that there were eight such baptisms, but he accounts for only six.  No others have been found.

[53] John Reynolds Totten, "Aeltje Braconie – Baddie – Cool – Bredenbent Family Notes," NYGBR 65 (July 1934): 234–45, at p. 234; Wilson V. Ledley, “Willem Adriaense Bennet of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Some of His Descendants,” pt. 1, NYGBR 93 (October 1962): 193–204, at 197 (this page reference is incorrectly printed as 74 in Macy, p. 29 n. 47). In a query published in New Netherland Connections 4 (January–March 1999): 21 these suggestions are magnified into an explicit claim that an “immigrant Eli Braconie . . . with an unknown spouse had child, immigrant Aeltje Braconie.”

[54] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 29.

[55] “Receipt of John Jenney for money paid him by Aeltje Brackoenje,” 12 May 1639, Van Laer, ed., Register of the Provincial Secretary 1638–1642, 146, from the portion of the original register destroyed by fire in 1911. The words in square brackets were supplied by Van Laer.

[56] “Contract of sale between Thomas Beeche (Bescher) and Cornelis Lambertsen Cool of a plantation on Long Island, adjoining Gouwanus,” 17 May 1639.

[57] Arie Willemszen in list of members of the Dutch Reformed church of Brooklyn, in A. P. G. Jos van der Linde, ed., Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, First Book of Records, 1660–1752 (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing), 20/21.

[58] Macy, “Some new light on Aeltje Braconie,” 35.

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