Claes Claesz

Name

Claes Claesz was a farm hand in Rensselaerswijck.[1] His common name complicates researching his life before and after his time in the colony.

Origin

Claes Claesz was from “Vlecker,”[2] an old Dutch variation of Flekkerøy, an island off the south coast of Norway.

Migration

Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the patroon of Rensselaerswijck, mentioned Claes Claesen as one of the Christians he sent over in 1630 to populate the colony.[3] Claes Claesz sailed to New Netherland on the Eendracht, which departed from Texel on 21 March 1630 and arrived at New Amsterdam on 24 May 1630.[4] Claes was last mentioned in a report on 23 April 1634, and probably left the colony shortly afterwards.[5]

Settlement

Claes Claesz lived on the Laetsburg farm in Rensselaerswijck between 1630 and 1634. That was one of the first farms established in the colony. It was located at the Laetskil, in the area then known as Twillers dal [Twiller’s valley].[6] 

Biographical Details

Claes Claesz was born, probably on Flekkerøy, between say 1590 and 1615. Hired as a farm hand in 1630,[7] he was probably between 15 and 40 years old. He died at an unknown time after 23 April 1634.[8] His patronymic indicates he was the son of a man named Claes.

Education

From Norway, Claes probably spoke Norwegian.[9] 

Occupation

On 20 July 1632, Claes Claesz worked as a farm laborer on the Laetsburg farm. The farm was run by Roelof Jansen van Masterland,[10] present-day Marstrand in Sweden.[11] In June 1632, Kiliaen van Rensselaer described how Roelof had received four horses, eleven sheep, cows, and hogs, and had “a complete farm and a suitable house.”[12] Claes Claesz probably worked on the farm from his arrival in 1630 until his probable departure in 1634.

Claes Claeszen may have had experience with brewing or distilling. On 23 April 1634, Kiliaen van Rensselaer wrote to director-general Wouter van Twiller about using some of the excess grain for brewing beer or making brandy. Van Rensselaer wondered if Jacob Planck, recently appointed as his officer and schout [sheriff], would understand that business, and said he “had him examined by Claes Claessn.”[13]

Associations

Claes Claesz worked for Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the patroon of Rensselaerswijck.[14] He worked on the farm with Roelof Jansz van Masterland, the overseer of that farm, and another farm hand from Flekkerøy, Jacob Goyversen.[15] 

Literature

De Roever, N. “Kiliaen van Rensselaer en Zijne Kolonie Rensselaerswijck.” Oud Holland 8 (1890): 29–74, 241–95. Mentions Claes Claesz in the list of settlers in appendix D (p. 11).

Dunn, Shirley. “Settlement Patterns in Rensselaerswijck: Farms and Farmers on Castle Island.” Halve Maen 70 (Spring 1997): 7–18. Discusses the Laetsburg farm including its staff (pp. 23–24).

Source Editions

Van Laer, A. J. F., ed. Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts: Being the Letters of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, 1630–1643, and Other Documents Relating to the Colony of Rensselaerswyck. Albany, New York: University of the State of New York, 1908.

Citations

[1] A. J. F. Van Laer, ed., Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts: Being the Letters of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, 1630–1643, and Other Documents Relating to the Colony of Rensselaerswyck (Albany, New York: University of the State of New York, 1908).

[2] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 222; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 26.

[3] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 308; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 77–79b.

[4] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 805.

[5] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 266–88 (p. 282); citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 55–70.

[6] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 198; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 12b. Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 203; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 13b.

[7] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 308; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 77–79b.

[8] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 282; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 55–70.

[9] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 222; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 26.

[10] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 222; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 26.

[11] For the identification of Masterland/Maesterland as Marstrand see the geographical locations deduced by Amsterdam archivists Simon Hart: “Herkomstonderzoek,” PDF, Gemeente Amsterdam Stadsarchief (https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsarchief/themasites/downloads/herkomstonderzoek/).

[12] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 198; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 12b.

[13] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 266–88, at p. 282; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 55–70.

[14] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 308; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 77–79b.

[15] Van Laer, Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, 222; citing Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, letter book, fol. 26.

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