Teunis Nijssen | New York Genealogical & Biographical Society

Name

Teunis Nijssen. Nijssen is a patronymic meaning son of Nijs. The name was also written as Denijs or Dionijs.

Origin

Teunis Nijssen was a Dutch settler. According to the registration of his marriage intentions in 1640, Theunis Nijssen was a single man from “Bunninck.”[1] Bunnik is a town in the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands, a few miles east of the provincial capital, also named Utrecht.

In his article about New Netherland settlers from the Krommerijn area in Utrecht, M.S.F. Kemp suggested Teunis Nijssen could be a brother of Gijsbert, Jacob, and Cornelis Nijsz, the sons of Nijs or Dionijs Cornelisz and Jannegjen Geerlofs or Jacobs.[2] That these brothers did indeed have a brother Teunis is confirmed by an estate division for Marrichjen Dionijs, registered in Utrecht on 9 January 1647. Her estate was divided into five equal shares between her brothers Jacob Dionijsz, Cornelis Dionijsz, Thonijs [Teunis] Dionijsz, the children of her deceased brother Gijsbert Dionijsz, and the children of her deceased brother Cornelis Dionijsz [who had the same first name as one of the surviving brothers]. Cornelis Dionijsz collected Thonijs Dionijsz’s share of 32 guilders and 12 stivers on his behalf.[3]

A combination of evidence proves that this Thonijs Dionijsz, son of Dionijs Cornelisz and Jannegjen Geerlofs, was the New Netherland settler Teunis Nijssen. Thonijs’s failure to collect his share of his sister’s inheritance in person in 1647 implies he was absent, consistent with having gone to New Netherland. The family of Thonijs Dionijsz lived in Bunnik, the place of origin of the New Netherland settler. Thonijs Dionijsz’s father was living in Amelisweerd (an estate in the parish of Bunnik) in 1621.[4] Jacob Nijs Cornelisz, the brother of Thonijs Dionijsz, was living in Bunnik when he married in 1620.[5] Cornelis and Marrichjen Nijsz, two other siblings, appeared before the court of Bunnik and Vechten in 1636.[6] Naming patterns also support the conclusion. Teunis Nijssen named a daughter Jannetje and a son Nijs, apparently after his parents Nijs Cornelisz and Jannegjen Geerlofs.[7] He named a son Cornelis, perhaps after his brother.[8] Bunnik was a small village, where only a handful of baptisms and marriages took place each year.[9] No evidence was found for another Teunis Nijssen in Bunnik who could have been the New Netherland settler.

Some literature supposes Teunis Nijssen was of French descent, but no contemporary evidence supports that claim. In a biographical sketch of Teunis Denyse from 1905, the Saint Nicholas Society of New York acknowledged the Utrecht origins but stated, without documentation, that “the family is of French origin, and is supposed to have come from Champagne and have lived but a short time in Holland.”[10] It is possible the spelling “Denyse” caused researchers to suspect a French connection, supposing a prefix “de” to mean “from.” However, Teunis’s naming of a son Nijs confirms that Nijssen was a patronymic, not a surname indicating a place of origin. The first name Dionijs/Nijs/Denijs and associated patronymics are Dutch names that were in use in Utrecht, though not common.[11] As Bunnik did not have a Walloon or Huguenot community,[12] an earlier French connection is unlikely, and not supported by evidence from contemporary sources.

Migration

Teunis Nijssen was in New Netherland by 15 July 1638, when he appeared before the Dutch colonial council.[13] He may have arrived several years earlier.

Settlement

Teunis Nijssen initially lived in New Amsterdam, where he owned several pieces of land, including land inherited from his father-in-law Jan Celes.[14] By the end of 1649, he owned land on Long Island and had apparently moved there.[15]

On 17 December 1655, he bought a plantation in Midwout [Flatbush].[16] On 7 February 1657 “Theunis Niesz” was assessed as one of the residents of Gowanes. He had to pay 12 guilders, which made him one of the more affluent residents in that part of Long Island.[17] On 1 March 1663, Tonis Nijssen was one of the inhabitants of Breuckelen who petitioned the Dutch colonial council for a place to settle a new village on Long Island, closer to the meadows they needed for hay to feed their cattle.[18]

Biographical Details

Teunis Nijssen was born between say 1600 (probably no older than 40 at marriage) and 1613 (of age in 1638).[19] He died between 1 March 1663, when he signed a petition,[20] and 7 June 1663, when Femmetie Jans was called the widow of the late Thuenis Nijessen.[21]

Marriage and Children

Teunis Nijssen registered his intentions to marry Phaebea Saelix (Femmetje Jans) in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 11 February 1640.[22] She was a daughter of Jan Celes, also known as John Sales, and Philip Soals.[23] Baptized in Little Waldingfield, Suffolk, England on 1 May 1626,[24] she was probably just thirteen years old when she married Teunis Nijssen, who was at least twice her age. She was called Phebe Sales in English records and Femmetje Jans in Dutch records.[25]

Children of Teunis Nijssen and Femmetje Jans, also known as Phebe Sales:

Jannetje, baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 22 December 1641. Witnesses: Michiel ter Heijken, Rachel Vijnen, Petronel Lupolt.[26] Married (dues paid 7 March 1660) in the Dutch Reformed Church of Flatbush Titus Sijrachs [de Vries].[27]
Marritje, baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 3 April 1644. No witnesses mentioned.[28] She married (dues paid 7 March 1660) in the Dutch Reformed Church of Flatbush Dirck Jansz Woertman, apparently on the same day as her sister Jannetje.[29] She died before 4 April 1691, when Dirck Jans Woertman, husband of the late Marrike Theunis, entered into a prenuptial agreement with Annitie Aukes.[30]
Annetje, baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 18 February 1646. Witnesses: Jan Janszen Dam, Heijltje Joris, Wijntie Aerts.[31] She married Hieronymus Jorisz. Rapailie and lived at Brooklyn Ferry in 1679.[32]
Elsje, baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 10 May 1648. Witnesses: Barent Bal, Elsje Pieters.[33] Married December 1669 Gerrit Snediker.[34]
Femmetje, baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 3 April 1650. No witnesses mentioned.[35] She married Michael Hansen Bergen.[36]
Teunis, born circa 1652 (order in agreement), received a heifer in 1667 for his mother’s inheritance.[37]
Jan [twin to Nijs?], baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 12 April 1654. Witnesses: Jan Evertszen Bout, Albert Cornelis Wantenaer, Willem Bredenbend, Paulus van der Beeck, Aeltje Cornelis, Grietie Jans.[38] Registered marriage intentions in Flatbush on 16 November 1679 to marry Catalina Bogaert.[39]
Nijs [twin to Jan?], baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam on 12 April 1654. Witnesses: Jan Evertszen Bout, Albert Cornelis Wantenaer, Willem Bredenbend, Paulus van der Beeck, Aeltje Cornelis, Grietie Jans.[40] Married (1) Elizabeth Polhemus, married (2) Helena Corteljou.[41]
Cornelis, born say 1656 (order in agreement), alive in 1667, to receive heifer in 1669.[42] Registered marriage intentions in Flatbush on 22 August 1687 to marry Neeltje Bogaert,[43] married (2) Rebecca [--?--].[44]

Sons Teunis and Cornelis were likely baptized in Brooklyn before the start of surviving baptismal records in 1660, though a minister had served the congregation since 1654.[45]

Shortly after Teunis Nijssen’s death, Femmetje Jans remarried. On 24 August 1663, Femmetje Jans, widow of Teunis Nijsse, married in Middelwout (Flatbush) to Jan Corneliszen Buijs, the widower of IJbe Lubbertse.[46] On 8 June 1667 Jan Cornelisz Buijs made an agreement with Eelsijen, Tuenes, Femmetien, Jan, Denies, and Cornelis Tuenesz, minor children of his late wife Femmetien Jansz by Tuenes Niessen. Each child would receive 75 guilders in sewant when they came of age or married, plus a heifer calf.[47]

In his article about Jan Cornelis Buys, John Reynolds Totten also raises the possibility of children Aertje Teunise, James Teunise, and Joris Teunise.[48] However, since these children were not in the baptismal records of New Amsterdam, Brooklyn, or Flatbush, and not among the minor children in the agreement, it seems unlikely they were the children of Teunis Nijssen and Femmetje Jans.

Education

Born and raised in the northern Netherlands, Teunis Nijssen would have spoken Dutch.

In 1643, he signed with a mark when he appeared before the court to acknowledge a debt.[49] He used a similar but mirrored mark in 1646, when he purchased a house.

Occupation

Tonis Nijssen apparently was a farmer who kept cows and pigs. On 15 July 1638 Tonis Nijssen sued Gerrit Jansen from Oldenborgh for delivery of a cow. The court found in his favor and ordered Jansen to deliver the cow or give the money back.[51] In 1643, Tonis Nijssen had a legal dispute with Piter Colet. Colet’s young boy supposedly injured Nijssen’s young cow. Colet had to pay 15 guilders in damages if the boy continued to live with him for a further two months.[52] On 21 December 1643, Tonis Nijsz owed Cornelis Dircksz Hoochlant 400 guilders for cows he purchased.[53] On 18 October 1646, Nijssen came before the New Netherland Council to appeal a case he lost against Mr. Stikly, demanding his sow back. When Nijssen refused to swear that the sow was his, his claim was denied.[54]

Offices

Teunis Nijssen was elected as schepen (alderman) of Breuckelen (Brooklyn) on 27 March 1657 and 26 March 1658.[55]

Holdings and Estate

Teunis Nijssen occupied a plantation on the North River before 19 February 1639, when Claes Cornelissen Swits sold his house near the plantation formerly occupied by Tonis Nijsen.[56]

On 1 December 1646 Teunis Nijssen bought a house and lot on the great highway, opposite the West India Company’s garden, from Leendert Arenden.[57] The original 1645 patent described the land as 4 rods and 8 feet wide along the road, 17 rods long, and 5 rods wide on the rear on the east side, in total measuring 84 rods, 1 foot, 4 inches.[58]

On 28 March 1647, Tonis Nijssen received a patent for land on Manhattan formerly belonging to Lange Trijn [Tall Trijn], south of land he already owned, and north of Leendert Aertsen’s lot. The land was 5 rods 8 feet wide on the west and east sides, and 18 rods 5.5 feet long on the north and south sides.[59] He sold this land to Govert Loockermans on 13 May 1649.[60]

On 5 December 1643 Tonis Nijssen received another patent for land on Manhattan. The original patent does not survive, but it was mentioned in a later deed.[61] Tonis Nijsen owned land on the public highway on Manhattan next to Cosijn Gerritsz. On 13 March 1647, he was mentioned as the neighboring property when Cosijn Gerritsz sold his land.[62] On 13 December 1656, he conveyed that land to Cousin Gerritsen. That conveyance recorded the description of the land as follows: on the east side of the Great Highway between the lots belonging to Isaac Foreest and Cousin Gerritsz, in front on the street 4 rods 2 feet in breadth and in the rear on the east side 4 rods long, and on both the north and south sides 18 rods 2 feet and 5 inches.[63]

On 3 April 1647, Tonis Nijssen received a patent for a plantation on Manhattan formerly belonging to Jan Celes, with Everhardus Bogardus, Cornelis Maersen, and the “negroes’ plantation” as neighbors.[64] Nijssen conveyed that land to Augustijn Hermans on 17 June 1651.[65]

By the end of 1649, Tonis Nijssen owned a substantial amount of land on Long Island. This caused another settler, Jan Evertsen Bout, to complain that Tonis Nijssen alone should not have the exclusive possession of a large valley. This complaint was included in a remonstrance of grievances which a group of New Netherland settlers sent to the States-General.[66]

On 17 December 1655, Teunis Nijsen bought a plantation in the village of Midwout [Flatbush] on Long Island from Evert Duijckingh for 660 guilders.[67] He paid by 1657.[68]

Church Membership

Teunis Nijssen and Femmetie Jans married in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam.[69] On 20 January 1647, Teunis Nijssen and his wife witnessed the baptism of Hendrick, son of Cozijn Gerritszen, in that church, alongside Sibert Claeszen and his wife, and Cornelis Corneliszen.[70] Cosijn Gerritsen was their neighbor.

On 12 September 1660, Teunis and Femmetje were confessed members of the Dutch Reformed Church of Breuckelen.[71] On 6 June 1661, he witnessed the baptism of Harmtie, daughter of Dirck Janssen and Marritien Teunis,[72] his granddaughter. Teunis Nijssen and Femmetje Jans quarreled with other members of that church. On 5 April 1662, Gerrit Crousen said that Femmetie had called him a tree-thief, accusing him of stealing fruit trees.[73] On 20 December 1662, Teunis Nijssen had Aeltje Joris brought before the consistory for abusive language.[74] Teunis Nijssen was nominated as deacon on 21 February 1663, but was not elected.[75]

Associations

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Some of Teunis Nijssen’s more frequent associates were John Sales, his father-in-law, from whom he inherited land; Jan Evertsen Bout, who witnessed the baptism of Teunis’s twin sons but also complained about his extensive land ownership; and Cosijn Gerritsen, a neighbor whose son’s baptism Teunis witnessed.

Literature

Blauvelt, Ralph. Four Hundred Years in America: Seventeenth Century Immigrant Ancestors. Blauvelt Productions, 2021. Pages 181–86 has a chapter about Theunis Nyssen and Femmetje Jans.

Epperson, Gwenn. “The True Identity of John Sales alias Jan Celes of Manhattan.” New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (NYGBR), 123 (April 1992): 65–73. Discusses daughter Phebe Sales and son-in-law Teunis Nijssen (“Theuns Nyssen”) in pp. 68–71.

Hatcher, Patricia Law. “The Family of Phillip (Sole) Sales of the Winthrop Fleet.” New England Historical and Genealogical Register 168 (January 2014): 43–57. Discusses Philip Sales’s daughter Phebe Sales/Femmetje Jans and her husband Theunis Nyssen.

Kemp, M.S.F. “Krommerijners in de Nieuwe Wereld: Een Onderzoek naar de Achtergrond en Onderlinge Verwantschap van Vroege Kolonisten in Nieuw Nederland (Voornamelijk Rensselaerswijck), Afkomstig uit het Utrechtse Krommerijngebied.” Nederlandsche Leeuw 109 (February 1992): cols. 405–33. Suggested Teunis Nijssen may have been the brother of Gijsbert, Jacob, and Cornelis Nijsz.

Macy, Harry, Jr, and Renee L. Dauven. “Origin of the Amerman and Terhune Families, and Their Founding Mother Geertje Dircks.” NYGBR 148 (April 2017): 85–110, (July 2017): 215–25, (October 2017): 294–303, 149 (January 2018): 64–76, (April 2018): 106–22. Footnote 50 (April 2017 issue, p. 95) disproves the claim that Geertje Dircks was a daughter of Teunis Nijssen and Femmetje Jans.

Miller, Phyllis J. “Jannetje Teunis Nyssen and Jannetje Teunis Coevert.” NYGBR 119 (January 1988): 6–8. This article proves that Teunis Nijssen’s daughter Jannetje was the wife of Titus Syrachs de Vries.

Seversmith, Herbert F. Colonial Families of Long Island, New York, and Connecticut. 5 vols. (Washington, D.C., 1939–64). Vol. 2:201–206, 2:1471–73 discusses Teunis Nijssen as father of Jannetje Teunis Nijssen, wife of Hans Bergen, which was disproven by Phillis J. Miller (see above). In vol. 2, he listed “Bunninck (or Bennekom) in the Sticht of Uijthuyzen, a village near Arnhem, the Netherlands” as place of origin, but in vol. 3 he corrected this to Bunnik in Utrecht.

Totten, John Reynolds. “Jan Cornelis Buys (alias Jan Damen) and his three wives Eybe Lubbertse, Phaebea Faelix (aias Phebe or Femmetje Jans), Willemtie Thyssen; Teunis Nyssen (or Denyse) and his wife Phaebea Faelix (alias Phebe or Femmetje Jans); Roelof Willemszen and his wife Willemtie Thyssen.” NYGBR 66 (July 1935): 225–37.

Van Schaick, John H., transl. “Utrecht Farmers in New Netherland: From M.S.F. Kemp’s ‘Krommerijners in de nieuwe wereld’.” NYGBR 127 (January 1996): 1–6, 127 (April 1996): 92–98. English excerpt of the article by Kemp (see above).

Source Editions

Brodhead, John Romeyn, ed. Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York: Procured in Holland, England, and France. Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons, 1856. Vol. 1, pages 338–46 has the answer of the West India Company to the Remonstrance from New Netherland, which mentions the extensive land owned by Teunis Nijssen in article 23.

Gehring, Charles T., and Janny Venema, eds. Council Minutes, 1656–1658. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 2018. Teunis Nijssen assessed (p. 240), and as alderman (p. 250, 424).

Gehring, Charles T., ed. Land Papers, Volumes GG, HH & II, 1630–1664. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1980. Patents mentioning Teunis Nijssen (pp. 52, 56, 58).

Sypher, Francis J., ed. Liber A of the Collegiate Churches of New York, Part 2: Baptisms 1639 to 1697, Members 1649 to 1701, Marriages 1639 to 1701. Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015. Theunis Nijssen as groom (p. 471), father (pp. 10, 22, 29, 39, 47, 73), baptismal witness (p. 33).

Van der Linde, A.P. G. Jos, ed. Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York: First Book of Records, 1660-1752. New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1983. Teunis Nijssen as member (p. 13), witness (pp. 19, 21), discussed by consistory (p. 41, 57), proposed as deacon (p. 59), baptismal witness (p. 109), late husband (p. 214).

Acknowledgments

The research for this sketch was partially commissioned from Yvette Hoitink by Lois Young and Roberta Estes, who have made the results available to the New Netherland Settlers project.

Citations

[1] Marriage intentions of Theunis Nijssen and Phaebea Saelix, 11 February 1640, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, marriage register, 1639–1701, p. 571; 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 462 of 1410; citing The Archives of the Reformed Church in America, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

[2] M.S.F. Kemp, “Krommerijners in de Nieuwe Wereld: Een Onderzoek naar de Achtergrond en Onderlinge Verwantschap van Vroege Kolonisten in Nieuw Nederland (Voornamelijk Rensselaerswijck), Afkomstig uit het Utrechtse Krommerijngebied,” Nederlandsche Leeuw 109, no. 1–2 (February 1992): cols. 405–33.

[3] Estate division of Marrichjen Marrichjen Dionijs, 9 January 1647, in H. Schaep, notary (Utrecht), private deeds, 1640–1681, record 41; imaged, “Personen,” Het Utrechts Archief (https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/collectie/609C5BC27A274642E0534701000A17FD); citing call no. 364, Record Group 34-4, “Notarissen in de stad Utrecht” [Notaries in the city of Utrecht], Het Utrechts Archief, Utrecht, Netherlands.

[4] Deposition concerning a fight between Dionijs Cornelisz and Cornelis Jansz Stoock, 19 January 1621, in Claes Verduijn, notary (Utrecht), protocol, 6 December 1619–21 June 1621, record 266; imaged, Het Utrechts Archief (https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/collectie/609C5BA4A8F54642E0534701000A17FD), image 299 of 390; citing call no. 71, Record Group 34-4: “Notarissen in de stad Utrecht” [Notaries in the City of Utrecht], Het Utrechts Archief, Utrecht.

[5] Marriage intentions Jacob Nijs Cornelis and Marichtjen Adriaen Jansz van Oostrum, 22 April 1620, in Utrecht, civil marriages, 1585–1656, folio 181v; imaged, “Personen,” Het Utrechts Archief (https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/collectie/1117A373C1371ED6E0534701000A4CBE); citing call no. 85, Record Group 711: Burgerlijke stand gemeente Utrecht en van de voormalige gemeente Zuilen: retroacta doop- trouw- en begraafregisters [Civil registration municipality Utrecht and former municipality Zuilen: preceding records baptismal marriage and burial registers], Het Utrechts Archief, Utrecht.

[6] Cornelis Nijssen and Marichgen Nijsz debt to Adam van Lockhorst, 11 May 1636, in Village Court of Bunnik and Vechten, protocol of records, 1636-1655; call number 456, Record group 64: Archief van de Dorpsgerechten [Records of the Village Courts], Regionaal Archief Zuid Utrecht, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Netherlands; scans supplied by Regionaal Archief Zuid Utrecht.

[7] Baptism of Jannetje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 22 December 1641, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 254; 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 154 of 1410; citing The Archives of the Reformed Church in America, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Baptism of Nijs and Jan, sons of Theunis Nijssen, 3 April 1650, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 289; image 191 of 1410.

[8] Buijs agreement with Teunisz children, 8 June 1667, in Court of Flatbush, Liber D, court minutes, vol. 1, 1664–1670, p. 101; imaged, NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com), identifier MSS0004_2_04_01_006_001, image 106; citing Brooklyn Old Town Records, New York City Municipal Archives, New York City, New York.

Baptism of Nijs and Jan, sons of Theunis Nijssen, 3 April 1650, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 289; image 191 of 1410.

[9] A total of 72 children were baptized in Bunnik between 1627 and 1640. Only 43 marriages took place in that period. “Personen,” index, Het Utrechts Archief (https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/onderzoek/resultaten/personen-mais).

[10] Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, The Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York: History, Customs, Record of Events, Constitution, Certain Genealogies, and Other Matters of Interest, vol. 1 (New York, 1905), 217.

[11] For other Utrecht families using the name Nijs/Dionijs, see for example D. Verhoef and W. Spies, “Drie Vleutense Schouten en hun Nageslacht,” Utrechtse Parentelen Vóór 1650, vol. 3 (Rotterdam, Netherlands: Hollandsche Vereniging voor Genealogie Ons Voorgeslacht, 2012), 126, and D. Verhoef, “Parenteel van Rijn: Harmelen, Odijk, Vleuten,” Utrechtse Parentelen Vóór 1650, vol. 4 (Rotterdam, Netherlands: Hollandsche Vereniging voor Genealogie Ons Voorgeslacht, 2014), 226–7. The name Nijs or Dionijs was in use in Harmelen, Utrecht in 1536, which predates Huguenot and Walloon migration to the northern Netherlands: Nico P. den Hollander, “Oudschildegeld omgeving Harmelen 1536/199/1686/1696,” Ons Voorgeslacht 68 (March 2013): 96–119.

[12] Bunnik did not have a Walloon or French church, like other cities with a Huguenot or Walloon population. W. Wijnaendts van Resandt, Repertorium DTB, rev. J.G.J. Van Booma, 2nd ed. (The Hague, Netherlands: Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, 1980), 33.

[13] Nijssen vs. Van Oldenburgh, 15 July 1638, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 4, 1638–1649, p. 13; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11410), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p013; citing series A1809, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[14] Conveyance by Augustijn Heermans to Rut Jacobsen, 11 May 1655, in New York City, conveyances, translations from Dutch, liber 1, 1654–1662, p. 19–20; imaged, “New York, Land Records, 1630–1975,” (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WG-KHV5) > New York > Conveyances 1654–1687 vol 13 > image 4 of 341; citing Register’s Office, New York City, New York.

[15] Reply to the remonstration delivered by the Committee of New Netherland, 27 January 1650, article 23, in States-General, records regarding the situation in New-Netherland, in particular the position of patroons and population, 1649–1650; call no. 12564.30A, Record Group 1.01.02: Archief van de Staten-Generaal [Records of the States-General], Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands; scans supplied by Nationaal Archief.

[16] Conveyance from Duijckingh to Nijsen, 17 December 1655, in Court of Burgomasters and schepens (New Amsterdam), vol. 1, Powers of attorney, acknowledgements, indentures of apprenticeship, inventories, deeds, conveyances, 1653–1658, fol. 68; imaged, “Digital Collections,” NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/), identifier identifier MSS0040_1_3_01; citing subseries 3: Legal documents, series 1: Original Dutch records of New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam Records, New York City Municipal Archives, New York City, New York.

[17] List of inhabitants of Breuckelen, Ferry, Walebocht, and Gouwanes, and amounts they were assessed, 7 February 1657, in New Netherland, Dutch Colonial council minutes, vol. 8, p. 464–65; series A1809-78, New York State Archives; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/56073), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V08_0464; citing series A1809, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[18] Petition by inhabitants of Breuckelen, 1 March 1663, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 10, 1661–1665, part 2, p. 37–38; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/55245), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V10_pt2_0037; citing series A1809, New York State Archives.

[19] Marriage intentions of Theunis Nijssen and Phaebea Saelix, 11 February 1640. Nijssen vs. Van Oldenburgh, 15 July 1638.

[20] Petition by inhabitants of Breuckelen, 1 March 1663.

[21] Petition by Femmetje Jansen, 7 June 1663, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 10, 1661–1665, p. 213; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/55310), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V10_pt2_0123; citing series A1809, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[22] Marriage intentions of Theunis Nijssen and Phaebea Saelix, 11 February 1640.

[23] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620–1633, vol. 3, P–W (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1661, John Sales.

[24] Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 3:1661, John Sales.

[25] See for example, Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, vol. 1, 1628–1641 (Boston, Massachusetts: William White, 1853), 198. Also, A. P. G. Jos van der Linde, ed. and transl., Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York: First Book of Records, 1660–1752 (Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1983), 214.

[26] Baptism of Jannetje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 22 December 1641, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 254.

[27] “Tijtus” paid the marriage dues: David William Voorhees, Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, vol. 2: Midwood Deacons’ Accounts, 1654–1709 (New York: Holland Society of New York, 2009), 28. For his full name, see David William Voorhees, ed., Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, 2 vols. (New York: Holland Society of New York, 1998), 1:342.

[28] Baptism of Marritje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 3 April 1644, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 261; image 161 of 1410.

[29] Voorhees, Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, 2: 28.

[30] Prenuptial agreement between Dirck Jans Woertman and Annitie Aukes, 4 April 1691, in Kings County, conveyances, copy book, vol. 1, p. 100; imaged, “New York, Land Records, 1630–1975,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WT-4KT7) > Kings > Conveyances 1679–1736 vol. 1–4 > image 77 of 666.

[31] Baptism of Annetje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 18 February 1646, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 266; image 166 of 1410.

[32] Voorhees, Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, 1:333.

[33] Baptism of Elsje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 10 May 1648, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 271; image 171 of 1410.

[34] John Reynolds Totten, “Jan Cornelis Buys (alias Jan Damen) and his three wives Eybe Lubbertse, Phaebea Faelix (aias Phebe or Femmetje Jans), Willemtie Thyssen; Teunis Nyssen (or Denyse) and his wife Phaebea Faelix (alias Phebe or Femmetje Jans); Roelof Willemszen and his wife Willemtie Thyssen,” NYGBR 66 (July 1935): 225–37 (p. 235).

[35] Baptism of Femmetje, daughter of Theunis Nijssen, 3 April 1650, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 276; image 177 of 1410.

[36] Totten, “Jan Cornelis Buys (alias Jan Damen) and his three wives,” 235.

[37] Buijs agreement with Teunisz children, 8 June 1667, in Court of Flatbush, Liber D, court minutes, vol. 1, 1664–1670, p. 101; imaged, NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com), identifier MSS0004_2_04_01_006_001, image 106; citing Brooklyn Old Town Records, New York City Municipal Archives, New York City, New York.

[38] Baptism of Nijs and Jan, sons of Theunis Nijssen, 3 April 1650.

[39] Voorhees, Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, 1:223.

[40] Baptism of Nijs and Jan, sons of Theunis Nijssen, 12 April 1654, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, p. 289; image 191 of 1410. The record does not state whether the children were twins.

[41] Teunis G. Bergen, Register in Alphabetical Order, of the Early Settlers of Kings County, Long Island, N.Y. (New York City, New York: S.W. Green’s Son, 1881), 94.

[42] Buijs agreement with Teunisz children, 8 June 1667.

[43] Voorhees, Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, 1:263.

[44] Bergen, Register in Alphabetical Order, 94.

[45] Van der Linde, ed., Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, xi.

[46] Van der Linde, ed., Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, 214.

[47] Buijs agreement with Teunisz children, 8 June 1667.

[48] Totten, “Jan Cornelis Buys (alias Jan Damen) and his three wives,” 235.

[49] Nyssen debt to Cornelis Dircksen Hoogland, 21 December 1643, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1647, document 93-a–d; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11068), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_093b; citing series A0270-78, New Netherland Provincial Secretary Register of the Provincial Secretary, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[50] Sale from Arenden to Nijssen sale, 1 December 1646, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1647, document 152g; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11270), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_152h; citing series A0270-78, New Netherland Provincial Secretary Register of the Provincial Secretary, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[51] Nijssen vs. Van Oldenburgh, 15 July 1638, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 4, 1638–1649, p. 13; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11410), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p013; citing series A1809, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[52] Nijssen vs. Colet, 12 November 1643, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 4, 1638–1649, p. 13; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11576), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p179.

[53] Nyssen debt to Cornelis Dircksen Hoogland, 21 December 1643, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1647, document 93-a-b-c-d; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11068), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_093b; citing series A0270-78, New Netherland Provincial Secretary Register of the Provincial Secretary, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[54] Nijssen vs Stickley, 18 October 1646, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 4, 1638–1649, p. 13; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11671), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p274.

[55] Nomination of magistrates of Breuckelen, 27 March 1657, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 8, 1656–1658, p. 483–84; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/56090 and https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/56091), identifiers NYSA_A1809-78_V08_0483b and NYSA_A1809-78_V08_0484a; citing series A1809, New York State Archives, Albany, New York. Appointment of magistrates of Breuckelen, 26 March 1658, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial council minutes, vol. 8, 1656–1658, p. 483–84; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/56363), identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V08_0790.

[56] Kenneth Scott and Kenn Stryker-Rodda, eds., Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1638–1642, trans. Arnold J. F Van Laer, vol. 1 (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1974), 98; citing p. 73.

[57] Arenden to Nijssen sale, 1 December 1646, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 2, 1642–1647, document 152g; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/11270), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_152h.

[58] Patent to Leendert Aerden, 22 September 1645, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630–1664, volume GG, p. 103 of modern penciled numbering; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/51200), identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0103; citing series A1880, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[59] Patent to Tonis Nijsen, 28 March 1647, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630–1664, volume GG, p. 203 of modern penciled numbering; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/51302), identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0203.

[60] Nijssen to Loockermans sale, 13 May 1649, in New Netherland, register of the secretary of the province, vol. 3, 1648–1660, document 35d; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/19061), identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V23_035d; citing series A0270-78, New Netherland Provincial Secretary Register of the Provincial Secretary, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[61] Conveyance by Teunis Nijsen to Cousin Gerritsen, 13 December 1656, in New York City, conveyances, translations from Dutch, liber 1: 1654–1662, p. 78–79; imaged, “New York, Land Records, 1630–1975,” (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WG-K4BC) > New York > Conveyanges 1654–1687 vol 13 > image 47 of 431; citing Register’s Office, New York County, New York.

[62] Patent to Cosijn Gerritsz, 13 March 1647, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630–1664, volume GG, p. 186 of modern penciled numbering; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/51284), identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0186.

[63] Conveyance by Teunis Nijsen to Cousin Gerritsen, 13 December 1656.

[64] Patent to Tonis Nijsen, 3 April 1647, in New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630–1664, volume GG, p. 208 of modern penciled numbering; imaged, “Digital Collections,” New York State Archives (https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/51308), identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0208; citing series A1880, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

[65] Conveyance by Augustijn Heermans to Rut Jacobsen, 11 May 1655, in New York City, conveyances, translations from Dutch, liber 1: 1654–1662, p. 19–20; imaged, “New York, Land Records, 1630–1975,” (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WG-KHV5) > New York > Conveyances 1654–1687 vol 13 > image 15 of 431; citing Register’s Office, New York City, New York.

[66] Reply to the remonstration delivered by the Committee of New Netherland, 27 January 1650, article 23.

[67] Conveyance from Duijckingh to Nijsen, 17 December 1655, in Burgomasters and Schepens (New Amsterdam), minutes, vol. 1: Powers of attorney, acknowledgements, indentures of apprenticeship, inventories, deeds, conveyances, 1653–1655, folio 68; imaged, “Digital Collections,” NYC Department of Records & Information Services (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/), identifier MSS0040_1_3_01, image 137 of 324; citing subseries 3: legal documents, series 1: Original Dutch records of New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam records, New York City Municipal Archives, New York City, New York.

[68] Nijssen quitclaim, 15 September 1656 and 3 February 1657, in Burgomasters and Schepens (New Amsterdam), minutes, vol. 1: Powers of attorney, acknowledgements, indentures of apprenticeship, inventories, deeds, conveyances, 1653–1655, folio 72v; image 146 of 324.

[69] Marriage intentions of Theunis Nijssen and Phaebea Saelix, 11 February 1640.

[70] Baptism of Hendrick, son of Couzijn Gerritszen, 20 January 1647, in Dutch Reformed Church (New Amsterdam), Liber A, baptismal register, 1639–1697, p. 268; image 168 of 1410.

[71] Consistory minutes, 12 September 1660, in Dutch Reformed Church (Brooklyn), Protocol book, 1660–1664 [illegible page number]; “U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639–1989,” database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6961) > New York > Brooklyn > First Church, Protocolle Book, 1660-1664 > image 7; citing The Archives of the Reformed Church in America.

[72] Baptism of Harmtie, daughter of Dirck Janssen and Marritien Teunis, 6 June 1660, in Dutch Reformed Church (Brooklyn), Protocol book, 1660–1664 [illegible page number]; image 89 of 162.

[73] Dutch Reformed Church (Brooklyn), Protocol book, 1660–1664, entry for 5 April 1662; image 22–24 of 162.

[74] Dutch Reformed Church (Brooklyn), Protocol book, 1660–1664, entry for 20 December 1662; image 31 of 162.

[75] Dutch Reformed Church (Brooklyn), Protocol book, 1660–1664, entry for 21 February 1663; image 32 of 162.

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