The following letters and information were obtained from “Seven Generations of John Vanetten, from 1784 to 1968, with Beginnings of Vanetten Family in America” by Leslie J. VanEtten, June 1, 1968. The accounts seem quite credible, but the usage of modern terminology and language structure does raise serious questions. The letters do make for interesting reading and insight into this period of our family’s history.
On April 21, 1658, one hundred and eighteen years before the Declaration of Independence, the Dutch West India Company’s ship “Great Crow” lay anchored in the harbor close by Fort Amsterdam,. Its cargo of supplies and people were being unloaded into small boats and rowed to the rough wooden pier.
Peter Stuyvesant’s aide, Van Dyke, and a clerk were checking the list Of “Settlers” and others, as they passed thru the gate in the wall around the city. Information was being recorded of each new arrival. A tall, broad-shouldered blue-eyed young man with auburn hair, carrying a bag of his clothing and personal effects stepped before the clerk.
Name? Jacob Jansen.
Nickname? delange (the long)
Parents? Johannes Marinessen and Wilhelimina Hoannes.
Age? 26 years; Baptised October 22, 1634.
Status? Single, freeman.
Hometown? Etten, North Brahant, Holland.
Relatives in New Netherland? A distant cousin, Mrs. Annetjen Adriaens at Wiltwyek (Kingston).
Van Dyke held the large rough hand a few moments before he spoke; he was admiring the strong handsome young man with the slightly curly hair who was casting his lot with the new colony. Then Van Dyke spoke, “you will report to the council office in the City Hall. The colony has great need for farmers. We do not need more traders, carpenters nor peddlers, but- we need men like you — to farm the land — to marry — to raise families, to make this colony permanent. Lodging will be provided you for a few days and help will be given to transport you up the river to your relative, if you desire. We will need to speak of you as Jacob Jansen de lange because there are other men in the colony whose names are Jansen and also many who are known as Jacob.”
Jacob gave his thanks and moved on toward the City Hall. He slept so soundly that night that he did not hear many of the “rattle watch” guards going their rounds calling out the hour. He arose with the “crowing of the cock” as everyone else did. Work started officially at sunrise and ended at sunset. There were very few clocks in New Amsterdam in 1658. Jacob spent the day making new acquaintances, watching t-he Indians, visiting the trading post, and looking around the city. In the afternoon a messenger from the council told him the captain of the “great Crow” wished to see him at the City Hall. Jacob went immediately. The captain was looking for men to help load the ship with skins for furs for the return trip to Holland. Jacob was glad to work and earn a few guilders. Two days later Jacob wrote a letter to his parents.
New Amsterdam
April 25th, 1658
Dear Mother and Dad:
I have arrived safely and I am well. I do hope both of you are well and that you have not worried too much. I am writing today so that this letter can be carried back on the “Great Crow” which is the ship that brought me here. I think the captain plans to sail in two days if the weather is suitable. Yesterday, I helped in loading the ship. The cargo at present consists of 7,246 beaver skins, 178 half-otter skins, 675 otter skins, 48 mink skins, 36 wildcat skins, 34 muskrat skins. Also some oak and walnut logs. I understand that there might be a few more furs to load, if the Indians bring them down the river.
The trip across the ocean required eleven weeks. It was very unpleasant. The ship was full of settlers with much sickness. Vomiting, sea sickness, and other afflictions were common. Then of course, the shortage of food, hunger, thirst, frost, dampness, fear and misery added to the troubles of many. The lice were so thick on the sick people that they had to be scraped off their bodies. The sickness and the impatience caused people to become very irritable and angry, even with their own family — wife, husband, brother or sister.
Two women had childbirth on the voyage. Both babies and one of the mothers died. The bodies were thrown into the sea. Of course, this made the remaining mother, fathers, and relatives very depressed to think of the predatory fish eating the babies’ bodies.
Measles broke out and many people were infected. Three died and the sickness and smell was terrible. But the captain said that our voyage was a good one. He said that other ships and even other trips of his own ship, have had many more deaths and more diseases than we had.
I felt very glad that I had saved and waited to come to America until I had enough money to pay my fare, because as soon as the ship arrived at New Amsterdam, we (those who paid their fare) were allowed to get off the ship. All others had to remain on board until they were “purchased”. About half of all the “settlers” on our ship were thus “sold” to an employer. Some will have to work three years, some four years, and even five years to pay for their fare to America. They will be almost like slaves during this time.
The harbor here is one of the best in America. The islands and rolling hills covered with trees and grassy areas, the river, the bubbling springs, the sandy beaches, all combine to make this one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen.
This city is entirely surrounded by a heavy plank wall, six feet high. Peter Stuyvesant ordered it built two years ago as a defense against Indian raids. There are about two hundred houses here, the Fort (near the Harbor), one church, the City Hall (formerly City Tavern), one windmill, several taverns, five company storehouses, (near the harbor), about ten trading post stores, (all located near the wall), and many small business shops (most of them in the owner’s home).
Almost all the houses are low, one story with two rooms, and are constructed of rough wood (not logs). They cost from $400 to $1,000, but one can rent a house for $14 to $70 per year. A few houses are made of brick, there being a brick kiln nearby. The chimneys have been made of wood and clay, but because of recent fires, Peter Stuyvesant issued a ruling that all chimneys had to be constructed of brick, so there are many being rebuilt at this time. Many of the -front doors are ornamented with huge brass knockers which are polished every day. The doors are large, but the windows are small. Window glass is imported from Holland. The doors have an upper and a lower half so that the sunshine and air can be let in while keeping the lower door closed to keep out the pigs and chickens.
The houses seem comfortable, but are narrow with low ceilings and exposed beams. The walls are whitewashed. The bare floors scrubbed and sometimes fine sand is sprinkled over them. This is especially true of the kitchen floors. The furniture is plain and heavy made, mostly of oak.
The church, Peter Stuyvesant’s home, and the City Hall are the only two story buildings in the city. The church stands tall and proud, showing its slender spire above the bellfry and its leaded glass windows painted with family coat of arms. I am told it is the finest church building in America.
The first colonists brought their farm implements with them from Holland. Later they made their own here in America. The early tools seem crude and cumbersome in comparison with those developed later.
Peter Stuyvesant’s home is a plain two story house with a stone front, broken by a double set of stairs leading up tho the door. Behind his house is a magnificent garden where Flowers are laid out in formal pattern and vegetables are planted in neat rows. Many of the other homes have flower and vegetable gardens too.
The streets are crooked, muddy, rutty roads, overrun with livestock, especially hogs. These wallow and root in the filthy garbage, rubbish, and remains of dead animals which are thrown out. I only found one small short piece of street laid with cobblestones. It seemed more like a sidewalk.
As one walks about the city, it seems very strange. About three-fourths of the 1 200 people here are Dutch. But the other quarter is made up of English, French, Swedes, Portuguese, Finns, Negroes and others with each one speakinp his own language. When these different peoples, speaking different languages, plus a mixture of Indians meet in front of the company’s storehouses of the trading posts, the condition is very confusing. It seems like Babel.
The official storekeeper appointed by the Dutch West India Company posts a list of prices on the door. Here is the list as it appeared yesterday:
Fresh Meat 10 cents a pound Rye Bread 10 cents a pound
Pork 10 cents a pound Corn Bread 10 cents a pound
Butter 16 cents a pound A Hog $8.00
Tobacco 14 cents a pound 100 Cabbage $12.00
Herring Fish $3.60 per keg I Beaver Skin $2.40
Beer $4.00 per barrel A Horse $125.00
Dried Fish 24 cents a pound 14 ft. Canoe $28.00
A sailor is paid $8.00 a month, a church bell ringer get $20.00 a year, a Latin school teacher, $100 a year. Slaves sell for about $250 each.
The people obtain their water from springs. There is only one well in the city and it was dug this year. I saw many Dutch maidens washing clothes in a small stream a short distance north of town. The people are friendly and kind Co me, but I realize that being a Dutch citizen is a real help, because as I mentioned before, about three-forths of the people here are Dutch. I have heard the Peter Stuyvesant and the other members of the council are very stubborn and intolerant and they refuse to grant other nationalities the same privileges and treatment as are given to their countrymen.
Within a few days I will be taking a boat up the Hudson River to Wiltwyck (Kingston), where I hope to find our cousin. She has married Aert Pietersen Tack. After I arrive there and find work and a permanent place to live I will write you again. When you write to me you should add my nickname “delange” after my name or you may add Van Etten after my name to distinguish it from other Jacobs and other Jansens who are here.
Your son,
Jacob
We must assume that Jacob made the trip to Wilwyck and found work on the farm of his distant relative and her husband, Aert Tack. The following letter to his Mother and Father gives us more information.
Wiltwyck, New Netherlands
July 30, 1658
Dear Mother and Dad:
I have been working here more than three months. Aert and Annetji have a large farm. Of course, only a few acres are planted to a crop. The rest is mostly covered with trees and small meadows. The hogs and cattle run free except when they are in the barnyard which has a rail fence around it. They also have chickens, ducks and geese.
We have finished harvesting a two acre field of wheat. We cut it with a scythe and separated the grain by using the flail just as we did at home. We planted a small field of Indian corn and it is about waist high now. It will furnish good feed for the livestock In the winter as well as grain for cornmeal to be used in making cornbread. Of course, we have a truck patch with almost all the vegetables which you and Dad grew. Squashes, pumpkins and turnips seem to grow well here.
Much of my time is used in girdling and cutting trees. The logs are cut into short lengths to burn in the fireplace and all of the smaller limbs and brush are piled in a heap and burned. We must clear the land in order to plant crops.
My cousins and most of the neighbors are not happy with the the West India Company. They say that the company is much more interested in trading with the Indians than they are in helping the farmers to establish permanent homes. The company also refuses to allow farmers to trade with the Indians.
The Indians seem friendly for the present. However, some of our countrymen, especially the company officials have treated them badly in the past. On one occasion, before I arrived here, I understand that Dutch soldiers, under orders from the governor, murdered many helpless Indian men, women and children without just cause. At that time there was great trouble with them and many while people were slain. I hope we can live peaceably now. The colonial officials are trying to tax the Indians as they do the other people and the Indians do not understand this. They have never paid taxes to anyone. So, many refuse, others pay and sulk because they feel it is not just. There seem to be many causes for disagreements between the Indians and the officials.
My cousins have asked me to be a witness Co the baptism of their small baby next Sunday. I am happy to be asked.
Your son,
Jacob
Several years pass before we find another letter which Jacob Jansen wrote to his mother. We know there must have been other letters because Jacob mentions that that he has learned about his father passing away. During these years we know the colony has grown slowly. It continues to be a mixture of many nationalities, but the greatest number of colonists in New Netherlands are the Dutch. The letter tells of troubles with the Indians.
Wiltwyck, New Netherlands
June 10, 1663
Dear Mother:
I send my sympathy again because I know you are feeling alone and mourning the passing of Dad. But I guess it must have been a part of God’s plan which we as humans can never quite understand. I do have bad news from here. Two nights ago the Indians raided our village and burned both Wiltwyck (Kingston) and Nieuw Dorp (Hurley) They massacred many people. Our home was burned and Aert has disappeared We cannot find his body. He may have been carried away captive by the Indians. But we think it is more likely that he was killed and his body was in one of the burning buildings.
Some bones have been found that we cannot identify and there are many piles of ashes yet to be searched We are living in the Port now until homes can be rebuilt. Many men who escaped were wounded. The able-bodied men have been very busy taking care of the women and children who escaped and the livestock that were scattered into the woods. Searching for some of the missing will have to be continued later. I shall continue to work for our cousin and care for the farm and crops.
I have dropped the name de lange and I will use the name VanEtten as my family name here in New etherlands. This is natural since I am from Etten. I do wish you could be with me, but I know you have good friends who will help you there. Your home and conveniences are much better than we have here. It is a hard rough life and a dangerous one here in the new colony. So I pray that you are well.
Your son,
Jacob
Another year passes and in September of 1664. we have a short note written his mother. This by Jacob to was written after the English had captured New Netherland and renamed it New York.
Kingston, New York
September 20, 1664
Dear Mother:
You must have heard the news by this time. The English ships sailed into our harbor last month and demanded that the fort surrender to them. Governor Stuyvesant did not have enough guns nor soldiers to defend it. The men of New Amsterdam also begged the governor not to fight because many would have been killed and we would have lost the fort anyway. I understand that the King is giving this land to the Duke of York and it is to be called New York. Our village is to be called Kingston. We feel badly about belonging to the English instead of our mother country. But the English have promised to allow the Dutch people here to continue in much the same manner as before. Our men continue to hold all the local offices in the government of the village. While the church of England is now the authorized church, we do not tithe to support it. We attend our church as before. We speak our language in the churches, schools, businesses and homes. So in many ways we do not notice the change.
We have never seen Aert since the Indian massacre more than a year ago. I have had full charge of the farm here. I am also courting my cousin, Annatje, and I intend to ask her to marry me sometime soon. Probably I shall wait until after the crops are harvested. Winter is always a good time to be married. Of course, this is assuming that she is agreeable.
Your son,
Jacob
In the Baptismal and Marriage Registers of the Old Dutch Church of Kingston, New York, 1660 – 1809, transcribed, edited and published by Roswell Randall Hoese, New York 1891, we find the following interesting marriage record: “Jacob Jansen of Etten, in Brabant, and Annatje Arians, of Amsterdam, deserted wife of Aert Pietersen Tach, both residing here in Wiltwyck, (now Kingston). First Publication of Banns, 28 December, 1664; second, 4 January; third, 11 January, 1665″. They were married January 1665. Peter Stuyvesant was governor of New Amsterdam.
In the record of Annetje Arian’s baptism of her children by Jacob VanEtten, her name is variously spelled Ariaans, Adriaens, Adriaander, Ariaans, Adriaense Kam, and Gebrius, Gelvins.
When Jacob died, one record states that he left a widow, five sons and four daughters, but another record states that there were ten children:
Jan, 1666 Pieter, 1673 Emanuel, 1681
Sytie, 1668 Petronells, 1675 Tietie, 1684
Adriaen, 1670 Heittie, 1679 Jacobus, 1686
Gessje, 1688
Jacob was a petitioner for a minister to the church at Esopus, N.Y., in 1676. He took the oath of Allegiance to England in 1689. His youngest child was born in Hurley in 1688 where
Jacob is supposed to have been buried.