• about - Jacob Borsboom & Grietje

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Grietje is considered to be the daughter of Mohawk indian parents. This supposition is based on a record where her daughter Anna is termed a 'relative of the indians'. This is referenced in 'Schenectady County New York: its History to the Close of the Nineteenth Century', Austin A. Yates, 1902, pages 6, 22-24. -------------------- The name of his wife is found only in the court record of a fracas in 1681 when she and her son tried to smuggle some beaver pelts into Albany. [Ref.. Minutes of the Court of Albany, Rensselaerswyck and Schenectady 1680-1685, Volume III, (Albany, 1932), page 169-170]

Richard Petty, sheriff, ... states and complains that the defendants (Grietie Borsbooms and her son) committed great violence against him on the 11th of July last when, on their arrival from Schinnechtady with some beavers or peltries under their clothing, they refused to let him make a search and on the contrary resisted the plaintiff, grabbing him by the throat and collar and calling him a rascal, etc. ... The defendant says that the plaintiff needlessly attacked her and tore her skirt and apron and that she defended herself against his impudent attack. The court, after hearing further testimony, found the pair guilty, fined them and warned them to "guard themselves hereafter against resisting an officer."

Since their daughter Anna, in an extraordinary deed of gift from the Mohawk Indians, was termed a relative of the Indians this would imply that Grietje was a Mohawk woman of some means, and that the deed of gift might very well have been in recognition of the matrilineal rights to certain lands which descended to Anna.

Marriages between Dutch men and Indian women were considered reputable and of no disgrace to either party.

Discrepancies :

Brenneman: It is (not sourced) believed Grietje may have been a Mohawk since Indian lands were left to her husband because according to the deed she was related in some way to an Indian named Dirck.

C.S. Van Wormer: gives name Gisje B. Van Rottmers and 1st marriage to father of Albert Bradt ( I doubt this report unless Albert a later generation)