Rev. Johan Hendrick Goetschius

source: http://www.njgsbc.org/files/familyfiles/p528.htm#i21110

See Adrian Leiby’s book The Early Dutch and Swedish of New Jersey (1964) , page 79-80.

“Short of stature and short of temper, making enemies wherever he went, the young Swiss minister, who had started to preach as a circuit rider in the Pennsylvania wilderness at seventeen, brought the Hackensack Valley to the same religious concern the Frelinghuysen had preached on the Raritan. He was one of the principal founders, over violent opposition, of Queen’s College, now Rutgers University. His theological students were the men who became the leaders of Dutch patriot sentiment in New Jersey and New York when war came; his students were the men hunted down by the British as teachers of rebellion; his enemies were the men who became the willing supporters of Toryism among the Dutch. His spiritual influence, too, continued for decades after his death.”

Father Moritz Goetschi b. bt 26 Sep 1685 - 1686, d. bt 29 May 1734 - 1735 Mother Esther Werdtlin b. c 1689

John Hendrick Goetchius was buried at S. Presbyterian, Bergenfield, New Jersey. He was buried at True Reformed Church on Hudson St., Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ. He married (?) (?). John Hendrick Goetchius was born in 1714 at Switzerland. He was born between 1714 and 1718 at Liguria; (Also possible- of Canton, Zurerich, Switz.), Switzerland. He was born on 4 March 1713/14 at Switzerland. He was the son of Moritz Goetschi and Esther Werdtlin. John Hendrick Goetchius was born in 1718 at Canton of Zuerich (Also possible of Liguria, Switzerland), Switzerland. He was born on 8 May 1718 at Switzerland. He married Anna Maria Holman circa 1739; Handwritten note under 'other marriages' reads as follows;

buried abandoned ground of true ref. ???Hack???... stone erected by sons. John Hendrick Goetchius married Rachel Zabriske, daughter of Jan (John) Zaborowski and Margrietje Durie, on 26 August 1749 at or abt 1750, Probably Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. John Hendrick Goetchius married Rachel Zabriske, daughter of Jan (John) Zaborowski and Margrietje Durie, between 26 August 1749 and 1750 at Dutch Reformed Church, Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey. John Hendrick Goetchius died on 14 November 1772 at (1774) at age 58. He died on 14 November 1774 at Bergenfield, New Jersey, at age 60. He died on 14 November 1774 at Bergenfield, NJ, at age 60; Source 2 reports place of death as 'probably Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ'. He died on 14 November 1774 at Bergenfield, Bergen, NJ, at age 60.

John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Johannes Henricus Goetschis. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Rev. We are descended from John Hendrick (Henry) Goetchius. His granddaughter Hannah Goetchius married Edwin FitzRandolph. Family history has John Hendrick parents as Mauritus Goetchius and Esther Werndtlin. John Henry Goetchius was born in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland about 1714. The History of Hudson and Bergen Counties says he was born in Liguria Switzerland in 1718 and came to America with his father in 1728. He preached on Long Island until he came to Hackensack, NJ and preached there until 1748 when he took charge of the Church at Schraalenburgh where he preached until his death in 1774.

The history of the Zabriske family states Rachel Zabriske was married to Rev Johan Hendrick Goetchius, son of Maurice Goetchius and Esther Werndtlin, 26 Aug 1750 at Hackensack. It says he was the storm center of the Ref Churches from the day he landed in Philadelphia in 1735 until his death 14 Nov 1774. When he came to Philadelphia with his father, who died upon arrival, he became the boy-wonder preacher of the area covering about 20 churches, all without legal ordination.

In 1741 he became legally ordained by Dorsius, Frelinghuysen and the Presbyterian Tenant to test the requirement that all theological candidates must return to Holland for ordination. In his first parish in Jamica, Long Island, his ordination was challanged. Word from Holland was slow and a result the delay resulted in a breach between the conservative party and liberal coetus. In 1748, he was vindicated by Dutch officials, and he moved to Bergen County. Here in addition to serving his parishioners, he tutored young men for the ministry. Eventually his theological students became the nucleus of Queens College, now Rutgers University. He became one of its first trustees (Info from Ruth Heigard of New Paltz, NY). He married Anna Holman and Magdelena Christie. He was buried in the south Schraalenburgh Reformed Church with his first wife, Rachel Zabriske.

Children of Rachel Zabriske and Rev Johan Hendrick Goetchius are listed as Johannes, b July 1751, chr 21 July, married Ann Dedite; Rev Stephen b 25 Oct 1752, married Elizabeth DuBois; Abraham b 12 Sep 1754, married Jannetje Campbell and Rachel --; Jacob, b 12 July 1756; Peter, b 1 Apr 1758, married Catherine Eckhart; Joseph, b 5 Sep 1760, married Jannetje Blauvelt and Catherine Lutkins; Samuel, b. 18 Sep 1762, married Elizabeth, Martha Strachen and Susannah; Margaret b 7 Jan 1765 married Jonathan Dubois and Christian b 14 July 1769, married Aaltje Blauvelt.

Information about his relationship with Rutgers and Rev War may be found in United Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenburgh and America Revolution in the Hackensack Valley.

from the Goetchius Family in America Sinclair, NJ C8 71.G5953-1984 Second Generation: 1. Maria Barbara Goetchius, bap Bernack evan Lutheran Church 2-2-1715. M Frederick Rauschenberger, Worcester TWP, Lehigh, PA 3 Apr 1736; 2. Anna, born Bernack, Switzerland, bap 8-12-1716. M John Conrad, 11-1-1735. He born Zurich 11-30-1706. 3. John Hendrick Goetchius bap Bernack, Switzerland 3-4-1718. Died 11-14-1774 at Hackensack, Bergen CO, NJ. Married Anna Maria Hallman daughter of Anthony hallman; Married Rachel Zabriske 8-16-1750 in Hackensack. She was bab 8-7-1729, a daughter of John Zaborowski and Margaret Durie.also married Magdelena Christy. Family group sheet for Domine Johan Henricus Goetschius (b 1718, d 14 Nov 1774) lists the following for sources of information:

Church records: NJ H 6 page 68 Hackensack, Bergen, NJ S 12 Schraalenburgh, p 144, 149, 165, 154, 158, 27, 5, 8, 117, 305, 123, 130, 135, 139. Pa. Pub, B Vol. 11-105, NJ H-1, NY H-3, Records New Paltz Church, N.J. N 11 p.144. This information was submitted by: George O. Zabriskie 1547 Ala Wai Blvd Honolulu 15, Hawaii. Also Ref Church of Hackensack and Dutch Ref. Church rec. Oyster Bay, Long Island. He was Type: Source Zabriskie Gen. p. 9. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Domine. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Johan Henricus Goetschius. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Rev. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as John Henry Goetschius D.D. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as Rev. John Hendrick Goetchius was also known as John Henry Goetschi.

Family 1 (?) (?)

Family 2 Anna Maria Holman

Children Anna Maria Goetschius+ b. 27 Apr 1738, d. 3 Nov 1814 Solomie Goetschius+ b. 8 Jun 1740, d. 1824 Esther Goetschis+ b. 19 Jul 1745, d. 15 Sep 1813

Family 3 Rachel Zabriske b. 1728/29, d. 1771

Children Johannes Mauritius Goetchius+ b. 7 Jan 1750/51, d. 1828 Stephen Goetschius+ b. 25 Oct 1752, d. 16 Jan 1837 Abraham Goetchius b. 12 Sep 1754, d. 14 Mar 1829 Jacob Goetchius b. 12 Jul 1756 Peter Goetchius b. 1 Apr 1758 Joseph Goetchius b. 5 Sep 1760, d. 21 Mar 1822 Samuel Goetchius b. 18 Sep 1761, d. 1839 Margaret Goetchius b. 7 Jan 1765, d. 8 Feb 1844 Rachel Goetchius b. 2 Dec 1766 Christian Goetchius b. 14 Jun 1769, d. 22 Oct 1856

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GEDCOM Note

John Henry Goetschius at 17 assumed his fathers duties in America, upon his fathers death, He served many congregations in NJ, NY and PA. He was at the center of a large schism in the Dutch Reformed Church and his life is well documented. PA- Upper Hanover, Lehigh, Goshenhappen.

Name also listed as: Johan Hendrick Goetschius in family trees on Ancestry 2010 1st Spouse: Anna Maria HALLMAN 1717 - 1749 Children: Salome GOETCHIUS 1740 - 1824, Hendrick Johan Goetschius 1743 - 1815, Elizabeth Johan Goetschius, Anna Maria Johan Goetschius 1738 - 1814, Esther Johan Goetschius 1745 - 1813 2nd Spouse: Rachel Zabriskie 1729 - 1771 Children: Esther Johan Goetschius 1745 - 1813, Johannes Goetschius 1751 - 1821, Stephen Goetschius 1752 - 1837, Abraham Johan Goetschius 1754 - 1829, Jacob Johan Goetschius 1756 - 1831, Peter Johan Goetschius 1758 - 1829, Joseph Johan Goetschius 1760 - 1822, Samuel Goetschius 1762 - 1839, Margaret Johan Goetschius 1765 - 1844 Rachel Johan Goetschius 1766 - 1838, Christian Johan Goetschius 1769 - 1856

Rev John Henry Goetschius Birth: 1718 Zurich, Switzerland Death: Nov. 14, 1774 a.k.a Johannes Henricus Goetschius. Family links: Spouse: Rachel Zabriskie Goetschius (1729 - 1771)* Inscription: "Principal founder of Queens College (Now Rutgers)" Burial: South Schraalenburgh Church Cemetery Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey, Created by: Richard H. Record added: Jul 02, 2002 Find A Grave Memorial# 6570413

SAR Membership Applic Name Johannus Hendricus Goetschius Birth 8 Mar 1718 - St Gall, Swit Death 14 Nov 1774 - New Jersey Civil 30 Jul 1968

Family Data Collection Name Johan Goetcheus Father Moritz Goetschi Mother Ester Werndli Birth 8 March 1718 - Berntgg, St Gall, Switzerland

(middle name is not Frederick)

GEDCOM Note

The Goetschy Family and The Limping Messenger by Ruth William Heidgerd Huguenot Historical Society, New Paltz, New York Inc. 1968 pg 27-29

John Henry's letter to Deacon Werdmiller, the assistant at St. Peter's Church in Zurich, Tells a harrowing tale of the sea voyage and the landing, but ends with a young man's somewhat boastful optimism for the future:

To Rev. Mr. Werdmiller at Zurich, 7-21-1735 Very reverend, very learned Mr. Deacon: I, the most submissive servant of my highly revered very learned Mr Deacon, cannot forbear to report to your reverence how we are getting along. After we had left Holland surrendered ourselves to the wild tempestuous ocean, its waves its changeable winds, by God's great goodness towards us a fair wind, we reached England within 24 hours. After a lapse of two days we came to the Isle of Wight to a little town called Cowes where our captain supplied himself with provisions for the long ocean voyage we secured medicines against this wild sea. Then we sailed away from there under God's providence with a good east wind. When we had Left the harbor saw this dreadful sea, we had a favorable wind only for the following day the following night. Then we had to endure a terrible storm the awful roaring raging of the waves when we came into the Spanish Portuguese Ocean. For 12 weeks we were subjected to this misery had to suffer all kinds of severe dangerous storms terrors of death, which seemed to be even more bitter than death itself. In addition we were subjected to all kinds of evil diseases. The food was bad for we had to eat what they call galley bread. We had to drink stinking muddy water full of worms. We had an evil tyrant rascal for captain first mate, who regarded the sick as nothing more than dogs. If one said, "I have to cook something for a sick man," he replied, "Get away from here or I will throw you overboard. What do I care for your sick devil?" In short, misfortune is everywhere upon the sea. We fared no better. This has been the experience of all who have come to this land even if a king travelled across the sea it would not change.

After we had been in this distress long enough, God the Lord brought us out showed us the land which caused great joy among us. But three days passed, the wind being contrary, before we could enter the river. Finally, a good south wind came brought us in one day through the glorious beautiful Delaware, which is a little larger than the Rhine, but not by far as wild as the latter because this country has no mountains, to the long-expected desired city of Philadelphia.

When we reached here, our dearest father, because of the long and tedious journey the hardships so unbearable to old people, was very sick weak. On the last day when we were before Philadelphia, the elders of the reformed congregation came aboard to him showed their great joy over him. They spoke with him as their pastor who had been appointed to that position by the ruling persons in Holland, as shown by his testimonials which he had with him. They discussed one of other church affair with him showed their great joy. He spoke heartily with them as if he were well.

On the following day, they came took him ashore, but when he reached the land, he was so exhausted by his illness that he could not walk alone but was carried in a chair to the house assigned to him. When they arrived, they wished to talk with him about some subject or other. Of his own people none were with him but mother, the children were on the ship on the water. Then he said, "It is so dark before my eyes. Let me lie down sleep." As they did not want him to sleep in that room, since people were coming in continually he would have been unable to sleep, they carried him up to the bedroom. In the middle of the stairway he sat down, lifted his hands to his heart his eyes to heaven, heaved a sigh, died.

On the third day, a very distinguished funeral took place in the principal English Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia with a large attendance of people. All the members of the Consistory of the Reformed Church very many of the congregation were present.

Now we, his wife eight poor forsaken orphans are in a strange land among strange people who do not know us, poor without comfort. We therefore commend ourselves most submissively to all those in Zurich to whom our misfortune may become known whose hearts may be touched in order that they may graciously grant us their assistance. It can easily be sent into this country if they will only send it through Mr. Wilhelmius at Rotterdam, for which I ask most humbly for the sake of the merciful Jesus.

Very Reverend Mr. Deacon, when I showed my testimonials the people saw that I had been engaged in study, they almost compelled me to preside over the congregation as well as I could. hence through the goodness of God I preach twice every Sunday teach two catechetical lessons. For this I make use of the books which I brought with me and through good diligence I am enabled, thank "God to perform this service in such a way that each every person is well satisfied with me. Now the first Sunday I preach in Philadelphia both in the forenoon in the afternoon always give catechetical instruction: on the second Sunday, at Skippack which is a very large congregation, a sermon catechetical instruction in the forenoon; in the afternoon at Old Goshenhoppen, two hours from Skippack, a sermon catechetical instruction. It is also a pretty large congregation, as large as any in the canton of Zurich. On the third Sunday I preach at New Goshenhoppen in the forenoon have catechetical instruction there; in the afternoon at Great Swamp which is also one of the larger congregations. All this I can do through the strength given me by God's spirit to the great satisfaction of the people. I expect to be ordained next Christmas by the English Presbyterians in order that I may be able to minister the communion, unite people in marriage baptize the children. With the help of God, I intend to do this.

I would be able to do this all the better put forth greater efforts for the souls of abandoned confused people, if I had my library which is in charge of Mr. George Kromer. I therefore ask your reverence most humbly, if at all possible, send it to me very quickly, not only for my sake the larger number of poor orphans left by my sainted father, but also for the sake of the many thousands strayed and shepherdess sheep who go about in error in a destitute condition, yea for the sake of the many heathen who thereby might be led to the Lord Jesus, as has already been done.

Given on the 21st of July.

Henry Goetschius Philadelphia in Penna.

• ********************************************************************* Zabriskie Family - vol 1 pg 30

He was the storm center of the Ref Chs from the day he landed in Philadelphia in 1735 until his death 14 Nov 1774. His father had led a group of 400 emigrants from Switzerland had been delegated supervision of the Ref Chs in PA. He, however died upon arrival in Phila, his son became the boy-wonder preacher of the area, covering about 20 parishes - all without legal ordination.

In 1741 he was ordained by Dorsius, Frelinghuysen the Presbyterian Tenant, in an effort to test the requirement that all theological candidates must return to Holland for ordination. In his first regular parish at Jamaica, LI, the validity of his ordination was soon challenged charges counter-charges flew. Communications between New York the Classis of Amsterdam were slow the delay resulted in a full-scale breach in the Ch between the conservative Conferentie party the liberal Coetus.

In 1748 Goetschius was vindicated by the Dutch authorities moved to Bergen Co. Here in addition to serving his parishes, he began to tutor young men for the ministry. Again his tempestuous disposition led to determined opposition equally ardent approbation. Eventually his theological students formed the nucleus of Queens College (now Rutgers Univ) he became one of its first trustees.

He was bur in the South Schraalenburgh Ref Chyd with his first wife.

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A Manual of the Reformed Church In America (Formerly Ref. Prot. Dutch Church) 1628-1902 by Edward Tanjore Corwin, D.D. Board of Publication Of The Reformed Church In America, 25 East 22d Street, New York 1902

pg. 489 Studied at Zurich, and under Dorsius; assisting Dorsius, in Bucks Co., Pa., 1739-41; licensed by Dorsius, Frelinghuysen, and Tennant, 1741; Jamaica, Newtown, Success, and Oyster Bay, L.I., 1741-8, re-ordained by the Coetus 1748, Hackensack and Schraalenberg, N.J.

pg.490 They left Rotterdam, Feb. 24, 1735. They stopped on the coast of England, and had a stormy passage all the way over, and a brutal tyrant for a captain. They reached Philadelphia, May 29, 1735, and [Mauritz (Maurice)] Goetschi himself expired soon after landing. He left a wife and eight children, of whom John Henry was the oldest. He was then only seventeen. In their distress John Henry writes, on July 21, 1735, to Rev. Werdmiller, assistant at Zurich, giving an account of the voyage, and of his father's death, and asking for aid. He also states how he had begun to preach at this early age. When people found out that he was a student for the ministry, and he showed them the certificate of his studies, they were delighted and insisted on his preaching. He preached and catechized twice every Sunday, not only in Philadelphia, but in the outlaying districts. He received another certificate from Zurich, on May 28, 1736, stating that he had attended college there, and they had hopes of his becoming a good minister when he got through his schooling. He now sought ordination at the hands of the Presbyterian Synod in Philadelphia, but that Synod, May 27, 1937, while satisfied with his testimonials, as far as they went, delayed ordaining him, and advised him to continue his studies.

Nevertheless, he continued preaching, and performed other ministerial duties. He officiated in a dozen different congregations, although he himself only partook of the Lord's Supper of the first time, at the hands of Rieger, at Germantown, in November, 1736 (if Boehm's statement is correct). Goetschi, therefore, exhibited a spirit of independence, to say the least, not altogether justifiable. The South Holland Synod proposed in 1738 that Goetschius should be ordained, either by the Presbyterian Synod or by some of the neighboring ministers, or by ministers sent there for that purpose. But, about 1739, Goetschi stopped preaching, and went to Bucks County to finish his theological studies under Dorsius. The Synod of South Holland of 1740 refers to this event, saying that after having performed all the work of a regularly qualified minister, he stopped short to finish his studies. In October, 1740, before his ordination, Goetschius visited Long Island, where the churches of Newtown, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay gave him a call, whither he went the following year.

On April 7, 1741, Dorsius, Tennant, and Frelinghuysen ordained him. Goetschi asked Boehm's forgiveness for all that he had done against him. The Classis of Amsterdam censured Dorsius for ordaining Goetschius.

Goetschius was installed by Freeman, with the consent of Antonides, over the churches in Queens County, L. I. But from the first there were some who questioned the validity of his ordination, and his colleague, Antonides, took part with them. The pressure brought to bear upon him caused him sometimes to lose his temper, for which the Classis rebuked him. His opponents also trumped up charges of immorality against him, which produced great confusion for several years, but the Classis ultimately declared that these had not been proven. The whole business, the validity of his ordination and the charges, was committed to the ministers of N.Y.C. and L.I., and articles of agreement were at length adopted. For the sake of peace Mr. Goetschius consented, in 1748, when the Coetus was formed by classical authority, to take the place of a candidate, though he had been seven years in the ministry, and to submit to a new examination and ordination! During the contest much unchristian spirit had been exhibited. The church was sometimes, locked against him, when he preached in barns, or crowded houses, or under trees, or on the doorsteps of the church. On one occasion, when in the church, the chorister, who sat below the pulpit and in those days gave out the hymns, in order to prevent his preaching, gave out the whole of the 119th Psalm, which would have taken all day to sing. But Mr. Goetschius had the courage to stop the proceedings. The neighboring ministers also (Boel, etc.), who were opposed to his ordination, rebaptized the children whom he had baptized. Yet God accepted his ministry, giving him while on Long Island, and before his reordination, as well as frequently after, great revivals. His occasional services at New Paltz were also greatly blessed.

When he removed to Hackensack new difficulties awaited him. He was called as the colleague of Mr. Curtenius. The latter, while favorable to the Coetus, seems to have been among the more conservative members, and ultimately opposed the proposition for a Classis. The two colleagues, therefore, represented the conservative and progressive elements. Indeed, the anti-Coetus party on Long Island soon called Curtenius there after they had driven Goetschius away.

Mr. Goetschius and his friends, embracing all the elders and deacons at Hackensack, procured a charter from the Governor to assess the expenses of the church on the pews. Domine Goetschius had not received his full salary when he left Long Island. This, with the ecclesiastical questions about ordination, full split the church, and was the foundation of those unhappy differences cherished by the parties which led, in connection with other causes, seventy years later, to the secession, and the organization of the "True Reformed Dutch Church," as they styled themselves. Mr. Goetschius was blessed again in New Jersey by a precious revival of religion. He was a learned, pious, and godly man, and a faithful and successful preacher of the Gospel. He instructed several young men for the ministry, such as Dirck Romeyn, Thos. Romeyn, Sol. Froeligh, John Leydt, Verbeck, Benj. Du Bois, the younger Frelinghuysens, and Martinus and Henricus Schoonmaker. He was also one of the first trustees of Queens College. His ministry was exactly contemporary with the great dispute concerning Hollandish or American ordination. When he first settled on Long Island he gave great offense by preaching on the text, "The Unknown God," reflecting on the personal piety of many of the people. They in turn started slanderous charges against him, which could not be sustained, and then started those questions about the validity of his ordination. He was a man of deep feeling and strong passions, it being said that once, when resistance was apprehended to his entering the church at Hackensack, he buckled on his sword, and thus accoutred entered the pulpit. It must be remembered, however, that it was not unusual for even a minister to wear a sword, sometimes carrying it to church and laying it behind him in the pulpit during service.

He was blow the middle size, of a vigorous constitution; abrupt in speech, but his language was clear and expressive. He was a man of profound, erudition, a thorough Calvinist, and an accomplished theologian,-"Amst. Cor." Many letters, especially between 1743-50. "Taylor's Annals of Cl. of Bergen." "Strong's Flatbush." "Sprague's Annals."

Publication: "de Orbekende God; or The Unknown God" (Acts 17:23). A Sermon preached on July 23, 1742, at

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, and on August 22, 1742, at Newtown. 18mo, pp. 5. 1743. (This sermon in English, but apparently much abbreviated, in the "Banner of Truth," vol. ii, parts 6,7.) See also "Rev. Dr. Jas. L. Good's Hist. Reformed (Ger.) Church," pages 173-190, for the earlier facts in the life of Goetschius. _________________________ Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Hendryk Goetschy ?? Name: Hendryk Goetschy Year: 1735 Age: 17 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1718 Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Source Publication Code: 3000 Primary Immigrant: Goetschy, Hendryk Annotation: Date and port of arrival. Retraces the Goetschy Family, using a pamphlet from Swiss archives, Der Hinckende Bott [sic] (The Limping Messenger), 1735, by Ludwig Weber. Source Bibliography: HEIDGERD, RUTH, and WILLIAM HEIDGERD. The Goetschy Family and the "Limping Messenger." New Paltz, NY: Huguenot Historical Society, 1968, pp. 20-27. Page: 23

??Millennium File about Johan Henricus (Rev.) Goetcheus Name: Johan Henricus (Rev.) Goetcheus Birth Date: 8 Mar 1718 Birth City: Berntgg Birth County: St. Gall Birth Country: Switzerland Death Date: 14 Nov 1774 Death City: Hackensack Death State: New Jersey Death Country: USA Parents: Moritz (Rev.) Goetschi, Ester Werndli

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BIOGRAPHY: From "Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography" edited by James Grant Wilson and John Fiske. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889, and Stanley L. Kloss, 1999 Esoteric.com. This was the "most quoted" biographical source for 19th and early 20th century America. (Available online at htt p://www.famousamericans.net/johanneshenricusgoetschius/): Johannes Henricus Goetschius - GOETSCHIUS, Johannes Henricus, clergyman, born in Liguria, Switzerland, in 1718; died in Hackensack, New Jersey, about 1800. He studied at the University of Zurich, and emigrated to the United States, probably in 1728. He studied divinity, and in 1737 applied for ordination to the presbytery of Philadelphia, but was refused, and he was ordained by his instructor. At the end of ten years'work in the ministry the question of his ordination again arose; it was submitted to the New York and Long Island conferences, and Mr. Goetschius was reordained. During the contest Churches were closed against him, and some of his parishioners had their children rebaptized. In 1749 he removed to Hackensack, New Jersey, dsagreed with his colleague on ecclesiastical questions, and so hot was the discussion as to his ordination that one Sunday, apprehending a resistance to his preaching, he buckled on a sword and entered the pulpit, prepared to use the weapon if forcibly ejected. Mr.Goetschius was an instructor in divinity and a trustee in Queens (now Rutgers) College, and although of violent passions was learned and devout."

BIOGRAPHY: From "History of new Paltz, New York and its Old Families form 1678 to 1820; Ralph Lefevre: Heritage Books, 2003; pp. 143-144: From 1742 to 1753 the church at New Paltz, NY had no regular minister. In 1749, "Rev. J. Henry Goetschius appears as baptizing infants and in 1751 he performed six marriages. He was settled over the churches at Schraalenbergh and Hackensack [NJ], occasionally coming to New Paltz, receiving members in Communion and baptizing infants."

BIOGRAPHY: From "New Jersey Marriages, Colonial Era, 1665-1800" "The Reformed Dutch Church at Schraalenburgh, in Bergen County, was organized in 1724. Until 1731 it was under the same pastorate as the Hackensack Church. It united with Paramus in calling the Rev. Georgius Wilhelmus Mancius, December 23, 1730. On August 13, 1748, Schraalenburgh was reunited with Hackensack in calling the Rev. John Henricus Goetschius, as colleague with the Rev. Antonius Curtenius, who had been in the latter church since 1730. In August, 1755, owing to a serious dissension in the denomination between the Coetus and the Conferentie parties, the two congregations split, part adhering to Dominie Goetschius, while another party called the Rev. Johannes Schuyler, whose formal call is dated May 17, 1756. He resigned in 1759, and for nine years Dom. Goetschius was the only regular minister in the two villages. The Rev. Cornelius Blauw ministered to the other party, 1768-1771, and the Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, from 1771 until his death, Sept. 10, 1797. Dom. Goetschius died about November 14, 1774. The Rev. Theodorick Romeyn succeeded Dom. Goetschius, 1774-1784, and was followed by the Rev. Solomon Froeligh, 1786-1826. The Rev. Mr. Kuypers was succeeded by the Rev. James V. C. Romeyn, 1799-1833. Because of the complicated relations of the Hackensack and Schraalenburgh congregations, the records of each supplement the other****************

• **************** Seminal work on him and on his life is as follows:

Hinke, Wiliam John, Rev. (Ph.D., D.D., Professor of Semitic Languatges and Religions in Auburn Theolocial Seminary, Auburn, N.Y.) Pennsylvania: The German Influence In It's Settlement and Development. A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Church: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1729-1818), Part XXIX of a Narrative and Critical History Prepared at the Request of the Pennsylvania-German Soceity

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His naturalization, from Ancestry.com: Naturalizations in America and the West Indies Search Terms: GOETSCHIUS (3), HENRICUS (4) Results ( 1 combined matches) Naturalizations of Foreign Protestants in the American and West Indian Colonies. (Certified by the same.)

Names of Petroan Natisralised.: JOHN MAURITZIUSGOETSCHIUS, Their Religions Profession.: Dutch Ref. Their Temporal Profemion and Place of Abodo.: Of the same place (as his brother, who was, Chirurgeon. Ministers Certifying Receilving the Sacrament.: Jno Henricus Goetschius. The Names of the Witnesses to the Certificates.: Abrahm Lott, Barent Vandewater. The Month and Years: Jan. 19th, 1748.

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For more information, go the following internet address: http://pages.prodigy.com/worts.reed/gvcustom.htm or consult the following sources:

Harbaugh, "Fathers of the Reformed Church," Vol. I, pp. 292-296 Good, "History of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1725-1792", pp. 171-189; Dotterer, "Goetschy's Colony," in "Historical Notes," pp. 171-173, 179-186; Dubbs, "Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, pp. 104-110. Corwin, "Manual of the Reformed Church," 4th Ed., pp. 489-492; "Life and Letters of Boehm," Vol. XVII, pp. 113-117.

The Goetschi family arrived in Philadelphi, Pennsylvania on May 29, 1735, with the ship Mercury, forming a colony from Switzerland, and one of the few colonies whose history can be told with some detail. The Goetchi family travelled on the ship Mercury, with William Wilson, master, sailed from Rotterdam and landed in Philadelphia with 186 passengers.

In the "Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey," by Cornelius Burnham Harvey, ed. (published by the NewJersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 114 Fifth Avenue, New York and reposited in the Library of Congress), the following is written about "The Goetschius Family" on page 166:

"The Goetschius Family is also a numerous family in the western part of Bergen County. They are all descended from John Henry Goetschy, who was born in the Canton of Zurich, in Switzerland, about 1695, where he studied for the ministry in the University of Switzerland. He came to America about 1728, and first preached at Skippach and in the valleys of the Delaware and Susquehanna in Pennsylvania. His son, John Henry Goetschius, born at Liguria, Switzerland, in 1718, studied in the University of Zurich and came to America with his father in 1728. He was licensed to preach in 1738, and preached on Long Island until 1740, when he came to Hackensack, N.J. There he preached until 1748, when he took charge of the church at Schraalenburgh, which he kept until his death in 1774. He was an able, eloquent, and effective preacher. His son, Stephen, also a minister, preached at Saddle River and Pascack from 1814 to 1837. His father, John H. Goetschius, married August 26, 1749, Rachel Zabriskie. Both John Henry and his son stephen reared large families, who scatered rapidly over Bergen County.

Following is the letter he wrote: He became a boy preacher at the age of 17 upon the death of his father incident to his arrival in America. He preached at the Philadelphia Reformed Church (Presbyterian) on the first Sunday of each month. On the second Sunday, he preached at Skippack (where there was a very large congregation) in the morning, then had catechization, and in the afternoon, he had service and catechization at Old Gosherhoppen. On the third Sunday, he preached at New Goshenhoppen and had catechization in the morning. In the afternoon, he preached and catechized at Great Swamp, where there was a large congregation. He recieved his certificate from Zurich, May 28, 1736, that he had attended the college there for one year, and they ahd hopes of his becoming a good minister when he had to leave school. He said he was minded to have the Presbyterians ordain him the coming Christmas, so that he could perform all the ministerial acts as well as preaching. (from Heidgerd, vol. 1).

"The minutes of the Presbyterian Synod, under date of May 27, 1737, have the following notice:

"A letter was brought in from Mr. Henricuse Goetschius to Mr. Andrews, signifying his desire and the desire of many people of the German nation (in America) that he might be ordained by order of the synod to the work of the ministry, upon which the said Mr. Goetschius was desired to appear before the synod that they might see his credentials and have some intercourse with him: which, being done, he produced testimonials from Germany, which were ample and satiscactory to the synod respecting his leadning and good Christian conversation, whereupon he was recommended to the care of the presbytery of Philadelphia, to act upon further trials of him with respect to his ordination as to them should seem fit."

When the matter came up before the presbytery, it refused to ordain him, because of his lack of theological knowledge. They advised him to continue his studies. He was, therefore, not ordained by them, but nevertheless he kept on preaching without ordination, and perofrmed other ministerial duties. On the title page of the church book of Goshenhoppen he says he ministered to the congregations at Skippack, Old and New Goshenhoppen, Great Swamp, Egypt, Maxatawny, Moselem, Oley, Berne, and Tulpenhocken. Boehm says he also preached at Cacusi. Prof. Wilia J. Hinke, who carefully examined church records, says: "The church record at Egypt has always een supposed to have been opened by Goetschi in 1733, but on closer examination, the date turns out to be 1739. Dr. Weiser says that he opened the church record of New Gosherhoppen in 1731, but the title page written by Goetschi has no date, and the first baptism was evidently not written by him because it is clearly written by a different hand, perhaps by Miller. The only records made by Goetschi there are between 1736 and 1739." This obviates the necessity of a supposition that there were two Goetschis.** Goetschi was quite active among his widespread congregations. He opened the church book at Great Swamp, April 24, 1736. Boehm complains of his intrusion into his work at Oley, and speaks of him being there, January 14, 1738. Boehm sas that he received the Lord's Supper for the first time in America from Rieger at Germantown, and began preaching immediately afterward. This is shown by the certificate of Goetschius which he received from the Germantown congregation in 1744, as folows:

"Grace and blessing to the reader." "John Henry Goetschius is a member of our Reformed congregation at Germantown. Having made a profession of his faith, November 1736, and having led a consisten life, he has hereby proven himself worthy of participating with us in the Lord's Supper, having evinced this satisfactorily to Rev. Bartholomew Rieger, whom he called at that time to preside a tthe table of the Lord for our congregation, so that we admitted him to particiaption of the Holy Supper with us, which as elders and presiding officers of this congregation, we now attest, and in the absence of our former minister have endorsed with our own hand."

John Bechtel Engelbert Sack John Rush Paul Geissel "Done in Germantown, February 19, 1744"

NOTE: That there were not two Goetschis is shown by the following:

1. The Zurich records know only one John Henry Goetschi. 2. Boehm in all his correspondence speaks of only one, and his descriptions tally with this one, namely that he was a young man and preadched without ordination.

3. John Henry Goetschi himself never mentions any other Goetschi. This he would certainly have done in his litter to Switzerland, when after the sudden death of his father he askes for help. There would have been no need of his appealing to Switzerland, if he had had a near relative here in Pennsylvania.

""Note: Possibly the idea of two Goetschis developed much later when John Jenry Goetschi's brother John Maurice Goestschius took up the ministry.

There was considerable controversy about whether John Henry Goetschius should be ordained, or not. He continued preaching intul about 1739, when he seems to have given up the work. The South Holland synod of 1740 says that after having performed all the work of a qualified minister, he had stopped and hone to Bucks County, to finish his studies. He there lived hald a mile from Dorsius. He studied under Forsius, Tennent and Frelinghuysen, the Dutch pastors on the Raritan, ordained him April 1741. (Boehm says April 7, 1740, that Goetschi, February 21, 1740, asked Boehm's forgiveness for all he had done against him, and promised he would live according to church order, but on April 20 we find him trying to give the communion to one of Boehm's congregations at Tulpehocken.)

"The South Holland synod, 1738, proposed that he be ordained, and asked whether this could be done by the Presbyterian synod or some neighboring ministers, or those sent there for that purpose. Goetschi continued preaching till about 1739, when he seems to have given up the work. The South Holland synod of 1740 says that after having performed all the wrk of a qualified minister, he had stopped and gone to Bucks County to finish his studies. He there lived half a mile from DOrsius. He studied under Dorsius, Tennent, and Frelinghuysen, the Dutch pastors on the Raritan, ordained him April 1741. (Boehm says April 7, 1740, that Goetschi, February 21, 1740, asked Boehm's forgiveness for all he had done against him, and promised he would live according to church order, but on April 20 qw find him trying to give the communion to one of Boehm;s congreations at Tulpehocken.,) For this act of Dorsius in ordaining Goetschi, the classis of Amsterdam was very angry, as he had no authority from them to do it, and he was censured. It later proved to be an unfortunate thing. Goetschi even before his ordination, left Pennsylvania and went

For this act of Dorsius in ordaining Goetschi, the classis of Amsterdam was very angry, as he had no authority from them to do it, and he was censured. It later proved to be an unfortunate thing. Goetschi, even before his ordination, left Pennsylvania and went, October 1740, to Long Island, where the congregations of Newtown, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oysterbay had given him a call. Into his later difficulties there we have not time to enter, as he passes thus out from the German Reformed in to the Dutch Reformed Church. Some of his own members refused to recognize him as properly ordained. The coetus of New York, which he joined by going to Long Island, recommemded him to the classis of Amsterdam, but they refused to recognize him as a minister, claiming his ordination was irregular. Many of his congregation kept on refusing to recognize him. Negotiations dragged along for eight years, and finally he consented in 1748 for the sake of peace to be examined and ordained, although he had been in the ministery since his ordination for seven years, and since he began it irrefularly, thirteen years. He afterwards became pastor at Hackensack, N.J. in 1748, where Mulenberg met him, and Goetschi gave him much information concerning God's kingdom. He was a man of considerable erudition, a thorough Calvinist, the editor of several books, and one of the first trustees of Queens College.

Along the way, Johannes Henricus Goetchius served as an interim minister in the Reformed Church of New Paltz, as one of its first Dutch speaking ministers (it was originally in French). Of his tenure, Sylvester, in his "History of Ulster County, New York," (Part II, page 16) writes:

"Especially would we notice Johannes Henricus Goetschius, a native of Switzerland, who was called to exercise his ministry during the troublous times in the churches. He was a man of much force. "He was below the middle size, of a vigorous constitution, abrupt in speech, but his language was clear and expressive. He was a man of much erudition, a thorough Calvinist, and an accomplished theologian."

• ************************* Sylvester, Part II, page 164: April 1773--"A motion being then made by several persons to Remove the place of election ofr the Shuseing of officers for this precinct the Ensueing Year, to the house of Henry Goetschius. The Clerk began to take the votes, and after he had Entered Down Nineteen Votes for Removing the place of Election and two votes against it, a great Distrubance and Condusion Arising, The Tabies was taken away from the Clerk and Night omeing on and Many of the people being intoxicated, with Liquor, They were not able to proceed any farther.

Entered from the proceedins of the Election, p. me. J. Bruyn, Clerk"

• ******************************** "The first pastor of the church was Rev. Johannes Mauritius Goeetschius, a brother of the Goetschius just alluded to. He came to America as a physician, but was persuaded by his brother to prepare for the ministry. His first settlement was in Schoharie County, where he practiced medicine and preached over a wide extent of country. He had charge of the New Paltz congregation, with that of Shawangunk, from 1760-1771, when he died. He was the only pastor of this church and died in its service.

"He was followed by Rev. Stephen Goetschius, son of Rev. J. H. (Johann Hendrich) Goetchius and nephew of his predecessor. He preached to the congregations of New Paltz and New Hurley; these churches being associated for more than fifty years. Mr Goetschius began his ministry here in 1775. He left the charge in 1796 and settled in Bergen.

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jul 11 2020, 15:42:10 UTC