Amanda Amelia Vansant

GEDCOM Note

Garrett Stoeffelse, also known as Gerret Stoffelszen, was born in 1644, probably in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the son of Stoffel Harmenszen, born about 1618, probably in Kleverins near Jever, Germany, and Moeder Gerrits, Stoffel's first wife, whom he married in Amsterdam 28 June 1643. Moeder Gerrits, baptized in Amsterdam 2 November 1623 and buried there 17 July 1644, was the daughter of Gerrit Janszen and Vroutgen Pieters. Stoffel died in September 1655 in New Amsterdam. Garrett came to New Amsterdam in 1651, settling in the Brooklyn area. Garrett married Elizabeth Gerrittse and had eleven children. In the 1690s he and several of his sons began purchasing large amounts of land in Bucks County, PA. Since Garrett and his entire family moved to Bucks County about 1695, this group became known as the Bucks County line. Garrett and Elizabeth had two daughters, Tryntje and Jesinah, and one son, Josias, who died at young ages. Their other eight sons who grew to maturity and marriage have descendants living in almost every state of our nation. Garrett died prior to 20 June 1706. The eight sons: Stoeffel married Rachel Corsen and had numerous children. One, John, moved to New Jersey and became the ancestor of most of the Van Zandts now living in South Jersey. One, Joshua, settled in Maryland. Cornelius married twice and moved to Maryland. Harmon married twice and was the Van Zandt ancestor of most of the Van Zandts still living in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Albertus married twice and moved to Delaware. Johannes married and died in his early thirties. We have no record of his young children. Jacobus married Rebecca Vandegrift. They had numerous children. Joris (George) married, had numerous children and moved to Maryland. Garrett, the youngest, married and had several daughters; therefore the Van Zandt name did not continue in this line.