Anthony Van Bunschooten

Siblings: Solomon Vanbenschoten, Gerretje Vanbenschoten Wife: Grietie Wels Vanbenschoten (born Wells) Children: Cornelia Vanbenschoten, Jenneke Vanbenschoten, Jesyntje Vanbenschoten, Maria Vanbenschoten, Cornelius Vanbenschoten, Jacobus James Vanbenschoten, Elizabeth Vanbenschoten, Gerrit Vanbenschoten, Anthony Van Scoter Van Benschoten, Antje Vanbenschoten

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Mar 11 2016, 17:34:55 UTC

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Christening: 11 Sep 1709 Kingston, Ulster Co., New York

MARB: 25 Jan 1730

Note: Witnesses at his baptism were Elias Van Bunschoten and Sarah Jansz.

1535. II. ANTONY V.B. "Anthony van Buntschooten, j. m., and Margreit Wels, j. d., both parties born and reside. In Kingstown. Banns registered 25 Jan., married 14 Feb. 1730." Thus stands the record in the church books at Kingston. She was the dau. of John Wells and Cornelia de Duyster and was baptized in this same church Dec. 15, 1706.

Antony and Margaret had their first three children bp. At Kingston. The fourth, Jacobus, was baptized "in Menissing," but the entry thereof was made in the Kingston records along with twenty-two other baptisms performed by Domine Mancius of the Kingston church when on a visit to this frontier settlement on the Delaware before a church had been established there. Their six remaining children were all born and baptized in the Delaware valley, above the Water Gap; and there it must have been that Antony and Margaret ended their days, though as to when that was their is nothing to show. Frontier life leaves few records beyond a subdued wilderness:

"His echoing axe the settler swung." On Mar. 3 1754, "Antoni Van Benschoten" and "Margaret Wells" act as sponsors in the Walpack church, and on Aug. 6, 1768, "Antony Benschoten" without Margaret so acts there. Two further glimpses we get of Antony, and these in connection with church matters. On Apr. 13, 1764, is this entry found: "The Consistory of Napanoch assembled and opened with prayer. * * * In the Deacon's chest was found" a bond of this one a note of that one, among others "a note of Antony Bunschoten for ^2. 0s. 0d." Again on a quaint old subscription list recently found appears the name "Anthonay Bunscoten," one of twenty-four subscribers. It is in Dutch and runs: "We the under-written promise to pay the Consistory of Magagemack for the salary of the domine who ministers to us every time that he serves us; each subscribes with his hand to pay at the church the day the service takes place," This was in 1772, just after the Rev. Thomas Romaine had resigned, and was a provision for temporary supply. During the French and Indian war the situation in Minnisink Valley was frightful. The settlers had erected three forts or stockades in the upper, or Peenpack, neighborhood and three others in the lower neighborhood, or further down the valley towards the Water Gap. These in a general was afforded protection to some thirty families.

"The first incident that showed the people of this region how well-timed were these precautions occurred about the time of harvest in the year 1756. Three men in the lower neighborhood went out one morning to commence cutting in a grain field. As usual they took their guns along, not thinking, however, of seeing any Indians, as nothing had been heard of any in the vicinity. Arriving at the field they laid down their guns and began to work. While working along busily they got some distance from their arms and were suddenly startled by the dread war-hoop. A glance showed them their peril; a party of Indians had been lying in ambush and had seized their guns. They ran for their lives but the Indians' aim was unerring. They were all three killed and their scalped bodies found soon after. Again a ban of Indians attempted to capture the fort at Westfalls. They sent out scouts who found it occupied by two women only. As soon as this intelligence reached the main body they made instant preparation to seize it. But luckily, in the interval a party of soldiers en route from New Jersey to Esopus came along and stopped at the fort for refreshments. Not knowing this the Indians suddenly burst in the doors before the soldiers were fully seated. Surprised at the unexpected presence of the soldiers but nothing daunted they fired a volley at them and then fell upon them with their tomahawk. The soldiers retreated to the chamber at the fort; and recovering from the first panic, they opened such a deadly fire on the intruders that the savages were finally forced to withdraw. 'Twas a close contest and cost the lives of several soldiers as well as a goodly number of Indians.

Over against this stands the attack on the upper fort on the Neversink. It was well manned and bravely defended and seemed safe, but suddenly caught fire from a neighboring barn to which the savages had applied the torch. What with the flames and the Indians "not a single man of the garrison escaped."

Such and such-like were the happenings in that valley, and in that sparsely settled region life was ever in jeopardy from prowling savages while the war was on.

"The Minisink country which had suffered severely from the Indian hostilities during the French and Indian war was no less exposed during the war of the Revolution to the merciless sway of the tomahawk and scalping knife. The same savage foes lurked upon the frontier familiar with all the old war-paths from Niagara to the Delaware, and ever ready to renew their bloody work at the instigation of their British allies." Twice Brant with his savages and Tories raided the settlement and at his second coming he inflicted that terrible defeat, the battle of Minisink.

When I think of Anthony I see him at night-time: his rife in its rests above the cavernous fire-place, and he himself silhouetted against the fire-light and casting grotesque shadows about the low frontier room as he busies himself on the hearth moulding bullets, shaving axe-helves and making mending gear. Surely there came to him startling experiences in the French and Indian war, and doubtless he had intimate knowledge of the savagery of Brant's red-skins and Tories in the Revolutionary period and, old as he was, reached often for his rifle. " 'Gainst Brant himself I went battle forth: Accursed Brant!"

A list of Antony's children follows. The first child was probably born in 1731, but we have no record of he baptism inasmuch as the Kingston entries are missing from Apr., 1730, to Jan., 1732.

1537. I. Cornelia. 1538. II. Elizabeth, bp. May 7, 1732. K. 1539. III. Gerrit, bp. Oct. 6, 1734, K. no furthur trace of him

              is found in any record whatever. 1540. IV. Jacobus (James) bp. May 3, 1737. K. 

              The founder of the Benscoters. 1541. V. Antje, bp. May 29, 1739. Min. 1542. VI. Cornelius, bp. June 7, 1741. Min. 

               The founder of the Van Scotens. 1543. VII. Jenneke, bp. May 3, 1743. Min. 1544. VIII. Jesyntje, bp. Feb. 3, 1745. Min., No furthur trace. 1545.  IX. Antony bp. Oct. 12, 1746. Wal. 

                The founder of the Van Scoters. 1546.  X. Maria. bp. Feb. 26, 1749. 

Source: http://www.oocities.org/mralperry/van.html

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Source:

http://books.google.com/books?id=j6ZYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA421&lpg=PA421&dq...