Hendrik Vosberg Vosberg

Evert’s son is not given a name in the records I have seen so the name Hendrick Vosberg may be an invention.

In the book “Documents relative to the history and settlement of the towns along the Mohawk” by B. Fernow, Vol. XIII and on page 143, there is a letter written by Derck Smit(h), Ensign, describing a try to ransom the boy of Evert Pels. It mentions that “the boy has a wife there and the wife is with child, who will not let him go and he will not leave her” It was written Feb. 24, 1660 at Esopus. He was taken captive Sept. 21, 1659. The announcement of the try at ransom would be five months later.

The story of the Esopus chief’s daughter saving the life of Hendrick(?) Pels is virtually identical with Pocahontas saving the life of Captain John Smith.

GEDCOM Note

1. Hendrick Vosberg Pels Evert’s son Hendrick Evertsz Pels, born about 1643-44 probably in Greenbush, Nineteen or twenty years later, on the morning of June 7, 1663, a number of Esopus Indians entered Wildwyck [now Kingston] to sell their produce, corn and beans to the settlers, between 11 and 12 in the forenoon, some people on horseback, rushed thru the Mill gate, from the New Village, crying out “the Indians have destroyed the New Village.” Upon hearing this, the Indians fired a shot and attacked the settlers at each house with axes, tomahawks, rifles and pistols. The houses were plundered, then set on fire, but a change in the wind saved a part of the village. The villagers rallied and after a desperate struggle succeeded in routing their foe. The total number of missing was seventy, forty-five of whom, mostly women and children, were taken into captivity. Twelve dwellings in Wiltwyck were destroyed, and not a house was left standing in the new village except the mill. Sixteen settlers were killed and a number were carried off as prisoners. Hendrick was one of those who were carried off. He was not found until a year and a half later. By that time he had married an Indian girl and had a child. He lived among the Indians for the rest of his life. Note Evert’s boy is not given a name in the records I have seen so the name Hendrick Vosberg may be an invention. In the book “Documents relative to the history and settlement of the towns along the Mohawk” by B. Fernow, Vol. XIII and on page 143, there is a letter written by Derck Smit, Ensign, describing a try to ransom the boy of Evert Pels. It mentions that “the boy has a wife there and the wife is with child, who will not let him go and he will not leave her” It was written Feb. 24, 1660 at Esopus. He was taken captive Sept. 21, 1659. The announcement of the try at ransom would be five months later. So sometime in that time frame, there was a ceremony and then a conception. The story of the Esopus Chief’s daughter saving the life of (Hendrick?) Pels is virtually identical with Pocahontas saving the life of Captain John Smith.