John 'The Indian Trader' Van Meter

http://www.watermelon-kid.com/family/bios/vanmeter3.htm

Signed his will as John van Metre (see below).

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The family settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where Jan became a wealthy land owner and horse breeder. "Kegley's Virginia Frontier in describing the earliest history of Virginia, says: 'The Van Meters cross the Potomac (Potomac River). John and Isaac Van Meter were traders who knew the country about the Potomac and the Shenandoah as early as 1728. After 1721 Isaac lived in New Jersey, but John had moved westward toward the southwest part of Maryland. In 1730 their petitions for 10,000 acres each in the forks of the Sheran do River and 20,000 more for other families were granted. This was not to interfere with the surveys of Carter and Page.' ...Jost Hite with Robert McKay began acquiring land in the Shenandoah Valley in 1731. They with one hundred families were desirous of seating (settling) themselves on the back of the Great Mountains on land lying between the land of John Van Meter, Jacob Stover, John Fishback and others. ... Hite acquired the Van Meter grants in 1734 and patents began to issue to his settlers, one thousand acres to each family ... joining the land of 'Jost Heyd' and others. Mrs. Sims' article (material provided by Mrs. Ruth Bruner Sims of Frankfort, Kentucky) says John Van Meter and his brother Isaac, were granted 110,000 acres of land in the Shenandoah Valley by the Royal Governor, William Gooch, which they later sold to their cousin, Jost Hite, after selecting choice sites for themselves, while it was still a wilderness." He died on 13 August 1745 at Apequon, Winchester, Frederick County,, Virginia and his will was probated there on 3 September 1745. "He drew up a lengthy will in which Jacob Van Meter was called 'my fourth and youngest son,' by which he inherited an equal share of 'all Staylen (stallions), geldings, mares, colts He inherited land, but not the estate 'Opequen,' on which his father lived, since he was the youngest."

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Taken from GENEOLOGY OF THE VAN METER FAMILY by Olive Van Meter (Hamilton) and Arthur Ashley Van Meter

John lived for a time at Salem, New Jersey and Somerset County N.J. then moved to Maryland, and in June 1730 went to Virginia, where he and his brother Isaac secured from the Governor grants of 40,000 acres of land for colonization purposes, some of which is still in the hands of the descendents of thse two men, Jon and Isaac.

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Jan or John Van Metre as he afterwards wrote his name, son of Joost Jan and Sarah (Du Boise) Van Metern, became a noted Indian trader, was of a roving disposition, and spent much of his time from home in trading with friendly Indians.

On one occasion he went in command of a band of Cough Indians on a trading expedition to Virginia, and on this excursion he explored the country then almost unknown to white people - the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac, known then by the Indian name, Wapatoma. When he returned home he urged his sons to lose not time in possessing that land, declaring that it was most beautiful land fertile.

On 30 Jun 1730 an Order of Council was made, granting leave to John Van Metre of New York to take up 10,000 acres of land lying in the fork of Sherando River, including the places called Cedar Lick and Stoney Lick and running up between the branches of the river - for the settlement of himself and family of eleven children, as soon as he could bring thirty families to settle the same.

John and his brother Isaac also obtained leave by another order of Council to take up 40,000 acres, including the 10,000 acres mentioned above.

John was born 14 Oct 1683 and died 1745. His will was probated at Winchester, Virginia 3 Sep 1745. He married first to Sarah Bodine and their three children were: Sarah, Johannes, and Maria. He married second to Margaret Mollenauer and they had 8 children: -, Isaac, Elizabeth, Henry, Rachel, Abraham, Jacob and Magdalina. http://leecase.tripod.com/vanmetre.htm

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" ' In the name of God Amen, the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty-five, I, John Van Metre in Frederick County in the Colony of Virginia being sick in body but of sound mind and Memory praise be given to God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of the Transitory Life, and willing through Divine assistance to settle and Dispose of those Temporal blessings which it hath pleased God beyond my Deserts to bestow upon me and therefore making this my Last Will and testament Disannuling all other wills and Testaments heretofore made by me &c. &c. . . . First my will is that my beloved wife Margaret Van Metre Have the third part of my moveable estate, also one room which she like best, to Dwell in, in my Dwelling House, and one third part of the Orchard next the Run with the keeping of one Riding horse and two Milch cows, Linnen and wolling yarn to be wove her bed and bedding the said Room and Liberties to be by her possessed during her Life, without controle hinderence or molestation of any person whatever. . . The will, which is a very lengthy one, was witnessed by Edward Morgan, Andrew Corn and Joseph Carroll. It was probated at Winchester, Va., September 3, 1745. The executors were a son-in-law, Thomas Shephderd, and sons Abraham and Jacob." 1679 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~barbpretz/PS05/PS05_058.HTM

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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bobbistockton/van2.html Jan or John - listed as Jan or John on Raylene Pooler's family records.

On her records it looks like he was the father of Jacob Van Metre that I have listed as Van Meter.

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Find A Grave contributor Linda Newhouse

Their suggestion:

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The Dutch naming customs are that the first son is named after his paternal grandfather who was Jan Joosten.

He was named Jan, but later adopted the English spelling "John." In Dutch Jan is pronounced like John.

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• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 18 2017, 23:00:11 UTC
• Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Jan 19 2017, 1:09:46 UTC

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79887491/john-van_meter Jan or John - listed as Jan or John on Raylene Pooler's family records.

On her records it looks like he was the father of Jacob Van Metre that I have listed as Van Meter.

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Find A Grave contributor Linda Newhouse

Their suggestion:

---

The Dutch naming customs are that the first son is named after his paternal grandfather who was Jan Joosten.

He was named Jan, but later adopted the English spelling "John." In Dutch Jan is pronounced like John.

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Find A Grave contributor familyfinder has made a suggestion Their suggestion:

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Below is a link to the will of John Van Metre https://archive.org/details/genealogyofdukes02smyt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find A Grave contributor Kathleen Werkhoven

Their suggestion:

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Niet zo. While the "a" in Jan is pronounced like the "o" in John, i.e. a short "a" sound, the "J" is pronounced like the 'y" in yes or you in Dutch. Tim Werkhoven

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GEDCOM Source

@R603242215@ U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,2204::0 1,2204::768080

GEDCOM Source

@R603242215@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=117390010&pi...

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GEDCOM Source

@R-1098072798@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=64316063&pid...

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John's 1745 will named several of his children and their spouses.[5] John and "Margrit" van Meter[5] had the following children:[6] • Rebecca Van Meter, married Solomon Hedges, Esq.[5] • Isaac Van Meter[5] • Elizabeth Van Meter, married Thomas Shepherd[5] • Henry VanMeter[5] • Rachel Van Meter, married John Lessige[5] • Abraham Van Meter[5] • Jacob Van Meter[5] • Magdalene Van Meter, married Robert Pusey[5] John and Sarah Bodine, his first wife, were married in 1705 and had three children: Sarah, John, and Maria.[6][5]

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GEDCOM Note

Signed his will as John van Metre (see below).

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The family settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where Jan became a wealthy land owner and horse breeder. "Kegley's Virginia Frontier in describing the earliest history of Virginia, says: 'The Van Meters cross the Potomac (Potomac River). John and Isaac Van Meter were traders who knew the country about the Potomac and the Shenandoah as early as 1728. After 1721 Isaac lived in New Jersey, but John had moved westward toward the southwest part of Maryland. In 1730 their petitions for 10,000 acres each in the forks of the Sheran do River and 20,000 more for other families were granted. This was not to interfere with the surveys of Carter and Page.' ...Jost Hite with Robert McKay began acquiring land in the Shenandoah Valley in 1731.They with one hundred families were desirous of seating (settling) themselves on the back of the Great Mountains on land lying between the land of John Van Meter, Jacob Stover, John Fishback and others. ... Hite acquired the Van Meter grants in 1734 and patents began to issue to his settlers, one thousand acres to each family ... joining the land of 'Jost Heyd' and others. Mrs. Sims' article (material provided by Mrs. Ruth Bruner Sims of Frankfort, Kentucky) says John Van Meter and his brother Isaac, were granted 110,000 acres of land in the Shenandoah Valley by the Royal Governor, William Gooch, which they later sold to their cousin, Jost Hite, after selecting choice sites for themselves, while it was still a wilderness." He died on 13 August 1745 at Apequon, Winchester, Frederick County,, Virginia and his will was probated there on 3 September 1745. "He drew up a lengthy will in which Jacob Van Meter was called 'my fourth and youngest son,' by which he inherited an equal share of 'all Staylen (stallions), geldings, mares, colts He inherited land, but not the estate 'Opequen,' on which his father lived, since he was the youngest."

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Taken from GENEOLOGY OF THE VAN METER FAMILY by Olive Van Meter (Hamilton) and Arthur Ashley Van Meter John lived for a time at Salem, New Jersey and Somerset County N.J. then moved to Maryland, and in June 1730 went to Virginia, where he and his brother Isaac secured from the Governor grants of 40,000 acres of land for colonization purposes, some of which is still in the hands of the descendents of thse two men, Jon and Isaac.

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Jan or John Van Metre as he afterwards wrote his name, son of Joost Jan and Sarah (Du Boise) Van Metern, became a noted Indian trader, was of a roving disposition, and spent much of his time from home in trading with friendly Indians. On one occasion he went in command of a band of Cough Indians on a trading expedition to Virginia, and on this excursion he explored the country then almost unknown to white people - the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac, known then by the Indian name, Wapatoma. When he returned home he urged his sons to lose not time in possessing that land, declaring that it was most beautiful land fertile. On 30 Jun 1730 an Order of Council was made, granting leave to John Van Metre of New York to take up 10,000 acres of land lying in the fork of Sherando River, including the places called Cedar Lick and Stoney Lick and running up between the branches of the river - for the settlement of himself and family of eleven children, as soonas he could bring thirty families to settle the same. John and his brother Isaac also obtained leave by another order of Council to take up 40,000 acres, including the 10,000 acres mentioned above. John was born 14 Oct 1683 and died 1745. His will was probated at Winchester, Virginia 3 Sep 1745. He married first to Sarah Bodine and their three children were: Sarah, Johannes, and Maria. He married second to Margaret Mollenauer and they had 8 children: -, Isaac, Elizabeth, Henry, Rachel, Abraham, Jacob and Magdalina. http://leecase.tripod.com/vanmetre.htm

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" ' In the name of God Amen, the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty-five, I, John Van Metre in Frederick County in the Colony of Virginia being sick in body but of sound mind and Memory praise be given to God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of the Transitory Life, and willing through Divine assistance to settle and Dispose of those Temporal blessings which it hath pleased God beyond my Deserts to bestow upon me and therefore making this my Last Will and testament Disannuling all other wills and Testaments heretofore made by me &c. &c. . . . First my will is that my beloved wife Margaret Van Metre Have the third part of my moveable estate, also one room which she like best, to Dwell in, in my Dwelling House, and one third part of the Orchard next the Run with the keeping of one Riding horse and two Milch cows, Linnen and wolling yarn to be wove her bed and bedding the said Room and Liberties to be by her possessed during her Life, without controle hinderence or molestationof any person whatever. . . The will, which is a very lengthy one, was witnessed by Edward Morgan, Andrew Corn and Joseph Carroll. It was probated at Winchester, Va., September 3, 1745. The executorswere a son-in-law, Thomas Shephderd, and sons Abraham and Jacob." 1679 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~barbpretz/PS05/PS05_058.HTM

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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bobbistockton/van2.html Jan or John - listed as Jan or John on Raylene Pooler's family records. On her records it looks like he was the father of Jacob Van Metre that I have listed as Van Meter.

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Find A Grave contributor Linda Newhouse Their suggestion:

---

The Dutch naming customs are that the first son is named after his paternal grandfather who was Jan Joosten. He was named Jan, but later adopted the English spelling "John." In Dutch Jan is pronounced like John.

---

* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 18 2017, 23:00:11 UTC * Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Jan 19 2017, 1:09:46 UTC

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• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 9 2021, 6:57:17 UTC

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Jan or John - listed as Jan or John on Raylene Pooler's family records.

On her records it looks like he was the father of Jacob Van Metre that I have listed as Van Meter.

---

Find A Grave contributor Linda Newhouse

Their suggestion:

---

The Dutch naming customs are that the first son is named after his paternal grandfather who was Jan Joosten.

He was named Jan, but later adopted the English spelling "John." In Dutch Jan is pronounced like John.

---

Find A Grave contributor familyfinder has made a suggestion
Their suggestion:

---

Below is a link to the will of John Van Metre
https://archive.org/details/genealogyofdukes02smyt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find A Grave contributor Kathleen Werkhoven

Their suggestion:

---

Niet zo. While the "a" in Jan is pronounced like the "o" in John, i.e. a short "a" sound, the "J" is pronounced like the 'y" in yes or you in Dutch. Tim Werkhoven

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Suggested edit: In his book 'All Of The Above' Volume II, copyright 2008, Richard Baldwin Cook, says that John was born in Kingston, New York and was baptized in the Old Dutch Church in Ulster, NY on Oct 14, 1683. Moved to Somerset County, NJ, where he had eleven children by two wives. Later moved to Maryland and Virginia. John VanMeter was buried in a family cemetery on his farm near Martinsburg, WV (23 miles from Winchester, VA).
Contributor: Alan Wetzel (47743679)

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 12 2022, 6:02:17 UTC