Laurens "Grootschoe" Duyts

Marriage 1

• 1638 28 Aug; Lourens Duijsen; IJtje Jans Amsterdam Stadsarchief Ondertrouwregisters 1565-1811 DTB 449, p.304

Here is the English translation of the marriage intentions that were proclaimed in Amsterdam on 28 August 1638: Laurens DYIJS from Noortstrant, a laborer living at the Brouwersgracht, aged 26 years, with YTGIE JANS from Amsterdam, aged 18 years.

Noortstrant was most probably the present-day Nordstrand, an island off shore from Husum in Schleswig Holstein. It is well south of the Flensburg-Tonder line, which is the traditional demarcation between Danish and German speakers. More to the point, however is that both of these places are actually Frisian. We tend to forget about Nord-Friesland. So Laurens may well have been a Danish subject, but would probably have considered himself Frisian.

Children

• 1639 Dec 23; Laurens Duytszen; Margariet; Gerrit Janszen Van Oldenburg, Teuntie Joris, Lyntje Martens.
• 1642 Mar 23; Laurens Duytschen; Jan; Jochem Pieterszen, Olof Stephenson Van Courtland, Engel Mans
• 1644 Sep 28; Laurens Duytsen; Hans; Jochem Pieterszen & wife, Borger Joriszen-smith, Jan Snyderken-shoemaker NA DRC Baptisms 1639-1730

Marriage 2

• 1666 01 Jan; Laurens Duyts; Grietje Jans.

Bergen Marriages - Holland Society 1914

Children

• 1667 Mar 10; Lourus Duyts, Grietje Jans; Catreyn; Pieter Mercelis and wife

Bergen, N.J. DRC Baptisms 1666-1789

Genealogists first want to know the correct spelling of his name. It’s a take-your-pick situation. The given name is easy: Laurens can be translated as Lawrence. The various surnames attributed to him are a mixture of Danish, Dutch and English. They are Dye, Duyts, Duytszen and Duyksen. Laurens was also known as Laurens Bigshoe and Laurens Grootschoe. Family researchers may also find that the surname varies from generation to generation as it becomes more anglicized.

Laurens Dey was born in 1610 at Holstein, Denmark, son of Derick Dytszen, and in 1639 married Ytie Jansen and immigrated to New Amsterdam aboard the ship “de Brant van Trogen”, translated as Fire of Troy; by the way of Holland. With Pieter Andriessen he contracted to Jonas Bronck for work to clear a tract of land containing 500 acres and thus their passage was paid in this manner.

The court found Laurens guilty of selling his wife, Ytie Jansen, and forcing her to live in adultery with another man, and of living in adultery himself. He was sentenced to have a rope tied around his neck and to be severely flogged, have his right ear cut off, and to be banished for fifty years. He went across the Hudson River to Bergen (now Jersey City), married Gritje Jansen in 1666, and died there in 1668. Bergen was part of the 17th century province of New Netherland

• Residences & Emigration
• First Residence - Schleswig Holstein, Denmark.
• Second Residence - Hoorn, North Holland, Netherland.
• Third Residence - New Amsterdam.
• Fourth Residence - Bronx, Bronx County, New York.
• Fifth Residence - Bergen, Bergen (Hudson) County, New Jersey.
• Emigration - Emigrant after April 1639 from Hoorn, North Holland, Netherland to New Amsterdam on the De Brant Van Trogen.
• Source Record: Scandinavian Immigrants in New York October 1996 page 227; New Netherland Connections April 1998 Volume 3 Number 2 S

Laurens Duyts1 M, b. 1610, d. before 15 January 1668

Laurens was born in 1610 at Frederickstot, Noortstrant, Holstein, Denmark. Laurens married Ytie Jans (?) on 28 August 1638 at Hervormede Kerk, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.2 Laurens Duyts immigrated to New Amsterdam on a private armed vessel named “De Brant van Troyen” translated “The Fire of Troy” , captained by Iochiem Pietersen Kuyter. Kuyter was in partnership with his friend Jonas Bronck. These two men brought with them a large herd of cattle along with their families, many herdsmen, farmers and laborers. Perhaps all of these immigrants where leaving the turmoil of the 30 years war behind for the promise of “the finest country in the world where everything can be produced that is grown in France and the Baltic.” This was the description of New Netherlands, this, as well as the anticipation of a new settlement where tyranny and the social corruption of Europe had not reached. All of these reasons and the promise of freedom and ample opportunity drew a multitude of disillusioned expatriates to the shores of the “New World.” Laurens, himself, was from the “Browergracht” on the island of Noordstrand, just off the coast of Denmark, and under the rule of Denmark. The “Fire of Troy” arrived at New Amsterdam in July of 1639; the two partners immediately obtaining large grants of land. Kuyter, on the island, bordering the Harlem River and Bronck, on the opposite side of the river, directly across from Kuyter’s tract. These grants are approximately from the present day 127th Street to 140th Street on the island of Manhattan. On July 21, 1639, Laurens and another passenger on the ship, Pieter Andriessen, signed a three year lease for portions of Bronck’s land. Thus, in a matter of days after landing, the partners had procured land and were in a position to begin the settlement and improvement of their investment. The lease provided for the farming of the land and the raising of tobacco and maize. From the proceeds, the lessees were to reimburse Bronck for their passage; also stipulated was that every two years the farmers were to clear and cultivate a new spot, the previous spot to return to Mr. Bronck.

Laurens was a large man for the day, thus earning the nicknames of “Great Dane” and “Grootschoe”. Laurens was conspicuous in the settlement for reasons other than his size. Between 1643 and 1658, he was in the courts, largely because of quarrels with other residents and disturbances with the Dutch authorities. His final appearance came in November of 1658 when he was found guilty of “selling his wife, and forcing her to live in adultery with another man, and for living himself in adultery.” From this proceeding, Laurens received the harshest verdict ever rendered by Pieter Stuyvesant. He was to have a rope tied around his neck and then to be severely flogged, to have his right ear cut off, and to be banished from New Amsterdam for 50 years. We know of no record as to whether any of the above were carried out, but we do know that Lauren quickly moved across the river to Bergen, New Jersey. He started a new family there, spending the remainder of his life there in Bergen.

As to the charges, there is likely another side to the story, as his wife and the “other man” were also charged with adultery, but not treated quite as harshly as Laurens. However, the two of them submitted a petition from “two sorrowful sinners” , requesting a pardon and permission to marry. The court granted them time to straighten their affairs, but they were to separate immediately. The record ends here, but these two did manage to marry and raise both sets of their children.3

Laurens married 2nd Grietje Jans (?) on 1 January 1666 at the Reformed Dutch Church, Bergen, Hudson County, New Jersey.4 Laurens departed this life at Bergen, Hudson County, New Jersey. Laurens was laid to rest in the Reformed Dutch Church Burial Ground, Bergen, Hudson County, New Jersey.

Children of Laurens Duyts and Ytie Jans (?)

• Margariet Duyts b. 23 Dec 1639
• Jan Laurensze Duyts b. 23 Mar 1642
• Hans Laurensze Duyts+ b. b 18 Sep 1644

Child of Laurens Duyts and Grietje Jans (?)

• Catreyn; Duyts b. 10 Mar 1667

Citations

• 1.[S567]
• 2.[S544] Kerkelijke Registers 1553-1870.
• 3.[S545] Arnold J. F. van Laer, New York Historical Manuscripts Dutch, Volume I: [1638-1642] pages 196-197 - Morris Library, University of DE, Newark : Lease from Jonas Bronck (a confererate of Captain Kuyter), to Pieter Andriessen and Lourens Duyts. "They shall be at liberty to plant tobacco and maize, on the express condition that every two years they shall clear new pieces of land.... furthermore, Pieter Andriesz and Lourens Duyts bind and pledge their persons and properties for the payment of what Mr. Bronck has disbersed for them on board the ship De Brant van Troyen, 120 guilders, 16 stivers, of which Pieter Andriessen must pay fl. 81:4 and Lourens Duyts fl. 49:12. Done in Fort Amsterdam, 21st of July 1639." Bronck's farm became the center of the Bronx.
• 4.[S540] Bergen Reformed Dutch Church Marriage Records: 1 January 1666 - Laurens Duyts & Grietje Jans.
• http://mccurdyfamilylineage.com/ancestry/p303.htm

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Laurens Duyts aka Laurens Grootschoe

• Birth 1610 Fredrickstadt, Holstein Province, Denmark
• Gender Male
• Died 14 Jan 1667/68 Hudson CIty, Bergen Co, NJ

Father Richard (Dye) Duyts, b. Abt 1581, Holstein Province, Denmark Mother Unknown Unknown, b. Abt 1582, Germany

Married Jan 1665/66 Bergen, NJ Grietje Jans Children

1. Catreyn ( Duyts) Dye, b. Abt 14 Apr 1667, Bergen, Bergen Co, NJ
2. Jannetje (Duyts) Dye
3. Cornelius (Duyts) Dye

Married 28 Aug 1638 Amsterdam, Netherlands Utje Jansen, b. 1610, Oldenburg Province, Denmark Children 1. Richard ( Duyts) Dey

1. Cornelius Laurens Duyts
2. Margrette Duyts, b. 23 Dec 1639, NYC
3. Jannette Duytszen, b. Abt 23 Mar 1640/41
4. > Jan Laurens Duyts, b. 23 Mar 1641/42, New Amsterdam Province (NY)
5. > Hans (Jan\John) Laurens Duyts, b. 23 Sep 1644, New York (nee New Amsterdam) , NY

Laurens Duyts aka Laurens Grootschoe - Though Laurens surname indicates that he or his forebears once resided in Germany, in the New World Laurens was considered to be a Dane.

Here is the English translation of the marriage intentions that were procliamed in Amsterdam on 28 August 1638: Laurens DYIJS from Noortstrant, a laborer living at the Brouwersgracht, aged 26 years, with YTGIE JANS from Amsterdam, aged 18 years. This record was located by Pim Nieuwenhuis, and he comments further that Noordstrand was most probably the present-day Nordstrand, an island off shore from Husum in Schleswig Holstein.

From Ted Snedicker: True, Husum and Nordstrand are in the Schlewsig part of Schleswig-Holstein, but it is well south of the Flensburg-Tonder line, which is the traditional demarcation between Danish and German speakers. More to the point, however is that both of these places are actually Frisian. We tend to forget about Nord-Friesland. So old Laurens may well have been a Danish subject, but I would imagine he considered himself either a German or a Frisian

Laurens Duyts

• Birth 1610 Fredrickstadt, Holstein Province, Denmark
• Gender Male
• Died 14 Jan 1667/68 Hudson CIty, Bergen Co, NJ
• Father Richard (Dye) Duyts, b. Abt 1581, Holstein Province, Denmark
• Mother Unknown Unknown, b. Abt 1582, Germany

Married Jan 1665/66 Bergen, NJ Grietje Jans

Children

# Catreyn ( Duyts) Dye, b. Abt 14 Apr 1667, Bergen, Bergen Co, NJ

1. Jannetje (Duyts) Dye
2. Cornelius (Duyts) Dye

married 28 Aug 1638 Amsterdam, Netherlands Utje Jansen, b. 1610, Oldenburg Province, Denmark

Children

# Richard ( Duyts) Dey

1. Cornelius Laurens Duyts
2. Margrette Duyts, b. 23 Dec 1639, NYC
3. Jannette Duytszen, b. Abt 23 Mar 1640/41
4. >Jan Laurens Duyts, b. 23 Mar 1641/42, New Amsterdam Province (NY)
5. > Hans (Jan\John) Laurens Duyts, b. 23 Sep 1644, New York (nee New Amsterdam) , NY

http://www.dyefamily.us/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I07062&tre... MOVED TO

http://www.dyefamily.us/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I6647&tree...

RECORD:

1. Joyce Lee Mills, Laurens Duyts/Dye Family History Vol. 1 Bk. 1 First Three generations & Vincent and Sarah Artesse Dye, The (No date). !This book is a xerox/photocopy project and loose leaf with acco-press pasteboard binders, pages are not number and descendants are not numbered, no index only a Table of Contents is proveded - Index to book online at: http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/gean/robertson1.html.

"He was commonly called Laurens Grootschoe or Bigshoe. Variants for Duyts are Duytts and Duytszen. Came to America on the "de Brant van Troggan" [Troy of Fire] in 1639. COntracted to cleas a 500 acres tract of land for Jonas Bronk for his passage, dtd. 21 Jul. 1639. He sold his first wife to another man, recorded 25 Nov. 1658 his punishment severe, a rope tied around neck, flogged, right ear cut off and banished for 50 years. Went to Bergen (later a part of New Jersey City) New Jersey. THere has been no parentage for the father of Laurens though it has been given as RIchard b. Denmark."

2. Dye family & Relatives (Denmark Roots) dating back to 1590, http://familytrees.genopro.com/RobertDye/default.htm?page=Dey-Rache....

"He married Ytie Jansen before 1639. She was born ca 1610 in Olderberg, Germany. Laurens and his wife arrived in New Netherland (New York) in July of 1639 on the ship "The Fire of Troy". This was a private armed vessel, engaged by Captain Jochem Kuyter, also from Holstein, a man of wealth and distinction who sailed from Hoorn, bringing with him farmers, herdsmen and laborers to start a new Colony, located in present Harlem.
Laurens was called "the Great Dane" and also "the Great Shoe" becuase of his great size. He devoted his time wholly to farming

"Laurens Duyts was apparently born and raised on the island of 'Strand' west of the city of Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (then a part of Denmark). Most of the people on this island made their living by deep sea fishing. In 1634 a catastrophic tidal wave nearly destroyed the island tearing it into 3 separate islands and killing several hundred people. The area where Laurens lived is now the island of 'Nordstrand'. Either as a result of the storm or other reasons, Laurens moved ashore; apparently around the town of Friedrichstadt in an area referred to as Nordfriesland. There are people from this family living in that area today using the spelling 'Dyrsen."

The Court Minutes of Harlem relate that Laurens Duyts of Holstein received sentancing from Stuyvesant on November 25, 1658, for selling his wife, Ytie Jansen, and forcing her to live in adultery with another man, and for living himself in adultery, he was to have a rope tied around his neck, and then to be severly flogged and have his right ear cut off, and to be banished for fifty years. He went across the Hudson River to Bergen (now Jersey City where he died and was buried on January 16, 1668."

3. John c. Butler 1941-2001, Dye Family - John C. Butler, http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/gean, http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/gean/laurens.html.

Laurens Duyts (or Laurens Jans Duytszen) was born about 1610 in Holstein, Denmark. Denmark was part of Viking kingdoms during the 8th through 10th centuries. The Danish Empire was formed under Canute in the 11th century and joined with Sweden and Norway under Queen Margrethe of Denmark in 1389. Sweden separated from the union in the 16th century, followed by Norway in 1814. Schleswig-Holstein was lost to Germany in 1864 and North Schleswig was returned after a 1920 plebiscite. The country was occupied by Germany during World War II.
He married Ytie Jansen (or Utje) (some say her name was Lysbeth Hendricks) before 1639. She was born ca 1610 in Olderberg, Germany. Laurens and his wife arrived in New Netherland in July of 1639 on the ship "The Fire of Troy". This was a private armed vessel, engaged by Captain Jochem Kuyter, also from Holstein, a man of wealth and distinction who sailed from Hoorn, bringing with him farmers, herdsmen and laborers to start a new Colony, located in present Harlem. [Dyane Dye Wood, 1986] - - - Ytie Jansen's parents are not known. Ytie died after 1658 in New York. She was living at date of lawsuit. [Calender of Historical Manuscripts. Vol. 1, pg. 203. ] Her name has also been proposed as Lysbeth Hendricks. She lived some time after the divorce, opening a tavern eventually. If her name was Lysbeth Hendricks, she re-married in NY 19 July 1659 Jan Gervon van Beaumont; as Lysbeth Hendricks, widow of Laurens Jansen from Denmark.

Arnold J. F. Van Laer, New York Historical Manuscripts Dutch Vol I; 1638-1642 ; Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 1974 ; pp 196-197 ; Morris Library, University of DE, Newark

: Lease from Jonas Bronck (a confererate of Captain Kuyter), to Pieter Andriessen and Lourens Duyts. "They shall be at liberty to plant tobacco and maize, on the express condition that every two years they shall clear new pieces of land.... furthermore, Pieter Andriesz and Lourens Duyts bind and pledge their persons and properties for the payment of what Mr. Bronck has disbersed for them on board the ship De Brant van Troyen, 120 guilders, 16 stivers, of which Pieter Andriessen must pay fl. 81:4 and Lourens Duyts fl. 49:12. Done in Fort Amsterdam, 21st of July 1639." Bronck's farm became the center of the Bronx.
Within four months of their arrival a daughter was born (Margaret) and baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam as there was no church at that time in Harlem. Laurens was called "the Great Dane" and also "the Great Shoe" becuase of his great size. He devoted his time wholly to farming and his name does not appear in connection with any civic or church activities.
[John O. Evjen, Scandinavian Immigrants in New York; 1630-1674; K. C. Holter Publishing Co. Minneapolis, MN. 1916 ; pp 193-94 ; Morris Library, University of DE, Newark DE.]. The Court Minutes of Harlem relate that Laurens Duyts of Holstein received sentancing from Stuyvesant on November 25, 1658, for selling his wife, Ytie Jansen, and forcing her to live in adultery with another man, and for living himself in adultery, he was to have a rope tied around his neck, and then to be severly flogged and have his right ear cut off, and to be banished for fifty years. He went across the Hudson River to Bergen (now Jersey City where he died and was buried on January 16, 1668.

Hans Laurens was banned from New Amsterdam for 50 years for selling his wife (Ytie Jansen). He died 1668 in Bergen, New Jersey, and was buried 16 Jan 1668 in Bergen, Bergen Co., New Jersey.

The children of Laurens Duyts and Ytie Jansen are listed as:

1. Margaret Duyts, born about December 23, 1639 in New Amsterdam
2. Jan Laurens Duyts was born about March 31, 1641
3. Hans Duyts was born about September 23, 1644 in New Amsterdam and died after 1708, Staten Island, Richmond County, New York.

2 - Hans married Grietje Jans in 1666. children:

1. * Catreyn Duyts was born about April 14, 1667 in Bergen, New Jersey."

DEATH:

4. Dingman Versterg & Thomas E. Vemilye Jr., Bergen Records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Bergen in New Jersey 1666-1788, 1976 Genealogical Publishing Inc. Baltimore, Md. [Year Book of the Holland Society of New York 1913, 1914, 1915], Vol. 3 pg. 21. "No. 6 Jan. 16, 1668 Lourus Duyts at Bergen."

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http://ancestors.pitard.net/getperson.php?personID=I9323

◦My primary source for much information about this family is this The Family of Hans Laurentszen Duyts, 1644 - 1708, located at http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/gean/dyes.html.''' This is very good at documenting sources and creating a narrative of the family. Also see The Dye Genealogical Index, at http://www.vvm.com/~ataylor/. There are some inconsistencies with dates and places in this record, however, which are not ironed out as it passes through four generations of his children.

He was a Dane born in Holstein in 1610 or 1612 who cam efrom Holland to New Amsterdam in 1639 on the ship "Fire of Troy" ("De Brant fon Trozenae").

In The Holland Society 1914, volume, his is the very first marriage recorded.

Sources Butler cites for Laurens are:

# Arnold J. F. Van Laer, New York Historical Manuscripts Dutch Vol I; 1638-1642 (Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 1974), which tells of his settlement as a farmer in New Amsterdam

1. John O. Evjen, Scandinavian Immigrants in New York; 1630-1674 (K. C. Holter Publishing Co. Minneapolis, MN. 1916), which tells the story of his banishment from New Amsterdam. According to Evjen (described by Butler):

"The Court Minutes of Harlem relate that Laurens Duyts of Holstein received sentancing from Stuyvesant on November 25, 1658, for selling his wife, Ytie Jansen, and forcing her to live in adultery with another man, and for living himself in adultery, he was to have a rope tied around his neck, and then to be severly flogged and have his right ear cut off, and to be banished for fifty years. He went across the Hudson River to Bergen (now Jersey City where he died and was buried on January 16, 1668.

"Ytie Jansen's parents are not known. Ytie died after 1658 in New York. She was living at date of lawsuit. [Calender of Historical Manuscripts. Vol. 1, pg. 203. ] Her name has also been proposed as Lysbeth Hendricks. She lived some time after the divorce, opening a tavern eventually. If her name was Lysbeth Hendricks, she re-married in NY 19 July 1659 Jan Gervon van Beaumont; as Lysbeth Hendricks, widow of Laurens Jansen from Denmark."

From the Dye Society Listserv, 6 Oct. 2003 from Kari Northup :

CHRONOLOGY of Laurens Duyts, a Dane:

• 1610 Laurens Duyts born in Holstein, Denmark
• 1639 Laurens Duyts arrives in America on the "Fire of Troy"
• ca. 1639 Laurens Duyts m. Ytie Jans of Oldenburg, Holstein
• 21 July 1639 Laurens Duyts and Pieter Andriessen lease portions of Jonas Bronck's land
• 23 Dec 1639 Margaret Duyts bapt., dau. of Laurens Duyts and Ytie Jans
• 23 Mar 1642 Jan Laurens Duyts bapt., son of Laurens Duyts and Ytie Jans
• 164 3 Laurens Duyts appears in New Amsterdam court records for the first time
• 1643 Jonas Bronck d. Westchester county, New York
• 28 Sep 1644 Jans Laurens Duyts bapt., son of Laurens Duyts and Ytie Jans
• 2 Mar 1654 Jochiem Pietersen Kuyter, captain of Fire of Troy, murdered by Indians
• 13 Oct 1655 Pieter Andriessen kidnapped by Indians from his home on Long Island
• 25 Nov 1658 Ytie Jans sentenced for living in adultery with Jan Parcell
• 25 Nov 1658 Pieter Stuyvesant sentences Laurens Duyts to banishment
• 12 Dec 1658 Petition submitted by John Parcell and Ytie Jans
• 1659 Obadiah Winters res. Newtown, Long Island
• 3 Dec 1665 banns proclaimed for m. of Laurens Duyts to Grietje Jans
• 1 Jan 1666 Laurens Duyts marries Grietje Jans, Bergen, New Jersey
• 14 Jan 1666 Laurens Duyts dies Bergen, New Jersey.
• 16 Jan 1666 Laurens Duyts bur. Dutch Reformed Church, Bergen, New Jersey
• Mar 10 1667 Catreyn Duyts christened, parents names as Laurens Duyts and Grietje Jans
• 2 Oct 1667 Jan Laurens Duyts m. Jannetje Jeuriaens
• 25 Jan 1668 Grietje Jans testifies in New York court
• 8 Jan 1669 Jan Duyts leased farm at Dutch Kills, L.I., from Jan Parcell
• 1671 Maria bap. at New York Dutch Church, dau. Margaret Duyts and Abodia Wouters
• 27 Sep 1673 Jan Laurens Duyts m. Neeltje Adriaens
• 13 Jun 1674 Catharine bap., daughter of son Hans, Ytie Jans sponsor
• 28 Sep 1677 Jan Parcell will proved
• 1679 Jan Laurens Duyts died
• 1683 Ytie on Newtown rate list with step-sons John and Thomas Parcell
• Mar 1684 Ytie petitions Council concerning dispute over lands near Gravesend

Descendants of Laurens Jans Duyts

   NOTE:  The site mentioned above   '''My primary source for much information about this family is this The Family of Hans Laurentszen Duyts, 1644 - 1708,[http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/gean/dyes.html. located at] "  was used to update all the profiles on GENI  several years ago;    the person posting this  seemed to have copy the entire  site (10+ generations) here  in under Laurens -   I took the liberty to delete all   since it  is repeated  under  the descendants -  Judith Elaine (McKee) Burns<br/>--------------------

Laurens Duyts (and his wife Judith, presumably) arrived in America in July of 1639 on the Fire of Troy, a private armed vessel, engaged at Hoorn, Holland by Captain Jochiem Pietersen Kuyter.

Nov. 25 1658 Sentence. Lauren Duyts of Holstein for selling his wife, Yti Jansen and forcing her to live in adultry with another man, and for living himself also in adultry, to have a rope tied around his neck and be severely flogged, to have his right ear cut off.

Moved to New Jersey following his mutilation, remarried to a Geesie (Grietje).