Matthias Balthazar Dehart

The oldest son Matthias was born about 1667 according to his gravestone inscription. His mother's name is unknown. The other son Daniel was born between 1669 and September 1671, the date he was baptized in the New York Reformed Church. Daniel's mother was Margaret Stuyvesant. She had been deserted by her husband, Jacob Backer, in about the year 1667. She was left with her husband's debts in a society which was still partly primitive. Fortunately for Margaret, she became engaged to Balthazar de Haert who had probably known her when Backer was in New York. She could not legally marry him until Jacob Backer was declared dead, as divorce was rarely allowed in the seventeenth century. It is apparent from two petitions filed by her creditors after Balthazar's death, and a land patent, that Margaret Stuyvesant never married Balthazar de Haert. If Balthazar's life had not been prematurely cut short in 1672, he probably would have married Margaret Stuyvesant.

mentioned in his father's will

In his will, he wrote: 1672, the 4th day of January on Thursday, in the afternoone, about 3 of the clock, I Wm. Bogardus, notarie Publick in New York, admitted by the Hon. Col. Francis Lovelace. . . . Comes as witnesses those that have these underwritten, unto Balthazar DeHart, merchant and Inhabitant of this city, a man well known to the witnesses and mee. Being sickly of body nevertheless having his memory and speech as well as formerly. Soe as outwardly did appear." He doth bequeath unto his natural son Matthias DeHart, 2,000 guilders Holland money, which shall remain put and secured upon the house and lot of said DeHart where hee for the present dwelleth, lying within this city between the house of Mr. John Lawrence and the widow of Daniel Litsche, until he comes of age. And he is to have maintainance with reasonable vittles, and clothes, and likewise to be teached to read and write, and in a trade also that thereby he may help himself.

a daughter of Matthias?

1673 Jan 21; Matthys de Haerdt, Jannetie de Wit; Catalina; Jacobus de Haerdt, Aechtie Rombouts, Petronellitie