Pieter Jacobsen

Son

• 1662 Oct 01; Pieter Jacobsen, Grietjen Hendricks Westercam; Pieter; Saertje Staets, Willempje Jacobs, Pieter Hillebrantsen [Kingston DRC Baptisms 1660-1809]

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In 1662, Grietjen Hendricks Westercamp had a child out of wedlock by a miller named Pieter Jacobsen. She sued the miller but he refused to recognize the child as his own.

From the Court Minutes of Esopus (now Kingston, NY)

Vol. I, Page 35, 4 Oct 1662 Grietjen Westercamp, plaintiff, vs. Pieter Jacobsen, defendant. Default. Vol. I, Page 36-7, 17 Oct 1662 Grietjen Hendricks Westercamp, plaintiff, vs. Pieter Jacobsen, defendant. Plaintiff demands of defendant why he denies his child. Defendant answers , and says, "I have my doubts about it." Plaintiff says that defendant ruined her, and asks that he restore her to honor. Defendant denies that her ruined her, and says "she must prove this to me," and also denies that he promised to marry her. He asks her when she brcame pregnant, and when she was delivered. Plaintiff says that defendant made her pregnant eight days before Christmas, 1661, and that she was delivered eight days before Kermis (the Fair), 1662. Plaintiff says she conceived at the mill-house of Pieter Jacbsen. Defendant requests two weeks' time. The Schout and Commissaries grant the defendant two weeks' time, and order plaintiff to prove at the next session that defendant ruined her.

Vol. I, Page 39-40, 1 Nov 1662 Grietjen Hendricks Westercamp, plaintiff, vs. Pieter Jacobse, defendant. Plaintiff exhibits to the Schout and Commissaries a certificate and deposition by seven women who certify and declare that they were present at the birth of Grietje Westerkamp's child, and that she swore three times that Pieter Jacobse was the father of the child. The Plaintiff asks for a vindication of her honor. The defendant says plaintiff did not behave as a decent girl should, and produces a certificate of Juriaen Westvael and his wife who declare that Grietjen Westercamp lay under one blanket with Jan van Breemen, with his daughter between them. Defendant, being interrogated, admits having conversed and lain with plaintiff, but did not promise marriage, and, besides, gave her no money for it, and asks if a woman can be thirteen months and four days in the family way. The Schout and Commissaries order defendant to bring clearer proof at the Court's next session.

Vol. I, Page 52, 9 Jan 1663 Pieter Jacobsen, plaintiff, vs. Grietjen Westercamp. Plaintiff, by petition, asked to be released from defendant, so as to be a free man again and earn his living. Defendant requests fourteen days' time. The Court again allows fourteen days' time, and if she cannot bring proof, plaintiff shall receive the judgment of the Court which, upon request, will mete out justice.

Vol. I, Page 55, 23 Jan 1663 Pieter Jacobsen, plaintiff, vs. Grietjen Westercamp, defendant. Default.

Vol. I, Page 57, 6 Feb 1663 Pieter Jacobsen, plaintiff, vs. Grietjen Westercamp, defendant. Plaintiff asks, by petition, that the Court grant him justice against defendant. Defendant answers that plaintiff is the father of her child. He denies this, says it is not his child, and offers to affirm upon oath. Which he did before the Court, saying, "I am not the father of the child: So truly help me God Almighty!" Therefore, the Court decides to allow plaintiff to marry any other person he pleases, and it has also thought it proper, in view of several certificates previously shown by both parties to the Court, that plaintiff shall, for the nonce, pay defendant two hundred gldrs., on a former acknowledgement made by him that he did not compensate her for lying with her, and he is therefore bound to pay her for that service.