Stephen Coerte van Voorhees

[https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Coerts-15]

• Alternate death date 2/16/1683.
• Steven Coerts Van Voorhees (M) - (1600 - 16. Feb. 1683/84)
• Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was also known as Steven Koerten Van Voorhees. He was also known as Steven Coerten van Hees. He was also known as Steven Coerte Van Voorhees. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was born in 1600 at Hees, Drenthe, Netherlands. He married Aeltje Wessels b 1633; 1st marriage Steven. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees married Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge in 1649 at Hees, Drente, Netherlands. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was renting from a Johan Struuck at a yearly rate of 28 mudden of Rye.

A mudden of land is the amount which can be sowed with one mud] about 4 bushels of grain. A skepel is the amount of land which can be wowed with a skepel [a bushel] on 22. Mar. 1658. He and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge immigrated in 1660 to New Amsterdam, New York County, New York; they sailed aboard the ship "De Bonte Koe" from Amsterdam Apr 15 1660. Captain Pieter Lucasz was master of the ship. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees imigrated on 15. Apr. 1660 to New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York; The family travelled on Capt. Pieter Lucasz's ship "De Bonte Koe" [The Spotted Cow]. He purchased from Cornelis Dicken Hoogland nine morgens of corn land, 7 morgens of woodland, 10 morgen of plain land, and 5 morgens of salt meadow in Flatlands with the house and a house plot in the village of Amersfoort en Bergen (Flatlands) with a brewery, grewing apparatus, kettle house, and casks with 3 appurtenances for 3,000 guilders on 29. Nov. 1660. He was appointed Magistrate in 1664. He and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge wer members of the DRC Flatbush, NY at Dutch Reformed Church, Flatbush, Kings County, New York, 1670. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees in 1675 at New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York. He died on 16. Feb. 1683/84 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York; A commemorative marker in what is now Brooklyn reads:

"Steven Coerten, born 1600, migrated with his family in 1660 for the manor of Voor-hees, Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, to the village of Amesfoort, now Flatlands, Long Island, and settled near this site. He served his church as Deacon and Elder, and the comunity as a magistrate, patentee in the Nicills Charter of 1667." He died a 1702 at Probably, Flatlands, Kings County, New York.

Child of Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Aeltje Wessels Coert Stevense Van Voorhees+ (1638 - a 20. Jun. 1699)

Children of Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge Lucas Stevense Van Voorhees+ (c 1650 - a 28. Dec. 1724) Jan Stevense Van Voorhees+ (1652 - 1735)

Why Did Steven Coerts Come to New Netherland? by Manning W. Voorhees (© 2008, Published here by permission of the author.)

Steven Coerts (Coerte, Coerten or another patronymic version) was the common progenitor of the Van Voorhees Family in America. It was usual for Dutch people in the United Provinces of the 17th Century to add a toponym to their name; thus, Steven’s full name became Steven Coerts van Voorhees, or Steven, the son of Coert, from the farm in front of the village Hees. This village was in Drenthe, the poorest region of the United Provinces. There were three contiguous farms occupied by relatives of the same family: Voorhees, Middlehees and Achterhees. These farms continue to be tilled today. When Steven and his family emigrated to New Netherland, he rented a farm known as Pols erve, or the area around Pols’ farm, in Ruinen, which is near Hees.

We most likely will never know definitively why Steven Coerts van Voorhees emigrated to New Netherland in 1660. Thoughtful presumptions have been made and will continue to be made, but there is no generally recognized documentation that can be used to support any one presumption over another. While information can always be uncovered in a dusty archive that will reveal Grandpa’s thinking, it would appear that the odds of this happening are remote. Nonetheless, there is a rationale that can be constructed from an assessment of probable influences. The danger, of course, is that we will apply our 21st Century rationale to Steven’s 17th Century decisional process.

The critical question is why would a sixty-year-old man with a sizeable family leave his accustomed surroundings, board a small, crowded bouncing ship and embark on a two-month voyage to the wilderness?1 Steven had some wealth, at least relative to his neighbors in the poorest area of the United Provinces (then the Netherlands), and probably could have enjoyed a life that was known to him for the balance of his time on earth. Can you imagine uprooting like this? Today, it would be comparable to shedding our American way of life and departing to start over in a fourth world country — oh yes, leave behind all of your possessions, credit cards, medications, television programs and the cell phone.

Steven Coerts was not the only emigrant to the New World with his attained age and family responsibilities. However, a large number of settlers, say in New England, came for religious reasons. Steven did not emigrate for religious freedom. The Dutch Reformed Church (the "DRC") was the acknowledged form of Christianity in both the old country and New Netherland, and Petrus Stuyvesant was a vigilant supporter of the DRC in Steven’s new land. The Classis of Amsterdam controlled the church in New Netherland. In this sense, Grandpa was "right at home" when he disembarked at New Amsterdam. Indeed, he was a faithful adherent of Dutch Calvinism in New Netherland and passed this faith to his children. Religion was very important to our forebears.2

Steven Coerts probably shared a motivation common to most immigrants to the New World, namely "better opportunity" for him and his family. A strong ingredient in this "better opportunity" scenario began on October 31, 1517 when Dr. Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Saxony, protesting against the evils that he perceived in the then practices of the Roman Catholic Church. This historical watershed launched the Protestant Reformation and resultant religiously oriented civil and economic upheaval and organized warfare.

"People from all walks of life, some of them hungry, others variously dissatisfied, and all affected by a grave economic crisis, vented their anger on the [Roman] Catholic Church in an unparalleled iconoclastic fury. The rebellion traveled like a heathland fire from western Flanders to Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands."3 The Catholic Spanish King, Philip II, ruler of the low countries, appointed the infamous Duke of Alba "to stamp out heresy. ... He set up a Council with the authority to indict and judge all participants in the recent events. Over twelve thousand Netherlanders of every station in life were victims of this ‘Council of Blood’ as it was known to its enemies."4 Philip II recognized the severity of Alba’s rule and replaced the Duke in 1573. Earlier, however, in 1568, the Dutch revolted against their Spanish rulers5 and Drenthe supported the uprising in 1580.6

War raged, and in 1592 Maurice of Nassau succeeded in capturing "Steenwijk and Koevorden."7 The city of Groningen, in the province of the same name, also fell to the States army in 1594 as well as cities in the neighboring province of Overijssel in 1597.8 The Dutch uprising against the Spanish ran until 1609 and termination of the Thirty Years War, which was partly religious in scope, ended the warring scene for the moment in 1648.9 Drenthe was obviously a battlefield during much of this long period of conflict. "Only from 1627 onwards the situation improved little by little, and after 1630 Drenthe was completely safe again."10 Remember when reading these dates that Steven and his two brothers were born in the latter years of the 1500's — Steven being the last in either 1599 or 1600.

An example of the religious animosity can be seen today in Mariakirk (St. Mary’s Church) in Ruinen, which is town nearest to Hees. Steven Coerts was probably baptized in Mariakirk in 1599 or 1600. 11 The congregation dates from the 12th Century and became DRC in 1598. A plaque in the sanctuary today lists the many pastors of Mariakirk, but includes only the Dutch Reformed domines starting with 1598. The earlier Roman Catholic pastors are not mentioned. Reformation sensibilities are still evident today.

The economy of Drenthe suffered during the period of conflict. "Many farms laid waste for years (in 1600 about 33%!)."12 Eventually, the economy entered an improving trend from around 1625 to 1650.13 However, this economy was dominated by a basically monolithic agricultural industry of grains and cattle, and peat extraction. Relative to our contemporary world, there was not a broad diversity of economic endeavors which would have had the potential of spurring economic growth in some sectors while other sectors improved slowly. Further, there was no beneficent government as we have today that could have pumped financial assistance into the economy and created incentives toward economic growth. While "things" improved after 1625, I wonder if this equates to our understanding of really better times. It is probable that economic life was healthier during the twenty-five years to 1650, but how much better was it? Then came a long-term downturn. "The results show a decline starting about 1650 ... The break about 1650 marked the beginning of a long depression lasting until 1750, with declining earnings, increasing costs of production and a growing burden of taxation."14 "The tax burden in Drenthe definitely increased since the introduction of the land taxes of 1643."15

The religious turmoil had a further important impact upon our Family. The Roman church owned extensive farm land in Drenthe and was the landlord for Steven’s father, Coert, and grandfather, Albert. They paid rent for the farm of Voorhees at the Abbey of Dikninge 16 Relatives rented the contiguous farms of Middlehees and Achterhees.17 Their rent was also paid to the Roman Church at Dikninge. One of the results of the Reformation was the secularization of land. "Not until 1598 did ... William Louis, stadtholder of Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland, secularize the Drenthe property of the former orders, which had moved out of the county during the Reformation period."18 Rent continued to be paid at Dikninge, but to the civil authorities. While not totally inconsiderate, these officials exacted high rents and were not overly prompt with building repairs. Steven’s brother, Albert — the oldest of the three sons of Coert — assumed the land lease for Voorhees around the time of secularization and occasionally experienced difficulties with paying the rent. "Time and again Albert requested the governing body of Drenthe for reduction of rent: he did so in 1635, 1645,1647,1653,1654 and 1659. The request of 1659 — remember, this is the year before Steven’s emigration — sent by the steward of Dikninge on Albert’s behalf to Drost and Deputies of Drenthe, shows us the bad state of affairs at Voorhees. Speaking of the farm, the request states: "‘... (that) his house, barn and sheepfold need urgent repairs, before it falls totally into decay ..’"19

Steven Coerts was apparently economically successful, renting a succession of generally larger farms until his emigration to New Netherland. Albert rented the farm of Voorhees. Jan, the middle brother, rented Middlehees until his death in 1637 or 1638, after which his sons rented the farm — the tenant when Steven emigrated was Jan’s grandson, Hilbert. Achterhees was rented by members of the family. Arable land in Drenthe of the 17th Century was controlled by a few large owners with little opportunity for small farmers to own their land. The future for Steven’s sons and the husbands of his daughters would likely be the same as his experience and that of his immediate family: land renter subject to the economic decisions of landlords. They would not be able to own their farms and would probably be limited to renting small farms like their elders. Today, we would call this the inability to accumulate assets.20 Further, Drenthe was still recovering from the long-term affects of the Reformation-stimulated warfare and its economy was not terrific. It was tough to make a living. The dominance of agriculture characterized by a few basic products would probably not lead to strong economic growth. This local environment contrasts with the economic success of the United Provinces, which was the world’s financial power at that time, the wealth of the Amsterdam merchants and the growth of the national economy.

Steven probably took all of the foregoing, stirred several times and decided to emigrate seeking a better opportunity — for himself, perhaps, but certainly for his family. One daughter, Hendrickje (Steven had two daughters named Hendrickje, one with each wife), was married to Jan Kiers, who emigrated with Hendrickje and her father. Daughter Marchien remained in Drenthe and married Roelof Oostinge in 1664.21

They set sail for New Netherland on 15 April 1660 on the good ship de Bonte Koe, or Spotted Cow. According to Dr. Oliver Rink, this was the second of three trips for de Bonte Koe to New Netherland: 1656 from West Africa with a cargo of slaves and 1660 and 1663 with settlers from the United Provinces.22 Ms. Lorine McGinnis Schulze, on the Dutch Colonies web site, added a trip in 1655.23

It is reasonable to assume that Steven Coerts knew about New Netherland, his family’s future homeland. Wouldn’t all of us have given some thought to the fundamental question of what’s what over there? The answer is apparent. In 1650, Cornelius van Tienhoven, Secretary of the New Netherland colony, "published a pamphlet intended to encourage families to migrate thither." There were descriptions of the land, crops, planting times, building plans and so on.24 Five years later in the year of his death, Dr. Adriaen van der Donck’s Description of the New Netherlands (sic) was published.25Van der Donck’s work gave glowing descriptions of New Netherland — it was a paradise. Tales of this wonderland depicted by van Tienhoven and van der Donck must have attracted the attention of farmers and others in Drenthe. (For information about van der Donck’s work, see the Van Voorhees Reading List on this web site.)

It is noteworthy, in this regard, that Steven probably knew of these opportunities directly from correspondence with his brother-in-law who went to New Netherland before him. We know that the greater family were letter writers by the eleven letters written from Drenthe after 1660 that are reproduced in Through a Dutch Door. (See the section Publications on this web site for information about purchasing Dutch Door.) Jan Gerritszen Strycker was born in 1615 in Ruinen and arrived in New Netherland in 1652.26 His first wife was Lambertje Roelofszen Seuberinge, the sister of Steven’s second wife, Willemtje Roelofszen Seuberinge. Having emigrated eight years earlier than Steven and Willemtje, there was more than sufficient time to relay favorable thoughts about the new homeland back to Drenthe. Jan was a leader with the formation of Midwout or Flatbush in today’s Brooklyn.

Jan Roelofszen Seuberinge was the brother of Lambertje and Willemtje. He was born circa 1631 in Beyle, Drenthe, and arrived in New Netherland in 1658.27 Thus, there was more "family" across the ocean. In addition, Willemtje also had brothers Jacob and Daniel, who had settled in the Raritan area.28

Willemtje must have had a strong desire to reunite with her siblings across the ocean. Was there "pillow talk" about these feelings with husband Steven?

Aside from being the brother of Steven’s wife, Jan joined with another name in our list. He married Adrianna Polhemius circa 166029 the year that Steven and family arrived in New Netherland. Adrianna was the daughter of Domine Johannes Theodorus Polhemius. The domine is an interesting character in our story. Do. Polhemius was a Palatine by birth in 1598. After graduating from the University of Heidelberg in 1620, he became a preacher in Gieten.30 There were doctrinal differences between the domine and his congregation. In 1627, he left Gieten for a pastoral post in Meppel. Difficulties developed again, and Do. Polhemius left Meppel in 1634. The West India Company subsequently assigned him in 1636 to a preaching position in New Holland, Brazil. Time passed, and in 1654 the Portugese evicted the Dutch from mainland Brazil and the domine fled to New Netherland, subsequently preaching in both Midwout (Flatbush) and Nieuw Amersfoort (Flatlands). Adrianna was born in Itamarica, Brazil.31

Meppel is approximately ten air miles southwest of Hees. Steven Coerts probably rented a farm in the Meppel area during at least part of Do. Polhemius’ preaching tenure in that city.32 Steven’s first child, daughter Hendrickje — she married Jan Kiers mentioned above — was born circa 1634. The domine departed from Meppel on 10 February of that year.33 Aaltjen Wessels was Steven’s first wife and mother of Hendrickje.34 We do not know when Steven and Aaltjen married, but it may not have been earlier than a year or two before Hendrickje was born. Thus, there appears to be a good possibility that Steven listened to Do. Polhemius’ preaching in Meppel for at least a few years and perhaps the good domine baptized Hendrickje, although he left Meppel early in 1634. Steven would probably remember him many years later when he heard that his former pastor was now in New Netherland serving the Midwout community where brother-in-law Jan Strycker was an important figure — and so, another personal attraction to New Netherland existed. The Polhemius connection would thicken, of course, when the domine’s daughter married the brother of Steven’s second wife.

Some writers on New Netherland speculate that the West India Company (the "WIC") offered financial incentives for farmers and tradesmen to emigrate and settle in the colony. Settlement was flagging and people were needed. New England was growing nicely, which was discomfiting to the Dutch. The English menace on the contested border with Connecticut was a continuing issue. WIC records are unavailable so it is not known what their incentives were — deferred costs of passage, loans for the costs of passage, loans or aid of some sort for the purchase of farms, or what? Then, maybe there were no financial incentives. "The surprising surge in immigration after 1657 ... may have reflected an all-out campaign by the West India Company and the Dutch government to provide New Netherland with the people it had long needed."35 Steven Coerts surely must have heard this call by the WIC — maybe the WIC sent recruiters into Drenthe. It is noteworthy in this regard that there were two sizeable (for those days) emigrations of Drents to New Netherland: in April 1660 on de Bonte Koe and in 1662 on de Hoop.36 Steven was not the only Drent to decide that the time had come to start again in the New World.

There was a confluence of many factors that motivated Steven Coerts to start over again in New Netherland at the age of sixty. I have concluded that they can be distilled into a single consideration: altruism. He wanted better economic futures for his sons and the husbands of his daughters and he acceded to his wife’s probable desire to be with her siblings. Although Steven was clearly successful in his new homeland, this was probably a concomitant result rather than an objective purely for himself.

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 Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was the son of Coert Albertse Van Voorhees and Mergin Hendrickje.

Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was born in 1600 at Hees, Drenthe, Netherlands.
He married Aeltje Wessels before 1633; 1st marriage Steven.

Steven Coerts Van Voorhees married Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge, daughter of Roeloff Lucassen Seuberinge, in 1649 at Hees, Drente, Netherlands.

Steven Coerts Van Voorhees died on 16-Feb-1683/84 at Flatlands, Kings County, New York; 

A commemorative marker in what is now Brooklyn reads: "Steven Coerten, born 1600, migrated with his family in 1660 for the manor of Voor-hees, Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, to the village of Amesfoort, now Flatlands, Long Island, and settled near this site. He served his church as Deacon and Elder, and the comunity as a magistrate, patentee in the Nicills Charter of 1667."

He died after 1702 at Probably, Flatlands, Kings County, New York. He was also known as Steven Koerten Van Voorhees. He was also known as Steven Coerten van Hees. He was also known as Steven Coerte Van Voorhees. He was renting from a Johan Struuck at a yearly rate of 28 mudden of Rye.

[A mudden of land is the amount which can be sowed with one mud] about 4 bushels of grain. A skepel is the amount of land which can be wowed with a skepel [a bushel] on 22-Mar-1658. He and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge immigrated in 1660 to New Amsterdam, New York County, New York; they sailed aboard the ship "De Bonte Koe" from Amsterdam Apr 15 1660. Captain Pieter Lucasz was master of the ship. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees imigrated on 15-Apr-1660 to New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York; The family travelled on Capt. Pieter Lucasz's ship "De Bonte Koe" [The Spotted Cow]. He purchased from Cornelis Dicken Hoogland nine morgens of corn land, 7 morgens of woodland, 10 morgen of plain land, and 5 morgens of salt meadow in Flatlands with the house and a house plot in the village of Amersfoort en Bergen (Flatlands) with a brewery, grewing apparatus, kettle house, and casks with 3 appurtenances for 3,000 guilders on 29-Nov-1660.

He was appointed Magistrate in 1664.  He and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge wer members of the DRC Flatbush, NY at Dutch Reformed Church, Flatbush, Kings County, New York, 1670. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees in 1675 at New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York. 

www.conovergenealogy.com/ancestor-p/p223.htm#i925

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A commemorative marker in what is now Brooklyn reads: "Steven Coerten, born 1600, migrated with his family in 1660 for the manor of Voor-hees, Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, to the village of Amesfoort, now Flatlands, Long Island, and settled near this site. He served his church as Deacon and Elder, and the comunity as a magistrate, patentee in the Nicills Charter of 1667."

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A commemorative marker in what is now Brooklyn reads: "Steven Coerten, born 1600, migrated with his family in 1660 for the manor of Voor-hees, Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, to the village of Amesfoort, now Flatlands, Long Island, and settled near this site. He served his church as Deacon and Elder, and the comunity as a magistrate, patentee in the Nicills Charter of 1667." Steven Coerts Van Voorhees died after 1702 at Probably, Flatlands, Kings County, New York.

    Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was also known as Steven Koerten Van Voorhees. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was also known as Steven Coerten van Hees. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was also known as Steven Coerte Van Voorhees. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was renting from a Johan Struuck at a yearly rate of 28 mudden of Rye.

[A mudden of land is the amount which can be sowed with one mud] about 4 bushels of grain. A skepel is the amount of land which can be wowed with a skepel [a bushel] on March 22, 1658. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge immigrated in 1660 to New Amsterdam, New York County, New York; they sailed aboard the ship "De Bonte Koe" from Amsterdam Apr 15 1660. Captain Pieter Lucasz was master of the ship. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees imigrated on April 15, 1660 to New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York; The family travelled on Capt. Pieter Lucasz's ship "De Bonte Koe" [The Spotted Cow]. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees purchased from Cornelis Dicken Hoogland nine morgens of corn land, 7 morgens of woodland, 10 morgen of plain land, and 5 morgens of salt meadow in Flatlands with the house and a house plot in the village of Amersfoort en Bergen (Flatlands) with a brewery, grewing apparatus, kettle house, and casks with 3 appurtenances for 3,000 guilders on November 29, 1660. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees was appointed Magistrate in 1664. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge wer members of the DRC Flatbush, NY at Dutch Reformed Church, Flatbush, Kings County, New York, 1670. Steven Coerts Van Voorhees in 1675 at New Amersfoort, Kings County, New York.

per: http://www.conovergenealogy.com/conover-p/p2793.htm#i925

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Notes for Stephen Coerte Van Voorhees: From T.G. Bergens "Early Settlers" P. 380: Stephen Coerte, the common ancestor of the Voorhees family in this country emigrated in 1660 with his wife and 7 children from Ruinen in Drenthe, and from in front of the hamlet of Hees near said locality hence the name. Bought Nov. 29 1660, of Cornelis Dircksen hoogland 9 morgens of corn-land, 7 of woodland, 10 of plain land, and 5 of salt-meadows making in all 31 morgens, in Flatlands for 3000gl.: also the house and house plot lying in the village of "Amesfoort en bergen", with the brewery and all the brewing apparatus, kettle-house, and casks.

Occupation: Farmer, Brewer

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http://www.vanvoorhees.org/VVA/family_tree.php

Children of Steven Coerts and Willemtje Roelofs Seuberinge

1. Lucas Stevense Van Voorhees

[Should not be confused with Lucas Stevensen, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York City at that time.]

Born: perhaps 1650, in the Netherlands Died: unknown, was alive on 28 December 1724 Married: date unknown, Catherine Hansen Catherine Hansen

Born: unknown Died: unknown Married: 26 January 1689, Jannetje Minnes Jannetje Minnes

Born: unknown Died: unknown Married: Lucas did not marry a third time as thought by some (i.e., to Catherine Van Dyk) 2. Jan Stevense (Jan Stevenson) Van Voorhees

Born: unknown, in the Netherlands Died: unknown, will dated 3 January 1723 and probated 20 November 1735 Married: 17 March 1678, Cornelia Reinier Wizzelpenning (sister of Helletje) Cornelia Reinier Wizzelpenning

Born: unknown Died: about 1680 Married: about 1681, Femmetje Aukes Femmetje Aukes

Baptized: 12 March 1662 at Brooklyn Died: unknown 3. Albert Stevense Van Voorhees

Born: unknown, in the Netherlands Died: was alive on 14 May 1727 Married: 24 April 1681, Helletje Reinier Wizzelpenning (sister of Cornelia) Helletje Reinier Wizzelpenning

Born: unknown Died: about 1691 Married: date unknown, Elena Vander Schure Elena Vander Schure

Baptized: 23 October 1667 in Nieuw Amsterdam Died: unknown 4. Aeltje Stevense (Van Voorhees)

Born: unknown, in the Netherlands Died: unknown Married: Barent Jurjansen Ryder Barent Jurjansen Ryder

Born: unknown, emigrated to Nieuw Amsterdam in 1658 Died: unknown, was alive on 7 October 1707 5. Jannetje (Jantje) Stevense (Van Voorhees)

Born: unknown, in the Netherlands Died: unknown, but prior to second marriage of second husband on 19 September 1709 Married: date unknown, Jan Martense Schenck Jan Martense Schenck

Born: unknown, emigrated from the Netherlands in 1650 Died: unknown, will dated 28 January 1688(69), proved 5 July 1694 Married: 29 February 1690, Alexander Simpson 6. Hendrickje Stevense (Van Voorhees)

[There are definitely two daughters with the name of Hendrickje.]

Born: unknown, in the Netherlands Died: around 1692-93 when husband married second wife Married: around 1676, Albert Albertsz Terhuyne Albert Albertsz Terhuyne

Baptised: 13 August 1651 at Flatbush Died: unknown, between 7 February 1707(08) and 20 September 1709

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Steven Coerte immigrated to "Nieuw Amsterdam" with his wife and eight children (and one son-in-law) in 1660. He was 60 years old. They sailed on a ship "De Bonte Koe" (the Spotted Cow) captained by Pieter Lucasz.

With him were his second wife, Willempje, 4 sons, 4 daughters, and the husband of the eldest daughter. bot the eldest son and the eldest daughter were children of a previous marriage. another married daughter, also from the previous marriage, remained in the netherlands.

The family settled in new Amersfoort, later known as Flatlands, now a part of Brooklyn, NYC.

Under later British rule, the Dutch complied with British usage and adopted surnames. The family of Steven Coerte drew on their Dutch origins and used Van Voorhees; the Van meaning "from", and Voor meaning "before", Hees being the small hamlet in Drenthe Province where the family farm and home were located.

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Steven Coerts (Coerte) (Coerten) Van Voorhees

   Born: 1600 at the Farm of Voorhees in the Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands

   Emigrated: 1660 with second wife, children (except Marchien), and son-in-law Jan Kiers to Nieuw Amersfoort

   Died: 16 February 1684 http://www.vanvoorhees.org/VVA/family_tree.php

Steven Coerts (Coerte, Coerten or another patronymic version) was the common progenitor of the Van Voorhees Family in America. It was usual for Dutch people in the United Provinces of the 17th Century to add a toponym to their name; thus, Steven’s full name became Steven Coerts van Voorhees, or Steven, the son of Coert, from the farm in front of the village Hees. This village was in Drenthe, the poorest region of the United Provinces. There were three contiguous farms occupied by relatives of the same family: Voorhees, Middlehees and Achterhees. These farms continue to be tilled today. When Steven and his family emigrated to New Netherland, he rented a farm known as Pols erve, or the area around Pols’ farm, in Ruinen, which is near Hees.

[Steven and his family] set sail for New Netherland on 15 April 1660 on the good ship de Bonte Koe, or Spotted Cow.

Steven’s second wife, Willemtje Roelofszen Seuberinge, was the sister of Jan Roelofszen Seuberinge and Lambertje. Jan was born circa 1631 in Beyle, Drenthe, and arrived in New Netherland in 1658. Thus, there was more "family" across the ocean. In addition, Willemtje also had brothers Jacob and Daniel, who had settled in the Raritan area. http://www.vanvoorhees.org/docs/why_come.php

New York State Library - Van Voorhees Association Records, 1932-2007 - SC23157 Quantity: 27 boxes (ca. 20.0 cubic ft.); 1 oversize folder Access: Open to research Acquisition: Gift: Judith Van Voorhis, September 17, 2009 Processed By: Abigail Stambach, Student Assistant, State University of New York at Albany, Winter 2011 http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc23157.htm

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http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/voorhees-1.html

Steven Coerte Van Voorhees, son of Coert Alberts of Voorhees, was born in 1600 at Hees, Holland. He emigrated from before the village of Hees in the province of Drenthe, Holland, in April, 1660, in the ship "Bonte Koe" (Spotted Cow), Captain Pieter Lucassen, with his wife and all his children except his two daughters, Hendrickjen and Merghin. He purchased, November 29, 1660, from Cornelis Dircksen Hoogland, "9 morgens of cornland, 7 morgens of woodland, 10 morgens of plainland and 5 morgens of salt meadow," in the Flatlands of Long Island, for three thousand guilders. Also the house and house plot lying in the village of "Amersfoort in Bergen" (Flatlands), with the brewery and all the brewing apparatus, kettle house and casks, with the appurtenances, as per page 37 of Liber B of Flatbush records. He married, in Holland, a wife (name unknown), who was the mother of all his children. He married (second), prior to 1677, on Long Island, Willempie Roelofse Seubering. Both Steven and his second wife were members of the Dutch church of Flatlands in 1677. His name appears as magistrate in 1664. His will is dated August 25, 1677. Children:

1. Hendrickjen Stevense, married Jan Kiers; she came over from Holland several years after her parents.

2. Merghin Stevense, married Remmelt Willemse; she resided in 1684 at Dwingelo, Holland, with her son-in-law, Jan Van Etchen.

3. Coert Stevense, see forward.

4. Lucas Stevense, of Hackensack, New Jersey; married Catherine Hansen Van Noortstrand.

5. Jan Stevense, married Cornelia Reincers Wizzel-penning; (second), Femmetje Aukes Van Nuyse.

6. Albert Stevense, a large landowner of Hackensack, New Jersey, and one of the organizers of the first Dutch church there, of which he was one of the two first elders. He married (first) Barentie Willemse; (second) Lilletje Reinniers Wizzel-penning; (third) Helena Van Der Dhure.

7. Altje Stevense, married Barrent Jurianz Ryder, the ancestor of the Gravesend, Long island, family of Ryder.

8. Jannetie Stevense, married (first) Jan Martense Schenck, (second) Alexander Sympson.

9. Hendrickje Stevense, married (first) Jan Riverstead, (second) Albert Albertse Terhune, of Flatlands, Long Island, and Hackensack, New Jersey.

10. Abraham Stevense, married Altje Strycker.

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The Old and New Monongahela - Page 187

"Steven Coerte Van Voorhees, who emigrated to this country from Holland in 1630, was a son of Coert Alberts Van Voorhies, who resided in front of the village of Hees, or Hies, in the Netherlands, the word 'Voor' meaning in English, 'in front of'.

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https://archive.org/stream/genealogyofvanvo00vanv/genealogyofvanvo0...

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§ Steven Van Voorhees (1600 – 16 February 1684) was an early Dutch settler and the patriarch of the Voorhees family line and namesakes. In 1664, he was a magistrate and founder of the Dutch Reformed Church in present day Flatlands, He emigrated with his family in April 1660 to the New Netherlands in the ship Bontekoe. § Steven Coerten Van Voorhees, b. in 1600 at Hees, Holland. "The meaning in English of the name Van Voorhees is 'from before Hees'; Van meaning 'from', Voor meaning 'before' or 'in front of' and Hees being a small village about a quarter of a mile south of the town of Ruinen in the Province of Drenthe, Holland, which contained in 1660 nine houses and about fifty inhabitants." He emigrated with his family in Apr, 1660 to the New Netherlands in the ship Bontekoe (Spotted Cow)and d. Feb. 16, 1684, at Flatlands, L.I. His wife's name is unknown." -

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 10 2017, 2:57:06 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

(Research):BIOGRAPHY: He was the immigrant ancestor for this line.

BIOGRAPHY: Steven was a tenant farmer in Holland, renting various farms from the convent at Ruinen, as had his father before him. There were three farms located at Hees: Voorhees, Middelhees, and Achterhees. The convent had owned the lands since at least 1180.

BIOGRAPHY: Rye was the primary crop, although some oats and buckwheat were also grown. Crops were used to pay rent and reserved as seed for sowing and for consumption, leaving little to be sold at market. Cattle and sheep became a necessary supplement to the farmers’ incomes.

BIOGRAPHY: Until about 1630 tenants paid the so-called “third sheave”, which meant that one third of the harvest was given to the convent. After 1614 they paid an amount of rent determined on a year by year basis, although this occasionally was designated as the third sheave. A large increase in rent occurred in 1626, when a resolution was passed that farms owned by the Landschap of Drenthe be rented out to the highest bidder.

BIOGRAPHY: In return, tenants could submit all costs of repair to the rent master. These were typically small items, such as nails, boards, paying the carpenter, etc. The costs of major repairs required special approval of the Drost and Deputies. The convent, in turn, paid the rent master, the officials, the ladies of the convent, schoolmasters, and preachers.

BIOGRAPHY: An economic depression began in Drenthe about 1650, lasting for approximately 100 years, with declining earnings, increasing costs of production, and a growing burden of taxation. It has been proposed that the opportunity of actually owning his own farm was a primary reason for emigrating, but the burdens of life at home must also have played a part, since a virtual mass exodus occurred from Drenthe to New Amsterdam.

BIOGRAPHY: Steven sailed for New Amsterdam aboard the Bonte Coe (“Spotted Cow”) captained by Pieter Lucasz, on 15 April 1660. Already 60 at the time of his arrival, he was accompanied by his second wife and all of his children except Mergin, who remained behind.

BIOGRAPHY: On 29 November 1660, seven months after his arrival, Steven purchased nine morgens of corn land, seven morgens of woodland, ten morgens of plain land, and five morgens of salt meadow in Flatlands from Cornelis Dircksen Hoagland. (A morgen was equivalent to approximately two acres.) The property included a house and plot, a brewery, brewery equipment, a kettle house, and casks. The purchase price was three thousand guilders.

BIOGRAPHY: In addition to being active in the brewing business, Steven was active in religious and civic affairs within the community. He was appointed magistrate in 1664, and on 19 March 1664 served in the Provincial Assembly representing Nieuw Amersfoort. In October 1667, Steven, along with others, patented the town of Flatlands.

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https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom_klavers/I40589.php

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Stamboom Klavers » Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees

Persoonlijke gegevens Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees • Hij is geboren rond 29 november 1600 in Hees, Ruinen (Drenthe).Bron 1 • Hij is overleden. • Hij is begraven op 16 februari 1684 in Flatlands, Kings County, New York, USA.Bron 2

Voorouders (en nakomelingen) van Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees grootouders Albert Coerte van Voorhees ± 1505-1581 Mergin van Voorhees ± 1509-???? ouders Ka61.18a.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Koert Tho (Albers) van Voorhees ± 1557-± 1620 Ka61.18a.1.2.1.1.1.1.2 Mergin Hendricks ± 1558-± 1609

Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees ± 1599-???? (1) < 1630 Aaltje Houels Wessels ± 1602-± 1647 (2) 1649 Willemtje Roelofs (Seuberinge) Seubering ± 1619-± 1690

Gezin van Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees Hij is getrouwd met (1) Aaltje Houels Wessels voor 1630.Bron 1 Kind(eren): 1. Marritje Stevens van Voorhees ± 1635-???? 2. Coert Stevens van Voorhees ± 1638-1699 3. Wessel van Voorhees ± 1640-± 1641 4. Marrichje Stevens van Voorhees ± 1642-1702 5. Hendrickjen Stevens van Voorhees ± 1644-± 1705

Hij is getrouwd met (2) Willemtje Roelofs (Seuberinge) Seubering op 10 oktober 1649 te Hees, Ruinen (Drenthe).Bron 1 Kind(eren): 1. Lucas Stevense van Voorhees ± 1650-1724 2. Jan Stevense van Voorhees ± 1652-1735 3. Albert Stevense van Voorhees ± 1654-> 1727 4. Aaltje Stevense van Voorhees ± 1656-± 1726 5. Jannetje van Voorhees ± 1658-1705 6. Hendrickje Stevense van Voorhees ± 1659-± 1693

Notities bij Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees Beroep: brouwer.

Steven Coerte \Van Voorhees\ and oldest son Coert Stevense \Van Voorhees\, and second wife,Aaltjen Hauels Wessels and six children, plus the husband of one embarked for America on April 15, 1660. He paid 36 gilders per adult passage on the ship "Bontekoe" ( Spotted Cow). After seven weeks, they arrived in New Netherlands, enroute to a community named New Amersfoort on the island of Nassau. They had Dutch friends awaiting their arrival. Four years after their arrival, the British took control and New Amsterdam became New York.

Steven Coerts/Koerts \Van Voorhees\ was aged 60 at the time of his arrival in New Amsterdam, NY. Steven Coerts/Koerts was married twice.

On November 29, 1660, he purchased from Cornelis Hoogland at Flatlands, a farm composed of cornland, woodland, plain land, and salt meadows. Also there was a house plot, a brewery with all the necessary apparatus. In 1667, he was assessed on a patent and in 1664 he became a Magistrate. His will is dated August 25, 1667. There is a street named after him in Sheepsbat, Brooklyn. Steven Koerts acquired the equipment necessary for the brewing business, so it is assumed that he followed this business. Unfortunately, the Flatlands (Flatbush) Reformed Dutch Church has few early records, but Steven Coert and his wife are listed as members of the church in 1677. It is known, (Stoothoff) he represented Nieuw Amersfoort in the Provincial Assembly. In October 1667 Steven Coerts with others patented the town of Flatlands. Under later British rule, Steven Coert adopted the surname "Van (before) Voor (village) Hees". Everyone with the name Voorhees is descended from him because nobody else adopted that name.

Sources: Deed dated March 8, 1697. Book 2, page 34, Kings Co. Deeds Richard Cline Mar 1998

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Stamboom Klavers » Aaltje Houels Wessels

Persoonlijke gegevens Aaltje Houels Wessels • Zij is geboren rond 1602.Bron 1 • Zij is overleden rond 1647.Bron 1

Gezin van Aaltje Houels Wessels Zij is getrouwd met Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees voor 1630.Bron 1 Kind(eren): 1. Marritje Stevens van Voorhees ± 1635-???? 2. Coert Stevens van Voorhees ± 1638-1699 3. Wessel van Voorhees ± 1640-± 1641 4. Marrichje Stevens van Voorhees ± 1642-1702 5. Hendrickjen Stevens van Voorhees ± 1644-± 1705

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Clyde Stewart Family Tree » Willemtje Roelofs Seubering

Persoonlijke gegevens Willemtje Roelofs Seubering (Seuberinge)

Bron 1Bron 2 • Alternatieve naam: Willemtie Roesofse Seubering • Zij is geboren rond 1619 in Zwichtelo, Beilen..Bron 2 • Zij is overleden rond 1690 in Flatbush, Kings, New York, United States.Bron 2 • Zij is begraven in Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, Usa.Bron 2

Aanknopingspunten in andere publicaties Deze persoon komt ook voor in de publicatie: • Stamboom Klavers • Buitenwerf family tree • Stamboom Nijborg Voorouders (en nakomelingen) van Willemtje Roelofs (Seuberinge) Seubering ouders Roelof Lucas (Seuberinge) Seubering ± 1589-????

Willemtje Roelofs (Seuberinge) Seubering ± 1619-± 1690 1649 Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees ± 1599-????

Gezin van Willemtje Roelofs Seubering Zij is getrouwd met Steven Coerts (Voorhyes) van Voorhees op 10 oktober 1649 te Hees, Ruinen (Drenthe).Bron 3 Kind(eren): 1. Jan Stevense Vanvoorhees 1652-1735 2. Jannetjie (Jantje) Vanvoouhees ????-< 1709 3. Hendrickje Stevense Vanvoorhees 1630-1709 4. Coerte Stevevse Vanvoouhees 1638-1702 5. Lucas Stevense Vanvoorhees 1650-> 1724 6. Albert Stevense Vanvoouhees 1654-1727 7. Aeltje Stevense Vanvoorhees 1656-1746 8. Jannetje Stevense Vanvoorhees 1658-1709 9. Hendrickje Stevense Vanvoorhees 1659-1692 10. Merghin Stevense Vanvoorhees ????-1702 11. Hendrickje Stevense Vanvoorhees 1659-1709

Bronnen 1. Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current, Ancestry.com / Ancestry.com 2. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Ancestry.com / Ancestry.com 3. Millennium File, Heritage Consulting / Ancestry.com 4. Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015, Ancestry.com / Ancestry.com

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http://www.webringreestdal.nl/genealogie/coert%20te%20voorhees.html...[Veeningen] Genealogie van de familie Coert te Voorhees

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12. Steven Coerts [Van Voorhees] geb. __-__-1600, Ruinen [Voorhees], zoon van 1. Ka61.18a.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Coert te VoorHees met NN trouwde (1) ca __-__-1630, Aaltje Wessels, geb. ca __-__-1602, overl. na __-__-1642, trouwde (2) 1648 __ 1649, Willemtje Roelofs, [Seubringe] geb. __-__-1619, overl. __-__-1690. Steven overleed 16-02-1684, Amerika, New Amersfoort.

kinderen 121. Coert Stevens [Van Voorhees] (zoon van Steven Coerts en Aaltje Wessels) geb. __-__-1638, Ruinen [Hees], trouwde ca __-__-1665, Marretje Gerrits, [van Couvenhoven] gedoopt: 10-04-1644, Nieuw Amsterdam, overl. 1702 __ 1709. Coert overleed na 20-06-1699.

                      1211. _____ Coerts  geb. ca __-__-1667. 122. Wessel Stevens (zoon van Steven Coerts en Aaltje Wessels)  gedoopt: 25-09-1640, begraven: 14-01-1641. 123. Marchien Stevens (dochter van Steven Coerts en Aaltje Wessels) geb. ca __-__-1640, overl. na __-__-1687. 124. Hendrikje Stevens (dochter van Steven Coerts en Aaltje Wessels)  geb. ca __-__-1640. 125. Lucas Stevens [Van Voorhees] (zoon van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)

geb. ca __-__-1650, trouwde (1) ca __-__-1680, Catherine Hansen, geb. ca __-__-1650, trouwde (2) 26-01-1689, Jannetje Minnes, geb. ca __-__-1660. Lucas overleed na 28-12-1724. 126. Jan Stevens [Van Voorhees] (zoon van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)  geb. ca __-__-1650,  trouwde (1) 17-03-1678, Cornelia Reinier Wizzelpenning, geb. ca __-__-1655, (dochter van Reinier Wizzelpenning) overl. ca __-__-1680,  trouwde (2) ca __-__-1681, Femmetje Aukes, gedoopt: 12-03-1662, Brooklyn (New York, USA). 127. Albert Stevens [Van Voorhees] (zoon van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)

geb. ca __-__-1652,  trouwde (1) 24-04-1681, Helletje Reinier Wizzelpenning, geb. ca __-__-1657, (dochter van Reinier Wizzelpenning) overl. ca __-__-1691,  trouwde (2) ca __-__-1694, Elena van der Schuur, gedoopt: 23-10-1667, Nieuw Amsterdam. Albert overleed na 14-05-1727.

                  1271. Albert Van Voorhees (zoon van Albert Stevens en Elena van der Schuur)  geb. ca __-08-1704, Bergen (New Jersey, USA), gedoopt: __-08-1704, Hackensack (Bergen, USA), trouwde __-__-1735, Cornelia Van Giesen, geb. ca __-__-1710. 128. Aaltje Stevens [Van Voorhees] (dochter van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)  geb. ca __-__-1655, trouwde ca __-__-1670, Barent Jurjens Ryder, geb. ca __-__-1652, overl. na __-__-1707. 129. Jannetje Stevens [Van Voorhees] (dochter van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)  geb. ca __-__-1658, trouwde (1) ca __-__-1675, Jan Martens Schenck, geb. ca __-__-1648, trouwde (2) 29-02-1690, Alexander Simpson, geb. ca __-__-1660. 12(10). Hendrikje Stevens [Van Voorhees] (dochter van Steven Coerts en Willemtje Roelofs)  geb. ca __-__-1660, trouwde ca __-__-1676, Albert Alberts Terhuine, gedoopt: 13-08-1651, Flatbush, overl. 1707 __ 1709. Hendrikje overleed 1692 __ 1693.

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http://www.webringreestdal.nl/historie/stevencoerts.html

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Steven Coerts, een Drents landverhuizer uit 1660 door J. Poortman voor de Nieuwe Drentsche Volksalmanak 1943

De tegenspraak, die er bestaat tussen de hedendaagse zienswijze, dat de Drenten zo honkvast zouden zijn geweest en de mededeling van Picardt in zijn "Korte beschrijvinge van eenige vergetene en verborgene Antiquiteten" enz., p. 251 (uitgave 1660) of p. 376 (uitgave 1731) heeft me lang bezig gehouden. Picardt toch zegt daar, waar hij het heeft over het zware lijden van Drente en zijn bevolking: "Getuygen zijn de meenigte der Drentse geslachten, die van haar verheerde Vaderlandt gelyck als uytgespogen zijnde haer begeven hebben in andere Provintien om haer fortuyn te soecken." Dit klopt volkomen met een vroegere mededeling uit de stad Groningen, dat de Drenten, die er waren komen wonen, er maatschappelijk zeer op vooruit gegaan waren, zodat zij mede aanzienlijke posities hadden ingenomen, zeer tot ergernis der Groningers zelf. Dit nu wijst niet direct op het blijven vastzitten aan het eigen loeg of de eigen dorpsgemeenschap. Bestudering van "Nederlanders in Amerika", het uitnemende proefschrift van J. van Hinte, bracht me via ds Megapolensis op de eerste predikant van Midwout (Long Island) ds johannes Theodorus Polhemus. Dit toch was een naam, die ik in het kerkelijk archief van Meppel aangetroffen had. Hij was daar predikant geworden in 1627, nadat hij van 1624-1627 in Gieten had gestaan. Ds. Polhemus was in de Paltz geboren en hij werd te Meppel als eerste tweede predikant beroepen. Romein deelt verder mede, dat hij in 1629 aangesteld werd tot rector der latijnse school op een tractement van fl 200.-. In Meppel is hij tot 1634 gebleven en na door de classis ontslagen te zijn op 10 Februari 1634, vertrok hij naar zijn vaderland de Paltz. De reden daarvan is mij niet bekend. Bond de Meppeler gemeente hem te veel de handen? Of was het de geest van de dynamische tijd, die hem naar Braziliè deed gaan, waar hij in 1648 in dienst was van de West Indische Compagnie. Ook daar bleef hij niet. De lamlendige houding van de bewindhebbers, maakten, dat "Brasiel versuymt" werd en moest worden opgegeven. Ds Polhernus ging daarop naar Nieuw- Nederland, de verheerlijkte volksplanting, die toen zeer in trek begon te komen. Van Hinte deelt mee, dat door verschillende oorzaken, o.a. door de grote verdraagzaamheid op godsdienstig gebied en het gunstige klimaat de emigratie omstreeks 1660 zeer toenam. Gouverneur Stuyvesant had er in 1646 ruim 2000 kolonisten aangetroffen; toen hij in 1664 moest buigen voor de Engelsen, waren er meer dan 10.000. Voor deze kolonisten waren kerken nodig en die kwamen er. Had ds Michaelius in 1628 te Nieuw-Amsterdam het eerst gepreekt op een molenzolder, op 9 Februari 1654 organiseerde ds Megapolensis voor de bewoners van Nw.-Amersfoort, Midwout en Breukelen (Brooklijn) de kerkplannen. Daar werd deze gesticht te Midwout in 1655 en kort na zijn overkomst uit Brazilië in dat jaar werd ds Polhernus de eerste predikant van deze gecombineerde gemeenten. Breukelen bouwde reeds in 1660 een eigen kerk, Amersfoort in 1661. Nu is het wel heel typisch, dat de kerkgangers te Amersfoort bijeengetrommeld werden precies als dat in Drenthe te Hoogeveen het geval was en is. Toevallige overeenkomst? Ik meen het te mogen betwijfelen op grond van het feit, dat in Amersfoort ten minste één Drentse familie woonde n.l. Steven Coerts van Voorhees, die hier op een boerderij onder Hees, gemeente Ruinen, gewoond had, en die zes maand na zijn aankomst te Nieuw-Amsterdam van Comelis Dircksen Hooglant een farm of bouwerij kocht met een woonhuis. Kort na zijn aankomst was hij reeds diaken van de kerk te Flatlands (Nw.-Amersfoort). Er zijn drie brieven bewaard, die de Drentse familie geschreven heeft in 1684, 1687 en 1699, zodat het contact met het vaderland bewaard bleef. Dit blijkt trouwens ook uit Volume XXXIII der New York Colonial manuscripts, folio 136, waarin een verklaring voorkomt over Jan Elten van Kingston N.Y., die naar het vaderland wilde vertrekken en een attestatie mee kreeg. Elten was volgens het document afkomstig uit Zwiggelte en de 5 ondertekenaars waren "alt natives of the land of Drenten.", zodat zij bevoegd waren tot oordelen en kennis droegen van de woonplaats van Jans ouders, die nog te Zwiggelte woonden. De eerste ondertekenaar nu was de eerbare Steven Coerten, 79 jaar oud en de laatste zijn zoon Coert Stevensen, oud 42 jaar. Verder tekenden Willem Roeloffs, Jan Strycker en Jan Suebering, die dezelfde achternaam draagt als de vrouw van Steven Coerts. Zo horen we dan Drenten in Nieuw-Nederland hun stem verheffen te midden van de achttien talen, die er in die dagen gesproken werden. Toen ik jaren geleden in de Meppeler Courant opkwam tegen de z.g.n. honkvastheid-aanwrijving, kwam ik in contact met één der nakomelingen van Steven Coerts en dit is de aanleiding geweest tot vele onderzoekingen en veel correspondentie, die nu tijdelijk onderbroken is. Daarbij kwam vast te staan, zoals ik hierboven al in het kort uiteenzette, dat ook Drenten deelnamen aan de kolonisatie van de Nieuwe Wereld en daar in sommige dorpen een vooraanstaande plaats innamen. Wat vinden we nu in onze eigen archieven over de familie van Steven Coerts vermeld? Voorhees is een boerderij, die vroeger voorkwam op de inkomstenlijsten van de abdij Dicninge, naast middel- en achter-Hees. Er lagen dus te Hees drie boerderijen, die verhuurd werden onder de toen geldende condities. Voorhees had gemengd bedrijf, zoals onder Ruinen te verwachten was. Het was 28 mud bouwland en 71 mud hooiland groot en werd verhuurd voor 38 mud rogge (in onze maten dus 7 ha bouw- en ą 2 ha hooiland). Jonker Van den Boetzelaar had sinds 1626 zowel Voor- als Middelhees in huur, doch hij droeg in 1632 de huur van Middelhees over aan Jan Coerts. De huur bedroeg toen 50 mud rogge. Van 1621-1626 heeft Coert te Achterhees deze plaats in huur. Gedurende die tijd werkte Albert te Voorhees voor een huur van 28 mud. Er is dus nog al wisseling, want in 1626 huurt Jacob Oostinge "tot Spier" Achterhees voor 35 mud rogge. Het is wel onnodig alle zesjaarlijkse wisselingen op te geven. Daarom bepaal ik me tot de jaren om 1660, omdat in deze periode het vertrek naar Nieuw-Nederland valt. Op 22 Maart 1658 huurt Steven Coerts Pol's Erve van de beheerder van de Dicninger goederen. Toen woonde Hilhert Coerts op Achterhees, die op 14 Maart 1661 deze huur vernieuwde. In dit jaar woonde Albert te Voorhees, doch in 1662 komt daar weer Hilhert Coerts voor. Is het dit gescharrel met de huurconditiën geweest en de wetenschap, dat een ander, die land nodig had, voor een hogere vergoeding iemand land en huis kon onthuren, die oudvader Steven er toe bracht Drente te verlaten? Het lijkt me niet onwaarschijnlijk! In elk geval kwam hij er toe op een leeftijd, waarop tegenwoordig de mensen hun zaken graag overlaten aan hun kinderen, te emigreren en zich een nieuw bestaan te zoeken in den vreemde. Onmiddellijk dringt zich de vraag op, hoe hij in dat "afgelegen" Drenthe, zoals zovelen zich dat nu nog voorstellen, er weet van had, dat er zelfs zoiets als een Nieuw-Nederland bestond. We weten, dat de stad Amsterdam veel propaganda maakte voor deze emigratie. Bekend was ook de "Beschrijvinge van Nieuw-Nederlant" van Adriaen van der Donck, dat in 1655 verschenen, reeds in 1656 een tweede druk beleefde. Ook is het mogelijk, dat de opwekking tot emigratie van Cornelis van Tienhoven, naar Drente gekomen is. Hoe? Meppel was een belangrijke schakel tussen Amsterdam en Holland met het Drentse achterland. Handel met Amsterdam was toen ook belangrijker dan we oppervlakkig denken. Of dergelijke werkjes hier gelezen werden is moeilijk uit te maken, maar dat die zeer goed naar Drenthe konden komen, bewijst het feit, dat ik van één der oude families vroeger het werk van Montanus over ontdekkingsreizen naar Amerika kreeg, dat kort na 1650 uitgegeven werd. Hoe het ook zij, zeker is, dat Steven Coerts op zestigjarige leeftijd Ruinen en zijn verwanten verliet en met zijn gehele familie vertrok om met de Bonte Kou - de Bontekoe - naar Nieuw-Amsterdam te reizen. Uit de passagierslijst van deze Bonte Kou is gebleken, dat behalve de matrozen en een detachement soldaten 49 passagiers meegingen, nl. 21 mannen, 5 vrouwen met 23 kinderen en 3 meisjes. Met inbegrip van een dienstbare uit Meppel waren daarbij 29 Drenten, 4 Geldersen en 1 Zeeuw. Het spreekt vanzelf, dat ik gaarne deze lijst met Drentse namen nageplozen zou hebben, doch het bleek, dat bedoelde bescheiden, nadat ze tien jaar geleden voor Amerikaanse belangstellenden zijn gebruikt, niet meer te vinden zijn, ondanks de moeite daartoe gedaan door het Rijksarchief in Drenthe. Laten we hopen, dat deze papieren later nog eens teruggevonden worden, zodat het dan mogelijk is na te gaan, wie emigreerden en waar ze vandaan kwamen. (zie voetnoot) Een hele onderneming was het ongetwijfeld. Toen de tijd van vertrek aangebroken was, reisden ze over Meppel naar Amsterdam, waarbij gebruik gemaakt werd van den Meppeler veerschipper. Op het kantoor van de West Indische Compagnie meldden ze zich voor de noodzakelijke inspectie en voor het betalen van de overtocht. De prijs bedroeg voor volwassenen 36 gulden, met reductie voor de kinderen. De agent van de Compagnie Van Ruyven schreef na de inspectie Steven Coerts, zijn vrouw en hun zeven kinderen op de passagierslijst. Ook Stevens dochter Hendrikje en haar echtgenoot Jan Kiers - ook een Ruiner naam! - gingen mee. Alleen Coert, de oudste zoon, was volwassen, de andere kinderen waren tien jaar of jonger. Een beschrijving van de Bonte Kou is niet meer te vinden, maar dit zal het gewone type schip geweest zijn, dat de Compagnie voor overtochten gebruikte, met twee dekken, drie masten en het bekende hoge achterdek. Op 15 April 1660 - oude stijl - begon de reis, die enkele weken zou duren langs de zgn. zuidelijke route. Aan boord waren ook 18 soldaten, waarvan één met zijn vrouw en drie kinderen. In totaal reisden 5 families mee; vier daarvan hadden samen 23 kinderen; verder waren er 9 ongehuwde mannen bij, waaronder een kleermaker en een schoenmaker. Drie daarvan had Roelof Swartwout, een Geldersman, gehuurd. Swartwout had een bezoek gebracht aan zijn geboorteplaats en het is niet onmogelijk, dat hij dit mee gedaan had om aan werkkrachten te komen. Daaraan toch had men in de Nieuwe Wereld een groot tekort, zo, dat de grote kolonisten "dienstvolk" lieten werven door het gehele land en zelfs in Oost-Friesland, zoals uit de papieren van Kiliaen van Rensselaer blijkt. De Compagnie werkte nl. de onafhankelijke kolonisten op vele manieren tegen, en we krijgen wel een slechte indruk van de benepen koopmansgeest dier heren Bewindhebbers der Compagnie. Hierbij dient echter opgemerkt te worden, dat fortuinzoekers ook toen alles deden om ten koste van wat dan ook spoedig en rijk te repatriëren. Zo verongelukte b.v. directeur-generaal Kieft op de terugweg naar het vaderland mèt zijn kapitaal van fl 400.000.-, dat hij bij elkaar geschraapt had, om het niet erger te zeggen. Zeker is dat het Steven Coerts' bedoeling geweest is zelf een boerderij te kopen en dat hij daartoe ook de middelen of het crediet had. In juni aangekomen zal hij eerst enige tijd rondgezien hebben naar een plaats, die hem leek. Dat lukte hem spoedig, want er bestaat een contract van 29 November 1660, waaruit blijkt, dat hij voor fl 3400.- - een grote som voor die tijd - van Cornelius Diercksen Hooghlant te Nieuw-Amersfoort een huis met schuur, brouwerij en 24 hectare land kocht. De acte is in het nederlands geschreven en komt met de engelse vertaling voor in boek B van de Flatbush acten op pag. 27. De koopacte luidt als volgt: (verkort) Geloofd zij God. In Midwout verschenen op 29 November 1660 voor mij, Adriaan Hegernan, tegenwoordig secretaris van Midwout en Amersfoort in Nieuw-Nederland de hierna genoemde getuigen, Corneles Dercsen Hooghlant aan de ene zijde en Steven Coerts aan de andere zijde. De genoemde C.D. Hooghlant verklaarde, dat hij had verkocht en Steven Coerts, dat hij had gekocht een stuk maisland gelegen te Amersfoort, tussen de bouwerij (akkerland) van Wolfert Gerritsen van Couwenhoven en Frans Jensen, timmerman, .......... te zamen met het huis en omgeving liggende te Amersfoort, de hooibergen, met het bouwhuis inclusief alle brouw-gereedschappen als ketels, vaten, tonnen en wat er meer toe behoort, met een wagen, een ploeg en een ijzeren eg, twee ossen, al het uitgezaaide graan, 4 schepels erwten en 4 schepels boekweit. Dit alles wordt verkocht met hetgeen aard- en nagelvast is, met de lasten en de lusten, zoals verkoper het bezeten heeft .......... Voor den aankoop van het bovengenoemde land enz. belooft Steven Coerts als koper te betalen aan C. D. Hooghlant, hiervoor genoemd of aan zijn rechtverkrijgenden de som van fl 400.- in Hollands geld en 3000 gulden in goed sewan (d.i. de door de Indianen als geld gebruikte bevervellen). Alles in 4 termijnen: de eerste termijn van fl 400.- in Hollands geld (na verkoop van 't sewan) zomer 1661, de tweede termijn groot fl 1000.- Mei 1662, de derde en vierde terrnijn tot gelijk bedrag achtereenvolgens Mei 1663 en 1664. De acte werd op 4 December 1660 ingeschreven en was getekend door Comelis Diercksen, Steven Koers, Nicholaes de Meyers en Aucke Jans. Zo zat Steven dus op de plaats, waar sedert onheuglijke tijden een Indiaans dorp had gelegen nl. Kaskachague op de kruising van twee Indiaanse trekwegen en hij zou het grootste deel van de koopsom voldoen in Indiaanse munt, zoals die gebruikt werd langs de gehele Atlantische kust. Dat het hem goed ging, blijkt wel uit zijn benoeming tot lid van het plaatselijk bestuur in 1664, het jaar waarin de Engelsen Nieuw-Nederland overweldigden. Deze verandering van gouvernement gaf veel onzekerheid over de eigendomsrechten op landerijen, huizen e.d. Daarom verzochten de inwoners in 1665 aan de Engelsen gouverneur om bevestiging van de oude rechten. Gouverneur Nicolls gaf aan acht inwoners van Amersfoort of Flatlands het zgn. Nicolls Charter, waarbij bestaande rechten erkend werden. Steven Coerts en zijn oudste zoon Coert Stevens zijn twee van de acht genoemden. Gedurende zijn verder leven ging het de familie goed. Al verbrandden ook in 1673 de gemeentelijke papieren, toch weten we, dat Steven steeds meer land aanmaakte of aankocht. Zijn kinderen trouwden in de beste immigrantenfamilies. Op 16 Februari 1684 stierf hij in de gezegende ouderdom van 84 jaar. Ook na de overgang van bestuur behield de bevolking zijn eigen taal, kerk en gewoonten en eerst de achterkleinkinderen begonnen hun naam te schrijven volgens de voorschriften en de gewoonten van het Engelse recht en voegden als achternaam "van Voorhees" aan de hunne toe.

Volgens de gewoonte in het vaderland werd Steven in de gestichte kerk begraven, zoals ook met de andere stichters onder de kolonisten het geval werd. De andere bewoners werden om de kerk begraven. Toen hij stierf had hij dertig levende kleinkinderen in de Nieuwe wereld. Hij leefde als een patriarch, een familievader, met groot gezag te midden van de kolonie. Hij had hard meegewerkt om de kerk, die hij lief had, te doen gedijen, en er had zegen op zijn werk gerust. Op Drentse wijze heeft hij verbeten gewerkt op die betere bodem in het nieuwe land, waar de omstandigheden toch zoveel overeenkwamen met die uit zijn geboorteplaats, doch waar hij vrijer kon leven en beter kon slagen. In de namiddag van zijn leven was hij weggetrokken - één uit de velen, zoals Picardt meedeelt - en hij wist zijn kinderen geborgen, toen hij stierf. Deze dertig kleinkinderen hadden allen iets meegekregen van zijn Drentse wil en flinkheid, van zijn werkkracht en karakter en ze kwamen in hun nieuwe Vaderland meer dan eens op de voorgrond. Daarover nader. Het heeft mij allereerst verheugd, een controleerbaar bewijs te kunnen opsporen van goede Oud-Drentse durf. Daaruit blijkt, dat onder de besten die wegtrokken om een ongewisse, doch gehoopte betere toekomst te vinden, de Drenten niet achterbleven in die dynamische tijd. Toen waren ze tenminste nog niet vastgegroeid op een bodem, die te weinig opbracht om allen te voeden. En al zijn hun namen meestal niet geboekt, al zijn vele geslachten opgegaan onder de bewoners van onze andere provinciën of andere landen, we weten dat Picardt ook hier waarheid heeft gesproken over de durvende en moetende Drenten, die de dynamiek dier tijden verstonden, die aanpakten en .... vooruitkwamen. Naschrift van de Webring Reestdal: Dit verhaal is in het begin (1940-41) van de tweede Wereldoorlog geschreven en ook in boekvorm gepubliceerd door Boom-Pers te Meppel. De heer Poortman heeft gebruik gemaakt van de kontakten die hij had in Amerika, nl. de Voorhees Society, die veel gegevens omtrent de familie heeft gepubliceerd. Er bleef echter ook een tak van de familie in Ruinen. De genealogie hiervan kunt u hier vinden.

De ontbrekende passagierslijst van de Bonte Kou is te vinden op deze Olive Tree Genealogy pagina.

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@R-1093420620@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

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Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=90970223&pid...

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Ancestry.com U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012; @R6@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: New York, New York; Year: 1660; Page Number: 70

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: America; Year: 1660; Page Number: 307

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: New York, New York; Year: 1660; Page Number: 380

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Ancestry.com U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012; @R6@

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Ancestry.com A genealogy of the Van Voorhees family in America, or, The descendants of Stephen Coerte Van Voorhees of Holland and Flatlands Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 2005; @R7@

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Ancestry.com U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012; @R6@

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Ancestry.com A genealogy of the Van Voorhees family in America, or, The descendants of Stephen Coerte Van Voorhees of Holland and Flatlands Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 2005; @R7@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014; @R7@

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: New York, New York; Year: 1660; Page Number: 70

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: America; Year: 1660; Page Number: 307

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Ancestry.com North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2016; @R6@

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Book Title: A register of the ancestors of Dorr Eugene Felt and Agnes (McNulty) Felt

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Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010; @R6@

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Place: New York, New York; Year: 1660; Page Number: 380

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Ancestry.com U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012; @R6@

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Ancestry.com New York City, Compiled Marriage Index, 1600s-1800s Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005; @R7@

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From T.G. Bergen's Early Settlers, p.380:2

Stephen Coerte, the common ancestor of the Voorhees family in this country, emigrated in 1660 with wife and 7 children from Ruinen in Drenthe, and from in front of the hamlet of Hees near said locality, hence the name, and settled in Flds; b. 1600; m. 1st, in Europe, (???)(???); m. 2d, in 1677, Willempie Roelofse Seubering; d. about Feb. 16, 1684. Bought Nov. 29, 1660, of Cornelis Dircksen Hoogland 9 morgens of corn-land, 7 of wood-land, 10 of plain-land, and 5 of salt-meadows, making in all 31 morgens, in Flds for 3000 gl.; also the house and house-plot lying in the village of "Amesfoort en bergen," with the brewery and all the brewing apparatus, kettle-house, and casks, with the appurtenances, as per p. 37 of Lib. B of Flh rec. His name appears on the ass. roll of Flds of 1675 and '83; as a mag. in 1664; and on patent of 1667. Issue:--Hendrickjen Stevense of Holland, m. Jan Kiers; Mergin Stevense of Holland, m. 1st (???) Roelefse, m. 2d Remmelt Willemse; Coert Stevense of Flds, b. 1637; Lucas Stevense, b. 1650; Jan Stevense, b. 1652; Albert Stevense; Aaltje Stevense, m. Barent Juriaansz; Jannetje Stevense, m. 1st Jan Martense Schenck, m. 2d Alexander Sympson; Hendrickje Stevense, m. 1st Jan Kiestede, m. 2d Albert Albertse Terhunen; and Abraham Voorhees. Signed his name "Steven Koerten" and at times "Steven Koerts.

About 1625 Stephen Coerte married Aeltje WESSELS, in the Netherlands.

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jun 11 2021, 21:43:00 UTC

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Steven Coerten, born 1600, migrated with his family in 1660 for the manor of Voor-hees, Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, to the village of Amesfoort, now Flatlands, Long Island, and settled near this site. He served his church as Deacon and Elder, and the comunity as a magistrate, patentee in the Nicills Charter of 1667.