Wednesday, June 25, 2008

An Armchair History of Evert Pels of New Netherlands

An Armchair History of Evert Pels and his wife Jannetje Symons.
4th great-grandparents of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen
—Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen was born May 15, 1796, in Albany, N.Y. she is the daughter of:
Mary Simonds, who was born about 1773, and James Van Benthuysen, who was bap. 26 June 1771, in Albany, N.Y. James was the son of:
Keziah Van Hoesen, born Aug 10, 1746, Albany, N.Y., and Johannes Van Benthuysen, bap. 4 Aug. 1745, Albany N.Y., Johannes was the son of:
Johannes Paulus Van Benthuysen, bap. 19 Sept. 1708, Albany, N.Y. and Maria Van Wagenen, baptized 3 Sept. 1704, Kingston, N.Y. Maria was the daughter of:
Lea Dirckse Schepmoes, born 28 August 1681, and Barent Van Wagenen, born 3 Feb. 1675, Kingston, N. Y., Barent was the son of:
Gerrit Aertse Van Wagenen, and Clarartje (Clara) Pels, bap. 10 Sept. New Amsterdam N.Y. Clara was the dau. of Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons

In the fall of 1998, when the writer first started looking into the Dutch records from Colonial New York, he knew of Paulus Martense Van Benthuysen and of his wife Caterine Baltuse Van Kleek. The Salt Lake Genealogical Library has the book “THE VAN BENTHUYSEN GENEALOGY” by Alvin Seaward Van Benthuysen and Edith M. Hall.
From ‘Family Search’ It was found that the Van Hoesen line was the second longest line on Grandma Keziah’s Genealogy. A history of Jan Frans Van Hoesen is in the Logan Family history Library.
The Logan Family Hist0ry Center also have a wonderful Collection of THE NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. They also have English language translations of some of the Early Dutch Records that have been published by the University of the State of New York. As the author read some of these books, he was struck by a character that seemed to be every where and doing every thing. This person was Evert Pels. He too, is an ancestor of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen, who was the mother of James Henry Rollins. I have not yet been able to find a history written about Evert Pels; even though he appears in the histories of others. I received a family group sheet submitted prior to December 1932, by Myrtle Porter Redd of 24 West North Temple, Salt Lake City 3, Utah; with heir listed as William Morely Black a 5th g g son of Evert Pels, through Evert’s daughter Marie who married Arie Heymans Roosa..
Just a note on spelling; spelling was not standardized in Early New York. The Dutch people had Ministers who were educated in Europe, (Holland or Germany); at a baptism, the parents spoke their names and the name the child was to have, the Minister recorded the name as best as he heard it and with a spelling of his own devising. hence, a person’s name appears in the early church or court records under many different spellings. In the following, I have often used the spelling from the original record,
The following is a brief overview of Evert Pels’ history and family;. followed by a brief historical background of the Kingston—Esopus region where Evert Pels settled;
Who are Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons?
Evert Pels, from Stettin, Pomerania, his wife and a servant came from Amsterdam, Holland, to the colony of Rensselaerswyck in 1642. While still in Amsterdam, on June 5,1642, he was engaged as a brewer for the term of six years, they were to travel to the Colony of Rensselaerswyck to work the Patroon, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, [who remained in Holland but had engaged others to administer the Colony for him and his partners, who formed a Board of Directors for the Colony.] Evert Pels and his wife came on the ship Den Houten. and landed in New Amsterdam, now New York City. They then went up the Hudson River to Beaverwyck, now Albany, New York. Evert Pels was a freeman. He paid his own way to the Colony and was therefore not indentured to the patroon for a number of years as were those who bound them selves as servants to the patroon for a number of years in exchange for passage to the Colony. The document, dated June 3, 1642, that gives the details of Evert Pels emigration does not give the name of his wife, Jannetje Symons., but we now know that she is the wife who came with him from Amsterdam. Nor does the memo give the name of the servant who came with them. Evert Pels was a very enterprising man. After his 6 year contract as a brewer was finished; on Feb. 28, 1648, he leased a farm on Papscanee Island for six years, at f560 a year, but after building a new house and barns, he transferred the lease Jan 14, 1649, to Juriaen Bestvall and Jochem Kettelheym. [Both of whom had come to the New Netherlands on the same ship as Evert These were two men who had come to the colony by contracting with the patroon to work for 6 years as laborers. Their time was now served and they were able to lease a farm and work for themselves.] Evert Pels turned the farm over to them on March 25, 1649. Nov. 18,1649, he leased jointly with Willem Fredericksz (Bout),a farm in Greenbush, for which he is charged in the accounts with an annual rent of f400, from May 1, 1649 until 1661 when he moved to the Esopus; the same day they also leased the saw-and grist-mill in Greenbush, for which he is charged with an annual rent of f125, from May 1, 1649, till May 1, 1658.. He also owned a sloop on the river and a lot on Broadway in Manhattan, which he sold in 1656. In 1657 he sent down to New Amsterdam 2100 beaver skins. He advised the Director of the colony on Horses and other farm animals.

In the Colony of Rensselaerswyck, they were living on a frontier. The village of Beaverwyck was adjacent to Fort Orange, which was established to conduct the fur trade with the Indians. Even the name Beaverwyck reflects that the fur trade with the Indians was the main purpose for the settlement at Albany. There were fewer than 1000 settlers living from New Amsterdam to Fort Orange. The settlement went as far north as Albany for 2 reasons, 1. because the level of the Hudson River, raises one foot there at high tide, and that is as far as the sailing ships could travel up the river to bring trade goods and supplies from Holland and to transport the fur pelts down the river to New Amsterdam; and 2. The Mohawk River flows into the Hudson River near Albany; and this allowed Indians from western New York to bring furs more easily. Traders did not travel about the Indian nations to trade for furs. Instead, the Indians brought their furs to Beaverwyck and the trading was conducted there. Goods coming from Europe were unloaded from the ocean going ships at New Amsterdam (now New York) and reloaded on a river yacht for transport up the river to Beaverwyck. (The trip up river took several days.) The colonists were living in the midst of several Indian nations. The settlements did not go very far inland from the river. Their surrounding were really primitive. They lived in Log houses and the town was surrounded by palisades.
As mentioned above, in 1661 Evert Pels, his family and a number of friends bought land in the Esopus [The region around the Esopus river where Kingston, New York now is].

It appears that Ever Pels and his Family moved to the Esopus in April, May, or June of 1661. At the time of the move, Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons had 7 children. The names and approximate birth dates are given as follows:
Hendrick, born about 1643-44;
Jannetje, born about 1646;
Evert Evertse, born about 1648;
Clara, christened. 10 Sept. 1651;
Marie, born about 1653-55;
Elizabeth, born about 1657; and
Sara, christened, 3 July 1659.
Two more children were born in the Esopus,
Rebecca, bapt 13 Nov. 1661 and
Symon bapt. 29 March 1665.

The following History of the Esopus region is from Peter R. Christoph’s Introduction in “The Kingston papers”, published by the Holland Society of New York, mingled with quotes from the Kingston Papers.
The earliest known sale of land in the region of the Esopus involved a parcel sold by the Esopus Indians to Thomas Chambers, a carpenter and farmer residing at that time in Rensselaerswyck. The patent was confirmed on June 5, 1652. ... Though out the early history of the settlement, the presence of the Indians cast an ominous pall over the whole community. They were particularly vulnerable in their scattered houses and were often at fault for the bad relations. Director-General Peter Stuyvesant recognized the danger to them, and at his urging the settlers signed a bond on May 31, 1658, agreeing to erect a palisaded village and demolish their separate dwellings. Then on the night of September 20, 1659, a group of settlers and soldiers senselessly shot three Indians, killing one of them. The result was the First Esopus War, which did not end until the signing of a peace treaty on July 15, 1660.
Despite the war and the uneasiness of the ensuing peace, the population of the community continued to grow. By May 2, 1661, the hamlet had been named Wildwyck by Stuyvesant. About May of 1662 a second community was established nearby, called Nieuw Dorp (New Town) [now Hurley] which was settled by former residents of Beaverwyck and Wildwyck. The farmland bought by Evert Pels was between Wildwyck and Nieuw Dorp.
The fragile peace ended on June 7, 1663, when the Indians burned Nieuw Dorp and attacked Wildwyck.. On that morning a number of Esopus Indians entered Wildwyck [now Kingston] to sell their produce, corn and beans to the settlers, between 11 and 12 in the forenoon, some people on horseback, rushed thru the Mill gate, from the New Village, crying out “the Indians have destroyed the New Village.” Upon hearing this, the Indians fired a shot and attacked the settlers at each house with axes, tomahawks, rifles and pistols. Sixteen settlers were killed and a number were carried off as prisoners. Everts Pels’ son Hendrick was one of those who were carried off. He was not found until a year and a half later; by that time he had married an Indian girl and had a child. He lived among the Indians for the rest of his life. The resulting loss of life, concern for settlers taken hostage, and heavy loss of property had a long-lasting effect upon the community. A peace treaty was concluded on May 15, 1664. [See the appendix for an account of the Second Esopus war]. New trouble came to the Esopus from a new source. English forces sent by the Duke of York seized New Amsterdam on September 8, 1664; and on the 25th Wildwyck was placed under the authority of the Duke. New Netherlands and New Amsterdam were renamed New York and Beaverwyck became Albany. The name Wildwyck fell into disuse, the new community was generally referred to as the Town of Esopus. Peter Stuyvesant retired to the life of a private Citizen and the residents of Esopus struggled to adjust to the change in rule.. It was not easy. All the problems of life under an occupation force faced the settlers. They were compelled to board soldiers in their homes and to suffer insults and abuse from the armed troops. Reaction against such treatment culminated in the Esopus Mutiny of February 4, 1667. This armed threat to English rule subsided after a few hours . Governor Richard Nicholls wisely chose to mete out punishment to soldiers as well as civilians, but incidents continued to occur
. A copy of some documents related to Esopus Mutiny is in appendix M mutiny]
The court of Esopus assigned that original settler Thomas Chambers and Evert Pels to meet with the British to try to settle the matter as follows: “Thomas Chambers, Captain and overseer, and Evert Pels overseer, are hereby authorised, by the Court to acquaint Captain Broadhead, the answer of the Inhabitants, that Cornelis Barentsen Sleight by him Imprisoned, might be Relaxed, out of his Imprisonment, for to prevent further trouble and danger; and in Case the afore said Cornelis Barentsen Sleight, hath offended the said Captain Broadhead, that the said Broadhead (:according to the Governors Order:) Should sue him to the Court, for to be Examined and Corrected, dated in Wiltwyck this 4/14 of Feb. 1667. Wm Beeckman, Jan Joosten, Roelof Swartwout”
“In answer to this above standing, Captain Broadhead Replyes, that he will keepe Cornelis Sleight in apprehension, as Longe he thincks good, and in Case the Inhabitants will fetsh him by force, that he Would Waight uppon them, dated in Wiltwyck this 4/14 off Feb. 1667"
Thomas Chambrits
Evert Pels
we now return to Christoph’s introduction
On September 17, 1669, Nieuw Dorp was renamed Hurley.
On April 6, 1668, Governor Nicolls granted land in a new patent at the Esopus to a number of his soldiers. A village was established there, which ; under his successor, Francis Lovelace, was name Marbletown on September 17, 1669. On the same day Nieuw Dorp was renamed Hurley, and on September 25, Esopus became Kingston. The official pronouncement was made on April 25, 1670. Thomas Chambers, the original settler in the region, was rewarded by Governor Lovelace by having his house and land enfranchised as the manor of Fox Hall on October 16, 1672.
The war in Europe between England and the Netherlands reached New York when a Dutch force; under Anthony Colve recaptured New York City on July 30/August 9, 1673. The Esopus was reduced by the Dutch on August 5/15. Colve became Governor General on September 9/19 and re-established Dutch rule. Among other changes Kingston was renamed Swaenenburgh. However, under the Treaty of Westminster, the colony was returned to English control on October 31/ November 10, 1674. Edmund Andros became Governor on that day, and Swaenenburch became Kingston once again.

(Page 500) Instructions of Evert Pels, A. Jansen, court messenger, and R. Gouldsberry. 1.) They shall immediately depart for the purpose of learning the condition of affairs at New York, because we have been informed that there are some Holland vessels there for the purpose of taking the country. 2.) They shall sail in a boat until they shall meet some yacht or Christians whom they shall ask how things are in New York, and having received trustworthy information shall return immediately and report to us. August 5, 1672, at Kingston, by the honorable court at Kingston, (Signed) W. LaMontagne, secretary.
On this August 5, 1672, it was resolved to dispatch Evert Pels and Robbert Gouldsberry to New York for the purpose of receiving information about the state of affairs at New York. And each of them shall receive a sch. of wheat per day for their trouble. It was also resolved that a man shall watch at the Ronduyt. It was also resolved that Capt. Chambers, at the least report, shall call the burghers here to arms in the village, and then to send delegates to the troops, and in the meantime to act in accordance with re reply we shall expect from them.
(Copy) We the magistrates, burghers, and residents of the village of Kingston and Jurisdiction of the same, declare under oath that, owing to the surrender of the country hitherto called New York, on account of which we have be discharged from the oathe of allegiance taken to his majesty of Great Britain, we absolutely submit to the authority of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands and his serene Highness the Prince of Orange, to be true and faithful to them , and at the least written notice of him to shall be here in ... [page 501 of the Kingston papers needs to be copied to continue.}
Christoph concluded his introductory history as follows:

The early history of the Esopus, then, could hardly have been more dramatic. Two Indian wars and three changes of allegiance in twenty-three years formed a tumultuous backdrop against which to attempt to develop a stable social and economic community. Cerainly these events tended to retard development, discouraging immigration and settlement. The problems were intensified by the existence of four non-integrated ethnic groups: Indians, Dutch, English, and French. Each of these groups sought to preserve its language and customs. The resulting tensions among these groups were not resolved until long after 1675. A realization of this stress is basic to understanding of the early history of Esopus.

More details about the children of Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons

1. Hendrick Evertsz Pels, born about 1643-44 probably in Greenbush, Nineteen or twenty years later, on the morning of June 7, 1663, a number of Esopus Indians entered Wildwyck [now Kingston] to sell their produce, corn and beans to the settlers, between 11 and 12 in the forenoon, some people on horseback, rushed thru the Mill gate, from the New Village, crying out “the Indians have destroyed the New Village.” Upon hearing this, the Indians fired a shot and attacked the settlers at each house with axes, tomahawks, rifles and pistols. Sixteen settlers were killed and a number were carried off as prisoners. Hendrick was one of those who were carried off. He was not found until a year and a half later. By that time he had married an Indian girl and had a child. He lived among the Indians for the rest of his life. [For more information on the attack, see the History of the Second Esopus War in Appendix E]
2. Jannetje Evertsz Pels, born about1646, probably in Greenbush, (across the Hudson river from Albany)
3. Evert Evertsz Pels, born about 1648, probably in Greenbush, married Bridget (Breechtje) Elswaerts (or Elsworth) who born about 1648, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, daughter of Theophilus (Sopholis) Elsworth and Annetje Jans, who emigrated to New Amsterdam about 1650.
4. Clara Evertsz Pels, baptized 10 Sept. 1651 in New Amsterdam, married about 1670, Gerrit Aertsen Van Wagenen, son of Aert Jacobsen and Annetje Gerrits . [This is Keziah Keturah’s line. and our Ancestor.]
5. Marie Evertsz Pels, born abt 1653-55 probably in Greenbush; married 1669, Arie Heymansz Roosa, born about 1643, son of Aldert Heymanse Roosa and Wyntje Ariens De Jong.
6. Elizabeth Evertsz Pels, born about 1657 probably in Greenbush; married 1676 Jochem Engelbertz
7 Sara Evertsz Pels, b. 3 July 1659 probably in Greenbush; married 25 February 1677, Jacob Aertsen Van Wagenen, son of Aert Jacobsen and Annetje Gerrits;. and a twin brother to Gerrit Aertsz who married Clara Pels
8. Rebecca Evertsz Pels, bapt 13 Nov. 1661, witnesses Do Gideon Schaets and Annetje Schaets
9. Symon Evertsz Pels, baptised, 29 March 1665, witnesses, Toomas Chamers, Margriet Chamers, Gysbert van Imbroeck. Married 1 January 1683, to Maritje Hendrix.




Evert Pels and Jannette Symons
as seen through the documents of their time.

It has been interesting to read of these men from Holland and Northern Europe who came as colonists to New Amsterdam.. Being raised in Wyoming I have some very definite ideas of personal freedom, and it was clear that these men did not enjoy the kind of freedom that I have known. Of the colonists I have read about, it seemed that Evert Pels had more freedom than most. In my reading I have tried to discover the social, political, and economic circumstances our various ancestors and see the sort restrictions they had to contend with. I hope to point out some of the things I have found as I have read from these documents which relate to the history of Colonial New Amsterdam and New York.
We go first to the Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, the Fronts piece of which is represented below.
New York State Education Department
NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY
VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS
BEING THE LETTERS OF KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER, 1630-1643, AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK
TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
A. J. F. van Laer; Archivist
WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY BY
NICHOLAAS DE ROEVER, LATE ARCHIVIST OF THE
CITY OF AMSTERDAM
TRANSLATED BY
Mrs Alan H. Strong
ALBANY
UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1908

The earliest record that I have located which refers to Evert Pels is a memorandum recorded in the VAN RENSSELAER BOWEIR MANUSCRIPT which is a collection of the letters of the First Patroon, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, written between 1630 and 1643 and of other documents relating to the colony of Rensselaerswyck. (Published by the University of the State of New York, 1908.) A facsimile of the memorandum follows.
VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS p609
Memorandum from Kiliaen van Rensselaer for Johannes Megapolensis 48
June 3, 1642
Memorandum for De Johannes Megapolensis, this 3d Of June 1642, in Amsterdam.
His reverence will please look after my people and goods who in the name of God now go over in the ship den Houttuyn. The persons who sail are the following:
De Johannes Megapolensis Jochim Kettelheun
Machtelt willems, his wife Johan Helms van barlt 49
Hillegont, dirrick, Jan. and Johan Carstensen van barlt
Samuel, his children Juriaen bestvael van Luijderdorp
Abraham Staes, surgeon Claes Jansen van zuaelwijck
_______ _______his servant Paulus Jansen van Geertruijdenbergh
Evert Pels, beer brewer, his wife Hans vos van badens
his servant Juriaen Pauwelsen van sleswyck
Cornelis Lambertsen van doorn
50 Hendrick albertsz van londen, 29 years old
Geertruijt dries van doesburch, his Wife, 23 years Old
hendrick dries, 21 years old, her brother

It is to be remembered that the said hendrick ablertsen for his three, abraham Staes for his two, Evert Pels for his three must pay the skipper, adriaen dircksen, for their board in the same manner as all the other freemen, but that the board of the farm hands is to be charged to me.”

From the above I learned that Evert Pels came from Amsterdam to the colony of Rensselaerswyck in 1642, and that he was a freeman and had paid his own way and was therefore not indentured to the patroon for a number of years as were those bound to the patroon. The document does not name Everts Pels’ wife. A marriage record from Holland, printed in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, assures us that Jannetje Symons was the wife who came with him from Amsterdam. Nor does the memo give the name of the servant who came with them. I do wish I knew the name of the servant. Evert Pels befriended a lot of people in New Netherlands, it would be of interest to know if one of them came over with him as his servant and if he or she was a relative of Evert or of his wife.
As a word of explanation and introduction, Dominie Megapolensis was going to Beaverwyck [the name of the small community, now Albany; Rensselaerswyck is the name of the Colony of the Patroon. 10 by 30 miles in extent] to be the pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church. It seems that he was to head up the contingent of colonists being sent by the Patroon. Abraham Staes was engaged to be the doctor of the colony of Rensselaerswyck; [some of his children and grandchildren married in to various lines of our ancestors]. Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the Patroon, was a very wealthy jewel merchant in Amsterdam. He never did come to his colony in America. He and his partners obtained a charter from the Dutch West India Company to establish a Colony in New Netherlands. It seems that the Government in Holland recognized that in order to keep their colony of New Netherlands, that they must populate it their own people or the English colonists in New England would overwhelm them. (The population of New England was estimated to be about 10,000 when New Netherlands had but about 1,500.) The Patroon and the Dutch West India Company seemed to have a love-hate relationship with the colonists. It was necessary to have a population base of farmers and tradesmen to have a strong colony, but the opportunity to make real money was in the fur trade with the Indians. The Patroon and the Company wanted to reserve the profits from the fur trade for themselves. The colonists keep trying to get into trade and business rather than just farming and working as tradesmen. The Charter of the Dutch West India Company and the Freedom and Exemptions Act which authorized the Patroonships gave very sweeping powers to the company and to the Patroons.
We return now to the memorandum to see what arrangements the patroon had made for the colonist’s journey and to see his point of view.
“N. B. The bookkeeper in the colony must regularly see to it that the board of the freemen is charged to their account, as Director kieft sometimes charges it with that of other people in one lump to the patroon.
He shall take a little care that these persons may get on board and, on their arrival with God's help at the Manhatans, obtain from the honorable Director kieft that they, and also my goods, be sent to the colony at the first opportunity and at my expense supplied with food.
On the arrival of these persons in the colony, he shall first see to it that they present themselves to Commis Arent van Corler that he may register them and, with the advice of Officer Adriaen van der donck, assign them to their. work. If the latter should need the two boys from bredael he may take them; otherwise, as the farmers quite unreasonably object to the payment of 16 guilders a year for each servant for my expenses and risk, my proposition subject to further examination there, is that the aforesaid farm hands, or at least some of them, be provided by the commis with board and lodging and the wages which they are to receive charged to me and that then the farmers or others for whom they shall work shall pay their wages to me at such rates as they pay others or at discretion or according to the ability of the persons employed, for in this way I remain master of them to employ them where they are most needed, to wit, for farm or other work with the farmers, between seasons with the tobacco planters, in the saw and grist_mill or wherever else they may be needed, especially in the winter to help the farmers thrash and do what is necessary. But above all things, as there are few carpenters, my proposition is that some of these fellows who are the most capable be employed to fell trees at the proper season and place and, as far as they are able, to cut them into logs and hew them, so as to lighten the work for the carpenters; and that Halls vos van badens who has been a gamekeeper, be employed at the proper seasons to shoot game for food supply and at other seasons to fell trees as he says that he can do that also, and if necessary to help the farmers of whose work he has good knowledge also. But everything must be well considered and done as is most profitable to me for I see that everyone seeks his own advantage and not mine. If things are done as here described, I remain master of my people to employ them in the way which is most profitable to me. I also consent that some be turned over to the farmers who are most faithful to me provided they pay me yearly the 16 guilders; but if they dispute this fair arrangement they will do themselves the greatest harm and make me unwilling to send them laborers, De Megapolensis having seen what care, expense and trouble it is to me.
Maurus Jansen van brockhuijsen, who came home before his time was up on a passport from the officer without bringing his accounts with him, and to whom, upon his telling me that some money was still due to him, I paid 50 guilders on condition of repayment if it proved that they were not due, must repay the same with the usual advance. I offered him the liberty to trade in furs up to a certain number, just as obraham Staes, at 20 st a skin he would give only 15 st; perhaps he will seek to trade indirectly in the colony. If he does this, proceedings must be instituted against him according to the contract, which he made with me, his bounden time not expiring till April 1643 and this being at servant's wages unless be accepts the terms of the farm on which he has been, just as they are. He must do one of two things, either accept my terms as they are without dispute or serve out his bounden time, he has no choice but to adopt one course or the other.
Harry Albertsen, who also came home before his time was up, has consented to pay me a guilder on each skin by way of duty but I have not been able to come to an agreement with him regarding the quantity of the tobacco which he is to give me in addition to the tithes which he conceded. He has been treating with me for the place of ferryman, putting his house near the bevers kil, in order to ferry the people from there to the church neighborhood and back, as the church, the house of the minister, that of the officer and further those of all the mechanics must hereafter be built there, just as Abraham Staes and Evert Pels, beerbrewer, have agreed to settle there, for I do not in any way wish or consent that, with the exception of the farmers and tobacco planters who must have their houses near their farms or plantations, any people following other trades shall hereafter and on the expiration of their years of service settle anywhere but in the church neighborhood, according to the accompanying order and plan, for if everyone lived where he saw it they would be too far separated from one another and in case of sudden attack be in peril of their lives, as sad experience near the...
Page 613 includes a list of goods sent over by this ship, den Houttuyn, an excerpt of which follows:
The goods which are now sent over by this ship are packed as follows and marked as in the margin:
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 are four large casks, containing two lasts, 11 muddles of malt for brewing for Evert Pels for which he is to pay me according to contract.
Forty pages later, on page 653, Evert Pels is again referred to in the memorandum to Dominie Megapolensis. The Patroon was concerned about his colonists. They were living on a frontier. [Even the name Beverwyck reflects that the fur trade with the Indians was the main purpose for the settlement at Albany. There were fewer than 1000 settlers living from New Amsterdam to Fort Orange at Beaverwyck, now Albany. The settlement went as far north as Albany for 2 reasons, 1. because the level of the Hudson River, raises one foot there at high tide, and that is about as far the sailing ships could travel up the river to bring trade goods and supplies from Holland and to transport the fur pelts down the river to New Amsterdam; and 2. The Mohawk river flows into the Hudson river near Albany and allowed Indians from western New York to bring furs more easily. Traders did not travel about the Indian nations to trade for furs. Instead, the Indians brought their furs to Beverwyck and the trading was conducted there. Goods coming from Europe were unloaded from the ocean going ships at New Amsterdam (now New York) and reloaded on a river yacht for transport up the river to Beverwyck. (The trip up river took several days.) The colonists were living in the midst of several Indian nations. The settlements did not go very far inland from the river. Their surrounding were really quite primitive.] The patroon had received reports that one of his agents was engaged in questionable behavior and in this memo asks the new Pastor to use his influence to help reform the man’s behavior. We now quote from the memo.
“ I shall not fail to contribute thereto as much as is in my power and to discharge such people as are unserviceable to me if I can get better ones. Good people are few and far between and even if they are good they are easily corrupted there. If Corler should leave there, let him settle as many accounts as possible and turn over all papers, with an inventory thereof, to Anthonie de Hooges, likewise all the merchandise, charging the said de hooghes to take good care of the latter. But if Corler does not leave, hold this order back till his departure occurs or till I issue another order. Every effort ought to be made to stop the excessive drinking and now that there is a public brewer [Evert Pels] I hope that private brewing will cease. Some regulation might be made regarding the beer brewed by him , but as he has not taken a brew kettle with him I do not know what he is going to do. As to the evil rumors that Corler ..., this gives me much ground for serious reflection. If it is true you can as pastor advise him to keep away from ... in order to avoid all scandal and, if you think it necessary, also prohibit it in my name especially if the substance of the suspicion proves true. In the preceding pages I have written enough about him, I shall also write him that he will learn from you the complaints against him and that he must reform in whatever respect he is delinquent or he will entirely lose my favor and his reputation among his friends and country­men when he comes here, whereas he is otherwise on the way to honor and profit and a good marriage. It should be impressed upon him that everything depends upon the manner in which he serves me. As to his extravagance in office, he must remedy this also; I have written above at length about this; if he found such bad practices, he need not follow them.”
On page 679 of the Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscript is a copy of the licence granted by the patroon to Evert Pels to brew Beer in the colony.

EVERT PELS
June 5, 1642
Another The patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, understanding that several people in this colony outside of their trade occupy themselves with the brewing of beer, which not only hinders the said people in their ordinary work but exposes the houses of the patroon to the danger of fire and in addition causes the said beer to be sold there in an irregular manner at very extravagant and high prices, to wit, at 20 guilders a barrel, to the burden of the community, and wishing to make provision in this matter, has thought advisable and fit for the service of his subjects, to license and authorize, as he does hereby, Evert Pels van Statijn, who is well acquainted with brewing, for the space of six consecutive years, etc.
Finally, he must govern himself according to the laws and ordi­nances of the lord patroon or his commissioners and submit
himself to all the clauses and articles relating to the freemen or colo­nists of the colony for so far as they do not conflict herewith and
which have been read to him, for that purpose, under special pledge and obligation more fully expressed therein. Done at Amsterdam
the 5th of June 1642. Below was written: Evert Pels.
When the VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPT was published, the editors included a section of Biographies of the Settlers of Rensselaerswyck. “This list gives a concise record of the arrival and occupation of settlers in the colony, from the date of its founding to the end of the administration of Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, in so far as such record appears in the VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPT. The following record of Evert Pels is from that list.

By den Houttuyn
Sailed from the Texel in June 1642; arrived at New Amsterdam, August 4, 1642
Evert Pels, from Statijn [Stettin, Pomerania]; was engaged as a brewer for the term of six years, June 5,1642, and sailed the same year by den Houttuyn with his wife and servant. Feb. 28, 1648, he leased the farm formerly occupied by Symon Walichsz, on Papscanee Island for six years, at f560 a year, but after building a new house and barns transferred the lease Jan 14, 1649, to Juriaen Bestvall and Jochem Kettelheym, [both of whom had come to the New Netherlands on the same ship as Evert Pels, and had been working for wages in the colony. These were two men who had come to the colony by contracting with the patroon to work for 6 years as laborers. Their time was now served and they were able to lease a farm and work for themselves.] Evert Pels turned the farm over to them on March 25, 1649. Nov. 18,1649, he leased jointly with Willem Fredericksz (Bout) the farm formerly occupied by Crijn Cornelisz, in Greenbush, for which he is charged in the accounts with an annual rent of f400, from May 1 1649 till 1661 when he moved to the Esopus; the same day they also leased the saw-and grist-mill in Greenbush, formerly occupied by Jacob Jans Flodder, for which he is charged with an annual rent of f125, from May 1, 1649, till May 1, 1658.”
The patroon furnished the animals for the farms which he leased to his Tenant Farmers. In 1651 an inventory was taken of the animals which he had shipped to the various farms of the colony, From pages 732 and 733 of the VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPT. we give the listing of animals on the farm in the Greenbos leased to Evert Pels.

732 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY
VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS
Inventory of animals in the colony sent over by Johan Baptist van Rensselaer
1651
Animals found on the farm of Evert Pels, the 10th of February 1651
Horses Years Cattle Years
1 bay gelding, called _ 1 old cow with a blaze
pingsterblom 1 ditto called Kromhoorn
1 stallion, called konning I red cow with a star 8
1 black stallion, called dick kop 1 red heifer 2
I old mare, called de valck 1 bull 3
2 bay mares 3 3 heifer calves 1
I black filly 1 8
"Literally translated, the names of these animals are: Pinkster Bloom, King, Thick Head, The Falcon, Crooked Horn.”'

page 735, Animals found on the farm of gijsbert Cornelissen van breuckelen on the hill [ande berch; from its situation this farm was called de Hoogeberch see page 769] 14th of February 1651
Horses Years Cattle Years
1 brown mare with a star 7 1 brown cow, 8
1 bay ditto 7 1 brindled ditto 8
1 black stallion with a star 10 1 red ditto 6
1 ditto 6 1 brindled ditto 5
1 brown ditto 5 1 red heifer 3
1 bay mare with a star 2 ___
1 stallion colt with a blaze 1 6
___
7

page 736, Animals found on the farm of Aert Jacobsen, 14th of February 1651
Horses Years Cattle Years
1 bay mare, called block 16 1red cow, with a star about 10
1 brown mare with a star about 10 1 brindled cow 7
1 ditto called raeuen [raven] 6 1 cow with a blaze 6
1 black stallion with a star 7 2 red heifers 2
1 brown stallion 2 1 red spotted ditto 2
1 bay mare with a star 2 2 bull calves with blazes 1
1 bay stallion with a star 1 —
___ 8
6
The Manuscript then gives beginning of page 739, a summary of the number of animals on the various farms followed by a memorandum of the farms in the colony. This is offered to help the reader get a feel for the number of farms and for a comparison of the farms of Evert Pels to that of others. Other Ancestors of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen are indicated by printing their names in Bold face type.

On the farm of Horses Cattle
Thomas Chamber 8 8
Evert Pels 7 8
Aert jacobsz 6 8
Gysbert Conelissen 7 6
Cornelis van Es 3 0
Theunis dorclxsz 9 10
Claes Zegerssz 7 7
juriaen Bestval 9 5
Cornielisz Segersz 13 22
----- -----
128 horses 161 cows, 296 animals

Memorandum of farms in the colony
1651
Farms in the colony
Guilders Morgens Horses Cows
A farm used by Cambre, on the east side of
the North or Great [River], on the mainland 30 9 8
This is newly cleared land which wilt not
bring rent till next November f500
One ditto used by Evert Pels;
adjoins the pine grove" f400 20 7 8
Has two sawmills, f125
Due for water rights f 125
One ditto used by Cornelis Van nes; poor f225 9 3
One ditto used by theunis dirckse; lies
behind the island of Paepsichene and
is one of the best f 500 30 11 14
This ought to bring more and gives oak tithes
One ditto used by Juriaen Weestinael, 71 on
papsichine Island; also one of the best farms f 560 28 10 5
Has never paid yet and gives tithes f42
ditto used by Claes Segerts, on the aforesaid
island; also one of the best farms and gives
tithes f460 28 7 10
One ditto used by
Gisbert Cornelis van Bruckelen, (Van den Bergh)
on the high hill of crystal;74 a fine farm f360 27 7 11
And for tithes and rent of two sawmills used
by Jacob Janse flooder f 125 2 _ -
A farm used by Joan Heling, on Betelhems
Island Also tithes, but does not pay f300 40 6 11
A farm used by Aert Jacobsz,(Van Wagenen)
on the mainland called Bettelhem; Poor.
The west side is a good farm. Will clear three
morgens more at his own expense f250 16 5 12

I have not been able to locate a copy of the contract which pertained to the farm leased in 1647 on Papscanee Island. The island is referred to as lying opposite the Fort; it is apparently what was known in 1908, as Boston or Van Rensselaer Island. I have been unable to find the original contract for the farm leased in 1649 in Greenbush. However, in the VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPT pages 759-764 is found a copy of the renewal of the lease of the farm in Greenbush. In the account books among the Rensselaer Mss.

RENEWAL OF LEASE OF FARM AND WATER POWER IN GREENBUSH TO EVERT PELS
May 1, 1653
copy
Evert Pels promises by. his signature, hereto affixed, that this winter without further delay he will make prompt and full payment in merchantable grain to the director of this colony for all debts remaining unpaid according to the accounts; and in case of his failure to do so, the following contract shall be void and of no effect.
On the date underwritten the honorable Johan Baptista van Rensselaer, director, and the commissioners of the colony of Rensselaerswyck have agreed and contracted with Evert Pels about the lease of the farm used by him to this date and now leased again on the following conditions.
1
The lessee shall use the old plowed land and the other as before.[refers to newly cleared land]
2
As to the house, barn and barracks, the lessee shall deliver them up in the same condition as he received them, according to the inspection and valuation of competent persons, and Evert Pels shall furnish the carpenter and others who are to work on the new barn with meat and drink at his own expense and shall furnish all the heavy timber at the place of building, also at his own expense without making any charges therefor. As to other materials, such as boards, hardware and the roof which Evert Pels is to furnish for the barn, as well as the wages of the workmen, these shall be at the charge of the lessors.
What the lessee advances will be credited to him in the next rent. The lessee must further each year repair the aforesaid buildings and keep them in proper order and on the expiration of the lease deliver, them with tight sides and roofs, one half of the risk to be borne by the lessors and the other by the lessee, except in case of general war, in which case the lessee shall not have to bear any of the loss, as aforesaid.
3
The lessee shall take upon himself alone all expenses of whatever nature they may be.
4
The lessee shall have the use of as many animals as there are on. the farm at present, one half of the increase to be his on condition that he do not sell or remove his share without consent of the authorities here. . There have been delivered to him --- horses and -- cows
5
At the expiration of his lease, the lessee shall turn over the seeded land to the next tenant upon an appraisal to be made in the latter part of May.
6
And during the first years of his lease, he shall spread the manure over the land and cut down or kill the trees which stand in the way.
7
The lessee shall pay promptly each year, as rent of the aforesaid farm, in addition to the Tithes, 400 guilders in merchantable table grain, wheat at 10 and oats at four guilders a muddle, the toepacht being: the same as on other farms.
8
The lease runs for the next four consecutive years, commencing on the first of May. 1653.
9
It is further agreed that Evert Pels for the use, of the water power and the logs for the two mills shall promptly pay each year 125 guilders in merchantable boards, the period commencing and ending as above.
10
The lessee. must provide two sufficient sureties for the rent and the fulfilment of the contract.
11For all that is written above, Evert Pels and his sureties pledge their _respective possessions, movable and immovable, now owned or to be acquired hereafter, none excepted, submitting them to the honorable court of the aforesaid colony or wherever it may be convenient to the lessors.
12
Finally, the lessee promises to conduct himself quietly, faithfully and diligently, to observe all proper laws as an obedient subject and to pay proper respect to the director and commissioners as his lawful superiors. In confirmation whereof, the lessee and the sureties have ratified this by their signatures. Agreed as above. Was signed: Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Anthonius de Hooges, as commissioners, Evert Pels.
This copy. agrees with the original, which I certify, (signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary.
This lease continues as before.

In the Court records which follow, I have included references to other Ancestors of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen, Dirck Benson or Bensing, Aert Jacobsen, Jacob Aertsen, Gysbert Cornelis ande Berch, (Van den Berg), Jan Franse Van Hoesen

MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF
RENSSELAERSWYCK
1648-1652
Translated and edited
by
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Division of Archives and History
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1922



COURT MINUTES OF RENSSELAERSWYCK
1648-1652
[1] In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
we begin this court record

This day, Thursday, April 2 Anno 1648
Jacob Adrianesz is ordered to serve out his term with Evert Pels for the space of one year and to report to Evert Pels within four days from this date, under penalty of forfeiting, the first time four guilders, for remaining in default another four days eight guilders, and the third time sixteen guilders; and of receiving arbitrary punishment the fourth time.

[1v] Thursday, April 9 Anno 1648
Whereas we observe the great rashness of Jacob Adianensz in entering into another man’s service, having been, namely as appears from the forgoing judgment, first with Evart Pels and being now with Cornelis Segersz, which is a matter that is not to be tolerated, therefore, leaving the forgoing judgment (26) unabated we order that Jacob aforesaid for his rashness and in reparation of the loss which Cornelis may suffer thereby shall pat to Cornelis Segersz, inclusive of the earnest money and previous expenses, the sum of twenty-five guilders

[2] Court proceedings, April 16 Anno 1648
Whereas the time allowed to Jacob Adriaensz expired two days ago and we find that as yet he has not reported to Evert Pels, it is ordered, as it is ordered by us hereby, that the honorable director and the court messenger shall this coming Saturday take him to his place of destination and, in case of opposition to this our order, he shall de facto be taken into custody and be put on bread and water.

(32) [8] Court proceedings, July 23 Anno 1648
Cornelis Theunisz from Breuckelen and Evert Pels are ordered to settle their accounts within eight days and then to consider and determine who is satisfy Claes Tyssen. Cornelis Theunisz appeals [from the decision]

[8v] Court Proceedings, October 8, 1648
(33) The honorable director, plaintiff, against Cornelis van Es and his wife, separately, Peieter Claesz and Evert Pels. First Default.
The Order of [July] 23 of this year as to the question between Cornelis Teunisz and Evert Pels is renewed and they are once more ordered to settle their mutual accounts within eight days after date, to wit, as far as Claes tyssen is concerned, under penalty of forfeiting six guilders each, and [so] from eight days to eight days.
[9] Evert Pels is cited:
1. To pay the wages earned by Claes Tyssen
2. To pay for one half of the pease that were mowed and for the great damage and loss of time [suffered by Claes Tyssen] as a result of the beating
3. To pay the fine for beating Claes [Tyssen]
4. On account of his wife’s abusive language to the honorable director, when he served the complaint.

(34) [9v] Court Proceedings, October 15, 1648
Evert Pels, for having beaten Claes Tyssen, offers to pay the fine provided [by law].
Claes Tyssen declares here before the court and Broer Cornelis that Evert Pels, having with his Cornelis Teunis called him a rascal and a thief.
(35) Evert Pels, appearing on account [ ] ...[ ] offers now [ ] but remains [ ] {the brackets indicate that material is missing in the original document, which was damaged in the Capitol fire in Albany.}
(47)
[16v] 12 December 1648 Evert Pels summoned on account of wounding Tomes Jansz. Also because he, or his servant, took another man’s cow with out his consent. Also on account of beating Claes Tyssen. Also on account of his delivered grain which he received from Broer Cornelis for his labor and which was delivered to Evert Pels, as he, Pels, admitted on the aforesaid date. Said Pels was summoned also on account of wages earned by Claes Tyssen and on account of the damage of the pease. Finally, E. Pels was summoned also on account of the abusive language used by his wife in addressing the directory, for all of which together he must make an answer on Thursday next, being the 17th of this month.

(50) [18] Court Proceedings, October 15, 1648
(52) The honorable director, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, defendant for having wounded Thomas Jansz in the head with a piece of wood and drawing blood. Demands condemnation according to the ordinance of the Hon. Chartered West India company at the Manhatans, or of Amsterdam, and as Evert Pels had his servant get the canoe of Thomas Jansz without his knowledge or consent, the plaintiff maintains that Evert Pels has forfeited the sum of 25 guilders according to the former ordinance, all cum expensis.
The same, against the wife of Evart Pels.
Whereas she slandered the Honorable director and the other members of the court in General, the honorable plaintiff concludes that she is liable to a fine of 300 guilders in accordance with the ordinance, and demands that she be fined five times six guilders, cum expenis.
[19] Evert Pels is ordered to pay and satisfy the 26 guilders which he owes Claes Tyssen, in money or goods, as stipulated, cum expenseis, saving his claim against Cornelis Teunisz.

(54) [20] Extraordinary session, December 19, anno 1648
Resolved that the honorable director shall once more summon Evert Pels to pay the wages of Claes Tyssen within twice twenty-four hours, it being found that he has given two summer skins, valued at 16 guilders, which is not acceptable. And in case he refuse to pay, the director is to advance the money, subject to the restitution of double the amount.
On the 21st ditto, notice was served on Evert Pels in the presence of Mr Hoogens, by affixing said notice to the door.

(57) [21v] Court Proceedings, January 9 Anno 1649
Gysbert Cornelisz being questioned in regard to the dispute between Jan van Bremen and Hans Vos, Gysbert declares that Jan van Bremen tried to put Hans Vos out of his, Gysbert’s house, whereupon Gysbert said to the aforesaid Jan that he had nothing to say in his house and if he wished to give orders, he should do so in his own house. Furthermore, that Hans was struck by Jan while Gysbert was away, eating.
(61) [24v] Court Proceedings, February 4 Anno 1649
(62)It is ordered that Evert Pels, next Thursday shall present in court here, the account of Claes Tyssen regarding the pease and five weeks’ wages claimed by him, on pain of forfeiting three Guilders. [in the margin is written: February 12, notice served on Pels.]
Whereas the Honorable director, commissioners and council of this colony, on the 7th of December 1648, ordered and warned all the colonists, farmers and users of the honorable patroon’s property that they must within the space of fourteen days deliver their account in writing to the aforesaid honorable director, specifying the accounts for each year separately, under the penalty expressed in the said ordinance, which they have thus far failed to do, and finding that the winter has nearly gone by and spring is at hand and that the grain and effects daily disappear and become lost and the honorable patroon in everything receives less recognition that a total stranger; therefore, their honors wishing to provide therein, hereby forbid all those, whoever they may be, who occupy the patroon’s property on half or one third shares, or on payment of a yearly rental , to alienate, remove or dispose of any goods, whether grain, or other commodities, without having firs satisfied the honorable patroon for everything...

(65) [25v] February 23 Anno 1649
It is ordered that Jacob Adriansen shall give security for the Judgment, or in default thereof be taken into custody.
The same is ordered with reference to Jacob Aertsz, Waegenaer.
Evert Pels from Steltyn, by his signature become surety and bail for Jacob Aertsz, wsggener, for the satisfaction of the judgment and the costs in the action for preventing the execution of justice or making the arrest, as the court of this colony shall determine. Done this 25th of February Anno 1649 [signed] Evert Pels
in the same way, in every respect, Evert Pels and Rutger Jacobsz become sureties and bailsmen for Jacob Adriaensz, raedemaecker. [signed] Rut Jacobsz Evert Pels
Acknowledged before me. A: De Hooges, Secretary
The case of Jacob Aertsz, waegenaer, and Jacob Adriaensz, raedemaecker, is with the full consent and approval of the honorable director and Rut Jacobsz and Evert Pels, as sureties fro the aforesaid persons, put for decision into the hands of two neutral and impartial men having legal knowledge and they therefore promise mutually to abide by the decision and to observe it in all respects
The parties aforesaid have mutually and voluntarily agreed to this the [ ] of June Anno 1649. Acknowledged before me. A: De Hooges, Secretary

(69) [27v] Court Proceedings, February 18 Anno 1649
The case of Jacob waegenaer and Jacob raedemaeckeris submitted to the discretion of impartial men, with the consent of the honorable director and Ruth Jacobsz and Evert Pels as sureties.

[28] Court Proceedings, March 25 Anno 1649
(70) on the date above written Evert Pels transfers and conveys to Jeuriaen Bestvall the house, hay barracks and barn as they have to this date been used by Evert Pels, everything to be appraised at a convenient time by impartial men.

(76) [30] May 28 Anno 1649
[31] Whereas was ordered some time ago to deliver to Evert Pels two cows with a heifer and he, Gysbert, being called upon and urged to do so, has positively and stubbornly refused to give up the aforesaid cattle, he is hereby ordered by the court to deliver the said cattle to Evert Pels or his agent under the penalty of three guilders for one day’s delay, six guilders for two days, nine guilders for three days and so on multiplied, and arbitrary correction, cum expensis. [in the margin] May 19, this order was served and read to him.
For which refusal the aforesaid Gysbert is summoned to appear in court under penalty of the highest fine to be imposed by the patroon.


(80) [34] Court Proceedings, June 3 Anno 1649
Thomas Jansz, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, about surgeon’s fees for wounds inflicted.
Evert Pels says that he is not bound to make compensation, because Thomas Jansz was just as guilty as he was.
(81) Hans Vos is ordered and commanded to go to the house of Gysbert aende Berch and there by judicial process to levy the share of the animals for the farm Evert Pels, as was ordered heretofore, to wit, 2 cows and one heifer.

(81) June 4 Anno 1649
The Honorable director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck and Evert Pels have by mutual consent, without any further claims on their part in any manner whatsoever, completely referred and turned over to Monsr. Adriaen vander Donck and Jan Lourisz Appel for proper decision and settlement the legal questions at issue between them both, to which [decision] they fully submit themselves.
Signed: B. v Slichtenhorst Signed Evert Pels
Acknowledged before me. A: De Hooges, Secretary

(91) [39v] Court Proceedings, September 9 Anno 1649
[40]Copy This day, the 3rd of June 1649, Ariaen vander Donck and Jan Louwerensz Appel, having been requested by B. v. Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, of the one part, and Evert Pels of Statyn and Rut Jacobsz, as sureties and bondsmen of and in the name of Jacob Aertsz, wagoner, and Jacob Adriaensz, wheelwright, of the other part, [to act as referees] in the dispute which they, to wit, the wheelwright and (92) the wagoner, had with the director of this colony as plaintiff on account of certain offenses committed by them, and the matter having by both sides been placed completely and entirely into the hands of the aforesaid Adriaen vander Donck and Jan Louwerensz Appel, they have in all conscience and after a careful examination of all that is to be taken into account decided and concluded that inasmuch as their offenses are inexcusable each of the persons shall for himself pay to the plaintiff the hereinafter specified fines, to wit: Fl. 50--. That is to say, the wagoner fifty guilders and the wheelwright fifty guilders each also for expenses each shall pay: to the plaintiff fl. 8; to the secretary fl. 8; to Hans Vos fl. 7.
All of which we consider to be right and proper. Furthermore, in the interest of the administration of justice, by way of honorable amends, the delinquents shall appear in court and there acknowledge that they have done wrong and have fallen into error through ignorance and drunkedness, praying the court to forgive them. Thus done and concluded in the colony of Renesselaerswyck, on the date above written, and in witness of the truth subscribed with our usual signature. Was signed: Andriaen vander Donk, Jan Louwrensz Appel. Agrees with the original, Which I certify, A: De Hooges, Secretary
A copy hereof shall be delivered to each without charge.

[40v] Copy
This day, the 4th of June 1649, We, Adryaen vander Donck and Jan Louwersen Appel, have been requested by B. v. Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, of the one part, and Evert Pels of Statyn, of the other part, to settle a certain question at issue between them in the court, said matter at issue being completely and fully , just as it stands, placed into our hands and absolutely referred to us, the aforesaid Adriaen vander Donck and Jan Louwerensz Appel; whereupon, after mutual examination and consideration of the same, we have found and decided as follows:
First in regard to Claes Tyssen, Evert Pels shall restore to the honorable director within the space of eight days the 26 guilders which the director paid to Claes Tyssen and for the loan of the money pay to the director the sum of fl. 1-16. Furthermore, for the notice served on Klaes Tyssen, his servant, Evert Pels shall for certain reasons pay to the honorable director the sum of fl.4; For summons served there by the director fl. 3-4; To de Hoogens, for writing fl. 2-10; to Hans Vos for citation fl. 1-16.
Thus done and ratified by us as regards the matter of Claes Tyssen.
As to the matter of Tomes Jansz it is decided that Evert Pels shall pay to the Hon Director B. v. Slichtenhorst the sum of ten guilders, once, for costs and expenses. Finally, Evert Pels shall pay to the officer, once for all, the sum of fl. 10. on condition that the director shall not trouble said Pels or his people any more, provided Evert Pels pays as above written within the space of eight days. Thus done to the best of our knowledge and decision in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, on the date above written. And was signed: Adryaen vander Donck, Jan Louwerensz Appel.
I certify that the foregoing agrees with the original [signed] A: de Hooges, Secretary.

[October 5, the patroon’s sheep were sold to Mr. Stuyvesant, for the reason that the wolves daily destroyed many of them and the bait also resulted in the loss of some calves]

(95) Court Proceedings, November 18 Anno 1649
[42] Evert Pels and William Fredricksz summoned by Director Slichtenhorst in regard to the rent for the farm formerly occupied by Cryn Cornelisz and the mill formerly used by Jacob Flodder, for which he is to give security according to the contract of the farm and the mills.
Willem Fredericksz, appearing, acknowledges that he leased the farm for fl. 400 in addition to the tithes and toepacht [a type of rent, generally paid in kind to which became part of Van Slictenhorst’s salary] and the mills together for Fl. 125 a year. Furthermore, as to the wheat of Pieter Teunisz, that they received this at fl. 55 the morgen, [1 morgan is two acres], no more morgens, no more pay. Evert Pels, first default.

December 9, 1649
Evert Pels and Willem Fredericksz summoned likewise. [Summoned to appear on the 16th of this month}
December 16, first default.

(100) [45] Court Proceedings, November 18 Anno 1649
Evert Pels acknowledges his signature to the contract of the farm formerly occupied by him and agrees to render his account within 14 day. [ ] security for the farm ‘’‘[remainder of the page destroyed]

[45v] Copy Aert Jacobs: Deliver to Jan Reyersz, the bearer hereof, the extra heifer which you have. It will be accounted to you for good delivery and be deducted from the number [of animals] in your possession. In the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 27th of December Anno 1649. And was signed B. v. Slichtenhorst.
Lower was written:
Aert Jacobsz is ordered once more to deliver the said heifer to the aforesaid persons, under penalty of forfeiture of three (101) guilders for each day’s delay after sight hereof. R-wyck, the 30th of December 1649. And was signed; A. de Hoogens, by order as above. Certified by me, as Director B. v. Slichtenhorst
[note in the margin;]
Picket declares in the presence of the director, Mr Hoogens and Monsr. Verbrugge and in his house that Aert Jacobsz and his wife said to him and Jan Reyersz, when lately they went to get the aforesaid heifer and after they had first shown the order from the director and the commissioners, that they did not care a rap for such a little note and furthermore, that when Picket wanted to untie the aforesaid animal and could not undo the rope, the wife of the said [Aert] forcibly prevented him from using his knife and grabbed the knife with which Picket intended to cut loose the animal.

(103) January [ ] Aernt [Aert Jacobsen] at Betelhem [Bethlehem] to pay [ ] rent, as well as the rent for the year 1649... [remainder of the page destroyed]

(106) February 26, 1650
Cornelis Segersz and Aert Jacobsz of Betelhem summoned [ ] February 1650 [one or two lines destroyed]

[48v] Court Proceedings, November 18 Anno 1649
(107) Gysbert aende Berch [Gysbert Cornelisz from Breuckelen, so named from the farm called de Bertch, or the Hooge Berch (the high hill) occupied by him. He also is an ancestor of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen] promises within two weeks to furnish surety for the rent of his farm and to pay as much as possible.


(117) [56] Court Proceedings, June 23 Anno 1650
Evert Pels, being summoned did not appear.

(180) [100] Court Proceedings, January 18, 1652
Upon the complaint of Evert Pels and in view of the ordinance of November 16, 1651, on account of lost time and abuse and contempt of court, Hans Jansz from Rotterdam is condemned to pay a fine of twenty guilders, without prejudice to the claim of Evert Pels.

(181) [100v] Court Proceedings, January 25 Anno 1652
Upon the petition of Evart Pels, containing a request for the lot next to the garden of Gysbert the tavern Keeper, it si decided as follows:
1 The petitioner’s request for the lot and horse mill is granted.
Gysbert [aende Berch] is authorized to draw [logs] for the petitioner during eight days, but not to use any mares.


MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
1652-1656
Translated and edited
by
A, J, F, VAN LAER
archivist, Division of Archives and History
Volume I
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1920

PREFACE
The court of Fort Orange and the Village of Beverwyck, whose minutes are published herewith, was erected by proclamation issued by Director General Peter Stuyvesant on April 10, 1652. By virtue of this proclamation the main settlement of the colony of Rensselaerswyck was taken out of the jurisdiction of the patroon [Rensselaer] and created into an independent village by the name of Beverwyck, which afterwards became the city of Albany. The erection of the court was the final act in the high-handed proceedings whereby Director Stuyvesant brought to a close the long standing controversy between the Dutch West India Company and the authorities of the Colony of Rensselaerswyck regarding the jurisdiction of the territory around the fort. [Fort Orange] ...
The newly created court, which was termed a Kleine Banck van Justitie, an inferior bench of judicature, was a court for the trial of civil and minor criminal cause, ... . The court was composed of commies, or commissary of the fort, afterwards bearing the title of vice director, and a variable number of commissarissen, or local magistrates, often designated in English documents of the period as “commissaries”. Of these the commies, who acted as prosecuting officer and who represented the company, was appointed for an indefinite term of years directly by the Director General and Council of New Netherlands, while the magistrates, at least in theory represented the people and were appointed annually from a double number chosen by the inhabitants. When sitting as a criminal court, the officer presided and demanded justice of the magistrates, who not only found whether the accused was guilty, but also determined the penalty that should be imposed on him.
The Jurisdiction of the court comprised Fort Orange, the village of Beverwyck, Schenectady, Kinderhook, Claverack, Coxsackie, Catskill and until May 16, 1661, when a court was established at the Esopus, also the region around Kingston.
Excluded from the Jurisdiction was the colony of Rensselaerswyck, which maintained its own court, side by side with that of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck until 1665, when by order of Governor Richard Nicolls the two courts were consolidated.

[33] indicates the page number in the original documents
(33) indicated the page number in the 1920 edition from which this copy is taken.

(68) [54] Ordinary Session, June 10, 1653
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, defendant.
Defendant’s first default.

(71`) [57] Ordinary Session, Tuesday, July 5, 1653
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor, defendant, for the sum of fl.134:5, for cloth furnished to him.
Defendant’s third default.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the above mentioned sum of fl.134:5, within the space of three weeks, on pain of execution.

(147) [132] Tuesday, May 19, 1654
(148) [133] Whereas it is found by experience and brought to the attention of this court that some of the inhabitants of this jurisdiction venture to sail in canoes, rowboats, or other vessels from here to the Esopus and Katskil plain to sell brandy or liquor to the savages along the way, or at the aforesaid places, to the considerable detriment of the good inhabitants there, it is decided to have notices posted that no one residing within this jurisdiction and consequently belonging thereto shall be allowed to sail thither from here in any rowboats, canoes or other vessels without having the same inspected here by the officer and without having obtained proper consent to go thither from and in the name of this court, on pain of forfeiture by those who shall be found to have acted contrary hereto of the sum of fifty guilders for each offense for the benefit of the officer here.
(149) [134} Jan Verbeeck, Plaintiff, against Thomas Konick, defendant, for the balance of payment due to plaintiff by defendant for the delivery and sale of a house to the defendant, in payment for which the plaintiff received some boards from the defendant, who sent them to the Manathans to Mr. Jacob, the surgeon, but which are said to have been found not merchantable there.
The defendant says that he received the boards from Evert Pels, who owed him good boards.
The plaintiff says that he has not seen the boards that were delivered.
The court, having heard the statements and arguments on both sides, is of the opinion that the parties must recover their loss in connection with the boards delivered from Evert Pels, who delivered them, and if they have been shipped to the Manathans, there and in such way as they shall see fit.

(154) [139] Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Jan Fransen Van Hoesem, defendant, on account of Fl. 62:-, which the defendant owes the plaintiff for the delivery of boards.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the aforesaid sum of sixty-two guilders, according to the note, within the space of twice twenty-four hours, on pain of execution.

[140] Rutger Jacopsz and Goosen Gerritsen, in the name of those in the community here who keep cattle, have requested permission to close the common road with gates so as to form a corral for the cattle, on condition of building a footstep on each side. Is provisionally granted until further inspection.

(155) [141] Tuesday, June 16, 1654
Jan Adrianensen, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, defendant, for the sum of forty-four beavers and six otters, amounting together to the sum of four hundred guilders, in part payment of which the plaintiff, or his agent, has accepted against the Hon. Company for wages earned by the defendant, according to a power of attorney given to Jan Jansz from Gottenborg in favor of Willem Houttum. The aforesaid account amounts to two hundred and eighty-five guilders and four stivers, so that there is still due to the plaintiff on account of his master, Willem Houttum, or whoever it may concern, the sum of one hundred and fourteen guilder, sixteen stivers.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both sides, are of opinion that the defendant must pay to the plaintiff the sum of one hundred and fourteen guilders and sixteen stivers before the departure of the first ship from this country to patria, the above mentioned account of fl. 285:4-, shown to the court and accepted in payment by the plaintiff or his attorney according to the signature, serving to make up the payment in full.

It seems from the above that Evert Pels was or had been working for the Dutch West Indies Company since he had four hundred guilders to his credit for wages.
[on page 13, at the close of the preface, A. J. F. Van Laer, who translated these court minutes from the Dutch, made the following statement.
“In making the translations, the effort has been to combine close adherence to the original text with a fairly fluent English rendering, a task which in view of the technical character and often defective form of expression of the original minutes has proved most difficult.” For me, it is sometimes most difficult to decide what has been said in the minutes.]

The following entry indicates that this is the year that Evert Pels made the move from Beverwyck south to the Esopus (Kingston)

(174) [158] Tuesday, August 11, 1654
In response to a communication from the Hon. Director General, [Peter Stuyvesant] the Hon. Commissary and Jan Verbeeck are appointed a committee [to confer with him] in accordance with the commission and instructions to be given to their honors.
[The court] having heard the report of the honorable committee, consisting of the commissary and Jan Verbeeck, [appointed to go] to the Esopus to measure the lands there, and having furthermore examined the petition of Evert Pels, stating that the lands bought by them looked to the eye larger than they were actually found to be and requesting that he Evert Pels, may be allowed to purchase some of the land which the Hon. General intends to keep for himself, it is decided that the committee going to the Manathans are to confer about the matter there and exhibit the aforesaid petition.

(195) [159] Whereas some savages, both Maquas and Senecas, have this day, according to ancient custom, made a present to this court, it is, in order to give them some powder in return, thought proper to present tem among other things with 25 lbs of powder. The Hon. Abraham Staets is therefore requested to let them have the same from the Hon. Company’s powder which is his honor’s custody, provided that he shall be discharged by this court from the obligation to account for it to the Hon. General and hereafter communicate to his honor the contents of the present. The aforesaid savages have furthermore made some propositions to which answer in proper form was made.

(196) [182] Tuesday, January 13, 1654 [1655]
Present: J. Dyckman Sander Leendertsz Jan Thomasz J. Verbeeck Pieter Hertgers Frans Barentsz

Evert Pels requests this honorable court that whereas by balance of accounts fl. 272:7:- is due him from Jan van Bremen, the latter’s effects at Katskill may remain attached until he first and before all [others] shall have been paid.
There being likewise due the Hon. Petieter Hertgerts from the said Jan van Bremen the sum of fl. 270:-, he requests that he may be promptly paid as soon as Evert Pels shall have been paid.

(210) The honorable schout of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, plaintiff, against Claes Hendrixsz, carpenter, defendant, about certain interrogatories read to the defendant on account of the wounding of Evert Pels and Gysbert Cornelisz, as appears more fully from the document which is returned to his honor, together with the confession.

MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
1657-1660
Translated and edited
by
A, H, F, VAN LAER
archivist, Division of Archives and History
Volume II
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1923

[33] indicates the page number in the original document
(33) indicated the page number in the 1923 edition from which this copy is taken.

PREFACE
(7) Among the minutes that are printed in this volume there are proceedings of a number of important conferences with the Indians which were held at Fort Orange during the first Esopus War.

(210) [168] Ordinary Session held at Fort Orange, Sept 9 Anno 1659
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Jan Martensen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands from the defendant 20 beavers by balance of accounts arising from the purchase of 5 aams of brandy, in regard to which judgment was put off on the last court day, being the 15th of July, until the next court day. Whereas the defendant denies having received 5 aams of brandy, but admits that he received 4 aams, it is requested that the case be put over to the next court day, to be decided by the oath of the parties, the plaintiff to have the preference and upon his refusal [to take the oath], the privilege of taking the oath to be extended to the defendant.

(220) [183] The wife of Evert Pels, plaintiff, against the wife of Jan Martensen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands of the defendant payment of 20 whole beavers, due by balance of [184] account for 5 aams of brandy, as may be seen from the minutes of the preceding court day, being the 9th of September, when the parties for the second time were given time to confirm their testimony upon oath. Now upon the oath of the plaintiff, the defendant is condemned to pay the plaintiff the 20 beavers demanded within the space of six weeks, on pain of execution.

Because of Evert Pels move to the Esopus [it was region around the Esopus river, the settlement was later called Wiltwick and then Kingston], there are no more references to him in the Fort Orange court.
We go now to a series of books of historical documents printed by the New York state Library The Early records of Albany, volumes 2, 3, and 4. In Volume 2, Pels is mentioned in a footnote on page 239 as follows. In this patent, which is a confirmation of the grant to Jan De Wever of April 25, 1663, the land is described as ‘a parcel ov Land lying in Esopus neare unto the new village, or the westernmost piece of Land, the East of Nicolas Vartletts and to the west of Everard Pels a line being run from the Hills to the Creek or Kill northwest by north it contains in breadth thirty rod & is in its bigness about eighteen acres or nine morgen , and three hundred rod. As also a parcel upon the great piece of Land to west of Nicolas Varletts and to the East of Evard Pels a line being run as before its in breadth forty Rod, & conteyns in all about twenty four acres or twelve morgen, & four hundred and fifty Rod.
The University of the State of New York
New York State Library
History Bulletin 10
EARLY RECORDS
OF THE
CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY
AND
COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK
Volume 3
(Notarial Papers 1 and 2, 1660-1696)
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL DUTCH
BY
JONATHAN PEARSON
LATE PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IN UNION COLLEGE
REVISED AND EDITED BY
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Division of Archives and History
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1918

From the NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, History Bulletin 10, EARLY RECORDS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY AND THE COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK, Volume 3, come the following documents.
(54) Deposition of Jan Verbeeck and Frans Pietersen about an agreement made between Evert Pels and Jacob Jansen Stol in dividing their land at the Esopus.
[60] On this day, the 2d of February 1661, appeared before me Dirck van Schelluyne, notary public, and before the hereinafter named witnesses, Mr Jan Verbeeck and Frans Pietersz, carpenter, both of competent age, and declared at the request of Evert Pels that it is true and well known to them that in the harvest of the year 1654 according to the best of their recollection) they were both present when the requirer [Pels] and the late Jacob Jansz Stol [ Jacob Jansz Stol was killed in the first Esopus War of 1659; see Doc. Rel. To Col. Hist. N. Y. 13:119] divided the land which they had jointly bought from the Indians at Esopus and it having happened and been found by measurement that Jacob Jansz had either morgens more than the requirer, Jacob Jansz said that in return therefore he would request of General P. Stuvesant and seek to obtain from the Indians as much more land for the benefit of the requirer, where it best suited him in connection with his share of the land; all of which the deponents are ready if need be and requested to confirm by oath. Thus done and executed in Beverwyck in N: Netherlands, in presence of Mr Gerard Sward, schout of the colony of R[enselaers]wyck, and Jan Dircxsz van Brenien, as witnesses hereto called.
Jan Verbeeck Frans Pietersen G: Swartt Jan Dircksz van Bre[men]
D. V. Schelluyne, Not. Pub. 1661
[Another translation of this deposition is in Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y. , 13:102]

From the above it can be seen that Evert Pels was buying land and making preparations to move to the Esopus as early as 1654. The following documents shows that he was making final preparations to move in 1661
(60) [70] Bond of Ever Pels to Jan Bastiaensen van Gutsenhoven
On this day, the 22d of March 1661, appeared before me, Dirck van Schelluyne, notary public, and before the hereinafter named witnesses, Evert Pels, dwelling in the colony of Renselaerswyck, proposing to transfer his residence to the Esopus, who acknowledged that he was well and truly indebted to mr Jan Bastiaensz, trader here, in the sum of eighteen beavers, growing out of the purchase and delivery of merchandise by him at different times received, which sum of eighteen beavers, to be reckoned at eight guilders apiece, he promised to pay to said mr Jan Basteaensz, or his order, in or before the month of September anno 1662, promptly, and without further delay, binding thereto his person ;and estate, real and personal, present and future, nothing excepted, subject to all courts and judges, promising in default of payment to confess judgment before any high or inferior court where these presents may be exhibited. Thus done and executed in the colony of Renselaerswyck in New Netherlands, in presence of mr Phillip Pietersz Schuyler, trader here, Jacob Sandersz Glen, as witnesses here called.
Evert Pels Philip Pieterse Schuyler Jacob Sandersen Glen
D. V. Schelluyne, Not. Pub. 1661

(123) [20] Deposition of Jan Verbeeck and Evert Jansen Wendell in regard to an agreement made between Evert Pels and Jochem Wessels before said Pels left for the Esopus
On this day, the 1st of October 1661, appeared before me, Dirck van Schelluyne, notary public, and before the hereinafter named witnesses, the Honorable Jan Verbeeck and Evert Wendel, residing in Beverwyck, being of competent age, and declared at the request of Jochem Wessels, baker, that in the month of April last, Evert Pels, being about to leave with his family for the Esopus to live there, promised to pay said Wessels on account of Jurriaen Blanck on the last of may next Following thirty beavers in boards, counting twelve boards to the beaver, and also thirteen beavers in payment as hereinbefore stated on the last of August following; giving as the reasons for their knowledge that they heard and understood Evert Pels say the same to said Wessels when he Evert Pels was about to depart and Willem Bout has undertaken to pay said boards for said Evert Pels; furthermore, they are ready [21] when requested, if need be, to confirm the same by oath. Thus done and executed in Beverwyck in New Netherlands, in presence of Willem Bruuwer and Hendrick Reur, as witnesses hereto called.
Jan Verbeeck, Evert Jansen Wendell Hendrick Roer Willem Brouwer D.V. Schelluyne, Not. Pub. 1661

From the forgoing it appears that Ever Pels and his Family moved to the Esopus in April, May, or June of 1661. According to a family group sheet from the Salt Lake City Family History Center, Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons had 7 children at the time of the move. The names and approximate birth dates are given below.
Hendrick, abt 1643-44; Jannetje, abt. 1646; Evert, abt 1648; Clara, chr. 10 Sept. 1651; Marie, abt 1653-55; Elizabeth, abt 1657; Sara, 3 July 1659;
Two more children were born in the Esopus, Rebecca, Bapt 13 Nov. 1661 and Symon bapt. 29 March 1665.

We continue now with the documents which show the transactions which took place as Evert Pels was divesting himself of the his holding in Beaverwyck and Renselaerswyck in preparation to moving to The Esopus. The following documents are From Volume 4 of The Early Records of Albany.
The University of the State of New York
New York State Library
History Bulletin 11
EARLY RECORDS
OF THE
CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY
AND
COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK
Volume 4
(Mortgages 1, 1658-1660 and Wills 1681-1765)
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL DUTCH
BY
JONATHAN PEARSON
LATE PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IN UNION COLLEGE
REVISED AND EDITED BY
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Division of Archives and History
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1919

(20) [257] Conditions of public sale of two sawmills belonging to Evert Pels
Terms and conditions of which Evert Pels proposes to sell at public sell to the highest bidder his two saw mills lying in the Colony of Rencelaerswyck [Situated on the Mill creek, behind the Greene Bosch (Greenbush), on the east side of the Hudson River. See deed from Willem Fredericksen Bout to Evert Pels, March 17, 1659, for a house, lot and garden in Beverwyck, in exchange for these two mills, on page 99 of this Volume]
The two mills shall be delivered to the buyer with their appurtenances.
With the upper mill there shall be delivered an iron crank, an iron pinion, an iron rack and two marking irons.
With the lower mill there shall be delivered a wooden wheel, and iron rack and an iron crank.
For both mills shall be delivered 10 saws such as they are, sixteen iron bars, two peaveys, two cant hooks, three files, eight racks, a saw-set, a pair of iron slege hammers, two axes.
The buyer shall be holden to carry out the contract made between the patroon and the seller.
The buyer shall have the right of the road from the upper mill as it has been used by the seller without damage to the farm.
Delivery of the aforesaid mills shall be made tomorrow, being the 15th of March.
Payment shall be made in two instalments, the first on the 15th of June Anno 1658, in good whole merchantable beavers, the second on the 15th of June Anno 1659, in good merchantable seawan at fl. 10 the beaver.
The buyer shall be holden to furnish two sufficient sureties within 24 hour to the satisfaction of the seller.
If the buyer does not furnish sufficient sureties within said time, then the mills shall be sold again at his charge and [258] expense and whatever less thy shall bring he shall be holden to make good and whatever more they shall bring he shall not benefit by.
The auction fees shall be charged to the buyer.
Whoever shall be the buyer shall have the privilege of buying the seller’s logs for so much as they cost him in cutting drawing and other expenses, to be paid in boards.

(21) [259] Conditions of public Sale of a house in Fort Orange belonging to Evert Pels.
Terms and conditions on which Evert Pels proposes to sell at public sale to the highest bidder his house situated in Fort Orange.
First, the house shall be delivered to the buyer as it stands, with all that is fast by earth and nail, about 39 or 40 feet in length, lying next the house of Jacob Schermerhoorn and J. Van Twillert.
The delivery shall be made tomorrow, being the 15th of March.

The payment shall be made in two instalments, the first on the 15th of June Anno 1658 one-half in good merchantable beavers and the other half in good, merchantable seawan, and the second payment on the 15th of June Anno 1659, one-half also in good, whole deliverable beavers and the other half in good merchantable seawan at ten guilders a beaver.
The buyer shall be holden to furnish two sufficient sureties, jointly and severally [liable] as principals, to the satisfaction of the seller, within 24 hours. If the buyer cannot furnish sufficient sureties within said time, then the premises shall be sold again at his expense and charge, and whatever less they bring, he shall be holden to make good and whatever more they shall bring shall not be to his profit.
The auction fees shall be charged to the buyer.
[Apparently no sale. Cf. deed from Evert Pels to Jan Barentsen Wemp, February 4, 1661 in Early Records of Albany 1:291]

The next document shows something of the Character of Evert Pels and of his wife Jannetje Symons.

(98) Power of attorney from Evert Pels to Capt. Jan Jacobsen
[406] Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, in the service of the General Chartered West India Company commissary at Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, Evert Pels, who declared in the presence of the hereinafter name witnesses that he had constituted and appointed, as he had constituted and appointed, as he hereby does constitute and appoint, the honorable Capt. Jan Jacobsen his attorney, in the principal’s name and on his behalf to procure the freedom of Marritie Symons, sister of the principal’s wife, dwelling in the city of New Amstel on the South river with one Pieter Pietersen Herder, in such manner as the attorney may judge best; promising to hold good and valid whatever the attorney shall do in this matter as if he, the principal, were himself present, for which he binds his person and estate, real and personal, submitting the same to all courts and judges. Done in Fort Orange, the 19th of February Ao. 1659, in presence of Johannes Provoost and Jam Pietersen Muller.
Evert Pels Johannes Provoost, Witness Jan Pieters Mulder
Acknowledged before me,
La Montagne, Commissary at Fort Orange

It seems that his Wife’s Sister was an indentured servant, and that he was arranging to buy out the contract for her release.
The next two documents show the transactions and trades to pay for the two mills sold by Evert Pels.

(98) [406] Deed from Sander Leendersen Glen to Willem Fredericksen Bout of a Lot in the Village of Beverwyck
Appeared before me , Johannes La Montagne, in the service of the General Chartered West India Company commissary at Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, in presence of Francoys Boon and Pieter Hartgers, magistrates of said jurisdiction, Sander Leendersen Geleyn, burgher and inhabitant of the aforesaid village, who declared that he had granted and conveyed, as the hereby does grant and convey, in real and actual possession, to the behoof of Willem Fredricksz, his heirs and assigns, a lot lying in the aforesaid village, adjoining northerly the grantee, southerly Willem Teljer, extending from the street to the path at the river, in length ten rods and in breadth seven rods, as appears in the patent to him, the grantor, given by the honorable director general and council on the 23d of April Anno 1652, for the sum of fifty good, whole beavers, wherefore the said grantor promises to warrant the said grantee against all claims and demands which may hereafter arise, binding thereto his person and estate, real and personal, present and future, under submission to all courts and judges. Done in Fort Orange the 17th of March Anno 1659.
Sander Lenrsen Glen Froncoys Boon Pieter Hartgers
Acknowledged before me La Montagen, Commissary at Fort Orange.

( 99) [410] Deed from Willem Frederickson Bout to Evert Pels of a house, lot and garden in Beverwyck in exchange for two sawmills in Rensselaerswyck
Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, in the service of the General Charted West India Company Commissary at Fort Orange and the Village of Beverwyck, in the presence of Jan Tomassen and Adriaen Gerritsen, magistrates of said jurisdiction, Willem Fredricksz, burgher and inhabitant of said village, who declared that he had conveyed , as he hereby does grant and convey, in real and actual possession, to the behoof of Evert Pels, inhabitant of the colony of Rencelaerswyck, his heirs and assigns, a house, lot and garden lying in the aforesaid village; at the lot whereon the house stands has heretofore been used as a garden, as mentioned in the patent, and adjoins northerly Volkert Janssen, southerly Sander Leendersen, westerly the wagon road and easterly the path at the river; length eleven rods and breadth four rods and two feet; the garden is in length and breadth as stated in the conveyance made by Sander Leendersen to the grantor; and that for two sawmills, (100) standing and lying in the colony of Rencelaerswyck, on the east side of the river, behind the greene bosch, [literally “pine woods’ afterwards corrupted to Greenbush.]; the parties to this exchange mutually promising to warrant each other against all claims and demands which may arise on either side; for which they bind their persons and [411] estates, real and personal, present and future, submitting the same to all courts and judges. Done in Fort Orange, the 17th of March Anno 1659. This is the mark X of Willem Frericksz
Evert Pels.

There are 5 references to Evart Pels in the following publication.

CORRESPONDENCE
OF
JEREMIAS VAN RENSSELAER
1651-1674
Translated and edited
by
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Archives and History Division
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1932

PREFACE
The correspondence of Jeremias van Rensselaer forms part of the Van Rensselaer Papers which from time to time have been deposited in the New York State Library and which ...were turned over to the State on condition that they should be made available for purposes of historical research and those which were found to be of sufficient interest should be published as a supplement to the volume of Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, issued by the State Library in 1908.
The correspondence consists partly of original letters, ranging in date from 1651 to 1671, which for the greater part were received by Jeremias van Rensselaer from his relatives in Holland after he came to the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and partly of copies, some on loose sheets and others in the form of a Letter Book, of letters written by him from 1656 until his death isn 1674, during the last 16 years of which period he was director of the colony.
...after having been carefully preserved in the hands of the family for more than 250 years, they were shortly after their transfer to State Library severely damaged by Capitol fire of March 29, 19ll, which destroyed a large part of the State Archives as well as many of the Van Rensselaer Papers, so that at present hardly a single one of the letters is intact.

Page 227, 228 [this is the first letter in Jeremias van Rensselaer’s Letter Book, which according to the inscription of the fly-leaf was begun June 3, 1660. It would seem, therefore, that although the letter was the end is dated June 6, 1660, it was begun on June 3.] I bought the flat opposite Bethelem, on the main land, from the Indians and have promised Pieter de Flamiingh and Carsten de Noorman that they may dwell there as soon as the situation in the Esopus is a little better. I shall gradually try to establish a farm there, the cost of building to be borne by them, for of horses there is, thank God, no lack. To Aert Jacobsz, in the Grene Bos, I have also granted a piece of land, above, in the high wood behind his land, [See lease of his farm, May 1, 1654, in Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, p. 763-64] which he is busy clearing.
[In this same letter, Jeremisas van Rensselaer give information about troubles with the Indians, excepts of which follow.
[3] “Meanwhile, some Maquas having come from the country with presents, they were brought to the fort and we were summoned to be present when according to ancient custom they turned over these presents to strengthen the peace with still stronger chains, as they say. They stated that they did not want any presents in return, but asked us to make our response thereto in their country, whereupon we unanimously resolved to make a little trip as, with the help of God, we did. While we were in the Mazua country, in the first Castle, after we had made out propositions, there cam d the Negro of Mr. Lamontagne, bringing with him a note saying that in the Esopus there had been trouble between the Dutch and the Indians and that on both sides people had been killed. We therefore decided to depart from there as soon as possible, which we did the next day, in the morning, and we rode on briskly, so that we managed to get home that evening. ...
I should have sent you herewith copies of the propositions newly made on both sides, as well as an account of the Esopus war, which began in a very irregular way and which is largely the fault of the Dutch, who first shot an Indian, whereupon the Indians the next day captured 13 Dutchmen, who were armed but made no resistance. Among these were also Clabbort and Jacob Hap. Clabbort escaped, but Hap and 8 or 9 others were cruelly put to death by burning, scorching, hacking and cutting, of whom our neighbor, Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, was also one. He had been working in the Esopus. ‘[here material is missing due to fire damage.] ... [5] “A gun was sold to Vorcher Jansz and the keg of powder I kept for account of the masters. As the farmers were in need of powder and could not buy or get it anywhere for seawan and some of the inhabitants of the colony had not money either to buy any. I gave everybody some according to his needs and ordered them to keep good watch, as at Bethlehem and in the Green Bos, where I formed a corporal’s guard to keep watch these days, as the fire is close to our feet, on account of the Esopus war.” [he speaks of selling farms to the colonists and says “ If we could sell more of them, it would be far better than to risk so much in this heathenish country. There is, however a misunderstanding about your having given them permission to purchase at their own expense from the Indians the small island in front of their door, for they have already bought nearly the whole of it from the Indians and they have thereby put the Indians wise as to the [value of the] land, for they had to buy it from the indians at the highest price and had to give them fully as much for it as the whole of Pasecanees Island has cost, so that already several Indians have come to me and stated that they wished to return the goods for which they had sold their land so cheaply. Among them den Uyl was one of the foremost, on account of the island opposite the fort, which he wished to have back, so that we are likely to have much trouble yet with that beast. Daily I must listen to the murmuring of many people who request to buy of the Indians this or that island or small piece of land, for which they will pay rent. [the reason I do not allow this is, in the first place they have [here this is fire damage which ends the passage.}

(161and 162) Letter TO ARENT VAN CURLER [MAY 1659]
MR AREND VAN CURLER
MONSR MON COSYN, SALUTE! To carry out my promise made at our leave taking, this serves [to let you know] that I have been at Bethlehem with Evert Pels to look over the stallions Jan Helmess, from which Evert picked out the best. But when we were to agree about giving him the sneyer [the tailor, the name of a horse] in exchange, the nearest we could come to an agreement was that he [Jan Helms] wanted to have fl. 50 to boot for the choice of the three stallions, so that this trade fell through, but we shall postpone the matter until your return. ...

Jan Baptist van Rensselaer at this time was the patroon. He had lived in the Colony but had returned to Holland to live there. He was the older brother of Jerimias van Rensselaer, who as a brother of the patroon watched over things in the colony and by correspondence, kept the patroon appraised of events and circumstances in the colony.

(254) Letter TO JAN BAPTIST VAN RENSSELAER [JUNE 2, 1661]
Herewith by the ship De Hoop, skipper Pieter Amilius, goes a case with beavers, marked as in the margin, in which there are 384 whole beavers and 40 half beavers, of which 184 whole beavers and 40 half-beavers are for your account. The lie in the upper part of the case, down to the white paper, which separates them [from those for the colony]. Below the paper there are 200 whole beavers on account of the third payment for the farm sold to Volckert Jans and Jan Thomasz....
Your earnest admonition to collect your outstanding accounts I still follow and I am daily doing my best to do so, but I have no success and can get nothing, so that it becomes very wearisome to make so many useless trips, for it is getting worse all the time. As for containing some debtor tp pay by means of legal proceedings, that does not work, for as the saying is: “Where there is nothing , even the emperor loses his right.” And as to taking over something now and then in lieu of the amount due, that is even worse, for last year, I took over from Adriaen Appel three cows at 10 beavers each and I sold them again at about the same price. ...

(270) Letter TO JAN BAPTIST VAN RENSSELAER [October 17, 1661]
(270) ... it all comes down on my shoulders, and as far as I can see there is not much profit in it either. When I busied myself only with my own affairs I always had money and was content, but now I always sit with empty hands and, as is shown , can not even pay you for the goods which I ordered. One may think oneself to be a great lord, but it does not amount to much, as you well know.
I had hopes that you might have been able to secure for me the lease of the farm of Broer Cornelis. I quite counted on it and had already warned the farmer. If the opportunity should still present itself, I should still like to rent it, for I must now content myself with a place which involves nothing but expense, to wit, as I have written to you before, the farm of Evert Pels, of which neither the barn nor the house is worth living in. As I dreaded the expense of repairing the house, because it would have been very great, I built a small house there, 20 feet long and 22 feet wide, and leased the other house for 6 years to Willem Bout, to whom the saw mills of Evert Pels belong, on condition that all expenses were to be borne by him, but he complains daily that he does not care to live in it for the cost of the repairs, although the house is very conveniently located for him on account of the mills.
Jan Theysz asks you to be king enough after the bea ... sold, to use the money to hire for him one or two farmhands, if they can be obtained; otherwise, to send linen for it, of 13 or 14 stivers a yard. Whether you know him, I do not know. He married the widow of Claes Wip, deceased, and is a diligent man who takes good care of the farm. Had he , this summer, not been struck by the calamity of the high water, in which he was one of the worst sufferers, he would this winter have paid of a good part of the old debt. ...
(273) You should also send me a sealed Amsterdam schepel measure, for now and then we have great disputes about the matter in the council and you know that the schepel which I have here is not correct, it being a crude thing.

(281) FROM JAN BAPTIST VAN RENSSELAER [March 24, 1662]
... The goods ordered are all sent herewith ...
The schepel measure I had to tear from some one’s hands in the grain-measurer’s little house, as there were none to be had at the city office that were gaged, the gaging being done only every four or five years. It is well worn, but nevertheless correct and strongly bound.
As to the farm servants, I have not been able to get any ... I shall enquire once more, however, before the next ship sails.
... the low price of the beavers will change the hoped-for profit into a loss. Do not let the dunning to collect my debts ... discourage you. Collect what you can. ... I am also sorry about the damage done by the water. ...
This in brief is in answer to your letters. I am glad that the sickness which as you wrote, raged so in the country, has gradually abated. ...
(287) As to how private individuals seek to undermine the colony by occupying the land that has not been bought of the indians, you might with just cause address yourself about this to the honorable General [Stuyvesant] and request his honor to be please to [ ] [information is missing here due to the fire damage to the original documents]
The building which you are again having done on the farm of Evert Pels is quite contrary to the advantage of the colony and useless. [It is all right to ] build [that way] in making repairs in the old house, but [to build] the new house so light and without consent [ ] for in that way there will [ ] come, that [ ] otherwise [ ] not profitable and I [ ] [ the fire damage makes the remainder unreadable.]
[the van Rensselaer documents after having been safe in the possession of the family for 250 years, they were shortly after their transfer to the [New York] State Library severely damaged by the Capito fire of March 29, 1911, which destroyed a large part of the state archives as well as many of the Van Rensselaer papers. Preface p 3]

Six years later, in April of 1668, reference is again made to Evert Pels; this time in a letter from Roeloff Swartout.

(396) FROM ROELOFF SWARTWOUT MR JEREMIA VAN RENSELAER:
According to your order by Jacob Sandersen I have sent to Mr Olef steevense Cortland 180 schepels of wheat, 40 on account of [Annetje Gerrits] the widow of Aert Jacobse [see the Van Wagenen History for the life of Aert Jacobsz] and 140 schepels on account of myself and Cornesis Slecht, as guardians, arising from an assignment of Evert Pels, for which I beg you to be pleased to send me a proper receipt. [Among the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts is a certifies copy of an assignment from Evert Pels to Jerimias van Rensselaer, executed at Wiltwyck on March 6, 1667, before Mattheus Capito, for 140 schepels of winter wheat to be paid to Jeremias van Rensselaer by the middle of October 1667, by Roelof Swartwout and Cornelis Barentz Slecht, guardians of the minor children of Mattys Jensen, deceased.] Know ye also that I have had much trouble in shipping the grain from here, as there were not bags to be had here, so that I shall not undertake to do so again.
I shipped in Thomas the Irishman’s yacht 53 schepels, which were duly delivered, being fresh grain, just thrashed, and in Reyntjen Pieter’s yacht 127 schepels, of which only 122 were delivered, it being grain that had been stored at least about two months, which loss, in my opinion, you need not bear, you will please call up the principal, Reyndert Pietersen, to make that good. Your friend at your service , ROELOF Swartwout
The 7th of April 1668 Addressed: The Worthy Jeremya van Renselaer, In the colony of Renselaers Wyck.

Insert here, material from the second Esopus war.

After Evert Pels moved his family to The Esopus there are not many references to him in the Albany Area. However we find many references to him in the Kingston Papers.NEW YORK
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS:
DUTCH
KINGSTON PAPERS
Translated by Dingman Versteeg
(With revision of Pages 1-171 by Samuel Oppenheim)
Edited by
PETER R. CHRISTOPH
KENNETH SCOTT
And
KENN STRYKER-RODDA
Published under the Direction of
The Holland Society of New York
VOLUME I
Kingston Court Records,
1661-1667
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
BALTIMORE 1976
[FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CALL NO. US/CAN, 974.734/K1, P2k, V. 1

INTRODUCTION
By Peter R. Christoph
History of the Esopus, 1652-1775
The earliest known sale of land in the region of the Esopus involved a parcel sold by the Esopus Indians to Thomas Chambers, a carpenter and farmer residing at that time in Rensselaerswyck. The patent was confirmed on June 5, 1652. ... Though out the early history of the settlement the presence of the Indians cast an ominous pall over the whole community. Thought they were particularly Vulnerable in their scattered houses they were often at fault for the bad relations. Director-General Peter Stuyvesant recognized the danger to them, and at his urging the settlers signed a bond on May 31, 1658, agreeing to erect a palisaded village and demolish their separate dwellings. Then on the night of September 20, 1659, a group of settlers and soldiers senselessly shot three Indians, killing one of them. The result was the First Esopus War, which did not end until the signing of a peace treaty on July 15, 1660.
Despite the war and the uneasiness of the ensuing peace, the population of the community continued to grow. By May 2, 1661, the hamlet had been named Wildwyck by Stuyvesant. About May of 1662 a second community was established nearby, called the Nieuw Dorp (New Town) [now Hurley] which was settled by former residents of Beverwyck and Wildwyck. Several Hugenots made their homes there.
The fragile peace ended on June 7, 1663, when the Indians burned Niew Dorp and attacked Wildwyck. The resulting loss of life, concern for settlers taken hostage, and heavy loss of property had a long-lasting effect upon the community. Troops from New Amsterdam pursued the Indians for many months, eventually rescuing the prisoners. A peace treaty was concluded on May 15, 1664. [See the appendix for an account of the Second Esopus war]. New trouble came to the Esopus from a new source. English forces dispatched by the Duke of York seized New Amsterdam on September 8, and on the 25th Wildwyck was placed under the authority of the Duke. New Netherland and New Amsterdam were renamed New York and Beverwyck became Albany. The name Wildwyck fell into disuse, the new community generally referred to as the Town of Esopus. Petrus Stuyvesant retired to the life of a private Citizen and the residents of Esopus struggles to adjust to the change in rule.
It was not easy. All the problems of life under an occupation force faced the setters. They were compelled to board soldiers in their homes and to suffer insults and abuse from the armed troops. Reaction against such treatment culminated in the Esopus Mutiny of February 4, 1667. This armed treat to English rule subsided after a few hours . Governor Richard Nicholls wisely chose to mete out punishment to soldiers as well as civilians, but incidents continued to occur. [ see New York Historical Manuscripts: English Vol.XXII pages 41-43... for Documents from the court Investigating the Esopus [mutiny] meeting. And for part played by Evert Pels. A copy of some of these documents is in appendix M mutiny]
On April 6, 1668, Governor Nicolls granted land in a new patent at the Esopus to a number of his soldiers. A village was established there, which ; under his successor, Frincis Lovelace, was name Marbletown on September 17, 1669. On the same day Niew Dorp was renamed Hurley, and on September 25, Esopus became Kingston. The official pronouncement was made on April 25, 1670. Thomas Chambers, the original settler in the region, was rewarded by Governor Lovelace by having his house and land enfranchised as the manor of Fox Hall on October 16, 1672.
The war in Europe between England and the Netherlands reached New York when a Dutch force; under Anthony Colve recaptured New York City on July 30/August 9, 1673. The Esopus was reduced by the Dutch on August 5/15.
Colve became Governor General on September 9/19 and re-established Dutch rule. Among other changes Kingston was renamed Swaenenburgh. However, under the Treaty of Westminster, the colony was returned to English control on October 31/ November 10, 1674. Edmund Andros became Governor on that day, and Swaenenburch became Kingston once again.

(Page 500) Instructions of Evert Pels, A. Jansen, court messenger, and R. Gouldsberry. 1.) They shall immediately depart for the purpose of learning the condition of affairs at New York, because we have been informed that there are some Holland vessels there for the purpose of taking the country. 2.) They shall sail in a boat until they shall meet some yacht or Christians whom they shall ask how things are in New York, and having received trustworthy information shall return immediately and report to us. August 5, 1672, at Kingston, by the honorable court at Kingston, (Signed) W. LaMontagne, secretary.
On this August 5, 1672, it was resolved to dispatch Evert Pels and Robbert Gouldsberry to New York for the purpose of receiving information about the state of affairs at New York. And each of them shall receive a sch. of wheat per day for their trouble. It was also resolved that a man shall watch at the Ronduyt. It was also resolved that Capt. Chambers, at the least report, shall call the burghers here to arms in the village, and then to send delegates to the troops, and in the meantime to act in accordance with re reply we shall expect from them.
(Copy) We the magistrates, burghers, and residents of the village of Kingston and Jurisdiction of the same, declare under oath that, owing to the surrender of the country hitherto called New York, on account of which we have be discharged from the oathe of allegiance taken to his majesty of Great Britain, we absolutely submit to the authority of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands and his serene Highness the Prince of Orange, to be true and faithful to them , and at the least written notice of him to shall be here in ... [page 501 of the Kingston papers needs to be copied to continue.}

The early history of the Esopus, then, could hardly have been more dramatic. Two Indian wars and three changes of allegieance in twenty-three years formed a tumultuous backdrop against which to attempt to develpe a stable social and economic community. Certainly these events tended to retard development, discouraging immigration and settlement. The problems were intensified by the existence of four non-integrated ethnic groups: Indians, Dutch, English, and French. Each of these groups sought to preserve its language and customs. The resulting tensions among these groups were not resolved until long after 1675. A realization of this stress is basic to ;understanding of the early history of Esopus.
GOVERNMENT IN THE ESOPUS
At first the Esopus fell under the jurisdiction of the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck. Management of public affairs became the responsibility of the military commander at the garrison after the erection of the palisaded village in 1658. The residents desired a local civil administration, and in response to their request the directors of the Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch West India Company made the Esopus an independent jurisdiction, appointed Roelof Swartwout as Schout, and instructed Director-General Stuyvesant to organize a cut. Stuyvesant resisted the order, but after being censured for his recalcitrance, he issued an ordinance on May 16, 1661, establishing the court.
Under the tradition of the Roman-Dutch law this inferior court was composed of the schout, representing he sovereign authority, and three (later four) schepens or commissaries, representing the people and selected by the Director-general and council from a double list presented by the inhabitants. This court was the sole agency of local government wad was endowed with both administrative and judicial responsibilities. When it sat as a criminal court the schout presided, bring the charges and presenting the evidence, while the schepens determined no only guilt or innocence but also the penalty. Execution of the judgment was a duty of the schout, who thus combined the duties of sheriff, chief of police, and public prosecutor. In civil cases the schout sat with the schepens. The court also employed other public officials, including the secretary and court messenger. The secretary was a notary, village clerk, and court recorder, while the messenger’s duties included the function of process server, doorkeeper, and sergeant-at-arms. At first the Schout served also as secretary. The separate office of secretary was established on June 14, 1663, the date of Mettheus Capito’s appointment.

P 1, RESOLUTION OF INHABITANTS OF ESOPUS, MAY 32, 1658
On May 31, 1658, the inhabitants of the Esopus region, upon the suggestion of Peter Stuyvesant, met together and resolved to demolish their houses which were on their individual farms and to build their homes near each other in a village enclosed by palisades to better protect themselves from Indian attack. And agreed to a one thousand dollar fine assessed to any who by word or deed apposed this plan of action. Evert Pels and Aert Gerritse [Van Wagenen] relocated to the Esopus the following year.

The first session of the Wildtwyck court was held July 12. 1661.(p,30 By Sept 13 1161 it seems that Evert Pels had been selected as one of the schepens, or members of the court representing the settlers. [see the 2nd Paragraph under Govenment in the Esopus above.] The entry reads as follows:
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, September 13, 1661
Present: Evert Pels, Aldert Heymansen, Cornelis Baren Slecht. ...
Hendrick swant reyger [braider of sewant] plaintif, vs. ...
Albert, the carpenter, askes for a buildint lot, which is granted him. ...

P 4. Ordinary session, held Turesday, October 11, anno 1661.
Present: Cornelis barense Slecht, Evert Pels, Aldert Heymanse; the Schout, Roeloof Swaartwout.
Pieter Jacobsen requests the Schout and Schepens to ix his charges for grinding corn. And whereas the said petitioner leaves it to the decision of the Court, he is allowed to charge for every schepel [about one bushel], eight stivers [one stiver, equals two cents] in zeewant, and to those who have no zewant he may deduct a tenth part but no more. This permission is to be for one year, or until the further order of the Director General and Council [Stuyvesant and the council in New Amsterdam].

P 5 Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, October 25, [1661]
Present: Evert Pels, the Schout, Cornelis barense Slecht. Evert de3 Waeesman, defendant.
The Commissaries demand a mudde of wheat, [about four bushels] and seven guilders, nine stivers, which Evert Pels undertakes tp pay, the same to go to the poor. ...
Jacob Joosten, plaintiff, vs. Aert Jacobsen. Default. [Aert Jacobse Van Wagenen]

P 6, 7, & 8. Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, November 8, Anno 1661.
Present: The Schout, Evert Ples, Cornelis barense Slecht. Alder Heymense, absent. ...
Jan Aersen, plaintiff, demands of Evert Pels, defendant, payment of the amount of forty gldrs., thirteen stivers. Defendant offers to pay the plaintiff in strung zeewant. The plaintiff Jan Aersen, is not satisfied with zeewant. He is ordered to show, at the next session of the court, whether the debt arose in beavers or in zeewant, and , as the defendant does not admit owing in beaver price, Jan Aersen is required to submit a true account.
Basjen [Pieters], plaintiff, vs. Aert Otterspoor. Plaintiff demands of Aaert Otterspoor payment of nineteen guilders. Aert Otterspoor admits owing Basjen Pieters nineteen guilders, and assigns to Basjen Pieters [his claim] against Evert Pels who agrees to pay the same.
Geertruyt Vosburgh, plaintiff, says that she gave an order to Jan van Breeman for two hundred boards to be delivered here at Wildtwyck. Jan van Breeman, defendant, produces a certificate by two witnesses, that Gysbert van den Bergh would not let the boards go forward until the payment of the money advanced him thereon.
And as Geertruyt Vosburgh had Jan van Breeman arrested here, and she showed us an extract, dated August 23, whereby the Honorable Commissaries of Fort Orange ordered the defendant either to pay or to deliver the boards at this place, the defendant is ordered to furnish a bond for the remaining one hundred and fifty-two boards, and he offers a surety Juriaen Westgaer. This (x) is the mark of Juriaen Westgaer. And for this reason the parties are referred to the judge having Jurisdiction.

Ps 21, 22, 23, 24 Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, February 28, 1662.
Present: The Schout, [Roelof Swartwout]; Evert Pels, Aldert Heymanse Roosa, Cornelis Barense Slecht. ...
Aert Pietersen Tack, plaintiff, demands from Aert Jacobsen [van Wagenen] payment of the amount of eighty-one schepels of oats. Defendant admits the debt but says he is not now able to pay. Requests time. Commissaries order defendant to pay the plaintiff twenty schepels of oats every two weeks until the debt is paid. ...
Dirck Arianese, plaintiff, vs. Evert Pels, defendant. Plaintiff demands payment of twenty-seven guilders, ten stivers, in wheat, and also forty guilders, ten stivers, in zeewant. Defendant answers he paid four schepels of wheat, leaving a balance due of five schepels. The commissaries order defendant to pay plaintiff two schepels of wheat within eight days, and of the balance, one schepel each week, and to pay the zeewant within three weeks.
Evert Pels, plaintiff, vs. Geertruyt Andrissen, defendant. Plaintiff demands payment of the amount of five Hundred guilders, eighteen stivers, to be paid in heavy money.
The defendant answere that he has a counter bill, and also that the accounts do not agree but that there is a considerable difference between them. The parties are allowed by Schout and Commissaries two weeks’ time to verify and square their accounts, and are ordered to furnish copies to each other.

P 24 Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, June 22, 1662.
Present: The Schout, [Roeloff Swartwout];, Evert Pels, Albert Heymanse Roosa, Albert Gysbertsen, Tjirick Claasen de Wit.
Hey Offersen, plaintiff, vs. Barent Gerritsen, defendant. Plaintiff demands a total of sity-four gldrs., heavy moeny in restitution of expenses and for lost time and board.
Defendant says he is not liable for the sxpenses, “but if you, Hey Olfersen, had not failed me, I would certainly have paid you the last time.”
The commissaries order the defendant to pay plaintiff sixty-four glders., heavy money, for damages sustained. They also order plaintiff and defendant each to pay twent-five gldrs. for the poor, as both appeared here February 28, and offered fifty gldrs. to the poor if, at the appointed time, Barent Garrits’s house were not finished. This time having expired, it is more Barent Garritsen’s than Hey Olfersen’s fault, since he, defendant, made the plaintiff do the work over again, so that plaintiff could not complete the work at the appointed time. All of which is know to the majority the commissaries and the Schout; they therefore sentence the parties to each pay twenty-five guilders, for the poor.
Evert Pels does not believe Barent Gerritse should pay for the time during which Hey was detained for this acknowledged theft.
Counter opinon of the Schout and Commissaries: “We deem Barent Gerritsen to be origin and author of all the trouble.”

P37, 40 Ordinary Session, Tuesday, October 31, 1662.
Present: The Schout, [Roeloff Swartwout];, Evert Pels, Albert Heymanse Roosa, Albert Gysbertsen, Tjirick Claasen de Wit.
Thomas Chambers, plaintiff, vs. Evert Pels, defendant. Plaintiff demands from defendant payment of the amount of seven hundred guilders, in wheat and in oats, according to bill of sale of a house, barn and lot. The defendant admits the debt, and offers to pay next winter, as his wheat it yet unthreshed.
Plaintiff demands immediate payment.
Defendant answers he is unable to pay at once, and offers to restore plaintiff’s property and pay him a moderate rent for the same, if he is allowed his outlay for repairs.
Plaintiff refused to take back his property, but says he proposes to recover his money with costs and accrued and accruing dameages. The Schout and Commissaties order defendant tp pay plaintiff the amount claimed, within the period of . . . . etc.

P 48, 49, & 50 Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, November 28, 1662.
Present: The Schout, [Roeloff Swartwout];, Evert Pels, Albert Heymanse Roosa, Albert Gysbertsen, Tjirick Claasen de Wit. ,,,
The Schout, plaintiff, vs. Barent Gerritsen, defendant. Plaintiff demands from defendant a fine of twelve gldrs., because defendant made two exit openings in the Fortress or long palisades.
Commissaries order defendant to pay the fine. Signed: Evert Ples, Tierck Claszen de Witt, the mark (x) of Albert Gysbertsen.

P 43 Ordinary Session, held Tuesday, December 12, [1662.]
Present: The Schout; Evert Pels, Aldert Heymanse Roose, Albert Gysbertse, Tjirck Classen de Wit. ...
The Schout, plaintiff, vs. barent Gerritsen and his wife, defendants. Default.
Plaintiff demands judgment on account of a former complaint, lodged before this Court, that defendants spoke irreverently of the Court in saying that the commissaries did not give them justice. The Schout having communicated with the Commissaries they know all about the matter.
Whereas, the de4fendants do not appear before the Court, but have several times poked fun at the Court, the Schout is ordered to put the defnedants under arrest until they shall prove thy have been unjustly treated by said Court.
Signed: Evert Pels, Alaerdt Heymansz Roose, this is the (x) mark of Albert Gysbertsen, Tierck Claszen de Witt.
Poulus Poulussen, plaintiff, vs. Aert Pietersen Tack, defendant. Plaintiff demands the amount of thirty schepels of wheat, payment of three months’ wages earned.
Defendant answeres that plaintiff broke the terms of his contract by leaving him. The Court questions Gommert Gerritsen and Dirck Adriaensen, witnesses who had been summoned, and finds that Poulus Poulussen left Aert Pietersen Tack’s service, without the latter’s consent. The court rejects plaintiff’s claim, because he hired himself out for a year and left his place within the stimulated period; ;and decies that defendant owes plaintiff nothisg. Poulous Poulussen, after the above sentence was reat to him, declares that the witnesses testified falsely, and that if he is not paid he will not be receiving justice. The Commissaries order the Schout to arrest Poulus Poulussen, and to keep him under arrest until he shall prove he has not received justice, and futher proved that the witnesses have testified falsely. Signed: Evert Pels, Alaerdt Heymansz Roose, Albert (x) Gysberasen, Tierck Claszen de Witt.
p 50. The Schout, plaintiff, vs. Jan Barense Amershof, defendant. Plaintif demands a fine for the half anker of brandy which defendant smuggles, about which Jacob Boerhans, being also questioned by the Court Messenger, says he saw the brandy taken from the wagon. Defendant says he called at the Cllector’s house and the Collector not being home, the brandy was carried to his house.
The Cour, Commissaries, order the brandy to be confiscated and that defendant pay siz aldrs. for the poor.
Signed: Evert Pels, Alaerdt Heymansz Roose.

P 50, 51 Session of January 9, 1663
Present: The Schout; Evert Ples, Aldert Heymansz Roose, Albert Gysbertse.
Jan Jansen de Brabander, plaintiff, vs. Evert Pels, defendant. Plaintiff demands payment of seventeen and one-half schepels of wheat and also eighteen and one-half lbs. of butter. Defendant answers he has a bill against this. which plaintiff declines to accept.
The Court orders defendant to pay the amount claimed, and, if defendant has any claim against plaintiff, he may go to Court with it.

p 52 The Schout, plaintiff, demands from Mathys Roeloofsen a fine of five Hundred gldrs., because the savages were admitted to his house at night through the palisades, of which the Sergeant and his roundsman declare.
The Court allow the Schout fifty gldrs., and the defendant is ordered to pay the same to the Schout.
The above entry is included to illustrate how precarious was the situation between the settlers and the Esopus Indians. The following may help to understand why the troubles were so deep seated. In the Indian culture of the time the Indians had no concept of private ownership of land. The land was there and all members of the tribe could use it for any beneficial purpose; for farming, for hunting, for building shelter, etc. When the European came and offered money for the land, the Indians supposed the new comers were paying for the use of the land, for farms, for raising animals, for homes, they had not idea that the Europeans were expecting to have exclusive use of the land and that the Indians would be denied access to the land thereafter. Another difference between European and Indian Culture was the role of leaders. An Indian chief led by pursuasion and no man could compel another. So no chief actually had the “authority” to “sell” land to anyone. And there was great resentment build up among the Indians, when they were denied access to the land the Europeans “bought” from the Indians. The end result is that is was only by force of arms
that the settlers could maintain their farms, villages, and lands.

P 52 Evert Pels, plaintiff, vs. Juriaen Westvael, defendant. Plaintiff demands of defendant what he has to say against his obligation held by plaintiff, as defendant is not willing to pay it. Defendant demands a bill of particulars.
Plaintiff aswere he is not obliged to give one, because, at the signing of the obligation, they settled their accounts in the prescne of Thomas Chambers. He therefor demands payment, or proof by defendant that he does not owe it. Defendant answeres he is not disposed to bring any other proof before this court.
The commissaries order plaintiff to show defendant the origin of the indebted ness, and the defendant to send in his account to plaintiff.

P 58 Extraordinary Session, held Saturdy , January 29, 1663
Present: The Schout; Evert Pels, Aldert Heymanse Roose, Albert Gysbertsen, Tjirck de Wit. ...
Domine Hermanus Blom, requests the Court that care be taken to have the remaining debt on the parsonage paid, and especially that the money for which he has become surety be collected, as he experiences much trouble on its account, Adding, “therwise we shall put a stop to it.” And he especially recommends the Magistrates to take better care that heretofore of his salary.
The Court resolves to summon the retiring Commissaries to appear before it and render an acccount of receipts and disbursements for the building of the parsonage. for the benefit of those having claims against the same, and to notify each of them , as some bills have already been sent in and presented to the Court. They are ordered to appear on May 25, 1663, at the house of Thomas Chamabers.

Evert Pels was one of the retiring Commissaries. He does not appear as a Schepen on the following court records.

There was one meeting of the court on June 5, 1663; at that meeting it was decided that: “ A majority of the Commissaries resolve that the Court shall not sit again until there are four or five cases. If necessary for the convenienceof the residents, it will sit every week. The reason of this is because, in the absence of Village or City Hall, the rent for the room can not be met.
Two days later the Esopus Indians burned the neighboring villiage of Niew Dorp [now Hurley] and attacked Wildwyk.
“In the forenoon of Thursday the 7th of June, [the Indians] entering in bands through all the gates [of Wyldwyck], they divided and scatterd themselves among all the houses and dwelling in a friendly manner, having with them a little maize and some few beans to sell to our inhabitants, by which means they dept them within their houses,and thus went from place to place as spies to discover our strength in men. And after they had been about a short quarter of an hour whithin this place, some people on horseback rushed through the Millo gate from the New Villiage, crying out; “The Indians have destroyed the New Village:” And with these words, the Indians here in this Village immediately fired a shot and made a general attack on our village from the rear, murdering our people in their houses with their axes and tomahawks, and firing on them with guns and pistols; They seized whatever women and children they could catch and carried them prisoners outside the gates, plundered the houses and set the village on fire to windward. it blowing at the time from the South. The remaining Indians commanded all the streets, fireing from the corner houses which they occupied and through the curtains [Palisades] outside along the Highways, so that some of our inhabitants, on their way to their houses to get their arms, were wounded and slain. When the flames were at their height the wind changed to the west, were it not for which the fire would have been much more destructive. So rapidly and silently did Murder do his work that those in different parts of the village were not aware of it until those who had been wounded happed to meet each other, in which way the most of the others also had warning. The greater portion of our men were abroad at their field labors, and but few in the villaage


A full account of this attack is given on pages 29-62 in volume 4 of the Documentary History of the State of New York by E. B. O’Callaghan; included is the Journal of Captain Martin Kregier. who led search for the captives who had been taken in the raid.

Uncertain date, look it up
Aert Jacobsen requests a lot at Wildwyck for the purpose of building a house, barn, and loft, because he has rented his land to someone else. Refused.

The following interesting story is included because it is an example of the kinds of problems that can occur when Dutch speaking citizens and English speaking soldiers must live in the same small community without understanding one another’s language.
Samuel Olivier, Joris Porter, Eduard Chattelton,[all English soldiers] appearing before the hon. court, say that on last Thursday being Nov. 13 (they being stationed on the redoubt as a guard), Allert Heymans came with his people for the purpose of taking a canoe from the shore which canoe they had been ordered to watch by the guard which they relieved, Ariaen Huybertsen then came and took hold of the canoe for the purpose of shoving it in the water, whereupon Samuel Olivier came with his gun for the purpose of preventing the same, and threatened to shoot said Ariaen Huybertsen. Areien Albertsen, in the meantime, took the small shot out of his gun, and reloaded it with ball, and Allert Heymans also challenged the guard to fight them, man against man, and even raised his axe and threatened the soldier Eduart Chattelton, to hit him with the same, and make a complaint about the violence committed against them in their quality of guards at the redoubt by the aforementioned persons. Allert Heymans answers that he arrived on the bank with his people, for the purpose of launching their own canoe, and to use it for hunting, Whereupon Samuel Olivier, coming from the redoubt, with his gun cocked, spoke to them. They not being able to understand him, Ariaen Huybertsen, nevertheless, intended to float the canoe, wheupon Samuel pointed the gun at his chest, Whereupon, Ariaen, pushed the gun out of the way and took hold of his arm, this happening, Eduard Chattelton approached Ariaen, aforementioned, with an oar and struck at him, whereupon Joris Porter drew his sword for the purpose of separating parties. Thereupon Allert Heymans called from the Wagon, “Keep quiet, I shall immediatly come over to you to ger the canoe afloat.: When he came near the canoe, Eduard chattelton also came with his gun, holding the thumb on the trigger and pointied to him to let the canoe alone. In the meantime he [Heymans] took up the axe from the canoe and threatened him with the same, whreupon Eduard reversed his gun and threatened him with butt end. In th meantime Ariaen Allerts, seeing this, also took hold of his gun and loaded it with ball. Allert Heymans further went with the others to the redoubt, and there they were better informed by each other. The English, then understanding them a little [and understanding] that it was their own canoe, thereupon gave them the oars, and allowed the canoe to follow, and even Eduard Chattelton himself assisted them in getting the canoe afloat. They also deny having challenged the English soldiers, and further deny having taken the small shot out of the gun, but [say] that they simply loaded it with ball, because it was unloaded.

P 177, 178 Extraordinary Session, Saturday, November 22, 1664.
Henderick Cornelissen, ropemaker, plaintiff, vs. Evert Pels Defendant.
Plaintiff demands from defendant 40 gldrs. in sewan and requests payment. Defendant say not to intend to pay plaintiff one stiver unless he shows him a bill, the hon. court orders plaintiff to give defendant a bill.

P. 181 Letter to the Governot General:
Noble, Honorable, Valliant and Very Discreet Lord,
This serves to inform your honor that upon the arrival of Mr. Beresfor, about 14 days ago, we received three barrels of meat, but without letter, weight and price. We further respectfully ask that before the frost sets in may still be sent three or four barrels of pork, besides the weight and the price, and further a keg of powder (because we learn that the Esopus savages are again repairing and fortifying their old ford which has been demolished by the Dutch) so that in time of need, against any invasion by the savages, the inhabitants, here, may be provided with powder. Which we trust ,a remain, Your honor’s obedient servants, the Magistrates at Wildwyck and the country of the Esopus. Signed William Beekman [Schout], given at Wildwyck this Dec. 1, 1664

p184 Ordinary Session, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1664, William Beekman, Schout
The Hon. Schout reports that it has been found out that some of the inhabitants have harbored savages in their houses at night, against which a decree ought to be issued, according to the orders of the Governor General. It is resolved by the court to publish on this accout decrees that the residents shall not be permitted, without the knowledge of the hon., court, to receive savages in their houses at night, under penalty of 100 guilders. fine, whenever this shall be found to have taken place.

The Captain and the Lieutenant of the burgher ask how they will have to behave on their rounds, in case they should happen, by night, to meet any savage or savages near the curtains, whether outside or inside; whether they will be permitted to shoo at them after having called out three times, and not receiving any answer from them: The hon. court decides, “Yes,” if the savages after three challenges by the round do not answer or if they cannot be captured by the round.

P 191, 192; December 30, 1664; Decree against shooting on New Year:
Whereas experience has demonstrated taht on account of the shooting on New Year’s many disasters have occurred, for which reason, prior to this, similar shooting on New Year has been rigidly prohibted by decrees, therefoe Schout and Scheepenen of this village of Wildwyck one more wanting to see said issued decrees obeyed, because they were made with the intention of preventing fire or other accident, through said shooting, once more prohibit one and all, that anybody shall undertake to shoot the New Year, under penalty of [a fine] of three gldrs. for every shot by him who shall be found to have fire the same. Thus given at the session of Schout and Scheppen at Wildwyck, this December 330, 1664.

P 192, 193; Ordinary Session, Tuesday, January 6, 1665
Evert Pels, Plaintiff vs. Dirrick Hendericksen, Defendant.
Plaintiff being the Attorney for the Widow of Michiel Jansen, demands from defendant 48, gldrs. 9 st. in wheat, at three gldrs. per sch. ...
Outcome: The hon. court decides and orders that plintiff shall return to defendant his bill and assignment, and that defendant shall then be obliged to pay plaintiff the debt.

P 195 Jacob Burhans, Evert Pels, and Jan Jansen Van Amersfoort judicially verified and affirmed under oath their attestation in behalf of Ariaen Gerretsen on Dec. 15, 1664.

P 201, find date //////////////////////????????????
Evert Pels, Plaintiff vs. Juriaen Westphael, defendant.
Plaintiff demands from defendant a sum of 262 Gldrs. 5 St. heavy money as per note, and also 20 gldrs. 4 st. light money for expenses incurred. Defendant admits the light money for expenses incurred. Defendant admits the debt, but says having paid something on the same, viz., 13 Schepels of peas, 6sch. of buckwheat and two half kegs of small beer, amounting to a sum of 45 guilders 10st. heavy money. Plaintiff answers and says that the 11 sche. of wheat had been liquidated for the making of the note and claims the expenses incurred and yet to be incurred.
The hon court orders that defendant shall prove that he paid the 22 sch. of wheat after passing the note, and defendant is further condemned to satisfy plaintiff’s aforementiond claim with the costs.

Evert Pels, Plaintiff vs. Pieter Hllebrants, Defendant.
Plaintiff demands from defendant 34 gldrs. in beavers whiih he paid for defendant to Jan Bastiaansen in the year 1659. Defendant says not to owe more than 12 sch. of wheat, and that he paid Jan Simonsen three sch. Plaintiff replies, saying that defendant shall prove that he paid Jan Simonsen three sch. of wheat for the plaintiff.
The hon. court orders defendant to prove that he has paid the three sch. to Jan Simonsen, or if not, defendant shall pay plaintiff aforesaid claim of 34 gldlrs. in beavers.

The following is included because it relates to the not yet written Constitution of the Unites States; specifically not having a state sponsored religion. This next entry indicates that the Kingston court had levied a tax of 1guilder per morgan of land to pay the preacher’s salary.
p 205, 206
the preacher’s salary, when he said, “Tobe willing to carry out his given promise, but right away not to be able to do more. The hon. court orders the officer to proceed against defendant on accoun of the aforesid village charges, because in presence of the hon. Ld. Dir. Genl. it was decided that for the past three years one glder. per mprgen was to be paid twoard the preacher’s salary. Plaintif, the schout, further demands 50 gldrs. in sewan as per sentence on Jan 20 1665, because defendant show contempt of court, upon being summoned to appear before the same, Defendant sayt not to intend to pay the 50 gldrs. as per sentence.


Insert soldier problems with aert Jacobsen family.sspp


P 210 Ordinary Session, Tuesday February 10, 1665
Evert Pels, Plaintiff vs. Thomas Harmensen, defendant
Plaintiff says that in compliance with a previous minute dated Feb. 3, 1665, he hasinformed defendant to pay the 36 gldrs. in sewan and says that defendant refused him the payment, and requests satisfaction for the aforenamed 36 gldrs. Defnedant requests that the attestors shall affirm under oath their attestation in behalf of Jonas Rantsou, and then he is willing to pay. The hon. court orders plaintiff to have the passed attestation confirmed by oath, or if at fault, that plaintiff shall be refused any further claim against defendant.


P211, 212; Roelof Swaartwout, appearing in the name of other guardians of the minor children of Mattys Jansen, deceased, says that they have given out on interest to Evert Pels 1,000 gldrs. in beavers’ value, and whereas the two years have elapsed, they, petitioners (for the purpose of not ruining him, if he were to return aforementioned 100 guilders with interest) are willing to allow aforesaid Evert Pels to keep the aforementioned [amount] another year, if he is willing to furnish, besides the mortgage, two satisfactory bondsmen, which he has refused to do, for which reason they, petitioners, want to consult with the hon. court as head guardian, about what to do. The hon. court, having considered the above request, orders Evert Pels to furnish two bondsmen beside the mortgae, or otherwise he shall return the 1,000 gldrs. beaver’s value besides the interest for the two past years without delay.

p 216
The Guardians of the minor children of Mathys Jansen, deceased, Plaintiffs,
vs. Evert Pels, Defendant
When made acquainted with the decision of the hon. court on Feb 10, 1665, defendant answered that he cannot produce any other sureties that by mortgaging his lands. the guardians aforenamed request the judgment of the court. Defendant says that he offered the aforenamed guardians to privately sell them his house, barn and store-house for the satisfaction of the mortgage and interest. Plaintiffs reply, saying that they have not got the power to do so, and further taht they do not deem it advisable, the Hon. court decides that the guardians are justifiable in their demand and it is not advisable turn real into personal estate, which is subject to fire and other accidents, and also considering that some of the children, upon reaching their majority, will want some money, the hon. court orders defendant to satisfy plaintiffs’ aforementioned claim or to satisfy them in some other manner.

P 218 Letter to the Governor of New York: [from the Majestrates at Wildwyck.
Very noble, honorable, baliant, wise and very discreet Sir:
By this offered opportunity this is sent to your honor for the purpose of sending us as per promise, meat and pork for the soldiers quartered here. because we find that among the inhabittants here there is great scarcity of meat and pork. We therebesides request that it may please your honor to provide us also with more powder for the security of this place, because the powder, sent before, has been partially distributed and divided. We hope and expect your honor’s arrival to be here as soon as the water shall be open, for the purppose of further and better arranging matters here, the more so because the residents here complain that owing to past disasters they are unable to further provide the soldiers with food and drink. Closing thses presents, we recomment your horor, after greetings, into god’s protection. Done at Wildwyck, tahis February 20, 1665. Your honor’s obedient servants, the magistrates of the village of Wildwyck in the Esopus. Signed Willem Beeckman.

We, the undersigned Gysbert Van Imbroch and Henderick Jochemsen, commissaries of the village of wildwyck, make known that before us has appeared the worthy evert Pels, inhabitant of Wildwyck, who declares that, at the request of the guardians of the minor children of the deceased matty Jansen, and their consent to keep at interest the 1,000 gldrs. in grain beavers’s value, desires and accepts, as he is accepting, to hold from the aforesaid guardians the afore mentioned 1,000 gldrs. at interest at 12 percent, annually, in obedience to previous “schepen knowledge,” dated Feb. 15, 1663, for the period of one more current year, commencing Feb. 15, 1665, and terminating Feb. 15, 1666, under promise of returning and paying said principal of 1,000 gldrs. besides the interest on the same, precisely on Feb. 15 of the coming year 1666, but under the following exception, that if any other creditors, whatever powere they may possess, and unknown to aforesaid guardians by susbsequent confession of the appearer, might judicially force within the aforesaid time the appearer to satisfy them for their money, the aforesaid guardians are entitled to also claim the abov e principle with interest of the same, wherfore he, appearaer, as per foregoing “schepen knowleddge” binds and secially mortgages his lands situated under the village of Wildwyck and his house in the same village which appearer declaares to be unburdened and unencumbered and further generally his person and furher estate, personal and real, present and fufture, none excepted, submitting himself and them to the jurisdiction of all judges and courts. And produces, besides, the aforesaid mortage, as bondsmen and fellow-principals Cornelis Barentsen Slect and Aert Martensen Doorn, both residents of wildwyck, who besides the appearer also bind their persons and estates, personal and real, present and future, none excepted, with the expenses herefore made and to be made, renouncing for this purpose all exceptions and defences which, in anyt manner might be contrary to the present. For the purpose of legalizing the sme the appearer, besides Cornelis baarentsen Slecht, and Aert martensen Doorn, as bondsmen and fellow-principals, have subscribed to the present, besides ourselves at Wildwyck this Feb. 21, N.S. 1665 Signed : Evert Pels, Cornelis Barents Slecht, and Aert Martensen Doorn.; also by Gysbert Van Imbroch and Hendrick Jochemsen.
In the presence of Mattheus Capito, Secretary.




NEW YORK HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS:DUTCH
KINGSTON PAPERS
Translated by Dingman Versteeg
(With Revision of Pages 1_171 by Samuel Oppenheim)
Edited by
PETER R. CHRISTOPH
KENNETH SCOTT
And
KENN STRYKER_RODDA
Published under the Direction of
The Holland Society of New York
VOLUME II
Kingston Court Records, 1668_1675
and Secretary's Papers, 1664_1675
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
BALTIMORE 1976

There are four references to Evert Pels in this book. The first shows Evert Pels serving as attorney in court.
(Page 342) March 1672/73
Evert Pels, attorney for Jan Dirricksen Van Bremen, Plaintiff vs. Aert Martensen Doorn, Defendant
Plaintiff demands of defendant a sum of 100 guilders in sewan, as per note, and costs. Defendant admits the debt. The Hon. Court orders defendant to satisfy plaintiff’s demand, with costs.
Extraordinary Session, July 8, 1673.
Present: the Justice, S. Grevenraedt, G. Hall, C. Wyncoop, Joost Adriaensen, R. Kierstede.

The second reference indicates that Evert Pels was a man to call on in a critical situation.
Capt. [Thomas] Chambers asks whether it would not be necessary to station a couple men at the Ronduyt for the purpose of keeping us informed, because there is a rumor that 21 Holland ships are at New York, for the purpose of taking the land. In case any party or ships should arrive at this place, how we shall conduct ourselves, before having received orders of the governor or of anybody acting for him; whether we shall submit? How we shall conduct ourselves in case anybody should undertake to suddenly attack us? Whether it be not necessary to dispatch a couple men for the purpose of gaining exact information?

Instructions for Evert Pels, A. Jansen, court messenger, and R. Gouldsberry.
1) They shall immediately depart for the purpose of learning the condition of affairs at New York, because we have been informed that there are some Holland vessels there for the purpose of taking the country. 2). They shall sail in a boat until they shall meet some yacht or Christians whom they shall ask how things are in New York, and having received trustworthy information shall return immediately and report to us. August 5, 1672, at Kingston, by the hon. Court at Kingston, (signed) W. LaMontagne, secretary.

On this August 5, 1672, it was resolved to dispatch Evert Pels and Robert Gouldsberry to New York for the purpose of receiving information about the state of affairs at New York. And each of them shall receive a Schepel of wheat per day for his trouble. It was also resolved that a man shall watch at the Ronduyt. It was also resolved that Capt. Chambers, at the least report, shall call the burghers here to arms in the village, and then to send some delegates to the troops, and in the meantime to act in accordance with the reply we shall expect of them.

(Copy) We, the magistrates burghers, and residents of the village of Kingston and the jurisdiction of the same, declare under oath that, owing to the surrender of the country hitherto called New York, on account of which we have been discharged from the oath of allegiance taken to his majesty of Great Britain, we absolutely submit to the authority of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands and serene Highness the Prince of Orange, to be true and faithful to them, and at the least written notice of him who shall be here in authority, or should be authorized by him for said purpose, to keep ourselves in readiness against all enemies whoever tey may be, for the purpose of assisting to protect the rights of their High Mightinesses as it is the duty of all pious and faithful subjects. ... ..see page 501 to continue.

The third reference implies that the Dutch continued to do much of their business in Court.

Ordinary Session, February 27, 1673/4; p 509 —513
(Page 512) Leendert Barentsen Kool, Plaintiff vs. Everdt Pels, Defendant. lst Default.
(Page 513) Jan jansen Timmerman [Carpenter] requests payment for the lumber for Delaval's house.
Gerridt Aerdtsen [married Clara Pels, dau. of Evert Pels] requests payment for carting wood for Delavall's house.
Gerrit Aertsen requests a lot for the purpose erecting a house outside the Dam gate, which is granted him.
Gerrit Aertsen, Jan Jansen, and Barent VanBorsum request payment for the confiscated lumber of Mr. Lavall; the court orders Schout Grevenraedt to pay out of the confiscaated effects of Mr. Delaval.

At times the Court Record give us information about the period of time in which they worked and raised their families. Consider the following:
April 15, 1674; Decree in regard to putting up the fence around the other side of the Kill, [creek]
The Hon. court at Swaenenburg [the name Kingston had after the Dutch took New netherlands back from the English], having seen the necessity for the fence aroung the other side of the land for the purpose of preserving the grain which is the source of prosperity of this place, because the aforesaid fence should have been erected already two years ago and [was delayed ] oweing to the poverty of the residents. Therefore, their honors, as the are doing by the present, order everybody to erect his portion of the fence in such a manner that it shall be impenetrable for horses and cattle, the same to be done within eight days, under penalty of 25 glders. fine for the pary neglecting to do so. ...
(Page 714) [Evert Pels was a witness the purchase of land by his son-in-law Gerridt Aerdsen.]
Appeared before me, W. Montagne, Secretary for the hon. court at Kingston, Sweer Teunesen Van Vessen and Gerridt Aerdsen who declare having agreed in the following manner: Gerridt Aerdtsen declares having bought of said Sweer Teunesen certain farm at present leased to Claes Teunesen of the same size and limits as expressed in the deed existing of the same, with dwelling, barn, stack, lot and everything pertaining to the same, excepting the garden in the valley which the seller keeps to himself, with everything being fastened by nail and fixed in the ground to the same. With all such right as the seller has possessed the same. The present crops remaining the property of the present lessee. The farm is to be delivered in May next 1672 with this exception that the grantee then receives the unsown land, house, barn and lot, but the sown land when the crops have been removed. For which Gerridt Aerdtsen shall and must pay once for all, a quantity of 880 sch. of wheat, one_half in clean wheat and the other half in all grains at market value, at the price of wheat in three payments or installments, the first payment of which shall take place in February 1672, one just third portion to be delivered on the bank. And the second again a just one_third of the quantity in February 1673. And the last installment, the last one_third portion, in 1674. Then Sweer Teunesen is obliged to grant a free and unencumbered conveyance. And in case the purchaser should not be able to pay the second installment, he shall be at liberty to wait one year by paying ten percent interest. The land, house, barn and everything [else] is to be delivered in May in the same good condition as they are in at present. Parties promise to comply with the foregoing under obligation as per law and have subscribed to the present with their own hand this February 7, 1671, at Kingston. (Signed) Sweers Toonussen, Gerrit Aertsen. (Signed) Isaack Grevenraedt, Evert Pels, as witness. To which testifies (signed) W. La Montagne, Secretary.


Appendix 1 Preface to the Court Minutes of Rensselaerswyck.

PREFACE
(Page 7)The court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, whose minutes for 1648-1652 are published herewith, formed from
and early date, an important part of the judicial organization of the province of New Netherland. The court was erected by Kiliaen Van Rensselaer by virtue of the power conferred upon him by the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions of 1629 ... . By these terms the patroons were authorized to administer civil and criminal justice, in person or by deputy, within the limits of their respective colonies and to erect courts whose jurisdiction should extend to matters affecting life and limb,... .The first step to organize a court in the colony of Rensselaerswyck was taken by the patroon July 1, 1632, when he appointed Rutger Hindricksz van Soest Schout and empowered him to administer the oath of Schepen to [6 men who then resided in the Colony][the court for various reasons was not organized until shortly after August 12, 1634, and with different officers than originally intended] The court as then constituted corresponded to the usual courts of Schout and Schepens as they at that time existed in most of the manors of the Netherlands. [After the death of the patroon between 1643 and 1646, Brant Aertsz van Slichtenhorst was appointed Director of the Colony on November 10, 1647. He arrived in the colony on 22 March 1648. (page 14) His contract provided that he was to hold the office of Hoof-officier, as such he was to preside over the court, to act as public prosecutor and to perform the combined duties of a modern sheriff and chief of police. As Director, he was the chief administrative officer of the colony and as such was to collect the patroon’s revenues derived from farms. Mills, licenses to trade, etc. . In addition to his salary, he was to receive on third of the fines and proceeds from confiscated property. As a third source of income, he was to have the toepachten, or fees paid in addition to the annual rent and tithes of the farms.] (page 16) The court as organized by Van Slichtenhorst consisted at firs of four and afterwards of five persons, of whom two were designated a Gecommitteerden, or commissioners, and two, or afterwards three, are in the record indiscriminately referred to as raden, raetspersonen, gerechtspersonen, or rechtsvrienden. The duties of the commissioners were primarily of an administrative nature, while those of the raden seem to have been chiefly judicial. The Gecommitteerden represented the patroon and acted under definite instructions. The raden, on the other hand, were appointed by the director, but represented the colonists, it being at that time held sufficient if persons who were to represent others were chosen from among them, so as to represent their class. The only requirement was that they should not be in the patroon’s service.
(Page 17) The proceedings of the court presided over by Van Slichtenhorst cover the period from April 2, 1648, to April 15, 1652. They form the most important source for the history of the colony during that period.
The outstanding event of the that period was the controversy between Van Slichtenhorst and General Peter Stuyvesant reading the jurisdiction of the territory around Fort Orange, which forms one of the dramatic events of the history of New Netherland. This controversy had it origin in the claim made by the patroon, as early as 1632, that “all lands lying on the west side of the river, from Beyren Island to Moeneminnes Castle” ...” even including the place where Fort Orange stands,” had been bought and paid for by him. The Dutch West India Company, on the other hand, maintained that the territory of the fort, which was erected several years before the land of the colony was purchases from the Indians, belonged to the Company and consequently (Page 18) was not included in the patroon’s purchase. The question ... came to be an issue when Van Slichtenhorst, soon after his arrival in the colony, began to issue permits for the erection of houses in the immediate vicinity of the fort. Stuyvesant objected on the ground that they endanger the security of the fort and ordered the destruction of all building within range of a cannon shot. ...Van Slichtenhorst, protested vigorously and proceeded with the erection of the buildings. In 1651 Van Slichtenhorst was summoned to appear before the director General and council at Manhattan and was there detained for four months. [The controversy was settled on April 10, 1652, when the director General and Council erected a separate Court for Fort Orange, independent of that of the Colony. By virtue of this, the hamlet of Beverwyck was taken out of the jurisdiction of the patroon and became an independent village which afterwards became the city of Albany.] Van Slichtenhorst vigorously protested against the erection of the court at Fort Orange and Beaverwyck and with his own hands tore down the proclamation which had been posted on the house of the patroon. For this he was arrested on April 18, 1652, and taken to Manhattan, where he was detained until August 1653. With his arrest, Van Slichtenhorst’s administration came to a close. On July 24, 1652, he was succeeded as director by Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer and as officer of justice by Gerard Swart, so that thereafter the two functions were no longer combine in one person. [Swart continued as Schout until 1665, when by order of Governor Richard Nicholls the Court of the Colony was consolidated with that of Fort Orange.
[Not all Court entries are shown below, only those entries which, either deal with known Ancestors of Keziah Keturah Van Benthuyssen, [ names in bold face type] or, are historically interesting and show the conditions under which those early Dutch families lived in the 1600's ] Figures in Parentheses indicate the page number in the 1922 edition of MINUTES OF THE COURT OF RENSSELAERSWYCK [Figures within brackets represent the pages of the original manuscript. Elsewhere brackets indicate material supplied by the editor, A.J.F. Van Laer]


APPENDIX M
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE
ESOPUS MUTINY OF FEBRUARY 4, 1667
Taken From:

NEW YORK
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS:
ENGLISH
VOLUME XXII
ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERS OF
GOVERNORS RICHARD NICHOLLS
AND FRANCIS LOVELACE, 1664-1673
Edited by
PETER R. CHRISTOPH
Published under the Direction of
The Holland Society of New York
Baltimore
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
1980
[Family History Library Call no. US/CAN, 974.7, H2NY, V.1]

NICOLLS-LOVELACE PAPERS [page] 41
22:21(COVER SHEET FOR DOCUMENTS FROM THE COURT INVESTIGATING THE ESOPUS MEETING.]1
1667
The papers that concern the Esopus mutinies with the death of Henrick Cornelius as allsoe

The proceedings and Sentences of the Court held in Esopus the 25:26:27 days of April by virtue of a Commission given to Capt Robert Needham and Mr Thomas DeLavall Esquires and Mr Cornelius Van Ruyven Justice of the peace. By the Right honorable Colonel Richd Nicolls Governor, under his Royal highness the Duke of Yorke of all his territories In America.

22:22 (REMONSTRANCE OF WILDWYCK INHABITANTS TO THEIR MAGISTRATES, LISTING MALTREATMENT INFLICTED BY SOLDIERS.]l
To the honorable Magistrates of the Towne Wiltwyck,
Sheweth, the Underwritten Generall Inhabitants of the Towne Wiltwyck, that since the honnorable Governor Richard Nicolls, is departed from hence, we have suffered soe much Injurie and Violence not only from the Souldiers in General, But also from the Captain Broadhead in particular, whoe ought to have punished the Wrongs which the said Souldiers have done unto us, Videllezt

1: Porter two years old Cornelis Barentsen Slegt is beaten in his owne house by his Souldier Jeorge Porter, and after this by the other Souldiers forced to prison, and was by some Souldiers at his imprisonment used very hard;

2: and afterwards hath Captain Broadhead, beaten Tierck Claesen, and without any Reason brought to prison,

3: It is happened that Captain Broadhead, Coming at the house of Lowies du Bois, took an ancher of Brandy and throwed it uppon the Ground, be­cause the said Bois, Refused him Brandy, without paiment, and did Likewise force the said Bois to give him Brandy,

4: And the said Bois his wife, comming for hur monny at the said Broadheads house, he drove the said Bois his Wife, with a beare knyff out off his house,

5: Porter 2years agoe Porter The Souldier Jeorge Porter, comminge in the Barne of Pieter Hilledebrants, and findinge there Dirck Hendrix, the said Porter tooke his Sword, and thrusted the same, threuw the said Dirck Hendrixes Breeches,

6: Albert Heymans Roos, going with his plouw Yron, towards the Smits, was assalted by five soldiers whoe Wounded him very much, Whereupon

7: The Souldiers [ ] the [ ]the said Albert Heymans, going [ ] thout any Reason brought him to [ ] Imprisonment was most grievously [ ]oundedby Richard Hamer,

8: Two souldiers france Vreman, and Wm Fisher, comming to the Millers to steale his hens, the said Miller in defending of his hens, was by the said Souldiers beaten in his owne house,

9: Harmen Hendrix was wounded in his Legge by Richard Cuge, in soe much that the said Harmen, is lame unto this present day, and that only because his Goates where eaten by the Souldiers,

10: It is happened upon New Year day, that Walran duMont, having some friends and Neighbors to eat with him at his house, where upon Captain Broad­hed coming in, he treated the said Walran very Badly;

11: and herewith not being satisfyed, took the Wife of Harmen Hendrix, from thence to Prison in the Guarde,

12: porter John Cornelissen Smith, going alonge the Streete was assalted and persecuted to his verry Shop, and was Like to have bene murthered, by Jeorge Porter, but he was hindered in his desseyn, by

13: porter Frans Vreman; and the said Jeorge Porter hathLikewise uppon the said day in open Streete assaulted Roelof Swartwout,

14: Cornelis Barentsen Slegt, beinge by Captain Broad­head, verry ill Treated, in his owne house, was afterwards by the said Captain forced to prison,and his armes by force taken out of his house, which still doe Remaine by the said Captain Broadhead,
[page] 43
15: Andries Pietersen being at the said time, in theBrew house of the said Slegt, was beaten by Christoffel Berrisfort with his halbard, that the said Andries fel downe in a Sounding3 and was in gread danger of his life,

16: And Hendrick Cornelissen Lyndrayer, is by William Fisher Without any the Least Reason, Wounded in his Belly, and [ ]
17: and it is apparent that Gerrit focken [ ]hould have bene Killed, by the [ ] escaped beinge Wounded in his [ ]

18: wee passe by, all the offences, done to the officer and magestrates in generall, And besides all this We are threatned by Captain Broadhed, and his Souldiers, to burne downe this towne, and that they will murther al what is therein; Therefore, we doe most humbly Supplicate that you Wil be pleased to Remonstrate and make knowne unto the Right honorable Governor, The sade Condition we are in, from whome we hope to have Redresse, and to be maintained in our Right, so Remaininged
Thomas Chambrits Captain and overseer, and Everts Pels overseer, are hereby authorised, by the Court to acquaint Captain Broadhead, the answer of the Inhabitants, that Cornelis Barentsen Sleght by him Imprisoned, might be Relaxed, out of his Imprisonment, for to prevent further trouble and danger; and in Case the afore said Cornelis Barentsen Slegt, hath offended the said Captain Broadhead, that the said Broadhead (:according to the Governors Order:) Should sue him to the Court, for to be Examined and Corrected, dated in Wiltwyck this 4/14 of Feb. 1667.
Wm Beeckman
Jan Joosten
Roelof Swartwout
In answer to this abovestandinge, Captain Broadhead Replyes, that he will keepe Cornelis Slegt in apprehension, as Longe he thincks good, and in Case the Inhabitants will fetsh him by force, that he Would Waight uppon them, dated in Wiltwyck this 4/14 off Feb. 1667
Thomas Chambrits
Evert pels

22:23[TESTIMONY OF THE SOLDIERS AT FORT ESOPUS CONCERNING THE BURGHERS' MEETING.]1

Right Honourable

Your humble servants and souldiers hath made bold to present you herein with these few lynes and to give you A more Clearer demonstration of our first proceeding, and the testimonies of all those men that were both the parties Comanded by our officer in chiefe the which they will all testiffie upon oath. [For more see New York Historical manuscripts Vol 22. At the Salt Lake Family History Library, the call number is ; US/Can, 974.7, H2NY, v.1]



The following quotes are take from:
THE RECORDS OF NEW AMSTERDAM
FROM 1653TO 1674 ANNO DOMINI
EDITED BY
BERTHOLD FERNOW
VOLUME I
MINUTES OF THE COURT OF
BUGOMASTERS AND SCHEPENS
1653— 1655
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
BALTIMORE 1976

page 328 Monday, 5th July 1655: In the City Hall
Present the Heeren Cornelis van Teinhoven, Allart Anthony; Johannes Nevius, Johannes Verbrugge, Jacob Strycker and Jan Vinje.
Matys Capito, pltf. V/s Evert Pels, deft. Pltf. Demands, that deft. Be condemned to path the gl. 37, which Gerrit Segers owed him, when he was engaged to go to Fort Orange to serve deft. Who was then to pay him. Deft. Does not deny, that he promised to pay the money for Gerrit Segers, if he had earned it from him, but says that one the contrary he was in employ only 14 days, and owes himself full 20 gl. And therefore maintains that he is not bound to pay for Segers. Parties being heard, the Court decides, that, inasmuch as the bail was conditional and it does not appear, that Gerrit Segers earned any of the demanded money from the deft., pltf. Has no claim in this matter of Evert Pels. Therefore his action is dismissed saving his claim against Gerrit Segers..

Page 329 Jan Cornelis Clyn, pltf. V/s Evert Pels, deft. Case of attachment.
Plt. Demands payment of fl. 50, for wages earned at deft’s house, which he promised to pay in eight days since expired. Deft. Denies being indebted to pltf., as he had discharges by an assignment the claim of fl. 50. Offers still to pay the said fl.to. On conditions of receiving back his executed assignment. Parties being heard the Court decides, inasmuch as pltf. Has accepted the assignment and granted an acquittance thereupon, That he must wait until the same being accepted, is paid, or until the same be refused payment. Wherefore the arrest is declared unvalid.





The Descendants o f Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons
Since these armchair histories are about the ancestors of Keziah Keturah van Benthuysen, the line of Clara who is the ancestor of Keziah Keturah will be given first.
The Family of Clara Evertsz Pels and Gerrit Aertsz Van Wagenen
4. Clara Evertsz Pels, baptized 10 Sept. 1651 in New Amsterdam [NYG&BR Vol. 5 1874 p. 97], married about 1670, Gerrit Aertsen Van Wagenen, son of Aert Jacobsen and Annetje Gerrits .
10. Aart Gerritse (Van Wageninge). Oldest child of Gerrit Aartse and Clara Pels, was born in Kingston about 1670; the exact date is uncertain, as his baptism in not on the Church Records at Kingston. He married 26 October, 1695, Aaltje Elting, born in Hurley. The Kingston Marriages page 511 records that on October 6, 1695, “Aart Gerritsen, j. m. born here [in Kingston, and Aaltje Eltingen, j.d., born in Horle [Hurley], both reside here [in Kingston], Banns published but dates not given. Aaltje was the daughter of Jan Elting (one of the partners in the Arie Roosa & Co. Patent) and Jacomynte Slecht. Aart Gerrits died before 1699; for we find in the Kingston marriages page 514 that Barent Van Benthuysen [son of Paulus Martense Van Benthuysen] Married at Kingston, 30 April 1699, Aaltje Elting, widow of Aart Gerrit, deceased. Aaltje died within two years, for, "Barent Van Benthuysen, Widower of Aaltje Elting, deceased, married, April 21, 1701, Jannetje Van Wagenen" (daughter of Gerrit Aartsen and Clara Pels and thus a sister to #10, Aart Gerritse ).They had one child
200. Gerrit Aartse (van Wagenen), born 23 Jan 1697.
11. Everdt Van Wagenen, second son of Gerrit Aartsen and Clara Pels, was a twin with Barent, they were baptized April 18, 1675, witnesses Evert Pels, Gerrit Reyers, Lyssebert Aertsen, Lysbit Everts Pels. [KB, p9]; He married, 1 June 1701, Marritje Van Heyning, daughter of Claes Jansen Van Heyningen and Jannetje Hiers, or Kiersen. The marriage is recorded in the Dutch Church, New York, May 2, 1701, and at Kingston, 1 June 1701 [KM,517] Evert Settled in Dutchess County, on lot No. 6, which he purchased from his father, April 21, 1709. It is described as lying to the south of the land of ye Kips, and to the north of ye land of the heirs of Jan Elting; to the east of ye Hudson River, and to the west of a small creek; it being the lot, No. 6, counted ye half of ye land belonging to ye said Ger­rit Aartsen,” this lot contained about 500 acres (Liber A, folio 480, of Deeds at Kingston).
Rhinecliff, the eastern terminus of the Rhinebeck and Kingston ferry, is located on part of this land. ( E. M. Smith's History of Rhinebeck, page 35).
His house was not far from the river, where the Hutton residence now is, and next to the dwelling house of Matys Sleght.
He was appointed by Gov. Burnet, January 21, 1726, captain of a company of militia for the north ward of Dutchess County, "in the room of Jacob Kip, gentleman”.
Evert deeded, November 20, 1749, to his two sons, Aart and Johannes, for 400 pounds, the east half of the lot conveyed to him by his father. This deed is signed by Evert Van Wagenen, and witnessed by Jahnes, Sleght, Hendricus Heermanse, Jr., and Johannes A. Ostrander.
His will is stated in a partition deed to bear date August 28, 1750.
He was probably buried in the Van Wagenen cemetery. which was set apart fur burial purposes, April 30 1750, and is called in the deed" Evert Van Wagenen's kerkhof (burying ground), and which was near his house. An account of this burying ground will be given in the Appendix.
The deeds and the captian’s commission mentioned above, are in the possession of Miss Mary E. Van Wagenen of Rhinebeck.

+ 12. Barent Van Wagenen, twin brother of Evert, Born At Kingston 3 February and, baptised there April 18 1675, witnesses, Everdt Pels, Gerrit Reyers, Lyssebert Aertsen, Lysbit Everts Pels [Kingston Baptisms, 1660-1809, page 9]. He married. September 28, 1703. Lea Dirckse Schepmoes, born 28,August 28, 1681, and baptised 4 September 1681 in Kingston; daughter of Dirck Janse Schepmoes and Maria Willemse Crom.
“In the Van Wagenen graveyard in Rhinebeck is a stone marked B.V.W., 1732, Feb. 11, which probably marks his grave. There is also a stone marked L. V. W., 1758, April 27, probably the grave of his wife, Lea, whom the records show to have, been living till about that date.” [quote is from Genealogy of the Van Wagenen Family, from 1650 to 1884, p 17, by Gerrit Hubert Van Wagenen, 1884.
His Dutch Bible, containing the family record in Dutch is in the. possession of Charles Van Wagenen of 335 West 35th street, New York City. His will) written in Dutch, dated April 28, 1730, provides for his wife, Lea Van Wagenen," and his children, Gerrit, Johannes Jacob, Benjamin, Marytje, Clara, Rebecka, Sara, Meeltje and Anna. The family name all through this Will is spelt “Van Wagenen”. Barent was the owner of the three-fifths of lot No. 2, Five-ninths of lot No. 5, in the Artsen patent, and also part of Jacomynte’s fly or meadow, being altogether about 300 acres, and which was deeded to him by his father. marks his grave. Barent and Lea are Ancestors of Kaziah Ketura Van Benthuysen through their daughter Maria who married Johannes Van Benthuysen.]

13. Gosen Van Wagenen, fourth son of Gerrit Aartse and Clara Pels was probably born between 1670 and 1682, at Kingston, but his baptism is not on record there. He married at Kingston, June 15, " Geertruyd Swart, born in Albany but living in Kingston" (Kingston Marriages). They had no children. Gosen's will, written in English, dated January 30, 1758, leaves all his land to his nephews Johannes and Benjamin, sons of his brother Barent.

14. Jannetie Gerrit Aartze (Van Wagenen), baptised 25 June 1682, witnesses Jannetie Simons, Simon Pels.[KB,p 17]. Married at Kingston, April 21, 1701, Barent Van Benthuysen, “Widower of Altje Elting deceased.” Barent Van Benthuysen purchased one-forth of the present, town of Red Hook from Peter Schuyler in 1725, and; probably along with the Heermances moved out of Kingston to Red Hook (E. M. Smith's Hist. of Rhinebeck, pages 23 and 83).
She died before 7 April 1726, for on that date, was registered the marrige of “Barent van Benthuysen, widower of Jannetjen van Wageningen, and Margriet Leg, widow of Johannes Borhans, resid. under the jurisdiction of Kingston, banns registered, 20 March.”

15. Annetie Gerrit Aartz, baptised 7 September, 1684, witnesses Ary Rosa, Aannetie Aartz. [KB, 22]
Married (date unknown) Hendricus Heermans, who purchased from his father-in-law, Gerrit Aartsen, lot No. 3 of. the Aartsen patent in Rhinebeck. This lot he leaves by his will, dated March 23, 1750 to his son Hendriccus. He names as his heirs his six children, Hednricus, Phillipus, Wilhelmus, Andries, Margaret, wifeof Jacobus Ostrander, and Annatje, wife of Cornelius Ostrander. To Wilhelmus, Phillipus and Andries he leaves 800 acres in Wappingers Kill, now in the town of Fishkill, but then in Rombout Precinct.

16. Jacob. Baptized at Kingston, October 3, 1686. Sponsors Conelis Tynhout and Sara Pels.

17. Simon. Youngest son of Gerrit Aartsen. Baptized at Kingston, April 7, 1689. Sponsors, Cornelius Masten and Mary Pels. Married, May 26, 1720, Maria Schepmoes, daughter of Johannes Schepmoes and Neeltje Gerritsen, baptized at, Kingston, May 1, 1698. Simon married again, May 22, 1736, Neeltje, daughter of James Whittaker and Elizabeth Titso, baptized at Kingston, November 6, 1698. Simon settled at Kingston on land willed to him by his father. He appears to have been the only one of Gerrit Aertsen's children that did not, settle in Dutchess County.

18. Neeltje. Baptized at Kingston, April 17, 1698. Sponsors Conrad Elmendorf and Teuntje Gerrits.
Married (date uknown) Andries Heermans.
19. Rebecca. Baptized at Kingston, November 11, 1694. Sponsors, Evert Wyncoop and Geertje Elmendorf.
Not named in her father's will

Now we give the families of the other 8 Children of Evert Pels and his wife Jannet Symons
1. Hendrick Evertsz, Pels born about 1643-44 probably in Greenbush, near Albany. This is the young man who carried away from Kingston by the Indians in the Second Esopus war. The family tradition is that he was not found until two years after the massacre; and when he was found, he had married an Indian girl and had a child. He would not leave her and the child and so lived among the Indians for the remainder of his life.

2. Jannetje Evertsz Pels, born about. 1646 probably in Greenbush, (Albany area)

3. Evert 2 Evertsz Pels, born abt 1648 probably in Greenbush, married Bridget (Breechtje) Elswaerts (or Elsworth or Elsenwaert)) born about 1648, in Amsterdam,Netherlands, daughter of Theophilus (Sopholis) Elsworth and Annetje Jans. The Elsworths emigrated to New Amsterdam about 1650. Evert and Breechie’s were married 13 August 1670. [NYM, Rec 6:185] (RNA-VI:262; MDC:34). The record reads: “Evert Evertszen Pels, j.m. Van N. Albanien, en Brechtje Elswaerts, j.d. van Amsterdam”. Evert Evertsz died before 30 May 1678, as on that date she joined the church at New York as his widow. (Rec. 9:163). [the forgoing and following information is from The Elsworth Family of New York City, NYG&BR, V64, 1933 by Howard S.F. Randolph] Their children:
20 Annetie 3 Evertse Pels, baptised 11 August 1671 [NYB, Rec 7: 166],(BCD:102), witnesses Stoffel Elsenwaert, Annetje Jans. Annetie Pels married 26 June 1691[NYM Rec 22:124], (MDC:70), Johannes Jansezen Van Rommen, Van Longstraat, baptised 1666, son of
He was a ship Carpenter, He died 9 Jan 150 as “Johannes Rome” (DDC: 188). She died 24 Sept 1754, as “Antje Roome” (DDC: 188), Her will is dated 31 Aug 1751 and proved 13 May 1755, (WNYHS-V:61, XVI :201) The foregoing and the list below are from [Rec33: 334-35].
1. Evert Rommen, baptised 9 Sept 1691 (BDC:204), died young
2. Jan Rommen, baptised 4 Dec 1692 (BDC: 211), witnesses, Evert Pels, Petronella Van Romen; died young as his younger brother Arnout is called eldest in his mother’s will
3. Evert Rommen, baptised 20 Jan 1695 (BDC: 223), died young
4. Aernout Rommen, baptised 21 Feb 1697 (BDC: 242), Witnesses, “Jan Langestraat (Alia Rommen), en Maria en s.h. Vrouw”, This gives evidence that both names, Langestraat and Rommen were used.
5. Petrus Rommen, baptised 18 May 1699 (BDC:258); witnesses, Stoffels Pels, Ariaantje Rommen, This child also died young as he is not mention in his mother’s will
6. Bregje Rommen, baptised 4 August 1700 (BDC: 268); witnesses, Joris Elsewaart, Grietie van Duers, h.v. van Evert Pels. As Bregje Rome, she married 20 March 1725 (MDC:143), Isaac Bokee, She may be the “Brakie Bekay” who died 28 Feb 1791 (DDC:147)
7. Johanneis Rommen, baptised 5 Jan 1703, (BDC:288), witnesses, Willem Elsewaert, Catelyn Bensen, no further record.
In the Census of New York City, taken about 1703, the family of “Johanas Longstauts” is given as “1 male, 1 female, 2 male children, 1 female child” (DHNY-I:612), These children may have been Arnot, Bregje, and Johannes,
confirming the deaths of the other children.
8. Marytje Rommen, baptised 16 Sep 1705 (BDC:311), witnesses Thophilus Pels, Ariaantje Elsewaart; Married first, as Maria Roman, 29 Oct 1726 (MDC:146), John Miller, he died 7 Oct 1731 (DDC:180). She married 2nd, as Maria Miller 6 Aug 1732 (MDC:154) Isaac van Gelder
9. Geertruy Rommen, baptised 5 Oct 1707 (BDC:326); she married 1st, 13 June 1730 (MDC:151), Hendrik Myer. She married 2nd, at Bergen, 29 April 1739 (Bgn.M:226), Johannes Spier, by whom she had 4 children [Rec. 55:323]; He died at Constables Hook 2 July 1746 (Bgn.D:305), and she married 3rd, 22 June 1758 (MDC:197), John Paulison.
10. Evert Rommen, baptised 8 Jan 1710 (BDC:342), He may have died young as he is not mentioned in his mother’s will
11. Annetje Rommen, baptised 16 Nov 1712 (BDC:364); she married as Hannah Rome, on 7 April 1733 (MDC:156), Gerrit Hyer.

20. Evert 3 Evertse Pels, baptised 22 October 1673 [NYB.Rec 8:31, 369] (BDC: 11), witnesses Adriaen Dirckszen, Barentie Jans. Evert Evertse Pels married 29 September 1695, Grietje (Margaret) Van Deusen (MDC:80), daughter of Melchert (Melchior) Abrahamse Van Deusen and Engeltje Jacobsen Van Woert. [a van Deusen Family Genealogy gives 31 August 1695 as marriage date and lists 12 children; [NYG&BR, 1899, p.156]
21. Thophilus 3 Evertse Pels, baptised as “Crystoffel” 11 April 1676 (BDC:122), witnesses Hans Kierstede, Jannetie Lockermans. He married first, 28 November 1697 (MDC:86), Catalyntie Bentinck (Benson), born 1675, daughter of Samson Dirkse Benson and Tryntje Mattheuse Van Deusen. Catalyntie must have died before 1707, because Soffel Pels married 2nd Elisabeth Blauvelt, daughter of Gerrit Hendrikszen (Blauvelt) and widow of Daniel Barkelo.

Evert Evertse Pels, son of Evert Pels and Jannetje Symons must have died before 30 May 1678, for on that date his widow, Breechie joined the church at New York as his widow. Breechie married second, 6 November 1678 [NYM Rec 7:30, 636] (MDC: 44) Melle Claeszen, of Schermer in North Holland. By her second husband she had:
22. Grietie 3, Mellese Claeszen, baptised 17 September 1679 (BDC:138).
Breechie married third, banns 5 July 1682 (MDC:51) Herman Janszen (Alstyne), who was born in Meppel, province of Drenthe, Netherlands. By her third husband she had 3 children;
23 Johannes 3 Hermanse Alstyne, baptised 27 March 1683 (BDC: 157);
24. Abraham 3 Hermanse Alstyne baptised, 28 March 1685 (BDC:166), he married, 7 December 1707, (MDC: 109), Marietie Jans. He died 5 September 1744;
25 Tryntie 3 Hermanse Alstyne, baptised 13 March 1687 (BDC:178), married, 14 May 1715, (MDC:123) Gerrit Cornelisen van den Bergh

ii. Evert 3 Evertse Pels, baptised 22 October 1673 (BDC: 11), witnesses Adriaen Dirckszen, Barentie Jans. Evert Evertse Pels married 29 September 1695, Grietje (Margaret) Van Deusen (MDC:80), daughter of Melchert (Melchior) Abrahamse Van Deusen and Engeltje Jacobsen Van Woert. [Early Generations of the van Deusen Family in America, NYGBR,1899, Vol , page 156; by Louis Hasbrouck Von Sahler, gives 31 August 1695 as marriage date and lists 12 children as listed below.
i. Breechje, twin baptised in Albany 7 June 1696, Witnesses see below
ii. Evert, twin, baptised in Albany 7 June 1696, witnesses Melchert Abrams (Van deusen, grandfather)
iii Bregje, twin baptised in N.Y. 25 July 1697, witnesses see below
iv Engeltie, baptised in N. Y. 25 July 1697, witnesses Stoffel Pels, Anna Pels, his wife, Johannes Rommen... v Engeltie, married 7 December 1717, Jocob Kip
vi Bregje, baptised 4 February 1700, witnesses, Dirk bensing, Catalina Bensing, ...
vii Rachel, baptised 29 March 1702, sponsor, Tryntje Bensing, wife of Samson Benson,
viii Evert Pels, baptised 2 July 1704, witnesses Chistoffel Pels, Antie Pels
ix Annatje, baptised 18 August 1706, witnesses, Johannes Roome, Pieternella Elzewarth
x Abraham Pels, baptised 28 March 1708, witnesses, Abrham Aalsteyn, Tryntie Aalsteyn, Married 25 August 1733, Helena Appel
xi Rachel Pels, baptised 29 March 1702, witnesses, Willem Elsewarth, Elizabeth Pels; married 7 October 1732, Abraham Harperts Van Deusen; her cousin
xii Annatje Pels, baptised 17 April 1715, witnesses Johannes Romme, Pieternella Elsewarth

iii. Thophilus 3 Evertse Pels, baptised as “Crystoffel” 11 April 1676 (BDC:122), witnesses Hans Kierstede, Jannetie Lockermans. He married first, 28 November 1697 (MDC:86), Catalyntie Bentinck (Benson), born 1675, daughter of Samson Dirkse Benson and Tryntje Mattheuse Van Deusen. Catalyntie must have died before 1707, because Soffel Pels married 2nd Elisabeth Blauvelt, daughter of Gerrit Hendrikszen (Blauvelt) and widow of Daniel Barkelo.

4. Clara Evertsz, baptized 10 Sept. 1651 in New Amsterdam [NYB, Rec 5: 97], married about 1670, Gerrit Aertsen Van Wagenen, son of Aert Jacobsen and Annetje Gerrits .
5. Marie Evertsz Pels, born abt 1653-55 probably in Greenbush; married 1669, Arie Heymansz
Roosa, born about 1643, son of Aldert Heymanse Roosa and Wyntje Ariens De Jong.
Arie [Arent] Roosa and his father Aldert Roosa were prominently involved in the “Mutiny at Esopus” the father was sentences to be banished and to pay a fine of 100 bushels of wheat. This sentence was later modified and upon his return was appointed to office at old Hurley. [see Col. Hist. N. Y. XII, pp. 448, 450, 460,475; original not seen.] The Father, Aldert and the son Arent, along with others were convicted of “taking arms in a riotous and illegal manner upon 16th of February 1666, to awe, terrify and suppress his Majesty’s English Garrison established at Esopus. They deserved to be put to death, but the governor inclined to mercy sentences Aldert Heymans to be banished out of the Government, during life, and he is to have 48 hours to transport his estate in the Esopus, and Aren Aldertsen, his son is banished for one whole year and a day, and is to have 40 days to remain in the Esopus for the disposal of his and his father’s affairs or until ‘his corn is husked and disposed of “ See Roosa Notes NYG&BR Vol 1938 p. 309.
Arent (Ary) Hermansse Roosa and Mary Evertse Pels had the following children.
1. Evert Rosa, baptised at Kingston, 26 October 1679[KB 196, 12], Witnesses, Jochem Engelbart and Neeltje Rosa
2. Weyntie Rosa, baptised at Kingston, 4 June 1682[KB 264, 16], sponsors Heyman Rosa , Margriet Claasz Rooseveld and Weyntie Aendriaanz d’Jong.
3. Engeltie Rosa, baptized at Kingston, September 1685 [KB 426, 24], sponsors, Gerard Aartzen, Weyntie ---.
4. Annetje Rosa, baptised Kingston, 22 December 1687 [KB 544, 30], sponsors, Jacob Barents Cole, Marietje Seymans. Father’s name is given as Arian Rose Alberson.
5. Arien Rosa, baptised Kingston, 3 June 1694 [KB 785, 42], Sponsors Teunis Oosterhout and Ariaantje Roos.
6. Mary Rosa, baptised Kingston, 28 August 1698 [KB 1056, 54], sponsor, Hillegond Roosa.
[See Roosa Notes NYG&BR Vol 1938 p. 309.]

6. Elizabeth Evertsz Pels, born abt 1657 probably in Greenbush; married 1676 Jochem Engelbertz, Their children baptised in Kingston, were:
i. Delejaentie Engelbart,, baptised 15 September 1678 [KB 147, 10], witnesses, Leedert Barnetsen Cool and his wife Marretie. [on this entry in the KB, the mother’s name was given as Sara Evertsen, four entries later, the wife of Jacob aertsen was given as Elisabeth Aertsen instead of Sara Evertsen Pels. Check the early Issues of NYG&BR to see how these were recorded there. If they have the wives mixed there, check the original Dutch records.
ii Johannes Engelbart, baptised 8 October 1682[KB 283, 17], witnesses Simon Pels, Annatie Andriesz; Father’s name was given as Jochem Engelbertz van Name
iii Evert Engelbertz van Names, baptised 2 September 1683 [KB 321, 19], witnesses Evert Pels, Jannetie Simons;
iv Engelbert Engelbertse, baptised 10 January 1686 [KB 442, 25], witnesses, Gerrit Aartze, Clara Pels
v Annetje Van Naem, baptised 6 Nov 1687 [KB 534, 29], witnesses, Syman Pels, Sara Pels;
vi Johannes Van Namen, baptised 23 April 1693 [KB 741, 39], witnesses, Cornelis Masten, Lysbeth Aartsen
vii Anna Van Namen, baptised 7 June 1695 [KB 844, 44], witnesses, Jacob Aartsen, Sara Pels.
viii Sara Van Namen, baptised 4 July 1697 [KB 972, 50], witnesses, Barent Van Wagenen, Antje Fynhout
ix Jenneke van Namen, baptised 17 March 1700 [KB 1160, 58]m witnesses, Teunis Oosterhout, Ariaantje Roos
x Marytje van Namen, baptised 22 March 1702 [KB 1298, 64] witnesses, Dirrick Jansse Schepmoes, Sara Rutse.

7 Sara Evertsz Pels, b. 3 July 1659 probably in Greenbush; married 25 February 1677, Jacob Aertsen Van Wagenen, son of Aert Jacobsen and Annetje Gerrits; and a twin brother to Gerrit Aertsz who married Clara Pels. Their children were:
Annetie Jacobse Aertsen

.[There are several extensive family histories written with respect to Gerrit Aertsz Van Waggenen. See Genealogy of the Van Wagenen Family by Gerrit H. Van Wagenen 1884, and THE GENEALOGY OF JACOB AERTSEN VAN WAGENEN by Carl S. Van Wagenen , 1994.] In a large bible handed down in the Van Wagenen family was found the following information of the family of Elizabeth Evertsz Pels and Jacob Aertsen Van Wagenen..
“The following is concerning the age of myself, Jacob Aertsen, and also my wife, Sara Pels; also our marriage day and the birthdays of my sons and daughters.
1652, Feb. 14th I was born (old style)
1659, July 3rd my wife was born.
1677, Feb 25th I was married to my wife.
1678, Sept. 10th was born our first daughter Annatje about 2 o’clock A.M.
1679, Oct. 15th between Wednesday and Thursday about Midnight our first son Aerdt was born
1681, April 12th about one hour before sunrise on Tuesday our second son Evert was born.
1682, Nov. 2, our third son Gerrit was born about 7 o’clock in the morning.
1685, April 11, was born our second daughter, Rebecca, about 10 in the
evening.
1686, Sept. 1 was born our third daughter Gertje, about 10 in the evening
1688, April 4, was born our fourth daughter Jannetje about 7 A.M.
1689, April 10, was born our fifth daughter Jannetje about 11 in the morning.
1691, Feb. 5, was born our fourth son Gerrit about Midnight.
1692, Nov. 19 between Saturday and Sunday about midnight was born our fifth son Symon.
1695, Jan. 5 our sixth son Jacob was born about 9 in the A.M.
1696, Dec. 28, our seventh son Benjamin was born about 7 P.M.
1699, Feb. 4th, our 8th son Abraham was born between one and two o’clock in the A.M.
1701, Dec. 1 our 6th daughter Sara was born between on e and two in the morning.
1703, Aug. 14 and 15 our 9th son Isaac about 12 o’clock at night.
1709, Nov. 17th my son struck on his head by a limb or branch which was torn by me from another and died on the 19th on Saturday about an hour and a half before sunset and on Tuesday was buried here.

Two more children were born to Evert Pels and Jannettje Symons in the Esopus,
8. Rebecca Evertsz Pels, baptised 13 Nov. 1661 [KB 10, 2], witnesses Domonie Gideon Schaets, Annetje Schaets.
9. Symon Evertsz Pels, baptised, 29 March 1665 [KB 55, 4], witnesses, Toomas Chamers, Margriet Chamers, Gysber van Imboreck. Married 1 January 1683 [KM 58, 506], to Maritje Hendrix, baptised 12 December, 1666 [KB 76, 5] daughter of Henrick Aertsen, and Aeltje Claes. “Simon Pels, j.m. of Kingston, and resid, there, and Maritie Hendrix, j.d. of Kingston, and resid there. First Publication of banns, 17 Dec. 1682.
i Evert Pels, baptised 19 October 1684 [KB 393, 23], witnesses, Hendric Aartz, Jannetie Symons
ii Hendric Pels, baptised 29 August 1686 [KB 479, 26], witnesses, Gerret Aartzen, Clara Pels
iii Johannes Pels, baptised 5 Jan 1689 [KB 603, 32], witnesses Evert Pels, Zara Pels; Mother’s name is given as Marye Aertsen,

Henrick Pels and Sophia Palmetier or Zifyja or Sefya Palmentier
ii. Maritie Pels, baptised 11 Sept 1709 [KB 1752, 85], witnesses, Gerrit Aarsze, Claartje Pels
iii. Symen Pels, baptised 16 Aug 1713 [KB 2151, 103], witnesses, Barent Van Kleek, Antannette Palmentier
iv. Hendrik Pels, baptised in Poughkeepsie, 8 Feb 1716 [KB 2378, 113], witnesses, Johannes van Kleek, Aaltjen Bos
v.