Notes for SIJMON JANZEN VAN ARSDALLEN:

from "The Vanguard," Vol. VI, No. 1, pp.3-10, July 2003; 'Remembering Our Family Progenitor,'

"In 1628, Flanders was besieged... Europe's wealthiest province was one of the main theaters in the Eighty Years' War... Beneath this cloud of political and religious upheaval, a child is born in Nekerke, East Flanders. He was baptized on Sunday, February 27, 1628, to Jan Pauwelsz van Aesdalen and Gerarda (Geertje) Philipse Haelters, and named Sijmon... Dutch tradition--and probably Flemish as well-- dictated that a mother not go out in public for six weeks after childbirth, and only then for the purpose of the child's bapism. If this custom was followed, then we can assume that Sijmon was born in the first half of January 1628.

"Sijmon was the third known son of Jan Pauwelsz, a carpet of cloth-weaver, which was a popular vocation in East Flanders at that time. Sijmon's siblings eventually included brothers Philip (Philippus, baptized June 24, 1624); possibly a Pauwel Jan (Joannes, baptized March 22, 1626); Pieter (probably born about 1630 in Flanders); and Joost (Judocus, baptized October 2, 1638); as well as sisters Egidia (baptized April 10, 16330; and Joanna (baptized December 4, 1635). It is likely that Sijmon also had a sister named Fiermijne named for their paternal grandmother...

"Around 1640, Jan decided to abandon Nukerke and seek out the relative stability of the Protestant-dominated Northern Provinces. Jan took his family to Gouda (where it appears, his parents were married in 1588) and likewise, abandoned his vocation as a carpet-weaver to become a mustard-grinder. On July 20, 1642 Jan was confirmed (as 'Jan van Arsdal') as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church at Gouda. He bought a house for his family on November 21 of that year and eight years later purchased the adjacent one as well.

"Sijmon had an itch to strike out on his own. Barely in his twenties, he moved away for the rest of the family in Gouda to seek his fortune in the metropolis of Amsterdam. This is probably the first evidence of the drive of this young man who would dare to venture into the New World and become the patriarch of a large and successful family. In Amsterdam, he pursued a career in pottery-making, which had become so prolific an industry that several streets in the city were dedicated to the trade. Starting around 1600, many potters from the Southern Netherlands (Belgium) fled to Amsterdam to escape religious persecution and the fragmentation of the local pottery industry. Consequently, Amsterdam blossomed into a major supplier of potter, especially faience and Delftware styles. However, the proliferation of so many pottery shops resulted in widespread and occasionally devastating outbreaks of fire, and when Amsterdam expanded in 1621, all potteries were banned to the outside of the city. One important center was located along the river Amstel, just outside the St. Anthony's port city-gate. It was there that, by 1650, Sijmon had taken up residence on a street called Pottebakkerspad or "potter's path."

"On March 26, 1650, Sijmon produced documentation of his father's consent in order to marry Marritje Baltusdr, an orphan two year his junior... They were wed at the Oude Kerk, the oldest Church in Amsterdam, by Rev. Borsius on April 19, 1650. Sijmon was young, had a beautiful bride and a promising, stable job; the future looked bright.

"The couple's first child, caughter Sijlijntge was born in January 1651...[and] was probably named after Marritje's mother, while Sijmon's mother served as a witness. According to Dutch tradition, the next daughter would be named for Sijmon's mother Gerarda or Geertje, but Sijmon's mother would not live long enough to enjoy that honor. In October, she passed away and was buried on the 30th of that month at St. Jan's Kerk in Gouda. Not long thereafter, widower Jan Pauwelsz began courting widow Margarieta Philipsdr. They were married in Haastrecht near Gouda on August 20 1652, some ten months after Geertje's passing.

"Sijmon's first son Jan Simonsz, was baptized on November 19, 1652... He was obviously named for his paternal grandfather... For years, there had been a strong recruiting effort to populate New Netherland with young, energetic 'fortune-seekers.' In fact, the Secretary of the New Netherland colony, Cornelis van Tienhoven, wrote a pamphlet dated March 4, 1650 entitled 'Information Relative to Taking up Land in New Bouweries. This 'brochure' was an explicit enticement for would-be colonists and was circulated throughout Holland. It is possible that Sijmon now almost 25, read some of the persuasive literature printed by the Dutch West India Company and became enamored by the lure of the New World. Family history states that Sijmon, a potter, was sent to New Netherland to study the utility of the native clays for pottery making. If so, no evidence has yet been uncovered to substantiate this assertion. No potters' guild existed in Amsterdam at that time, so if Sijmon was an apprentice to a New Netherland-looking master potter, we cannot corroborate such motivation... There is no documentation regarding who paid for Sijmon's way to New Netherland, whether by himself or by a patron. The average cost to sail to New Amsterdam at that time was about 36 florins. Whatever instigated his plan, Sijmon Jansz van Aesdalen decided to venture to New Netherland in 1653.

"When did Sijmon leave? Sijmon's older brother, Philip, was married in Gouda on May 13, 1653. It is believed that the two brothers were close, and so it is likely that Sijmon wished to attend this brother's wedding. Consequently, we can assume that he left Amsterdam after May. Recently, it has become known that two ships made the journey from Amsterdam to New Netherland that year, both departing at the same time. These ships were the 'Conjnck Salomon' and the 'Geldersche Blom'... Family history states that Sijmon sailed aboard the 'Dynasty.' No vessel by that name was known to have made the journey to New Netherland. The two ships left Amdsterdam on Saturday, August 23, 1653 for the Dutch island of Texel there to begin the trans-Atlantic voyage.

"Amsterdam was not situated on a coastline of the ocean or a major sea, such as the North Sea. What today is reclaimed polderland around Amdsterdam was, in the 17th century, open water--the Zuiderzee...

"From Texel, the Dutch ships embarked on the journey following one of four well-established routes. Although we may never know the exact route Sijmon took... From Holland, the ships first sailed past the southern tip of England, on occasion stopping for supplies or repairs at Portsmouth or Plymouth. This was not the case in 1653, however, as the First English War was raging, and docking a Dutch ship at an English harbor was ill-advised. Otherwise, the ships continued on along the coasts of Spain and Portugal destined for a stopover either at the Canary or, further south, Cape Verde Islands...

"The 'Geldersche Blom' anchored at New Amsterdam on Sunday, November 2, 1653, with the 'Coninck Salomon' arriving one day later. The trans-Atlantic trip had taken a little over two months, an average time in those days.

"Where did Sijmon go upon his arrival? It can be assumed that employment was waiting for him/ if he had been sent to New Netherland to study the native clays, he would have a potter's shop to report to and, probably, a master potter under whose wing he would be taken. Sijmon would undoubtedly live near this potter's shop, either with the potter or at a boarding house close by. Even if he had not been sent, i.e., he had gone on his own free will, he would have to work as a potter, as there is no reason to assume he could make a living doing anything else, initially. Because Sijmon intended to return to Holland, we must assume he did not buy a house during his early years in New Netherland. It is unclear whether Sijmon lived in New Amsterdam upon his arrival or moved to New Amersfoort (Flatlands) on Long Island.

"Not long after his arrival, Sijmon received bad news from home. In January 1654, Sijmon's father Jan died in Gouda. He was buried in St. Jan's Kerk on January 12, 1654. Sijmon's brother Philip appeared in court on March 19, 1654 to attest that the minor children of their father would have a guardian:

'Philip Jansz Aesdeal certifies he will assume guardianship of the minor children of the late Jan Poulissen van Aesdal and Geertje Philips.'

"Shortly thereafter, Philip again goes to court to seek permission from the Gouda town council to sell his father's houses in order to provide for the minor children. This is granted on April 24, 1654:

'Philip Jansz Aesdaalen, on behalf of himself acting as a guardian to his minor brother Pieter Jansz and as a proxy to his brother Sijmon Jansz van Aersdale who is staying abroad, being the children and heirs to Jan Pauwlesz van Aersdael sells two houses and land in Naaierstraat at Gouda to Pieter van Stompwijk...'

"Family history relates that Sijmon was about to return to Holland when he learned of the death of his wife and children. Although the timing of his intended return has not been corroborated, it is now known that his wife, Marritje, and at least one but probably both of his children were indeed, victims of the plague. (Plague deaths in Amsterdam in 1655 were tallied at 16, 727 or roughly 12.5% of the city's inhabitants.) On November 18, 1655, 'a child of Syemon Janssen, potter' was buried in St. Anthony's churchyard, Amsterdam, followed by its mother only eight days later. This information probably reached Sijmon by late summer/early fall 1656. In a little over a four-ear period, Sijmon had lost his parents, his wife, and his children. Devastated, Sijmon had little to return to, and seeing before him his home away from home for the last three years and a land with limitless possibilities, he decided to cast his lot with the enterprising Dutch New World.

"Again as a young man in another thriving community, Sijmon's prospects were propitious. He began courting Pieterje Claes van Schouw, of tobacco merchant Claes (Nicholas) Cornelissen van Schouw. Sijmon and Pieterje married about 1658, presumably in Flatlands. Their first child was born probably in the next year, and named Geertje in honor of her paternal grandmother.

"In the meantime, perhaps with the help of his father-in-law, Sijmon began gaining civic prominence. On May 3, 1660, Sijmon was appointed a schepen of New Amersfoort (Flatlands). A schepen was a magistrate who presided over cases in town court and was a combination of sheriff and alderman in addition to a magistrate. One of his responsibilities was the review and passing of local laws and ordinances. In the words of Hoppen [historian], Sijmon 'seems early...to have possessed an ability and influence in matters political that caused him to be selected over older men of longer residence...to represent Amersfoort.' Indeed, at the age of 35, Sijmon was chosen to represent Amersfoort in a 'Convention Holden at New Amsterdam, on July 3, 1663, to engage the several Dutch towns to keep up an armed force for public protection.'

"But not everything was easy for Sijmon. On Tuesday, August 28, 1663, 'Sijmon Janzen' appears in court against carpenter Jan Tuenizen and witnesses Willem Steenhalder and wife, claiming that Tuenizen wouldn't release a house to Sijmon for which he had been paid. The court requested further proof from Sijmon, and so on September 4th, 'Sijmon Janzen Asdalen' produced testimonials from two witnesses (whose identities were undisclosed in the published transcription). Teunizen is still unmoved, so Sijmon challenges him to take an oath before the court regarding the terms of the sale. Tuenizen refuses, but Sijmon agrees to go on record with his own oath. Finding this satisfactory, the court rules in favor of Sijmon and he takes possession of the house. (This appears to be the same Jan Teunizen who may have accompanied Sijmon to New Netherland in 1653. If so, this would be Jan Teunizen van Duykhuis, also a resident of Flatlands. In 'The Journal of Jasper Danckaerts, Danckaerts held Jan Teunizen in low esteem 'He welcomed us, but somewhat coldly, and so demeaned himself all the time we were there, as to astonish my comrade at the change, but not me entirely, for I had observed this falling off while we were yet at sea...' Jan Teunizen had apparently returned to Holland for some business and had come back to New Netherland on the same ship as Danckaerts in June 1679.)

"In February 1664, Sijmon and his father-in-law became further involved in the building tensions with the British. On the 19th, they and three other witnesses appear before a notary at Midwout (Flatbush) to testify about a public disturbance caused by English captain John Scott. Sijmon signs his name to the document and attest to being 35. (However, if he was baptized in February 1628, he would have been 36.)

'Before me, Pelgrom Clocq...and the under-named witnesses, appeared Claes Cornelissen, aged 67 years, Symon Janse, aged 35 years, both residents of the village of Amesfoort...who declare and testify...at the request of Mr. Adrean Hegeman, Sheriff, residing in the village of Midwout, by and in the presence of Pieter Claesen and Roelof Martens, Schepens of Amersfoort, that it is true and truthful that Captain John Schot, an Englishman, came into their, the deponents' village, on the 12th of January last with a troupe of horse and making a great noise. And first the above named Claes Cornelissen declares that he heard John Schot declare at that time that this place in The Bay, was a free place because it was bought and was not Company's property; also, that he, John Schot, said that he would return on the first of April, Old Style, and then open and exhibit his commission; forbidding him, the deponent, to pay the Company any Tenths, as the place belonged to the King.'

"Then, on the 27th, Sijmon and Claes participated in a convention in Midwout which they instigated, bringing together the Directo-General and Council of New Netherland 'to lay before the States General and West India Company the distressed state of the country.' The tormenting by the British had accelerated, and the Dutch found themselves being surrounded.

"On September 8th, 1664, the Director-General of New Netherland, Pieter Stuyvesant, relinquished the Dutch colony to the British after four British warships with over 1000 men threatened them from New York Bay. At first, the defiant Stuyvesant cursed the English when confronted with a document agreeing to surrender the colony, tearing the paper to shreds and stomping upon it with his wooden leg. However, in this attempt to muster the Dutch forces against the British, he soon found himself all alone. New Netherland had grown to a population close to 10.000 people by that date, but some 20-40% of those were non-Dutch already.

"Beginning in 1665, Sijmon's attentions turned to acquiring land as evidenced by numerous entries in the Flatlands Town Records. Many lots and parcels of 'land and meddow ground' were purchased by Sijmon between 1665 and 1686, thereby establishing farms to suit his likewise burgeoning family. In addition to daughter Geertje (born ca. 1659), Cornelis Sijmonsz [our ancestor] is born about 1665 and Sijmon's only other son, Jan Sijmonsz, is born in 1676. Daughter Janetje Simonse is born about 1668, Metje Sijmonse is born about 1670, and his last child, Maritje Simonse, is born in 1678, but is believed to have died young.

"His eldest daughter, Geertje, married Cornelis Pietersz Wyckoff at the Dutch Reformed Church in New Utrecht on October 13, 1678. On Decemter 11, 1681, Sijmon and Pieterrje were present when their first grandchild, Marije, is baptised at the Dutch Reformed Church in Breukelen. Sijmon is 54 years old at that time. Geertje and Cornelis' second son, Sijmon, named for Sijmon Jansz, is baptised in Amersfoort on November 23, 1683 as witnessed by 'Simon Jans' and 'Pieterje Klaas.'

"On March 23, 1686, Sijmon purchased from Cornelis Willemsz (van Westervelt) 'Nos. 30, 31, and 32 of the 15 acre allotments of Gravesend, with the right of commonage on the beach and on Coney Island.' This appears to be Sijmon's last purchase of land. A year later, on March 16th, Simon's oldest son Cornelis Sijmonsz married Aeltje Willemse van Kouwenhoven at the Dutch Reformed Church of Flatbush. It would not be until October 20, 1695 before his other son, Jan Sijmonsz, would marry Lammetje Probasco.

This later map shows the village of "Flattlands", right of center, with a steepled church, and its relationship to Flatbush, above, Utreck, upper left, Gravesend, left, the "Medows", right, and Coney Island, bottom left.

"One of the more important documents related to Sijmon was the Oath of Allegiance taken September 30th, 1687. This record indicated that Sijmon, listed as 'Simon Janse Van Aerts Daalen,' had been in this country for 34 years, thus establishing his time of arrival, while his son 'Cornelis Simonsen Van Aerts Daalen' was recorded as a native, i.e., born here. This oath tabulated other Dutchmen who had been in this country for 34 years, hence potential shipmates of our ancestor... By this time, Sijmon had become prosperous and an outstanding member of the religious and civic communities.

"Sijmon spent more of his latter years in church pursuits and keeping up with his family in North American--although not with the family back in Holland. In 1698, Sijmon received a letter from his brother Joost, which informed Sijmon of the death of his niece Geertruyt. Teertruyt remembered her uncle Sijmon and his family in her will, and in a letter dated September 9th, Sijmon wrote back to Holland and his brother for the first time in many years, if ever before:

'...I let you know that I, your brother, and my wife and children are in good health yet, thank God for His grace and we hope to learn the same from you in due time; I wonder you didn't write about our niece; farther I let you know all my children are married and each of them is living in a farmhouse that earns their livelihood; I sold my farm to my eldest son Cornelis, 33 years of age, has got vie children, three sons, two daughters; my son Jan 22 years of age, has got two sons; my daughter Geertje has got eight children; Janneken had got five children; Mettgen has got three children; they are comfortably off but they have to work which God commanded Adam; as for m, your brother, I stopped working since I am 71 years old now, my wife is 58 years of age and you, my brother, are, if I remember rightly 60 years of age; God be pleased to give us a blessed end...'

"The same year, a census was taken for Kings County, New York, and in the Town of 'Flatlands' of New Amersfoort were listings for 'Simon Jantz Van Aersdaelen' and 'Cornelis Simontz Van Aersdalen.' Sijmon's house contained 2 men, 3 women, and 1 slave, while Cornelis's house contained 1 man, 1 woman, 6 children, and 1 slave. It can be assumed that the other man in the household was son Jan, then 22 years old.

"On May 10, 1700, Sijmon sold the three 15-acre lots he'd bought from Cornelis Willemsz van Westervelt in 1686 to his eldest son Cornelis Sijmonsz. Cornelis now had a sizeable farm on which to raise his large family.

"Sijmon continue to be physically active at least into his eightieth year. Rike [historian] notes:

'Mortgage dated May 11, 1699 to Simon Janse Van Aersdale of Amersfoort on a house in Broad St. given by Joost Leynesen of N.Y. baker & Elizabeth his wife.' A memorandum in the margin states that Simon Jansen Van Aesrdale of Amersford in Kings Co. Yeoman, personally came on Apl 2, 1707 into the office of the Town Clerk of N.Y. & cancelled the mortgage.

"The last record of Sijmon's good deeds occurred around February 23, 1710. In the Deacon's Book of Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church is a note tabulating the donations given by twenty contributors. The largest sum, 40 guldens, was donated by Sijmon.

"Sijmon passed away in late October of that year. His death was recorded in the Deacon's Book as '1710, October 29. Received from Cornelus Van Arsdale for a grave and shroud for Symon Van Arsdale, 24 guldens.' Hoppin further states that Sijmon's grave 'was in the churchyard of the Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church, from which the gravestones of the early residents of the town have disappeared.' " [This original article included footnotes and historical sources, and the information presented appeared to be well documented.]

from RootsWeb site, "VanArsdale Archives," Van Arsdallen researchers Charles Vanorsdale et. al.:

"Samuel Gerritsen and Coert Voorhees, judges of peace of King's County testify that Cornelis, Jan and Metie van Aersdal signed and sealed the proxy to Mr. Harmanus Van Hombergen with their own hands and that they are the genuine children of Simon Jansen van Aersdal. Signed: S. Gerritsen, judge of peace; Coert Voorhees, judge of peace"

from Bryce Stevens:

"I have an early letter [1698] written by Sijmon Jansen van Arsdalen, September 9, 1698, addressed to the 'respectable and very modest Joost Jamsen van Aesdalen,' in Amsterdam. While this letter does not list all Simon's children it does mention some of them, and a few other family members...

"Family members mentioned:

1. Joosten, 'my so much beloved brother,' and sister (unnamed).

2. Cornelis, eldest Son of Simon, 33 years of age, with three sons and two daughters.

3. Jan, son of Simon, 22 years of age, with two sons.

4. Geertje, daughter of Simon, with eight children.

5. Janneken, child of Simon; five children.

6. Mettegen, child of Simon; three children.

7. Pieter Berrig, 'our son Jan's nephew/cousin.'

8. Jan, son of Joosten 'your sons Jan's drawing...please me very much.'

9. unnamed daughter of Joosten 'I gather...your daughter's ?? causes you sorrow.'

"Simon also says 'all my children are married,' each living in a farmhouse. 'I stopped working since I am 71 years old now, my wife is 58 years of age and you, my brother, are, if I remember rightly, 60 years of age.'

"The letter is written in Old Dutch, and signed Sijmon Jansen van Arsdalen, with the 'return' address 'in the bay.' "

Above is a map showing the old roads superimposed on the grid of new roads in the surrounding area of Flatlands, Kings County, in the late 1600s. Generations of VanArsdallens are recorded here. The villages of Flatlands and to the north Flatbush were later incorporated by Brooklyn which started as a village along the East River further north.

Below are modern maps showing the same location. The area of modern Flatlands, left, still has Kings Hwy., Flatbush Ave., Troy Ave., and Hubbard Pl. The map at right shows Flatlands on Long Island in what is now the greater Brooklyn area, south of Manhattan and east of Staten Island.

from Bryce Stevens' homepage http://homepages. rootsweb.com/~bestevens/vanosdol.html:

"Simon's first wife was Marijtie Baltusdochter, b.c. 1629 and married 1650 in Amsterdam and died 1655, Amsterdam while Simon was in New Netherlands. She was buried in St. Anthony Cemetery, Amsterdam, a victim of the plague. They had two sons born in Amsterdam and both died of the plague also.

"Sijmon signed his name with this spelling, although the "ij" has often been misinterpreted as a "y." (...autograph signature on his letter of 9 September 1698...).

"Family tradition says Sijmon came to America to explore the possibility of establishing a pottery works, and that he was awaiting the ship to transport him back to the Netherlands when he received word that his wife and children had died of plague, which news decided him to remain in New Netherland. The Netherlands family had an artisan tradition, which lends credence to the first allegation. Whether he was due to return to the Netherlands on the very ship which carried the news of his family tragedy is, perhaps, a dramatization. Perhaps not: worse coincidences happen, and transportation was not so readily available in his day. At any rate, there was a considerable traffic between New Netherland and the home country, so there is no reason to doubt that he was prepared to return, even if only to collect his family and bring them to America. And, there is no reason to doubt that learning of their deaths, he found no good reason to return home, choosing instead to make the best life he could in the New World."

More About SIJMON JANZEN VANARSDALLEN:

Burial: Dutch Reformed Church, L.I., NY

Fact 1: immigrant

Fact 2: married first in The Netherlands in 1650; to Marijtje Baluston, who died 1655 in Amsterdam; children: Sijlijntne and Jan;

Fact 3: noted as magistrate and constable;

Fact 4: other possible birth place in Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands;

More About PIETERJE CLAESSEN VAN SCHOUW:

Fact 1: October 28, 1640, baptized Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam (NY);

The Wyckoff house, from the early years of Dutch residence on Long Island, is now a museum.

***For more information on the Van Schouw family, go to the bottom of the page, section 1.***

Children of SIJMON VANARSDALLEN and PIETERJE VAN SCHOUW are:

3. i. CORNELIUS SIMONSZEN³ VANARSDALLEN, b. 1665, Ameersfoort (Flatlands) L.I., Kings Co., New Amsterdam (NY); d. Bet. April 19 - 25, 1745, Flatlands, Long Island, Kings Co., NY.

ii. GERTJE VANARSDALLEN, b. Abt. 1659, Ameersfoort, Flatlands, L.I., New Amsterdam, (NY);; d. Abt. 1731; m. CORNELIS PIETERSE WYCKOFF, October 13, 1678, New Utrecht, L.I. New Netherlands.

More About GERTJE VANARSDALLEN:

Fact1: had eight children as of 1698;

4. iii. JOHN (JAN) VANARSDALE, b. Abt. 1667, Ameersfoort (Flatlands) L.I., Kings Co., New Amsterdam (NY); d. Bef. March 08, 1756, Jamaica, L.I., NY.

iv. JANNETIE VANARSDALLEN, b. Abt. 1665, Ameersfoort (Flatlands) L.I., Kings Co., New Amsterdam (NY); d. Abt. 1732; m. GIJSBERT TEUNISSE BOGAERT, April 16, 1689, Midwout (Flatbush), L.I. New Netherland.

More About JANNETIE VANARSDALLEN:

Fact1: Had five children as of 1698;

More About GIJSBERT TEUNISSE BOGAERT:

Fact 1: ancestor of Humphrey Bogart;

v. METTJE VANARSDALLEN, b. Abt. 1670, Long Island, New Nederland; d. Aft. December 13, 1740, Somerset, NJ; m. PHILIP VOLKERTSZEN, Bet. 1732 - 1733.

More About METTJE VANARSDALLEN:

Fact1: Had three children as of 1698;

vi. MARRITJE VANARSDALLEN, b. Abt. 1678, Midwoud (Flatbush), L.I., NY; m. JAN BARENDZ.

vii. SIMON VANARSDALLEN, b. Abt. 1668.