Davis Uriah I | Born 1707

VAN RENSSELAER, Killaen

Male - 1646


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  • Name VAN RENSSELAER, Killaen 
    Gender Male 
    Died 1646 
    Person ID I12839  Uriah Davis I - Genealogy
    Last Modified 21 Jun 2018 

    Family VAN WELY, Anna 
    Married 1627 
    Children 
     1. VAN RENSSELAER, Jeremias,   b. Rensselaerwyck, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Oct 1674
    Last Modified 24 Jun 2018 
    Family ID F4071  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Kiliaen Van Rensselaer was a wealthy merchant of Amsterdam, known to be a dealer in pearls and precious stones, to have had some reputation as a banker and general merchant, and owned large estates in Holland. He was a leader in the famous guild of trading princes which at that time played so prominent a part in the commerce of the world, and it is quite evident that he must have been both shrewd and farsighted. The innumerable documents which he has left demonstrate great thoughtfulness in planning even the details, and he could grasp a situation in a foreign country with the same perfection in every respect as though present and overseeing all. He exhibited sagacity in his stand taken with regard to the policy of the colony as against the desires of his associates who desired to grow wealthy with rapidity. They sought to have those sent out engage in hunting for the purpose of making immediate and large shipments to foreign lands, while he desired that the colonists should become settlers, owning their houses, and leading happy and contented lives, so that they would be willing to remain; should raise large families, and long continue to progress the work on an ever increasing scale as they prospered. He not only had the courage to found a colony in the wilds of an unknown America, but possessed the energy to push the work, once begun and discouraging at times, until it prospered.

      In those days the jewelers were moving spirits in advancing the trade with far-distant countries and were alert to seek new fields, even in the alluring country of India, whither all eyes were turned, and the greatest endeavor being made to find a quicker passage. After long years of preparation the charter affecting the colony was granted June 3, 1621, and the subscription list opened. At the start the subscriptions did not come in very rapidly, largely on account of the exclusion of the salt trade from the charter's list of inducements: but when this difficulty was removed the full amount was subscribed. The Chamber of Amsterdam, "because thence came the most money," had the largest number of directors, who were to administer four-ninths of the entire capital of the company. There were twenty, and each had to contribute at least 6,000 guilders. Next to the board of directors there was a body of chief participants, each of whom had the same amount invested, yet while they took no part in the daily management, as the representatives of the stockholders, no resolutions of importance could be taken without them. It was agreed that the first two vacancies should be supplied from the ranks of the chief participants, and the first thus received into the Chamber was Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, who it appears was among the first subscribers and had paid at least 6,000 guilders. It may be mentioned here that on June 16, 1628, he became the owner of the estate called Crailo, near Huizen, to which he added a vast area of unreclaimed land.

      Fort Orange had been established 1 May, 1624, close to the western shore of the Hudson river, about one hundred and forty-two miles north of New Amsterdam (New York City), now the site of Albany, and Van Rensselaer thought it an excellent advantage to have his lands under the protection of its guns. He sent agents to investigate the nature of the territory, who reported favorably, and Bastiaen Jansz Crol and Dirk Cornelisz Duyster were especially empowered in writing, signed January 12, 1630, secured shortly a large tract of land on the west bank. In January, 1631, he sent Marinus Adriaensz, from Veere, with some assistants as tobacco planters, and in July he sent Laurens Laurensz, from Kopehaven, with another Northman, to operate the saw and grist mill, also a number of laborers and some ten calves. Knowing that they could not succeed in their support for the first two or three years, he allowed them from 150 to 180 guilders per annum. He also provided the colonists with implements, and allowed the farm hands from 40 to 90 guilders a year. Between 1630 and 1632 he transported on these terms ten persons in the first year and twelve in the next two succeeding years. The first quota of men sailed from Holland, March 21, 1630, aboard the ship "d'Eendracht," or "the Unity," commanded by Jan Brouwer, and arrived at the island of Manhattan, May 24th, to proceed up the river to the site of Rensselaerswyck. The Lords States-General, at The Hague, June 7, 1629, had ratified the plan of the Dutch West India company to allow the patroons to divide the land into manorial grants; but reserving to that company the fur business, and unless five per cent. were paid to the West India company should the colonists weave woolen or other stuffs. The land ultimately secured by Van Rensselaer from the Indians is commonly stated as a tract reaching north and south twenty-four miles from Baeren Island to the Cohoes Falls in the Mohawk, and extending forty-eight miles east and westward, half on each side of the Hudson river, containing about 700,000 acres, comprising therein the present counties of Albany, Rensselaer and the northern part of Columbia. The statement, however, should be modified by the understanding of recent research, although it is practically correct. The land was not purchased at one time. The first certificate of purchase from the Indians was dated August 13, 1630, and (translated) it reads

      Anno 1630, this day the 13th of August. We, the director and council of New Netherland, residing on the island the Manahatas and in Fort Amsterdam; under the jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands and the Chartered West India Compan, Chamber of Amsterdam, do hereby testify and declare, that on this day, the date underwritten, before us appeared and presented themselves in their proper persons, Kottamack, Nawanemit, Abantzeene, Sagiskwa and Kanamoack, owners and proprietors of their respective parcels of land extending up the river, south and north, from the said fort (Fort Orange, later Albany) to a little south of Moeneminnes Castle (situated on Haver Island, in 1910 Peobles Island, at mouth of the Mohawk River), belonging to the aforesaid proprietors jointly and in common, and the land called Semesseeck, belonging to the aforesaid Nawanemit individually, lying on the east bank from opposite Castle Island to the above mentioned fort; also, from Petanock, the mill creek (Normans Kill), north to Negagonse…

      This was signed in the several hands of "Peter Minuiet, Director; Pieter Bijlvelt, Iacob Elbertsz Wissinck, Ian Ianssen Brouwer, Sijmon Dircks Pos, Reynier Harmansen."

      Mr. A. J. van Laer, the New York State Archivist, a most careful and capable expert, interprets this to mean: "1, the land on the west side of the river from Fort Orange to the Mohawk; 2, a small tract on the east side of the river, on both sides of the present Mill Creek, from opposite Castle Island to a point opposite Fort Orange; 3, the land on the west side of the river from a point south of the Normans Kill to the north point of Castle Island, or possibly to Fort Orange."

      From what Kiliaen Van Rensselaer wrote in his "Account of the Jurisdictions," of July 20, 1634, enclosed in his letter of the 21st to Johannes de Laet, it would seem that the land comprised "all the shore along the river on the west side, from beeren Island to Momnenis Castle." which distance, from Baeren Island, fourteen miles below Albany, to the "Castle" on the Mohawk. Cohoes, ten miles north of that city, would be a north and south line of about twenty-four miles. To the original purchase of 1630 was added in May, 1631, land from "Beeren Island to Smacks (Smax) Island." On April 23, 1637, more land was bought on the east side of the river from Papscanee creek south to a point opposite Smacks Island, and at later dates purchases were made of islands in that vicinity and land near the Poesten Kill (Troy), at Catskill, Bethlehem and Claverack.

      It is stated on good authority, after the examination of the Van Rensselaer-Bowier Manuscripts, which were translated in 1903 by the State Archivist, and in which was the letter-book of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer and other voluminous documents, that he never visited his colony or came to America. Even before that it had been a matter of considerable doubt.

      It should be stated that Van Rensselaer, for the purpose of more speedy development of his large territory, formed a partnership October 1, 1630, with three brother directors of the company. These were Samuel Godyn, Johannes de Laet and Samuel Bloemmaert, who after a time sold out their interest, and Van Rensselaer alone developed the colony.

      In 1640, because of disputes over various matters between the colony and the Dutch West India Company, the patroons obtained a new charter of privileges and exemptions, some of the provisions therein being that all patroons, free colonists and inhabitants of New Netherland should enjoy the privilege of selling articles brought from Holland upon payment of a ten per cent. duty; that they pay ten per cent. export duty on all furs shipped to Holland; that they be allowed to manufacture woolen goods and cotton cloth, which had been prohibited; the person bringing five persons to New Netherland as a colony would be entitled to two hundred acres, and might hunt in the public woods or fish in public streams; no religion except that of the Reformed Dutch Church was to be tolerated; the colonists were to be provided with negroes to help them on their farms; appeal from manorial courts might be made to director and council of New Netherland, provided the sum in dispute was equal to forty dollars; but the patroon's jurisdiction was not to be affected in any way by the new charter. The provisions of the patroon's contracts kept Arendt van Curler, commissary-general of Rensselaerswyck, and Adriaen vander Donck, the public prosecutor, busy throughout 1641.

      On March 6, 1642, Patroon Kiliaen Van Rensselaer requested the classis of Amsterdam to send "a good, honest and pure preacher" to his colony, and that body selected Dominic Johannes Megapolensis, Jun., pastor of Schorel and Berg of the Alkmaar classis, who accepted the call of six years, conditioned on a salary of one thousand guilders ($400) that he need not be required to work as a farmer, the same to be paid in meat, drink and whatever he might claim. The dominie was accredited on March 22nd, and June 3rd the patroon sent detailed instructions setting forth where he desired the church, the minister's house and the people to build their homes. The Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch West India Company indorsed Megapolensis on June 6th, and the patroon was somewhat exorcised, as he considered the matter entirely within his right and not a matter for them to act upon in any way. The dominie, his wife and four young children, arrived at Rensselaerswyck on August 12th, and Arendt van Curler set about the erection of a house for him, while Megapolensis undertook the study of the Indian language so as to be able to preach to the savages. For fully half a century this church, erected by the order of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, was one of the only two in the province of New York, and among the earliest in the entire, United States, for in 1650 there were but few.

      Undoubtedly Kiliaen, the first patroon, was a man of absolute sincerity in the maintenance of his Christian views, and this strong characteristic may be traced through any number of his descendants for many generations. That he was so imbued may be accepted as a certainty from what he wrote in various letters, and is illustrated by the following extract, translated from the Van Rensselaer-Bowier manuscripts, being a letter written July 2, 1640, to Arendt Van Curler when he shipped to the latter "three very fine blankets which you will give in my name to three chiefs; one to Sader Juchta, chief of the Maquaes (Mohawks), the other two to the two chiefs who have the greatest credit and power among the Maquaes," as presents to secure their friendship. "These small presents to the savages may sometimes cause great friendship and prevent much enmity. It would also serve as a means of making them acquainted with God, saying this person knows you, although he has not seen you, through those persons whom he has heard speak and who have written of you. How much better then can God, who made the heavens and the earth and created the sun which you can see, see your works, He who each day lets his bountiful gifts come to man through the fruitfulness which He gives to the products of the earth and to man's sinful body."

      Trouble was brewing for the colony of Rensselaerswyck early in 1643, for the patroon sought to maintain his rights against any authority of the Dutch rule established firmly in New Amsterdam under the director-general. On September 8, 1643, the patroon sent word from Holland to Nicolaas Coorn to fortify Beeren Island (some fourteen miles south of the present city of Albany), and to demand of each skipper passing up or down, except those of the West India Company, a toll of five guilders ($2) as a tax, likewise to see that every vessel coming up the river lowered its colors at the fort as a sign of respect to the patroon. Thereupon Croon issued the following manifesto:

      "I, Nicolaas Coorn, Commander of Rensselaer's Castle, and for the noble lord, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, under the high jurisdiction of the high and mighty Lords States-General of the United Netherlands, and the privileged West India Company, hereditary commander of the colonies on this North River of New Netherland, and as vice-commander in his place, make known to you that you shall not presume to use this river to the injury of the acquired right of the said lord in his rank as Patroon of the Colony of Rensselaerswyck, the first and the oldest on this river. * * * Protesting in the name of the said lord should you presume in defiance of law to attempt to pass by contrary to this proclamation, I am directed to prevent you. Under this manifesto, however, you are permitted to trade with his commissary; but not with the Indians or his particular subjects, as will be seen and read in the admonition and instruction given by him, the Patroon, to Pieter Wyncoop, the commissary, and Arendt Van Curler, the commissary-general, conformable to the restriction of the regulations contained therein.

      Matters in this line came to a crisis the next year. On July 1, 1644, Govert Loockermans, skipper of the yacht "Good Hope," set sail from Fort Orange for New Amsterdam, and with studied contempt failed to salute the fort, Rensselaer's Castle (sometimes called "Steyn"), on Beeren Island ("beeren," the plural of bear), as directed by the mandate, whereupon Commander Coorn shouted across the water to him: "Lower your colors!" Loockermans answered back: "For whom should I?" Coorn told him: "For the stapleright of Rensselaerswyck." To this the "Good Hope's" indomitable skipper replied: "I lower my colors for no one except the Prince of Orange and the lords, my masters!" Coorn applied a match to the fuse of his small cannon, and a shot ripped through the "Good Hope's" mainsail, also cutting loose the rigging. Another shot was delivered, but it passed over the vessel. The third shot, discharged by an Indian, passed through the colors of the Prince of Orange. On July 5th, Skipper Loockermans landed at New Amsterdam, making complaint and demanding reparation, and the Council of New Netherland issued an order for Coorn to desist from such practice; but the following months he asserted that he would not, and should demand recognition of Van Rensselaer.

      Authentic records show that Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, first patroon, died in 1644, in Amsterdam, Holland, although it has been published that his death took place in 1645 and also 1646. *

      [* Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, the first Patroon, was buried at Amsterdam, October 7, 1643. The fact was ascertained as this work was going to press, by the city archivist of Amsterdam, on examination of the burial book of the old Amsterdam church, and communicated by him to Mr. van Laer, of Albany.]

      He was married (first) to Hillegonda Van Bylaer (or Bijler), daughter of Jan Van Bylaer, member of a prominent family in Holland. By her he had three children. She died in Holland, and was buried January 1, 1627, in the Oude Kerk. His second wife was Anna Van Wely (or Weely), whom he married December 14, 1627, and by her he had seven children. She was daughter of Jan Van Wely the younger, of Barneveldt, residing at The Hague, and of Leonora Haukens (or Haeckens), of Antwerp. To Anna Van Wely was presented in 1684 the first thimble, made by a goldsmith named Nicholas Van Benschoten as a protection for her dainty fingers. She died June 12, 1670. The first and second wives were apparently cousins, and Jan Van Wely, father of the second wife, had a tragic fate. He was not only a prominent and respected merchant of Amsterdam, but the "admodiator," or administrator of the county of Buren, a domain of the Prince of Orange. In 1600-01 he had been chosen by the merchants of Amsterdam as their representative with the army, that they might have sure and regular news. It was then that he received a large gold medal representing the battle of Nieuport, which he transmitted as an heirloom to his descendants. In 1616 Van Wely was sent for to The Hague by Prince Maurice, and brought with him, some diamonds and precious stones, which the prince wished to purchase, and worth about one hundred thousand florins. While waiting for the prince in his cabinet, Van Wely was murdered by two officers of the guard, and his body concealed under the table until it could be taken out and buried in an ash pit. This murder, though perpetrated solely for plunder, turned out in the end to have political effects. On the representation of the widow, Hans Van Wely, her eldest son, was continued in the duties and privileges of "admodiator" of Buren.

      The three children of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer and Hillegonda Van Bylaer and the seven children by Ann Van Wely were:

      Hendrick, died in childhood.
      Johannes, baptized September 4, 1625, died in latter part of 1662, or early in 1663. He was the second patroon, but never came to America. Being a minor of about nineteen years when his father died in 1644, the estates in Holland and at Rensselaerswyck were placed in charge of executors. They selected Brant Arentse Van Slechtenhorst to take charge of the colony, in place of Arent Van Curler, resigned, who arrived at Fort Orange March 22, 1648. He married Elizabeth, sister of Wouter Van Twiller, director-general of New Netherland for the Dutch. Children:
      Kiliaen, died at Watervliet, Albany county, soon after February 22, 1687, having married his cousin, Anna Van Rensselaer, daughter of Jeremias Van Rensselaer and Maria Van Cortlandt.
      Nella, married Johan de Swardt.
      Maria, died without issue.
      Hillegonda; buried August 23, 1664; without issue.
      Eleanora, died without issue.
      Susanna, lived and died in Holland; married Jan de la Court, August 5, 1664.
      Jan Baptist, born in Holland, was the first of the name to visit America, coming as "Director" of Rensselaerswyck colony in 1651; was never patroon; returned to Holland in 1658, when he was succeeded by his brother Jeremias the same year, who became the third patroon; married Susanna Van Wely; had a son Kiliaen who died without issue, and he (Jan Baptist V. R.) died in Amsterdam, Holland, October 18, 1678.
      Jeremias, born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1632, became the third patroon; married Maria Van Cortlandt, July 12, 1662, and died at Rensselaerswyck, October 12, 1674. (See forward.)
      Rev. Nicolaas (Nicholas), born in Amsterdam, Holland, 1636. He was a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church. On being introduced to Charles II, then exile at Brussels, he prophesied the restoration of that monarch to the throne of England, which circumstance afterward obtained for him a cordial reception at the Court of St. James, when he visited London as the chaplain to the Dutch Embassy. In acknowledgment of the truth of the prediction the king presented him with a snuffbox, which relic is preserved in the family.
      Upon his coming to America the Dutch church looked upon him with suspicion, fearing he was a Papist, and demanding a certificate from the classis, for not only did Dominie Nieuenhuysen absent himself from Dr. Van Rensselaer's service in the church, but he was not permitted to baptize. He arrived in Rensselaerswyck as the engaged minister, July, 1674; married, February 10, 1675, Alyda Schuyler, born February 28, 1656, daughter of Philip Pieterse Schuyler and Margarita Van Slichtenhorst; died November, 1678, without issue, and his widow married, in 1679, Robert Livingston, who died about 1728.

      Ryckert (Richard), born in Holland, and died there about 1695. He was treasurer and administrator of the Vianen estate belonging to the Breerode family. He came to America, arriving at Rensselaerswyck June 30, 1664, and that year built for himself a residence on the west bank of the Hudson river, about four miles north of Albany, called The Flatts, which was long afterward known as Schuyler's Bouwerie and to this day is known as the Schuyler Flatts, because he sold it to Philip Pieterse Schuyler on June 22, 1672, the father of Albany's first mayor, Pieter Schuyler. He returned to Holland about this time, for he married in that country, January 26, 1672, Anna Van Beaumont, by whom he had five sons and five daughters, only one son and three of his daughters marrying. Their third son, Johannes, died in 1678; their fourth son, also named Johannes, was born February 17, 1679; Anna Cornelia, born in April, 1673, and Kiliaen, born in April, 1675. For many years he was one of the magistrates of Rensselaerswyck, but never was director of the colony, although he assisted his brother Jeremias in the management, and after the death of his mother at Amsterdam he went there. When Jeremias, the third patroon, died in 1674, it was hoped that Richard would return; but as he had been recently married he would not make the trip, and his brother Nicholas came in his stead.