Harshbarger line: The family of Wendell Essig

This will be a very short post, as little is known about Wendell, nor of his wife, Anna Eva Matte.  He is given a life span of about 1700 to about 1770, although there seems to be no documentation for either date.  He was from Bern Canton, Switzerland, and settled near Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he is thought to have raised at least four sons.  He , along with his wife and three of his sons, are said to have been killed by natives during the run-up to the Revolutionary War.  This is a family story that has yet to be proven.  

We don't know whether the three sons-Adam, Jacob, and George, who did not survive the believed attack are older or younger than Simon, the surviving son.  He had been sent away from the homestead on an errand, and when he returned, found his family killed and the cabin burned to the ground.  Was he sent on the errand because he was the oldest son and could be trusted to travel for miles in the countryside?  Or was he sent as the youngest son, the least useful around the farm? We don't know.  

None of those killed are known to have married or have had children, but it's possible that someday records will be found that will help fill in the picture of this family.  

For now, we know that Simon, born in 1754, married Julia Margaret Schneer, the daughter of Johann Caspar and Magdalena Kunkel/Kunkle Schneer.  They raised a large family together, and I will follow this family in my next post.  Their children are Adam, Magdalena, Elizabeth, John,  Jacob, George, Sarah, Julie, David, Samuel, William, Catherine, and Rebecca.  Julia died in 1844 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio, and Simon died there in 1851.  The family had lived in Ohio since 1808.  

I told you this would be a short post!  If anyone has further information about Wendell, I'd love to hear it!   

The family of Samuel Demarest 1707-1781

 This is the last of I believe 7 posts about the immigrant David Demarest and his descendants.  It's been fun, and sometimes a slog, to see how the original French Huguenots grew their family, and how those families grew.  Although I have only followed the siblings of my family's ancestors for one generation, I know that if those children were traced further, there would be even more interesting stories and tidbits than I have uncovered here.  For at least 150 years, the Demarest family was closely associated with history, only some of which we studied in school.

As a reminder of how we got to this point, Samuel's father is David, whose father is Samuel, whose father is David.  And to make matters interesting, this Samuel decided to use the spelling De Maree, as did at least some of his children.  I'm referring to him as Demarest because, that's easier for me.  David was born in 1707 in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey.  His wife is Lea Demarest, and they are distant cousins.  Lea's line back to immigrant David is Peter, Jean, and then David.  Her parents are Peter and Maretjie Meet Demarest; his are David and Matie DeBaun Demarest.  Samuel died in 1781 near Pleasureville, Henry County, Kentucky.  Lea may have died in 1780 in Hackensack, New Jersey. This couple, like their ancestors, had a large family.  Ten children was normal for the Demarests but of course, not to us.  

Their first known child was a daughter, Antjin, born in 1733 and died in 1810 (some say 1802) in Pleasureville, Henry County, Kentucky.  She married Hendrik or Henry Banta, the son of Hendrick and Geertjie (I've found lots of different spellings, not sure this is the most correct) Terhune Banta.  Their children are Rachel, Samuel, Peter, John, Cornelius, Jacob, Daniel, Mary Polly, Antie, David, Isaac, Anginitje, and Hendrick.  

Marie was born next, in 1735.  She died in 1799 in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky.  She married Jacobus Westervelt or Westerfield, son of James and C=Debora Van Schyweg Westervelt.  Their children are Jacobus, William, Samuel, Isaac, Leah, Debora, Catrina, William, and Rebecca.  This family has a sad story, known as the Westerfield massacre.  Indigenous people regarded Kentucky as their hunting ground, and were very upset as the first settlers arrived and settled in land they regarded as theirs.  During the Revolutionary War, the natives, aided and abetted by the British, repeatedly attacked settlers to try to force them out of the land they claimed.  One such group was the Westerfield family.  There were about 40 allied people who were headed to the fort at Harrodsburg after learning that their neighbors were being killed and their settlement was next.  They didn't make it to the fort.  Instead, they whole group was ambushed.  All of the men (at least 9) were killed, scalped, and their scalps sold to the British.  Some of the women and children were taken to Detroit and held there for ransom, although I am not sure if any of this immediate family was included in that group.  Only about half of the people who set out for Harrodsburg escaped to tell their story.  I do not know this for a fact, but it seems that Marie may have stayed in Harrodsburg rather than return as a widow to a burned out home. slaughtered animals, and destroyed crops in Pleasureville.

Petrus (Peter) was the first son, born in 1737.  I was unable to find a death date and location, other than "about 1818 in Kentucky", although he is buried in Pleasureville.  He married Mary Allen, or Ellen, and I am not sure who her parents are.  Their children are Samuel, Johannes, Peter, Abraham, David, James, and Mary.  

Elizabeth was born in 1739 and died in 1799 in Conewago, Pennsylvania.  She married Daniel Harris, whom I am unable to further identify.  Their children are Annie, John, Daniel, Samuel, George, Peteer, Eleanor, Lena, and Mary/Polly. 

Sarah was born in 1741 and died sometime after 1800, when she married for the second time.  Her first husband, the father of her children, is Benjamin Slot. who changed his surname to Lock.  He is the son of Jacobus and Maria Demarest Slot (Maria is a descendant of Jean and Jacomina De Ruine Demarest, so this family is interconnected in several ways!). Their children are Samuel, William, John, Gerardia (may well be something else), Peter, Jacob, and possibly Polly.  Her second marriage is to George Erdmayer/Admire in 1800.  It is possible that she died in Henry County, where George lived at the time of their marriage, but I haven't found proof of that.

Rachel was born in 1743 and died in 1811 in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana.  She first married Gerardus Rycken or Ryker, the son of Johannes and and Gartung Wiltsee Rycken.  Their children are Jacob, John, Leah, Gerardus, Samuel, Peter, Geertje, Rachel, and Deborah.  After her husband's death, she married John Van Cleave, son of Aaron and Rachel Schenck Van Cleave.  Their children are Peter and David.  

John was born in 1745 and died about 1798,  in Shelby County, Kentucky.  He married Nancy, possibly Ramey, whom I can't further identify.  All that is reasonably certain is that his wife's name was Nancy.  Their children are Jacob, John, Peter, Nancy, Phebe and Mary.   

Tryntje or Trintie was born in 1748 and died in 1828 in Hanover, Jefferson County, Indiana.  She married Jacob Smock, the son of John and Leah (maiden name not found) Smock.  Their children are Leah, Samuel, Peter, Abraham, Matthew, John, Mary, Jacob, Katherine, and Sally Ann.   

The last daughter, Lea, was born in 1752.  What little information I can find of her is conflicting.  She probably married Abraham van Buskirk, but who he was I cannot determine.  She is said to have died in 1843 in Jefferson County, Indiana, although the Demarest family book states that she was the only one of her siblings not to have gone west.  I know that some of the van Buskirk families were Loyalists, so it's possible that they went to Canada or another of the British colonies after the Revolutionary War.  Or she may have gone west long after the rest of her family, perhaps as a widow.  Much more research needs to be done for her.  Her children are listed as David, and possibly Peter.  There may have been more.

And finally, there is yet another Samuel Demarest or Demaree.  He was born in 1754 and died in 1826 in Jefferson County, Indiana.  He married Mary Brouwer, the daughter of Daniel and Marie Brouwer.  Their children are Susanna, Daniel, and Mary Ann.  

Some general comments: The Revolutionary War greatly affected this generation.  Some of the family fought on the Patriot side and some on the British side.  There were times when the men were in the same battle, on different sides.  The family moved from their Bergen County, New Jersey home to Conewago, Pennsylvania, on to Berkeley County, Virginia, and then to the area of Shelby/Henry/Mercer County, Kentucky.  Several of the children crossed the Ohio River and settled in Jefferson County, Indiana.  It has been suggested that at least some of them were motivated by anti-slavery beliefs, but it is just as likely that they were looking for more land and economic opportunities.  And of course, when some of the family moved, more joined them.  

This has been a fascinating family to follow, from start to finish.  There is so much history encapsulated in their lives, and we are fortunate that so much of it is available to us.  Their stories should be part of the Beeks family treasury of stories.   

 

The family of David Demarest 1681-1761

 Just so we're keeping the Davids and the Samuels and the other Demarest men straight, sort of, this David is the grandson of David the immigrant, who is married to Marie Sohier.  He is the son of Samuel and Maria DeRuine Demarest, and is one of several David Demarests who are part of this large extended family.  He married Matie (sometimes seen as Martha) de Baun, the daughter of Joost (Jost, Joseph) and Elizabeth Drabbe de Baun or de Banen, and died in 1761 in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey. Once again, there are numerous variations on the spellings of these names and once again this is a family with a lot of children, several of whom are named David, with a couple of Samuels thrown in.  And as always, this is how I see it as of today, but further documentation could change my mind, or at least answer some of the questions I still have.

David and Matie's first child was Samuel, born in 1707.  I am still researching to find his date and location of death but most web sites are showing that he died in 1781 near Pleasureville, Henry County, Kentucky.  That would make him an early pioneer there.  He married twice.  His first wife is Antie Lozier, the daughter of Nicholas and Tryhtje Slot Lachaire.  They had two children together, David and Nicholas.  After Antie died, he married Lea Demarest, the daughter of Peter and Maretie Demarest (yes, they are cousins.)  their children are Antie, Marie, Peter, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rachel, John, Daniel, Trntje, Lea, and Samuel.  I have seen a Samuel listed as the child of the first wife, but I can't verify that.  Perhaps there were two Samuels.  I will follow this family in my next blog post.  

Elizabeth was born next, in 1708.  Sadly, she died 6 1/2 years later, in 1715, in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Joost was born in 1710 and died in 1750 in New York City, New York.  I am not sure whether he lived there or whether he was there on business of some sort.  He married Marijtjin Meyer, the daughter of Jacob and Annetie Kammega Meyer.  Their children are Antjin, Maria, Jacob, Daniel, Petrus, Elizabeth, Annetje, Sara, Rachel, John, Daniel, Marytjin, Tryntje, and Samuel.  I am somewhat skeptical of this list, as 14 children seem like a lot for a man who died when he was 40.  We should do more research on this family.  

Maria was born in 1713 and died about 1793, although her place of death is not known.  She married Thomas Eckerson, son of Jan and Marie Jans Ekkerson.  Their children are Mrtie, David, Jacob, Jan, Sara, Edward, Elizabeth, and Maria.   

Elizabeth was born in 1715 and died in 1797 in Bergenfield, Bergen County, NJ.  She married William Campbell (I have also seen this spelled Kammell more than once, but based on the parents' names, think that Campbell is the more likely spelling), the son of James and Janet Humphrey Campbell.  Their children are Jannetje, David, Thomas, Christian, James, Alexander, Samuel, John, Jacob, Nancy and Elizabeth.   

Christian was born in 1717 and died in 1787 in New York.  He is interesting because in 1780, at the age of 63, he was captured by the British, at Paramus, New Jersey and held as a prisoner of war.  As yet, I haven't tracked down more of his story but I certainly want to do so.  He married Geesje Romein, the daughter of Albert and Jantje Westervelt Romeyn.  Their children are Maetje, Albert, Elizabeth, Jannetje, Albert again, David, and Nicholas.  Christian married twice more, to Hannah Van Horn and then to Jane Bussey, but these were later in life marriages with no children born to them.

Peter was born next, in 1719.  One page I looked at said that he married Mary Demarest, but there was no further information about either of them.  I do not know how long Peter lived, nor whether he married.  If someone has that information, I would love to know a little more of his story!

Jacob was born in 1721 and died in 1793, in Goshen, Orange County, New York.  He married Rachel Secord, the daughter of Daniel and Catherine Secord.  I suspect that there are more children that I haven't located, but this couple seems to have had a son, David, and perhaps a son Peter.  He served during the Revolutionary War, even though he would have been in his late 50s or early 60s.  Again, more research needs to be done to learn more of his story.

Sara was born in 1724 and married James Campbell, whom I can't further identify but who may be related to the William Campbell mentioned above.  I have two different death dates and locations for her so at this point I do not know when or where she died.  Their children include Sara, James, and Jannetje, and there may well be more.  

Rachel was born in 1726 and died in 1756, although neither date seems to be well documented.  It is thought that she died in Bergen County, NJ.  She married Cornelius Doremus, the son of Johannes and Lysbeth Ackerman Doremus.  Their children are Rachel, Johannes, David, Margaret, and Aeltje.

And finally, perhaps after Matie thought she was done with the pregnancy and birth events, there was Annetje, born in 1730.  Annetje died in or after 1794 in Adolphustown, Ontario, Canada.  She married Claes Peterson the son of Nicholas and Catalyntie Jongbloedt Petersen,  Adolphustown was formed in 1784 by Loyalists (Tories) who had fled or been forced out of their homes in the thirteen colonies following the Revolutionary War.  It is easy to speculate that Claes was a Loyalist but not so easy to understand what Annetje might have thought about that, other than perhaps it was her duty to go with her husband.  Or perhaps she wholeheartedly agreed with his political beliefs, which would have set them apart from most of the Demarest family.  Their known children are Davvid, another David, Trintje, Annetje, Paul, Nicholas, Christopher, Katherine, and Maritje.  

Some of these children lived a normal life span for the time, and some lived less than 40 years.  They all, however, started families and helped grow their country, whichever country they sided with.  Most of these children stayed relatively close to "home", which indicates to me that David and Matie were able to help them get a start in life, and that achievement, by itself, is enough to make me give them respect. 

 

 

 

The family of Samuel Demarest 1656-1728

 These Demarest lines are confusing, and are about to get more confusing.  I recently wrote posts about the families of David Demarest, Jean Demarest, and David Demarest, three generations of men before daughtering out with David's daughter Lea.  I mentioned then that Lea had married Samuel Demarest, and we'd be exploring that line next.  So now we're backing up to an earlier Samuel Demarest, who is a brother to Jean and the son of David and Marie Sohier Demarest.  We'll follow this line for several generations, also.  And again, a caution: These names, both surnames and given names, have all kinds of variations so anyone looking at or for records needs to be on their toes, have good eyesight, and accept flexible spelling in the same family and even in records depicting the same person.  I am not positive that I've sorted through all of this correctly, but it at least gives us a good starting point.  Are you ready?

Samuel, as mentioned above, is the son of David and Marie Sohier Demarest, born in 1656 in Mannheim in what is not Germany, and died in 1728 in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey.  He married Maria De Ruine, the daughter of Simon and Magdalena van Straaten (Vanderstraaten) De Ruine.  Eleven children are known to have been born to this couple, so once again, this will be a rather long post.  

Their first child is a daughter, Magdalena, born in 1680 and died between 1712 and 1718, in Hackensack, New Jersey.  She married Cornelius Banta, the son of Epke and Sitske Dirckse Banta.  Their children are Samuel, another Samuel, Jacob, Rachel, Lea, Elizabeth, and Abram.   

David was born in 1681 and died in 1760 in Hackensack.  He married Matie DeBaun, the daughter of Jost and Elizabeth Drabbe DeBaun.  Their children are Maria, Lea, Elizabeth, Christian, Peter, Sarah, Jacob, Rachel, Annetje, and Samuel.  (Please note that the only name from Magdalena's list of children that is not repeated here is Abram.  And it will get more complex as we add more cousins!) I will write more about this family in my next post.

Jacomina was born in 1686 (potential pregnancy between the two??)and died in 1728 in Monmouth, New Jersey.  She married twice.  Her first marriage was to Samuel Helling, or Helm, the son of  Hendrik and Grietje Samuels Helling.  They had three children, Susanna, Teunis, and Samuel.  She naxt married Cornelius van Horn, the son of Cornelius and Margrietje Vanderburgh Van Horn.  Their children are Margaret, Annetje, Cornelius, Margrita, Maria, John, Lucas, Rachel, and Daniel.  Jacomina died a day after her son Daniel was born.  

Judith was born in 1690 and died in 1767 in Kinderkamack, New Jersey.  She married Christian DeBaun, the son of Jost and Elizabeth Crabbe DeBaun.  (Demarest siblings married DeBaun siblings, so Judith's first child, Christina, is a double cousin to David's children).  She next married Peter Durie, the son of Jehan and Jeanne Hessulier Durie.  Their children are Cornelia, Jan, Marie, Jannete, Samuel, and Sarah. 

Samuel was next, born in 1693.  Don't try to keep track of all the Samuel Demarests in these two lines, unless you really want a challenge.  This Samuel died in 1737 in Monmouth, New Jersey.  He married Annetje Van Horn, the daughter of Cornelius and Margretje Vanderburgh Van Horn (yes, you just saw the names of those parents a few paragraphs ago.  Again, siblings from the Demarest family married siblings from the Van Horn family.).  Their children are Jannetje, Cornelius, Samuel, Margrietje, David, Elsie, Peter, and Daniel.  

Peter was born in 1695 and died in 1774 in Orange County, New York.  This may have been about 50 miles, depending on which part of each county the farms are located.  He married Grietje Haring, the daughter of Cornelius and Cathalyn Flierboon Haring.  Their children are Marie, Catalynthe, Samuel, Fytie, Sara, Jacob, Margretjen, John, and Vrouwtje.

Sara was born in 1697 and died in 1719 in Hackensack.  She married John Westervelt, the son of Jurinen and Gieske Bongert van Westervelt.  They had one child together, Jurrian.  I don't know whether Sara died as a result of childbirth, but it's certainly possible.

Simon was born in 1699 and died in 1761 in Hackensack.  He married Vrouwtje Haring, the daughter of Conelius and Cathalyn Flierboon Haring.  (See two paragraphs above-siblings and siblings, again.  So many double cousins in this family!)  Their children are Samuel, Catalyntje, Cornelius, Maria, Daniel,  John, David, Petrus and Jacob.   

Rachel was born in 1701 and died in 1799 in Appoquinimink, Dekaware,  She married Jacobus Peek, the son of Johannes and Lysbeth van Imbarg Peek.  Their children are Sarah, Judith, Rachel, Samuel, Jacobus, Guysber, Rachel, David, and Annetie.  

Susanna was the last daughter, born in 1703 and died in 1747 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  She married Benjamin van Boskerck, the son of Laurens and an unidentified mother van Boskerck.  Their children are Samuel, Lauren, Marie, and Jacomyntie.  There may be more children, but  these are the ones that are noted in the records I looked at.

Finally, son Daniel was born in 1706 and died in 1727 in Bergen County, New Jersey.  There are no records of a spouse or children for Daniel, and it is believed that he was single when he died at the age of 21.

Samuel and Marie had about 77 grandchildren.  10 were named Samuel, and I didn't attempt to count the Maria or Rachels or other names.   When we think of the Samuels I've mentioned in the previous posts, and the ones yet to come, it's easy to wonder how the families kept them all straight.  

  

The family of Peter Demarest 1683-1763

 Warning: This post will be a long one, because this ancestor has 17 children and at least 117(!!) grandchildren.  Second warning: All names, first and surname, are subject to many variations.  I have tried to choose the most commonly used spelling but don't let that stop you from pursuing people with other spellings who are in the same area at the same time and whose other characteristics indicate a match, or at least a hint.  With all that said, let's try to build this family, who of course have several marriages into other of our families, or to cousins or closer in other families entirely.  This part of the family tree is more of a tangled bush.

Peter (Pieter, Petrus) Demarest (De Maree and other spellings) is the son of Jean (Jan, John) and Jacomina De Ruine Demarest and was born in 1683 in Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey after the family had moved there from various locations in New York, including New Amsterdam.  He first married Maretie (Marie, Mary, Maretjie, etc.) Meet, the daughter of Jan and Gerritjie Mandeville Meet, and had seven children with her before she died in 1720. I will refer to her as Mary, simply to limit confusion with her successor, Marie. Peter next married a significantly younger Marie Batton, the daughter of Jacques and Margrietje Sans Batton, and they had eleven children together.  Peter died in 1763 in Bergen County, New Jersey, as part of a well respected and somewhat prosperous family.  

Peter and Mary's first child was Jacomina, born in 1710 and died in 1763 in Schraalenburgh, Bergen County, New Jersey.  She married Johannes Ackerman (Akkerman) the son of Laurents and Giertjie Egbert Ackerman.  Their children are Laurens, Peter, Jan, Grietje, Maryte, and Aaron.  (Note the various spellings of the first names.  This is what makes genealogy so much "fun".)

Maria was born in 1712 and died in 1763, about four months before her older sister.  She married William Ruttan, the son of Paulus and Marie David Ruttan,  Their children are Harmanes, Elizabeth, Maria, Abraham, Peter, Paulus, Leah, Jacob, William, David, and another William.  Peter and William were Loyalists in the Revolutionary War, and went to Canada at the end of the War.  What a heartbreak for the Demarest family in general, who have many names listed in Revolutionary War records as patriots, soldiers, and tax payers.  

Lea was born next, in 1713.  I show her death date as the same as sister Maria's.  If these are correct, then perhaps there was an epidemic of some sort going around.  I'd like to investigate this further.  She married Samuel Demarest, the son of David and Maria de Baun Demarest.  I'll be getting back to this branch of the Demarest family with my next post.  Of course, this was some sort of cousin relationship. Their children are Antjie, Marie, Petrus, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rachel, John, Cornelius, Tryntje, Lea, and Samuel.  

And then, a son, named Petrus of course.  He was born in 1715 and died in 1780 at New Bridge, New Jersey.  He married Aaltjie (not sure I've chosen the best spelling for that name!) Van Hoorn or Horn, the daughter of Barent and Jametje Hessels Van Horn.  Their children are Marie, Antia, Peter, Jan/John, Cornelia, Margaret, and James and/or Jacobus.

I know least about Rachel.  She was born in 1716 and died "before 1763", which gives a bit of leeway.  She married Johannes Loots, the son of Jan and Hilletje Paulus Loots, and that is the last I can trace her.  It's possible that she died soon after her 1736 marriage, perhaps in childbirth.  It's also possible that she left the area and no one has made the connection yet.  I have not found records of any children for her.  Her husband's 1764 will makes no mention of a widow or of children.

Trentje was born in 1718 and died in 1795.  She married Laurense Verwey, son of Jan and Catryn Ackerman Verwey. Their children are Sara, Maria, Catherine, Petrus, Geertje, Jan, Lowerans, and Laurens.  Again, there are many spellings for some of these names.  

Mary and Peter's final child is Sara, born in 1720 and died in 1804 in Schaalenburgh, New Jersey.  She married Cornelius Van Houten, the son of Roelof (Ralph) and Jannetje SPier Van Houten.  Their children are Roelof, Abraham, Jannetje, Jena, Jan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jacomintjie, and Annetje.  

Mary seems to have died in 1720, perhaps in childbirth, and Peter married Marie Batton in 1722.  He certainly needed someone to help him take care of 7 children, and this 18 year old must have thought she was up to the task, and then some. 

Peter and Marie's first child was a daughter, Margretje, born in 1723 and died in 1790 in Bergen County, New Jersey.  She married Jan Bogert, son of Roelof and Elizabeth Bertholf Bogert.  I have located just three children for this couple-Roelof, Peter, and Hendrick.  Both Margretje and Jan lived into their 60's so it is possible there are more children, as yet not located.  

Elizabeth was born in 1725 and died in 1763 in Bergen County, New Jersey.  I have been unable to confirm the death date, so perhaps it is simply "before 1763".  She married Laurens Van Buskirk, the son of Andrew and Jacomyntje Demarest Van Buskirk.  (Yes, she is a descendant of Jean and Jacomina Re Ruine Demerest. Don't say I didn't warn you!)  Their children are Maria, Jacominte, Peter, Marietje, Aanatie, Laurent, Margaret, and possibly Jemima.  (It's possible that Jemima and Jacomnte are one and the same, but the birth dates I found are confusing.)

Hester was born in 1728 and died in that death year of 1763, (in May) in New Barbadoes, Bergen, New Jersey.  She married Abraham Ackerman, the son of Johannes and Maria Wakefield Ackerman.  (This is the third time I've found a connection to an Ackerman family, and surely they are connected in some way.)  Their children are Maria, Elizabeth, John, Jannetje, Peter, Hester, Johannes, and Maria.  

Yet another daughter, Lydia, was born in 1730 and died in 1770.  This makes nine of the first ten of Peter's children daughters, who were loved but not likely as valued as sons would be.  She married another Abraham Ackerman, the son of Johannes and Jannetje Lozier Ackerman.  Their children are Petrus, Maria, Johannes, Maria, David, Margretje, and Abraham.  

And then, finally, a son, a half brother for Petrus although the two were about 17 years apart in age.  John was born in 1732 and died in 1809 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  He married Willimpie Bogert, the daughter of Jan and Antje Westervelt Bogert.  Their children are Antje, Peter, John, Jacobus, Maria, Margretjie, Cornelia and another Cornelia.  

Jacobus was born in 1735 and died in 1807 an Kinderkamack, New Jersey.  He married Maretje Smith, the daughter of Philip and Rebecca Earle Smith.  This is the first marriage of these children where the bride (or groom) does not appear to come from a thoroughly French or Dutch family.  Their children, however, have mostly French/Dutch names-Peter, Philip, John, Jacobus, David, Rebecca, Maria, and Margretje.  

David was born in 1738 and died in 1820 in Hacksensack, New Jersey.  He married Hester Brower, the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Ackerman (that name again!) Brouwer.  Their children are Petrus, Elizabeth, Petrus again, Maria, Abraham, Margretjie, Abraham, John, David, and James.

Maria was born in 1740 and died in 1810 in Kinderkamack, New Jersey.  She married Richard Heaton or Eaton, the son of John and Mary Van Hooghkerk Heaton.  Their children are John, Petrus, Maria, Elizabeth, Richard, Jacobus, Margretje, Lucas, Hester, and Lucas again.  

Another daughter, Annatie, was born in 1743 and died in 1787 in Bergen County, New Jersey   She married Jan (John) Banta, the son of Cornelius and Rachel Wiert Banta.  Their children are Rachel, Rachel, Maria, Cornelius, Peter, Maria, Margaret, Henry, and John.  

Samuel, the last son, was born in 1745 and died in 1835 probably in Newton, Sussex, New Jersey.  He married Wilimena Banta, the daughter of Hendrick and Anneje DeGroot Banta.  Their children are Maria, Peter, Elena, Samuel, John, Catalynte (Catherine), Annatie, Wilimena, Margrietje, Jan, and Jacobus.

Finally born 38 years (less two days) of her oldest half sister, Magdalene was the last child of Peter and Maria.  She married Peter Stuyvesant (I don't know whether he was a descendant of the famous one of New Amsterdam), the son of Benoni and Pryntje Preyer Stuyvesant.  Their children are Peter, Johannes, and Mary.

I believe that most, if not all of the men mentioned as children of Peter and his wives would have fought or served in some capacity in the Revolutionary War, and the older ones perhaps in the French and Indian War.  I have found men of the same names and from Bergen County in various lists, but as we know, there was more than one John or Peter or David or (fill in the blank) Demarest in Bergen County at the time.  Regardless, and in spite of the two sons of Maria Demarest Ruttan, most of this family supported the cause of American freedom.  

But Mary and Marie are heroes, too.  They each had a large family, and raised good people.  That was the ultimate sign of success then, and raising good people is still one of the main values of their descendants.   

 

 

 

  

 

The family of Jean/Jan/John Demarest 1645-1719

 One thing that makes researching this family (all of the Demarests, from David on down), is that there are many spellings of both first names and surnames, and sometimes it seems that there are nicknames or middle names used as first names, just to make it fun for family researchers.  I am using the surname Demarest, but the further back in time you go, the more variations you will find.  And I'm using Jean, because that seems to be the most common and because it reminds us that he was, after all, from a French family.

Jean is the first son of David and Marie Sohier Demarest, born in 1645 in Zeeland, the Netherlands.  He immigrated with his family to what was then New Amsterdam, and married Jacomina de Ruine, the daughter of Simon and Magdelena van der Straaten de Ruine, in about 1668.  All of these families are French Huguenots, living in France, the Netherlands, and Germany as religious persecution dictated.  They were fortunate to find a more congenial religious climate in America, and were at first part of the Dutch Reformed church.  Jean and Jacomina moved on with members of their extended family, to settle near Hackensack, New Jersey, where they lived the rest of their lives, and where they raised a large family.  Jacomina died in 1692 and Jean in 1719. Both are buried at the French Burying Ground at New Milford, Bergen County, New Jersey.  (Jean married twice after Jacomina's death, to Marritje Van Winkle and then to Magdalena Laurens.  No children were born from those marriages.)

David was their first born son, in 1669.  He died in 1706 at Hackensack, New Jersey.  He married Antie/Annetje Slot, the daughter of Peter and Marritje Van Winkle Slot.  (So Jean's second wife was his son's mother in law.)  Their children are Lea, Maritje, Jacomina, a second Lea, David, and Rachel.  

John (this spelling seems to be used more than Jean or Jan, but watch out!) was born in 1671 and died in 1731 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He married Deborah Heyer or Heyet or possibly Hyatt or even Hoyt, possibly the daughter of Peter of whatever spelling you choose.  Their children are Jan, David, and Jemima (or possibly Jacomina).  John's second wife is Golah Pattison, whom I have not been able to further identify.  Their children are Golin, Solomon, and Elly.  

A daughter, Marie, was born in 1673 and died in 1730.  She married Jacobus Slot, the son of Peter and Marritje Van Winkle Slot (yes, the same family already mentioned twice in this post.) Their children are Peter, Johannes, Eva, Maria, Lea, Jona, David, Sara, Trintje, and Benjamin.  Marie (Maria, Mary, etc) died in 1730 at Hackensack, New Jersey. 

Sarah was born next, in 1675, and died in 1741 in Odessa, New Castle, Delaware.  She married Abraham Canon or Cannon, the son of Andrew and Jane Pearse Cannon.  Their children are Isaac, Andrew, Sarah, Jenny, Hester, John, David, and Abraham.  

Simon was born next, in 1677, and, sadly, died that same year.  

It seems that about every two years, there was a new child to welcome to the Demarest household.  In 1679, it was Rachel.  She married Thomas Heyer, the son of John Heyer (there seems to be little doubt about this identification, which makes me wonder whether John's wife was also part of this Heyer family, but apparently no documentation has yet been found to prove that.) Their children are Rachel, Jan, David, and Thomas.  Rachel may have died as early as 1709, which would explain why there are "only" four children.

Jacomina was born in 1680 and died sometime between 1727 and 1760 (still trying to find a documented date) in New Castle County, Delaware.  She married John Stewart, the son of John and Isabel Gardiner Stewart.  I believe this is the first Demarest to marry outside of the Huguenot community, so I can't help but wonder what Jean thought about this! Their children are Johannes, Elizabeth, James, David and Isaac.  She later married Richard Wilkinson, whom I'd can't identify further at this point.  It is not believed that she had children with him.  

Leah was born in 1682 and died after 1744 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  Her first husband, the father of her children, is Abraham Brouwer, the son of Peter and Petronilla Clyn (again, various spellings) Brouwer.  Their children are Petrus, Johannes, Samuel, David, Jacobus, Lea, Rachel, Daniel, and Maria.  Her second marriage is to Roelof Westervelt, the son of Libbert and Geesje Westervelt.  (I am not absolutely sure that I have correctly interpreted the names of Roelof's parents.  I'm not going to attempt Geesje's maiden name.) 

Peter was born in 1683 and died in 1763 in Schaalenburgh, New Jersey.  He first married Marritje Meet, the daughter of Peter and Gerritje Mandeville Meet.  Their children are Jacomina, Maria, Petrus, Rachel, Trintje, and Sara.  He next married Maria Batton, the daughter of Jacques and Margretje Sans Batton.  Their children are Margetje, Elizabeth, Hester, Lydia, John, Jacobus, David, Maria, Annatie, Samuel, and Magdalena.  I will follow this family in my next post.

Magdalena was born in 1684 and died in 1763 at Hackensack, New Jersey.  She married James Christie, the son of John and Anna Ramsay Christie.  Their children are Jacomina, Jacob, Annetje, Lea, Johannes, Marie, Elizabeth, James, David, William, Rachel, Daniel, Sara, and Magdalena.  

Their last child was Samuel, born in 1687.  He is thought to have died young, because he is not mentioned in his father's 1714 will, but no definite information has been located about him.  

So nine of Jean and Jacomina's 11 children lived to adulthood.  If my list of the grandchildren is correct and complete. they had 79 grandchildren, although they did not live long enough to meet all of them.  This family appears to have been both prosperous and respected, and their descendants can be proud of them. 

A side note:  This blog post marks my 1100th post in an attempt to trace the ancestors of my children.  It's been a wonderful ride, and with recent discoveries I've made, I'm not close to being done yet! 

 

  

 

 

 

Beeks line: The family of David Demarest 1620-1695

 I've written about David Demarest before.  He was born in Beauchamp, Chambray, France in 1620, and lived in Middleburg in The Netherlands and Mannheim in Germany before immigrating to the colony of New York, and finally to Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey.  These moves were necessitated due to the family being of French Huguenot beliefs, and such families suffered persecution for many years.  The moves once the family came to America were also due to economic and societal reasons.  It was a very eventful life that David and his family lived.

I am using the spelling Demarest here, because that is the most common and modern spelling.  It can be seen in any number of configurations, including De Maree and De Marets, but let's not get too confusing.  David is most likely the son of Jean Demarest and possibly Marguerite de Herville.  (I am not convinced that this was his mother, since none of his children or grandchildren are named Marguerite, but many trees are showing her as the mother.)  He married Marie Sohier, the daughter of Francois and Marie Ernhoult Sohier, in Middleburg in 1643.  Their children were born in Middleburg, Mannheim, and finally New Amsterdam.  They had the sadness of losing several children too young, as infants and young children, yet they persevered in their life and their faith.

The first child was Jean, born in 1645 and died in 1719 in Hackensack, New Jersey, where by that time there was a thriving Huguenot community.  He married three times, but all children are with his first wife, Jacomina de Ruine, the daughter of Simon and Magdalena Van Der Straten.  Their children are David, Jan, Mary, Sarah, Simon, Rachel, Jacomina, Lea, Peter, Magdalena, and Samuel.  His second marriage is to Marritje Van Winkle, the daughter of Jacob Van Winkle and Tryntje Jacobs, and the mother of his daughter in law.  His third marriage is to Magdalena Lauren, whom I have not further identified.  I will follow this family in my next post.

The first daughter may have been Marie, who does not seem to be documented.  She was born in 1646 and probably died as in infant, but certainly before 1659.

An infant son, David, was born in 1649 and died before December of 1651. 

David was the next son, born in 1651 and died in 1691 in Kinderkamack, Bergen County, New Jersey.  He married Rachel Cresson, the daughter of Pierre and Rachel Clauss Cresson.  Their children are David, Peter, Susanna, Ragel, Jacobus, Samuel, Daniel, Lidia, and Benjamin.  

Samuel was the next son, born in 1656 and died in 1728 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  He married Maria de Ruine, the daughter of Simon and Magdalena Van Der Straten de Ruine, another case of brothers marrying sisters.  Their children are Magdalena, Jacomina, Judith Samuel, Pieter, Sara, Simon, Rachel, Susanna, and Daniel.  I will also write about this family in an upcoming post, as the Beeks family has lines through both Jean and Samuel.  

A second daughter named Marie was born in 1659 and died before May of 1662.

A third daughter Marie was born in 1662 and died before August 26, 1689.  She is not known to have married.

And finally, Daniel, the New Amsterdam baby, was born in 1666 and was killed when he was run over by a horse in January of 1672.  

As we can see, this family had many losses, perhaps more than average but certainly not unheard of.  Those who survived left large families and good memories, and even, thankfully, a reasonable amount of records.  Let's not forget this French family!