Jacobus Backer (1631 - 1670)

Born 1631 in Amsterdam, Noord, Holland, The Netherlands

Husband of Margariet Stuyvesant — married 30 Oct 1655 in New Amsterdam, New Netherland

Descendants

Died 1670 at about age 39 in East Indies

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Jacobus Backer was a New Netherland settler. Join: New Netherland Settlers Project Discuss: new_netherland

Biography

JACOBUS BACKER (aka Jacob Baker), son of unknown parents, was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1630-31. Approximately 1653 he came to New Amsterdam in New Netherland (now New York) as a merchant and trader likely with the Dutch West India Company. (Note: 1)

On 13 March 1653 Jacobus contributed 150 guilders to the defense of New Amsterdam.

"Jacobus Backer, van Amsterdam" married "Margariet Stuyvesant van Delfsziel" /Delfzie, Holland on 30 October 1655 at the Dutch Reformed Church, where they were registered members in 1655.^[1][2]

Margaret was the daughter of the Reverend Balthazar Stuyvesant and his second wife, Styntje Peters van Haarlem. Margaret was the half-sister of Governor Peter Stuyvesant, the last governor of New Amsterdam.^[3]

On 11 April of 1657, Jacobus BACKER, was inscribed on the roll as a "small burgher." On the 17 April 1657 rolls were Nicolaes BACKER; and Nicolaes VERLETH, brother-in-law of Jacobus BACKER.^[4]

Jacobus was a prosperous, free merchant, but he served as a court lawyer at times. His trading operations were extensive, Margaret was quite active with him in his business enterprises. ^[5]

The couple and their family resided in their home with Jacob's adjoining warehouse on the east side of "The Gracht” (aka The Heere Gracht or Gentlemen‟s Canal)^[6] next door to the corner of Prince Straat (later Number 65-67 Broad Street). He had bought the unimproved lot in June 1656. On 16 January 1657 he patented land in New Utrecht as one of the original patentees. However, he continued to live and do business in New Amsterdam, never settling in New Utrecht. ^[7] On April 23, 1657, he was also patented with Govert Lockermans and C. van Ruynen, “Hog’s Neck or Island.^[8]

He returned to Holland in 1660, leaving his business in the control of his wife, Margaret.^[9]

Jacobus was a provincial agent to Holland in 1663. Having been on the Board of Schepens (the municipal court of justice) for several years, Jacobus Backer was listed as president in 1664. He and Cornelius Steenwijck/Steenwick were the two delegates from New Amsterdam to the General Assembly, which met April 1664 at the New Amsterdam Town Hall. This meeting occurred five months before the British seized the New Amsterdam colony. (Note: 3)

On Saturday, September 6, 1664, Dutch and English met to draw up the 'Article of Capitulation of the Surrender of New Netherland.' The following day the burghers read the articles which was signed by Colonel Nichols, ratified by Governor Stuyvesant, and approved and signed by eight others (Nicasius de Sille, the Schout fiscal of New Netherland; Martin Cregier, Chief Province Militia Officer; Peter Tonneman, the city Schout; Burgomaster Paulus Leendertsen van der Grist; Jacobus Backer, President, Board of Schepens and the schepens: Timothy Gabry, Isaac Greveraet, and Nicholas de Meyer). ^[10] On September 8, 1664 the Dutch peaceably gave up the colony.

After the British occupation, Jacobus returned once or twice to Holland, and after 1669 he never returned.

Following the Dutch surrender, Jacobus Backer penned a letter to the Directors in Amsterdam explaining the capitulation. He had sworn allegiance to England, but in August, 1666 left for Holland, having given Margaret his power of attorney to conduct business and his affairs. From Holland he is said to have have sailed to the East Indies. Reports indicated that he died in the East Indies, never to return to Holland nor to his family in New York. Margaret indicated that she “very much doubts of his life not having in several years had any letter or advice from him but various reports of his death since his departure from Holland to the East Indies.”^[11]

His business and property were heavily mortgaged, and thus was foreclosed in 1670. Balthazar de Hart, a wealthy merchant, purchased the property. DeHart became involved with the widow, Margaret (Stuyvesant) Backer, and is given as engaged to be married when he, too, died unmarried in 1672, and leaving Margaret with their young child, Daniel DeHart (born 1671), who was recognized in his will as "Naturall son, Daniel DeHaert."^[12]

"Whereas the petition of Margaret Backer, referred to the Court of Mayor and Aldermen, setting forth that her husband Jacob Backer, about eight years since, departed from her leaving her with three small children, in a very poor condition, without making any provision for payment of his debts or for the maintenance of his family, and that now Mr. Geritt Van Tright, one of ye creditors hath sued her for his debt, which will undoubtedly provoke the rest of ye creditors to doe ye lyke." And that "she very much doubts of his life, not having in several years had any letter or advice from him, but various reports of his death, since his departure from Holland to the East Indies." Upon her petition Letters of Administration were granted July 27, 1677. ^[13][14]

Jacobus and Margaret were the parents of five children, all baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam. ^[15]

1. Nicholas Backer/Baker, March 25, 1657;
2. Balthazar Backer/Baker, September 18, 1658;
3. Hillegond Backer/Baker,September 7, 1659;
4. Hendricus (Hendrick) Backer/Baker, September 26, 1660;
5. Abraham Backer/Baker, November 23, 1664

Historical Context

Note 1. "Dutch West India Company involved a trade monopoly in the West Indies (Carribean area) which included trade posts and colonies. This included the New Netherland area (New Amsterdam, New York area, Connecticut area, Delaware area, and New Jersey area) and other areas (Antilles, Caribbean island, Suriname, Guyana, Brasil, Angola, and Curacao). Ships from the Netherlands would transport goods and people from one area to the other stopping at times at the various ports before going to another. Many of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam came on these ships as Dutch traders and this led to its colonization." (Note: Posted 9/29/2019 by ash from my website.^[16])

Note 2. The feudal system was prevalent in Holland in this time period, and many of the practices of this country flowed into the new settlement and engulfed its people. Some of New Amsterdam's elite received the distinguished title of "great burgher" and others as "small burgher," both carried special privileges and respectability. The top tier of government consisted of major merchants and high Company officials such as: "Cornelis Steenwijck, Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, Jacob Backer, and Johannes de Peijster.”^[17]

Note: 3 During Peter Stuyvesant’s interview with Scott in regard to western Long Island prior to the seizure by the British, Stuyvesant was “attended by van Cortland, John Lawrence, Jacob Backer, and a military escort.” ^[18]

Church Records

Marriage

• 1655 30 Oct Jacobus Backer, Van Amsterdam, en Margariet Stuyvesant, Van Delfs ziel. ^[19]

Children's baptisms^[20]

1. 1657 25 Mar ???, Jacobus Backer, Margarita Stuyvesant. Wit.: de Hr. Pieter Stuyvesant, Generl., Nicolaes Verleth, Anna Stuyvesant.
2. 1658 18 Sep, Balthasar, Jacobus de Backer, Margrietie Stuyvesant. Wit.: De. Hr. Pieter Stuyvesant, en Syn huisvr. Nicolaes Verleth.
3. 1659 07 Sep, Hillegond, Jacobus Backer, Margrietje Stuyvesant. Wit.: Pieter Adolphszen, Hillegond Megapolensis.
4. 1660 26 Sep, Henricus, Jacobus Backer, Margrietie Stuyvest. Wit.: Govert Loockermans, Margareta Riemers.
5. 1664 23 Nov, Abraham, Jacobus Backer, Margrietie Stuyvesant. Wit.: Govert Loockermans, Jaequis Casyou.

Sources

1. ↑ Purple, Samuel S., "Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York: Marriages from 11 Dec 1639 to 26 Aug 1801"
2. ↑ Hancock, Audrey (Shields). "History of Jacobus Backer (aka Jacob Baker) and his wife, Margrietie Stuyvesant (aka Margaret), 2010. Freepages
3. ↑ Hancock, Audrey (Shields). "History of Jacobus Backer (aka Jacob Baker) and his wife, Margrietie Stuyvesant (aka Margaret), 2010. Freepages
4. ↑ Internet, 6 Feb 1999, Dutch-Colonies Discussion List: SMabie: "New Netherland Register"
5. ↑ Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD. "The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1968
6. ↑ Internet, "New Netherland Papers from the Bontemantel Collection, PDF, p. 62:" [www.newnetherlandinstitute.org › files › Bontemantel]
7. ↑ Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD. "The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1968
8. ↑ Brohead, John Romeyn; Fernow, Berthold; OCallaghan, Edmond Bailey. "Documents relating to the History of the Early Colonial Settlements principally on Long Island". Albany, NY. Weed, Parsons & Co., 1883. /Google Books
9. ↑ Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD. "The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1968
10. ↑ The Register of New Netherland. [1]
11. ↑ Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD. "The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1968
12. ↑ Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD. "The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1968
13. ↑ "New York City Wills, 1665-1707"
14. ↑ Hancock, Audrey (Shields). "History of Jacobus Backer (aka Jacob Baker) and his wife, Margrietie Stuyvesant (aka Margaret), 2010. Freepages
15. ↑ Schulze, Lorine McGinnis: Internet: Re: "BACKER-BAKER of New Amsterdam:" [2]
16. ↑ Hancock, Audrey (Shields). "History of Jacobus Backer (aka Jacob Baker) and his wife, Margrietie Stuyvesant (aka Margaret), 2010. Freepages
17. ↑ Jacobs, Jaap, "The Colony of New Netherland; A Dutch Settlement in Seventeenth-Century America": Cornell, 2009.
18. ↑ Jacobs, Jaap, "The Colony of New Netherland; A Dutch Settlement in Seventeenth-Century America": Cornell, 2009.
19. ↑ Samuel S. Purple. "Marriages from 1639 to 1801 in the Reformed Dutch Church, New York" In Collections of the New-York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Vol. I. New York: Printed for the Society, 1890.
20. ↑ Thomas Grier Evans. "Baptisms from 1639 to 1730 in the Reformed Dutch Church, New York." In Collections of the New-York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Vol. II. New York: Printed for the Society. 1901.

• Baker, John Milnes. "The Baker family: and the Edgar family of Rahway, N.J. and New York City." Middletown, New York. Trumbull Publishing, 1972.
• Fernow, Berthold. The Minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam, 1655 to 1663. New York: F.P. Harper, 1902.
• Fernow, Berthold. "Documents relating to the History of the Early Colonial Settlements principally on Long Island". Albany, NY. Weed, Parsons & Co., 1883.
• Hatfield, Edwin Francis, DD, "History of Elizabeth, New Jersey: Including the Early History of Union County": The Origin of the Baker Family of Rahway, New Jersey. New York: Carlton & Lanahan,1868, pp. 249-251.
• Jacobus Backer: "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch.com: /FamilySearch: accessed 2014-02-07)

Research Notes

Needs Paraphrasing

I believe this is complete. Would someone please review? ash Jacobus was born in 1630. Jacobus Baker ... THE FIRST GENERATION PART I – B

JACOBUS BACKER OF AMSTERDAM AND THE ORIGIN OF THE BAKER FAMILY OF RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY

"JACOBUS BACKER was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1630-31. He came to New Amsterdam as a merchant trader sometime before March 13, 1653 when he contributed 150 guilders toward “putting the city in a state of defense.”

On October 30th, 1655, he married Margaret Stuyvesant van Delfziel who was born in Holland in 1635 and was half-sister to Governor Peter Stuyvesant (her mother was Styntje Peters van Haarlem, second wife of the Reverend Balthazar Stuyvesant). They had five children, all of whom were baptized in the Dutch Church: 1. Nicholas, March 25, 1657; 2. Balthazar, September 18, 1658; 3. Hillegond, September 7, 1659; 4. Hendricus (Hendrick), September 26, 1660; and Abraham, November 23, 1664. Though a free merchant, Jacob Backer often served as a lawyer in the court. His trading operations were extensive and his wife actively aided him in his business enterprises. He lived on the east side of The Gracht” next door to the corner of Prince Straat (later Number 65-67 Broad Street) and his warehouse adjoined his residence. He had bought the lot unimproved June 1656. Though one of the original patentees of New Utrecht on January 16, 1657 he never settled there and continued to reside in New Amsterdam. On April 23, 1657, he was also patented with Govert Lockermans and C. van Ruynen, “Hog’s Neck or Island.” Jacob Backer was president of the Board of Schepens in 1664 and had been on the Board for several years. (This was the municipal court of justice.) He was provincial agent to Holland in 1663 and was one of the two delegates from New Amsterdam to the General Assembly (Cornelius Steenwick was the other) which met at the New Amsterdam Town Hall in April 1664 five months before the British seizure of the Colony. During Stuyvesant’s interview with Scott in regard to western Long Island prior to the seizure, he was “attended by van Cortland, John Lawrence, Jacob Backer, and a military escort.” In his book The Colony of New Netherland; A Dutch Settlement in Seventeenth-Century America (Cornell 2009), Jaap Jacobs, discusses the “social stratification of New Netherland” and noted that the “top tier consisted of major merchants… and high Company officials. … These were men such as Cornelis Steenwijck, Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, Jacob Backer, and Johannes de Peijster.”*“On Saturday, September 6, six Dutch and English delegates met outside the city at Stuyvesant’s own bouwerie house and drew up in English the ‘Article of Capitulation of the Surrender of New Netherland’.” The next day the articles were read to the burghers in the church after the second service; the official copy, signed by Colonel Nichols, was 5. delivered to Governor Stuyvesant and ratified by him; by Desille, the Schout fiscal of N.N.; Martin Cregier, the chief militia officer of the province; Peter Tonneman, the city Schout; Burgomaster van der Grist; Jacobus Backer, president of the Board of Schepens and by the schepens Timothy Gabry, Isaac Greveraet, and Nicholas de Meyer.” After the surrender, Jacobus Backer signed the letter to the Directors in Amsterdam explaining the capitulation. Though he had sworn allegiance to the Crown, he made arrangements to return to Holland and gave his wife power of attorney to conduct his affairs in his absence. He left for Holland in August of 1666 and from there reportedly sailed to the East Indies where he apparently died. Margaret stated that she “very much doubts of his life not having in several years had any letter or advice from him but various reports of his death since his departure from Holland to the East Indies.”

Margaret Backer remained in New Amsterdam and in 1670 was sued in court by Jacques Cousseau for payment due on 8,000 pounds of tobacco with the request to the court that “the house of her husband, Sieur Jacob, be sold to furnish payment.” As she had no effects to pay the debt, the property “on the east side of Broad Street south of Beaver” was sold to Baltus de Haerdt, a wealthy merchant, on February 24, 1671. Mde Backer stayed in the house for two years and bore a son to de Haerdt. The child was baptized Daniel in the Dutch Church on September 1, 1671. De Haerdt died in 1672. 1n 1676, Margaret Stuyvesant Backer moved with her children to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where she was granted a substantial amount of land. “Mrs. Margaret Baker of Elizabethtown” was granted two-hundred and twenty-four acres. She settled in Elizabethtown and she and her children attended the Presbyterian Church. On March 13, 1678, she married Hendrick Drogstrot of Elizabethtown. The following deed was recorded on June 8, 1682:

Hendrick Drogstrot of Elizabethtown, and his wife Margrett to

Hendrick Baker of the same place, Margrett’s son by first husband, for a house lot of three acres bounded N.E. by a road, S. & S.E. by grantors, W. by Elizabeth Creek.

On June 9th:

Same grantors to Hendrick, Nicholas, and Abraham Baker for all the real estate patented to Margaret, then widow Baker, April 24, 1677. Then on June 10th there was another entry of an agreement between “Hendrick and Margaret Drogstrot on one side and her four sons Hendrick, Nicholas, and Abraham Baker and Daniel de Haerdt on the other.”

The three Baker brothers all started branches of the Baker Family:

Henry Baker had a son Henry (Jr) who moved to Rahway and was the founder of the Baker Family recorded in this book. A younger son, Nicholas, baptized on Stated Island in 1707, apparently moved to Tappan, New York, where another branch of the family was reputed to have been established. (See page 13)

Nicholas Ba(c)ker, the eldest brother, moved to Staten Island where he left numerous descendants though the male line is traced to Jacob Backer, born in 1756, his only descendant in the fifth generation. (Nicholas apparently was the only child who kept the c in the name.)

Abraham Baker, the youngest brother, stayed in Elizabethtown. He had two grandsons, Ephriam and Ezekiel. This line is traced only through Ezekiel’s children."