Gerrebrant Van Houten (1711 - 1789)

Born 7 Nov 1711 in Hoboken, Bergen County, New Jersey Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Jannitie (Sip) Van Houten — married 23 Jun 1741 in Acquackanonk Township, Essex, New Jersey

Descendants

Died 23 Apr 1789 at age 77 in Bergen County, New Jersey

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Gerrebrant Van Houten was a New Netherland Descendant 1674-1776. Join: New Netherland Settlers Project Discuss: new_netherland

Biography

I. Gerrebrant, b. about 1712, and named after his maternal grandfather; m. Jannetje Sip, June 23, 1741 ; the record says he was b. at Hoboken, and lived at Totowa, and that she was b. and l. at Acquackanonk. He was a farmer. His residence was the stone house still standing, in the West Side Park, which was probably erected by him soon after his marriage. It was the home for many years of one of the most active and enterprising men of his day, for such Gerrebrant Van Houten certainly was. In his time, the Totowa road ran between the house and the river; the highway was changed about 1870, when Totowa avenue was straightened at that point. The road crossed the brook by a bridge as early as 1787. Gerrebrant seems to have had great faith in the future of this region, for he and his brother Helmigh bought extensive tracts between Totowa and the High Mountain ; also in the Singack, and even so far away as at Macopin, and in the Wanaque valley. A perusal of his will gives some idea of the extent of his possessions, and reveals great care and judgment in the disposition of his property. It forms an important link in the chain of title to so much territory that it is given herewith in full:

• In the name of God amen I Garrabrandt Van Houten of Totaway in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, Yeoman, being of perfect health and of sound mind memory and understanding thanks to God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this life, do make and. ordain this my last Will and testament, and hereby revoking all former will or Wills by me made) in the manner and form following — In the first place I recommend my soul to the Almighty God who gave it me and my Body after my decease to a Christian Burial at the discretion of my executors herein after named , trusting to the merits of the blessed Saviour for a glorious resurrection to eternal life, and as for such earthly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me my Will is and I give bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner
• Imprimis my Will is that all my just debts and funeral Expences be immediately paid out of my personal estate by my executors
• Item I give and bequeath unto my loveing son Derrick Van Houten six acres of undivided land lying and being near the little Falls and adjoining the land of Helmigh Van Houten being the one half of twelve acres left by my Father to my Brother Helmigh and me, this I give him in bar of Heirship to him his heirs and assigns forever^[1]
• Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Derrick Van Houten and to his heirs and assigns forever the Farm or Homestead whereon we at at present reside situate at Totaway containing about One hundred and fifty acres more or less together with the Houses, Barn Stables, Out Houses and every other Building and improvement or appurtenances thereunto belonging, I likewise give devise and bequeath unto my said son Derrick and to his heirs and assigns forever the three lots of land which I have in the Singeac containing in the whole about One hundred and eighty acres more or less together with all the rights & previledges thereunto belonging likewise another Lot of Land adjoining Van Geisens line under the Mountain containing about twelve acres more or less as will appear by the release for the same from my Bro^r Helmigh, likewise another Lot of land adjoining the old or Homestead lot containing about twenty five acres more or less,^[2] likewise another small lot in the Clove of the Mountain back of the Homestead Lot containing about ten Acres,^[3] likewise fifteen acres out of Lot No. 2 of land belonging to me near and adjoining Totaway Bridge beginning from the River on the line of a small Lot of land belonging to Martin Ryerson on which the House of Isaac Van Derbeck now lives in stands running five chains in breadth down y^e River and thirty chains in length^[4] likewise a small lot of clear land lying back of the Caal bergh,^[5] adjoining a lot of Helmigh Van Houten distinguished in the Map by Lot No. 2, and containing about nineteen acres, more or less, all which said Lots and tracts of land I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Derrick Van Houten his heirs and assigns forever
• Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Grandson Adrian Adrian Van Houten son of son Adrian Van Houten deceased, part of the Lot of land whereon my said son Adrian lived at the time of his decease situate lying and being near Totaway Bridge, beginning at the west line of the small lot of land belonging to Martin Ryerson and whereon Isaac Van Derbeck now lives and running nearly west up said River till it passes the West corner of the present Barn one chain , and then running about a north west course or parralele to the said west line of Martin Ryerson and my lot No. 2 till it comes to the land or lot of Land of Forty acres divided between my Bro^r Helmigh Van Houten and me, and then running along said line about a N E Course till it joins the line of Lot No. 2 together with the House Out Houses, Barn, Barrracks, Stables, Orchards and every other rights previledges and improvements thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to him his heirs and assigns forever,^[6] likewise I give and bequeath unto my said Grand- son Adrian V Houten and to him and to his heirs and assigns forever a lot of land lying and being on the east side of the land or small lot of Martin Ryerson, and the fifteen acres bequeathed unto my son Derrick, distinguished by lot No. 2 and containing about fifty acres^[7] likewise I give and bequeath unto the said Adrian V Houten his heirs and assigns forever another full lot No. 6: lying between the land of Martin Ryerson and Helmigh Van Houten containing about seventy four acres more or less,^[8] Nevertheless my Will is and I desire and ordain that my son Derrick Van Houten shall possess occupy and improve the said Lot of Land No. 6 till my said Grandson Adrian Van Houten be arrived to the age of eighteen years he paying yearly and every Year for rent of the same the sum of Two pounds ten shillings proclamation money I likewise Give and bequeath unto my said Grandson to him his heirs and assigns forever another lot of Woodland laying in the Valley in the Mountain adjoining lands of Helmigh Van Houten and a Lot Giving^[9] to my said son Derek Van Houten containing about Fifty five acres more or less^[10] likewise another small lot of about Ten acres laying by North of the Caalbergh over a slough, likewise another small lot of twelve acres back of the Caalbergh^[11] adjoining the lot of Helmigh Van Houten and distinguished in the Map by lot No. 3 all which lots I give and bequeath to him his heirs and assigns forever.
• Item I give and bequeath unto my daughters Garretje wife of Michael Vreeland and Metye Wife of Cornelius Van Houten all that remaining part of the Lot No. 1 whereon the Red House stands lying and being near the Totaway Bridge^[12] distinguished in the Map by Lot No. 1 excepting that part thereof before bequeathed to my Grandson Adrian Van Houten on which his House and Barn stands, and excepting the Church lot and a reservation or previledge to all my Children and their heirs to break and fetch away stones out of a Quarry situate lying and being near the west line of said Lot, likewise another Lot in No. 1 of twenty acres being half of Forty acres divided between my Brother Helmigh and me adjoining said lot of Helmigh Van Houten and a Lot of Martin Ryerson, likewise another Lot containing ten acres lying and being back of the Call-bergh joining Helmigh Van Houtens lot to be equally divided between them to them their heirs and assigns forever, Whereas I am intitled to a part of lands laying back of Pompton in Bergen County distinguished by and in the deeds by the name of Burnt Meadow and also a part of lands southwest of the same called or laying by the long Hill remaining undivided which I hereby give and bequeath unto my Children Derrick, Garretje and Matje and my Grandson Adrian Van Houten unto them their heirs and assigns forever share and share alike. Item my Will and desire is that my son Derrick Van Houten shall pay unto my daughters Garretje and Metje they or their heirs the sum of One hundred and twenty pounds current money of this State within four years after my decease. Item my Will and desire is that my s^d Grandson Adrian shall pay to his sister Jannetje four years after he arrives to the years of manhood or the age of twenty one years the sum of Forty pounds current and lawful money of this State to her or her heirs
• Item my Will and desire is that my daughter in law Elizabeth Van Houten Widow of my son Adrian Van Houten shall possess occupy enjoy and receive all the proffits and income of that part of my estate left to her son Adrian Van Houten, after my decease, until her said son comes of age or she marries again for the better educating and bringing up her two Children she in the meantime making no waste or distruction on the same,
• Lastly my Will and desire is, that after my decease all my moveable estate shall be equally divided into four equal parts, one of which I give and bequeath to my son Derrick, one part to my darighter Garretje, one part to my daughter Matje and the other fourth part I give and bequeath to my two Grand Children Adrian and Jannetje share and share alike and my desire is that my executors shall take their share and improve the same to their best advantage till my said Grand Children shall respectively be arrived at the years of discretion I give and bequeath the same to them their heirs and assigns forever
• It is my further desire that my old Negro Tom and Wench Leah shall have the priviledge by whom of my Children they will live And for the better performance of this my last Will and testament I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my loveing son Derrick Van Houten and my sons in law Michael H. Vreelandt and Cornelius Ruliff Van Houten executors of this my last Will and testament, which is wrote in the same hand on six folio pages or one and half sheets of paper, and to which In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day of October One thousand seven hundred and eighty three.

Garrabrandt Van Houten (L. S.) Signed sealed and declared by the said Garrabrandt Van Houten to be his last Will and testament in the presence of us who saw him and each other sign the same, the word Grand-son Adrian V Houten being interlined or wrote on an erazure. Garret Abeel. John Van Giesen. John Van Wincle Codicil to this my last Will and testament. Whereas I did make my last Will and testament bearing date the fifth day of October in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty three hereunto affixed by which I devised several lots of land to my Children and Grand Children and having made no mention if in case any mines or minerals should be found on the said lots of Land, it is further my Will that if in case any mines or minerals of any Metals whatsoever shall be found on or in any of my lands devised to my Children and Grand Children, that all my Children and Grand Children shall have an equal right to the said mines namely one fourth part to my son Derrick Van Houten, one fourth part to my daughter Matje, Wife of Cornelius Van Houten, one fourth part to my daughter Gerritje wife of Michael Vrelandt, and one fourth part to my two Grand Children namely Adrian Van Houten and Jannetje Van Houten son and daughter of my son Adrian Van Houten deceased to each of them their heirs and assigns forever, and it is my Will that this shall be taken and deemed as part of my last Will and testament holding good my Will beforementioned in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this twenty eight day of September One thousand seven hundred and eighty eight 1788. Garrabrandt Van Houten (L. S.) The words between the sixth and seventh line were interlined before the sealing of these presents. Sealed and pronounced in the presents of us John Van Giesen, Adrian Van Houten John Bensen^[13]

Marriage

1741.6.23 Gerbrant V. Houte, j.m., b Hoboken, liv Totua; Jannetje Sip, j.d. b Agquechnonk, liv there ^[14]

Sources

1. ↑ Dirck conveyed this six acres, Oct. 6, 1789, to Elias Vreeland, and he to Elias Smith, April 27, 1790. — Bergen Co. Deeds., F, 442.
2. ↑ In the West Side Park, northeast of the brook.
3. ↑ In or near the gap now traversed by Preakness avenue.
4. ↑ See p. 232.
5. ↑ Kaal bergh — Bare Mountain, near Oldham.
6. ↑ See p. 230.
7. ↑ See p. 232.
8. ↑ See p. 233.
9. ↑ Given.
10. ↑ Northeast of Oldham.
11. ↑ On the new High Mountain road, about a mile from Oldham. An Italian settlement has been started on this tract.
12. ↑ See pp. 230, 232.
13. ↑ [Nelson, William; History of the City of Paterson and County of Passaic, Paterson, N.J., 1901, pp. 240-241]
14. ↑ Kelly, Arthur C.M.; Vital Records of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church at Acquackanonk (Passaic, New Jersey), 1727-1816; Kinship; Rhinebeck, New York, 1992, page 214, marriage #203

• RoomeFamily- by Dana Philipps.FTW, Date of Import: Nov 12, 2000.

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