Melchior (Claeszen) Claessen (abt. 1645 - aft. 1701)

Born about 1645 in Amsterdam, Holland, Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden

Descendants

Died after 21 Sep 1701 after about age 56 in Marbletown, Ulster County, Province of New York

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Biography

Melchert or Melchior Claeszen was born (according to his marriage record) in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, probably in about 1645. He emigrated to New Netherland

He was a professional soldier in the employ of De Westindische Compagnie, better known as the Dutch West Westindische Company. The first record of him in New Netherland is from 1671, when he (recorded as Melchior Claes) was the defendant in a court martial. ^[1][2]

Given name spelling variations have included Melchior, Melchert, Melkert, Melgert.

Melchior Claeszen and Susanna Richards married in the New York Dutch Church on 25 April 1674 after entering banns of marriage on 8 April 1674. The marriage record states: "Melchior Claeszen, j.m. van Amsterdam, en Susanna Richards, wede Van op fort, beijde wonende alhier". Translation: Melchior Claeszen, young man (i.e., unmarried) from Amsterdam and Susanna Richards, widow from the fort, both dwelling at this place.^[3]

The marriage record suggests that his wife Susanna Richards may have been the widow of a soldier at the fort in New York. Alfred Decker Keator suggested that Richards may have been her patronymic or the last name of her first husband. He said "A search of the contemporary church records would seem to indicate that she was Susanna VerPlanck, widow of Pierre Richards, who emigrated about 1660 from Paris, France to New York."^[1] This identification appears to be unconfirmed speculation, and it may derive an erroneous assumption that Dutch women in New Netherland used their husbands' names. The indication that the second son of Melchert and Susanna was named Rut or Richard suggests that Rut or Richard was Susanna's father's name and, thus, that Richards was her patronymic.

About 1675 he moved to Marbletown, Ulster County, New York.

Melchior Claessen Keator died sometime after 21 Sep 1701 in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York Province when he attended a baptism. ^[4]

Children

1. Nicholas Melchertse Keator, b: 1675
2. Rut "Richard" Keator, b: c1676. Rut Melgertse and his brother Claes Melgertse are named on the June 1692 list of men detached from Ulster County to serve in Major Philip Schuyler's Company, but Rut's entry is "Pr. Quackenbos for Rut Melgertse." ^[5] to defend the Albany frontier against the French.
3. Mary Keator, b: c1677
4. Melchert Keator
5. Elizabeth Keator, bapt: 08 Dec 1678 ^[6]
6. Anna Keator, bapt: 18 Jun 1682 ^[7]

Research Notes

His LNAB is a patronymic name. The name "Claeszen" that appears on his marriage record is more recognizable as a last name than "Claes," which appears in the report of his court martial. Smith-62120 02:50, 22 August 2023 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Keator, Three centuries of the Keator family in America, https://archive.org/details/threecenturiesof00keat_0/page/n29?q=cornelia+keator pages 9-10].
2. ↑ Annual report of the state historian of the state of New York - vol. 1 (1896). pages 318-319 (at FamilySearch).
3. ↑ Purple, page 38.
4. ↑ Old Dutch Church, Kingston, New York; baptism record on 21 Sep 1701 for Lelie KINNI (daughter of Mary & Thomas Kinni) sponsors: Susanna & Melchert Claessen
5. ↑ Annual report of the state historian of the state of New York - vol. 1 (1896). pages 415-416 (at FamilySearch).
6. ↑ Old Dutch Church, Kingston, New York; baptism record on 08 Dec 1678 for Elisabeth (parents: Melchert Claessen & Susanna Keter; sponsors: Thomas Quinel & Elisabeth Pekock
7. ↑ Old Dutch Church, Kingston, New York; baptism record on 18 Jun 1682 for Anna (parents: Melchert Claasz & Susanna Keto) sponsors: Teunis Jacobz & Maritie Jans; recorded: central Reformed Dutch Church, Kingston, Ulster County, New York

• Hoes, Roswell Randall. Baptismal and Marriage Registers of the Old Dutch Church of Kingston, Ulster County, New York (De Vinne Press, New York, 1891)
• Keator, Alfred Decker Three Centuries of the Keator Family in America (New York: The American Historical Company, Inc., 1955) page 11.
• Purple, Samuel S., editor. "Marriages from 1639 to 1801 in the Reformed Dutch Church, New York." Collections of the New-York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Vol. 1. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 1890.
• Geni family tree for Melchior Claesen Keator

Acknowledgements

• Keator-6 was created on 21 Aug 2016 by Tom Quick, Quick-803