Cornelius Pietersen Louw (1669 - 1748)

Born 17 Mar 1669 in Esopus, Ulster, New York

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Van Borsum) Louw — married 5 Jul 1695 in New York City, New York

Descendants

Died 10 Sep 1748 at age 79 in Newark, Essex, New Jersey

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Biography

Cornelius Pietersen was born on 17 March 1669 or 1670. Source for this information is unclear. WikiTree compilers have not found any record of the baptism of Cornelius.

Following content is based on Epperson, Gwenn F., "Another Low Family of New York and New Jersey," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, vol. 119, pp. 195-199 (October 1988)

Birth

CORNELIUS Louw, son of the immigrant Pieter Cornelisse Louw and his wife Elisabeth Blanchan, was probably born c.1670 at Kingston, Ulster County, New York.

Marriage

He was already living in New York City when he married 5 July 1695 (with license of the same date) Margariet Van Borsum ^[1] (MDC 80). She was baptized 20 September 1679 ^[2], daughter of Thijman Van Borsum and Grietie Fockens [later Heermans], with sponsors Ebbert Foppenszen and Jannetje Van Borsum (BDC 138).

Within New York probate documents exists some marriage licenses - one for Cornelius Low dated 1 July 1695 - Margaret Van Bursum.^[3]

Children

Children of Cornelius and Margariet (Van Borsum) Low:

i. Tymen|Tijman [Timothy] Louw was bap. 29 Feb. 1696 at New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[4]; sponsors were: Thymen|Tijman van Borsum, s.h.v.and wife Grietje Fockens (BDC 234); m. Hendrikje Kool (BDC 424); d. bef. 3 Feb. 1745. . . .

ii. Petrus Louw|Lowe was bp. on Oct 17, 1697 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[5]; m. 1721 Rachel Roosevelt.

iii. Cornelis Louw|Low was bap. 31 Mar. 1700 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[6] ; sponsors were: Jan Heermans, s.h.v. and wife Elisabeth Blansjan (BDC 266); m. 10 May 1729 Johanna Gouverneur (MDC 149); d. between 5-14 Apr. 1777.

iv. Johannes Louw was, bap. on Sept. 9, 1702 at New York, Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[7]; sponsors Egbert Ermans [prob. Heermans], Mar??grietje van Bosse [prob. Borsum] (BDC 285); m. 30 Jan. 1724 Sara Provoost (MDC 141); will probated 27 Sept. 1774 (WNYHS 9:256).

v. Margrietie Louw|Low was bap. on Sept. 16, 1704 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[8]; sponsors were: Willem Provoost, (Davidts Soon ?), s.h.v. and wife Aefje van der Veen (BDC 300); m. 22 Sept. 1728 Roger French (MDC 148).

vi. Elizabeth Louw|Low was bap. 21 July 1706 at New York, New York, Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[9]; sponsors were: Abraham Low, Dievertje van Heiningen wife of Barent Bosch, h.v. van Bart. Bos (BDC 311); d.y.

vii. Abraham Louw was bap. on 11 Aug. 1708 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[10]; sponsors Adolph de Groef, Grietje van Thuijl, wid. (BDC 317); m. Elizabeth Townley (GMNJ 3:128,155); will probated 11 Mar. 1776 (NJA 34:319).

viii. Hendrik Louw was bap. on 14 May 1710 at New York, New York, Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[11]: sponsors were: Baren Bos, Marretje Bongram (BDC 345); d. bef. 3 Feb. 1745.

ix. ElizabethLouw|Louwe was bap. on 1 Oct. 1712 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[12]; sponsors were: Jacobus Moene, Divertje Bos (BDC 363); m. Peter Vielle.

x. Wilhelmus Louw was bap. 27 on Nov. 27, 1714 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[13]; sponsors Gerret Schuijler, s.h.v. Aefje de Groof (BDC 378); d. bef. 3 Feb. 1745.

xi. Annnatje Louw was bap. on 10 Oct. 1716 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[14]; sponsors were: Hendrikus van der Spiegel, Geesje van der Schure (BDC 392); m. Thomas Williamson.

xii. Maria, bap. 9 July 1718 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[15]; sponsors were: Willem Walton, s.h.v. and wife Maria Santvoort (BDC 406); d. bef. 3 Feb. 1745.

xiii. Helena Louw (1), was bap. on 14 Sept. 1720 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[16], sponsors Thimotheus Low, s.h.v. and wife Henrica [Hendrikje Kool] (BDC 422); Helena died young, before the baptism of her younger sister Helena, on Aug 29, 1725.

xiv. Helena Louw (2) was bp. on Aug 29, 1725 at New York, New York. Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New York, New York^[17]. Sponsors were: Johannes Louw, Margrietje Louw jd . Possible death: bef. 3 Feb. 1745. ??.

The first civil record found for Cornelius Low was a division of property among his father's heirs on 16 November 1710, at which time he was referred to as "Cornelius Louw of the City of New York." Five of his father's children, including Cornelius, joined in granting to the other four the property in Kingston containing the mill on the south side of Esopus Creek. In a second deed made the same day, the five children were deeded in return, land "lying in the Corp[oration] of Kingston on the north side of Esopus Creek over the ??bridge." (G.S. 944, 741, Land Records of Ulster County BB:67, 68)

Then on 21 September 1711 the latter land was divided further into five lots of eight acres each, of which "Cornelius Louw Merchant of City of New York" received lot number four (Ibid. 138).

Apparently Cornelius was the first member of the Louw family to establish himself as a merchant. During colonial times Great Britain relied heavily on her colonies for raw materials, and America was equally dependent on the mother country to supply manufactured goods, which she had not yet developed the facilities to produce. With this interdependence the number of merchant-shippers increased rapidly and was responsible for the fortunes of many early Dutch families of New York.

The Louw family was no exception. Although all of Cornelius Louw's thirteen children were baptized in New York City, nevertheless, his son Cornelius, Jr. removed to Raritan Landing, Middlesex County, New Jersey where he became a rich merchant; son Johannes became a merchant at Newark in the same colony as early as 1728; and son Peter remained in New York City, carrying on the family business there. That cargo was shipped to New York and trans-shipped to New Jersey and other ports along the Atlantic seaboard by the Louw brothers is a reasonable conclusion.

Since the Low family produced merchants over three generations, perhaps this would be a good place to include a short account of various merchant types which existed during colonial times, in order to better understand the role the family played in shaping the American economy. According to James H. Levitt in his excellent book For Want of Trade? Shipping and the New Jersey Ports, 1680-1783 (Newark: New Jersey Historical Society, 1981), page 107:

The term "merchant" was loosely defined in colonial America and was often applied to anyone who handled imported or exported merchandise. Because the term is vague and the relationships of individual merchants to the shipping industry were complex and changeable, it is difficult to define "merchant" specifically. Nevertheless, there are several general categories of merchants who were part of . . . [the] maritime industry.

Many merchants had only limited association with maritime activities, while others paid to have an occasional cargo shipped, although they did not own their own vessels.

Another merchant type owned a small country store and at least one ship. Primarily he was more interested in his farm and land holdings than in commerce. The profits from his maritime ventures were used to finance these real estate investments. Perhaps a better term for this individual would be a "cargo carrier" instead of "merchant-shipper"; although, at times he invested in a cargo himself, which he in turn sold to a third party.

On the other hand, the owner-merchant was deeply involved in trade and tied up great sums of money in his vessels and their cargo. Often he commanded his own ship and acted as his own "supercargo" (i.e. an officer in a merchant ship in charge of the commercial concerns of the voyage). Most owner-merchants started small; in fact, several small merchants often became joint owners of a ship. However, these small merchant-owners were often in a state of change, hoping to eventually become large merchant-shippers.

Levitt goes on to say in his book (p. 113):

Merchant-shippers . . . combined wholesale and retail merchandising with the ownership of several small vessels, a few large ones, or a combination. Though a merchant-shipper might occasionally ship his goods with others or rent a vessel, he preferred . . . to own vessels. . . . The merchant-shipper usually carried his own cargo, often supplemented by freighting for others. His merchandising operations were likely to be dispersed over several locations or colonies, administered by family members or trusted firms.

Though his principal interest and involvement was in shipping, he also engaged in a number of other activities, not all of them related to maritime commerce. The merchant-shipper served as a commission agent and broker for others; he was a banker of sorts, ex??changing foreign currency as well as bills of exchange, and acting as a money-lender. Sometimes he also acted as an agent for others, usually on commission. He engaged in a number of diversified activities as well, for only through diversification was it possible to achieve real wealth. Land speculation was often one of his chief interests. . . . The merchant-shipper also played an important role in the local economy and in the political, social, and religious life of the province in which he resided.

On 15 December 1719, following the death of Cornelius Low's father-in-law Thijman van Borsum, his mother-in-law "Margarett Van Borsum of the County of Ulster widdow and Relict of Timen Van Borsum late of the City of New York Deceased" deeded to "Cornelius Louw of the City of New York, merchant, and Margarett his wife" two tenements and lots of ground and one other lot of ground situated in the City of New York; one on "Smiths" Street and the other in "Queens" Street (G.S. 888, 339, New York County Deeds 30:67).

However, evidently the deed was in question, because another deed was later made on 22 April 1720 and recorded 11 September 1722 between Cornelius Low and Margaret his wife and Jacobus Rosevelt of the City of New York, merchant, in which the Lows sold the land they received from Margaret van Borsum four months earlier for twenty shillings. Then on 23 April 1720 Jacobus Rosevelt sold it back to the Lows for thirty shillings?the extra ten shillings evidently to cover the cost of the transaction. This deed was recorded 17 Sep??tember 1722 (Ibid. 281-283).

This rather strange operation seems to have been performed to cover any possibility the deed would not follow the terms of the will: that the daughter, wife of Cornelius Low, would not inherit until after the death of her mother. Therefore, the land had to go through a third, disinterested party to comply with the will of Thijman van Borsum.

Although Cornelius Low continued to live in New York City, he also kept real estate interests in Kingston, as on 6 November 1720 he bought a lot with house, barn, etc. in Kings Street "otherwise called Broad Street which runs from the Mill Pon[d] on horrely [Hurley] Road," for which he paid Evert Wynkoop ??100 (G.S. 944, 741, Land Records of Ulster County CC:125). Undoubtedly this became rental property.

On 6 November 1727 Cornelius Low sold to William Eltinge of Kingston, yeoman, seven acres and thirty-six perches, being part of the "Lotts of Land which fell to the said Cornelius Low in the division of the Estate of his father Peter Cornilesse Low and begins at the Southwest corner of the land which Anthony Sleght bought of the said Cornelius Low for ??155" (Ibid. 362). However, the latter deed was not found.

Sometime between 1727 and 1745 Cornelius Low moved to Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, perhaps to spend his declining years with his son John who had already moved there. Anyway, on 3 February 1745, "Cornelius Louw, Gentleman" of Newark made his last will and testament. He devised to his wife Margaret, his eight children, and the six children of his eldest son Timothy, deceased. Cornelius Low's will was probated 15 October 1748 in New York City (G.S. 497, 595, New York County Wills 1746-49, 16:343-4; WNYHS 4:193-4 & 16:171).

In an old Dutch Bible purchased by Cornelius Low, Jr. from the estate of his father-in-law Isaac Gouverneur in 1729 are found these entries:

On the 29 August/10 September 1748 [respectively the "Old Style" and "New Style" calendar dates for the same day], on Monday at 6 o'clock died my very beloved and affectionate father, Cornelius Low, and was buried in Newark. His age was 78?? years less seven days.

On the 18th of March 1761, died my very dear and affectionate mother, Margareta Low, and was buried (alongside of my father) at Newark?aged 82?? years.

(George W. Schuyler, Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family, 2 vols. [New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1885] 2:432.)

On 8 May 1749 the following notice was printed in The New-York Gazette Revived in the Weekly Post-Boy:

To be Sold at Publick Vendue, on Wednesday the 31st of this Inst. May at 10 of the Clock in the Morning, at the respective Premises, (the Vendue to continue till all is sold):

The Corner House on Burnet's-Key, wherein the Widow Susannah Lawrence now lives, being 33 Feet 4 Inches fronting Wall-Street Slip, and 29 Feet on Burnet's-Key, where it is intitled to Wharfage. . . . If any Person incline to purchase all or any of the said Houses and Lots before the Day of Sale, they may apply to Peter Low in New York, to Cornelius Low at Rariton Landing, or John Low at Newark, in East New Jersey, who will agree on reasonable Terms. The Title is indisputable. (NJA 12:536-537)

How Cornelius Low obtained this property is unclear; however, the petition for this dock was granted in 1722, the wharf being named after William Burnet who was then Governor of New York and New Jersey (James Grant Wilson, ed., The Memorial History of the City of New York, 3 vols., New York: 1892, 2:166-167).

That Cornelius Low died in Newark is confirmed by the following notice, published in the same newspaper as before mentioned, on 24 July 1749:

All Persons that have any Demands on the Estate of Cornelius Low, late of Newark, in the County of Essex and Province of New-Jersey, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts on or before the 15th Day of September next ensuing, either to Peter Low of the City of New-York, Cornelius Low of Rariton Landing in New-Jersey, or to John Low of Newark, three of the Executors to the Estate of the said Cornelius Low, deceased; and receive Satisfaction: And any Persons indebted to the said Estate, are desired to pay the same forthwith to the Executors aforesaid, and prevent further Trouble (NJA 12:558).

Will of Cornelius Louw

Source: Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1895, New York, Abstracts of Wills--Liber 16. p. 193.

(3) New York City Wills, Vol. 4, Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 1998:

Page 342.?In the name of God, Amen, I, CORNELIUS LOUW, of Newark, New Jersey, Gent. I leave to my wife Margaret all household goods; all the rest of my estate, real and personal, is to be sold by my executors, to be sold as soon as possible. I leave to my wife ??50 yearly. All the rest to my children, Peter, Cornelius, John, Abraham, Elizabeth, wife of Peter Vielle, and Anne, wife of Thomas Williamson; and to the six children of my eldest son, Timothy, deceased, viz.: Janake, Anatie, Lena, Margaret, Catharine, and Cornelius. And whereas my son Cornelius has threatened to sue my son Peter for an account of some linnen belonging to said Cornelius, which was ordered by my son Peter to be sent from Philadelphia to New York, and being shipped on board a vessell belonging to John Clarke, the said vessell was cast away, and the linnen wholly lost. If he does prosecute any claim, and damages is rendered against Peter, it shall be paid out of the part of my estate that is left to Cornelius. I make my wife Margaret and my sons, Peter, Cornelius, and John, and my daughter, Anne, executors.

Dated February 3, 1745. Witnesses, Nathaniel Vreeland, John Brown, Jr., Timothy Brown. Proved, October 14, 1748.

Sources

1. ↑ NYRDC Marriage Record, Page 80: 1695 05 Jul; Cornelis Louw, jm, van Esopus; Margareta van Borsum, jd, van N. Yorck, beyde woonende alheir
2. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 138: 1679 Sep 20; Thymen Van Bosum, Grietie Fockens; Margariet; Ebbert Foppenszen, Jannetie Van Borsum
3. ↑ Wills and Administrations (New York County, New York), 1680-1804; Surrogate's Court (New York County): New York, New York https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8800/images/005512800_00065
4. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 234: 1696 Feb 23; Cornelis Louw, Margariet Van Borsum; Tymen; Thymen Van Borsum & wife Grietje Fockens
5. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 247: 1697 Oct 17; Cornelis Lowe, Margreta Van Borsum; Petrus; Pieter Adolph & wife Janneke [Van Borsum]
6. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 266: 1700 Mar 31; Cornelis Low, Margrita Van Bursum; Cornelis; Jan Heermans & wife Elisabeth Blansjan
7. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 285: 1702 Sep 09; Cornelis Louw, Margrietje Van Bossen; Johannes; Egbert Ermans, Margrietje Van Bossen
8. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 300: 1704 Jul 16; Cornelis Low, Margrietie Van Bossen; Margrietie; Willem Davidsz Provoost & wife Aefje Van der Veen
9. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 317: 1706 Jul 21; Cornelis Low, Margrieta Van Bossen; Elizabeth; Abraham Low, Dievertje Van Heyningen wife of Barent Bosch
10. ↑ NARDC Bapt. Record, Page 332: 1708 Aug 11; Cornelus Louw, Margretje Van Bossen; Abraham; Adolf de Groef, Grietje Van Thuyl wid
11. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 345: 1710 May 14; Cornelus Louw, Margrietje Van Bossen; Hendrik; Barent Bos, Marretje Bongram
12. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 363: 1712 Oct 01; Cornelus Louwe, Margrietje Van Borsum; Elizabeth; Jacobus Moene, Dievertje Bos
13. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 378: 1714 Nov 27; Cornelus Louw, Margrietje Van Borsum; Wilhelmus; Gerret Schuyler & wife Aefje de Groof
14. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 392: 1716 Oct 10; Cornelus Louw, Margrietje Van Borsum; Annatje; Hendrikus Van der Spiegel, Geesje Van der Schure 1716
15. ↑ NYRDC Baptism Record, Page 406: 1718 Jul 09; Cornelus Louw, Margrietje Van Borsum; Maria; Willem Walton & wife Maria Santvoort
16. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 422: 1720 Sep 14; Cornelus Low, Margrietje Van Borsum; Helena; Thimotheus Low & wife [Hendrikje Kool] Henrica
17. ↑ NYRDC Bapt. Record, Page 460: 1725 Aug 29; Cornelus Louw, Margrietje Van Borsem; Helena; Johannes Louw, Margrietje Louw jd

• Church Records: Samuel S. Purple's 'Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York, Marriages from 11 December 1639 to 26 August 1801.'
• Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1895, New York, Abstracts of Wills--Liber 16. p. 193.
• Viele,1659-1909, Two Hundreds and Fifty Years with a Dutch Family of New York by Kathlyne Knickerbocker Viele, New York, Tobias A. Wright, 1909