A genealogical and psychological memoir of Philippe Maton Wiltsee and his descendants : with a historical introduction referring to the Wiltsee nation and its colonies

Front matter

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BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Chapter I

From the Application of Certain Walloons and French in 1621 Through Sir Dudley Carlton to His Majesty of England for Land in Virginia to the Death of Philippe Maten and the Dispersion of His Family.

The European Progenitors of the Wiltsees of America — Walloons and French Petition the King of England for Land. Names of Those Who Apply Through Sir Dudley Carlton. The Walloon and French Imtnigrants of 1623. Phillippe Matin at Fort Orange in 1623 and at Waalbogt in 1626.

New Amsterdam in 1626-1628.

Phillippe Maten Killed a Stvaaneyidael in 1682. Pierre and Hendrick Maten Taken Captives and Given to the Jesuit Priest of Quebec, Ca., in 1633.

CHAPTER n.

Treats of the Captivity of Pierre and Hendrick Matin, the Latter's

Descendants by His First Wife.

From Jerome's First Acquaintance With Charles Martin to His Acquaintance With Sophia Martin., Inclusive.

Introduced to Charles Martin — The Business Part of Rulo in 1861 — Scene on the Street in Rulo on August 16, 1861 — In Belonge's Saloon Among the Knights of the Golden Circle — Introduced to Charles Martin — Assaulted by him and the Knights — Relationship to Martin Revealed to Jerome — Martinis Birthplace— Their First Common Ancestor in America — The Condition of Canada in 1633 — Arrival of the Jesuit Priests — Pierre and Hendrick Maton with the Jesuits at Quebec — Arrival of the Hurons — General Appearance of the Hurons — The Huron Council — Champlain's Speech — The Second Council — The Departure of the Huron Fleet — The Embarkation, of the Priests, and the Two French Boys — The Huron Admiral — Funerals, Mourning, Burials on Scaffolds — The Lesser Feasts of the Dead — The Great Feast of the Dead — The Ceremonies — Lining the Pit — Filling and Covering the Pit — The Two Personal Souls — Threatened with Murder — The Funeral Feast — Hendrick Maton Choked — Mission to the Neuter Indians — Return of the Fathers with Pierre and Hendrick — Pierre and Hendrick Return to the Dutch — The Hanging and Burial of Poitier — Hendrick Martin and Relatives — Hendrick Martin's Dutch Wife — Richard Martin — The Squaw Wife — Charles Martinis Life History — His Estate — Sophia {Martin) Tracy, Charles F. Tracy and Their Daughter.

Chapter III

CONTAINS AN ACCOUNT OF SOPHIA MATON AND DESCENDANTS OTHER THAN HENDRICK AND HIS DESCENDANTS.

From the Departure of the Widovv" Maton to the Death of James Ralston.

Sophia Maton Returns to Holland — Lyntje Maton, a Widow in New Amsterdam, Marries Adam Roelantson — Adam Roelantsen the School Teacher in New Amsterdam — Conversation with Jacob Brimmer of Wisconsin — Charles Martin's Account of James Ralston — His Life History — Conversation Between the Writer and James Ralston — The Island Occupied by Philippe Maton's Descendants Washed Away — The Migration of Roelantsons, Wilder s and Martesens — Ralston's Talk With William Brimm^er — William Brifnmer's Talk of James Ralston — Ralston's Account of Himself — James Ralston, a Soldier and a Freighter — His Marriage — The Fulfillment of James Ralston's Predestined Fate — Pierre Martens alias Wilder — Hendrick Martens — Machelje Martens — Marten Martens Maria Martens.

CHAPTER IV. From the Return of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee to New Amsterdam to His

Death; Also the Genealogies of His Daughters, Sophia and

Jannetje and Their Descendants.

Return of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee to New Amsterdam — Hendrick, a Soldier at Fort Orange — Goes as an Interpreter to Quebec With Mohawk Indians — , Arrival on November 20, 1658 — Proceedings at the Councils at Quebec — Winters at the Mohawk Village — Assigns His Soldier Dues to Lucas Dirckse —

Married — A Sea Captain Writes From Arabia in Dutch — A Soldier at

Wiltwyck — Assigned Lot Two in Hurley — Taken Prisoner at Hurley — The Way the Identity of Individuals is Made Deter^ninate — The Sirndmes of the Maion-Wiltsee Family — Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee' s Children — His Home — His Real Estate and Personal Property — Sophia Hendrickse's Marriage — Her Children, Grandchildren and Descendants — Sophia's Various Sirnames, and Last Records — Jannetje Hendrickse's Marriage — Her Children, Grandchildren and Descendants — Her Second Marriage — Her Various Sirnames and Last Records.

Page 62 CHAPTER V.

IT TREATS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF HEN. SMITH, THE COR- NELIUSES, ALIAS CORNELLS, AND OF DAVID CARY.

From the Arrival of Governor Wentworth w^ith Imigrants at Massachusetts Bay and the Settlement of Roxbu^y by Pychon, and the Settlement of Watertown by Richard Saltonstall, Until the Settlement of David Gary at Pownal, Vermont.

New Plymouth — Arrival of Governor Wentworth and Associates — Boston, Rox~ bury and Watertown Settled — Warwick Grants Land in CoitnecticiHt to Lord

Say and Seal, Lord Brook, Saltonstall and Others — People From Watertown and Roxbury Move to Wethersfield — Discontents From Watertown Move There in^ 1635 — Malcontents Move From Wethersfield, Go to the Sound and Settle Ripawam — Richard Denton and Others Buy Land on Long Island at Hempstead, and Move There in 1644 — Name of the Original Owners — Plan of Settlement — Herding Cattle — Must Attend Meetings — Churches Built — The Smiths — John Rox Smith — Other Smiths — John Smith's Deed of Gift — Land Allotted to Jeremy Smith — Children of John Smith Rox — Descendant of Hen. Smith — Smiths of Hempstead — Jeremiah Smith — Jeremiah Smith's Will — Joseph Smith — Richard Smith — French Settler of Flushing, David Cary — David Cary a Resident of Pownal, Vt. — Successive Deeds of Lot 50 From John Van Ornum Dawn to David Cary — Elizabeth Smith and Descendants.

Chapter VI. The Marten Wiltsee Line Of Descent

From the Marriage of Marten Hendrickse Wlltsee and Maria Van Wyck TO THE Close of the Descendants of Anna, Daughter of Cornelius Wiltsee and Ruth Smith.

Marriage of Marten Hendrickse Wiltsee and Maria Van Wyck — Cornelius Barend Van Wyck — Theadorus Van Wyck — Johannus Theodorus Polhemius — Marten Wiltsee's Places of Residence — Of Flushing and of Queens Co. — Success Pond — Children of Marten Wiltsee and Maria Van Wyck — Maria Van Wyck's Last Record — The Authorized Spelling of the Name Wiltsee — Marten Wiltsee* s Dutch Bible — Children of Cornelius Wiltsee and Ruth Smith — Geographical Ac— -The Wiltsee Migrations — Arrival of Wiltsees in Dutchess Co. — John R. Wiltsee on the First Arrival of the Wiltsees, &c. — Cornelius Wiltsee Buys a Home and Builds a House — Cornelius Wiltsee One of the Purchasers of Fishkill Landing — Cornelius Wiltsee's Home and His Village, Hopewell — Copy of Cornelius Wiltsee's Will Made Dec. 15, 1155— The Will Proved— The Executors Sworn — Inventory of His Personal Property and Its Sale — Martin Wiltsee^ and Descendants— Francis Wiltsee", So7i of Martin, Son of Cornelius-^-Anna Wiltsee% Daughter of Cornelius, Son of Marten Wiltsee.

CHAPTER VH.

From the Birth of Jeremiah Wiltsee, Son of Cornelius Wiltsee, Son of

Marten Wiltsee to the Close of the Nineteenth Century.

Page 114 CHAPTER Vni.

From the Arrival of John Greene and His Family at Salem to the First Decade of the Twentieth Century.

Of John Greene's Migration to Providence, Rhode Island with His Sons John, James and Jeremiah— Thomas's Three Sons, James, Jeremiah and Gardner —

A Tradition of the Arrival at Providence, Rhode Island— James, Jeremiah and Gardner Green at Providence — James Green,^ the Father of Russel Greene, Father of Sarah Greene, the Wife of Jeremiah Wiltsee — Jeremiah Wiltsee's Letter to Jeremiah and Gardner Green — Abel Green and Achsa (Booth) Green and Their Children — Francis Greene and Roxa {Booth) Green and Their Children — Wilht Green and Polly Ann ( ) Green and Their Children— Polly Green and Alvin Bentley and Their Children — Lidia H. Gh^een and Lumen Bivens and Their Children.

CHAPTER IX.

From the Birth of Jeremiah Wiltsee/ Son of Thomas Wiltsee, to the

Twentieth Century.

Jeremiah Wiltsee — His Life at Pownal, Vt., and His Journey to Erie Co., N. Y. — Harris Hill and the Surrounding Country, and the People — hi Seach of a Land Claim for Sale — Shedrick Benham's Claim — A description of Vermont and Its Purchase — Other Land Purchased Later Described — The Various Deeds to the Land Bought — Improvements Made by Jeremiah Wiltsee — His Seedling Nursery and His Orchard — His Cultivation of Flax and the Use It was Put to, etc. — The Certificate of His Marriage — His Children and Other Descendants — Caroline, Patience, Diana, Livingston, Rebecca, Jackson, Elizabeth, Jeremiah, George, Buradoe and Jerome — Jeremiah Wiltsee's Will — Caroline Wiltsee ayid Descendants — Patience Pyren A. Wiltsee — Diana Wiltsee, Livingston G. Wiltsee and Descendants — Accounts of The Deaths — L. G. Wiltsee's Children — Rebecca A. Wiltsee and Descendants — Her Death Cadwalader J. Wiltsee and Descendants — His Death — Maria E. Wiltsee and Her Children — Jeremiah S. Wiltsee — George W. Wiltsee and His Children — Buradoe Wiltsee and His Descendants.

CHAPTER X.

From the Birth of Jerome Wiltsee, s. of Jeremiah Wiltsee, s. of Thomas Wiltsee, s. of Jeremiah Wiltsee, s. of Cornelius Wiltsee, s. of Marten Wiltsee, s. of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee, s. of Philippe Maton to THE First Decade of the Twentieth Century, Inclusive.

From A. D. 1834 to A. D. vtjg.

Jerome Wiltsee and Mary L. Wahl and Her Ancestors and Relatives, the Gekelers, Bentzes, and Wcntzes and Wahls — Cariis P. Wiltsee and Elizabeth (Payne) Wiltsee and Their Family — The Paynes — Edward W. Wiltsee and Delia (Johnson) Wiltsee, and Their Family — The Johnsons — George W. Wiltsee and Ina Laura (Peden) Wiltsee and Their Family — The Pedens — Jerome C. Wiltsee — Cora. Elizabeth Wiltsee — Albert Byron Wiltsee and Augusta Moritz Wiltsee and Their Children — The Moritzes — Clarence H. Wiltsee and Louise (Weinert) Wiltsee and Their Children — The Weinerts — John Wiltsee and Elizabeth M. Peck and Family — The Pecks — James Wiltsee and Cora {Murray Alias Clark) — Wiltsee and Family — David Wiltsee — Mary Elizabeth Cora Wiltsee.

CHAPTER XL

From the Birth of Cornelius Wiltsee', s. of Jeremiah Wiltsee, s. of Cornelius Wiltsee, s. of Marten Wiltsee, to the Close of the Nineteenth Century.

CHAPTER XII.

Contains the Geneology of Jeremiah Wiltsee's Children by His Second Wife. From the Birth of Benoni Wiltsee to the Present Time.

Jeremiah Wiltsee's Residence in Albany Co., N. Y. — Jereyniah's Return to Hillsdale, and His Second Residence in Albany County — Benoni and James Wiltsee Join the Loyalists — Exiled and Migrate to St. Johns, Canada — They Remove to Leeds County, Onterio, Canada — La7id Granted to Them and Their Children by Great Britain^They are Styld ''United Empire Loyalists'' as a Mark of Honor — List of the Land Granted to Benoni Wiltsee — His Children — the Burial Ground at Wiltstown — Benoni Wiltse and His Descendants — Abner Smith, Nathaniel Clark Coleman, Wm. H. Coleman, Philip Wing Colem.an, Britania {Coleman) Wiltse and Her Ancesters — Joseph Wiltse and Descendants — Isaac Neuton Chipmen, Joseph B. Chipman, Charles Stewart Wiltsee, Elizabeth {Wiltse) Conley, James Wiltsee and Descendant, Coleman Wiltse, Comfort Wiltse and Descendants, Isaac Brock Wiltse, Ernest A. Albert Wiltse, Mary Wiltse, Hannah Wiltse, Sarah Wiltsee, William Wiltse, Philip M. Wiltse and Their Descendants.

JAMES WILTSE.

Jam,es Wiltse — List of the Land Granted to James Wiltse and His Children — Children of James Wiltse and Their Descendants — When James Wiltse Received His First Land Grant — Henry Wiltse and His Descendants, Jeremiah Wiltse — Copy of a Deed of Land to Hen7^y Wiltse to Complete His Title — Philip Wiltse, Lillie Wiltse, Samuel Wiltse, Leonard Wiltse, Cornelius Wiltse, Truman Wiltse, William Wiltse, Mary Wiltse, Sarah Wiltse, Mercy Wiltse, Elizabeth Wiltse, Pamelia Wiltse.

JEREMIAH WILTSE.

The Appearance, General Health, and the Religion of the Wiltses of Canada.

Page 217 CHAPTER XIII.

From the Birth of Mary Wiltsee,- Daughter of Cornelius Wiltsee, Son of Marten Wiltsee, to the Close of the Nineteenth Century. From A. D. 1720 to A. D. 1902.

Descendants of Cornelius Wiltsee* and Elizabeth Cornell — Mary Wiltsee^ and Descendants — Ruth Wiltsee'' and. Descendants — Cornelius Wiltsee^ and Descendayits : Thomas, Ruth, Coryiclius, Hannah, Jacob, Henry, Mary, Elizabeth, James, Cornell, Hannah, Sarah, John and Benjamin, and their Descendats — Ransom C. Wiltse — Hendrick Wiltsee^ and Children: Martin Wiltsee*^ and Andrew', and their Children: Isaac, James, Betsey, Maria, Andrew Stickholm, Alford, Chariot, Tryphena, Edmond, Clarinda, Hiram. Terian, Peter P., Alonzo Henry, Mary, Sarah, Philip, Judson A., Martin, Clarinda, and their Descendants — Chauncy Wiltse and Andrew Wiltse — 21. IX Johannus Wiltsee'' and His Children: Margaret, Cornelius, Elenor, Elizabeth, Hendrick and their Descendants — 22 X. jaynes Wiltsee^ and Descendants —

23 XL Jacob Wiltsee'^ and Descenda,nts.

17 V. Marya Wiltsee", da. of Cornelius Wiltsee, son of Marten Wiltsee,

bpt. Sept. 10, 1720, m. Thomas Barker. Child of Marya Wiltsee and Thomas

Barker.

CHAPTER XIV.

From the Birth of Marten Wiltsee*, son of Marten Wiltsee to the Completion OF Marten Wiltsee's Line of Descent, Except Jeremiah Wiltsee.

MARTIN WILTSEE.

Martin Wiltsee*, son of Marten Wiltsee, son of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee, son of Philippe Maton, and Descendants — Martin Wiltsee's Will — Martin Wiltsee's Land — Marytie Wiltsee'', da. of Martin Wiltsee — Jacob Wiltsee'', son of Martin Wiltsee, son of Marten Wiltsee — Jacob Wiltsee a Soldier of the Revolutionary War — He Sells His Bounty Rights to Land — Jacob Wiltse"^ and His Descendants — Annatie Wiltse" — Elizabeth Wiltse" — Daniel Wiltse^ — Femetje Wiltse" — Marten Wiltse" — Martin Wiltse Sells Land — Martin Wiltse", son of Martin Wiltsee, son of Marten Wiltsee — Martin Wiltse, Jr., and Martin Wiltsee, Sr. — The Fishkill Ferry — Martin Wiltse's Farm — A Journey to New York City in 1790 — Fishkill Landing in 1800 — John Smith Sells His Land — Martin Wiltse's Land Purchases — Martin Wiltsees Daughter Seytje — Margaret Wiltsee'^ and Her Descendants — Jennetje Wiltsee^^ da. of Martin, son of Marten Wiltsee — Hannah Wiltsee" — Ida Wiltsee'" — Sophia Wiltsee*, da. of Marten Wiltsee, son of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee, son of Philippe Maton — The Onderdoncks.

CHAPTER XV.

From the Baptism of Hendrick Wiltsee/ Son of Marten Wiltsee, to

Catherine Wiltsee/ Daughter of Marten Wiltsee,

Inclusive, and Their Descendants.

Hendrick Wiltsee,^ Son of Marten Wiltsee — Johonnes Wiltsee,* Son of Marten Wiltsee, and His Children — Lawrence Wiltsee, Son of Johonnes Wiltsee, Son of Marten Wiltsee, and His Descendants-^Wiltsees Who Signed a Pledge to Sustain Congress— Margaret Wiltsee,* Daughter of Marten Wiltsee — Annatie Wiltsee,* Daughter of Marten Wiltsee, and Her Descendants — Thomas Cornell and His Relatives — Jan Cornell's Will — Maria Wiltsee,* Daughter of Marten Wiltsee, and Her Descendants — Jan Smith's Will — Peter Gifford and His Wife and Smith of North Prairie, Wisconsin — Catherine Wiltsee,* Daughter of Marten Wiltsee.

CHAPTER XVI .

It Relates to Hendrick Hendrickse WILTSEE^ Myndert Hendrickse Wiltsee' AND Theunis Hendrickse^ and Their Descendants.

Hendrick Hendrickse Wiltsee^ — Myndert Hendrickse Wiltsee^ and Descendants and the Bronkas — His Change of Name to Savage — Theunis Hendrickse Wiltsee^ and His Wife's Ancestors — His Children: Geertrung, Isaac, Hendrick, Hillegant, Gerardus and Debora and Their Descendants — Isaac Wiltsee\ William Wiltsee'', Gerardus Wiltsee'', Debora Wiltsee'', Abraham Wiltsee'', Pieternelle Wiltsee'', Hendrick Wiltsee'', and Their Descendants — IV. Hillegant Wiltsee*, V. Gerardus Wiltsee* and Descendants — Albany Marriage Licenses The Various Spellings of Thennis Wiltsee's^ Name.

Page 274 CHAPTER XVII.

From the Baptism of Jacob Wiltsee* to the Completion of the Last

Records of His Descendants.

Jacob Wiltsee,^ son of Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee — Children of Jacob Wiltsee* and Abigail Ferguson — New York Dutch Church Baptism — Baptisms at

Tarrytown — Baptisms of the Children of Jan Van Weert and Mary Wilse — Hendrick Wilse* — The Tarrytown Dutch Church — Tappan Church Baptisms — Baptism in the Sleepy Hollow Church — Children of Daniel Wilzee and Elizbet Storms — Wiltsees Who Enlisted in the French and Indian War — Jan Wilse* — Jacob Wilse, Son of Jan Wilse — Abigail Wilzee* -^Daniel Wilze* — Daniel Wilsea and His Children — Greenburgh — Children of Henry Wilsea and Jane — Marthen Wilse* and His Fam,ily — Peter Wilse^ — Peter Wilse and His Children — L. M. Wilsee — Jacob Wilse"" — Pamelia Archer's Brother and Father — Jacob, a Blacksmith — Jacob Wilsey's Home in New York City — Children of Jacob Wilsey and Pamelia Archer — Jane Wilsey,"^ Daughter of Jacob Wilsey — Benjamin Wilsey,"" Son of Jacob — Benjamin Wilsey's Paintings— Children of Benjamin Wilsey and Amelia Wilson — Edmund Wilsey"^ — Children of Edmund Wilsey and Josaphine Grove — Mary Wilsey^ — Jane Wilsey' — John Wilsey'' — Rachel Wilsey'' — Archibald Wilsey^ — Ancestry of F. P. Wilsey — New York Dutch Church Marriage Records — Freemen of New York City — Early Real Estate Dealers in New York City — Transfer of Revolutionary War Land Claim — The Various Spellings of Jacob's Name.

Memoir of Philippe Maton Wiltsee and His Descendents.

Preface To The Historical Introduction

The purposes for which these historical inquiries are made are to determine the places of residence of the Wiltzi Nation and of its early colonies, and their source of origin.

The name of a nation and its place of habitation and of its colonies of the same name in distant countries, may be deduced from the names of the important objects along the lines of migration and at the places of settlement; and the original seat of occupation be fixed with certainty at the place the lines of migration concentrate upon when traced back from the seats of the colonies.

If the inhabitants of this place still retain the name of the colonies, even if the country is known by other names, given by intrusive settlers later, or by conquering strangers, or by adjacent tribes, the name of the people and of the locality occupied at the remotest period given will be sufficiently well determined.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

Pytheas of Marsilia sailed through the British Channel, skirting the west coast of Europe from Cadiz on the Tanas, a river of Russia that empties into the Baltic Sea. He wrote about 320 years^ B. C, mentioning the Teutons as then inhabiting a part of the Cimbric Chersonesus, or Jutland. The Teutons were people who spoke the various German dialects. Near Rostock, in Mecklenburg, is a city called Teutonwinkel at the present time. The Eddas and Sagas show that the people who inhabited the eastern and southern shores of the present Scandinavia, the islands of the Baltic and the southern shores of that sea to a certain distance inland, which now comprises Northern Germany, were of the same origin, and belonged to the same race.

The graves^ prove that the shores of the Baltic and the Catagat were once thickly inhabited by a people having the same customs and religion ; and from the situations of the graves, as well as from the objects in them, we learn that they were a seafaring people.

Strabo, writing near the close of the first century B. C, made a specific statement about the Cimbris: "That according to a tradition they left their country on account of an inundation of the sea. This, too, is said of the Ambrines, who inhabited the course of the Ambros, now the Emeren.

It is probable that this inundation extended to the Baltic seacoast and caused the departure of the Teutons and the Tigurini from their countries.

The Teutons passed up the Havel River to near its source.' There the migrating horde divided, and those who left the island of Rugen established a winter camp and gave the place the name of Rugen% and the river it was near took the same name.

Those from the seacoast and the Havel River country, constituting the main part of the migrating nation, established a military camp and gave it their national name, and the river it was near the same name, viz : Wilschoten and Wils.

1 In the time of Pithias, the Goths lived around the gulf of the sea, called Mentinomon (The Frischer Hoff), a day's sail from the Island of Albatros, where they gathered am.ber to sell to the Teutons.

2 Viking-s, vol. I, pp. 53-4.

1 These names anpear on the maps as Regen River and City, and as Vilschaten and Vils River, plainly variations of Rugen and "Wiltz, the names of those who occupied them. "V" substituted for W, as it often was for W more recently.

They continued their journey, and joined their old neighbor nation, the Cimbri, in overrunning and completely subduing Gaul. The Cimbri and Teutons established a military camp in Gaul, and left their wounded and infirm, and their baggage that they could not take with them, with 6,000 men to guard the camp.

They fought the Roman army of 80,000 men, and destroyed nearly all. The Teutons went into Italy, and fought several successful battles; but were defeated in Aix, B. C. 102 years, and the army dispersed.

A part of them probably returned to their military camp in Luxemburg, and a part to the camps in Bavaria. The Scandinavians had now conquered the people of the Baltic seacoast — the remnant of the Teutons.

CAESEAR'S ACCOUNT OF THE ADNITUCI. •

Caesar says this of the Adnituci: "They were descended from the Cimbri and Teutons, who, when they were marching into our provinces in Italy, having deposited on this side the River Rhine such of their baggage trains as they could not drive or convey with them, left 6,000 of their men as a guard and defense for them. These having, after the destruction of their countrymen, been harassed for many years by their neighbors, while one time they waged war offensively, and at another resisted it when waged against them, concluded a peace with the consent of all, and have this place as a settlement.

A river rises in Luxemburg near the latitude of 50°, not far from the longitude of SO'" 40', and runs nearly east, and then in a southeasterly direction, then nearly south, and again takes a course nearly east and empties into the Sure River, a tributary of the Miselle.

This river is called Wiltz, and a city on its bank is called Wiltz. The settlement of this country at a date so early as to give the name of the settlers to the river on whose banks they settled, points back to the conquest of the country by themselves and their allies.

Under the name Wiltzi the people of the Havel River country and of the Baltic seacoast and islands went forth to fight battles and plant colonies until the twelfth century or later. Writing near the close of the ninth century of the people near the Baltic Sea, King Alfred of England says: "North of the Old Saxons are the Oborites, and northeast of them are the Wyltie, who are called the men of the Hevel, etc. People of the name Wyltse are mentioned in early English history, and people of the name still live there. There is a river Wiltz that took their name, and King Alfred gave their country the name Wiltshire. The city of Wilton has its name from them. These people were the descendants of Teutonic Wiltzi and their Scandinavian conquerors who migrated to Britain.

VAGUE TRADITIONS OF THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE WILTZI

NATION, AND OF ITS COLONIES.

E. W. Rutenber, a local historian of Newburgh, N. Y., wrote this tradition to a Wiltsie friend: "I know but little about the tribe Wiltsi. It was a Saxon tribe to whom Julius Caesar gave the name when he invaded Gaul. This tribe fled before Caesar into Denmark, and nothing has changed about it except to add an 'e' to Wiltsi. Any other form than Wiltsi is corrupt."

Charles H. Wiltsie of Rochester, N. Y., wrote: "I have always understood that our family name is Dutch or Danish, and that it was derived from Wild and zee, the latter word meaning sea. They first spelled their name Wildzee, which means wild people of the sea."

John J. Wiltse of Des Moines, Iowa, wrote: "Three brothers of the name of Wild-Zee, meaning Wild-Sea, came here from Germany about the time of the Revolutionary War and married, and their descendants are scattered everywhere."

Isaac B. Wiltse of Momence, 111., wrote: "Uncle Joseph Wiltse told me that among the imigrants that first landed in America at New York was a man by the name of Wiltse, who settled in New Amsterdam, and from him were descended all the Wiltses that we know of."

Preface

The completion of this work is the accomplishment of a purpose contemplated from early childhood. Ancient and modern histories, general and local and state; country and church records, and genealogical works. Bibles and manuscripts and rosters have been examined, and family traditions added, together with information attained by retrospective vision in no other way accessible.

All of the available records of Wiltses in America have been sought after and collected and arranged along the various lines of descent to which they belong. Those who have cherished family pride and had personal regard for their ancestors sufficient to lead them to do so, having courteously and kindly furnished them to be printed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

The following gentlemen and ladies have furnished information used in this work:

Messrs. — Theodore M. Banta, B. A. Bartholf, Alanson Green, Hugh Hastings, Theo. A. Hoffman, Isaac Huntting, Edward Marshall, Arthur P. Sutphen, Herold Wilson, James W. Wilsey, L. M. Wilsey, Isaac B. Wiltse, John Wiltse, Charles H. Wiltse, Judson Wiltse, E. S. Wiltse, E. M. Wiltse, Jerome Wiltsie, H. C. Wiltsie, J. T. Woolsey, Richard Wynkoop, Joseph J. Wiltse, Thomas Wiltse.

Ladies — Huldah Armstrong, H. E. Blodgett, Jennie Bogardus, Abbie E. Bates, M. E. Bowman, Mary Confer, Caroline Emmons, Annie S. Hanks, Diana Hershey, Sarah L. Kimbal, Mary T. Lampman, Alva Munn, S. M. Sibley, S. J. Terrel, Sarah Wallace, Britania Wiltse, Lillie Wiltse, A. H. Wiltsie, Hannah E. Van Wyke, Mrs. Harriet Belknap, Mrs. J. E. L. Wiltsie, Miss Ellen Wiltsie.

TABLE OF DUTCH BAPTISMAL NAMES WITH THE CORRESPONDING

ENGLISH NAMES.

MALE. FEMALE.

Areen Aaron Aaghje f

Arie, Adrans. . Adrian Adela Adelaide

Barent Bernard Agnietje Agnes

Christoffel Christopher Annaken, Annetje Ann

Christiaan Christian Baltje Elizabeth

Daam Adam Barber Barbara

Ernst Ernest Christyntje Christiana

Frans Francis Dierwertje f "

Goris George Elseje : Alice

„v, ^*^*^ — Apknowledg-ement is made by name alongr through this work to many Who have given mformation whose names do not appear in this list.

MALE.

Giel Michael

Govert \ S^^ll^^

( Geoffrey

Gysbert 1 Gilbert

Gyselbert j

Hans Jack

Hendrick 1 Henry

Henrik j

Huggen Hugh

Jacobus ] James

Rubus )

Japik ] Jacob

Jaap j

Jelle Jellins

Johnnes John

Jachem Joiachim

f Adrian Jan, Jovst i Adriannus

[ Justus Jorris, ]

Jnrian j- George

Jurge J

Karrd Charles

Kasper Jasper

Kersten | Christian

Kustiaan )

Klass Nicholas

Krelis 1 ^ t

Kees 1- Cornelius

Kors J

Laurens ] Lawrence

Louris 3

Leenbert Leonard

Leiven ) Leo

Liewe )

Lodewyk Ludwicus

Louis Lewis

Lukas 1 Luke

Luytje (

Matthys 1 ■„, ^i.-

•phys )■ Mathias

Tys J

Meewes Bartholomew

Myndart Menardus

Obadja Obadiah

Otto Otho

Paulus } Paul

Pauwel I

Petrus Peter

Philp Philip

Philippe (Fr.) Philip

Roeleph Ralph

Roelof Orlando

Roelant Roland

Rutjert Roger

Rykaard Richard

Saal Soloman

Sander Alexander

Staats Eustice

Stof f el Christopher

Teewes Mathew

FEMALE.

Fanneken Fanny

Femmetje Phoebe

Floortje Flora

Fytie Sophia

Geesje Charity

Geertrung Grace, Gertrude

Garretje Garreta

Geertje, Giertje | Gertrude

Geertrug j

Grietje Margaret

Hansje Johanna

Hecke Ruth

Heiltje Hellen

Hendrickje Henrietta

Hillegunda Huldah

Heylte Hall

Jakomina ]

Jaapje |^ Jacoba

Jakomyntje J

Jannetje, Janne Jane

Jaltje Gellia

^oh^^na ) ....Joan

Jonneken \

Jasyntje, Jesma Justina

Katryne, Saatje | Catherine

Katryntje j

Klaartje Clara

Klaarje, Klaryne Nicola

Kryn Quirina

Lyntje, Lena Helena

Leentje Magdalena

Leonora, Lenoor Ellenor

Letje Letitia

Lutje Charlotte

Lysbet, Lysje Elizabeth

Machtelde Matilde

Madalena Magdalena

. Hargrietje Margaret

1 Hartyntje Martina

Maria, Mariken ]

Marritje, Marytje j^ Mary

Maartje, Maarske J

Marya, Marietje .Maria

Natje, Annaatje Anna

Neeltje 1 Nelly, Elinor,

I Cornelia

Nierje Agnes

Paulyntje Paulina

Roostje Rose

Styntje Christiana

Tenntje, Tenntie ] Eunice

Thenntie )

Toontje Antonia

Trnytje Gartrude

Tryntje Catherine

Wyntje Lavina

Ydtje Ida

Yannaka Susanna

MALE.

Thennis ] rw, * ,

Antonius }- Tony, Anthony

Teunis f

Tiebout Theobold

Tielman Tilman

Tyman Timothy

Willem, Gillem William

Wouter Walter

KEY TO THE NAMES OF PERSONS OCCURRING IN THE EARLY DUTCH

RECORDS OF ALBANY AND VICINITY.

(From Pearson's Albany Settlers and Records, Etc., p 84.)

"The student who searches the early Dutch records meets many difficulties, none of which are more vexatious than their personal names. The majority of First Settlers ordinarily used no surnames — some evidently had none. In these cases individuals were often distinguished by personal peculiarities, trades, etc., which, though suflEicient for the time, gave little or no aid to one tracing the pedigree of the family. It is only after great familiarity with the early writings and a careful noting of the use of surnames as they are sometimes subscribed to wills, conveyances and other important papers that any connection can be established between First Settler and his later descendants. But while many individuals had no surnames whatever, apparently a few families had two or more.

"It was not uncommon for some individuals to have two or more surnames and to use them indifferently.

"The change in the spelling and pronunciation of names is likewise a source f»^ considerable embarrassment. * * * * =!=

"The system of nomenclature in common use among the early Dutch settlers consisted in prefixing the child's name to the father's Christian name, terminating in s, se, or sen, in baptism, but one name was usually given; the patronymic was used by custom in all cases, and in the absence of a surname was sometimes adopted as such. Thus the children of Rutger Jacobsen (Van Schoenderwoert or Van Woert) were respectively Margaret Rutgers, Engel Rutgers and Harman Rutgers, and Rutgers was subsequently assumed as the family name. Two sons of the First Settler Wynant Garrets (Vander Pool) were Melgert Wynants and Gerret Wynantse. The First Settler Herman Tomase Hun (Van Amersfort) had a son Tomas Harmense and a daughter Wyntie Harmense. The First Settlers Philip and David Schuyler were more commonly called Philip and David Pieterse, being sons of Peter Schuyler. Occasionally two patronymics were used, as Samuel Arentse Sammelse Bratt; i. e., Samuel Bratt, the son of Arent, who was the son of Samuel- The use of surnames gradually increased among the Dutch from the time the province was occupied by the English in 1664; and* after the first quarter of the following century few names were written without the addition of a family name.