M. before 1675 in New York2
Wife: Ida Stryker
D. after 3 Oct 1724 in (probably) Brooklyn, New York3
A somewhat overlooked part of history is that for a time Netherlands tried to set up a colony in Brazil. And Christoffel Probasco had the unusual distinction of being born there, but later ending up in New York.
Christoffel was born in about 1649 in the Dutch colony in Brazil, probably in Recife, to Juriaen Probasco and Heyltien Aertss. His baptism took place on June 13, 1649.1 When the Portugese took over control of the Dutch colony in January 1654, the settlers were forced to leave.3 Christoffel’s family returned to the Netherlands briefly, and then moved to the New Netherlands colony in North America in June 1654, arriving on the ship Peartree.3
The earliest mention of Christoffel in New Netherland was in 1662 when he was listed as a member of a catechism class in Brooklyn.3 In 1671 at the age of 22, he bought land in Flatbush north of Jan Stryker.2 On the deed, he signed his name “Stoffel Probasky.” He was assessed in 1675 as owning one horse, three cows, one hog and about 34 acres of land, for a total worth of £93.2 He bought more land in 1676 from Auke Van Nuys.2
The earliest mention of Christoffel in New Netherland was in 1662 when he was listed as a member of a catechism class in Brooklyn.3 In 1671 at the age of 22, he bought land in Flatbush north of Jan Stryker.2 On the deed, he signed his name “Stoffel Probasky.” He was assessed in 1675 as owning one horse, three cows, one hog and about 34 acres of land, for a total worth of £93.2 He bought more land in 1676 from Auke Van Nuys.2
1681 document for sale of land in Midwout from Christoffel to Bartel Claasz.
By 1675, Christoffel married Ida Stryker,2 the daughter of Jan. Between 1675 and 1695, they had ten children. The census of 1698 showed that six children were living with him and he owned two slaves.2
Christoffel was magistrate of Brooklyn in 1678 and 1686, and Justice of the Peace in 1693 and 1702.2 He was also an elder in his church,2 and in 1690 “opposed the administration of Governor Leisler.”2 He took the oath of allegiance to the English crown in 1687.2 In 1701, he joined with four others to buy 10,000 acres of land in Somerset County, New Jersey.2 Some of this land was used by Christoffel’s grown children.
Christoffel made a joint will with his wife in 1687.2 He named sons Jurian and Jan to each receive a small sum of money and a musket. Also each of his children were to receive a cow when they reached 20 years of age. There may have been another will written in 1724.2 It isn't known when or where he died.
Children:
1. Lammertje Probasco — B. about 1675, Flatbush, New York; D. after 1736;4 M. Jan Van Arsdalen (1676-1756), 16955
2. Heyltie Probasco — B. about 1677, Flatbush, New York;2 D. 27 Sep 1727, Brooklyn, New York;2 M. Jeremias Van der Beeck (1675-1757), 26 Sep 16982
3. Jurrian Probasco — B. about 1678, Flatbush, New York;2 D. before 9 Sep 16952
4. Jan Probasco — B. about 1680, Flatbush, New York;2 D. about 1649, Jamaica, New York;2 M. Adriantje Van Hengel (~1682-?), about 17022
5. Jakob Probasco — B. before 9 Jul 1682, Flatbush, New York;2 M. Mary Van Leeuwen (1685-?)
6. Abraham Probasco — B. before 22 Feb 1685, Flatbush, New York; M. Geertje Lubbertse2
7. Aeltje Probasco — B. about 1687, Flatbush, New York2
8. Sara Probasco — B. about 1693, New Lotts, New York;2 M. Samuel Groenendyk, 29 Oct 17136
9. Jurian Probasco — B. before 9 Sep 1695, Flatbush, New York;2 D. after 25 Feb 1730;2 M. Catalyntie Remsen2
10. Christoffel Probasco — B. about 1697, (probably) Flatbush, New York;7 D. before 1732;7 M. Catalyntie Schenk (1705-1779), 17252
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Christoffel Aertss Probaski, Brasil Batismos, 1688-1935, FamilySearch.org
2 “American Origin of the Probasco Family,” William B. Alstyne, Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, 1927
3 “The Probasco Origins,” Bryce Henderson Stevens, The Vanguard – The Newsletter of the van Aersdalen Family Association, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1998
4 Estimated birth year based on age at marriage
5 “The Delta Project Generation 2: Jan Simonsz van Aersdalen,” The Vanguard – The Newsletter of the van Aersdalen Family Association, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1998
6 WikiTree listing for Sara (Probasco) Groenendyk
7 WikiTree listing for Christopher Probasco
