M. (1) 26 Mar 1650 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wife: Marritje Baltus
M. (2) 1658 in (probably) Flatlands, New Netherland
Wife: Pieterje Claese Van Schouw
D. Oct 1710 in Flatlands, New York
Simon Van Arsdalen became the founder of a family in America because of a sad event — the unexpected death of his wife and young children. He was born in 1627 to Jan Pauwelsz Van Aersdaele and Geertje Phillipsdr Haelters in Nukerke, East Flanders (which is now Belgium), and was baptized there on February 27th. Simon was one of at least 5 children. The family left Nukerke around 1642, moving to Gouda in what is now the Netherlands; it's been said that they left because of religious persecution.
When he came of age, Simon followed a different path than his parents and siblings. While the others stayed in Gouda in the Netherlands, he moved to Amsterdam, becoming a potter. There on March 26, 1650, he married Marritje Baltus. In 1653, he left his wife and two young children to go to the colony of New Netherlands; it was to be a venture involving his pottery business, and he intended to return home within a short time. But when he got word that a plague struck Amsterdam in November 1655, killing his wife and children, he decided to stay in America permanently.
1650 Marriage record of Simon and Marritje.
Simon settled in Flatlands (now a part of Brooklyn), where he made his home for the rest of his life. In 1658, he married a second wife, Pieterje Claese Van Schouw, the daughter of a Flatlands farmer, and between 1659 and 1678, they had at least six children. Simon was appointed magistrate in 1661, and in 1686 he became a church deacon. Like all men were required to do in the former Dutch colony, he took the oath of allegiance to England in 1687. Over the years, Simon owned a lot of property in what is now Brooklyn, and sold several lots in Gravesend to his son Cornelis in 1700.
During his life in America, Simon maintained contact with family members back in Holland. On September 9, 1698, he wrote a letter to his brother and sister in Gouda that somehow was saved in an archive, offering a rare personal document of a 17th century immigrant to America:
"My kindest regards be written to my so much beloved brother and sister. I let you know I received your letter from Aendries Wandelaer and that I understand the contents of it, I am pleased to say, however, that the accident your daughter has met with causes us sorrow, however, it is the work of God, that we ought to bear patiently. Farther I let you know, that I, your brother, and my wife and children are in good health yet thank God for His grace and we hope to learn from you the same in due time. I wonder you didn’t write about our niece. Farther I let you know all my children are married and each of them is living in a farmhouse that earns their livelihood. I sold my farm to my eldest son Cornelis, 33 years of age, has got five children, three sons, two daughters. My son Jan, 22 years of age, has got two sons. My daughter Geertje has got eight children. Janneken has got five children; Mettegen has got three children. They are comfortably off but they have to work which God commanded Adam. As for me, I stopped working since I am 71 years old now, my wife is 58 years of age and you, my brother, are, if I remember rightly, 60 years of age. God be pleased to give us a blessed end. I am in receipt of your son Jan’s drawing which pleases me very much. I gather from your letter your daughter’s [?] causes you sorrow and I can well believe it and if I knew you would be pleased I would come to your assistance. Please let me know. I do not know anything more to write. I will send this letter along with Pieter Berrij. He is our son Jan’s (nephew/cousin), who knows us very well. You can send your reply along with him. As for Dries Wandelaer, he is not acquainted with us and for this reason he cannot inform of us. God be with you and be saluted heartily by me, Sijmon Janson van Arsdalen, your brother"
Simon died in October 1710 and was buried in the churchyard of the Flatlands Reformed Dutch Church. It isn't known when his wife Pieterje passed away. His descendants include Georgia O'Keefe and James Spader.
Children by Marritje Baltus:
1. Sylyntje Van Arsdalen – B. Feb 1651, Amsterdam, Netherlands; D. about Nov 1655, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Jan Symonsz Van Arsdalen – B. Nov 1652, Amsterdam, Netherlands; D. Nov 1655, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Children by Pieterje Claese Van Schouw:
1. Geertje Van Arsdalen – B. about 1659, Flatlands, New Netherland; D. about 1731, (probably) Flatlands, New Netherland; M. Cornelis Pieterse Wyckoff (~1660-~1730), 13 Oct 1678, New Utrecht, New York
2. Cornelis Van Arsdalen – B. 1665, Flatlands, New York; D. 19 Apr 1745, New Jersey; M. (1) Tjelltje Rynierse Wizzelpenning; (2) Aeltje Kouwenhoven (1665-1689), 16 Mar 1687, Flatbush, New York; (3) Marretje Dirkse, 2 May 1691, Flatbush, New York
3. Jannetje Van Arsdalen – B. about 1667, Flatlands, New York; D. Dec 1731; M. Gysbert Tunisen Bogaert (~1668-?), 16 Apr 1689, Flatbush, New York
4. Metje Van Arsdalen – B. about 1672, Flatlands, New York; M. (1) Evert Janse Van Wickelen, 27 Feb 1690, Flatbush, New York; (2) Philip Volkertsz (~1670-?)
5. Jan Van Arsdalen – B. 1676, Flatlands, New York; D. 1756, Jamaica, New York; M. Lammertje Probasco (~1675-aft 1736), 1695
6. Maritje Van Arsdalen – B. 1678, Flatbush, New York; D. (probably) young
Sources:
"Remembering Simon Jansze," Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. VI, No. 1, July 2003
"Symon's Early New Netherland Days," Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. I, No. 1, July 1998
"Sijmon's 1698 Letter," Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. IV, No. 2, December 2001
Famous Kin (website)
