M. 1680 in (probably) Flatbush, New York
Wife: Lisbet Jansen Jacobse
D. before 29 Oct 1707 in (probably) New Utrecht, New York
When the Dutch planted a colony in America, they chose a location where ships could sail in and out, transporting goods and people. It was only natural that some early settlers would make their home right on the water, and such was the case for Dirck Janse Van Sutphen.
Dirck was born in Vorden, Netherlands (near Zutphen) in about 1645; the identity of his parents are unproven. The date of his arrival in America is also unknown—one source says he migrated in 1651, another says 1676. Dirck eventually settled in Flatbush, New York, now a part of Brooklyn. In 1680, he married Lisbet Jansen Jacobse, the adopted daughter of Auke Van Nuys. Between about 1680 and 1699, they had eleven children, of whom only one seemed to die young.
In 1681, Dirck sold his farm to Denyse Theunise, and received in payment four woodland lots in New Utrecht, in a section which is now Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Theunise also agreed to build him an 18 foot long boat, and a barn and barrack on his new lots. The present-day boundaries of the land are 71st Street, 79th Street, Second Avenue and the water. It’s not known if he used his boat for fishing, or for transporting goods across the harbor into Manhattan, but it was likely a necessity where he lived.
In 1681, Dirck sold his farm to Denyse Theunise, and received in payment four woodland lots in New Utrecht, in a section which is now Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Theunise also agreed to build him an 18 foot long boat, and a barn and barrack on his new lots. The present-day boundaries of the land are 71st Street, 79th Street, Second Avenue and the water. It’s not known if he used his boat for fishing, or for transporting goods across the harbor into Manhattan, but it was likely a necessity where he lived.
The view from near Dirck's home.
Dirck took the oath of allegiance to the English crown in 1687, and his name was listed on the 1686 patent of New Utrecht. The 1698 census of New Utrecht said that he was living there with his wife, eight children. He also owned three slaves valued at £30 each; slavery was unfortunately common among the Dutch of New York.
Near the end of his life in 1702, Dirck wrote his will; it was probated October 29, 1707, so he probably died sometime that year. His wife survived him and it isn't known when she passed away. Dirck's will directed that his land go to his oldest son, Jacobus, but that he was to pay off his siblings. The property stayed in the family until Jacobus sold it in 1724.
Today if you stood on the land once owned by Dirck, you would have a dramatic view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and in the distance, the skyline of lower Manhattan. And as in Dirck's time, you would see the ships entering and leaving New York Harbor.
Children:
1. Elsje Sutphen — B. about 1680, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. about 1703; M. Harmen Gerritszen Van Zant (1674-?)
2. Hendrickje Sutphen – B. before 18 Dec 1681, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. after 1746, (probably) New Jersey; M. (1) Peter Van Dyck; (2) Benjamin Van Cleef (~1683-1747)
3. Jacob Sutphen – B. before 20 Jan 1684, (probably) Flatbush, New York; M. Annetje Adriaense Bennet (~1687-?)
4. Jan Sutphen – B. before 18 Dec 1685, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. before 6 Feb 1687, (probably) Flatbush, New York
5. Jan Sutphen – B. before 6 Feb 1687, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey; M. Engeltje Adriaense Bennet (1685-?)
6. Geertie Sutphen – B. before 31 Mar 1689, New York
7. Dirck Sutphen – B. about 1691, New York; D. 18 Aug 1763, (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey
8. Guisbert Sutphen – B. 14 Oct 1693, New Utrecht, New York; D. 18 Aug 1763, Freehold, New Jersey
9. Abraham Van Sutphen – B. before 25 Sep 1696, New Utrecht, New York; M. Maria Maritje Barkeloo (~1702-?)
10. Elizabeth Van Sutphen – B. 6 Apr 1699, New York; D. 1 Aug 1766, New York; M. Daniel Lake (1696-1776)
Sources:
"Reconstructing the Ancestry of Dirck Janse Van Sutphen," Susan Amicucii, New Netherlands Connections, Vol. 6, No. 3., July-September 2001
"More About the Dutch Settlers," Abraham Van Doren Honeyman, Our Home: a monthly magazine of original articles, Vol. 1, 1873
Early Settlers of Kings County, Teunis C. Bergen, 1881
WikiTree
1. Elsje Sutphen — B. about 1680, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. about 1703; M. Harmen Gerritszen Van Zant (1674-?)
2. Hendrickje Sutphen – B. before 18 Dec 1681, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. after 1746, (probably) New Jersey; M. (1) Peter Van Dyck; (2) Benjamin Van Cleef (~1683-1747)
3. Jacob Sutphen – B. before 20 Jan 1684, (probably) Flatbush, New York; M. Annetje Adriaense Bennet (~1687-?)
4. Jan Sutphen – B. before 18 Dec 1685, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. before 6 Feb 1687, (probably) Flatbush, New York
5. Jan Sutphen – B. before 6 Feb 1687, (probably) Flatbush, New York; D. (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey; M. Engeltje Adriaense Bennet (1685-?)
6. Geertie Sutphen – B. before 31 Mar 1689, New York
7. Dirck Sutphen – B. about 1691, New York; D. 18 Aug 1763, (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey
8. Guisbert Sutphen – B. 14 Oct 1693, New Utrecht, New York; D. 18 Aug 1763, Freehold, New Jersey
9. Abraham Van Sutphen – B. before 25 Sep 1696, New Utrecht, New York; M. Maria Maritje Barkeloo (~1702-?)
10. Elizabeth Van Sutphen – B. 6 Apr 1699, New York; D. 1 Aug 1766, New York; M. Daniel Lake (1696-1776)
Sources:
"Reconstructing the Ancestry of Dirck Janse Van Sutphen," Susan Amicucii, New Netherlands Connections, Vol. 6, No. 3., July-September 2001
"More About the Dutch Settlers," Abraham Van Doren Honeyman, Our Home: a monthly magazine of original articles, Vol. 1, 1873
Early Settlers of Kings County, Teunis C. Bergen, 1881
WikiTree
