M. about 1755 in (probably) New Jersey
Wife: Catherine Brokaw
D. 24 Mar 1820 in Somerset County, New Jersey
There was a generation of men in colonial America who came along at the right time to have been a soldier in the American Revolution. Most were born during the 1740s and 1750s, but some were before and and after that period, and this was the case of Hendrick Van Arsdalen and his sons.
Hendrick was born in Hillsborough, New Jersey on July 25, 1731 to Christoffel Van Arsdalen and Magdalena Van Henglen, one of 9 children. In about 1755, Hendrick married Catherine Brokaw. Between about 1756 and 1771, they had seven children; at least two of them died as infants. During those years, Hendrick made his home in Somerville, but for about 4 or 5 years he moved with his family to Hunterdon County.
When the American Revolution began in 1775, many men in Somerset County took up arms for the cause. Records show that Hendrick enlisted as a private in Jacob Ten Eyck’s company, and he was part of a march to Bergen County beginning on July 8, 1776. His 16-year-old son Christopher joined the army with him, and the two fought in the same regiment.
New Jersey was central to the American Revolution, especially after Washington crossed the Delaware in his famous surprise attack on Christmas of 1776. During much of 1777, the main body of the Continental Army was camped within 50 miles of where Hendrick lived. Around the first of the year, he was paid £1.5.3 for helping to capture a “Tory wagon” in Bound Brook. There was a military effort to block such wagons from delivering supplies to British troops.
When the American Revolution began in 1775, many men in Somerset County took up arms for the cause. Records show that Hendrick enlisted as a private in Jacob Ten Eyck’s company, and he was part of a march to Bergen County beginning on July 8, 1776. His 16-year-old son Christopher joined the army with him, and the two fought in the same regiment.
New Jersey was central to the American Revolution, especially after Washington crossed the Delaware in his famous surprise attack on Christmas of 1776. During much of 1777, the main body of the Continental Army was camped within 50 miles of where Hendrick lived. Around the first of the year, he was paid £1.5.3 for helping to capture a “Tory wagon” in Bound Brook. There was a military effort to block such wagons from delivering supplies to British troops.
1777 muster roll showing Hendrick and Christopher, halfway down second column.
It’s not known for how long Hendrick continued to serve. He was on the muster rolls throughout 1776 and 1777, appearing for a final time on January 1, 1778. By that date, he had two sons who had enlisted; besides Christopher, 15-year-old Jan had joined up. It’s likely that Hendrick didn’t serve beyond that time and Christopher substituted for his father. There was also a family story that Hendrick became impoverished because he was paid for his service in worthless Continental script, forcing him to sell some or all of his property.
After the war, when the U.S. government was formed, Hendrick was a member of the Federalist party. He lived out his life in Somerset County with his wife, Catherine. She died on December 10, 1819 and he passed away just a few months later on March 24, 1820.
Children:
1. Hendrick Van Arsdalen – B. about 1756, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. young, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey
2. Hendrick Van Arsdalen – B. about 1758, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. young, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey
3. Christopher B. Van Arsdalen — B. 20 Apr 1760, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 1 Jun 1840, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Sarah Dumont (1764-1846), 30 Apr 1789, Somerset County, New Jersey
4. Jan Van Arsdalen — B. about Sep 1763, Somerset County, New Jersey
5. Mariya Van Arsdalen — B. about Apr 1766, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
6. Hendrick Van Arsdalen — B. about 1768, New Jersey
7. Isaac Van Arsdalen — B. about Jul 1771, Somerset County, New Jersey
Sources:
Our Brokaw-Brogaw heritage, Elsie E. Foster, 1967
History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, Everts & Peck, 1881
Revolutionary War pension application of Christopher Van Arsdalen
Sons of the American Revolution application of John Edward Van Arsdale, 1963
New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980, FamilySearch.org
