M. 1704 in Long Island, New York1
Wife: Hendrickje Van Sutphen
D. 6 Oct 1747 in Monmouth County, New Jersey1
Benjamin Van Cleef was part of a wave of Dutch people who took their families to New Jersey in the early 18th century. He was born in New Utrecht, New York, part of present-day Brooklyn, and was baptized there on November 25, 1683 along with a brother named Joseph, possibly his twin.1 His parents were Jan Cornelissen Van Cleef and Engeltje Laurens; his father was a Dutch immigrant who may have had a German heritage, and his mother was half-Norwegian and half-German. Their family had at least eleven children, and possibly more, with Benjamin as one of the youngest.
In 1704, Benjamin married Hendrickje Van Sutphen,1 a young woman who was also from New Utrecht. Their marriage record is missing, but it likely took place in the Brooklyn area. They had a daughter born the following year, and not long after, Benjamin made the decision to move to New Jersey.2 The family made their home in Monmouth County, in the village of Freehold; the children grew in number to a total of eight by the end of 1721.
Why did Benjamin and so many other Dutch from New York move to New Jersey? Of course one reason was the availability of land for farming as part of a natural progression to the west. But there was also the fact that New Jersey was originally part of New Netherland, and when British authorities set it up separately from New York, they gave people the freedom to practice their own religion. This enticed the Dutch to move there in large numbers.
Little else is known of Benjamin’s life. He seemed to own a lot of property, land which he provided to his three surviving sons as they came of age. He was a member of the Old Brick Reformed Church located in Marlboro, with his name appearing on a list dated October 1719.3 Two years later, he was named church deacon,3 although there’s no record of how long he served in that role.
Children:
1. Lysbet Van Cleef — B. before 29 May 1705, Brooklyn, New York;6 D. 1747, Monmouth County, New Jersey;6 M. William Albertse Couwenhoven (1702-1790), about 1720, Freehold, New Jersey6
2. Elije Van Cleef — B. about 1707, New Jersey;2 M. William Baird (1704-1793), before 21 Nov 1731, (probably) Freehold, New Jersey
3. Neeltje Van Cleef — B. about 1709, New Jersey;8 M. Hendrick Jansz Vanderbilt (1701-?)9
4. Johannes Van Cleef — B. before 3 Jun 1711, Freehold, New Jersey;10 D. Oct 1777, Freehold, New Jersey;11 M. (1) Maria Kraffert;12 (2) Sarah Couwenhoven (1714-?), 14 Jun 1739, Freehold, New Jersey11
5. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 3 May 1713, Freehold, New Jersey;13 D. before 21 Dec 171814
6. Maritje Van Cleef — B. before 6 Oct 1715, Freehold, New Jersey;15 D. 2 Apr 1789, Somerset County, New Jersey;16 M. John Brokaw (1709-1804), 1734, New Jersey16
7. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 21 Dec 1718, Freehold, New Jersey;14 D. Sep 1765, Marlboro, New Jersey;17 M. Elizabeth Lake (1722-1766), 1738, Freehold, New Jersey17
8. Benjamin Van Cleef — B. before 3 Dec 1721, Freehold, New Jersey;18 M. Neeltje Couwenhoven (1723-?), 2 Jul 1741, Marlboro, New Jersey19
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing of Benjamin Van Kleef
2 WikiTree listing of Elije (Van Cleef) Baird
3 “Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown,” The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. XXII, January 1947
4 Probate record of Benjamin Van Cleef, New Jersey Abstracts, Vol. 30
5 FamousKin.com listing for Benjamin Van Cleef
6 Find-a-Grave listing of Lysbeth (Van Cleef) Van Couwenhoven
7 Baptism of Alexander Baird, son of William Baird and Elsje Van Cleef, New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980, FamilySearch.org
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Ellen (Van Cleef) Van Der Bilt
9 Baptism of Benjamin Van Der Bilt, son of Hendrick Van Der Bilt and Neeltje Van Cleef, N.J.B. & C.
10 Baptism of Johannes Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
11 Find-a-Grave listing of John Van Cleef
12 Baptism of Martha Van Cleef, son of Johannes Van Cleef and Maria Kraffert, N.J.B. & C.
13 Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (older), N.J.B. & C.
14 Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (younger), N.J.B. & C.
15 Baptism of Marike Van Kleve, N.J.B. & C.
16 WikiTree listing of Marike van Kleve https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Kleve-1
17 Find-a-Grave listing of Richard Van Cleaf
18 Baptism of Benjamin Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
19 Marriage record of Benjamin Van Cleef and Neeltje Couwenhoven, NJ Marriage records, 1683-1802, Vol. XXII
Little else is known of Benjamin’s life. He seemed to own a lot of property, land which he provided to his three surviving sons as they came of age. He was a member of the Old Brick Reformed Church located in Marlboro, with his name appearing on a list dated October 1719.3 Two years later, he was named church deacon,3 although there’s no record of how long he served in that role.
Benjamin was about 64-years-old when he made out his will on September 26, 1747.4 He died on October 6th, and was buried at the church cemetery.1 It isn't known when his wife passed away. Among Benjamin's descendants is Tom Brokaw.5
Benjamin's grave at Old Brick Reformed Church Cemetery. (Source: Find-a-Grave)
Children:
1. Lysbet Van Cleef — B. before 29 May 1705, Brooklyn, New York;6 D. 1747, Monmouth County, New Jersey;6 M. William Albertse Couwenhoven (1702-1790), about 1720, Freehold, New Jersey6
2. Elije Van Cleef — B. about 1707, New Jersey;2 M. William Baird (1704-1793), before 21 Nov 1731, (probably) Freehold, New Jersey
3. Neeltje Van Cleef — B. about 1709, New Jersey;8 M. Hendrick Jansz Vanderbilt (1701-?)9
4. Johannes Van Cleef — B. before 3 Jun 1711, Freehold, New Jersey;10 D. Oct 1777, Freehold, New Jersey;11 M. (1) Maria Kraffert;12 (2) Sarah Couwenhoven (1714-?), 14 Jun 1739, Freehold, New Jersey11
5. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 3 May 1713, Freehold, New Jersey;13 D. before 21 Dec 171814
6. Maritje Van Cleef — B. before 6 Oct 1715, Freehold, New Jersey;15 D. 2 Apr 1789, Somerset County, New Jersey;16 M. John Brokaw (1709-1804), 1734, New Jersey16
7. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 21 Dec 1718, Freehold, New Jersey;14 D. Sep 1765, Marlboro, New Jersey;17 M. Elizabeth Lake (1722-1766), 1738, Freehold, New Jersey17
8. Benjamin Van Cleef — B. before 3 Dec 1721, Freehold, New Jersey;18 M. Neeltje Couwenhoven (1723-?), 2 Jul 1741, Marlboro, New Jersey19
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing of Benjamin Van Kleef
2 WikiTree listing of Elije (Van Cleef) Baird
3 “Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown,” The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. XXII, January 1947
4 Probate record of Benjamin Van Cleef, New Jersey Abstracts, Vol. 30
5 FamousKin.com listing for Benjamin Van Cleef
6 Find-a-Grave listing of Lysbeth (Van Cleef) Van Couwenhoven
7 Baptism of Alexander Baird, son of William Baird and Elsje Van Cleef, New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980, FamilySearch.org
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Ellen (Van Cleef) Van Der Bilt
9 Baptism of Benjamin Van Der Bilt, son of Hendrick Van Der Bilt and Neeltje Van Cleef, N.J.B. & C.
10 Baptism of Johannes Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
11 Find-a-Grave listing of John Van Cleef
12 Baptism of Martha Van Cleef, son of Johannes Van Cleef and Maria Kraffert, N.J.B. & C.
13 Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (older), N.J.B. & C.
14 Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (younger), N.J.B. & C.
15 Baptism of Marike Van Kleve, N.J.B. & C.
16 WikiTree listing of Marike van Kleve https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Kleve-1
17 Find-a-Grave listing of Richard Van Cleaf
18 Baptism of Benjamin Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
19 Marriage record of Benjamin Van Cleef and Neeltje Couwenhoven, NJ Marriage records, 1683-1802, Vol. XXII
