A Hundred Acres of Fine Land — Christoffel Van Aersdalen

B. about 1696 in (probably) Gravesend, New York¹
M. about 1717 in New York or New Jersey¹
Wife: Magdalena Van Hengelen
D. before 2 Nov 1772 in (probably) Millstone River, New Jersey¹

During the first decades of the 18th century, many Dutch colonists who had been born on Long Island migrated to central New Jersey. After the English took over New Netherland in the late 17th century, the Dutch were offered the freedom to practice their religion if they formed new settlements in places like Somerset County. Besides keeping their culture, there was also another factor motivating the Dutch: the land was ideal for farming. And this may have been the reason Christoffel Van Aersdalen joined the flow of new settlers.

Christoffel (also known as Stoffel) was born about 1696, probably in Gravesend, New York (now part of Brooklyn),¹ the oldest son of Jan Van Arsdalen and Lammetje Probasco. In the Dutch tradition, he was named for his grandfather, Christoffel Probasco, an early settler of Brooklyn. In about 1717, Christoffel married Magdalena Van Hengelen, daughter of Aucke Van Hengelen and Ida Vonk.¹

By the 1720s, Christoffel had brought his family to a place in New Jersey known as Six Mile Run,¹ where many Dutch men were carving out farmland. Six Mile Run took its name from a stream that’s part of the vast river system of central New Jersey. Since the waterways were mostly navigable, they offered easy transportation. They also made the soil rich, which made it profitable for crops such as corn, barley, squash and flax. Plus, wild berries and nuts were growing in abundance, and the woods provided ample hunting for game birds, deer and elk. 

Millstone River in the area where Christoffel lived. (Source: Google Maps)

Christoffel and Magdalena had at least eight children, born between about 1718 and 1742. A child born in 1722, Jan, was probably baptized in Gravesend,¹ and another born in 1734, Lammetje, was baptized in Jamaica, New York,¹ where Christoffel's parents lived, but the rest of the time the family appears to have been in New Jersey. Christoffel and Magdalena were listed as early members on an undated record of the Dutch Reformed Church of New Millstone, later named Hillsborough.¹

Christoffel's date of death is unknown, but his land was offered for sale in 1772. A notice was published in The New York Gazette, or The Weekly Post-Boy on November 2, 1772:

“TO BE SOLD at private sale: The noted farm of Christopher Van Osdall, at Millstone River, in New Jersey, near Peter Schenck’s two miles from Somerset Court House, and eight Miles from New Brunswick. The Farm contains one Hundred Acres of fine Land, consisting of low Land, Meadows, and Wood Land sufficient for the Farm. There is on it a very good Dwelling House 50 Feet in Front, 5 Rooms on a Floor, 3 Fire Places, and a good Cellar under the Whole, with a good Well of Water, a large Dutch Barn, Out-Houses and a very good bearing Orchard of upwards of 300 Apple Trees, 150 of which are grafted of the best Fruit. Also all Sorts of Farmers Utensils, Horses and Cattle, if wanted. For Particulars inquire of John Van Osdall, in New-York, near the North River Ferry, or Christopher Van Osdall, near the Premises, who will give an indisputable Title for the same.”¹

One of Christoffel’s grandsons, John Jacob Van Arsdale (1756-1836), was a hero of the American Revolution. After serving on the 1775 expedition to Quebec, he was later captured by the British in 1777, and held for two months as a prisoner-of-war in New York. On November 25, 1783, the day the British evacuated New York, he was said to have climbed a greasy flagpole to replace the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes. This act was necessary before General Washington could triumphantly enter the city. It is to be noted that many believe it was another man who actually performed this stunt.²

John Jacob Van Arsdalen hanging the American flag. (Source: Library of Congress)

Children:

1. (supposed) Ida Van Arsdalen — B. about 1718, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey¹

2. Christoffel Van Arsdalen — B. before 17 Apr 1720, New Brunswick, New Jersey¹

3. Jan Van Arsdalen — B. 1722, (probably) Gravesend, New York;¹ D. 1798, Orange County, New York;³ M. (1) Deborah Van Pelt (1722-1756), about 1742;³ (2) Catherine Mills (?-1779), 30 Sep 1760, New York, New York³

4. Ouke Van Arsdalen — B. about 1725, Somerset County, New Jersey;¹ D. before 18 Jan 1796, Middlesex County, New Jersey;⁴ M. Maria Van Cleef (1734-1795)⁵
 

5. Cornelius Van Arsdalen — B. before 30 Mar 1729, New Brunswick, New Jersey¹

6. Hendrick Van Arsdalen — B. 25 Jul 1731, Hillsborough, New Jersey;¹ D. 24 Mar 1820, Somerset County, New Jersey;¹ M. Catherine Brokaw (1737-1819)⁶

7. Garret Van Arsdalen — about 1733, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey¹

8. Lemmetie Van Arsdalen — B. before 15 Dec 1734, Jamaica, New York¹

9. Simon Van Arsdalen — B. before 3 Oct 1742, Somerset County, New Jersey¹

Sources:
1    “Christoffel Van Aersdalen,” Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. III, No. 2, December 2000
2    “John Van Arsdale” (Wikipedia article)
3    Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. John Van Arsdale
4    New Jersey Abstract of Wills, 1670-1817, V. 28, p. 378
5    U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Ancestry.com
6    U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970, Ancestry.com