Dutch Woman in New Amsterdam
Anneke Webber was an early Dutch colonist in New Amsterdam and New Netherland. She was born in Norway in 1605. She married Roeloff Jans in Amsterdam, Holland, on Friday, April 18, 1623. They had six children. Her name became well-known because of the many lawsuits concerning her farm, which was claimed by her heirs and the Trinity Church in New York City.
The Dutch West India Company founded the colony of New Amsterdam—later New York City—in 1625 as a place to defend river access to the company’s fur trade operations in the Hudson River, which extended to the colony of New Netherland—later New York state.
But the efforts to colonize New Netherland were faltering. On June 7, 1629, the rules for settlements were relaxed. The first ship of colonists arrived in New Amsterdam on May 24, 1630, the only ship to arrive that year. On board were Roeloff Jans and his wife, Anneke Jans, and their two daughters.
Roeloff was commissioned to farm in the new colony for $72 a year, and the family moved up the Hudson River to the village of Beverwyck—now Albany, New York. Their last two children were born on de Laets Burg Farm on the east bank of the Hudson.
Roeloff hadn’t been a successful farmer, and he was replaced. The family then moved to New Amsterdam, where Roeloff became an employee of the West India Company.
In 1636, Governor Wouter Van Twiller granted to Roeloff and Anneke Jans a 62-acre farm, or Bowerie, on Manhattan Island just outside the limits of the New Amsterdam Settlement, between present-day Broadway and the Hudson River. Roeloff was contracted by the West India Company to farm the plot. He died shortly thereafter and Anneke inherited the land.
Dutch women had more property rights than their other female colonists in the New World. Prenuptial agreements were common at New Amsterdam, and they enabled women with money and/or property to keep their wealth after they married. Anneke Jans wrote one of the first prenuptial agreements, and later drafted them for her daughters, as well.
In March 1638, she married Reverend Everardus Bogardus, the second minister of the Dutch Church of New Amsterdam. They had four sons. He died at sea on September 29, 1647.
After learning of her husband’s death by drowning off the coast of Wales, Anneke moved from her house near the Fort in New Amsterdam back to Beverwyck, where she had a house on land adjacent to property owned by two of her sons from her first marriage.
Anneke Jans died at Beverwyck on February 23, 1663, leaving her property to be divided among her eight surviving children. Her will includes the 62 acres on Manhattan Island. She was buried in the churchyard at Beaver and Hudson Streets.
After the English took possession of New Amsterdam in 1664, all property-holders were required to obtain new titles for their lands. Anneke’s heirs secured a new patent for the farm from Governor Nicolls on March 27, 1667.
On March 9, 1671, the farm was sold to Governor Lovelace. All of Anneke’s heirs signed the deed of transfer, except the wife and child of Cornelius Bogardus, Anneke’s son who had died in 1666. And that omission caused all the subsequent legal problems.
In 1674, the Duke of York (who later became King James II) confiscated the Jans farm. In 1705, Queen Anne granted the farm to Trinity Church (the church itself was at the southernmost tip of Manhattan), and it became known as Trinity’s Lower Farm.
In 1749, Cornelius Brower, a descendant of Cornelius Bogardus (whose heirs had not signed the deed) took possession of a portion of the farm. He was evicted, and filed suit against Trinity Church, which he lost. In 1757, he made another unsuccessful attempt.
In 1784, Cornelius Bogardus, great-grandson of Anneke’s son Cornelius, claimed one-sixth of the Lower Farm. His grounds were that no one from his great-grandfather’s family had agreed to the sale, and one-sixth of that land should belong to his heirs.
He took possession of a house on the farm and built a fence around it. The church hired men to remove and burn the fence. Bogardus then burned some of the church’s fence. He was evicted by the courts in 1786. The courts always ruled that the church held legal title to the land.
The land had been of little value when New York’s northward expansion reached it, but by 1800, the swamp on the property had been drained, and the land improved to the point that commercial buildings and private dwellings had been built on it.
Cornelius Bogardus’ son John brought suit in 1830 to obtain one-thirtieth of the farm and a portion of back rents. He raised the money necessary to carry on this suit by sending circulars to all the descendants of Anneke Jans asking them to contribute, which they did. But in 1847, a judgment was again made in the church’s favor. Several other lawsuits since then have ended with the same result.
SOURCES:
Anneke or Annetje Jans
As a descendent of Anneke Jans, and having been to Trinity Church twice, this is amazing to read and wonder what life was like back then.
Me too my brother and I are descendants of Anneke Jans.
Hi Lisa,
I too am a descendent of Anneke Jan’s. My grandfather was Cornelius Bogardus.
My husband was David Porter Bogardus he’s a direct decent of Cornelius Bogardus his father was William Bogardus
Hi, my name is Marykay and my family is also related to Anneke Jan’s through her daughter from her first husband. I thought I was Scottish-Irish until I had my DNA done which led me to this exciting link in my family tree. It is all so fascinating and a bit mind boggling when you stop to look at all of the people you are related to in this country!
So am I. The Bogardus line still is strong in upper New York. My grandmother Adeline Bogardus is her direct descendant.
I am also related thru the two marriages as my paternal grand parents were both related to her; I just today found papers for my
g grandfather’s signed Bond And other papers re Anneke.
Still milling over them.
Lisa N
as a descendant of Anneke Jans Have you had a DNA test done I also am a descendant of Anneke Jans by way of Daughter Sarah Jansen and Dr. Hans Keirstead a DNA test would prove this to be true.
Wayne E. DeLong
My grandfather was Robert Bogardus Snowden
My grandpa was Bruce bogardus born in NYC 1923 and yes I have had DNA done but so what that was stolen by Trinity so nothing can be done
I just found out by my great grandma that I’m also related to Anneke Jan’s- Bogardus it’s so interesting to find out that I’m related to someone like her.
Yes she is my 10th great grandmother. I learned about her from my Ancestry reports
Hi Lisa,
I too am a descendent of Anneke Jan’s. My grandfather was Cornelius Bogardus.
Hi Lisa, I am somehow related to Anneka. My Great Grand parents were Edwin & Dora Butterfield, she was a Caulkins. Her ancestors landed in Boston in 1634. Then, my Maternal Gradfather was Ewart D. Williams from Upper Ontario, Canada. His ancestors were from Cornwall England.
She is my 12th great grandmother thru a daughter from her 1st marriage. I found out by my dna match from a test. I have enjoyed learning the history. Here I thought I was mostly Scottish and Irish.
Being a descent of Anneke myself. My family has the complete book written about Anneke Jan’s family from Holland and history of the Farm in New York. It contains the Maps and drawings of the farm. The book is HUGE it called”the Trinity”. Very few copies were make.
Me too.
Fascinating. Have you posted any parts of the book? Especially parts having to do with what their daily lives were like? Any of her words?
I’d love to locate a copy of the book. Im a descendant of her daughter Sarah.
Anneke Jan’s and Everadus Bogardus are my 9th great grandparents.
I’d love to read the book. Is it available anywhere? Even a portion of it? I too am a descendent and live in Manhattan.
She’s listed in our family tree, my daughter is named after her. Interesting to see this.
Thank you, Martha. Have any electronic copies of “The Trinity” been made? If not, I would be happy to scan them electronically for you. Anneke Jans is my 14th Great-Grandmother.
If my research is correct I’m her 11th great-grandchild.
I have no idea how my mother came into the possession of this book, but it is now mine. Absolutely fascinating.
Hello Martha, I am also a descendent of Anntje Jan and would love a scanned copy of the book. Is it possible to obtain copy? Mary C.
Is this book available anywhere? I would love to buy one!!
I too am a decedent and am FASCINATED with geneology! My great-grandma was a Delong.
https://www.amazon.com/Anneke-Bogardus-became-property-Trinity/dp/B009SS8KT8
https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/duane-park/history
There is a little plaque on each end of this little park with information on our grandmother. The park is also a filming location in the movie HITCH.
Hello Martha, I am also a descendant of Anneke Jan’s. Have you ever made a hard or digital copy of it? I’d love a copy if you have it. It sounds like a lot of others would like it also.
I have a copy of the 1st part it was a two part subscriptiuon my grand parents bought and subscribe to. I do not know what became of the 2nd part or if they ever recieved it? A person by the name Mcinnis was a lawyer trying to sue for repreations.
Dale C
Thank you for this! Anneke is my 11th great grandmother. This was an excellent/interesting read!
Also my 11th great grandmother!
Lisa N
as a descendant of Anneke Jans Have you had a DNA test done I also am a descendant of Anneke Jans by way of Daughter Sarah Jansen and Dr. Hans Keirstead a DNA test would prove this to be true.
Wayne E. DeLong
Hello to all my cousins from what i know there are a estimated over 3000 cousins .im very proud to know she is one of my great grand mothers .if it weren’t for her none of us would be here ..my grandmother was born Elaine Bourgeois..hugs to you all !!!
How cool. I am also supposed to be a descendent of Anneke Jans. Our family apparently left the US as Empire Loyalists at the time of the American Revolution and settled in New Brunswick, Canada. I have little other information at this time.
I am also a descendent of Anneke Jans and Everardus Bogardus. I happen to own the book, Trinity: Break Ye Thy Commandments. I inherited from my grandfather. It is a large book with a number of maps and etc as inserts. The first part of the book covers the history, and the second part concerns the lawsuit.
I also own that book, passed down from my mother. We are also descendants, through her son, Cornelius. I have always wanted to know about my many cousins, I happened on this site today.
I also am a descendent and have the book Trinity: Break Ye Thy Commandments. My father is Blee Hatt and is the historian for our family. He offers vivid details about “its” history.
The “Hatt’s “ have extensive history and it’s truly real.
Hello Diane, I am also a descendant of Anneke Jan’s. Have you ever made a hard or digital copy of it? I’d love a copy if you have it.
She was my 9th great grandmother.
My family history says annika married a commoner so her royal father shipped her to manhattan with husband and land grant. Her inheritance delayed to tenth generation. Anyone else been told this?
Sadly, the royal lineage was just a myth started by a family genealogist about 100 years ago.
So nice to know I have so much family all over the country, I have an original typed genealogical and biographical records dated back 3oo years and I know not every name is listed but hugs to all my family of Anneke
William Bogardus was married to Sarah Cregier of New Amsterdam, New York. Sarah was sister of my direct ancestor, Catherine Cregier (Mrs. Hoagland)
Bogardus (this name should properly be written “Bogart”, but because of his ministerial orders, his name was Latinized as “Bogardus.”)
I also have a copy of that book! My grandfather tore one of the maps, I was so disappointed, but it was accidental. He and I are also descendants of Anneke.
Hello Darcy, I am also a descendant of Anneke Jan’s. Have you ever made a hard or digital copy of it? I’d love a copy if you have it.
She is my 8th great grandmother. I am proud to know that I am a descendant of such a strong intelligent woman who obviously tolerated no nonsense. She wrote the first pre nuptial agreement in this country and insisted her daughters have them as well.
She is my 10th great grandmother
I have taken a DNA test and would like to compare with other descendants of Anneke . Pieter Bogardus was my 8th great grandfather.My DNA is on 4 different sites.
Doug
I have a family document that notes Peter Bargardus in our lineage descendant of Anne. I’m curious to know more of this lineage.
I’m also a descendant of Anneke through my mother’s father’s father, but I will have to get the genealogical records from my relatives or hire a genealogical researcher. I want to get an ancestral DNA test anyway.
If your DNA is on GEDmatch, can you give me your kit number? It’s unlikely that common autosomal DNA will have trickled down so many generations (11 generations in my case), but there may be some small matching segments. My kit# on GEDmatch is A612169. My brothers and sisters are also on GEDmatch: A135144, A437419, A398023, A330499. I have found that even when I don’t match someone, one of my siblings will.
I haven’t done DNA yet but I ordered the Ancestry DNA test. Showing Pieter Bogardus is my 10th great grandfather. My maiden name is Sweet.
would love to see the relation. She is supposed to be my 10th great grandma. I have done DNA and is on a few sites as well.
Hey! She’s my great Granny too!
Wonderful enthusiasm. I am also a descendent of Anneke Jans and Everardus Bogardus. My mother always spoke about this dispute over original ownership of Trinity Church land.
Does anyone have a copy of Trinity: Break Ye Thy Commandments you’d be willing to part with?
Would any of you who have a copy be willing to share it with a publisher like Higginson (higginsonbooks.com) so those of us who are also descended could be able to purchase a copy? Copyright will expire in 2025 for this book, I believe.
I inherited a copy of the book from my grandfather, but I will not part with it. There are some copies on Amazon from time to time. I am waiting on the copyright to expire, so I can publish the book.
I am also descended from Annette and Roeloff Jans. There is a miss calculation on the size of the farm they own on the corner of Wall and abroad. It is stated it was 62 acres, but it was actually 62 morgans or roughly 124 acres.
I, too, am a descendant of Anneke and Roeloff Jans. I’m just learning of this, so if any of the owners of the Trinity book is willing to get it published, I’ll buy a copy or two!
Steve Ward
(Was Van Schooderwoerdt!)
I am a descendant of Anneke Jans and Everardus Bogardus (8 generations). My grandmother used to speak of the family hoping for millions as a result of this lawsuit!
I have been to Trinity Church.
Sadly I live in CA, so direct research is limited.
My grandfather bought a copy of this book, and I inherited upon his death. 2500 were printed. The title is Break Ye Thy Commandments. It is a large format book with many thin tissue maps and etc. Along with the book is my grandfather’s correspondence and ephemera concerning the lawsuit. The lawyer, I think Greensleeves was a New York lawyer who was disbarred.
Not Greensleeves, but Willis Timothy Gridley
Hi- just reading this, my mother’s father John Oliver Bogardus told me (now 78) we owned Manhattan Island and could be rich! My husband and I walking down a street in Albany in 1986 all by chance!! Saw a sign on a small building “former home of Anneke Jans Bogardus and I almost fell down. Went to the State Library in Albany & learned more. I could have been an heiress! Saw Trinity church, deeded to the city of NY for 100 yrs. by Anneke. We were in Rheinbeck, NY also by chance & went into The Bogardus Tavern. Met two Bogardus folk & told by one Humphrey Bogart (actor for younger people) was a Bogardus. His coloring was like some of my grandpa and Bogardus cousins and that there was Mediterranean blood on Everardus’ side of the family. So interesting!! Thanks cousins!
I’m pretty sure that the name Gesner is also tied to Anneke Jan’s but am having trouble proving it.
Can anyone help?
I am a descendant of Anneke Jans, through her daughter and son in law Dr. Hans and Sarah Kierstead. I have been researching the family for well over 45 years and have compiled a genealogical book that covers the birth of Anneke Jans in 1605 to present day descendants in 2021. It gives the history of the law suits involving the descendants and Trinity Church. The land that she once owned is now part of the Wall Street District in New York City. In 1893 ( one of the years that a law suit was filed ), the land was estimated to be worth $ 300,000,000. In 1895 the descendants formed a International Union to help defray the costs of legal fees: HEADQUARTERS OF THE ANNEKE JANS INTERNATIONAL UNION, NO. 120 HOLMDEN AVENUE, CLEAVELAND, O. JUNE 15, 1895 ) . OFFICERS; R. H. TIMMONDS, PRESIDENT, JEFFERSON, IND., WM. N. RILEY, VICE PRESIDENT, CININATI,O, ETC…. GENEAL COUNSEL WAS D. H. CHILES, CLARINDA, IOWA. In my book I have nine pages dedicated to the Anneke Jans law suits using 1893 and 1896 newspaper articles as sources. Herse is some excerpts: THE ANNEKE JANS ESTATE. Some time ago we referred to the Anneke Jans estate, in which some residents of this city claim to be interested. Since then the heirs have had a meetin and appear to be disposed to take steps to prosecute their claims. When it is considered that the property claimed on behalf of the Jans estate has been in possession of Trinity Church, New York, for almost 200 years, and that 16 law suites which have been brought at various times between the year 1750 and 1852…. It is also worthy of consideration that the heirs of Anneke Jans must number many thousands, so that even the vast property of Trinity Church, if divided among them, would give no very large amount to each. My book gives the names and lineages of thousands of descendants spanning 15 generations, birth, marriage, death records including obituaries and articles. Blair E. Bartlett, 87 Shillington Road, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2J 4G1 1-506-696-6175 [email protected] Feb 25, 2020.
My late mother in law Helen Scott and her sister spoke often of “the Anneke Jans estate” as they called it. They’re father apparently had pursued the myth of the Church owing money to the heirs! His mother was Hannah Maria Ward whose family was originally from somewhere in NY state (Albany I think) and came to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. I have been unable to make a firm connection but it is clear there is some history in the family. It would be nice to connect the dots for my children and grandchildren! What an amazing woman she was!
Dear Kathryn Scott. I have produced a genealogical book on the descendants of Anneke Jans and if you would like to fill me in about who your parents, grandparents were, etc… I may be able to connect the dots for you. I have the names and lineages of thousands of her descendants. Sincerely, Blair E. Bartlett, 87 Shillington Road, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2J 4G1 1-506-696-6175 [email protected] Feb 25, 2021.
Sadly, missing out on any possible inheritance, I chalk it up to another stinky chapter in my life.
“When my ship came I was at the airport”
It would be fun to meet other descendants, thinking at the Trinity Church property? Of course we need to have our real estate lawyer included. How about Spring 2022?
I have no idea how my mother came into the possession of this book, but it is now mine. Absolutely fascinating. We are descendants of Anneke through her son, Cornelius.
My family is a direct descendant from this woman. What a rich history. I’ve known about her for years but, it’s always interesting to learn more.
I am so pleased to see relatives!!! I too am a descendant of Anneke. Pleased to meet you all. My family has always been important to me. Shout out if you’re interested. Thank you!
If my research has been correct, she is my 11th great grandmother by way of Pieter Bogardus. Anyone else related to Sweet family?
Per a letter that I have found, family history (or legend ?) has it that Anneka was an ancestor in my family, possibly through the Vroman (Vrooman?) family in NY state. I haven’t done the genealogy to work it out yet, but if so, she would me my nth grandma, not sure what “n” is, but something like 10-12. The notes suggest that Delia Vroman (b “about” 1762) was a gr gr gr gr gr grandchild. Anyone know anything about that.
Does anyone have a copy of the will left by Sara? Maybe that will shed light on why this is such a controversy. Also who can the DNA be compared with that is verified a descendent of William the Silent? Has anyone tried to contact someone so it can be compared with them?
I too am a descendant! My great Aunt Donna Tisdale did a long history review that is in our family. I’m 13 generation I believe from Anneke.I have heard a story of a lawsuit settled in the 1950’s regarding the property. Just pennies but a done deal. I descend from her son William Bogardus. He had one daughter Anetzie… on from there she had 11 children and Adam Brower is the line to me…
I too am a descendant of Anneke Jan’s by her son, Pieter Bogardus. I doubt anyone will win a case regarding ownership of the farm. But the Genealogy Roadshow did have a descendant on their show, Season 3, Episode 6, that was related to Anneka and the genealogist spoke of how many people claim to be related because they want a piece of the pie, but are proven to not be related. Lol.
In my great grandathers obit, Reuben D Wollison 1823-1909, it stated…”one of the most direct descendants of Annett Jans who owned so much of the land now used by the corporation of Trinity church in New York City.”
Possibly can anyone shed light on this. Family names, Royer, Stevens, Moseley, Strait, Powell, Thomas, Richards. His father was George J Wollison.
Thank you
Peter Wollison
Hello. I’m also a descendant of Anneki, by way of William Bogardus born 2/15/1639. Fascinating how many descendants there are!
I also am descended from Anneke Jans & Roeloff Janszen. 10th great grandparents. I have never seen the book “Trinity, etc. but am going to try to obtain a copy somewhere, even if I have to borrow it. William Brower Bogardus wrote a book: “Dear Cousin, A Charted Genealogy of the Descendants of Anneke Jans Bogardus (1605-1663) to the 5th Generation.” which is available for purchase. Also Edward N. Clopper wrote a book: “An American Family, Its Ups and Downs Through Eight Generations from 1650 to 1880”. I have both of these books and I believe they can be purchased online. Unfortunately, Bill Bogardus passed away before he could complete a second book which would have taken “Dear Cousin” to the next level. I had the privilege of meeting him several years before he died and his collection of backup documents was impressive. In fact, he had a room in his house devoted to genealogy which included microfisch reader, microfilm reader, computers, copiers, and many, many file cabinets.
In addition, there was a Genealogy Roadshow production from Los Angeles several years ago and Anneke Jans was one of the ancestors profiled. If you google Genealogy Roadshow, Los Angeles, it should give you some information and possibly a way to watch the episode.
I’m a descendant
I believe Anneke Jans is my 8th great grandmother.
I’m thinking the same, My Grandma said She’s Grandmother of Charity Hale whereas she’s her GGG grandma! WOW that’s was a lot of greats
The family lore was that our ancestors owned the land where Trinity Church stands. And that there was an ancestor named “Ana Kajan” – we were spelling it phonetically – not correctly in the Dutch as Anneke Jan. A relative made the discovery of this page and we were floored to see this family story was actually true.
If the one descendant didn’t sign the deed then it wasn’t a legal sale. Was money accepted from Lovelace without all the descendants signing the deed? I fail to understand how the Duke of York (King James II) had the authority to confiscate the land and then Queen Anne ”granted” it to the church?!? Sounds like land thievery to me. If that church was any kind of true body of believers they would have seen what was true and that they were on stolen land. Sorry to bring up the injustice aspect, but things like this always get to me as I had things taken away from me unjustly too. Certainly God will repay & restore; but sad for those who suffer the injustice. 🙁 _ _ _
Hey Family , our history is wonderful and exciting. Found our family tree in my Grandma’s Bible it’s huge. She had some interesting things wrote down and I thought to myself, I remember her telling me stories, said we were Aristocrats . I started some research and find myself here. If you want to reach out Email me on Google