Monmouth County NJ Archives History.....Couwehoven/Conover families: Beekman's, Early Dutch Settlers ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/njfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: JMP jpaatter@comcast.net ************************************************ The html index page for this book may be found at http://usgwarchives.net/nj/monmouth/beekman-hist.html ************************************************ EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY GEORGE C. BEEKMAN. MOREAU BROS., PUBLISHERS, FREEHOLD, N. J. Second Edition Printed, 1915. ============================ 19 THE SIX CONOVER BROTHERS AND FOUR CONOVER SISTERS. In one of my former articles I inad- vertently stated that the three Conover brothers who married Sehenck wives were the only original settlers of this name. I should have said that they were the only brothers who married in the Sehenck family, and were likely the first ones to come here with the two Sehenck brothers. As a fact there were six Conover brothers and four sisters, who were all born in Kings county, Nassau Island, as Long Island was then called, and removed to Mon- mouth county. They were the children of William Gerritse Cowenhoven, who resided for a number of years in Brooklyn. He was a magistrate there in the years 1661-62- 64, and a deacon of the Dutch church in 1663. From there he removed to Flat- lands. His name appears as a resident and freeholder of that place, on the assessment rolls of 1675-83-93. He was also an elder of the Dutch church there in 1677. Nov. 1, 1709, he sold his farm at Flatlands to his son William, and is supposed to have spent his declining years among his ten children in Mon- mouth county. William Gerritse Couwenhoven was born in year 1636. He married for his first wife Altje, daughter of Joris Dirckse Brinckerhoff. On 12th of Feb- ruary, 1665, he married his second wife, Jannetje, daughter of Pieter Monfoort. By his first wife he had two sons. Garret. Joris, or George, who mairied Alletta Luyster, or, as spelled on Brick church records, Altige Luyster, where they became commun- icants in 1731. By his second wife he had eleven children: Altje. b. Dec. 14, 1665 married Cornelius VanAertsdalen. Neeltje. b. Dec. 7, 1667 married John Pietese Wyckoff. Peter, b. Feb. 12, 1671, married Patience, daughter of Elias Daws. Cornelius, b. Nov. 20, 1672, (according to Teunis G. Bergen), married Margaretta Sehenck, Sept. 8, 1700. According to inscrip- tion on his tombstone in the Schenck-Couwen- hoven burying ground. Pleasant Valley, he died May 16, 1736, aged 64 yrs.â 5 mos.â 17 days. This would place his birthday back in 1671. As his brother Peter is said to have been born in 1671, there is a mistake either in Mr. Bergen's record or in the tombstone record. His wife, Maragreta, as spelled on her tombstone, died Dec. 6, 1751, aged 73 yrs., 9 mos., 27 days. Sarah, b. Jan. 6, 1675, m. Jan Sehenck. Albert, b. Dec. 7, 1676, m. Neeltje Sehenck. Jacob, b. Jan. 29, 1679, m. Sarah Sehenck. Jan, b. Apr. 9, 1681, m. Jacoba VanDerveer. Annatie, b. Apr. 13, 1683, m. Elbert Williamson. William, b. Mar. 7, 1686, m. Annatie Lucasse Vorhees. Jacomina, b. Dec. 28, 1689, m. Elbert Williamson. Garret, William and Altje were the only ones who did not come to Mon- mouth county. Cornelius, Jacob and 20 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. Albert came first, then Peter, Jan and Joris. Sarah and Neeltje, of the daugh- ters came first, as their names appear among the communicants of the Brick church as early as 1709, while their sisters, Annatie and Jacomina appear in 1717. Joris or George Couwenhoven, who married Alletta or Altje Luyster, al- though the eldest of all the sons who came to Monmouth, was the last one to come. He evidently had children born before he took up his residence in this county. The Brick church records show the baptism of the following children of George Couwenhoven and his wife, Aletta Luyster. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 18, 1725. She married May 7, 1747, John Smock, and died May 7, 1812. She and her husband are inteired in the Smock burying ground, on the farm for- merly owned by Peter R. Smock, the father of ex-sheriff Rulief P. Smock, in Holmdel township. John Smock and Elizabeth Smock had the following children: Mary. b. Mar. 20, 1748. Hendrick, b. Dec. 31, 1749. Joris. b. June 9, 1751, died young. [Omission:-Insert- Aletta, born about 1752] Joris, b. Dec. 22, 1754. Neeltje, b. Nov. 21, 1756. Sara, b. July 30, 1758. Caterina, b. Apr. 27, 1760. Johannes, b. Jon. 19, 1764. Roelif, b. Nov. 20, 1769. In Book E of Deeds, page 226, Mon- mouth clerk's office, is record of a deed dated Dec. 9, 1712, from Capt. John Bown, merchant, of Middletown town- ship, to Johannes Smock, late of Staten Island, New York, for 230 acres in Mid- dletown township and four acres of salt meadow at Shoal Harbor. Ramen- essin brook is called for as one of the boundaries of the 230 acre tract. Joris Couwenhoven had the following children baptized alter Elizabeth, wife of John Smock: Cornelius, bapt. July 2, 1727. Daughter, not named, bapt. Jan. 1, 1729. Peter, baptized Mar. 31, 1731. We also find in these records a Garret Couwenhoven and his wife, Sarah Trap- hagle (Traphagen), had a son named Joris, baptized Oct. 26, 1746. Aletta Luyster appears as sponsor. As this Garret Couwenhoven cannot be ac- counted for among the children of the other brothers, and the coincidence of name also agreeing with Joris Couwen- hoven's family, we think it reasonable to say that he was a son of Joris Cou- wenhoven and his wife, Aletta Luyster. born prior to their removal to Mon- mouth county. In Book H of deeds, page 152, Mon- mouth Clerk's office, is record of a deed dated May 6, 1729, from John Antonides, miller, and Johanna, his wife, of Free- hold township, to George Couwenhoven, yeoman, of Middletown township, for 105 acres in Freehold township. This is about all the definite information the writer has of Joris Couwenhoven. As to the other five brothers, who took up their residence in Monmouth county the records are clear and cer- tain. I will take them up in the order of their respective ages. Peter Couwenhoven married Patience, daughter of Elias Daws, and is said to have settled somewhere in what is now Manalapan township. His Dutch Bible. a very precious book to him, is now in the possession of Mrs. Lydia H. S. Conover, who has kindly furnished me with names and dates of births of his children as follows: Hannah or Johanna, b. Sept. 26, 1695, m. John, a son of Rev. Vincentius Antonides, a Dutch clergyman, sent out by Classis of Amsterdam to supply the churches in Brook- lyn, Flatbush and Flatlands. The quarrel be- tween him and Rev. Bernardus Freeman, who had been commissioned by Lord Cornbury as pastor of these same churches fills many pages of the early history of the Dutch churches in Kings county. L. I. Jane, b. July 28, 1697, married ____ Williamson. Alice, b. Sept. 28, 1699, died young. Mary, b. July 11, 1701 m. Koert Gerritse Schenck. William, b. July 11, 1703, m. Mary Calyer or Colyer and died May 3rd, 1777. Mary, his wife, died January 30, 1777, in her 70th year. Both were buried in Tennent church cemetery. Altje. b. May 21, 1705, m. Jan. 16, 1730. Her cousin, William Williamson, who was born Feb. 18, 1709, died April 22, 1788. He was a son of Aert Williamson and Annetie Couwenhoven, his wife. Elias, known in after life as 'Ensign Elias," was born Sept. 12th, 1707, m. Williamsee, daughter of John Wall, died Dec. 25, 1750. His wife died March 24th, 1759, aged about 58 years. Both are interred in the Schenck-Cou- wenhoven burying ground. Pleasant Valley. Neeltje. b. Sept. 2, 1709. Peter, b. June 27, 1712, married his cousin. Leah Janse Schenck, and removed to state of New York. Anney, b. Sept. 29, 1714, m. John Longstreet, son of Adriaan Langstraat and Christina Janse, his wife. He was baptized Jan. 13, 1712, and married Anne Couwenhoven Dec. 17, 1746. Pieter Couwenhoven, the father of these ten children, made his will March 15, 1743. It was proved April 23, 1755, and is on record at Trenton. N. J., in Book F of Wills, page 259, etc. He names in this will his wife, Patience. his sons Peter, William and Elias, whom he also appoints executors, and his 21 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. daughters, Hannah Antonides, Jane Williamson, Mary Schenck, Aeltje Wil- liamson and Ann Longstreet. He was an active member of the Dutch church and served as elder in 1711-21. I do not know where he is buried. His son Elias, called "Ensign Elias," who married Williamsee Wall, was the father of Col. John Couwenhoven, who was born March 8, 1734, married Elea- nor Wyckoff and died April 21, 1803. He is interred in yard of Marlboro Brick church. He represented Monmouth county in the Provincial Congress of this state and was a member of Council of Safety during years 1775-76. He seems to have been one of the trusted leaders of the people in Monmouth county, at the very beginning of the stormy days of our Revolutionary war. The following resolutions representing the views ol the patriots in Freehold township are closely associated with his name, if indeed he was not the author and mover of them. It required great courage and devo- tion to the people's cause for a man at that time to speak out so plainly. At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabi- tants of the township of Lower Freehold, in the county of Monmouth in New Jersey, on Monday, the 6th day of June, 1771, after notice given of the time, place and occasion of the meeting. RESOLVED, That it is the unanimous opin- ion of this meeting, that the cause in which the inhabitants of the Town of Boston are now suffering, is the common cause of the whole continent of North America, and that unless some general and positive measures for the public sifety be speedily entered into, there is just reason to fear that every province may in turn share the same fate with them ; and that, therefore, it is highly incumbent on them all to unite in some effectual means to obtain a repeal of the Boston Port Bill, and any other that may follow it, which shall be deemed sub- versive of the rights and privileges of free born Americans. And that it is also the opin- ion of this meeting, that in case it shall ap- pear hereafter to be consistent with the gen- eral opinion of the trading towns and the commercial part of our countrymen, that an entire stoppage of importation and exportation from and to Great Britain and the West Indies, until the said Port Bill and other acts be re- pealed, will be really conducive to the safety and preservation of North America and her liberties, they will yield a cheerful acquiesence in the measure and earnestly recommend the same to all their brethren in this province. RESOLVED moreover. That the inhabitants of this township will join in an association with the several towns in the county and in conjunction with them, with the several coun- ties in the province (if as we doubt not, they see fit to accede to this proposal) in any meas- ures that may appear best adapted to the weal and safety of North America and her loyal sons. Then follows the names of the seven persons appointed as a committee of Freehold township to carry said reso- lutions into effect. Among them ap- pears the names of Hendrick Smock and Capt. John Couwenhoven. A month later still stronge tions were passed, and we find his name again among the committee. Also in in the proceedings of the congress of New Jersey of the years 1775-76 we find his name prominent. He was the great grandfather of the late Hon. Charles H. Conover, who was, during the seventies, one of the lay Judges of our county Ê courts, and who lived on the old Couwenhoven homestead farm in Marlboro township, still (1898) in the family ownership. He was a gentleman of reserved and retiring manners, but upright and faithful in the discharge of private and public duties, and consistent and reliable in his business dealings. The writer for several years was brought in close contact with him, and learned to respect him for many excellent traits of mind and heart. ================================== ODDITIES AND PECULIARITIES OF THE DUTCH PEOPLE AND THEIR DESCENDANTS IN MONMOUTH. To understand the character and peculiarities of the different races and people who settled these United States, it is necessary to consider the nation- ality from which each one springs. Children of the same parents often dif- fer greatly in appearance and conduct. Sometimes they inherit the physical or mental traits of a remote progenitor, but we may generally expect them to exhibit more or less of the character- istics of the nation from which they originate. Today we have in our coun- try representatives of all the races and nations of the world. Never before in all times, was there such a heterogeneous population. But among them all there is no people who have more dis- 22 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. tinct and marked characteristics than the Hollanders. They belong to a very ancient race, whose known history goes back to the days of Julius Caesar and Pompey. In the battle of Pharsalia the Batavians took a prominent part, as we learn from Roman history. The Hol- landers are a people who have ever act- ed and thought Tor themselves. They have never been imitators or syco- phants. On the contrary, they are truly said to be the oddest people in Europe. Everything in Holland is different from what it is in other countries. Even their morsel of territory is neither water nor dry land. Only by the most herculean labors has it been wrested from the ocean, and by unceasing vigil- ance is it preserved from the constant assaults of the waves. The reader, therefore, can easily see how likely it is for strangers, who travel hastily through the country to make many mis- takes in describing or understanding such a people. We are all apt to esti- mate others by our own experience. The venal man loudly asserts that "everj man has his price." The honest man falls an easy victim to the plaus- ible talk of the "confidence man" The English writers and those of the same school in America, often describe the Dutch as a plegmatic people, as slow, sluggish or torpid. It is true that they are a quiet, grim and taciturn people. It would be strange if they were not, when we recall the wonderful achievements of the little country, about the size of New Jersey, and ever in danger of inundation. "That beats the Dutch" has become a proverb, when some skillful or remarkable work has been done. The love of truth and jus- tice is said to be a national trait. As a fact there is less crime in Holland, according to her population, than in anv other European country. They have especially prized liberty and indepen- dence. That industry, so noticeable in Holland, where even the dogs are train- ed to work, is based on this intense love of "independence." They know, as was said of old by the wise king of Israel, that there can be no true and permanent independence without industry. The primeval curse still continues that man must earn lasting bread by "the sweat of his brow" and not by spoils taken in Wall street or watering railroad stocks or patent medicines. To avoid, however, the charge of partiality, or exagger- ation, I will quote from the writings of a Frenchman and an Englishman, for the writers of both of these nations have been very keen to see the faults and failings of the "Low Dutch"" "If this is not trued you can call me an Englishman," is an expression very often used by certain English writers, except you must substitute Dutchman for Englishman. But it shows their animus and the lofty contempt and scorn. The following is from the pen of Henri Alphonse Esquiros, entitled, "Dutch at Home." "It has long been remarked how naturally a pipe hung from a Dutch mouth; and most local habits are based on hygenic conditions of climate. Beneath the foggy sky of the Netherlands, a necessity was felt to produce smoke against smoke. It is a sort of local homeopathy. Some physical writers have asserted that tobacco smoke befogged the intellect; but this observation is contradicted oy the Dutchmen, who live in a climate of smoke and whose minds are more pre- cise, positive and clear in their details, than those of any other people. "In Holland we find what thinkers born in periods of moral agitation never attain and what Dante sought - peace. It is not rare to notice in little wayside hostelries, the inscription, "Pax Intran- tibus." We might say that life is like the water in their canals, it does not flow. Be it illusion or reality, it seemed to us that the hours strike here more slowly than in France, and are ushered into life with a song. The whole char- acter of old Holland is found in the solemn peals, in those aeolian voices which the fathers heard, and which the sons will hereafter hear. "At Utrecht, a thoroughly protestant town, the chimes played a hymn accord- ing to the Reformed ritual. This Pur- itan gentleness, the notes of which the beels [sic] dash out in the air harmonizes with the calm and reposed hues of the scenery. The gardens which border the water are kept up, gravelled and raked with extreme care, and trees loaded with fruit offer pleasing variety to the slightly monotonous character of the verdure." According to this French writer, contentment and peace prevail among the people of this land, and each one is not trying to exceed or beat his neighbor, or discontented because some one else lias a few more dollars than he has. Peace, quiet and contentment, while easily mistaken for, are very different from the apathy and stupidity which come from ignorance and slug- gishness. The bustle, excitement and hurry which mark like in America is unknown in Holland. The same slow 23 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. and sure walk and talk, although mod- ified by modern environments, may be seen in their genuine descendants in America. Washington Irving, in his so called Knickerbocker History of New York has seized upon this trait as one of the principal themes for his pleas- antry, ridicule and caricatures. Other English writers have done the same, forgetting that the shallow brook ever makes more noise than the deep and silent river. English austerity and stolidity can be well contrasted with Dutch phlegm and grimness. Occasion- ally an English writer appears who is able to see some merit in other nations. The following is taken from the London Times of October 23rd, 1888, and is supposed to have been written by an author who has shed his "cockney shell" and dropped his "Lion's skin." He speaks first of the great prepar- ations being made in Holland to cele- brate the 75th anniversary of their lib- eration from French domination, and the re-establishment of their national independence, and then goes on to say: "No nationality in the world has earned its liberties more worthily than the Dutch or has more right to some- thing of itself glorification of the score of it. The land on which it dwells is, if not its own creation, its salvage. Without indefatigable efforts this mor- sel of territory would have been a bar- ren salt marsh. Human enterprise has reclaimed and guards it and has con- verted the whole into one of the most productive regions in Europe. Not only has it turned an expanse of foggy un- wholesome fens into a vast model farm, but it has built prosperous cities and filled tham with the products of art and civiliztion. The Dutch race has stretched its hands everywhere and the earth is full of evidence of its courage and foresight. The surprising history of its influence and affluence is essentially connected with its stubborn determination to be independent; It defied the powers .,; nature, it compelled the old world and the new to pay it tribute; it made itself learned and accomplished, beans., it felt that it was performing the work for and by itself. In the history of its rise and for- tunes, the maintenance of its indepen- dence, with the briefest intervals, is a continual marvel. Swiss independence, with all its great deeds cannot match the tale of the vitality of Dutch Freedom. A highland people occupies defensive strongholds and has little to provoke covetousness. The Dutch inhabit a country which can be overrun in a week, and perpetually has been over- run. "The Dutch have taken Holland" is a byword the world over, and has been for generations past. By their industry they rendered it long ago desirable and a constant temp- tation to those powers who coveted wealth. They have accumulated within its territory incalculable riches, not only of gold and silver and precious stones, but masterpieces of art, ingen- uity and patient industry. They also endowed it with a network of valuable external dominions, apparent prizes of their conqueror. Their maritime enterprise, distant colonies, great mercantile marine, laden with the precious products of the earth, were so many additional temptations to the unscrupulous powers of Europe, not only hated and feared their Republican and Democratic proclivities, but looked on their little country and small population as easily subjected. In the midst of numberless dangers Dutch independence seem to have borne a charmed life. When they pro- claimeed their independence of the great Spanish Empire, until then invincible, the first coin struck bore the picture of a ship without sails, masts or rudder, a mere hulk tossing on the mountainous waves of a storm dashed ocean, with the words "In God We Trust." This truly expressed their desperate straits, and that they realized that deliverance could only come from Him Who holds the world in the hollow of His hand. Feudalism, instead of quenching, like the cruelties of Alva and the tortures of the inquisition, invigorated their love of liberty and Independence. While Europe languished under the burden of thousands of petty despots, Holland throve under its counts: Burgundian. Spanish and French rule passed over it, without stifling its free spirit. The oath of the ancient Frisians that "The Frisians would be free as long as the winds of Heaven blow," seems to have been kept in letter and spirit by their descendants. Under a variety of forms of government, the essence of Dutch independence has gone on many cen- turies, pertainaciously immovable. Only in 1795 was there any serious risk of an extinction of Dutch nationality. Had France employed its armed authority over the country for the simple benefit of the Dutch people, and the building up of a true Republican government, objects which had induced a large part 24 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. of the Dutch people to co-operate in assuming the French rule, the conta- gion of French Democratic ideas might have ended in absorbing Holland per- manently in the French republic. Bonaparte's dynastic ambition opened their eyes to the fact that they were regarded as a conquered nation and were in chains to a tyrant, who sought to aggrandize himself at the expense of his wife, his friends, his allies and his country. For the uplifting of himself as Em- peror he abolished the Bataviain repub- lic and after four years of his brothers' mock reign incorporated the province of Holland as part of his empire. Up to this time Holland troops and Holland officers, like VanDamm, had served him faithfully. In his disastrous invasion of Russia some of the Holland regi- ments had perished almost to a man in the performance of duty. Thencefor- ward it was a mere question of time when the deceived and betrayed people of Holland would throw off the yoke of this Corsican soldier, and assert their independence. The field of Leipsic gave them this opportunity. A month later the Dutch nation declared itself once more free and summoned the Prince of Orange home to lead the movement. Circumstances then aided Holland in its deliverance and in shak- ing off the French yoke which the Hol- landers themselves had originally co- operated in adjusting. Coincidences were equally favorable when its troops marched with those of Marlborough and Eugene. It profited by the great league which William III constructed from the vantage ground of the English throne. Queen Elizabeth and Valois and the Bourbon Kings of France had all helped in its struggle for existence against Philip II but the nationality, too, was constantly on the alert and ready. Generally it has been the heart and soul of the international combinations for resistance to a crushing monopoly of powers in Europe. European liber- ties owe yet more to the uncontrollable Dutch love of independence than Dutch independence owes to European succor. The Dutch race are not especially con- ciliatory, any more than is supposed to be the English. Frequently it has shown itself harsh, as Belgium found between 1814 and 1830. Englishmen have had cause to accuse it of commer- cial rapacity and exclusiveness. Its handful of people and morsel of terri- tory ever in danger of being swallowed up by the sea, has ever been throughout a palpable and visible unit, which it has been impossible for European coun- tries to ignore and entirely possible for them to obey." This tribute from a foreign English- man shows certain characteristics of the Dutch and which their descendants in America should naturally possess. The Dutch farmers of the Transvaal in Africa have exhibited the same spirit in their determined efforts to preserve their independence, and the Dutch set- tlers of Monmouth showed the same spirit during our revolutionary war. =============================== CORNELIUS COUWENHOVEN OF PLEASANT VALLEY AND HIS CHILDREN. Cornelius Couwenhoven seems to have been the first one of this name who actually settled in Monmouth county, but there is evidence that one or more of this family had long been familiar with the territory and the In- dian inhabitants. As early as 1663 we hear of a Jacob Couwenhoven, who owned a small sloop and who traded with the Indians for venison and furs. The trade with the Indians for peltries and furs was very profitable and ex- tensively carried on by the early Dutch settlers. The Albany records contain an account of an attempt made In 1663 by certain of the English people at Gravesend and other Long Island towns to purchase lands of the Indians, known as the Navesinks, and who occupied part of what is now Monmouth county. The Dutch authorities hearing of this, sent an officer and a few soldiers in a vessel to prevent it. When the boat reached the southern point of Staten Island, opposite the mouth of the Rar- itan river, they met Jacob Couwenhoven in a small sloop. He informed them that he had been out trading for ven- ison, also that a number of the Nave- sink and Raritan Indians had gathered at a place about three miles up the Rar- itan, and that the English, in an open s:oop, the day previous had gone up the river to meet them. From this it appears that Jacob Couwenhoven had made for- mer trips across the bay and was well ++++++++++++++++ Photos: House erected by Cornelius Covenhoven, the pioneer sttler, on his farm at Pleasant Valley in the early part of the eighteenth century. Photograph taken by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover in summer of 1899. The ruins of the early home of Cornelius Covenhoven, who married Mary Hendrickson, and called his place "Carroway" (near Keyport, N. J.) Photograph taken by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover in July, 1898. ++++++++++++++++ 25 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. enough acquainted with the Indian in- habitants to distinguish those who lived in what is now Monmouth county from those who lived on the Raritan river. It is more than probable that the ownership of vessel property and the continuance of this traffic with the Indians would remain in the family. The emigration of the Dutch people from King's county, Long Island, to Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties between 1695 and 1730 was quite large. Several vessels must have been employed to transport their house- hold effects, agricultural implements and stock over the water. Cornelius Couwenhoven, it is said, owned a sloop which he named the "Carroway." It sailed between the East River and some landing, either up Matawan or Waycake creek. His son, William, afterwards owned the boat and no doubt made trips from the Mon- mouth shore to New York and Kings county whenever there was a necessity for it. In this way an inercourse was kept up with the old people and goods and passengers transported back and forth. I think it likely that sometimes the first settlers, prior to 1709, may have had some of their children bap- tized in the Dutch churches of Kings county. There was no regular Dutch church minister in Monmouth county ujntil 1709, and, although there may have been an occasional visit by a licensed clergyman, there was no such thing as regular services. It is to be remembered that our early Dutch set- tlers lived on isolated clearings with the primeval forest all around them. There were no schools for their chil- dren. They learned to speak the Dutch language from family intercourse. The children also would hear the uncouth talk of the negro slaves, the broken English of the wild Indians, and the talk of the ignorant Englishman or Frenchman who occasionally visited their home. Thus they gradually fell into a dialect which was impure Dutch, mingled with many English words wrongly pronounced and wrongly spell- ed. Take the christian names of the children born after 1700 as spelled in their wills or private family records, and you can see how far they had drift- ed away from the correct Dutch spell- ing of their own names. We can hardly conceive today the many disadvantages our pioneer settlers labored under. Cornelius Couwenhoven by his wife. Margaretta Schenck, had the following children: William, born July 20, 1700, married first Jannetje, daughter of Peter Wyckoff, and Williampe Schenck, his wife. Second Antje, daughter of Daniel Hendriekson and Catharine VanDyke, his wife, and widow of William, son of Jacob Couwenhoven. He died November 10, 1755, leaving a will dated September 29, 1755, proved December 22, 1755, and recorded in Book F of Wills, page 305, etc., secretary of state's office. He appoints his brother Roliph. and his son-in-law. Matthias "Cownover," as he spells the name, ex- ecutors. He speaks in this will of his father-in-law, Peter Wyckoff. He signs the will "William C. Kouwenhoven" and describes himself of Carroway, Middle- town township. As stated before "Car- roway" was the name of his sloop and he called his place by the same name. He only names one son, Cornelius, and two daughters, Williamtie and Cathar- ine, in this will. Roeleff, born April 12, 1710, married Sarah, daughter of Cornelius Voorhees, and Maritje Ditmars, his wife, and died December 12, 1789. [Error:- Date of Roeleff's birth should be Oct. 5, 1706, and his death Aug. 20, 1786. The dates printed were dates of his wife's birth and death.] In Book G of Deeds, page 31, Mon- mouth clerk's office, is a record of a deed from Alexander Laing of Scotland, Great Britain, to Hendrick VanVoorhies of Flatlands, Kings county, Nassau Is- land, for such was then the name of Long Island. A tract of land at Topan- emes. Freehold township, containing 250 acres is conveyed by this deed. I think this Cornelius Voorhees was a brother of the Hendrick VanVoorhies named in the deed and who actually settled on this land, but I am not certain. Annetje. Jannetje, married in 1731. Aris, son of John Vanderbilt and Ida Suydam, his wife. One of the earliest records we have of the Suydams in Monmouth is in Book G of Deeds, page 74; a deed dated April 1st, 1729, from Thomas Williams to Hendrick Suydam of Flatbush on Long- Island, for a tract of land in Freehold township. Then in the same book of deeds, pages 139-141, from Lewis Morris of Manor of Morrisania, in Province of New York, to Ryke Hendrickse, Domin- icus Vanderveer, Daniel Polhemus, Jacob Hendrickse, Auke Leffertse, Stephen Coerten and Johannes Polhe- mus, all of Kings county on Long Is- land, lor a tract of land known as "Fif- teen hundred acre tract," bounded on one side by Swimming river, dated May 17, 1709. This Jacob Hendrickse and Ryke Hendrickse were really Suydams, 26 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. but in accordance with the Dutch cus- tom, they were given their christian names and their father's christian name with "se" or "son" annexed. This clear- ly appears from a deed recorded in Book H of Deeds, page 211, Monmouth clerk's office, dated June 6, 1727, where- in Ryk Hendrickson Suydam of Flat- bush, Kings county, L. I., conveys to John VanMeeteren (VanMater) of Mid- dletown township, Monmouth county, N. J., all that tract of land in Middle- town township bounded west by Domin- icus Vanderveer, east by Anken Leffert- son, south by Swimming river and north by heirs of Quryn (Kriin) VanMeeteran (VanMater) and known as No. 4, con- taining 152 acres. Daniel Polhemus of Flatlands, L. I., by a separate deed con- veyed his share to Johannes Polhemus. Altje, married William, son of first Jacob VanDorn and Marritje Bennett, his wife. In Book H of Deeds, page 325 we find record of a deed dated December 23, 1689, from John Reid of Hortencia, Monmouth county, to Richard Salter of same county for part of Hortencia. The tract begins where west Branch comes into Hop brook at a place called Pro- montoria; on page 327 of same book we find record of assignment of same deed from Richard Salter to Adrian Bennett and Jacob VanDorn of "Gawanus," Kings county, L. I. This is dated April 2, 1697. Again on page 329 of Book H of Deeds is record of a deed from Aria Bennett and Barbary, his wife, of Free- hold township, to Jacob VanDorn ol same township, dated February 14, 1707, and conveys the undivided one-half of a 200 acre tract in Freehold township, beginning at a corner of Albert Cow- enhoven's land and being the prem- ises conveyed to said Bennett and Van- Dorn by John Bowne May 17, 1700. Also another tract adjacent to this also conveyed to them by John Bowne. I am not sure whether this Aria Bennett was the same person as Adrian Bennett or another. The above deeds however, show the time when the VanDorns and Bennetts came into this county and the place they came from on Long Island. Leah. Sarah. Neeltje. married July 2, 1741 Benjamin, son of Benjamin VanCleaf and Hank Sutphin, his wife. In Book H of Deeds, page 222, is a record of a deed dated May 4, 1725, from John Job of Freehold township to Law- rence VanCleve and Isaac VanCleve of Gravesend, L. I. On our old records the VanCleaf name is spelled many different ways. VanCleaf, VanCleve, etc. This deed, however, shows about what time this family came into the county. In Book G of Deeds, page 50, is record of a deed dated December 6, 1718, from John Johnston of New York City, to Jacob Sutvan (for so the name is spelled) yeoman, of Kings county, L. I., for a tract of land containing 333 acres at a place called "Wemcougak in Freehold township." Topanemus Brook, Middle Brook and John Craig line are called for as boundaries in the description. This "Sutvan" was no doubt a "Van Sutphen." for so the name is spelled in old records of Kings county. L. I. Mary, baptized December 21, 1710. The first Dutch church of Monmouth had been regularly organized with a stated pastor, one Joseph Morgan, in 1709, and so we have a record of the children baptized from this time. Rachel, baptized November 2, 1712. Margaret, baptized De ember 5, 1714. Jacometje, baptized November 23, 1717, mar- ried November 26, 1741, Jan Roelefse Schenck. The youngest child by this marriage was named Geesie after her paternal grandmother. She married May 9, 1765, Aurie, son of second Jacob VanDorn and Maria Schenck, his wife. Aurie Van- Dorn was born September 14, 1744, died July 14, 1830. Caterina, baptized June, 1720, married Dec- ember 22, 1741, Daniel Hendrickson. [Error:- Catherine was married to Daniel Hendrickson, Dec. 22, 1743.] Cornelius Couwenhoven, the father of these thirteen children, made his will November 22, 1735, proved June 22, 1736, recorded in office of secretary of state at Trenton in Book C of Wills, page 107. He mentions the names of all of the above children, but the spelling differs considerably from mine. For instance he spells "Jacomintje" "Yacominsky." and "Jannetje" "Yannikie." He devises to his son William the land sold to him by William Bowne by deeds dated March 1, 1704, and January 20, 1705, one for 94-1/2 acres, and the other 62 acres, and also 120 acres re- leased to him by Daniel Hendrickson. Garret Schenck, John Schenck and Peter Wyckoff, dated July 10, 1716. Cornelius Couwenhoven and his wife are buried in the Schenck-Couwenhoven burying ground. The inscription on his tombstone shows that he died May 16, 1736 aged 64 years, 5 months and 17 days. His wife, Margaretta Schenck, died December 6, 1751, aged 73 years, 9 months and 27 days. 27 ALBERT COUWENHOVEN AND HIS TWELVE CHILDREN. Albert Couwenhoven came from Flat- lands, L. I., to Monmouth county, and settled on lands in the township of Freehold (now Marlboro) where Mr. Selah Wells now resides. We find his name and that of his wife, Neeltje or Eleanor Schenck, daughter of Roelof Martense Schenck, and his second wife, Annetje Wyckoff, among the commun- icants of the Brick church in 1709. His Dutch Bible is still in existence with dates of the births of all his sons and daughters entered in his own hand- writing. He had the following children: William, b. March 7, 1702, married Libertje, daughter of Benjamin VanCleaf and Hank Sutphen, his wife. She was baptized May 19, 1705. He settled in what is now Manalapan township, and left a will recorded in the office of the Secretary of our state. Ruliff, b. September 8, 1703, married Antje, daughter of Jan Strycker and Margaretta Schenck, his wife. She was baptized Decem- ber 20, 1708. Antje, b. August 21, 1705, married Abraham Polhemus. supposed to he of the Somerset county or Loneg Island people. Jannetje. b. September 30, 1707, married Joseph Coernel. Altie, b. January 20, 1709, married Hen- drick, son of Hendrick Hendrickson. He was born November 11, 1706, and died July 28, 1783. In Book G of Deeds, page 59, Mon- mouth county clerk's office, is record of a deed from Tunis Covert of Free- hold township, to Cornelius VanBrunt and Hendrick Hendrickson of New Utrecht of Long Island, for 203-1/2 acres and 96-1/2 acres in Freehold township. On pages 61-62 of same book is record of a deed dated May 1, 1719, from Abra- ham Emans of Freehold township, to Hendrick Hendrickson and Jaques Denys of New Utrecht, L. I., for a tract of 96 acres in Freehold township. It therefore appears that there were other Hendricksons who purchased land in Monmouth county, besides Daniel and William who came here prior to 17iiu and settled on lands at what is now Holland in Holmdel township. The early Dutch settlers were in the habit of visiting once or twice a year their old homes in Kings county, L. I. And mariages [sic] likely occurred between the young people here with the young people in Long Island. The Dutch gen- erally preferred to marry among their own people, and it was not often that any of them were caught by the "daughters of Heth," or the sons of the Philistines. Margaret, b. February 15, 1711, married December 8, 1731, Daniel, son of Johannes Polhemus. He was born in 1706 and died September 26, 1763. She died June 7, 1780. Both are buried in the family bury- ing ground of the Polhemus family at Scobeyville, Atlantic township. Sarah, born June 21st, 1714, married May 19th, 1737, Johannes, son of Benjamin VanCleaf, and Hank Sutphin, his wife. He was baptized June 3d, 1711. [Error:- Date of Sarah's marriage to John VanCleaf should be June 14, 1739.] Peter, b. October 12, 1716, married May 19, 1740, Wiliampe, daughter of Hendrick Voorhees and Jannetje Jansen, his wife. She was born January 25, 1722, died August 12, 1803. He died October 1, 1771; interred in yard of Marlboro Brick church. Nellie, born February 7th, 1719, died unmarried August 22, 1738. Buried in the Schenck and Couwenhoven burying ground. Garrett, b. June 16th, 1721, married November 8th, 1742, Sarah, daughter of Hendrick VanVoorhees and wife aforesaid. Jan, b. February 18, 1723, married October 19, 1744, Catherine, daughter of Hendrick VanVoorhees and wife. Corneilus A., b. October 29, 1728, married in 1750 Antje. daughter of William Williamson and Antje Couwenhoven, his wife. She was born September 13, 1730, and died September 14, 1757, and was buried in Wyckoff I ill [sic] grave yard, near Freehold. He married for his second wife, July 12, 1770, Mary Logan, who was born August 9, 1748, and died May 2, 1831. The Logan family is now extinct in in Monmouth county. Cornelius Couwen- hoven died January 23, 1802, leaving a last will proved before Caleb Lloyd, Surrogate of Monmouth county, April 15, 1802, and a true copy of same is given hereafter. Cornelius and his second wife are buried in the Schenck and Couwenhoven burying ground. He 28 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. had a son named Cornelius, born May 18, 1771, who married Elizabeth, a daughter of Harmon Conover and Phoebe Bailey, his wife, died December 20, 1814. He was also buried in the Sehenck Couwenhoven burying ground. His oldest son was named John C. Conover, born November 10, 1797, married December 3, 1820, Elizabeth, a daughter of John A. Vanderbilt and Mary MacKildoe. She was born September 11, 1804, and died January 30, 1860. He was the last owner of the Albert Cou- wenhoven homestead. He died November 26, 1832, and this farm then passed out of the family. Albert Couwenhoven and his wife, the parents of the above named twelve children, were buried in the Sehenck and Couwenhoven burying ground. He left a last will which is herewith given. Following it is the will of his son Cornelius. WILL OF ALBERT COUWENHOVEN. In the name of God Amen, I, Albert Coven- hoven, of Freehold, in the county of Monmouth and province of East New Jersey, yeoman, be- ing, thro' the abundant mercy and goodness of God, tho' very sick and weak in body, yet of a sound and perfect understanding and mem- ory, do constitute this my last will and testa- ment, and desire it may be received as such. Imprimis: I most humbly bequeath my soul to God, my maker, beseeching his most grac- ious acceptance of it thro' the all sufficient merits and mediation of my most compassion- ate Redeemer, Jesas Christ, who gave himself to be an atonement for my sins, and is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him ; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, and who I trust, will not reject me, a returning penitent Sinner, when I come to Him for mercy. In this hope and confidence I render up my soul with com- fort, humbly beseeching the most blessed and glorious Trinity, one God, most Holy, most Merciful and Gracious, to prepare me for the time of my dissolution, and then to take me to himself into that peace and rest and incom- parable felicity, which he has prepared for all that love and fear his Holy name. Amen ! Blessed be God. Imprimis: I give my body to the earth, from where it was taken, in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the last day. As for my burial, I desire it may be decent, without pomp or state, at the discretion of my executrix and executor hereinafter named, who, I doubt not, will manage it with all requisite prudence. As to my wordly estate, it is my will, and I do hereby order, that in the first place all my just debts and funeral charges to be paid and satisfied out of my movable estate. Item: I give and bequeath unto Eleanor, my dearly beloved wife, all my whole estate, both real and personal, for her own proper use, benefit and behoof, as long as she remains my widow and no longer. Item: I give and bequeath unto my eleven well beloved children (viz: William, Ruluf, Anna, Jane, Alice, Margot, Sarah, Peter, Jar- ratt, John and Cornelius), after the death or widowhood of my dearly beloved wife, all my whole estate, both real and personal, as goods, chattels, lands and tenements, to be equally divided amongst them (my eleven dearly be- loved children aforementioned) (viz: William, Ruluf, Anna, Jane, Alice, Margot, Sarah, Peter, Jarratt, John and Cornelius, to them and each of them and their heirs and assigns forever) so that each of them or each of their heirs and assigns hath the eleventh part of my whole estate as above mentioned. Item: I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son, Williamm the sum of three shil- lings as a gift (acknowledging him to be my oldest child) and to be paid to him in a con- venient time after my decease. I likewise constitute, make and ordain my dearly beloved wife, Eleanor, and my well beloved kinsman, William Covenhoven, son of Cornelius Coven- hoven, my only and sole executrix and exec- utor of this my last will and testament. And I also hereby utterly disallow, revoke and dis- annul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies and executors by me in any way before this time, named, willed and be- queathed, ratifying and confirming this, and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun- dred and forty-eight (1748). Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Albert Covenhoven, as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the sub- scribers (viz:) "My will and desire is that my well beloved son, Jarratt, have the use of one hundres pounds for ten years, whenever he want it. This was writ before signing and sealing it being forgot to be mentioned." ALBERT COVENHOVEN. [L. S.] Jan Covenhoven, Matteys Piterson, William Williamson. Be it remembered that on the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight, the within wit- nesses, Jan Covenhoven, Matteys Piterson and William Williamson, personally came before me, Thomas Bartow, duly authorized to prove wills and qualify executors in New Jersey, and they being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist did depose that they were present and saw Albert Covenhoven, the testator within named, sign and seal the within written testament and heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament and at the day thereof the said testator was of sound mind and memory to the best of their know- ledge, and as they believed, and that they each signed as a witness in the testator's presence. THOS. BARTOW. Be it also remembered that at the same time Eleanor Covenhoven, the executrix within named, personally came before me and was sworn to the due execution and performance of the within will and testament according to law. THOS. BARTOW. Probate granted by Governor Belcher in the usual form. Dated Oct. 3rd, 1748. THOS. BARTOW. Pr. Reg'sr. 29 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. The wife of Albert Covenhoven was Neeltje, Dutch for Eleanor or Nelly, daughter of Roelof Schenck of Flatlands, L. I., by his second wife, Annetje Wyckoff. WILL OF CORNELIUS A. COVENHOVEN. In the name of God Amen This Eleventh Day of September In the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety- three I Cornelius Covenhoven of The Town- ship of Freehold in The County of Monmouth & State of New Jersey Yeoman Being In health of Body and of Perfect Sound & Dis- poseing Mind and Memory Praised be Al- mighty God for the Same, Considering the frailty of Nature and Knowing it is appointed for all men To Die Do Make & Ordain This My Last Will and Testament In the following Manner and form - First I Recomend My Soul To God Who Gave it Trusting for Salvation In & Through the alone Merits of My Ever Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ and as to my Body I recomend it To the Earth To be In- terred at the Discretion of My Executors here- inafter named Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I Shall Receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God And as Touching Such Worldly Estate wherewith it Hath Pleased God To Bless me in This Life I Do order. Give & Dispose of The Same in the following Manner - Imprimis I Do order That my Executors Do pay all my Just Debts & Funeral Expenses Out of my Moveable Estate which I may Leve at the time of My Decease - Item I Give & Bequeath To my Loveing Wife Mary Dureing her Widdowhood a Comfortable Liveing as Usual With My Son Cornelius on My said Farm and have the Use of one Room with a Fire Place and Fire wood Brought to her Door one Good Feather Bed & Furniture and One Negro Woman Named Jane so Long as She shall Remain My Widdow and in Case my Said Wife Should Remarry my will is that my said wife have the sum of fifty pounds paid her by me Son Cornelius Current money of the City of New York as all Moneys in this my Will are to be Taken & Esteemed To be, And one feather Bed & furniture In Lieu of her Dower or Thirds - Item I Give and Be- queath To my Daughter Sarah an Out Sett Equal in Vallue To the Out Sett I Gave my Daughter Nell To be Delivered to her by my Executors out of my Moveable Estate at the Time of My Decease. Item -I Give Devise & Bequeath To my Son Cornelius Covenhoven all Remainder of My Estate Both Heal & Personal Wheresoever, To him his Heirs and Assigns forever Provided he Performs & ful- fills all the other Matters & Things herein In- joined him in this My Will, (Excepting My Covered Waggon & Horses & Harness & the Remainder of My Horses & Cattle and Such Moveables That I may have and Negroes at the time of My Decece To be Equally Divided amongst my Children. To wit: William, Nelly, Allice, Cornelius & Sarah or their Children) Item it is My will That my said Son Cornelius Do pay the sum of Six Hundred pounds money aforesaid In Manner foiling To Wit To allow a Good & Sufficnt Support out of said sum for my Son Albert And after the Decease of my Self, my wife and my Son Albert, What- ever Part of said Six Hundred pounds Shall be Remaining Shall he Equally Divided Be- tween my four Children William. Nelly, Allice & Sarah or their Children And Lastly I Do Hereby Nominate. Constitute & appoint My brother in Law, Stoffel Logan & my friend Tobias Polhemus, Executors of this my Last will & Testament Utterly Revokeing & Dis- annuling all other Wills by me heretofore Made Rattifying & Confirming this & no other to be my last Will & Testament. Note the word (form) and the word (of) & the word (Sarah) being Interlined Before Sealing & Delivery hereof CORNELIUS A. COVENHOVEN. Signed Sealed pronoumed & Declared To be his Last Will & Testament In the Presence of Garret Covenhoven Ruth Covenhoven Joseph Throckmorton ================================== JACOB COUWENHOVEN AND HIS ELEVEN CHILDREN. Jacob Couwenhoven married at Flat- lands, L. I., November 12, 1705, Sarah Schenck, who was baptized in the Dutch church at Brooklyn, December 18, 1685. She too was a resident of Flatlands. and the couple had doubt- less known each other from earliest childhood. Jacob Couwenhoven received such education as the schools in Brook- lyn at that time could give, and also such as he could pick up from chance associations with the traders, mer- chants, sailors and emigrants who fre- quented tin harbor of New York. Like his brother Cornelius he is said to have owned a sloop, which made trips from Brooklyn across the bay to the Mon- mouth shore. It is likely that this was the same boat and owned jointly by two or more of the six Conover broth- ers. For one boat of this kind would be amply sufficient to transport all their families, goods, chattels and stock, from the shore of the East river over to Monmouth county, and also to take back such peltries, venison and other articles they had to sell and for which a demand existed in the New York markets. Jacob Couwenhoven, by his wife. Sarah Schenck. had the following chil- dren, all of whom are supposed to have been born in his dwelling house which stood on the north side of the street through Middletown village, somewhere between the location of the present Baptist church and the Hartshorne burying ground. 30 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. Jannetie, b. December 10, 1706. Annetje, b. February, 1708, married John, son of Daniel Hendrickson and Catherine Van- Dyke, his wife. Daniel Hendrickson, a son of this couple, married Nelly or Eleanor Van- Mater. She was born August 4, 1735, and died February 12, 1828, and is bur- ied in the Hendrickson burying ground on the farm of the late George Craw- ford Hendrickson in Middletowp vil- lage. A son of this last couple, John, born June 13, 1773, married Mary, daughter of John Lloyd, and died in January, 1807. He was the father of the late Charles I. Hendrickson, of John Lloyd Hendrickson and Daniel Hendrickson. who owned the farm now occupied by the Morfords at the east- ern end of Middletown village and opposite to the farm owned by his brother, John Lloyd Hendrickson, in his lifetime. William, b. February, 1710, married Antje, daughter of Daniel Hendrickson and Catherine VanDyke, aforesaid. She was baptized December 30, 1711. The records in secretary of state's office at Trenton, show that letters of administration on his estate were granted October 17, 1742, to his widow, Ann, his brother Ruliph, and his broth- er-in-law, William Hendrickson. The Brick Church records show that he had two children baptized, viz: Daniel, March 30, 1737, and Jacob, October 14, 1739. His widow married March 17, 1744, for her second husband William, son of Cornelius Couwenhoven, of Pleasant Valley, and who has been heretofore mentioned as "William C. Kouwenhoven of Carroway." By this last marriage she had three children, (1st) Cornelius, baptized April 7, 1746, married Mary, daughter of Hendrick Hendrickson and Neeltje Garretse Schenck, his wife, and died October 10, 1806; (2nd) Catherine, baptized April 16, 1749; (3rd) Williampe, who married Martin or Matthias Couwenhoven, a brother of her mother's first husband and hereinafter particularly described. Ruliph, b. March 1, 1712, married August 12, 1741, Jannetje, daughter of Daniel Hendrick- son and Catherine VanDyke, his wife, aforesaid. The church records show the follow- ing children baptized: Sarah, baptized February 21, 1742; Daniel, January 15, 1744, and Catherine, February 16, 1746. Letters of administration on his estate were granted to Peter Couwenhoven, (brother) William Hendrickson, (broth- er-in-law) and Tunis Denyse, or Denise. His widow married for her second hus- band Peter Janse Schenck, as has been already mentioned, together with the names of her children by this last husband. Jacob, b. February 1, 1714, married December 21, 1742, Margaret, daughter of William Couwenhoven and Arriantje Bennett, his wife. The marriage license was granted November 16, 1742. Garret, b. November 5, 1716, married October 12, 1744, Neeltje, or Eleanor, daughter of Roelof Schenck and Geesie Hendrickson, his wife, died December 9, 1797. He owned quite a large tract of land in what is now Marlboro and Holmdel townships. Part of this land is still (1898) in the ownership and occupation of his lineal male descendants. The two farms near Taylor's Mills in Holmdel township, where Daniel D. Conover and Garret Rezo Conover lived about 40 years ago and where their sons now live, is part of the tract. The family burying ground is on the farm owned by Daniel D. Conover and near the dwelling house. It is especially notice- able for the care, neatness and good taste which it always shows. Here Garret and his wife and many of his descendants are buried. Peter, b. December 14, 1718, died January 14, 1719. Peter, baptized May 29, 1720, married Cath- erine, daughter of Roelof Janse Schenck and Geesie Hendrickson, his wife, and at that time widow of Simon DeHart. Garret and Peter Couwenhoven are the two sons-in-law named as execu- tors in Black Roelof Schenck's will. Also see pages 317-18, Old Times in Old Monmouth. John, b. May 17, 1722, married Mary, daugh- ter of Arie VanDorn and Antje Janse Schenck, his wife. Martin, as spelled in will but Matthias else- where, b. 1725, married Williampe, daughter of "William C. Kouwenhoven of Carroway," and Antje Hendrickson, his second wife, and the widow of his oldest brother, William. [Error:-For "Antje Hendrickson, his second wife," substitute "Jannetje Wyckoff, his first wife."] This Matthias Couwenhoven lived on a farm on the right side of the road from Ogbourns Corner to Middletown, just east of the Golden farm. There is an old Conover burying ground on the Golden farm near the line, which would show that the Conovers owned all the land around this burying ground at one time. The Matthias Conover interred in the Baptist church yard at Middletown and whose tombstone shows that he died ++++++++++++++++++ House of Daniel Polhemus Schank on his farm in Pleasant Valley, N. J. Photographed in summer of 1900. Part of Schanck-Covenhoven Cemetery in Pleasant Valley, N. J. Photographed by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover in the winter of 1900. ++++++++++++++++++ 31 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. September 28, I842, aged 80 years, 2 months and 5 days, and the Ruliph Conover, interred near him. who died June 12, 1873, aged over 85 years, are I believe descendants of the above named Matthias Couwenhoven. There was also another child named Sarah but I can find no record of her except in her father's will. Jacob Couwenhoven made his will July 5, 1743. He appoints his sons, Ruliph, Garret and Jacob, executors, and they all qualified. He mentions in his will six sons, Martin, (Matthias) Ruliph, Jacob, Garret, Peter and John, one daughter, Sarah, three grandsons, Daniel Hendrickson and Jacob Hen- drickson and Daniel Couwenhoven, and one granddaughter, Sarah Couwen- hoven. This grandson, Daniel Hen- drickson. 1 think became sheriff of Monmouth county during the revolu- tionary war. He was the grandfather of the late Charles I. Hendrickson who owned the farm on the north side of Middletown street, between the lands of the late Dr. Edward Taylor and the Murray homestead, now owned by his son, John S. Hendrickson. Jacob Couwenhoven in his will des- cribes himself as a yeoman and a resi- dent of Middletown. I have not been able to find out where he was buried. He owned a large tract of land, and it is likely he was buried somew here upon that as was then the custom. According to tradition current among the descendants of his son, Gar- ret, at Taylor's Mills, he provided all of his seven sons with a farm. Of course such traditions are verv uncer- tain and unreliable, but they some- times contain a few grains of truth. I do not know whether there is any truth in this tradition, but only repeat what is said. And this is the story handed down among the descendants of his son Garret, who as everybody knows, are among the most respectable citizens of Monmouth county, and whose everyday word is better than a good many people's oath on the Bible. They have been informed and so under- stand from talk of their forefathers, that Jacob Couwenhoven's seven sons owned and occupied the following farms: William had the farm where Daniel G. Conover lived, and now or lately owned by Edward Hopping in Middle- town township. Ruliph owned lands where the late Ezra Osborne lived and the farm adja- cent on the west or north side of the highway from Balm Hollow to the John Golden farm. Matthias owned the lands on the op- posite side of this highway. The pri- vate family burying ground of the Con- overs on this land supports this claim. Jacob owned the farm of the late John Eastman. Garret owned what was in after years known as the farm of "Farmer Jacob Conover" and the farms of Daniel D. Conover and Garret Rezo Conover, near Taylor's Mills in Holmdel township. The last two are still (1898) in family ownership. John owned the farm known as the Murray homestead in Middletown vil- lage together with lands adjacent, now part of the Morford farm and of John S. Hendrickson's farm. Peter owned the "Garret VanDorn farm" on the south side of Middletown street, now owned by the son of the late Azariah Conover. Jacob Couwenhoven is said to have been a large, well proportioned man, bluff and straightforward in manners and hospitable and obliging to all who sought shelter under his roof or aid at his hands. It will be noticed that there were several marriages between his children and Daniel Hendrickson's children. This man was quite a near neighbor, living where his great grand- son, Hon. William H. Hendrickson, now lives at Holland or the Luyster neigh- borhood, as sometimes called. Garret, one of Jacob Couwenhoven's sons, married Netty or Eleanor, daugh- ter of Black Roelof Schenck, and had the following children: Jacob, b. June 19, 1746, married April 25, 1771, Mary, daughter of Hendrick Schenck and Catherine Holmes, his wife. He was known as "Farmer Jacob." and the farm he lived on was consider- ed the model farm of that day in Mon- mouth county. He left two sons, Hen- drick, who married Ann B. Crawford and whose descendants are named in "Old Times in old Monmouth." Garret, who married Alice, daughter of Tobias Hendrickson and Rebecca Coward, his wife, of Upper Freehold township. A daughter of this couple named Rebecca H., born in 1805, married Thomas Meirs and was the mother of Collin B. Meirs. born September 7, 1833, on the old Meirs homestead in Upper Freehold township, and who was auditor of Monmouth county for seven years, and now one of the first citizens of Upper Freehold township. Ruleph. b. November 8, 1747, married June 22, 1773, Anna, daughter of Garret Coertse Schenck, and Nelly Voorhees, his wife. 32 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. Sarah, b. January 3, 1749, married John Lloyd and died September 8, 1773. She is buried in the Conover family burying ground on the Daniel D. Con- over farm near Taylor's Mills. One of her daughters, Mary, married John Hendrickson, son of Daniel Hendrick- son and Eleanor VanMater, his wife, be- fore mentioned. She is buried in the Hendrickson burying ground at Mid- dletown village and the tombstone at her grave states that she died July 11, 1865, aged 92 years, 8 months and 24 days. She was the mother of the late Charles I. Hendrickson of Middletown village. Daniel G., b. January 20, 1750, married Feb- ruary 9, 17S6, Margaret Reseau, (often spelled Rezo). She was born February 23, 1763, and died December 26, 1823. Daniel G. Conover lived and died on the homestead farm near Taylor's Mills and is buried in the family burying ground on this farm. After his death the land was divided between his two sons, Daniel D. Conover and Garret Rezo Conover, whom many persons now alive remember. Garret married as be- fore stated, Mariah Schenck. Daniel D. married May 26, 1825, Mary, daugh- ter of Garret G. Vanderveer, and died October 22, 1861. He was a genial, hearty man and endeavored to make everything pleasant to all with whom he came in contact. His hospitality was unlimited, if the roof of his house was left. His widow, who was born February 21, 1806, is still living on the homestead with their son, Garret. She is remarkably active and hale for one so near the century mark. Hon. William V. Conover, who occupied the farm left him by his father, Tylee Conover, on the north side of the Shrewsbury river, opposite Red Bank, and who died a few years ago, was a grandson of the above named Daniel G. Conover and Margaret Reseau, his wife Gachey, b. February 5, 1753, married first Hendrick P., son of Peter Albertse Couwen- hoven and Williampe Voorhees, his wife. Anne, b. May 21, 1754, married July 13, 1785, Isaac, son of second Jacob VanDorn, and Maria Janse Schenck, his wife, and died June 11, 1843. She and her husband are buried in the Episcopal church yard at Middle- town village. They were the parents of Garret VanDorn, who was born May 31, 1789. He married Williampe, daugh- ter of Hendrick P. Couwenhoven and Gachey Couwenhoven. his wife, above mentioned, his cousin. She was born January 1st, 1793, and died on the Van- Dorn homestead at Middletown village. January 31, 1874. She and her husband are buried in the Episcopal church yard at Middletown aforesaid. Garret VanDorn died childless and in- testate. He was well known through- out Monmouth county, being gentle and placid in disposition, without an enemy in the world, he was respected and liked by all who knew him. He left a large estate with no debts be- yond funeral expenses and charges of his last sickness. Yet this estate has remained unsettled down to the pres- ent day. It is the "Jarndyce vs. Jarn- dyce" case of Monmouth county. It shows how an estate involved in no law suits and no debts, can be dragged through the courts for years. A true history of this estate would be of great interest, not only to the relatives in- terested but to the public at large, so that we all might know "how not to do it," while making great pretension of doing, settling and distributing. A more honest man never lived than Gar- ret VanDorn and no man ever left property freer from all claims and liti- gation than he. Yet the estate became entangled and has been left unsettled, although more than forty years have passed away since administration was granted to Williampe, his widow. She, of course, depended on and wholly trusted others to do the business. The seventh child of Garret Couwenhoven and Neeltje Schenck, his wife, was Mary, born April 5, 1756, died young. Garret, b. September 15, 1758, died unmarried. John, b. May 23, 1760, married August 22, 1778, Jane, daughter of Garret Coertse Schenck and Nelly Voorhees, his wife, died May 11, 1802. He was buried in the yard of the Marl- boro Brick church. His widow married August 20, 1812, her second husband, John H. Schenck, and died November 5, 1836. John Conover and Jane Schenck, his wife, were the parents of the following children: Elias, b. August 10, 1779, married July 1, 1798, Mary, daughter of Ruliff H. Schenck and Sarah Schenck, his wife. They were the parents of John E., Ruliff E. and Hendrick E., already mentioned in a former article. Garret I., b. March 31, 1785, married January 6, 1807, Sarah, daughter of Ruliff H. Schenck and Sarah Schenck, his wife, died May 12, 1829. He owned and occupied the farm where Gideon C. McDowell now lives in Marlboro township. 33 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. Jane, b. September 10, 1789, married October 23, 1805, Jonathan R. Gordon, son of Ezekiel Gordon, and died June 1, 1831. Her husband was born March 16, 1785, died May 13, 1830. Sarah, b. ____ married March 14, 1803, Albert VanDorn. Nelly, b. ____ married December 7, 1796, George Morris. There were two other children who died young. There were, of course, other descend- ants of Garret Couwenhoven and Neeltje Schenck, his wife, but I have not the dates of their births, marriages and deaths and therefore do not name them, but the record I give will enable all who can go back to their grandfathers, to fix their family descent without any mistake. Garret Couwenhoven, the progenitor of this line of Conovers, is said to have been a hearty, whole- souled man. That he resembled in a marked degree his father, and because of his tall well proportioned form and his handsome appearance, attracted notice wherever he went. He is also said to have taken great interest in and care of his children; that he en- deavored to train them to habits of sobriety, economy and industry, and judging by results after all these years his descendants seem to have profited by his efforts, for with very few ex- ceptions they seem to have been among our principal citizens down to the present day. As his children grew up and left the old homestead to make their way in the world, he is said to have advised them In plain words, but in the spirit and intent expressed in the following verses: "You're going to leave the homestead, Jacob, "You're twenty-one today. And the old man will be sorry, Jacob, To see you go away. You've labored late and early, Jacob And done the best you could; I ain't a going to stop you, Jacob, I wouldn't if I could. The years, they come and go, my boy, The years, they come and go ; And raven locks, and tresses brown, Grow white as driven snow. My life has known its sorrows, Jacob, Its trials and troubles sore; Yet God, withal, has blessed me, Jacob, 'In basket and in store.' But one thing let me tell you, Jacob, Before you make your start, There's more in being honest, Jacob, Twice o'er than being smart. Though rogues may seem to flourish, Jacob, And sterling worth to fail, Oh! keep in view the good and true ; 'Twill in the end prevail. And don't be mean of stingy, Jacob, But lay a little by Of what you earn; you soon will learn How fast 'twill multiply. So when old age comes creeping on, You'll have a goodly store Of wealth to furnish all your needs. And maybe something more. There's shorter cuts to fortune, Jacob, We see them every day, But those who save their Self respect, Climb up the good old way. 'All is not gold that glitters,' Jacob, And makes the vulgar stare, And those we deem the richest, Jacob, Have oft the least to spare. Don't meddle with your neighbors, Jacob, Their sorrows or their cares; You'll find enough to do, my boy, To mind your own affairs. The world is full of idle tongues, You can afford to shirk ; There's lots of people ready, Jacob, To do such dirty work. And if amid the race for fame You win a shining prize. The humble worth of honest men, You never should despise. For each one has his mission, Jacob, In life's unchanging plan; Though lowly be his station, Jacob, He is no less a man." 34 THE YOUNGER OF THE SIX CONOVER BROTHERS AND HIS CHILDREN. This was the youngest of the six Conover brothers, who removed from Flatlands, L. I., to Monmouth county, N. J. In Book G of Deeds, page 162, Mon- mouth county clerk's office, is the rec- ord of a deed dated October 3rd, 1705, from John Bowne, merchant of Middle- town township, to John Covenhoven. yeoman of Flatlands, Kings county, L. I., for the consideration of £300 two tracts of land, one containing 94 acres and the other 215 acres, in the town- ship of Freehold, (now Marlboro) and conveyed. In the description it is stated that these two tracts lie to- gether and are bounded on the east by lands of Jacob VanDorn and Aria (Adrian) Bennett. On page 165 of the same book of deeds is record of a deed dated October 15, 1709, from Jacob VanDorn of Freehold township to John Covenhoven of the same place, for a tract of 38-1/2 acres, adjacent to the two tracts above mentioned and between them and other lands of said VanDorn. These two deeds show that John Coven- hoven had removed from Long Island and was actually settled in Monmouth county some time between 1705 and 1709. The lands described in the above deeds, or the greater part of them, have been continuously in the possession of the descendants of Jan Couwenhoven from that date to the present year of our Lord, 1898. Peter G. Conover, the well known and highly respected farmer of Marlboro township, was born, lived and died on this homestead. He was a grandson of the said Jan Couwenhoven. John Lyall Conover, who now owns and oc- cupies these lands, and who is one of the first farmers of Monmouth county, is a son of the late Peter G. Conover. Lafayette Conover and Stacy P. Con- over, lately deceased, who owned and occupied valuable farms in the same vicinity, were also sons of Peter G. Conover and great grandsons of the original settler, Jan Couwenhoven. Jan Couwenhoven made his will November 23, it was proved December 29, 1756, and is on record in the office of the secretary of the state of New Jer- sey, in Book F of Wills, pages 392, etc. He names in this will seven sons, viz: William, Garret, Cornelius, Peter, John, Jacob and Dominicus. He appoints as executors his son Garret, his cousin Roelof Schenck, (Black Roelof) and his cousin Garret, son of Koert Schenck; only his son Garret qualifies. This will is witnessed by David Williamson, Cor- nelius Couwenhoven and Elbert Williamson. All his sons except Garret removed from Monmouth county to Penns Neck and from there his sons, Cornelius, Peter and Jacob, emigrated to the state of Kentucky. Peter is said to have removed from Kentucky to the state of Illinois. It is also said that he had a daughter Tryntje, who removed with her three brothers to Kentucky. Dom- inicus married Mary Updyke. His will, dated January 23, 1778, at Princeton, N. J., is on record in Book 20 of Wills, page 194, etc., at Trenton, N. J. He names in this will the following sons: John, William, Garret, Levi and Peter. He devised his farm at Penns Neck to his sons, Levi and Peter. The records of Marlboro Brick church show only the following children of Jan Couwenhoven baptized: - Trinke, baptized, October 30, 1709; Cornelius, baptized April 6, 1712; Peter, baptized December 5, 1714; Jan, baptized April 12, 1719; child un-named, baptized June 7, 1724. Garret, his youngest son as supposed, was born on the old homestead in Marl- boro township April 27, 1726, and re- sided there until his death, November 1, 1812. He is buried in the yard of the Marlboro Brick church, and his age, inscribed on his tombstone, is 86 years and 6 months. He married first Neeltje, daughter of Benjamin VanMater and Elizabeth Laen, his wife, and had by her five children. He married second Antje, daughter of Peter Janse Schenck and Jannetje Hendrickson, his wife. She died April 5, 1803, aged 49 years, 7 months and 2 days. By his second wife he had the following children: Eleanor, b. December 13, 1787 married Hon. Lafeyette Schenck. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Ruins of the old grist mill of Cornelius Covenhoven at Carroway, near Keyport, N. J. Photographed July, 1898. View of Cornelius Covenhoven's milldam and pond at Carroway, near Keyport, N. J. Photographed July, 1898. +++++++++++++++++++++++ 35 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. Mr. Schenck at one time represented Monmouth county in the New Jersey Assembly. He lived and died on the farm now (1898) owned and occupied by his youngest son, Lafayette Schenck. in the township of Atlantic. He was also the father of the late Rev. Garret Conover Schenck, the well known cler- gyman of the Dutch church, and who died only a few years ago. As Eleanor Conover was, on her mother's side, a descendant of Jan Schenck, and her husband, Lafayette Schenck, was a descendant of Garret Schenck, the Dominic was a lineal descendant of the two Schenck brothers who first settled in this county. Jane, b. November 9, 1789. Ann, b. September 1790, married first Wil- liam Schenck, second Theodore Rue. John, b. December 17, 1791, married Ann Smock. Peter G. b. January 2, 1797, married Nov- ember 10, 1819, Charlotte, daughter of John Lyall, and died May 21, 1886. During his long life of nearly four score and ten years he lived in peace with all men and was respected by everybody for his integrity. His name is mentioned in a case decided by the supreme court of New Jersey back in the year 1825. This decision is found in Third Halstead, New Jersey Reports, pages 90 to 116. His name is brought in through his marriage in the Lyall family and in a brief account of this family and some of their connections. It seems to have been an important case, for the decision fills thirty-six solid pages of this book. Four of the greatest lawyers of that day in New Jersey appear for the parties. Robert Stockton and George Wood for the plaintiff, and Garret D. Wall and L. H. Stockton for the defendant. George Wood subsequently obtained a national reputation as a lawyer. This case turned upon the construc- tion of the will of Eleanor Lyall, who had bequeathed a farm of 108 acres at Nut Swamp, Middletown township, to Fenwick Lyall. Fenwick Lyall sold and conveyed this farm to Richard Crawford for the sum of $4,390. After Fenwick's death it was claimed that he only had a life right under his mother's will. The Supreme court in their long opinions sustained this con- struction. Fenwick Lyall and John Lyall are interred in the Lippitt bury- ing ground at Middletown village. Peter G. Conover, by his wife, Char- lotte Lyall. had the following children: John Lyall, who married Abbie M. Bishop and now occupies the old homestead. Lafayette, who married Elizabeth, daughter of William Schenck and Abbey Polhemus, his wife. William Schenck was a son of Roelof P. Schenck, or Long Ruly, as called, and a brother of Antje Schenck who married Garret Conover above men- tioned, the grandfather of Lafayette Conover. Stacy P., who married Ellen L., daughter of Daniel P. Schenck. Garret, married Mary L. Hulse, (formerly Hulshart.) Charles, died young. Ann Eliza, married David Baird. Eleanor, married Alfred Conover. They are the parents of the well known lawyer, John L. Conover of this county. Emma, married Ferdinand Hyers. Three other children. Amanda, Jane and Eugene, died young In this connection I might say that Garret Conover by his first wife, Neel- tje VanMater, had a son named Garret who married Mary, daughter of the third Garret Schenck. He owned and lived on the farm where the late John W. Herbert lived in Marlboro township, adjacent. I think, to the farm of the late Stacy P. Conover. He built the brick house yet standing where Judge Herbert lived until his death. Another Garret H. Conover, son of Hendrick P. and Ghacey Conover, his wife, owned and occupied the adjacent farm where Joshua Smith now lives, and a Garret I. Conover owned and occupied the farm where Gideon C. McDowell resides. This Garret I. Conover was a son of John G. Conover (a brother of farmer Jacob Couwenhoven), born May 23, 1760, and married August 22, 1778, Jane, daughter of Garret Koertse Schenck and Nelly Voorhees, his wife, and who died May 10, 1802. Garret I., the son, was born March 31, 1785, married a daughter of Ruliff H. Schenck and died May 12, 1829. His brother Elias, born August 10, 1779, was the father of Hen- drick E. Conover, so will known to the people of Freehold, and who died only a few years since and hereinbefore mentioned with his brothers, John E. and Ruliff E. These three farmers all had the same walnut tree for a beginning corner. The people of this vicinity in speaking of these three Garret Conovers, made up a simple little rhyme which serves to identify and distinguish them. It ran thus: The farms of the Garret Conovers, three: Garret H., Garret I. and Garret G., All butted up to a walnut tree. 36 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. The walnut tree, I understand, was cut down a few years ago and a slab from it presented to all the descendants of the three Garrets who could be reached, as a relic. Jacoba Vanderveer, the wife of Jan Couwenhoven and ancestress of this Conover line, was born at Flatbush, L. I. She was baptized April 29, 1686, and was a daughter of Cornelius Janse Van- derveer and his wife, Trintje, daughter of Gillis DeMandeville. Cornelius Janse Vanderveer came from Holland to America in the ship Otter, February. 1659. In 1677-8 he purchased a farm at Flatlands, L. I., where he settled. One of his daughters, Neeltje, married Daniel Polhemus. He also had a son, Dominicus, baptized November 16, 1679. This Dominicus Vanderveer was associated with Daniel and Johannes Polhemus, Auke Lefferts or Leffertson, Ryck Hendrickson Suydam, Jacob Hendrickson Suydam and Stephen Coerten in a purchase of a tract known as the 1500 acre tract on Swimming river from Lewis Morris in 1709. This Auke, or Aukey Lefferts was the prog- enitor of the Leffertson or Lefferts family in Monmouth county. He was born April 4, 1678, married May 29, 1703, Marytje TenEyck, a sister I think, of Johnnes Polhemus' wife. He died November 26, 1769, and is interred in the Polhemus family burying ground at Scobeyville. Of these purchasers only Johannes Polhemus and Auke Leffertson actually settled. The old deeds for the purchase and subsequent transfer from Daniel Polhemus to Johannes Polhemus are still in the pos- session of the Polhemus family at Pha- lanx, Atlantic township. In Book I of Deeds, pages 450, Monmouth county clerk's office, is record of a deed from Cornelius Vanderveer of Middletown township to John Covenhoven of Free- hold township, dated September 18, 1789. In this deed Cornelius Vander- veer states that he is a son of Domin- icus Vanderveer and for the consider- ation of £1332 he conveys a tract of 330 acres In Shrewsbury township, ly- ing on both sides of the public road leading from Tinton Falls to Colts Neck and between Swimming river and Fall river or brook, being a part of the Manor of Tinton, conveyed by Edward Antill and Anne, his wife, to Cornelius Vanderveer, March 27, 1741, the grand- father of said Cornelius, the grantor in this deed. There is also record of a deed dated June 2, 1712, in the Monmouth county clerk's office from Stephen Warne of Middlesex county to Tunis Vanderveer and Cornelius Vanderveer of Flatbush, Kings county. L. I., for a tract of 350 acres in Freehold township. The Mid- dle brook of Topanemes, the South brook of Topanemes and the line of John Baird's lands are mentioned in the description. The above named Tunis and Cornelius Vanderveer were sons of Dominicus Vanderveer. These deeds show when and how the Vander- veers first came into Monmouth county. Tunis Vanderveer, above named grantee, married about 1723, Aeltje, daughter of Garret Schenck of Pleas- ant Valley, and settled on part of the above tract. It has been in this family ever since. David Arthur Vanderveer, who now owns and occupies it, is a lineal descendant of Tunis VanDer- veer and Altje Schenck, his wife. They had a son Tunis, born April 19, 1739. He had a son John, born April 4, 1763, married February 18, 1789, Anna Bowne. They were the parents of ten children. Among them were Joseph I., born January 9, 1790, and married Jane Smock; and David I., born April 19, 1806, married February 13, 1828, Mary, daughter of William Covenhoven and Janet Davis, his wife. Joseph I. Van- derveer was a wellknown and a very popular man through Monmouth coun- ty, "Uncle Josey Vanderveer," as he was generally addressed. He had two or three horses stolen ene night from his stable. Single handed and in his everyday clothes he started out the next morning to find them. His pur- suit led him through the state of New Jersey, city of Philadelphia, lower counties of Pennsylvania into the state of Maryland, where he found and cap- tured the thieves and brought his horses back home. His courage, per- severance and determination shown in this adventure was talked of and told for many years afterwards. His broth- er, David I. Vanderveer, lived and died on the old homestead in Freehold town- ship. His death occurred July 23, 1884. He left four children surviving him: - Hannah Matilda, married February 5, 1851, David Clark Perrine, who was born at Clarks- burg, Millstone township, October 20, 1816. He was the well known merchant of Freehold who made the "Big Red Store" famous in this part of New Jer- sey. Their only son, David Vanderveer Perrine, the leading merchant of Free- hold, has deepened and widened the business his father established. William Conover, b. July 22, 1831. He removed to and settled in Ohio, where he still lives. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Farmhouse now (1901) on the Jan Covenhoven farm, near Wickatunk, N. J., and still owned and occupied by the descendants of the pioneer family. Photograph taken by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover in the summer of 1900. Old house on Murray homestead in village of Middletown, N. J., occupied and owned by Jacob Covenhoven during the latter part of the eighteenth century. Photographed in the summer of 1900 by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover ++++++++++++++++++++++++ 37 EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH. John D., b. September 28, 1836, married November 30, 1859, Jane Ann, daughter of John Henry Vanderveer and Jane Smock, his wife. David Arthur, b. June 23, 1844, married November 2, 1865, Eleanor G., daughter of Tunis Vanderveer Schenck. He resides on the old homestead where his forefathers settled nearly two centuries ago. Thus both in the history of Jan Couwenhoven and of the Vanderveer family in which he married we find they have held to the present day the lands in Monmouth county on which they first settled. This speaks well for their stability, conservatism and contentment with things as found. No family in Monmouth can show a better record in this respect. In this connection I may add the late Col. Elias Conover of Middletown, and Joseph Conover, father of the late William W. Conover of Red Bank, and of Sidney Conover, are descendants of the above named Jan Couwenhoven and Jacoba Vanderveer, his wife. [Error:- Col. Elias Conover and Joseph Conover are said to be descendants of William VanCouwenhoven, the only brother who remained on Long Island, and one or more of his sons settled at Penns Neck or vicinity, and it is claimed was the progenitor of the above named persons and not John Couwenhoven as stated. I do know which version is correct.] ===================================