Jacob Teunisz




Jacob Teunisz, the son of Teunis Jacobsz and Sara Denys, was born in 1651. His name is found in historical records spelled a variety of ways including: Jacob Teunisse, Jacobse Tennise, Jacob Teuniszen, and Jacob Thunisse. Variations are also found in the spelling of his adopted surname such as: Van Schoenderwoerdt, Van Woerdt, Van Woert.1

From the early records of Albany, it is apparent that Jacob lived in the present city of Albany. His home must have been located on Broadway between the present Beaver and State Streets. He was a shoemaker by trade, having tan pits "north of the village", in the vicinity of the present day Van Woert Street.

Jacob became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of New Albany (a.k.a. the Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, NY) in 1683 and was on the membership list of the church until 1697. Records reveal that he was still living in 1710 because he was present at the baptism of his grandson Jacob, the son of Nicholaas Van Woert and Dirkje Barheit..2

In 1682, Jacob married Catryn (Catrine) Classe (Claasz), surname Groesbeck. Catryn died sometime following the birth of their second son Ruth, and Jacob subsequently married Anna Lookerman. Jacob and Anna together bore the following children: Pieter, Sara, Jeremias, Jeremie, Sara, Jacob, Margariet, Heyltje, and Catharina The following records (except as noted) were found in the Church of Jesus Christ at New Albany:.3

Jacob Teunisz, widower of Catryn Claasz (Clafse),
and Annatje Lookerman, the widow of Adam Winne,
both living in Albany - married: 10/18/1691.
Their children were as follows:

1. Nicolaas of Jacob Teunisz by Maria Claasz, baptized 6/3/1684.
Witnesses: Jan Thomasz and Ripse Van Dam.

2. Ruth (Rutger), born in the year 1687.4

3. Pieter of Jacob Teunisz and Anna Lookerman, baptized 10/23/1692.
Witnesses: Hendrik Hansz and Catrina Renselaar.

4. Sara of Jacob Teunisz and Anna Lookerman, baptized 12/31/1693.
Witnesses: Hendrik V. Renselaar and Marritje Lookerman.

5. Jeremias of Jacob Teunnisz and Anna Lookerman, baptized 6/16/1695.
Witnesses: Gerrit Van Esch and Hilletje Lookerman.

6. Jeremie of Jacob Teunisz and Anna Lookerman, baptized 5/17/1695.
Witnesses: Kilian Van Rensselaer and Marietje VanEs.

7. Sara of Jacob Teunisz and Anna Lokerman, baptized 8/1/1697.
Witnesses: Jan Fonda and Debora V. Dam.

8. Jacob of Jacob Teunisz and Anna Lokerman, baptized 10/30/1698.
Witnesses: Hendrik Van Esch and Catrina Van Esh.

9. Margariet of Jacob Teunisz and Annigje Lokermans, baptized 7/21/1700.
Witnesses: Jan Jansz Bleyker and Grietje Bleyker.

10. Heyltje of Jacob Teunisse and Annetje Lokermans, baptized 11/2/1701.
Witnesses: Aryen Oothout and Lammertje Lokermans.
 

Annetje Lookerman Van Woert probably died July 31, 1742 because in the burial records for the church yard of the Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, NY, as kept by Barent Bradt, the sexton, the following record was found:
Ann Van Woert, died July 31, 1742.
Jacob Tennise (Thunisse) was buried on July 18, 1730 in the church yard of the Middle Dutch Church, Beaver Street, Albany, NY.
Below are early records of Albany, revealing Jacob Teunisz' trade, residence, and involvement in the community.
On March 28th, 1681, Jacob Theunissen with Jan Cornelis were witnesses to a notarial paper by which a contract was made by Gerrit Van Kulenburgh to serve Jonas Volckertsen (Douw) for one year..5
Deed from Gerrit Reyersen to Barent Myndertsen and others for a lot outside the north gate of Albany
Appeared before me, Robt. Livingston, secretary of Albany, colony of Renselaerswyck, etc., in presence of the Honorable Mr. Cornelis Van Dyck and Mr. Dirk Wessels, magistrates of the same jurisdiction, Gerrit Ryerse, who declared that he grants, conveys and makes over in true, rightful and free ownership to and for the behoof of Barent Myndertse, Jeronimus Wendell, Cornelis van Shelluyne, Symon Jacobse Schermerhooren, Jacob Teunise, and Johannes Mingaell, shoemakers, a certain lot lying without the north gate of Albany, adjoining and to the south of the cross fence of the grantor and Claes Janse van Boekhooven, to the north and east of the grantor to the west of the highway, in breadth in front on the street forty-five feet and in length on the south and north sides likewise forty-five feet and in the rear sixty-one feet in width, all Rhineland measure, on which he, the grantor, does by virtue of the patent granted to his late father Ryer Elbertse and Claes Janse by the late Governor General Rich; Nicolls, of date the 7th of May 1667, and that free and unincumbered, without any charges on or issuing out of the same (saving the Lord's right), without the grantor's making any further claim in the least thereto acknowledging himself to be paid and satisfied therefor, the first penny with the last, therefore giving plenam actionem cessam and full power to the aforenamed Barent Myndertse, Jeron: Wendel, Cornel: van Shelluyne, Symon Jac: Shermerhoren, Jacob Teunise, Johannes Mingaell, shoemakers, their heirs, successors, or assigns to do with and dispose of the aforesaid lot as they could do with their own patrimonial estate and effects, promising to warrant and defend the same right against all persons from all trouble, claims and incumbrances according to law and further nevermore to do nor cause anything to be done contrary hereto in any manner, binding himself as by law provided. Done in Albany, the 25th of May 1681..6
GERRIT REYERSEN
Cornelis van Dyck
Dirck Wesselsz
In my presence,
Rot. LIVINGSTON, Secretary

Deed from Adriaen Appel, attorney for Jan Andriessen Douw, to Johannes Thomassen Mingael and Jacob Teunissen for a house and lot in Albany
Appeared before me, Rot. Livingston, secretary of Albany, colony of Renselaerswyck and Schaenhechtady, in presence of the Honorable Dirk Wessells and Mr Jan Janse Bleeker, magistrates of the same jurisdiction, Jan Andriese Dow, who declared that he grants, conveys and makes over in true, rightful and free ownership to and for the behoof of Johannes Thomase Mingael and Jacob Teunise, both shoemakers of this town, a certain lot standing and lying here in Albany, adjoining southerly and westerly Jochim Ketelheyn, northerly the house of Jan Cornelise Vyselaer and easterly the street; in length three rods, nine feet and seven inches and in breadth one rod, eight feet and one inch, but it is reserved that the alley between this house and the house of Jan Cornelise Vyselaer shall remain in common, being fifteen and a half feet long back of said Jan Gaw'sa house; which he, the grantor, does by virtue of the conveyance given to him by Jan Cornelise Vyselaer, of date the 20th of June 1678, to which reference is herein made, and that free and unincumbered, without any charges thereon or issuing out of the same (saving the Lord's right), without the grantor's making any further claim in the least thereto, acknowledging himself to be paid and satisfied therefor, the first penny with the last, therefore giving plenam actionem cessam and full power to the aforenamed Johannes Tomase Mingael and Jacob Teunise to do with and dispose of the aforesaid house and lot as they could do with their own patrimonial estate and effects, promising to warrant and defend the same against all persons from all trouble, claims and incumbrances according to law and further nevermore to do nor cause any thing to be done contrary hereto in any manner, binding himself thereto as by law provided therefore. Done in Albany, the 8th of July 1681. N.B. Adr: Appell has full power from Jan Andriese Dow to sign this conveyance..7

A. APPEL
Dirck Wesselsz
Jan Janse Bleeker
In my presence,
Rot. LIVINGSTON, Secretary
a. Generally spelled Gow, or Gouw, and referring to Jan Cornelissen Vyselaer; see Early Records of Albany, 1:187. Gouw means "quick," but may also stand for "ter Gouw," or Gouda, a city in the province of South Holland

Release by Johannes Thomassen Mingael to Jacob Teunissen of his half interest in the house and lot purchased from Jan Andriessen Douw
Appeared before me, Rot. Livingston, secretary of Albany, colony of Renselaerswyck and Schaenhechtady, in presence of the honorable Mr Cornelis van Dyck and Mr Dirk Wessells, magistrates of the same jurisdiction, Johannes Thomese Mingael, who declared that he grants, conveys and makes over in true, rightful and free ownership to and for the behoof of Jacob Teunise, shoemaker, his certain just half of a house and lot standing and lying here in Albany on Coe Straet (literally "Cow" Street; now Broadway), adjoining southerly and westerly Jochim Ketelheyn, northerly the house of Jan Cornelise Vyselaer and to the east the street; in length three rods, nine feet and seven inches and in breadth one rod, eight feet and one inch, reserving the alley between said house and the house of Jan Gaw to remain in common, being fifteen feet and a half feet long back of said Jan Gaw's house; which half of said house and lot he, the grantor conveys by virtue of a deed to him and said Jacob Teunise given by Adriaen Appell, attorney for Jan Andriese on the 8th day of July 1681,to which reference is herein made, and that free and unincumbered, without any charges thereon or issuing out of the same (saving the Lord's right), without the grantor's making any further claim in the least thereto, acknowledging himself to be paid and satisfied therefor, the first penny with the last, therefore giving plenam actionem cessam and full power to the aforenamed Jacob Teunise, his heirs, successors, or assigns to do with and dispose of the aforesaid half (interest in), the house and lot as he could do with his own patrimonial estate and effects, promising to warrant and defend the same against all persons from all trouble, claims and incumbrances according to law and further nevermore to do nor cause any thing to be done contrary hereto in any manner, binding himself thereto as by law provided therefore. Done in Albany, the 9th of July 1681..8

Johannes Tomes Meingael
Cornelis van Dyck
Dirck Wesselsz
In my presence,
Rot. LIVINGSTON, Secretary

 

On May 2, 1682, Jacob Teunissen and Gysbert Marcelis were witnesses to a lease of a house and lot outside the north gate of Albany from Barent Albertsen to Thomas Craven..9

In a deed dated October 14, 1684, Albany, NY, Gysbert Marcelis grants a small piece of pasture land without the north gate of Albany to Johannes Clute, nephew of the late Capt. Johannes Clute. In the boundary description of this property, the following was mentioned: "keeping three foot off from the Tann Pitt of Jacob Teunisse".10

In a deed dated October 15, 1684, Albany, NY, Johannes Clute and Bata, his wife, grant to Robert Livingston, a piece of pasture land without the north gate of Albany, with part of the followinf boundary: "Eleven Rod, and five foot keeping three feet from ye Tan Pitt, sett there by Jacob Teunise.".11

On February 1st, 1685 or 1686, Jacob Teunissen and Jacob Theysen vander Heyden were witnesses to a notarial paper, the indenture of apprenticeship of Zacharias Sickels, Junior, to Johannes Beeckman to learn the smith's trade..12

In a deed in Albany County Clerk's office, Albany, NY, book 14, page 233, mention is made of Jacob Tennisen Van Woert and Anna his wife, also their last Will and Testament, dated July 14, 1730. The search for this paper by Irving Van Woert, M.D. was futile. He states that it was not in the County's Surrogate record room or in the County's Court of Appeals. It was not found on the list of Wills held by the State of New York. It is quite possible, that as with the case of many early Wills, the Will was not filed but held by someone in the family.

Jonathan Pearson, translator of the original Dutch Early Records Of The City And County Of Albany And Colony Of Rensselaerswyck, claimed that Teunis Jacobsen van Schoenderwoert left one son, Jacob, from whom have sprung the Van Woerts of Albany, NY..13

Note: We must not confuse Jacob Teunissen, alias Jacob Teunissen van Woert, with Jacob Teunissen Quick (or Looper, or deLooper). The former could sign his name while the latter was obliged to make his mark. This helps, in many cases, to distinguish the two apart.


References
1. Genealogies of the First Settlers of Albany County, NY; Prof. Jonathan Pearson,
Genealogical Publishing Co., page 139
2. Records of The Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, NY, 1683-1809; excerpted from
Year Books of The Holland Society of NY, Genealogical Publishing Co.,
3. Ibid.
4. Van Woert History; Irving Van Woert, M.D., (privately published)
5. Early Records of The City and County of Albany and Colony of Rensselaerswyck
(hereafter referred to as E.R.A.); translated by Jonathan Pearson, Vol.3, page 513
6. E.R.A., Vol. 2, page 125
7. E.R.A., Vol. 2, page 129
8. E.R.A., Vol. 2, page 130
9. E.R.A., Vol. 3, page 535
10. E.R.A., Vol. 2, page 249
11. E.R.A., Vol. 2, page 251
12. E.R.A., Vol. 3, page 585
13. E.R.A., Vol. 3, page 41
John Camp’s file on Jacob Teunisz
Jacob Van Woert - son of Jacob Teunisz
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