The original spelling of this name would be Van Kouwenhoven because in the early days of New Amsterdam the Dutch had no letter C in their alphabet. GERRIT WOLFERTS SUYPE, married to STYNE ROBERTS, was buried in the chancel of the church at Nykerk in the Netherlands on 12 Dec 1604.

SECOND GENERATION

Children of GERRIT WOLFERTS SUYPE and STYNE ROBERTS:

+1. WOLFERT GERRITSE was probably in New Amsterdam before 1630. He was one of the five "head-farmers" sent by the Dutch West India Company to establish farms in New Amsterdam. The first farms were leased for 6 years and he is recorded as occupying Bowerie No. 3. By 1630 he was back in the Netherlands where he was an employee of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, the absentee landlord of a patroonship in New Netherlands. He was sent back to New Amsterdam on the ship DE EENDRACHT arriving 24 May 1630. His contract to Van Rensselaer was to be for four years and he was to work from April to November managing the farms and was forbidden to engage in fur trading. One of his duties was to build a house for Van Rensselaer in the northern colony at Fort Orange. From letters of Van Rensselaer, it is learned that he became dissatisfied with this work since his wife and children would not move from New Amsterdam to Rensselaerwyck; he was more likely anxious to become a landowner. In 1632, Wolfert wrote to Van Rensselaer asking to be released from his contract and Van Rensselaerwyck agreed to the release. He acquired the lease of Bowerie No. 6 in New Amsterdam and by 1636 when the lease had expired, he became full owner. Wolfert married 17 Jan 1605 NEELTJE (unknown); daughter of Neltjen Jans; Wolfert died after 1660.

THIRD GENERATION

Children of WOLFERT GERRITSE VAN COUVENHOVEN and unknown:

+1. GERRIT born Netherlands about 1610; died about 1645; married at Flatlands New Amsterdam about 1635 AELTJE CORNELIS COOL who died before 1683; daughter of Cornelis Lambertse Cool.

+2. Jacob born Netherlands about 1612; died before 21 Apr 1670; married (1) 1 Dec 1637 Hester Jansen; married (2) 26 Sep 1655 Magdaleentje Jacobs Bysen. Jacob died intestate and administrators were appointed 21 Apr 1670; wife and children mentioned but not named.

+3. Pieter married (1) Hester Symons Daws of Amsterdam; married (2) 22 Nov 1655 Aeltje Sibrants. After 1664 moved to Elizabethtown NJ and in 1673 moved back to New York.

FOURTH GENERATION

Children of GERRIT WOLFERTSE VAN COUWENHOVEN and AELTJE CORNELIS COOL:

+1. Willem born Flatlands 1636; married (1) 1660 Altje Brinckerhoff; daughter of Joris Dircksen Brinckerhoff; died 3 June 1663; married (2) 12 Feb 1665 Jannetje Monfort bp 8 May 1646 New Amsterdam; daughter of Peter Monfort.

+2. Jan born Flatlands 1639; married 18 May 1670 Gerardina de Sille; daughter of Nicasius de Sille.

3. NEELTJE bp 20 Sep 1641 Brooklyn RDC; died about 1672; married 1660 ROELOF MARTENSE SCHENCK.

4. Marretje bp 10 Apr 1644 Brooklyn RDC; died before 1709; married Coert Stephense Van Voorhees born about 1637 Netherlands; died before 1702; son of Steven Coerten Van Voorhees.

Children of Jacob Wolfertse Van Couwenhoven and Hester Jansen:

1. Neeltje born 18 Sep 1639; bp 25 Sep 1639 Brooklyn RDC; married 6 Jan 1662 Cornelis Pluvier.

+2. Jan born 11 May 1641; bp 19 May 1641 Brooklyn RDC; married 11 Apr 1664 Saartje Frans. He left will dated 16 Jan 1690; proved 13 Apr 1693.

3. Lysbeth born 30 Aug 1643; bp 6 Sep 1643 Brooklyn RDC; married Samuel Gerretzsen.

4. Aeltje born 20 Aug 1645; bp 27 Aug 1645 Brooklyn RDC; married 7 July 1669 Bernardus Hassen.

5. Son born 6 Mar 1647; bp 7 Mar 1647; died 7 Mar 1647.

6. Petronel born 7 May 1648; bp 10 May 1648; married Isaac Van Vleck.

Children of Pieter Wolfertse Van Couwenhoven and one of the two wives:

1. Altie; adopted.

2. Hester; married 22 Feb 1688 Johannes Martier.

3. Perhaps Cornelis.

Children of Pieter Wolfertse Van Couwenhoven and Aeltje Sibrants:

4. Petrus bp 27 Feb 1669; married Mary (unknown). Left will dated 9 Sep 1700; proved 4 Mar 1704.

FIFTH GENERATION

Children of Willem Gerretse Van Couwenhoven and Altje Brinckerhoff:

1. Gerret born 4 Jan 1662; bp 15 Jan 1662; married Aeltie (unknown).

Children of Willem Gerretse Van Couwenhoven and Jannetje Monfort:

2. Aeltie born 14 Dec 1665; died before 1691; married 16 Mar 1687 Cornelis Symonse Van Arsdalen.

3. Neeltje born 7 Feb 1669; married John Pieterse Wycoff of Freehold NJ.

+4. Pieter born 12 Feb 1671; died about 1751; married Patience Daws; daughter of Elias Daws. Settled in Monmouth Co. NJ. Left will dated 15 Mar 1743; proved 21 Apr 17 1751.

+5. Cornelis born 20 Nov 1672; died 17 Mar 1736; married 8 Sep 1700 Margrietje R. Schenck. Resided 1707 Middletown NJ.

6. Sarah born 20 Dec 1674; died 31 Jan 1761; married about 1692 John R. Schenck.

+7. Albert born 7 Dec 1676; married 2 Oct 1701 Neeltje Schenck; daughter of Roelof Schenck and Neeltie Gerrittsen Van Couwenhoven. Moved to Freehold NJ before 1709.

+8. Jacob born 29 Jan 1679; died 1 Dec 1744; married 12 Nov 1705 Sarah Schenck; daughter of Roelof Martense Schenck. Moved to vicinity of Freehold NJ before 1709.

+9. John born 9 Apr 1681; died 1756; perhaps married about 1704 Coba/Jacoba Vanderveer. Moved to NJ before 1709.

10. Annatie born 13 Apr 1683; perhaps married (1) Aert Wellemsen; married (2) perhaps Johannes Antonides.

+11. William born 7 Mar 1686; died 19 Jan 1769; married 5 June 1709 Annetie Voorhees born 1686; died 1774; daughter of Lucas Stevense Voorhees. Left will dated 10 Dec 1757; proved 13 Mar 1769.

12. Perhaps Joris.

13. Jacomina born 28 Dec 1689; married 5 June 1709 Elbert Williamsen.

Children of Jan Gerretse Van Couwenhoven and Gerardina de Sille:

+1. Gerret; died about 1712; married (1) Lysbet (unknown); married (2) Aeltje (unknown). Left will dated 6 Apr 1711; proved 3 Nov 1712.

2. Aaltje bp 18 Apr 1678; died 9 Mar 1740; married Derick Abramse Brinckerhoff born 16 Mar 1677 Flushing NY; died 26 Apr 1748 Flushing NY.

+3. Nicasius born 30 June 1681; died 16 Sep 1749; married Elsie (unknown). Left will dated 15 May 1746; proved 14 Oct 1749.

4. Cornelia married 25 Sep 1691 Gerret A. Middagh.

5. Nelly married 27 July 1694 Jores Rapalje.

6. Perhaps Willemtje married 8 Feb 1685 Hendrick Emans of NJ.

Children of Jan Van Couwenhoven and Saartie Frans:
Named in will of Jan dated 17 June 1690; (*);

+1. (*) Jacob bp 30 Nov 1664; married 7 July 1685 Newtown NY Anna Remerson.

2. Francois bp 10 Oct 1666; married (1) 3 Nov 1709 Catherine Oliver; married (2) 12 Nov 1739 Mary Brouwer.

3. Hester bp 12 Aug 1669; married Feb 1688 Johannes Martier.

4. Lysbeth bp 22 Mar 1671; married 19 Nov 1690 Abraham Messier.

5. Jacomyntie bp 25 Mar 1673; married 20 Apr 1694 Wessel Pietersen Van Norden.

6. Johannes bp 14 Apr 1677; married 8 May 1708 Rachel Bensen.

7. Maria bp 2 Apr 1679; married 21 Apr 1699 Hendrick Brevoort.

8. Catelyntje bp 20 Jan 1682.

9. Peter bp 1 Dec 1683; married 9 Aug 1707 Wyntje Ten Eyck.

SIXTH GENERATION

Children of Peter Van Couwenhoven and Patience Daws:

1. William; died 1777; married Annetje/Marretje (unknown).

2. Mary born 1700; married 10 Oct 1725 Koert Gerretse Schenck.

3. Hannah married (unknown) Antonides.

4. Jane married (unknown) Williamson.

5. Nelke bp 22 Jan 1710 NJ.

+6. Peter bp 6 Apr 1712 NJ; died 1774; married 17 Dec 1735 Leah Schenck; daughter of Jan Roelofse Schenck.

+7. Elias; died 1750; married 1729 Willempie Wall.

8. Aeltje married Willem Willemse.

9. Ann married (unknown) Longstreet.

Children of Cornelis Van Couwenhoven and Margrietje R. Schenck:

1. William bp 8 Sep 1700 Brooklyn NY; perhaps married 17 Mar 1744 Anna Hendricksen.

2. Roeloff married Sarah Voorhies.

3. Alkge married William Van Doorn.

4. Neltie bp 29 May 1705 Brooklyn.

5. Leah.

6. Mary bp 24 Dec 1710.

7. Rachel bp 2 Nov 1712.

8. Yacomyntchy bp 28 Nov 1717.

9. Catrina bp June 1720 Marlboro NJ; married 22 Dec 1743 Daniel Hendrickson.

10. Margaret.

11. Sarah.

12. Yannetje.

13. Anna.

Children of Albert Van Couwenhoven and Neeltje Schenck:

1. William married Elizabeth (unknown).

2. Margreitje born 15 Feb 1711/12; bp 6 Apr 1712 Middletown RDC NJ; died 17 June 1780 Scobeyville NJ; married 8 Dec 1731 Daniel Polhemus born about 1706; died 26 Sep 1763 Middletown NJ; son of Johannes Polhemus.

Children of Jacob Van Couwenhoven and Sarah Schenck:

1. Jannetie born 10 Dec 1706.

2. Annie born Feb 1708.

3. William born Feb 1710.

4. Ruleph born 1 Mar 1712.

5. Jacob born 1 Feb 1714.

6. Garret born 5 Nov 1716.

7. Peter born 14 Dec 1718; died 4 Jan 1719.

8. Peter born May 1720; married Catharine Schenck; daughter of Roelof Schenck.

9. John born May 1722.

10. Marta born 1725; married Willempe Conover; daughter of William Conover.

Children of John Van Couwenhoven and Jacoba Vanderveer:

1. William; died about 1765; married Sophia Lane.

2. Tryntje bp 30 Oct 1709; died young.

3. Tryntje bp 6 Apr 1712. Moved to Kentucky.

4. Perhaps Elias.

5. Cornelis bp 6 Apr 1712. Moved to Kentucky.

6. Peter bp 5 Dec 1714; married Rebecca Combs; daughter of Jonathan Combs. Moved to Kentucky and then Illinois.

7. Jan bp 12 Apr 1719 Marlboro NJ; died after 1756.

8. Jacob; moved to Kentucky.

9. Dominicus; died before 1788; married Mary Updike.

Children of Willem Van Couwenhoven and Annetie Voorhies:
Named in will of Willem dated 10 Dec 1757; (*);

1. William born 10 Mar 1710; died young.

2. Cataline born 27 July 1711; died young.

3. (* decd) William born 22 Jan 1713; married Margrietje Schenck. Named in will above are grandsons Willem, sons and daughters, and youngest daughter Sarah as deceased but mother of a child.

4. (*) Jannetje born 6 Oct 1714; died 1792; married Nov 1737 Gerret Schenck born 1712; died before 10 Dec 1757.

5. (*) Luke born 3 June 1716.

6. (*) Aeltje born 21 Mar 1718; married Cornelius Voorhies.

7. Annetje born 21 Mar 1720; died young.

8. (* decd) Catalyna born 1 Apr 1722; married Albert Schenck.

9. (*) Neeltje born 6 Mar 1724; married Johanes Duryee.

10. (*) Gerret born 11 Nov 1726; died 23 Sep 1777; married 7 May 1748 Antie Lefferts.

11. Sara born 23 July 1728; died young.

12. Jacoba bp 27 Oct 1734; died young.

Children of Gerret Janse Van Couwenhoven and Lysbet (unknown):
Named in will of Gerret dated 6 Apr 1711; (*);

1. Jackomyntie bp 15 Jan 1699 Brooklyn; died young.

2. Jackomyntie bp 2 Mar 1701 Brooklyn; married 1720 Elbert Luyster.

3. Aeltie bp 2 Mar 1701 Brooklyn; married Jacob Cozine.

Children of Gerret Janse Van Couwenhoven and Aeltie (unknown):

4. (*) John; died about 1761; married Maria Cozine.

5. William perhaps settled at Three Mile Run NJ.

6. Adriantje.

Children of Nicasius Van Couwenhoven and Elsie (unknown):

1. Gerardina bp 7 Aug 1705 Brooklyn; married Symon Van Wickelen.

2. John born 2 Dec 1707; died 1 May 1778; married Catherine Remsen.

3. Gerret died 17 Nov 1783; married (1) Sarah (unknown); married (2) Antie Bergen.

4. Peter perhaps married Elizabeth DeBevoise; daughter of Joost DeBevoise. Peter resided Raritan NJ.

Children of Jacob Van Couwenhoven and Anna Remerson:

1. Johannes bp 16 Aug 1685 Flatbush NY; died young.

2. Johannes bp 8 Mar 1696 NY.

SEVENTH GENERATION

Children of Peter Van Couwenhoven and Leah Schenck:

1. Sarah married 1767 Joseph Thompson born 1743; died 1808.

Children of Elias Van Couwenhoven and Willempe Wall:

1. Mary born 12 Feb 1730; married (unknown) Smock.

2. Peter born 4 Dec 1732; died 3 Mar 1802.

3. Patience born 6 July 1736; died 22 May 1802; married Samuel Bowne.

4. Elidy born 10 Mar 1738; married Hendrick Hendrickson.

5. Jane/James born 30 Dec 1739; died 28 May 1705; married (unknown) Longstreet.

6. Elenor born 5 Feb 1741; died 21 June 1765.

7. John born 8 Mar 1733/4; died 21 Apr 1803.