Abraham Pietersen van Deusen facts for kids

Abraham Pietersen van Deursen (born before November 11, 1607 – died around 1670) was an important early settler in New Amsterdam. He came from Holland and became part of the Council of 12. This group was the first example of a representative democracy (where people choose others to make decisions for them) in the Dutch colony. Many families in the United States and Canada today, like Van Deursen, Van Deusen, and Van Duzer, are related to Abraham. He was a miller (someone who grinds grain into flour) and was originally from Haarlem in the Netherlands.

Abraham's Early Life

He was born in 1607 in Haarlem. His parents were Pieter van Deursen and Maria or Paulina Vincke. They got married in Haarlem in 1591. Abraham was baptized in Haarlem on November 11, 1607.

His Brothers and Sisters

Abraham might have had a brother named Handrick Van Dussenberg, who was a master builder in 1638. Another possible brother was Adrian Pitersen, who was a director of the Dutch West India Company.

Family Life

Abraham married Tryntie Melchior Abrahams on December 7, 1629, in Haarlem. They had six children together:

• Teuwis Matheeus Abrahamsen Van Deusen (born around 1631)
• Marytje Van Deusen (born 1634)
• Isaac Van Deusen I (born 1635)
• Jacob Van Deusen (born 1638)
• Pieter Van Deusen I (born March 23, 1642)
• Melchior Van Deusen (born March 6, 1644)

Moving to New Amsterdam

Dutch Island, shown on an old postcard.

Abraham moved to New Amsterdam before 1636 with his wife and some of his children. By 1638, he was working as a miller there.

A historian named Cheska Callow Wheatley wrote about Abraham. She said that in 1636, Abraham took control of an island called Quentensis for the Dutch West India Company. This island is now known as Dutch Island. He was also known as the first miller in New Amsterdam, which was a very important job back then. People sometimes called him "Abraham Pietersen, Molenaer," which means "Abraham Pietersen, Miller."

In 1641, Abraham was chosen as one of the "Twelve Men." This group was picked by the people to help the Director-General and Council make decisions. Later, in November 1641, he was one of the "Eight Men." This group asked Holland for help because of problems with Native Americans.

The Council of Twelve Men

In 1641, Abraham was chosen to be part of the Council of Twelve Men. This group was formed to give advice to Director-General Willem Kieft. They needed to decide what to do about a possible war with the Native Americans. This was the first time the people of New Amsterdam had a say in their government.

However, this group was only temporary. The colony attacked the Native American people. This led to a war called Kieft's War, and parts of the colony were burned in return.

John Franklin Jameson, a historian, wrote about this time. He said that the people of the colony met and chose twelve men to decide on the situation. They agreed to go to war if the Native Americans refused to give up a murderer. They planned to attack when the Native Americans were hunting.

The Council of Eight Men

In 1643, Abraham was chosen for a new group called the Council of Eight Men. This council wrote to the States-General (the government of the Netherlands). They said that Governor Kieft was causing problems for the colony's economy. They asked for a new Director-General and for the people to have more power in the government.

Because of their request, Director-General Kieft was removed from his job. Peter Stuyvesant took his place. Stuyvesant was in charge until the British took over the colony in 1664. Kieft left for Holland, but his ship was lost at sea.

John Franklin Jameson also wrote about the Council of Eight Men. He said that the people were very worried. They chose eight men instead of the previous twelve to help make decisions.

Becoming a Burgher

In 1657, Abraham became a burgher. A burgher was a citizen with special rights in the city. After this, there isn't much more information about him in the old records.

Death

Abraham died sometime before July 28, 1672. We know this because his wife died on that date, and she was listed as a widow. We don't know where he was buried.

His Legacy

Abraham Pietersen Van Deursen was the great-great-great-grandfather of Martin Van Buren (1782–1862), who became the 8th President of the United States. He was also an ancestor of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), the 32nd President of the United States.

Timeline

• 1607: Abraham was baptized in Haarlem, Netherlands, on November 11.
• 1624: New Amsterdam was established.
• 1627: He married Tryntie Melchiors in Haarlem on December 7.
• 1636: He moved from the Netherlands to New Amsterdam.
• 1636: He was living on Dutch Island.
• 1638: He was working as a miller in New Amsterdam.
• 1638: Willem Kieft became Director General.
• 1640: The Pig War happened.
• 1641: The Council of 12 was chosen on August 29.
• 1642: The Council of 12 met to talk about the Indian War on February 18.
• 1642: The colony attacked Native Americans.
• 1643: The Council of 8 met on September 13.
• 1644: The Council of 8 asked for more power in the government on June 18.
• 1644: The Council of 8 asked Amsterdam for help against Kieft in October.
• 1647: Willem Kieft left.
• 1647: Peter Stuyvesant was appointed.
• 1657: Abraham became a burgher on April 14.
• 1657: He was a Lance Corporal in the Burghers Corps.
• 1664: New Amsterdam was taken by the British and renamed New York.
• 1664: Abraham and his son, Isaac, promised loyalty to the King of England in October.
• Around 1670: Abraham died.
• 1672: His wife died on July 28.