Cornelius Jacobsen May facts for kids

Cornelis Jacobsen Mey was a Dutch explorer, ship captain, and fur trader. He is well-known for his voyages to North America in the early 1600s. Several places, like Cape May, Cape May County, and the city of Cape May, New Jersey in New Jersey, are named after him. He was very important in the beginning of the Dutch colony called New Netherland.

Who Was Cornelis Jacobsen Mey?

Cornelis May likely came from the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. Some believe he was born in a small village nearby, Schellinkhout. He had a brother named Jan Jacobszoon May van Schellinkhout, who was also an explorer. A faraway island, Jan Mayen, is named after his brother Jan. Cornelis and Jan were cousins to another famous sailor, Jan Cornelisz May. This cousin explored the Northeast Passage and even sailed around the world between 1614 and 1617.

Early Explorations in New Netherland

In 1614, Cornelis May sailed on the "Mauritius River," which is now known as the Hudson River. He was part of a group of traders who made an agreement about their trading areas. On October 11, 1614, May became a member of the New Netherland Company. This company received a special permit from the Dutch government. It allowed them to make four voyages over three years to new lands between the 40th and 45th parallels. This meant no other Dutch traders could go there until January 1618.

Exploring the Delaware Bay Area

From August to November 1616, the company tried to get a new permit. They wanted to explore an area between the 38th and 40th parallels, which includes the Delaware Bay. This area had been surveyed in 1614 and 1615 by another explorer named Cornelis Hendricksz. In 1616, Cornelis Hendricksen sailed a ship called Onrust up the "Zuyd Rivier" (South River), which is now the Delaware River. He went there to rescue three fur traders.

Later, in 1620, Cornelis Jacobsen May explored and surveyed the Delaware Bay himself. He was on a ship called Blijde Boodschap, which means "Joyful Message." He also traded with the Native Americans there. In 1621, he ordered the building of a trading post called Fort Nassau. It was located at the mouth of the Big Timber Creek.

Naming Important Landmarks

Two business partners, Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen and Samuel Godijn, helped with the ships Blijde Boodschap and Bever. These ships focused on exploring and trading in the Delaware River area. Cape Henlopen in Delaware is named after Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen. This cape marked the southernmost border of New Netherland. Samuel Godyn had "Godyn's Bay" named after him, which is now called Delaware Bay. Samuel Godyn was also one of the first important landowners in New Netherland. He was also a director of the Dutch West India Company.

Bringing the First Colonists to New Netherland

Cornelis May faced challenges with other Dutch companies trying to trade in the South River (Delaware River). Eventually, these companies reached an agreement. On December 23, 1623, the region between the 38th and 39th parallels officially came under the control of the Dutch West India Company.

The First Settlers Arrive

In 1624, the first settlers arrived in New Netherland. Most of these families were Walloons, who were people from a region in what is now Belgium. Cornelis May was the captain of the ship Nieu Nederlandt (New Netherland). He brought the first group of colonists to the new territory.

First, some settlers were taken to Fort Orange. This was a trading post near what is now Albany, New York. Then, others went to Governors Island, which is in present-day New York City. In the spring of 1624, Cornelis Jacobsen May returned to New Netherland with more settlers. Some families were sent to company lands in Connecticut. Two families and eight single men went by boat to the South River (Delaware River) and built Fort Wilhelmus. Eight men also stayed on Nut Island to help with the fur trade. The remaining eighteen families continued upriver to Fort Orange.

After successfully bringing these settlers and helping to establish the province, Cornelis Jacobsen May was named the first director of the new province.

See also

In Spanish: Cornelius Jacobsen May para niños