Steven van Voorhees facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steven Coertse van Voorhees
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Van Voorhees coat of arms
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Steven Coertse van Voorhees
1600 Hees, Drenthe, The Netherlands
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| Died | 16 February 1684 |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation | Farmer, brewer |
| Spouse(s) | Aaltjen Wessels (d. 1675), Willempie Roelofse Suebering (b.1619-d.1690) |
| Children | Coert van Voorhees, Wessel, Marchien, Lucas, Hendrickje, Jan, Aeltje, Albert, Jannetje, Abraham |
| Parent(s) | Coert Albertse van Voorhees |
Steven Coertse van Voorhees (born 1600 – died 16 February 1684) was an early Dutch settler in America. He is known as the founder of the Voorhees family in the United States.
In 1664, he served as a local leader, called a magistrate, in what is now Flatlands, Brooklyn. He also helped start the Dutch Reformed Church in that area.
Contents
Biography
Steven's Early Life in the Netherlands
Steven van Voorhees was born in 1600 in a small village called Hees in the Drenthe region of The Netherlands. He was the oldest of seven children born to Coert Albertse van Voorhees. Around 1645, Steven got married for the first time.
Journey to New Netherland
In April 1660, Steven van Voorhees left The Netherlands. He traveled with his second wife, Willempie Roelofse Suebering, and eight of their ten children.
They sailed to the New Netherland settlement, which is now New York. The ship was likely called "Borelekre" or "Bonte Koe," meaning "Spotted Cow." Two of their daughters stayed behind but later came to America.
Some historical records say that the name of Steven's first wife is not known. Other records suggest her name was Aaltjen Wessels, who passed away around 1675.
Life in the New Colony
Steven van Voorhees settled in a place called Nieuw Amersfoort in 1660. This area is known today as Flatlands, Long Island. On November 29, 1660, he bought a large piece of land.
He paid three thousand guilders for it. The land included a house, a farm, and a brewery. Steven worked as a farmer and also ran the brewery.
Besides farming, Steven van Voorhees was an important person in the community. In 1664, he became a magistrate for Flatlands. This meant he helped make local decisions and keep order.
He also helped establish the Dutch Reformed Church in Flatlands. Both he and his second wife were active members of this church.
Steven's Later Years and Passing
Steven van Voorhees wrote his will on August 25, 1677. In this document, he left all his property to his five children who were still alive. In 1683, he was in charge of managing taxes in Flatlands.
Steven van Voorhees passed away on February 16, 1684.
What Does "Voorhees" Mean?
The name "Voorhees" is an English version of "van voor Hees." This means "from before" or "in front of" Hees. Hees was a tiny village in the Netherlands with only about nine houses.
Steven van Voorhees's grandfather, Coert van voor Hees, lived near the front of this small village. That's how the family name came to be.
Steven's Family Legacy
The van Voorhees family has its own special symbol, called a coat of arms. This symbol was first shown in America in 1880 by Elias W. van Voorhees.
Steven van Voorhees is seen as the leader of a "pioneer family" in Bergen County, New Jersey. He is known as the first person to represent the well-known Voorhees family in America.
One street in Brooklyn, Voorhies Avenue, is named after him and his family.
