New York Beginnings:Information about John Nelson
John Nelson (b. Abt. 1640, d. Aft. 28 Mar 1713)
Notes for John Nelson:"A short time after his arrival in this country, John Nelson took up his residence in Flatlands.After a residence of several years in Flatlands, and having married the daughter of Dirck Jans van der Vleet, he established himself on a farm in the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, in the then Province of New York.This farm, which was situated in the vicinity of the residences of the Heathcotes, DeLanceys, and other prominent colonial families, was kept in the family for many generations and in a section of it set part for the purpose,as it was the custom before Cemeteries were founded, were interred as they died, its owners, their wives and their children."
A declaration of the principles of the citizens of Westchester County to support the reigning Sovereign against the claims of the Jacobites was signed by leading citizens, including John Nelson.
"Tradition that John Nelson emigrated from the town of Norfolk, England, between the years of 1660 and 1665; and that the ship he embarqued in was driven by stress of weather upon the coast of France.The passengers were distributed among the peasant along the coast and in the smaller towns until such time as the ship could be repaired and proceed on her way.It appears, however, that John Nelson was given quarters in the family of a French Physician, Polycarpus by name, and with him John stayed until the ship sailed.Agreeable to his Puritanic principles, John Nelson offered to reimburse Dr. Polycarpus for his kindness toward himself and others, but Polycarpus refused any payment whatever, but made this one request of John Nelson, that when he was married and settled in his American home, that John should name his first-born son, Polycarpus.How well John kept his word of promise will be seen later on; but no account remains by which he can ever know that John Nelson ever informed Dr. Polycarpus that he had given that name to his first-born son.
"..........It is not surprising that John Nelson should, among a people who did not pronounce their names the same way twice a day, almost lose his identity.The may have endeavored to prevent any great number of mistakes in the spelling or pronunciation of his name, and if he did he most signally failed in the attempt, as will be seen in the following variations of spelling.In Flatlands he was known as Jan Elizen, Jans Elizen, Jans Elsen, Jan Lelsie and Jan Nelse, as will be seen in the following:Jan Nelse married Hendrickje-Dirckse, daughter of Derk Jansen Vander Vliet, of Flatlands, and had daughter Catherine Nelse. (Dutch Church Records).
"..........John Nelson, called Nelse, married Hendrickje, daughter of Dirck Janse Vander Vliet of Flatlands.(Bergen's Kings' County Settlers, pp. 214 and 325).
"........As already stated, John Nelson was not John Nelson all through his life; for, while he lived in Flatlands with his Dutch wife, and among her Dutch relatives and neighbors, he was somebody else, if the manner in which his name was spelled and pronounced by those good Burghers.But when he appeared on his own farm in Mamaroneck we hear no more of his Dutch "name", and here he became once more the John Nelson of former days, and the Nelse, Elsen, Elizen, etc. for former days forever disappeared from his family name.While in Flatlands none of his children were baptized as Nelson, but with the loose pervasions of that name, as has already been stated, and it was not until he had settled at Mamaroneck does the perfect name of Nelson appear in connection with any of his family.
"..........A low hill in the town of Mamaroneck, called 'Nelson's hill' perpetuates the name.It was made historically memorable during the Revolutionary War for the surprise and defeat, by Colonel Smallwood, of a large body of British Troops stationed there under Major Rogers.This property has since passed through the Horton, Ryer, Barley, and Stanley families, to the present owner and proprietor, Benjamin Brown, Esq.The house occupies a beautiful situation on the slope of the hill, overlooking Long Island Sound and Mamaroneck Bay.This place is remarkable for a distinct Echo, the true object of which appears to be the opposite residence on Heathcote Hill.In the still dewy evenings of summer, when the air is elastic and a dead stillness prevails, every word spoken in the neighboring house is plainly re-echoed from the northern bank. (1)
"The first we know of John Nelson being in Mamaroneck, is when that town was laid in 1660; John being one of the original incorporators (Town Records of Mamaroneck).He was chosen Constable in 1669; (handwritten note; 'assessor in 1684') and was made a town 'Officer' in 1702.He then signed his name John Nelson, yeoman; but this was later, after his marriage to Hendrickje Van Der Vliet, Hollandized and made into Low-Dutch; and differently written as Jan Nelsie, Nelse, and also as Jans Elsen.(Dutch Church Records of Brooklyn.) (2)
His name is spelled variously, as noted above, "and if it were not for the fact that in each instance one of the other of these names was accompanied by that of his wife, Hendrickje, dau. of Dirck Jans, or Jansen, Van der Vleet, or Vliet, I would not be so sure of what I have written" (1)
"John Nelson, the ancestor of the Nelsons of Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam Counties, New York, was plaintiff in a suit against Thomas Sprey, New Amsterdam, 17 January, 1670.(Court Minutes of New Amsterdam, vi, 278)For a time, at least, he resided at Flatbush, but had removed to Mamaroneck, Westchester County, before 27 July, 1683, on which date he purchased lands from John Richbell and Ann his wife (Westchester Deeds, A, 20), and he was an administrator, with James Mott and Ann Richbell, of the estate of John Richbell, the first patentee of what later became the manor of Scarsdale.John Nelson's home-lot adjointed the land of Robert Penoyer, and is so described in a deed from himself and wife Hendrica to William Pierce, 2 April, 1694.(Ibid. B., 177-178)On 28 January, 1707, he conveyed to his "eldest son Polycarpus a house, lot of land, and orchard in Mamaroneck, in consideration of which the son was to pay his "nephew" Richard Rogers, ten pounds. (Ibid, D. 179-180)He served on the grand jury of Westchester County, 1 August,1688; as overseer of Mamaroneck in 1697 and as constable in 1699, and his name frequently appears in the records as a member of various town committees, and always with the prefix of 'Mr.', a designation of some distinction at that period.He died after 28 March, 1713, at which time he was a witness to a deed of John Pell, Sr, brother of Thomas Pell, second lord of the manor of Pelham. (Ibid, E, 50)A low hill in the town of his adoption perpetuates his name." (3)
"He is credited with having been one of the first settlers of Mamaroneck; constable in 1699; town officer in 1702; signed as 'John Nelson, Yeoman'. (2)He was the assessor in 1702.(4)
"The Dutch records of Flatbush, Long Island, New York, where John Nelson lived for a considerable period, refer to him as 'Jan Elizen' and 'Jan Elsen' but whether this was only their phonetic rendering of his surname or whether they meant to indicate that he was the son of an Eli Nelson (in accordance with the Dutch custom at that time of using patronymics instead of a surname) is uncertain.The fact that he named a son 'Eli' gives color to the latter theory. (5)
On 28 Jan 1707 John deeded a house, etc., to his son Polycarpus.John reserved '1.2 of the produce from ye orchard during my natural life.'(3)
In 1672 he is listed as a subscriber to a fund for the repairs of Fort James. (6)
The following information is provided with the kind permission of David Nelson, posted on the GenForum Nelson Family Forum #8388(See "related links" on my home page for the URL of this posting, and email Elizabeth Stuerke at theaddress given on the home page of this web site for contact information for Mr. Nelson.)
1. JOHN1 NELSON was born Bet. 1640 - 1645 in poss. Norfolk County, England, and died Aft. March 28, 1713 in Mamaroneck, Westchester Co / Dutchess Co, NY. He married (1) HENDRICA VANDER VLIET Bet. 1670 - 1700 in Flatbush, Kings Co, NY, daughter of DIRCK VANDER VLEET and GREETJE GERRITSE. She was born Abt. 1646 in south part of Netherlands / Waal, Netherlands, and died Aft. April 2, 1694 in Mamaroneck?, Westchester Co?, NY. He married (2) HANNAH RECO Bet. 1670 - 1700 in Unknown. She was born Bet. 1640 - 1685 in Unknown, and died Unknown in Unknown.
More About JOHN NELSON:
Census: 1698, Cited in Mamaroneck census records
Immigration: Bet. 1660 - 1665, From Norfolk County, England
Military service: October 25, 1673, Commissioned as ensign of Amersfort (Flatbush) militia under Captain E Elbertse (Stoothoff) re "Documents Relating to Colonial History of New York" ii pg 646
Note 1: January 17, 1669/70, plaintiff in suit against Thomas Spey of New Amsterdam while living in Flatbush
Note 2: Bet. 1660 - 1670, Marrriage cited in Bergen's "Kings County Settlers", pg 214, 325
Note 3: Aft. 1683, Administrator with James Mott and Ann Richbell of the estate of John Richbell, the first patentee of what later became the manor of Scarsdale
Note 4: January 29, 1706/07, (original source not cited) "He died 29 Jan 1707 at Mamaroneck, Westchester Cty, NY."
Note 5: Bet. 1890 - 1900, Nelson Hill in Mamaroneck perpetuates name and historic for Rev War when Col Smallwood defeated large body of British stationed thereon under Major Rogers
Occupation: Bet. 1679 - 1681, Magistrate of Flatbush
Property 1: July 27, 1683, 1683 moved from New Amsterdam to Mamaroneck "purchased (Mamaroneck) lands from John Richbell and his wife Ann; Westchester Deeds, A.20
Property 2: March 28, 1677, John and Dirck Janse mentioned in patent of Gov Andros for part of Flatbush known as "New Lotts". also confirmatory patent by Gov Dongan Nov 12 1685; "History of Flatbush" pg 41-44
Property 3: April 2, 1694, Nelson home-lot adjoined land of Robert Penoyer and is so described in deed.
Property 4: January 28, 1706/07, Conveyed a house, lot of land and orchard in Mamaroneck for which Polycarpus was to pay his "Nephew Richard Rogers 10 pounds (Westchter. Co. Deeds D 179, 180)
Religion: 1680, Deacon of the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church
Residence: Bet. 1660 - 1683, Settled at Flatlands (Flatbush) Kings County Long Island for several years and having married he established himself on a farm in the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester County in the then Province of New York
More About HENDRICA VANDER VLIET:
Immigration: 1663, Emigrated with mother and brother in the "Spotted Cow" the same ship her father crossed in 15 April 1660. (History of New York iii pg 37 and 41
More About HANNAH RECO:
Note 1: Re "Westchester Patriarchs" by Norman Davis: cites Hannah Rico (Reco) as wife of John Nelson but when, where and what children were by her are not given or known as yet
Note 2: re John Nelson: "His wife, Hannah Reco, is said to be the daughter or granddaughter of Akabashka, the Indian who sold the 1695 Harrison Purchase. Source: "Westchester Patriarchs" by Norman Davis.
Children of JOHN NELSON and HENDRICA VANDER VLIET are:
i.MARIA2 NELSON, b. Bef. June 11, 1671, Flatbush, Kings Co, NY; d. Unknown, Unknown; m. HENRY DISBROW, Unknown, Unknown; b. Bet. 1640 - 1680, Unknown; d. Unknown, Unknown.
ii.CATHERINE NELSON, b. Abt. 1675, Flatbush, Kings Co, NY; d. Unknown, Unknown.
iii.MEHITABLE NELSON, b. Bef. October 13, 1678, Flatbush, Kings Co, NY; d. Unknown, Unknown; m. EDWARD ROGERS, Unknown, Unknown; b. Bet. 1640 - 1690, Unknown; d. Unknown, Unknown.
iv.POLYCARPUS NELSON, b. July 21, 1680, Flatbush, King's Co or Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, NY; d. December 19, 1738, Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, NY; m. (1) GLORIANA OGDEN; b. Bet. 1680 - 1700, Unknown; d. Unknown, Unknown; m. (2) RUTH GEDNEY, Bet. 1700 - 1707, Mamaroneck / White Plains, Westchester Co, NY; b. 1691, prob. Salem, Essex Co, MA; d. Bet. 1738 - 1792, Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, NY.
v.ELI NELSON, b. Bef. December 14, 1684, after move from Flatbush, Kings Co / Mamaroneck Westchester Co, NY; d. Aft. 1739, poss. Cortlandts Manor, NY; m. MARYLAND [-S?-], (NELSON-ELI1684), Unknown, Unknown; b. Bet. 1650 - 1696, Unknown; d. Unknown, Unknown.
vi.FRANCIS NELSON, b. Abt. 1691, Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, NY; d. Aft. November 13, 1750, Hudson Highlands / Putnam Co, NY; m. (1) MARY SKINNER, Bet. 1711 - October 8 1733, Unknown; b. Abt. 1695, Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, NY; d. October 8, 1733, Unknown; m. (2) ANNE [-S?-], (NELSON-FRANCIS), Aft. October 8, 1733, Dutchess Co, NY; b. Abt. 1691, Unknown; d. Unknown, Hudson Highlands / Putnam Co, NY.
Elizabeth Stuerke note:it is my belief that the name "Hannah Reco", as shown on the 1713 (?) census is simply the census-taker's misunderstanding of the Dutch woman's pronunciation of "Hendrickje".The connecting of a Hannah Reco to an Indian chief, as shown in Bolton's "History of Westchester County",(and quoted in Davis' "Westchester Patriarchs") has no documentation at all, so far as I am aware.Although I note Hannah Reco as a possible second wife of John Nelson, I personally do not feel that this is valid.
More About John Nelson and Hendrickje Dirckse Vander Vliet:
Marriage: Bef. 1671, Flatbush, Queens County, NY.
Children of John Nelson and Hendrickje Dirckse Vander Vliet are:
- Maria Nelson, b. Jun 1671, Flatbush, Kings County, New York, d. date unknown.
- Catherine Nelson, b. 1676, d. date unknown.
- Mehitable Nelson, b. Oct 1678, Flatbush, Kings County, New York, d. date unknown.
- +Polycarpus Nelson, b. 21 Jul 1680, Long Island, New York, d. 19 Dec 1738, Mamaroneck, New York.
- Eli Nelson, b. Dec 1684, d. date unknown.
- +Francis Nelson, b. 1691, Mamaroneck, Westchester County, NY, d. Aft. 13 Nov 1750, Garrison, Putnam County, NY.