Name:

Misc. Notes

Note on names: Using the old Norwegian system of names, he would have been born simply as Hans Hansen, i.e., Hans the son of Hans. However this was not adequate later in his life, so he became known as Hans Hansen (of) Bergen, the place where he was born. Sometimes he was also called Hans Hansen Noorman, meaning “the Northman”, indicating he was from Scandinavia/Norway. In the many contemporary references to his life, we will find “Hans Hansen”, “Hans Hansz”, “Hans Hansen Bergen”, Hans Hansen Van Bergen in Noorwegan”, “Hans Hansen Noorman”, and “Hans Hansen de Noorman”. The original records, however, all show the same mark (an “H”) affixed to these various names.

Note that the fact that he signed documents with a “mark”, does not necessarily imply that he was illiterate. Apparently it was not unheard of for literate persons to sign with a letter or mark, applying it something like a seal to documents.

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Following noted taken by Bryan Coffey from Whittenmore, "Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America", p 38.

Hans Hansen Bergen sailed from Holland to new Amsterdam with the West India Company in 1633. He married Sarah Rapalie in 1639. His children were Michael Hanson and others.

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Indicated birth 1600, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway

Indicates death 1653, Wallabout in Brooklyn, Kings County, New Work

Indicates occupation Ships Carpenter

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From Genealogical and Personal Memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey, p.561:8

(I) Hans Hansen Bergen, the pioneer ancestor of all the Bergens in the states of New York and New Jersey, was a native of Bergen, Norway, and a ship carpenter by trade. He migrated to the Netherlands while still a very young man, and emigrated to America in 1633, arriving at New Amsterdam in April of that year. He took up his residence in New Amsterdam, now the city of New York, owned and occupied a lot on Pearl street, and had large interests in an extensive plantation elsewhere on the island of Manhattan. His death occurred in 1653. He married, 1639, Sarah, born June 9, 1625. She was the daughter of Jamsen de Rapalfe, of French descent, and was said to have been the first white child born of European parents in the Dutch colony of New Netherlands. The children of this couple were: 1. Anneken, born July 22, 1640. 2. Rebecca, born July 27, 1642. 3. Jan Jansen, born April 17, 1644. 4. Michael Hansen, born November 4, 1645. 5. Joris or George, see forward. 6. Maretje, born October 8, 1651. 7. Jacob Hansen, born September 21, 1653. 8. Catherine Hansen, twin of Jacob Hansen.

From T.G. Bergen's Early Settlers, p.32:

Hans Hansen, the ancestor of the Bergen family, was a native of Bergen in Norway, a ship-carpenter by trade, who removed from thence to Holland. From Holland he emigrated in 1633 to N. A., where he took up his residence working at his trade and at one period cultivating a tobacco plantation, and in 1639 m. Sarah da. of Joris Jansen Rapalie, b. June 9, 1625, at Albany, and reputed to be the first white female child of European parentage born in the colony. About 1643 removed to his plantation of 400 A. at the Wallabout, for which he obtained a patent on the 30th of March, 1647, and d. about 1654. Issue:--Anneken, bp. July 12, 1640, m. 1st, Jan. 17, 1661, Jan Clercq of Brazil, m. 2d, Oct. 8, 1662, Derck Janse Hooglandt of Flh; Breckje, bp. July 27, 1642, m. Aert Anthonize Middagh; Jan, bp. Apl. 17, 1644; Michael, bp. Nov. 4, 1646; Joris, bp. July 18, 1649; Marretje, bp. Oct. 8, 1651, m. Jacob Ruthzen; Jacob, bp. Sept. 21, 1653; and Catalyn, bp. Nov. 30, 1653--all bp. in N. A. Made his mark "H" to documents.

From The Bergen Family by Teunis G. Bergen, Albany, N.Y., 1876, beginning on page 15:20

1. HANS HANSEN BERGEN, the common ancestor of the Bergen family of Long Island, New Jersey and their vicinity, was a native of Bergen in Norway, a ship-carpenter by trade, and removed from thence to Holland. From Holland he emigrated, in 1633, to New Amsterdam, now New York, probably arriving at Fort Amsterdam in April of that year with Wouter Van Twiller, the second Director General, in one of the vessels of the fleet, consisting of the West India Company's ships, the Salt Mountain, (de Zoutberg,), of twenty guns, commanded by Juriaen Blanck,1 the Carvel St. Martyn, and the Hope, which vessels accompanied the Salt Mountain in her voyage from the fatherland.

In the early colonial and other records, his name appears in various forms, his surname or patronymic, Bergen, derived from the place of his nativity, being generally omitted, as was the custom among the Hollanders and other Northern European nations in those days, and is the custom among some of them at the present time, and that of his father, Hans, in the form of "Hansen", or "Hansz", representing the son of Hans, being generally added with other appendages referring to the land of his birth.

Like unto the great mass of the original emigrants to this country, he probably belonged to an humble class in society, and came hither to better his prospects and fortune. Of his European ancestry nothing is known, which is the case with most of the early emigrants to New Netherlands; intercourse with their relatives in the fatherland having long ago ceased, and having, no doubt, been obstructed in consequence of the piratical conquest of the colony by the English in 1664, during a time of peace. Of the private letters which passed between the early settlers and their European relatives, which might have thrown light upon their previous position, very few remain,2 none having been found relating to Hans Hansen. Many families can be traced by our records with certainty to the first immigrant, but few beyond this without calling loudly upon the imagination for assistance in the engrafting of them upon some European stock of a similar name.

HANS. HANSEN BERGEN resided for some years in New Amsterdam (now New York), where he owned and probably occupied a lot on the present Pearl street, butting against the fort, lying between the lots of Jan Snedeker, and that of Joris (Jansen) Rapalie, of one rod and two feet in breadth in front, one rod and nine feet in rear, with an average length of nine rods and five feet, Dutch measure (a Dutch rod is 12 feet and 3 inches), for which he received a patent dated March 13, 1647. In 1638 Hans Hansen was engaged in the cultivation of a tobacco plantation on land of Andries Hudden, on Manhatten Island. From a deed dated Feb. 19, 1639, of Claes Claessen Swits to Maryn Adriaensen, for 400 gl., of the house and plantation "heretofore in the occupation of Master Fiscox and Hans Hansen (Bergen), situated on the North river of New Netherland, near the plantation heretofore occupied by Tonis (Teunis) Nyssen," it is evident that he was also interested in this plantation, he and Fiscox having probably taken possession of and cultivated the same prior to the granting of patents, and before he was engaged in the cultivation of Hudden's land.

From an agreement with Mr. Moyr, in 1642, in relation to a yawl, and from a law suit in 1643, in relation to a shallop (sloop), it may be inferred that Hansen was engaged at his trade of shipwright, in addition to the cultivation of tobacco and farming.

In the beginning of 1643, the river Indians, attacked by their dreaded enemies, the Mohawks, fled to the vicinity of the Dutch settlements for protection. While reposing in fancied security, Director Kieft, on the application of some rash individuals, and contrary to the advice of some of the best men in the colony, allowed an expedition to be fitted out, who in the night attacked the unsuspecting natives at Pavonia and Curler's Hook, and foully murdered some 120 of them. On this, some of the settlers on Long Island, to show their prowess, and probably fearing that the Long Island Indians would make common cause with the much abused River Indians, petitioned the director for leave to attack the Mareckkawick or Brooklyn Indians, a branch of the Canarisie tribe. This petition was signed by Gerret Wolferson (Couwenhoven), Jacob Wolferson (Couwenhoven), Dirck Wolfman, Hans Hansen (Bergen), and Lambert Huybertsen Mol. The director, in consequence of these Indians having been peaceable, wisely refused the request, but gave permission "in case they evince a hostile disposition, every man must do his best to defend himself." Under this permission, but contrary to its spirit, a secret expedition was organized against the Indians, whom they plundered of two wagon loads of corn, killing three of their number, while endeavoring to save their property.

In consequence of this attack, they made common cause with the River Indians, the tomahawk was raised against all the Dutch settlements, whose residents fled to New Amsterdam for protection, leaving their buildings to the torch, and their cattle and plantations at the mercy of, and to be destroyed by the savages.

From the above petition it appears that Hans Hansen at this date resided on his Long Island tract.

In consequence of the almost universal devastation made by the aroused and enraged savages (caused by Kieft's mismanagement), and the complaints and clamor of the people, Keift was induced to call together the commonalty of the Manhattans, who met in October, 1643, in the fort, to take into consideration the propositions which should be submitted to them for the general good. Among the names of those who signed the resolutions adopted at this meeting appears that of Hans Hansen, with the mark "H" affixed; from which it is evident that he had fled to the city for safety from his plantation, of which city he again was considered a resident.

When, in consequence of the general distress, the director sent a friendly message to the Long Island Indians, the indignant savages would not listen, but standing afar off, derided his messenger, calling out: "Are ye our friends? Ye are merely corn thieves." However, on the arrival of spring, when the Long Island Indians wanted to plant corn, they relented, and a peace was patched up between them.

By a receipt entered on the register of the provincial secretary, it appears that on the 23d of April, 1644, Hans Hansen and George Rapalie, his father-in-law, hired cattle to William Smith of Stamford, and on the 29th of November of the same year he gave a note to Cornelis Maersen of Rensselaerswick for 250 guilders for wheat bought of him. George Rapalie also appears at the same time to have bought 215 guilders worth of wheat from Maersen.

On the 30th of March, 1647, he obtained from Governor Kieft a patent for "a piece of land situated on Long Island, in the kil of Jorse Rapalie.

(Land ownership details omitted. LFC)

On his 200 morgens at the Wallabout, Hans Hansen Bergen resided as early as 1648, and may have resided at an earlier period, and there he continued to reside until his death, which took place in the latter part of 1653, or the beginning of 1654. He however must, either by extinguishing the Indian title or otherwise, have been in possession of this plantation prior to the date of his patent.

He was probably living July 19th, 1653, for on that date, in a suit in the burgomaster's and schepen's court of New Amsterdam, of Jacob Vis against "Hans Hansen," a default was entered against both parties, as was at the same term of the court in the case of a suit of the same plaintiff against "Jores Rapalie," the father-in-law of Hansen. This Jacob Vis or Visch, appears to have been a litigious person. In 1654, he sued Johannes Withart for wages, lost his case in the burgomaster's and schepen's court, but gamed it on an appeal to the council. July 2, 1658, he and Frederick Lubbertsen had a suit, in which the latter obtained judgment, from which Vis appealed to the council. In 1660 he and Andries de Haes had a suit, who also obtained judgment, from which Vis also appealed, and in 1662, he appealed in a suit between him and Isaac Vermeulen.

(With regard to the location of Hans house) the probabilities are it was locared in Brooklyn, for Teunis Gisbertsen Bogaert, his successor on his patent, who no doubt occupied Hans's dwelling house, was one of the schepens of Brooklyn in 1671, and was assessed in Brooklyn as late as 1683.

There is also another reference to Hansen's lands, showing that they extended to the west branch of Mespat kills, or Newtown creek, on "A Draft Demonstrating how the Townes of Newtown, Brookland, Boswick and Flat Bush Do Interfere (???) Laid Down Pr. Aug. Graham, sur." As surveyed "pursuant to his Excellenceys warrent, dated the 6th of Feb., 1692, made Jan. 9, 1694," and on file in the office of the secretary of state, Albany, a copy of which is inserted in Riker's Newtown. On this draft, or map, "the ffence of hans hansen" is laid down and located adjoining "Mespat Kill."

There is a tradition in the family, which probably may have some foundation, that Hansen, while engaged in the cultivation of his plantation, was chased by the Indians, when for safety he took refuge in a tree, where they soon discovered him. Supposing his end to be near, he commenced singing in a melodious voice, with which he was blessed, the hymn which commences with, "In mijn grootste nood o' Heere." (In my greatest need, O Lord.) His singing so charmed his pursuers, that after listening for some time in delight, they left him unmolested and free to go on his way rejoicing; thus proving the truth of the words of Congreve in the play of "The Mourning Bride," "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast."

From the records of the Reformed Dutch church of the city of New York, Hans Hansen was among the witnesses at the following baptisms:--Oct. 14th, 1639, "Hans Hanszen" and Anneken Dominco, witnesses at baptism of "Jacoh," son of "Abraham Ryck" (Riker). Jan. 19th, 1642, "Hans Noorman," "Pieter Loockermans," and "Catharina Trico," witnesses at baptism of "Michiel," son of "Michiel Paulusz" (Vandervoort)?? Jan. 1st, 1642, "Hans Hanszen Noorman," "Gysbert Corneliszen," "Cornelis Willunszen," and "Christina Vynen," witnesses at baptism of "Sytie," daughter of "Laurens Pieterszen, Noorman." June 28th, 1643, "Hans Hanszen," "Re Janszen" (Vanderbek), and "Jannetje Rappalje" (wife of said Rem), witnesses at baptism of "Jeronymus," son of "Joris Rappalje" (father-in-law of Hans Hansen). Oct. 12th, 1653, Hans Hanszen," "Joris Jansen Rapalje," and "Catalyn Hieronymus," witnesses at baptism of "Pieter, son of Pieter Pieterszen" (Van Nest), and "Judith Rapalje."

His widow, Sarah, shortly after his death, married Tenis or Teunis Gisbertsen Bogaert, the ancestor of the Bogerts in this vicinity, who immigrated from Heykoop in Holland in 1652, and who in 1676, '77, and '78 was one of the trustees and overseers of Brooklyn, by whom she had several children.

Sarah early became a church member in New York, and united with the Dutch Reformed church at Brooklyn by certificate, April 10th, 1661. She died about 1685, aged about sixty.

On the 4th of April, 1656,1 "Sarah Joresey (daughter of Jores), first born Christian child in New Netherlands and widow of Hans Hansen," petitions the governor and council for some meadows adjoining the 200 morgen granted her at the "Waalebocht;" states that her neighbors mow the meadows in question and disturb her in the use of them, although they have meadows adjoining their own lands, and that she is burdened with seven children; She also asks an exemption from taxes. The meadows were granted, but the exemption refused. Sarah, in stating in this memorial that she was a widow, neglected to state that she was again married, and the wife of Bogaert, which latter must have been the case, judging from the New York baptismal record of their first-born child, Aartje, who is entered, as hereinbefore set forth, as baptized Dec. 19, 1655. No evidence has been found on the colonial records showing that Sarah received a grant from the government or Indians of 200 morgen, except her statement in the petition. She doubtless resided at this time on the farm patented to Hans Hansen Bergen, her late husband, and probably when referring to the land granted her, intended to be understood as referring to those lands. From this petition has probably arisen, with the aid of a little stretch of the imagination, the story of the Indians having presented her with a farm in consideration of her having been the first born white child in the colony.

The lot of Hans Hansen in New Amsterdam was sold by Sarah in 1654, shortly after his decease; the records at Albany showing "a patent granted upon a transport made by Sarah Jooresay, the widow of Hans Hans, bearing date the 30th day of May, 1654, unto Caes Bording,1 for a certain lot of ground with the Housing thereupon within this city, lying on the south side of the fort, between Jan Snedeker's and Jores Rapalje's, containing in length on "the east side 9 rod, 2 feet, and 2 inches, and on the west side 9 rod, 8 feet, and 3 inches; in breadth behind on the west side 1 rod, 9 feet and 6 inches, and on south side 2 rod and 3 feet, by virtue of a groundbrief granted unto Hans Hansen aforesaid, dec'd, now for a confirmation," etc. This patent is dated June 1, 1667.

February 21st, 1656, a suit was brought and tried on the 28th, in the burgermaster's and schepen's court in New Amsterdam, by Paulus Schrick,1 against Sarah Joris (the widow of Hans Hansen), for the payment of a note of 84 florins and 5 stuyvers, signed by her deceased husband in April, 1651. Defendant stated "she knows nothing of the debt, inasmuch as the plaintiff hath not spoken to her for a long time, and also it was not counted in the settlement of the deceased's estate." She requested a delay of payment until next harvest, which was agreed to by the plaintiff.

On the conquest of the colony of New Netherland by the English in 1664, the governor, as an acknowledgment of their new masters, and perhaps in addition for the purpose of obtaining fees, required the inhabitants to take out new patents. Bogaert, Sarah's second husband, taking advantage of this, appears to have taken out the new patent for Hans Hansen's 200 morgen in his own name, instead of that of Hans's children, who were entitled to the same, and of whose possession of any portion thereof no record has been found, nor any evidence showing that he made them any compensation for their patrimonial estate, unless the payment of a debt due by Hans to the West India Company of 778 gl., or $311.20, which Bogaert paid Oct. 13th, 1671, to the English government, as is hereinafter set forth, is viewed as compensation. It is possible, although not very probable, that compensation was made, and that the written evidence has disappeared in the lapse of time. If Bogaert defrauded the orphan children, he was not the only guilty one, for the records show that in those days there were others similarly situated, who took out the new or confirmatory patents in their own names. The patent of Bogaert is as follows:--"Richard Nicolls, Esq. Whereas there was a patent or groundbrief heretofore granted by the Dutch Governor William Kieft unto Hans Hansen, bearing date the 30th day of March, 1647, for a certain parcel of land lying and being in the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, within the Kill then commonly called Jorse Rapalye's Kill, whose bounds did stretch along by the said Jorse Rapalye's House northeast and by east unto the Plantation then appertaining to Lambert Huberts (Mol), so on to John the Swede's Kill to the markt bounds, and then to the Kill belonging to Mespath by the swamp, from whence to run by the fence of Derick Volckersen's land which he bought of Willcocks, and so along by that belonging to the land of Henry Saetly, containing by estimation about 400 acres of ground, now the right and title to the said parcell of land being devolved upon Teunis Gisberts, who married the widow and Relict of Hans Hansen aforesaid, for a confirmation unto the said Teunis Gisberts," etc.

Dated April 5, 1667.

In consequence of Hans Hansen Bergen and Jores Jansen Rapalie both making their marks to documents, it may perhaps fairly be inferred that they were illiterate men in an age when the natives of Holland were generally educated, and carried their schoolmasters as well as clergymen with them to their colonies; but this is not positive evidence, for it was customary in those days for persons who were able to write, in some instances to make a mark, the same as a seal is affixed to writings. The writer has, however, in no instance seen their signatures, and perhaps they were less educated than the Hollanders, being natives of other lands.

On the 12th of February, 1667, a patent was granted to "Sarah, the widow of Hans Hans," upon a transcript bearing date the 10th day of March, 1663, made by Johannes Megapolensis,1 for a certain lot of ground in the city of New York, "lying and being on the south side of the Princes Graft, to the West of Michael Jans, and to the East of Susanna the Negrines, containing in breadth on the North and South sides one and fifty foot six inches, and on the West side nine feet."

On the 30th of July, 1671, a patent was granted to "Cathaline, widow of Jores Rapalje," deceased, for a lot in New York.

The following are copies, or abridgments, of the entries on the early colonial records relating to Hans Hansen Bergen, and which have a bearing upon his biography:

"Conditions and stipulations agreed on between Andries Hudde and Hans Hansen Noorman on the 9th day of July, 1638, in manner as hereafter followeth.

"1. The above named Andries Hudde shall by the first opportunity of ships send hither from Holland to Hans Hansen aforesaid 6 to 8 persons, with implements necessary for a Tobacco plantation.

"2. Hans Hansen shall be bound to place the aforesaid persons on the Flatland situate on the Island of the Manhates behind Corlaers land.

"3. Hudde shall be bound to pay the expenses of the passage over and of engaging them, and to send the vouchers of expenses over with them.

"4. Hans Hansen shall also be bound to provide dwellings and Tobacco houses, as many as the time will permit; he shall also be bound to put the persons who shall come from Patria (fatherland) to work for the profit of them.

"5. Hans Hansen also shall have authority over them in Hudde's absence, without being therein commanded by others. He shall likewise be bound to repay half the expenses which the abovenamed Hudde shall incur. In like manner he must also provide such supply of victuals as shall be necessary for so many persons on condition that Andries Hudde shall in like manner repay half the expense which Hans shall incur here.

"Mr. Hudde shall also be bound to pay Hans Hansen for his industry whatever arbitrators shall judge right. Likewise, Hudde shall not be at liberty to demand from said Hans Hansen any rent for the land, but shall be bound to assist in every way with effects (goods) which "he hath here, if he have no use for them and were not prevented; and all this until Hudde shall have returned back, when further arrangements shall be made. For what is above written parties pledge their persons and property real and personal, present and future, submitting to the Provincial Court of Holland, and all other Courts, Judges and Justices, all in good faith without guile or deceit. In testimony of this these presents are confirmed with our usual signatures.

"Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland this 10th July ? 1638.

"A. HUDDEN. "This is the mark of "Hans Hansen aforesaid."

From vol. 1, p. 23 of Dutch Manuscripts, office secretary state, Albany, O'Callaghan's manuscript translation:

"This day, date underwritten, before me Cornelis Van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, appeared Hans Hansen van Bergen en Norwegan (from Bergen in Norway), and he the appearer declared that he hath granted full power and authority to the Honble wise and prudent Mr Wouter Van Twiller, late Director of New Netherlands, as he hereby constitutes and empowers the above named Van Twiller to collect all such moneys as are due to the appearer from Isbrant Adriaensen or his heirs, and the aforesaid Van Twiller shall have power to dispose of the said moneys as the appearer shall order him, holding as satisfied and paid whenever the heirs shall have satisfied and paid the aforesaid moneys to the Honble Mr Van Twiller, hereby also exonerating them from all further demands.

"This done in Fort Amsterdam on the Island Manhates this 18th July ? 1638.

"This is the mark of Hans Han'sen

"from Bergen aforesaid."

From vol. IV, p. 76, Dutch Manuscripts, office secretary state, Albany, and as translated by O'Callaghan:

"Aug. 30, 1640.

"Jan Jacobsen from Vreeland, plff.,

vs.

"David Davitsen and Hans Noorman, defts.

"In case of delivery of fence rails.

"After defendants had acknowledged to have purchased 800 fence rails from the plaintiff, which they have not received, the plaintiff is held to prove that he had said 800 fence rails in the woods."

No further entry of the case, and probably settled.

From New York Colonial Manuscripts, 22-120, translated by Dr. O'Callaghan:

"Whereas the late Hans Hansen from Berghen in Norway is indebted in the Books of the West India Company at Amsterdam in Holland, the sum of seven hundred eight and seventy guilders; And whereas the Widow of the aforesaid Hans Hansen has again married Theunis Gysberts Bogard, which Theunis Gysberts Bogaert hath offered to discharge the aforesaid debt, if he could satisfy it by paying in Wampum value, two for one, and although the aforesaid sum of fl. 778 ought to be paid in Beaver value; yet it being considered that it is an old debt, not contracted by Theunis Gysberts Bogard, but by his predecessor; and that debts of this nature, have been paid both by the late Dutch Government and in the time of Colonel Richard Nicolls, my predecessor, in Wampum, two guilders for one; the same is permitted and allowed to the said Theunis Gysberts Bogard; whereupon the aforesaid sum of fl. 778, in Wampum value, two for one, being in Wampum fl. 1556, is paid by the aforesaid Theunis Gysberts to Mr Isaac Bedloo in quality as commissioner. Therefore I do hereby acknowledge to be satisfied as regards the aforesaid debt which the late Hans Hansen from Berghen in Norway owed to the aforesaid West India Company. I therefore promise to indemnify and exonerate the Widow and heirs of the abovenamed Hans Hansen from Berghen in Norway, from all further claims against her by the aforesaid Company.

"In testimony this is signed in New York the 13th October ? 1671.

"(Indorsed) Copy of acquittance for

"Hans Hansen.

"PIETER MONFOORT."

For what Hans Hansen became indebted to the company we have no account. The directors in Holland in 1639, to encourage emigration, in addition to a free passage to farmers and their families, promised to furnish them on their arrival for six years with a farm suitable for the plough, a dwelling house, a barn, suitable number of laborers, four horses, an equal number of cows, sheep, and swine in proportion, with the necessary farming implements; for which they were to pay a yearly rent of 100 gl. or $40, and 80 pounds of butter. On the expiration of the lease, the tenant to return the same number of cattle received on entering into possession, retaining for himself whatever increase there might have been from the original stock.1 It may be that Hansen availed himself of the promises of 1639, and that he neglected to return or pay for the stock furnished for his farm at the Wallabout, and thus became indebted to the company.