Lourens Andriessen arrived in New Amsterdam in the summer of 1655 from his home in Hostein, Denmark. In those times many able and skilled men, as you know, were looking to the New World for freedom and justice. On June 29th of 1656 he signed a deed for a lot on Broad Street, New Amsterdam, to open a shop as a turner, making articles by a lathe, but he abandoned that and opened a draper's shop. Apparently he saw greate opportunities across the Hudson River in Bergen County, New Jersey; so he settled there with the purchase of 170 acres of land at Mindakwa (now Greenville), New Jersey. He then added Van Buskirk (Boskirk) to his name, which meadns 'church in the woods' with Van, the mark of a nobleman added. Formerly this large tract of land had belonged to Class Cortensen, the Norman, who had acquired it as a land grant.

When New Jersey was separated from New Amsterdam, England claimed the territory, and the Dutch settlers swore allegience to King Charles II. This land was then retaken by the Dutch, and Lourens, being recongized by the Dutch community as their leader, pleaded that the Dutch settlers' possesions and privelidges be recognized as under the English. He won his case. Some Van Buskirks believe the name was awarded as an honor by the Dutch King. I have no proof.

He was 'Recorder and Marker' in Arpil 6, 1670; Marker General for Bergen Oct. 8, 1676; Deputy to the Bergen County Court Feb. 16, 1677, and President of the Court in August 31, 1682. In this connection it is informative to read the accompanying article by Lee to realize how important the sytem as a balance of power. On March 18, 1672 he became a member of the Council of Governor Carteret. He held the first commission to carry out the 'Coroner's Quest Law' in America as Judge. On January 6, 1676 he with several neighbors bought a large tract of land which became known as New Hackensack on the Passaic River, and he with his family settled there until hi died.

On September 12, 1658 he married Jannetje Jans, widow of Christian Barenton, who had four sons in her first marriage. She and Lourens both died in 1694.

Children of Lourens and Jannetje All born in Bergen County, New Jersey
1. Andries, baptized on March 3, 1660; died in 1724
2. Laurens, baptized, in 166- ; m. Hendrickje Van de Linde; his will was dated May 7, 1722
3. Pieter, born Jan 1, 1666, m. Trentje Hermanse; d. July 21, 1738
4. Thomas see below (editor note: click link)

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