Major Thomas Van Buskirk was born about 1668 in Bergen County, East New Jersey. He married Margreitje Hendrickje (widow of Van der Linde). In Dutch communities it was the custom to marry only within the community; so one sees frequently the same last names. (See not below by Helen)
When England mobilized Colonial residents to defend the Colonies against French and Indian attacks from Canada, Thomas became an officer in the 'French and Indian Wars', and thereafter was known as Major. A church record states that he was a memeber of the Dutch Reformed Church before 1700. He died on December 17, 1760.
children of Thomas and Margreitje - all born in Bergen County, New Jersey
Note: Because there are so many similar names in different branches of the Van Buskirk family, different authors have given
conflicting data. For example, Mr. Nelson in writing "The Van Buskirk Family" (date and publisher unknown) states that Thomas Van Buskirk , son
of Lourens Andriesse, married first Margrite Brickers: (gives no reference); and secondly on May 18, 1720, he married Volckge (or Volkertie) Collier in Greene
County, N.Y. He says the entry is in the records of the Zion Lutheran church at the latter place and it reads (translation)
1720 May 18
Thomas v. Boskerk of Hackensach, wid. Volkje Colliers of Vlakte, Loonenburg.
He goes on to give the same names of children, but adds five more for the second wife. Up to now, Feb. 1977, I have not received confirmation as to whether "Margrite Brickers" is an error. In other sources, she is given as his niece by marriage.
(Helen is slightly wrong here. One of the ten children in Helen's other sources (Fitje) is attributed by Nelson to the marriage of Volkertie and Thomas, with
4 other children added to the second marriage.)
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Source: Helen Everett (Newcomb)
This page was produced by Bob Newcomb in Brea, CA
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