Major Thomas Van Buskirk biography

Tomas(2)Lourens(1) Andreisse Van Buskirk m. 1st Margritie Brickers; 2d, May 1720, Volckge or Volkertie Collier, y. d., on the Flatts at Lonenburg, now Athens, Greene county, N.Y. The entry in the records of the Zion Lutheran church at the latter place reads (translation):

1720 May 18
Thomas v. Boskerk of Hackensack, vid. Volkje colliers of Vlakte, Loonenburg.

In the records of the Luteran church at New York the marriage is entered under the dates May 15 and May 18, as follows;

At Lonenburg: Thomas Van Boschkerk, widower at Hackinsack, and Volckge Collier, Y.D., on the Flats, Lonenburg

He seems to have been a man of some prominence in his neighborhood. He was appointed a justice of the peace and an associate judge of the cournt of common pleas of Bergen county, January 21, 1714-15; he was again appointed a justice of the peace for the same county, August 25, 1725. Moreover, he figured in military circles, being referred to in 1724 as colonel. He seems to have become interested in Hunterdon county lands at an early date, which led to his ultimately removing thither. He was also concerned in the opening up of Morris county to settlement, as appears from this advertisement in The American Weekly Mercury, of Philadelphia, August 20-27, 1724

To be Sold by thomas Vanbuskirk of Hackensack and George Reyerson of Pacquenock, both of Bergen county, in New Jersey, a certain Tract of Land (commonly call'd or nam'd Bolens Lot;) containing about 1500 Acres Scituate in New Jersey in the county of Hunterdon, lying on both sides of a Branch of Pesayuck River, called Rockeway river about two miles above Humphrey Dewenports consisting of more than half low Land (fit for raising Wheat) with good Meadows; and the rest generally good high Land, well Timber'd. Those that are inclined to Purchase the same may Treat, and Agree with the Persons above mentioned, they being in Power to Sell the same.

The land in question must have been located about Montville, Morris (then Hunterdon) county.---N.J. Archives, II:82. He bought from John Johnson, of New York City, by deed dated June 3, 1718, for the consideration of £220, he being then of Bergen county, a tract of land on Saddle river, Bergen county.--West Jersey Deeds, Liber E, f. 128 He was again appointed a justice of the peace for Bergen county, August 23, 1725. It must have been later than that date that he took up his residence in Hunterdon county. On the occasion of the baptism of two of his childeren, in the Luteran church, Col. Abram de Peyster and wife Catharina, acted as witnesses or sponsors, by proxy. col. de Peyster was a prominent merchant in New York, and also figured lagely in the military and political events of the time. The fact that he and his wife were willing to appear as sponsors for Thomas's children, indicates a certain degree of friendship between the two families, perhaps founded on faithful service rendered by Thomas in th employ of de Peyster, or perhaps on notable military gallantry displayed by him under the doughty Colonel in some of the Colonial wars. In his will (which is without date), he describes himself as of Riding (Reading) township. The will was proved October 20, 1748 at Trenton. He gives to his wife an equal share with his sons, of his real and personal estate. He names children -- John, the eldest; Janetie, wife of Perter Van Orden, to have a trunk that belonged to her mother; Gertruy, wife of Wiert Banta, to have ten shillings; Andries, Laurens, Abraham, Pieter, Isaac, Michael and John to have the rest of his estate; Margaret, wife of John Church, and Fitie, wife of Andres Amack, to have the share of a son divided (between them). Executors---sons Laurens, Abraham and Michael Vanboskerk. Witness-- Jacobus Swart, Joost Schamp, Nicholas Wyckoff. --N.J. Wills, Liber 5, 539

Issue:

By his first wife, Margrietie Brickers:
1. Johannis, bap. July 1, 1694
2. Andries, No record has been found of his baptism
3. Laurens. No record has been found of his baptism
4. Abram, bap. May 25, 1700 in the Hackensack Dutch church Witnesses -- Teunis Slingerlandt, Hendriktie Vander Linde
5. Pieter, bap. Sept. 6, 1702, in the Hackensack Dutch church, Witnesses-- Cornelis Christianse (Van Hoorn), Geertruy Brickers.
6. Jacob, b. Sept --, bap. Oct. 29, 1704, at Hackensack, in his father's house. Witnesses Laurens Van Boschkerck, Jr., in place of Abray Beyster (de Peyster), Col. in N.Y., and Janje van Hoorn, inplace of Catarina Beysters, wife of Col. Beyster. Jacob probably died young, as he is not mentioned in his father's will.
7. Janje, or Johanna, bap. Nov'r 17, 1706. Bap. "at the parents' house in Hackensack, b. there in this year, Janje or Johanna, y.d. of Thomas Van Boschkerk. Witnesse -- I, the pastor Justus Falckner (and in my place stood Laurens Van Boschkerk) and Henrickje, wife of Laurens Van B-----" Thus the record of the Lutheran church at New York. She was probably the Janetie mentioned in her father's will. She m. Pieter Van Norden, probably at Hackensack, April 18, 1734.
8. Isaac, bap. Aug. 7, 1709. "at our meeting (i.e., Lutheran) at Hackinsack, b. at Hackinsack July 15, 1709, Isaac, s. of Thomas Van Boschkerk and his wife Margareta. Witnesses: Johannes Slingerland, in place of Col. Abraham de Peysters, and Vitje Laurensen van Boschkerk in place of Catherina de Peysters."
9. Geertru, bap. 1715; the date of the next-precending entry in the Hackensack Dutch church record is March 7, which jmay be intended for that of Geertru also. She m. Wiert Banta, with license, Nov. 25, 1732, both b. and living at Hackensack, says the marriage record of the same church. He was b. about 1710, son of Wiert Banta and Marietie Demarest: he was elected one of the wardens of the Hackensach church in 1757. Issue: 1. Wiert, bap March 23,01735, d. in inf.: 2. Wiert, bap. March 6, 1737; 3. Thomas bap. Oct. 1, 1738, d. in inf.; 4. Thomas, bap. April 13, 1740 m. Gerritie Terhune; 5. Margrietje, bap. January 23, 1743, m. Jacob Valentine; 6. David bap. Oct. 4, 1747; 7. Maria, bap. January 26, 1752.

By his second wife, Volkertie Collier:

10. Michael, b. March ---, 1721; bap. June 11, 1721, in the Hackensack Lutheran chuch. Witnesses-- Michael Collier and Titye Collier, and in their absence Jost Van Boschkerck and Henrickge Van Boschkerk.
11. Margrietie, bap. Feb. 17, 1723, in the Hackensack Dutch church. Witnesses -- Jan Halenbeck and Willemtie his wife. She accompanied her father on his removal to Hunterdon county, and there m. John Church
12. Titie (Fytje), b. Feb. 6, 1727, bap. Oct. 10, 1727 "on Tuesday in the Luteran church at Hakkingsack." She is mentioned in her father's will as the wife of Andries Amack.
13. Catheryne, bap. June 21, 1730, being three weeks old at the time, at Hakkinsack; sponsors-- Hannes Pietersen Van Boskerk and wife Elsje. The father is called Major Thomas Van Boskerk, whereas in 1724 he had been styled Colonel. She probably d. young, as she is not mentioned in her father's will.
14. Thomas, "born a week ago, bap. June 27, 1733, during a trip through the contry at Gerrit Halenbeek's" He prob. d. young, as he is not mentioned in his father's will.

Note: In other sources, Margrietie Hendrickje is listed as the wife of Thomas. Margrietje is given as his niece by marriage.

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