Ye
Olden Time - Chapter Eighteen
A Document 151
Years Old; all About it - An Ancient Portrait and Dishes
Transcribed by Arlene Goodwin. From the book entitled, "Ye Olden Time, as compiled from the Coxsackie News of 1889" written by Robert Henry Van Bergen, together with notations by Rev. Delber W. Clark, and edited by Francis A. Hallenbeck, 1935
Mr. J. B. Whitbeck has in his possession an interesting relic in the shape of a deed, 151 years old, for a tract of land. The deed bears date March, 2, in the eleventh year of his majesty’s reign, 1738. The paper is yellow with age, but the writing is remarkably well preserved. It is executed by Samuel Coeymans and David Verplank and Arianntje (Coeymans) his wife, to Johannes Coyn.
The Tract of Land
In the deed the tract of land is described as follows:
"Beginning by a marked tree, known by the name of Janhuybertson Tree, standing by a Spring nigh the Steep Hills, thence from said tree southerly along the said steep hills to the southernmost creek, called Maques Kelletie, and from thence easterly to a marked tree standing on the south of a Clove, and from thence northerly to a Mody Cly Kuyle, nigh a Small Creek, thence westerly along the said small creek to the aforesaid tree where first began."
Would Not Know It
This deed is intended to convey about 275 acres of land, yet from the description given it is impossible to calculate the exact number of acres. And Mr. Whitbeck says that the present occupants of the land are unable to recognize it a being a description of the boundary line of any of their property. But Mr. Whitbeck, from careful study, has ascertained that this property lies on the east side of the old King’s road, two miles north of West Coxsackie, near Flatbush, and is at present included in the farms of H. T. Hotaling and P. H. Whitbeck.
Is a Lengthy One
The deed is a very long one, and besides the description of the property and its boundary lines, contains numerous rights and privileges to the parties of the first part and binding the parties of the second part to restrictions and obligations not common in deeds at this time.
Who They Were
Ariaantje Coeymans and her brother Samuel, mentioned above, were children of Barent Pieterse Coeymans, who came to America from Utrecht, in Holland, in 1636. Ariaantje was born in 1672, and married Davir Verplank. She had another brother whose name was Pieter Barentse Coeymans, and a daughter of this brother was great grandmother to J. B. Whitbeck. Tradition says that Pieter Coeymans was buried on Baeren Island in 1744, but it is doubtful.
A Portrait
Mrs. Charlotte Hotaling, of Coeymans, had a life-size oil painting of this Ariaantje Coeymans. The portrait is well preserved and tradition connects it with some mysterious legends. It represents a tall, plain woman, in whose dress some rare material is discovered.
Her Last Resting Place
Ariaantje was buried on lands now owned by Peter Whitbeck. A few years since the grave was dug up and some remnants found, including the buttons of her shroud, handles of the casket, etc. These handles J. B. Whitbeck had in his possession now.
An old stone mansion built by this woman is still standing in the town of Coeymans, which place derived its name for these early settlers.
Is Extinct
Barent Pieterse had sons and daughters, but all of his descendents after the first generation were females, and the family name is now extinct in the State.
Some Old Dishes
THE NEWS’ correspondent at Palenville writes that Mr. I. Newkirk of that place has a sugar bowl and meat platter which are 140 years old. These dishes are in good order and have been handed down from generation to generation; having been to the knowledge of Mr. Newkirk, in family use for 80 years.
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