WIFE

Aeltje Van Der Beeck

CHILDREN

1. Paulus Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1670
    m. 1 Dec 1699 Cornelia Emans

2. Marike Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1672
    m. 2 May 1691 Cornelius Simonszen van Aersdalen
    d. Aft. 25 Apr 1738

3. Jan Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1674
    m. 9 May 1703 Sara Wyckoff
    d. 2 May 1757

4. Albert Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1675
    m. Geertje van Aumack

5. Catharina Dirckse Ammerman
    bap. 2 Apr 1677
    m. Henrici van Gulick

6. Anatje Dirckse Ammerman
    bap. 30 Oct 1681

7. Isaac Dirckse Ammerman
    bap. 2 Sep 1683
    m. 9 May 1708 Greetje Wyckoff
    d. Bef. 29 Jul 1751

8. Gerbrecht Dirckse Ammerman
    bap. 3 Apr 1685

9. Jacobus Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1690
    m. 1 Nov 1712 Magdalena Voorhees

10. Aelkie Dirckse Ammerman
    b. Abt. 1692

DIRCK JANSEN AMMERMAN
Material researched by and/or transcribed by Barbara L. Van Norsdall

If Dirck or Derick Janse was born circa 1645, or 1649 as other genealogist have, and came to this country in 1650, the odds are that he was accompanying his parents or at least one parent. One genealogist, Theodore Ammerman, had his father as Jan Dirckse Amerman, a sailor sailing out of Holland. C. Theodore "Ted" Ammerman wrote a 309 page book titled "The Descendants of Derick Janse Amerman". (See www.monmouth.com~sorourke). It should be noted that other researchers have him being born in Flatbush in about 1645, which means that his parents would have had to immigrate prior to that time. It should also be noted that a Jan Dirckse from Bremen arrived aboard the Wapen van Rensselaerswijck that sailed from Amsterdam Sept 1643 and arrived in New Amsterdam in March 1644. This from Olive Tree Genealogy. However according to the list of those who took the Oath of Allegiance to the British Crown in September 1687, it was recorded that Dirck had been in the province 37 years. So he was either born in 1650 or arrived by boat in 1650.

When Dirck grew into manhood he became a land speculator, a fisherman, and an elder in the Dutch Church. In 1691, Dirck was a captain of the British Militia in the Canadian Expedition. He settled in Flatlands about three miles beyond Flatbush. Descendants claim his home was constructed with loopholes in the walls for purpose of firing guns outward. They also claim Derick acted as an interpreter in transactions with the Indians. It is also claimed he piloted the first ferry across the Hudson River from Manhattan to Long Island (Nassau).

He lived in Flatlands and was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church there as early as 1677, serving as deacon in 1682 and elder in 1703.

Derick Janse Amerman married Aeltje Paulus Van Der Beek May 2, 1691 married  in Flatbush, Kings County, New York. According to Bessie Van Osdol-Schneider, Dirck Janse and Aeltje had 10 children. Joanne Ramseyer lists 11 children. In the census of 1698 his family at Flatlands consisted of a man, a woman, and seven children.

In June 1694 Dirck and Aeltje conveyed their farm in the township of Amersford or Flaclands to Hendrick Wyckoff, in exchange for other lands there, and thereafter his name was seen in connection with numerous land transfers.

Dirck Janssen Ammerman
by Susan Brooke
May 2021

The above biography refers to the oath of allegiance given in 1687 in which Dirck Janssen Ammerman said he had been in New York for 37 years. (1) He married Aeltje Paulus van derbeeck sometime before 1670. The date written above, 2 May 1691, is the date of marriage of their daughter, Maritje to Cornelius van Arsdalen. (2)  When he wrote his will on 7 Sep 1709 Dirck Ammerman referred to his loving wife Aeltie and named his ten children; Paulus, John, Albert, Isaac, Jacobus, Maritie, Catharina, Anike, Gerbrach and Alkie. (3)  Four of his children's baptism records have survived. (4) One biography written in 1906 claims that Dirck Ammerman "owned and operated a ferry between the city of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey." (5)
In 1705, Dirck and his wife, Aeltje van derbeeck, were witnesses to the baptism of Jacobus, son of her brother, Conradis van Derbeeck. (6)

Sources

(1) Oaths of Allegiance Kings County, 1687   Of New Utrecht

"Dirck Janssen Ammerman 37 Jeare"

(2) Flatbush Marriages  

1691 02 May; Cornelis Symonse, wid Aeltie Willemse Kouwenhoven; Marritie Dirks, yd both liv N. Amersfort

(3) Will of Dirck Ammerman  New York Wills Liber 9 pg 509-509

An abstract of Dirck Amerman's will was posted to Dutch-Colonies Mail list at Rootsweb.com by David Bachmann Nov 13, 1998. The will was written September 20, 1709. "In the name of God, Amen. I, Dirck Amertman, of Flatlands town in Kings County, being in good and perfect mind, I leave all my lands, orchards, and gardens to my wife Neelkie, during her life, and after her decease to my children, Paulus, John, Albert, Isaac, Jacobus, Maritie, Catharine, Anke, Grabrach, and Alkie. My eldest son Paulus is to have L3 above his share. Witnesses, Henry Filkins, Geritt Stoothoff, C. Hoaglandt. Proved, February 1, 1723/24." From the "New York Historical Society - Collections 1893, Abstracts of Wills 1708-1728", Volume II, Liber 9, page 282 (page 438). In a list of "Corrections Abstract of Wills, Volume II" done by the New York Historical Society, page 88: Will of Dirck Amertman read Dirck Amerman. 5 lines from bottom for Neelkie read Aelkie Amerman.

(4) Baptisms Found on Ancestry. com

1677 Apr 2: Catharina, child of Dirck Jansz, Witnesses: Jacob Person, Paulus Vander Beeck, Styntje, Ab.

1681 Oct 30: Anatie, child of Dirk Janz, Altie Paulus V. derbeeck.  Witnesses: Wm. Davids, Helen Aardsch

1683 Sep 2: Isaac, child of Dirk Janz, Altie Paulus v. der Beek.  Witnesses: Jan Alberts Terhunen, Anetie Roelof Schenk

(5) Wyoming & Lackawanna Valley Pennsylvania Genealogies, Vol 1-II , 1906, pg 130

Dirck Amerman came from the vicinity of Amsterdam, Holland, to New York, before the country passed under English rule.  In 1695 and for some years thereafter he owned and operated a ferry between the city of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey.  His son Albert was reared in New Jersey, and was a farmer.  Albert was an intense patriot, and at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war abandoned his farm, turning over to the continental authorities his horses and cattle for army use, and also enlisting as a soldier, participating in numerous engagements, including, the famous battle of Monmouth, where he lost his knee-cap from a wound.  In 1800 he removed to Pennsylvania, settling in Northumberland county where he lived until his death in 1821.