About or around 1642/43 Penelope Van Prince, a widow of twenty-three was a noble woman who had passed through many struggles nearing death several times during her efforts to reach America.

The ship which was bringing Penelope and her husband wrecked off Sandy Hood, New Jersey. Her husband had been quite ill during the voyage and was seriously injured in the attempt to reach land. The ship's passengers feared an attack by Indians, so they decided to travel immediately to Amsterdam. Penelope's husband was in no condition to travel so they were left behind.

Shortly after they were left alone, a large party of Indians found them and attacked them. Penelope and her husband were left for dead, but she survived. She suffered a fractured skull. Her left arm was hacked so severely that she was never able to use that arm again like she did the other. A cut across the abdomen left bare part of her bowels, these she held in with her hands. She suffered in this painful condition for seven days.

Two indians approached her. She felt relief for she thought they would put her out of her misery. However, the older of the two stayed the hand of the younger man who intended to kill her; and took her to his wigwam where he tended her. He then took her to New Amsterdam where he traded her to the white settlers expecting ten times her value in return. She met Richard Stout and they were married in 1644. To them were born ten children. She lived to see 510 of her descendents and died at the age of 110. A monument stands to her honor in New England.

To exchange information on this family, please e-mail Douglas B. Dick.

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