Covert Family History, NY G&B Record

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The New York Genealogical and Biogrpahical Record Issued Quarterly, Published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 226 West 58th St., New York, NY

Volume XXXVII, 1906

COVERT ANCESTRY Compiled by Edson Salisbury Jones. Contributed by Byron Barnes Horton, Sheffield, PA. (The Covert ancestry is in 3 parts; sections begin on pages 117, 197, & 267).

[Transcribers note: it appears that on the website (address above), a scanner/reader has transcribed the original document. Some of the numbers appear as odd characters and symbols. We suspect that "r" has been substituted possibly for 4, and "i" or "I" for 1 in some instances. The (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book) references possibly refers to the Holland Society Year-Book. Be aware that you are reading my transcription of a previous transcription. Final authority remains in the original documents. E. W. W.]

Pg. 117
The first man in America, as far as yet seen, who bore a surname which was one of the many variants of the modern form, Covert, was Theunis Janssen, who came to the Province of New York in 1651, according to his oath of allegiance, taken in Sept 1687. When New Amsterdam was first settled, the surnames of the Dutch were patronymic. The patronymics of children were the Christian names of their fathers somewhat varied to denote the sons & daughters.

As an example, the sons of a Jan Pietersen (meaning Jan, son of Pieter) took the patronymic, Janse, Janssen of Janszen (meaning son of Jan); the daughters properly took the form, Jans (meaning daughter of Jan). If Jan Pietersen had a son, Theunis, he took the name Theunis Janssen; and all the latter's sons took the patronymic Theunissen. Soon after arrival in New Amsterdam, men began to take what became true surnames. These were often the names of the towns or localities where they had formerly resided, with the prefix, van (meaning of or from), - as van Aarnhem (from Aarnhem, Province of Guelderland); sometimes Dutch words indicating occupations, - de Riemer (the saddler); or others expressing condition or characteristics, - as de Ryck (the rich man), and de Witt (the white one - of light complexion), etc.

The derivation of the surname Covert seems to be uncertain; and four Dutchmen (familiar with the origin of names) have furnished no solution. Possibly it came from Coevorden, or Koevorde, a fortified town in the Province of Drenthe, Holland, 23 miles SSE of AAsen. This town-name form has not been seen in connection with Theunis', whose surname is variably recorded as Coevors, Coevers, Converts, Etc; but has been seen in two instances connected with his alleged children. These are:

  • (a) in the record of marriage of Aeltje, where she appears as "Aeltje Theunis Van Couverden".[N.Y. Du. Ch. Rec - NYG&B Soc. Coll., 1890, p. 45]; and
  • (b) in Snell's Hist. of Hunterdon and Somerset Cos., NJ, p. 561, and Messler's Hist. of Somerset Co., p.34, where the authors say that among the heads of families who came from Long Island to New Jersey was "Jan Hans Coeverden."
    The next nearest form is in the deed from "Abraham Covert" to his brother "Isaac Coverd." In olden times, spelling was very variable. In such times, too, the wives of Dutchmen were usually spoken of and recorded by their maiden names.

Bergen's "Early Settlers of Kings Co., N.Y.", treats the Covert family the most extensively of any work seen. Of Theunis and his family, he says:

Coevers or Covert, Teunis Janse emigrated in 1651, from Heemstede, in North Holland; m. Barbara Lucas or Jans; resided at first in New Amsterdam, and finally settled in Bedford in Brooklyn, at which place he took oath of allegiance in 1687; member of Ref. Du. Ch. of New Amsterdam prior to 1660; member of Ref. Du. Ch. of Brooklyn in 1660, 1677 and 1685; and died prior to 1700. Issue:
Hans Teunise, m. Jannetje Boka (Bragow); oath of allegiance 1687; on the Raritan, N.J. 1705.
Marretje Teunise, m. 24 Nov 1682 Jean Messerole, Jr. of Bushwick.
Lucas Teunise (see under Lucas Covert & family)
Mauritz Teunise, bap. 6 Aug 1663; m. i April 1690 (sic, 1 April 1690?) Ann Fonteyn, widow of Jacob Jansen; oath of allegiance 1687.
Aeltje Teunise, m. 18 May 1679 in New York, william Pos or Post of New York.
Sarah Teunise, m. 7 April 1680 in New York, Arent Frederickson of New York.
Annetje Teunise, bap. 18 Aug 1661; m. 16 Apr 1687 Garrett Sprong.
Jannetje Teunise (supposed), m. Titus Syrachs DeVries.
Aaggrica or Eechtje, m. Derk Paulus of Jamaica.
Jahannes Teunise m. Jannetje; oath of allegiance 1687; settled on the Raritan, N.J.



Theunis Covert & Family
Original authority that Theunis came from Heemstede has not been seen, but it may be in the records of the N.Y. Dutch Church. That he came to the Province of New York in 1651 is shown by his oath of allegiance.

  • On the list of oaths taken Sept. 26-30, 1687, among the Brooklyn men was "Theunis Janse Coverts, 36 Jeare" [36 years in Province of N.Y., 1687 -36 = 1651]. (Doc. Hist. N.Y., I, p. 430.
  • Among the members of the Ref. Du. Ch. of New York, before 1660 (as printed), appear: "Theunis Janszen Coevers, en Vertrocken "Barbara Jans syn huysvj Breiickelen" (B. Rec, IX, p. 72).
  • Among the members of the Ref. Du. Ch. of Brooklyn, on 12 Sept 1660 appear:

"Tennis Janse, Barbar Lucas." (Holland Society Year-Book 1897, p. )
As "Barbara Jans," the wife appears but once; but as "Barbara Lucas," she is found several times on the Church Record. No marriage of Theunis has been seen, but it seems uncertain, as yet, that these two women were identical.

  • Some Theunis Jansen was assessed in Brooklyn in 1675. (Doc. Hist. N.Y., IV, p. 93)
  • Some Theunis Jansen was assessed in Brooklyn in 1676. (Doc. Hist. N.Y., II, p. 290)
  • The latest appearance of Theunis with wife that has been seen was 29 March 1691, when "Theunis Janszen Coiivors" and "Barbara Lucas" witnessed bap of Theunis, son of Mauritz Couvors and Anneken Fonteyn, in N.Y. Du. Ch. (NYG&B Soc. Coll., 1901, p. 202).
  • The last appearance of Theunis was 13 March 1692, as "Teunis Jansen Coevers," a witness to bap. of Jan, son of Dirk Poulusseen and Sara Jeets, in Brooklyn Du. Ch. (Hoi. Soc. Year-book, 1897, p. 164).
  • 27 Dec 1696 "Barbar Coevors" witnessed a bap. in Brooklyn Du. Ch. (id. p. 171); but it is uncertain whether she were wife of Theunis or of Lucas.



Hans (Theunis).
In dealing separately with this son, Bergan calls him Hans or Jan; and the last child of Theunis, named by Bergen, is "Johannes." For the following reasons, the "Hans" and "Johannes" of Bergen would seem to be identical:
(a) Hans and Jan were both diminutives of Johannes, all three names being often used for the same man.
(b) "Jan Converts, native" (born in Prov. of N.Y.), took oath of allegiance in 1687. (Doc. Hist. N.Y., I, p. 430.) No Hans Covert did so.
(c) Bergen gives "Hans" and "Jan" wives having the same Christian nmae. (No marriage of Hans or Jan has been seen.)
(d) In deeds by the text of which "Hans" was grantor, the deeds are signed "Jan."
e)The three children bap. in Brooklyn and New York (two of "Hans" and one of "Jan") are found in the will of "Jan Koevers" of Millstone, N. J. No will of "Hans" has been found or any administration on his estate.
It would seem that the wife of this Hans or Jan was Jannetje, dau. of Bragoon Braghar (or Bourgen Broecord, or Broeckaert). Before the removal to New Jersey, two of the issue of this couple were bap. in Brooklyn and one in New York, as follows:

  • Bap. 3 Aug 1690, Ariaentje, dau. of Hans Teunissen Coevers and Jannetje Boka. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897.)
  • Bap. April r6 (sic), 1693, Theunis, son of Jan Coeverts and Jannetje Broeckaert. (N.Y. B. & B. S. Coll. 1901)
  • Bap. 29 Mar 1696, Bragon, son of Hans Coevers and Jannetje Coevers. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897).


Bergen gives "Johannes" a son, Teunis, bap. in New York, 11 April 1693; but only the bap. of Theunis, on 16 April, has been seen.

  • Some Jan Teunissen was assessed in Brooklyn in 1683. (Doc. Hist. N. Y., n, p. 292.)
    No assessment of "Hans" has been found.


  • 21 June 1690 Hans Teunis Covert & Bourgen Broecord, both of Bedford, Kings Co., N.Y., bought land in Newtown, Queens Co., N.Y. (Queens Co. Deeds, B. II, p. 353.)
  • 26 Jan 1695/6 Johannes Covert and John Miserole, Jr. of Kings Co., bought a corn mill and meadow. (Kings Co. Deeds, II, p. 238.)
  • 4 Feb 1698/9 Johannes Covert, of Newtown, Queens Co., sold said mill and meadow. Signed "John Covert." (Kings Co., Deeds, II, p. 238.)
  • 21 Feb 1700/01, John Covers & wife, Jane, of Newtown, sell land there. Signed, "Jan Coevers, Jantie Coevers." (Queens Co. Deeds, B. II, p. 319.)
  • 9 May 1702 John Coverson and Bragoon Braghar, of Somerset Co., N.J., planters, bought 2,000 acres at the mouth of the Millstone River, N.J. (E.J. Deeds, C. II, p. 447.)
  • 13 March 1706/7 Jno. Covers, of Millstone River, N.J., confirmed his sale of Feb. 21, 1700/1. Signed, "Jan Coevers." (Queens Co. Deeds, B. II, p. 324)
  • 15 March 1706/7, Hans Coverd and Andrew Bird, Jr. of Millstone River, N.J., and Isaac Bourga, of Newtown, N.Y., sold Newtown land. Signed, "Jan Coevers." (Queens Co. Deeds, B. II, p. 318.
  • Will of "Jan Kuvers," of Millstone, Somerset Co., N.J., yeoman, stricken m (sic) years, dated 2 May 1719, and pr. 13 Apr 1723, names wife Jane; sons, Tunis (eldest), Bergon and Lucas (youngest); and daus. Catherine Bird, Orianchy Courser (bap. "Ariaentje"), Jane, Marry and Bathseba. Signed "Jan Koevers." (E. J. Wills, A., p. 244, and original will.)
  • Rev. E. T. Corwin's "Historical Discourse on the Occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of the Reformed Dutch Church of Millstone" (N.J.) refers to the purchase of the 2,000 acres on the banks of the Millstone River by "John Covers and John Brocars".
  • Snell (p. 561) and Messier (p. 35) refer to "Johanes Coevert" as living near New Brunswick early in the eighteenth century.
    The mouth of the Millstone is about 6 miles from New Brunswick.
  • Snell (p. 818) says that among the subscribers to ministerial fund for the church at Three Mile Run, N.J., in 1703, were Lucas Coevert and Brogun Coevert.

    The only Brogun (Bragon) Coevert seen was the one bap. 29 Mar 1696, who would have been but seven years old in 1703. If the year of this subscription be correct, it would seem that the subscription of "Brogun" was in his name, he being then a child; and that of Lucas may have been in his name as a child - as Jan's will shows sons of these names. But, if Lucas were adult, then he would seem to have been the man that Bergen makes Lucas (Theunis). If so, he most likely subscribed as a resident of Madan's Neck, and possibly while visiting at Millstone River. (See under Lucas and Family.) It seems more probably, however, that the year was about 1723, when Lucas and Bragon, sons of Jan, would have been adults. Had the year been 1703, it would have been most natural for Jan himself to subscribe, but in 1723 he was dead.



Marretje

  • Some "Marritje", dau. of a Theunis Jansen (mother's name not given), was bap. 20 April 16__ (date unreadable at this website), in the NY Du. Ch. (N.Y.G.& B. Soc. Coll, 1901).
  • Nov. 24, 1682, m. Jean Mesurella and Maretje Tunis Couvers. Flatbush Du. Ch. Rec. No parents or witnesses given. (Hoil Soc. Year-Book, 1898,p.90).



Lucas. ( See Lucas and Family)

Mauritz.
Bap. Dec. 5, 1663, Mauritz, son of Teunis Janszen Coevors and Barber Lucas, of Breuckelen. Brooklyn Du. Ch. Rec. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897, p. 148).

  • April r(sic, 4?), 1690 m. Maurus Covert and Antie Fontyn. Flatbush

Du. Ch. Rec. No parents of witnesses given. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1898, p. 94)

  • Aug. 29, 1694, Mauritz Converts and wife, Annetie - she "the last widow of Jacob Janse," of Bushwick - exchanged land with Charles Fonteyne, (Kings Co. Deeds, II, p. 13.)
  • April 26, 1697, Mauritz Coeverts and wife Anne, of Bushwick, sold land that had belonged to Jacob Soldate, whose widow said Anne had been. (Kings Co. Deeds, II, p. 130).
    It would seem that Antie Fonteyn had m. (1) Jacob Soldate; m. (2) Jacob Janse, and m. (3) Mauritz Converts.
  • Sept., 1687, oath of allegiance of "Mauritius Couverts, native." (Doc. Hist. N. Y. I, p. 430.)



Altje

  • May 18, 1769, m. Willem Pos, j. m., van N. Yorke, en Aeltje Theunis Van Couverden, j. d., van N. Breucklen. N.Y. Du. Ch. No parents given (NY G&B Soc. Coll., 1890, p. 45)



Sara

  • Some Sara, dau. of Theunis Jansen, was bap. April 20, 1653, in N.Y. Du. Ch. (Id., 1901)
  • April 7, 1680, m. Arent Fredrickson, j. m., van N. York, and Sara Theunis Coevers, j. d., van N. Brooklyn. NY Du. Ch. Rec. No parents given. (Id, 1890, p. 47)



Annetje
Aug. 28, 1661, bap. Annetie, dau. of Teunis Janssen and Barber Lucas, of Breuckelen. Brooklyn Du. Ch. Rec. (Hoi. Soc. Year-book, 1897, p. 145.)

  • April 16, 1687, m. Gerrit Sprongh and Anndtke Tunisen. Flatbush Du. Ch. Rec. No parents given. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1898, p. 92.)
  • Riker's "Annals of Newtown, L.I.", p. 293, says that Annetie (Theunis) m. Joris Brinckerhoff, but gives no date or proof; and further says that she d. June 11, 1760, aged nearly 85 years.



Jannetie
The bap. or m. of this woman has not been seen. Bergen says that one of the name m. Titus Syrachs De Vries.

  • Some Jannitje Teunis and her husband, Jan Hansen Bergen, had Adriaentje bap. Dec. ii(sic) 1681, with Hans Teunissen and Annitje Teunis as witnesses, in Brooklyn Du. Ch. (Hoi.Soc. Year-Book, 1897, p. 154.)



Eechtie
No bap. of this woman has been seen, or her m. to Paulus; but:

  • Dirck Poulussen and Eechtje Teunis had sons, Johannes and Wilhelmus, bap. May 23, 1689, in Brooklyn Du. Ch., with Teunis Jansen Coevors, Arent Fredericksen, Jannitjen Teunis and Jannetjen Klaes Van Lendersloot as witnesses. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897, p. 152)

    Before leaving Theunis

and his family, it needs to be said that there was a Teunis Jansen in New Amsterdam before the arrival of the above-named Theunis, as shown by the printed "Records of New Amsterdam from 1653 to 1674". In these records (VI, p. 73) is an entry concerning a suit for land, wherein it is stated that the plaintiff, Pietersen, had "bought, heretofore, from one Teunis Jansen, sail maker, a lot in the Pearl Street...according to the groundbrief thereof dated 4th July 1645, granted to said Teunis Jansen by Gov. Kieft." The defendant, Blanck, claimed the lot, and tried to disturb the plaintiff in his possession. The jury awarded the lot to the plaintiff. The date of this entry is 8 June 1667. What became of this Teunis Jansen is unknown.

Covert Ancestry, continued, Pg. 197 (Continued from Vol. XXXVII, p. 122 of the Record)

Lucas Covert and Family
When dealing separately with Lucas, Bergen says the he emigrated in 1653; m. Aug. 27, 1682, Barbara Sprung of Flatbush; member of Ref. Du. Ch. of Brooklyn in 1677; took oath of allegiance in 1687, residing in Bedford; resided at Madnans Neck, in Queens Co., in 1697, and at Three-Mile Run, N.J., in 1703. Issue, "all bap. in Brooklyn:"
Abraham, bap. 27 May 1683
Isaac, bap. 27 May 1683
Lucas, bap. 9 Apr 1699; m.. Femmetje,resided on the Raritan, N.J.; signed his name "Lucas Teunissen".

Bergen's year (1653) for the emigration of Lucas is wrong by ten years, as proved by the number of years he had been in the Province of New York when he took oath of allegiance. The archivist of the State reports that the items relating to Coeverts, on the original lists, are correctly printed in:

  • Doc. Hist. N.Y., I, p. 430, where it is shown that in Sept., 1687, "Luijcas Coeverts, 24 jeare" ( 24 years in Prov. of N.Y.; 1687-24=1663), took the oath, among Brooklyn men.
  • Aug 27, 1682, Lucas Tunis Coevers and Barbara Sprong m. as per Flatbush Du. Ch. Rec. Names of parents or witnesses do not appear. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1898, p.90)
    In what has been printed of the Brooklyn Du. Ch. Rec. in Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897, Lucas is not shown as a member of that church "in 1677" but the original records may prove it.
  • Bap. 27 May 1683, Abraham and Isaac, sons of Lucas Tuniz Coevers and Barbara Sprong. Witnesses: Teunis Janz Coevors, Hans Tuniz Covers, Altie Tunis Covers (w. of Wm. Post), Gersje Leiwes. Flatbush Du. Ch. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1898, p. 128.)
  • Bap. 9 April 1699, Lucas, son of Lucas Coevers and Barber, Witnesses: Gerrit Sprong, Annetje, his wife. Brooklyn Du. Ch. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897, p.174.)
  • Some "Luickes Teunise" was assessed in Brooklyn in 1683. (Doc. Hist. N.Y. II, p. 292.)
  • April 26, 1697, Lucas Coeverts, of Queens Co., N.Y., bought land in Bedford, Brooklyn township, N.Y. (Kings Co. Deeds, II, p. 140.)
  • April 26, 1697, Lucas Coeverts and wife Barbara, of Madnans Neck, Queens Co., N.Y>, sold this same land. Signed, "Lucas (I) Coeverts, his mark; Barbara (B) Coeverts, her mark." (Kings Co. Deeds, II, p. 142.)
  • June 7, 1697, Lucas Covert and twenty-two others (no residences) gave consent for change of a highway (location not stated). Signed, Lucas (I) Covart, his mark. (Queens Co. Deeds, A, p. 134.)
  • Aug. 15, 1704, Abraham Covert, of Madnans Neck, in Hempstead, Queens Co., N.Y., for (illegible)20 and a horse, sold to his brother, Isaac Covert" of the same place, all grantor's lands (location not stated). The deed states that "the land above said is land which was Lucas Covert's where he lived and deceased." (Queens Co. Deeds, C, p. 73.)


Madnans Neck is now called Great Neck, and is in the N.W. part of the present town of North Hempstead.

If this deed state the exact truth, it shows conclusively that Lucas lived the latter part of his life and died on Madnans Neck, Queens Co., N.Y. If he ever were at Three Mile Run, N.J., it was but temporarily. There is no probability that he was the subscriber to the ministerial fund at the latter place in "1703". (See under Hans Theunis).
The printed records of North and South Hempstead do not mention Lucas, as far as the indexes show; and his name has not been seen in public records except as above. No will or administration on his estate has been found, and none as to his wife. Apparently Abraham was his eldest son, and inherited his father's lands as such.

Was Lucas the son of Theunis? No absolute proof of it has been seen.

  • According to their oaths of allegiance, Theunis came to the Province of New York in 1651, and Lucas arrived in 1663.
    Lucas married (his only wife, as far as known) in 1682, nineteen years after his coming. It is quite possible that Lucas was a son of Theunis, and was left (as) a child in Holland, when his father emigrated. The nearest approach seen, to evidence, that Lucas was son of Theunis, is that the latter witnessed the bap. of Abraham and Isaac, sons of Lucas, in 1683, as did Hans Tuniz Covers and Altie Tunis Covers; but this was possibly due to membership in the same church, to friendship, or to Lucas having come from the same place in Holland as Theunis. The name, Theunis, was fairly common in Holland; and in those early times all sons of Theunises took the patronymic, Theunissen.
  • Among the catechumens in the Brooklyn Du. Ch., on Nov. 26, 1662, were two named Jan Teunisse, and one named Lucas Teunisse (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1897, p. 135.)
    On the same date and in the same record appear Catalyntie Teunise, Saertie Teunise, Nys Teunise, Annetie Teunis, Aecht Tennis and Jannaken Teunis.
    This was probably before the arrival of Lucas, though it is possible that he came in Oct. or Nov., 1663 (and would not, therefore, have been quite 25 years in Province in Sept. 1687). Lucas Coevert witnessed the bap. of Maurits, son of Maurits Coevert and Anna Fonteyn, in Brooklyn Du. Ch., Jan 16, 1696, which was an association with a proved son of Theunis that is suggestive of relationship; and there are a few other similar associations.



Abraham
The bap. of Abraham, son of Lucas Tunis Coevers and Barbara Sprong, has been given above; also an abstract of the deed by which he sold the lands of Lucas Coverd to his own brother Isaac. No other item concerning him has been seen on public records, except that:

  • the printed records of North and South Hempstead, II, p. 142, show that his earmark was entered thereon Nov. 29, 1710.
    It has been said, however, that he m. Egbertje, dau. of Eldert and Styntie (Hendricks) Voorhees, and had the follwoing children bap. in Jamaica:
    Lucas, 1709;
    Antie, 1711;
    Jannetjie, 1713.
  • A plot of land of some Abraham Covert, 103 acres, is in E. J., Deeds H, p. 421, but it is without date. (East Jamaica?)

Athought the deed from Abraham to this brother Isaac, does not say that the lands transferred by it were those of their father, it is quite certain that such was the case. The indexes of Queens Co. Deeds do not show Abraham as a grantee, nor do those of the printed records of the Hempsteads. Further, Lucas was the only father of sons, Abraham and Isaac, that has been found.

Isaac
The bap. of Isaac, in Flatbush Du. Ch., May 27, 1683, as son of Lucas Tuniz Coevers and Barbara Sprong, has been given above; as well as the purchase from his brother, Abraham, of their father's lands on 15 Aug 1704. Immediately succeeding this deed on the record, is the following:

  • Feb. 19, 1705/6, Isaac Coverd, of Madnans Neck, in Hempstead, assigns to Henry Defreiz, of Bushwick, all his "right and title of this within bill of sale." Signed, "Isaac (I) Coverd, his mark." (Queens Co. Deeds, C, p. 74_)
    Evidently this assignment was written on the deed

itself. Next immediately following is this deed:

  • Feb. 18, 1705 (probably 1705/6), Isaac Covert, now living on Madnans Neck, in Hempstead, Queens Co., Yeoman, sells to "my father-in-law, Henry Defreize, now of Bushwick," all his lands, meadows, marshes, houses, etc. Signed "Isaac (I) Coverd, his mark, Elizabeth (X) Coverd, her mark."
  • Isaac acknowledges this deed "for himself and his wife," March 21, 1711,

before a Justice of Queens Co. (Queens Co. Deeds, C, p. 74_)

The natural inference to be drawn from this deed is that Henry Defreize was the father of Isaac's wife Elizabeth; but we cannot be certain of this, as the term "father-in-law" was often used in early times for step-father. So, it is possible that Henry Defreize had m. Isaac's mother, Barbara Sprong, as a second husband (she probably was about 44 years old at this time, if living, having been bap. 27 July 1661); or that Defreize was then the husband of Elizabeth's mother.

Search has been made under the surnames Defreise, De Frees, De Foreest and De Forest, but no Henry has yet been found who had a daughter, Elizabeth. There was a man, whose name was generally entered on the Du. Ch. Rec. as Hendrick or Henricus de Foreest, who was bap. in N.Y., 9 Sep. 1657, and m. there, 5 July 1682, Femmetje Van Flaesbeeck. Five of their children were bap. in the N. Y. Du. Ch., 1683-1693. Of this man, Riker's "Revised Hist. of Harlem", p. 783, says he settled at Bushwick, L.I.; was commissioned justice of the peace in 1683; in 1705 bought land at Madnans Neck and removed there; and d. in 1715. Rikers gives him no dau. Elizabeth, and speaks of no second marriage. At present, the parentage of Elizabeth is uncertain. Between the date of the deed and the time of its acknowledgment, Elizabeth may have died, and Isaac have re-married.

No other deed to which Isaac was a party is indexed on Queens Co. Rec; and his name is not indexed in printed Hempstead Rec. No will, or administration on the estate of anIsaac of Queens Co. has been found. He seems to have disappeared from that locality; thoughsometimes men lived a long time in a place without their names being found on pulic records.

Isaac Covert, of Westchester Co., N.Y.
Within about four years after the date of the deed last mentioned, by which Isaac, of Madnans Neck, sold all his lands, an Isaac Covert was of Rye, Westchester Co., N.Y., about ten miles across Long Island Sound from said Neck. That these Isaacs were identical has not yet been proved; but it is very probable that they were one. Isaac first appears on the records of the county as a brother-in-law of John Horton, of Rye, as shown by the follwoing deed:

  • April 5, 1710, John Horton, of Rye, gave to his "brother-in-law, Isaac Covert," of Rye, 38 acres in Will's purchase. (Westchester Co. Deeds, D, p. 103.) No deed of sale of this land by Isaac is of record, but a deed of it by John Purdy, Aug. 3, 1725, shows that it had passed into his possession. (Rye Deeds, C, p. 68.)

Whether Isaac's wife was Horton's sister, or Horton's wife was Isaac's sister, or these men had m. sisters, is as yet uncertain.

  • In 1716, John Horton sold his "brother-in-law, Daniel Purdy" of Rye, meadow in that town. (Westchester Co. Deeds, G. 127.)
    Weighting the gift of land to Isaac Covert against the sale of land to Purdy, it seems rather probable that Isaac had m. John Horton's sister; and the probability is increased from the fact that, in 1711, this John Horton gaveland to all his brothers. No proof has yet been found, however, that John Horton had a sister Elizabeth; but the names of all the children of his father are not known.

The first book of Rye Deeds and the early Town Proceedings long ago disappeared; so it is now impossible to know what they may have shown of Isaac Covert's coming to Rye (no earlierCovert has been found in Westchester Co., and none but Isaac is of record for many years), or the grants of land he may have received from the town, or purchases he may have made from the inhabitants.

  • The lands in "Will's Purchase" and in "White Plains Purchase" were bought by Rye people. A survey and a Patent were sought for the latter Purchase, and Isaac Covert ws among the petitioners. Their prayer for the survey was granted by the Governor and Council, Jan. 11, 1721/2. (Land Papers, VIII, p. 104.)
  • The Patent was granted March 12, 1721/2. (Patents VIII, p. 450.) As not all who had the rights in the White Plains Purchase were included among the patentees, the latter confirmed the rights of the former by a deed dated Jan. 18, 1722/3, in which Isaac Covert was one of the grantors. (West Co. Deeds, G, p. 393.)
  • Nov. 11, 1725, a highway was laid out within White Plains Purchase, which passed Isaac Covert's

house. Probably this road was what had been known as West St. It seems, by the language of the lay-out, to have extended southerly (from the old road leading from White Plains to East Chester)to Mamaroneck River, running toward Rye Neck. (Old Highway Book, p. 14.)

  • April 5, 1726, Isaac Covert was chosen a surveyor for the White Plains Purchase.

(Rye Town Rec. "1738-1838", p.40.)

  • Land of Isaac Covert was mentioned as a bound in deeds of White Plains lands, in

1729, 1733, and 1735. (Rye Deeds, D, p. 298 and C, p. 262, 155.) Into whose hands these lands passed, later on, has not been discovered. Unfortunately, Isaac Covert left no will; and no administration or division of his estate is indexed of record. A great many old deeds were never recorded; and many estates of intestates were settled privately by the heirs. Nothing further of Isaac has been seen of public record.

Covert Ancestry, Vo. XXXVII, Oct 1906, No.4, Pg 267
Continued from Vol XXXVII p. aoi (sic) of the Record.)

The Next Generation of Coverts in Westchester Co.
Items of Coverts in Westchester Co., in the generation following the above Isaac, are not numerous on public records. Certain men, who were very probably sons of Isaac, resided in the Manor of Cortlandt, to which place quite a number of people from White Plains, and vicinity, went for farms. Coverts, Hortons, and Purdys were associates in that part of this Manor which became Yorktown.

  • April 11, 1758, Elisha Covert, John Gedney and Henry Purdy witnessed the will of

Caleb Horton, Jr., of Cortlandt Manor. (N.Y. Wills, XXI, p. 14)

  • April 14, 1761, the ear-mark of John Covert was entered. (Yorktown Rec I, p. 10.)
  • 4 Feb, 1769, some Covert was husband of Martha, dau. of John Gedney, as per said

Gedney's will. (N.Y. Wills.)

  • 7 May 1772 administration on the estate of John Covert, deceased intestate,

was granted to his widow, Mary. (N.Y. Adm. Book "1768-1774", Pt.4, pg. 46.)

  • 24 Feb 1775, Adolph Covert, son of John, deceased, sold to his brother, Jacob,

his share in farm No. 5, in Lot No. 3, Cortland Manor, which said Adolph and Jacob had bought of their uncle, Isaac Covert. (Unrecorded Deed in hands of G. W. Cocks.)

  • Will of Elisha Covert, of Cortlandt Manor, dated Sept. 23, 1779, and

proved July 14, 17891, names daus. Sarah, Dorothy, Mary, Phebe, wife of Jesse Nelson, Elizabeth,wife of William Horton, Tamer,w ife of Peter Warren, and Hannah, wife of John Teed. (N.Y. Wills, XXXIII, p. 266.)

  • Will of Isaac Covert, of Cortlandt Manor, dated May 4, 1789, proved Aug. 8, 1781, names wife Mary, his three brothers Abraham, Elisha and Luke Covert, Elizabeth Lamereaux, and Phebe Travis, widow. (N.Y. Wills, XXXIII, p. 268.)
  • Sept 22, 1781, a John covert was husband of Elizabeth, dau. of Henry Purdy, as per willof said PUrdy. (N.Y. Wills.) This John, however was of a subsequent generation.

In the foregoing items, we have Isaac, Abraham, Luke, Elisha and John Covert as brothers. The first three of these Christian names are found in the family of Lucas Covert (who came to the Prov. of N.Y. in 1663, and died on Madnans Neck.) It is exceedingly probably that these brothers were sons of Isaac Covert, of Rye and White Plains, who was very probably son of Lucas, of Madnans Neck; but absolute proof of this has not yet been found. It is thought that the said Isaac had two other sons, Jacob and Sylvanus, and probaby daughters. (G. W. Cocks.)

In these times, the desire for large farms caused many to leave the settled parts of the county for others where land was both more plentiful and cheaper. Soon after Cortlandt Manor was surveyed and apportioned among the heirs of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, the farms there began to be leased on long terms with the privilege of purchase. It is not unlikely that Isaac Covert (probable son of Lucas) leased "farm No. 5, in Lot No. 3", and that he, or his son Isaac, purchased it later on. A similar removal, probably, from White Plains to this Manor was that of Daniel Horton, who leased a farm there in 1739, for his own lifetime and that of his son Stephen. No record of the lease by Horton, or deed of purchase of the same is of record (in these times, leases were not recorded); but a deed of partition of the farm between two great-grandchildren of said Daniel

  • (viz.: Jacob and Eliza Horton, only surviving children of Caleb, son of said Stephen, son of said Daniel) recites that their grandfather, Stephen Horton, had bought the farm from Philip Verplanck (the original lessor), 18 April 1794. (West Co. Deeds, 479, 14.)

    If Covert family papers

have been preserved and can be found, it is not unlikely that Isaac Covert (son of Lucas) will be seen to have leased "farm No. 5, in Lot No. 3." If so, the probability that he was the father of Isaac, Abraham, Luke, Elisha and John will approach a certainty.

Elisha Covert, of Cortlandt Manor, and Family.

The indexes of Westchester Co. deeds do not show Elisha Covert as a grantee or grantor, in deeds recorded up to 1886; and no item of him has been seen on town records. *That he was a resident of Cortlandt Manor is proved by his will dated 23 Sept. 1779, and proved 14 July 1781. Probably he died in the latter year. The name of his wife has not been discovered. His age at any time has not been found; nor have the birth dates of any of his children, except Elizabeth and Phebe.

  • The inscription on the gravestone of Elizabeth (who married William Horton) in Colchester,Delaware Co., N.Y>, states that she was born Jan.4, 1743, and died June 24, 1831. (Ex. inf. Byron Barnes Horton.)
  • The inscription on the gravestone of Phebe (who is alleged to have n. (1) Nicholas Budd, and m. (2) Jesse or Justus Nelson) in St. Philip's Churchyard, Garrison, N.Y., states that she was born Nov. 7, 1743, and died June 4, 1819. (Ex. inf. James Nelson, a great-great grandson of Phebe and Justus.)

As disclosed by his will, the children of Elisha Covert were the following:
Sarah.
Dorothy.
Mary.

Phebe, wife of Jesse Nelson.

(As above stated, she is alleged to have m. (1) Nicholas Budd.)

  • The will of Nicholas Budd of Rumbout Precinct, Dutchess Co., N.Y., dated Aug. 17, 1772, and proved Oct.1, 1772, names wife Phebe; and appoints as executors his "friends Elisha Covert and Joseph Strang, both of Cortlandt Manor." (N.Y. Wills, 28, 350.)

    Her marriage to Jesse or Justus Jelson is alleged to have taken place about 1776. (James Nelson, above.)

Elizabeth, wife of William Horton.
She was b. Jan 4, 1743; m. 1768; and d. June 24, 1831. Her husband, William Horton, was b. Jan. 19, 1743; and d. April 4, 1831.

  • T he ear-mark of some William Horton was entered March 14, 1764. (Yorktown Rec. I, p. 15.)
  • A William Horton, of Cortlandt Manor, bought farm No. 3, in Lot No. 2, on south side of Croton River, 163 1/2 acres, Feb. 1, 1775. (West Co. Deeds, I, 134.)
  • One William Horton and wife Elizabeth, of Cortlandt Manor, sold

5 acres there, May 5, 1785; and both acknowledged the deed May 17, 1785. (West Co. Deeds, K, p. 67.)

No further items, which seem to relate to this couple, have been seen on any records in Westchester Co. They removed to Colchester, Delaware Co., N.Y., where he was a prominent man, and there both deceased. (See Early Mortons of Westchester Co., N.Y., N.Y. Gen. & Biog. Record, Vol. XXXVI, p. 108.)

Tamer, wife of Peter Warren

  • (An editorial footnote, p. 436, in the Journal of Rev. Silas Canstant, states that

she married Warren as his 3d wife, having married (2) Capt. Samuel Jefferds; and that she died March 8, 1829, age 80 years.)

Hannah, wife of John Teed.
No further information concerning Elisha Covert has been obtained.

SPRONG ANCESTRY
As stated above, Lucas Tunis Coevers m. Barbara Sprong, or Sprung. Bergen's Early Settlers of Kings Co., N. Y., gives the following concerning her family:
Sprpong or Sprungh. Jan, or Johannes, the common ancestor of the family, a soldier from Bon in the Province of Drenthe, m. Oct. 23, 1660 Anna, or Johanna Sodelaers, from Connex, in Bergen, Norway, and d. prior to Sept. 15, 1694, for at that date his widow as m. to Claes Tunisse Clear. Was a smith by trade, residing first at New Amsterdam, and afterwards at Flushing; and hwile a resident of the latter place, he bought May 29, 1679, of Catharine Van Werven, widow of Do. Polhemius, for 3300 gl.,a house and out-buildings, with five home-lots, in the village of Flatbush, as per page 63 of Liber AA of Flatbush Rec., to which place he probably removed and joined the Ref. Du. Ch. of said town. In 1689, he bought a lot of Derick Woertman at the ferry, as per Liber I, p. 137 of conveyances. He finally removed to Bush widk. Issue:

Barbara, bap. July 27, 1661, in New Amsterdam; m. Lucas Tunis Coevers.
Gerret, bap. 2 April 1663 in New Amsterdam.
Coert.
Gabriel
Catherine, m. Tunis Dircksen Woertman.
John, or Johannes, bap. Feb. 16, 1667, in New York.
David
Abraham, bap. July 18, 1668, in New York.
Lucas.

Signed his name "Johannis Sprungh."

JAN SPRONG AND FAMILY.
From various sources the following items are taken:

  • Oct. 23, 1660, "Jan Sprong, van Bon, Soldaet, en Anna Sedelaers, van Conincxbergen," married in N.Y. Du. Ch. (N. Y. Gen. & Biog.

Soc. Coll., 1890, p. 26.)

  • Bapt July 27, 1661, Barbara, dau. of Johannes Spronck and Annetie Sedelaers, N.Y. Du. Ch. (N.Y. Gen. & Biog. Soc. Coll., 1901, p. 61.)
  • Bapt. April 8, 1663, Gerrit, son of Jan Spronck and Annetie Sylers, N.y> Du. Ch. (Id. p. 69.)
  • Bapt. Feb. 16, 1667, Johannes, son of Jan Sprong and Annetje Johannes, N.Y. Du. Ch. (Id. p. 86.)
  • Bapt July 18, 1668, Abraham, son of Jan Sprong and Jannetje, N.Y. Du. Ch. (Id. p. 91.)
  • Augs. 27, 1682, Lucas Tunix Coevers and Barbara Sprong married, as per Flatbush Du. Ch. Rec. Names of parents or witnesses do not appear. (Hoi. Soc. Year-Book, 1898, p. 90.)

The above items are the only ones that have been verified. The printed records of Brooklyn Du. Ch. Marriages, in Hoi. Soc. Year Book, do not extend to 1694. In the printed marriages in Flatbush Du. Ch., there was none of Claes Tunisse Clear in 1694; but this entry appears therein:

  • Feb. 12, 1692, "Claes Tunissen Ole, to Anetje Sprong."

It is not stated that she was a widow. (Hoi. Soc. Year Book, 1898, p. 95.).
No will or administration of estate of Jan Sprong is indexed in N.Y. Reg.

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