The text of the manuscript follows (incomplete):
There is a persistent tradition that the name was formerly Van Ottman, later Outman and finally Oatman. This tradition is found in all Oatman families, not only in those descended from Johannes Outman, but also in the numerous families listed in the "Nance Memorial" who have not been definitely ascertained to be descendants of Johannes.
After much research, we find no basis for this claim. As will be seen by the official documents hereinafter quoted, the emigrant ancestor of the family signed his name under oath on the 8th day of November 1678 as: Johannes Outman
ARCHIVES OF THE COMMUNITY OF AMSTERDAM (Holland)
Extract from the Instituted Church Records, D, J and B, No. 505, Folio 174
"On Monday, November 18, 1678, appeared the same Johannes Outman, from Hamburg, Gloutlakenwerker, 24 years old, from Lidegraft, whose parents died, being raised by her guardian roelof Zweeries.
"The applicants had for three consecutive Sundays their solemn intention to get married called out, except for any hindrances. They truthfully declare that they are free citizens and pure of blood and have never run afoul. But, if this Christian ceremony is objected to, they will live apart and be good friends.
EXTRACT FROM CITIZENRY BOOK 5 - Record Vault
On May 20, 1683, Johannes Outman, from Hamburg, Treckwercker, and his betrothed Femmetje Kock, daughter of Yoost Yanss Kock, during his lifetime a silversmith."
There appears to be some difficulty in translating the old Holland language, the work "Gloutlakenwerker" being translated Gold cloth worker and General worker; the word "Treckwercker" being translated Canal worker and kindred trades. However, as Johannes was a merchant upon arrival in New York, in 1687, cloth worker is probably the correct translation.
The exact date of the marriage of Johannes and Femmetje does not appear in the foregoing records. The use of the word "betrothed" would indicate they were then engaged, not married. No doubt their declaration of citizenship was a final formallity percedent to their marriage.
The following information was received from the Holland Society of New York:
"Referring to the family of Johannes Oudtman, would say that I find that Johannes Oudtman and his house wife Femmetje Kock became members of Dutch Reformed Church of New York on September 2, 1687, with letters from Amsterdam, which may be fairly indicative of their having recently arrived in this Country from Holland. This view is supported by the first record of baptism of a child of theirs in this Country, is that of Judith, baptized March 2, 1688, and the future record that their daughter Anna, when she was married to Benjamin d'Harriette, was recorded as from Amsterdam, indicating that she herself came from the old Country.
The early records of the family in America are found in various issues of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, being excerpts of the records of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York. We quote the following:
| Ouders | Kinders | Getuygen | |
| den 2 Mart | Johannes Outman | Judith | Stevands Van Coutlandt* |
| 1688 | Femmetje Kock | Judith Verleich | |
| den 26 Dec | Johannes Outman | Johannes | Abraham Van DeWater |
| 1691 | Femmetje Kock | Catharena Rugg | |
| den 17 May | Johannes Outman | Francois | Jacob Van Courtlandt |
| 1693 | Femmetje Cocq | Catharena Van Courtlandt |
| INTERSCHREVEN | GEROUWT | |
| den 18 Sept. 1699 | Benjamin dHarriette, j,m,Van Rachel | |
| den 7 Sept, 1699 | Anna Outman,j,d, Van Amsterdam beyde woonenden alhier | |
| PERSONEN MET LICENTIE | ||
| A 1708 INGETEEKENL | GEROUWT | |
| den 26 May Jan Smith | Judik Outman | den 5 Joun |
There's an entire page of tables here, but I'll put it in later. I just have no patience with those HTML codes for tables!
From Index of Original Court Records of New York:
"22 September, 1690 - Inventory and appraisement by Joun Outman and others of cargoes of certain vessels." (p. 112)
"13 February 1691 - Certificate of sale of the French ship St. Perrie, afterwards the Francis, now the Bear, to Jacob Moritz, James Prevost and Johannes Outman." (p. 142)
"27 March 1691 - Libel exhibited by William Kidd against the ship Perre of Bayonne, Perse Clabire, late master, as lawful prize; with the plea of Johannes Outman, claiming one quarter part of said ship, together with Captain Kidd's answer; also the decree of the court condemning the vessel." (p. 80)
This ends the introductory part of the Manuscript.
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