The Dingman Family of Kinderhoek, NY

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Origins of the Dingman Family

The Dingman family found in Kinderhook and later in Albany, New York can trace their lineage to the original emigrant Adam Dingman (1631-1721) who was a prosperous freeholder in Kinderhook and later Albany. Adam is clearly identified as the patriarch of this old Dutch colonial family by the numerous records he left behind in both Ulster and Albany County. Beyond public records, the Ostrander Family Association has taken an interest in Adam and his ancestry, due to the marriage of his daughter Rachel to Peter Ostrander. The Ostrander Family Association put together an excellent short history on Adam Dingman, which provides us with a good survey of the New York records concerning the early Dingman family. In addition to the work compiled by the Ostrander Family Association, Mr. James Everett Dingman commissioned Amelia Willaimson Dingman to trace the Dingman family back to Europe. The result of Mrs. Dingman's research is a brief history of the family in a 47 page unpublished manuscript. This work establishes Adam Dingman (Dinghmans) as the earliest identifiable ancestor, though very little is known of him. The story that she unfolds is that Adam was a native of Antwerp; forced into fleeing his homeland sometime between 1578 and 1580 when the Spanish began their persecution of the Protestants in the Low Lands. Adam took asylum in Amsterdam where his son, also named Adam, is married in 1601. Nothing further is known of the elder Adam or of any of his other children. Though Mrs. Dingman provides good documentation for most of her family history, the actual proof of the elder Adam Dingman and his association with Antwerp is unknown. The marriage record of Adam the younger, does establish that the groom was born in Antwerp; however, his parents are not named on the document.

My descent from the Dingman family is through the marriage of Rachel, daughter of Adam & Aelitie (Gardenier) Dingman to Peter Ostrander. Through Peter & Rachel's son Yzaak the Ostrander family were United Empire Loyalist in the American Revolution and fled New York after the War for land in Upper Canada; now the Province of Ontario.

Adam Dingman (born c1570) of Haarlem, Holland

Adam Dingmans appears to the be the earliest ancestor that can be clearly established by Dutch records. The Dingman Familly History by Amelia Williamson Dingman identifys Adam him at "of Antwerp", which indicates his nativity in that city [ref: marriage bann]. Amelia Williamson Dingman also claims in her work that Adam is the son of another Adam Dingman an emigrant of Antwerp; however, the actual evidence for this connection is not clearly stated in her work and still remains to be proven. According to Amelia Dingman, Adam and his bride moved to Haarlem, where they are identified by the baptisms of their children and the prominant use of the name "Adam" in their naming patterns.

The primary record concerning Adam is his marriage record, which is translated as follows:
"15 September 1601 Adam Dingmans from Antwerp, purse maker, age 29 years, today residing outside the Gate on the Achterburgwal, having permission from his parents on one side and Jannetgen Gerritsd[otti]r from Wezele, age 21, residing 3 1/2 years near the brewery, who has declared to have permission from her mother, on the other side, and the requested banns having been called, and having answered all the questions have we granted their request to be married "

By evidence of this couple's appearance in the records of Haarlem, their residency is established there by 1604. The births of their children are recorded in Haarlem and the naming patterns give credence to their connections with Adam Dingman of Kinderhook, New York. The children of Adam and Janneke (Gerritsdr) Dingman are found as follows:

Gerritt Dingman

Gerrit Dingman was born in Haarlem in 1604 and his birth along with his parentage is documented by his baptism in that town on the 20th of December 1604. Gerrit is the son of Adam and Janneke (Gerritsdottir) Dingman. Gerrit married Janneke Gerritsd[otti]r ("daughter of Gerrits") in her hometown of Amsterdam and published their banns on the 25th of January 1629. Their banns translated from Latin as:
"25 January 1629
Appeared before me, mentioned before, Gerrit Dingnums from Haarlem age 24 years residing on the Molen straat in Haarlem where he was born and Jannetie Teuwis from Amsterdam age 20 accompanied by Jan Tenis her father residing on the Weterings Gracht. Requesting the 2 announcements of the banns, in order to marry, if there are no legal objections. And after that have they declared to be free persons and not related , so that a Christian marriage can be performed."

From the banns we know that Gerrits wife, Jannetie Teuwis was born about 1580 and was the daughter of Jan Teunis of Amsterdam. Jannetie's is also recorded in the births of her children by Gerrits as found recorded in Haarlem; except Rachel's which names only her father. Interestingly, though the father is always listed as "Gerrit Dinghmans Van Haarlem", Janneke is named as "Dinghmans" for her first child, "Teeuwees" for her second, "Matthais" for her third, and "Hans" for the fourth. Clearly, the first two are the same woman as found in the marriage banns, but the use of Matthiais and Hans are somewhat confusing. The "Hans" reference fits, since her father was "Jans" per the marriage bann. Perhaps Matthias was another name her father used. At this time in Holland there were several traditions of "family names", which probably accounts for the variation found in these records. It is believed that Gerrit only married once.

Adam Dingman of Kinderhoek, New York

Adam Dingman is the original emigrant to the New World and is the patriarch of the Old New York Dutch family by this name. Research has indicated that he is the son of Gerrit & Janneke (Teeuwees) Dingman of Haarlem. Christening records in Haarlem indicate he was baptized on the 31 of August 1631, which does not conflict with any records found in New York. Adam Dingman's daughter, Rachel, married Peitre Ostrander and thus this family is linked with the Ostranders that settle in Ontario, Canada. Adam Dingman is profiled in Pearson's classic genealogical work on early Albany settlers which is transcribed here as follows:
" Adam, born in Haerlem in Holland, residing in Greenbush 1663; bought a farm in 1677 in Kinderhoeck of his father-in-law, Jacob Janse Gardenier; m. Aeltie [Alice] Jacobse Gardinier; in 1683 they made a joint will; on March 20, 1720-21 he made a separate will in which he speaks of his sons and daughters (not by name) and son-in-law Pieter Cool. Ch: Jacob; Janneke [Jane] w. of Pieter Barents Cool; Josyntie [Josine], bp. Sept. 28, 1684; Garrit [Gerard], bp. Jan. 16, 1687." [re: pg. 43].

The transport record for Adam Dingman has never been located, leaving the exact date of his arrival unclear. An abstract of Adam's original will confirms Pearson's comments and shows that the information about Adam's origins from Haerlem comes from this document. The will written on the 21st of January of 1720/1 mentions that Adam is sick and weak. He divides his estate evenly among all his children and appoints his son-in-law, Peter Cool of the Manor of Livingston to execute the document. Adam's will is witnessed by Willem Halenbeek, Gysbert Osterhout, and Dirk Halenbeek [re: Albany Will Book, pg. 170-1]. Court Minutes indicate that Adam Dingman was a prosperous freeholder. He purchased land from his father-in-law in Kinderhoek and his name is found in county records, as active in many county positions, denoting some status. In 1671, Adam Dingman is appointed as overseer of building roads, fences and enclosures in his neighborhood. He was called into court to appraise or access damages in several court cases. He is called a "referee", in a case, inspecting and accessing damages as an objective and trusted third party. He was appointed deputy sheriff to replace John Lambertse and re-appointed to this position. This position was probably concerned more with tax collection and probate, than with law enforcement. In 1679 and 1682, Adam was appointed as overseer for the county. Adam and his wife Aeltje Jacobs Gardinier made a joint will on the 19th of November 1683 [re: Albany Records, Book 3: 563-4]. After his wife's death, Adam made a separate will on the 21st of January 1721, which was proved on the 20th of March 1721 [re: Albany Records, Book 4: 165-6]. Karen Warren notes that, "Adam Dingman purchased acreage in Kinderhook from his father in-law in 1677 and again in 1684. He also purchased land from Maes Cornelissen in 1684." Adam Dingman is recorded as a member of the Dutch Church in Albany in 1683; however, land records suggest that the family actually lived in Kinderhook. Adam's father-in-law, Jacob Gardenier, owned significant holdings in both locations, as well as ran goods down the Hudson. This may explain the dual residency, as indicated by surviving records.

The following children are identified by the Ostrander Family Association, as the issue of Adam and Aeltie Jacobse (Gardenier) Dingman:

  • Janneke Dingman
    born circa 1670; died unknown
    born New York; died prob. Albany, New York
    married: Pieter Barentsz Cool
    marriage bond dated 05 Feb 1688; New York
    children: Henrick; Alida?

  • Jacob Dingman
    born circa 1675; died unknown
    born New York; died prob. Albany, New York
    married: Eva Swartworund dau. of Roeloff & Eva (Albertsen) S.
    marriage bond dated 09 Oct 1698; Ulster Co., NY
    children: Adam; Adam; Johannes (m: Mareytje Muller); Jesje; Gerardus (m: Sarah ****); Andries (m: Alide Kermer); Rudophus (m: Annatje Rauw)

  • Sara Dingman
    born circa 1677; died 1747
    born New York; died prob. Kinderhook, New York
    married: Johannes Van Alen
    marriage bond dated 03 Jul 1697; Kinderhook
    children: Mauris; Jacobus; Alida; Lysbeth

  • Rachel Dingman
    born circa 1680; died unknown
    born New York; died prob. Albany, NY
    married: Pieter Ostrander son of Pieter & Rebecca (Traphagen) O.
    marriage bond dated 04 Jun 1704; Kinderhook
    children: Rebecca; Adam; Petrus; Catrina; Alida; Willem; Jacob; Johannes; Alia; Yzaak; Zara

  • Josyntje Dingman
    baptized 28 Sep 1684; died unknown
    born Kinderhook, New York; died prob. New York
    married: Pieter Van Alen
    marriage bond dated 07 Jan 1705
    children: no issue

  • Garrit Dingman
    baptized 16 Jan 1687; died
    born Albany, New York;
    married: Cornelia Gardenier
    marriage bond dated 22 Jan 1714
    children:

  • Catalyntje Dingman
    born circa 1690; died
    born ;
    married: Johannes Barheit
    marriage bond dated 03 Mar 1718; Kinderhook, NY
    children:

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