ittle has been written about the life of Willem Jansen Traphagen yet he is the father of three families in early Dutch New York and New Jersey: the Traphagen\Traphagan family, the Burhans family through his daughter Helena and through his daughter Rebecca, the Ostrander family. Although his name does not appear often in early Dutch Record, when it does, it shows a man who left possess ions in his native land to scratch out a new beginning in the Dutch Colonies. He was a man with a fiery temper that tended to get him into trouble. He left a deposition concerning his family history and status that is almost unequaled among the early Dutch settlers. It gives us a vast insight into his past that we might not otherwise be able to easily determine.

        He was born in the city of Lemgo in the old German County of Lippe, the son of Johannes Traphagen and his wife Eledt (Helena) Derendel.  His father was a medical officer under the Count of Lippe on the manor of Hemelyck in the Principality of Minden. He was evidently from a family of some means and orphaned young as the deposition names his four guardians. Why he chose to leave such circumstances can only be guessed at but the social conditions in Germany during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) were hard for everyone. Lemgo was attacked by Count Tilly in 1630/31 causing many inhabitants to flee. A Witch Hunt had been in progress for over fifty years in which over 200 people were burned at the stake for the sin. For whatever reason, Willem Jansen Traphagen was in Lemgo in 1647 to give a Power of Attorney to his uncle Johannes Nichoesen, a councillor at Herford and to his cousin Anthony Traphagen, a minister to the Calvinists at Almena, probably in preparation for his permanent removal from Lemgo.

        Willem shows up Amsterdam, Holland by 1646 applying the trade of "journeyman baker". He did not use his surname Traphagen in Amstderdam as as Willem Jansen van Lemgo made intentions for his first marriage October 20, 1646 to Jannetje Claesen Groevnis. She was born about 1620, in Meppelt in the Dutch Province of Drenthe. He subsequently appears on the roles of the Amsterdam Citizenship Books on April 10, 1647 as a master baker. The couple had three children baptized at Amsterdam but it is uncertain the date of his emigartion to New Netherlands which certainly must have been between 1651 and 1657.

        First mention of Willem in New Netherlands records is not until January 21, 1658, when William Taphagen (sic), plaintiff, sued Jan Cees. Circumstances are not disclosed and the parties were referred to their Competent judges. Jannetje died sometime about 1657, probably after his immigration to New Netherlands and his second marriage is noted in the Register of the Reformed Dutch Church at New Amsterdam June 1, 1658: Willem Janszen Traphagen, Van Lemgo, Wedr Van Jutge Claes Groenvis, en Aeltje Dircksen Van Steenwyck. The couple's only child was entered in the Baptismal Record of the same church April 9, 1659: Johannes, son of Willem Traphage and Aeltje Dircx, Witnesses, Herman Janszen de Drayer and Dirckje Geleyn. On August 26, 1659 Isaac Grevera (Gravenraedt?), plaintiff, sued Willem Traphage, defendant. The Plaintiff demanded 7½ beavers for half a years rent or seawant at fl. 12 per beaver, according to agreement and obligation exhibited to the Court. Traphagen said that the plaintiff promised to make repairs and thereupon he signed the obligation. Grevera denied it and the Court ordered Traphagen to pay the plaintiff and if he had any claim against Grevera he should then institute his action.

        The early years were very lean for Willem and he was back in court March 16, 1660 when the wife of Hendrik Jansen Spiers demanded one hundred and eighteen guilders for grain sold him. Traphagen acknowledged the debt but demanded time and says he gave Spiers a pawn in hand. The Plaintiff said the pledge is not worth so much. The Court ordered Traphagen to pay the one hundred and eighteen guilders.

        Willem's wife Aeltje evidently died in 1660 for his marriage is noted in the register of the New Amsterdam Reformed Dutch Church, as well as in the church in Brooklyn on Long Island. On January 15, 1661 at New Amsterdam: Willem Traphagel, Wedr, Van Aeltje Dircx, en Joosje Willems, Wede Van Jan Verkinderen. And on February 6, 1661 at the First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn: Willem Janszen Traphagel to Joosje Willems, with certificate "from the Manhatans".

        On March 14, 1661, twenty-three men applied for town rights in the newly chartered town of Bushwick on Long Island, including Willem Traphagen and Jan Van Iselsteyn.

        The baptism of the couple's first child is recorded, February 19, 1662 in the Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn: Rebecca, daughter of Willem Traphagel and Joostie Willems, "from Boswijck", witnesses; Roeloff Jansen, Magdaleentie Walincks. Willem Traphagen appears on the Bushwick Muster roll of 1663 as a private.

        In February, 1664, William Traphagen, for insulting one of the magistrates of Bushwick, by calling him a false judge, was sentenced by the Governor and Council, to appear with uncovered head before the Court of Bushwick, and, in the presence of the fiscal, to beg pardon of God, justice, and the insulted magistrate; and to pay, in addition, thirteen guilders to the overseer of the poor of the town, with Costs.

        In May, of the same year, Jan Willemsen Van Iselsteyn, Commonly called Jan of Leyden, for using abusive language and writing an insolent letter to the magistrates of Bushwick, was sentenced to be fastened to a stake at the place of public execution, with a bridle in his mouth, a bundle of rods under his arm, and a paper on his breast bearing the inscription: "Lampoon writer, false accuser and defamer of the magistrates." After this ignominy he was to be banished, with Costs.

        On the same day, William Jansen Traphagen, of Lemgo, for being the bearer of the above insolent letter to the magistrates of Bushwick, as well as for using very indecent language towards them, was to be sentenced to be tied to the stake, in the place of public execution, with a paper on his breast, inscribed: "Lampoon carrier." His punishment, also, was Completed with banishment and Costs.

        His banishment was evidently not carried out as Willem continues to appear in the records at Bushwyck as late as 1666. He probably moved to about 1667 or 1668. He is not found in Ulster County Records until he gives a deposition before the Court of Kingston on August 26, 1671:

Appeared before me, W. Montagne, Secretary for the hon. Court, Willem Trophagen, being about 55 years old, son of Johannes Trophaegen, doctor and medical officer of the manor at Hemelyck in the diocese of Minnen (Stift Minnen) under the Count vanderlip, born in the city of Lemmichor--Hendrick Trophaegen being brother of the appearer's father. His son, Anthony Trophaegen, preacher of the Calvinists at Almina. The sister of the appearer's father is named Anna Trophagen, her husband Johannes Willemsen Cooperslaeger. The appearer s mother is named Eeledt Delendal. Her sister had a daughter Stoeten (Something is evidently left out here in the original) and burgomaster within Lemigo (having yet two sisters Elsebus Trophagen, Catharina Trophagen). the clause between ( ) was entered in the margin, opposite Stoeten, and it is not possible to make out whose sisters they were) Her brother's name is Johannes Delendal, prebendary within Herfort, and her other sister had a husband whose name was Johannes Nichoesen, Councillor within Haerfaert. The guardians of the aforesaid Willem Trophaegen were Willem Schellinck and Jan Willems and Harmen Sproedt and Johannes Nichousen. This Willem Jansen (sic) being at Lemigo in the year 1647, where he granted full power of attorney to one Johannes Nichoesen and Anthony Traphaegen, preacher. And I married Jannetie Claesen Groenvis of Meppelt with whom I had a daughter whom I had named Eelet Trophaegen. The aforesaid wife having died, I married Aelte Dirrecks Meermans and with her I had a son who was named Johannes Traphaegen. She dying also, I remarried and took a woman named Joosje Willemsen Noortryck of Amsterdam with whom I had a daughter named Rebecca and a son Willem and a son Hendrick Trophagen. And whereas the aforesaid Willem Trophagen is Considering the approach of death, therefore he has deemed it proper to make known the Condition of his family, that the children when Coming of age may inquire at Minnen after Corpus Cristy fiefs, paying annually 100 rix dollars, and other fiefs named Maria Vergina, standing in the church at Lemmigo, paying annually 80 rix dollars; another fief at Billeveldt named Anna Salutes, annually paying 60 rix dollars. I therefore request, when I shall have left the aforesaid children, that the Lord shall protect them in their good right, so that they shall be educated from the same. And have subscribed to the present with my own hand this August 26, 1671, at Kingston in America, in the dominions of his royal majesty of England. (Signed) Wilmen (sic) Traphagen. (Signed) Albert Jansen. To which testifies, (signed) W. Montagne. Secretary.

        At an ordinary Court session held at Kingston, January 25, 1674/5. Mr. Gorge Hall, Plaintiff, vs. Willem Trophage n, Defendant. Plaintiff demands of defendant nine schepels of wheat, to which the Defendant admits debt. The Court orders the defendant to pay plaintiff the demanded amount with Costs.

        At an ordinary Court session May 4, 1675. Willem Trophagen, Plaintiff, vs. Eduward Wittikar, Defendant. Plaintiff says that he has cut palisades for Eduward Wittikar for which Wittikar was to plow. Instead of plowing he has beaten him with his cane. Eduward Wittikar says that he sold land to said Trophagen for 300 schepels of wheat and that he was to cut 1,000 palisades, and Trophagen said that he was to receive a plow from the Manhattans for the purpose of plowing his land, whereupon Wittikar said, "When I have time, I intend to assist you for two or three days at plowing." The hon, Court orders parties to prove their assertions.

        At an Extraordinary Court Session, July 24, 1675. Willem Trophagen requests a piece of land for a plantation back of the land named Wisquametinx, about ten morgens [20 acres] in extent. The Court finds that nobody will suffer loss by it, and grants the same to petitioner, subject to the Lord governor's approval.

        Volume 1 of the Land papers dated April 15 1676 show the Minutes of a grant by the Court at Kingston to William Trophagen for 20 acres of land. In the same Volume under date of October 2, 1676, is a deed from Governor Andros to William Trophagen for a certain piece of land at Esopus, lying north east from Capt. Thomas Chambers farm, Containing about 10 acres, as also another piece of land Containing 10 acres, lying north and south, alongst the greate creeke or kill to the water kolch. Also draughts of the aforesaid patents to Trophagen and Chambers.

        In the Minutes of Trustees of Kingston dated about 1688, a description of a grant to Dirck Hendrickse mentions Willem Traphagen's land: a tract on the east side the Esopus Kill, or river, and in the rear of Capt. Thomas Chambers and William Traphagen, beginning at a small run of water at the fence of William Traphagen upon the bank of Woodland, etc.

        His will is dated February 16, 1685 as William Trophagen of Kingston:

"My soule to Almighty God." "To my three sons namely Johannes Trophagen, William Trophagen and Henry Trophagen, all my Land which I att present enjoy with all houses barns" also "three horses with a plow and a wagon and other implements with the proviso that my said three sons shall work upon the land" "and Likewise to maintain me And my wife Joosie so long as both or Either of us shall live........ My eldest son Johannes Trophagen 50 gilders and my Eldest Daughter Helena wife of Jan Boerhanse 50 gilders being Allotted to them before I married my Last wife joosie." "The rest of my Estate whether in horses Cows hogs either young or old or household stuff shall be equally divided amongst my three sons And my two daughters (to witt) Helena who is married unto Jan Boerhans of Kingston And Rebecca who is married unto Peter Peterson of Hurley."-Wife appointed executor, and after her death "my three aforesaid sons joyntly Executors."

    Signed by the testator, and witnessed by Walren Du Mont and Willem Jacobs.

         He supposedly died about 1699 near Kingston, Ulster County, New York. However, he was not listed on the list of Oaths of Allegiance for Ulster County, September 1, 1689 although his three sons were, and he probably died previous to that date. His son was titled William Trophager Junior.

         He was married three times and had children by each wife.

Children by his first wife Jannetje Claesen Groevnis:

1. Joannes, bp August 1, 1647, Amsterdam Nieuwekerke. d.y.
2. Helena.
3. Joannes, bp. March 26, 1651, Amsterdam, Nieuwkerke, d. y.

Child by his second wife Aeltje Dircksen Meermans:

1. Johannes.

 Children by his third wife Joosje Willemsen Noortryck:

1. Rebecca.
2. Willem.
3. Hendrick.

SOURCES:

• Amsterdam Marriage Intentions, FHL 0113204, Bk.43, p.
• Amsterdam Poorterboek 1584-1652, FHL 0714915, p.185.
• Collection of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Volume IX, Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City, 1639-1801, 1940, New York.
• New York Historical Manuscripts-Dutch. Volume IV, Council Minutes, #128, page 150.
• Town Records of Bushwick, Long Island. (typescript)
• Brooklyn Dutch Reformed Church.
• Records of the Secretary, Kingston, New York.
• Records of New Amsterdam.
• History of Kings County, New York by Stiles.