Theunis Eliaszen Van Bunschoten and Gerritje Gerrit of Kingston, were Holland Dutch colonists of the early Hudson River Valley section of the former New Netherland Dutch colony. Their daughter, Rachel, married Jan Hoed also of Danish-Dutch stock.

Theunis Eliasz Van Bunschoten was an immigrant from Bunschoten, Utrecht Province, Holland, to America around 1670 with only the primitive patronymic name of Theunis Eliaszen, but later utilized (after 1680) the name of the village in Holland from which he had come. Present family members spell the name with an "e" and not "u". Theunis is the short name for Antheunis, which is the Dutch equivalent of the English and American Anthony.

According to the marriage register of the first Dutch Reformed Church of Beren, New Jersey, center of the original Dutch settlement of the Communipaw, across the bay from New York City, that Theunis and Gerritje were married on February 27, 1674.

The earliest record of Theunis in America is found in the Kingston public records, where on March 3, 1671, he witnessed a transaction. He was prominent in the public affairs of Kingston and was one of the original trustees (served nine terms) of the Corporation of Kingston, and was so named in the charter granted by Governor Dongan in 1687. He died in Kingston sometime between 1725 and 1728 and is buried in the Old Dutch Reformed Church graveyard there.

The source of my information on the Bunschoten family comes from the book "The Tunis Hood Family; Its Lineage and Traditions" by Dellman O. Hood and published by Metropolitan Press, Portland, Oregon, in 1960.

Date: Mon, Jun 24, 1996
From: CaptCarole@AOL.com
To: RobertA106@AOL.com

I was in Bunschoten in March of this year and went to the church where Teunis Eliasen was baptized. The family lived on Veene Straat. The current [unofficial] town historian says that his mother Neeltgen Abrahams was probably not from Bunschoten. Does not appear to be a "Bunschoten" family name (see above). The historian's sister opined that perhaps the family was Jewish, due to the names, but I have found nothing to support this. Perhaps it was just a custom to name people after old testament names as it was in America in colonial times and today here too...... or perhaps not.

Veene Straat was the main street (part of which is also called Dorpstraat today). So perhaps they were farmers, or maybe some type of merchant? Teunis was apparently an indentured farm hand who left Bunschoten at the age of 16.

"The Van Benschoten Family in America"
by Wm. Henry VanBenschoten, 1907

THEUNIS ELIASEN
In our American beginning was THEUNIS ELIASEN. Back of him it is "greatly dark" for all our searching. His sailing is unknown: no shipping list contains his name, no clue is found to his coming. This mystery and the further fact that "his mark" was a trident suggests the possibility of his having been a sea-faring man and his having while in the port of New Amsterdam abjured the deep. This though is pure conjecture.
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The following additional information was received June, 1999 thanks to Evert ter Haar, Bunschoten, the Netherlands
"............. Here in Bunschoten is a historical society that has done some investigation after Teunis Eliasen and they found the following:
In some ancient records a man called Elis Teunissen shows up, having three children:
Abraham, son, baptized in 1631, who's mother is called Neeltghen Abrahams
Neelthgen, daughter, baptized November 8th, 1640
Teunis, son, baptized November 26th, 1643
Between the first and second child pass 8 years. We can assume that the mother (Neeltghen Abrahams) died in these years and Elis Tenissen married again. (To whom, that's not clear, but her name was probably Hendrickje). We are almost sure that the 3rd child Teunis is Teunis Eliasen van bunschoten, who emigrated to America somewhere between 1660 and 1670.
About the trident sign:
Bunschoten (and her twin-village Spakenburg) has always been a fishermen's village. Each fisherman had his own sign to mark his posessions (e.g. the poles for the nets). The trident was just one of the signs used here. Most of the signs were kind of monograms (e.g. a mirrored K or E). Most of them looked like capital letters. Well, I hope these facts will help you in solving the questions of the past."
Kind regards,
Evert ter Haar
Bunschoten, the Netherlands
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But before proceeding a few words as to the name. Theunis Eliasen, variously spelled but always easily identified, was the name commonly used by our old ancestor. On six occasions only does he appear in any records as Van Bunschoten: once real estate deeded to him in that name; three times as sponsor for grandchildren who are given the name Theunis does he make use of his full cognomen; and twice after his name as a trustee of the Corporation of Kingston is Van Bunschoten added parenthetically. At all other appearances it is Teunis Elisse, Tones Elisen, Theunis Eliasz or some other variant of the appellation he familiarly went by and which was simply Teunis son of Elias. This was a primitive Hollandish way of identification,-the taking of the father's name and using it as we-of-today do our family name, the ending se, sen, or z (zoon) being the equivalent to son of, and "Eliasen" meaning Elias' son. In the case of the other sex se or sen was also used and occasionally dr.- brief for dochter or daughter - as illustrated in the case of our great-mother Gerritje, who at the baptism of her son Gerrit stands in the records as "Gerritje Gerritdr," i.e., Gerritje daughter of Gerrit. Such was the Dutch custom. The period, however, was a transitional one as regards to Dutch names. It was so in Holland itself, and was more particularly so in the New Netherlands where passing from the local sufficiency of the father's name for identification in a little Dutch town or community to the daily need for fuller identification in new and changing conditions out of the world's largeness was rapidly being yielded to. Therefore it is of no great surprise to find Teunis' children rarely styled Teunissen in the church book, as by analogy they should have been, but almost invariably Eliasen until the Van Bunschoten gradually supplanted both. As illustrative of this note well the table of baptisms of the children of Marritje in this genealogy; also turn to the records of Elias, Gerrit, and Solomon where you will see Elisen freely applied to them in certain warehouse accounts.

Among every people accidents, peculiarities, characteristics, trades, all were largely drawn on for family names, wittingly or unwittingly, they first having been used, doubtless, to particularize. But among Dutch In America the name of the town in Holland whence a family name was often utilized, preceded by "van" -from- as a settled designation. Many names thus originated *. A small number, however, bore by feudal right the names of towns, their forefathers having been over-lords of such earlier times. How it was in our case is difficult to discover: tradition tells of a coat of arms, silver plate and such trappings, but I find no tangible, sufficient evidence of the family being noble. Beyond a doubt Theunis or some forefather of his came from Bunschoten,** a small one-timed-walled town on a tidal way of the Zuyder Zee and a few miles south of that water: Van Bunschoten, not Van Benschoten, having been the early form of the name here. It seems certain that our family had its origin, whether plebeian or patrician, at this little stronghold in the marshes: Such records of the town, however, as survive tell nothing, writes the burgomaster, of Theunis Eliasen nor any over-family styled Van Bunschoten.

As stated above Van Bunschoten was the first American form of the name and by inference the last Dutch one, if indeed, the name underwent any change during the later centuries in Holland. Theunis Eliasen himself used the form, Solomon his son employed it in signing his will, and Domine Elias of Wantage, by reason of scholarship combined with tradition, the best qualified of the family to pronounce on this matter, insisted on that form, was indeed, aggressively insistent on it always, although he invariably used the o doubled - thus: Van Bunshooten. Gradually the heavy Bun was lightened to Ben, and Van Benschoten for over a century past has been the accepted form, one branch only, of the Solomon line and descendants of Joshua, retaining the Van Bunschoten to-day. My grandfather Henry in his Bible records invariably made use of the older form Bun and so as late as 1827 he employs it in making entry of birth of his grandson James, the late Professor Van Benschoten.
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* Brinkerhoff says: "It is impossible to state at what precise period names became stationary, or began to descend hereditarily. According to Camden, surnames began to be taken up in France about the year 1000, and in England about the time of the Conquest (1066), or a very little before, under Edward the Confessor. In Ireland surname were not common until 1465, when under the reign of Edward the Fourth, it was enacted by Statue that every Irishman dwelling within English jurisdiction should take a surname. In Wales surnames were still later. In fact, outside of the Latin races in Europe, surnames did not become common until after the discovery of America and in Holland they were not universal until within the last two hundred years." So reluctant were the country people in Holland to assume surnames that in 1816 a law was passed compelling them to do so. Naturally the townspeople felt the necessity and took to them early and readily.

** In the year 1881 when spending a few weeks in Holland I made a sentimental journey to Bunschoten. That was long before I entertained my idea of a family history and my pilgrimage was without serious intent. At that time the town records were inaccessible.

Bunschoten lies on a slight elevation surrounded on all sides by miles of meadow land. Dairying and fishing are the two pursuits and quite a fleet of fishing smacks in maintained.. An annual horse fair is held in July. Evidently the town has greatly shrunken since its palmy days: in 1840 it contained only 396 inhabitants and in 1860 389. It is known that the village of Bunschoten obtained in 1383 municipal rights from Bishop Floris, a descendant of the Wevelinkhovens. In 1428 it was dismantled by the Bishop Rudolf, a descendant of the Diepholts: but in 1467 Bishop David descending from the Bourgondies, counted it, however, as still among the walled towns. Very early, in 1353, a battle took place near the town between "Hollanders" and the "Utrechtschen," and in it 70 Bunschoters were killed. In 1552 the Pontioon flood did great injury to the town and its people. The harbor, at one time seriously damaged, was restored in 1732.
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As to whether the Van should have a small or a capital V that is a moot question. In our various American records both are used and perhaps equally. If the family were originally noble the small V would seem proper; in the absence of clear knowledge as to our origin it becomes a matter of indifference, unless, indeed, the employment of the lesser V makes the Van a more negligible quantity, as I fear it does.

A name so susceptible of change has not gone unscathed as these records will show. In the Hudson-river and general Dutch regions it remains intact for here influences have not warred against it; but at no great remove from this section mutilations followed, mutilations, too, that were in almost every case the result of outside English influence, mutilations that members of the family found it much easier to accept that to stand out against. Why, at my home in the very heart of the Knickerbocker region, I have a next door neighbor who invariably calls me "Mr. Benschoten" and has done so for twenty years past. No one else in all the neighborhood thinks of leaving off the "Van", which is as vital a part of the name as any other syllable in it, yet she persistently does. Now, in a whole community given to this sort of thing one can understand how the name would be likely to succumb at last: and to pioneer communities almost the entire blame attaches for the various curtailments and perversions of the name.
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Theunis Eliasen's first appearance in American records is at Kingston, NY, where on April 3, 1671, he acts as a witness to a transaction between Regnier Van der Coelle and Henry Pawling. Again on Nov 2, 1672, he is a witness, "invited for purpose," to an agreement between Wessel Ten Broeck and Sovereyn Ten Hout. Next we find him on Feb 27, 1674, applying to the "honorable court" for a lot "outside the gate for the purpose of building," which request was granted - a request that implies a wife, or thoughts of a wife. Neither when nor where he was married is to be learned; but our next record is when he and his wife, "Gerritje Gerrits," have a daughter, Hendrickje, baptized May 22, 1676, at Bergen, or Communipaw. This is the one appearance of Tonis Eliasen outside of the church, court and land records of Kingston that diligent searching has brought to light. Of Marritje, his second child, I find no baptismal entry: however, the records at Kingston are entirely missing for the year 1677 and the first three months of 1678, during which period she in all likelihood was born. Twice in that interval Teunis Eliasen acts as a witness at Kingston: once to a grain transaction and once to a deed signature, so, unquestionably he had already set up his household gods there.

It is evident to one searching the records that Teunis Eliasen early became one of the reliable, substantial men of the little community on the Esopus. He was thrifty, intent on his own business and greatly trusted, it seems to me; certainly let it be definitely said that the court records show him to have kept remarkably free from the petty strife's and quarrels prevalent at that time and place. Various signs make it clear that he had heed for the duties and dignities of life and had regard for spiritual things.
We find that on Mar. 27, 1678, Teunis makes a purchase of eighteen morgens of land on the Esopus flats of Dirk Jansen Schepmoes: and an interesting peep is had into his affairs when Maria Van Langedyck in making her will "On to-day, the 16 May, 1679," specifies, "one cow which is at Teunis Eliasen's," - doubtless at pasture on this very land. How the above "to-day," since become so far a yesterday, begets long thoughts! Again in the same year, Maria Wynkoop wills her son Benjamin "two silver spoons, and the cow at present Teunes Eellisen's."

And we gratefully catch another glimpse into Teunis' domestic economy through the following:
"Appeared before me Wm. Montagne, secretary at Kinston, Arendt Issax who declares to have hired out his daughter named Gerritjie for the period of two current years from April next. During said time the aforesaid daughter is to properly and faithfully server her master and mistress.
Theunis Elesen is to provide her with proper board and clothing and at the expiration of the period furnish her with a presentable Sunday gown, four chimeses , two blue aprons, two white aprons, and one silver head-ornament, and is to send her to evening school during the winter. In testimony of the truth subscribed hereto the September 1, 1682, at Kingston.
Signed
Arent Isacks
The mark of Theunes Elisen by himself"

The above, in truth, is a sequel to the following pitiful story: On April 20, 1682, Arendt Isaacs'' wife died suddenly and not without suspicions of foul play. Her body was examined by the magistrates, constable and two doctors, and in conclusion - "Arendt Isaax, her husband, was ordered to place his hand upon his breast and call upon God Almighty to give a sign if he were guilty of his wife's death: which he did. But no change was visible."
And here is an item I prize: In suit between Thomas Harmonsen and Jan Luowersen, tried May 5, 1682, a witness strengthens his evidence by averring that "Theunes Eleson says the same."

At the session of the Kinston court June 14, 1682, "Theunes Elisen, Jan Focken and Hendrick Ten Eyck, appointed and authorized by the hon. Court as reviewers of chimneys and places where fires are lit." are ordered to go their rounds and act according to their instructions:
"They are to go around every three or four weeks and examine all chimneys and fire-places to see that they are clean. In case any are foul they are to fine the owners to the amount of six guilders and to warn them to clean the same." "At the second visit yet finding them dirty they are to impose a fine of twelve guilders."

"At the third visit still finding neglect they are to acquaint the hon. Court with the fact to the end that the owners may be punished as they deserve."

"They are to condemn all such dangerous fire-places, ovens, cookhouses, etc., and in case of negligence to impose the fine."

The roofs were of thatch, it should be remembered, hence all this precaution against fire.

And here is a mater of special interest. On Sept 21, 1682, Teunis Elesen signs as witness a land contract between Joost Adriansen and Dirk Schepmoes and does so without his favorite trident or other mark, thus conclusively showing "his mark" to be but custom and not inability to write. Later a number of his signatures are found without the mark.

The next appearance of Theunes is in conjunction with rebuilding the bridge across the great Kill, the first having been washed away. The agreement is given below because of its simple completeness. Theunes Elesen signed with trident as one of the sixteen partners.
1st. Whereas their lands are situated across the great Kill therefore to again build a high bridge on the same spot where the first bridge had been.

2nd. That all the partners shall together pay for and finish the bridge in proportion to the number of their morgens (of land), and shall commence work on the 20 May and not stop till the work shall have been completed.
3rd. In case any of the partners should have performed their share and there should be a scarcity of laborers, then they are nevertheless obliged to finish the job and shall not stop until the work shall be entirely done, provided they shall be paid six guilders per day, they providing their own board. But if the partners should board them then they will receive four guilders.

4th. Nobody shall be permitted to cart any more wood or anything else across the bridge than in proportion to the number of his morgens. But if anybody should be on a necessary errand, or traveling, or visiting friends the same shall pass free.

5th. Jan Willemsen is appointed overseer, and he will be exempt of a man's work but not of his share of carting. All hereby promise to obey his orders while at work, having full confidence in his ability.

6th. After the bridge shall have been finish the same shall be kept in repair by the partners. Hendrick Albertsen is to furnish the boards from end to end twelve feet long and one and a half inches in thickness, to be delivered at his mill. He is to cart a load from the mill for which he will be free (of bridge expense) six years, but he is to deliver the boards as soon as the same shall be required.

7th. The ground from the bridge to the gate has been presented to the partners and if necessary can be used for a convenient road for ever and ever.
8th. It is stipulated that the boss, Jan Willemsen, shall decide where the gate shall come. Everyone of the partners shall be obliged to have a key to the lock of the bridge, and anybody leaving the gate unlocked shall forfeit twenty-five guilders for the benefit of the bridge, unless it be during harvest time.
In testimony of the truth was have subscribed hereto this Feb. 20, 1682/3 at Kingston.

Theunes Elisen's next appearance was before Wm. Montagne, secretary, acknowledging and obligation -"declares to honestly and actually owe William Jacobsen Van Tongeren the clean and net quantity of two hundred and seventeen scheples of winter wheat, which quantity the appearer promises to pay William Jacobsen or his order in Feb. next of this current year 1683/4 with interest amounting to fourteen scheples of wheat above the said quantity which originates from advanced money and from wages.

In testimony of the truth I have subscribed to the present in the secretary's office mortgaging person and estate, personal and real, present and future, none excepted, on this fourth day of July, 1683." To which he duly affixes his trident in the presence of witnesses.

Surely Theunes committed himself that time to the extremist limit. Were it not that it was all so hopelessly long ago one would feel concern.

On Oct 12, 1683, Jan Hendrix is appointed examiner of chimneys in Teunis Eleson's stead, the latter having tired, I take it, of a thankless task that must have incurred the enmity of house-wives.

On Mar. 4, 1683/4 and on later occasions, I find Teunis acting as a juryman. And during Gov. Dongan's term, 1683-88, Tunis Elisen appears as a cavalryman, the first on the list of troopers under Capt. Hendrick Beekman and Lieut. Wessell Ten Broucke.

In the winter of 1786/7, Teunes Eliasz, it appears, delivered at the Corporation of Kingston's warehouse where quit-rents in kind were received and much general business transacted, at "sundry times the quantity of 102 scheples of wheat" and was credited therefor 612 guilders.
Next the records show that on Feb. 27, 1688, and again on Mar, 4, 1689, Teunis Eliase acquires additional lots in Kingston. And on Mar. 4, 1688, the Trustees of Kingston make a deed to Teunis Elysse of a "certaine house Lott, Scituate Lying & being in said towne to ye South of the Street, to ye East of the Lott of the Deakons, & ye West of ye Lott of Teunis Pieterse. Likewise a small piece of upland to ye Southwest of said Towne, bounded by a path that runns to Marten Hofman's plantation, & an other path wch devides ye Land of William d'Meyer & Symen Kool and by ye Land of said Symen & to ye north-ward of a Rocky hill, cont. about eight acres, to have and to hold the s'd Teunis Elysse his heirs and assigns for Ever. In Testimony," etc.

Tunis Elise was prominent in municipal affairs - was, indeed, one of the original Trustees of the Corporation of Kinston and so named in the charted granted by Gov. Dongan in 1687, and approved in Council May 17,1688. Time and again his name is found attached to Corporation deeds. He served, at least, nine terms as Trustee, namely: 1688/89, 1692/3, 1699/1700, 1700/1, 1705/6, 1706/7, 1707/8, 1707/8, 1708/9, and 1709/10, and quite possibly more, since "from 1689 to and including 1711, the list (of Trustees) is incomplete by reason of the loss of the minutes." Surely it would seem from what follows that he must have been a Trustee in 1714. For on May 24, of that year, the Trustees agreed with Mr. Jan Cooke, a lawyer, to go to New York to care for the Corporation's interests in the matter of quit-rents, "since Mr. Teunis Ellison is sued in chancery for quit-rents which the Corporation hath received." The Trustees resolved to defend the suits, and claimed "that the Trustees have the Right, as grantees of the fee, to Receive the Quit-Rents which the said Ellissen is sued for." Tunisse Elise was thus representing the Trustees and, consequently, must have been one of that body at the time.

In continuation of this quit-rent controversy a cogent petition was presented "To his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Capt. Gen'll and Gov. in chieff in and over her Majestie's Province of New York * * * in Councill br John Cook, Thomas Gorton & Charles Broadhead in behalf of themselves and others the Inhabitants of Marbletown * * * Henry Bogart, Moses Dupuis & Cornelius Switts in the behalf of themselves & others the Inhabitants of the Towne of Rochester * * and Teunis Ellyse (without his Trident) for and in behalf of the Towne of Kingston," which petition "Humbly sheweth" many truths concerning the hopeless arrearage of quit-rents. This on the 4th of June, 1714. And the petition prevailed, and on July 13, 1714, all the action for the recovery of past quit-rents ceased, "but the said Inhabitants, ffreeholders, shall be Regular in the payment of the Quit-Rents for the future at the Custom house in New York annually as their patents do direct."
In the year 1705/6 Teunis Eliase was elected by his fellow Trustees a Magistrate. After being re-elected Trustee, Mar. 4, 1706/7, he was on the same day made a "viewer of the fences" for the Corporation. On Mar. 1, 1708, and while acting as Trustee, he is allowed 12 guilders, "for viewing the land sold to John Legg."

Turning to church affairs I find our old ancestor much in evidence. Toenes Elysse first served as deacon in 1685, and thereafter served continuously, it seems,, until May 15, 1698, when he was elected "Ouderlinger" or Elder. In addition he was elected Kerkmeester, or churchmaster, in 1692. He was re-elected Ouderlinger a number of terms (just how many cannot be made out because of broken records), and on several occasions he appeared in his official capacity at the taking of persons into church membership. At a meeting of the consistory on Jan 9, 1686/7, among other business the retiring deacon, Jacob Aertsen, rendered his account. "The hundred gilders promised and paid by Schepmoes have been erroneously computed at 20 scheples of wheat, but should be 16 scheples and 4 gilders: so that Jacob Aertsen must pay back the amount of 3 1-3 scheples. Balance 73 scheples of wheat. These 73 sch. Have been paid over by Jacob Aertsen to the deacon Teunis Elysee (Van Bunschoten)." This clearly shows how current wheat was - how it, was the coin, as it were, of the Province at the time. Also we have here the name Van Bunschoten added in parentheses - one of two instances.

In the year 1692-93 Abraham La Maitre and Cornelis Gerritse, deacons, credit themselves with "Expenses of Dirck Schepmoes and Teunis Elysse to Albany - 48 gilders." This was evidently in connection with seeking a minister: for on April 24, 1693, a domine is called "at 112 current gelt of this province." Teunis Elysse is one of 127 subscribers to the proffered salary, all contributing in wheat, and he being down for 15 scheples.

In the church records for 1699 is "a register of the persons who have given their promise yearly to furnish the predicant (Domine Nuccella) his fire-wood." And Teunis Elissen is one of the number. He is also found contributing to the "poor of Kingstowne."

An entry in the church accounts in May, 1703/4, is of surpassing interest. Under the head of "sundry outlays and expenditures" is the item "To Teunis Elisse for a keg of good beer 22 gilders." Ah! My great-father! Since beer it was I am right glad it was "good beer." That a church, though, should be thirsty is a matter to ponder. Under the same heading in 1706/7 are the items:
"March 3, To Teunis Elise for boards, 66 gilders:
March 16, To Teunis Elise for carting boards, 10 gilders."
In these church accounts under expenditures appears in Oct., 1711, the item "Per Teunis Elisse and Johannes Schepmoes 96 gilders, 10 stivers" - whether as officials is not clear.

So much for our ancestor in his churchly relations, many minor items being left out.
The oath of allegiance was taken by Teunis in 1689, and his name is found affixed to the "Petition of the Protestants of New York to King William III," dated Dec. 30, 1701, New York City.

Again we turn to his private life of which there are a few more records. On Feb. 19, 1706/7, at a session of the Trustees, "Teunis Elisse moves to by a small tract of land lying Northward of ye Esopus Kill, or Creeke, containing about two morgen: granted at ye rate of Eight pieces of Eight per Morgen and to pay for ye Writing." On Mar.1, 1709/10, the Trustees conveyed to Teunis Elisse and Egbert Schoonmaker jointly, a small plot of ground "and ordered Clarke to seal the same."

On July 25, 1712, he takes title to another parcel of land on Kingston Flats. "For and in consideration of a certain Summe or Quantity of Six hundred schepls of good Marchanable Winter wheat to him the Dirck Schepmoes, well & Truly in hand payd, before the Ensealing of these presents, by Tunis Eliasen Van Bunschoten of Kingston, aforesaid," the former conveys all that certain tract, or parcel of land "on the north side of the Esopus Kill or Creek & on the greate piece, bounded to the south-east by the Land of said Capt. Dirck Schepmoes now in possession of William Schepmoes & by the Esopus Creek, north-westerly by the land of the Heirs of Jan Willemsen Hooghtylinck and south-westerly by the land of Gerrit Aartesen."

On Aug 20, 1712, Teunis Eliase transfers to his son-in-law, Mattys Van Steenbergen, "a certain house-lot in Kingston - Scittuating and Lying att the South of ye Street to the East of the Lott of ye Deakons where the Domine Lives and to the West of the Lott of the heirs of Col. Stephen Van Cortland and to the north of the Lott In ye possession of Arien Van Vliet." Clearly the lot deeded Teunis on Mar. 4, 1688.

On April 11, 1713, I find Teunis Eliassen taking title from Cornelius Tack of Marbletown, of a tract or parcel of land "on the north Side of the Esopus Kill, being part of a Certain piece of Land called the Great piece or Stuck * * * Containing thirty six acres more or less So as the same now is." This was the third purchase by Teunis of land on the Esopus flats, that coveted land all ready for the plow. A small fourth one seems to have followed for "att a Town Court held Dec. 2, 1713, "the trustees of the Corporation of Kingston bring suit against "Mr. Teunis Ellissen. The plaintiffs and defendant appear in person. The plaintiff's demand 192 guldens for two morgens of Land def't: the defendant owns to the debt but brings in an account against it of 47 guldens which is allowed by the plaintiffs. So the Court gives Judgment against the def't for the balance, which is 145 guldens, with cost of suit," which was 9 shillings, 6 pence, as it appears afterwards.
No further real estate transactions have been discovered. But it was of peculiar interest to find the trustees selling on March 10, 1713/4 three morgens of land "on Teunis Ellisse's Killetje" - "Kill" being the Dutch for a considerable stream the diminutive of it would signify a small stream, a spring run or brook. Again "Att a Trustee Meeting Feb. 24, 1714/5, a piece of land is sold to Philip Vielle 'bordering on the Teunes Elesson's Kille.'" Ah, how this Killetje touches my fancy, starts my imagination! I'm a boy again for the time - if you will, Teunis Elysse's little boy - and all day long, barefooted, I haunt that Killetje, wade up and down it, build dames across it, make sluiceways, contrive water-wheels, and try hard to fashion me a boat for it with high poop and otherwise truly Dutch. Killetje! What a suggestion of companionship, and play, and dear entertainment lurks in that name!

And - shall I say it? Teunis Elysse is to my maturity as the Killetje is to the boy within me - his acres my "Elysian Fields."

Once more on March 26, 1716, Tunis Ellise signs as a witness a transfer of land from John Kip to Jacob Kip on the east side of the Hudson.
On July 13, 1718, "Theunis Eliasz Van Bundschooten" as sponsor for his grandson, Theunis Niewkerk, makes next to last appearance in the Kingston records; his very last, the recorder having left off the Teunis, is as "Eliasz Van Buntschooten" at the baptism of another grandchild, Theunis Hood, on Feb, 22, 1719.

Teunis' will has not been found: that he left one is made certain by the following preamble to a deed given by the Trustees of Kingston to his heirs in rectification of the instrument of Mar. 4. 1688, whereby through miscomputation they transferred to Teunis Eliasen only eight acres of upland, whereas the bounds given resulted in fifteen acres and thirty-five rods. ?..................? .1727/8 and runs:
"To All Christian to whom this Present Writing Shall or May Come, the Trustees of the Towne of Kingston, in the County of Ulster And Province of New York in America, Send greetings.
Whereas Teunis Ellisen Late of the Corporation of Kingston aforesaid, Deceased, Stood Posest of a Certain Piece or Parcell of Land in the bounds of Said Towne Some Distance to the Southward of said Towne, And by His Last will and Testament bearing Date the fifth Day of February Anno Domi: One Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty-five and Six did Give and bequeath to his Children and the Children of his Son Gerrit Van Bunschoten Deceased All His Real and Personal Estate," etc.
And so come we to the end of what is recorded of Teunis, - come, indeed, to two nearby dates, Feb. 5, 1725/26, and Feb. 16, 1727/28, between which his long life ended - assuredly four score years accomplished .
. "______________ fare you well:
Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you."
The birth and parentage of Gerritje Gerrits have been sought in the church records far and wide but to no avail; nothing has been learned. As a sponsor at the baptism of her first-born at Bergen stood a Gerrit Tysen with his wife Hermtje Hermans. He was from Amsterdam; and it is barely possible that he was Gerritje's father by an earlier wife in Holland since when in 1664 he is married in New York to Hermtje Hermans he is not designated as a "young man," after the Dutch custom when such, and so he may have been a widower. None of the after sponsors at Kingston proved to be relatives. There seemed to fall a glimmer of light on Gerritje from domestic sources, for an old note-book from New Hackensack branch of our family I find her name mentioned as "Gerritje Gerritse Van der Bergh or Van Vredenburgh;" records, though, fail to bear out either claim. Indeed, no firm facts are found anywhere to build on. Since very many of the early settlers of Kingston came from Albany and since no church records prior to 1683 survive there it is quite possible that the mystery of Gerritje's parentage and advent, and of Teunis's as well, lies hidden in these missing earliest Albany records..

Gerritje is last seen in the church records on July 21, 1700, when she and Teunis stand as sponsors for their little grandson Johannes Van Steenbergen. "Gerritje Elisse." She is styled on that occasion. Ever after she is missed from Teunis' side; when he acts as a sponsor one of the daughters, usually Marritje, occupies that place. From this I take it, many years before Teunis she found the river "Along whose shores the numerous footfalls cease, The voices and the tears of life expire."