Matthys Matthysen Van Keuren (van Keulen)
Updated 13 Aug 2000
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Van Keuren family
Captain Matthys (Mattys) Matthysen Van Keuren was the second son of
Matthys Matthysen was born in 1648 in Fort Orange near Kingston,
in what later became New York state,
and died in 1730 (1720?).
He was an ensign in the Ulster militia in 1670, a captain in 1673;
a member of the Committee of Defense in 1674;
a patentee and original trustee in 1689;
and the first colonial supervisor in Kingston, NY, in 1688-89.
In 1677 in Kingston, Matthys married
Tjaitje De Witt,
(Tietie, Tjaatje), who was born in 1659 and died in 1724.
Tjaitje was the eldest daughter of Tjerck Claessen De Witt,
who was appointed one of the commissaries (or magistrates)
of the Wildwyck Court by Peter Stuyvestant on 3 May 1662.
She was also the aunt of Dewitt Clinton, the first Governor of New York.
On 7 Jun 1663, she was carried into captivity by the Indians at the burning
of the villages of Kingston and Hurley, but was rescued after a time.
Matthys and Tjaitje had ten boys and three girls, including:
Sarah Van Keuren, b. 1678; m. Matthew Du Bois
Leah Van Keuren, b. 1679; moved to New York City
Matthys Van Keuren, Jr.; m. Tryntje Sleght in 1704
Captain Tjerck (Dirck) Mattysen
Van Keuren,
baptized 24 December 1682, d. 8 June 1742, armorer
m. Marytje Ten Eyck on 1 Feb 1702, b. 16 Oct 1682, d 6 Apr 1760,
They had four sons and ten girls.
Thomas Van Keuren, b. 1684, baptized 1 Nov. 1684; died as an infant
Barbara Van Keuren, b. 1685; m. first Cornelius Wynkoop
and then Pretend Tappan
Nicholas (Klaes Niclaes) Van Keuren, b. 1687; died as an infant
Thomas Van Keuren, b. 1689; given same name as older brother who died
Hasuelt (Haseal) Van Keuren, b. 1692
Cornelius Van Keuren, b. 1694
Benjamin Van Keuren, b. 1696
Gerardus, died as an infant
Lydia Van Keuren, m. Johannes Beekman
It was the six sons of Matthys Matthysen who, reaching their majority,
says an old manuscript, "changed their names of Matthysen to Van Keuren",
from which the numerous descendants get their name.
It is not known why they changed the "l" in "van Keulen" to "r"
in "Van Keuren".
Send suggestions and corrections to Robert Steven van Keuren at
[email protected]