Notes |
- Dirck Claessen was a potter. In 1657, when he became a small burgher, he bought a house and lot in New Amsterdam, and set up a pottery, known afterward as "Pot-baker Corner," located near the outlet of the Fresh Water into the East River, and next to Henry Braiser. He leased the property on August 10, 1662 for three years and moved to Harlem to manage his Bowery there, and was chosen magistrate. On November 5, 1663 Dirk sold his Bowery to Jan Teunissen, but had to take it back under a mortgage of that date, and finally sold it to Daniel Tourneur February 1, 1667, then returned to New Amsterdam to resume his pottery there.
Dirck Claessen deeded the property on September 10, 1680 to his daughter Gisberta by his second wife, and John Everts, son of his second wife Annetie, widow of Evert Jansen. It is unknown whether or not Gisberta married. When a miss of sweet fifteen, one Wm. Phillips visited her, but on a Sunday morning October 26, 1679, and she being caught acting rather free to suit the father, he indignantly drove Phillips out of the house, nearly cutting his nose off with a knife.
Dirck Clasen Pottbacker, bridegroom and Mettie Elberts Bride, before Wm. Bogardus, Notary Public, to be assisted by Bay Crosvelts and Cornelis Vandenburgh her chosen overseers. Agreeing by God Almighty permission to marry each other. They also agree that each party shall bring in all their goods and personal property, none excepted, with which the Almighty Bod has blessed them, and the profits and losses are to be to them equally. And after the decease of either, the survivor shall have one-half and the heirs of the deceased to have the remainder. March 15, 1678/9.
"Dirck Clasen Pottbacker. Agreement. March 15, 1678. Appeared before me, Wm. Bogardus, Notary Public, residing in New York, admitted by the Rt. Hon. Edmund Andros, Knight and Lieutenant-Governor, etc., under his Royal Highness, James Duke of York and Albany, etc. Derick Clasen Pottbacker, widower of Amertie Dircksen, on the one part. And John Rea, as being married Clarision, the daughter of the first wife of the said Dirck Clasen, viz., Wyntie Roelofs, and giving him power, also for Jannetie married with Cornelis Dircksen, and Gretie married to Barent Christians. As also of John Everts being a son of his second wife, Amertie Dirckse, being assisted by Mr. Boele Roeloffsen and Hugh Barents de Cleyn, requested in this same, and also by desire to speak for Gisbertse, a maid under age of the afore said Dirck Clasen procreated by the aforesaid Amertie Clasen, 'they all declaring that they have agreed in friendly love with each other as follows:'
The said widower Dirck Clasen Pottbacker shall have possession of the whole estate, and after his decease, the three first children of said Wyntie Roeloffs are to have one half, which shall be in common with his present wife, Mettie Elberts, and the aforesaid children shall have 300 guilders, wampum value; the remainder is to go to the children of the second wife, Amertie Dircksen namely John and Gisbertse 'And they are to have each one half of a certain corner called Pottbackers corner, with all that is depending thereon; being situated near the out ward of the Fresh water into the East river, and next into Henry Breasier's.': The girl is to remain in her father's house till she is married and John is to remain in the service of his father for six months. They all agreed and sign his document.
November 1, 1686. "We Nicholas Delaplaine, Boele Roelofsen, Theophilus Turford and Hendrick Jansen, in obedience to an order of the Court of Mayor and Aldermen, dated the 19th of October 1676, to make an inventory of the estate of Dirck Claesen, etc. The lot of ground with the old house thereon situated and lying in the Heer Gracht," 75 pounds. "The lot of ground and old house, situated in Petticoat Lane, 25 pounds. Total amount, 126 pounds. Sworn to this date.
"Abstracts of Wills", Vol. I, pp 135-136, published by The New York Historical Society.
"Revised History of Harlem (City of New York) Its Origin and Early Annals," James Riker, 1904.
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