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Hendrick Harmensen |
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No parents conclusively identified |
Hendrick Harmensen ★ was also called “Hendrick Harmansen” and “Hendric Harmansz”. James Riker stated, without evidence, that Hendrick was the father of Margaret (Grietje), who married Abraham Rycken RI9. The Hendrick Harmensen of this biography was probably the father of Grietje, but there is a possibility that her father was another man, as yet unidentified, named Hendrick. While his place of origin is currently unknown, he almost certainly emigrated from Holland. He married Tryn (Trÿn) Herxker, who may have been the mother of Grietje Hendricks RI9, PU4.
Hendrick Harmansz and Jan Jacobsen of Vrelant signed a covenant at Fort Amsterdam on September 25, 1638, which stated that Jan would deliver two cows to Hendrick, who promised to care for them for six years, during which time Hendrick would have the use and benefit of the cows VA9. At the end of the sixth year, Jan would reclaim the cows, as well as half of any additional cows which were born from the original two VA9. If either of the cows died before the termination of the contract, then Jan would simply claim half of any new cows which may then exist VA9. Hendrick also permitted Jan to live in his home and raise hogs on his farm, so long as Jan assisted Hendrick with work VA9. While the contract was dated on the twenty-fifth, the actual delivery of the cows to Hendrick’s farm occurred on September 1, 1838, as stated in a different contract between Jan Jacobsz and Aert Tonissen on June 18, 1639, in which Jan sold Aert one fourth of a share of these cows VA9. Four months later, Jan sold Aert the remaining quarter of a share, and Aert then assumed the place of Jan in the original contract VA9.
On May 18, 1639, Director General Willem Kieft leased Bowery Number Five of the West India Company, and its cattle, to Hendrick Harmensen for a term of six years, commencing on May 1, 1639 FE3, ST16. This parcel of land, which was slightly larger than fifty acres, was positioned north of Division Street, and east of the Bowery FE3, ST16. He was responsible for three young milk cows, one yearling heifer, one bull calf, one old mare, and two mares which were one and two years old FE3. Hendrick agreed to pay an annual rent of half of all of his grain which he harvested from the land, as well as thirty pounds of good butter from each cow FE3. Further, he promised to “cultivate… the land with all diligence and industry and not attend exclusively to the increase of the cattle, but diligently till the ground which is the Company’s principal object herein” FE3. After a West India Company agent perceived that Hendrick had begun to accomplish this task, he would be paid servant’s wages of fifty guilders each year FE3. Upon the termination of the lease, the Director General, or another agent of the West India Company, would repossess the original cows, in addition to half of any new cows which were born during the term of the lease FE3.
One month later, on June 18, a different lease of cattle was recorded, in which Willem Kieft delivered one cow and one heifer calf to “Hendric Harmansz”, who promised to care for them for four years, and if the cattle should happen to die, the loss was that of the West India Company VA9. Hendrick was to pay forty pounds of good butter annually, and when the cows calved, then he also was to pay three mengels of sweet milk and three mengels of buttermilk each week, until the cattle were put into the stalls VA9. A mengel was equivalent to almost two quarts VA9. At the end of the four-year lease, the company was to repossess both cows and half of the number of new cows which were born during that time VA9. It is unclear if this lease agreement was a revision of the first, or an additional lease of more cattle.
Hendrick took custody of Jan Cornelissen, the son of Cornelis Jansen of Texel, for the term of seven years, beginning on August 3, 1639; the contract did not indicate whether this was an apprenticeship, but it stated that Hendrick swore to take care of this boy as if he were his son VA9. On September 15, 1639, Hendric Harmansen and Jan Damen were appointed by the court as arbitrators to estimate damage done by cattle which belonged to Aert Tonissen to property owned by Tomas, the smith VA8.
According to testimony given on September 31, 1640 in New Amsterdam by Cornelis Arissen, Philip Geraert, Philip Gerritsen, and Roger Jorissen, the previous day, Hendrick’s wife vilified and berated Huyck Aertsen and made several disparaging remarks about him, and ultimately wielded a sword against him VA9. After she was disarmed, Hendrick then thrust a knife toward Huyck’s person, but Huyck dislodged the blade from Hendrick’s grasp, and tossed it aside VA9.
On November 29, 1640, Hendrick was sued by his neighbor, Abraham Pietersen, a miller, for the surrender of Bowery Number Five, because he claimed that on this land, Hendrick tended cattle which did not belong to him ST17, VA8. Abraham demanded that Hendrick must remove the cattle which did not belong to him, but Hendrick stated that all of the cattle were his and clarified that some of the cows were leased by him VA8. This case was settled peacefully in court VA8.
Hendrick died before February 26, 1645, when Trÿn Herxker, his widow, married Jeúriaen Fradell PU4 (Juriaen or Juryaen Fradel) of Moldavia RI9, BA18. On September 5 of that same year, Juryaen Fradel was granted land on Long Island BA18, GE2. Trÿn died before March 1652, when Jeuriaen Simon Fradel, described as a widower, remarried on March 3, 1652 LE1.
