The Putman Family Bulletin
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Johannes [Victorse] Pootman and Cornelia Arentse Bradt
The Dutch-American Putman family of early Schenectady, New York, descends from Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Arentse Bradt.
Johannes was sixteen years of age in 1661 when he signed an apprenticeship with Philip Henderickse Brower. Johannes was born about 1645 presumably in Holland possibly in North Brabant. Johannes' first son was named Arent for Cornelia Bradt's father who was Arent Andres Bradt. Johannes Pootman's second son was named Victor. The names Victor and Pootman were not a common names at that time and place. There was only one other Victor in New Netherlands, or New York, at that time. He was Victor Bicker of New York City.
However, there was Victor Pootman, who was a teacher in Aalburg, North Brabant, about in 1645 who because of the rarity of both the given and surname seems to have been the father of Johannes Pootman.
Johannes Pootman's apprenticeship in Fort Orange, which is today Albany, New York, was the first real record we have of Johannes Pootman.
In 1661 in Fort Orange, Jan Hendrickse Van Bael bound out Johannes Pootman to work for Philip Hendrickse Brouwer a mill owner and brewer.
The Bal Van Ryswyck family of Amsterdam, North Holland, had a coat of arms that was somewhat similar to the Putman coat of arms. Whether the Bael family is connected with the Pootman or Putman family at this time is unknown.
Johannes Pootman removed to Schenectady, New York, probably when Philip H. Brouwer moved there about 1664.
In Schenectady a few years later, Johannes married Cornelia Arentse Bradt. Cornelia was the daughter of Catherine Andreas De Vos and Arent Andres Bradt. Arent was a tobacco farmer and brewer.
Three signatures of Johannes Poutman appear on the signature page.
The children of Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Bradt were sons Arent, Victor, David, and Cornelius and daughters Maria and Catherine.
Arent was named after Cornelia Bradt's father while Catherine was named after Cornelia Bradt's mother Catherine De Vos.
According to the traditional Dutch naming patterns Victor was named for Johannes Pootman's father and Maria would have been named for Johannes Pootman's mother. So, it would seem that Johannes Pootman's parents were Victor and Maria Pootman..
Johannes Pootman and his wife Cornelia Bradt died in the Schenectady Massacre of 1689.
Johannes Pootman
Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Bradt, or Bratt, are then the second generation that is known of the Pootman or Putman family. The first generation of which we are certain. Since Johannes and Cornelia Pootman lived in Schenectady, which was along the the Mohawk River, the family was also known early on as the "Mohawk Valley Putmans".
Cornelia Bradt’s ancestry is much more documented then that of Johannes. Cornelia Bradt's father was Arent Andres Bradt, who came to America from Frederickstadt, Norway, in 1637.
Johannes Potman was born, reportedly, in Leyden, South Holland, about 1645. Since this was a place where many Walloons and others were baptized during the years of struggle between Holland and Spain, Johannes Pootman probably lived elsewhere. The late 1500s and early 1600s because of the Reformation were a time of migration.
From the way he wrote his name, Johannes Pootman was a person of good education, and it is said that his father was a Dominee, or preacher, in Holland. Victor Pootman was a teacher, which may be construed to be a dominee.
The Dutch word "poot' means paw of hand; however, it seems the family name actually is a form of gateman or portman.
Wendell Putman in his “Memoirs,” 1975, said Johannes was a son of a Dominee, or minister, and during his youth served on board an ship as a cabin boy. According to Wendell, in 1661, Johannes Pootman “jumped ship” in New Amsterdam, now New York City, because Holland and England were at war and the high seas were very treacherous. Johannes not wanting to pay the consequences of jumping ship made his way to Fort Orange, now Albany, on the Upper Hudson River, and then eventualy made his way to Schenectady where he made for himself a life. This was the tradition about Johannes Pootman that has been passed down and found in many 19th century stories about the family.
The earliest document concerning Johannes in the New World is his “Agreement of Indenture” with Philip Henderickse Brouwer, which Johannes signed at the age of about sixteen. He was also a witness for other documents written about the same time.
Phillip Henderickse Brouwer's last name meant the brewer.
It would seem then that since Brower was a "brewer" and that Johannes Pootman married a daughter of another brewer Arent Bradt, Johannes then was himself a brewer. Johannes also might have been a merchant. Many people in the 1600s had more than one occupation such a Jellis Fonda who was a gunsmith, innkeeper, and distiller. All these occupations actually went together.
Johannes Pootman's son Arent was a weaver and an Indian interpreter. Johannes' second son Victor was known to have had a trading post at Tribes Hill. Johannes' youngest son Cornelius was associated with the Van Eps family. The Van Eps were associated with the Indian or fur trade, and Cornelius or his sons may have delivered rum as a trade item.
It is a good guess that Johannes Pootman was involved, at least part time, in the Indian trade, which was a common occupation of those of Schenectady although it was often considered illegal by those in Albany who in general controlled the trade.
The contracts between Johannes and Philip Brouwer were originally in Dutch; however, Johnathon Pearson, translated and published them in Early Records of the City and County of Albany and Colony of Renselaerswyk.
Johannes Pootman's Contract of Indenture
Indenture of Apprenticeship of Johannes Pootman
To Philip Hendricksen Brouwer
On this day, the 14th of September 1661, Mr. Jan Hendricsz Van Bael has bound out and Phillip Hendricxsz Brouwer has engaged Johannes Potman, a young man, at present about sixteen years of age, to serve him, Phillip Hendricxsz, faithfully in all his business and affairs so far as they are lawful and just for the term of three successive years commencing on the date hereof; for which, Phillip Hendricsz shall let him, Potman, have lodging, board, clothing, washing and all that appertains thereto and at the end of the service fit him out with a decent suit of clothes. In good faith, this is subscribed in Beverwyck in N: Netherland on the date above written.
Jan Hendericks Van Bael
Johannes Pootman
Pfilip Hendricksen Brouwer
It seems that before the contract, Johannes was in the care of Jan Hendrickse Van Bael who owned land along Norman's Kill. Norman's Kill was named for the Norwegian Bratt family. Norman's Kill was also known as Sawmill Creek. The name Bradt seems to be Scandinavian and may mean "bo ard maker".
About two weeks later, Johannes an Brouwere amended his contract:Philip Hendricksen BrouwerAnd Johannes Pootman
On this day, the 28th of September 1661, with the knowledge of Jan Cornelisz Van Der Heyde, Phillip Hendricxsz Brouwer and Johannes Potman have covenanted and agreed with each other that in fulfillment of the contract made this 14th day of the month of September, he, Pootman, in the place of clothing and outfit stipulated in said contract, shall receive each year the sum of eighty guilders in good whole beavers reckoned at eight guilders apiece. The other terms of said contract remaining intact.
Signed by them in good faith in Beverwyck on the date above written.
Philip Hendricksen
Johannes Pootman
Jan Cornelisz Van Der Heyden
In the final agreement, Philip Henderickse paid Johannes 10 beaver skins a year in addition to lodging and board instead of the equivalent in Guilders. A guilder was Dutch currency. [ In today’s money, it would be worth about 28 cents. So, Johannes received about $21 a year—along with room and board.] Philip Brouwer may have been a brother of William Henderickse Brouwer who lived in Albany and later Schenectady.
Members of the Bradt family also owned saw mills.
It seems Johannes was a miller, brewer, and merchant.
In 1662, when Schenectady was founded, Philip Henderickse removed there and was one of its first patentees. Johannes likely went along. Schenectady was 20 miles west of Albany and was composed of a tract of land 6 miles long and 8 miles wide. Phillip Henderickse Brouwer died in 1664, and his wife took over the management of Philip's estate as did many Dutch women at the time; however, it wasn't long before the mill and brewery was sold to Jan Dirckse Van Eps whose family was ancestor was originally a shoemaker, or cordwainer, and tanner. The Van Eps and Pootman families intermarried. The Eps family was also associated with the fur trade.
In 1664, The Netherlands relinquished control over New York, or New Netherlands, giving it up to England; however, for many years afterward, the Dutch in Albany and Schenectady continued to practice their customs and traditions and continued to speak Dutch.
About 1676, Johannes Pootman married Cornelia Bratt.
During September of 1686, Johannes Pootman was listed on the church records kept by Deacon Johannes Sanderse Glen. Johannes Pootman was given 25 guilders for eleven days work on the church. It seems then that Johannes must of had skill in working with building. Johannes may also have been a carpenter. The records are only extant for two months in 1686.
In October 1686, Johannes Pootman witnessed the will of Pieter Jacobse Borsboom the "stein baker " or brick maker. Pieter's children after his death in April 1687 were under the care of Adam Vrooman and Joris Aerts Van Der Baast [Voert]. Adam was a millwright and built a mill on Sand Creek. Dutch "boom" meant board or beam.
The Bradt's and the De Vos' were carpenters.
Cornelia Bratt
Cornelia Arentse Bratt was the daughter of Arent Andries Bradt, a tobacco planter, millwright, and brewer.
Arent's brother Albert Bradt owned a saw mill on Norman's Kill. These two brother were born in Frederickstadt, Norway, and reportedly came to the New Netherlands on the ship “Rensselaerwyck,” which sailed from Texel, North Holland, October 8, 1636, and arrived in New Amsterdam, or New York City, March 4, 1637.
When first in New Netherlands, Arent Bradt acquired a plantation, and his tobacco was said to have been “extraordinary” according to Killian Van Rensselaer the patroon whom he served. Between 1638 and 1640, Arent Andries Bratt was credited with furnishing tobacco to Superintendent Van Corlear and Anthony De Hooges.
Schenectady was then called by the local Mohawk Indians Corlear's. Van Corlear was also a brewer.
About 1649, Arent Bratt married Catalyntje de Vos the daughter of Andries and Eva De Vos. Andries De Vos was very influential in the Fort Orange area and once served as Vice-Governor of the Patroon of Rensselaerwyck to the south or Fort Orange.
April 23, 1652, Arent Andriese received a lot in Beverwyck (Fort Orange or Albany), and May 1, 1658, he obtained a lease from Jan Baptiste Van Rensselaer for all the tilled land on the island opposite Beverwyck and also on all the land he could obtain from the Indians. Rent on the land was 100 guilders a year, besides tithes and two fowls as “toepacht,” [lease] to be paid in good wheat and oats at four guilders a “muddle.” His lease expired May 1, 1662.
Arent Bratt became one of the first white men to settle Schenectady where he became a proprietor. He, however, soon died, about 1662, leaving a widow and six children—Aeffie, Ariantje, Andries, Cornelia, Samuel, and Dirk. They were 13, 11, 9, 7, 3, and 1 years old, respectively.
The first daughter Eva, or Aeffie, was named for Arent Bradt's mother who was Eva or Kinetis. Much has been said about Eve. One story says she was a Mohawk. It might be noted that the word "Kentucky" means meadow or land that is even, which is similar to the name Eve.
Catalyntje de Vos, Arent’s wife, married twice more. In 1664, Catalyntje married for her second husband Barent Jansen Van Ditmars. Her ante-nuptial contract with the Orphan Masters made a provision for the protection of the interests of her infant children and bore the date November 12, 1664. It bond Catalyntje to pay to the children their patrimonial estate of 1,000 guilders at majority.
Barent Jansen Van Ditmars died in 1690 in the French and Indian Massacre of Schenectady, New York.
In 1691, Catalyntje married for her third husband Clause Janse Van Bockhoven. By their ante-nuptial contract made February 27, 1691 they agreed that on the death of both their property would go to their children.
The town of Bockhoven is in North Brabant near Heusden and only a couple of miles east of Aalburg.
Claas Janse Van Bockhoven died in 1707. Catalyntje Vos died in 1712.
A daughter of Arent Andres Bradt married Helmer Otten a baker who was from Essen, Germany. Another daughter married into the Van Petten who were brewers. Two daughters married into the Van Slyck family. The Van Slyke family owned a tavern and were distillers. Another daughter married into the Van Eps family who were Indian traders, tanners, and probably brewers.
The Bradt family in Schenectady was famous as brewers.
Johannes and Cornelia Bratt Pootman
About 1676, Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Arentse Bratt married.
They lived in Schenectady on the north corner lot of what is today Union Street and Church Streets. Their lot had 100 ft., frontage, on Union Street, which runs east and west. Church Street runs north and south. Later, Johannes and Cornelia purchased the lot next to the west from Jan Roeloffse the son of Annek Janse. That lot also contained 100 ft.frontage on Union Street.Johannes Pootman owned a number of lots in and outside of Schenectady and was very active as Orphan Master and Deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady. He hired the minister and served as Justice of the Peace for Schenectady starting in January 1690 during the Leiselear Administration, but Johannes Pootman died in the Massacre of Schenectady in 1690 before Johannes served in office.
Burning of Schenectady
The people who lived in Schenectady were oppose in general to rules imposed by Albany, and in general, the government of New York—particularly the law that required them not to trade with the Indians for pelts or furs. Though the trading of pelts with Indians was forbidden, it was a major source of income for the people of Schenectady.
During the war between France and England—King William’s War—the French and their Indian Allies burned Schenectady and killed many of the inhabitants.
In early February of 1690, the Canadian's entered the Mohawk Valley hoping to attack Albany. At the last minute just north of Albany, they decided to attack the smaller village of Schenectady to the west that was more vulnerable. About 25 militiamen from Connecticut and about 150 Dutch then occupied the village of Schenectady. They enclosed the village with wooden pickets, and according to legend, in defiance of the authorities at Albany, they left the gates of the stockade open and unguarded except for two snowmen.
The attack started on the night of February 8, 1690--and lasted two hours.
The French and Indians killed 60 of the villagers and set the settlement ablaze. Sixty-three homes burned that included the Dutch Reformed Church and its records. Only one Frenchman and one Indian died.
Walter Wilie from Albany described the tragic events later in a ballad, which was printed in the History of the County of Schenectady.
“The Ballad,” set forth the “Horrid Cruelties displayed by the French and Indians of Canada on the Night of the 8th of February 1690.” Wilie composed it in the space of one hour on June 12, 1690.
BALLAD
God prosper long our King and Queen,
Our lives & safeties all.
A sad misfortune once there did
Schenectady befall
From Forth the woods of Canada
The Frenchmen tooke their way
The people of Schenectady
To captivate and slay.
They march’d for two & twenty dais
All tro’ the deepest snow;
And on a dismal Winter Night
They strucke the cruel Blow.
The lightsome sun that rules the Day
Had gone down in the West;
And eke the drowsy Villagers
Had sought and found their reste.
They thought They were in Saftie all,
And dreampt not of the Foe;
But att Midnight They all awoke,
In Wonderment & Woe.
For They were in their plesant Beddes,
And sounde lie sleeping, when
Each door was suden open broke
By six or seven Men.
The Men and Women, Younge & Olde,
And eke the Girls and Boys,
All started up in great Affright,
Att the alarming Noise.
They then were murthr’d in their Beds,
Without shame or remorse;
And soon the Floores and Streets were Strew’d
With many a bleeding corpse.
The Village soon began to Blaze,
Which shew’d the horrid sight; -
But, O’ I scarce can Beare to Tell
The Mis’ries of that Night
They threw the Infants in the Fire,
The Men they did not spare;
But killed All which they could find
Tho’ Aged or tho’ Fair.
O’ Christe! In the still Midnight air,
It sounded dismally,
The Women’s Prayers, and the loud screams
Of their great Agony.
Me thinks as if I hear them now
All ringing in my ear;
The Shrieks and Groanes and Woefull Sighs,
They utter’d in their Fear.
But some ran off to Albany,
And told the dolefull Tale:
Yett, tho’ We gave our cheerful aid,
It did not much avail.
And we were horribly afraid,
And shook with Terror, when
They told us that the French were
More than a Thousand Men.
The news came on the Sabbath morn
Just att the Break of Day,
And with a companie of Horse
I galloped away.
But soone We found the French were gone
With all their great Bootye;
And then their Trail We did pursue
As was our true Dutye.
The Mohaques joynd our brave Partye,
And followed in the chase
Till we came upp with the Frenchmen
Att a most likelye Place.
Our soldiers fell upon their Reare,
And killed twenty-five,
Our Young Men were so much enrag’d
They took scarce One alive.
Dailebout Then did commande,
Which were but Theevish Rogues,
Else why did they consent and goe
With Bloodye Indian Dogges?
And Here I end the long Ballad
The Which you just have redde:
I wish that it may stay on earth,
Long after I am dead.
Walter Wilie Albany, 12th of June, 1690.
During the Massacre of Schenectady, Johannes and Cornelia Pootman were killed, and her scalp was taken. Also, among those slain were Johannes and Cornelia’s neighbors--Rolf Janse and his wife.
According to tradition, after the alarm passed , friends and family buried Johannes and Cornelia under a boulder in what is now the Old Cobblestone Church Yard in Rotterdam a bit southwest of the picketed walls of Schenectady.
Johannes and Cornelia Potman left six children: Maria, Arent, David, Victor, Cornelius, and Catalyntje. No record of who took charge of the care of the children is known. Perhaps, their grandmother, Catalyntje De Vos, became their caregiver, or perhaps the family was separated and placed in different homes. Since the Johannes Mingal family were the Orphan Masters and the name Mingal was on baptismal records, the Pootman children may have been left to the care of the Mingal family.
Goods were sent from New York to assist those at Schenectady who had escaped. On the List of Recipients, who received linen for clothing, were the Pootman children:
List of Osenburg Lien
Johannes Pootman’s children . . . 70 ells.
The Pootman children received 70 ells of cloth, which was equivalently to about 88 yards.
Wendel Putman in “Memoirs” said: that the Putman boys were now orphans and wards of Fort Orange . . .. Without parents to teach them, any formal education was discontinued. The sons were given some original Dutch, or Indian territory, in the vicinity of the present Putman Road [on Poentic Kill], with a land grant form Queen Anne of England . . .. In 1705, Queen Anne of England granted the orphans a good-size parcel of Dutch and Indian wilderness along the Poentic Kill and the present Putman Road area. When old enough to work, Johannes [Arentse Pootman] and Arent [Pootman] worked the grant, but Victor [Pootman] built a fort near the Mohawk River at the foot of Tribes Hill, to engage in trade. In spite of the English grants, it was all Indian country. This section of Montgomery County was Sir William Johnson’s country, controlled with Indian gifts, as well told in John Vrooman’s book, Clarissa Putman of Tribes Hill. Later, before the Revolution against the English presence, Joseph Brandt’s English Indians, on a raid into the Mohawk Valley, scalped Victor [this was a later Victor] The incident was regarded a grave mistake by Brandt, who knew the Putman’s as friends, but big war parties were hard to control.
Of the children of Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Bradt, it seems that Victor Johannes Pootman was a farmer, mill operator, and trader who may also have owned a brewery.
During this period, primogeniture was common law in New York, so the right to Johannes and Cornelia Pootman’s estate fell to their eldest son, Arent, when he was of age. Arent’s inheritance included the home lot in Schenectady and other lands. Arent Janse Potman conveyed part of his inherited land to his brother Victor April 6, 1709.
Arent Pootman was known to be a weaver and interpreter of the Mohawk Language, which would seem to mean he was also an Indian trader.
David Pootman seems to have used the Potman or perhaps Portman. David Pootman daughter Cornelia D. Pootman married into the Traphegan family who were originally bakers.
Johannes and Cornelia Pootman's two daughters Maria and Catherine married a Bedeut and a Post, respectively.
Catalyntje De Vos, grandmother of the Potman Children, made her will January 11, 1699, and lived until 1712. Her third husband, Claes Jansen Van Bockhoven, predeceased her.
The heirs of Catherine De Vos and Claes Van Bockhoven made an agreement on the division of their estate August 29, 1712.
The will left property to their children: Arent Bratt; Samuel Bratt; Dirk Bratt; Class Van Petten and Eva, his wife; Reyer Schermerhorn and Arienetie, his wife; and Arent Pootman in behalf of Victor Pootman, David Potman, Marie Pootman—wife of Steven Cofooy, and Catalyntje Pootman—wife of Cornelius Post.
April 9, 1713, the Potman children shared in their portion of the inheritance. Together they inherited 1/6 of the farm at Canastagione, or Niskayuna [Plains of Corn], on the north side of the Mohawk River and 1/6 of all the other land there.
Children:
1. Arent.
2. Victor.
3. Maria.
4. David.
5. Cornelius