The BERGEN'S Island Homestead The BERGENs Island House, erected before the Revolution

The first real estate promoter of note in Flatlands, if not on Long Island, was the common ancestor of the STOOTHOFFS, a gentleman who bore the name of Elbert ELBERTSE, and who had emigrated in the year 1687 from Nieukerken, in the province of North Brabent, Netherland. He was born in 1620, and died about 1688. According to recorded deeds he was, at the time of his death, in possession of over 600 acres of upland in the town of Flatlands. We quote Tunis G. BERGEN'S BERGEN Family in relation to his purchase of BERGEN'S Island. "On the 25th of November, 1665, for 125 guilders wampum, he purchased of 'Mactel SPIESER' (probably the heir of Thomas SPICER), as endorsed on the back of the Indian deed hereinafter referred to, 'Meutelaer' (as per patent) Island, now known as BERGEN'S Island, in Flatlands. This island was patented May 14th, 1646, by Gov. Kieft, to Capt. John UNDERHILL, a mercenary soldier from New England, employed by Gov. Kieft to fight the Indians, who finally settled in Queen's County, where he has numerous descendants. UNDERHILL sold his patent to Thomas SPICER (of Gravesend), who, July 20th, 1652, extinguished the Indian title, the deed of which is in the English language, and sets forth that the island is called by the Dutch 'Meller's Island' and by the Indians 'Wimbaccoe,' and that it is given 'for and in consideration of full and plenarie satisfaction allready paied and deliuered unto us,' and is signed by 'Specke Jon alias Aremacus, Oranke, Quahsse, and Ohachama' in the presence of 'Ambrose LONDDON,' interpreter and John LAKE (both of Gravesend), as witnesses." Elbert ELBERTSE'S first wife by whom all his children were born, was Altie Cornelis, daughter of Cornelis Lambertsen COOL, of Gowanus, and widow of Garret Wolfertse van COUWENHOVEN, whom he married August 27th, 1645. After her death he again married on July 21st, 1688, Sara ROELOFFSE, widow of Comelis VAN BOSSUM and a daughter of the world-renowned Anneke JANSE, by her first husband, Roeloff VAN MASTERLANDT. She followed her mother's footsteps and led no less than three husbands to the altar and outlived all of them. Elbert ELBERTSE and his first wife had four children, whom I will enumerate, so that which is at best a complicated lined may be better understood. Elbert, Jr., baptized January 26th, 1648, died young. Gerret ELBERTSE, only surviving son and successor. Heiltie ELBERTSE, who married Thomas WILLETS, Sen., of Flushing. Aegie ELBERTSE, who married John Teunisse VAN DYCKHUYSEN. He seems to have had a business instinct and to have succeeded to a part of his father-in-law's power. For many years I believe he was the principal citizen in Flatlands. Gerret ELBERTSE (now called STOOTHOFF) was married twice; First to Willemtie PIETERS (sup.) MONFOORT, and second August 10th, 1684, to Johanna NEVIUS. He had a son, Elbert STOOTHOFF, who married Johanna LUPARDUS, daughter of the Rev. Gulielmus LUPARDUS on March 28th, 1714. They were the parents of Gerret born August 13th, 1715 O.S. He married Lammetie STRYKER, in 1739. He was accidentally drowned in Flatlands Bay. One of his daughters, Annape, was born February 21st, 1743; married April, 1760, Tunis BERGEN, of Gowanus, died July 2300, 1819. We again quote the BERGEN Family, by Tunis BERGEN. "About 1764, a suit was commenced by Tunis.BERGEN and Annatie, his wife, John STEVENS, and Saartie, his wife, and William NALLISON and Eitie, his wife, against John STILES (a fictitious name), and Wilhelmus STOOTHOFF, for the recovery of the island located in the meadows and on the shores of the bay in Flatlands, patented by Gov. Kieft to Capt. John UNDERHILL, known as Winpaggie, Meutelaers, or Omety's Island (now BERGEN'S Island), containing about 90 acres of upland, on the ground that their wives, the daughters and heirs of Gerret STOOTHOFF, were entitled to the same by the last will of Elbert ELBERTSE STOOTHOFF, their ancestor, dated Dec. 18th, 1686, in which he bequeathed said island to his eldest son Gerret and after his death to his child or children in succession, and on failure of succession, to Gerret's two sisters, Heyltie and Aegje, and in case of their death, upon their child or children, and in case of failure of them, then upon his nearest relations in blood, stating, that it was his express will and desire, that the same should not go out of his family or generation, but should remain forever hereditary therein. After the decease of Elbert ELBERTSE, Gerret went into possession and by his (Gerret's) will devised the island (supposing he had a legal right), to Wilhelmus, one of his younger sons. However, Elbert, Gerret's eldest son, entered on the island on his father's death, and put his eldest son, Gerret, in possession, who died (being accidentally drowned in the bay), during his father's life time, leaving issue three daus., viz; Eitie or Margrietie, Annatie, and Saartie, plaintiffs together with their husbands in this suit. After the death of Gerret, Elbert his father put his second son Wilhelmus in possession, and on Elbert's death, Wilhelmus, the second son delivered up possession to his uncle Wilhelmus, a defendant in this suit, who died in 1788, during its progress. On the death of the uncle Wilhelmus, his son Peter went into possession. "This suit was finally decided on the 3rd. of Sept, 1791, (about 27 years after its commencement), in favor of the plaintiffs, thus declaring the entailment by Elbert ELBERTSE to be lawful, but before its termination, Eitie or Margretie died without issue, leaving her two sisters her heirs at law." "On the 5th. of September, Tunis BERGEN went to the island and dispossessed Peter STOOTHOFF, who was in possession, leaving his son John BERGEN in charge. On his claim for :rent, while unlawfully deprived the use of the premises, the arbitrators, who were selected by the parties, awarded him on the 25th of June, 1792 L445, which was paid in instalments, by William and Johannes, sons of Wilhelmus STOOTHOFF. After the termination of the suit, on the lOth of May 1792, Tunis BERGEN for L800, bought of John STEVENS and Saartie, his wife, of Bybury, Penn, their undivided half of the island." "On his death, Tunis BERGEN left his island at Flatlands to his son John, who then occupied it. The BERGEN Book says: 'Johannes or John BERGEN, born Sept. 28rd. 1764; died August 12th. 1824, of typhus fever; married April 23d 1793, Rebecca, daughter of Samuel STRYKER, born Jan. 8th. 1774, died Jan. 28th 1850. Vhen John BERGEN took possession of BERGEN'S Island on September 5th, 1791, in the name of his father, he had with him a negro slave, Tone. For about a year they kept bachelor's hall together, then he secured the services of a man and his wife. Their names were Mr. and Mrs. Folkert SPRUNGT who had been exiled Tories. They stayed with Mr. BERGEN until after his marriage. From various records it would seem that he was rather hot tempered. He led in several reform movements against the military discipline of the day, in which time and history justified him. All in all, it seems he was a man honored and respected by all. I will quote BERGEN again. "The house on the island occupied by the STOOTHOFFS, which forms part of the present dwelling, from appearances may have been the first erected there. In 1801, John BERGEN added to it for a kitchen, the wing on its easterly side, and afterwards, in 1819, enlarged the main building on the westerly side. A westerly wing was built by his son, Cornelius, after the death of his father." "John BERGEN and Rebecca STRYKER, his wife, had issue in order of birth: Tunis; Maria; Cornelius; Maria the first of that name having died; John; Johanna; Ann and Garret. -Cornelius BERGEN, born February 20th, 1798; married March 10th, 1825, Francis daughter of Abijah BALDWIN, of Flatlands. Owned and resided on BERGEN'S Island. Was ensign of militia, March 17th, 1821, and afterwards lieutenant. In 1828 was appointed Justice of the Peace, and in 1825 was elected Coroner. Died March 81st, 1865, leaving issue: -John C. BERGEN, born January 19th, 1826; married Mary T. BROWER. He owned BERGEN'S Island until 1898, when he sold it to speculators, who opened an amusement park there and cut it up into building lots under the name of BERGEN Beach, by which name it is best known. Mr. BERGEN bought of his uncle, Garret BERGEN, a farm on the Mill Lane, Flatlands, where he lived for many years. He resided in Bay Ridge the latter part of his life, dying about three years ago. He possessed all the virtues of which the Long Island Dutchmen speak with pride as belonging particularly to their race. He was connected with the Dutch Reformed Church of Flatlands all his life, and no man was more seriously missed than he. A kindly gentleman of the noblest type. (2). Mary C. BERGEN, born March 81st, 1828; married October 11th, 1847, Daniel VAN BRUNT of Bay Ridge, a son of Captain Jaques VAN BRUNT. Of all the descendants of the pioneer Dutchmen who settled this state in the early part of the seventeenth century, I know of no one who possesses the grace of friendship which we like to attribute to them as does Mrs. VAN BRUNT. She resides in Bay Ridge, surrounded by her children and grand-children, who though grown and in most cases married, live near her. Age is sweet, when we can say, as we do now of this brother and sister, Mrs. VAN BRUNT and Mr. BERGEN, that they grow nearer, dearer and more necessary to their friends as they grow older. I count it a privilege to have known them.

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