The VAN BRUNT-ROBARTS Homestead



Erected previous to the Revolution






	Among the numerous Dutchmen who came to America previous to 1664, few have 
left descendants who have adhered to the virtues of their race as have the descendants 
of Rutger Joesten VAN BRUNT. I do not say this because I am one of his descendants, 
but when you look through "The VAN BRUNT Family," a book by Tunis G. BERGEN, you can 
distinguish the traits of the ancestors descending to the children, and when you 
know some of the living descendants you can not fail to appreciate them as a family. 
Although I believe my own branch are worthy representatives of the VAN BRUNT family, 
yet I do not keep them in mind when I write of the other branches, so that I may 
speak without prejudice.

	But I am writing the story of an old house which for many years has 
interested me, and the branch of the VAN BRUNT family who owned it are very remotely 
connected with mine, so perhaps I can trust my pen to an unbiased task.

	The common ancestor, Rutger Joesten VAN BRUNT, emigrated from Netherlands 
in 1658. In 1657 he was among the first settlers of New Utrecht. Unlike many 
of the other Dutch names in America, VAN BRUNT was a surname, and to-day there 
is a family in Holland by this name. He was a large landholder and at various 
times held offices of public trust. It is recorded that the life of his wife 
was threatened by one of the freebooters who was engaged to fight the battles 
of the English Towns on Long Island. He threatened to thrust poor Tryntie Claes 
through with a sword. VAN BRUNT had married Tryntje Claes, the widow of Stoffel 
HERMENSON, who had been killed by the Indians in 1655, and by whom all his children 
were born.

	The line we are to follow descends through Joost VAN BRUNT, a son of the common 
ancestor. He probably owned and occupied this farm. April 16th, 1687, he married 
Aeltie, daughter of Coert Stevensz Van VOORHEES, of Flatlands. He died about 1746, 
and his wife on November 12th, 1746. For many years he was a deacon or elder of 
the New Utrecht Church, and was Supervisor for upwards of thirty years. He advanced 
in the militia to the rank of Colonel. There is a court record of an attack made 
upon him by upwards of thirty persons, who stole 80 acres of his corn and wounded 
him. "The cause of this riot has not been ascertained," says BERGEN.

	In the next generation we find his only son, Rutgert, who was known as 
Ryke Bood or rich brother, the reason for which is apparent. His death occurred 
July 5th, 1758. He married Jannetje VAN DYCK, of New Utrecht. He was Supervisor 
of New Utrecht from 1744 to 1758, and at one time Captain of the militia; 
was also a member of the Consistory of the Church. Upon his death he divided 
his land among his four daughters, his son having previously been accidentally 
drowned. We suppose he lived on this farm, and if he did he probably lived in 
this house, as we would judge it to be of ample age. Compared with the Colonel 
Jeromus LOTT House erected previous to the Revolution, and to other landmarks 
of the pre-Revolution period, it was erected in the first part of the 18th century, 
as after 1750 the houses were given a higher foundation. I remember when the 
chimneyplace was exposed at the side, and the bricks were of the kind brought 
from Holland.

	On the division of Rutgert VAN BRUNT's estate on September 23rd, 1762, this 
farm was allotted to his daughter Maria, who died a short time previous to the 
Revolution. About April, 1737, Maria VAN BRUNT mamed Joris LOTT, who was born 
October 3rd, 1717; died August 26th, 1762. They had issue two children; namely,
	-John LOTT, who died before his father and whose descendants occupied
 		part of the New Utrecht land;
	-Jannetje LOTT, born January 14th, 1745; died in 1817; married September 24th, 1768, 
		Nicholas COWENHOVEN, of New Utrecht, a neighbor, Who was known as Judge COWENHOVEN. 
		They had children as follows:
		(1). John N. COWENHOVEN, married Susan MARTENSE, and had children; 
			Maria, born April 6th, 1808; died June 23rd, 1867; married May 2oth, 1820, 
			Egbert Benson; and Jane, born February 1st, 1805, who married June 27th, 1827, 
			Daniel Roberts, of New Utrecht;
		(2). George CoweDhoven, married Elizabeth, daughter of Rutgert VAN BRUNT, of Gravesend, 
			and died without issue.

	Maria COWENHOVEN Benson and Jane COWENHOVEN, who later became Mrs. ROBARTS, divided 
the land of their late father, John N. COWENHOVEN, on August 81st, 1826. The farm we 
are describing descended thus to Mrs. ROBARTS.

	 Those who have owned this place, when making alterations, have wisely kept 
near to its original design. I claim no beauty but simple quaintness for this 
old friend. It has seen many interesting events. Past this dooryard swept the 
British Army on August 23rd, 1776, driving before them the handful of raw Americans, 
farmers and tradesmen, who were gathered to defend what they believed, and what they proved, 
were their inalienable rights.  Here, within sound of this house, was fought the most 
bitterly contested battle of history, which would have resulted in the most destructive 
battle the world has ever known, save for the masterly stratagem of that master of armies, 
Washington. Here, within gun-shot of our modern rifle, the liberties of America were 
almost snuffed out. Should we not honor this house which silently watched and waited 
while history was being made, doing its duty silently and faithfully, housing its 
occupants unto the present day? And now it stands a reminder that the men we read 
about really lived and had their being, and they, like us, were men subject to all the 
human ambitions of men, and that we, as they, may develop ourselves into men of 
activities not only for the present, but for the future generations, to look back 
with pride and say, "My grandfather did thus and so"; adding, if possible, further glory 
to the family name.


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