File:Van Deursen Family by Albert Harrison Van Deusen (1912), page 3.png

First Generation

1. Abraham Pietersen (Van Deursen), the Ancestor, was born in the city of Haarlem, Holland, where he was baptized November 11, 1607^[1], in the Dutch Reformed Church. His intention of marriage was recorded at Haarlem November 25, 1629, at which time he was dwelling on the Groote Houtstraat (Great Forest Street), Haarlem, and a bachelor. He was married on December 9, 1629, to Tryntje Melchiors, spinster, born in Groningen and dwelling at the Smedestraat (Blacksmith street), Haarlem, (Records of the Groote Kerk, Haarlem).

It is probable that Abraham Pietersen and his wife left Haarlem for America very soon after their marriage, as no baptismal records of any of their children are found at that place between 1630 and 1635, and he is known to have been in New Amsterdam, now New York, in 1636, when he was recorded as "of Haarlem." The baptismal records of the Dutch Reformed Church at New Amsterdam date from 1639, therefore we have no record of the baptisms of the first four children of Abraham Pietersen and Tryntje Melchiors, though, doubtless, they were born in that city. The baptisms of their two youngest sons, Pieter and Melchior, are found on the registers of the church, however. On April 14, 1657, Abraham Pietersen was granted a "Small Burgher Right" (New York Historical Society Collection, Vol. 18, p. 22). Four of his children, viz., Teuwis, Marytje, Jacob and Melchior, settled in Albany, their names, as found in various deeds, being almost invariably spelled Van Deusen, omitting the "r" which appears in their father's name.

Abraham Pietersen lived on the Heerewegh Straat, or Broadway, New Amsterdam, where he carried on the occupation of miller and innkeeper, trading also in land and cattle. The date of his death is not known.
Children, last two baptized in Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam:

• 2 i Teuwis (Matthew), b a 1631; married a 1653, Helena Robberts.
• 3 ii Marytje, b a 1632; married (1st) 1651, Thomas Jansen Mingael, who died a 1661 or 1662; (2d) Evert Jansen Wendell.
• 4 iii Isaac, b a 1635; married Apr. 5, 1659, at New Amsterdam, Jannetie Jans.
• 5 iv Jacob, b a 1638; married September 23, 1663, Catalyntie Van Elslant (See Miscellaneous and Related Families for Van Elslant).
• 6 v Pieter, baptized Mar. 23, 1642; sps Do. Everardus Bogardus Webbers.
• 7 vi Melchior, baptized Mar. 6, 1644; sps Jan Stephenszen, Cos.

(See Miscellaneous and Related Families), Olof Stephensen Van Courtlant, Jan Janszen Dam, Maritje Teunis; m Oct. 10, 1666, at New Amsterdam, HesterPieterszen, Anneken Bogardus (See Miscellaneous and Related Families), Lysbeth Dircks; m a 1668, Engeltie Rutgers.

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