Virgin islands families

18 July 2014

E. van Beverhoudt appeared for the first time, on 17 October 1673, in the St. Thomas records, a year and a half after the island was settled, and he participated in a court case concerning an Indian who enticed two of the governors' African slaves to run away.² It may be that Engel van Beverhoudt, a resident of Saba, who had been Vice-Commander of Saba and who was appointed by the Sabans as their Commander in 1689, for a few brief months, was the same as the E. van Beverhoudt mentioned above.³

On May 30th 1691, Lucas van Beverhoudt was engaged and on 16 July, he was married in the Lutheran Church of St. Thomas, to Margaretha Rønnels⁷/Runnels, who was born in about 1673, was from St. Eustatius, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and the daughter of Ariaen Rønnels, from St. Eustatius, and his wife Anna, from Antigua.⁸ In the census for March 1, 1692-March 1, 1693, they are both listed as resident on Lucas van Beverhoudt's plantation.⁹ It appears that Lucas and his wife were resident on their plantation the following year as well.¹⁰ He does not appear in the list of individuals who took the oath of office in 1695 & 1696.¹¹

By 1697-98, Lucas Beverhoudt had purchased a house in Charlotte Amalie, where he lived. In addition, he was using his father-in-law, Ariaen Rønnels' house, as a warehouse.¹² He continued to cultivate his plantation, and in this reference mention was made of children, but not how many.¹³ The following year, 1698-97, Lucas van Beverhoudt retained a house in town, but was not resident there,¹⁴ and in a second house which he now owned, which was used partially as a warehouse, there was also resident Jochem von Holten with his family.¹⁵ At Lucas' plantation, it continued to function, but Lucas and his family were off island at that time.¹⁶ In 1700, the situation remained the same, with the family still off island.¹⁷
Lucas van Beverhout appeared in the records of St. Eustatius, in 1699 and again in 1705 and in 1710, and in 1715, but is considered a foreigner, in 1720, 1725, and the last list, in 1728.¹⁸ Thus, it would appear that although he held property on St. Thomas, he in fact settled with his family on St. Eustatius and was consistently one of the largest slave holders.

On 20 April 1701, Lucas van Beverhoudt's barque arrived from St. Eustatius with a cargo of sugar and cotton, which he had sent to be stored on St. Thomas, as there was fear that St. Eustatius might be involved in war.¹⁹ On 11 May 1701, his barque arrived again with household goods to be stored in case of war,²⁰ and the vessel sailed again to St. Eustatius on the 13th May 1701.²¹ His barque arrived again from St. Eustatius with household goods and slaves on 24 May 1701.²² In addition, the government's barque arrived on 28 May 1701, with freight belonging to Beverhoudt, which was allowed to be landed, even though the government wanted to remain friendly with Spain and France.²³ On the first of June, Captain Manasse with his barque, arrived from St. Eustatius with among others, Lucas van Beverhoudt, his wife and children, who would remain on St. Thomas until it was possible to see which way the war went.²⁴ On the 10th of June 1701, it was reported that the Company barque which was hired by Lucas van Beverhoudt for 150 rd. to sail to Curaçao, had until this day taken on people, and now was sailing to the east end of the island to take on board some oxheads of sugar.²⁵ On the 11th of June, 1701, the Company barque returned from the east end and on the 14th it sailed for Curaçao.²⁶ On the 21st of June 1701, Lucas van Beverhoudt's barque departed for Curaçao.²⁷ On the 16th of July, Lucas van Beverhoudt's barque returned from Curaçao, and the Captain reported that he was attacked by four Spanish pirates and was plundered, and that some money which belonged to some Jewish passengers on board, was taken.²⁸ On the 17th July 1701, the Company barque returned from Curaçao.²⁹

On the 4th of August 1701, Lucas van Beverhoudt arrived on an English barque from the upper [Leeward?] islands. Beverhoudt intended to remain for some months.³⁰

On the 11 October 1701, Beverhoudt sailed in his barque to Curaçao, and he was given funds by the Vice Commandant to be given to Messrs. Becqs and Moyaert for goods, which were to be brought back by Beverhoudt's barque, which was provided with a Danish pass and flag for Cornelis Delicaet.³¹ Beverhoudt returned on 20 November 1701, with his barque, and he had a (financial) note from Messrs. Becqs & Moyart drawn on Mr. von Belle [the Brandenburger governor].³²

On 26 November 1701, Lucas van Beverhoudt departed in his barque for St. Eustatius³³ and on the 2nd December, he returned from St. Eustatius.³⁴ On the following day, in the evening, Beverhoudt's barque sailed again for St. Eustatius,³⁵ and it returned on the 29th of December 1701.³⁶

On the first of January 1702, Lucas van Beverhoudt, along with his wife and children departed for St. Eustatius in his barque.³⁷ His barque returned from St. Eustatius on the 7th of January and left again for St. Eustatius on the following day, the 8th January 1702.³⁸

On 5 January 1708, Margaretha van Beverhoudt, b. Runnels, held Peter at his baptism, the son of Hans Croyer,³⁹ but when it came to have the boy baptized in the church, she was ill. ⁴⁰

On 28 October 1710, Lucas served as a witness, and his wife Margaretha Runnels, held, Maria, the daughter of Adrian Runnels and Elisabeth Moy, who was baptized at home by the Pastor of the Lutheran Church in St. Thomas. ⁴¹

In March 1712, Lucas and his wife Margarethe Runnels stood as witnesses at the baptism of Joseph, the son of Peter Uytendal and Anna Maria Runnels by the Pastor of the Lutheran Church in St. Thomas. ⁴²

On 16 September 1714, Margaretha Beverhoudt, born Runnels, at the baptism of the Pastor of the Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, held Severin, the son of Christian Seeberg’s child. ⁴³

On 11 December 1715, he and his wife stood as witnesses to the engagement of Caspar Schnetheil and Miss Margareta Didrichs Datter. ⁴⁴

In a document from July 1722, he was listed as now deceased, but had been the first person to establish a sugar works on St. Thomas.⁴⁵ In addition, he had property as of that date on St. John.⁴⁶

2. i. Anna van Beverhoudt

3. ii. Adrian van Beverhoudt

4. iii. Aletta van Beverhoudt

5. iv. Cathrine van Beverhoudt, d. 24 January 1708

6. v. Anna Elisabeth van Beverhoudt

He was married on 21 December 1724, in the St. Thomas Lutheran Church by the Dutch Reformed Pastor, Grundwold, due to the illness of the Lutheran Pastor, to Anna Elisabeth Thambson.⁵⁰ On her death, he married Anna Maria von Holten. ⁵¹

In a July 1722, he was mentioned as the son of Lucas van Beverhoudt, and by that time, given that his father was dead, was not the heir to his father's property on St. John.⁵²

In 1728, in reference to an estate which Anna Maria von Holten owned in Little and Large Cruz Bay on St. John, it was referred to as belonging to "Anna Maria von Holten, now married to Adr[ian]. Beverhhoudt, living on St. Thomas."⁵³ In 1729, the estate ownership was the same, but the slaves had increased, so that there were 9 adult slaves, 7 children and 8 bosals.⁵⁴ In 1730, the estate consisted of 9 adult and 1 child slaves, and 8 manqueroons, along with a Mesterknegt.⁵⁵

In addition, also in 1728, there were two estates in Rift and Fish Bay on St. John, which belonged to Adrian van Beverhoudt, which were said to be sugar estates and were taken care of by a manager ["mesterknegt"]. The number of slaves on the estate was unknown⁵⁶. In the following year, these two additional estates remained Adrian van Beverhoudt's, and the slaves were given as 1 old man, and 20 bosals.⁵⁷ In 1730, Adrian still owned one estate, no. 50, with 21 enslaved persons and a mesterknegt.⁵⁸ The other estate, no. 51, had been sold to Bertel Søhrensen.⁵⁹

In 1731, Adrian received through his wife, Anne Marie von Holten, a cotton estate, in Little and Large Cruz Bay, St. John, while they resided on St. Thomas. There was a Mesterknegt and 8 able slaves.⁶⁰ In addition, in 1731, two estates, no. 49 & 50 were rented to Wilhelm Berentz with Berentz's own 21 able slaves.⁶¹

On 14 January 1753, he stood as a witness at the baptism by the Lutheran Pastor in St. Thomas, of Jochum Melchior van Beverhoudt and his wife, Radts Zeegers son, Adrian. ⁶²

On 4 October 1762, a house and four lots in Queen’s Street, Christiansted, which he had owned, was sold by his son Lucas, to Wilhelm Schäfer for 3500 rds.⁶³

Adrian was dead by March 1783.⁶⁴
Children of Adrian and Anna Elisabeth (Thambson) van Beverhoudt:
7. i. Lucas van Beverhoudt, d. 25 July 1726⁶⁵

8. ii. Johan Jacob Creutzer van Beverhoudt

9. iii. Pieter Clausen van Beverhoudt
Children of Adrian and Anna Maria (von Holten) van Beverhoudt:
10. i. Lucas van Beverhoudt, b. 18 December 1728 - d. 25 November 1796

11. ii. Johannes van Beverhoudt, b. 23 August 1731

12. iii. Jochum Melchior van Beverhoudt, d. before January 1753

13. iv. Margaretha van Beverhoudt, b. c1732

On 31 October 1719, she held and he witnessed the baptism of Christina, the daughter of Lieutenant Peter Ullerup, at home, by the Pastor of the Lutheran Church, on St. Thomas. ⁶⁷

On 5 January 1722, they participated in the baptism of Hohan?, the daughter of Andreas Hissing and Birgitta Swain, the Pastor of the Lutheran Church on St. Thomas officiating, with Mrs. Bredal holding the girl at the baptism and Erik Bredal witnessing the baptism. ⁶⁸

He was a resident in 1722 on St. John, serving as the Vice Commander.⁶⁹

He abandoned her. A writer, who knew her, characterized her marriage as follows:

"... many of these families have seized the occasion to govern and to act in such a manner as to bring about whatever pleases them. In general, this is the principal disorder in their ranks. No one has dared to speak out against any of this, as long as such a family was in control. Proof of all of this may be offered by the example of one of these distinguished persons [Erik Bredahl] who entered into matrimony with a member of one of the most distinguished [Creole] families. When he saw that everything was done improperly and that his wife [Aletta van Beverhoudt] and her family wanted to run everything and have the final say in all matters, he departed the island, leaving behind his wife and children, his property and his means of livelihood. After the wife had him summoned into court, she married someone else, a man who had been attending to her as her lover, both before and after her husband's departure".⁷⁰

.

6. Anna Elisabeth van Beverhoudt was married by the Danish Lutheran pastor in her mother's house, on 2 July 1722, to Frederik v. Moth,⁷¹ born 1694 in Copenhagen.

In July 1724, he was both Captain and Head Merchant for the Company.⁷³

He was a Governor of the Danish West Indies.

He was a plantation owner on St. John.

He died 13 August 1746 and was buried on St. Thomas the same day. ⁷⁴
8. Johan [John] Jacob Creutzer van Beverhoudt was a beneficiary of Lucas van Beverhoudt, his half brother, and his wife, Maria's will, written in January 1771.⁷⁵

He was married on 23 November 1775 at Mr. James Barret's residence on St. Croix by the Anglican Minister to Martha Barret.⁷⁶

Lucas van Beverhoudt, as his half brother, granted Pieter Clausen a part of his estate after both Lucas and his wife's death, as described in a will written in 1771.⁷⁸

See Appendix for property.
Child of Pieter Clausen and Johanna (Wood) van Beverhoudt:
14. i. Anna Elizabeth van Beverhoudt, b. 23 December 1777
10. Lucas van Beverhoudt, born on 18 December 1728, was baptized at the Lutheran Church in St. Thomas on 30 December 1728.⁷⁹

He was married in about 1760,⁸⁰ to Anna Uytendaele, who was born on St. Thomas, the daughter of Johannes van Uytendahl (1685-1742) and Marie le Breton (1690-1724), the widow of Severin Seeberg,⁸¹ and prior to him to Reys Daniels.⁸²

Through this marriage Lucas van Beverhoudt acquired his wife's estates on St. Croix from her deceased husband, Severin Seeberg. They consisted of three estates, today called "Work and Rest" numbers 14b & 15 Company Quarter and number 37 Queen's Quarter, which he owned from 1760 until 1790, when he sold them to Peter Lotharius Oxholm.⁸³

In addition, he received a house in Christiansted, which Severin Seeberg had begun in 1758, on Strand Street. This became the home of the new couple on St. Croix. Finally, in 1760, Lucas purchased from John[?] Bundell, an estate in East End A Quarter, what would become part of estate Cotton Grove.

In about 1765, he was made General War Commissioner for the Danish West Indies.

On 26 May 1767, Lucas van Beverhoudt purchased 6 boys for 720 rd. from the Frigate Christiansborg in Christiansted.⁸⁴

From at least 1768 until 1778, he had a property in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas.⁸⁵

Anna Uytendahl probably died in 1769.⁸⁶ In that year, he was living alone on his sugar estate, on St. John, where he also had two cotton estates, which he sold to the widow, Susanna Rønnels.⁸⁷

In his second marriage, which occurred in 1770,⁸⁸ his wife was Maria de Malleville, who was born on St. Thomas and was baptized on 2 April 1736 in the Lutheran Church on St. Thomas.⁸⁹ She had been previously married to Christian Suhm.⁹⁰ [She was the daughter of Jan de Malleville and Maria La Salle⁹¹; or Malleville and Bourdeaux. ⁹²]

Upon their marriage, Lucas took over her estate, which was in debt.⁹³

In 1770, having married Maria de Malleville, he moved on to her sugar estate on St. Thomas,⁹⁴ and he was there in 1771, with his wife, and a child, whether his own, or his wife's was not clear.⁹⁵ On 18 January 1771, Lucas and Maria wrote a will, while on St. Thomas.⁹⁶

By 1772, they had left the St. Thomas estate.⁹⁷ Likewise, they were not resident at their Christiansted residence on St. Croix, namely 2 Strand Street, although there were enslaved people living there.⁹⁸

In 1772, while he was on a trip to London, he bought the property in New Jersey, which he would call Beverwyck. In the summer of 1775, he sent an Overseer and ten slaves from St. Croix to New Jersey.

In January 1773, van Beverhoudt was living at 2 Strand Street, Christiansted, with his wife, 2 boys and 2 girls, along with three white male servants and 1 white female servant, in addition to the following slaves: 35 capables, 2 manqueroons, 12 youths and 22 children.⁹⁹

In January 1774, the family was resident at 2 Strand Street, Christiansted, consisting of Lucas himself, his wife, 2 boys and 2 girls, and 1 white male servant, in addition to which there were the following enslaved people: 33 capables, 2 macqueroons, 12 youths and 20 children.¹⁰⁰ In addition, Johannes Rogiers and his family were at the same address.¹⁰¹

In January 1775, the family was still resident, and they consisted of the same number of individuals.¹⁰² Johannes Rogiers family was also resident.¹⁰³

In January 1776, van Beverhoudt, his wife and a young girl, along with a white servant, 25 capable slaves, 4 manqueroons, 6 youths between 12 & 16 and 15 children under 12 years old, were all part of the household at 2 Strand Street, Christiansted. In addition, Johannes Rogier and his family, his wife being a daughter of Maria de Malleville by her late husband Suhm, also resided at the same address.¹⁰⁴

In January 1778, van Beverhoudt and family continued to reside and 2 Strand Street, Christiansted and the family consisted of himself, wife, 2 girls, and included the following slaves, 26 capables, 4 manqueroons, 6 youths and 18 children.¹⁰⁵

On 4 January 1778, he and his wife stood as sponsors of Peter Claussen van Beverhoudt’s daughter Anna Elizabeth at her baptism in the St. Croix Dutch Reformed Church. ¹⁰⁶

On 21 July 1778, he purchased at four men and one woman from the Frigate Christiansborg.¹⁰⁷

In January 1779, the family continued at 2 Strand Street, and consisted of Lucas himself, his wife, and 3 daughters, one white male servant, and the enslaved people consisted of 29 capables, 3 manqueroons, 9 youths and 11 children.¹⁰⁸

In summer of 1779, van Beverhoudt and his family arrived in New Jersey.¹⁰⁹ In January 1780, the house at 2 Strand Street, Christiansted, was recorded as now owned by David McFarlane.¹¹⁰

Lucas died at Troy, New Jersey on 25 November 1796.¹¹¹

Maria died on 27 May 1798, at Beverwyck, New Jersey and was buried by Dr. Darby.¹¹² The newspaper Genius of Liberty, published in Morristown, New Jersey (No. 2, May 31, 1798) said of her in its death notice, "She was a kind and endearing mother, a virtuous and amiable woman."¹¹³

See his property in the Appendix.
Child of Lucas and Maria (de Malleville) van Beverhoudt:
15. i. Adriana van Beverhoudt, b. 9 May 1777
11. Johannes van Beverhoudt, born on 23 August 1731, was baptized in the St. Thomas Lutheran Church on 4 September 1731,¹¹⁴ and he married a person named Ruth.¹¹⁵
12. Jochum Melchior van Beverhoudt was named after his mother's father.

He was married to Radts Zeegers. ¹¹⁶

He was dead by January 1771, but his children were the beneficiaries of Lucas van Beverhoudt and his wife, Maria's will, written in January 1771.¹¹⁷
Children of Jochum Melchior and Radts (Zeeger) van Beverhoudt:
16. i. Adriaan/Adrian van Beverhoudt, b. c1753

17. ii. Anna Maria van Beverhoudt

18. iii. Anna van Beverhoudt

19. iv. Jacoba van Beverhoudt

20. v. Susanna van Beverhoudt
13. Margaretha van Beverhoudt was baptized at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church, on 28 December 1732.¹¹⁸
14. Anna Elizabeth van Beverhoudt was born on 23 December 1777 and was baptized on 4 January 1778 in the St. Croix Dutch Reformed Church. ¹¹⁹
15. Adriana van Beverhoudt was born on 9 May 1777, and was baptized on 25 May 1777, in the St. Croix Dutch Reformed Church.¹²⁰

She attended the Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies at Bethlehem., Pennsylvania in the class of 1789.¹²¹

She was married to Tobias Boudinot.¹²² [Alexander Hamilton spent a year, c1773, in Francis Barber's grammar school in Elisabethtown, New Jersey living with Elias Boudinot, a kindly lawyer, and his family [Ramsing (1939), 225]. What is the relationship?]
16. Adriaan/Adrian van Beverhoudt was born in about 1753 and was baptized on 14 January 1753 by the Lutheran Pastor in St. Thomas. ¹²³ Mrs. Maria Suhm held him at the baptism and the witnesses were Mrs. Anna Maria Clausen, Governor Peter Clausen, Mr. Lucas DeWint and Mr. Adrian van Beverhoudt. ¹²⁴

He was a beneficiary of his uncle and aunt, Lucas and Maria van Beverhoudt's will.¹²⁵