Saturday, 31 December 2016

Jan Vidito and Jannetje Jaspers ~ Life in New York In The 1600s


Last December I wrote about the Vidito branch of my family tree. I am connected to this line through my great grandmother, Leafy May Vidito, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Angus Grant. In that post I traced the line back to Jean Vittiteau, the first of this line to immigrate to the American colonies in the mid-1600s. He was a Huguenot who fled France due to religious persecution, first to Holland and then to New Amsterdam. According to the information I have been able to piece together I believe he is my 10th great grandfather.

In last December’s post I gave a brief overview of each Vidito ancestor. Today I am going to focus on Jean Vittiteau and his family. One thing is for certain, there is a large variety of spellings for Jean’s name. First of all, there is the obvious variation of spellings for his first name: Jean, John and Jan. I am going to refer to him as Jan through the remainder of this post because most of the records refer to him as such. Then there is his surname, which there is a slew of spellings/misspellings for: Vittiteau, Vittito, Vittitoe, Videt, Vidette, Vedito, Vedette, Videtto, Vidithe, Widelte… and so on. This certainly makes it challenging to search for him, and in some records his surname was missing completely! Thankfully Alice L. Priest’s book: Vidito, John Vidito of New York City and His Descendant, A Huguenot Founder of an American Family; the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s database, americanancestors.org; and ancestry.ca have all been helpful in piecing together information on Jan and his family.

Below is a timeline for Jan and his family, and I’ve included notable events that would have had an impact on them, based on the time frame and location:

·        March 3, 1656:  Jean and Jannetje were married in New York, NY in the Reformed Dutch Church. The transcription reads “Jan Widelte, Van Condom in Vranckryck, en Jannetje Jaspers, Van Amsterdam”. This translates to Jan Widelte, from Condom in France, and Jannetje Jaspers, from Amsterdam. This is fantastic because it confirms they were both in New York by 1656.

·        Jan 21, 1657: Jannetje Jaspers is a witness to the baptism of Marie, child of Carel Margen and Cathalyntie Hendricks. The other witnesses were Jan and Marie Pceck, and Claes Pauluszen.

·        Apr 11, 1657: Daniel Teneur appears in court requesting to build on the lot granted him by the city “but as it is understood he has sold the lot to Jan Videt contrary to order and also that the present middle door is regulated ‘tis finally received to inspect it.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23) I think Daniel’s last name may be misspelled because there are records for a Daniel Terneur in New York, NY during the same time as Jan Vidito.

·        Apr 13, 1657: Jan Videt is admitted to be a Small Burgher. He is the 20th name on the list; one copy has him listed as “Jean Videt, Frenchman” and the other has him listed as “Jean Videt, French Tailor”. This confirms he is French, and that he is a Tailor.

·        Apr 26, 1657: Jan Videt’s request to build on Daniel Teneur’s lot is rejected because “’tis decreed as the lot is cut in two, and a corner house is to be on it, that such little houses cannot be placed there.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Jan 27, 1658: Baptism of Jan Vidette and Jannetje Jaspers’ daughter, Anna Marie in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Mattheus de Vos, Marie Polet and Anna Bayard.

·        Aug 4, 1660: Baptism of Jan Vidette and Jannetje Jaspers’ son, Jasper in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witness was Francois Allard.

·        Jun 13, 1662: “in the City Hall. Peter de Rymer, plaintiff v/s Jan Videt, defendant. Deft. in default”. (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Jun 20, 1662 (Tuesday): “In the City Hall. Pieter de Rymer, ptf, v/s Jan Videt, deft. Pltf, demands from deft, seven guilders and costs. Deft. acknowledges the debt; says he shall pay, as soon as he receives money. The (illegible) Court order deft. to pay pltf.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23) This gives us insight into his financial situation, which appears to be a little grim.

·        Aug 28, 1662: Baptism of Jan Vedite and Jannetie Jaspers’s son, Francois in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Francois Velyn and Roose Nelle.

·        Aug 29, 1663: Baptism of Jan Vedette and Jannetie Jaspers’ son, Francois in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Francois Selyn and Marie Dopsen. As there are two Francois with very similar birth dates, it is possible there has been an error in the recordings of the event, and they are one and the same person. However, it is also possible, that the first Francois died within his first year, and they bestowed the same name on their next born child.

·        Sep 8, 1664: New Amsterdam is seized by the British and the name is changed to New York in honour of the Duke of York.

·        Oct 21st, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 1664: Jan Videt is one of the “Names of the Dutch who swore Allegiance after the surrender of New York”. (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Apr 19, 1665 (Wednesday afternoon): “List of Burghers and Inhabitants of this City that are Assessed:” (to supply/pay for lodging of soldiers) “…The Cingel or City Hall; (Ten names, Jan Videt the third, 1 (illegible)orin.)”

·        May 20, 1665: Baptism of Jan ----- and Jannetie Jaspers’ son, Pieter in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Nicolaes Dupu and Annetje Abrahams.

·        Oct 15, 1666: Jannetje Jaspers was a witness to the baptism of Johannes, son of Hendrick Vandoesenburg and Marritje Hendricks. The other witnesses were Pieter Janszen Van Werckendam and Evert Duicking.

·        Oct 24, 1666: Baptism of Jan (blank) and Jannetje Jaspers’ daughter, Jannetie in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Jan Gerdyn and Hester Vincent.

·        Dec 7, 1667: Baptism of Jean Vedette and Janneken’s son, Hester is baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Jan Gerdyn and Hester Vincent.

·        Oct 12, 1670: Baptism of Jean Vidithe and Janneken Jaspers’ son, Thene in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Thene Gayneau and Lydia Metrou.

·        1673: The Dutch briefly regained the city

·        Nov 1674: The Dutch relinquished control of the city to the English in accordance with the Second Treaty of Westminster.

For those of you who like me, hadn’t heard the term Small Burgher before, it is part of a system New Amsterdam had between 1657 and 1668 to guard the citizens’ commercial interests against non-resident trade. The two titles were Great Burgher and Small Burgher. It basically created an aristocracy since the title Great Burgher was hereditary, and awarded them access to the highest public positions in the colony. That being said, it is viewed as having been built on democratic principles because any citizen could become one, depending on a few rules and the payment of a fee. In 1657 there were 20 Great Burghers and 216 Small Burghers. Over time these numbers grew.

Unfortunately, this is where the document trail ends for Jan and Jannetje. I know their son, Jasper, who is my 9th great grandfather was living in Greenwich, Connecticut by 1686, but as to whether he moved there on his own or with the rest of his family is unclear. As per usual, I don’t feel done, and wish I had been at least able to find documentation of their deaths, to confirm if they had stayed in New York or not.

Until next time, happy hunting fellow gene geeks!

Sources:

New England Historic Genealogical Society (americanancestors.org):

·        The American Genealogist, Record 1933, Vol. 10, p.42

·        New York, NY: Parents and Witnesses at Baptisms in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801, pp. 44, 48, 57, 66, 70, 79, 84, 89, 99

·        New York, NY: Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801, p.20

Vidito, John Vidito of New York City and His Descendants: A Huguenot Founder of an American Family, by Alice L. Priest

Ancestry.ca

Wikipedia.org

iloveny.com

14 comments:

  1. Hi there! I was so jappy to come across this post! We share a 9th great grandfather! Jasper! I too just started really digging. My mother's father was Howard R. Vittitow son of Curtis Vittitow from Kentucky! We had always thought the name was Italian and I am thrilled to find its FRENCH! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL INFORMATION!

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    1. Hi Diane, my apologies for taking so long to respond! This month has gotten away from me! Thank you so much for reaching out. I'm very excited to find we have a connection! Have you had your DNA tested? I am on 23andMe and GEDMatch if you're interested in comparing. :)

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  2. This is great! Thank you so much for researching. I too just learned that John/Jean/Jan is my 10th great grandfather. John "the Loyalist", the first to settle in Nova Scotia is early 1780s is my 6x Great grandfather. I found his father to be Petrus (cannot find wife) but the info is sketchy....

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    1. Awesome! Did your line remain in Nova Scotia? I am hoping to visit there next year so if you have any leads on locations I need to see, or people I could talk to, I'd love to hear from you!
      Thanks, Deb

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    2. John is my 4th Great-grandfather. I also show Petrus as his father. I cannot find any other records for Petrus. His Father was Stephen Vidito, his Mother was Phebe Soper.

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    3. Stephen Vidito will be found as "Videtto", He is my direct Great Grandfather x (alot) I am a direct "eldest" son down the line from John and ana. I have not been able to find many before the movement of his father from Nova Scotia.

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    4. Steven Zega, Col, US ARMY/National Guard – GWII, Afghanistan
      Alvin E. Videtto III - US Army, US ARMY RESERVE, USMC, USMC Reserve- Army ROTC, DEA, FEMA, NCIC, Local Gov. Enlistments 2 X 8 Combat Theaters: China/Japan (*Peacetime) , N/S Germany (Cold War) , GWI, N. Korea (DMZ, Clinton action) Units: 102 Ozark Inf, HQ VII Corps, 795th AG, 325 Mech, HQ 1st Ad, 2nd Cav (TDY, Wartime) USMC: 1/8 Weapons PLT 3/2 Weapons PLT, 2nd RCBN (training unit) , 4th Mar Div. (active duty instructor)
      Alvin E. Videtto JR: US Army RETIRED, Vietnam Era, Gulf War, GWII, Germany (Cold War) Indochina (Thailand, Thai border- Post Vietnam evac) FATHER & SON served in combat.
      Alvin E. Videtto SR: US ARMY: US Navy , WG HANN !!! Served with OTIS E.
      Otis E (also listed as B) Videtto: WWII USMC/US NAVY Served aboard the WG HANN – Position?? FLO? (Brother??)
      Charles Videtto – Civil War, WWI
      Payton Legrant . Videtto Sr: US ARMY 3rd CAV Civil War, WWI , Wife Hattie Videtto
      Henry A 32nd Infantry – Civil War, 1812(?) (Father & Son combat) , Brother to General Videtto Confederate Army.
      Joseph Videtto 2nd Connecticut Regiment – Revolutionary War.
      Stephen Videtto – USMC, 1775. Tun Tavern PA.
      John Videtto (Videto,Vidito), Father of Stephen(Stephen) , 1707-1779 War with Canada, US British Army (revolutionary Army)
      John Videtto Sr *(houganaut) - New Amsterdam & Connecticut Royal Navy. Immigrant's Date & Place of Birth: ca 1630 (Videtto’s came to the colonies) Immigrant's Date & Place of Death: aft 1670 New York?
      Immigrant's Spouse: Jannetje Jaspers (SEE BELOW * Source)
      Pre-1660
      “Source of Information: Alice A. Priest Manuscripts from Newberry Library Chicago
      Immigrant's Children: >Anna Marie bap 1658 >Jasper bap 1660 m. c.1685 Sarah Palmer Greenwich CT. d. c. 1708 Greenwich CT. >Francois bap 1662 d. bef 1663 >Francois bap 1663 >Pieter bap 1665 ancestor to the Nova Scotia Vidito (s). >Jannetie bap 1666 >Hester bap 1667 >Thene bap 1670 possible ancestor to southern Vittitoe/Veteto, etc. These names were found in the Dutch Reformed Church in New York City. Thew fathers last name was spelled.
      different ways, Videtto, Viedit,, etc. Jean Videt was a French tailor and lived on wall street.
      (note Father was already in N. America pre 1660.)
      John Videtto (Vidito, Videt, Viedit, VIdetoux) Married Jannette (Jannetie) 1656
      Married #1: John Vidito on 3 Mar 1656 in the Dutch Reformed Church, New York, New York
      Sources:
      1. Book: "John Vidito of New York City and his descendants : a Huguenot founder of an American family, 1931"

      2. Estate Dispute: "Early Courts of PA, Records of the Court of New Castle on Delaware 1676-1699, 2 vol, vol 68
      nd 69" in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, (Lancaster, P: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1904), 1(1676-1681):55-56. 3. "Jannette Jaspers Courtois of New York and Delaware" was published in Jan 2007 edition of The NY Genealogical and Biographical Record

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    5. I gave this to my father last year shortly before his death, it was done using the Census and Military records, I believe it has information in it that some of you have been looking for. - Thanks, Al

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  3. Hello Debbie. I am a Vittitoe, from the southern part of the family. I to trace back to Jan. Jan is were I hit the wall. No matter which spelling I use I can not find a direct record from Europe. Have you ever found anything that goes further back?
    Thank you for sharing what you have.
    Ben

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    1. Hi Ben, I haven't done research on this branch that far back yet. I try to keep my research to one area at a time until all leads run dry and that has kept me in Colonial America for a very long time now! Much, much longer than I anticipated! I do plan to research this line further but I'm not sure when that will be.
      Thanks, Deb

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  4. Hello cousins! Jan/Jean/John was my 11th Great-grandfather. I too, am of the Nova Scotia Viditos. John "The Loyalist" was my 7th great grandfather. My father was born and raised in Digby, N.S. Although I myself now reside in the Canadian Prairies. I would love to learn more about the New York connections of the Viditos.

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    1. Very cool! Always nice to meet another cousin! :)

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  5. Hello all my Cousins! Jean/John/Jan- Vittiteau /Vidito/ Voddlto Is my 8th Great-grandfather on my maternal side of the family. I am on ancestry.com in the US and have found many records. I have his baptism records from the Netherlands and his wife; Jannetje was a witness. I also have the marriage documents dated 3 Maart, 1656. A link was provided which is in Dutch. There is a tab at the top to change to English, but you must start the search over. https://www.wiewaswie.nl/personen-zoeken/zoeken/document/srcid/20995896.

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  6. Debbie: I am trying to find the ancestry of my *several greats* grandmother named Sarah "Videto" whose marriage to Cornelius Smith is recorded in Greene County, TN in 1789. No other person with the surname Videto has ever lived in, passed through, or even visited Greene County, TN that I can tell. On the 1850 census, Sarah (Videto) Smith gives her date and place of birth as 1770 in Virginia. As near as I can tell, there was only 1 Videto man in Virginia in 1770. He was Stephen Videto (Veto, Whitto, Viteto) who is documented in Frederick and Shenandoah Counties 1750 to 1776. I estimate his birth date as approximately 1730. Very little is known about him. No deeds or estate records exist as far as I can tell. There was a great deal of interplay between this area of Virginia and Greene County, TN. Literally dozens of families and hundreds of settlers moved from the area where Stephen Videto lived (including Cornelius Smith's father, John Smith, John Sevier (also from a Huguenot family), John Newman, John Hughes) to the small community where Cornelius Smith and Sarah Videto lived at the time of their marriage. Can you email me privately with your Gedmatch info and let me see if you and my mom share any common DNA? I would be interested to see if DNA gives any indication of Sarah's family. Thanks - Doug jenkinsdt68@gmail.com

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