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Jan Joosten Van Metern - Macyken HendricksenThe family patronymic was derived from "Van" (of) and "Meteren" (town in Holland). The first evidence in the records of the actual presence of any of the Van Meter family in America is contained in the list of passengers arriving in the "Fox" at New Amsterdam 12 Sept 1662. Among the passengers were Jan Joosten, as he signed his name, from Tiederwelt, with wife and five children, ages 15, 12, 9, 6 and 2 1/2 (Lysbeth, Catharine, Geertiji, Joost Jansen and Gysbert Jansen. His wife Macyken Hendricksen was of Meppel, Providence of Drente, Netherlands. Jan Joosten settled with his wife and family in Wyltwick (Kingston) late in the summer of 1662 and nothing more is learned of them until the Minnissink Indians came down upon the settlement on the Hudson, raiding and burning the villages of Hurley and Kingston on 7 Jun 1663. They carried away as captives the wife and two of the children of Joosten. In March, 1671, he had from Governor Lovelace a deed for a lot in Marbletown and a confirmation 11 Oct. 1671 of thirty acre lot of ground in Marbletown. Jan Joosten was in every sense an enterprising and influential citizen, a man of vision and initiative culture and to the fine and useful qualities, and one in whom the people placed their matters of trust without fear of being betrayed or exploited. He was indeed a worthy progenitor of the line of descent who have distinguished themselves in every sphere of usefulness.
Joost Jansen Van Metern - Sarah Du BoisFrom the records of the Reformed Church at Kingston the following is abstracted. "Jooste Jan, J. M. of Meteren, b. in Gelderland, residing in Mormon (Marbletown) and Sara Du Bois, J. D. of Kingston, residing in the New Pals (New Palz) married in the pals 12th December 1682. First publication of the Baans, 18 Nov." Sarah was the daughter of Louis De Bois. Their children were: Jan Jansen, Rebekka, Lysbeth, Rachel, Hendrick, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
John Van Metre and Margaret MollenauerJan or John Van Metre as he afterwards wrote his name, son of Joost Jan and Sarah (Du Boise) Van Metern, became a noted Indian trader, was of a roving disposition, and spent much of his time from home in trading with friendly Indians. On one occasion he went in command of a band of Cough Indians on a trading expedition to Virginia, and on this excursion he explored the country then almost unknown to white people - the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac, known then by the Indian name, Wapatoma. When he returned home he urged his sons to lose not time in possessing that land, declaring that it was most beautiful land fertile. On 30 Jun 1730 an Order of Council was made, granting leave to John Van Metre of New York to take up 10,000 acres of land lying in the fork of Sherando River, including the places called Cedar Lick and Stoney Lick and running up between the branches of the river - for the settlement of himself and family of eleven children, as soon as he could bring thirty families to settle the same. John and his brother Isaac also obtained leave by another order of Council to take up 40,000 acres, including the 10,000 acres mentioned above. John was born 14 Oct 1683 and died 1745. His will was probated at Winchester, Virginia 3 Sep 1745. He married first to Sarah Bodine and their three children were: Sarah, Johannes, and Maria. He married second to Margaret Mollenauer and they had 8 children: Rebecca, Isaac, Elizabeth, Henry, Rachel, Abraham, Jacob and Magdalina.
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© 2002
by Lee Case
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